CHAPTER XIX.
THE RECTOR'S GARDEN PARTY.
A few days after the tennis party at the Manor, at which Bertram hadtalked a good deal to Beatrice, and in a very marked way snubbed MattyBell, the Rector gave his customary annual treat. He gave this treatevery year, and it was looked upon by high and low alike as the greatevent of the merry month of August. The treat lasted for two days, thefirst day being devoted to the schools and the humble parishioners, thesecond to the lads and lasses, the well-to-do matrons and their spouses,who formed the better portion of his parishioners.
Every soul in the place, however, from the poorest fisherman's child tothe wealthy widow, Mrs. Meadowsweet, wag expected to come to the Rectoryto be feasted and petted, and made much of, at Mr. Ingram's treat.
With the small scholars and the fishermen and their wives, and all thehumbler folk of the place, this story has nothing to do. But it wouldnot be a true chronicle of Northbury if it did not concern itself withthe Jenkinses and their love affairs, with Mrs. Gorman Stanley and herfurniture, with Mrs. Morris and her bronchitis, with Mrs. Butler and heradorable sister, Miss Peters, and last, but not least, with that young,_naive_, and childish heart which beat in the breast of Matty Bell.
There are the important people in all histories, and such a place inthis small chronicle must the Bertrams hold, and the Meadowsweets. ButMatty, too, had her niche, and it was permitted to her to pull some notunimportant wires in this puppet show.
It is not too strong a word to say that Matty, Alice and Sophy Bell,received their invitation to play tennis at the Manor with a due senseof jubilation. Matty wore the shot silk which had been partly purchasedby the sale of good Mrs. Bell's engagement ring. This silk had beenmade, at home, but, with the aid of a dressmaker young Susan Pettigrew,who had served her time to the Perrys. Susan had made valuablesuggestions, which had been carried into effect, with the result thatthe shot silk was provided with two bodies--a high one for morning wear,and one cut in a modest, demi-style for evening festivities. The eveningbody had elbow-sleeves, which were furnished with raffles ofcoffee-colored lace, and, when put on, it revealed the contour of arather nice plump little throat, and altogether made Matty Bell looknicer than she had ever looked in anything else before.
The wonderful Miss Pettigrew had also supplied the dress with a train,which could be hooked on with safety hooks and eyes for evening wear,and removed easily when the robe was to act as a tennis or morningcostume. Altogether, nothing could have been more complete than thissinning garment, and no heart could have beat more proudly under it thandid fair Matty's.
When the captain went suddenly away this little girl and her good motherhad both owned to a sense of depression; but his speedy return was soonbruited abroad, and at the same time that little whisper got into theair with regard to the gallant captain, that, like Duncan Gray, he wascoming back to woo. It did not require many nods of Mrs. Bell's head toassure all her acquaintances whom she considered the favored young lady.Matty once more blushed consciously, and giggled in an audible mannerwhen the captain's name was mentioned. The invitation to play tennis atthe Manor completed the satisfaction of this mother and daughter.
"There's no doubt of it," said Mrs. Bell; "I thought my fine lady wouldhave to come down from her high horse. I expect the captain makes hismother do pretty much what he wishes, and very right, too, very right.He wants to show his little girl to his proud parent, and, whether shelikes it or not, she'll have to make much of you, my love. Sophy andAlice, it's more than likely Matty will be asked to dine and spend theevening, at the Manor, and I think we'll just make up the evening bodyof her silk dress and her train in a bit of brown paper, and you cancarry the parcel up between you to the Manor. Then, if it's wanted, itwill come in handy, and my girl won't be behind one of them."
"Lor, ma, what are we to do with such a bulky parcel?" objected Sophy,who was not looking her best in a washed-out muslin of two years' date."What can we do with the parcel when we get to the Manor?"
"Take it up, of course, to the house, child, and give it to the servant,and tell her it's to be kept till called for. She'll understand fastenough; servants always guess when there's a sweetheart in the question.Most likely she'll place the things ready for Matty in one of thebedrooms. I'll put in your best evening shoes too, Matty, love, and myold black lace fan, in case you should flush up dreadful when thecaptain is paying you attention. And now, Sophy, you'll just begood-natured, and leave the parcel with the parlor maid, so your sisterwill be prepared for whatever happens."
Sophy, having been judiciously bribed by the loan of a large Cairngormbrooch of her mother's, which took up a conspicuous position at herthroat, finally consented to carry the obnoxious parcel. Alice wasfurther instructed, in case Mrs. Bertram so far failed in her duty as toneglect to invite Matty to stay to dine at the Manor to try and bringCaptain Bertram back with them to supper.
"You tell him that I'll have a beautiful lobster, and a crab done to aturn ready for him," whispered the mother. "You'll manage it, Alice, andlook sympathetic when you speak to him, poor fellow. Let him know thatI'll give him his chances, whether that proud lady, his mother, does ornot. Now then, off you go, all three of you. Kiss me, Matty, my pet.Well, to be sure, you do look stylish."
The three little figures in their somewhat tight shoes toddled down thestreet. In the evening they toddled back again. The brown paper parceltossed, and somewhat torn, was tucked fiercely under Sophy's arm, andAlice was unaccompanied by any brave son of Mars.
Sophy was the first to enter her expectant mother's presence.
"There, ma," she said, flinging the paper parcel on the table. "I hopewe have had enough of those Bertrams and their ways. The fuss I had overthat horrid parcel. I thought I'd never get it back again. In the end Ihad to see Mrs. Bertram about it, and didn't she crush me just! She's anawful woman. I never want to speak to her again all my life, and as tothe captain caring for Matty!"
"Where is Matty?" here interrupted Mrs. Bell. "She was not asked to staybehind after all, then?"
"_She_ asked to stay behind? You speak for yourself, Matty. For mypart, I think it was very unfair to give Matty that silk. We might allhave had nice washing muslins for the price of it. Where are you, Matty?Oh, I declare she has gone upstairs in the sulks!"
"You're in a horrid bad temper, Sophy; that I can see," expostulated themother. "Well, Alice, perhaps you can tell me what all this fuss isabout? I hope to goodness you gave the captain my message, child."
"I didn't see him to give it, mother," answered Alice. "He never spokeonce to us the whole time. He just shook hands when we arrived, but eventhen he didn't speak."
"Captain Bertram never spoke to Matty during the entire evening?" gaspedMrs. Bell. "Child, you can't be speaking the truth, you must be jokingme."
"I'm not, truly, mother. Captain Bertram didn't even look at Matty. Hewas all the time following Beatrice Meadowsweet about like a shadow."
Mrs. Bell gave her head a toss.
"Oh, that's it, is it?" she said. "I didn't think the captain would beso artful. Mark my word, girls, he behaved like that just as a blind toput his old mother off the scent."
But as Mrs. Bell spoke her heart sank within her. She remembered againhow Beatrice had looked that evening in the green boat, and she saw oncemore Matty's tossed locks and sunburnt hands.
After a time she went upstairs, and without any ceremony entered herdaughter's room.
Matty had tossed off the gaudy silk, and was lying on her bed. Her poorlittle face was blistered with tears, and, as Mrs. Bell expressed it, it"gave me a heart-ache even to look at her." She was not a woman,however, to own to defeat. She pretended not to see Matty's tears, andshe made her tone purposely very cheerful.
"Come, come, child," she said, "what are you stretched on the bed for,as if you were delicate? Now, I wouldn't let this get to CaptainBertram's ears for the world."
"What do you mean, mother?" asked the astonished daughter.
"What I say, my lo
ve. I wouldn't let the captain know that you were sotired as to have to lie down after a game of tennis, for a ten poundnote. Nothing puts a man off a girl so soon as to hear that she'sdelicate."
"Oh, he--he doesn't care," half sobbed Matty.
"Oh, doesn't he, though? I never knew anything more like caring than forhim to be too shy to come near you. Things have gone pretty far when aman has to blind his mother by pretending to be taken up with anothergirl. I knew the captain was in love, Matty, but I did not suppose hewas deep enough to play his cards after that fashion. You get up now,lovey, and come down, and have a nice hot cup of tea. It will revive youwonderfully, my pet."
Matty allowed her mother to coax her off the bed, and to assist her onwith her every-day brown holland frock. She was a good deal comfortedand inclined to reconsider the position which had seemed so hopelesshalf-an-hour ago.
"Only he did neglect me shamefully," she said, with a little toss of herhead. "And I don't see why I should take it from him."
"That's right, my girl. You show Captain Bertram you've got a spirit ofyour own. There's nothing brings a man to the point like a girl givinghim a little bit of sauce. Next time he speaks to you, you can be asstand-off as you please, Matty."
"Yes, mother," said Matty, in a languid tone.
She knew, however, that it was not in her nature to be stand-off to anyone, and beneath all the comfort of her mother's words she could nothelp doubting if Captain Bertram would care how she behaved to him.
The next morning the Rector's invitation came for the annual treat, andthe hopes of the Bells once more rose high. On this occasion Mrs. Bellwas to accompany her daughters. Bell would also be present, but, as hewas never of much account, this small fact scarcely rested on any one'smind. All the town was now in state of ferment. The Rector's party wasthe only thing spoken about, and many were the prognostications withregard to the weather.
The day of festival came at last; the sun arose gloriously, not a cloudwas in the sky, all the merry-makers might go in their best, and allhearts might be jubilant. It was delightful to see Northbury on thisday, for so gay were the costumes worn by its inhabitants that as theypassed through the narrow old streets they gave the place of their birtha picturesque and even a foreign appearance.
The Rectory was just outside the town, and, of course, all the footstepswere bending thither. The Rector had invited his guests to assemble atthree o'clock, and punctually at a quarter to that hour Miss Petersseated herself in her bay window, armed with a spy-glass to watch thegathering crowd.
Miss Peters was already arrayed in her festive clothes, but she and Mrs.Butler thought it ungenteel not to be, at least, an hour late. "TheBertrams will be sure to be late," remarked the good lady to her sister,"and we, too, Martha, will show that we know what's what."
"Which we don't," snapped Mrs. Butler. "We are sure and certain to beput in the wrong before we are half-an-hour there. However, I agree withyou, Maria; we won't be among the hurryers. I hate to be one of thosewho snap at a thing. Now, what's the matter? How you do startle me!"
"It's Mrs. Gorman Stanley," gasped Miss Peters; "she's in red velvet,with a beaded bodice--and--oh, do look at her bonnet, Martha!Positively, it's hideous. A straw-green, with blue forget-me-nots, andthose little baby daisies dropping over her hair. Well, well, how thatwoman does ape youth!"
Mrs. Butler snatched the spy-glass from her sister, and surveyed Mrs.Gorman Stanley's holiday attire with marked disapproval. She threw downher glasses presently with a little sniff.
"Disgusting," she said with emphasis. "That woman will never see fiftyagain, and she apes seventeen. For my part, I think, when women reach acertain age they should not deck themselves with artificial flowers.Flowers are for the young, not for poor worn-out, faded types ofhumanity. Now you, Maria----"
"Oh, don't," said Miss Maria, stepping back a few paces in alarm, andputting up her hand to her bonnet, "don't say that wallflowers aren'tallowable, Martha; I always did think that wallflowers were so_passe_. That's why I chose them."
"Who's that now?" exclaimed Mrs. Butler. "My word, Maria, get quickbehind the curtain and peep! Give me the spy-glass; I'll look over yourhead. Why, if it isn't--no--yes--it is, though--it's that young CaptainBertram, a _most_ stylish young man! He looks elegant in flannels--quitea noble face--I should imagine him to be the image of JuliusCaesar--there he comes--and Bee--Bee Meadowsweet with him."
"Just like her name," murmured Miss Peters; "just--just like her name,bless her!"
The poor, withered heart of the little old maid quite swelled with loveand admiration as the beautiful girl, dressed simply all in white, withroses on her cheeks, and sparkles in her eyes, walked to the scene ofthe coming gayeties in the company of the acknowledged hero of the town.
"Poor Matty Bell, I pity her!" said Mrs. Butler. "Oh, it has been asickening sight the way the mother has gone on lately, perfectlysickening; but she'll have her come down, poor woman, and I, for one,will say, serve her right."
"We may as well be going, Martha," said Miss Peters.
"Well, I suppose so, since our betters have led the way. Now, Maria,don't drag behind, and don't ogle me with your eyes more than you canhelp. I have made up my mind to have a seat next to Mrs. Bertram at thefeast, and to bring her down a peg if I can. Now, let's come on."
The ladies left the house and joined the group of holiday-seekers, whowere all going in the direction of the Rectory. When they reached thefestive scene, the grounds were already thronged. Mr. Ingram was veryproud of his gardens and smoothly-kept lawns. He hated to see his velvetswards trampled on and made bare by the tread of many feet. He dislikedthe pet flowers in his greenhouses being pawed and smelt, and his trimribbon borders being ruthlessly despoiled. But on the day of the annualtreat he forgot all these prejudices. The lawns, the glass-houses, theflower-beds, might and would suffer, he cared not. He was giving supremepleasure to human flowers, and for two days out of the three hundred andsixty-five they were free to do as they liked with the vegetable kingdomover which on every other day he reigned as monarch supreme. Marqueesnow dotted the lawns, and one or two brass bands played rather shrillmusic. There were tennis-courts and croquet lawns, and fields set asidefor archery. Luxurious seats, with awnings over them, were to be foundat every turn, and as the grass was of the greenest here, the trees ofthe shadiest, and the view of the blue harbor the loveliest, theRector's place, on the day of the feast, appeared to more than oneenthusiastic inhabitant of Northbury just like fairyland.
Matty Bell thought so, as, accompanied by her sisters and mother shestepped into the enchanted ground. The girls were in white to-day, notwell made, and very bunchy and thick of texture. But still the dresseswere white, and round each modest waist was girdled a sash of virginblue.
"It makes me almost weep to look at the dear children," whispered Mrs.Bell to her husband. "They look so innocent and lamb-like, moreparticularly Matty."
Here she sighed profoundly.
"I don't see why you should single out Matty," retorted the spouse."She's no more than the others, as far as I can see, and Sophy has thereddest cheeks."
"That's all you know," said Mrs. Bell. Here she almost shook herselfwith disdain. "Well, Peter, I often do wonder what Pas are for--not forobservation, and not for smoothing a girl's path, and helping an ardentyoung lover. Oh, no, no!"
"Helping an ardent young lover, Tilly! Whatever are you talking about?Where is he? I don't see him."
"You make me sick, Peter. Hold your tongue, do, and believe your wifewhen she says that's about all you are good for. Matty's on the brink,and that's the truth."
Poor Bell looked as mystified as he felt. Presently he slunk away toenjoy a quiet smoke with some congenial spirits in the coal trade, andMrs. Bell marshalled her girls to as prominent a position as she couldfind.
It was her object to get on the terrace. The terrace was very broad, andran not only the length of the front of the house, but a good way beyondat either side. At each end of the terrace was a marq
uee, decorated withcolored flags, and containing within the most refined order ofrefreshments. On the terrace were many seats, and the whole place was ablaze of gay dresses, brilliant flowers, and happy, smiling faces.
It was here the _elite_ of the pleasure-seekers evidently meant tocongregate, and as Mrs. Bell intended, on this occasion at least, tojoin herself to the select few, her object was to get on the terrace.She had not at first, however, the courage to mount those five sacredsteps uninvited. The battery of eyes which would be immediately turnedupon her would be greater than even her high spirit could support. Mr.Ingram had already spoken to her, she did not know Mrs. Bertram,although she felt that if Catherine or Mabel were near she might call toone of them, and make herself known as Matty's mother.
Catherine and Mabel were, however, several fields away engaged in avigorous game of archery. Mrs. Bell raised her fat face, and surveyedthe potentates of the terrace with anxiety.
"Keep close to me, Matty," she said to her eldest daughter. "Don't goputting yourself in the background. It isn't becoming, seeing what willbe expected of you by-and-by. Now I wonder where the captain is! Mr.Ingram is sure to make a fuss about those Bertrams, and that young manwill be expected to be at the beck and call of everybody all day long.But never you mind, Matty, my pet. He shall have his chances, or my nameis not Tilly Bell."
"I wish ma wouldn't," whispered Sophy to Alice. "I don't believe CaptainBertram cares a bit for Matty. Now, what are we all going to do! Oh,dear, I quite shake in my shoes. Ma is awfully venturesome, and I knowwe will be snubbed."
"Come on, girls," said Mrs. Bell looking over her shoulder. "What areyou loitering for? I see Mrs. Gorman Stanley at the back there, by oneof the big refreshment booths. I'm going to make for her."
"Oh, ma, she doesn't care a bit for us."
"Never mind, she'll do as an excuse. Now let's all keep close together."
Amongst the select company on the terrace Mrs. Bertram of coursefound a foremost place. She was seated next to Lady Verney, whosedaughter, the Lady Georgiana Higginbotham also stood near, languidlypulling a splendid gloire de Dijon rose to pieces. She was a tall,sallow-faced girl, with the true aristocratic expression of"I-won't-tell-you-anything-at-all" stamped on her face. She was to bemarried the following week, and had all the airs of a bride-elect.
This young lady raised her pince nez to watch the Bells as they ascendedthe steps.
"Who _are_ those extraordinary people?" she whispered to her mother.
"I'm sure I don't know, my dear. How intolerably hot it is. Really ourgood Rector ought not to ask us to submit to the fierce rays of the sunduring this intense weather. Georgiana, pray keep in the shade. Yes,Mrs. Bertram, you must find the absence of all society a drawback here."
"I sha'n't stay here long," responded Mrs. Bertram. "Catherine is stillso young that she does not want society. Ah, there is Loftus. I shouldlike to introduce him. Loftus, come here."
Captain Bertram, raising his hat to the Bells as he passed, approachedhis mother's side. He was introduced in due form to Lady Verney and theLady Georgiana, and the two young people, retiring a little into thebackground, began to chat.
"Who are those extraordinary folk?" asked Lady Georgiana of hercompanion.
She waved her fan in the direction of Mrs. Bell's fat back.
"Do you know them, Captain Bertram?"
His eyes fairly danced with mirth as he swept them over the littlegroup.
"I must confess something, Lady Georgiana. I do know those young ladiesand their mother. I have supped with them."
"Oh, horrors! And yet, how entertaining. What were they like?"
"Like themselves."
"That is no answer. Do divert me with an account of them all. I am surethey are deliciously original. I should like to sketch that mother'sbroad back beyond anything."
It was at this moment that Beatrice and Catherine appeared together onthe scene. Captain Bertram, who thought himself an adept in a certainmild, sarcastic description, was about to gratify Lady Georgiana with agraphic account of the Bells' supper-table, when his gaze met the kind,clear, happy expression of Beatrice Meadowsweet's eyes. He felt hisheart stir within him. The Bells were her friends, and she was so good,bless her--the best girl he had ever met. No, he could not, he wouldnot, turn them into fun, just to while away an idle five minutes.
Mrs. Bertram called Catherine over to introduce her to Lady Verney, andBertram, in a moment, was by Beatrice's side.
"This is lucky," he said. "I thought you had left me for the day."
"Why should you think that?" she replied. "It would be impossible forpeople not constantly to come against each other in a small place likethis."
"May I come with you now? You seem very busy."
"You can come and help me if you feel inclined. I always have a greatdeal to do at these feasts; I have been at them for years, and know allabout them, and the Rector invariably expects me to keep the ballgoing."
"What ball?"
"The ball of pleasure. Each hand must grasp it--everyone must be happy.That is the Hector's aim and mine."
"I think it is your aim not only to-day, but every day."
"Yes, if I can manage it. I can't always."
"You could always make me very happy."
Beatrice turned her eyes and looked at him. Her look made him blush.
"You are mistaken when you say that," she responded, in a grave tone."You are not the sort of person to be made happy by a simple countrygirl like me. The Northbury people only need small things, and manytimes it is within my power to supply their desires. But you aredifferent. You would not be content with small things."
"Assuredly not from you."
Then he paused; and as she blushed this time, he hastened to add:
"You can help me not in a small, but in a big way, and if you grant methis help, you will save my mother, and--yes--and Catherine."
"I love Catherine," said Beatrice.
"I know it--you would like to save her."
"Certainly; but I did not know she was in peril."
"Don't whisper it, but she is. You can put things straight for her. MayI talk to you? May I tell you what I mean?"
"You look very solemn, and this is a day of pleasure. Must you talk tome to-day?"
"I won't talk of anything to worry you today. But I may some time?"
"I suppose you may. At least it is difficult to reply in the negative toany one who wants my help."
"That is all I need you to say. You will understand after I have spoken.May I come to see you to-morrow?"
"Yes, you may come to-morrow. I shall be at home in the morning."
"Beatrice," said a voice, "Bee--Trixie--I do think it's unkind to cut anold friend."
Beatrice turned.
Mrs. Bell, puffed and hot, accompanied by Matty, who was also a littleblown, and by the younger girls, looking very cross, had been chasingCaptain Bertram and Miss Meadowsweet from one lawn to another. Mrs.Bell, after receiving a somewhat severe snubbing from Mrs. GormanStanley, had just retired into the marquee to refresh herself withstrawberry ices, when Sophy, laying a hand on her mother's shoulder,informed her in a loud whisper that Captain Bertram and Bee Meadowsweethad gone down the steps of the terrace to the tennis lawn side by side.
"We'll make after them!" exclaimed the good lady. "Girls, don't finishyour ices; come quick."
Mrs. Bell took her eldest daughter's hand, and rushed out of the tent.Sophy and Alice stayed behind to have one parting spoonful each of theirdelicious ices. Then the whole family went helter-skelter down the fivesacred steps and on to the lawn. They saw the objects of their desirevanishing through a gap in the hedge into a distant field. They mustpursue, they must go hotly to work. Mrs. Bell panted and puffed, andMatty stopped once to breathe hard.
"Courage, child," said the mother. "We'll soon be up with them. I'm notthe woman to leave an innocent young man alone with that siren."
"Mother! You call Beatrice a siren?"
"Well, and what
is she, Matty, when she takes your lawful sweetheartaway before your very eyes? But here, we're in hailing distance, now,and I'll shout. Beatrice--Bee--Trixie!"
Beatrice turned. She came up at once to Mrs. Bell, took her hand, andasked all four why they had run so fast after her.
"For I was coming back at once," she said, in a _naive_ tone."Captain Bertram was kind enough to walk with me to the archery field.Then I was coming to arrange some tennis sets."
"My girls have had no tennis yet to-day, Beatrice," said Mrs. Bell,fixing her eyes solemnly on Miss Meadowsweet. "And they are all partialto it, more especially Matty. You're a devotee to tennis too, aren'tyou, Captain Bertram?"
"Well, ah, no, I don't think I am," said the captain.
"You'd maybe rather have a quiet walk, then. For my part I approve ofyoung men who are prudent, and don't care to exercise themselves tooviolently. Violent exercise puts you into too great a heat, and thenyou're taken with a chill, and lots of mischief is done that way. Bee,lend me your arm, love. I'm more recovered now, but I did have to hurryafter you, and that's a fact."
Determined women very often have their way, and Mrs. Bell had thesatisfaction of walking in front with Beatrice, while Captain Bertrambrought up the rear in Matty's company.
Sophy and Alice Bell no longer belonged to the group. They had foundmatters so intolerably dull that they started off on their own hook tofind partners for tennis.
Mrs. Bell, as she walked in front with Beatrice heard Matty's little andinane giggles, and her heart swelled within her.
"Poor young man, he is devoted," she whispered to her companion. "Ah,dear me, Beatrice, I know you sympathize with me; when one has a dearchild's fate trembling in the balance it's impossible not to beanxious."
Mrs. Bell's face was so solemn, and her words so portentous, thatBeatrice was really taken in. It was stupid of her to misunderstand thegood woman, but she did.
"Is anything the matter?" she asked, turning to look at Mrs. Bell."Whose fate is trembling in the balance?"
If it had been possible for light blue eyes of a very common shade andshape to wither with a look, poor Beatrice would never have got overthat terrible moment.
Stout Mrs. Bell dropped her companion's arm, moved two or three pacesaway, and accompanied her scorching glance with words of muffledthunder.
"Beatrice Meadowsweet, you are either green with jealousy, or you are aperfect goose."