CHAPTER XIII
A SPOKE IN HER WHEEL
If Betty Vivian really wished to keep her miserable secret, she had donewisely in removing the little packet from its shelter in the trunk ofthe old oak-tree; for of course Sibyl remembered it in the night,although Betty's wonderful story had carried her thoughts far away fromsuch trivial matters for the time being. Nevertheless, when she awoke inthe night, and thought of the fairies in the heather, and of the girllying in the snow-bed, she thought also of Betty standing by the stumpof a tree and removing something from within, looking at it, and puttingit back again.
Sibyl, therefore, took the earliest opportunity of telling her specialfriends that there was a treasure hidden in the stump of the old tree.In short, she repeated Betty's exact action, doing so in the presence ofMartha West.
Martha was a girl who invariably kept in touch with the younger girls.There are girls who in being removed from a lower to an upper schoolcannot stand their elevation, and are apt to be a little queer andgiddy; they have not quite got their balance. Such girls could not fallinto more excellent hands than those of Martha. She heard Sibyl nowchatting to a host of these younger girls, and, catching Betty's name,asked immediately what it was all about. Sibyl repeated the story withmuch gusto.
"And Betty did look queer!" she added. "I asked her if it was a piece ofwood, and she said 'Yes;' but, all the same, she didn't like me to seeher. Of course she's a darling--there's no one like her; and sherecovered herself in a minute, and walked with me a long way, and thensuggested that I should wear the marguerites. Of course I had to go intothe flower-garden to find Birchall and coax him to cut enough for me.Then I had to get Sarah Butt to help me to make the wreath, for I nevermade a wreath before in my life. But Sarah would do anything in theworld that Betty suggested, she is so frightfully fond of her."
"We are all fond of her, I think," said Martha.
"Well, then she went off for a walk by herself, and I don't think shecame in until quite late."
"You don't know anything about it," said Martha. "Now, look here, girls,don't waste your time talking rubbish. You are very low down in theschool compared to Betty Vivian, and, compared to Betty Vivian, you areof no account whatever, for she is a Speciality, and therefore holds aposition all her own. Love her as much as you like, and admire her, forshe is worthy of admiration. But if I were you, Sibyl, I wouldn't telltales out of school. Let me tell you frankly that you had no right torush up to Betty when she was alone and ask her what she was doing. Shewas quite at liberty to thrust her hand into an old tree as often asever she liked, and take some rubbish out, and look at it, and drop itin again. You are talking sheer folly. Do attend to your work, or you'llbe late for Miss Skeene when she comes to give her lecture on Englishliterature."
No girl could ever be offended by Martha, and the work continuedhappily. But during recess that day Sibyl beckoned her companions awaywith her; and she, followed by five or six girls of the lower fifth,visited the spot where Betty had stood on the previous evening. Bettywas much taller than any of these girls, and they found when theyreached the old stump that it was impossible for them to thrust theirhands in. But this difficulty was overcome by Sibyl volunteering to siton Mabel Lee's shoulders--and, if necessary, even to stand on hershoulders while the other girls held her firm--in order that she mightthrust her hand into the hollow of the oak-tree. This feat wasaccomplished with some difficulty, but nothing whatever was brought upexcept withered leaves and debris and a broken piece of wood muchsaturated with rain.
"This must have been what she saw," said Sibyl. "I asked her if it waswood, and I think she said it was. Only, why did she look so veryqueer?"
The girls continued their walk, but Martha West stayed at home.She had hushed the remarks made by the younger girls that morning,nevertheless she could not get them out of her mind. Sibyl's story wascircumstantial. She had described Betty's annoyance and distress whenthey met, Betty's almost confusion. She had then said that it was Bettywho suggested that she was to wear the marguerites.
Now Martha, in her heart of hearts, thought this suggestion of Betty'svery far-fetched; and being a very shrewd, practical sort of girl, therecame an awful moment when she almost made up her mind that Betty haddone this in order to get rid of Sibyl. Why did she want to get rid ofher? Martha began to believe that she was growing quite uncharitable.
At that moment, who should appear in sight, who should utter a cry ofsatisfaction and seat herself cosily by Martha's side, but FannyCrawford!
"This is nice," said Fanny with a sigh. "I did so want to chat with you,Martha. I so seldom see you quite all by yourself."
"I am always to be seen if you really wish to find me, Fanny," repliedMartha. "I am never too busy not to be delighted to see my friends."
"Well, of course we are friends, being Specialities," was Fanny'sremark.
"Yes," answered Martha, "and I think we were friends before. I alwaysliked you just awfully, Fan."
"Ditto, ditto," replied Fanny. "It is curious," she continued, speakingin a somewhat sententious voice, "how one is drawn irresistibly to onegirl and repelled by another. Now, I was always drawn to you, Matty; Ialways liked you from the very, very first. I was more than delightedwhen I heard that you were to become one of us."
Martha was silent. It was not her habit to praise herself, nor did shecare to hear herself praised. She was essentially downright and honest.She did not think highly of herself, for she knew quite well that shehad very few outward charms.
Fanny, however, who was the essence of daintiness, looked at her nowwith blue-gray eyes full of affection. "Martha," she said, "I have sucha lot to talk over! What did you think of last night?"
"I thought it splendid," replied Martha.
"And Betty--what did you think of Betty?"
"Your cousin? She is very dramatic," said Martha.
"Yes, that is it," replied Fanny; "she is dramatic in everything. Idoubt if she is ever natural or her true self."
"Fanny!"
"Oh, dear old Martha, don't be so frightfully prim! I don't intend tobreak Rule No. I. Of course I love Betty. As a matter of fact, I haveloved her before any of you set eyes on her. She is my very own cousin,and but for father's strong influence would never have been at thisschool at all. Still, I repeat that she is dramatic and hardly everherself."
"She puzzles me, I confess," said Martha, a little dubiously; "butthen," she added, "I can't help yielding to her charm."
"That is it," said Fanny--"her charm. But look down deep into yourheart, Martha, and tell me if you think her charm healthy."
"Well, I see nothing wrong about it." Then Martha became abruptlysilent.
"For instance," said Fanny, pressing a little closer to her companion,"why ever did she make your special protege Sibyl Ray such a figure offun last night?"
"I thought Sibyl looked rather pretty."
"When she entered the room, Martha?"
"Oh no; she was quite hideous then, poor little thing! But Betty soonput that all right; she had very deft fingers."
"I know," said Fanny. "But what I want to have explained is this: whyBetty, a girl who is more or less worshiped by half the girls in theschool, should trouble herself with such a very unimportant person asSibyl Ray, I want to know. Can you tell me?"
"Even if I could tell you, remembering Rule No. I., I don't think Iwould," said Martha.
Fanny sat very still for a minute or two. Then she got up. "I don'tsee," she remarked, "why Rule No. I. should make us unsociable each withthe other. The very object of our club is that we should have nosecrets, but should be quite open and above-board. Now, Martha West,look me straight in the face!"
"I will, Fanny Crawford. What in the world are you accusing me of?"
"Of keeping something back from me which, as a member of theSpecialities, you have no right whatever to do."
A slow, heavy blush crept over Martha's face. She got up. "I am going tolook over my German lesson," she said. "Fraeulein will want me almosti
mmediately." Then she left Fanny, who stared after her retreatingfigure.
"I will find out," thought Fanny, "what Martha is keeping to herself.That little horror Betty will sow all kinds of evil seed in the schoolif I don't watch her. I did wrong to promise her, by putting my fingerto my lips, that I would be silent with regard to her conduct. I see itnow. But if Betty supposes that she can keep her secret to herself sheis vastly mistaken. Hurrah, there's Sibyl Ray! Sib, come here, child; Iwant to have a chat with you."
It was a bitterly cold and windy day outside; there were evensleet-showers falling at intervals. Winter was coming on early, and witha vengeance.
"Why have you come in?" asked Fanny.
"It's so bitterly cold out, Fanny."
"Well, sit down now you are in. You are a nice little thing, you know,Sib, although at present you are very unimportant. You know that, ofcourse?"
"Yes," said Sibyl; "I am told it nearly every hour of the day." Shespoke in a wistful tone. "Sometimes," she added, "I could almost wish Iwere back in the lower school, where I was looked up to by the smallergirls and had a right good time."
"We can never go back, Sib; that is the law of life."
"Of course not."
"Well, sit down and talk to me. Now, I have something to say to you. Doyou know that I am devoured with curiosity, and all about a small girllike yourself?"
"Oh Fanny," said Sibyl, immensely flattered, "I am glad you take aninterest in me!"
"I must be frank," said Fanny. "Up to the present I have taken nospecial interest in you, except in so far as you are Martha's protege;but when I saw you in that extraordinary dress last night I singled youout at once as a girl with original ideas. Do look me in the face, Sib!"
Sibyl turned. Fanny's face was exquisitely chiselled. Each neat littlefeature was perfect. Her eyes were large and well-shaped, her browsdelicately marked, her complexion pure lilies and roses; her hair wasthick and smooth, and yet there were little ripples about it which gaveit, even in its schoolgirl form, a look of distinction. Sibyl, on thecontrary, was an undersized girl, with the fair, colorless face,pale-blue eyes, the lack of eyebrows and eyelashes, the hair thin andsmall in quantity, which make the most hopeless type of all as regardsgood looks.
"I wonder, Sib," said Fanny, "if you, you little mite, are really eatenup with vanity?"
"I--vain! Why should you say so?"
"I only thought it from your peculiar dress last night."
Sibyl colored and spoke eagerly. "Oh, but that wasn't me at all; it wasthat quite too darling Betty!"
"Do you mean my cousin, Betty Vivian?"
"Of course, who else?"
"Well, what had she to do with it?"
"I will tell you if you like, Fanny. She didn't expect me to keep it asecret. I met her when I was out----"
"You--met Betty--when you were out?"
"Yes." There was a kind of reserve in Sibyl's tone which made Fannyscent a possible mystery.
"Where did you meet her?" was the next inquiry.
"Well, she was standing by the stump of an old tree which is hollowinside. It is just at the top of the hill by the bend, exactly where thehill goes down towards the 'forest primeval.'"
"Can't say I remember it," said Fanny. "Go on, Sib. So Betty wasstanding there?"
"Yes, oh yes. I saw her in the distance. I was expecting to meet Clariceand Mary Moss; but they failed me, although they had faithfully promisedto come. So when I saw Betty I could not resist running up to her; butwhen I got quite close I stood still."
"Well, you stood still. Why?"
"Oh Fan, she was doing such a funny thing! She was bending down andlooking over into the hollow of the tree. Then, all of a sudden, shethrust her hand in--far down--and took something out of the tree andlooked at it. I could just catch sight of what it was----"
"Yes, go on. What was it? Don't be afraid of me, Sib. I have a lot ofchocolates in my pocket that I will give you presently."
"Oh thank you, Fanny! It is nice to talk to you. I couldn't see verydistinctly what she had in her hand, only she was staring at it, andstaring at it; and then she dropped it in again, right down into thedepths of the tree; and I saw her bending more than ever, as though shewere covering it up."
"But you surely saw what it was like?"
"It might have been anything--I wasn't very near then. I ran up to her,and asked her what it was."
"And what did she say?"
"Oh, she said it was a piece of wood, and that she had dropped it intothe tree."
Fanny sat very still. A coldness came over her. She was nearly stunnedwith what she considered the horror of Betty's conduct.
"What is the matter?" asked Sibyl.
"Nothing at all, Sib; nothing at all. And then, what happened?"
"Betty was very cross at being disturbed."
"That is quite probable," said Fanny with a laugh.
"She certainly was, and I--I--I am afraid I annoyed her; but after aminute or two she got up and allowed me to walk with her. We walkedtowards the house, and she told me all kinds of funny stories; shereally made me scream with laughter. She is the jolliest girl! Then, allof a sudden, we came in sight of the flower-gardens; and she asked mewhat I was going to wear last night, and I told her about the greenchiffon dress which auntie had sent me; and then she suggested a wreathof small marguerites, and told me to get Birchall to cut some for me.She said they would be very becoming, and of course I believed her.There's nothing in my story, is there, Fanny?"
"That depends on the point of view," answered Fanny.
"I don't understand you."
"Nor do I mean you to, kiddy."
"Well, there's one thing more," continued Sibyl, who felt much elated atbeing allowed to talk to one of the most supercilious of all theSpecialities. "I couldn't get out of my head about Betty and theoak-tree; so just now--a few minutes ago--I got some of my friends tocome with me, and we went to the oak-tree, and I stood on Mabel Lee'sshoulder, and I poked and poked amongst the debris and rubbish in thehollow of the trunk, and there was nothing there at all--nothing exceptjust a piece of wood. So, of course, Betty spoke the truth--it waswood."
"How many chocolates would you like?" was Fanny's rejoinder.
"Oh Fanny, are you going to give me some?"
"Yes, if you are a good girl, and don't tell any one that you repeatedthis very harmless and uninteresting little story to me about my CousinBetty. Of course she is my cousin, and I don't like anything saidagainst her."
"But I wasn't speaking against darling Betty!" Sibyl's eyes filled withtears.
"Of course not, monkey; but you were telling me a little tale whichmight be construed in different ways."
"Yes, yes; only I don't understand. Betty had a perfect right to pokeher hand into the hollow of the tree, and to bring up a piece of wood,and look at it, and put it back again; and I don't understand yourexpression, Fanny, that it all depends on the point of view."
"Keep this to yourself, and I will give you some more chocolatessometime," was Fanny's answer. "I can be your friend as well asMartha--that is, if you are nice, and don't repeat every single thingyou hear. The worst sin in a schoolgirl--at least, the worst minorsin--is to be breaking confidences. No schoolgirl with a shade of honorin her composition would ever do that, and certainly no girl trained atHaddo Court ought to be noted for such a characteristic. Now, Sibyl, youare no fool; and, when I talk to you, you are not to repeat things. Imay possibly want to talk to you again, and then there'll be morechocolates and--and--other things; and as you are in the upper school,and are really quite a nice girl, I shouldn't be at all surprised if Iinvited you to have tea with me in my bedroom some night--oh, not quiteyet, but some evening not far off. Now, off with you, and let me see howwell you can keep an innocent little confidence between you and me!"
Sibyl ran off, munching her chocolates, wondering a good deal at Fanny'smanner, but in the excitement of her school-life, soon forgetting bothher and Betty Vivian. For, after all, there was no story worth
thinkingabout. There was nothing in the hollow of the old tree but the piece ofwood, and nothing--nothing in the wide world--could be made interestingout of that.
Meanwhile, Fanny thought for a time. The first great entertainment ofthe Specialities was over. Betty was now a full-blown member, and assuch must be treated in a manner which Fanny could not possibly haveassumed towards her before this event took place. Fanny blamed herselffor her weakness in consenting to keep Betty's secret. She had done soon the spur of the moment, influenced by the curious look in the girl'seyes, and wondering if she would turn to her with affection if she,Fanny, were so magnanimous. But Betty had not turned to her with eitherlove or affection. Betty was precisely the Betty she had been before shejoined the club. It is true she was very much sought after and consultedon all sorts of matters, and her name was whispered in varying notes ofadmiration among the girls, and she was likely (unless a spoke were putin her wheel) to rise to one of the highest positions in the greatschool. Betty had committed one act of flagrant wickedness. Fanny wasnot going to mince matters; she could not call it by any other name.There were no extenuating circumstances, in her opinion, to excuse thisact of Betty's. The fact that she had first stolen the packet, and thentold Sir John Crawford a direct lie with regard to it, was the sort ofthing that Fanny could never get over.
"One act of wickedness leads to another," thought Fanny. "Contrary to myadvice, my beseechings, she has joined our club. She has taken a vowwhich she cannot by any possibility keep, which she breaks every hour ofevery day; for she holds a secret which, according to Rule No. I., theother Specialities ought to know. What was she doing by the old stump?What did she take out and look at so earnestly? It was not a piece ofwood. That idea is sheer nonsense."
Fanny thought and thought, and the more she thought the moreuncomfortable did she grow. "It is perfectly horrible!" she kept sayingto herself. "I loathe myself for even thinking about it, but I am afraidI must put a spoke in her wheel. The whole school may be contaminated atthis rate. If Betty could do what she did she may do worse, and thereisn't a girl in the place who isn't prepared to worship her. Oh, ofcourse I'm not jealous; why should I be? I should be a very unworthymember of the Specialities if I were. Nevertheless----"
Just then Sylvia and Hetty Vivian walked through the greatrecreation-hall arm in arm.
Fanny called them to her. "Where's Betty?" she asked.
"She told us she'd be very busy for half an hour in our room, and thatthen she was going downstairs to have a sort of conference--with you, Isuppose, Fanny, and the rest of the Specialities."
Sylvia gave a very impatient shrug of her shoulders.
"Why do you look like that, Sylvia?" asked Fanny.
"Well, the fact is, Hetty and I do hate our own Betty belonging to yourclub. Whenever we want her now she is engaged; and she has such funnytalk all about committee meetings and private conferences in your odioussitting-room. We don't like it a bit. We much, much preferred our Bettybefore she joined the Specialities."
"All the same," said Fanny, "you must have felt very proud of your Bettylast night."
Hester laughed. "She wasn't half her true self," said the girl. "Oh, ofcourse she was wonderful, and much greater than others; but I wish youcould have heard her tell stories in Scotland. We used to have just oneblink of light from the fire, and we sat and held each other's hands,and I tell you Betty made us thrill."
"Well, now that you have reminded me," said Fanny, rising as she spoke,"I must go and attend that committee meeting. I really forgot it, so Iam greatly obliged to you girls for reminding me. And you mustn't bejealous of your sister; that is a very wrong feeling."
The girls laughed and ran off, while Fanny slowly walked down therecreation-hall and then ascended some stairs, until she found herselfin that particularly cosy and bright sitting-room which was set apartfor the Specialities.
Martha West was there, also Susie Rushworth, the two Bertrams, andOlive Repton. But Margaret Grant had not yet appeared, nor had BettyVivian. Fanny took her seat near Olive. The girls began to chat, and thesubject of last night's entertainment was discussed pretty fully. Mostof the girls present agreed that it was remarkably silly of Sibyl Ray towear marguerites in her hair, that they were very sorry for her, andhoped she would not be so childish again. It was just at that momentthat Margaret Grant appeared, and immediately afterwards Betty Vivian.The minutes of the last committee meeting were read aloud, and thenMargaret turned and asked the girls if they were thoroughly satisfiedwith the entertainment of the previous night. They all answered in theaffirmative except Fanny, who was silent. Neither did Betty speak, forshe had been the chief contributor to the entertainment.
"Well," continued Margaret, "I may as well say at once that I wasdelighted. Betty, I didn't know that you possessed so great a gift. Iwish you would improvise as you did last night one evening for Mrs.Haddo."
Betty turned a little whiter than usual. Then she said slowly, "Alonewith her--and with you--I could."
"I think she would love it," said Margaret. "It would surprise her justto picture the scene as you threw yourself into it last night."
"I could do it," said Betty, "alone with her and with you."
There was not a scrap of vanity in Betty's manner. She spoke seriously,just as one who, knowing she possesses a gift, accepts it and isthankful.
"I couldn't get it out of my head all night," continued Margaret, "moreparticularly that part where the angels came. It was a very beautifulidea, Betty dear, and I congratulate you on being able to conjure upsuch fine images in your mind."
It was with great difficulty that Fanny could suppress her feelings,but the next instant an opportunity occurred for her to give vent tothem.
"Now," said Margaret, "as the great object of our society is in allthings to be in harmony, I want to put it to the vote: How did theentertainment go off last night?"
"I liked every single thing about it," said Susie Rushworth; "thesupper, the games, and, above all things, the story-telling."
The same feeling was expressed in more or less different words by eachgirl in succession, until Fanny's turn came.
"And you, Fanny--what did you think?"
"I liked the supper and the games, of course," said Fanny.
"And the story-telling, Fanny? You ought to be proud of having such agifted cousin."
"I didn't like the story-telling, and Betty knows why I didn't like it."
The unmistakable look of hatred on Fanny's face, the queer flash in hereyes as she glanced at Betty, and Betty's momentary quiver as she lookedback at her, could not fail to be observed by each girl present.
"Fanny, I am astonished at you!" said Margaret Grant in a voice ofmarked displeasure.
"You asked a plain question, Margaret. I should have said nothing ifnothing had been asked; but you surely don't wish me to commit myself toa lie?"
"Oh no, no!" said Margaret. "But sisterly love, and--and your own cousintoo!"
"I want to say something in private to Betty Vivian; and I wouldearnestly beg of you, Margaret, not to propose to Mrs. Haddo that Bettyshould tell her any story until after I have spoken. I have my reasonsfor doing this; and I do not think, all things considered, that I amreally breaking Rule No. I. in adopting this course of action."
"This is most strange!" said Margaret.
Betty rose and came straight up to Fanny. "Where and when do you want tospeak to me, Fanny?" she asked.
"I will go with you now," said Fanny.
"Then I think," said Margaret, "our meeting has broken up. The nextmeeting of the Specialities will be held in Olive Repton's room onThursday next. There are several days between now and then; butto-morrow at four o'clock I mean to give a tea to all the club here. Iinvite you, one and all, to be present; and afterwards we can talk follyto our hearts' content. Listen, please, girls: the next item on myprogramme is that we invite dear Mr. Fairfax to tea with us, and ask hima few questions with regard to the difficulties we find in the readingof Jeremy Taylor's 'Holy Livi
ng.'"
"I don't suppose, Margaret, it is absolutely necessary for me to attendthat meeting?" said Betty.
"Certainly not, Betty. No one is expected to attend who does not wishto."
"You see, I have no difficulties to speak about," said Betty with alight laugh.
Margaret glanced at her with surprise.
"Come, Betty," said Fanny; and the two left the room.
"Where am I to go to?" asked Betty when they found themselves outside.
"Out, if you like," said Fanny.
"No, thank you. The day is very cold."
"Then come to my room with me, will you, Betty?"
"No," said Betty, "I don't want to go to your room."
"I must see you somewhere by yourself," said Fanny. "I have somethingimportant to say to you."
"Oh, all right then," said Betty, shrugging her shoulders. "Your roomwill do as well as any other place. Let's get it over."
The girls ran upstairs. They presently entered Fanny's bedroom, whichwas a small apartment, but very neat and cheerful. It was next door tothe Vivians' own spacious one.
The moment they were inside Betty turned and faced Fanny. "Do you alwaysintend to remain my enemy, Fanny?" she asked.
"Far from that, Betty; I want to be your truest friend."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, don't talk humbug! If you are my truest friendyou will act as such. Now, what is the matter--what is up?"
"I will tell you."
"I am all attention," said Betty. "Pray begin."
"I hurt your feelings downstairs just now by saying that I did not carefor your story-telling."
"You didn't hurt them in the least, for I never expected you to care.The story-telling wasn't meant for you."
"But I must mention now why I didn't care," continued Fanny, speaking asquickly as she could. "Had you been the Betty the rest of the schoolthink you I could have lost myself, too, in your narrative, and I couldhave seen the picture you endeavored to portray. But knowing you as youare, Betty Vivian, I could only look down into your wicked heart----"
"What an agreeable occupation!" said Betty with a laugh which she triedto make light, but did not quite succeed.
Fanny was silent.
After a minute Betty spoke again. "Do you spend all your time, Fanny,gazing into my depraved heart?"
"Whenever I think of you, Betty--and I confess I do think of you veryoften--I remember the sin you have sinned, the lack of repentance youhave shown, and, above all things, your daring spirit in joining ourclub. It is true that when you joined--after all my advice to you to thecontrary, my beseeching of you to withstand this temptation--I gave youto understand that I would be silent. But my conscience torments mebecause of that tacit promise I gave you. Nevertheless I will keep it.But remember, you are in danger. You know perfectly well where themissing packet is. It is--or was, at least--in the hollow stump of theold oak-tree at the top of the hill, and you positively told Sibyl Ray alie about it when she saw you looking at it yesterday. Afterwards, inorder to divert her attention from yourself, you sent her to gathermarguerites to make a wreath for her hair--a most ridiculous thing forthe child to wear. What you did afterwards I don't know, and don't careto inquire. But, Betty, the fact is that you, instead of being aninspiring influence in this school, will undermine it--will ruin itsmorals. You are a dangerous girl, Betty Vivian; and I tell you so toyour face. You are bound--bound to come to grief. Now, I will say nomore. I leave it to your conscience what to do and what not to do. Thereare some fine points about you; and you could be magnificent, but youare not. There, I have spoken!"
"Thank you, Fanny," replied Betty in a very gentle tone. She waited fora full minute; then she said, "Is that all?"
"Yes, that is all."
Betty went away to her own room. As soon as ever she entered, she wentstraight to the looking-glass and gazed at her reflection. She thenturned a succession of somersaults from one end of the big apartment tothe other. Having done this, she washed her face and hands in ice-coldwater, rubbed her cheeks until they glowed, brushed her black hair, andfelt better. She ran downstairs, and a few minutes later was in themidst of a very hilarious group, who were all chatting and laughing andhailing Betty Vivian as the best comrade in the wide world.
Betty was not only brilliant socially; at the same time she had fineintellectual powers. She was the delight of her teachers, for she couldimbibe knowledge as a sponge absorbs water. On this particular day shewas at her best during a very difficult lesson at the piano from aprofessor who came from London. Betty had always a passionate love ofmusic, and to-day she revelled in it. She had been learning one ofChopin's Nocturnes, and now rendered it with exquisite pathos. Theprofessor was delighted, and in the midst of the performance Mrs. Haddocame into the music-room. She listened with approval, and when the girlrose, said, "Well done!"
Another girl took her place; and Betty, running up to Mrs. Haddo, said,"Oh, may I speak to you?"
"Yes, dear; what is it? Come to my room for a minute, if you wish,Betty."
"It isn't important enough for that. Dear Mrs. Haddo, it's just that Iam mad for a bit of frolic."
"Frolic, my child! You seem to have plenty."
"Not enough--not enough--not nearly enough for a wild girl ofAberdeenshire, a girl who has lived on the moors and loved them."
"What do you want, dear child?"
"I want most awfully, with your permission, to go with my two sistersSylvia and Hester to have tea with the Mileses. I want to pet those dogsagain, and I want to go particularly badly between now and nextThursday."
"And why especially between now and next Thursday?"
"Ah, I can't quite give you the reason. There is a reason.Please--please--please say yes!"
"It is certainly against my rules."
"But, dear Mrs. Haddo, it isn't against your rules if you give leave,"pleaded the girl.
"You are very clever at arguing, Betty. I certainly have liberty tobreak rules in individual cases. Well, dear child, it shall be so. Iwill send a line to Mrs. Miles to ask her to expect you and your sistersto-morrow. A servant shall accompany you, and will call again later on.You can only stay about one hour at the farm. To-morrow is ahalf-holiday, so it will be all right."
"Oh, how kind of you!" said Betty.
But again Mrs. Haddo noticed that Betty avoided looking into her eyes."Betty," she said, "this is a small matter--my yielding to the whim ofan impetuous girl in whom I take an interest. But, my dear child, I haveto congratulate you. You made a marvellous success--a marvelloussuccess--last night. Several of the girls in the school have spoken ofit, and in particular dear Margaret Grant. I wonder if you wouldimprovise for me some evening?"
"Gladly!" replied Betty. And now for one minute her brilliant eyes wereraised and fixed on those of Mrs. Haddo. "Gladly," she repeated--and sheshivered slightly--"if you will hear me after next Thursday."