CHAPTER XVI
AFTERWARDS
When Betty had made her confession, and had left Susie Rushworth's room,she went straight to bed; she went without leave, and droppedimmediately into profound slumber. When she awoke in the morning herhead felt clear and light, and she experienced a sense of rejoicing atwhat she had done.
"I have told them, and they know," she said to herself. "I have giventhem the whole story in a nutshell. I don't really care what follows."
Mingled with her feeling of rejoicing was a curious sense of defiance.Her sisters asked her what was the matter. She said "Nothing." Theyremarked on her sound sleep of the night before, on the early time shehad retired from the Specialities' meeting. They again ventured to askif anything was the matter. She said "No."
Then Sylvia began to break a very painful piece of information:"Dickie's gone!"
"Oh," said Betty, her eyes flashing with anger, "how can you possiblyhave been so careless as to let the spider loose?"
"He found a little hole just above the door in the attic, and crept intoit, and we couldn't get him out," said Sylvia.
"No, he wouldn't come out," added Hetty, "though we climbed on twochairs, one on top of the other, and poked at him with a bit of stick."
"Oh, I dare say he's all right now," said Betty. "You will probably findhim again to-day. He's sure to come for his raw meat."
"But don't you care, Bet? Won't it be truly awful if our own Dickie isdead?"
"Dead! He won't die," said Betty; "but there's quite a possibility hemay frighten some one. I know one person I'd like to frighten."
"Oh Bet, who do you mean?"
"That horrid girl--that cousin of ours, Fanny Crawford."
"We don't like her either," said the twins.
"She'd be scared to death at Dickie," said Betty. "She's a rare oldcoward, you know. But never mind, don't bother; you'll probably find himthis morning when you go up with his raw meat. He's sure to come out ofhis hole in order to get his food."
"I don't think so," said Hester in a gloomy voice; "for there are lotsand lots of flies in that attic, and Dickie will eat them and think themnicer than raw meat."
"Well, it's time to go downstairs now," said Betty.
She was very lively and bright at her lessons all day, and forgot Dickiein the other cares which engrossed her mind. That said mind was in amost curious state. She was at once greatly relieved and rebellious.Sylvia and Hetty watched her, when they could, from afar. Betty's lifeas a member of the Specialities separated her a good deal from hersisters. She seldom saw them during the working-hours; but they werequite happy, for they had made some friends for themselves, and thethree were always together at night. Betty was not specially reproachfulof herself on their account. She could not help being cleverer thanthey, more brilliant, more able on all occasions to leap to a rightconclusion--to discover the meaning of each involved mystery as it waspresented to her. All the teachers remarked on her great intelligence,on her curious and wonderful gift for dramatization. The girls in herform were expected once a week to recite from Shakespeare; and Betty'srecitations were sufficiently striking to arrest the attention of theentire room. She flung herself into the part. She was Desdemona, she wasPortia, she was Rosalind. She was whatever character she wished topersonate. Once she chose that of Shylock; and most uncanny became theexpression of her face, and her words were hurled forth with a defianceworthy of the immortal Jew.
All these things made Betty a great favorite with the teachers as wellas with the girls. She was, as a rule, neither cross nor bad-tempered.She was not vain for her gifts. She was always ready to help the othersby every means in her power.
During recess that day Betty received a small three-cornered note inMargaret Grant's handwriting. She opened it, and saw that it was abrief request that she, Betty Vivian, should meet Margaret and the othermembers of the Speciality Club in Margaret's room at half-past seventhat evening. "Our meeting will be quite informal, but we earnestly begfor your attendance."
Betty slipped the note into her pocket. As she did so she observed thatFanny Crawford's eyes were fixed on her.
"Are you going to attend?" asked Fanny.
"You will know," replied Betty, "when you go into the room to-night athalf-past seven and find me there or not there. Surely that is enoughfor you!"
"Thanks!" replied Fanny. Then, summoning a certain degree of courage,she came a step nearer. "Betty, if I might consult with you, if I mightwarn you----"
"But as you may not consult with me, and as you may not warn me, thereis nothing to be done, is there?" said Betty. "Hallo!" she cried thenext minute, as a schoolgirl whose friendship she had made during thelast day or two appeared in sight, "I want to have a word with you,Jessie. Forgive me, Fan; I am very much occupied just at present."
"Her fall is certain," thought Fanny to herself. "I wonder how she willlike what lies before her to-night. I at least have done my best."
Punctual to the hour, the Specialities met in Margaret's room. There wasno supper on this occasion, nor any appearance of festivity. The prettyflowers which Margaret usually favored were conspicuous by theirabsence. Even the electric light was used but sparingly. None of thegirls dressed for this evening, but wore their usual afternoon frocks.Betty, however, wore white, and walked into the room with her head wellerect and her step firm.
"Sit down, Betty, won't you?" said Margaret.
"Thanks, Margaret!" answered Betty; and she sank into a chair. She choseone that was in such a position that she could face the six girls whowere now prepared to judge her on her own merits. She looked at themvery quietly. Her face was pale, and her eyes not as bright as usual.
"I am deputed by the others to speak to you, Betty," said Margaret. "Wewill make no comment whatsoever with regard to what you told us lastnight. It isn't for us to punish you for having told a lie. We haveourselves done very wrong in our lives, and we doubtless have not beentempted as you have been; and then, Betty Vivian, I can assure you that,although you have been but a short time in the school, we all--I think Imay say all--love you."
Betty's eyes softened. She hitched her chair round a little, so that sheno longer saw Fanny, but could look at Margaret Grant and Martha West,who were sitting side by side. Susie's pretty face was fairly shiningwith eagerness, and Olive's eyes were full of tears. The Bertramsclasped each other's hands, and but for Margaret's restraining presencewould have rushed to Betty's there and then and embraced her.
"But," said Margaret, "although we do love you--and I think will alwayslove you, Betty--we must do our duty by the club. You confessed a sin tous--not at the time, as you ought to have done, but later on. No onecompelled you to confess what you did last night. There was no outsidepressure brought to bear on you. It must have been your conscience."
"I told you so," said Betty.
"Therefore," continued Margaret, "your conscience must be verywide-awake, Betty, and you have done--well, so far--very nobly; so noblythat nothing will induce us to ask you to withdraw from our club,provided----"
Betty's eyes brightened, and some of the tension in her face relaxed.
"I have taken the votes of the members on that point," Margaretcontinued, "therefore I know what I am speaking about. What we do mostemphatically require is that you carry your confession to its logicalconclusion--that what you have said to us you say to the kindest womanin all the world, to dear Mrs. Haddo, and that you put the little packetwhich has cost you such misery into Mrs. Haddo's hands. Don't speak fora minute, please, Betty. We have been praying about you, all of us; wehave been longing--longing for you to do this thing. Please don't speakfor a minute. It is not in our power to turn you from the school, nor torelate to Mrs. Haddo nor to any of the teachers what you have told us.But we can dismiss you from the Speciality Club--that does lie in ourprovince; and we must do so, bitterly as we shall regret it, if you donot carry your confession to its logical conclusion."
"Then I must go," said Betty very gently.
"Oh Bet
ty!" exclaimed Olive; and she burst into a flood of weeping."Dear, dear, dear Betty, don't go--please don't go!"
"We will all support you if you are nervous," continued Margaret. "Ithink we may say we will all support you, and Mrs. Haddo is so sweet;and then, if you want to see him, there's Mr. Fairfax, who could tellyou what to do better than we can. Don't decide now, dear Betty. Please,please consider this question, and let us know."
"But I have decided," said Betty. "I told you what I thought right. Ilove the club, and every single member of it--except my cousin, FannyCrawford. I don't love Fanny, and she doesn't love me--I say so quiteplainly; therefore, once again, I break Rule I. You see, girls, I cannotstay. I must become again an undistinguished member of this greatschool. Don't suppose it will hurt my vanity; but it will touch deeperthings in me, and I shall never, never forget your kindness. I can by nopossibility do more than I have done. Good-bye, dear Margaret; I ammore than sorry that I have given you all this trouble."
As Betty spoke she unclasped the little silver true-lover's knot fromthe bosom of her dress and put it into Margaret's hand. Then she walkedout of the room, a Speciality no longer.
When she had gone, the girls talked softly together. They were terriblydepressed.
"We never had a member like her. What a pity our rules are so strict!"said Olive.
"Nonsense, Olive!" said Margaret. "We must do our best, our very best;and even yet I have great hopes of Betty. She can be re-elected someday, perhaps."
"Oh, she is like no one else!" said one girl after another.
The girls soon dispersed; but as Fanny was going to her room Martha Westjoined her. "Fanny," she said, "I, as the youngest member of theSpecialities, would like to ask you a question. Why is it that yourcousin dislikes you so much?"
"I can't tell," replied Fanny. "I have always tried to be kind to her."
"But you don't cordially like her yourself!"
"That is quite true," said Fanny; "but then I have seen her at home,when you have not. She has great gifts of fascination; but I know herfor what she really is."
"When you speak like that, Fanny Crawford, I no longer like you,"remarked Martha; and she walked away in the direction of her room.
All the Speciality girls, including Betty, were present at prayers inthe chapel that evening. Betty sat a little apart from her companions,she stood apart from them, she prayed apart from them. She seemed likeone isolated and alone. Her face was very white, her eyes large and darkand anxious. From time to time the girls who loved her looked at herwith intense compassion. But Fanny gave her very different glances.Fanny rejoiced in her discomfort, and heartily hoped that she would nowlose her prestige in the school.
Until the advent of Betty Vivian, Fanny was rather a favorite at HaddoCourt. She was certainly not the least bit original. She was prim andsmug and self-satisfied to the last degree, but she always did the rightthing in the right way. She always looked pretty, and no one everdetected any fault in her. Her mistresses trusted her, and some of thegirls thought it worth their while to become chums with her.
Fanny, however, now saw at a glance that she was in the black looks ofthe other Specialities. This fact angered her uncontrollably, and shemade up her mind to bring Betty to further shame. It was not sufficientthat she should be expelled from the Speciality Club; the usual formulamust be gone through. All the girls knew of this formula; and they all,with the exception of Fanny, wished it not to be observed in the case ofBetty Vivian. But Fanny knew her power, and was resolved to use it. TheSpeciality Club exercised too great an influence in the school for itsexistence to be lightly regarded. A member of the club, as has beensaid, enjoyed many privileges besides being accorded certain exemptionsfrom various irksome duties. It was long, long years since any memberhad been dismissed in disgrace; it was certainly not within the memoryof any girl now in the school. But Fanny had searched the old annals,and had come across the fact that about thirty years ago a Specialityhad done something which brought discredit on herself and the club, andhad therefore been expelled; she had also discovered that the fact ofher expulsion had been put up in large letters on a blackboard. Thisboard hung in the central hall, and generally contained notices ofentertainments or class-work of a special order for the day's programme.Miss Symes wrote out this programme day by day.
On the morning after Betty had been expelled from the Specialities,Fanny ran up to Miss Symes. "By the way," she said, "I am afraid youwill have to do it, for it is the rule of the club."
"I shall have to do what, my dear Fanny?"
"You will just have to say, please, on the blackboard that Betty Vivianis no longer a member of the Specialities."
Miss Symes stopped writing. She was busily engaged notifying the hour ofa very important German lesson to be given by a professor who came fromtown. "What do you mean, Fanny?"
"What I say. By the rules of the club we can give no reasons, but mustmerely state that Betty Vivian is no longer a member. It ought to beknown. Will you write it on the blackboard?"
Miss Symes looked at Fanny with a curious expression on her face. "Thankyou for telling me," she said. She then crossed the great hall to whereMargaret and some other girls of the Specialities were assembled. Shetold Margaret what Fanny had already imparted to her, and asked if itwas true.
"It is true, alas!" said Margaret.
"But I thought Betty was such a prime favorite with you all," said MissSymes; "and she really is such a sweet girl! I have never been moreattracted by any one."
"I cannot give you any particulars, Miss Symes; but I think we have doneright," said Margaret.
"If you have had any hand in it, dear, I make no doubt on the subject,"replied Miss Symes. "It is a sad pity. Fanny says it is one of yourrules that an expelled member has her name published on the blackboard,the fact being also stated that she has been expelled."
"Oh," said Margaret, "that is a very old rule. We don't want it to becarried into effect in Betty's case."
"But if it is a rule, dear, and if it has never been abolished----"
"It has not been abolished," said Margaret. "It would distress Bettyvery much."
"Nevertheless, Margaret, if it is right to expel Betty it is right topublish that fact on the blackboard, always provided it is a rule of theSpecialities."
"I am afraid it is a rule," said Margaret. "But we are all unhappy abouther. We hate having her expelled."
"Can I help you in any way, dear Margaret?"
"No, Miss Symes; no one can help us, and the deed is done now."
Miss Symes went very slowly to the blackboard, and wrote on it simply:"Betty Vivian has resigned her membership of the Speciality Club."
This notice caused flocks of girls to surround the blackboard during themorning, and the news flew like wildfire all over the school. Bettyherself approached as an eager group were scrutinizing the words, sawher name, read it calmly (her lips curling slightly with scorn), andturned away. No one dared to question her, but all looked at her inwonder.
Betty went through her lessons with her accustomed force and animation,and there was no difference to be observed between her manner of to-dayand that of yesterday. After school she very simply told her sistersthat she had withdrawn from the Specialities, and then begged of themnot to pursue the subject. "I am not going to explain," she said, "soyou needn't ask me. I shall have more time to devote to you in thefuture, and that'll be a good thing." She then left them and went for along walk by herself.
Now, it is one of those dreadful things which most surely happen to weakhuman nature that when an evil and jealous and unkind thought gets intothe heart, that same thought, though quite unimportant at first,gradually increases in dimensions until it overshadows all otherthoughts and gains complete and overwhelming mastery of the mind. Hadany one said to Fanny Crawford a fortnight or three weeks before theVivians' arrival at the school that she would have felt towards Betty asshe now did, Fanny would have been the first to recoil at the monstrousfungus of hatred which existed in her mi
nd. Had Betty been a very plain,unattractive, uninteresting girl, Fanny would have patronized her, kepther in her place, but at the same time been kind to her. But Fanny'srage towards Betty now was almost breaking its bounds. Was not Fanny'sown father educating the Vivians? Was it not he who had persuaded Mrs.Haddo to admit them to the school? She herself was the only daughter ofa rich and distinguished man. The Vivians were nobodies. Why should theybe fussed about, and talked of, and even loved--yes, loved--while she,Fanny, was losing her friends? The thought was unbearable! Fanny hadmanaged by judicious precaution to get Betty to reveal part of hersecret, and Betty was no longer a member of the Specialities. Betty'sname was on the blackboard too, and by no means honorably mentioned. Butmore things could be done.
For Fanny felt that the school was turning against her--the upperschool, whose praise she so prized. The Specialities asked her boldlywhy she did not love Betty Vivian. There would be no peace for Fannyuntil Mrs. Haddo knew everything, and dismissed the Vivians to anotherschool. This she would, of course, do at once if she knew the fullextent of Betty's sin. Fanny felt that she must proceed very warily.Betty had hidden the packet, and boldly declared that she would not giveit up to any one--that she would rather leave the Specialities than tellher story to Mrs. Haddo and put the little sealed packet into herkeeping. Fanny's present aim, therefore, was to find the packet. Shewondered how she could accomplish this, and looked round her for aready tool. Presently she made up her mind that the one girl who mighthelp her was Sibyl Ray. Sibyl was by no means strong-minded. Sibyl wasunpopular--she pined for notice. Sibyl adored Betty; but suppose--oh,suppose!--Fanny could offer her, as a price for the dirty work shewanted her to undertake, membership in the Speciality Club? Martha Westwould be on Sibyl's side, for Martha was always friendly to the plain,uninteresting, somewhat lonely girl. Fanny felt at once that the onetool who could further her aims was Sibyl Ray. There was no time tolose.
Sibyl had been frightfully perturbed at seeing Betty's name on theblackboard, and she was as eager to talk to Fanny as Fanny was pleasedto listen to her.
"Oh Fan!" she said, running up to her on the afternoon of that same day,"may I go for a very little walk with you? I do want to ask you aboutpoor darling Betty!"
"Poor darling Betty indeed!" said Fanny.
"Oh, but don't you pity her? What can have happened to cause her to beno longer a member of the Specialities?"
"Now, Sibyl, you must be a little goose! Do you suppose for a moment itis within my power to enlighten you?"
"I suppose it isn't; but I am very unhappy about her, and so are we all.We are all fond of Betty. We think her wonderful."
Fanny was silent.
"'Tis good of you, Fan, to let me walk with you!"
"I have something to say to you, Sibyl; but before I begin you mustpromise me most faithfully that you won't repeat anything I am going tosay."
"Of course not," said Sibyl. "As if I could!"
"I don't suppose you would dare. You see, I am one of the older girls ofthe school, and have been a Speciality for some little time, and itwouldn't be at all to your advantage if you did anything to annoy me. Ishould find out at once, for instance, if you whispered a syllable ofthis to Martha West, Margaret Grant, or any other member of theSpeciality Club."
"I won't! I won't! You may trust me, indeed you may," said Sibyl.
"I think I may," answered Fanny, looking down at Sibyl's poor littleapology of a face. "I think you are the sort who would be faithful."
Sibyl's small heart swelled with pride. "Betty was kind to me too," shesaid; "and she did make me look nice--didn't she?--when she suggestedthat I should wear the marguerites."
"To tell you the truth, Sibyl, you were a figure of fun that night.Betty was laughing in her sleeve at you all the time."
Sibyl colored, and her small light-blue eyes contracted. "Betty laughingat me! I don't believe it."
"Of course she was, child. We all spoke of it afterwards. Why, you don'tknow what you looked like when you came into the room in that greendress, with that hideous wreath on your head."
"I know," said Sibyl in a humble tone. "I couldn't make it look allright; but Betty took me behind a screen, and managed it in a twinkling,and put a white sash round my waist, and--oh, I felt nice anyhow!"
"I am glad you felt nice," said Fanny, "for I can assure you it was morethan you looked."
"Oh Fanny, don't hurt me! You know I can't afford very pretty dresseslike you. We are rather poor at home, and there are so many of us."
"I don't want to hurt you, child; only, haven't you a grain of sense?Don't you know perfectly well why Betty wanted you to wear the wreath ofmarguerites?"
"Just because she was sweet," said Sibyl, "and she thought I'd lookreally nice in them."
"That is all you know! Now, recall something, Sibyl."
"Yes?"
"Do you remember when you saw Betty stoop over that broken stump of theold oak and take something out?"
"Of course I do," said Sibyl. "It was a piece of wood. I found it thenext day."
"Well, it wasn't a piece of wood," said Fanny.
"What can you mean?" asked Sibyl. She stood perfectly still, staring ather companion. Then she burst into a sort of frightened laugh. "But itwas a piece of wood, really," she added. "You are mistaken, Fanny. Ofcourse you know a great deal, but even you can't know more than I haveproved by my own eyesight. It looked in the distance like a small brownpiece of wood; and I asked Betty if it was, and she admitted it."
"Just like her! just like her!" said Fanny.
"Well, then, the very next day," continued Sibyl, "several girls and Iwent to the old stump and poked and poked, and found it; so, yousee----"
"I don't see," replied Fanny. "And now, if you will allow me, Sibyl, andif you won't chatter quite so fast, I will tell you what I really doknow about this matter. I don't think for a single moment--in fact, I amcertain--that Betty Vivian did not trouble herself to poke amongstwithered leaves in the stump of the old oak-tree in order to produce apiece of sodden wood. There was something else; and when you asked herif it was a piece of wood she told you--remember, Sibyl, this is inabsolute confidence--an untruth. Oh, I am trying to put it mildly; but Imust mention the fact--Betty told you an untruth. Did you observe, ordid you not, that she was excited and looked slightly annoyed when yousuddenly called to her and ran up to her side?"
"I--yes, I think she did look a little put out; but then she is veryproud, is Betty, and I am not her special friend, although I love her sohard," replied Sibyl.
"She walked with you afterwards, did she not?"
"Yes."
"She went towards the house with you?"
"Of course. I have told you all that, Fanny."
"When you both reached the gardens she suggested that you should wearthe marguerites in your hair?"
"She did, Fanny; and I thought it was such a charming idea."
"Did it not once occur to you that she wanted to get you out of the way,that she did not care one scrap how you looked at the Specialityentertainment?"
"That certainly did not occur to me," answered Sibyl; then she addedstoutly, for she was a faithful little thing at heart, "and I don'tbelieve it either."
"Well, believe it or not as you please; I know it to have been a fact.And now I'll just tell you something. You must never, never repeat it;if you do, I sha'n't speak to you again. I know what I am saying to be afact: I know the reason why Betty Vivian is no longer a Speciality."
"Oh! oh!" said Sibyl. She colored deeply.
"No longer a Speciality," repeated Fanny; "and I know the reason why;only, of course, I can never say. But there's a vacancy in theSpeciality Club now for a girl who is faithful and zealous, and who canprove herself my friend."
Sibyl's heart began to beat very fast. "A vacancy in the Specialities!"she said in a low tone.
Fanny turned quickly round and faced her. "I could get you in if Iliked," she said. "Would it suit you to be a Speciality?"
"Would it sui
t me?" said Sibyl. "Oh Fanny, it sounds like heaven! Idon't know what I wouldn't do--I don't know what I wouldn't do to becomea member of that club."
"And Martha West would second any suggestions I made," continued Fanny."Of course I don't know that I could get you in; but I'd have a goodtry, provided you help me now."
"Fanny, what is it you want me to do?"
"I want you, Sibyl, to use your intelligence; and I want you, all aloneand without consulting any one, to find out where Betty Vivian has putthe treasure which she told you was a piece of wood and which she hid inthe old oak stump. You can manage it quite well if you like."
"I don't understand!" gasped Sibyl.
"If you repeat a word of this conversation I shall use my influence tohave you boycotted in the school," said Fanny. "My power is great tohelp or to mar your career in the school. If you do what I want--well,my dear, all I can say is this, that I shall do my utmost to get youinto the club. You cannot imagine how nice it is when you are a member.Think what poor Betty has lost, and think how you will feel when you area Speciality and she is not."
"I don't know that I shall feel anything," replied Sibyl. "Somehow orother, I don't like this thing you want me to do, Fanny."
"Well, don't do it. I will get some one else."
"And, in the second place," continued Sibyl, "even if I were willing todo it, I don't know how. If Betty chooses to hide things--parcels oranything of that sort--I can't find out where she puts them."
"You can watch her," said Fanny. "Now, if you have any gumption aboutyou--and it is my strong belief that you have--you will be able to tellme this time to-morrow something about Betty Vivian and her movements.If by this time to-morrow you know nothing--why, I will relieve you ofthe task, and you will be as you were before. But if, on the other hand,you help me to save the honor of a great school--which is, I assure you,at the present moment in serious peril--I shall do my utmost to get youadmitted to the Speciality Club. Now, I think that is all."
As Fanny concluded she shouted to Susie Rushworth, who was going towardsthe arbor at the top of the grounds, and Sibyl found herself all alone.Fanny had taken her a good long way. They had passed through aplantation of young fir-trees to one of the vegetable-gardens, andthence through an orchard, where the grass was long and dank at thistime of year. Somehow or other, Sibyl felt chilled to the bone and verymiserable. She had never liked Fanny less than she did at this moment.But she was not strong-minded, and Fanny was one of the most importantgirls in the school. She was rich, her father was a man of greatdistinction; she might be head-girl of the school, and probably wouldwhen Margaret Grant left; she was also quite an old member of theSpecialities. Besides Fanny, even Martha West seemed to fade intoinsignificance. It was as though the friend of the Prime Minister--thegreatest possible friend--had held out a helping hand to a strugglingnobody, and offered that nobody a dazzling position. Sibyl was that poorlittle nobody, and Fanny's words were weighted with such power that thegirl trembled and felt herself shaking all over.
Sibyl's love for Martha was innocent, pure, and good. Her admiration forBetty was the generous and romantic affection which a little schoolgirlgives to another girl older than herself who is both brilliant andcaptivating. But, after all, Betty had lost her sceptre and laid downher crown. Betty, for some extraordinary reason, was in disgrace, andFanny was in the zenith of her power. It would be magnificent to be aSpeciality! How those girls who thought little or nothing of Sibyl nowwould admire her when she passed into that glorious state! She thoughtof herself as joining the other Specialities in arranging programmes, indevising entertainments; she thought of the privileges which would behers; she thought of that delightful private sitting-room into which shehad once dared to peep, and then shot out her little face again,half-terrified at her own audacity. There was no one in the room at themoment; but it did look cosy--the chairs so easy and comfortable, andall covered with such a delicate shade of blue. Sibyl knew that bluebecame her. She thought how nice she would look sitting in one of thosechairs and being hail-fellow-well-met with Margaret Grant, and Marthaher own friend, and all the others. Even Betty would envy her then. Sheand Betty would change places. It would be her part to advise Betty whatto do and what to wear. Oh, it was a very dazzling prospect! And shecould gain the coveted distinction--but how?
Sibyl felt her heart beating very fast. She had not been trained in ahigh school of morals. Her father was a very hard-working clergyman witha large family of eight children. Her mother was dead; her elder sisterswere earning their own living. Mrs. Haddo had heard of Sibyl, and hadtaken her into the school on special terms, feeling sure that charitywas well expended in such a case. Mr. Ray was far too busy over hisnumerous duties to look after Sibyl as her mother would have done hadshe lived. The little girl was brought up anyhow, and her new life atHaddo Court was a revelation to her in more ways than one. She was notpretty; she was not clever; she was not strong-minded; she was veryeasily influenced. A good girl could have done much for her--Martha haddone her very best; but a bad girl could do even more.
While Sibyl was dallying with temptation, thinking to herself howattractive it would be to feel such an important person as FannyCrawford, she looked down from the height where she was standing and sawBetty Vivian walking slowly across the common.
Betty was alone. Her head was slightly bent, but the rest of her youngfigure was bolt upright. She was going towards the spot where thosesparse clumps of heather occupied their neglected position at one sideof the "forest primeval."
When first Sibyl saw Betty her heart gave a great throb of longing torush to her, to fling her arms round her, to kiss her, to cling to herside. But she suppressed that impulse. She loved Betty, but she wasafraid of her. Betty was the last sort of girl to put up with what sheconsidered liberties; Sibyl was a person to whom she was utterlyindifferent, and she would by no means have liked Sibyl to kiss her.From Sibyl's vantage-ground, therefore, she watched Betty, herselfunseen. Then it suddenly occurred to her that she might continue towatch her, but from a more favorable point of view.
There was a little knoll at one end of the orchard, and there was a veryold gnarled apple-tree at the edge of the knoll. If Sibyl ran fast shecould climb into the apple-tree and look right down on to the common. Nosooner did the thought come to her than she resolved to act on it.Knowledge is always power, and she need not tell Fanny anything at allunless she liked. She could be faithful to poor Betty, who was indisgrace, and at the same time she might know something about her. Itwas so very odd that Betty was expelled from the Specialities. She couldnot possibly have resigned, for had she done so there would have been agreat fuss, and everything would have been explained to the satisfactionof the school; whereas that mysterious sentence on the blackboard leftthe whole thing involved in darkest night. What had Betty done? Had shereally told a lie about what she had found in the old stump of oak? Wasit not a piece of wood after all? Had she really sent Sibyl into theflower-garden to gather marguerites and make herself a figure of fun atthe Specialities' entertainment? Had she done it to get rid of her justbecause--because she wanted--she wanted to remove something from thestump of the old oak-tree? Oh, if Betty were that sort--if it werepossible--even Sibyl Ray felt that she could not love her any longer! Itwas Fanny, after all, who was a noble girl. Fanny wanted to get to thebottom of things. Fanny herself could not do what an unimportant littlegirl like Sibyl could do. After all, there was nothing shabby in it. Ifit were shabby, Fanny Crawford, the last girl in the school to do wrong,would not have asked her to attend to the matter.
Sibyl therefore climbed into the old apple-tree and perched amongst itsbranches, and gazed eagerly down on the bit of common land. She was farnearer to Betty than Betty had the least idea of. She saw her walktowards the pieces of heather, but could not, from her point of view,see what the plants were. She had really no idea that there was anyspecial heather in the grounds; she was not interested in a stupid thinglike heather. But she did see Betty go on her knees, and she did see herpull
up a root of some sort or other, and she did see her take somethingout and look at it and put it back again. Then Betty returned veryslowly across the common towards the house.
Sibyl was fairly panting now with excitement. Was there ever, ever inall the world, such an easy way of becoming a Speciality? Betty had asecret; and she, Sibyl, had found it out without the slightestdifficulty. Betty had hidden something in the old oak, and now she hadburied it under some plants at the edge of the common. Sibyl forgotpretence, she forgot honor, she forgot everything but the luring voiceof Fanny Crawford and her keen desire to perfect her quest. At that timeof year few girls troubled themselves to walk across the "forestprimeval." It was a sort of place that was pleasant enough in warm daysof summer, but damp and dull and dreary at this season, when the girlsof Haddo Court preferred the upper walks, or the hockey-ground, or thedifferent places where the various games were played. Certainly the"forest primeval" did not occupy much of their attention.
It was getting a little dusk; but Sibyl, too excited to care, scrambleddown from her tree, and a few minutes later had dashed across thecommon, and had discovered by the loosened earth the exact spot whereBetty had stooped. She was now beside herself with excitement. It washer turn to go on her knees. She was doing good work; she was, accordingto Fanny Crawford, saving the honor of the school. She poked and pokedwith her fingers, and soon got up the already loosened roots of thepiece of heather. Down went her hard little hands into the cold clayuntil at last they touched the tiny packet, which was sealed and tiedfirmly with strong string.
"Eureka! I have found it!" was Sibyl's exclamation. She slipped thepacket into her pocket, put the heather back into its place, tried togive the disturbed earth the appearance of not having been disturbed atall, and went back to the house. She was so excited she could scarcelycontain herself.
The days were getting shorter. Tea was at half-past four, and a kind oflight supper at seven o'clock. The girls of the lower school had thismeal a little earlier. Sibyl was just in time for tea, which was alwaysserved in the great refectory; and here the various members of the upperschool were all assembled--except the Specialities, who had tea in theirown private room.
"Well, Sibyl, you are late!" said Sarah Butt. "I wanted to take a longwalk with you. Where have you been?"
"I have been for a walk with Fanny Crawford," replied Sibyl with animportant air.
Betty, who was helping herself to a cup of tea, glanced up at thatmoment and fixed her eyes on Sibyl. Sibyl colored furiously and lookedaway. Betty took no further notice of her, but began to chat with a girlnear her. Soon a crowd of girls collected round Betty, and laughedheartily at her remarks.
On any other occasion Sibyl would have joined this group, and been thefirst to giggle over Betty's witticisms. But the little parcel in herpocket seemed to weigh like lead. It was a weight on her spirits too.She was most anxious to deliver it over to Fanny Crawford, and to keepFanny to her word, in order that she might be proposed as a Specialityat the next meeting. She knew this would not be until Thursday. Oh, itwas all too long to wait! But she could put on airs already, for wouldshe not very soon cease to be drinking this weak tea in the refectory?Would she not be having her own dainty meal in the Specialities' privateroom?
"How red you are, Sibyl!" was Sarah Butt's remark. "I suppose the coldwind has caught your cheeks."
"I wish you wouldn't remark on my appearance," said Sibyl.
"Dear, dear! Hoity-toity! How grand we are getting all of a sudden!"
"You needn't snub me in the way you do, Sarah. You'll be treating mevery differently before long."
"Indeed, your Royal Highness! And may I ask how and why?"
"You may neither ask how nor why; but events will prove," said Sibyl.She raised her voice a little incautiously, and once again Betty lookedat her. There was something about Betty's glance, at once sorrowful andaloof, which stung Sibyl. Just because she had done Betty a wrong she nolonger loved her half as much as she had done. After a pause, she saidin a distinct voice, "I am a very great friend of Fanny Crawford, and Iam going to see her now on special business." With these words shemarched out of the refectory.
Some of the girls laughed. Betty was quite silent. No one dared questionBetty Vivian with regard to her withdrawal from the Speciality Club,nor did she enlighten them. But when tea was over she went up to Sylviaand Hetty and said a few words to them both. They looked at her inamazement, but made no kind of protest. After speaking to her sisters,Betty left the refectory.
"What can be the matter with your Betty?" asked one of the girls,addressing the twins.
"There's nothing the matter with her," said Sylvia in a stout voice.
"Why are your eyes so red, then?"
"My eyes are red because Dickie's lost."
"Who's Dickie?"
"He is the largest spider I ever saw, and he grows bigger and fatterevery day. But he is lost. We brought him from Scotland. He'd sting anyone who tried to hurt him; so if any of you see him in your bedrooms orhiding under your pillows you'd best shriek out, for he is a dangeroussort, and ought not to be interfered with."
"How perfectly appalling!" said the girl now addressed. "You reallyoughtn't to keep horrid pets of that sort. And I loathe spiders."
"Oh, well, you're not Scotch," replied Sylvia with a disdainful gesture."Dickie is a darling to those he loves, but very fierce to those hehates."
"And is that really why your eyes are so red?" continued the girl--HildaMorton by name. "Has it nothing to do with that wonderful sister ofyours, and the strange fact that she has been expelled from theSpeciality Club?"
"She hasn't been expelled!" said Sylvia in a voice of fury.
"Don't talk nonsense! The fact was mentioned on the blackboard. If youdon't believe it, you can come and see for yourself."
"She has left the club, but was not expelled," said Sylvia. "And I hateyou, Hilda! You have no right to speak of my sister like that."
Meanwhile two girls were pursuing their different ways. Betty was goingtowards that wing of the building where Mr. Fairfax's suite of rooms wasto be found. She had never yet spoken to him. She wished to speak to himnow. The rooms occupied by the Fairfaxes formed a complete littledwelling, with its own kitchen and special servants. These roomsadjoined the chapel; but his family lived apart from the school. It wasunderstood, however, that any girl at Haddo Court was at liberty to askthe chaplain a question in a moment of difficulty.
Betty now rang the bell of the little house. A neat servant opened thedoor. On inquiring if Mr. Fairfax were within, Betty was told "Yes," andwas admitted at once into that gentleman's study.
The clergyman rose at her entrance. He recognized her face, spoke to herkindly, said he was glad she had come to see him, and asked her to sitdown. "Is anything the matter, my dear? Is there any way in which I canhelp you?"
"I don't know," answered the girl. "I thought perhaps you could; itflashed through my mind to-day that perhaps you could. You have seen mein the chapel?"
"Oh yes; yours is not the sort of face one is likely to forget."
"I am not happy," said Betty.
"I am sorry to hear that. But don't you agree with me that we poor humancreatures think too much of our own individual happiness and too littleof the happiness of others? It seems to me that the golden rule to liveby in this: Provided my brother is happy, all is well with me."
"That is true to a certain extent," said Betty; "but--" She paused aminute. Then she said abruptly, "I am not at all the cringing sort, andI am not the girl to grumble, and I love Mrs. Haddo; and, sir, therehave been moments when your voice in chapel has given me greatconsolation. I also love one or two of my schoolfellows. But the factis, there is something weighing on my conscience, and I cannot tell youwhat it is. I cannot do the right thing, sir; and I do not see my wayever to do what I suppose you would say was the right thing. I will tellyou this much about myself. You have heard of our Speciality Club?"
"Of course I have."
"The girls were
very good to me when I came here--for I am a comparativestranger in the school--and they elected me to be a Speciality."
"Indeed!" said Mr. Fairfax. "That is a very great honor."
"I know it is; and I was given the rules, and I read them all carefully.But, sir, in a sudden moment of temptation, before I came to HaddoCourt, I did something which was wrong, and I am determined not to mendmy ways with regard to that matter. Nevertheless, I became a Speciality,knowing that by so doing I should break the first rule of the club."
Mr. Fairfax was too courteous ever to interrupt any one who came to himto talk over a difficulty. He was silent now, his hands clasped tightlytogether, his deep-set eyes fixed on Betty's vivid face.
"I was a Speciality for about a fortnight," she continued--"perhaps alittle longer. But at the last meeting I made up my mind that I couldnot go on, so I told the girls what I had done. It is unnecessary totrouble you with those particulars, sir. After I had told them theyasked me to leave the room, and I went. They had a special meeting ofthe club last night to consult over my case, and I was invited to bepresent. I was then told that, notwithstanding the fact that I hadbroken Rule No. I., I might continue to be a member of the club if Iwould give up something which I possess and to which I believe I have afull right, and if I would relate my story in detail to Mrs. Haddo. Iabsolutely refused to do either of these things. I was then _expelled_from the club, sir--that is the only word to use; and the fact wasnotified on the blackboard in the great hall to-day."
"Well," said Mr. Fairfax when Betty paused, "I understand that yourepent, and you do not repent, and that you are no longer a Speciality."
"That is the case, sir."
"Can you not take me further into your confidence?"
"There is no use," said Betty, shaking her head.
"I am not surprised, Miss Vivian, that you are unhappy."
"I am accustomed to that," said Betty.
"May I ask what you have come to see me about?"
"I wanted to know this: ought I, or ought I not, being unrepentant of mysin, to come to the chapel with the other girls, to kneel with them, topray with them, and to listen to your words?"
"I must leave that to yourself. If your conscience says, 'Come,' it isnot for me to turn you out. But it is a very dangerous thing to triflewith conscience. Of course you know that. I can see, too, that you arepeculiarly sensitive. Forgive me, but I have often noticed your face,and with extreme interest. You have good abilities, and a great futurebefore you in the upward direction--that is, if you choose. Although youwon't take me into your confidence, I am well aware that the present isa turning-point in your career. You must at least know that I, as aclergyman, would not repeat to any one a word of what you say to me. Canyou not trust me?"
"No, no; it is too painful!" said Betty. "I see that, in your heart ofhearts, you think that I--I ought not--I ought _not_ to come to chapel.I am indeed outcast!"
"No, child, you are not. Kneel down now, and let me pray with you."
"I cannot stand it--no, I cannot!" said Betty; and she turned away.
When she had gone Mr. Fairfax dropped on his knees. He prayed for a longtime with fervor. But that night he missed Betty Vivian at prayers inthe beautiful little chapel.
Meanwhile Betty--struggling, battling with herself, determined not toyield, feeling fully convinced that the only wrong thing she had donewas telling the lie to Sir John Crawford and prevaricating to Sibyl--wasnothing like so much to be pitied as Sibyl Ray herself.
Sibyl had lingered about the different corridors and passages until shefound Fanny, who was talking to Martha West. Sibyl was so startled whenthe two girls came out of the private sitting-room that she almostsquinted, and Fanny at once perceived that the girl had somethingimportant to tell her. She must not, however, appear to notice Sibylspecially in the presence of Martha.
Martha, on the contrary, went up at once to Sibyl and said in herpleasant voice, "Why, my dear child, it is quite a long time since wehave met! And now, I wonder what I can do for you or how I can possiblyhelp you. Would you like to come and have a cosy chat with me in mybedroom for a little? The fact is this," continued Martha: "weSpecialities are so terribly spoilt in the school that we hardly knowourselves. Fancy having a fire in one's bedroom, not only at night, butat this hour! Would you like to come with me, Sib?"
At another moment Sibyl would have hailed this invitation with rapture.On the present occasion she was about to refuse it; but Fanny said witha quick glance, which was not altogether lost on Martha, "Of course gowith Martha, Sibyl. You are in great luck to have such a friend."
Sibyl departed, therefore, very unwillingly, with the friend she hadonce adored. Martha's bedroom was very plain and without ornaments, butthere were snug easy-chairs and the fire burned brightly. Martha invitedthe little girl to sit down, and asked her how she was.
"Oh, I am all right," said Sibyl.
Martha looked at her attentively. "I don't quite understand you, Sib.You have rather avoided me during the last day or two. Is it because Iam a Speciality? I do hope that will make no difference with my oldfriends."
"Oh no," said Sibyl. "There's nothing so wonderful in being aSpeciality, is there?"
Martha stared. "Well, to me it is very wonderful," she said; "and Icannot imagine how those other noble-minded girls think me good enoughto join them."
"Oh Martha, are they so good as all that?"
"They are," said Martha; and her tone was very gloomy. She was thinkingof Betty, whom she longed to comfort, whom she earnestly longed to help.
"It's so queer about Betty," said Sibyl after a pause. "She seemed to besuch a very popular Speciality. Then, all of a sudden, she ceased to beone at all. I can't understand it."
"And you are never likely to, Sibyl. What happens in the club is onlyknown to its members."
Sibyl grew red. What was coming over her? Two or three hours ago she wasa girl--weak, it is true; insignificant, it is true--with a passion forMartha West and a most genuine love and admiration for Betty Vivian. Nowshe almost disliked Betty; and she could not make out what charm she hadever discovered in poor, plain Martha. She got up impatiently. "You willforgive me, Martha," she said; "but I have lots of things I want to do.I don't think I will stay just now. Perhaps you will ask me to come andtalk to you another day."
"No, Sibyl, I sha'n't. When you want me you must try to find meyourself. I don't understand what is the matter with you to-day."
Sibyl grew that fiery red which always distressed her inexpressibly. Thenext minute she had disappeared. She ran straight to Fanny's room,hoping and trusting that she might find its inmate within. She was notdisappointed, for Fanny was there alone; she was fully expecting Sibylto come and see her. To Sibyl's knock she said, "Come in!" and the girlentered at once.
"Well?" said Fanny.
"I have done what you wanted," said Sibyl. "I watched her, and I saw.Afterwards I went to the place where she had hidden it. I took it. It isin my pocket. Please take it from me. I have done what you wished. Iwant to get rid of it, and never to think of it again. Fanny, when shallI be elected a Speciality?"
But Fanny did not speak. She had snatched the little packet from Sibyl'shand and was gazing at it, her eyes almost starting from her head.
"When shall I become a Speciality?" whispered Sibyl.
"Don't whisper, child! The Vivians' room is next to mine. Sibyl, we mustkeep this a most profound secret, I am awfully obliged to you! You havebeen very clever and prompt. I don't wish to ask any questions at all.Thank you, Sibyl, from my heart. I will certainly keep my promise, andat the next meeting will propose you as a member. Whether you areelected or not must, of course, depend on the votes of the majority. Inthe meanwhile forget all this. Be as usual with your schoolfellows. Restassured of my undying friendship and gratitude. Keep what you have donea profound secret; if anything leaks out there is no chance of yourbecoming a Speciality. Now, good-bye Sibyl. I mustn't be seen to takeany special notice of you; people are very watchful in case
s of thissort. But remember, though I don't talk to you a great deal, I shall beyour true friend; and after you have become a member of our club therewill, of course, be no difficulty."
"Oh, I should love to be a member!" said Sibyl. "I do so hate the tea inthe refectory, and you do seem to have such cosy times in yoursitting-room."
Fanny smiled very slightly. "May I give you one word of warning?" shesaid. "You made a very great mistake to-day when you did not seemwilling to pay Martha West a visit. Your election depends far more onMartha than on me. Between now and Thursday--when I mean to propose youas a member in place of Betty Vivian, who has forfeited her right forever--Martha will be your most valuable ally. I do not say you will beelected--for the rules of the club are very strict, and we are mostexclusive--but I will do my utmost."
"But you promised! I thought I was sure!" said Sibyl, beginning towhimper.
"Nonsense, nonsense, child! I said I would do my best. Now, keep up yourfriendship with Martha--that is, if you are wise."
Sibyl left the room. Her momentary elation was over, and she began tohate herself for what she had done. In all probability she would not beelected a Speciality, and then what reward would she have for acting thespy? She had acted the spy. The plain truth seemed now to flash beforeher eyes. She had been very mean and hard; and she had taken somethingwhich, after all, did not belong to her at all, and given it to Fanny.She could never get that something back. She felt that she did not dareto look at Betty Vivian. Why should not Betty hide things if she likedin the stump of an old oak-tree or under a bit of tiresome heather inthe "forest primeval?" After all, Betty had not said the thing was wood;but when Sibyl had asked her she had said, "Have it so if you like." Oh!Sibyl felt just now that she had been made a sort of cat's-paw, and thatshe did not like Fanny Crawford one bit.