The Long Vacation

  He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who fears to put it to the touch, To win or lose it all.

  If Sibby hoped to keep her "long boy" from being "mislested," she wasmistaken. He knew too well what was to come, and when she knocked athis door with his cup of tea, he came to it half dressed, to her extremeindignation, calling for his shaving water.

  "Now, Master Clem, if you would only be insinsed enough to keep to yourbed, you might have Miss Sophy to speak to you there, if nothing elsewill serve you."

  "Is she there?"

  "In coorse, and Miss Francie too. What should they do else, aftercolloguing with their young men all night? Ah, 'tis a proud woman poorMiss Alda would be if she could have seen the young lord! And the realbeauty is Miss Francie, such as my own babbies were before her, blessthem!"

  "Stop," cried Clement in consternation. "It is only a bit of passingadmiration. Don't say a word about it to the others."

  "As if I would demane myself to the like of them! Me that has beenforty-seven years with you and yours, and had every one of you in myarms the first thing, except the blessed eldest that is gone to a betterplace."

  "Would that he were here now!" sighed Clement, almost as he had sighedthat first morning of his loss. "Where are those girls?"

  "Rampaging over the house with Sir Adrian, and his packing of all hisrubbish, enough to break the heart of a coal-heaver! I'd not let them into bother their aunt, and Mr. Gerald is asleep like a blessed baby."

  "And Lance?"

  "Oh! it is down to the sea he is with that child that looks as if hewas made of air, and lived on live larks! And Master Lance, he's nobetter--eats like a sparrow, and sits up half the night writing for hispaper."

  Clement got rid of Sibby at last, but he was hardly out of his roombefore Sophy descended on him, anxious and blushing, though he couldgive her much sympathy and kindly hope of his influence, only he hadto preach patience. It had been no hasty fancy, but there had long beengrowing esteem and affection, and he could assure her of all the aidthe family could give with her mother, though Penbeacon works would be avery insecure foundation for hope.

  "I think Gerald would consent," said Sophy, "and he will soon be ofage."

  Clement could only say "Humph!"

  "One thing I hope is not wrong," said Sophy, "but I do trust that no onewill tell mother about Lord Ivinghoe. It is not jealousy, I hope, but Icannot see that there is anything in it, only the very sound would setmother more against Philip than ever."

  "You do not suppose that Francie is--is touched?"

  "No," said Sophy, gravely as an elder, "she is such a child. She wasvery much pleased and entertained, and went on chattering, till I beggedher to let us say our prayers in peace. We never talk after that, andshe went to sleep directly, and was smiling when she woke, but I do notfancy she will dwell on it, or fancy there is more to come, unless someone puts it into her head."

  It was sagely said, and Clement knew pretty well who was the one personfrom whom Sophy had fears. Poor Alda, improved and altered as she was,if such a hope occurred to her, would she be able to help imparting itto her daughter and looking out for the fulfilment?

  Loud calls for Sophy rang through the house, and Clement had only timeto add--

  "Patience, dear child, and submission. They not only win the day, butare the best preparation for it when it is won."

  That family of girls had grown up to be a care to one who had trustedthat his calling would be a shield from worldly concerns; but heaccepted it as providential, and as a trust imposed on him as certainlyas Felix had felt the headship of the orphaned house.

  He was rejoiced to find on coming down-stairs that Lance had decided ongiving another day to family counsels, sending off little Felix with hiscousins, who would drop him at the junction to Stoneborough, whencehe would be proud to travel alone. Clement took another resolution, invirtue of which he knocked at his sister's door before she went down.

  "Cherry," said he, "would it be inconvenient to keep Francie here justfor the present?"

  "Not at all; it would be only too pleasant for Anna now that she losesher brother. But why?"

  "I want to hinder her from hearing the conclusions that her mother maydraw from the diversions of yesterday."

  "I see. It might soon be,

  'He cometh not, she said.'"

  "And Sophy will keep her counsel as to those moonlight wanderings. Whenwere they to go?"

  "By the 11.30 train. Marilda is coming up first."

  So the plan was propounded. Franceska was only too much charmed to stayin what had indeed been an enchanted coast to her, and Sophy wassure that mamma would not mind; so the matter was settled, and theexplanatory notes written.

  The party set off, with each little boy hugging a ship in full sail, andthe two young sisters were disposed of by a walk to Clipstone to talkover their adventures. Mrs. Grinstead felt certain of the good mannersand reticence prevailing there to prevent any banter about LordIvinghoe, and she secured the matter further by a hint to Anna.

  However, Miss Mohun was announced almost as they left the house. Shetoo was full of the bazaar, which seemed so long ago to her hearers, butwith the result of which she was exceedingly delighted. The voluntaryschools were secured for the present, and the gratitude of the Churchfolk was unbounded, especially to the Vale Leston family, who hadcontributed so greatly to the success of the whole.

  Jane too had watched the evening manoeuvres, and perceived, with hersharp eyes, all that was avowed and not avowed under that rising moon.The pair of whom she had first to speak were "Ivanhoe and Rowena," asshe called them, and she was glad to find that the "fair Saxon" hadgrown up at Vale Leston, educated by her aunt and sister, and imbibingno outside habits or impressions.

  "Poor child," said Jane, "she looks like a flower; one is sorry itshould be meddled with."

  "So did my sister Stella, and there, contrary to all our fears, thecourse of true love did run smooth."

  "If it depended entirely on Rotherwood himself, I think it would,"said Jane, "but--" She paused and went on, "Ivinghoe is, I fear, reallyvolage, and he is the mark of a good many London mammas."

  "Is it true about Mrs. Henderson's sister?"

  "There's nothing in it. I believe he danced with her a few times, andthe silly little thing put her own construction on it, but her sistermade her confess that he had never said a word to her, nor made love inany sense. Indeed, my sister Adeline would never have consented to hercoming here if she had believed in it, but Maura has a Greek nature andturns the Whites round her fingers. Well, I hope all will go well withyour pretty Franceska. I should not like her lovely bloom to be faded byIvinghoe. He is Rotherwood's own boy, though rather a prig, and a man inLondon. Oh, you know what that means!"

  "We have done _notre possible_ to keep our interpretation from the poorchild, or any hint of it from reaching her mother."

  "That's right. Poor Rowena, I hope the spark will be blown out, orremain only a pleasant recollection. As to little Maura, she had herlesson when she was reduced to hanging on Captain Henderson's other arm!She is off to-day to meet Mr. White in London. That purpose has beenserved."

  "And have you not a nearer interest?"

  "Oh, Gillian! Well, Captain Armytage did get hold of her, in what wemust now call the Lover's Walk! Yes, she has yielded, to her father'sgreat satisfaction and perhaps to her mother's, for she will be morecomfortable in looking forward to a commonplace life for her than inthe dread of modern aberrations. But Gillian is very funny, very muchashamed of having given in, and perfectly determined to go to hercollege and finish her education, which she may as well do while theSparrow Hawk is at sea. He is off to-day, and she says she is very gladto be rid of him. She sat down at once to her dynamite, as Primrosecalls it, having bound over Mysie and Valetta never to mention thesubject! I tell them that to obey in silence is the way to serve thepoor man best."

  Miss Mohun was interrupted by the announcement of Lady F
light and Mr.Flight, who came equally eager with delight and gratitude to thank theHouse of Underwood for the triumph. The rest of the clergy of Rockquayand half the ladies might be expected, and in despair at last of a"lucid interval," Geraldine ordered the carriage for a long drive intothe country, so as to escape all visitors. Even then, they could notgot up the hill without being stopped four or five times to receive thethanks and compliments which nearly drove Gerald crazy, so much didhe want to hear what his family had to say to his plans, that he hadactually consented to partake of a dowager-drive in a landau!

  He and his uncle had discovered from the police in the course of themorning that Ludmilla and her mother had not gone with the circus, buthad been seen embarking in the Alice Jane, a vessel bound for London.His idea had been to hurry thither and endeavour to search out hishalf-sister, and rescue her; but Lance had assured him not only thatit would probably be a vain quest, but that there would be full time tomeet the Alice Jane by land before she could get there by sea.

  To this he had yielded, but not so readily to the representation thatthe wisest way would be to keep out of sight; but to let Lance, asa less interested party, go and interview the van proprietor, whosedirection had been sent to Clement, try to see O'Leary, and do his bestto bargain for Ludmilla's release, a matter on which all were decided,whatever might be the upshot of the question respecting Gerald. To leavea poor girl to circus training, even if there were no interest in her,would have been shocking to right-minded people; but when it was sucha circus as O'Leary's, and the maiden was so good, sweet, and modestas Lida, the thought would have been intolerable even without theconnection with Gerald, who had been much taken with all he had seen ofher.

  "That is fixed, even if we have to bid high for our Mona," said Lance.

  "By all means," said Geraldine. "It will be another question what willbe good for her when we have got her."

  "I will take care of that!" said Gerald.

  "Next," Lance went on, "we must see what proofs, or if there be any, ofthis person's story. I expect one of you will have to pay well for them,but I had better take a lawyer with me."

  Clement named the solicitor who had the charge of the Vanderkistaffairs.

  "Better than Staples, or Bramshaw & Anderson. Yes, it would be bestto have no previous knowledge of the family, and no neighbourlyacquaintance. Moreover, I am not exactly an interested party, so I maybe better attended to."

  "Still I very much doubt, even if you do get any statement from thewoman, whether it can be depended upon without verification," saidClement.

  "From the registers, if there are any at these places?"

  "Exactly, and there must be personal inquiry. The first husband, GianBenista, will have to be hunted down, dead or alive."

  "Yes; and another thing," said Lance, "if the Italian marriage werebefore the revolution in Sicily, I expect the ecclesiastical ceremonywould be valid, but after that, the civil marriage would be required."

  "Oh!" groaned Gerald, "if you would let me throw it all up without thesewretched quibbles."

  "Not your father's honour," said his aunt.

  "Nor our honesty," said Clement. "It is galling enough to have yourwhole position in life depend on the word of a worthless woman, butthere are things that must be taken patiently, as the will of One whoknows."

  "It is so hard to accept it as God's will when it comes of human sin,"said Geraldine.

  "Human thoughtlessness," said Clement; "but as long as it is not by ourown fault we can take it as providential, and above all, guard againstimpatience, the real ruin and destruction."

  "Yes," said Lance, "sit on a horse's head when he is down to keep himfrom kicking."

  "So you all are sitting on my head," said Gerald; "I shall get out andwalk--a good rush on the moors."

  "Wait at least to allow your head to take in my scheme," said Clement.

  "Provided it is not sitting still," said Gerald.

  "Far from it. Only it partly depends on my lady and mistress here--"

  "I guess," said Geraldine. "You know I am disposed that way by Dr.Brownlow's verdict."

  "And 'that way' is that we go ourselves to try to trace out this strangeallegation--you coming too, Gerald, so that we shall not quite besitting on your head."

  "But my sister?"

  "We will see when we have recovered her," said Mrs. Grinstead.

  "I would begin with a visit to Stella and her husband," saidClement; "Charlie could put us in the way of dealing with consuls andvice-consuls."

  "Excellent," cried his sister; "Anna goes of course, and I should liketo take Francie. It would be such an education for her."

  "Well, why not?"

  "And what is to become of Adrian?"

  "Well, we should not have been here more than six months of course."

  "I could take him," said Lance, "unless Alda holds poor old Froggatt &Underwood beneath his dignity."

  "That can be considered," said Clement; "it approves itself best to me,except that he is getting on so well here that I don't like to disturbhim."

  "And when can you come up to town with me?" demanded Gerald; "tomorrow?"

  "To-morrow being Saturday, it would be of little use to go. No, if youwill not kick, master, I must go home to-morrow, and look up poor 'Pur,'also the organ on Sunday. Come with me, and renew your acquaintance. Wewill make an appointment with your attorney, Clem, and run up on Mondayevening, see him on Tuesday."

  Gerald sighed, submitting perforce, and they let him out to exhale asmuch impatience as he could in a tramp over the hills, while they satand pitied him from their very hearts.

  CHAPTER XXV. -- DESDICHADO