good, isn't it?" said Mr Brooke. "It is made from the lastcrop of strawberries. Mrs Shelf is a first-rate housekeeper."
Annie helped herself plentifully. She poured rich cream on the jam, andate with an epicure's appreciation. At last her appetite was satisfied,and she had time to consider as to when she would break her tidings toUncle Maurice.
"Are you coming out with me?" she asked. "What are we going to do withourselves this morning?"
"Well, my love--I am really sorry--it is most unlucky--I haven'tsuffered as I am doing to-day--I may say for months. I suppose it isthe excitement of having you back again, little Annie; but I really dofear that until my head gets better I must remain quiet. I get sogiddy, my darling, when I try to walk; but doubtless by lunch-time Ishall be better. You must amuse yourself alone this morning, my littlegirl; but I have no doubt that Mrs Shelf has all kinds of plans topropose to you."
Annie stood up. Outside, the garden smiled; but the little room inwhich they breakfasted, warm enough in the evening, was somewhat chillynow, for it faced due west.
"I do want to talk to you so badly," she said; "and--can I just have afew words with you between now and post-time? I must write a letter forthe post, and I have to consult you about it. I won't worry you, dear;only the thing must be talked about and arranged, so when shall I cometo you?"
"The post goes early from here," said the rector--"at one o'clock. Itis nine now; come to me at twelve, Annie. I dare say I shall be allright by then."
"All right or not," thought Annie, "he'll have to hear my little bit ofinformation not later that twelve o'clock."
She went out of the room. The rector watched her as she disappeared.He did not know why he felt so depressed and uneasy. His headache wasrather worse, and he felt some slight shivers going down his old frame,caused no doubt by the open window.
He left the breakfast-room and entered his study, where a fire wasburning, and where, in his opinion, things were much more comfortable.He did not feel well enough to settle down to any special work. He drewup an easy-chair in front of the fire and sat there lost in thought.
His darling was safe at home; the apple of his eye was with him. Shewas all he possessed in the wide, wide world. There was nothing hewould grudge her--nothing in reason; but, somehow, he dreaded the timewhen she would return and talk to him about that letter which must catchthe post. Anxiety was bad for him, and his head grew worse.
Meanwhile Annie, avoiding Mrs Shelf, took her writing materials into thegarden, and in the sunniest corner penned a long letter to her friend.
"Of course I am coming, dear Mabel," she wrote. "I have got to tacklethe old uncle at twelve o'clock, but it will be all right. When I haveseen him and got the needful, or the promise of it, I will write to LadyLushington. I am looking forward beyond words to our time together.You need not be uneasy; I will manage the horrid bills. Whatever elseyour Annie lacks, she is not destitute of brains. Trust to me, dear, tosee you through. Oh! I am glad that you appreciate my efforts on yourbehalf.--Your loving friend,--
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"Annie Brooke."
This letter was just written when Mrs Shelf approached Annie's side.
"I wonder now, Annie," she said, "if you would mind riding intoRashleigh to fetch Dr Brett. I don't like the state your uncle is in.You could have Dobbin to ride; he's not up to much, but really I thinkDr Brett should come. I don't like Mr Brooke's appearance. He is soflashed about the face, and so queer in himself altogether."
CHAPTER ELEVEN.
THE LETTER.
"I will go, of course," said Annie, jumping up; "what is the hour, MrsShelf?"
"It is a quarter to twelve. You had best go at once; if you don't delayyou will catch Dr Brett when he returns home for lunch. Billy can putthe saddle on Dobbin for you, and there's the old habit hanging on thepeg in your bedroom."
"Detestable old habit," thought Annie, "and horrid Dobbin, and shockingside-saddle! Oh dear! oh dear! But whatever happens, I must get thatletter off immediately."
"Why are you so slow?" said Mrs Shelf, looking at the girl with greatannoyance. "Your uncle wants medical aid, and he ought to have it."
"I will go, of course," said Annie, "but not for a few minutes. Don'tfidget, please; I don't believe there is anything serious the matterwith Uncle Maurice. He often has these headaches."
She went slowly towards the house. Mrs Shelf stood and watched her.
"Well, if there is a heartless piece in the whole of England, it is thatgirl," thought the good woman. "What my dear master finds to like inher beats me. If she doesn't go off immediately for Dr Brett, I'll putDobbin to the gig and drive to Rashleigh myself."
Meanwhile Annie entered the house. Mr Brooke was lying back in hischair, his face flushed, his hands tremulous.
"I am very sorry, my darling," he said when he saw Annie, "but I havebeen a little bit faint. It will pass, of course; but poor Mrs Shelf isnervous about me, and wants Brett to be called in. I don't suppose itis really necessary."
"Of course it isn't a bit necessary, uncle," said Annie. "You are justexcited because I have come back. Now do listen to me, darling. YourAnnie has such a big favour to ask of you. You must not think it unkindof me to speak of it now, but it is so tremendously important. I willgo and fetch the doctor immediately afterwards--I will indeed--if youreally want him; but don't you think you are just a wee bit nervous?"
"No, dear, not nervous," said the old man. "I am really ill. Thisattack is sudden, but doubtless it will pass, and I must not beselfish."
"It is horrid to disturb you when your head aches," said Annie, "I wishnow I had spoken to you this morning. I did not like to when you seemednot quite the thing. I am naturally thoughtful, you know."
"Yes, yes, my little girl," he answered, patting her hand. "I shall bewell very, quickly now you are back."
"But, Uncle Maurice, dear--oh, Uncle Maurice! you won't say no? I havean invitation. I--I--_want_ to accept it. It is from a very greatlady. Here it is; can you read it?"
She put Lady Lushington's letter into the old rector's hand. He readthe words slowly and with apparent calm. Then he laid it on his knee.For a minute there was silence between the two. Annie's heart wasbeating hard. At last Mr Brooke said:
"You want to go?"
"I want to go," said Annie with emphasis, "more than I want anythingelse in all the wide world."
"You understand," said the rector very slowly, "that I am old and notwell. This will be a keen disappointment to me."
"I know, I know, darling Uncle Maurice; but you are _so_ unselfish. Youwould not deprive your own Annie of her pleasure."
"No, Annie," said Mr Brooke, rousing himself, no longer lying back inhis chair, but sitting upright; "God knows that I should be the last todo that. You are young, and want your pleasure."
"Oh, so much! Think what it means."
"But what sort of woman is Lady Lushington?"
"Uncle Maurice, she is delightful; she is the aunt of my greatestfriend, Mabel Lushington, one of my schoolfellows."
"And yet," said the rector, "the aunt of one of your schoolfellows maybe the last person I should think it desirable to send you to. I prayGod to keep me from the great sin of selfishness, but I would not haveyou spend your holidays with a woman, whom I know nothing about. BeforeI allow you to accept this invitation, Annie, I must inquire of MrsLyttelton something with regard to the character of Lady Lushington."
"Oh uncle! uncle!"
"My mind is firmly made up, child. I will write to Mrs Lyttelton bythis post. If her report is favourable I will give you money to go toParis--not a great deal, for I am poor, but sufficient. This is allthat I can say."
"But listen, darling uncle. Lady Lushington wants me to meet her at theGrand Hotel in Paris on Tuesday night. You cannot hear in time from MrsLyttelton. I shall lose my chance of joining Lady Lushington and Mabel.Oh, do--do be reasonable!"
"Annie, I have made up my mind. I will not give you one farthing tojoin this woman until I know something about her from one who is atleast acquainted with her. My child, don't be angry; I am absolutelydetermined."
"Then you are unkind. It is dreadful of you," said Annie.
She burst into petulant tears and ran out of the room. Here was acheckmate. What was to be done? She was trembling from head to foot.Her heart was full of anger--such anger as she had not known for years.Mrs Shelf was hovering about outside.
"Oh, what is