The Children of the Castle

across the room, with an unspoken hope in her heart.

  The others did not see the look in her face, or they saw it wrong, Rubyespecially, strange to say.

  "What are you gaping at, Mavis?" she said.

  "You do look so silly."

  Bertrand stared at her in his turn.

  "She looks as if she was asleep, or dreaming," he said curiously.

  Mavis rubbed her eyes.

  "No, no," she said brightly, "I'm not."

  And then she tried to be very kind and merry and pleasant to the others.She felt as if "somebody" was watching, and would be pleased. AndBertrand was a little bit gentler and softer than he had yet been,almost giving Mavis a feeling that in some faint far-off way the sweetinfluence was over him too.

  But Ruby was very contradictory. She ran about making fun of the oldfurniture and mocking at Miss Hortensia's story till she got Bertrand tojoin with her, and both began boasting and talking very foolishly--worsethan foolishly indeed. More than once Mavis caught words and hintswhich filled her with distress and anxiety. She knew, however, thatwhen Ruby was in this kind of humour it was less than useless to sayanything, now above all that she had got Bertrand to back her up.

  Suddenly the boy gave an impatient exclamation.

  "I hate this cock-loft," he said. "It's so stuffy and choky, and thatsmoke or mist has got into my eyes and makes them smart. Come along,Ruby, do."

  "It's not stuffy. I think it's dreadfully cold," she replied. "But I'msure I don't want to stay here. The mist's quite gone--not that I eversaw any really; it was only with the room being shut up, I suppose. I'mquite ready to go; let's run down and get a good warm at the school-roomfire, and I'll tell you something--a grand secret, Bertrand."

  CHAPTER SEVEN.

  IN THE TURRET-ROOM.

  "The wind with the clouds is battling, Till the pine-trees shriek with fear."

  _Pan_.

  They ran off, leaving Mavis alone in the turret-room. Poor Mavis! allher happy and hopeful feelings were gone.

  "It is no use," she said to herself; "I can't stop Ruby. Bertrand willjust make her as naughty as himself. Oh, _how_ I do wish he had nevercome! All our happiness is spoilt."

  And feeling very sorry for herself, and for every one concerned exceptBertrand, towards whom, I fear, her feelings were more of anger thangrief, Mavis sat down on one of the capacious old chairs that stoodbeside her and began to cry quietly. Suddenly a strange sensation cameover her--through her, rather. She drew her handkerchief from her eyesand looked up--she _had_ to look up--and--yes, there it was again, there_they_ were again. The wonderful unforgettable blue eyes, so searching,so irresistible, so tender. Sweet and perfectly loving as they were, itwas yet impossible to meet them without a half-trembling thrill. Andthe first thought that flashed through the little girl was, "How could Ibear her to look at me if I had been naughty?"

  "Naughty" she had not been, but--she felt her cheeks flush--look downshe could not, as she said to herself that she was afraid she had been--

  The word was taken out of her thoughts and expressed just as she came toit.

  "Silly," said the clear soft voice. "Silly little Mavis. What is itall about? Is everything going wrong at the first trial?"

  Then as Mavis gazed, the silvery-blue mist grew firmer and less vague,and gradually the lovely form and features became distinct.

  "Oh dear princess," said the child, "I am _so_ glad you have come. Yes,I daresay I am silly, but I am so unhappy;" and she poured out all hertroubles. "I shall not be unhappy any more," she ended up, "now I knowyou are _true_. I had almost begun to fancy you were all a dream."

  Forget-me-not smiled, but for a moment or two she did not speak. Thenshe said--

  "What is it you are afraid of Ruby doing--Ruby and Bertrand?"

  "Playing some unkind trick on Winfried," replied Mavis eagerly; "or evenworse--for Ruby knows that would hurt him most--on his old grandfather.It would be so horrid, so _wicked_," and Mavis's voice grew tearfulagain, "when they have been so kind to us. Oh dear princess, will youstop them?" Forget-me-not looked at her gravely.

  "My child," she said, "do they not _know_ it would be wrong to do such athing?"

  "Yes," Mavis replied, "of course they do."

  "Then how could I stop them? I mean to say, what would be the good ofstopping them, if they know already it is wrong?" said the princess.

  Mavis looked puzzled.

  "But if--if--they were to hurt or frighten old Adam or Winfried?" shesaid.

  Forget-me-not smiled again.

  "Ah yes," she said, "_that_ I can promise you shall not be. But beyondthat, if it is in their hearts wilfully to do what they know to bewrong, I fear, little Mavis, I fear they must do it, and perhaps learnthereby. When people _know_--"

  Mavis's eyes told that she understood; she looked very grave, but stillsomewhat relieved.

  "I am glad you won't let it hurt Winfried or his grandfather," she said."But oh, I can't bear Ruby to be made naughty by that horrid boy," andshe seemed on the point of bursting into tears. "Dear princess," shewent on, "couldn't you speak to her--the way you do to me? You make mefeel that I would--I would do _anything_ you told me."

  "Dear child, Ruby cannot hear me yet; she cannot see me. If she could,she would feel as you. Be patient, Mavis, love her as you have alwaysdone; that will not be difficult. But that is not all. You must try tolove Bertrand too."

  Mavis's face grew very long.

  "I don't think I _can_," she said at last.

  "But you must, sooner or later, and it may as well be sooner. I willtell you one thing--a secret, which perhaps will make it easier for you.I mean to make him love _me_ before I have done with him, though he maybegin by hating me."

  The little girl looked very grave.

  "And Ruby?" she said. "I should care most for Ruby to love you."

  Strange to say, Forget-me-not's eyes looked sadder than when she hadbeen talking of Bertrand.

  "It may be more difficult," she murmured, so low that Mavis hardlycaught the words.

  "Oh no, dear princess," she said eagerly, "Ruby isn't anything like asnaughty as Bertrand. You mustn't fancy that. She's just--just--shedoesn't think--"

  "I know," said Forget-me-not; but that was all, and her eyes stilllooked sad.

  Then she glanced round. The old room seemed like a background to herlovely figure, it was like gazing at a picture in a dark setting.

  "I must go," she said, "and when I go you will be all in the dark. Theclouds are so heavy and the day is getting on. Can you find your wayall down the stair alone, Mavis? The others have not thought aboutleaving you up here alone."

  "I don't think I mind," said Mavis; but her voice was a littletremulous, for the corner where the door was, across the room from whereForget-me-not stood, loomed dark and gloomy.

  The princess smiled.

  "Yes you do, dear. Don't tell stories. I was only trying your couragea tiny bit. Come here, darling."

  Mavis crept nearer her, nearer than she had yet been.

  "I am afraid of soiling your lovely dress," she said.

  "My pinafore's rather dirty; we've been playing all over the dustyrooms, you see."

  Then Forget-me-not laughed. Her talking was charming, her smile wasbewitching, her grave sad looks were like solemn music--what words havewe left to describe her laugh? I can think of none. I can only tellyou that it made little Mavis feel as if all the birds in the trees, allthe flowers in the fields, all the brooks and waterfalls, all the happyjoyous things in the world had suddenly come together with a shout--no,shout is too loud and rough,--with a warble and flutter of irrepressibleglee.

  "Oh," said Mavis, "how beautiful it is to hear you, princess, and how--"

  She did not finish her sentence. In another moment she felt herselflifted up--up in the air ever so far, it seemed, and then cosilydeposited most comfortably on Forget-me-not's shoulder. It was yearsand years since Mavis had thought herself small enough to ride
even onher father's shoulder--great, strong tall father--and the princess wholooked so slight and fairy-like, how could she be so strong? Yet thearms that had lifted her _were_ strong, strong and firm as father's, naystronger. And the hand that held her up in her place was so secure inits gentle grasp that the little girl felt she _could_ not fall, andthat is a very pleasant feeling, I can assure you.

  "Shut your eyes, Mavis," said Forget-me-not, "I am quick in mymovements. You are quite firm--there now, I have thrown my scarf overyou. I am going to take you rather a round-about way, I warn you."

  A soft whirr and rush--where were they? Out of the window somehow theyhad got, for Mavis felt the chilly air and heard the swish of the rain,though strange to say the chill seemed only a pleasant freshness, andthe raindrops did not touch her. Then up, up--dear, dear, where _were_they off to? Had Forget-me-not suddenly turned into the old woman whogoes up to brush away the cobwebs in the sky? Mavis laughed as thefancy struck her; she did not care, not she, the higher the better, thefaster they flew the merrier she felt. Till at last there came a halt.Forget-me-not stopped short with a long breath.

  "Heigh-ho!" she exclaimed, "I've given you a toss up, haven't I? Lookout, Mavis; we've come ever so far,--peep out and you'll see the starsgetting ready to bid you good-evening. It's quite clear, of course, uphere above the clouds."

  Mavis opened her eyes and peeped out from the folds of Forget-me-not'sscarf, which, light as it was, had yet a marvellous warmth about it.

  Clear, I should think it _was_ clear! Never had Mavis pictured toherself anything so beautiful as that evening sky, up "above theclouds," as the princess had said. I have never seen it, so I cannotvery well describe it; indeed, I should be rather afraid to do so onhearsay, for I should be sure to make some mistake, and to name thewrong planets and constellations.

  "Oh," said Mavis, "how nice!"

  It was rather a stupid little word to say, but Forget-me-not was too"understanding" to mind.

  "Look about you well for a minute or two. Who knows when you may havesuch a chance again?" and for a little there was silence. Then "Shutyour eyes again, dear, and clasp me tight; little girls are apt to getgiddy in such circumstances. Yes, that's right."

  "The stars are like your eyes," said Mavis.

  Then again the soft rash; a plunge downwards this time, which made Mavisneed no second bidding to clasp her friend closely. There came over hera misty, sleepy feeling. She could not have told exactly when theystopped; she only felt a sort of butterfly kiss on her eyes, and abreath that sounded like good-night, and then--she was standing in theschool-room by the fire; the lamp was lighted, it looked bright andcosy, and Mavis had never felt happier or stronger in her life.

  "That nice fresh air has brightened me up so," she said to herself. Buther hands were rather cold. She went close up to the fire to warm them.There was no one in the room.

  "I wonder where Ruby and Bertrand are," thought Mavis. Just then sheheard Miss Hortensia's voice.

  "Poor dear," she was saying. "Ruby, how could you be so thoughtless? Imust get lights at once and go and look for her."

  "We've called and called up the stair, but she didn't answer," said Rubyin rather an ashamed tone of voice.

  "Called," repeated Miss Hortensia, "why didn't you _go_?"

  "It was so dark when we remembered about her, and--"

  "You were afraid, I suppose," said her cousin.

  "Really; and yet you would leave poor Mavis all alone--and a great boylike you, Bertrand."

  "_I_ wasn't afraid, but I wasn't going to bother to go up all that way.She could come down by herself," said Master Bertrand rudely.

  But before Miss Hortensia could reply again Mavis ran out.

  "Here I am, dear cousin," she said. "I'm all right." And indeed shedid look all right, as she stood there sideways in the doorway, thelight from the room behind her falling on her pretty hair and fair face.

  "The dear child," thought Miss Hortensia. "No one could say Mavis isn'tas pretty as Ruby now." And aloud she exclaimed: "My darling, wherehave you been? And were you afraid up there in the dark all byyourself?"

  "Why didn't you come with us?" said Ruby crossly. "It was all your ownfault."

  "I didn't mind," said Mavis. "I'm only sorry cousin Hortensia wasfrightened. I'm all right, you see."

  "I was frightened about you too," grumbled Ruby.

  "_I_ wasn't," said Bertrand with a rough laugh. "There's nothing to_frighten_ one up in that cock-loft; dingy, misty place that it is."

  "Misty!" exclaimed Miss Hortensia in surprise, "what does the childmean?"

  "Bertrand will say the turret was full of blue smoke," said Ruby, "andthat it hurt his eyes."

  "It did," said the boy; "they're smarting still." Mavis smiled. MissHortensia seemed perplexed, and rather anxious to change the subject.

  "I do hope," she said, "that to-morrow will be fine, so that Bertrandand you, Ruby, may get rid of some of your spirits out-of-doors."

  "I hope too that it will be fine," said Ruby meaningly. "Bertrand and Ihave planned a very long walk. You needn't come," she went on, turningto Mavis, "if you think you'd be tired."

  "I don't get tired quicker than you do," said Mavis quietly. Her heartsank within her at Ruby's tone; for though she was glad to thinkForget-me-not would prevent any harm to old Adam or Winfried, she didnot like to think of Ruby's heartlessness and folly. And when sheglanced at Bertrand and saw the half-scornful smile on his face, it wasall she could do to keep back her tears.

  All that evening the rain kept pouring down in torrents, and the windbeat on the window, shaking even the heavy frames, like a giant in afury, determined to make his way in.

  "What a storm," said Miss Hortensia more than once, with a littleshiver. "I cannot bear to think of the poor souls at sea."

  Bertrand laughed.

  "It would be great fun to see a shipwreck, if one was safe out of harm'sway. I wouldn't mind staying up in that musty old turret a wholeafternoon to have a good view."

  Even Ruby was startled.

  "Oh Bertrand," she said, "you can't know what a shipwreck means if youspeak like that."

  "I've read stories of them," said the boy, "so I should know."

  There was a very slight touch of something in his tone which made Maviswonder if he really meant all the naughty things he said. She glancedup at him quickly.

  "If there ever were a shipwreck here," she said, "I know who'd help andwho wouldn't."

  Bertrand's face hardened at once.

  "That's meant for me," he retorted; "for me and that precious lout of afriend of yours. You think him so grand and brave! Ah well! wait a bitand see. When people don't know their proper place they must be taughtit."

  Mavis drew herself up.

  "Yes," she said, "we _will_ wait a bit and see. But it won't be thesort of seeing you'll like perhaps."

  "You've no business to speak like that," said Ruby. "I think you'requite out of your mind about that common boy and his grandfather--orelse--and I shouldn't wonder if it was that, they've bewitched you,somehow."

  She dropped her voice with the last words, for she did not want hercousin to hear. But Miss Hortensia, though she was busily counting therows of her knitting at the other end of the room, noticed the tone ofthe children's voices.

  "Come, come, my dears," she said, "no wrangling--it would be somethingquite new here. I do _hope_," she added to herself, "that it will befine to-morrow; it is so much better for children when they can getout."

  It _was_fine "to-morrow"; very fine. It was almost impossible for thelittle girls to believe that so few hours before the storm spirits hadbeen indulging in their wild games, when they looked out of their windowon to the bright clear winter sky, where scarcely a cloud was to beseen, the sun smiling down coldly but calmly; not a breath of windmoving the great fir-trees on the south side of the castle. Yet lookinga little closer there were some traces of the night's work; the groundwas strewn with branches, and t
he last of the leaves had found their waydown to their resting-place on old Mother Earth's brown lap.

  In spite of her anxieties, Mavis could not help her spirits rising.

  "What a nice afternoon Ruby and I might have had with Winfried, if_only_ Bertrand hadn't come," she thought.

  Ruby was all smiles and gaiety.

  "Perhaps," Mavis went on to herself, "perhaps she's really going to benice and good. And if we two keep together, we can stop Bertrand beingvery naughty."

  Miss Hortensia was anxious for them to profit by the fine day. She hadnot much faith in the clear thin sunshine's lasting, she said, and sheshortened the lessons so that dinner might be very early, and theafternoon free.

  It was still very bright and fine when the three children foundthemselves standing at the entrance of the archway, on the sea side ofthe castle.

  "Which way shall we go?" said Mavis.

  "Oh, down to the