CHAPTER XXII.
TO BE, TO DO, TO SUFFER.
On the day that followed the events last related, Madeline Paynereturned to Oakley to resume her self-imposed task.
Leaving the train, the girl took the path through the woods. When shehad traversed it half way, she came upon old Hagar, who was seatedupon a fallen log awaiting her. Looking cautiously about, to assureherself that the interview would have no spectators, Madeline, orCeline, as we must now call her, seated herself to listen to thereport of Davlin's visit, and the success of Hagar's interview withCora.
Expressing herself fully satisfied with what she heard, Celine madethe old woman acquainted with the result of her visit to the city, oras much of it as was necessary and expedient. Then, after some wordsof mutual council, and a promise to visit her that evening, ifpossible, the girl lost no time in making her way to the manor, andstraight into the presence of her mistress.
Considering that her maid was--her maid, Miss Arthur welcomed her withan almost rapturous outburst. Celine had held high place in theaffections of Miss Arthur, truth to tell, since her astonishingdiscovery of Mr. Edward Percy, in the character of young Romeo,promenading within sight of his lady's window.
"Celine," simpered Miss Arthur, while the damsel addressed wasbrushing out her mistress's hair, preparatory to building it into aFrench wonder; "Celine, I may be wrong in talking so freely to youabout myself and my--my friends, but I observe that you never presumein the least--"
"Oh, mademoiselle, I could never do that!" cooed the girl, with wickeddouble meaning.
"And," pursued Miss Arthur, graciously, "you are really quite asagacious and discreet young person."
"Thanks, miladi." Then, as if recollecting herself, "Pardon,_mademoiselle_, but you are so like her ladyship, _Madame Le BaronneDe Orun_, my very first mistress--"
"Oh, I don't mind it at all, Celine. As I was saying, you seem quite asuperior young person, and no doubt I am not the first who has madeyou a sort of _confidante_.
"Merci! no; my lady. _Madame Le Baronne_ used to trust me with_everything_, and often deigned to ask my advice. But French ladies,oui, mademoiselle, always put confidence in their maids. And a maidwill die rather than betray a good mistress--"
"Exactly, Celine--are you going to put my hair so high?"
"Very high, _miladi_."
"Oh, well; will it be becoming?"
"Oui; La mode la Francaise," relapsing into ecstacy and French. _"Lecoiffeur comme il faut! Chere amie, le-chef-a-oeuvre!_"
Miss Arthur collapsed, and Celine continued to build up an atrociouslyunbecoming pile of puffs and curls in triumphant silence.
Celine never indulged in her native tongue, so she assured hermistress, except when carried away by momentary enthusiasm, orunwonted emotion. It was bad taste, she averred, and she desired tocultivate the beautiful American language.
Presently Miss Arthur made another venture, feeling quite justifiedin following in the footsteps of so august a personage as _Madame LeBaronne_.
"Did you see Mr. Percy after you left Bellair?"
"No, mademoiselle."
"Did you observe if he returned in the same train with yourself?"
"No, mademoiselle." Then, with a meaning little laugh: "Monsieur willnot remain long from Oakley."
Miss Arthur tried to look unconscious, and succeeded in lookingidiotic.
"Pardon, mademoiselle, but I can't forget that night. Mademoiselle issurely relieved of one fear."
"What is that?"
"The fear of being wooed because of her wealth."
Miss Arthur started, then said: "There may be something in that,Celine; and it is not impossible that I may inherit more."
"Ah?" inquiringly.
"Yes. Possibly you have learned from the servants that Mr. Arthur losta young step-daughter not long ago; just before you came, in fact."
"I don't remember. Did she die, mademoiselle?"
"Yes. She was a very wild, unruly child, a regular littleheathen--oh!"
"Pardon, oh, pardon, did it hurt?" removing a long, spiky hair pin,with much apparent solicitude.
"A--a little; yes. As I was saying, this ridiculous girl was sent toschool and no expense spared to make a lady of her."
"Indeed!"
"Yes; and then she rewards my brother for all his kindness by runningaway."
"_Merci_, mademoiselle!" suddenly recalling her French.
"And then she died among strangers, just as provokingly as she hadlived. She must even run away to die, to make it seem as if her homewas not a happy one."
"What a very wicked young person; how you must have been annoyed."
"We were all deeply grieved."
"And I don't suppose that dead young woman was even grateful forthat."
"Oh, there was no gratitude in her."
"Of course not! Now, mademoiselle, let me do your eyebrows," turningher about.
"But," pursued Miss Arthur, "when she died, my brother acquiredunconditional control of a large fortune, and you must see that mybrother is getting rather old. Well, in case of his death, a part, atleast, of this fortune will become mine."
"Yes, madame."
"My brother is too much afraid to face the thought of death and make anew will, and papers are in existence that will give me the largerportion of his fortune. Of course, Mrs. Arthur will get her third."
Celine was now surprised in earnest.
Miss Arthur had spoken the truth. With shrewd foresight, she had madeJohn Arthur sign certain papers two years before, in consideration ofsundry loans from her. And of this state of affairs every one, excepttheir two selves and the necessary lawyer, had remained in ignorance.
The girl's eyes gleamed. This was still better. It would make hervengeance more complete.
And now Miss Arthur was thrown into a state of girlish agitation bythe appearance of Susan, who announced that Mr. Percy was in thedrawing-room, awaiting the pleasure of his inamorata.
She bade Celine make haste with her complexion and, after the lapse ofsomething like half an hour, swept down to welcome her lover, with agreat many amber silk flounces following in her wake.
Celine Leroque gazed after her for a moment and then closed the door.Flinging herself down "at ease" in the spinster's luxurious dressingchair, she pulled off the blue glasses and let the malicious triumphdance in her eyes as much as it would.
"Oh, you are a precious pair, you two, brother and sister! The one aknave, the other a fool! It is really pathetic to see how you mourn myloss. I have a great mind to--"
Here something seemed to occur to her that checked her mutterings, andsent her off into a deep meditation. After a long stillness sheuttered a low, mocking laugh that had, too, a tinge of mischief in it.Rising slowly from the dressing chair she said, as she noddedsignificantly to her image reflected back from Miss Arthur's dressingglass:
"I'll put that idea into execution some nice night, and then won'tthere be a row in the castle? Ah! my charming mistress, if you hadspoken one kind or regretful word for poor Madeline, it would havebeen better for you!"
What was the girl meditating now? What did she mean?
"Yes, good people at Oakley, I believe I'll take a little privateamusement out of you _all_, while I feel quite in the mood. I won't betoo partial."
Then she betook herself to her own room and let her thoughts fly backto Olive and Claire and--Clarence.
Presently, for she was very weary, spite of the previous night'srepose, she fell asleep.
Late that evening she flitted through the woods and across the meadowto the cottage of old Hagar. Sleep had refreshed her and she haddreamed pleasant dreams. She felt stout of heart, and firm of nerve.
Old Hagar was overjoyed to see a smile in her nursling's face, and tohear, at times, a laugh, low and sweet, reminding her of olden days.The girl remained with her old nurse for nearly an hour. When theyparted there was a perfect understanding between them, in regard tofuture movements and plans.
No one at Oakley w
as aware of Lucian Davlin's flying visit; thus muchCeline knew. But of the purport and result of that visit, she knewnothing. Nor could she guess. She must bide her time, for there seemedjust now little to disturb the monotony of waiting.
One thing was, however, necessary. When the time came for Miss Arthurto leave Oakley, Celine must remain. To that end she must contrive tofall out with the spinster, and "fall in" with Madame Cora. If thatlady could not be beguiled into retaining her at Oakley, she mustresort to a more hazardous scheme. She had already taken a step towardingratiating herself with Mrs. Arthur, and with tolerable success. Shewas maturing her plans and waiting for an opportunity to put them intoaction.
No doubt but that by the time she had accomplished her object, if itcould be accomplished, the opposite forces would come into conflict.