CHAPTER XII
THE PROMPTINGS OF MISS WILDMERE'S HEART
Graydon slept very late the following morning. He found out that hewas tired, and resolved to indulge his craving for rest so far ashis suit to Miss Wildmere would permit. When he could do nothing topromote his advantage he proposed to be indolence itself. He foundthat his vexation had quite vanished, and, in cynical good-nature, hewas inclined to laugh at the state of affairs. "Let Madge indulge herwhims," he thought; "I may be the more free to pursue my purposes. Hersister, of course, shares in Henry's prejudices against the Wildmeres,and they would influence Madge adversely. All handsome girls arejealous of each other, and, perhaps, if what I had so naturally hopedand expected had proved true, I should have had more sisterly counseland opposition than would have been agreeable. Objections now would bein poor taste, to say the least. If I'm not much mistaken I can speakmy mind to Stella Wildmere before many days pass; and, woman-naturebeing such as it is, it may be just as well that I am not too intimatewith a sister who, after all, is not my sister. Stella might not seeit in the light that I should;" and so he came down at last, preparedto adapt himself very philosophically to the new order of things.
"The world moves and changes," he soliloquized, smilingly, "and wemust move on and change with it."
He found Mr. and Mrs. Muir, with Madge and the children, ready forchurch, and told them, laughingly, to "remember him if they did notthink him past praying for." During his breakfast he recalled the factthat Madge was uncommonly well dressed. "She hasn't in externals," hethought, "the provincial air that one might expect, although herideas are not only provincial, but prim, obtained, no doubt, from somegoody-good books that she has read in the remote region wherein shehas developed so remarkably. She has some stilted ideal of womanhoodwhich she is seeking to attain, and the more unnatural the ideal, themore attractive, no doubt, it appears to her."
It did not occur to him that he was explaining Madge on more theoriesthan one, and that they were not exactly harmonious. Having finishedhis meal, he sought for Miss Wildmere, and soon found her in a shadycorner, reading a light, semi-philosophical work, thus distinguishingand honoring the day in her choice of literature. He proposed to readto her, but the book was soon forgotten in animated talk on his part.She could skilfully play the role of a good listener when she chose,and could, therefore, be a delightful companion. Her color came andwent under words and compliments that at times were rather ardent andpronounced. He soon observed, however, that she led the way promptlyfrom delicate ground. This might result from maidenly reserve or fromthe fact that she was not quite ready for decisive words. He stillbelieved that he had all needed encouragement--that the expression ofher eyes often answered his, and he knew well what his meant. When,in response to his invitation, she promised to drive with him in theafternoon, all seemed to be going as he wished.
Graydon felt that during dinner and thereafter for a time he should bedevoted to his party, to preclude criticism on his course in the lateafternoon and in the evening, when he proposed to seek society whichpromised more than theirs. He began to discover that, except as herintelligence was larger, in one respect Madge had not changed from herold self. She responded appreciatively to his thought and fancy, andgave him back in kind with interest. She began to question him abouta place in Europe with which he was familiar, and showed such unusualknowledge of the locality that he asked, "You haven't slipped overthere unknown to me, I trust?"
"You might think of an easier explanation than that. You kindly sentme books, some of which were rather realistic."
"Did you read them all?"
"Certainly. It would have been a poor return if I had not."
"What an inordinate sense of duty you must have had!"
"I did not read them from a sense of duty. You have perhaps forgottenthat I am fond of books."
"Not all of the books were novels."
"Many that were not proved the most interesting."
"Oh, indeed; another evidence of change," he said, laughing.
"And of sense, too, I think. Mr. Wayland, who is a student, had asplendid library, and he gave me some ideas as to reading."
"Can you part with any of them?"
"That depends," she replied, with a manner as brusque as his own.
"On what?"
"The inducements and natural opportunities. I'm not going to recite alesson like a schoolgirl."
"One would think you had been to school."
"I have, where much is taught and learned thoroughly."
"Now, that is enigmatical again."
"The best of the books you sent me left some room for theimagination."
"Ha, ha, ha, Madge! you are scoring points right along. I told you,Graydon, that you couldn't understand her in a moment or in a week."
"I never regarded your imagination as rampant, Henry. Have youfathomed all her mystery?"
"Far from it; nor do I expect to, and yet you will grant to me somedegree of penetration."
"Well, to think that I should have come home to find a sphinx insteadof little Madge!"
"Thank you. A sphinx is usually portrayed with at least the head of awoman."
"In this case she has one that would inspire a Greek sculptor. Perhapsin time I may discover a heart also."
"That's doubtful."
"Indeed."
"Yes, indeed."
"What far-fetched nonsense!" said Mrs. Muir, sententiously. "Madge hascome back one of the best and most sensible girls in the world. Menand poets are always imagining that women are mysteries. The fact is,they are as transparent as glass when they know their own minds; whenthey don't, who else should know them?"
"Who indeed?" said Graydon, laughing. "Your saving clause, Mary, is asboundless as space."
"How absurd! I understand Madge perfectly, and so does Henry."
"You said last evening that the change in her was a miracle. Once inthe realm of the supernatural, what may not one expect?"
"You knew what I meant. I referred to Madge's health and appearanceand accomplishments and all that. She has not changed in heart andfeeling any more than I have, and I'm sure I'm not a sphinx."
"No, Mary; you are a sensible and excellent wife and my very dearsister. You suggest no mystery. Madge certainly does, for you have,in addition to all the rest, announced an indefinite list ofaccomplishments."
"If I remain the subject of conversation I shall complain that yourremarks are personal," said Madge, her brows contracting with a littlevexation.
"That is what makes our talk so interesting. Personals are always readfirst. In drawing Mary and Henry out, I am getting acquainted withyou."
"It's not a good way. You like it merely because it teases me andsaves trouble. If you must gossip and surmise about me, wait till I'mabsent."
"There, Madge, you know I'm nine-tenths in fun," said he, laughing.
"That leaves a small margin for kindly interest in an oldacquaintance," was her reply as they rose from the table, and he sawthat her feelings were hurt.
"Confound it!" he thought, with irritation, "it's all so uncalled-forand unnatural! Nothing is as it used to be. Well, then, I'll talkabout books and matters as impersonal as if we were disembodiedspirits."
They had scarcely seated themselves on the piazza before Miss Wildmerecame forward and introduced her mother. The young lady was determinedto prepare the way for a family party. Graydon had a confident,opulent air, which led to the belief that her father's fears weregroundless, and that before many weeks should elapse the Muirs wouldhave to acknowledge her openly. It would save embarrassment if thiscame about naturally and gradually, and she believed that she could beso charming as to make them covet the alliance. Miss Alden might notlike it, and the more she disliked it the better.
Mrs. Muir's thoughts were somewhat akin. "If Graydon will marry thisgirl, it's wise that we should begin on good terms. This is a matterthat Henry can't control, and there's no use in our yielding toprejudice."
Therefore she
was talkative, courteous, and rapidly softened towardthe people whom her husband found so distasteful. Graydon employed allhis skill and tact to make the conversation general and agreeable, butthe cloud did not wholly pass from Madge's brow. From the momentof her first cold, curious stare, years since, Miss Wildmere hadantagonized every fibre of the young girl's soul and body, and she hadresolved never to be more than polite to her. She did not look forwardto future relationship, as was the case with Mrs. Muir, but ratherto entire separation, should Graydon become Miss Wildmere's acceptedsuitor. Now, with the instinct of self-defence, she was more cordialto her rival than to Graydon, until, at the solicitation of thechildren, she stole away. Mr. Muir remarked that he was going to takea nap, and soon followed her.
Their departure was a relief to Graydon, for it rendered the carryingout of his plan less embarrassing. In his eagerness to be alone withthe object of his hopes, he soon obtained a carriage, and with MissWildmere drove away. Mrs. Muir and Mrs. Wildmere compared maternal anddomestic notes sometime longer, and then the former went to her roomquite reconciled to what now appeared inevitable.
"I think you are prejudiced, Henry," she remarked to her husband, whowas tossing restlessly on the bed.
"Least said soonest mended," was his only response, and then hechanged the subject.
Graydon came back with the hope--nay, almost the certainty--ofhappiness glowing in his eyes. He had spoken confidently of hisbusiness plans and prospects, and had touched upon the weariness ofhis exile and his longing for more satisfactory pleasures than thoseof general society. His companion had listened with an attention andinterest that promised more than sympathy. The wild, rugged scenesthrough which they had passed had made her delicate beauty moreexquisite from contrast. It was as if a rare tropical bird hadfollowed the wake of summer and graced for a time a region from whichit must fly with the first breath of autumn. In distinction from allthey saw and met she appeared so fragile, such a charming exotic, thathe felt an overpowering impulse to cherish and shelter her fromevery rude thing in the world. With a nice blending of reserve andcomplaisance she appeared to yield to his mood and yet to withholdherself. To a man of Graydon's poise and knowledge of society suchskilful tactics served their purpose perfectly. They gave her anadditional charm in his eyes, and furnished another proof of thefineness of her nature. She could not only feel, but manifest thenicest shades of preference. If not fully satisfied as to her ownheart, what could be more refined and graceful than the slightrestraint she imposed upon him? and how fine the compliment shepaid him in acting on the belief that he was too well bred andself-controlled to precipitate matters!
"She has the tact and intuition to see," he thought, "that she canshow me all the regard she feels and yet incur no danger of prematureand incoherent words. She will one day yield with all the quiet gracethat she shows when rising to accept my invitation to waltz."
Therefore, as he approached the hotel he was complacency itself untilhe saw Mr. Arnault on the piazza, and then his face darkened with theheaviest of frowns.
"Why, what is the matter?" Miss Wildmere asked.
"I had hoped that this perfect afternoon might be followed by a moredelightful evening, but from the manner in which that gentleman isapproaching you, it is evident that he expects to claim you."
"Claim me? I do not think any one has that right just yet. Mr. Arnaultcertainly has not."
"Then I may still hope for your society this evening?"
"Have I not permitted you to be with me nearly all day? You must bemore reasonable. Good-evening, Mr. Arnault. Did you drop from theclouds?"
"There are none, and were there I should forget them in this pleasure.Mr. Muir, I congratulate you. We have both been on the road thisafternoon, but you have had the advantage of me."
"And mean to keep it, confound you!" thought Graydon. "Ah,good-evening, Mr. Arnault. You are right; I have found rough roadspreferable to smooth rails and a palace car."
"How well you are looking, Miss Stella! but that's chronic with you.This is perfectly heavenly" (looking directly into her eyes) "afterthe heat of the city and my dusty journey."
"You are a fine one to talk about things heavenly after fracturing theSabbath-day. What would have happened to you in Connecticut a hundredyears ago?"
"I should have been ridden on one rail instead of two, probably. I'mmore concerned about what will happen to me to-day, and that dependsnot on blue laws, but blue blood. I saw your father this morning, andhe intrusted me with a letter for you."
Mr. Arnault manifested not a particle of jealousy or apprehension, andGraydon felt himself shouldered out of the way by a courtesy to whichhe could take no exception. He saw that only Miss Wildmere herselfcould check his rival's resolute and easy assurance. This he now feltsure she would do if it passed a certain point, and he went to hisroom, annoyed merely, and without solicitude. "She must let the fellowdown easily, I suppose," he thought; "and after to-day I need have fewfears. If she had wanted _him_ she could have taken him long ago."
Miss Wildmere also went to her room and read her father's letter. Itcontained these few and significant words: "In speaking of possiblerelations with Mr. M. I emphasized a small but important word--'if.'I now commend it to you still more emphatically. You know I preferMr. M. Therefore you will do well to heed my caution. Mr. M. may loseeverything within a brief time."
Miss Wildmere frowned and bit her lip with vexation. Then her whiteface took on hard, resolute lines. "I came near making a fool ofmyself this afternoon," she muttered. "I was more than once tempted tolet Graydon speak. Heavens! I'd like to be engaged to him for awhile.Mr. Arnault plays a bold, steady hand, but he's the kind of man thatmight throw up the game if one put tricks on him. My original policyis the best. I must pit one against the other in a fair and open suittill I can take my choice. Now that it is clear that Graydon careslittle for that hideous thing he calls his sister, my plan is safe."
"What a lovely color you have, Madge!" Graydon remarked, as they metat supper. "You are unequalled in your choice of cosmetics."
"Not to be surpassed, at any rate."
"Where did you get it?"
"Up at Grand View."
"What, have you climbed that mountain?"
"It's not much of a mountain."
"It's a tremendous mountain," cried little Harry. "Aunt Madge's beenteaching us to climb, and she lifted us up and down the steep placesas if we were feathers, and she told us stories about the squirrelsand birds we saw up there. Oh, didn't we have a lovely time, Jennie?"
"Now I understand," said Graydon. "The glow in your face comes fromthe consciousness of good deeds."
"It comes from exertion. Are you not making too much effort to besatirical?"
"Therefore my face should be suffused with the hue of shame. You seeI have changed also, and have become a cynic and a heathen from longresidence in Europe."
"Please be a noble savage, then."
"That's not the style of heathen they develop abroad."
"Madge told us about the savages that used to live in these mountains,and how bad they were treated," piped Jennie.
"Poor Lo! No wonder he went to the bad," said Graydon, significantly."He was never recognized as a man and a brother."
"And he was unsurpassed in retaliation," Madge added.
"Considering his total depravity and general innocence, that was to beexpected."
"It turned out to be bad policy."
"In so far as he was a man he hadn't any policy."
"I shall not depreciate the Indians for the sake of argument. Theyrarely followed the wrong trail, however."
"What on earth are you and Madge driving at?" exclaimed Mrs. Muir.
"It matters little at what, but Madge appears to be the betterdriver," chuckled Mr. Muir.
"You have a stanch champion in Henry," said Graydon.
"You wouldn't have him take sides against a woman?"
"Oh, no, but you have become so abundantly able to take care ofyourself that he might remain
neutral."
"When you all begin to talk English again I'll join in, and nowmerely remark that I am grateful to you, Madge, for taking care of thechildren. Jack was good with the nurse, too, and I've had a splendidnap."
"I'm evidently the delinquent," laughed Graydon, "and have led the wayin a conversation that has been as bad as whispering in company. Whatwill become of me? You are not going to church to-night, Madge?"
"I did not expect to. If your conscience needs soothing--"
"Oh, no, no. My conscience has been seared with a hot iron--a coldone, I mean. The effects are just the same."
At the supper-room door they were met by Dr. Sommers, with a world ofcomical trouble in his face, and he drew Madge aside.
"What's a man to do?" he began. "Here's our choir-leader sick, and therest won't chirp without him. I can't sing any more than I can dance.You can--sing, I mean--both, for that matter. I'd give the bestcast of a fly I ever had to take you out in a reel. Well, here's thetrouble. It's nearly meeting-time, and what's a meeting without music?You can sing--I'm sure you can. I've heard you twice in the chapel.Now, it isn't imposing on good-nature, is it, to ask you to come overand start the tunes for us to-night? Come now, go with me. It will be agreat favor, and I'll get even with you before the summer is over."
Madge hesitated a moment. She had hoped for a chat with Graydon thatevening, which might lead to a better understanding, and end theirtendency to rather thorny badinage. But she heard him chatting gaylywith Miss Wildmere and Mr. Arnault in the distance; therefore shesaid, quietly, "It is time for me to get even with you first. Torefuse would not be nice after the lovely drive you took us the otherday."
"Oh, you made that square as you went along. Well, now, this isfamous. What a meeting we'll have!"
"You explain to Mrs. Muir, and I'll get my hat."
"I'm in luck," the doctor began, joining the Muirs on the piazza.
"Of course you are. You are always in luck," said Mrs. Muir.
"Oh, no, oh, no. Draw it milder than that. I've fished many a bad day.I'm in luck to-night. What do you think? You can't guess."
"You and Madge had your heads together, and so something will happen.Are you going to capture a mountain?"
"Yes, a brace of 'em before long. Well, as good luck would have it,our choir-leader is sick. I thought it was bad luck at first, andmeant to give him an awful dose for being so inopportune. It hasturned out famously. 'All-things work together for good,' you know.That text required faith once when I had hooked a three-pound trout,and in my eagerness tumbled in where the fish was. Oh, here you are,Miss Alden. We'll go right along, for it's about time."
"But you haven't explained," cried Mrs. Muir.
"We will when we come back," said the doctor.
"Oh, I'm merely going over to the chapel to help the doctor out withthe singing," said Madge, carelessly. "Good-by."
"Well," remarked Mr. Muir, _sotto voce_, "if I were a young fellow,there's a trail I'd follow, and not that will-o'-the-wisp yonder."
"What did you say, Henry?" asked his wife.
"It will be hot in town to-morrow, Mary. It's growing confoundedly hotin Wall Street."
"Nothing serious, Henry?"
"It's always serious there."
"Oh, well, you'll come out all right. It's a way you have."
Mr. Muir looked grim and troubled, but the piazza was dusky. "Shecan't help me," he thought, "and if she was worrying she might hinderme. Things are no worse, and they may soon be better. If I had fiftythousand for a month, though, the strain would be over. She'd benagging me to take a lot of her money, and I'd see Wall Street sunkfirst. Well, well, Wildmere and I may land together in the sameditch."
For a few moments Graydon and Mr. Arnault sat on either side of thebroker's daughter, each seeking the advantage. The young lady enjoyedthe situation immensely, and for a time had the art to entertainboth. Arnault at last boldly and frankly took the initiative, saying,"Please take a walk with me, Miss Wildmere. I have come all the wayfrom New York for the pleasure of an evening in your society. You willexcuse us, Mr. Muir. You have had to-day and will have to-morrow, forI must take an early train."
Miss Wildmere laughed, and said: "I must go with you surely, or youwill think you have made a bad 'put' in railroad tickets, as wellas shares, for you are like the rest, I suppose;" and with a smilingglance backward at Graydon she disappeared.
"You are mistaken," he said; "we foresaw this 'squeeze' in the market,and have money to lend if the security is ample. We were never doingbetter."
"Poor papa!" she sighed, "his securities are lacking, I suppose. Hedoes not write very cheerfully."
"His security is the best in the city, in my estimation. I'd take thislittle hand in preference to government bonds."
"Oh, don't lend papa anything on that basis, for you would surelymanage to claim the collateral, or whatever you call it in your WallStreet jargon."
"You are infinitely better off than the majority in these hard times."
"How so?"
"By one word you can make three rich, yourself included. Your fatheronly needs to be tided over a few months."
"Come, come, Mr. Arnault, this is Sunday, and you must not talkbusiness."
"My fault leans to virtue's side for once."
"I'm not just sure to which side it leans," was her laughing reply.
"Are you going to accept Muir?"
"I'm not going to accept any one at present--certainly not Mr. Muirbefore he asks me."
"He will ask you."
"Has he taken you into his confidence?"
"Oh, he's as patent as a country borrower."
"Mr. Arnault, we must change the subject; such questions and remarksare not in good taste, to say the least. I appreciate your friendship,but it does not give you the right to forget that I am a free girl, orto ignore my assurance that I propose to remain free for the present."
"That is all the assurance that I require just now," he answered."I have been a frank, devoted suitor, Stella. If you do not actprecipitately you will act wisely in the end. I shall not be guilty ofthe folly of depreciating Muir--he's a good fellow in his way--but youwill soon be convinced that you cannot afford to marry him."
"I think I can afford not to marry any one until my heart prompts meto the act," she replied, with well-assumed dignity. Her swift thoughtwas, "He also knows that the Muirs are embarrassed. How is it thatGraydon speaks and acts in the assured confidence of continued wealth?Is he deceiving me?"
Mr. Arnault changed the subject, and none could do this with moreadroitness than he, or be a more entertaining gallant if he so chose.At the same time he maintained a subtle observance, in spite of hisvaunted frankness, and he soon believed he had reason to hope thatMiss Wildmere had been influenced by his words. Almost imperceptiblyshe permitted additional favor to come into her manner, and when shesaid good-night and good-by also, in view of his early start for thecity, it was at the foot of the stairway, she casually remarking thatshe would not come down again.
"My brief visit has not been in vain," he thought. "I have delayedmatters, and that now means a great deal. She will marry the survivorof this financial gale, and in every man's philosophy the survivalof the fittest is always the survival of the _ego_."
"THERE NOW, BE RATIONAL," CRIED THE YOUNG GIRL]