CHAPTER VI.
A FRIENDLY PROPOSITION.
The morning after the foregoing occurrence found Mabel very dull, andvery captious. She was of course glad to know that the brooch had beenfound, but very uneasy at the manner of finding it. She was not, intruth, sorry for the fault that she had committed, but her proud spiritchafed at the idea of being talked about in the Maitland family,especially as she knew that a young cousin of theirs, Harry Maitland,was expected to pay them a visit on this very day, when the whole affairwas sure to be canvassed.
But we will leave Mabel to her own uneasy thoughts, and look in at thepleasant family party assembled in the breakfast-room of the Laurels, asMr. Maitland's residence was designated. This villa, as we know,adjoined that of Aunt Mary, who at this time was on a visit with herniece Clara to that young lady's widowed mother, Mrs. Beaumont. CousinHarry had arrived, and made one of the happy group, who were sitting,books and work in hand, for they were never idle, enjoying the freshpure air of the morning, and the delicious smell of flowers, of whichthere was a profusion both outside and in. The garden, indeed, wasresplendent with variety and beauty of colouring, softly shaded down bythe laurels, which gave their name to the villa.
Mr. Maitland had been reading a book of travels, and he was nowdescanting on the uses and properties of the Eucalyptus, or bluegum-tree of Australia, which is said to grow as much in seven years, asan oak will grow in twenty; attains sometimes the height of three andfour hundred feet, drains the ground, attracts rain, prevents malaria,etc.
'But do you really believe, sir, all that is written about thiswonderful tree?' inquired Harry Maitland, who had been making a sketchof the said tree, from the description which his uncle had been readingto them.
'Certainly, I do believe all that is stated of it,' replied Mr.Maitland. 'Why should I doubt well-accredited writers and eye-witnesses?The most extraordinary fact respecting it is, its health-diffusingproperties, which, as I read, makes me wonder why strenuous efforts havenot been made for its cultivation in England. I know there have been,and there are, some efforts made, but not on an extensive scale. Thereare some young trees in the Kew Gardens, which, before you leave us,Harry, I hope we shall go to see.'
Just as Mr. Maitland was beginning to read again, he was interrupted bya smart rap-tap at the front door; and immediately after, the servantannounced Mr. and Mrs. Norton.
'Dear Laura,' exclaimed Mrs. Maitland, kissing her young friend,' I amvery glad to see you again, though I did not expect you would be out soearly this morning. I see,' added the lady, 'I need not introduce Doraand Annie; though you did not see them yesterday, it is evident theyhave not forgotten you.'
Indeed they had not, for each had seized a hand of their favourite, andhad given and received a warm salute.
While these kindly salutations were going on, Mr. Maitland and Harrywere exchanging courtesies with their friend Mr. Norton, for CousinHarry was no stranger to that gentleman, who had often been a visitor athis father's house--or rather I should say rectory, in Kent--always anagreeable one, for he had travelled much, and could make himself a mostinteresting companion.
'I did not tell you yesterday, Mr. Maitland,' said their visitor, 'thatwe leave England for Australia in a week's time; I know under thecircumstances you will excuse this early and unceremonious visit, as wewish to spend as much time as possible with our friends, and to havesome little excursions with the young people.'
'Are you really going to leave England so soon, and going so far away?'inquired Mr. Maitland, rather dolefully. 'I am so sorry for our ownsakes, but I hope it will be to your own great advantage.'
'Yes, I hope so too,' replied Mr. Norton; 'our prospects are very fair;the climate is good, and I have many friends located there.'
'And you will be in the native land of this magnificent tree we havebeen reading about,' said Harry, 'the blue gum tree. Do, Mr. Norton,write and tell us all you know about it.'
'Harry is quite sceptical respecting its merits,' said Mr. Maitland,laughing. 'I do hope you will be able to convince him that what he hasread and heard about it is all quite true.'
'I am sorry to say that I have never yet turned my attention to thesubject, but I make Master Harry a promise that I will do so, and that Iwill give him all possible information I can gain on the subject; butjust now,' added the gentleman, 'we have a proposal to make, which wemust not defer, as our time is so short. It is this,' continued Mr.Norton, 'that we all spend a pleasant day together at some place ofamusement, to be chosen by the young ladies. We are to spend thisevening at Camden Terrace, with our kind friends Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. Ihope you will be there, and then we can settle our plans for to-morrow.'
'We have been invited,' said Mrs. Maitland, 'but unfortunately we had aprior engagement; but I promise you, Mr. Norton, that in whateverdirection you may decide to go to-morrow, we will accompany you.'
'Stop, stop, my dear,' interrupted Mr. Maitland; 'you are reckoningwithout your host, although he happens to be in the room with you. Doyou forget that I have to set off early in the morning to pay a visit toa sick friend who is particularly anxious to see me?'
'Well, we shall be very sorry to go without you, Maitland,' replied Mr.Norton; 'but I suppose Master Harry, here, will try to supply your placeto the young ladies, and we must do as well as we can.'
'Did you hear about our finding Mrs. Ellis's brooch yesterday, in theRegent's Park?' inquired Mrs. Norton; 'but perhaps you have not seen anyof them. It was a curious accident.'
'The brooch!' exclaimed Dora and Annie, simultaneously. 'Did you reallyfind the brooch? Oh, we are so glad! We told dear mamma about it, andshe was as sorry as we were, but we have not seen Mabel or Julia since.How did you happen to find it, Mrs. Norton?'
'We went to seat ourselves under the shade of the trees,' replied thelady. 'We saw you in the distance, but did not know who you were; and Idare say you did not see us, for you were all looking on the ground.'
'Yes, of course we were,' said Dora; 'we were searching for the brooch.And I remember we did see a lady and gentleman coming towards us; wewent away sooner on that account, for Mabel was in such a temper I feltashamed of anyone coming near us, though she was the only person toblame, as she ought not to have worn her mamma's brooch.'
'Hush, hush! my little girl!' said papa; 'don't you know that our mottois, "If you cannot speak good of a person, say nothing at all of them."'
'Bravo! bravo!' cried Mr. Norton. 'I heartily wish that this golden rulewere adopted in every family. What a world of trouble would be saved,and how much more time there would be for profitable conversation!'
'Well,' said Mrs. Maitland, 'we are all heartily glad that the treasureis recovered; and perhaps its temporary loss, and the uneasiness itoccasioned, may be a useful lesson to the young people.'
The visitors now took leave of their friends, promising themselves thepleasure of seeing them in the morning, at the early hour of eleven, inorder that they might have a long day together. It was also agreed that,to save time and trouble, the parties were to meet at the Park, if noobjection were raised to the proposed plan by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis.