*CHAPTER X.*
*THE PATH OF PERFECTION.*
Toney's coming of age had been the greatest success imaginable, bothrich and poor had declared, with perfect truth, that they had neverenjoyed themselves more; but some few of them also realised that theresult had been attained by weeks of thought and hard work on the partof Toney and Sir Evas. All they had gone through to attain their objectwas their own secret, and jealously guarded; but it drew them, ifpossible, closer together, and the master of Aldersfield had his reward.
It was very early in the morning before the girl bade a last good-bye toher rich friends, for the poor ones had gradually melted away abouteleven o'clock, the next day's toil having to be thought of. Lady Dovehad long before, happily, excused herself, pleading great wearinessafter such a hard day's work, and the atmosphere cleared in consequence.Toney seized her uncle and made him dance till he called for mercy, andeven Mrs. Faber was not let off, partners being provided for her. Mr.Faber never danced, but waited on everybody or discussed clericalquestions with Mr. Hales.
Now at last all were gone, and Toney was alone in her simple room. EvenTrick was fast asleep as she knelt to say her prayers and returnedthanks to the Giver of all her pleasure. The excitement had taken awayher sleepiness, so before putting out her light she opened the littlebook Mr. Hales had given her, and at the beginning read the story of howBrother Bernard, of Quintavelle, was converted by St. Francis, whilstthis latter was still a secular. Bernard wished to find out whether theyoung and once worldly Francis was really a saint, so he asked him tosup and lodge with him, and prepared a bed in his own room for the youngman. Both pretended to sleep. Bernard snoring loudly, and St. Francishearing this, rose from his bed and began praying very earnestly tillmorning, saying only, "My God, my God." But Bernard was watching himall the time, and was so much touched that he determined to change hislife. In the morning he said to St. Francis that he would leave theworld and follow him, but St. Francis said they must first ask counselhow to find the Path of Perfection. So they went to the Bishop's house,and begged him to open the Bible three times and see what text he found.The first was, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast andgive to the poor, and follow Me; "and the second was, "Take nothing foryour journey, neither staves nor scrip, neither bread, neither money;"and the last was, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,and take up his cross and follow Me."
Bernard, being very rich, went out and sold all that he had, and withgreat joy he gave all his possessions to the poor.
At this point Toney's eyes began to blink, so she closed the book andput it under her pillow with a smile on her lips, murmuring, "'The Pathof Perfection.' Isn't that beautiful? Why can't we be like that now?I know Pups would have liked this little book, and the 'Path ofPerfection,' ever so much."
Then Toney fell asleep and dreamt that St. Francis came to ask her for_all_ her money, and that she refused it to him, saying, "You reallywon't know what to buy for English people, because you have only had todo with the nice, dirty Italian organ-grinders, who can live on almostnothing."
It was quite late when the house party reassembled, and Toney was theonly one who showed no signs of fatigue.
She found a big pile of letters on the table. From henceforth hersimple, easy life would be a thing of the past; but at present, with theunbounded confidence of youth, she faced the problem bravely.
"Is there anything further I can advise you about, Miss Whitburn?" saidMr. Staines, "for I shall be going back to London very shortly."
"Yes, please, I want some last words with you, I think we had betterhave a telephone between us. It will save a lot of letters. Aunt Dove,you have forgiven us, haven't you?" asked Toney. "But you are rewardedby the gratitude of the people. They just thought your house a lovelymuseum."
"It's a great pity to put ideas into poor people's heads," answered LadyDove. "I hope this party will last their life-time."
"Miss Grossman was done up I suppose; it's very tiresome of her, shesent word she must stay in bed to-day. If it's influenza of course Idon't want her near me."
"I do not think the poor envy luxury," said Mr. Faber thoughtfully,"they sometimes envy the certainty of our meals."
"Education creates needs," said Mr. Staines, "but I once knew a man whowas perfectly happy if he had five shillings in his pocket, though hehad no idea where the next would come from."
"Pups was like that," exclaimed Toney, "so it shows money isn'thappiness. Aunt Dove, don't you think 'Brother Angel' would be a goodname for Mr. Faber? He was one of the followers of St. Francis. Hethought nothing at all about money. I read a lovely story in my newbook about him when I was brushing my hair."
"How ridiculous you are, Antonia--I suppose you must go this morning,Mr. Faber, as I often tell Mr. Hales, a clergyman is nothing if he isnot among his people."
Mr. Faber was still smiling over Toney's last speech and did not evennotice the _sous entendu_ of her ladyship's remark.
"I am afraid I must return, but I am sure Anne would stay and take MissGrossman's place for a day or two, if it is the least convenience toyou, Lady Dove."
This was just what Lady Dove did want, but she did not wish to showgratitude.
"Oh, I daresay you could not get your meals without her."
Mrs. Faber did not allow her deep disappointment to be seen. Henry wasalways sacrificing himself, she must follow his example. Only Toneynoted the sad look in her eyes.
"Indeed our old Martha is far more necessary to my husband than I am.She cooks beautifully."
"She must be rather wasted at your Vicarage. However, of course, AnneFaber, if you like an extra holiday pray stay. Toney will be of no usethis week, and if Miss Grossman does not get better she must go home."
"Certainly I will stay," and she smiled across to Toney, who nodded hersatisfaction.
"You all covered yourselves with glory I can tell you. Bully! wasn'tit?"
"Antonia!" exclaimed Aunt Dove.
"Well, so it was, but when you want to forsake the world and become oneof St. Francis' brethren, uncle, I'm sure he'll take you. He told oneof the rich young men who offered themselves, to 'serve the brethren,'and I know you did that yesterday, so you were in the path ofperfection. Isn't that an awfully nice name?"
"I don't think that sort of life would suit me," said Sir Evas smiling."Well, I shall go and meet your secretary this morning, Toney, whilstyou talk to Mr. Staines."
Toney led the way to her new sitting-room which did not feel half sohomely to her as the little sitting-room at the top of the house, butshe would not let her uncle see this. Mr. Staines sat down, and Toneydropped into a chair and put her elbows on the writing table, after shehad thrown down a heap of letters.
"Ouf! Look at those, Mr. Staines; to think they will come everymorning."
"The new secretary will sift these for you, Miss Whitburn."
"Poor fellow! Well, what I want to say is this. Have you made it quiteright about Aunt Dove's money? Will two thousand a year make adifference to her?"
"Yes, a very handsome gift."
"I can't cost her that in food, can I? though I have a good appetite."
"She does not really need it."
"But I want you to arrange about the capital and give it to herentirely."
"Is that wise? Lady Dove might die and----"
Toney had on her resolute air.
"I am quite sure I want that: Uncle Evas would have it if she died, andit will be off my mind. My General would like it, I think. Ouf! thatwill be some of it disposed of, won't it?"
Mr. Staines smiled. This was not the usual tone of his rich clients.
"That's all now, Mr. Staines, and I want your firm well paid for allyour trouble, so that I shan't mind bothering you."
"About your will, Miss Whitburn, you must send me instructions as soonas possible, you see you have the whole control, and it is not right toleave anything uncertain."
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"Of course---- You mean I might have a fit or break my head. My willis soon arranged, I'll leave the whole to Uncle Evas, and tell him whatto do with it in case that happens, but it's only in case, for I haveother ideas."
"Of course, and you must want time to think it over. I'll draw up thissimple will and get it signed before I go."
"Uncle Evas says you are an awfully honourable lawyer. I'm so gladbecause Pups always said it was best to avoid the man of law. However,Pups' money was so wingy that he never needed a man to tie it up."
"He little guessed his daughter would be so amply provided for," saidMr. Staines beaming with real delight, which the handling of moneyalways gave him, even though it was that of his clients and not his own.
"No, indeed. He was always make believing about King Arthur, and now Imean to study 'The Little Flowers of St. Francis,' and 'The Path ofPerfection.' St. Francis was awfully simple about money, you know. Nowwe have done, haven't we? Here is my will. 'I give everything I havegot to Sir Evas Dove, of Aldersfield House. Antonia Whitburn.' Thatwon't waste the time of your clerks. You quite frightened me when yousent me the General's will The clerks must have racked their brains tofind odd and useless words. Thank you a thousand times. I'll call theFabers to sign it, but it's only in case of accidents. I've got lotsmore notions, and Uncle Evas doesn't want money. He's really quite niceabout it, only he has to give in accounts."
"To give in accounts?"
"Yes, to Aunt Dove. She holds the purse-strings, uncle says, andthere's a little breeze if he exceeds."
Mr. Staines thought he had better draw a veil over this part of theconversation, and very soon Toney's temporary will was signed anddeposited in Mr. Staines' pocket, who thought as he journeyed back, "Inever met such an extraordinary girl in all my life."
But it does not harm even a lawyer to think for a few minutes that moneyis not the aim of all mankind!
It was wonderful how soon Mrs. Faber reverted to the habits of her longbondage--though now she knew it was only an interlude--for Toney foundher writing notes and doing flowers and being bullied by Lady Dove, justas if the beautiful reality of her wedded happiness did not exist. Mr.Faber had jogged off home in his pony carriage, Toney promising to bringback his dearest Anne as soon as Miss Grossman was able to return topublic life. Toney watched him disappearing down the park as she stoodalone on the steps of Aldersfield House, and as she looked at the lovelytrees now turning every shade of gold, orange, and red, the Past and theFuture appeared to her as two dream figures; the Past was a small,poorly clad beggar, and the Future a big, rich giant, but the beggar hada smile on his face and looked oh, so very happy, whilst the rich giantknitted his brows and looked down sadly on the ground.
"No, no," cried the girl, "the giant is blind and he doesn't see that hehas only to give away all those gold brocaded clothes, and then he wouldbe happy! He shan't be sorrowful, I won't let him!"
A little cold nose at that moment thrust itself into Toney's hand as ithung at her side, and a joyful bark brought her back to reality. Sheseized her beloved mongrel in her arms, whereupon he licked her face andshowed that he understood her mood.
"Oh, Trick! Trick! we won't wear gold braid on our jackets and we won'tlet it make us feel sad. St. Francis said it was tremendously wrong tobe sad, and so you are a real saint, Trick. You never are sad exceptwhen you have had a gnaw at new heels and have to be punished. We'regetting old together, Trick; I'm twenty-one and I feel as if I weremuch, much older, or I should have done so if St. Francis hadn't comeand given me such nice talks. He was just awfully fond of animals,Trick, so he must have been a very, very good man, but he loved hisfellow-creatures best of all, so now you and I have both to seek and tofind the 'Path of Perfection.'"