*CHAPTER XVII.*
*STUCK IN A BOG.*
After great events there is always a certain feeling of flatness, and itmust have been that which made Toney somewhat silent and plunge at timesinto the tabulating work with furious energy. Lewis Waycott came everymorning and, to everybody's surprise, the Hon. Edward often turned uptoo. It really was amusing to see the self-made secretaries each infront of a book and a pile of letters, whilst Plantagenet Russellindolently "bossed the show," as Toney remarked. Before he had workedlong Edward Lang's labours were transmuted into conversation, and healways found an excellent excuse for luring Toney out into the park orthe garden; strange to say, Toney did not seem to object, and left Lewisand Plantagenet at their task without too many apologies. The feelingof needing a good stretch came upon her, and though she would havepreferred solitude, Edward Lang's thirst for information served herpurpose. When Lewis was gone, however, then she returned to thetabulating work with increased energy, and the Hon. Edward's wishescould not drag her away. She said to herself she missed her chum, andthat the world was a bit awry without her sweet sympathy, but shemanfully fought against these feelings, flying to her "Little Flowers"for strength when she felt extra depressed. She liked reading aboutBrother John, of Alverina, who had entered the Order as a boy, "Butseeing that God careth with tender care for His children, giving them atdivers times, now consolation, and now tribulation, now prosperity, andnow adversity, according as He seeth they have need thereof, for tocontinue in humility, or for to kindle more in them desire for heavenlythings," Brother John remained without the light and love of God, andthis so afflicted him that he took to running hither and thither aboutthe woods, till at last he had a vision of Christ and after manyentreaties, the gift of divine grace returned to him.
"All work and no play, Toney, will make you dull, a day's hunting willdo you a world of good," said Sir Evas one day. "I'll come with you,and Colon wants exercise. The meet is at the Towers."
Toney looked up quickly.
"It's you, uncle, who want to hunt, but of course I'll come. Mr.Waycott will help Mr. Russell to-day, and perhaps a good blow will clearaway my cobwebs. We're getting so puzzled as to who's the most needyand deserving, that we seriously think of raffling them."
"I hope Waycott won't give up his hunting for your beggars, Toney.Anyhow, we'll start early to-morrow."
It was a real joy to see Toney hunting; she sat her horse as if she werepart and parcel of the steed and certainly there was perfect sympathybetween them. The county gentlemen, who now and then spoke hard wordsabout some of the Dianas of the hunting field, were lost in admirationas they saw Toney's seat, and Sir Evas felt immensely proud of thepraises bestowed upon his niece. That this young huntress was anheiress added to the admiration, and Toney found herself surrounded witha little court of followers, foremost among them was, of course, EdwardLang. He meant to try his luck to-day, and was therefore delighted atseeing her at the meet, but how was he to find his opportunity?
Toney looked as if cobwebs were swept away judging by her face as sheand Sir Evas joined the meet, indeed, she looked a perfect picture asshe and Colon impatiently waited to be off though talking to EdwardLang.
"Colon is nearly perfect. Uncle Evas bought him when he became myguardian, and I don't think there is a better judge of horses in allEngland."
"That is a rare talent. You'll lunch here of course, Miss Whitburn?"
"I think we shall need fortifying. Oh, now they're off! I feel as ifwe should fly over everything."
And, indeed, it looked like it, for Toney and Colon were soon flyingacross country in grand style. Sir Evas presently gave up trying to keepup with her, five-barred gates were not for him now, though in his youthhe had been a mighty hunter.
"Look at Miss Whitburn taking that hedge! By jove!" exclaimed one ofthe young men.
"Did you see her take that wide ditch? It was magnificent, and there'sno show-off; it's just because she and her thorough-bred forgeteverything that it's so splendid."
Edward Lang even had not been able to keep up with Toney, but you can'tmake a proposal flying over a gate, so he comforted himself withthinking,
"Australia ought to be proud of having reared her; anyhow, a girl whorides like that can be trusted not to give way to too many fads."
No need to describe a hunting morning in that county, it has all beendone before, and best by those who have themselves known the fullexcitement of a splendid run. To Toney it seemed to give new life andhappiness, but she never was too much excited to forget that this wasonly an interlude. She and her father had had many a day's hard riding,and he had taught her so young that the word or feeling of fear did noteven enter into her composition; and, besides this, Colon was athoroughbred to be proud of. He understood the run as well or betterthan she did, and seemed endowed with miraculous powers of clearingeverything that came in his way, whilst a soft pat from a loving handwas reward enough. It must be owned that though the masculine genderapplauded, some of the hunting ladies were somewhat jealous.
"Of course," said a pretty girl to Edward Lang, "if you get athorough-bred like that you can do anything, it depends on the horse."Her own was evidently a hack of moderate powers.
He shook his head.
"I fear it isn't all the horse, Miss Symons; Miss Whitburn has a superbseat."
"They say she was originally a circus rider," answered Miss Symons;"that accounts for her splendid seat, doesn't it?"
The Honble. Edward winced a little. He meant to propose to-day and thisremark affected him disagreeably. Would his wife have to live downthese queer reports?
"I never heard that report," he said smiling, "but if I had been theowner of the circus I would not have let Miss Whitburn leave me. Herfather was a doctor in Australia."
"Oh, Australia! They are queer people there! Descendants of convicts,aren't they?"
At this moment the dogs were seen in full cry, the fox had beendislodged and part of the hunt came flying back across a field hard by.Toney was close behind, and at that moment Miss Symons and Edward Langsaw her and Colon leap over a gate that would have been avoided by allthe ladies and most of the men.
"By Jove! That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,"exclaimed Edward Lang, looking towards Toney and leaving thedisconsolate Miss Symons to answer her own question. To his amusementToney drew rein and came to meet him and her uncle.
"Uncle Evas, you look as if you wanted your lunch. Wasn't itsplendatious? Colon just flies!"
"Don't stop your Pegasus for me, Toney."
"But I want to. How far is it to the Towers, Mr. Lang? and then we haveto get home."
"I quite agree; besides the fox has got into Red Hollow and will escape.They always do in Red Hollow." Toney smiled.
"He deserves it. But it does make one happy, doesn't it?"
The three trotted back to the Towers, Edward Lang was rather silent,wondering how he should propose. He heartily wished Toney were aseasily approached as Miss Symons, who was always lifting her sad sweeteyes to his.
The breakfast was a joy to the hungry, and Lady Southbourne allamiability to Toney and Sir Evas. He had nothing to mar his enjoyment,and even managed not to think of Melina at home.
All luncheon time Edward could think of nothing more original thandiscussing the hunt, but as so many of the male guests would chat withToney and all were enthusiastic over her riding, he only succeeded incarrying her off to the conservatory when the horses were at the door.It does not help matters if you feel there must be no delay over yourproposal.
"You just eclipsed all the girls on the hunting field, Miss Whitburn,"he began, as he picked some lovely flowers at random. "I do hope you'llcome again soon. Why haven't we seen you oftener--I--I----"
Hunting and love don't dovetail easily, and Toney was sniffing hard atsome flowers quite unconscious of what was coming.
"I shan't have much time, but Colon loves it; I love
the exercise too,but I'm not sure about the fox!"
"You are too much of a sportswoman to join the squeamish set."
"I'm not a sportswoman but I do love riding. Pups and I had gloriousdays out in the Bush! I wish England didn't feel so small, but one getsused to being cooped up, and it's very good discipline."
"You are too young and too beautiful to talk of discipline," hemurmured. Toney took her face out of a bush of sweet azaleas and lookedat him in amazement, so he continued very quickly,
"Of course you must know that _I_ think so, and that I--I--want to knowif you will let me tell you I love you? Upon my word, I--do hope you'llgive me a chance. Mother is awfully fond of you too, and in fact, willyou be my wife?"
Never, never had Edward found it so difficult to compose a speech worthyof the occasion. He had never made love to such a perfectly simplebright-eyed girl, impervious to flattery.
Suddenly Toney realised that she was having an offer made to her:
"Gracious stars! You don't mean you want to marry me? I'm sure youdon't, because Aunt Dove says no one can want to marry me except for mymoney," and Toney laughed happily, "and you are ever so much too nicefor that."
If only she had been shy! If only she had not mentioned money in thisbald way!
"Of course it isn't for your money--but----" the lie stuck a little inhis throat, looking at those wide-opened laughing eyes, "but I think Icould make you happy, and you should have your own way." Toney nodded.
"Oh, yes, of course I should! That's why it's no use thinking of it.My way and your way would never be one scrap like twins. Uncle Dovesays it's best to give me my head, but he declares no other man but hewould put up with it! Ouf! that's over, isn't it? You don't mind onebit, I'm sure! Good-bye. I heard uncle calling. Time's up and Colonhates waiting. Good-bye," and Toney flew off like a sudden gust ofwind, leaving Edward Lang to chew the cud of disappointment alone.
Lady Southbourne watched Sir Evas and Toney ride off followed by Jim,who had enjoyed himself immensely in the servants' hall, weaving yarnsabout his mistress and Colon.
"Well, Toney, you look very fit in spite of your high jumps," said SirEvas, looking with pleasure at his niece, "It was a very fine run."
"And you look all the sprucer, dear old duck, but I shan't come oftenif----"
"If--what's the matter?"
"If I have to have an offer at the end! Mr. Lang didn't do it veryeasily either, got into a bog and sort of stuck there."
"Good heavens, Toney, have you refused the best match of the county?"
"I don't believe he wanted _me_, but the money. Aunt Dove sees somethings awfully truly, I can tell you, uncle, so I just repeated what shesaid about it to him."
"Good heavens! What was that?"
"You know, that it's only my money the men will want."
"You didn't tell him to his face, Toney?"
"Why not? It's much better to be honest about it, and besides I put itgingerly. I told him it couldn't be _that_. But I did bless you whenyou shouted for me, couldn't have found anything else to say, either ofus, not for anything! so I just ran!" Sir Evas laughed till the tearsran down his face.
"Edward Lang won't forgive you in a hurry, besides, I daresay he doeslike you, and he's not half a bad fellow, only rather extravagant, andgiven to---- Ehem----"
"That's it, he wants to pay his bills, that shows he's honest, anyhow,doesn't it? but I haven't as much liking for him as I have for Jim.That can't be love, can it, uncle?"
"I should surmise not."
"But you might know, because you once made love, didn't you?"
"Ye-es--but it was different. We weren't romantic in those days."
They went on in silence for a little while, then Toney remarked,
"Do you know, Uncle Evas, you might have told me about a pretty romancegoing on near us."
"Whose, Toney?"
"It's Mr. Waycott. I guess he's awfully in love with Maud Hamilton.Don't you think that that will be a very, very happy romance? He's soreal nice, isn't he? and you see, she's very poor, so it isn't for moneyonly, but just because he loves and admires her. We'll give them ascrumptious wedding present, won't we, uncle?"
"As it's a secret better say nothing; but, as you remark, he can't bemarrying for money!"
"I expect he'll tell me some day. He always has been so chummy with us,hasn't he?"
"Well, yes, Lewis Waycott is a first-rate fellow. Now let's trot homequickly."