*CHAPTER II.*
*FIFTY THOUSAND A YEAR.*
Aldersfield House had changed very little outwardly since AntoniaWhitburn and Trick had arrived there as lonely orphans. There was thesame heavy, handsome, mid-Victorian furniture, the same stately andpunctilious servants, or others of the same specie, because the sameLady Dove presided over the establishment. But as every human beingchanges for better or for worse, there was something even moredispleasing than formerly in Lady Dove's face. She was a prey--and hadbeen ever since the memorable day when she heard the news of Toney'sgood fortune--to the demon of jealousy, who never leaves his victimsmany peaceful moments, and just now he was her constant visitor. Toneyhad been very little at Aldersfield, because Sir Evas and Mr. Staines,the lawyer, had insisted on her having foreign advantages, and Lady Dovehad eagerly acquiesced. The very sight of Toney increased her malady,but as no one knew this it had been decided that Toney should, for thepresent, live with her uncle and aunt, for everyone recognised that shehad not learnt the use of money, and that it was not safe for her to beleft quite unprotected. Strange to say Toney had not rebelled when shewas told of this decision; she was very fond of her uncle, and thoughsecretly she called Aunt Dove her "cross," she meant to carry the burdenbravely so that Sir Evas should be able to be "off duty" as often aspossible. The other plans that had been maturing in the mind of HarumScarum were for the present kept a secret.
Before Toney could take off her habit she was bidden to come and see Mr.Staines in her uncle's study, so she and Trick hastily ran in, andindeed, Trick, having got jambed between her feet, nearly succeeded inmaking his mistress tumble--as it was, she lurched into the room in amost undignified manner.
"Gracious stars! I nearly took a header! It's Trick's fault. How doyou do, Mr. Staines? I hope you won't be very solemn, as I wanteveryone to be awfully jolly to-morrow. I've made my own time-tablethis time," and the remembrance of Aunt Dove's time-table nearly upsetToney's gravity.
Mr. Staines had happily a sense of fun, besides he knew what to expectand merely smiled.
"It is my duty to be solemn, Miss Whitburn, but I fear it is animpossible duty in your presence! To-morrow you will come of age and youwill have the sole control of your fortune. I tried to make GeneralStone insert some restrictions in his will, but he refused. I can stillnear our dear old friend saying, 'If you knew Toney Whitburn, Staines,you would know restrictions would be of no use!'"
Sir Evas was smiling in his corner. Perhaps Toney's fortune had broughthim more happiness than to anyone else, for being her guardian, he hadbeen fully occupied during her minority, and the work had been a realpleasure and occupation for him. Besides this, once a year he had got amonth--not in prison, but with Toney abroad, and what good times thosehad been, even though he always had to pay handsomely for them on hisreturn home. Now he added,
"The General was a very unwise man, and I do hope, Toney----"
"Yes, I know, uncle!---- Oh dear, I suppose my youth has flown now!I've got to do such a lot of thinking--but look here, Mr. Staines, tellme the amount I may spend and I'll promise I'll do it."
"This was what I wished to explain. Sir Evas Dove in accounting for hisguardianship has left everything in order, and by a curious piece ofluck he bought some land for you with some surplus money, which hasturned out to be extremely valuable, as a rich vein of coal has beendiscovered on it. You will have---- Ehem--at least----"
"Oh, I don't mind, Mr. Staines, so don't hesitate at the figure."
"You will have fifty thousand a year, Miss Whitburn. It is a largerfortune than General Stone anticipated, and I can only hope that youwill not long have to bear the burden of the fortune alone. Ehem--Ihope that a happy marriage will--ere long----"
Toney shook her head and laughed.
"Oh no, it's no good hoping. Aunt Dove says no one would marry meexcept for the money, but I'll manage all right, and Uncle Evas willhelp, won't you!"
"I do not wish to influence you, Toney, my duty ends to-day, but youhave never wanted for pluck----"
"No, no, certainly not," said the lawyer, "but if I may say so, MissWhitburn, your ample pocket money seemed to melt in your hands. Severaltimes you wrote to me for more, and in your last letter----"
Toney laughed as she seized Trick in the act of making a dash at Mr.Staines' heels.
"Yes, I know there was never enough. I'm a bit like Pups in that; ourbox was always getting empty, but there will be a heap now. Oh dear!"and Toney for a moment heaved a deep sigh.
"I've kept the amount of Toney's fortune a secret, Mr. Staines,from--the neighbourhood," said Sir Evas, "it's better so; of coursethere are fortune hunters everywhere and--I think, my dear, you hadbetter not mention the actual figures. Everyone knows you will havesome money, but even your aunt does not know accurately." Sir Evaslooked a little shame-faced.
"Oh dear, I hate secrets," sighed Toney, "I'll try and say nothing--butgracious stars! I needn't tell anyone how it goes, need I, for it wouldbe more than I could do?"
"Of course you need not, but it is more business-like to keep accounts,"said the lawyer sternly, "and to come to details, it would be better togive Lady Dove the same amount as she has had, as long as you livehere."
"Of course. You'll do that, Mr. Staines, and if you double it, perhapsshe'll not dislike me so much."
Sir Evas shook his head deprecatingly.
"My dear child, you are welcome to all I can give you without return."
"You dear old duck of an uncle, of course _you_ shan't have a penny ofit, but Aunt Dove won't mind pickings--for the estate you know! andthere's extra servants to pay and a lot of---- Is that all, Mr.Staines? By the way, uncle and I have chosen a secretary, so that's agood thing over! Ouf! I do wish it wasn't such a lot of pelf, sort ofstifles one, doesn't it? The basket of Gwyddnen Garanhir was nothing toit, but I'll not be crushed by such a silly thing as money, you bet----Oh, I mustn't say that, eh, Trick?"
"One thing more, Toney; I am going to give over to you the left wing ofthe house which we shut up some years ago. Your aunt agrees. (Lady Dovehad said, "Pray do as you like, Evas, you always go against my wishes.")Come and see if it suits you. I've had it all done up."
"Well, that's real kind; but indeed, uncle, Crumpet's room and minewould have done. I'll keep those, no one wants them, and she can comeoften and stay with me."
Sir Evas led the way down a passage, and, opening a swing door, theypassed through an old library full of books, with pretty windows lookingover the park, and next to it a morning room painted white and furnishedwith old-fashioned oak things, which Lady Dove had long ago discarded astoo much out of date. Beyond that again was a small garden room,opening out into the shrubbery.
"These shall be for you, Toney, where you may receive your own friends,and there are two rooms above for the secretary. Mr. Staines agreeswith me that--well, considering your fortune, it is more fitting for youto have some rooms you may call your own."
"Oh!" exclaimed Toney, "it is just awfully nice, but--what will AuntDove say?"
Sir Evas was thinking the same to himself. Lady Dove had not once cometo see the result of his work, and he knew he would have to pay her billas well as that of the work-people who had decorated the old rooms.Still, you don't give a coming of age present for nothing, and he hopedhe should pay his debts honestly!
"Trick, darling, here's your very own rooms, where you can bark as muchas you like," and Toney, catching hold of her uncle, waltzed him roundthe room, regardless of Trick scampering after them barking and dartingat the manly heels, whilst Mr. Staines stood by unable to hide a smileon his smooth lawyer-like face.
"Spare me, Toney! and for goodness' sake remember you are twenty-oneto-morrow! I fear Mr. Staines will think all your foreign experiencehas not made a grown-up young lady of you!"
"Oh yes, it has!" said Toney, releasing him. "A sense of sorrow for mysins has grown awful big lately, and I never used to ha
ve it. It feelslike indigestion, a lump here; but just this evening, uncle, I'll beyoung, and I'm so awfully pleased. I'll tell you what: you and I willhave a sort of house-warming here next week, and ask just our veryparticular friends, but my party's coming first."
"There's the Winchley ball," said the lawyer, "I suppose you mean to goto that."
"Of course; I love dancing, and Uncle Dove must just come with me andhop a bit, but, Stars and Stripes, look! there's Crumpet's pony carriageand the fat pony bundling up the drive. I must go and get her out of it,for she's never got over her nervous feelings at driving up toAldersfield. Uncle, remember it's her first visit here, and you willmake her feel at home, won't you?" and Toney made a dash through thegarden door and rushed to meet Mrs. Faber, who had come to spend twonights at Aldersfield House to celebrate Toney's coming of age. Mr.Faber was to appear the next day, and in the evening there was to be agreat ball for the tenants and retainers, and others who had beeninvited. Sir Evas had had his way about this, and Lady Dove hadgrudgingly acquiesced, only saying that of course Antonia must pay allexpenses.
This time the tables were reversed, and now Toney received the oncehumble companion at the big house, instead of being received by her.
"Oh, Crumpet, how nice! it's just perfect your coming like this. Jim!drive Mrs. Faber's carriage round, and take particular care of 'TheSquire'" (this was the pony's name); "and oh, dear Chum, don't put onthat scared look. Aunt Dove won't eat you; you're Mrs. Faber now, doremember that, and my honoured guest!"
"Oh, Toney!" gasped Mrs. Faber, "I feel as if I ought to be doing theflowers and writing notes and----" and then the little woman with theFra Angelico face smiled like a saint; the scars of ancient chains neverhaving quite disappeared.
"How I wish you had brought the piccaninnies; but it wouldn't do."
"Who is here in my place?" asked Mrs. Faber as she entered the hall,keeping close to Toney whilst the butler relieved her of her wraps.
"It's so funny, Crumpet; there's a companion here, Miss Grossman, whoactually frightens Aunt Dove a little--she keeps strict hours and willnot be put upon, but she knows her duties and is as strong as a horse.I can't help laughing! To be quite honest, she frightens me a little!"
"Oh, no! no one ever frightened you! but, Toney, don't leave me."
The butler opened the door and announced, "Mrs. Faber." The very factof being announced at all to Lady Dove made Mrs. Faber wish to sinkunder the floor, but as this was not possible she bravely went forwardbehind Toney to greet her ancient slave-driver.
"Aunt Dove, here's Mrs. Faber come. Isn't it good of her to leave thepic--the children to come to my birthday party?"
Lady Dove stretched out two fingers without rising.
"Good afternoon, Anne Faber," she said, severely emphasizing the name,and using the word "afternoon" to make Mrs. Faber remember she was stillthe tradesman's daughter whom for fifteen years she had befriended byletting her act as her companion. In spite of her previous resolutionsto remember that she was Henry's wife, and was well received by all herown neighbourhood, Mrs. Faber felt miserable. Why had she come? onlyfor Toney's sake would she have undergone this ordeal.
"I'm quite well, thank you, Lady Dove," she answered, forgetting she hadnot been asked after her health, "and so are the children."
"Oh, are they? I can't think how you are going to bring them up on,your small income. I always say the clergy should have no children;sooner or later they expect us to bring them up."
"I'm sure Henry will never beg a penny for our children," said Mrs.Faber, the colour flushing her face, which, however, was no longer likeancient pastry, but was now adorned by a pretty delicate pink colour.Mrs. Faber really looked charming, and her dress was as dainty andsimple as her face. Toney interposed.
"But, Aunt Dove, I'm godmother to both the children; you'll see whatgood times they'll have! It's awfully good of my Chum to have children Ican play with. Oh dear, I've got to feel grown-up, Mr. Staines says,but just for this evening I'll still be young."
"Tea is coming in; sit down, Anne Faber, and kindly pour it out. Thattiresome Grossman will never come in before five, as she insists ontaking a walk till then. I really must give her notice, only one isafraid of getting something worse. You should _never_ have married, AnneFaber. I got you quite into my ways, and since you left I've never hadanyone who could write and read as you did."
"I'm very sorry you are not suited," murmured Mrs. Faber, beginning tomake the tea whilst Toney flew at the kettle; but at that moment a tallangular woman appeared, and gave a terrible look at Lady Dove and at theother two, as she said tartly,
"It is five minutes to five; I am _never_ late, Lady Dove, and, as youknow, I never allow anyone to do my work. Excuse me----"
"I wish you would not argue, Grossman. Miss Whitburn and Mrs. Faber arequite equal to making tea if I choose to ask them;" but then the dooropened, and Sir Evas and the lawyer entered and stopped furtherbickering between Lady Dove and her companion.
"Oh, Toney," whispered Sir Evas, "it's tartaric acid, I see; thatwoman's got a devil of a temper, and your Aunt Dove is really learningpatience."