Part 10

At this moment the dogs were seen in full cry, the fox had been dislodged 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 Lang saw her and Colon leap over a gate that would have been avoided by all the 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 the disconsolate Miss Symons to answer her own question. To his amusement Toney drew rein and came to meet him and her uncle.

"Uncle Evas, you look as if you wanted your lunch. Wasn't it splendatious? 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 have to 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 as easily approached as Miss Symons, who was always lifting her sad sweet eyes to his.

The breakfast was a joy to the hungry, and Lady Southbourne all amiability 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 than discussing the hunt, but as so many of the male guests would chat with Toney and all were enthusiastic over her riding, he only succeeded in carrying 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 your proposal.

"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'll come again soon. Why haven't we seen you oftener--I--I----"

Hunting and love don't dovetail easily, and Toney was sniffing hard at some 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 glorious days out in the Bush! I wish England didn't feel so small, but one gets used to being cooped up, and it's very good discipline."

"You are too young and too beautiful to talk of discipline," he murmured. Toney took her face out of a bush of sweet azaleas and looked at him in amazement, so he continued very quickly,

"Of course you must know that _I_ think so, and that I--I--want to know if you will let me tell you I love you? Upon my word, I--do hope you'll give me a chance. Mother is awfully fond of you too, and in fact, will you be my wife?"

Never, never had Edward found it so difficult to compose a speech worthy of the occasion. He had never made love to such a perfectly simple bright-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 you don't, because Aunt Dove says no one can want to marry me except for my money," and Toney laughed happily, "and you are ever so much too nice for that."

If only she had been shy! If only she had not mentioned money in this bald way!

"Of course it isn't for your money--but----" the lie stuck a little in his throat, looking at those wide-opened laughing eyes, "but I think I could 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 Dove says it's best to give me my head, but he declares no other man but he would put up with it! Ouf! that's over, isn't it? You don't mind one bit, I'm sure! Good-bye. I heard uncle calling. Time's up and Colon hates waiting. Good-bye," and Toney flew off like a sudden gust of wind, 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 yarns about his mistress and Colon.

"Well, Toney, you look very fit in spite of your high jumps," said Sir Evas, 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 often if----"

"If--what's the matter?"

"If I have to have an offer at the end! Mr. Lang didn't do it very easily 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 some things awfully truly, I can tell you, uncle, so I just repeated what she said 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 it gingerly. I told him it couldn't be _that_. But I did bless you when you shouted for me, couldn't have found anything else to say, either of us, not for anything! so I just ran!" Sir Evas laughed till the tears ran down his face.

"Edward Lang won't forgive you in a hurry, besides, I daresay he does like you, and he's not half a bad fellow, only rather extravagant, and given 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 romance going 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 so real nice, isn't he? and you see, she's very poor, so it isn't for money only, but just because he loves and admires her. We'll give them a scrumptious wedding present, won't we, uncle?"

"As it's a secret better say nothing; but, as you remark, he can't be marrying 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 home quickly."

*CHAPTER XVIII.*

*A GENEROUS COUSIN.*

Lewis was looking at the newspaper in the dining-room one morning whilst waiting for his aunts and cousins to come down to breakfast. The postman had just left the letters when Maud entered. She looked very bright and pretty, and Lewis thought to himself what a pity it was he could not feel towards her as he did for Toney. Everything would be so easy as Maud was not an heiress. Aunt Delia's wishes were so carefully hidden that happily Lewis did not recognise them, still he knew his aunts would easily consent. Maud held a letter in her hand.

"Oh, Lewis, imagine what has happened! Mother always said it would!"

"I did not know Aunt Delia had the spirit of prophecy."

"She has! You know Cousin Seaton Hamilton lives in the Argentine?"

"I thought he found living rather a difficulty."

"Mother always said he would make a fortune and think of us, and he has! So nice, too, he won't say it's him. Just imagine a present of two hundred pounds for each of us, to go and study music in Germany!"

Lewis laughed heartily.

"Oh, Lewis, you don't believe it! Look for yourself!" She held out her letter which certainly contained a draft for two hundred pounds. Jeanie walked in with a similar letter in her hand.

"Isn't it lovely? Imagine such a thing happening to us!"

"Seaton Hamilton must have found a gold mine! When was the last time he wrote to you?"

"It was just when--Jeanie was playing with----" Maud left off, she must not mention the discarded lover, but Jeanie blushed as she murmured,

"Mother is always right! She said he would remember us when he was rich, and he has."

Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Honoria entered together, and there was a chorus from the girls whilst Lewis stood by the fire smiling.

"Really, Delia, this is the first time I have known your prophecy to come true. And he puts it nicely," said Miss Honoria.

"I wonder he doesn't sign his name," said Lewis.

"So full of good feeling. He always admired you two girls so much," said their mother.

"Poor Seaton, money was always like water in his hands."

"Nonsense, Lewis, he never had any, so your simile is quite wrong, but I always said he _would_ make money some day, and would remember the girls."

"Let's eat our breakfast in his honour then," said Lewis, sitting down. "Shall you accept it, Jeanie?"

"Of course. Mother, when can we start?"

"We must thank him first; but isn't it tiresome there is no address except that of the Argentine lawyer?" said Maud.

"You must thank him then," said Lewis, "he'll pass it on."

"I think Lewis does not half believe," said Jeanie.

"I believe in the money as the cheque looks good enough; to me the miracle seems to be in Seaton. He never could make money, and wasn't very generous."

"How could he be on nothing? Poor Seaton! I always believed in him," repeated Mrs. Hamilton, "but I don't think Maud can go to Germany just now."

They discussed this some time when suddenly Lewis exclaimed,

"Why there is Toney cantering across the park! You must tell her of your good fortune." Lewis went to the front door to warn her. She ran up the steps leaving Jim to hold the horses, and Lewis thought he had never seen her looking so happy.

"Will you forgive me coming so early?"

"Forgive you? Why, it's a great pleasure to see you, Toney."

"Is it? Well, that is nice of you. I never know if people care----"

What an opportunity! Lewis nearly said, "I care more for you than for anybody in the world," but the fifty thousand a year popped up before his mental vision like a number on a music hall platform.

"Everybody does," he altered it to, "but I came to tell you that Maud and Jeanie are in the seventh heaven of delight over poor Seaton Hamilton's gift of two hundred pounds each. You are too generous, Toney."

"You are glad, aren't you? You won't scold me? I know you like Maud to have advantages. Keep the secret, won't you?"

"Of course, but what brings you? Has Lady Dove given you notice to quit?"

Toney laughed.

"Oh no, not yet; but she is very angry because--another _avant garde_ came yesterday--such a quaint little old maid whose father was at Balaclava, and then finished up all his money before he died, and she has kept her mother for years by working at a little school, and now she is going blind."

"Did one little old maid rouse her anger?"

"Somehow it did, when it really was an honour to shake hands with Miss Phipps; but I want to know if I may have the farm at once and rig it up for interviews. I could put Miss Phipps and her mother there, and she could be sort of interviewing secretary."

"But you say she can't see?"

"Her mother could see for her and they could do it between them. Mr. Staines is so slow about the lease, and he and your lawyer are having _chasse croise_ about everything, and--if you don't mind lending it to me straight off till it's paid for we could send an army of work-people and do it up from top to toe."

Lewis looked at her bright eager face, and he felt it was also an honour to shake hands with her, but he could say nothing but,

"Of course you shall have it, only it's giving in to Lady Dove's selfishness."

"Pups said it was not seeing through other people's eyes that made us selfish. I read last night about Brother Leo's dream, and I did wish Aunt Dove could hear it, but she would think it rubbish. He saw a lot of brothers with loads on their backs trying to cross a river, some got half-way and some nearly to the shore, but in the end all were drowned; and then he saw others with no loads and they got over easily, and St. Francis explained that the loads were the riches which they could not forsake."

"Lady Dove has a pretty good heavy load, I fancy!" said Lewis rather savagely.

"I'm sure Pups hadn't any. That's why he got to the other side so easily. Then I may see about the farm this very day, may I?"

"Yes, this very day, I'll come with you directly after breakfast; but come in and hear about the Argentine cousin."

"You swear to keep the secret, won't you, Mr. Waycott?"

"Certainly, by the seven gods if you like."

As the two entered the dining-room, Miss Honoria thought she had never seen two faces looking so perfectly happy.

Never had Jeanie Hamilton appeared so much excited as she did now as both sisters recounted their good fortune, to which Toney listened with a smile on her lips.

"It will pay for a whole course of Herr Ludowic. Imagine such luck!"

"Jeanie is really worth the lessons, but I'm not," said Maud humbly. "I think she had better have it all and then she can become a professional."

"Cousin Seaton wouldn't like that," said Mrs. Hamilton; "you can keep it and see what you really want. I always said he would make money and that he had a generous heart," and Toney put in,

"If he has made a lot I expect he finds it just a great pleasure to give it away. Now I'll go on to the farm and take notes."

The farm was a most picturesque place with old black woodwork outside, and within panelled rooms with lattice windows, but it all needed repainting and papering. Toney was in her element, as pencil in hand, she planned out something very pretty. She had not done before Lewis appeared, and with his help she put down the names of the tradesmen she should apply to to transform the old farm into something that would be very pretty and attractive, and where some of the future dwellers in Toney's palace should lodge.

"I am going to call the palace 'Stone House' after my General," she said, "and you must name the farm, as it is really your gift."

"My gift when I am selling it for a handsome sum! It will be a chapel of ease I think."

Toney laughed.

"Indeed it won't. Everybody connected with it will work hard. Pups said hard work was like salt to dried herrings! But I do wish we could get on with the palace. It's going to be built of stone of course, with mullion windows and airy rooms, and very hygienic and--oh, I must ride home, for Mr. Russell will be wanting me. He takes Aunt Dove's part, and she is really quite nice to him."

At that moment Maud made her appearance. Her mother had sent her to invite Toney to lunch, but in the back of her mind it was to report how Lewis conducted himself with the heiress. Maud found them only busy over the names of many tradesmen.

"I'm glad you came," exclaimed Toney, but not laughing. "I want you to help Mr. Waycott to choose a name for the farm. It will be nice if you both help."

Maud was beginning to admire Toney very much; ever since the birthday party she always took her part when her mother and Jeanie abused her, and now here was Toney saying something so nice. At that moment, however, the Squire's agent came to call him away on business.

"Oh, Toney, it will be lovely to have your palace so near to Lewis, because he does take so much interest in it."

"It is very good of him and you. If you both care it will get on."

Maud wondered why Toney put it like that; happily, Mrs. Hamilton had not let Maud become acquainted with her plans, and as she herself had never seen any attention, other than cousinly, on Lewis' side, the idea of marrying him had not entered her head. In this Mrs. Hamilton had shown her talent. She knew Lewis would resent the idea of having his wife chosen for him, but some day he would fall in with the idea and all would be well, but it did no harm to prepare the matrimonial path by telling other people about it.

"Toney, dear, I want to make a confession to you," said Maud, leaning against the gate whilst Toney sat on the top of it.

"Confession to me! I'm the worst person, for if I were a Roman Catholic priest I would never listen to confessions, but absolve them all. I should feel rather mean to hear people's bad thoughts, wouldn't you?"

"Well, you must listen. I think we were all horrid about you, I don't know why, at least I think when you first came I was rather jealous of you."

"Jealous of me when I first came! Why, I was only a poor relation."

"Yes, but you could ride and play tennis, and you always said things straight out, which I never, never can!"

"It was only Pups' teaching."

"But I want to say I've changed my mind, Toney, and I do like you very much now, and will you let me help you in your work? Jeanie and I do seem to lead such useless lives. Of course now with Cousin Seaton's present it will be better. Jeanie will go and get really good lessons and be a success, and I shall give her my share, as it will be much better for her, and then I thought that perhaps you would let me help with your poor people."

"Well, now that is scrumptious of you, Maud; you're the first woman that ever wanted to help except Crumpet, and she's got her Henry. If you really mean it, you could come and help Miss Phipps here. Mr. Waycott laughs because she's nearly blind--and there'll be so much to do at first about accounts and other things."

"Let's call it 'The Haven.'"

"Yes, and you shall visit the Haven every day. That will be beautiful, and you won't mind being a paid official, will you, as I think paid work is more satisfactory. I'll give you one hundred pounds a year, and it will be a real, real help."

"Oh, Toney! but---- Yes, I won't be proud because the money will be so useful to me. It is silly our being afraid of saying we are poor. Since I've known you, Toney, I see how foolish we are."

Toney took her hand and clasped it

"That's a token of our agreement. The Kanakas did that when I tried to make them promise to leave off a bad habit; but I think they liked clasping hands, as they so often forgot and had to begin again!" They both laughed, and Maud's eyes began to shine with new hope and pleasure. She was going to be useful.

"And there's another thing I want to ask you about. You know Jeanie always looks so miserable; well, it's because she is constantly thinking of Frank Weston. She rejected him because he wasn't a gentleman born, I used to think she was right, but now--I begin to feel it's we that were silly and foolish. How can it matter what a man is by birth so that he's _really nice_. You don't know what a wonderful musician he is, and what a very, very nice man. I think Jeanie broke his heart, or nearly, and I believe she is breaking hers, as she is so cross if I mention him. Oh, Toney, can you help her? You got Miss Crump married. Lewis says it was all your doing."

"Gracious stars! but I do love a real, real romance. Of course I'd marry a pig-sticker if he was real nice, but I'm not a Hamilton--I'm only just Toney Whitburn. But, Maud, let's think out a solution, and thank you very, very much for being so nice to me! I'll never be jealous of you!"

"Jealous of me!--how could you be, Toney?"

*CHAPTER XIX.*

*A REFUGE.*

The transformation of the farm seemed to take place by magic, for Toney spared neither trouble nor money. She wished to have some place where her visitors might be received with kindness and courtesy, two things which were a very uncertain quantity at Aldersfield, that is if Lady Dove was in the vicinity. Besides all this time, Toney was constantly writing to the architect about plans for "Stone House," and to Mr. Staines about the purchase of the land. It was in all these ways that the girl's real ability was soon visible; what she did not understand she grappled with till, as she expressed it, daylight came. Even Mr. Russell began to feel that his employer was not only a mere girl with whims and fancies, for that had been his first opinion of her. He was often surprised at the grasp she had of subjects not included in a young lady's education, and a faint spark of enthusiasm began to appear occasionally in his work. Certainly there was a great deal of secretarial work to do, but Toney's masterly scribbles on the letters to be answered were seldom at fault, though expressed in somewhat quaint fashion. She appeared to remember cases in an extraordinary manner without their being tabulated, for she possessed a royal memory, bred of early training and a perfectly healthy life.

Ten days later Toney rode off alone to the farm to see to last touches, for Miss Phipps and her mother were to come that very afternoon. The door was opened by Mrs. Thomas, who had been a cook, and Mary, now a tall girl, was to wait on the ladies, whilst Mr. Thomas was to see after the garden and make himself generally useful. As the whole family adored Toney, there was no fear of the wheels not going round easily. She had made them think they themselves were going to confer great benefits.

"I do think, Miss Tonia, everything is ready!" said Mrs. Thomas.

"And I've put flowers in the sitting-room," added Mary. "I knew you would wish them to have flowers."

"And we shall have a fine dairy, miss," added Thomas, "'twill supply all your big house when it's built."

They all accepted Miss Tonia's big house quite naturally, and they all meant to have a hand in its success.

Toney made a last inspection, her quick eyes seeing everything. Then she returned alone into the parlour to await Maud who had gone to meet Miss Phipps. Toney and Trick sat on the wide window seat looking into the garden, in which beautiful chrysanthemums were to be seen, and curled up here with Trick in her arms she had a good think.

It was very sweet of Maud to want to help her, she loved her for it, and she loved her because Lewis loved her, and the two would perfect as master and mistress of beautiful Waycott Hall with all its art treasures. It was very nice of Lewis never to have thought of money at all, as Lady Dove had formerly said he would, it showed he was what Toney had always thought him, one of King Arthur's knights. She did wish they had told her herself because she could have assured them how perfect she thought it, and she would try to be awfully nice to Maud for his sake. Of course it was his influence that had made her so much nicer, and now so willing to join in Toney's work.

As for herself, her work was marked out quite plainly, and she must think of nothing else; it would be years before it would run on all fours, and till then she must keep a watchful eye over everything and must not think of personal pleasure. Then she would be following in her father's footsteps, and doing her duty to her neighbour as General Stone had expected of her.

The bright face was quite grave as she leant against Trick's shaggy locks. The burden felt just a wee bit heavy this morning, and the future, just like a hill that went up and up a long, long way, and no top visible at this moment. Then suddenly she shook herself and Trick to get rid of these grey thoughts.

"I do wish Pups could appear to me as the Brothers of Poverello did so often to each other. I shouldn't be a bit afraid, as of course he is working hard somewhere, and of course he sees me and does care about my work. But the Brothers of Poverello were so very, very good and always praying, so that they were fit to see the saints, and I'm not."

At this moment, happily for Toney's spirits, a fly drove up and she flew to receive her first visitors. Maud was there looking quite transformed from the discontented girl she had been into a woman with a purpose.

"Here we are, Toney, and Mrs. and Miss Phipps are very cold and tired after their journey."