Part 13

"Jim, I want you to see after Mr. Frank Weston. Show him to the waiting-room we have rigged up, and stay at the door, and don't let anyone come in or out unless I tell you. I haven't any ring, that would be the right thing, but look at this glove, Jim, you see it has one green finger, I was getting a nosegay in a hurry--if someone brings this glove, let them in! The people won't be seated for a quarter of an hour yet, and Jim--is your young woman still faithful to you?"

"Yes, miss," said Jim quite gravely, touching his cap.

"But if she wasn't what would you say?"

"Knock 'im over, miss."

"But if there wasn't a him, only she just thought you not good enough?"

"Get another, miss."

"Oh, Jim, that isn't at all having fine feeling. You'd have to be true to her, and wait till she thought better of it, and then you'd not be proud, would you?"

"Can't say, miss."

"You'd just forgive and forget, wouldn't you? I want you to say so--if you really think it."

"Yes, miss. If you was to tell me I'd forgive and forget."

Toney laughed and then hurried Jim off.

"Remember my glove with the green finger!"

"Yes, miss," and Jim flew off to obey. If Toney had told him to run twenty miles he would have gone. Next, Toney went to find the Hamiltons; she did not think they would go to the barn at once and she was right. In the little second drawing-room where the lights had been lowered, she was conscious of soft murmuring tones, and rushing in she heard Maud's voice.

"Oh, Jeanie darling, don't, don't cry like that! What shall we do?"

The beautiful vision in blue was hiding her face in the sofa cushions and sobbing.

"It's only me," exclaimed Toney coughing. "Is anything the matter?" Jeanie jumped up.

"No, no, thank you, I did not feel very well. I think I would prefer going up to my room."

"Oh! and miss Mr. Weston's playing! Please come and hear him, and after that you can go--and--and----" Poor Toney was non-plussed.

"Forgive me," said Jeanie, her pride giving way, "I was upset; I once knew Mr. Weston and--we were great friends, but we quarrelled, and--he--won't forgive me."

"Is that all? Did you say you were sorry, Jeanie? It's best to be quite straight out, isn't it? No use beating about the bush, and let me see---- Oh! he's in the little waiting-room now, I'll go and ask him--won't you give me one of your flowers or something?"

"Oh no, no, I can't--he would--throw them away--and I should deserve it."

"He looks awfully nice, Jeanie, such a good strong face; no nonsense at all. I expect he did feel a bit hipped, but--look here, if he sends you your flowers back again, you'll know he can't forgive, but if he sends you the white camellia I gave him, then you'll know it's all right, and go at once to the room. I'll send Jim, he's awfully safe. Will you wait here? There's crowds coming, and Aunt Dove and Mr. Russell are saying a lot of nothings which people like, so there's time yet."

Maud unpinned her sister's flowers with trembling fingers as Jeanie sat up, clasping her hands.

"Toney, you are kind, but you don't understand. I behaved so horridly to him. I let mother insult him, and he must have hated me. I deserve it all and now--now--it's horrid to say so but I would not be so unhappy if only he could forgive me, but he never will; he is proud too--as proud of his people as I am about mine, and I threw it at him. Would you ever forgive that, Toney? He never spoke to me, only once--just to ask me to have something. I nearly died."

Toney seized the flowers, there was so little time.

"Look here, Jeanie, I'll just go and reconnoitre. Here's my glove with a green finger, if you get the camellia take my glove and Jim will let you in. All those old sillies would want to get at him, and one of his conditions was a quarter of an hour alone before the concert."

Toney flew off leaving the sisters alone. Jeanie again hid her face, but she no longer sobbed, and Maud knelt by her holding her hand.

"Oh, Jim, is he in there? I've only ten minutes," said Toney. Jim nodded.

"He said no one was to come in, Miss Tonia."

"But I _must_ go, I'm just like Queen Esther. I do hope he'll hold out his sceptre."

Jim opened the door, and Toney stood face to face with the genius, who was pacing the narrow limits of the small waiting-room.

"Oh, please forgive me! I've come to tell you that Jim, who's a great friend of mine, says he could forgive and forget if I told him to do so--I thought I'd better tell you to--forgive and forget."

No one could have resisted a smile at this speech, even Frank Weston, who was smarting from the opening of the old wound, smiled, then sternly he said, "I--did not want to see anybody."

"I'm not anybody, indeed I'm not. Just a poor relation of Sir Evas, till I got a lot of money left to me by the dearest old General. He was good, you bet, and _he_ would have forgiven anyone, especially if--they sent these flowers."

There seemed to be no need of an explanation between these two. Frank Weston had now realised Toney's conspiracy.

Toney held out the lovely bunch of roses she had herself tied up for Jeanie.

"Look, please take them--exchange them--if you forgive her. She is just sobbing her heart out and calling herself no end of names, I believe she is heart-broken, and says she only wants your forgiveness."

The genius turned away and there was silence.

"There is so little time, Mr. Weston, can't you make up your mind?"

"You hardly understand, Miss Whitburn," he said turning suddenly towards Toney, who held the flowers in her hand. "I loved Miss Hamilton with all my heart. She made me believe she loved me, and then she threw me over because my father had honestly earned his living in trade, because he had nobly scraped every penny from his hard-earned money to give me a musical education. I can never make you rich people understand what I owe to my father, and when Miss Hamilton----"

"Oh yes, don't dwell on it, I told you it was the old pussy cat, her mother--Aunt Dove would be just the same--but you must not think Jeanie is like that now--Pups--(that's my father)--did everything for me and I quite understand, but then he would have been the first to tell me to make it up. Wouldn't your father?"

"He often has told me to try again, but he did not understand."

"Then that's easy---- Oh, please, there's awfully little time--and just to please me, will you play one of the pieces you used to play together at the end of the concert. I've got her fiddle here and she would be so awfully happy, and she has a lovely dress, and----"

Toney's words were as if the Dam of Assouan had given way and had let through the waters of the Nile, and then all at once she stood on tip-toe, for the precious minutes were flying and with deft fingers she unpinned his camellia.

"You needn't say anything, the camellia will speak; there! I must fly, you've got eight minutes and then you'll have to come. There's a chair left for Jeanie in front, it will sort of inspire you, won't it? Oh, thank you a thousand times."

She opened the door and flew past Jim with the reminder, "and, Jim, when time's up, don't go in, only knock loud," and ran in the dim darkness towards the house--but at that moment she ran against someone.

"Oh!--why it's you! How very, very nice."

"I was coming to look for you, Toney. Lady Dove is getting rather----"

"Yes, of course. Will you, please, go and give this camellia to Jeanie. Maud is there, and will you tell Jeanie to go to Mr. Weston. He wants to see her about some music--and then will you take Maud into the concert-room. Oh, that's all, but please run."

"All right, Toney," said Lewis laughing.

In another moment, Toney herself was entering the concert-room looking very red and hot, but smiling graciously and shaking hands with everybody who came in her way, in spite of Lady Dove's loud whisper,

"Antonia, how very rude to come in so late. What will people think of you!"

"So sorry--I had to see about Mr. Weston's duet. It will be just the best thing of all! How do you do? Isn't this lovely? He is a great genius and I don't even feel a bit sleepy!"

Five minutes to the time, Jeanie, like a cloud of blue, appeared at the waiting-room door, holding a lovely camellia, and a discoloured white glove. She held it out to Jim but could not speak.

"All right, miss, but there's only five minutes."

Jim then opened the door and closed it quickly. Jeanie looked like a beautiful ghost in the half-lighted room. Her heart beat so fast that for a moment she could not speak. With one hand she grasped the back of a chair, and with the other she held out the camellia.

"Frank--forgive me--I--can't forgive myself, Miss Whitburn _made_ me come--I---- Oh, Frank, I'm so miserable, I'm not proud any more." Her head drooped and Frank Weston only saw a beautiful head of soft golden brown hair; then the greatness of his character triumphed over his pride, for suddenly he put his strong arms round her.

"Jeanie," he said; "Jeanie----" He only heard a sob, and his answer was a passionate kiss imprinted on her golden hair, for her face was hidden; then a minute of exquisite silence and then a loud knock which made them fly apart.

"If you please, sir, time's up."

"Jeanie, _she_, Miss Whitburn, asked us--will you play that last duet we played together, do you remember it?"

"Remember it! Oh, Frank, I can't, I've no violin."

"Yes. Here it is, she brought it here."

"It's all Toney."

"Miss Whitburn is a very wonderful person. Come, she said a chair was ready for you. Oh, my love, my love!"

Jeanie fled to the side door, then she sank into a chair that was close by. The next moment Frank Weston appeared on the platform amidst a storm of welcome. He did not smile or bow, but at once took his violin, nodded to the accompanist who had come by a later train, and began to play. All those who had a soul for music seemed to be lifted to another sphere, and even those who had not, watched with breathless wonder the face of the great musician. He saw only, sitting before him, Jeanie Hamilton, and she never took her eyes from him, for her there was no one else in the room.

Right at the other end of the barn Lewis Waycott sat next to Maud, who was still trembling with excitement.

"Oh, Lewis, it's too, too wonderful. The camellia you brought was his. It's all Toney's doing. I think she is the most wonderful person I have ever known---- _You_ always appreciated her, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"Yes, I always did. How did she manage this?"

"I can't think how. He was so proud--I think Jeanie would soon have died--of a broken heart."

"There are no such things, Maud."

"Hush!" she said. "Listen!"

That concert was talked of for many a long day. Those who knew said that Frank Weston excelled himself, but something else wonderful happened. There was still ten minutes of the allotted time when he had finished his last piece. He put down his violin, walked down the steps and offered his arm to Jeanie Hamilton.

There was another storm of applause. Miss Hamilton, whom so many present knew was considered worthy to play with the genius--and how beautiful she looked! How was it no one had sooner recognised her beauty and her talent, and what a lovely dress! Jeanie was still in a dream. This was happening all long ago, when she and Frank had played together, of course it was for the last time--but she must play her best, she must not disgrace him in public, though it was the hardest thing she had ever done.

"Now," he said softly, looking at her, and then they began. How kindly he moderated his pace to hers, how thrilling were the tender notes. It was a little bit of heaven, and then it was over!

What a storm of applause followed, but Jeanie fled and Frank Weston followed her after simply saying "Thank you" to his audience.

Jim was keeping the door as they passed in, and when Toney arrived Jim had seized the situation.

"I think, Miss Tonia," he said, touching his cap, "I think Miss Hamilton must be _his_ young lady."

"Yes, she is, but in ten minutes tell them to come to supper at the House. Mind, only ten minutes, Jim, for I'm just dying to congratulate them."

*CHAPTER XXIV.*

*LEWIS' DECISION.*

How did the secret come out? It was whispered, then murmured, then everybody seemed to say at once, "Isn't it romantic! The great Frank Weston is just engaged to Miss Hamilton. Didn't they look a perfect pair as they played. What a sensation it will make--an old romance. Quite charming"--and so on.

And among these buzzing remarks Toney flitted about at the stand-up supper, where everything was of the best, and where everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, but none so much as Toney herself. She had not dreamt of reward, but she certainly had it this evening. First came Maud with dewy eyes, she had not yet got over her fears.

"Oh, Toney, is it true? I have not seen her. It is all your doing. Tell me everything."

"Ouf!" said Toney, "I thought it was all white of egg at first, but--oh, Maud, it's just the most perfect romance there ever was, that is only second to my dear Chum, who is here, and I haven't had a moment to talk to her, but of course you'll both sleep here to-night and see him off to-morrow. Hasn't he a face of--iron, will sort of prop her up all her life. He hasn't a mean idea in his brain. I say, Maud, you'll be true to me and not let it out, won't you?"

At this moment Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Honoria came up looking much flustered.

"Antonia, there you are! My dear child, do you know anything about this--report? Where is Jeanie? Maud, do you know? Toney, what is happening?"

Toney shook her head.

"They are in the waiting-room; looks true, doesn't it, Mrs. Hamilton? Jim is keeping guard so I expect he let it out. Jim's got a young woman himself, so he's rather cute over the subject."

"My dear, you are so amusing!" (she meant vulgar) "but of course Frank Weston is quite the rage, and Jeanie will help him so much--socially I mean."

Toney lifted her head and shook her curling hair in a sort of indignant manner.

"Mr. Weston is a real genius, Mrs. Hamilton, and he doesn't care two pins for society, so I guess that word would just make him rage. It's a great honour to--to know him, and a tremendous honour to be engaged to him."

"Of course. I must find dear Jeanie, it's in everybody's mouth. Such a surprise, so clever of them, I knew nothing about it." She passed on none too pleased with that terrible Antonia, but Miss Honoria thought differently.

"I am wondering, Toney, if this surprise hasn't something to do with you?" she said, taking Toney's hand. "I've just seen Lewis and he smiled when I suggested it."

"I couldn't have done it alone, they were both deeply in love, and wouldn't have married anyone else. But didn't she look lovely playing, I expect ever so many men wanted to ask her. There's Chum, she'll be awfully interested," and Toney flew off and Miss Honoria turned to Maud.

"It's true, Maud, isn't it, it is Toney's doing? But these dresses--I hear a London man came down to measure you?"

"Aunt Honoria, don't say anything, it's Toney again, but she doesn't want Jeanie to know, she's so proud. I think it's a lesson against such odious pride about our ancestors, you know how nearly they both missed this happiness."

"Of course _now_ he could marry anyone, but your mother thinks so much of birth."

"If I fall in love with a grocer I shall not wait for mother's leave," exclaimed Maud; the lesson had been burnt into her nature too deeply by knowing what her sister had gone through. Then suddenly there was a little stir at the door as Frank Weston entered with Jeanie, who looked very shy and frightened, but also very happy. Maud flew to her.

"Jeanie, tell me, is it true?" Jeanie nodded and Frank answered for her,

"We are so glad now for the waiting time," he said with suppressed joy, "we understand each other much better than we could ever have done without it."

Like all people of big natures, when he gave in he gave in entirely. There was no looking back on time wasted, no more reproaches. "But where is Miss Whitburn?" He lowered his voice, "We owe it all to her."

"Jeanie, you do look so beautiful! I am glad it was this evening. Toney says we are to sleep here, and mother is all right, and----" The Honble. Edward interrupted her sentence.

"Miss Whitburn is asking for you, Miss Hamilton; she is at the top of the room."

Jeanie went off with Frank, but she reflected sadly there was no need now of courage to follow him. She would never forgive herself the pain she had given him, whatever he might say.

Maud looked up at Edward Lang with a radiant face.

"You have heard, haven't you? It was an old romance gone wrong, which Toney set her mind to right, and she has succeeded. I wish _her_--romance could end as happily!"

The two remained talking together whilst Jeanie enjoyed a triumphal procession. When they reached her Toney held out both her hands and whispered,

"Mr. Weston, isn't she beautiful? You do look as if you had forgiven me!"

"Forgiven you! But for you we should have----"

There was no time to finish the sentence for Mrs. Hamilton had glided up to them.

"Jeanie, my darling! Oh--Mr. Weston--this is indeed delightful, but this is too public a place to say more."

Jeanie kissed her mother in silence, then she had to move about in a dream and answer questions and smile, and see that Frank had some supper, repeating to herself, "But for Toney I think I should have died." Remembering her little darts at Toney she was still more humbled, and humility is good for such souls.

Toney was giving Lewis some supper and wondering why Maud left him alone.

"You are glad, aren't you?"

"Glad--yes--I think I'm even curious."

"Why! You couldn't be curious! I knew you could be so happy about it because of Maud."

"Yes, indeed, she has been so unselfish about her sister, and you have done good to both."

"Good to myself. I do get pleasure out of it, and if it hadn't been for the dear General I couldn't have bribed Mr. Weston to come."

"He gets huge sums I hear."

"But this concert money is all going to a poor musician whose music is mute---- Isn't that just noble? How could Jeanie have ever doubted him?"

"But the way is plain now--and I--I am thinking of going abroad, Toney."

"Going abroad, oh, why? What will--your aunt and Maud say?"

"I shall leave them in possession--I don't think----" He paused.

"Well, that is queer, I am sorry, I thought you----" Toney did not often flounder, but she found herself in a bog. How _could_ he leave Maud and go abroad?

"Not for long?"

"Oh, I don't know--till things get clearer."

"Is there a hitch, Mr. Waycott? Can't I make it straight, is the old pussy cat---- Oh, I beg your pardon, she is your aunt!" Lewis laughed.

"You mean my aunt won't want to turn out because of this wedding coming on." Toney didn't mean that, but she nodded.

"I really can't stand a wedding--but they are welcome to use my house."

"But what about the Stone House? It will want you awfully." Toney clasped her hands and looked really distressed.

"I think you will find another--many other helpers."

Toney was called for, but she felt a little lump in her chest; then with a great effort she said to herself, "The old pussy thinks Mr. Waycott isn't rich enough for Maud, or that he must be tested like poor Frank Weston! If it's only money, perhaps I could square it--but oh, I don't think Aldersfield would be anything without him!"

Now the rest of the acts of the lovers can be easily imagined this evening, and how, when the last guests were gone, they retired to the small drawing-room, and Toney, as she passed the door with Mrs. Faber, heard some wondrous soft music coming out of it.

"Listen, Chum, he's talking to her, I wish I was a musician; words are poor things for telling people you love them tremendously."

"I wish it were _your_ romance, dear Toney!"

"That's a vain wish, I'm going to be a real match-making old maid. Do you know, Chum, Mr. Waycott is in love with Maud, and something has gone wrong, I can tell by his face, he's bothered about it, I wish I could make it smooth, for he and Uncle Evas are, and always have been, my two props, and I should feel halt and blind without them. But he says he's going to travel. Maud will sort of go to nothing like Jeanie if he does; it's Mrs. Hamilton's fault--I'm sure. She is a pussy." Mrs. Faber laughed.

"As to Mr. Waycott, it does seem strange. Are you sure, Toney?"

"Oh, yes, quite sure. He so often comes and meets her on her way home from the Haven and---- But things must have gone very wrong with him; he looks so glum. Never mind, I'll have a good think, and see if I can't make things come right. There is Maud. Doesn't she look like a china shepherdess, and won't he have a sweet wife at Waycott Hall? She'll fit in exactly when she leaves her mother. I never could cotton to her. Isn't it funny, Chum, Miss Grossman won't be bullied, and Aunt Dove says she has no sympathy."

Mrs. Faber was puzzled, so she waylaid Maud on her way to bed, for Toney had declared she was too sleepy to wait another minute, and only Sir Evas and Mr. Russell were left to look after the genius. Maud gathered up her rose creation and waited for Mrs. Faber.

"Forgive me for stopping you, but--I do want to say how glad I am about your sister's engagement, though I don't quite understand what Toney did!"

"Nor anyone else quite! She went to meet him at the station and prepared the way, but they were both taken by surprise, and then---- Oh! Toney did it!"

"I wish one of Arthur's knights could come and claim Toney!"

"Indeed, so do I! She hasn't told you, but Mr. Edward Lang wants to marry her, and she--won't hear of it. I had a long talk to-night with him, and he is really a good fellow, only rather extravagant. He was so open, and told me about it."

"Mr. Lang! Oh! Toney would seem very far away if she married him."

"But Lady Dove wants it, she told me so to-night---- I wish I could help it on." Mrs. Faber shook her head.

"Toney would never be happy as a grand lady--and her money----"

"Of course he knows people will think he wants the money."

"I suppose that is true," said Mrs. Faber simply. "Good night, Miss Hamilton. Toney is so glad about the success of her plot."

Maud went on to her sister's room.

"We have talked it all over," said the radiant Jeanie. "He won't stop my going to Germany, but he will be there too, and--in fact he wants us to be married at once. He says he has waited long enough, and of course it must be just as he likes."

"Mother won't like it at once," said Maud.

Jeanie raised her head defiantly, she belonged to Frank now.

"Mother is my mother, so I won't say anything except to you, Maud, but she was the cause of all my great misery, and nothing will make me go against Frank again. Is there another man on earth who would have forgiven me as he has done? The least I can do is to----"

"Let him have his own way entirely," laughed Maud. "Edward Lang says his wife shall do exactly as she likes! How I wish Toney would say yes!"

"Toney!--Edward Lang!" said Jeanie astonished. "Oh, that would be odd, almost ridiculous, besides, he's so extravagant everybody says."

"Everybody says it and that helps him on. I told him he could marry nobody if he went on as he is doing."

"_You_ told him that, Maud?"

"Yes; I do want to help Toney, and of course she has too much sense to marry a man like that, though I believe he _could_ make a woman happy!"

"No, not Toney, they have nothing in common."

"Except riding."

"But you can't ride all the time when you are married! Just look at us, music will always be a link, we couldn't ever get bored with each other! Oh, Maud, to-night he played me one of his own compositions which no one else has heard----"