"But you have done, on the whole, well; and if your mother could come back again she would be pleased. I thought I should like to tell you."
"But, please, Uncle Edward, why would mothery be pleased? She often told me that I was not to submit; that I was to hold my own; that--"
"My dear, she told you those things when she was on earth; but now, in the presence of G.o.d, she has learnt many new lessons, and I am sure, could she now speak to you, she would tell you that you did right to submit, and were doing well when you tried to please me, for instance."
"Why you, Uncle Edward?"
"Because I am your father"s brother, and because I loved your father better than any one on earth."
"Better than Aunt Frances?" said Evelyn, with a sparkle of pleasure in her eyes.
"In a different, quite a different way. Ay, I loved him well, and I would do my utmost to promote the happiness of his child."
"I love you," said the little girl. "I am glad-I am _glad_ that you are my uncle."
She raised his hand, pressed it to her lips, and the next moment was lost to view.
"Queer, erratic little soul!" thought Squire Wynford to himself. "If only we can train her aright! I often feel that Frank is watching me, and wondering how I am dealing with the child. It seems almost cruel that Frances should dislike her, but I trust in the end all will be well."
Meanwhile Evelyn, having tired herself racing round the ten-acre field, suddenly conceived a daring idea. She had known long ere this that her beloved Jasper was not in reality out of reach. More than once the maid and the little girl had met. These meetings were by no means conducive to Evelyn"s best interests, but they added a great spice of excitement to her life; and the thought of seeing her now, and telling her of the change which was about to take place with regard to her education, was too great a temptation to be resisted. Evelyn accordingly, skirting the high-roads and making many detours through fields and lanes, presently arrived close to The Priory. She had never ventured yet into The Priory; she had as a rule sent a message to Jasper, and Jasper had waited for her outside. She knew now that she must be quick or she would be late for lunch. She did not want on this day of all days to seriously displease Lady Frances. She went, therefore, boldly up to the gate, pushed it open, and entered. Here she was immediately confronted by Pilot. Pilot walked down the path, uttered one or two deep bays, growled audibly, and showed his strong white teeth. Whatever Evelyn"s faults were, she was no coward. An angry dog standing in her path was not going to deter her. But she was afraid of something else. Jasper had told her how insecure her tenure at The Priory was-how it all absolutely depended on Mr. Leeson never finding out that she was there. Evelyn therefore did not want to bring Mr. Leeson to her rescue. Were there no means by which she could induce Pilot to let her pa.s.s? She went boldly up to the dog.
The dog growled more fiercely, and put himself in an att.i.tude which the little girl knew well meant that he was going to spring. She did not want him to bound upon her; she knew he was much stronger than herself.
"Good, good dog-good, good," she said.
But Pilot, exasperated beyond measure, began to bark savagely.
Who was this small girl who dared to defy him? His custom was to stand as he stood to-day and terrify every one off the premises. But this small person did not mean to go. He therefore really lost his temper, and became decidedly dangerous.
Mr. Leeson, in his study, was busily engaged over some of that abstruse work which occupied all his time. He was annoyed at Pilot"s barking, and went to the window to ascertain the cause. He saw a stumpy, stout-looking little girl standing on the path, and Pilot barring her way. He opened the window and called out:
"Go away, child; go away. We don"t have visitors here. Go away immediately, and shut the gate firmly after you."
"But, if you please," said Evelyn, "I cannot go away. I want to see Sylvia."
"You cannot see her. Go away."
"No, I won"t," said Evelyn, her courage coming now boldly to her aid. "I have come here on business, and I must see Sylvia. You dare not let your horrid dog spring on me; and I am going to stand just where I am till Sylvia comes."
These very independent words astonished Mr. Leeson so much that he absolutely went out of the house and came down the avenue to meet Evelyn.
"Who are you, child?" he said, as the bold light eyes were fixed on his face.
"I am Evelyn Wynford, the heiress of Wynford Castle."
A twinkle of mirth came into Mr. Leeson"s eyes.
"And so you want Sylvia, heiress of Wynford Castle?"
"Yes; I want to speak to her."
"She is not in at present. She is never in at this hour. Sylvia likes an open-air life, and I am glad to encourage her in her taste. May I show you to the gate?"
"Thank you," replied Evelyn, who felt considerably crestfallen.
Mr. Leeson, with his very best manners, accompanied the little girl to the high iron gates. These he opened, bowed to her as she pa.s.sed through them, and then shut them in her face, drawing a big bar inside as he did so.
"Good Pilot-excellent, brave, admirable dog!" Evelyn heard him say; and she ground her small white teeth in anger.
A moment or two later, to her infinite delight, she saw Jasper coming up the road to meet her. In an instant the child and maid were in each other"s arms. Evelyn was petting Jasper, and kissing her over and over again on her dark cheek.
"Oh Jasper," said the little girl, "I got such a fright! I came here to see you, and I was met by that horrible dog; and then a dreadful-looking old man came out and told me I was to go right away, and he petted the dog for trying to attack me. I was not frightened, of course-it is not likely that mothery"s little girl would be easily afraid-but, all the same, it was not pleasant. Why do you live in such a horrid, horrid place, Jasper darling?"
"Why do I live there?" answered Jasper. "Now, look at me-look me full in the face. I live in that house because Providence wills it, because-because-- Oh, I need not waste time telling you the reason. I live there because I am near to you, and for another reason; and I hope to goodness that you have not gone and made mischief, for if that dreadful old man, as you call him, finds out for a single moment that I am there, good-by to poor Miss Sylvia"s chance of life."
"You are quite silly about Sylvia," said Evelyn in a jealous tone.
"She is a very fine, brave young lady," was Jasper"s answer.
"I wish you would not talk of her like that; you make me feel quite cross."
"You always were a jealous little piece," said Jasper, giving her former charge a look of admiration; "but you need not be, Eve, for no one-no one shall come inside my little white Eve. But there, now; do tell me.
You did not say anything about me to Mr. Leeson?"
"No, I did not," said Evelyn. "I only told him I had come to see Sylvia.
Was it not good of me, Jasper? Was it not clever and smart?"
"It was like you, pet," said Jasper. "You always were the canniest little thing-always, always."
Evelyn was delighted at these words of praise.
"But how did you get here, my pet? Does her ladyship know you are out?"
"No, her ladyship does not," replied Evelyn, with a laugh. "I should be very sorry to let her know, either. I came here all by myself because I wanted to see you, Jasper. I have got news for you."
"Indeed, pet; and what is that?"
"Cannot you guess?"
"Oh, how can I? Perhaps that you have got courage and are sleeping by yourself. You cannot stand that horrid old Read; you would rather be alone than have her near you."
"Read has not slept in my room for over three weeks," said Evelyn proudly. "I am not at all nervous now. It was Miss Sinclair who told me how silly I was to want any one to sleep close to me."
"But you would like your old Jasper again?"
"Yes-oh yes; you are different."
"Well, and what is the change, dear?"