"Was he at Vizard Court when she declined your hand?"
"Yes."
"Did he remain, after you went?"
"I suppose so. Yes, he must have."
"Then the whole thing is clear: that man has come forward again unexpectedly, or written, and she dismisses you. My darling, there is but one thing for you to do. Leave her, and thank her for telling you in time. A less honorable fool would have hidden it, and then we might have had a Countess of Uxmoor in the Divorce Court some day or other.
"I had better go abroad," said Uxmoor, with a groan. "This country is poisoned for me."
"Go, by all means. Let Janneway pack up your things to-morrow."
"I should like to kill that fellow first."
"You will not even waste a thought on him, if you are my son."
"You are right, mother. What am I to say to her?"
"Not a word."
"What, not answer her letter? It is humble enough, I am sure--poor soul!
Mother, I am wretched, but I am not bitter, and my rival will revenge me."
"Uxmoor, your going abroad is the only answer she shall have. The wisest man, in these matters, who ever lived has left a rule of conduct to every well-born man--a rule which, believe me, is wisdom itself:
"Le bruit est pour le fat, la plainte est pour le sot; L"honnete homme trompe"; s"e"loigne, et ne dit mot."
"You will make a tour, and not say a word to Miss Vizard, good, bad, nor indifferent. I insist upon that."
"Very well. Thank you, dear mother; you guide me, and don"t let me make a fool of myself, for I am terribly cut up. You will be the only Countess of Uxmoor in my day."
Then he knelt at her feet, and she kissed his head and cried over him; but her tears only made this proud lady stronger.
Next day he started on his travels.
Now, but for Zoe, he would on no account have left England just then; for he was just going to build model cottages in his own village, upon designs of his own, each with a little plot, and a public warehouse or granary, with divisions for their potatoes and apples, etc. However, he turned this over in his mind while he was packing; he placed certain plans and papers in his dispatch box, and took his ticket to Taddington, instead of going at once to London. From Taddington he drove over to Hillstoke and asked for Miss Gale. They told him she was fixed at Vizard Court. That vexed him: he did not want to meet Vizard. He thought it the part of a Jerry Sneak to go and howl to a brother against his sister. Yet if Vizard questioned him, how could he conceal there was something wrong?
However, he went down to Vizard Court; but said to the servant who opened the door, "I am rather in a hurry, sir: do you think you could procure me a few minutes with Miss Gale? You need not trouble Mr. Vizard."
"Yes, my laud. Certainly, my laud. Please step in the morning-room, my laud. Mr. Vizard is out."
That was fortunate, and Miss Gale came down to him directly.
f.a.n.n.y took that opportunity to chatter and tell Mademoiselle Klosking all about Lord Uxmoor and his pa.s.sion for Zoe. "And he will have her, too,"
said she, boldly.
Lord Uxmoor told Miss Gale he had called upon business. He was obliged to leave home for a time, and wished to place his projects under the care of a person who could really sympathize with them, and make additions to them, if necessary. "Men," said he, "are always making oversights in matters of domestic comfort: besides, you are full of ideas. I want you to be viceroy with full power, and act just as you would if the village belonged to you."
Rhoda colored high at the compliment.
"Wells, cows, granary, real education--what you like" said he. "I know your mind. Begin abolishing the lower orders in the only way they can be got rid of--by raising them in comfort, cleanliness, decency, and knowledge. Then I shall not be missed. I"m going abroad."
"Going abroad?"
"Yes. Here are my plans: alter them for the better if you can. All the work to be done by the villagers. Weekly wages. We buy materials. They will be more reconciled to improved dwellings when they build them themselves. Here are the addresses of the people who will furnish money.
It will entail traveling; but my people will always meet you at the station, if you telegraph from Taddington. You accept? A thousand thanks.
I am afraid I must be off."
She went into the hall with him, half bewildered, and only at the door found time to ask after Zoe Vizard.
"A little better, I think, than when she came."
"Does she know you are going abroad?"
"No; I don"t think she does, yet. It was settled all in a hurry."
He escaped further questioning by hurrying away.
Miss Gale was still looking after him, when Ina Klosking came down, dressed for a walk, and leaning lightly on Miss Dover"s arm. This was by previous consent of Miss Gale.
"Well, dear," said f.a.n.n.y, "what did he say to you?"
"Something that has surprised and puzzled me very much." She then related the whole conversation, with her usual precision.
Ina Klosking observed quietly to f.a.n.n.y that this did not look like successful wooing.
"I don"t know that," said f.a.n.n.y, stoutly. "Oh, Miss Gale, did you not ask him about her?"
"Certainly I did; and he said she was better than when she first came."
"There!" said f.a.n.n.y, triumphantly.
Miss Gale gave her a little pinch, and she dropped the subject.
Vizard returned, and found Mademoiselle Klosking walking on his gravel.
He offered her his arm, and was a happy man, parading her very slowly, and supporting her steps, and purring his congratulations into her ear.
"Suppose I were to invite you to dinner, what would you say?"
"I think I should say, "To-morrow.""
"And a very good answer, too. To-morrow shall be a _fete."_
"You spoil me?"
"That is impossible."
It was strange to see them together; he so happy, she so apathetic, yet gracious.