"That sounds nice!" said Peggy approvingly. "I should like that; but it wouldn"t be a ball, you silly boy--it would be a conversazione, where all the clever and celebrated people of London were gathered together, "To have the honour of meeting Miss Saville." There would be quite a number of people whom we knew among the Lions. A very grand Lady Somebody or other, the beauty of the season--Rosalind, of course--all sparkling with diamonds, and leaning on the arm of a distinguished-looking gentleman with orders on his breast. That"s Arthur. I"m determined that he shall have orders. It"s the only thing that could reconcile me to the loss of the Victoria Cross, and a dress-coat is so uninteresting without tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs! A fat lady would be sitting in a corner prattling about half a dozen subjects all in one moment--that"s Mellicent; and a tall, lean lady in spectacles would be imparting useful information to a dandy with an eyegla.s.s stuck in one eye--that"s Esther and Oswald! Oh dear, I wonder--I wonder--I wonder!
It"s like a story-book, Rob, and we are at the end of the first volume.
How much shall we have to do with each other in the second and third; and what is going to happen next, and how, and when?"
"We--we have to part, that"s the next thing," said Rob sadly. "Here comes the carriage, and Arthur is shouting for us to stop. It"s good-bye, for the present, Mariquita; there"s no help for it!"
"At the crossroads!" said Peggy slowly, her eye wandering to the sign-board which marked the paths branching north, south, east, and west. She stopped short and stood gazing into his face, her eyes big and solemn, the wind blowing her hair into loose little curls beneath her scarlet cap, her dramatic mind seizing eagerly on the significance of the position. "At the crossroads, Rob, to go our different ways!
Good-bye, good-bye! I hate to say it. You--you won"t forget me, and like the horrid boys at college better than me, will you, Rob?"
Robert gave a short, strangled little laugh.
"I think--not! Cheer up, partner! We will meet again, and have a better time together than we have had yet. The third volume is always more exciting than the first. I say we shall, and you know when I make up my mind to a thing, it has to be done!"
"Ah, but how?" sighed Peggy faintly. "But how?" Vague prophecies of the future were not much comfort to her in this moment of farewell. She wanted something more definite; but Rob had no time to enter into details, for even as she spoke the carriage drew up beside them, and, while the occupants congratulated Peggy on having walked so far and so well, he could only grip her hand, and take his place in silence beside his sister.
Lady Darcy bent forward to smile farewell; Rosalind waved her hand, and then they were off again, driving swiftly homewards, while Peggy stood watching, a solitary figure upon the roadside.
Arthur and his companions hurried forward to join her, afraid lest she should be tired, and overcome with grief by the parting with her friend and partner.
"Poor little Peg! She won"t like it a bit," said Arthur. "She"s crying! I"m sure she is."
"She is putting her handkerchief to her eyes," said Mellicent.
"We will give her an arm apiece, and take her straight back," said Max anxiously. "It"s a shame to have left the poor little soul alone!"
They stared with troubled eyes at the little figure which stood with its back turned towards them, in an att.i.tude of rigid stillness. There was something pathetic about that stillness, with just the flutter of the tell-tale handkerchief, to hint at the quivering face that was hidden from view. The hearts of Peggy"s companions were very tender over her at that moment; but even as they planned words of comfort and cheer, she wheeled round suddenly and walked back to meet them.
It was an unusually mild morning for the season of the year, and the sun was shining from a cloudless sky. Its rays fell full upon Peggy"s face as she advanced--upon reddened eyes, trembling lips, and two large tears trickling down her cheeks. It was undeniable that she was crying, but she carried her head well back upon her shoulders, rather courting than avoiding observation, and as she drew nearer it became abundantly evident that Peggy had retired in honour of Mariquita, and that consolations had better be deferred to a more promising occasion.
"A most lacerating wind!" she said coolly. "It draws the moisture to my eyes. Quite too piercingly cold, I call it!" and even Mellicent had not the courage to contradict.
And here, dear readers, we leave Peggy Saville at a milestone of her life. In what direction the crossroads led the little company of friends, and what windings of the path brought them once more together, remains still to be told. It was a strange journey, and in their travelling they met many friends with whom all young people are acquainted. The giant barred the way, and had to be overcome before the palace could be reached; the Good Spirit intervened at the right moment to prevent calamity, the prince and princess stepped forward and made life beautiful; for life is the most wonderful fairy tale that was ever written, and full of magic to those who have eyes to see.
Farewell, then, to Peggy Pickle; but if it be the wish of those who have followed her so far, we may meet again with Mariquita Saville, in the glory of sweet and twenty, and learn from her the secret of the years.
THE END.