Meanwhile, the occupants of the summer-house in Brixton were pa.s.sing the time in lover-like reminiscences.
"Do you remember the first time we met, Amy?" said Reginald Morris, as he fondly stroked her hand.
"We met, "twas in a crowd, upon the mighty ocean, on board the steamship _Ormuz_," answered Amy, in mock-tragedy. "Yes, I remember it well," she added, with a happy little sigh.
"I can remember every incident of the voyage, though it"s three years ago. I thought it was going to be a disagreeable voyage for me, and I was seriously thinking of landing at Adelaide, when I made the acquaintance of your dear old dad, and that changed the whole purpose of my life. I can see him now as he came up to me with his frank smile and said in his cheery voice: "My name is Oliver Whyte, sir." My heart went out to him after his hearty greeting, and we soon became fast friends.
Then he introduced me to his dear old wife, and a pert little kid--"
"Take that for your impertinence," interrupted Amy, boxing his ears lightly.
"I mean a smart young lady. I can see her now, and she captured my heart on the spot and, try how I will, I cannot get it back."
"Well it was a fair exchange, for you took mine in return," she answered, with a blush.
"Six months from to-day, Amy?"
"Yes, Reg. Six months before I have to give up all my pleasures, sacrifice all my pets and put myself at the mercy of a tyrant."
Reg stooped to kiss the lips again that chaffed him so prettily, when the doorway was darkened by the figure of Oliver Whyte, who said in an amused tone of enquiry:
"I suppose you are too busy to go and say good-bye to Mr. Northmore, Reg? He"s waiting to see you, for he sails to-morrow."
"Come Amy, let"s go to him together," said Reg rising and, tucking Amy"s arm under his own, he entered the house and greeted a young man waiting there:
"Hullo, Jack, how are you?"
"I"m jolly, old chap. And Miss Amy, I trust you are well."
"No, I"m not, Mr. Northmore, he"s been worrying me again. Never get engaged: it"s too wearing. If it were not for the fact that one can wreak revenge when one is married I don"t think any girl could stand it."
"Well, Reg does not seem to dread the coming vengeance."
"How do you do, Mr. Northmore. I am so sorry you are going to leave us so soon," said Mrs. Whyte, entering at this moment.
"Business, Mrs. Whyte, business. I am not so fortunate as our friend here. I came only on a visit, which I have enjoyed very much. I am due at Cape Town in a fortnight."
"Amy, do you think you can find our friend Northmore some refreshment,"
said Whyte, as he joined them.
"I"ll try, dad. Come on, Reg, I shall want your help," and they both skipped out of the room.
"That"s the way they go on all day long," said Whyte to Northmore, "just like two kittens."
"They are to be married shortly, are they not?"
"Yes, in six months. It"s hardly fair to keep Reg waiting any longer.
They"ve been engaged three years now."
"I am glad Reg is going to settle down, and with such an excellent partner."
"Yes, you"re right, Northmore. I don"t think a happier pair, or one more suited to each other could be found in a year"s travel."
"Reg is a wonder, too. It is not every man who can boast of having made a fortune for himself at twenty-four."
"Ah, I intended asking you about that. He is so modest and reticent about himself. He says he did it by accident and could not help himself."
"Nothing of the kind, Whyte. He was left an orphan at fourteen in Adelaide and had only one relative, living at Dunedin in New Zealand, who sent for him there and procured him a post in a sharebroker"s office as errand-boy. By dint of hard work he rose to be confidential clerk when he was twenty-three. It was then that the great event happened which made him. I remember it well. Reg had studied mineralogy thoroughly and was able to give a pretty accurate forecast of the capabilities of a mine, and he was often sent to report. One day he was ordered to "Dagmar No. 2" and, on his return he gave a most promising account of it, in face of two experts who had reported it of no value.
The experts were believed and the shares fell, but Reg, to show his confidence in his own opinion, bought all he could get at a low rate.
His employers and his friends reasoned and argued with him, but to no avail. All his earnings and all he could raise, he invested in the mine.
His employers were annoyed and he was dismissed. Nothing daunted, he went off to the mine and offered to manage it for nothing, telling the directors he would make it pay. They laughed at him, but finally gave way, especially as his holding was large enough to ent.i.tle him to a seat at the board. Two months later reports began to spread that Dagmar No. 2 had struck a rich lode, and a week later it was acknowledged to be one of the richest mines in New Zealand. Reg sold out for something like sixty thousand."
"Come this way," said Amy in a playful way, opening the door, and leading Reg by the ear. He was carrying a tray of gla.s.ses and completely at her mercy. "This is how I intend to lead my husband."
"Amy, I"m shocked," said Mrs. Whyte, laughing heartily.
"So am I, mother," said Reg, putting down the tray, and gently releasing her fingers.
Then the conversation became general. In the midst of it the postman"s knock was heard, and letters for Reg and Amy were brought in, which proved to contain invitations to the annual ball given by the Brixton Bachelors.
"Oh! Reg, dear, will you go?" cried Amy.
"That rests with you."
"Then we"ll accept," said Amy, decisively.
As Northmore bade them good-bye at the gate he said: "Reg, you are a man to be envied. You have a girl who is a pearl amongst diamonds."
"I know it, old fellow, and I appreciate it to the full."
On the following day acceptances were sent to the invitation of the Bachelors, and little did that happy circle dream that this ball, about which they laughed and joked, would be the means of blighting that happy home for ever.
[Footnote A: p.r.o.nounced "mi-mi."]
CHAPTER IV.
THE BALL.
When Reg and Amy, accompanied by Mrs. Whyte, arrived, the ball was in full swing. This Bachelors" Ball was an annual affair of some more than local reputation and the suburban element was frequently enforced, and leavened, by guests from the West End, who at other periods of the year professed never to have heard of Brixton. The ball-room was beautifully decorated with hangings of dainty tints. Palms and ferns, artistically placed with fairy lamps glimmering through the ma.s.ses of greenery, made inviting corners, that attracted the weary dancers. No expense had been spared to make the scene one of splendour and attraction, and it fairly took good Mrs. Whyte"s breath away. Reg succeeded in finding two vacant seats near a Colonel"s widow, who was an acquaintance of Mrs. Whyte and, having comfortably settled the old lady, offered his arm to Amy and they were soon whirling together in the mazy throng of waltzers.
They made a striking couple; the tall, handsome man and the slight, willowy girl, with her beautiful face flushed with the exercise, and many were the enquiries made as to who and what they were. The dance over, Reg reserved for himself nine of the items on her card, leaving the remainder, as he laughingly said, to her numerous admirers to fight over. Then he left her for a moment to greet some friends.
"Miss Johnson, may I introduce a great friend of mine?" said a voice behind her.
Amy turned to find Tommy smiling complacently at her, accompanied by a handsome, dark stranger.