CHAPTER XI.
_Theo._ To this man, my fortune, My more than purblind fortune, gave my faith, Drawn to it by as many shows of service And signs of truth, as ever false tongue uttered: Heaven pardon all.
LOVE"S PILGRIMAGE.
There was no public breakfast at Wardenscourt. People took that meal in their several rooms. Margaret was just giving Mason her simple directions, when in swam Mrs. Thompson, with Mrs. Gage"s compliments, and "would Miss Capel breakfast with her in the Oratory?"
Miss Capel was pleased to renew her acquaintance with Mrs. Thompson, who rustled about in a smarter silk, and finer cap then ever was seen before. She accepted the invitation, and sent the lady"s-maid on to say so.
The Oratory was a little octagon room, adjoining Harriet"s bed-room, which she used as a boudoir. She could not help smiling at her friend"s pertinacity; for there, reclining on a sofa, was Everard Gage, while Harriet looked triumphant from behind the urn. Mr. Gage was reading the paper by the window.
"Come, Margaret, lose no time," said Harriet, with a distinct glance at Everard.
Margaret took her speech literally, glided into a chair, and drew her plate towards her. Mr. Gage came to help her.
"Everard!" said Harriet, "have you found the head we all think so like Miss Capel?"
"No," said he, looking up from the "Book of Beauty," which he was turning over; "there is nothing here pretty enough."
"Brava!" exclaimed Harriet; "we shall do."
"Where do you think of going to-day?" said Mr. Gage to Margaret.
She could not bring herself to mention the church at Tynebrook, but Harriet saved her the trouble.
"Lucy thought of going to see Mr. Haveloc"s new church," said Harriet.
"I don"t know whether it is settled, because if he is out, we shall have to find the beadle, or the s.e.xton, or somebody, to show it us. But, to be sure, we can take Everard with us, to run about and find the proper people. I wonder when _you_ will grow good enough to build churches, Everard?"
"I don"t know. I must grow rich enough first," he said.
Mr. Gage did not despise Mr. Haveloc for this fancy; he only pitied him.
If he had spent so much that he had not enough left to buy a proper number of horses and carriages, then it would have been something to despise. But, as he had not deprived himself of any luxuries in the prosecution of his whim, he contented himself with the softer emotion of pity.
"I suppose we shall not have you with us, George," said Harriet.
"No."
Mr. Gage confessed he saw nothing very attractive in a damp country church, full of workmen. And he happened to be engaged to go somewhere with the Deacons.
"And you, Everard?"
"No." The day was so hot, he thought he should stay at home.
Harriet looked for a moment undecided whether she should permit this act of rebellion to pa.s.s unnoticed; but seeing Margaret about to leave the room, she joined her, and they went down stairs together.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick declined being of the party to the church. She would wait till Mr. Haveloc returned from town; and then he should be her cicerone. She was not so very fond of architecture for its own sake--but Margaret was. She had no doubt the expedition would delight Margaret.
So they set off--Lady Raymond, Harriet and Margaret--through a most beautiful country, and a great many steep, uneven, narrow roads. At last, the church, low in a valley, and buried among old trees, came in sight.
"I never was so glad to see a steeple before," said Harriet. "Why it is twelve miles off! I am knocked up, and so are you, child. How pale you look!"
A low, heavy oaken gate admitted them into the church-yard. They left the carriage without, and stood looking at the building. It was a beautiful church. The pencil of Cattermole might almost weary in recording the elaborate carving of the stonework about the windows, and the deep porch. The doors were open, for the workmen were about some of the pillars and scaffolds, and tools still announced their occupation within.
The organ was pealing, and the rich sound swelled into the quiet church-yard.
"They have a blind organist here," said Lucy. "He plays admirably.
Listen--Mozart"s ma.s.s in C."
"Beautiful! how fine the Gloria sounds," said Harriet. "What a movement!"
"I wish the Protestant Church was musical," said Lucy, as they walked up the aisle.
"Is that you, Lady Raymond?" asked the player, coming to the front of the gallery. It was Mr. Haveloc.
Margaret"s start--the mist that rushed before her eyes, were un.o.bserved by her companions.
Lucy went on. "We were praising your playing so much, Mr. Haveloc. We thought it was your organist."
"I will come down to you," he said, and disappearing from the gallery, he joined them in the aisle.
"So, you have found your way here at last, Lady Raymond," he said as he shook hands with her. "Confess that the road was very tolerable, after all."
"Bearable," said Lucy. "Mrs. Gage and Miss Capel are behind."
He advanced to Harriet, bowed to Margaret in pa.s.sing, and went on speaking to Harriet.
"And you did not come on horseback, Mrs. Gage? I thought from Lady Raymond"s account, you were never out of the saddle."
"It is so very warm to-day," said Harriet, "how nice and cool the church feels. But, how very odd! What a mint of money this must have cost!"
"Aye. But one never cares what one spends upon a fancy. I am not so satisfied with the bills my gardener brings me in for plants. I dare say, now, you did not grudge what you gave for your favourite horse."
"My chestnut was a present from Uncle Singleton," said Harriet, "but it is shocking to think what he cost."
"I always think it very extravagant to spend much upon horses," said Lady Raymond, "they are such uncertain things. They fall lame, or die; or, something--"
"Not more uncertain than Blenheim spaniels," said Harriet, laughing.
"Ah! true, Lady Raymond; recollect the fifty guineas for Flora," said Mr. Haveloc.
"You certainly saved her life that day," said Lucy. "Raymond did not know what on earth to do for her, poor little love!"
"You will stand up for the cold water cure after that," said Mr.
Haveloc.
"I shall, indeed," said Lady Raymond, "I sing your praises every where."