"I do declare, little one, I cannot make you out," said she, as soon as she had caressed Margaret into something like calmness again; "first you faint, and then you cry, and all for some mysterious reason I cannot fathom. If I do find out your secret, I will have no mercy on you."
"But listen Harriet," said Margaret, "I am so vexed when you plan such things; and not being well, everything agitates me."
"Well I won"t teaze the little beauty," said Harriet; "let us go down and find something to amuse you. But Margaret," said she, hanging on the threshold, "remember I have had the disorder, and am familiar with the symptoms."
Lord James was in the library acting with Miss Campbell, Lucy holding the book. The father was to ride over in the course of the morning; he was the officer who had shown some disposition for Margaret"s money the evening before. Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Haveloc were walking in the shrubberies. Margaret took out her netting, and sat down in the shade, out of every one"s way. Harriet threw herself on the scene, made Lucy read the part of M. Dumenil, until the officer should appear, and commanded the play to begin again. Everard was forced forward, and laughed at by Harriet, who called him a wax-work, and offered him a letter of introduction to Mme. Tussaud, and then praised him into good humour again; and recommended him to Miss Campbell for instruction, which that young lady willingly undertook. The officer came in, and had no time to molest Margaret, for he was seized upon by Harriet, and had his part-book s.n.a.t.c.hed from him, and marked full of stage directions, and was turned on among the tables and chairs, to blunder through his role, before he had time to look round, or discover who was in the room.
Harriet"s acting was inimitable, like every thing she undertook. The officer was not very bad; Lord James pretty well, and Miss Campbell full of an arch simplicity, that showed her as accomplished on, as she was off the stage. In the midst of it all, Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Haveloc entered with Lord Raymond.
His Lordship was delighted at the amus.e.m.e.nt provided for him so unexpectedly. He signed his companions to chairs, and sat down and clapped with great vigour. Then down came Lady James, who took a chair next to Mr. Haveloc, and began to abuse him on his want of gallantry in declining the part of Alphonse. She believed he was the only man who would refuse an opportunity of playing with her friend Miss Campbell.
Mr. Haveloc said that he was selfish enough to wish to enjoy Miss Campbell"s excellent acting thoroughly, which he could not have done, had he played with her.
Lady James was appeased by this answer, which, did not, however, sound quite sincere to Margaret"s ear, proceeded to give him a catalogue of all her young friend"s merits, which lasted, so numerous were they, until the play had been read through. Then the actors dispersed, the officer to the back of Margaret"s chair, Everard to the nearest sofa, Lord James to Lady Raymond, and Harriet to Mr. Haveloc. Yes, just as Lady James had called Miss Campbell to her, and a.s.signed the seat next that gentleman, Harriet beckoned him to the window, and swept him out upon the lawn.
"I say, do you know the name of this red thing," said she, pointing to a flower in one of the beds.
"No, I don"t. I have it, but I have forgotten the name," he said.
"How long have you been at Tynebrook?"
"About two months."
"What! have you done all that to the church in two months?"
"Every bit of it. I was in Norway three months ago."
"Ah! You are a great traveller, I believe."
"I have done little else for the last two years."
"Well, that is a very pleasant way of pa.s.sing time."
"I don"t know that it is quite right," said Mr. Haveloc. "One leaves all one"s duties behind in travelling; that is one of its great attractions." Then feeling that his companion was not very likely to sympathize with him, he changed the subject.
"I saw your chestnut this morning, Mrs. Gage. He is superb. I hardly know such a beautiful head."
"Has he not? And so tame. Did George go with you?"
"He did, and the chestnut held a very rational conversation with him?"
"You admire him, as much as I did your altar-cloth."
"I do, indeed."
"I think you must have got it on purpose for your wedding, Mr. Havleoc,"
said Harriet.
"I am afraid it will not serve that turn," he replied; "for there is no lady in my parish above the condition of a small farmer"s daughter.
Tynebrook is a wilderness."
"Ah, true! the lady must be married in her own parish," said Harriet, narrowly regarding his countenance.
"That is the etiquette, I believe," he said, gravely; and as she did not speak again directly, he turned quietly and courteously away, and walked to the library.
As soon as Harriet made the move, most of the party strolled away under the trees. The officer, who was unusually disagreeable in Margaret"s eyes, asked her if she would not follow their example, and offered his arm, as if to decide her choice.
Margaret thanked him, but said she preferred sitting quiet, as the day was hot; and she was in a hurry to finish her netting.
The officer said she was very prudent, and taking a chair, offered to read to her.
Margaret"s vexation knew no bounds, but she was not aware that the man wanted her money, and she thought he really meant it as a civility, so she composed herself to listen. But after a few sentences, horribly read, her impatience could not be controlled. She rose, muttered something about wanting more silk, and went to her room to be quiet.
Mr. Haveloc came in the moment after, found Everard asleep on a sofa, and the officer, still seated with the book in his hand, wondering how any girl could go away while he was sitting by her.
Margaret did not leave her room till dinner time. Harriet paid her a visit when she thought it proper. She should have some luncheon, with sandwiches, and a plate of delicious ice.
Margaret was thankful for the ice, and gratified by Harriet"s kindness.
Her friend told her that Miss Campbell was gone into the paddock to see Lord James shoot pigeons, to practice for the match; and that Mr.
Haveloc, when it came to the point, declared he could not shoot, and was sitting with Lucy, nursing Flora. But though she told this as carelessly as any other piece of news, she saw by the warm colour that rushed into Margaret"s face, that she had set her mind at rest for the present.
"Well, Miss Capel," said Mason, as she put the finishing touch to her hair, "you do look splendid to-day, ma"am;" and Mason pushed down the cheval-gla.s.s, that her young lady might take a survey of herself.
"Yes, I am a little flushed by the heat," said Margaret, looking carelessly over her shoulder into the gla.s.s; "put a white rose in my hair."
Mason obeyed. Margaret lingered about the room until she thought dinner was on the point of being announced, and then went quietly into the drawing-room, and sat down out of the way, as she hoped. But Harriet"s quick eye detected her in a moment. Leaving her fan in Mr. Haveloc"s hands, she crossed over to her directly.
"Child! what have you done to make yourself so beautiful," she asked.
"You are all steeped in lilies and roses."
"I have recovered my journey by this time," said Margaret, smiling; "that is all."
"I am playing a game against Lady James," said Harriet. "It has been my amus.e.m.e.nt all day long to cross her. She is trying to get Mr. Haveloc for Miss Campbell. You will see how I manage. I want him for myself."
"For yourself, Harriet?"
"Yes, to flirt with. Now look!"
Dinner was announced. Lady James glanced at Miss Campbell, who was seated by her, and then at Mr. Haveloc, who was standing before her talking.
"My fan, please, Mr. Haveloc!" cried Harriet from the other side of the room.
He had laid it down on one of the tables, and started off to find it.
While he was searching about, with his gla.s.s at his eye, Harriet came up to him.
"Why, there it is. Good gracious! Come, we shall be late;" said she seizing the fan, and taking his arm, she sailed past the discomforted Miss Campbell and Lady James.
Margaret was next to Mr. Gage at dinner, and he entertained her with an account of the morning"s shooting.