L I B R.ARY OF THL U N 1 VER5ITY or ILLINOIS C878m ^ ♦+++» /m^^u S1|ITH & SON'S SUBiOR'iPTION LIBRARY, VV*; ^186, STRAND, LONDON, L^Ati^T THE R AILWAV B OOKSTALLS. 3 ^^TCSUEt NOVELS IsUEb TO AND RE9E1VED FROM SU BSCRIBERS IN SETS ONLY. FOR SUBSCRIBERS OBTAINING tTeI BoSJs, FROM A CW3NTRJ^^B()0KSTALL- ^^^^^ Fer THEEE Volumes „ l 8 o '.'. 2 10 For FOUR „ » "l 15 .. 3 8 Fcr SIX • „ .. •• •* ■■ 3 .. 5 5 book. ...1, l«»«'«>'»Y"i,«y 5|»t''aTn™be, and conJi.l... MR. JERVIS (7 NEW NOVELS AT ALL LIBRARIES. AT MARKET VALUE. By Grant Allen. 2 vols. RACHEL DENE. By Robert Buchanan. 2 vols. A COUNTRY SWEETHEART. By Dora Russell. 3 vols. DR. ENDICOTT'S EXPERIMENT. By Adeline Sergeant. 2 vols. IN AN IRON CRIP. By Mrs. L. T. Meade. 2 vols. LOURDES. By E. Zola, i vol. ROMANCES OF THE OLD SERAGLIO. By H. N. Crellin. I vol. A SECRET OF THE SEA. By T. W. Speight, i vol. THE SCORPION. A Romance of Spain. By E. A. Vizetelly. I vol. London ; CHATTO & WINDUS, Piccadilly. MR. JERVIS BY B. M. CROKER AUTHOR OF PRETTY MISS NEVILLE," " DIANA BARRINGTON," "A BIRD OF PASSAGE, " A FAMILY LIKENESS," ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. I. ilonDon CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY 1894 " Lord of himself, thougli not of lands ; And having nothing, yet hath all." Sir H. Wotton. CBlS-rr^ f^'^'^^^^e V. I CONTENTS OF VOL. I. PAGE A Girl in a Thousand ... ... 1 "Tell me all the News" ... 18 "Other People has Nieces too" c. 27 The Three Young Maids of Hoyle 44 An Indian Letter ... ... ... 58 " RowENA " — Full Life Size ... 71 Fairy relents ... ... ... 91 VIII. Daniel Pollitt, Esq., and Family... 103 Si IX. Permission to Travel ... ... 118 ^ X. Major Byng's Suggestion ... 144 XL A Reserved Lady ... ... ... 158 \ XII. Two Good Samaritans ... ... 176 ^ XIIL Toby Joy ... ... ... ... 191 ^^ XIV. Stealing a March ... ... 208 -f— r CHAPTER a§ I. 11. IIL 1- xJ IV. O V. VI. VII. "n ^ XV. A Proud Moment ... ... ... 221 XVL A Message from Miss Paske ... 242 ^,^oO^^^^^,,^ MR. JERVIS. CHAPTEE I. A GIKL IN A THOUSAND. '' I SUPPOSE I must write, and say she may come. Personally, I shall be delighted to have her ; bat I'm afraid Granby will think a girl in the house rather a bore. Three is such an awkward number in India ! " '^ And sometimes in other places," added a lady who sat on the fender-stool, blowing a great wood fire, with a preposterously small pair of bellows. ^' You know what I mean, Milly," retorted her companion, a handsome, indolent-look- ing woman, who reclined in an easy-chair, with an open letter in her lap. '^ Houses out here are only built for two, as a rule — especially in cantonments. A victoria or VOL. I. B 2 MR. JERVIS. pony-cart holds but two, and two is a mucli more manageable number for dinners and tiffins. Still, I shall be glad to have a girl to chaperon; it will give me an object in life, and more interest in going out." ^^ Could you take more ? " asked the lady with the bellows, casting a sly smile over her shoulder. *^To be sure I could, you disagreeable little creature ! When a woman is no longer quite young, and her days of romance are at an end, the hopes and prospects of a pretty companion give her another chance in the matrimonial lucky-bag — a chance at second-hand, but still sufficiently exciting. Alas ! life after a certain age is like a bottle of flat soda-water." ^^I do not think so," rejoined the lady with the bellows, stoutly. ^' No ; I should be surprised if you did. You are so sympathetic and energetic. You throw yourself heart and soul into Dorcas meetings, bazaars, nurse-tending, and other people's joys or afflictions. Now, A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. 3 my sympathies and energies rarely extend beyond Granby and myself. I am becoming torpid. I can scarcely get up tbe steam for a ball ; even the prospect of cutting out old Mother Brande fails to rouse me. How- ever, when I have a charming niece to marry — and to marry well — things will assume a different aspect. How amusing it will be to eclipse the other girls and their scheming mothers ; how gratifying to see all the best partis in the place grovelling at her feet ! Her triumphs will be mine." And Mrs. Langrishe slowly closed her heavy eyelids, and appeared — ^judging from her expression — to be wrapped in some beatific vision. From this delicious con- templation she was abruptly recalled by the prosaic question — ''How old is she?" ''Let me see — dear, dear me! Yes," sitting erect and opening her fine eyes to their widest extent, "why, strictly between ourselves, she must be twenty-six. How time flies ! She is my eldest brother's 4 MR. JERVIS. daughter, one of a large family. Fanny, my sister in Calcutta, had her out eighteen months ago, and now she is obliged to go home, and wants to hand Lalla over to me." *^I understand," assented her listener, with a sagacious nod. '^ Can you also understand, that, simply because Fanny and I have no children of our own, our people seem to expect us to provide for their olive-branches? I don't quite see it myself, though I do send them my old dresses. Now let me read you my letter," unfolding it as she spoke. " 450, Chowringliee, Feb. 22nd. *^ Deaeest Ida, ^^ The doctors here say that Eichard must positively go home at once. He has been out too long, and it is quite time that another member of the firm took a turn in the East. He has been working hard, and it is essential for him to have a complete holiday; and I must accom- pany him — a step for which I was quite A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. 5 unprepared. I have taken a house at Simla for the season — that I can easily relet and get off my hands ; but what am I to do with dear little Lalla ? '* The poor child only came out last cold weather year, and cannot endure the idea of leaving India — and no wonder, with any number of admirers, and a box of new dresses just landed by the mail steamer ! I had intended giving her such a gay season, and sending Dick home alone ; but now all my nice little schemes have been knocked on the head — how soon a few days, even a few hours, out here alters all one's plans ! And now to come to the gist of my letter — will you take Lalla? I would not trust her with any one but her own aunt, though I know that Mrs. Monty-Kute is dying to have her. You will find her a most amusing companion ; no one could be dull with Lalla in the house. She is a pretty girl, and will do you credit, and is certain to be the belle of the place. She has rather a nice little voice, plays the 6 MR. JERVIS. banjo and guitar, and dances like a pro- fessional. As to lier disposition, nothing in this world is capable of ruffling her serene temper — I cannot think who she takes after, for it is not a family trait — I have never once seen her put out, and that is more than can be said for a girl in a thou- sand. In fact, she is a girl in a thousand. I can send her to you with a lovely outfit, a new habit and saddle, and her pony, if you wish. I am sure, dear, you will re- ceive her if you can possibly manage it; and do your best to get her well settled, for you know poor Eustace has Charlotte and Sophy now quite grown up; even May is eighteen. You are so clever, so popular, so full of sense, dearest Ida — so superior to my stupid self— that if you do consent to take Lalla under your wing, her fortune is practically made. We have engaged passages in the Paramatta, which sails on the twelfth, so write by return of post to *^ Your loving sister, '^ Fanny Ckaufoed." A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. 7 ^' Fanny is quite right/' said Mrs. Lan- grishe, with a sHght tinge of contempt in her tone. ^' She is by no means clever — just an impulsive, good-natured goose, with- out a scrap of tact, and is taken in and imposed on on all sides. I won't have the pony, that is positive, and gram ten seers for the rupee." *' Then you have quite decided to take the young lady ? " exclaimed her companion incredulously. ^^Yes;" now leaning back and clasping two long white hands behind her head. '' Pretty, amusing, accomplished, good- tempered — I don't see how I can possibly say no" this time, though hitherto I have steadily set my face against having out one of my nieces. I have always said it was so dreadfully unfair to Granby. However, this niece is actually stranded in the country, and it would look so odd if I declined ; besides, I shall like to have her ; we shall mutually benefit one another. She will amuse me — rejuvenate me ; be useful 8 MR. JERVIS. in the house — arrange flowers, write notes, read to me, dust the ornaments, make coffee and salad, and do all sorts of little odd jobs, and ultimately cover me with glory by making the match of the season ! " *^ And on your part — what is to be your rbleV ^^I will give her a charming home; I will have all the best men here, and I will take her everywhere; give her, if necessary, a couple of smart new ball- dresses, and that too delicious opera-mantle that has grown too small for me." '^ Or you too large for it — which?" in- quired Mrs. Sladen, with a slight elevation of her eyebrows. '' Milly, how odious you can be ! " '^And about Major Langrishe ? " con- tinued Milly, unabashed. • '* Oh, Granby will be all right ; but I must wTite to Fanny by this post, and say that I shall be delighted to have Lalla. Pour out the tea like a good little creature, whilst I scribble a line ; the dak goes down at six." A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. 9 The other lady, who had kindled the fire and was now making tea, was not, as might be supposed, the mistress of the house, but merely an old friend who had dropped in for a chat this cold March afternoon. She was a slight, delicate-looking woman, w^ith dark hair, dark eyes, and numerous lines on her thin, careworn face, though she was barely thirty. No one ever dreamt of calling Mrs. Sladen pretty, but most women voted her ''a darling," and all men ''a little brick." Married in her teens, before she knew her own mind (but when her relations had thoroughly made up theirs), to an elderly eligible, she had become, from the hour she left the altar, the slave of a selfish, irascible husband, whose mental horizon was bordered by two tables — the dinner-table and the card-table — and whose affections were entirely centred in his own portly person. Milly Fraser's people were on the eve of quitting India; they were poor ; they had a large and expensive family at home ; otherwise they might lO MR. JERVIS. have hesitated before giving their pretty Milly (she was pretty in those days) to a man more than double her age, notwith- standing that he was drawing good pay, and his widow would enjoy a pension. They would have discovered — had they made inquiries — that he was heavily in debt to the banks ; that he could not keep a friend or a servant ; and that, after all, poor young Hastings, of the staff-corps, whom they had so ruthlessly snubbed, would have made a more satisfactory son- in-law. Mrs. Sladen had two little girls in Eng- land, whom her heart yearned over — little girls being brought up among strangers at a cheap suburban school. How often had her husband solemnly promised that ^^ next year she should go home and see the children;" but, when the time came, he invariably hardened his heart, like Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and would not let her go. If she went, who was to manage the house and servants, and see after his A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. 1 1 dinner and Ms comforts ? He was not going to be left in the hands of a khan- samah ! And, moreover, where was the money for her passage to come from ? He had not a rupee to spare (for her). Colonel Sladen was a shrewd man when his own interests were concerned. He was alive to the fact that he was not popular, but that things were made pleasant to him all round for the sake of the unfortunate lady whom he harried, and bullied, and drove with a tongue like the lash of a slaver's whip. Yes; if she went home, it would make a vast difference in his comfort, socially and physically. Many a rude rebuff she had saved him ; many a kindness was done to him for her sake ; and many a woman fervently thanked her good genius that she was not his wife. In spite of her uncongenial partner, Mrs. Sladen managed to be cheerful, and generally bright and smiling, ready to nurse the sick, to decorate the club for dances, to help girls to com- pose ball-dresses, to open her heart to all 12 MR. JERVIS. their troubles, and to give them sympathy and sound advice. *^ Oh, do not marry a man simply because your people wish it," she might have said (but she never did), ^' and merely because he is considered a good match ; far better to go home and earn your bread as a shop-assistant, or even a slavey. Take a lesson from mij fate." Mrs. Langrishe, on the other hand, ruled her dear Granby with a firm but gracious sway. Their match had been made in England, and had proved in one respect a severe and mutual disappointment. Well, *^ disappointment " is an ugly word; shall we say ^* surprise"? Captain Langrishe had been attracted by Ida Paske's hand- some face, stately deportment, and mag- nificent toilettes. He was impressed by her superb indifference to money — rumour endowed her with a large income, and rumour had no real grounds for this agree- able assertion. Ida was one of a numerous family, was good-looking, self-reliant, am- bitious, and eight and twenty. Her dresses A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. 1 3 were unpaid for, and her face was her fortune. She, on her part, believed the insignificant-looking little officer — whose pale profile looked exactly as if it were cut out of a deal board — to be enormously rich. He, too, affected to despise outlay, and kept hunters, and talked of his yacht. He was going to India, immediately, and the wedding was hurried on ; but long ere the happy pair had reached Bombay, they had discovered the real state of affairs. He knew that his bride was penniless ; and she was aware that the hunters had been hired, the yacht had been a loan, and that three hundred a year, besides his pay, was the utmost limit of her husband's purse. They were a wise couple, and made the best of circumstances ; and by - and - by Captain Langrishe came to the conclusion that he had got hold of a treasure, after all ! His Ida was full of tact and worldly wisdom, and possessed administrative powers of the highest order. She imderstood the art of keeping up appearances, and laid to her 14 MR. JERVIS. heart that scriptural text which says, ''As long as thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak well of thee." She ensured her husband a comfortable home, studied his tastes, flattered his weaknesses, was always serene, affectionate, and well-dressed. Her dinners were small but celebrated : her entrees and savouries, a secret between her cook and herself. She did not dispense indiscriminate hospitalities — no, she merely entertained a few important officials, smart women, and popular men, who would be disposed to noise abroad the fame of her dainty feasts, and to pay her back again with interest. Shabby people, and insig- nificant acquaintances, never saw the in- terior of her abode, which was the embodi- ment of comfort and taste. Her dresses were well chosen and costly ; diamonds sparkled on her fingers and on her neck ; and though but till recently a captain's wife, her air and manner of calm self- approval was such, that the wives of higher officials meekly accepted her at her own A GIRL IN A THOUSAND, 1 5 valuation, and frequently suffered Iter to thrust them into the background and usurp their place. Such was her ability, that people took the cue from her, and valued an invitation to afternoon tea with Mrs. Langrishe far above an elaborate dinner with less exclusive hostesses. Neither the furious attacks of her ene- mies (and she had not a few), nor the occasional indiscretions of her friends, ever ruffled the even temperament of this would- be ^^grande dame." It was an astonishing but patent fact that she invariably oc- cupied, so to speak, a chief seat ; that she was always heralded on her arrival at a station — met, entertained, and regretfully sped. Whilst ladies as worthy languished in the dak bungalow, and drove in rickety ticca gharries, she had the carriages of rajahs at her disposal, and was overwhelmed with attentions and invitations. Surely all this was amply sufficient to make these women **talk her over" and hold her at arms' length. Men who knew Captain 1 6 MR, JERVIS. Langrishe's resources marvelled amongst themselves, and said, *' Gran has very little besides his pay ; how the deuce does he do it ? Look at his wife's dresses ! And they give the best dinners in the place. There will be a fine smash there some day ! " But years rolled on, and there was no sign of any such crisis. The truth was that Granby Langrishe had married an exceedingly able woman — a woman who thoroughly under- stood the art of genteel pushing and per- sonal advertisement. She had persistently edged — yea, driven her husband to the front, and he now enjoyed an excellent appointment at the price of the two dewy tears that stood in his Ida's expressive eyes when bemoaning his bad luck to an in- fluential personage. The Langrishes were drawing two thousand rupees a month, — and were held in corresponding esteem. Mrs. Langrishe does not look forty — far from it. She has taken excellent care of herself — no early rising, no midday visiting, for this wise matron. She is tall, with a A GIRL IN A THOUSAND. IJ fine figure, alas ! getting somewhat stout ; her- brows are straight and pencilled ; beneath them shine a pair of effective grey eyes; her features are delicately cut; if her face has a fault, it is that her jaw is a little too square. Whatever people may say of Ida Langrishe, they cannot deny that she is remarkably handsome, and as clever as she is handsome. As a spinster, she had not been entirely successful in her own aims ; but it w^ould go hard, if, with her brains, her circle of acquaintances, and her valuable experience, she did not marry her niece brilliantly. VOL. I. MR, JERVIS. CHAPTER II. TELL ME ALL THE NEWS." The French windows of Mrs. Langrishe's drawing-room opened into a deep stone verandali embowered in honeysuckle and passion flowers, and commanded a match- less view, irrespective of the foreground, in which Mrs. Sladen's rickshaw is the chief feature, or the gravel sweep, grass garden, and beds of pale wintry roses ; but beyond the pineclad hills, among which red roofs are peeping, beyond the valley of rhododen- drons, and a bold purple range, behold the snows ! a long, long barrier of the ever- lasting hills, to such as the eyes of the psalmist had never been lifted. People may whisper that they were disappointed " TELL ME ALL THE NEWS:' 19 in the Taj, that Delhi was a delusion, and the • marble rocks a snare ; but who can declare that the snows were beneath his expectations? And if he were to say so, who would be found to believe him ? The evening breeze is raw and chill, it has travelled sixty miles from those icy slopes, it creeps up the khud, and warns the shivering roses that the sun has set — it stirs the solemn deodars as they stand in dark outline against the sky. Mrs. Langrishe, rising from her writing- table, letter in hand, sweeps back to her friend, who is again sitting on the fender- stool, staring into the fire, thinking, per- chance, of those bygone days when she was a girl whose friends were anxious to get her settled. '' Milly," said her hostess, *^you are passing the post-office, and you can post this for me ; you had better go now, dear, as you know you have had a sore throat, and it is getting late." Mrs. Sladen rose at once ; she was 20 MR, JERVIS. accustomed to being sent on errands and to being made use of by ber intimates. Sbe pulled on ber cbeap gloves, twisted ber stringy boa round ber neck, and beld out ber band for tbe letter tbat was to bring Miss Paske to Sbirani. As ber friend stooped and kissed ber, sbe looked up at ber wistfully, and said — " Ida, if tbis girl comes to you, you won't tbink of ber only as a marketable article, will you ? You will allow ber to marry — if sbe does marry — to please berself, won't you, dear? " ** You silly, romantic little person ! "^ exclaimed tbe otber, patting ber cbeek witb two solid taper fingers. *^ Wbat an absurd question. As if any girl is ever married against ber will in tbese enligbtened days!" Mrs. Sladen made no answer beyond an involuntary sigb. Sbe went out to tbe verandab, and got into ber ricksbaw witbout anotber word and ere sbe was wbirled away, nodded a somewbat melancboly fare- " TELL ME ALL THE NEWS:' 21 well to her handsome, prosperous-looking frien'd who, clad in a rich tea-gown, had framed herself for a moment in the open doorway, and called out imperiously — *^ The post goes at six; you have jus ten minutes." Then, with a shiver, Mrs. Langrishe closed the window and returned to her comfortable fireside. " Poor Milly ! " she muttered, as she warmed one well-shod foot. " She was always odd and senti- mental. Marry to please herself — yes, by all means — but she must also marry to please me/" 7^ 7^ 7^ 7^ *^ A rickshaw (the popular conveyance in the Himalayan hill-stations) is a kind of glorified bath-chair or grown-up perambu- lator, light and smart, and drawn and pushed by four men ; it flies along flat roads and down hills as rapidly as a pony- cart, especially if your Jampannis are racing another team. Mrs. Sladen's rickshaw was old; the hood, of cheap American leather, was 22 MR, JERVIS, cracked and blistered, it had a list to one side, and her Jampannis wore the shabby clothes of last year — but, then, their mistress did the same ! As they dashed down hill, they nearly came into collision with a smart Dyke's cee-spring vehicle, and a quartette of men in brilliant (Eickett's) blue and yellow liveries. The rickshaw contained an elderly lady of ample proportions, with flaxen hair and a good-humoured handsome face surmounting two chins. This was Mrs. Brande, the wife of Pelham Brande, Esq., a distinguished member of the Civil Service. "Kubbardar, kubbardar ! — take care, take care!" she shrieked. Then to Mrs. Sladen, " My gracious ! how you do fly ! but you are a light weight. Well, come alongside of me, my dear, and tell me all the news ; this place is as dull as ditch- water, so few people here. Next year, I shan't come up so early." **I believe every house is taken," said Mrs. Sladen, cheerfully, as they rolled along ''TELL ME ALL THE NEWS.'' 23 side by side. ** Even the Cedars, and the Monastery, and Haddon Hall." " You don't say so ! The chimneys smoke beyond anything. I pity whoever is going there." ** A bachelor, I believe, a Captain Waring, has taken it for the season, as it's close to the mess." "In the regiment that's marching up — the Scorpions? " " No ; I believe he is out of the service, and coming up for the hot weather, and to try and get some shooting in Thibet later on." '^ Then he must have money ? " wagging her head sagaciously. '* Yes, I dare say he has. I'm told it is going to be a gay season." *' That's what they always say," replied Mrs. Brande, impatiently. " I'll believe it when I see it. But I did hear that Mrs. Kane is expecting a brother that is a baronet : he's coming up to see the hiUs ; he has been globe-trotting all winter. And 24 MR. JERVIS. SO you have been up with the Duchess — she's all alone, isn't she ? " ^* Yes, for the present ; but she will soon have a niece with her — a niece from Calcutta." *^ A niece ! " sharply, and leaning half out of the rickshaw. ^* What niece ? " *'Her brother's daughter. Miss Paske; she is said to be very pretty and accom- plished, and attractive in every way." ^^ You need not tell me tliat / " in accents of concentrated contempt. '^ Is Mrs. Lan- grishe the woman to saddle herself with an ugly girl? She'll be having grand parties now ; all the rich young fellows, and the haronet — no poor subalterns, you'll see — and she will get her off her hands in no time. Just the sort of thing she will like, and a fine excuse for having packs of men dangling about the house." ** Oh, Mrs. Brande, you know that is not her style," expostulated her companion. ^^ Well, well, she is your friend — a school- fellow, too — though you must have been in " TELL ME ALL THE NEWS:' 25 the infant-school, so I'll say no more — but you know I am not double-faced, and I cannot abide her, and her airs, and her schemes, and her always pushing herself to the front, and sitting in the general's pew, and being the first to ask that Austrian prince to dinner, and getting up at parties and sailing out before the commissioner's wife — such impudence ! — and people put up with her. If poor little Mrs. Jones was to do such things — and she has a better right, being an honourable's daughter — I'd like to know what would be said? But there's no fear of Mrs. Jones; there's no brass about her,'" and Mrs. Brande gave a bounce, that made the cee-springs quiver ! " Now, Mrs. Brande, you forget that Ida is my friend." "Ay, and better be her friend than her enemy ! Well, here is my turn, and here we part ; and, with a valedictory wave of her podgy hand, in another instant Mrs. Brande was thundering down the narrow 26 MR. JERVIS. road that led to the best house in Sharani — her own comfortable, hospitable dwelling. Mrs. Sladen posted her letter, and went on to the club and reading-room, a long, low building overlooking a series of terraces and tennis-courts, and the chief resort of the whole station. As she entered the gate, she encountered an elderly gentleman, with beetling brows, a coarse grey moustache^ and a portly figure, riding a stout black pony. ^^Been looking for you everywhere," he bellowed; ^' where the mischief have you been ? Swilling tea as usual, I suppose ? Soper and Khodes are coming to take ' pot luck,' so go home at once — and, I say, I hear there is fish at Manockjees', just come up ; call in on your way, and fetch it in the rickshaw." Exit Colonel Sladen to his evening rubber ; exit Mrs. Sladen to carry home much-travelled fish, and possibly to cook the chief portion of the dinner. ( -1 ) CHAPTEE III. OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOO. ?) Mes. Sladen had not only given Mrs. Brande a piece of news ; she had intro- duced her to a grand idea — an idea that took root and grew and flourished in that lady's somewhat empty mind, as she sat alone in her drawing-room over a pleasant wood-fire, which she shared im- partially with a sleek, self-conscious fox- terrier. All the world admitted that once upon a time ** old Mother Brande " must have been a beautiful woman. Even now her fair skin, blue eyes, and chiselled features entitled her to rank as a highly respectable wreck. Who would have thought that 28 MR. JERVIS. refined, fastidious, cynical Pelham Brande would have married the niece of a lodging- house keeper? Perhaps if he had antici- pated the career which lay hefore him — how unexpectedly and supremely successful he was to be, how the fierce light insepa- rable from high places was to beat upon his fair-haired Sarabella — he might have hesitated ere he took such a rash and romantic step. Little did he suppose that his fair-haired Sally, who had waited so capably on him, would one day herself be served by gorgeous scarlet-clad Government chupprassis; or that she was bound to walk out of a room before the wives of generals and judges, and that she would have a '^ position " to maintain ! But who is as wise at two and twenty as he is at fifty- two? At two and twenty Pelham Brande had just passed for the India Civil Service, and was lodging in London; and whilst preparing for the Bar he got typhoid fever, and very nearly died. He was care- fully tended by Mrs. Batt, his landlady, " OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOO:' 29 and her lovely niece Sarabella, wlio was as fair as a June rose, and as innocent as a March lamb. The best medical authorities assure us, that nothing is so conducive to conval- escence as a skilful and pretty nurse, and under the influence of Sara's ministrations Mr. Brande made rapid progress towards recovery, but fell a victim to another malady — which proved incurable. He did not ask his relations for permission or advice, but married his bride one morning at St. Clement Danes, took a week's trip to Dover, and two first-class passages to Bombay. As a rule, junior civihans are despatched without ruth to lonely jungle districts, where they never see another white face for weeks, and their only associates are their native subordinates, their staffs of domestics, and the simple dwellers in the neighbouring villages. Now and then they may chance on an opium official, or a forest officer, and exchange cheroots, and newspapers ; 30 MR. JERVIS. but these meetings are rare. After a busy university career, after an immense strain on the mental faculties, necessary to passing a severe examination, the dead sameness of that life, the silence and lone- liness of the jungle (aggravated by the art- less prattle of the of&ce baboo), is enough to unhinge the strongest mind. Miles and miles from the haunts of his countrymen, from books and telegrams, and the stir and excitement of accustomed associations, the plunge from the roar of the London streets, and life at high pressure, to the life in a solitary up-country district, is indeed a desperate one ; especially if the new-comer's eyes and ears are not open to the great book of Nature — if he sees no beauty in stately peepul-trees, tracts of waving grain, venerable temples, and splendid sunsets ; if he does not care to beat for pig, or shoot the thirsty snipe, but merely sits in his tent door in the cool of the evening, his labours o'er, and languishes for polo, cards, and theatres. Then he may well ''OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOOP 3 1 curse his lot; he is undeniably in a bad way. Pelham Brande had nothing to fear from loneliness or ennui, Sara made him an excellent helpmate. She picked up the language and customs with surprising facility ; she proved a capital housekeeper, and as shamelessly hard at a bargain as any old native hag. But she never took to books, or to the letter " h." For years the Brandes lived in out-of-the-way dis- tricts, and insignificant stations, until by slow degrees his services and abilities con- ducted him to the front. As advancing time promoted him, his wife declined in looks, and increased in bulk, and her tastes and eccentricities became fixed. Pelham was not actually ashamed of his partner, but he was alive to the fact, that, with a cultivated gentlewoman at the head of his establishment, he would have occupied a vastly more agreeable social position. But he never admitted — what his friends loudly affirmed — that, as he sat opposite to Sara 32 MR. JERVIS. day after day, he was also sitting face to face with the one great mistake of his life! Twice he had taken her to Australia for six months, but never (nor did she desire it) to her native land. Once, years ago, he ran home himself, and was received by his relations, as relations generally welcome a wealthy, childless, and successful man. They even brought themselves to ask, somewhat timidly, for Sara; and she, on her part, sent them generous consignments of curry powder, red pepper, and her own special and far-famed brand of chutney. The good lady had not many resources beyond housekeeping. She read the daily paper, and now and then a society novel, if it was plentifully peopled with lords and ladies ; she could write an ordinary note, invitation, or refusal, and a letter (with a dictionary beside her). She was fond of her cows, and poultry, and adored her dog Ben ; gave excellent, but desperately dull dinners; dressed sumptuously in gorgeous ''OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOOr 33 colours ; enjoyed a gossip ; loved a game of whist — and hated Mrs. Langrishe. She lived a monotonous and harmless life, vibrating between the hills and plains each season, with clockwork regularity. As Mrs. Brande sat before her fire, and watched the crackling pinewood, she was not happy. Oflicially she was the chief lady of the place, the '^ Burra mem sahib ; " but clever Mrs. Langrishe was the real leader of society, and bore away all the honours — the kernel, so to speak, of dis- tinction, leaving her but the miserable shell. With a young and pretty girl as her companion, she would be more insuffer- able and more sought after than ever. As it was, she, Sara Brande, could make but little stand against her ; and once her enemy was allied to a charming and popular niece, she might figuratively lay down her arms and die. She was a friendless, deso- late old woman. If her little Annie had lived, it would have been different; and she had no belongings, no nieces. No ! VOL. I. D 34 MR. JERVIS. but — happy thought ! — Pelham had no less than three, who were poor and, by all accounts, pretty. He had helped their mother, his sister, to educate them ; he sent them money now and then. "Why should she not adopt one of these girls, and have a niece also? Yes, she would write herself; she would speak to Pelham that very evening after dinner (it was his favourite dinner). The more she became accustomed to the idea, as she turned it over in her mind, the more she was filled with delight, resolve, and anticipation. The girl's route, steamer, room, dresses, were already chosen, and she was in the act of selecting her future husband, when Mr. Brande entered, brisk and hungry. After dinner, when Mr. Brande was smoking a cigarette, his artfal wife opened the subject next to her heart, and remarked, as she handed him a cup of fragrant coffee — ^^ Pelham, you are often away on tour, are you not ? and I feel uncommon lonely. ''OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOOP 35 I can tell you. I am not as active or as cheerful as I used to be. I'm too old for dancing, and tennis, and riding. Not that I ever was much hand at them." ^^Well, do you want to come on tour? or shall I buy you a pony, or hire you a companion ? " inquired Mr. Brande face- tiously — a clean-shaven, grey-haired man, with thin mobile lips, keen eyes, and, at a little distance, a singularly boyish appear- ance. '* What would you like to do ? " '^I should like to ride and dance by proxy," was the unexpected answer. " Let us ask out one of those Gordon girls, your nieces. I'd be very good to her ; and you know, Pel, I'm a lonely creature, and if our own little Annie had lived, I would not be wanting to borrow another woman's daughter to keep me company." Mr. Brande was surveying his wife with a severely judicial expression ; it relaxed as she spoke of their only child, buried far away, under a tamarind tree, on the borders of Nepaul. 6 MR, JERVIS. Yes, their little Annie would have been five and twenty had she lived, and doubtless as lovely as Sally Batt, who had turned his head, mitigated his success, and whom he rarely repented of having married. ^^Your sister has three girls," she con- tinued, ^' and she is badly off. What is the pension of a colonel's widow? Why, less than some folks give their cooks." *^It is not considerable, certainly, and Carrie finds it hard enough to make both ends meet ; she never was much of a manager. But, Sally, a girl is a great responsibility, and you are not accustomed to young people." ^'No; but I can learn to study them, for I'm fond of them. Say *Yes,' Pel, and I'll write. We will pay her passage, of course, and I'll meet her myself at Allahabad." Mr. Brande tossed the end of his cigarette into the fire, fixed his eye-glass firmly in his eye, and contemplated his wife in silence. At last he said — " OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOO:' ^7 ^^ May I ask what has put this idea into your head all of a sudden ? " ^'It's not — exactly — sudden," she stam- mered; ^^ I've often a sort of lonely feel. But I must truthfully say that I never thought of your niece till to-day^ when I heard that Mrs. Langrishe is getting up one of hers from Calcutta." Mr. Brande jerked the glass hastily on to his waistcoat, and gave a peculiarly long whistle. ^* I see ! And you are not going to be beaten by Mrs. Langrishe — you mean to run an opposition girl, and try which will have the best dresses, the most partners, and be married first? No, no, Sally! I utterly refuse to lend ^myself to such a scheme, or to allow one of Carrie's daughters to enter for that sort of competition." And he crossed his legs, and took another cigarette. "But listen to me. Pel," rising as she spoke ; '^ I declare to you that I won't do what you say, and, any way, yoicr niece SS MR. JERVIS. will be in quite a different position to the Langrishe's girl. I'll be as good to her as if she was my own — I will indeed ! " and her voice trembled with eagerness. *' I'm easy to get on with — look how long I keep my servants," she pleaded. *' These Gordons are your nearest kin; you ought to do something for them. I suppose they will come in for all your money. Your sister is delicate, and if anything happened to her you'd have to take, not one girl, but the whole three. How would you like that? Now, if one of them was nicely married, she would make a home for her sisters." ** You are becoming quite an orator, and there is something in what you say. Well, I'll think it over, and let you know to- morrow, Sally. As to leaving them my money, I'm only fifty-two, and I hope to live to spend a good slice of it myself." And then Mr. Brande took up a literary paper and affected to be absorbed in its contents. But although he had the paper " OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOO:' 39 before him, he was not reading ; he was holding counsel with himself. He had not seen Carrie's girls since they counted their ages in double figures ; they were his nearest of kin, were very poor, and led dull lives in an out-of-the-way part of the world. Yes, he ought to do something, and it would please the old lady to give her a companion, and a pretty, fresh young face about the house would not be disagreeable to himself. But what would a refined and well-educated English girl think of her aunt, with her gaudy dresses, bad grammar, mania for precedence, and brusque, uncon- ventional ways ? Well, one thing was certain, she would soon discover that she had a generous hand and a kind heart. The next morning Mr. Brande, having duly slept on the project, gave his consent and a cheque, and Mrs. Brande was so dazzled with her scheme, and so dazed with all she had to think of, that she added up her bazaar account wrong, and gave the cook a glass of vinegar in mistake for 40 MR. JERVIS. sherry — which same had a fatal effect on an otherwise excellent pudding. In order to compose her letter comfort- ably, and without distraction, Mrs. Brande shut herself up in her own room, with writing materials and dictionary, and told the hearer to admit no one, not even Mrs. Sladen. After two rough copies and two hours' hard labour, the important epistle was finished and addressed, and as Mrs. Brande stamped it with a firm hand, she said to herself aloud — "I do trust Ben won't be jealous. I hope he will like her ! " Being mail day, Mrs. Brande took it to the post herself, and as she turned from dropping it into the box, she met her great rival coming up the steps, escorted by two men. Mrs. Langrishe was always charming to her enemy, because it was bad style to quarrel, and she knew that her pretty phrases and pleasing smiles infuriated the other lady to the last degree ; and she said, as she cordially offered a neatly gloved hand — " OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOO:' 4 1 **How do you cZof I have not seen you for ages ! I know it's my business to call, as I came up last; but, really I have so many engagements, and such tribes of visitors ' ' *^ Oh, pray don't apologize!" cried Mrs. Brande, reddening ; '^ I'd quite forgotten — I really thought you had called ! " (May Sara Brande be forgiven for this terrible falsehood.) It was now Mrs. Langrishe's turn to administer a little nip. '^ Of course you are going to dine at the Maitland-Perrys' next week ? " (well know- ing that she had not been invited). ^^ Every one who is amjhody is to be there. There are not many up yet, it is so early ; but it will be uncommonly smart — as far as it goes — and given for the baronet ! " ^^ No, I am not going, I have not been asked," rejoined Mrs. Brande with a gulp. She generally spoke the truth, however much against the grain. '' Not asked ! how very odd. Well," with 42 MR. JERVIS. a soothing smile, " I dare say they will have you at their next. I hear that we are to expect quite a gay season." ^^And I was told that there will be no men." ^'Eeally! That won't affect you much, as you don't ride, or dance, or go to picnics ; but it is sad news for poor me, for I am expecting a niece up from Calcutta, and I hope the place will be lively." ^*But I do mind, Mrs. Langrishe, just as much as you do," retorted the other, with a triumphant toss of her head. "" Perhaps you may not be aware that I am expecting a niece, too ? " (How could Mrs. Langrishe possibly divine what the good lady herself had only known within the last few hours ? ) "Yours is from Calcutta, but mine is all the way from England ! " And her glance inferred that the direct Europe importation was a very superior class of consignment. Then she added, *' Other people has nieces too, you see ! " And with a mag- nificent bow, she flounced down the steps, *' OTHER PEOPLE HAS NIECES TOO:' 43 bundled into her rickshaw, and was whirled away. Mrs. Langrishe stood watching the fonr blue and yellow jampannis, swiftly vanishing in a cloud of dust, with a smile of malicious amusement. *^ Other people has nieces too, you see ! " turning to her companions with admirable mimicry. *' She is not to be outdone. What fun it is ! Cannot you fancy what she will be like — Mrs. Brando's niece, all the way from England ? If not, I can inform you. She will have hair the colour of barley-sugar, clothes the colours of the rainbow, and not an ' h ' ! " 44 ^^IR- JERVis. CHAPTER IV. THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. It was true that Mrs. Gordon and Iier daughters resided in a dull, out-of-the-way- part of the world ; but they could not help themselves. They lived at Hoyle, in the first instance, because it was cheap ; and, in the second place, because living at Hoyle had now become second nature to Mrs. Gordon, and nothing short of a fire or an earthquake could remove her. Hoyle is in the south of England, within a stone's throw of a shingly beach, and commands a full view of the white shores of France. It is an old-fashioned hamlet, at least fifty years behind the age, where the curfew is still sounded, the sight of a THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 45 telegraph envelope is only interpreted as a messenger of death, and is cut off from the bustling outer world by the great ex- panse of Eomney Marsh. In deference to this fin de siecle age, a single line of rail crawls across the seaside desert, and once or twice a day a sleepy train stops just one mile short of the village. The village of Hoyle was once a chartered town, and was built many centuries before trains were in- vented. It was even out of the track of the lively stage-coaches, and owed its wealth and rise — and fall — entirely to its con- venient proximity to the sea, its seclusion, its charming view of the opposite coast. Yes, its solid prosperity — low be it spoken — was due to smuggling. The High Street is lined by picturesque red-brick houses, which- are occupied by the descendants of — shall we say sailors ? — a well-to-do primi- tive, most respectable community, though from yonder upper window the present tenant's grandfather shot a preventive officer stone dead ; and in the chimney of 46 MR, JERVIS. the next cottage (a most innocent-looking abode) three men who were in trouble lay concealed for a whole week. The capacious cellars of the Cause is Altered inn, were, within living memory, no strangers to bales of silk and casks of brandy. Between the village and the inn there stands a solid old red house, with a small enclosed garden in front, and a paved foot- path leading to its mean little green hall- door. The windows are narrow, the rooms irregular, and the ceilings absurdly low — but so is the rent. It suits its tenants admirably ; it is warm, roomy, and cheap ; it boasts of a fine walled garden at the rear, of acres of cellarage, and is known by the name of Merry Meetings. This jovial designation is not of modern date, but points back to the grand old days when it was the residence of the chief man in Hoyle ; when it was club, bank, receiving- hou^e, and fortress. Many were the carousals that took place in Mrs. Gordon's decent panelled parlour. To what grim THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 47 tales and strange oaths have its walls given ear ! There have been merry meetings, of a much tamer description in the present time, when the maidens of the neighbour- hood have gathered round the table, and chatted and laughed over cups of honest tea, brewed in Mrs. Gordon's thin old silver teapot. Pretty girls have discussed dress, tennis, and weddings, where formerly weather-beaten, bearded men assembled to celebrate the safe arrival of a newly-run cargo, and to appraise filmy laces, foreign silks, and cigars, and to quaff prime cognac and strange but potent waters. The widow and her daughters have occu- pied Merry Meetings for fifteen years, ever since the death of Colonel Gordon. He had retired from the service and settled down near a garrison town, intending to turn his sword into a ploughshare ; but in an evil moment he ventured his all in a tempting speculation, hoping thereby to double his income ; but instead of which, alas ! water came into the Wheal Eebecca, 48 MR. JERVIS. and swept away every penny. Seeing nothing between him and the poor-house but a small pension, Colonel Gordon was not brave enough to face the situation, and died of a broken heart — though it was called a rapid decline — leaving his widow and three little girls to struggle with the future as best they could. Colonel Gordon's connections were so furious with him for losing his money, that they sternly refused to assist his widow; therefore she meekly collected the remains of the domestic wreck, and retired to Hoyle with her children and an old servant, who had strongly recommended her native place, where her ^* mistress could live in peace and quiet until she had time to turn herself round and make plans." Mrs. Gordon took Merry Meeting, which was partly furnished, for three months, and had re- mained there for fifteen years. Her plans were still undeveloped ; she constantly talked of moving, but never got beyond that point. Occasionally she would say. THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 49 *^ Well, girls, I really will give notice this term. We must move ; we must decide something. I will write to a house agent. And, Honor, you need not mind getting the garden seeds, or having the kitchen whitewashed." But when to-morrow came these plans had melted into air, and the garden-seeds were set, and the kitchen renovated, as usual. Mrs. Gordon was something of an invalid, and became more lethargic year by year, and a prey to an incurable habit of procras- tination. She resigned her keys, purse, and authority into the hands of her eldest daughter, and contented herself with taking a placid interest in the garden, the weather, the daily paper, and sampling various new patent medicines. She still retained the remains of remarkable personal beauty and a fascination of manner that charmed all who came in contact with her, from the butcher's boy to the lord of the soil. People said that it was shamefully unfair to her girls, the way in which Mrs. Gordon buried VOL. I. E 50 MR. JERVIS. herself — and them — alive. She never made the smallest effort to better their lot, but contented herself with sitting all day in a comfortable easy-chair, making gracious remarks and looking handsome, stately, and languid. Life was monotonous at Merry Meetings. Two or three tennis-parties in summer, two or three carpet-dances in winter, now and then a day's shopping in Hastings, were events which were varied by long gray stretches of uneventful calm. The daily paper was a most welcome arrival ; and the Miss Gordons entertained as eager an ex- pectation of letters, of stirring news, of '' something coming by the post," of ^^some- thing happening," as if they lived in the midst of a large and busy community. And what of the three Miss Gordons ? Jessie, the eldest, is twenty-six, and quite surprisingly plain. She has pale eyes and a dark complexion, instead of dark eyes and a pale complexion, also a nose that would scarcely be out of place in a bur- THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 5 1 lesqne. She is clever, strong-willed, and practical, and manages the whole family with admirable tact, including Susan, the domestic treasure. Jessie Gordon's name is well known as the author of pretty stories in girls' and children's magazines. She earns upwards of a hundred a year by her pen (which she generally adds to the common purse), and is regarded by her neighbours with a certain amount of pride, slightly tempered with uneasiness. Supposing she were to put some of her friends into a book ! However, they criticize her work sharply to her face, make a great virtue of purchasing the magazines in which her tales appear, and magnify her merits, fame, and earnings to all outsiders. Fairy, whose real name is Flora, comes next to Jessie in age ; she is about two and twenty, and has a perfectly beautiful face — a face to inspire poets and painters, fault- less in outline, and illumined by a pair of pathetic blue eyes. A most delicate 52 MR. JERVIS. complexion — of which every care, reasonable or unreasonable, is taken — and quantities of fine sunny brown hair, combine to complete a vision of loveliness. Yes, Fairy Gordon is almost startlingly fair to see ; and seen seated at a garden-party or in a ball-room, all the strange men present instantly clamour for an introduction ; and when it has been effected, and the marvellously pretty girl rises to dance, behold she is a dwarf — a poor little creature, with a shrill, harsh voice, and only four feet four inches in height ! Her figure is deceptive — the body very long in proportion to the limbs. Many and many a shock has Fairy ad- ministered to a would-be partner. Did she ever read their consternation in their faces ? Apparently never; for no matter who re- mained at home, Fairy could not endure to miss an entertainment, even a school feast or a children's party. It was an un- written family law that Fairy must always come first, must always be shielded, petted, indulged, amused, and no one subscribed THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 53 to this rule more readily than the second Miss Gordon herself. She was keenly alive to her own beauty, and talked frankly to her intimates of her charms ; but she never once referred to her short stature, and her sisters but rarely alluded to the fact between themselves, and then with bated breath. Even six inches would have made all the difference in the world ; but four feet four was — well, remarkable. Of course the neighbours were accustomed to Fairy — a too suggestive name. They remembered her quite a little thing, a lovely spoilt child, a child who had never grown up. She was still a little thing, and yet she was a woman - — a woman with a sharp tongue and a despotic temper. Fairy had true fairy-like fingers. She embroidered exquisitely, and made considerable sums doing church needlework, which sums were exclusively devoted to the decoration of her own little person. She was also a capital milliner and amateur dressmaker; but she had no taste for music, literature, housekeeping, or 54 MR. JERVIS. for any of the ^' daily rounds, the common tasks." She left all those sort of things to her sisters. Honor, the youngest Miss Gordon, is twenty years of age, slight, graceful, and tall — perhaps too tall. She might have spared some inches to her small relative, for she measures fairly five feet eight inches. She has an oval face, dark grey eyes, dark hair, and a radiant smile. In a family less distinguished by beauty she would have been noteworthy. As it is, some people maintain that in spite of Fairy's marvellous colouring and faultless features, they see more to admire in her younger sister — for she has the beauty of expression. Honor is the useful member of the family. Jessie could not arrange flowers, cut out a dress, or make a cake, to save her life. Honor can do all these. She has a sort of quick, magic touch. Everything she undertakes looks neat and dainty, from a hat to an apple-pie. Her inexhaustible spirits corre- spond with her gay, dancing eyes, and she THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 55 is the life and prop of the whole establish- ment. She plays the violin in quite a remarkable manner. Not that she has great execution, or can master difficult pieces, but to her audience she and her violin seem one, and there is a charm about her playing that listeners can neither explain nor resist. The youngest Miss Gordon has her faults. Chief of these, is an undesirable bluntness and impudent recklessness of speech — a deplorable fashion of introducing the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, no matter how unwelcome or how naked ■ — and a queer, half-absent, and wholly disconcerting way of thinking aloud. Her friends (who are many) declare that she is young, and will grow out of these peculiarities, and at any rate she is by far the most popular of the three sisters ! One gusty March morning, the sea dis- played towering grey waves, with cream- coloured crests, the rain beat noisily against 56 MR. JERVIS. the window in which Jessie Gordon stood waiting for the kettle to boil, and watching for the postman. Here he came at last, striding up the paved path in his shining oilskins, and with a thundering bang, bang ! he is gone. ^^ The paper, a coal bill, and an Indian letter," said Jessie to Fairy, who, wrapped in a shawl, was cowering over the fire. *' I'll take them upstairs whilst you watch the kettle. Mrs. Gordon always breakfasted in bed, to ^' save trouble," she declared, but to whom she omitted to mention. She turned the letters over languidly, and exclaimed — *^ One from India from Sara Brande. Wonders will never cease ! What can she want ? Well, let me have my tea at once, and when I have read her epistle, T will send it down to you. And, here — you can take the paper to Fairy." Jessie returned to her tea-making — she and Honor took the housekeeping week about. In the middle of breakfast, Susan THE THREE YOUNG MAIDS OF HOYLE. 57 stalked into the room — an unusual occur- rence — and said — '' Miss Jessie, the mistress is after pulling down the bell-rope. I thought the house was on fire. You are to go upstairs to her this minute." Jessie was absent about a quarter of an hour, and when she appeared, beaming, and with a letter in her hand, she had such an air of suppressed exultation, that it was evident to her sisters, even before she opened her lips, that the long-expected *' something " had happened at last. 58 MR. JERVIS. CHAPTER V. AN INDIAN LETTEE. '* Geeat, great news, girls ! " cried Jessie, waving the letter over her head. ^* Mrs. Brande — I mean Aunt Sally — has written to ask one of us to go out and live with her, and she seems quite certain that her offer will be accepted, for she encloses a cheque for outfit and passage-money. It is a short invitation, too ; whoever elects to see India must start within the next fortnight." Honor and Fairy gazed at one another incredulously, and Fairy's delicate com- plexion changed rapidly from pink to crimson, from crimson to white. '^ I'll read it to you," continued Jessie, AN INDIAN LETTER, 59 sitting down as she spoke. ^' The writing is peculiar, and some of the words are only underlined four times. Ahem ! " ' Eookwood, Shirani. '•^ ^ Dear Sister-in-law, ^* ' It is not often that I take up my pen, but I have something most impor- tant to say to you. I am not as young as I was, and I feel the want of some sort of company. Pelham is away a good deal, and I am left alone with Ben ; he is the best-hearted creature in the world, and knows every word I say, but he can't talk, nor help in the housekeeping, nor go to balls and church, being only a dog. What would you think of letting me have one of your girls ? You have three, and might spare one. Indeed, three unmarried daughters must be a really terrible anxiety to any mother. We expect to be home in about a year, so if the worst comes to the worst, you will have her back again in twelve months' time. Whoever you send, 6o MR. JERVIS. you may be sure I will be a mother to her, and so will Pelham. She shall have the best of everything in the way of society and clothes, and I guarantee that she only knows the nicest heaux^ and that she will be very happy. The hot weather is coming on, and travelling after April is dangerous, both by land and sea, so I would like you to send her as soon as possible. She ought to start not later than a fortnight after you receive this, otherwise, it will be no use her coming at all. She could not set out again till October, and it would not be worth her while to come to us for six months. Pel encloses a cheque for her passage, and thirty-five pounds extra for boxes, gloves, petticoats, etc. I prefer to devise her dresses myself , and will turn her out smart. No doubt you are not in the way of seeing the new fashions, and we are uncommonly dressy out here. If she could be in Bombay by the middle of April, I could meet her at Allahabad and bring her up,' for I don't approve of girls travelling AN INDIAN LETTER. 6 1 alone. Pel is anxious, too, and hopes you won't refuse us. You know he has a good deal in his power ; your girls are his next- of-kin., and a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse — of course, not meaning that you are a blind horse. This place is gay in the season, and has plenty of tamashas ; as for snakes, there is no such thing ; and with regard to climate, you can make your- self quite easy. *^ ^ The climatological conditions of these hill-districts are a most important element in their physical geography, and will there- fore require to be treated at considerable length. An extensive discussion of the meteorology cannot be attempted, but snfiQcient data have already been collected to serve as a basis for general description of the climate. In this respect the Hima- layas, on account of their less distance from the equator, present many points of advantage as compared with the Alps and other European mountains.' " (The above, with the exception of the italics, had 62 MR. JERVIS. been boldly copied from a gazetteer found in Mr. Brande's writing-room.) ^^ ' There is generally a fair sprinkling of young men, and of course we entertain a great deal. She shall have a nice quiet pony, and a new riclsliaw, so we shall expect her without fail. Love to your daughters, and especially to our one. ' ' ' Yours truly, ^^ ' Sakabella Beande.' '^ Now, what do you think of that ? " inquired Jessie, looking alternately at her two staring sisters. ** I say that it is a hoax, of course ! Some joke of yours, Jessie," returned Honor, with a playful snatch at the letter. '^ What is all that gibberish about Uncle Pelham being a mother to one, and mother not being a blind horse, and the climatological condition of the hills, not to mention the snakes and the beaux f You ought to be ashamed — I could have done it better myself." AN INDIAN LETTER. 63 *^Read it — examine the post-mark," said Jessie, now flinging it on the table. Yes, there was no room for doubt ; it was a hona-fide Indian epistle. As Honor turned it over critically, she suddenly exclaimed — ^' Have you seen this — the gem of the whole production— the postscript ? " Both sisters bent forward eagerly, and there, just at the top of the last and other- wise blank sheet, was scribbled as a hasty afterthought — ^'P.S. — Be sure you send the pretty one." ^^ She must be a most original old person," said Honor, with sparkling eyes. ^' And, in the name of Dr. Johnson, what is a 'tamasha'?" '^ Ask me something easier," rejoined Jessie. *' Then what does mother say to this remarkable invitation ? " ^* You might know better than to ask that ! " broke in Fairy, who had been listening with evident impatience. ^^In 64 MR. JERVIS. this family it is, ' What does Jessie say ? ' What do you say, Jess ? " "I say, never refuse a good offer. It is only for twelve months ; and, of course, one of us must go ! " " Then, will yon go ? " inquired Fairy, with elevated brows. ^' Am I the pretty one ? " Jessie demanded sarcastically. ^^I should be bundled back by the next steamer." ^^ No, of course ; I never thought of that," rejoined her sister, meditatively. " I am the pretty one ; there has never been any question of that — has there, girls ?" '^ No, never," returned Jessie, in her most matter-of-fact tone, and she and Honor exchanged stealthy glances. For some seconds Fairy seemed buried in thought, as she drew patterns on the table-cloth with a fork. At last she looked up, and exclaimed — '^ It is only for twelve months as you say, Jess; twelve months soon fly round." And she threw back her shawl, and leant AN INDIAN LETTER. 65 her elbows on the table. *^ Never refuse a good offer — such as a pony, a rickshaw — whatever that is — the new dresses, the best society, the best beaux!''' and she burst into a peal of shrill laughter, as she ex- claimed, " Do you know, girls, that I think I shall go ! " A pause, the result of utter stupefaction, followed this unexpected announcement, ^^Yes," she continued, with increased animation, '^ I believe I should like it, of all things. The idea grows on me. I am thrown away here. What is the use of a pretty face if it is never seen ? Did she say thirty-five pounds for outfit ? I can make that go a long way. I don't take yards of stuff, like you two giantesses. My tailor-made and my spring dress are new. I'll just run up and talk it over with the mater." And she pushed back her chair, and bustled out of the room. Jessie and Honor remained gazing at one another across the table, in dead sug- gestive silence, which was at last broken TOL. I. F 66 MR. JERVIS. by Jessie, who said in a tone of quiet despair — "' I wish that ridiculous letter had never come. At first I thought it a capital thing. I thought you ought to accept." **I!" cried Honor; ^^ and, pray, why should you select mef ^^ For half a dozen excellent reasons ; you are pretty, young, bright, and popular. You have a knack of making friends. All the people about here and in the yillage would rather have your little finger than the rest of us put together. You walk straight into their hearts, my love, and therefore you are the most suitable member of this family to be despatched to India to ingratiate yourself with our rich re- lations." ^^ Your fine compliments are wasted, Jess — your ^ butter ' thrown away — for I am not going to India." '^ No ; and Fairy has ere this selected her steamer and travelling costume ; if she has made up her mind to go, nothing will AN INDIAN LETTER. 67 stop her — and Uncle Pelham and Aunt Sally have never been told that Fairy is — is — so small. What will they say?" re- garding her sister with awestruck eyes and a heightened colour. What, indeed, would Mrs. Brande — who was already boasting of her niece from England, and loudly trumpeting the fame of the lovely girl she expected — say to Fairy ? What would be her feelings when she was called upon to welcome a remark- ably pretty little dwarf f '^ It must be prevented," murmured Honor. ** She cannot be allowed to go." '^ Is Fairy ever prevented from doing what she wishes ? " asked Jessie, with a solemn face. To this pertinent question her sister could find no adequate reply. After a pause she rose and said — '^ Let us go upstairs, and hear what she is saying to mother." Mrs. Gordon was sitting up in bed with a flushed face and anxious expression, 68 MR. JERVIS. listening to the brilliant description of Fairy's future career in India. Fairy, with both elbows on the bed, and her pointed chin in her hands, was rapidly enumerating her new dresses, and wonder- ing how soon they would be ready, declaring how fortunate it was that she had a quantity of patterns in the house, and that if her mother would only advance twenty pounds she could do wonders. She talked so inces- santly, and so volubly, that no one had a chance of advising, objecting, or putting in one single word. Her mother and sisters listened in enforced, uneasy silence, to the torrent of this little creature's almost im- passioned eloquence. ^^ It will take a fortnight to get ready," she said. ^^ This is the fifteenth of March ; what a scurry there will be ! You two girls will have to sew your fingers to the bone — won't they, mother ? " Her mother faltered a feeble assent. '^ I shall want at least twelve gowns and half a dozen hats. I must go into Hastings AN INDIAN LETTER. 69 to-morrow." She paused at last, with scarlet cheeks, and quite breathless. ^' There is nearly a week before the mail goes out," ventured Jessie; ^' and it is rather too soon to decide yet. The letter only came an hour ago, and there is much to be considered, before mother can make up her mind as to which of us she can spare, and " ^^ The whole thing is quite settled," inter- rupted Fairy in her sharpest key — Jessie was not her favourite sister — '^ only you are always so fond of interfering and managing every one, from mother down. Aunt Sara expressly asked for the pretty one; you saw it in black and white, and mother says I am to please myself — did you not, mother?" appealing to her parent, whose eyes sank guiltily before the reproachful gaze of her eldest daughter. Nevertheless she bravely sighed out — ** Yes, Fairy, I suppose so." u There ! " cried Fairy, triumphantly. " You see mother has decided, and I have yo MR. JERVIS. decided. I am not like some people, who take weeks to make up their minds, espe- cially when moments are precious. I must write a quantity of letters for the early post. Honor, do you remember the name of Mrs. Travers' dressmaker? and do you think I should get a habit and riding-boots ? " ( 71 ) CHAPTEE VI. ** KOWENA " FULL LIFE SIZE. The astonishing news that had come to Merry Meetings, was soon shared by the entire village, thanks to Susan's sister, who filled the post of messenger and charwoman. The letter was warmly discussed, in the sanded parlour of The Cause is Altered inn, over the counter at Hogben's the grocer, at the rectory, at Dr. Banks', and also by the Trevors — the family at the hall — a family to whom the Misses Gordon were indebted for most of their trivial gaieties. Opinion, whether in hall or tap- room, was for once unanimous. Of course one of the Gordons must accept her rich uncle's offer, and that without any foolish ^2 , MR. JERVIS. or unnecessary delay. Although it was a wet afternoon, Cara and Sophy Trevor, Mrs. Banks, the rector, and Mrs. Kerry, arrived almost simultaneously at Merry Meetings, and half filled the drawing- room ; which was of moderate size, with a southern aspect, and deep comfortable window - seats. The furniture was old- fashioned, and the carpet threadbare, but a few wicker chairs, a couple of Persian rugs, a quantity of pictures, books, flowers, and needlework, covered many deficiencies ; it was the general sitting-room of the family, and if not always perfectly tidy, was at any rate delightfully home - like, vastly different to so many of its name- sakes, which have a fire on stated days ; gaunt, formal apartments, solely devoted to visitors. Mrs. Gordon's friends dropped in at all hours, but chiefly at five o'clock, and the tea and hot cakes, dispensed at Merry Meetings, were considered unequalled in those parts. Behold a selection of Mrs. Gordon's " ROWENA'' — FULL LIFE SIZE. 73 nearest neighbours gathered eagerly round her hearth, whilst Honor made tea in thin, old shallow cups. ''We all met at the gate!" explained Cara Trevor, '' and have come, as you see, to call on you in a body, to hear your news with our very own ears. Is it true, dear lady, that one of the girls is going out to India immediately ? " ''Yes," replied Mrs. Gordon. "I heard from my sister-in-law this morning, she and my brother are most anxious to have one of their nieces on a visit ; they give us very short notice — only a fortnight. Honor, my love, Cara will take another cake." " No, no, thank you," cried Miss Trevor, impatiently. " Pray do go on, and tell me all about this delightful invitation, Honor. Where is your uncle ; in what part of India?" " He is at Shirani, a hill station, most of the year. I believe he has rather a good appointment, something to do with the revenue." 74 MR. JERVIS. "I know all about Shirani," answered Sophy Trevor, with an air of unusual importance. " We had a cousin quartered there once; it is a capital place for shoot- ing, dancing, picnics, and tennis-parties — so different to this dead and alive Hoyle. It really ought to be spelt without the y, I wish some one would ask me to India. I would be ready to start to-night, with just a couple of basket-trunks and a dressing-bag. Which of you is going ? I suppose you have not thought of it yet?" but she looked straight at Honor. ^^ Oh, it is quite settled," rejoined Fairy, in her clear shrill voice. ^' It was decided at once, as there is not a second to spare. You are to lose me," and she laughed affectedly. She had an extraordinarily loud laugh for such a little woman. But there was no responding echo — no, not even a smile ; on the contrary, an expression of blank consternation settled down on every countenance. Mrs. Banks was the first to recover the " ROWENA'' — FULL LIFE SIZE. 75 power of speech, as with a somewhat hysterical giggle, she remarked to the com- pany the self-evident fact — ^^ I suppose the Indian mail came in to-day?" ''Yes," responded Jessie, adding signifi- cantly, " and goes out on Thursday, so we have not sent an answer to Uncle Pelham as yet." '' He does not know what is in store for him," murmured Mrs. Kerry to Mrs. Banks, as she rose and put her tea- cup on a table beside her. Meanwhile Fairy had produced a number of bundles of patterns of dress materials, and requested the two Miss Trevors to give an opinion of their merits. This created a merciful diversion. Most women enjoy turning over patterns, even patterns for mourning, and in desultory talk about dressmakers and chiffons, the visit came to a close. "■ Did you ever hear such an utterly crazy notion ? " cried Mrs. Banks, as soon as she and the two Miss Trevors were 76 MR. JERVIS. outside the hall door. ^^ I could scarcely believe my senses." ** And no wonder," said Sophy Trevor. ^' She should not be allowed to go ; but she is so desperately obstinate, that if she has made up her mind to start, all England will not stop her." ^^ My husband shall stop her," returned Mrs. Banks, emphatically. ^' He shall put it on her health, and say that she is too delicate, and that the climate will kill her ! " ^' I doubt if even that would keep her at home," said Cara, who knew Fairy well. ^' How wretched Mrs. Gordon looked. Fairy is her idol, and turns her round her little finger, and I like Fairy the least of the family — she is so selfish and so vain. Poor Honor is her slave, and indeed they all give in to her far too much ; but if they allow her to go out to India, they will never see a penny of their rich uncle's money. He is expecting a nice, comely, ordinary girl, not a little monster ! " '' ROW EN A'' — FULL LIFE SIZE. 77 *' Oh, Cara ! " protested her sister, in a deeply shocked voice. " Well, you know she is a monster of selfishness and vanity," retorted Cara with unabashed persistence. The Eev. James Kerry, who was trudging behind with his wife, displayed an unusually elongated upper lip — sure sign of excessive mental perturbation. ** Preposterous ! " he exclaimed. '^ That child exercises a most baneful influence over her parent. I must see Mrs. Gordon alone, and reason her out of this insane project." ^' And so you will, no doubt, in five minutes," assented his partner briskly, *^ and as soon as you have left. Fairy will reason her back again. Surely, my dear, you know Mrs. Gordon ? The whole matter rests in Fairy's hands, and our only hope is that she may change her mind, or get the influenza, and there is but little chance of either." It was now the turn of the Eev. James yS MR. JERVIS. to expostulate angrily with his com- panion. ***** The next three days were a period of unexampled misery to most of the inmates at Merry Meetings. Fairy was feverishly gay and feverishly busy. Though a severe cold kept her at home, she was never separated from her beloved patterns, no, not even when in bed. Most of her time was spent in writing to shops, making calculations in pencil, trimming hats, and searching through fashion-plates. She now had but two topics of conversation, India and dress. Meanwhile her mother and sisters looked on, powerless, and in a manner paralyzed by the sturdy will of this small autocrat. In these days there was considerable traffic to and fro from Merry Meetings, and an unusual amount of knocks and rings at Mrs. Gordon's modest little green hall door. The postman, instead of bringing one paper and a meagre envelope as of yore, now staggered under '' ROWENA " — FULL LIFE SIZE. 79 a load of large brown-paper parcels, and an immense variety of card-board boxes. Telegrams were an every^day arrival, and letters poured in by the dozen. Fairy's preparations were advancing steadily, though her sisters whispered gravely to one another, that "she must not be allowed to go." Who was to prevent her? Not her mother, who sat in her usual armchair, looking harassed and woe-begone, and now and then heaved heartrending sighs and applied a damp pocket-handkerchief to her eyes. Not the rector. He had reasoned with Fairy long and, as he believed, eloquently ; but in vain. He pointed out her mother's grief, her great reluctance to part with her favourite child, her own uncertain health, but he spoke to deaf ears ; and Dr. Banks, despite his wife's proud boast, fared but little better. He solemnly assured Fairy that she was not fit to go to India, to undertake the long journey alone ; and, whatever her aunt might say, the climate 8o MR. JERVIS. was only suited to people with robust constitutions. ^^Was she robust?" he demanded with asperity. *'He knew best," she retorted in her pertest manner. *' One thing she did know, she was going. Her aunt had especially invited her, and why should she not have some amusement and see something of the world? instead of being buried alive at Hoyle. It was not living, it was mouldering." "At any rate she would live longer at Hoyle than in India," the doctor angrily assured her. He was furious with this selfish, egotistical scrap of humanity, who had always secured the best of everything that fell to the lot of her impoverished family. " As for amusement," he continued, " she would not find it very amusing to be laid up perhaps for weeks. She was a feverish subject, had she thought of the sicknesses that periodically scourged the East — cholera and small-pox ? " Fairy, who was constitu- " ROWENA ''—FULL LIFE SIZE. 8 1 tionally nervous, shuddered ^visibly. */ Had she thought of long journeys on horse-back, she who shrieked if the donkey cocked his ears ! She was, in his opinion, much too deHcate and too helpless to think of leaving home." Her determination was somewhat shaken by Dr. Banks' visit, and by a feverish cold ; was it a foretaste of India already ? But where filial duty and fear had failed to move her, vanity stepped in, and secured a complete surrender ! The spoiled child of the family was sitting alone in the drawing-room late one after- noon, sewing pleasant anticipations and serious misgivings, alternately, into a smart silk blouse, when her thoughts were suddenly scattered by a loud and unfamiliar double knock. She heard a man's voice in the hall, and had barely time to throw off her shawl, and give her hair a touch before the glass, when Susan announced, **Mr. Oscar Crabbe." He was a rising artist who had been staying in the neighbourhood at VOL. I. G 82 MR. JERVIS. Christmas, and had made no secret of his profound admiration for Miss Fairy Gordon, from a purely professional standpoint. Oscar Crabbe was a good-looking man, with a pleasant voice, a luxuriant brown beard, and an off-hand, impetuous manner. "Pray excuse my calling at this un- ceremonious hour," he said as he advanced with a cold, outstretched hand. " I believe it is long after five o'clock ; but, as I was passing, I thought I would drop in on chance of finding some one at home. How are your mother and sisters ? " " My mother is lying down with a nervous headache; my sisters are shopping in Hastings, so you will have to put up with me," said Fairy, coquettishly. " And you are the very person I most wish to see," returned Mr. Crabbe, drawing his chair closer as he spoke. "I want to ask you to do me a tremendous favour — I want to paint your portrait for next year's academy." " My portrait ? " she echoed tremulously. '' ROWENA" — FULL LIFE SIZE, 83 '^ Yes ; I said something to you at Christmas, you may remember." *^ I thought you were joking." ^* No, indeed ! I was simply feeling my way ; and, if you will honour me with a few sittings, I shall be deeply grateful. I pro- pose to paint you as Eowena — full life size. You are an ideal Eowena." ^* And when?" ''• Oh, not for some months— not before autumn. But I always take time by the forelock ; and as I was down here at the Trevors" (had Cara Trevor instigated this visit ? History is silent, and the true facts will never be divulged) '' I thought I would seize the opportunity of bespeaking a model for next season. I will only ask you to sit to me for the head and hands; the dress and figure I can work at in town. What do you say ? " ** Oh, Mr. Crabbe," clasping her tiny hands rapturously, '' I should have liked it beyond anything in the whole wide world. I am so sorry, but " 84 MR. JERVIS. '^ But your mother would not approve ? " ^*Not at all. She would be enchanted; but I am going to India immediately." ^^To India?" he repeated, after an ex- pressively long pause. **Yes; my aunt and uncle have invited one of us — it was most unexpected — and I am going." Mr. Crabbe looked grave ; then he gave a sort of awkward laugh, and said — *^ Well, Miss Gordon, I enroll myself among the number of friends who deeply deplore your departure. I am extremely sorry — indeed, I have a double reason for regret, for I shall never find such a Eowena ! " ^'And I am extremely sorry too. There will be no one in India who will want to paint my picture." ^'I am not so sure of that. A young fellow, a friend of mine, went out there last October globe-trotting. He is the cleverest portrait painter I know, though he calls himself an amateur and only ''ROWENA" — FULL LIFE SIZE. 85 paints for amusement, and in interludes of hunting and polo-playing. He has not to work for his daily bread, like the rest of us ; but, if he had to do so, he would make his fortune if he studied and put his shoulder to the wheel. He has a genius for catching a true likeness, a natural atti- tude, a characteristic expression, and he does it all so easily and so quickly. A few rapid dashes, and the canvas seems to live. It is a pity he does not take to our profes- sion seriously and study ; but his uncle abhors * painting chaps,' as he calls them; and his uncle, whose heir he is, is a milHonaire." '^ How nice ! And what is the name of this fortunate young man ? " ''Mark Jervis." '' I must try and remember. Perhaps I may come across him, and he may paint my picture ; but it will be nothing in com- parison to having it done by you and hung in the Koyal Academy." She turned her face upon her visitor with 86 MR. JERVIS, an expression of dreamy ecstasy. A delicate colour, a brilliant sparkle in her eyes, the becoming background of a red lamp-shade, which set off her perfect profile, all com- bined to heighten the effect of Fairy's transcendent beauty; and Oscar Crabbe frankly assured himself that he was then and there gazing upon the face of the most lovely girl in England. As he gazed, he lost his head, and stammered out rap- turously — " Oh, if I could only paint you as you are now, my reputation would be assured ; you would make me famous ! " *'You mean that you would make me famous," she returned, dropping her eyes bashfully. *' Do you know that you almost tempt me to abandon India and remain at home?" *'I wish you would. You are of far too delicate clay for the fierce tropical sun, and India plays the devil — I mean," picking himself up, ^^it is the grave of beauty. If anything should happen to prevent your "ROWENA'' — FULL LIFE SIZE. ^J carrying out your trip, will you let me know without fail ? ' ' *' You may be certain that I shall." '^ I wonder that one of your sisters " he began, when the door opened and ad- mitted the two ladies in question. They were cold, tired, longing for tea, and offered no serious resistance to Mr. Crabbe's imme- diate departure. He held Fairy's hand in his for several seconds, as if reluctant to release it, and he gave it a faint but dis- tinctly perceptible pressure as he said, ^^I will not say, * Bon voyage,' but, ^ Au re voir.' Eemember your promise," and hurried away. It was noticed by her relations that Fairy was unusually silent all that evening. She seemed buried in thought, and her pretty white forehead was actually knit into wrinkles, as she stitched with deft and rapid fingers. To tell the truth, the young lady was carefully weighing the pros and cons respecting her Eastern trip. She lay awake for hours that night, revolving various questions in her busy little brain. 88 MR. JERVIS. On one hand, she would escape from Hoyle and enjoy a gay and novel existence. She would be taken to balls and parties, and be the cynosure of all eyes ; she would have plenty of pocket-money, plenty of pretty dresses, plenty of luxuries — that was one side of the shield. On the reverse, she mentally saw a hateful journey by sea, an unaccustomed life and climate, an ever- haunting dread of fever, cholera, snakes ; she would probably have to accustom her- self to riding wild ponies, to being borne along the brinks of frightful precipices ; she would have no one to pet her and hunt up her things, and do her hair and mend her gloves — yes, she would miss Honor dread- fully. Mr. Crabbe had assured her that India was the grave of beauty. Supposing she became a fright ! Dr. Banks had hinted at shattered health. No, after all, she would remain at home; her aunt and uncle would be in England in a year's time, phe would pay them a nice long visit without risking either health or looks ; "R OWEN A'' — FULL LIFE SIZE. 89 then there would be Bowena, a lasting and substantial triumph 1 She had visions of her picture hanging on the line in the Eoyal Academy, and guarded by police in order to keep the surging mob of admirers at bay, of crowds gazing spell-bound at her portrait, of notices in the society papers, of photographs in shop windows, of wide celebrity, and the acknowledgment of her beauty in the face of all England. The prospect was intoxicating. Towards dawn she fell asleep, and enjoyed delightful dreams. The next morning, ere descending to breakfast, she called her sisters into her room, and said, in an unusually formal manner — ^^ Jessie and Honor, I may as well tell you that I have changed my mind, and given up all idea of going to India, so I thought you ought to know at once." '^ I am delighted to hear it," replied Jessie, with unaffected relief. '^ But why ?" surveying her with questioning eyes. 90 MR. JERVIS. " Why have you so suddenly altered your plans?" '*I have been lying awake all night, thinking of mother," was the mendacious reply. '' I see she is fretting dreadfully ; it would break her heart to part with me, and I shall never leave her, or at least," correcting herself, '^ never leave England." ^' It is unfortunate that you did not think of mother a little sooner ! " said Jessie, glancing round the room, which was blocked up with boxes and parcels con- taining purchases in the shape of hats and shoes and jackets, and many articles '* on approval." *' I think you are very wise to stay at home; but it is a pity that you have made such great preparations. Is it not, Honor?" *^ No doubt ijou think so," retorted Fairy, sarcastically. *'0f course it seems a pity that none of my pretty new things will fit either oiyou.'' ( 91 ) CHAPTEE VII. FAIEY KELENTS. Now that, to every one's intense relief, Fairy had changed her mind and with- drawn her claim, the question remained. Who was to go ? Public opinion, her mother, Jessie — in short, every voice save one, said Honor. But Honor was indis- posed to visit the East. She was not an enterprising young woman, and she was fond of home ; and Fairy, when alone with her, shed showers of crocodile tears every time the subject was mentioned. She could not bear to part with her favourite sister; no, it was too cruel of people to suggest such a thing. Who, she asked herself, would dress her hair, and button 92 MR. JERVIS. her boots, and read her to sleep ? And many of Honor's hateful tasks would fall to her, such as arranging the flowers, dusting the drawing-room, housekeeping, going messages, for Jessie's time meant money, and must be respected. Aloud, in the family circle, she said in authoritative tones, ^^Let Jessie go! As to looks, any looks are good enough for India; even Jessie will seem handsome there. After all, why should any of them accept the invitation ? England was a free country. She (Fairy) would send a nice, grateful little letter, and keep the cheque. Uncle Pelham would never be so mean as to take it back, and they would buy a pony instead of that maddening donkey, and make a tennis- ground, and take a fortnight's trip to London, and enjoy themselves for once in their lives." A week elapsed. The mail had gone out without an answer to Mr. Brande. Jessie and her mother had both talked seriously to Honor, and she had listened with her FAIRY RELENTS. 93 pleasantest smile, whilst they pointed out the advantages she would personally reap from her Eastern trip. She made no attempt to argue the point, only asked in a playful way who was to drive the donkey ? Who was to play the harmonium in church ? for she flattered herself that she was the only person in the parish who could do either. And there was the garden and the poultry — the hens would be lost without her I" ^* We shall all be lost without you," rejoined Jessie ; ^^ but we can spare you for your own good." ^*I don't want to be spared for my own good," she answered. ^^ I prefer staying at home. You think that I shall carry all before me out there ! You are greatly mistaken. All your geese are swans. 1 am a goose, and not a swan. I am just a country cousin, with a bad complexion and uncouth manners." ^* Honor! you have a beautiful skin, only not much colour; and as for your 94 MR. JERVIS, manners, they are as good as other people's." ''You have often said that mine are alarmingly ahrupt, and that I have the habits of a savage or a child in the way I blurt out home-truths." ''Oh, but only at home; and you must not always mind what I say." " Then what about the present moment ? When you say that I ought to go out to Uncle Pelham — how am I to know that I ought to mind what you say now ? " " Upon my word, Honor, you are really too provoking ! " Little did Mrs. Gordon and her friends suspect how their weighty reasons and arguments were nullified by Fairy, who nightly, with arms wound tightly round her sister's neck, and face pressed to hers, whispered, "You won't go; promise me, you won't go." Jessie, the clear-sighted, at last began to suspect that Fairy was at the bottom of her sister's reluctance to acquiesce. Fairy FAIRY RELENTS. 95 was SO demonstratively affectionate to Honor. This was unusual. It was too bad, that Fairy should rule her family, and that her wishes should be law. Jessie conferred with her mother, and they agreed to try another plan. They would drop the subject, and see if feminine contrariness would be their good friend? The word "India" was therefore not uttered for three whole precious days ; patterns and passages, etc., were no longer discussed, matters fell back into their old monotonous groove, save that Mrs. Gordon frequently gazed at her youngest daughter, and heaved unusually long and significant sighs. One afternoon, ten days after the letter had been received which still lay un- answered in Mrs Gordon's desk. Honor met the rector as she was returning from practising Sunday hymns on the wheezy old harmonium. " This will be one of your last practices," he said. " I am sure I don't know how we are to replace you." 96 MR. JERVIS. "Why should you replace me?" she asked. " I am not going away." "Not going away," he repeated. "I understood that it was all settled. 'Why have you changed your mind ? " " I never made up my mind to go." " Why not ? Think of all the advantages you will gain." "Yes, advantages; that is what Jessie is always drumming into my head. I shall see the world, I shall have pretty dresses, and a pony, and plenty of balls and parties, and new friends." "And surely you would enjoy all these — you are only nineteen. Honor ? " "Yes, but these delights are for myself; there is nothing for tliem^' nodding towards " Merry Meetings." " I am the only person who will benefit by this visit, and I am sure I am more wanted at home than out in India. Jessie cannot do everything, her writing takes up her time; and I look after the house and garden. And then there is Fairy; she cannot bear me to leave her." FAIRY RELENTS. 97 ^'You have spoiled Fairy among you/' cried the rector, irritably. ^* Only the other day she was crazy to go to India herself. She must learn to give up, like other people. It is very wrong to sacrifice yourself to the whims and fancies of your sister ; in the long run they will become a yoke of dreadful bondage. Eemember that you are not a puppet, nor an idiot, but a free, rational agent." "Yes," assented the girl. She knew she was now in for one of Mr. Kerry's personal lectures. It might be over in two or three minutes, and it might continue for half an hour. " Now listen to me. Honor. I know you are a good, honest young woman, and think this plan will only benefit yourself. You are wrong. Your mother is in poor health ; her pension dies with her. If you offend your only near relative, how are you to exist ? " *' I suppose we can work. Every woman ought to be able to earn her bread — even if it is without butter." VOL. I. H 98 MR. JERVIS. "" Honor, I did not know that you held these emancipated views. I hope you won't let any other man hear you airing them. As for work ! Can Fairy work ? Jessie, I know, can earn a few pounds, but she could barely keep herself; and if you fall sick, what will you do ? It is best to survey matters from every standpoint. Your aunt and uncle have practically offered to adopt you. You will return in a year's time ; you will have made many friends for yourself and sisters, developed your own at present limited views of the world, and bring many new interests into your life. Your absence from home will be a consider- able saving. Have you thought of that?" ^*A saving!" she echoed incredulously. ^' Of course ! Don't you eat ? A healthy girl like you cannot live on air ; and there is your dress." ^^ I make my own dresses." *^ Nonsense ! " with an impatient whirl of his stick. '* You don't make the material. How can you be so stubborn, so wilfully FAIRY RELENTS. 99 blind to your own interests. If another girl had your chances, Honor Gordon would be the very first to urge her to go ; and that in her most knock-me-down style. You have a much keener view where other people's affairs are concerned than your own." '* Of course, it is only for a year," said Honor. '* I shall be back among you all within twelve months." ''Yes, if you are not married," added the rector, rashly. '* It appears to be the general impression in Hoyle, that going to India means going to be married," said the girl, firing up and looking quite fierce. ''Please put that idea quite at one side, as far as I am con- cerned." "Very well, my dear, I will," was the unexpectedly meek response. Touched by his humility, she continued, " Then you really think I ought to go ? " " My good child, there can be no two opinions. Every one thinks you ought to go," lOO MR. JERVIS. '' Except Fairy." *^ Fairy has no right to stand in your way, and your absence will be an excellent lesson for her. She will learn to be inde- pendent and useful. Now, here is my turn, and I must leave you. Go straight home and tell them that you are ready to start, and that the sooner your mother sees about your escort and passage the better." And he wrung her hand and left her. Honor walked home at a snail's pace, think- ing hard. If Fairy would but give her con- sent, she would hold out no longer against every one's wishes. She would go — yes, without further hesitation. After all, it was only for one year. But, although she did not know it. Fairy had already yielded. Jessie and Mrs. Banks had been talking to her seriously in Honor's absence, and she had been persuaded to listen to the voice of reason — and interest. If she had gone to India, as she intended, she would have been parted from Honor, and of her own accord. FAIRY RELENTS. lOI This fact, brusquely placed before her by Mrs. Banks, she was unable to deny, and sat dumb and sullen. ** Uncle Pelham is sure to take to Honor," added Jessie, ** and he will probably do something for us all, thinking that we are all as nice as Honor, which is not the case. She will be home in a year, and there will be her letter every week." ** Yes, and 'presents^''' put in Mrs. Banks, significantly. '^ She will have plenty of pocket-money, and will be able to send you home no end of nice things." Fairy sniffed and sighed, dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief, and finally suffered herself to be coaxed and convinced, and when her sister opened the drawing-room door, with rather a solemn face, she ran to her and put her arms round her and said — '^ Honor, darling, I have promised to let you go ! " That very day the important epistle was despatched to Shirani, and Fairy, to show that she did nothing by halves, actually I02 MR, JERVIS. dropped it into the letter-box with her own hand. And during the evening she once more produced the bundles of patterns, and threw herself heart and soul into the selection of her sister's outfit. ( I03 ) CHAPTEK VIII. DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. The grand dinner-party at 500, Princes Gate, was over, the last silken train had swept down the steps, the last brougham had bowled away, and a somewhat bored- looking young man indulged in a stretch and a prodigious yawn, and strolled slowly back to the library, where the master of the house, a spruce little person of sixty, with a rosy cheek and active eye, stood before the empty fireplace (the month was June) with his coat-tails under his arms, engaged in chewing a tooth-pick. Wealthy he may be, judging from his surroundings, but he is certainly not distinguished in appearance ; his scanty locks are brushed out into two I04 MR. JERVIS. sharp horns over his large ears. In spite of his blazing solitaire stud and faultless claw- hammer coat, he is plebeian; yes, from the points of his patent leather shoes to the crown of his bald head. It is difficult to believe that he is the uncle of the aristo- cratic young fellow who has just entered and cast himself into a deep armchair. What the French call *^ the look of race," is the principal thing that strikes one about Mark Jervis. It is afterwards — possibly some time afterwards — that you realize the fact that he is remarkably handsome, and considerably older than you took him to be at the first glance. His smooth face and sunny hazel eyes are misleading : young Jervis is more than nineteen, he is five and twenty. *^Well, Mark, that's over, thank God," exclaimed Mr. Pollitt. ^^ I hate these big dinners ; but your aunt will have them. She says we owe them ; women are never backward in paying those sort of debts. It was well done, hey? That new clief is a DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. 105 success. Did you taste the Perdreaux aux Chartreuse — or the Bouchee a la financiere, or that cold entree f " ''No, Uncle Dan," strangling another great yawn. '^ Ah, you sly dog ! You were too much taken up with Lady Boadicea ! She is considered a heauty — at least her picture made rather a stir. What do you think? How does she strike youf " '' To me — she looks Hke a wax doll that has been held too close to the fire — and she is about as animated." '^ Well, you can't say that of the American girl. Miss Clapper — there's a complexion ! — there's animation ! — there's a stunner for you ! " '^ A stunner, indeed ! She thrust her money down my throat in such enormous quantities that I could scarcely swallow anything else ! " '^ Then why the deuce did you not stuff some of mine down hers, hey? " chuckling. " I saw you at Hurlingham this afternoon." 106 MR. JERVIS. ^^ Did you, sir ? I had no idea you were there." ^' It was a frightful squash — hardly a chair to be had ; the Eoyalties, a fine day and a popular match, brought 'em. I sup- pose that was the new pony you were trying, brown with white legs. How do you like him ? " '^ He is not handy, and he is a bit slow. He is not in the same class with Pipe-clay, or the chestnut Arab ; I don't think we will buy him, sir." ''Lord Greenleg was very anxious to hear what I thought of him. He only wants a hundred and thirty — asked me to give him an answer there and then, as he had another customer, but I thought I had better wait till I heard your opinion. Is the pony worth one hundred and thirty guineas ? What do you say ? " '' I say, cut off the first figure, and that is about his value," rejoined his nephew shortly. Mr. Pollitt looked blank. He rather DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. lOj liked buying ponies from lords, even at a high figure, but a hundred guineas too much was a stiff sum. He knew that he could rely on the young fellow's opinion, for lazy as he seemed, lounging there in an easy chair, he could both buy a horse and ride a horse — which does not always follow. The languid-looking youth was a hard rider to hounds, and a finished polo player. '^ Then I suppose we shan't mind the brown, eh, Mark?" said his uncle rather dolefully. ^' After all, it is getting late in the season, and his lordship has another offer." ^^ Has he!" expressively. ^^ Oh, then, that is all right." '^Your side played up well to-day, my boy!" ^' And were well beaten — two goals to four. Johnny Brind is no good as a back. He sits doubled up in his saddle, like an angry cat, and lets the ball roll out between his pony's fore legs — and his language ! " ^^ That did not come as far as my ears. I saw you speaking to Lord Eobert Tedcastle. I08 MR. JERVIS. You were at Eton with him — you might bring him home to lunch some Sunday ; and that Italian prince, did you come across him ? " anxiously. ^^ No ; I did not see him." ^' I noticed you having a long talk with that young Torrens ; what was he yarning about ? He was nodding his head and waving his hands like a cheap toy." ^^ He was telling me of his plans. He and his brother are off to America next week, they are going on to Japan, Australia, and India. I say. Uncle Dan," suddenly sitting erect, ^' I wish you would let me travel for a couple of years and see the world." A silence of nearly a minute, and then Mr. PolHtt burst out— ** Now, this is some stuff that young ass Torrens has been putting into your head. To see the world 1 What world ? You see it at home. England is the world. You have the best of everything here — the handsomest women, finest horses, best food DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. I09 and drink, best " he paused, and his nephew, who was nursing his leg, blandly suggested ^* climate." '^Climate be hanged ! best society," bawled Mr. Pollitt. ^' The fact of the matter is, you young chaps don't know when you are well off. Travel — see the world — skittles ! " " I know that I am exceedingly well off, thanks to you, Uncle Dan," rejoined his nephew, quietly. " I have capital polo ponies, a first-rate stud of hunters, a splendid allowance — but a fellow can't play polo, and hunt, and go to balls and theatres all his life ; at least, that's not my idea of life. I have nothing to do, no profession, you know ; you would not hear of my going into the service." ^' No — I hate the army — what prospect does it offer the young idiots who are slaving to get into it — to live vagabonds, and die beggars ! " '^ There was the diplomatic corps ; but I've not brains enough for that." no ' MR. JERVIS. ^^Bosii! You don't want a profession, taking bread out of other people's mouths. You are my heir — tliat's your profession. As to intellect, there is a great deal too much intellect in these days ; the world would be far easier to govern if there was less 1 You have brains enough, my boy, you did very well at Oxford." *'I know that I am very fortunate," repeated the young man, " and that thou- sands of fellows would give anything to stand in my shoes." *^ Clarence for one," interrupted his uncle, with a loud chuckle. " But I'm sick of the eternal treadmill round of the London season — Ascot, Good- wood, Cowes, Scotland. Then back to London, and we begin the whole business over again. We see the same people, and do the same things." *^How old are you, Mark?" broke in Mr. Pollitt, excitedly. '^ Five and twenty." *^ One would think you were eighty-five ! DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. Ill But it is all the rage to be bored and blase, and to give out that life is not worth living. You are in the height of the fashion, my boy ! The fact of the matter is — that you are too prosperous. A blow of real trouble, cutting to the very bone, would do you no harm." ^' Perhaps so. Properly speaking, I believe I ought to have been a poor man's son, and had to work my way. I feel that I could do it. I would not have minded being a soldier, a sailor, an explorer, or even a stock-rider." " In fact, to put the matter in a nutshell, anything but what you are." *^ Well, Uncle Dan, you have fought your way up to the front, step by step, and won your spurs, and enjoyed the battle. I should like to take some weapon, and strike into the fray." Here he suddenly got up, and came over to his uncle, and, putting his hand affectionately on his shoulder said, '^ I would like to do something to make you" — with a nervous laugh — ^* proud of 112 MR. JERVIS. me;" and as lie looked into his uncle's shrewd little face, his eyes shone with repressed excitement. ^^ I'm proud enough. You are my own flesh and blood — a good-looking chap, a capital rider, and a gentleman; a bit too fond of dabbling with your nasty, dirty oil paints, a bit dreamy and Quixotic, but '' At this juncture the door was gently pushed open, and a long, hooked nose came slowly into the room, followed by a tall, thin, elderly lady, attired in a clinging mist- coloured robe, and blazing with diamonds. A sallow, discontented-looking person, with a high-bred air, despite her touzled fringe. " So you are hotli here ! " she murmured sweetly. '' Yes," assented Mr. Pollitt ; '' and here is Mark," waving a short square hand towards him. '* What do you think is his last craze, Selina ? He wants to travel for a couple of years, in order to see the world. Just like the hero of a fairy tale." Mark hastened to place a chair for his DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. II3 aunt, into which she gently sank, keeping her eyes steadily fixed on his as she did so, and gradually narrowing her gaze to a cat- like glint. *^Do you know that I rather lihe the idea ! " she remarked, after a momentary silence. " I think it is a shocking thing for a young man to waste his life, lounging in clubs gossipping and gambling, or playing a game on the back of a pony. Travelling improves the mind and enlarges the ideas." Here, catching sight of Mr. Pollitt's face of angry scorn, she lost no time in adding, '' You know, it is all the fashion to travel, it's only the second-rate people and nobodies who stay at home. Lady Grace and Lord Ken- neth are going out to India this cold weather, so is the Duke of Saltminster, the Marquis and Marchioness of Tordale, and crowds of other smart people." Smart people were to Mr. Pollitt, as his crafty wife knew, the very salt of the earth ; and his expression changed from that of repressed fury to grave attention. VOL. I. I 114 ^^- JEP^vis. ''India! Perhaps I would not mind so much," he admitted, after a pause. '* The boy was born there, and he could look up his father. Yes, and he might have some shooting, and pick up a few tigers, and nice acquaintances and companions." "Oh, but, of course, Mark could not travel alone, dear. He must have a pleasant and experienced " ''Bear-leader or keeper; or what would you say to a chaperon?" broke in her husband. " My dearest ! " she gravely expostulated. " You know perfectly well that it would be frightfully dull for the poor boy roaming about the country with no one to keep him company, not knowing where to go, or what to say. Now Clarence," and she hesitated. "Yes — now Clarence. What now?" sharply. " Clarence," speaking very distinctly, " was stationed in India for eight years. He is an experienced Anglo-Indian, has hundreds of friends, talks Hindostani fluently. DANIEL POLLITT, ESQ., AND FAMILY. II5 and could get no end of shooting and intro- ductions to native jf?rmce