The Three Curates Author o u Broken Sunshine. 9? L I E> RAHY OF THL U N IVLRSITY Of ILLINOIS 823 W77t v.l t. THE THREE CURATES. THE THREE CURATES a Nobel Mrs. G. BIGG-WITHEE, Author of "Broken Sunshine." " Nothing is new ; we walk where others went ; There's no vice now but has its precedent." — Her rick. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON F. V. WHITE & CO., 31, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/threecuratesnove01bigg 8£3 Wilt THE THREE CURATES CHAPTER I. Tex years ago, Langton was a fair-sized market town, many miles from the metro- polis. It was irregular, as old towns generally are, and its architecture common- place and old-fashioned. There were only one or two fairly wide thoroughfares, and these were paved with -3 clean, wholesome red brick. But generally the streets were narrow, so that on market days some skill was required to engioeer the various vehicles, so as to avoid collisions. There was a large, square market-place, and behind this the Market Hall, where the healthy, rosy country-women sold their vol. i. 1 3 t * > 2 THE THREE CURATES. butter, eggs and other produce. This place was clean, cool and draughty and much frequented. The town possessed a mayor and town council, and all the other paraphernalia of small and important dignity. It was a loyal town, ^though at times party feeling ran high, and this was especially so between Church and Dissent. The elite of the town and neighbourhood were " Church " of rather advanced type, and generally Tories, while the rank and file were unmistakable Dissenters and Badicals. But there were times when the various factions fused , and this was when they were threatened with any outside interference or suggestions from metropolitan authorities or neighbouring boroughs. Then they turned with one face to meet the foe. They neither wanted innovations, improve- ments or advice. They were perfectly THE THREE CURATES. 3 satisfied with their own easy-£oin£. sub- stantial, respectable commonplace. They arranged their affairs with very little regard to outside opinion. Martinmas, Candlemas, statute fairs with an assemblage in the market-place of quack doctors, cheap-jacks, gingerbread stalls, learned pigs, fat ladies, travelling circuses, afforded them interesting landmarks of the various seasons. There was a beautiful and stately old church, which all took pride in, as being the Town's ! And the Hector, a Canon of Oswald Minster, was looked up to as a gentleman and a dignitary, and to be treated accordingly by his opponents in faith. To this Church of St. Just were attached three curates, of whom more anon. The houses of Langton were a source of perpetual surprise to strangers. In the 1* 4 THE THKEE CURATES. narrow streets these dwellings were sheer on to the pathway. There was hardly a front door worth speaking of; but these small portals were models of cleanliness. Their bright brass knockers and door handles Hashed in the sunlight, while the one or two small steps vied with each other in whiteness. It was only when the doors were opened you saw what possibilities and capabilities the houses were equal to. Such lovely vistas of green trees and exquisite colours greeted the eye. Xearly all the best rooms in the house opened, or looked on to charming old gardens, full of old-fashioned flowers — primroses and lilac, roses and lilies, sweet peas climb- ing in wanton luxury, London pride, and all the homely old flowers of childhood, while the mossy turf, and the shady old trees gave a delicious sense of peace and repose ; and then you understood why THE THREE CURATES. 5 these houses showed their severely respect- able fronts to the street. In one of these dwellings, extra neat, extra polished, lived Mrs. Frostick — the " Mrs. Candour " of Langton. She was a very well known, if not entirely beloved, person. She was of uncertain age ; but anyway, she wore a brown front, severe and straight, without any illusion, and this gave to her small, sharp black eyes, her long, pointed nose and wrinkled face, an expression of keenness which often merged into malice. She was rather given to fine colours in dress, and altogether was a most inconvenient old woman. She knew every- body's age — which she was very fond of proclaiming — likewise their public and private affairs, and she possessed that very unpleasant, if honest, habit of calling a spade a spade. Few people liked her ; no one thought it advisable to offend her. She 6 THE THEEE CURATES. was often, indeed, propitiated with season- able gifts. For the rest, her husband had long since migrated to a better world, and had left her master of the situation — in which he had only played a most insignifi- cant (and, people do say, a not very comfortable) part. Her house was a model of exquisite cleanliness, and her old servant, Betty, a second edition of herself — only under authority, which her mistress was not. A few doors off, lived the Browns, and of this Mrs. Frostick the Brown girls stood in perpetual uneasiness. Whenever she came in contact with them, she always availed herself of the privilege of an old friend of showing up their little weaknesses, — and certainly there was much that was weak in them. There was Matilda, other- wise Tilly, who posed for five-and-twenty, and was in point of fact four-and-thirty — THE THREE CURATES. 7 tall, thin, towzley about the head, with a faded face, pale blue eyes, large hands of the bony type, and with no particular vices — Harriet, the second Miss Brown, a year or two younger, a little brighter, a little fatter, with her hair worn down to her eyes (which were not bad), and cut short behind like a boy's. She went in for the " Bebe " style generally. But each of these young ladies were agreed in one thing, which was their business in life — a husband at any cost. Old David Brown, their father, was a kind- hearted, humble-minded old man, whose father had been a foreman, whose grand- father had been a labourer, and he himself was a retired farmer, with a modest little competence. These family details he was never tired of airing ! It was a source of pride to him, that he could look back with honest self-respect to the labouring grand- 8 THE THREE CURATES. father and the steadily accumulating capital, which had centred in him, " all got, sir, by honest toil and shrewd good sense." But his daughters by no means shared this family pride — to them, it was a source of perpetual mortification. They only desired to bury their ancestors well out of sight. But Mrs. Frostick would never allow this ! On the contrary she was very fond of pointing a moral with the aid of the Messrs. Brown deceased. Mr. Brown was, like Sancho Panza, fond of good eating aud drinking, and his taste in this respect was always gratified, for the virtues of his two daughters in this line were prominent. They were good house- keepers. His wife had been dead many years. He liked also to smoke his nightly pipe at the " Queen's Head," and on market days generally dined at " The Ordinary," where THE THEEE CURATES. 9 he weekly met his old friends. Time marched kindly with him ; he had earned his rest, and he desired nothing more in life, than to be " comfortable," and that he most cer- tainly was. The Miss Browns were ever struggling to get into the clique just above them- selves, and cliques in country towns are a very expressive if unwritten code. Of course these young ladies figured largely at tea meetings, bazaars, Sunday school treats, &c, offered unlimited incense to the younger clergy, for generally speaking, there is not much other amusement provided in country towns, but that well leavened with the clerical element. And as long as curates lasted, there was always hope for Tilly and Harriet Brown. CHAPTER II. The beautiful old church was snugly situated in the heart of the town. Its bells were sending forth the hour of six ! Evensong was just over. The small con- gregation, mostly feminine, were filing out, and two of the curates, who were waiting to see the last petticoat lingeringly disappear, came out of the vestry. " I wonder why Lanyon didn't turn up this afternoon ? I quite expected him," said Percy Blythe the senior. " He is out of quarantine now. I hope, though, he isn't in for small-pox ! it would be small wonder, considering how he has been asso- ciating day after day with those wretched gipsies. He said he felt seedy this morning." "It's just as likely he has had another THE THREE CURATES. 11 influx of slippers, or letters. That's enough to put him out of gear for the rest of the clay," replied Mr. Dash wood with a cold smile. " I say Cyril ! suppose we go and hunt him up, we can let the tennis slide ! or go on afterwards. It is hot enough to roast an ox. What say you ? " " Agreed ! " The young men linked their arms, went a little way out of the town, and then turned down a shady lane. Two gentle- manly young fellows, the senior in rank, though almost the younger in years, was the Rev. Percy Blythe. He had been four years in Langton, was a High Churchman of rather advanced form, and somewhat resented the curb the rector put upon too much zeal in the matter of ritual — the rector being more famed for his common sense than enthusiasm, as regards any extreme views of his curates. Mr. Blythe was a 12 THE THREE CURATES. pleasant, hard-working, genial fellow, much given to ladies' society, and much made of generally. Cyril Dashwood, the second, was a man of good parts as regards his intellect, no great qualities of heart, but intensely ambitious. The son of a man, who had by sheer, hard struggling, made his way from the ranks to a fairly good position in life. This, he thoroughly intended his son should carry on, by means of a wealthy marriage, or fortunate church preferment. The Eev. Cyril Dashwood was by no means as popular as Percy Blythe, although in appearance, he far surpassed his confrere, for while Blythe was fair, slight, tall, with the kindest of blue eyes, that were always running over with boyish insouciance, Cyril Dashwood was well formed, and his clean, finely cut, if rather severe face, gave the impression that he was descended from, THE THEEE CURATES. 13 at least, a dozen belted earls, instead of being the son of a Birmingham manu- facturer who had staked much upon this aristocratic-looking first born. " What a strange fellow Lanyon is ! What do you think he said this morning ? " " Something oracular, no doubt," said Mr. Dashwood somewhat coldly. He very often envied the junior curate. " He said ' If those Brown sdrls sent him any more of their stupid letters, he would put every one in the fire without opening.' " " Quite right, too. Those women are perfect nuisances." " Old Brown isn't a bad sort." " On the contrary, he is a very good sort, especially without his daughters." "I believe Lanyon hates all sorts of women. Do }^ou know, Cyril, I fancy he has had some disappointment in that line. 14 THE THREE CURATES. A man does not deliberately dislike women, unless he has suffered some wrong at their hands." " He is not likely to enlighten us on the subject, you may be sure." " No, indeed," replied Percy with a laugh. " I could not stretch my imagination so as to imagine him discussing such a tender theme ! " By this time they had reached the junior curate's abode. A pretty, rustic, thatched cottage, with a gay little garden surround- ing it. The door stood wide open. A beautiful collie, with soft brown eyes, lay stretched across the threshold, and an old English mastiff watched them coming through the gate with grave friendliness. " Halloa, Prince ! Well, Eupert, old fellow ! " said Percy, as the dogs came for- ward to greet him affectionately. " Is your master at home ? " And, escorted by the THE THREE CURATES. 15 two dogs, the young men proceeded to find oat this fact for themselves, and knocked at a side room door. " Come in ! " a voice called out. As they entered, there lay the extended form of the junior curate. Eound his head was coiled a wet towel. " Why, Lanyon, what's the matter ? " said Percy, with kindly interest in his tone. " Xo thing, only a vile headache. I was out in the sun without my hat — in fact, it fell in the water — and the vaccination combined has touched me up a little. I knew you could get on without me, so made myself comfortable here ! " " The Brown girls, I can assure you, looked quite disappointed. It was bruited about you would put in an appearance this evening." " If you have nothing better to discuss 16 THE THREE CUEATES. than these two young women, please to ring the bell, and let us have some tea or some- thing." As the door opened to admit the portly form of Mr. Lanyon's housekeeper, he called out : "Here, Mrs. Bayliss, bring us in some sherry and soda water ; tea, or anything eatable — stay ! Mr. Blythe and Mr. Dash- wood will remain to dinner — no, no, tea ! " he corrected, seeing poor Mrs. Bayliss' ex- pression of blank dismay. "I told Mrs. Bayliss," he continued, turning to his friends with a smile, " not to even suggest dinner, unless she wished to make me ill — so, tea, and anything else you like to give us." "Yes, sir," said the woman, greatly re- lieved. The room was low-pitched, but roomy, and very comfortable, with old latticed THE THREE CURATES. 17 windows, set wide open ; and the jessamine and honeysuckle came daintily peeping in, accompanied by a lovely breeze, laden with the perfume of many sweet scented flowers. Valuable books were scattered about, while the handsome cabinets and chairs hardly tallied with a poor junior curate's salary. But though their junior in rank, he was their senior in age. A man with eight hundred a year, and heir to a baronetcy ! He was a mixture of hauteur and humility, somewhat cold in manner, and, as we have heard, not given to women's influence. A face more conspicuous for power than beauty; in fact, it was ugly, and only re- deemed by kind, soft, hazel eyes, and crisp, curling hair, too grey to distinguish what its original colour had been. Just now his eyes had a tired, weary look ; indeed, the whole man showed a weariness of body and mind. vol. i. 2 18 THE THREE CURATES. His confreres watched him with interest, and if they both held him slightly in awe, and one felt sometimes jealous at what he considered the unfairness of fickle fortune, they liked him much. To them he was as an elder brother. His purse of plenty was for them as for him, and they would have pained him by any refusal or false delicacy. And there existed, as there often does between men, a sincere and unanimous friendship. " After tea, you fellows, if you will, can do me a service ! " " With pleasure, Lanyon. What is it?" "Well," he said, pointing with contempt to a basket, " there are a lot of letters, feminine ones, I conclude. I want you to sort them. You know their various hand- writings better than I do Any one that you think looks fresh, or rather, I should THE THREE CURATES. 19 sa) r , which is not familiar to you, hand over to me. The others please burn." "Do you mean to say, Lanyon, you would have us read and destroy your letters without even having seen their contents ? " " That is exactly my meaning. Women's letters do not interest me ; indeed I think there is often a good deal of mischief in them." " But suppose they are business ones ? " said Percy, to whom it seemed almost a sacrilege. " They are not business ones," said the owner of them coldly. "Anyone who wishes to see me on business can always do so, except, of course, during these last few weeks. Blythe, my dear fellow, there would not be half so much foolishness going on in parishes if the women were not encouraged to make fools of them- selves." 9* 20 THE THEEE CURATES. " Come, Lanyon, that's rather strong, to say the least of it," said Mr. Dashwood, with judicial fairness. " I think women quite the nicest half of creation," said Percy, with a laugh. "Well, I don't," said Mr. Lanyon in- cisively. " I think they have their uses," vouch- safed again Cyril. Mrs. Bayliss here entering with a sub- stantial tea, certainly justified Mr. Dash- wood's kind extenuation in their favour. Her bright, good-humoured, motherly face beamed all round. " I hope your head feels better, sir ? I have made you some real strong tea." " Thank you, Mrs. Bayliss. I am better, and shall enjoy your tea right well." " That's right, sir. Shall I pour it out, or will one of the young ' gents ' here ? " "I'll do it, Mrs. Bayliss," said Percy, THE THREE CURATES. 21 which he did, with deft, practised hands ; and after it was all over Gerald Lanyon lighted a pipe, pushed the obnoxious basket over to his friends, resumed his recumbent position on the couch, and presently seemed absorbed in thought. The rustling and crackling of the letters did not appear to disturb him in the least. " I say, old fellow, how long, may I ask, have you had these ? There's a precious lot of them ! " " I should say, a fortnight's collection." " But suppose they do want answers ? " *' Look at the handwriting — settle for yourselves, and go on." " This one— from ' Jessie Craik'? " " Tear it up, and either put it in the fire-grate or waste-paper basket ; it is im- material." " And one from Harriet Brown, and Tilly Brown ? " 22 THE THEEE CUKATES. "Ditto — ditto, my dear friends." " Oh, by Jove ! here's a pair of slippers, from — from — I can't make out ; do you try, Cyril." " From Matilda Alice Brown." " So it is." " Cyril, you can give them away in your district, it's poor enough." The two young men laughed. " Suppose Miss Brown comes across them," said Blythe, " what then? " " If I give her credit for any feelings at all, she ought to be glad ; they are useful to an individual who really requires them, and not to one who does not." " Here is a letter with a crest. The crest looks like that of Lady Wareham." " I will take that. Lady Wareham is a dear old lady. I am sorry her epistle has been among such . . . frivolous com- pany." THE THEEE CUKATES. 23 " Here's a new ' fist.' I don't recognise it, and yet I fancy I have seen it before. It looks like a man's." "Kead it over," said Mr. Lanyon in- dolently. " Miss Higgins presents her compliments to the Eev. Gerald Lanyon, and having been informed he requires larger funds for the Temporary Small-Pox Hospital, on the Combe Warren land, encloses a cheque for £200. Mr. Lanyon need not acknow- ledge the cheque either in writing or in person. " Combe Towers, "July 7th." " As I do require the funds I shall keep it, otherwise Miss Higgins might have had her cheque returned, without thanks." " All the same, Lanyon, it is a good 2i THE THEEE CURATES. thing she doesn't require an acknowledg- ment — it's ten days old, man ! " " Is this the Miss Higgins I hear Lady Louisa so full of ? " " Yes ; but you surely know her ? " " I have not that honour." " By-the-by, of course you don't. She has been in Dresden these last eight months, and you have been here about seven, and nearly a month in quarantine from the civilised world as represented by Langton." " I am still in ignorance as to particulars beyond the fact that she is ' Miss Higgins,' of Combe Towers." " Miss Higgins is the only daughter and heiress of a deceased ' quack pill ' doctor ; she is disgustingly rich, very plain, and hates curates." " So that's it," said Mr, Lanyon, with a laugh. " She hates curates." " She is not quite so bad as Blythe makes THE THREE CURATES. 25 out," said Cyril Dashwood, who had his own views respecting the heiress. " She has a good figure and is considered clever." " Is she old or young ? " " About thirty, I believe." " Now little Esme Curtis is a darling, if you like ! " " Is it a child ? The sex seems doubtful." "A child ! good gracious ! No ! Miss Higgins has adopted her, and she is about nineteen, eh, Cyril ! " " Is she disgustingly rich likewise ? " " No," said Cyril, with a slight blush. " Poor girl ! " " Why ' poor girl ' ? " said Cyril with un- reasonable irritability. " To have the ' disgusting riches ' for ever thrust down her throat." "No, no! Lanyon," said Blythe warmly, " Miss Higgins is the kindest person to those she likes, and is the most charitable 26 THE THEEE CURATES. imaginable. It is the curates and those she thinks run after her money that she's so down upon." " Well, let her rest ! Finish the basket off." So they steadily ran through the remainder. " Here's another parcel ! A very hand- some birthday book, with some lovely illustrations." "Percy, old fellow, give that to little Clara Smith, it will amuse her while her poor little leg is 'setting.' I wonder if she would like a doll ; or, perhaps, poor little mite, she has had too many babies to drag about to care for anything so childish !" " She will think a lot of it if she knows it comes from you," said Percy kindly. " But do you know who it comes from ? " " Not in the least," answered the other equably. THE THREE CUEATES. 27 " It is from Adelaide Craster." " Well, then, Miss Craster will do a kind action to a poor little waif without know- ing it." "Miss Craster is a nice, lady-like girl. Lanyon, are you not a bit down on these girls ? " said Percy. " Blythe, believe me, I am not ! I do not ask all these young women to write to me or make me useless presents. On the con- trary, I think the whole thing derogatory both to them and to myself." " Then I suppose you object to tennis because you meet all these girls ? " " By no means ; tennis is a game all can join in. Personally, I prefer cricket; but, Percy, I think we — nay, I will say you fellows, are as much to blame as these girls. How often do you flirt, first with one then another, often looking, if not actually saying, more than you ever intend." 28 THE THREE CUEATES. " Oh ! they like it, bless you," said Blythe, laughing heartily at the moralising tone of Mr. Lanyon, " attention sans intention, you know." Mr. Lanyon shrugged his shoulders and said no more. He knew his friends thought him straight-laced about many things, but there was so much genuine kindness and goodness about him that they forgave him his little crotchets and heartily respected him. " Well, Lanyon, old man, we're off now to the Cr asters'. We may be in time for a game yet. Can we do airything for you ? " " No, thanks, Cyril," said he as he grasped their hands with warm goodwill. After the young men had left, he smoked another pipe, and a dreamy, far-away look took possession of his face. He was reviewing a portion of his life, not so very long past, thinking of the young girl he THE THREE CURATES. 29 had so idolised almost since childhood. How he had longed and looked forward to the time when he might claim her for his wife! How he toiled and worked and studied ! She was the loadstar that drew all his energies to their highest point. How supreme was to be the reward ! And then came the bitter awakening — the soul dragged down from Elysium to an abyss of despair. When Lady Laura Bidden forbade him to think of her daughter, save as the friend of his youth. She had other views for her child. Very soon her mother removed her out of his reach entirely, by marrying the young Pauline to a bilious, elderly millionaire, whose moral character left much to be desired, but the girl made a beautiful sacrifice and centrepiece for his wealth. Gerald Lanyon never saw his love again. The blow was terrible, crushing in its in- 30 THE THREE CURATES. tensit} r . The best and purest motives of his life had failed ; his trust was shaken ; what was there to strive for ? Nothing ! The lamp had gone out, and nothing but darkness everywhere. There was no one in life to comfort him ; he was alone with the apathy of despair. Then his kind old tutor, who himself had passed through the furnace, at last gave him a talisman — to try, in self-sacrifice and de- votion to others, to bring back some peace to himself, so, at length, mounting higher and higher, gradually the great burden rolled down. If he had lost the buoyancy of youth, with all its beautiful illusions, the endurance of manhood had taken its place, and now, from the height of his own climb- ing, he could look down with kind indul- gence on the shortcomings of those who were as yet untried in the warfare of life. And since he had taken "orders " his time and THE THREE CURATES. 31 thoughts found peace in working for others. And then, too late for his happiness, came wealth, and the foretaste of possession. By the death of a young cousin, he found him- self heir to an aged uncle, and a rent-roll of ten thousand a year. So he devoted himself, and the very liberal allowance he received from Sir Horace Lanyon, to the service of others. And now, here he was, this gracious summer evening, curate of Langton, not unhappy, somewhat self-con- tained, but avoiding society as much as possible. He rose, shook himself, as if to throw off this useless retrospection, went into his room, plunged his head into cold water, then, calling his dogs, set out with them for a long tramp through the new-mown field, scented with fragrant odours, and delightful with balmy air. CHAPTEB-HI. About a mile out of Langton was the residence of Miss Higgins, " Miss Higgins of Combe Towers," as she was generally called. It was an old-fashioned place, white, low-storeyed, and somewhat strag- gling, but capacious and comfortable inside. Outside, Banksias, magnolias, honeysuckle, all in their season, making its old age beautiful, while a few grand old cedars and copper beeches gave it an air of stately dignity. The gardens were perfect, both as to arrangement and in the admirable way they were kept up ; and beyond the gardens were cool green shrubberies planted a century back, afford- ing sheltered walks and pleasant vistas. The house door stood wide open, and .the THE THREE CURATES. 33 evening light was soft and tender, for it had been a golden August day ; and now, the air was full of sweet odours, and delicate shadows, cast by the cedars, fell athwart the lawn. Miss Higgins stood gazing out, and the setting sun glinted her dark hair with warm touches of colour. Her eyes were of deep grey, and the lashes dark : if her cheeks had been tinted with the warm light the sun now gave them, instead of their ordinary sallow tinge, she might have been called a good-looking woman, but there seemed a coldness about her — her mouth, which, but for its sarcastic ex- pression, would have been pretty ; the chin was beautifully moulded, soft, round, firm, and yet cleft by a lovely little dimple. Her figure was tall and fine, with a quiet dignity ; but with it all, there was a certain something about her which seemed to vol. i. 3 34 THE THREE CURATES. warn off outsiders, and yet there was often a pathetic look in the grey eyes, a sort of yearning after some unknown possibilities which, as yet, she had not grasped. She was thirty, and she was still Miss Higgins, but it was not for want of offers. Once, indeed, she had nearly loved, but over- hearing some very uncomplimentary remarks apropos of her father, her own name, with its want of euphony, and the candid announcement that it was her money that was so beautiful in the eye of her would-be suitor, caused a revulsion of feeling which had never as yet been re- versed, and all subsequent offers had seemed to her pained heart but a repetition of the first ; she had ceased to believe, but she had courage, and a ilarge-hearted benevolence. Surely there must be some- thing to live for in this great world ! So she accepted her life, only, just this quiet THE THREE CURATES. 35 tender evening, with no sound to be heard but the lowing cattle, or the drowsy hum of insects, there did seem an emptiness, a void, in her heart as she stood with her hands idly clasped before her. Then she seemed to throw off these oppressions ; for coming down the two or three steps, she called out in clear, rich tones : " Esme ! Esme ! Where are you, child ? Ah," as a smile passed over her face, "in her hammock, of course, wise little maiden/' So gathering her long black lace train CD O D over her arm, with light, firm steps, she threaded her way in and out the shady plantation, stopping here and there to gather a flower or a dainty fern, till at last she came to a group of trees, and there under their shade, with little flecks of pink tinted sunshine dancing about her, was Esme, comfortably reclining in her swing- 3* 36 THE THREE CURATES. ing nest, but not alone, for beside her stood Cyril Daslrwood. She made a most dainty and lovely picture. Her sunny hair plaited round a shapely little head, with eyes like turquoise, the eyebrows slightly arched, gave an air of sweet surprise to a baby mignon face, with its peach-like fairness. "What a picture you are, Esme," said the young man, with passionate, eager ej'es, and holding her hand in a tight grasp. " Do you think so ? " she answered, with a happy little laugh. " So do other people, mon bean monsieur! There was a German student at Dresden used to follow me like a shadow, till Hester packed him off." " But you must have encouraged him ! " said Cyril, with some heat. "What is the good of being pretty if you don't make other people feel it? Besides, you forget," she continued, drop- THE TBEEE CURATES. 37 ping her light tone, " I owe allegiance to no one but dear Hester, and she lets me do whatever I please," but there was an undercurrent of meaning in her voice which was not lost upon Mr. Dashwood. For months — nay, for over a year — had he been paying her the most devoted attention — in private. He did love her deeply, as far as his selfish, calculating nature would allow, and yet it was not her he intended to marry, for he could not make up his mind to sacrifice all his ambitious future ; but so contradictory was his temperament that he was wildly jealous of any other man near her. " And then, Cyril! Why do you love me so much when we are alone, and behave so coldly and ceremoniously when you meet me in society ? It does pain me so. I can't understand it ; it seems as — as if you were ashamed of loving me ! " 33 THE THREE CURATES. " You fancy this, Esme ! " he answered, with some confusion. She shook her head — for this pro- blem poor little Esme was always trying to solve. When Miss Higgins saw the two her face hardened with contempt, and she quickly turned and made her way back to the house and threw herself wearily down on one of the many low easy chairs by the open French window. '•What a wretched set those curates are! Always dilly-dallying after some woman or another ! I believe that's all they are fit for." And her lips curled scornfully as these thoughts flew through her mind. " My poor little Esme ! " Presently the sounds of footsteps on the gravel outside caused her to look up, and there was Esme, with a delicious little flush THE THREE CURATES. 39 like a rose-leaf on her cheek, while Cyril Dashwood had a satisfied smile on his handsome face that made Hester feel she almost hated him. " Hester, I have brought Mr. Dashwood in. He saw me under the elm-trees and he wishes to see you." For a moment her heart stood still. Was this man, then, going to ask for her " ewe lamb " ? Then she rose coldly and shook hands, but Mr. Dashwood was not to be daunted by her hauteur. The prize he had in view was too valuable not to require a good deal of patience, besides, he was a man whom to overcome obstacles was a pleasure. So, in softly modulated accents, he told her he came with a message from the Eector, as Lady Louisa could not come over herself. " Thank you ; I heard from Lady Louisa this moraine." 40 THE THREE CURATES. " Indeed! The Rector could hardly have known that." She made no reply, so he began again : " But he does want you to become one of the lady patronesses at the cottage flower show." " Is it money you require, Mr. Dash- wood ? " she asked coldly. " Well, not exactly that, though I dare- say we could do with some more, but it is your presence we want, and Miss Curtis. And there is to be a gigantic tea ; will you undertake something in that way ? " " No, I dislike ' teas,' " she replied in- cisively. " I think they are rather fun, Hester." " Well, dear, you can join the tea affair if you like." " I know the Eector would be so pleased if you would alter your mind and come to the tea. He is anxious all the ladies of influence THE THREE CUEATES. 41 should be there — Mrs. Grantley will be, and Lady Louisa will preside ! " " Lady Louisa is the Hector's wife, and it is quite suitable she should be en evidence, and Mrs. Grantley is the Mayor's sister. I do not intend coming to the tea." She rose and went to her davenport, and presently returned. " Here is a cheque, Mr. Dashwood, for £25 for prizes; and Hawkins shall send what flowers and fruits you require from the green- houses." He thanked her effusively. " You are generosity itself ! But you will come, won't you, Miss Higgins ? " and he leaned over towards her chair, with a persuasive smile. ;t I shall come to the Flower Show. Yes." And as that was all he could cret out of her, he had to remain satisfied. And as she gave him no encouragement to prolong his 42 THE THREE CURATES. visit, lie reluctantly rose to leave. " Ah ! I see fresh fruits of your travels ! " and he pointed to some exquisite paintings on por- celain, large in size, and framed in ebony. "It is the story of 'Undine.' We brought them from Dresden. They excel in those arts." " And in music ? " " Yes ; the music is divine. I think we shall return there soon." " But surely not this year ? You have hardly returned, as it were." " Probably in the autumn," she answered, in a cold, level voice. And it was now August. He said " Good- bye " at last, and, as warmly as he dared, pressed her hand, gave a friendly adieu to Esme, and left them. " Why can't you like him, Hester ? " said Esme, impulsively. u It is so evident you don't." THE THREE CUEATES. 43 11 1 do not like him." "But lie is so handsome, dear." " Undeniably so ; but that is no recom- mendation in my eyes. Esme, has he asked you to be his wife ? " " Xo " came hesitatingly from the young lips. " Then why does he not ? You love him, darling." " Ah, yes, Hester ; indeed, I do ! Perhaps he will." And yet there was a sad depres- sion at the loving heart. " If he does not, he is using you very badly." " Oh, Hester ; I can't help thinking " "Thinking what, dearest child?" And Miss Higgins drew the young girl to- wards her, and with loving, protecting touch, placed her arms round the slender, supple waist. "Thinking what, my little woman ? " 44 THE THREE CURATES. " That — that he loves you better than me ! " " Loves me ! Then, indeed, if he does, it's my money bags and my balance at the bank. My dear Esme, do yon think my wits are wool-gathering ? Can you suppose any man would seek me for myself? Come now, look in that mirror ! At my ugly yellow face ! and yours, like a newly-opened rose ! Esme, God is more just than men. To you He has given the Divine power of beauty ; to me, in compensation, He has given wealth. I may buy homage ; but you, darling, can command it. Beauty is an exquisite gift ! " "Hester!" said Esme, with a loving smile, " You are not ugly. Sometimes, when you are moved, your true self shines out. Then you are beautiful ! Your colour comes and goes, and then sometimes remains. Your eves look dark — as dark as THE THREE CURATES. 45 the pool where the water-lilies grow! I remember once observing you at the theatre at Vienna. Something in the play deeply interested you ; and I thought, ' if others could only see you as I do, they would no longer say my Hester was plain ! ' " You are a most poetical, loving, little flatterer, and therefore your evidence can't be taken." " Ah, Hester, if you only had someone to love you, you would be like the statue Pygmalion called to life! " "That is not very likely to happen. Xow Esme, listen to me. It is my intention if any man honestly woos you to settle three hundred a year on you ; but I make this proviso, you are not to tell the in- dividual, without my permission ; let him love you, dear, for your sweet self. You will promise me this, dear ? " " Oh, Hester ! what a noble, loving 46 THE THREE CURATES. heart you have ! I don't deserve so much care." " My dear one, but for you I should become as hard as my own gold. You are the soft spot of my heart. I have neither father, mother, kith, nor kin. You know, dear, how often I have been deceived, in the men who professed so much for me. And it is this, perhaps, which makes your love for me so precious. If your Cyril is worthy of } t ou, he won't lose by it ; but do not set too much store by his handsome face, it is not always the index of a noble mind." " Hester," said Esme after a pause, when each was thinking out her own thoughts, " there is such an iiGflv curate at St. Just. A woman hater ! " " Probably I should prefer him to the others ; but do not let us discuss such an unprofitable and uninteresting topic. Let THE TI1EE.E CURATES. 47 us rather fly to our music. Play me that sunny Italian Symphony of Mendelssohn's, or something of Chopin's. These friends never disappoint us, Esme." ■" So Esme sat down, and under her skilful fingers Mendelssohn's delicious, sparkling music brought the bright Italian sky and the lovely Campagna to their thoughts. Esme's one talent was music, and this had been carefully cultivated at Dresden. She played with no ordinary skill, and Hester felt its softening influence. It was like David's harp, exorcising all the hard feelings tugging at her heart, and filling it C C CD CD ' O with tender emotions. Years ago — when Esme was a lonely little orphan, at the same school as the opulent heiress — had Miss Hisrgins constituted CO herself friend, elder sister, guardian to the sweet little thing. And as time grew on, the child's natural guardians were perfectly 48 THE THREE CURATES. willing to resign her to the care of the wealthy young person who seemed to have set her heart on this motherless lamb. So the love had grown between these two, Esme slightly selfish, but so bewitching in her selfishness that one forgave her, while Hester was touching in her abnega- tion to the sometimes capricious little beauty. But the love between them was deep. Both were orphans, and so clung together. They had lived mostly abroad, at Rome, Dresden, Paris, and it was not often they came to Combe Towers. This place had been purchased by the Doctor from an impoverished family, whose dower house it had been. He had given a handsome price for it, and spent a good deal more on what he called improvement, such as drainage, hot-houses, and other matters. Part of the old furniture had been bong 1 t. But all the beautiful THE THREE CURATES. 49 additions had been made by the cultivated taste of Hester — of contributions from many lands, objects of art and value, some almost priceless. The old doctor, who had amassed this large fortune by trading on the good- natured credulity of the British public — at least, that part of it who liked senstaional medicine — considerately departed this life, leaving all his wealth to his clever daughter, of whom he stood in awe. But being per- fectly certain she would be a safe custodian of all the good things he had gathered together, and of which he was as proud as old David Brown, he had much wished his daughter to carry on his business, but this she declined to do. " Xo, father ! Let it be ended. I shall have more than enough for myself and others." " But why, Hester ? Why should you vol. i. 4 50 THE THREE CURATES. not carry it on ? There's nothing I know pays like it." " Oh, father ! I think we have made enough out of the nublic," and a warm colour came over her face. " Do you think I've cheated them, eh ? Did you ever know any one who died of my pills ? My dear, they were as harmless as a piece of paste ! It was the faith in them ! did all the cure. And do you know any reason why people shouldn't get well through faith ? And the lovely advertise- ments ! they were the study of my life ! All true and original ! And look at the enormous good I've done to the artist trade by giving 'em orders for illustrations ! My dear, I've been a public benefactor ? " And he slapped himself in weak approval, over the region of his heart, for at this time he was near the end of his pilgrimage. " Oh, Hester, if you'd only been a boy ! You THE THREE CURATES. 51 wouldn't have been so keen about getting rid of a fortune. Perhaps you might marry and have a son ? think of that, my lass — look to the future." " No, father dear ! Let us be satisfied that we are rich, and, as far as you know, nobody has died." And so it ended, and he likewise — for, leaving everything he pos- sessed to his daughter, he changed his com- pilable house for a very grand tomb he had built for himself during his life- time, and on which he carried out his ruling passion, for he drew up his own epitaph ; and it was one of the small consolations of his later life to see this grand panegyric of himself as a public benefactor in letters of (highly paid for) gold ! To his daughter this vain egotism was inexpressibly painful, and yet she loved the fond, foolish old man, and tended him with childlike devotion. She felt glad her ! 52 THE THREE CUEATES. young mother, who had died so many years ago, long before the pills meant money, and was buried in a humble grave in some Kentish churchyard, did not share this gorgeous mausoleum. And now Miss Higgins was " a personage," rich, eccentric, not always over agreeable. But she gave liberally whenever money was wanted and therefore merited much consideration at the hands of the town and neighbourhood of Langton. eg CHAPTEE IV. In a very charming boudoir in a well appointed house near Eaton Square, sat a very pretty young woman. At least she would have been, but for an ex- pression of utter weariness, discontent and unhappiness. She impatiently tapped her pretty slippered foot, as she listened,, or rather did her best not to listen, to the somewhat vehement outpourings of wrath and expostulation, that fell from the lips of a well-preserved woman of fifty, but with this wrath was mingled much anxiety. " It's no use, mamma ! you can't make things any better. I am sick of it all — sick of nearly everything! — of Mr. Cohen and his odious City friends, who I have 54 THE THEEE CURATES. to dress up for ! and, if it were not for Charlie Vere, I should go mad, or do something dreadful. I disliked Mr. Cohen when I married him, now I almost hate him ! with his cold pompous ways ! As if his money was everything ! I think I am told every week I am a pauper — it is too much ! " " Pauline ! The money is a great deal ! What can we do without it ? You know what our life was before your marriage, the misery of it all — the scraping, the effort to keep up appearances, and I did try to save you from it all. I must say you are un- grateful, and a most unloving wife ! " "Mother! If you wished me to be loving and grateful, vou should have let me marry Gerald Lanyon. I did love him ! " " Gerald Lanyon was too poor to keep a wife. And he had no position." " Well, he's rich now — directly old Sir THE THREE CURATES. 55 Horace dies, lie will be Sir Gerald, with ten thousand a year I " How could I tell poor young Lanyon would die ? " said her mother irritably. " Of course you could not, but the fact remains." Lady Laura answered nothing to this, it was too true, and — it vexed her, to think — too late. And her one anxiety now was to try and induce her daughter to make the best of an uncongenial marriage. She had to admit that Mr. Cohen, as a husband, left much to be desired. While his house overflowed with lavish wealth, his wife never possessed one penny she could call her own. She might order what she pleased and run up what bills she pleased — and she did please herself in this last item. Mr. Cohen had seen perfectly through Lady Laura's tactics. He knew she had sold her daughter. But he was determined 66 THE THREE CURATES. his mother-in-law should not benefit by the transaction. He had bought Pauline, like everything else he coveted. She looked thoroughbred, she was ex- ceedingly pretty, and dainty in her ways. He also found his wife's heart was a com- modity that declined to be thrown into the bargain. After his marriage, of course, there were plenty of people to acquaint him with his wife's first love affair. But he consoled himself with the fact that she never saw her old love again. In point of fact, Pauline was never worth the deep true love of such a nature as Gerald Lany on's. He had idealised her. She was vain, coquettish, and capricious, perfectly incapable of any depth of feeling ; but when happy, she was a charming little personage. But, as she was anything but happy, her charms were absent. Youno- Yere had been Mr. Cohen's ward THE THREE CUEATES. 57 during his minority, and still made his home, almost entirely, at Eaton Place. Wealthy, kind-hearted, not troubled with too many brains, and, considering all things, not many vices, he was the ami intime of the house. Mr. Cohen had a real affec- tion for the lad he had had the charge of for so many years. In fact, he looked upon him as a sort of " watch-dog," never dream- ing that Charlie's heart could, by any chance, become influenced by his capricious, discontented wife. And this was exactly what Lady Laura's sharp eyes had discovered. These two young people, thrown every day in each other's society, were drifting fast on a perilous rock. Young Vere was the daily recipient of Pauline's worries and vexations— some of them deeply irritating to a proud, passionate, nature. And pity was fast merging into love. " Pauline, dear ! " said her mother, affec- 58 THE THREE CURATES. tionately, "don't have Charlie Ye re too much about you ! People will begin to notice it, and talk ! " " But, mother ! He is his master's watch- dog ! and, having an affectionate nature, he naturally loves his mistress ! " And the idea pleased Pauline, for she laughed plea- santly. " Don't joke about it, Lina dear, it is too serious. " " Mamma, pray let me get some amuse- ment out of my life. It is like a prison house with a hateful jailor." " Pauline ! for God's sake do try and bear it ; it wilt become less hard, if you only would. Oh ! if your baby had lived ! " " I am thankful it did not — now. It would only have been a source of unhap- piness for me. It is better as it is." And for a moment the vouncf face softened. THE THREE CURATES. 59 The dark eyes were humid with unshed tears, that could at times be so soft and joyous. " Oh, mother ! I found out something dreadful about Mr. Cohen. See ! here it is!" And she pulled out from her pocket a much crumpled letter. And her face hardened, as she handed it to her mother. "Oh, it is hateful! But let me tell you how it came into my possession. I am ordered by my husband to get all my dresses made at Madame Stephanie's, and when I was there arranging about one, a fortnight ago, the young person who attended on me (a very handsome girl, mother) had occasion to go to her pocket for a measure, and out fell this letter, and dropped close to me. I picked it up to give it her, when I caught sight of my husband's handwriting. Fancy that ! So instead of returning it to her, I put it in 60 THE THREE CURATES. my pocket. Not very honourable, was it ? " she said, grimly ; " but all is fair in love and war. And this is war ! And there is nothing like being au courant with your husband's affairs. What do you think of your son-in-law ? " as she saw a trace of colour pass over her mother's face as she read the letter. " Pauline, it is all dreadful. And yet, dear, hard as my advice must seem to you, I say bear it. In all these dubious battles with the world, the woman is always worsted ; for even if she is innocent, ' Society ' does not stop to judicially ex- amine. It simply hears of a divorce, or a separation. ' No doubt the woman was in fault.' You know in France they always say, ' cherchez la femme! " " Mother, I don't care what the world says. I shall go my own way now." Just then the door opened, and Cerise, THE THREE CURATES. 61 Pauline's French maid, announced " Mr. Vere." " Ah, Charlie, there you are ! welcome as the sunshine." And Mrs. Cohen im- pulsively rose, and held out two little white hands, which were eagerly grasped by the young fellow. The bright dancing eyes, the crisp, curly hair, almost yellow, the pleasant, cheery, sunshiny face, looked the embodiment of animal health and spirits. Small wonder Mrs. Cohen called him her " sunshine." c Mamma and I are in the dismals ; do take us somewhere, Charlie ! " " But where do you want to go, Madamina ? " " Oh, anywhere, as long as it is some- where," said the young lady inconsequently. " Where do you say, mother ? " " Let us have some tea first, Pauline. But is it quite convenient to Mr. Vere ? " 62 THE THREE CURATES. Pauline was highly amused at this idea. " Of course it is ! As if anything I wanted could be inconvenient ! What do you say, Charlie ? " " Your wishes are my law," answered the young man, with \*hat Lady Laura con- sidered unnecessary warmth. "Charlie, just tell Cerise we will have tea at once." Then Pauline went over to her mother, took the letter, and transferred it to her own pocket again, and put her finger on her lips. " Pauline, I beseech you, be careful," whis- pered her mother, in deep, anxious tones. " It ought to be sent back." As young Yere entered, Mrs. Cohen asked him if there would be time to drive to Rich- mond, and yet be back for the theatre. "We might dine there, you know." " But, Pauline, consider your husband ! " exclaimed Lady Laura. THE THREE CURATES. 63 "I don't think lie is the least likely to be at home ; it is the last week of the session, and he will be at the House, doing his duty to his constituents, who I hope like him better than his wife does." " Oh ! Pauline. Pray remember what you are saying. It is most painful." " Well, mother, don't let's discuss him, then ! " Then the tea, with its etc.'s, came in, and the carriage was ordered for half -past four. Lady Laura felt it was useless making any further protest. She could only trust that her presence with her daughter and young Vere might lend some degree of respect- ability to the proceedings. But, nevertheless, she felt sure that they would, had they been so minded, have Gfone all the same. She saw furthermore that Pauline was getting day by day more intolerant of her husband. Lady Laura sighed sadly ; for CI THE THREE CURATES. she had laid the train herself, and who could sa}^ how and when the match would be applied ? They seemed living over a mine, which might explode any day. Should she surest a word to Mr Cohen as CO to the extreme danger of always having young Vere, like a tame cat, hanging about the place? It would bring matters to a crisis ! And Pauline would suffer in some way. No ; she felt helpless and hopeless ; affairs must arrange themselves. Lady Laura had a hard, worldly heart — which a long life of fighting with adverse circumstances had not made any the sweeter, or the advice and snubbings of high-born relations any the more agreeable. But to-day, there was an unwonted tender- ness in her manner to Pauline. She seemed now to realize to what a servitude she had condemned her daughter ! She had taken all her joy from her, robbed her, as it were, THE THREE CERATES. 65 of the love of her girlhood, and given her in exchange chains which she loathed. And this came home to her now with exceeding bitterness. She had intended so much for her child — to place her out of the weary turmoil that springs from lack of means ; forgetting that the young wife's heart required a tenderer nourishment than only gold could give. She was but three-and- twenty now ; and she had been married four years ! Oh, the dreary time ! Lady Laura had made every inquiry as to Mr. Cohen's wealth, but very little as to his private character ; and now the discovery of this damaging letter had added to the complica- tions. All these sombre thoughts chased each other through Lady Laura's anxious brain. As she watched, almost uncon- sciously, Mrs. Cohen and young Yere amusing themselves in a distant -conserva- tory, like two idle children, she could hear vol. i. 5 66 THE THREE CUEATES. Pauline's light laughter, as she threw a handful of rose-leaves at the head of young Vere, which stuck among the wavy curls of his light hair. Her daughter came in again. " Mother, dear, I am going to put on my things, it's just time." And as she passed out of the room for this purpose, Lady Laura rose from her chair, and quickly went over to where Charlie was standing. " Mr. Vere," she said, laying her hand on his arm, " Take care of my child." " Take care of her, Lady Laura ! I should think so, indeed !"' "Not only from bodily danger. She is young, thoughtless, and unhappy. Act the part of a brother." And she emphasised the word. A quick, hot blush spread over his face, he understood her meaning. " I will try ! " he answered presently. THE THREE CURATES. 67 "Thank you." Pauline came in looking brighter, and her dark eyes smiling with expectant plea- sure. " Ready, mother ? " " Put in plenty of wraps, Cerise, and tell your master Mrs. Cohen, Lady Laura and myself have driven down to Eichmond." "Yes, sir. Will Madame be back to dinner?" " Oh, dear no, Cerise ! We are going to dine there," said her mistress. Oh, the utter blindness — or was it in- difference? of the husband, to throw such temptation in the way of these two young people ! Lady Laura knew her son-in-law disliked her, and she had seen little of her daughter lately. But events were marching very quickly now. Here was this young man arranging her daughter's movements, taking upon himself the regulation of her 5* 68 THE THREE CURATES. domestic affairs. What would be the end of it all ? "Charlie," whispered Pauline, "I don't think mamma can be well. I believe Mr. Cohen acts as a nightmare, and weighs heavily upon her soul. She certainly seems quite distraite and out of sorts, or perhaps, poor dear, she is bothered about money affairs. We always were, you know. And to think I haven't a penny. Isn't it too bad ? " "It is," he answered indignantly, "every- thing is so unfairly divided. Here am I with several thousands lying idle. I wish they were yours, Pauline." " Never mind, Charlie, the wish is some- thing. Heigh ho ! " " The carriage is at the door, Madame ! " CHAPTER V. The Mayor of Langton at this time was a gentleman — a Doctor Lewis — as may be imagined, lie was a retired one — with ample means, and a widower, a man about fifty, genial and kind-hearted. What little practice he had now was almost entirely among the poorer townspeople. During this year of his mayoralty his sister, Mrs. Grantley, had come to stay with him. To speak correctly, she was his step-sister — a widow of about four and thirty, tall, striking, not so much on account of her beauty — and she had a fair share of it — as for the bright intelligence displayed in her face. She had very clear, luminous, grey eyes, that expressed every thought and feel- ing. She was naturally gay and vivacious, 70 THE THREE CURATES. independent in thought, word, and deed. As may be supposed, her admirers were many. But between her brother and her- self there was a warm attachment. She generally lived in London, but had given herself up this year to Dr. Lewis. The Bed House, the residence of Dr. Lewis, was a handsome, substantial red brick building, lying back from the road, with a charming old garden in the rear. Dinner was over, and they were sitting out on the lawn enjoying the delicious summer evening. There was the Doctor, Mrs. Grantley, Percy Blythe, Miss Higgins, Esme Curtis, and Cyril Dash wood. Dr. Lewis was blowing little graceful clouds from his cigarette, but he was not taking much part in the conversation. Mrs. Grantley was, and somewhat ener- getically fanning herself meanwhile. " In- THE THREE CURATES. 71 deed I much prefer men to women," she was saying, " not on account of their being especially of the masculine gender, but for their larger and more onerous mind ; for their greater capacity for fairness. "Women generally are small minded. They move in a groove, in a flock, like the ' Brebis de Panurge.' ' In Society ' with them is an unwritten code, stronger than that of the Medes and Persians. I am speaking gene- rally, of course, not individually, for I have known some lovely characters of my own sex ! They stand out from the common herd like stars on a summer night. But take your every-day woman ! She belongs to a certain set. People who live in large houses, bien entendu. It is the house she visits, not so much its inmates, because you hear her so freely pull them to pieces ! Now would a man care one whit whether his friend lived in a mansion or in a small den 72 THE THREE CUKATES. in a back street ? Or would lie all but cut him, or give him a cool nod, because lie was not exactly moving in the same sphere ? Not he ! but a woman would ! " " Mrs. Grantley ! Are you not hard upon your sex? " said Percy Blythe depre- catingly. " No, Mr. Blythe, I am not. I will just give you a case in point. Some years back — you will remember Edward? " she said, turning to her brother, " my father was able to be of great service in an elec- tion — never mind where. The successful candidate owed a good deal to him, which he loyally felt. After the election was over and my father's friend could add the magic M.P. to his name, he was very anxious to show some little attention to my sister and myself, so he desired his wife to call. She did call, and afterwards we were invited to a great omnium gatherum THE THREE CURATES. 73 at their house, and then — and there it all ended. The member's wife £rew to be so short-sighted that we girls often wondered she did not take to spectacles. We were only lawyer's daughters ! you know. Her husband was always the same. He would send us game in the season, or any little delicate compliment he thought would please us and our dear old father. After some year or two I married a gentleman well known in the London world ; a great scholar — a person^ gratia everywhere. I happened to meet the wife of the member for at a lar^e 'at home.' She came forward with some empressement, ' I think I have met you before, Mrs. Grant-ley ? ' " " ' I have not the honour of your acquaint- ance, madam,' I replied, and continued my conversation with a dear gentle old lady who had known me in my insignificant girlish days." 74 THE THREE CURATES. " All ! I do remember that I " said her brother with a laugh. " So now you see why I generally prefer men to women ! " " Perhaps this was an unfortunate selec- tion ? " said Mr. Blythe, differing as much as he dared from his goddess. "It was no selection, it was simply an incident," she answered calmly. " I think there are a great many sweet women in the world," said Miss Higgins. " I fancy, perhaps, I have found more than men." " I can agree with you in this, without contradicting my experience. These are the ' exceptions,' — which you may meet in all grades of life, from Lady Louisa, who is the truest gentlewoman I know, to the wife of an artisan, who dusts the chair for you to sit upon, as she thanks you for your visit." "But it is not every woman who can THE THREE CURATES. 75 afford to have the courage of her opinion," said Mr. Dashwood, who had his own ideas of the duties of society. " I quite agree with you, and that is why I prefer your sex. Xot perhaps so much individually, as collectively," she replied, demurely. " Did not dear old Sir Peter Teazle thoroughly understand the act of malice, when he declined to have his character dissected by the clique at Lady Sneerwell's ? " " Yes, but there were at least three men in that coterie'' said Miss Higgins. " Oh, my dear Miss Higgins, do you call those creatures men ? To my idea, they are sexless. As a woman, I repudiate their mean, contemptible truckling to our worst faults. ' " Xor do ihey trust their tongues alone, But speak a language of their own ; Can read a nod, a shrug, a look, Far better than a printed book ! Convey a libel in a frown, And wink a reputation down ! ' " 76 THE THREE CERATES. " There's no arguing with you, Mrs. Grantley," said Percy Blythe laughingly. " No ; a woman convinced, you know — " " What is the point of conviction ? " said the Eector, who had just entered. " Only the superiority of your sex," answered Mrs Grantley, with mischief in her bright defiant eves. " That is a gracious admission from the o lips of Mrs Grantley," said the Eector, making a courtly, old-fashioned bow. " Why, dear Eector ! Did you ever hear me abuse them ? " " No ! But I did not know you admired them." " I do, very sincerely." " Then in the name of all my sex, let me humbly thank you, and say — " ' woman ! lovely woman ! Nature made thee to temper man : we had been brutes without you.' " " Well, upon my word, Harry, I could THE THREE CURATES. 77 not believe my ears. You quoting poetry, and what not! What is it all about?" said Lady Louisa, joining the group. "The Eector is saying something nice about our sex, Lady Louisa," said Miss Higirins, making room for the Hector's wife DO ' O beside her. "I am sure I am glad to hear it, because he has often said to me : '" AEen have many faults ; poor women have but two — There's nothing good they say, and nothing right they do.' " " Oh, my dear Louisa! that must have been years ago ! " "Well, it was," said his wife, with a good-tempered smile. " And I am so pleased to think our sex has improved since then." During this discussion Cyril Dashwood had paired off with Esme under the shady trees, which prevented them being much 78 THE THREE CURATES. noticed from the drawing-room where the party had returned. But Hester saw it, and a vexed look crossed her face and the resentful feeling against Cyril filled her heart, and she was not sorry where an hour later the Rector and Lady Louisa rose to leave, having to attend a meeting elsewhere, and asked the Eector to order her carriage under the plea of a headache ; but she felt a pang of remorse when she saw the tender light fade out of Esme's blue eyes and one of regret take its place. " I shall take her away to Paris," she thought — " there will be no rest for us here." CHAPTER VI. The day of the fete had arrived. It was one of those lovely golden days of clear, bright, sunny August. All the Langton world was expected. The Eector, his curates and his wife, were early on the ground to see that every arrangement was as perfect as could be — and it might be as well to say a few words about Lady Louisa, who was a most kind-hearted, good-natured, though important personage, giving her- self no airs on the strength of being an earl's daughter, and rather in opposition to her sister, Lady Laura Eidden, who gave herself a great many and not always agree- able ones — for Lady Laura was a disap- pointed woman, while Lady Louisa, being plain and good-tempered, had received a 80 THE THREE CURATES. great deal more than she ever expected. Her husband was kind, considerate, and fond of her. And if he had no particular opinion of her mental capabilities, he had great ones of her heart, for she was one of the kindest and simplest of her sex, and as much liked by the world outside her hus- band's parish as she was beloved by those in the fold. She was greatly attached to Gerald Lanyon, and equally loved by Hester Higgins. Lady Louisa was one of those rather rare women whose happiness in life consists of little kindly actions to their fellow creatures. She was the very beau ideal of a rector's wife. Without fussiness, devoid of pride, with a heart full of sym- pathy — both for sorrow and joy — a true friend, a thorough woman. " Louisa, my dear," said the Eector, who had been fussing about for some time. tc Have you been into the tea tent ? I have THE THREE CURATES. 81 been thinking —suppose it rains ! Dear me ! Is it water-tight, think you ? " " It is not going to rain, Harry, I feel sure. I have not a trace of neuralgia, and you know I always have it before rain !" " I am glad to hear it, my dear ! Let us trust your neuralgia will ' bide a wee.' What a splendid show of fruit and flowers have come from Combe Towers ! Miss Higgins is a Lady Bountiful ! " " Dear Hester is sure to do her best." " Miss Higgins gave me carte blanche to select what I thought fit from the hothouses, and I am glad you approve of them. Lady Louisa," said Mr. Dash wood with some importance. The Eector and his wife smiled, and then continued their tour of inspection, and found everything in order. Nearly everyone had contributed some- thing. The poor, with honest pride, had sent vol. i. G 82 THE THREE CURATES. their very best. There were to be prizes in money, and articles of vertu for the more opulent. The ground was gay with bunting. Under the trees, the gingerbeer and gingerbread stalls would do a lively trade. And the band of the local volunteers would discourse such music as they were capable of. Now the company began to arrive. The Mayor and Mrs. Grantley, who was looking bright and charming, and the only person who dared to brave Mrs. Frostick. Mrs. Grantley was at once the centre of an admiring throng, the most loyal of her following being the Eev. Percy Blythe, who was generally called her shadow. " I'm afraid we are dreadfully early ; but the doctor said if he didn't come now, he couldn't come at all, as he has a meeting at the Town Hall at four o'clock. Who is here, Mr. Blythe ? " THE THREE CURATES. 83 " The Rector, Lady Louisa, the Crasters. There are the Brown girls and their father coming in at the gate, and there is Mrs. Frostick in the rear. Lady Laura Hidden is expected, also Sir John Carruthers, from Leigh Marsh." " Will Miss HWins be here ? " " Yes, I think so. Is not that her car- riage coming over the hill ? " " So it is ! Come and let us see some of the flowers and things before the crush. Where is the Doctor ? Oh, there he is, with Lady Louisa, in safe company. Where is your woman-hater ? " " Oh, he's somewhere about," said Percy, laughing. " Look ! here come some of his foes ! " and Matilda Brown, in a pale green dress with a long train, a yellow silk hand- kerchief loosely knotted round her thin throat, a sort of green-hued ' beefeater ' hat with yellow roses, followed by Harriet, in a G* 84 THE THREE CURATES. white dress, gathered and drawn, and puckered, like a child's, with a pale yellow sash and quilted bonnet with a baby's cap inside, came up with effusion to shake hands with Mrs. Grantley and Mr. Blythe. " So glad to see you, Mrs. Grantley. Isn't it an awfully fine day, Mr. Blythe ? I hope Mr. Lanyon is going to favour us with his company ? " asked Miss Brown with some anxiety. " I believe so, Miss Brown. Here is a friend of yours coming up in full sail," he answered, with laughing malice, as Mrs. Frostick was seen slowly making her way to where they all stood. It was enough for the Brown girls. They firmly believed in discretion being the better part of valour. So Tillie Brown, passing her arm through her sister's, said : " I think, Mrs. Grantley, we will go and see the show. We can do it without crushing now." THE THREE CURATES. 85 " We shall see you again, Mrs. Grantley," said Harriet. " Good-bye for the present." Mrs. Grantley nodded and laughed, her grey eyes, and saucy little nose, looked the embodiment of mischief. " I am afraid there won't be a battle after all ! " "For shame ! Mrs. Grantley," said Percy ■with a laugh. ''Attention! Here is our friend, the enemy." "Did you ever see such fools as yon lasses ! Look at them ! " said Mrs. Frostick, as she recovered her breath, and found herself beside the two. " Look at that long rag Tillie's got on ! And Harriet, with a gown that would do for a four-year old bairn ! " " But they are happy, Mrs. Frostick, and it's a free country," said Mrs. Grantley with a twinkle in her eye. " I daresay you liked to look pretty in your young days." 86 THE THREE CURATES. " Pretty ! And you call } T on pretty ? " " It's their idea of prettiness ! Be- sides, aesthetic dress is really worn in town." Mrs. Frostick snorted derisively. " It beats all to see what a soft old fool is David Brown. Why, Tillie's thirty-five, come Michaelmas ! " " Mrs. Frostick ! do let me put your ' front ' straight ; it's all awry, and spoils the effect of your toilet," said Mrs. Grant-ley sweetly. Mrs. Frostick darted a look of deadly anger at the Mayoress, and with a snort, and a severe clutch at the offending wig, turned abruptly away. " How could you, Mrs. Grantley? '' said Mr. Blythe, convulsed with laughter. "My dear young friend, you should always hit your enemy in his or her weakest spot. Mrs. Frostick's weakest spot THE THREE CUKATES. 87 is her false brown front. Here comes Lady Louisa." " How are you, Mrs. Grantley ? But I need not ask ! Haven't we a lovely day ? Nothing could be better. I do hope every- body will enjoy themselves, especially the children ! Their little shining faces are a sight to see. Mr. Lanyon is my especial aide-de-camp for the day, so, Mrs. Grantley I give you due warning — you are not to requisition him." " Xow Lady Louisa ! That is not fair ! Did you ever know Mr. Lanyon desert your colours for mine ? " " Well, no ! I will say he is generally faithful. But you are radiant to-day, and armed for conquest ; so I tremble for my squire." " Lady Louisa ! Mrs. Grantley has had her first round with Mrs. Frostick, and I am bound to say came off conqueror." 88 THE THREE CURATES. The Rector's wife laughed and shook her head. " Ah ! here comes Hester Higgins ; I must go and welcome her," but the Eev. Cyril Dashwood was much before her lady- ship, for he was ready at the gate to receive the heiress and Esme as they alighted. Mrs. Grantley's eyes followed them, and an amused smile flitted over her face. " Which is he after, Percy Blythe ?— the substance or the shadow ? " But Percy only shook his head. " I don't tell tales out of school, Mrs. Grantley." " Then you do know ! " said she looking at him keenly. " Have ycu been to call on Mrs. Xed Carter, as I asked you ? " he asked, instead of answering her question. " I have, Mr. Blythe ! And a very funny person I found her ; she asked me to come and ' set ' with her as if we were two old THE THEEE CURATES. 89 hens who wanted to clack ! Besides, her whole conversation was on vermin ! " " On vermin ? What can you mean, Mrs. Grantley ? '' "Exactly what I say! Mrs. Carter complained that her house was overrun with mice, and other odious black creatures. So I faithfully promised — in your name — a cat and a hedgehog ! " " How could you ? Where am I to get a hedgehog ? " " I have not the faintest idea. But I wil suggest this much, if you want me to look her up you really must provide her, every now and then, with some fresh topic of conversation, for I came away creepy to a degree. Xow let us go and see those orchids of Sir John Carrutliers' ; I hear they are wonderful." CHAPTEK YII. In Llie meantime Miss Higgins and Esme ■were walking about with Lady Louisa, Cyril Dashwood firmly . attaching himself to Hester, and hardly noticing the young girl so much as by a look ; indeed, he seemed almost studiously to avoid her. And yet Esme had hardly looked fairer — so dainty and fresh was she — in her soft pale dress of blue and her damask roses. She tried to put a bold face on this cold desertion, but her heart was wounded to a degree. So she turned her pretty face to Sir Ernest Belclon, who had just joined the group. A weU-to do young country squire, whom they had known abroad. And was only too happy for Esme's attention at any price, as he was wildly in love with her. " Miss Curtis ! do let me escort you THE THREE CURATES. 91 through some of the tents. They are quite worth a visit." " I shall be very pleased to go I Where shall we find you, Hester ? " " Never mind, dear, just for an hour. I shall be sure and see your blue frock and your red roses," said Hester, only too glad to have her dear child away from the torment she knew she was suffering. So Esme, without one glance at Cyril Dash- wood, passed out of sight with her handsome young squire. " Come with me first into the tea tent, Hester, dear. I think Mr. Lanyon is there. You will not mind if he is not particularly polite or attentive. In fact he dislikes ladies' society. But he is such a kind, good fellow. If you only could know what he has been to those poor wretched gipsies ! They are down with small -pox, and have given no end of trouble. He has managed 92 THE THREE CURATES. to get a temporary hospital for the poor creatures — it is only a rough wooden affair, but contains a good many comforts for them. And really until he took up the thing it was most serious. The Town Council feared they would bring infection into the town. But, however, he, and Dr. Macartney from London, between them, have done wonders. Absolutely got them to have their children vaccinated. He has arranged for provisions being conveyed to them. So they, on the whole, are really getting better now, thanks to his noble self- denial. His own vaccination has made him wretchedly ill. You haven't met him at all, my dear? Gerald Lanyon is not the least good-looking, though I hear the young ladies would make a lot of him if he would only let them. The fact is, dear, he is very well off," said her Ladyship, slyly, "for a curate," THE THREE CURATES. 93 Mr. Cyril Dashwood, rinding His company almost ignored by the two ladies, took himself off, and rather regretted he had not paid more attention to Esme. However, there she was, walking about, apparently enjoying herself, with Sir Ernest Beldon. While he was wandering aimlessly about, with something like a scowl on his hand- some face, he was waylaid by Miss Matilda Brown ! It was all in vain he pleaded anxiety to find the Eector. She knew " the exact spot where the Eector was located." Inwardly he anathematised her ; but it was all no good. Miss Brown was not to be parted with. She was impervious to his cold, abrupt answers. She had found an escort, and did not mean to let him