CHAPTER XLII. SIR HUGH DINES IN WINDSORSTREET.

Waikato Times, Volume 2188, Issue XXVII, 17 July 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XLII. SIR HUGH DINES IN WINDSORSTREET.

Sir Hugh "kept his promise, and 'looked up ' his cousin before the end of the week, walking 1 into the office one aftornoon just as George waa leaving 1 it, and the two cousins pi-oceeded together arm-in-arm through the town, and in one of the streets the Moun^eys' carriage passed them, the ladies bowing to Georgo as it did so. ' By Jove ! what a handsome woman, George,' said Sir Hugh. ' Who is your friend.' But before George could answer him the carriage stopped, and Mrs Mounsey beckoned to George to ootne and speak to them. The cause of this sudden advance on her part wai very n'mple. * That is Sir Huirh Manners, I should think, L-msia, with Mr Manners,' Lauiw, had said to her siiter as they parsed the cousins. • Do you think ao ?—-loyou? — -loyou leally think so ?' answered Mrs Mounsey, witn great excitement. 'Well. I boliove it i-», ami I want to speak t > Georgo Manners,' nnd she pulled the check-string as she said this, and waved her hand for Georgo to approach the as.

4 Why have you not been to see us before T she «aid. ' You naughty man, you denerve a good scold iug 1 . I« that your cousin ? What a handnome young inau ho is. I stopped the carriage because I want you to dine with us to-day. I told Laura to write you a line, and give you my nit-snage— did I not, Laura ?' 4 1 do not remember, replied Laura, blushing deeply. 4 Did I not ? Well, I mount to do «o at any rute. But you will come '" We have such lota to tell you — all about the wedding you know ; and she tuniled and nodded at Laura. ' My counin is diuiug with me to-day, thank you,' Baid George ; ' but some other time-— 1 'But bring Sir Hugh — pray bring Sir Hugh. I feel just as if I knew him already, you know, from hearing about him from my cousin, and being your cousin Hugh. So do introduce him ; lam so glad we have met you.' During this conversation Sir Hugh had been looking at Ltura Clayton with much admiration, and on George turning round and beckoning to him, he at once advanced towards the carriage, taking off his hat and bowing low his handsome head. ' I have been endeavouring to persuad* your cousin to dine with us, Sir Hugh,' said Mrs Mounsey, with a slight flurry preemptible in her manner, after George had introduced them. ' 1 hope I do not stand in your way, then, George ; pray do not mind me/ he answered. ' Oh, that is what I was just saying, | Sir Hugh,' eagerly said Mrs Mounsey — * just saying, I hope you also will give us | the pleasure, do us the honour of dining with us.' * I am at my cousin's service,' said Sir Hugh, with a smile, ' but I thank you kindly for asking me.' • Oh, do come ! Mr George, I will really take no refusal. It won't be so stupid as dining in pokey little lodgings at any rate— not that, I daresay, Mr Manners, your lodgings are pokey— but I lodgings in general/ 'Yon have described mine exactly,' said George laughing ; they are pokey and cheap— but they suit me, and I shall be sorry to leave old Mrs Carr.' • But are you really going abroad ?— now really ? Isn't it just to make all your friends press you to stay, that you threaten to leave us? Don't you think that is just it, now. Sir Hugh? I am sure Mr Manners does not really mean to leave England.' • I really do, though,' answered George, gravely, nnd he looked at Miss Claytou as he <*poke. 1 You will come back sometime 1 ?, I hope,' said Laura, gently. * Yes— you must come back sometimes.' 4 But what is he going away for C said Mrs Mounsuy, significantly, w.ning hei white parasol, lined with pink, slightly over her face. ' Can k yon enlighten us. Sir Flugh ?' * For all men's primal object, I suppose — to make monvy,' replied Sir Hugh. ' But 1 wish he would change ins mind ; I wish he would «>tay ; liut he won, 1 know my cousin of old, Miss Clayton, ami a more obstinate man never existed ' 4 Well, he must not be today,' said Mrs Mounsey, graciously. 4 1 think, Sir Hugh, you nit; acquainted with my cousin, Captain Hugh Clayton of the 3rd, and I shall have much pleasure in receiving any friend of his at the table ?' •Sir Hugh bowed again, and a faint smile stole round the corners of his lips. 4 1 have the honour of knowing Captain Clayton,' he said ; 4 but independently of that, 1 shall, with George's permission, have much pleasure in accepting your invitation.' 4We shall be' delighted—at eight, then,' said Mrs Mounsey, smiling and looking really very good-looking under thu influence of the pleasing impression, and the pink-lined parasol; and putting off, by a grand stroke of policy, aa she imagined, their usual dinner an hour and a half, ont of compliment to Sir Hugh's aristocratic temlenc es, and also to give her cook time to prepare a sufficiently splendid baixjnet to entertain him. 'At eight, then, Mr Manners,' she repeated ; 4 aud for the present, adieu ;' and with a most charming smile directed to Sir Hugh, Mrs Mountey drove away, and went tiist to the best fruiterer's and then to the beat confectioner's in the town ; ordering the most expensive luxuries in both places to be scut immediately to Windsorstreet. As the carriage disappeared the two cousins looked at each other and smiled. ' It's rather fun,' said Sir Hugh ; ' and what a splendid woman that Miss Clayton is— a lovely woman I call her.' * She is very handsome.' Sir Hugh turned sharply round, and leoked at his cousin. ' She ain't one of your victims, is she, George ?' he said. 4 She had a soft look in her fine eyes, I thought, when ehe said she hoped you would come back.' 4 She is on the point of being married, my dear fellow, to a very respectable nan.' * Much the more likely then to be in love with some fellow who ain't respectable. I invariably notice when a gnl does happen to do such a rash thing as to like one man a bit, that she always mar- , ries another almost immediately after. I can't account for it, but it's a fact.' • Well, I hope Miss Clayton is an exception to your rule, and that she doea hk? Mr Peel.' 4Mr Peel, you call the fellow ? And who may he be — a rich man.' 4 Yes, a very rich man.' 'I thought so— and middle-aged, I dare say?' 4 Decidedly middle-aged,' answered George, with a laugh. 4 Happy Mr Peel ; it'« to be hoped he's a man of some vanity and small discern ment. Nothing is so serviceable to a flirting wife as a vain husband.' 4 1 do nut believe Mibs Clayton will be a flirting wife.' ' Then J do,' answered Sir Hugh, 4 and by Jovo. dye know ! I would not mind cultivating the acquaintance of Mr Peel' 4 Come Hugh, no nonsense.' •That reminds me I've a commission for you— a commission from Mrs Hugh Clayton,' said Sir Hugh spitefully. 4 Well,' answered George, steadily look ing at his cousin ; ' what does she want : 4 There's a list of things some way. D'ye know I was down at the Vicarage last night, and, by Jove, that little woman looked lovely— positively lovely ! She wore something blue, I think, and she got a look about her face that — arc you inclined to be jealous again, George ? for if you promise not to shoot me I'll tell you the truth— a look which made me feel confoundedly spooney.' 1 How can you be so absurd ?' said George uneasily. ' It can't make any matter of course to a good boy like you,' went on Sir Hugh. ! 4 What can another man's wife to be my sedate coz? 1 Then seeing George's darkening face, ho added lightly, ' Don't frown, dear old boy, I was but jesting— but the fair Amy did look uncommonly pretty last night.' 4 1 think she is always very pretty.' ' Yes— so, so. I like more colour than flesh, I think ; bub v's a mere matter of opiuion ; and at all events she is really a nice little girl.' 1 Does she look stronger !' 4 She looks delicate, but that is all; and she to jk a turn round the garden with me, and I had my virtuous cousin George's perfections all brought up with a vengeance. She's awfully spooney on you, George.'

4 My dear Hugh ' 1 That's all very fine ; but it's truth, air, and nothing hut the truth, and I think you are a hard -hearted fellow to leave her ; and she said she had written to you.' 4 I have not received it yet then.' 'It will be coming to-night, or in tha morning ; and *»ho said I was to tell you Hh« was quite well and happy, and I know not what pretty things besides.' 4 Poot Amy !' said George, as if unconsciously ; and then he added, • but her* we are at my den. ' Come in, Hn«h, and have a smoke before we go to the Mouo* seys. ' When they arrived at Windsor street at the appointed time, they found their hostess had really spared no expense to do them honour. George could scarcely forbear smiling, indeed, when the door was opened by a solemn functionary in black, hitherto unknown in the establish* ment ; while John, the ordinary house* servant, stood in the hall with a supercillious expression, disgusted apparently at being superseded by the stranger. The man of the occasion, however, escorted them to the drawing-room, where he forgot to enquire their names, but an« nounced, as he threw open the door, in a lou J pompom voice—' Sir Hugh Manners, and his cousin ;' so that it was evidently a well-known fact in the household that Mrs Mounsey was going to entertain » baronet to dinner. That lady herself, rery elaborately dreased in some light-coloured xatm, wan | Hitting ready dressed to receive them ; and did so with much cmprcscmcnt when they entered. • This smoky place must seem so dreary to you, Sir Hugh,' she said, with much feeling, as if the smoky place was too much for her also. * On the contrary,' he answered, greatly amused, • I am charmed with it — srnokfi and all ; and yet more charmed, of course/ he added with a bow, ' when I am in MrsMounsey's company.' 4 Oh, Sir Hugh ! how can you talk such nonsense,' said Mrs Mounsey, sinkj ing languidly baok in an easy chair ; 4 your cousin is not go flattering.' 4 Now that is very unkind, Mrs Mouni Bey,' said George. *Oh ! but it's true ; he and I are not xuch good friends now as we were, Sir Hugh; he 'but here Mrs Moun*ey suddenly paused, for the door opened, and Mr Mouusey hurried excitedly iv. 4 My husband,' saidMri Mounsey, rery rppressivfly, 'Ah, Sir "U^rh! ah, Sir 'Uirh ! proud to nviko your acquaintance, sir — proud. Ah, my young iru-nd Manners!' and Georire's turn camt' next, to be welcomed by ivir M<»uiw>'s two f.t tinkers; * jjlnd to *cc yen Manner", airl your distiniruUhfd r"ktu.ii — \< ry How is the country looking on your extensive pr<»i>t ity, Sir 'Ut-'h ! A <.'rent want of water !ie;c, .sir— m ilim <r}\°, almost h druujht.' •Wmi t tluie be iiiv water then at nil -non I- 1 stid >u Hul'li, xutli Hffected simplicity ; 'that* wh.it a diought imaim, .iocsn'r it ? ' A houcitv, Sir 'U^'h— l dionld *;ty h -f ir^ity. The- heibajfc on the pxten»ivo tin or attached to t hii town, sir, i-» brown ; tin- i-> dtied up ; the cow — .in aiici»-nr pr.viN j t»o which thp freemen possess, of feeding one cow there — are fhirhtv. Yes, Sir C-h, I npptehend drouurhr, which will b<* a nation tl calamity — at least, I hhould perh-ips more properly -ay, h local calamity ' Perhaps it will rain,' said Sir Hugh, into ;i chair. 'Mr Moun-ey,' "»md Mis Monnsev, 'ring the bell ;' and Mi Mnun-ey lang "it accordingly. ' Tr-U their m r>e to In ing down Mash r and Miss Mou'imv,' - (J i,i Mrs Mounsey, when the butler for the day answered her summons. ' I must show you my dailhigs, «aid she, playfully, tuinin/ to Sir Hugh; 'of course, young men liate them ;of course you say they ar • all .iliko — but I do think my L >u.-y is ;t -burp little girl ; •md as for Jounny, oh ! lie's such a naughty mischievous, litt'e fellow, I really do not know what I sh.ii! d^ with him.' 4 Brintj him up in t! c way be .-huuld $?o,' suggested Sir Hugh, repressing a yawn. 4 How satirical you aro, Sir Hugh—l ran Nee that ; but you must not be — you mu»t not be to poor me, at least, for it makes me quite nervous.' • Mamma isntivous naturally, I think,' mud Mr Moun-fy; ' but all ladivs are— nil ladies :ire. Von' ll find out that, Sir 'Ugh, when there's :i Lad}- Manners, ha ! ha ! h.i ! — When ihtMo't* a Lady Manners;' mid Mr M«un«ey rubbed hit Innds together in autiiipatiou of the" happy event. ' There won't be one long then,' said Sir Hugh, 4 for I can't stand this sort of thing.' 4 Tho wife or the nerves? 1 asked Mrs Mouusey, gaily. ' Oh, you naughty young man — you bad boy. You mtm't not talk such heresy before ny husband ; L won't allow it— l can't allow" it.' 4 Ha! ha ! ha!' hhrieked Mr Mounter. * Miiinrau in afraid, Sir 'Ugh M-timers—M -timers— afraid that a Manners is j-'oing to teach me bad manner* — ha ! h;» ! ha !' ' Do not be ab<urd, Mr Mounsey,' said Mrs Mounsey. • But here, are the darMugs. Now. Johnny, my pet, come and -peak to this nice gwotlcniau— come and .speak to Sir Hu^h ' 'He isu't nice,' remarked Johnny, dogiredly, putting his thumb into hin mouth, which he evidently still considered a luxury. 4 Yes, Johnny, ho i> nice, and pretty too ; miim.i thinks si>.' ' You don't,' .-aid Johnny, obstinatclv. ' Yes, Johnny, I do ; you should Lot contradict mamma.' 'You said upstairs to aunt Laura,' went on Johnny, triumphantly, • th.it he looked a regular young scamp -you know you did.' ' Hold your tongue, you naughty boy, ami don't toll stones,' Laid Mrs- Monnsey, turning sou let, while Sir Hugh burst into a loud lau^'h, in which Geoige could not resist joining. 'Truth will out, 1 Mrs Mounsey.' snid Sir Hugh, '(.'iinc here, my Hue fellow, and I'll give sv)ii a shilling for telling it. VU ays do, Johnny, and you'll shame the devil.' Just then, very simply dressed in w hi^. Lain .i Chyton came into the room. 1 What are you teaching my little nephew V she said, for she had overheard Sir Hugh's last words. 4 What I wish someone had taught me,' he answered, rising. • Truth, Miss Clayton — truth.' • And did no one ?' she asked, with some interest. 4 1 have forgotten it if they did,' answered Sir Hugh. 'The world was my godmother, I think, and you know what kind of one that is.' 4 A cold and hard one,' said Laura, and involuntarily she sighed. 'Oh !' my dear Laura, don't begin anything dismal,' cried Mrs Mounsey,' who had now almost got o^er Johnny's unfortunate remark. * I won't allow this naughty sister of mine,' she continued, addressing Sir Hugh, 4 to begin sentimentalising—she ig so dreadfully romantic. 1 4 1 think, Louisa, that is the last thing you can accuse me for now,' answered Laura, and she turned away, and went tip to the table near where George was standing looking at some photographs. * Your occupation remiuds me of something I was going to say to you, '"she said to bun. 4 1 want you, before you leave England, to give me your photograph.' •I will be very glad, 1 replied. George j

1 and you will let me have one of yours in return ?' For a moment she hesitated ; then she said — 'Yes, certainly. I shall *lw§y%sbef proud to be numbered among ys|r friends.' , »«-, * 4Do not say that Miss Clayton;* 1 " >v . ' • ♦But I do say it, and feel it also,' answered Laura ; and then, with heightened colour' and some "agitation' of manner, she continued — • If —if by any action of mine lately, Mr Manners, I have forfeited your esteem, let me say one thing, that the whole circumstances of any one's life can only be known to themselves.' 'I believe that ; — but ' • We will not talk of it,' said Laura, gently ; but there is one thing I should like to ask you — how is my cousin's unfortunate wife? 1 and she lowered her voice, so as to be heard only by George. 'She is better,' he answered, quietly ; and she and my sifters are very busy just now planniu*? a little free school for the poor fisher children at Narbrouph. I need not ask you,' he added, impressively, 4 to keep her secret ?' 'It is quite safe,' said Laura, ' and my sifter has almost forgotten tho whole affair by this time. Hugh is to return in August ' and t«ho cast down her eyes and blushed deeply* ' ' Has the — has your marriage 'to be then?' asked George, with some hesitation. ; ' Yes ; if you are still in England-- — ' • I willjnot be,' he answered qiiickly ; las soon as ever Mr Hindmarch veiurna' from* Spaiu I leave. But I hayo n'ofc offered my congratulations to you yet.' • There is no need ; I believe yotk wish me well and happy.' • That I do, indeed ; but—: ' ' I will always be glad, and so I am sure will Mr Peel be, to see you 1 at f Newfartb,' said Laura, interrupting him, with a certain dignity in her manner. ' ' And tell Miss Williams, if ever it is in my power to offer her any assistance I shall most willingly do it ' 'I thank you for us both,' said George, in a low voice. % Her greatest dread is erer to see Capt iin Clayton a^ain ; and, perhap-., you will let her know in t'ime if you hear there is such a chance.' ' ' . 4 1 will, indeed,' replied L'ltira,' earn- I estly; and then dinner beiujr announced, they all proceeded downstairs to [ enjoy I the banquet which Mrs Mounsey had pro- > vided for her new friend. • I say, it's top bad, old fellow, Whispered Sir Hugh to George, , after the gentlemen were left alone — the sisters having retired to the drawing-room while their host, under his repeated draughts of champagne, was dozing as he sat at the table — ' too bad of you leaving me that stale piece of antiquated' flirtation; by way of amusement, and you making fierce love yourself to the lovely Laura. I'll tell the lovely Amy, if you don't take care, so look out.' Georyre laughed, .'md when they went up to rejoin the ladies he seated himself by Mrs Mounsey, and besran frying to make himself very ajrreeable to her,; but it would not do. Her eyes were fixed with an expression of intense interest on Sir Hugh, who was talking to her sister at the opposite side of the room ; and she could scarcely conceal her impatience to join them, and in a few minutes begged Laura to sing. 'I want to hear her as often as I can now,' she said, significantly, to her visitors. 'I do not know what I shall do without her, I am sure ;' and she laid her hand affectionately on the shoulder of the sister who was about to become rich. Laura smiled a>. *he did so. She understood her sister, but no bitterness entered her heart with that knowledge. 4 She is but doing what I am doing in another way,' she had more than once reflected, on some exhibition of Mrs Mounseys suddenly augmented affection since her engagement — ' but doing as I am doing 1 , and how can I blame her ?' After a song or two Sir Hugh looked at his cousin to intimate that he wished to go. He was heartily tired of Mrs Mounsey by this time, and Laura did not show any inclination or wish to try to amuse him ; so, with a scarcely suppressed yawn, ho signified his wish to retire, and Gvoi^o joio, and with great reluctance on the part of their hostess they were at last allowed to leave. * What a deli^hcful man Sir Hugh i«, said Mrs Mounsey, almost before the door had closed behind them : 'so clever, so handsome, so fascinating.' * I thought him rather supercilious,' answered Laura. ' Ob, nonsense, you jealous little thing,' xeplied Mrs Mounsey, in high goodhumour. 4 You see you did not talk to him as much a* I did ; you were flirting with that stupid George Manners, I think.' ' Who is worth twenty such men as Sir Huirh,' said Laura, her colour deepening as she spoke., ' Who is worth what few are,' she thought, and she sighed and turned away. What a confounded bore that woman is,' said Sir Hugh, hs soon as he was fairly in the street with his cousin. 'I thought positively che was going CO put her sharp face, neck and shoulders, all down my throat at once D'ye suppose now that a lean old woman like that thinks herself handsome !' • ' Couie, Hugh, don't be boorish,' said George, ' jiif>t after citing her tinnier.' 'It was a bad dinner; overdone— too much of it ; and the same may be said of the woman, for I had rtucidedly too'much of her;' and this was Sir Hugh's verdict on what had caused Mr* Mounsey so much self-congratulation and expense. The next morning Sir Hugh left, Oldcastle, and Amy's promised letter arrived for George. It was written in evidently better health and spirits than she was in when he parted with her, but through it all ran an indescribable yearning for his presence. 'I have been doing this, dear George,' or 'I have been d)ing that,' she wrote ; ' and when you come you must tell me what you think,' and so forth, was the gist of the whole letter. She wanted to see him again, and George for a moment, as he read her tender words, grew irresolute, then checking the inclination he endeavoured to turn his mind from the idea, and to immerse himself more entii ely in the interests of his, business, and in looking oat also forasuitable person to take his place in the officfc during his absence. This with the assistance of Mr Portland he was able to accomplish during the following week, and he then wrote a detailed description of his present plans to Mr Hindmarch in Spain. That gentleman replied in anything but a lively strain. Things were worse than even he expected, he said, and as for Cuthbertson, nothing could be bad enough for him, and Mr Hindmarch declared it would be impossible for him to return to England in less than a month. In George's present restless and dissatisfied state of mind this was almost more than he could bear. The knowledge that in a few hours he could be with those so dear to him, made the restraint of not seeing them far greater than if he had known it was impossible to do so, and again and again his resolution faltered. He paid one visit to Windsor- street during this time, but this left no very pleasing impression on his mind, for he found the only person he had any interest in there was sitting on a couch in the back drawing-room by the sid£ of her elderly betrothed, and it was almost impossible to say whether Laura or himself felt most uncomfortable at this meeting. 'Since I have had the pleasure of seeiog Mr Manners, I think,' said Mr Peel, in his slow, pompous way, • this young lady has done me t he honour of accepting my hand. May I beg the honour of your company, sir, at the approaching ceremony ?' 1 Mr Manpera is about to leave England,' said Laura, in her sweet voice, but it had not its usual clearness as she spoke. , * Indeed, sir ! "May I ask for what

terested, and for the next quarter of an hour forgot the lover, to the relief of the whokn(j|tv. Then George rose to go, £ ami mtwui|fciB hand to Laura. '} £Tlkl ffl not see you agau)ffife& sdfrtj^ and thenphe paused. £ pi j 1 Goodjipye, and may all stfj&cess attend | -yotf,' Shfc^ifeplied, and she pressed Hift^ hand, and her lips quivered as she spoke ; and George^ left the room more tlvorougliTy disgusted with" r £he sacrifice she was about to make,' as he called it, than ever. So tfie dull time wore on, the only break "in" whTch occurred when letters from Narhrough reached him, and he sometimes asked himselt if ever these gave him most pleasure or pain, for they were always written hoping to see him ; always dwelling on a meeting which he know must never come ; and each one that arrived caused a fresh struggle in his heart, and shook the resolve which already was so very hard for him to keep. At last Mr Hindmarch wrote that he had started on his way home, and George was thus able to make arrangements for his own immediate departure. Bat he never hinted this in his letters to Amy, preserving his secret with scrupulous fidelity to the last, and encouraging her in every way to exert herself, and throw off h«r illness and depression, and' to give as much of her time and attention as she was possibly able to do tp the school. 1 But ydu must come and help 'us — you must really come and help ufc ; she wrote, the morning before George went on his distant journey, • for it is all yours — all your thoughtful kindness ; and I always feel when I am sitting among the children that you would be pleused to see me there, and ' you will be pleased, George, won't you, when you do see toe? Beside*, it i» so beautiful andstill here row, 'all ' through " these bright summer days, and I am sure you would enjoy it: and it would do you good, for you must want both rest and change. A's for me, t never tirp of behi« out in the garden now, and sit for hours lNteuintr to the distant murmur of the sea, which bie.iks on, on, on ; but not for ever — not for ever. For, oh ! dear "George, I am bffgitininir •to realise, I think, the> coming of that time when you and I need never p*rt— when our -orrows and 'troubles here will be over, and our souls' I pi'ay* at rest together with God. But, oh ! it aeerns so long to wait — so long my dear, no long. But will' ooine and help me', ay brother, my friend ; you will come and give me | the strength I *b much need ; you will teach me to become what, without you, I feur, I never could be — a patient and unselfish woman.' 'My little girl— my poor tender little girl,' thought George, and he laid her letter against her lips ami cheeks for a few miuutes. and then with a heavy heart aat down to bid her farewell. He did this in a few hurried lines. Circumstances had happened he wrote, which compelled him to leave England at once, without even having time to oome down and bid them good-bye. But she mi«ht always feel sure of one thing — Which was, that wherever he might be she would still be as near and as dear to him as she was then. • And my dear Amy,' he added, •if it pleases God that our lives shall be apart to the end, I with you believe and trust that hereafter thosa who have faithfully loved each othor on earth will meet to part no more. And as no change ojt- chance of time can destroy this hope, I will try to live such a life that, when every secret of our hearts shall be I.iid' bare, the dear woman I love may jet love me still, and have no cause for shame at having waited her feeling-* on au im worthy affection.' Then praying to God to bless her, he bid her farewell ; and an hour after he had po3ted this he started for town, where he expected to meet his partner and his cousin, to make some final arrangements before leaving England, as he intended, for years. (To be continued.)