CHAPTER XLIV. SIR HUGH'S RETURN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2191, 24 July 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XLIV. SIR HUGH'S RETURN.

Mr Hindmaroh kept his promise, and dined at the Vicarage. He sat next Misi Williams, and the admiration trhich he had felt for her during their walk in .the afternoon increased considerably when he saw how pretty and elegant- looking she was in her white dinuer dress, and what attention the Vicar and Mrs Manners both seemed to pay her. 1 She must be some great swell, I'm afraid,' he thought, almost with a sigh ; and some dim visions of love and matrimony, whioh had begun floating through his brain, felt rather crushed out at the idea ; 'for a fellow in business would hare no chance, I suppose,' he reflected. 'But when the ladies go upstairs I'll get out of the Vicar all about her.' In pursuance of this object, when Mrs Manners, Adelaide, and Amy had left the room and a glass or two of port wine had passed between them, Mr Hindmarch, after edging his chair nearer to his host, began — ' That's an uncommonly pretty girl, Mr Manners.' ' Which ?' asked the Vioar, with * twinkle in hie small, grey eyes ; for, with some amusement, he remarked during dinner, Mr Hindmarch'a looks of admiration at his neighbour, and knew perfectly well whom he meant. 'Which, Mr Hindmarch ? They are both fine girli, but who do you admire the most ?' • I meant Miss Williams,' faltered poor Mr HUimarch, bursting out suddenly into a violent perspiration. He thought it seemed almost as if the Vicar were going to ask him his intentions. 1 Oh, Miss Williams. Well, I do not wonder at any one admiring her ; she is a remarkable pretty girl, and as good as she looks.' ' She's a very nice young lady— very. Docs she belong anywhere about here ?' 'No ; she is a south-country girl, a* you might tell by her pretty tongue. Her family are highly respectable,' went on. the Yioar, greatly amused at Mr Luke's eager interest in the subject. ' Any tin ?' asked Mr Hindmarch, with a little nervous laugh, intended to represent an indifferent one. ' Yes j a fair fortune, I believe — a fair fortune. But she desen't need money to set her off, does she, Mr, Hindmarch ?' ' No, indeed ; one would never think about money with such a sweet creature as that. But you see, Mr Manners — I speak confidentially, of course — a married man has many expenaet. I would not liko to marry, I confess, unless I married in a certain style and that ooati money ; and

though, of course, money should never be an objeot in marriage, etili iff a oonsideration.' 1 A nerions consideration/ said the Vicar, 'a very serious consideration. I commend your prudence, Mr Hindmaroh.' 4 Well, you see, Mr Manners, I'm thirty now ; and I always said, when I'm thirty 111 look out.' ' Then we may oall you on the look out at present ?' 1 On, I don't say that, answered Mr Hindmarch, rather alarmed, and fidgeting on his seat — 'I won't iay that, exactly ; bo tif I saw any young lady I admired very much, and she admired me, of oourne, ha ! ha ! ha !— well, I wouldn't ray I was a determined bachelor." 44 Well, it's a fine chanco for some one,' said the Vicar, dryly. 4 <oh, ' oome now, Mr Manners, you musn't quiz a fellow. You've gone through it twioe, you know, ha ! ha ! ha ! and you shouldn't make a joke of one.' 1 You*ll find it no joke, I can tell ypu,' said the Vicar, periously; and then getting tired of Mr litndraaroh, and wanting his usual after dinner pipe in peace, he added —'If you won't have any more wine, Mr Hindmarch, I propose now that we join the ladies. I mutt not be so selfish as to keep a smart young man like you, on the look out too, all to myself,' *Ha ! ha ! ha 1' Inured Mr Hindmarch, and then followed his host to the arawing-room, where they found Miss Williams sitting among the three children, with Milly'n head, who was asleep, lying on her shoulder. * What a happy little girl !' said Mr Hindmarch, going up to the group, while Mr Manners, after standing a moment said — 1 Where is Mrs Manners, Miss Willims ?' 1 She ia upstairs, I think,' replied Amy. 1 Oh, I want to speak to her for a few minutes, so will you excuse me, Mr Hin din arch F' And then, quietly shut* ting, the door behind him.the Vicar retired to his snuggery, and left Mr Hindmarch to amuse himself among the ladies* He did so very well. Adelaide Manners, j thoroughly disgusted with 'that snob,' j declined to reappear, and pretended she j had a headache ; and Mrs Manners and Amy and the children sat round the tea table together, and grew very friendly and sociable. He indeed got quite confidential with fcltem ; told them, about his uncle at the farm ; told them about hi^ school-days ; and did not tell them about the old, drunken father, or the shabby lodgings in Oldcastie. 'He was getting on very well,' he said. He was very impressive on this point, and both Mrs Manners and Amy rather liked him, and encouraged him to tell them all about his affair-*, and evinced much interest, in his prosperity. They did not tell him why, and he never guessed it. They were thinking of George— of George, who-.p welldoing and success in life Wits united with this man's and Mr Hindmarch wan pieced and flattered by their kindno«p, and thought ho wad making a very favourable impr^sion. 4ls that fellow never going away, Nelly ! said the Vicar, at half-past ten o'clock, to his wife, who ba«l gone down to the study to look after him ; but Mrs Manners could give no information on the subject. At eleven, however, after looking at his watch, he started up. •By Jove,' he said, 'I'd no idea how late it was. I'm sure, ladies, I've spent a most agreeable evening,,.*^ one I hope on some future occasion to renew.' * We'll be very glad to see you,' said Mrs Manners, holding out her hand. 1 I'm obliged to be back to town tomorrow night, but I'll pay my respects before Igo in the morning. This young lady,' he continued, turning to Dolly, 1 has promised to show me the sands and sotne of the beauties of the neighbourhood — though I needn't go further than the vicarage, Ijam sure, to see them. But I meau the natural beauties— the scenery, &c, and I hope she'll keep her word.' 4 1 alwa>s do,' said Dolly, consequently, 1 Don't you ?' 'I hope so, missy— l hope so. But whatjtime shall I gall— aud, Miss Williams, I will hope for another song ? I shall not forget the last one in a sudden, 'Po not forget me, think of me still,' hummed Mr Hindmarch, endeavouring, but failing to catch the tune. 'It has 'made me feel, I declare, quite Bentimental.' ♦That's a confession, Mr Hindmarch,' said Mr. a Manners,' laughing; and* < hen having shak'eu hunch with them all round again, and fixed to call the next day at one o'clock, 'Justin time tor a littl« bit of luncheon with" the children,' said Mrs Manners, hospitably, to him, Mr Hindmarch. at last took his departure. * He seems a very deserving younjr man,' said Mrs Manners, speaking of their late guest to her husband. 4 Very, my dear,' replied the vioar ; * but all the same I hope he'll meet with his desserts some way out of my house. How George has stood being with such a snob all these years I cannot conceive. ' A great disappointment occurred to Mr Hindmarch on the following morning. When he arrived at the vicarage to keep his appointment with Dolly, he found indeed that young lady ready to receive him, hut not^the one whom he ,had really oomo to Fee. 4 I'm so sorry,' said Mr* Manners to him, ' and so is Mis* Williams, I'm sure, but she won't be ablo to go out with you this afternoon ; she's got such a bad head. Poor girl, she's in bed. Yon know, she's not very strong just now, and indeed is only just recovering from an illue«s.' * I'm very sorry, very indeed, 1 said Mr Hindrnarch, and his face fell considerably. * We'll hope for better luck next time. But come into the diuintr-robm, Mr Hiudmarch, and hare a little luncheon with the children, and then they'll be happy to take you wherever you like to po.' Luncheon being over, Mr Hindmarch and the threo girls set out for a walk. But he attached himself more to Dolly than the rest, being greatly amused by { that sharp young lady. After they had j shown him the sands and the links, lie asked if they could go over the Hall, which aocordingly'they did, and then returned to early tea at the Vicarage ; Mr Hindmarch declaring he * must see the ladies home.* As soon as they arrived there, Dolly being left with him a few minutes alone, proposed to fetch her photograph-book to amuse him. 4 And what would you give for this pretty thing?' she said to him, slyly, turning over the leaves to one of its pages. * Come, Miss Dolly, now let mo see,' he answered, trying to pull away the hand with which she was covering the inserted portrait. 4 Well, what will you give ?' she asked again ; and then showed him it was Miss Williams's photograph she was hiding. ' A great deal,' said he, half seriously. 4 Will you. give it to me, Miss Dolly, and I'll buy you anything you like in return for it in Oldcastie ?' Dolly laughed. 4 Will you buy me a Jpaint-box ?' she said jokingly. 4 Yes, the very handsomest one I can get. Do give it to me, Mips Dolly, «nd I'll send you the paint-box by the first train to-morrow.' •Dolly's virtue wavered. A paint-box, a real, handsome paint-box, had been the objeot of her higheit ambition for months, and here she had a chanco. Yet bho felt half-ashamed of tho transaction. •If you want it so much you may have I it/ ihe. said, dubiously, * but don't mind

about the paint-box ; and don't tell Miss Williams I gave it to you.' 1 You shall have the best paint-box I can buy,' said Mr Hindmarch, very gratefully, pocketing bin prize ; ' and something else too, you dear little girl ;' ntd he tried to give Dolly a kiss. ♦Don't,' said she, sharply, pushing him back, • don't. la that a reward, do you think ? I don't, I can tell you ;' and very red and angry, Dolly turned away. She was propitiated the next day, however; for in the evening James, the old servant, brought a large brown paper parcel from the station, directed to Miss Dolly Manners; which, when opened, was found to contain a really magnificent paint-box. • You asked for it, Dolly !' said Katie, reproachfully ; but Dolly with truth exonerated herself from this accusation. 'You must have hinted, then?' persisted Katie, who was a little jealous of her sister's acquisition ; 'or how could he know you wanted one?' But Dolly only tossed her head in reply, and bid her not be disagreeable, and then proceeded minutely to inspect her treasure, with however some secret misgiving in her heart as to the propriety of her conduct. ' I would not allow you to accept it if I were your mother,' said Adelaide Manners, when she heard of this present, and found the two girls gloating over its contents. 1 Luckily for us you are not, then,' retorted Dolly. • You are a rude child,' said the elder sister, turning away ; and Dolly revenged herself by saying in a low voice — ' How odious she is. I knew she would not play the amiable for long.' This however was, to a certain extent, unjust. Adelaide had made up her mind on returning to her father's house to try to be pleasant to its inmates ; and she was doiug her very best to keep her resolution, and had even m»de a sort of apology to Amy. •I am very sorry to hear that your head is still aching so much,' she said, going into the schoolroom where Amy was lying on the couch, the evening of the day of Mr Hindmarch' s visit ; 'I hope it is better to-night?' 1 Oh yes, 1 answered Amy, feeling grateful for this unexpected kindness. • You and I have not been very good friends,' went on Adelaide, after a few moments' hesitation ; ' and lam sorry if any mUapprehension of mine led you to quarrel with my brother ; but I hear,' she udded with a smile, • that is all made up now.' • Yes.' ' You misled feeing your new admirer to-day, by not being well, didn't you,' Miid Adelaide, with a sort of scornfnl pride in her manner, which it was difficult for her to suppress. • What a wretch he is ! Fancy George beinsr partner, or whatever he calU it, with such a monst-er ! P<tna s.iyn lie U clef-ply smitten with you, I wish you joy of your conquest.' 'Oil, Miss Manners, do not talk like that.' ' Why ? He is a well-to-do younj? man, an eVfrible, isn't he ? Could anything be better ?' 4 1 daresay he means very well.' • I daresay he does ; but I think if he dined, the next time he honours uh with a vibit, in the couch -hous with James, he would be more in his place.' When the paint-box arrived for Dolly, Adelaide was yet more indignant. • It is very kind of him, I am sure,' Mrs Manners said, meekly, in answer to some remark of hers on the subject ; ' and yon should consider, my dear, that he has knowa your brother for many years.' ' During which,' answered Adelaide, Ihe had the good taste at least never to introduce him to his family, or invite him to his father's house. I think it immense impertinence of such a man forcing himself in here.' 1 But your father asked him to dinner, Adelaide.' ' Well,' said Mis* Manner*, carelessly throwing back her head, • we won't discuss the subjtct ; he will be sendiug you a present next, Mrs Manners, as ho evidently wishes to conciliate) the family.' Later in tho same evening, when they were all sitting together in the drawingroom, Dolly engaged in industriously colouring 1 a picture out of the lllustmted London News, Adelaide suddenly asked. • Has any one heard any news lately of our cousin H«ijrh ?' • If you hadn't been no disagreeable before tea, 1 said Dolly, looking up from her occupation with a very spiteful expre-nioti of countenance, ' I could have told you some.' • Dolly, that i* not the way to speak to your elder sinter, 1 t»aid Mrs Manners, reproringly ; 4 and if you know anything about your cousin, tell us what it X' • M\i friend, Mr Hindraarcb, made very particular inquiries about him yesterday, when we were at the Hall,' answered Dolly, Bucking 1 her paint-brush. •Well?' said Adelaide, with ill-con-cealed curiosity. • I've forgotten really what they told him,' said Dolly, beginning her colouring again with great energy. 'Dolly, don't be tiresome,' said Katie. ' I heard, Adelaide, and old Robert told Mr Hindmarch they expected the young master oil Thursday— that will be tomorrow, yon know.' •Oh, answered Adelaide, and her pale cheeks grew a deep dusky red, with which she denoted emotion ; and then a moment after she added — ' He has been abroad hasn't he ?' • Miss Williams will know,' said Dolly, delighted to have the opportunity of vexing her sister. 'I know nothing of him,' said Amy quietly; 'he wrote to me twice about some private affairs connected with my early life ; but that is months ago, and I have never heard from him since. But I believe ho has been in Paris lately.' 'Ami all that scandal about him, which the good people here choose to get up— l suppose that's all forgotten now ?' Neither Mrs Mauneis nor Amy made any answer to this, but Mrs Marnier* slightly bhook her head. 'What,' went on Adelaide, indignantly, «do they still talk?' What is the name of this wonderful paragon of beauty, then, whom Hugh admires *>o much ?' 'My dear, the children are here,' aiul Mrs Manners, and Adelaide was compelled to be silent. 1 What is there really said about this girl and Hugh ?' she afked, the next morning, of Amy, after wandering restlessly up and down the room for nearly half an hour. •I would rather not talk of it— l know very little about it,' replied Amy. 1 Do you know her by sight ?' •I know her to speak to. She is a moat beautiful girl ; there is no doubt of that.' •He will tire of her,' said Adelaide, contemptuously, but \>ith a quiveimg lip. ' Fancy a common fisher girl— trul> the Mannerses are fallen !' Amy made no answer, she only sighed. She had in truth been deeply interested and touched by the fate of this unfortunate girl ; and ever since the day when she had seen her cheek against Sir Hugh's letter, as if it were something living and beloved, she had felt for bet the strongest sympathy and compassion Once or twice since her return to Natbrough she had met her, but with a hurried salutation Peggy had hurried ou She evidently wished to avoid any conversation, and the idea that she was acting under Sir Hugh's directions pre-

vented Amy from making any further advances. She often hoard of her, however. Amid all their misery and improvidence, the fishing population of ftarbiouijh were justly proud of their virtue. There was not such a thing known among them as an improper connection, and the aped dame and the young matron were alike of spotless propriety. Peggy. theii-tore, was regarded as an outcast among them. True, no positive wrong-doing could be laid to her cnarge ; but, 'Going about with her Hne gentleman, indeed !' and, 'I'm sure, are none of the lads about good enough for tho like o' her ?— well we'll see how it ends,' were comments on her conduct which Amy had frequently heard when she first came to the Vicarage ; and now darker and more painful accusations weie freely bandied about with her name. To all this— to studied neglect or open contempt, Peggy replied by a scornful indifference and pride, which- yet more aggravated her female companions ; and at this time, though still living 1 in their midst, she scarcely ever exchanged a. word with any of them, attending principally to her rheumatic and often bedridden father, and providing for herself and him with money which her neighbours charitably supposed wns procured by"no good." Though Adelaide Manners heard the^o reports, she did not allow them to interfere with her design on her cousin. She despised and scorned him in her heart that they should ever have arisen, but not more^than she had despised and scorned him when she believfd him to be the lover of her sisters' governes-s ; and even then she had nev^r relinquished the idea of becoming his if e. This was a fixed and rooted determination of hers, which t-he believed nltimately she would be able to accomplish, and no folly or vice of Sir Hujih's could move her from her purpose. 'When I «o back to my old home,' she was always thinking ; and to gain this, she was content to endure what was gall iml wormwood to her proud heart, aud with eager impatience she now awaited his return. i He did not arrive on the day he had fixed. 'Ke never did.' old James said, dryly, Adelaide having sfcretly despatched him to the hall to inquire if her coumii had come. But three day? afterwards, on the Sunday evening, when she had almost given him up, he walked quietly into the Vicarage dining-room, where tbey were ha\iug Mipper after evening s-ervice. 'And how are all my dear relations?' he aaiil, opening the door, and putting in his head. Au an^ry pang shot into Adelaide's heart. She was sitting eating a good supper, and looking pale, <h»:mleily, and ill-tempered. Shu knew well enough she recjuned 'getting up,' and no (me 'got up' with hettt r taste than Miss Manners ; but '•he had not expected Sir fluyli, and she was quite (.aiders as to what her own family thought of her appea i a nee. 'Tint fool, James, not to announce him, 1 was her tiist thought; her i:ext was more womanly, for Sir Hugh was looking ill and anxious. 'Hum. 1 said the Vicar, suspending a* bit of cold giouse ou his folk, ami turning round. 'So you' \e got back, Hugh. Weil, I cannot say > on aie improved in your looks. Come to pick up a bit, eh, after the dissipations of Paris? Well, take a seat theie by Adelaide ; you'll find none but friends here, I think. I need not introduce you to our guest, Miss Williams.' ' No, indeed,' said Sir Hugh, cracefully, going round and oftV-iing his hand to Amy. ' I hope she net nuts me to cull her a friend.' 'And how ate you, Adelaide ?' he said, the next minute, also holding out Ins hand to his cousin in the most friendly manner imaginable. In fact, he had forgotten all about their (jtiauel. Adelaide had planned and fi\nl a hundred way* of reconciliation, and Hugh knocked them all on the head, by nc\er renumbering there was necessity for their existence. No reception could have been more cutting to her, and Adelaide bit her lips, and turned pale and red by tuiii^ ; while Sir Hugh coolly'calleil lor a chair and aat down by her M<le, and asked James to pour linn out a, gla^s uf sherry. ' Well, uncle,' he said, looking at the Vicar's healthful lace, ' I must say you eountrv-fnlks hnethe b^t ot it. Why, you never look a day older.' •liMii't letmu your compliment," my boy,' replied the Vicar, helping himself lor a third time to grouse ' Ha\ o a leg ? A hick, then — this B a splendid fellow ? ' But Sir Hujfh had no appetite, but held out his glass again and again to be replenished. ' You are not taking to that, surely ? ' at last said the Vicar, significantly. 'lt'a hereditaiy, >ou know, sir,' answered Sir Hugh, with a kind of laugh; 'that cuised absinth* has played the devil with me, I believe. But it drowns care, Adelaide,, you see— it drowns, care.' 'And what care should we have to drown ?' leplied his cousin, with great bitterness. She had forgotten all about her disorderly dress now — all about hei untidy hair ; she only saw the man she n.eantto marry degrading himself — sinking, as he said, into the hereditary vice of his race. ' And, George,' ."aid Sir Hugh, presently, 'dear o'd Ueotge? Does any one hear from him? 'and he looked at Amy as he spoke, ' He is well an>l hippy,' she answered. ' Happy '. ' euhoed Sn llu.'li ; ' that's cruel of him; poor lie'ig- — ami yet I need not pity him ' 'No,' sai«l sai<l Adelude, quickly, 'for whatever Georye i* — mistaken as his notiousof honour ami conduct often are, he acts up to them ; (rtiors^' is not weak euouirh. to try to drown his folly.' ' Happy George,' answered Sir Hugh, satiiically : ' Pray don't begin squabbling, Adelaide,' said the Vu-n :' 1 > ] o , t want any of that to-night. Nelly, my dear, make me my grog. I've had a hard day*3 work, and I deserve something now,' 'Toiling in the vineyard, uncle,* as usual ? ' scoffed his nephew. 'Yes, my boy,' answered the Vicar, 'and I want my day's hire. Put in an e\tia drop, Nelly, my dear,' he added, 'for I'm confoundedly tired;' and Sir Hnph laughed aloud at his uucle's rejoinder. ' It will be cooler upstairs, I think,' said Adelaide,, using and looking at Amy ; and then without another glance at tier cousin she left the room. 'Addy's temper doesn't improve with keeping, said Sir Hugh, after the young ladies had left. 'By Jove, how pretty that little Williams is. Ido not wonder at George's taste.' (To hi contimiul.)

"'Depknds ok Ctrcfmstwces." — Fii^t "Lady": "And which M'de is your 'uslmnd now, Mrs. Mangle^?' 7 Second ditto: "Sometimes one, sometimes anoiher, mura, When I don't want any money, he's a Liberal, but when I'm short he's a reg'lar Conservative !" Thkvtric-vl. — Piejudiced, narrowminded bigots ate in the habit of asserting people who go to see "stage plays" are all on the Lig*i road to Satan. If this be so, they oujrht, when witnessing a performance, to sit in a boi of Lucifer's. A yopth, only seventeen years of ag«, of i'ope County, Minuesota^has invented "a combined hayrake and for vrhich he has refused au offer of 15,000 dpis..