Chapter VI: Part 6

"What's the good of all your work if mother hates you earning money. If you played at this concert it would do you good. I don't see why we shouldn't work like other poor people."

"Mother expects us to marry," said Jeanie, "but _I_ never shall."

"Oh, Jeanie, I really believe you--still love Frank Weston!" Maud expected something dreadful to happen but only silence followed.

"You were just made for each other and he worshipped you."

"He's forgotten me now," said Jeanie bitterly.

"Of course he can't forget the--the snubbing he got."

"I want to practise," said Jeanie, and seizing her violin she drowned further remarks in wild melody. Her sore heart could find relief only in music. Yes, she knew well enough now she was fretting her life away in useless regrets.

Maud crept away with a smile on her lips. Would Toney succeed? Frank Weston did not know that the Hamiltons were staying near Aldersfield House, he could never guess he would meet face to face his old love who had used him so ill. If he knew, Maud felt sure he would at once throw up the engagement, for he could afford to please himself.

Maud seized her hat and went off to the Haven as she did every morning now. It seemed the nicest hour of the day, for there it really was a haven of peace. The Phipps were always cheerful, always so happy over every little flower they found in their path.

Most mornings also Toney met her there. She was arranging for three new inmates, the deaf Captain Grant and Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and the Phipps were full of plans for their comfort. Toney had indeed chosen well. To-day, when their business was done, Toney seized on Maud.

"Come along and lunch with us, I want to show you all the arrangements for our romance. I do hope it will succeed, only you must help me, Maud."

Then Maud related what had taken place that morning.

"That is all on the right road. Aunt Dove is delighted because all 'our county friends' are coming. Can't think why lords and ladies please her so much. I never can learn her table of degrees." "There is Lewis," exclaimed Maud. "Oh, Toney, do tell him."

Toney was not surprised. Of course Lewis Waycott knew Maud went every day to the Haven, and of course he sort of happened to be often in the way. He shook hands as he said,

"So, Toney, we are all booked for your concert to-morrow. Who is the star you are preparing for us? Nobody knows!"

"It's Aunt Dove's concert, please; she is so smiling to-day, and she and Mr. Russell have been discussing all the musicians beginning with Tubal Cain. Maud has promised to pinch me at intervals in case I go to sleep. Only 'Sound the loud timbrel' sort of thing keeps me awake, but I guess I'll keep awake to-morrow because----"

"Why, pray?"

"You are safe I know, Mr. Waycott, and I want you both to know."

"Both?" asked Lewis.

"Yes, you and Maud of course, you will both be so pleased--if it succeeds."

"What is this surprise, Toney? I am a little nervous," and Lewis laughed.

"It's a romance--about Jeanie. You know, Mr. Waycott, that she loved someone once, but she chucked him up because his father kept a store somewhere."

"Oh! Jeanie's romance! You don't mean to say, Toney----"

"Yes, I do. I've got him, and no one knows but you two."

"Knows what?

"Don't laugh please. He's coming, and all the musical people will be in a seventh heaven, and then Jeanie will come in looking beautiful and sad--and he will see her and she will see him--and----"

"Good heavens! Toney! What do you think will happen then?"

"He'll speak through his violin. Books always say that, though that language would be of no use to me!"

"I don't think a musician could make you an offer, Toney," said Maud laughing, "you would hurt his tenderest feelings."

"Anyhow, I wouldn't chuck him up because his parents kept a store."

"And what will happen next, Toney?" said Lewis, "pray tell us."

"That's what I can't quite settle in my own mind. They are both going to stay in the house to-morrow, and I think there must be sort of opportunities----"

"It's too delicious, but I think they will both send for a carriage and depart."

"Together?" said Toney laughing. "Oh, I hope they will do that."

"No, on opposite sides!" answered Lewis.

"I shall work hard and see. Chum is coming with her Henry as they are both musical, and I want to introduce her to some nice people. Clergy folk want rubbing up."

"Poor Mrs. Faber, she goes through a good deal for your sake, Toney!"

"But you'll just both help me, won't you, and make people talk and introduce anybody to anybody. It takes too much time to remember who may speak to who, according to Aunt Dove, that it's better to forget it all."

"Poor county! You are going against its most cherished ideas," said Lewis, secretly glorying in Toney's courage.

"I can't help it. Mr. Russell is studying the Peerage this morning and he'll cover up my mistakes. Anyhow, I may count on you two? Now I'm off as there are several things to think out for the great romance! First I am going to meet _him_ at the station and drive him home alone. Good-bye. You'll have a nice walk home."

Toney disappeared swiftly as usual, and Lewis walked a few minutes in silence by his cousin, considering why Toney classed them together so pointedly. Maud had not noticed it, her mind was full of another idea.

"Oh, Lewis, I believe Mr. Lang is in love with Toney! Wouldn't it be lovely if she became chief lady in the county!"

"Edward Lang! What nonsense! Who said it?" Lewis dug his stick into the ground rather savagely.

"I put two and two together."

"Do you think Toney would--marry him?"

"If she could be persuaded he cared about her and not her money."

"But does he?"

"I think you are prejudiced against him. He is rather a nice fellow."

"I wish you girls wouldn't use the word nice for everything," said Lewis somewhat crossly; but Maud's answer was cut short by the appearance of her mother as they walked up on to the terrace of Waycott Hall.

"I've just persuaded Jeanie to accept Antonia's invitation. I hear the county is coming and they expect something good, but no one knows. Do you, Maud?"

"Toney wants it to be a secret," said Maud.

"Ah, I see, you two always take Toney's side. Maud, what a colour you have. Morning walks agree with you, don't you think so, Lewis?"

Lewis looked up and noticed how pretty Maud was looking.

"Maud is developing into a beauty, aunt!"

"You silly boy! I don't want my girls to be beauties."

"Then you must find out some way of stopping it! Jeanie's pensive air is most becoming, and Maud----"

"Ah! poor Jeanie, I think Germany will cure her low spirits."

Lewis remarked he had to go to town on business that afternoon but he could be back for the concert. He wanted to get rid of his ill-temper. Maud's unfortunate remark had been the cause of it. Would someone else seize the prize he was too proud to win--and would that someone else be Edward Lang? Certainly fine feelings would not stop him trying to grasp at wealth.

Maud was dreadfully restless that afternoon and insisted on Jeanie turning out her wardrobe to see what suitable dress she should wear.

"Your pale blue dress is pretty," remarked Maud. "Oh, we have both worn those pale blue dresses till people must know them."

"There is no time to get a new dress, I'm afraid."

"I shan't waste a penny of my money on dress and mother says she can't afford it."

"Then your white muslin, Jeanie dear."

"I don't feel like white muslin. I shall wear my black dress. No one will notice us, Maud."

The sisters stood rather sadly looking over the beautiful park from the Elizabethan windows. Nothing is more depressing than to be surrounded by wealthy friends and yet to be too poor to take the position you are entitled to. Suddenly the butler entered.

"A gentleman to see you, Miss Hamilton."

Their Aunt Honoria and their mother had gone out to pay calls; they were alone.

Jeanie flushed. "A gentleman to see her" made her heart beat, but the gentleman that entered was quite unknown. He bowed very politely and looked at the sisters critically.

"Excuse me, ladies, but five minutes will suffice."

Five minutes! The sisters looked at each other in dismay. Had Miles let in a lunatic?

The stranger looked at a letter he held in his hand.

"Surely I am not mistaken. Two Miss Hamiltons at Waycott Hall. The order to be executed immediately. I shall take the next train back to town and twenty individuals are put on at once on each dress; by to-morrow at ten o'clock you will have two creations. If you will permit me." A yard measure came swiftly out of the gentleman's pocket, and before the astonished girls could speak, their measures were taken and the gentleman bowed low and retired.

"Oh!" exclaimed Jeanie, "it's Aunt Honoria! She heard me say I had nothing to wear! But she might have asked us what colour we wanted."

"As she didn't, we had better say nothing about it. Perhaps she sent the measures and the gentleman wanted to make sure," said Maud. A faint idea had entered her head, but she would not for the world have told Jeanie.

"Yes, you are right--I must say it's nice of her. I should have been ashamed to play in that old blue or white muslin!--Not that it matters much."

When Aunt Honoria came in she found Maud waiting for her.

"Did you--order a dress to be sent to us, Aunt Honoria?"

"A dress? No, dear. Your mother said you had some that would do nicely, as there will be such a crowd, she hears."

"Would you mind if some dresses come not saying anything--I'll tell you why another day. It's a surprise for Jeanie."

"Oh! indeed! But I can't accept the credit--who is the donor?"

"Please, please, accept thanks if--you don't mind just for one day----"

Maud retired to solitude thinking to herself.

"I'm sure it's Toney, it's part of her plan! She's ordered something lovely for Jeanie and couldn't leave me out! It would break her heart if Jeanie refused her gift. Dear Toney's romance must not be spoilt."

*CHAPTER XXI.*

*PLAYING WITH FIRE.*

"Uncle Evas, I want you particularly," said Toney next morning after lunch.

"Your aunt does too. She and Mr. Russell are tabulating guests. I hear some great man sleeps here to-night."

"I'm just off to meet him, but you will be very nice to him, uncle, at dinner to-night, won't you, and mind you see he takes in Jeanie Hamilton. They will talk of music all the time and save us a lot of trouble."

"Very well, but your aunt will pair him off with Lady Southbourne. He seems to be no end of a swell. For my part I never can find a word to say to these geniuses."

"Dear, ducky uncle, they are none of them so nice as you are, gospel truth, but I wish you were just a wee bit curious." The heart of Sir Evas felt warmed. He realised now what an immense difference Toney's love made in his life. To him it seemed as if he had been in a grave till her arrival, and then had slowly crept out of it.

"Curious, eh? Well, so I am."

"You never asked me why I wanted you particularly."

"I'm a trifle nervous when you do!" he answered laughing.

"You always were a bit of a coward, weren't you? Well, I'll tell you. You must let Maud Hamilton go in with Mr. Waycott, I think it's all right."

"Good Lord! what's all right?"

"Why, they are! I wonder they don't announce it, but I expect Miss Honoria doesn't like it."

"Like what?"

"You know! I think they're engaged now. He nearly always comes to meet her at the Haven."

"Toney, your romantic nature should be curbed. I don't believe a word of it."

Toney looked up with wide-opened eyes.

"That's just like a man--awfully opaque. Well, I'm off, I'm going to drive the motor to the station, and come back in the dog-cart."

"You'll take Jim?"

"No, I'm going quite alone. I want to make friends with the great musician."

"I say, Toney, I don't think that's quite _comme-il-faut_. Now you're a lady of property you mustn't be quite so--so----"

"Oh, Uncle Evas, you do disappoint me! It's Mr. Russell that is spoiling your natural disposition. You're downright snobby! What harm can I do to a poor stranger that comes here to give us pleasure? He's not a wild beast. Good-bye, and wish me luck."

"You won't let--your aunt see you, will you, Toney?"

"No, you bet!" and Toney flew off laughing heartily.

"Can't get the fear of Aunt Dove out of his constitution, poor darling, sort of chronic disease," she said to herself.

Happily the day turned into a dull drizzle, and the county magnates stayed indoors, or they might have seen a flying machine guided by the heiress, dashing up to the station. Toney timed herself always to be exact, with no time to spare. Her face was radiant. She had settled her plan of campaign, and as she walked up and down well "reefed in" with a serge coat and skirt of the simplest description, no one would have guessed that she was the envy of all the impoverished aristocrats of the county. She looked more cheerful than she felt, however. "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip," and that tiresome proverb would float about on the surface of Toney's brain.

The train flustered in with a great show of consequentiality, the slow porters had on the look of "Take it easy, pray," as Toney ran up and down looking for the great man, whose father had once kept a shop. For a moment she thought he had failed to appear, then from the other end of the platform a tall man with a very remarkable face came slowly towards her. He carried a violin case, and a man-servant followed him laden with other luggage.

Toney knew at once this was her man, and she seized the porter.

"Mr. Smith, will you please get a fly and put that gentleman and all the luggage in it. I'm driving the other gentleman in the dog-cart."

The porter touched his hat with a grin, he was not accustomed to being called Mr. Smith, nor to hear a man-servant called a gentleman.

Then Toney began her campaign.

"How do you do? I know you are Mr. Frank Weston, because--there's no one else, is there--I've come to drive you home. I'm Toney Whitburn, so now we're introduced. Lady Dove's giving the party, but I take all the trouble. There's a fly for your man, and if you want the violin with you I'll put it behind us."

Frank Weston had been much dissatisfied with himself for accepting the munificent private offer for playing in a private house. The money had tempted him, as he had lately heard of a broken-down violinist who had nothing but the workhouse before him, and he had infinite pity for failure and poverty. For himself--now his parents were well provided for--he cared nothing at all. The one romance of his life had failed. He had loved once and once only. Jeanie Hamilton had touched his heart with her beauty and her talent, and strange to say her pride, but when her mother had told him her daughter refused his love, and had intimated that their social positions were too far removed, the genius had lifted his head more proudly than any aristocrat.

"I offered her my heart and my music," he had said, "they are worth more than anything she may possess."

"Yes, yes--you--and your genius but--your people are not our people," Mrs. Hamilton had murmured with the softness of a purring pussy.

Frank Weston's face had turned paler if possible than usual, and he walked away without answering. The iron had entered into his soul. But in spite of this he still loved his first love, though her name had never again passed his lips, and he hated other women because of her. No other should spurn him, and though many had wished to marry him, he had never asked any. His music was the gainer, for after that people said Frank Weston was inspired in his pathetic movements, and now Toney was going to play with fire.

Frank Weston's face was one not to be easily forgotten. His features seemed to be cut in alabaster, his hair reached his coat collar in soft curling fashion, but there was no affectation about him. He was far too true a genius to descend to small advertisements. Music was his only interest in life, but even a dreamy genius stood no chance with Toney. She piloted him out of the station and both stood by the side of the dog-cart. Frank Weston looked round hopelessly. He could not drive, and looking down at the slight girlish figure he doubted if she could, when he saw Jim holding the thorough-bred. Toney answered his look.

"Oh, yes, I'll drive you. There's a dry place for your violin. You can trust me. This is my own horse and we understand each other. It's awfully good of you to come to us. You don't usually, do you, but I did so particularly want you." Frank Weston gradually took in the situation.

"My agent said a Miss Whitburn--wanted----"

Toney jumped in and he had to follow.

"Yes, that's all right, that's me. When your agent said, 'It will only be a big price that will tempt him,' I said, 'Go ahead!'" Toney spoke so simply that Mr. Weston smiled.

"I may as well own it at once," he said. "It was the money that tempted me. There is a poor friend of mine whose career is cut short in a terrible manner. He has creeping paralysis coming on from over-work. He's too young for the charitable societies to come to his help, so----"

"So you are going to do it! Oh, isn't that lovely! I am glad you told me, I'll just double the fee if that will set him up."

Frank stared at this unusually generous girl.

"Oh, but you are already paying a very heavy fee for--a very short time. I expect you are one of the amateurs who have all the fine feelings of the professional--finer often, because unconnected with public recognition." He lifted his head and smiled, then became conscious that Miss Whitburn was flying along the country roads at a furious pace.

"Oh, gracious stars! don't think so for a moment about me! I don't know one note from another, but I've got a friend who feels all that, at least I suppose so. I do want you to be--sort of friendly with her, because I've got it all up for her."

"All for your friend? How extraordinary!" said the genius, "but, forgive me for asking, is your horse running away? I'm no good with horses." There was a touch of anxiety in his voice. He heard a rippling laugh near him.

"Don't you like it? I'll pull him in, but it's the pace I like! Suppose, Mr. Weston, you were driving with your--say your intended, would you be afraid for her?"

Mr. Weston turned towards Toney with a look of dismayed surprise.

"I--have not--got one--I really can't say."

"I'm awfully glad, I half feared you might be engaged, you know---- People say you are tremendously run after. If you had been, of course I should have asked _her_ too. You don't mind my saying this, do you? I'm only an Australian girl, and out there we don't mince matters so much as people do here, and I once heard that--that you were going to marry a girl and that she----" Toney cleared her throat. She glanced at the genius whose marble-cut face was lifted towards the sky with a hard strange look on it. No one had ever dared to speak to him about that episode since it happened, and here was a strange girl introducing the subject! The very boldness of it put him off his guard.

"You heard rightly, Miss Whitburn; the only woman I ever loved jilted me, because I was not as nobly born as she was, and now----"

"I expect she's just mad with herself that she was so silly! A hundred to one it was her mother, sort of old pussy cat I shouldn't wonder. Why didn't you ask her again? I should if I were a man! I would not take no, not for Joe!" Toney was so excited that she flicked Colon with her whip and he, to show his surprise, suddenly reared and then bolted forward. The genius turned towards his terrible driver in mute appeal.

"It's all right, indeed it is, Colon's as gentle as a child, but I was thinking so much about your young--lady, that I touched him with the whip. He's awfully proud and that was his way of remonstrating. Here's the gate---- Will you hold Colon a minute, or----"

"Let me open the gate," said the genius, suiting the action to the words; not for the world would he have held that horse, his precious Stradivarius was behind him. Toney smiled, but indeed Colon stood quite quietly whilst she remarked,

"I told you he's like a lamb--but you will let me help about your friend? It will give me so muck pleasure, and I shan't feel this concert is wasted if you do."

"If I let you pay twice over?" said the genius, now quite under the spell of this extraordinary heiress, whose generosity was as surprising as her driving.

"If you and my friend don't enjoy this concert--"

"I shall do my best for your friend after your great kindness. Is it--a man?" He believed it was Toney's fiance as her mind ran on that subject, and he felt in a soft mood, though he could not have told why.

"A man! I should think not! Mr. Russell--he helps me with my letters--he's musical, but then he doesn't think much of me!"

"His taste must be bad," said Frank, actually making a compliment. "He would have more confidence in you if you drove him back from the station." Frank Weston had forgiven her and Toney realised it with joy.

"Ouf! Here's Aldersfield House, I'm glad the drive is over. Will you promise, even if you don't like my friend, to take her in to dinner and to talk music to her? She'll love that. The other people wouldn't understand it--and you won't try it on me, will you, or on Uncle Evas? He'd want to be polite, but he wouldn't know what to answer."

"I think you can trust me, Miss Whitburn, not to bore the unmusical. I shall do my best to please your lady friend, because all the time I shall see Arthur Mullins' face when he hears of his luck."

"That's all right! I'm awfully relieved. You'll like to go to your room now at once, won't you, and rest? I'll send you up some tea, and then you won't have to answer foolish questions."

"That would be most kind," he said gratefully. How very extraordinarily thoughtful this young heiress seemed to be.

Toney was saying to herself, "Then they won't meet till dinner-time, and she'll just be looking so beautiful that----"

"Gollywogs!" she exclaimed as she jumped down and Jim came running up, "There's visitors just come. Jim, take Mr. Weston in by the garden door, and tell them to take him to his room and give him tea."

In this way Toney smuggled in the genius and she herself stepped into the hall to find the two Hamiltons there taking their wraps off.

"I am glad you are come early for tea. I'm sure Aunt Dove will want some help about the Peerage. I'm no use at all. If a man has got all his legs and arms, and he has a nice face and lots of genius, I don't care how he came into the world."

Maud laughed, and as Jeanie walked towards the drawing-room Toney seized her.

"Maud, he's come, he's in his room, they won't meet till dinner."

"Oh, Toney!" gasped Maud, "but do you know anything about some lovely dresses that came for us this morning?"

Toney laughed.

"Don't betray me! Pups used to say a general overlooks nothing to win the victory."

*CHAPTER XXII.*

*FAILURE.*

A few select guests were expected at Aldersfield for an early dinner party before the concert. Lady Dove was radiant. She was giving a grand party at which all the honour and none of the expense was going to fall on her. Even Miss Grossman had come in for smiles as she read a novel whilst her ladyship's hair was arranged, and for once punctuality was rewarded, for Lady Southbourne arrived very early with many apologies, which she hoped dear Lady Dove would accept. Her husband and son had gone to town on business and might be a little late, so she had come on first and they would come later in a dog-cart. Lady Dove was charmed.

"It is so kind of you, Lady Southbourne, to come at all this foggy evening. I am always ready early in case a guest does come. My husband and Antonia are usually late, but of course to-day there has been a good deal to arrange. We have turned the barn into a concert-room, and it is really very pretty. I wanted all our friends of North Downshire to come. The country has been a little dull lately."

"Miss Whitburn has told me your party would be a great success. The star's name is a secret, I hear."

"Yes, one of Antonia's little secrets! Of course I never interfere with her plans now she is of age, but I must say I feel rewarded when I look back on the training of the wild colt she was when we first took her, little dreaming of the result."

"It must be an immense pleasure for you--though a girl with money is a responsibility, isn't she?"

"Ah! no one knows how many anxious thoughts I have had on that subject."

"And that was what I really wanted to ask you about, dear Lady Dove. I want your--help and sympathy."

For the great Lady Southbourne to be asking her help and sympathy made Lady Dove happy.

"You can always rely on my help, indeed you can! Mutual help is our greatest duty."

"I need not say that if you have a niece, I have a son to have anxious thoughts about--and I want you to know a little secret."

"Indeed!"

"Yes, but I don't doubt Miss Whitburn has already confided in you. Edward has proposed to her, but----"

"Oh, what an honour for Antonia, but, indeed, Lady Southbourne, yours is a family any girl might be proud to enter! Of course much above her in rank."

"Edward has no foolish ideas about birth, almost a Republican on that subject, but--I see that you do not know Miss Whitburn refused him and Edward is heart-broken."

"Antonia refused the----" Lady Dove gasped.

"She is young, she was startled, but with your help and advice she might--reconsider it. Edward is more bent on it than ever."

If Lady Southbourne had been sitting in the palace of truth she would have said her dear boy had just lost a large sum on the turf.

"Trust me, Lady Southbourne, you shall have my influence, and Antonia owes us so much. I hardly think she will reject so much happiness."

"Thank you a thousand times."

At this moment other guests began to arrive, but where was Antonia and the great man, and where were the Hamiltons? Happily Sir Evas was working hard and making everybody welcome regardless of their place in the peerage.

Edward Lang and his father came in time, belying the fears of Lady Southbourne, and Lady Carew and her correct husband followed. An Honourable or two, and a Colonel and his wife, made up the party of people worthy of meeting each other. Toney had only begged for the Hamiltons, Mr. Hales and Lewis Waycott, but this latter Lady Dove had refused as "that tiresome Miss Waycott would have to be included." For the concert everybody was coming, and a supper was to end this grand party.

But Toney was too much occupied to give a thought to the county magnates. Rose, who came to help her to put on her white dress, was not allowed to stay long.

"I'm all right, Rose; I want you to go to the Miss Hamiltons' room and beg them to come here before going down. I've got them some lovely flowers."

"There's some come for you too, Miss Toney," said Rose, holding out a lovely bunch of white lilies. "It was left at the back door, and was specially to be given to you."

"Oh!" exclaimed Toney. "How lovely; I wonder who sent them. You see, I haven't a young man, Rose."

"Cook said as how you ought to have one, Miss Toney; specially you being so rich now."

Toney paused as she held the flowers lovingly; she always had reverenced flowers. Oh, dear! even the servants associated money with love. It was dreadful! Then she resolutely thrust away thoughts of self, and looked at her two bunches of roses. Then, pinning in her lilies, she waited a little anxiously. Time was flying. She had arranged with the footman to call Mr. Weston at the last moment, and she must get the Hamiltons down before he came. There was a knock at the door, and Jeanie Hamilton stood in the doorway, a vision of beauty in a soft cloud of pale blue silk and chiffon, whilst Maud looked nearly as much transformed in rose.

"Oh!" exclaimed Toney, "how just awfully beautiful you look, Jeanie! May I say it? and here are some flowers I got uncle to steal for you! Let me pin them on."

Jeanie could not help admiring herself, and her spirits rose. Never had she had such a dress.

"Wasn't it generous of Aunt Honoria? It's the most beautiful dress I have ever seen; and, look at Maud, isn't hers pretty too? They must have cost a small fortune."

"You both look perfect."

"We must tell you about the gentleman who took our measure," exclaimed Maud, trying to hide her nervousness by talking. "But, oh, Toney, look at the time; we ought to go down."

"Yes. We'll all go together, and if you go in first Aunt Dove's big-wigs will be so struck of a heap with you that they'll forget me. They do seem so very extra civil to me now, all because I've got so much tin. Oh! they don't know the trouble of it; but in any case I don't stick bank-notes on my clothes, so I can't see why I'm more interesting than I was before. Come, let's run! No, you can't with those clo'."

But all the same, the three girls did run, seeing an anxious look on the butler's face as they entered the hall.

The door was thrown open for them, and, as Toney had predicted, the two Hamiltons made a sensation, especially Jeanie, whose face was so full of pathos, and who looked especially beautiful. Toney crept in behind them, but was seen by her aunt.

"Toney, how dreadfully late you are! The musician--what's his name--has not come down yet. Tell Thomas to fetch him at once." Toney nodded.

"It's all right, Aunt Dove; I've done it. You know musical people are not like others."

Sir Evas knew he had to obey orders, and got hold of Jeanie. He held the list of the other pairs in his hand, but several gentlemen came up to talk to this vision of beauty. Maud kept close to Toney; she could not talk, she could hardly see. What would Jeanie do? and what would he do? Why had Toney done this? How terrible; suppose there was a scene; suppose----

The door flew open and Mr. Frank Weston was announced, but Jeanie was at the other end of the room and did not hear the name.

Toney flew up to the genius and introduced him right and left till dinner was announced; then she paused.

"You remember about--my friend, Mr. Weston?" The genius had bowed right and left in rather a formal manner. He was so often introduced that he barely listened to the names of the people introduced. He was thinking of Miss Whitburn. The big-wigs were pairing off, and solemnly marched away like a regiment of newly-trained recruits, when Sir Evas suddenly introduced him to a lady whose name he did not hear. He held out his arm mechanically; ladies were nothing to him, and he only saw a beautiful dress. A symphony was floating through his brain, he was only acting in a dream, till suddenly he felt the arm he held tremble. He was recalled to earth. They were crossing the hall, and the noise of voices was great Various scraps of conversation about hunting and the weather reached him, and his own name--the great Frank Weston; what a surprise, no one expected him! He looked down and exclaimed--he knew not what.

"Let me go away," she murmured, "you----"

"Impossible! Miss Hamilton, pray remember we are both guests--no one knows. If my presence is so--distasteful to you----"

"I did not know."

"Neither did I--but this chance meeting might have happened anywhere."

"Yes----" Jeanie straightened herself, and they both walked on in silence. They were shown their places, and Frank Weston glanced at the name on his other side; Mrs. Arbuthnot. Jeanie had Colonel Arbuthnot on her other side. They need not speak to each other. How terrible! Jeanie searched for Maud, but she was on the same side and could not be seen. Her heart beat so fast she could hardly speak. She looked for Toney, someone to appeal to. Was she near Frank? Yes, Frank was here, sitting beside her; but of course he hated her. Of course, he was wishing himself miles away; of course, he would _never_ forgive her, never, never love her again. Never--never, she repeated to herself.

Toney's eyes, which saw so much, were looking at them; she could see they were silent, and she noticed they each turned to their other neighbours. Oh! her plan was failing, had failed, and she had risked everything on this dinner. Maud was looking deadly pale, but in spite of all this the talk was loud, drowning nearly everything. Mr. Hales at her side broke the spell.

"You are very preoccupied this evening, and yet you have secured the one man everyone wants to hear," he said. "Are you not satisfied?" His voice had a new tone in it, which made Toney look up wonderingly.

"Oh, yes, I am preoccupied; so would you be if you had conspired tremendously and your conspiracy was no good."

"Indeed!"

"Mr. Hales, help me! Mr. Frank Weston isn't talking one scrap to Jeanie Hamilton."

"He has come to play the violin, and I daresay he is not a good conversationalist."

"It's not that, you don't know her story; he was in love with Jeanie once, and she loved him really, but she sent him away because his father had a shop and sold something, and now she's just frightfully sorry she did it, and--but he doesn't look as if he was forgiving her. What would you do?"

Mr. Hales smiled.

"I should never have hazarded the meeting--never."

"Was I wrong? Oh, but of course she _is_ sorry, and--but I wish they would notice each other. If I were her I should just say I knew I was a born fool when I said no." Mr. Hales laughed.

"I don't think _you_ would ever have said no for that reason!"

"I couldn't, because my father sort of kept a shop; we were always selling drugs. Oh look, Mr. Hales, just out of the corner of your eye, I see Jeanie looking up into his face, and she has just refused oyster patties."

"But do I understand you did all this to--bring them together?"

"Yes. I did so want them to be happy, besides it would make Maud and Mr. Waycott happy."

Mr. Hales was silent. He was considering whether Toney would ever consent herself to say yes to somebody. A dream of a larger sphere of work floated before his mental vision, a dream of a young wife who would devote her money to their work, for in every mission-field money was needed, money and workers. But love seemed very far removed from Toney's ideas at this moment, and so he was silent. Then he asked after the work at the Haven.

"Miss Phipps is doing wonders, and some of my first friends come to-morrow. Two of the _avant garde_ and the deaf man. He has no one to take care of him."

"You will indeed have the blind and the deaf," said Mr. Hales smiling.

"Yes, but I do wish we lived in the days of St. Clare and Sister Ortolana. For when St. Francis sent them to sick people they made the sign of the Cross, and immediately restored them all to health."

"And by their prayers, Toney, I think."

"Yes," answered Toney, "I suppose that's where we fail; but oh, Mr. Hales, I did pray ever so hard about Jeanie and the genius! Do you think--they will make it up? We have come to the cheese and they have said nothing!" Mr. Hales hid a smile.

"Perhaps the music will work the miracle. Don't despair."

"Perhaps it will, though that is a mystery to me. Mr. Hales, you will keep near me, won't you, as I see the Honourable Edward looking at me sideways. I'm so afraid he'll want to talk to me privately."

"But perhaps----"

"Oh no! I couldn't possibly think of it! Besides, I'm afraid it's true what Aunt Dove said. He wants the--money, and you see it would be a dreadful disappointment to hear that it--was not to be had. I thought money might make two people happy, and here are the ices and they haven't yet melted!"

Everyone soon rose to proceed to the barn, and in that interval Toney flew to find the genius.

*CHAPTER XXIII.*

*TEN MINUTES.*

The carriages rolled up to the barn door in quick succession, and Lady Dove did indeed feel proud as she received her guests at the entrance of the fairy bower, now styled the concert-room. Never had such an entertainment been given there by her before, and now a wireless message went round the guests that Frank Weston was the star they had come to hear. Such a treat had not been imagined, for crowned heads had to petition him, not to command. How had he been persuaded to come and give a private concert at Aldersfield House? Words of gratitude were heard on every side.

"How kind of you, Lady Dove! This is an unexpected treat; Lord Dashwood tried in vain to get him! He is very proud and very original. I heard the Emperor of Germany could not get him to play last year. The Germans say we have never had such a genius. Quite a poor man was he? Genius plays strange freaks. They say he can make as much money as he likes--Lady Gwen Steward was dying to marry him they say--but he wouldn't look at her. They say he was once jilted and that turned him into a misogamist."

Lady Dove tried to answer appropriately and was all smiles. She kept Mr. Russell near her, he was so clever and so useful, and Sir Evas was neither!

"How kind of you to come this wet evening. Yes, Mr. Frank Weston is really here, he dined with us--such a charming fellow--genius written all over him"--and so on whilst the crowd rustled into seats. Where was Toney?

Directly dinner was over, Toney flew to find Jim, who was always ready to do her bidding. She interviewed him in the housekeeper's room.

"Jim, I want you to see after Mr. Frank Weston. Show him to the waiting-room we have rigged up, and stay at the door, and don't let anyone come in or out unless I tell you. I haven't any ring, that would be the right thing, but look at this glove, Jim, you see it has one green finger, I was getting a nosegay in a hurry--if someone brings this glove, let them in! The people won't be seated for a quarter of an hour yet, and Jim--is your young woman still faithful to you?"

"Yes, miss," said Jim quite gravely, touching his cap.

"But if she wasn't what would you say?"

"Knock 'im over, miss."

"But if there wasn't a him, only she just thought you not good enough?"

"Get another, miss."

"Oh, Jim, that isn't at all having fine feeling. You'd have to be true to her, and wait till she thought better of it, and then you'd not be proud, would you?"

"Can't say, miss."

"You'd just forgive and forget, wouldn't you? I want you to say so--if you really think it."

"Yes, miss. If you was to tell me I'd forgive and forget."

Toney laughed and then hurried Jim off.

"Remember my glove with the green finger!"

"Yes, miss," and Jim flew off to obey. If Toney had told him to run twenty miles he would have gone. Next, Toney went to find the Hamiltons; she did not think they would go to the barn at once and she was right. In the little second drawing-room where the lights had been lowered, she was conscious of soft murmuring tones, and rushing in she heard Maud's voice.

"Oh, Jeanie darling, don't, don't cry like that! What shall we do?"

The beautiful vision in blue was hiding her face in the sofa cushions and sobbing.

"It's only me," exclaimed Toney coughing. "Is anything the matter?" Jeanie jumped up.

"No, no, thank you, I did not feel very well. I think I would prefer going up to my room."

"Oh! and miss Mr. Weston's playing! Please come and hear him, and after that you can go--and--and----" Poor Toney was non-plussed.

"Forgive me," said Jeanie, her pride giving way, "I was upset; I once knew Mr. Weston and--we were great friends, but we quarrelled, and--he--won't forgive me."

"Is that all? Did you say you were sorry, Jeanie? It's best to be quite straight out, isn't it? No use beating about the bush, and let me see---- Oh! he's in the little waiting-room now, I'll go and ask him--won't you give me one of your flowers or something?"

"Oh no, no, I can't--he would--throw them away--and I should deserve it."

"He looks awfully nice, Jeanie, such a good strong face; no nonsense at all. I expect he did feel a bit hipped, but--look here, if he sends you your flowers back again, you'll know he can't forgive, but if he sends you the white camellia I gave him, then you'll know it's all right, and go at once to the room. I'll send Jim, he's awfully safe. Will you wait here? There's crowds coming, and Aunt Dove and Mr. Russell are saying a lot of nothings which people like, so there's time yet."

Maud unpinned her sister's flowers with trembling fingers as Jeanie sat up, clasping her hands.

"Toney, you are kind, but you don't understand. I behaved so horridly to him. I let mother insult him, and he must have hated me. I deserve it all and now--now--it's horrid to say so but I would not be so unhappy if only he could forgive me, but he never will; he is proud too--as proud of his people as I am about mine, and I threw it at him. Would you ever forgive that, Toney? He never spoke to me, only once--just to ask me to have something. I nearly died."

Toney seized the flowers, there was so little time.

"Look here, Jeanie, I'll just go and reconnoitre. Here's my glove with a green finger, if you get the camellia take my glove and Jim will let you in. All those old sillies would want to get at him, and one of his conditions was a quarter of an hour alone before the concert."

Toney flew off leaving the sisters alone. Jeanie again hid her face, but she no longer sobbed, and Maud knelt by her holding her hand.

"Oh, Jim, is he in there? I've only ten minutes," said Toney. Jim nodded.

"He said no one was to come in, Miss Tonia."

"But I _must_ go, I'm just like Queen Esther. I do hope he'll hold out his sceptre."

Jim opened the door, and Toney stood face to face with the genius, who was pacing the narrow limits of the small waiting-room.

"Oh, please forgive me! I've come to tell you that Jim, who's a great friend of mine, says he could forgive and forget if I told him to do so--I thought I'd better tell you to--forgive and forget."

No one could have resisted a smile at this speech, even Frank Weston, who was smarting from the opening of the old wound, smiled, then sternly he said, "I--did not want to see anybody."

"I'm not anybody, indeed I'm not. Just a poor relation of Sir Evas, till I got a lot of money left to me by the dearest old General. He was good, you bet, and _he_ would have forgiven anyone, especially if--they sent these flowers."

There seemed to be no need of an explanation between these two. Frank Weston had now realised Toney's conspiracy.

Toney held out the lovely bunch of roses she had herself tied up for Jeanie.

"Look, please take them--exchange them--if you forgive her. She is just sobbing her heart out and calling herself no end of names, I believe she is heart-broken, and says she only wants your forgiveness."

The genius turned away and there was silence.

"There is so little time, Mr. Weston, can't you make up your mind?"

"You hardly understand, Miss Whitburn," he said turning suddenly towards Toney, who held the flowers in her hand. "I loved Miss Hamilton with all my heart. She made me believe she loved me, and then she threw me over because my father had honestly earned his living in trade, because he had nobly scraped every penny from his hard-earned money to give me a musical education. I can never make you rich people understand what I owe to my father, and when Miss Hamilton----"

"Oh yes, don't dwell on it, I told you it was the old pussy cat, her mother--Aunt Dove would be just the same--but you must not think Jeanie is like that now--Pups--(that's my father)--did everything for me and I quite understand, but then he would have been the first to tell me to make it up. Wouldn't your father?"

"He often has told me to try again, but he did not understand."

"Then that's easy---- Oh, please, there's awfully little time--and just to please me, will you play one of the pieces you used to play together at the end of the concert. I've got her fiddle here and she would be so awfully happy, and she has a lovely dress, and----"

Toney's words were as if the Dam of Assouan had given way and had let through the waters of the Nile, and then all at once she stood on tip-toe, for the precious minutes were flying and with deft fingers she unpinned his camellia.

"You needn't say anything, the camellia will speak; there! I must fly, you've got eight minutes and then you'll have to come. There's a chair left for Jeanie in front, it will sort of inspire you, won't it? Oh, thank you a thousand times."

She opened the door and flew past Jim with the reminder, "and, Jim, when time's up, don't go in, only knock loud," and ran in the dim darkness towards the house--but at that moment she ran against someone.

"Oh!--why it's you! How very, very nice."

"I was coming to look for you, Toney. Lady Dove is getting rather----"

"Yes, of course. Will you, please, go and give this camellia to Jeanie. Maud is there, and will you tell Jeanie to go to Mr. Weston. He wants to see her about some music--and then will you take Maud into the concert-room. Oh, that's all, but please run."

"All right, Toney," said Lewis laughing.

In another moment, Toney herself was entering the concert-room looking very red and hot, but smiling graciously and shaking hands with everybody who came in her way, in spite of Lady Dove's loud whisper,

"Antonia, how very rude to come in so late. What will people think of you!"

"So sorry--I had to see about Mr. Weston's duet. It will be just the best thing of all! How do you do? Isn't this lovely? He is a great genius and I don't even feel a bit sleepy!"

Five minutes to the time, Jeanie, like a cloud of blue, appeared at the waiting-room door, holding a lovely camellia, and a discoloured white glove. She held it out to Jim but could not speak.

"All right, miss, but there's only five minutes."

Jim then opened the door and closed it quickly. Jeanie looked like a beautiful ghost in the half-lighted room. Her heart beat so fast that for a moment she could not speak. With one hand she grasped the back of a chair, and with the other she held out the camellia.

"Frank--forgive me--I--can't forgive myself, Miss Whitburn _made_ me come--I---- Oh, Frank, I'm so miserable, I'm not proud any more." Her head drooped and Frank Weston only saw a beautiful head of soft golden brown hair; then the greatness of his character triumphed over his pride, for suddenly he put his strong arms round her.

"Jeanie," he said; "Jeanie----" He only heard a sob, and his answer was a passionate kiss imprinted on her golden hair, for her face was hidden; then a minute of exquisite silence and then a loud knock which made them fly apart.

"If you please, sir, time's up."

"Jeanie, _she_, Miss Whitburn, asked us--will you play that last duet we played together, do you remember it?"

"Remember it! Oh, Frank, I can't, I've no violin."

"Yes. Here it is, she brought it here."

"It's all Toney."

"Miss Whitburn is a very wonderful person. Come, she said a chair was ready for you. Oh, my love, my love!"

Jeanie fled to the side door, then she sank into a chair that was close by. The next moment Frank Weston appeared on the platform amidst a storm of welcome. He did not smile or bow, but at once took his violin, nodded to the accompanist who had come by a later train, and began to play. All those who had a soul for music seemed to be lifted to another sphere, and even those who had not, watched with breathless wonder the face of the great musician. He saw only, sitting before him, Jeanie Hamilton, and she never took her eyes from him, for her there was no one else in the room.

Right at the other end of the barn Lewis Waycott sat next to Maud, who was still trembling with excitement.

"Oh, Lewis, it's too, too wonderful. The camellia you brought was his. It's all Toney's doing. I think she is the most wonderful person I have ever known---- _You_ always appreciated her, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"Yes, I always did. How did she manage this?"

"I can't think how. He was so proud--I think Jeanie would soon have died--of a broken heart."

"There are no such things, Maud."

"Hush!" she said. "Listen!"

That concert was talked of for many a long day. Those who knew said that Frank Weston excelled himself, but something else wonderful happened. There was still ten minutes of the allotted time when he had finished his last piece. He put down his violin, walked down the steps and offered his arm to Jeanie Hamilton.

There was another storm of applause. Miss Hamilton, whom so many present knew was considered worthy to play with the genius--and how beautiful she looked! How was it no one had sooner recognised her beauty and her talent, and what a lovely dress! Jeanie was still in a dream. This was happening all long ago, when she and Frank had played together, of course it was for the last time--but she must play her best, she must not disgrace him in public, though it was the hardest thing she had ever done.

"Now," he said softly, looking at her, and then they began. How kindly he moderated his pace to hers, how thrilling were the tender notes. It was a little bit of heaven, and then it was over!

What a storm of applause followed, but Jeanie fled and Frank Weston followed her after simply saying "Thank you" to his audience.

Jim was keeping the door as they passed in, and when Toney arrived Jim had seized the situation.