Chapter VIII: Part 8

"In a sort of way it was Jeanie who suggested it to me," said Toney. "I thought our organist would do, but she looked so reproachfully at me, and said, 'I don't want any music, thank you--short of Dr. Mayo--Frank would run away if he heard our organist!'"

"Do you always get what you want, Miss Whitburn?" said Dr. Mayo.

Poor Toney turned pale but no one noticed this.

"I like other people to have what they like, and I sort of try to get it for them, that's all."

"Ask Weston to sing, Miss Whitburn, and I will accompany him. Weston's voice is something out of the common, but he has refused to sing for some years."

"Do," said Toney, "I think I like singing best, especially when you can hear the words."

Then followed a rare musical treat, till Toney, saying she was very sleepy, excused herself and went to bed.

She paced her small room like a lion in a cage; she felt she must rush up to town to-morrow and call at the hotel, so as just to see him once more, but then she argued this would be wrong knowing what she did know! Perhaps--such things did happen--she might meet him in the streets. That wouldn't be wrong, because she could not help that. Was it wrong to wish it? Anyhow, she couldn't help it. She must turn for comfort to work, work and prayer; and yet neither of these two words seemed to be able to stop the pain. But they must; she, too, would fight with a lion.

She opened her "Little Flowers of St. Francis" to try and find some balm, and her eyes lighted on these words:--

"There came unto him (St. Francis) a youth, noble and tender, and said unto him, 'Father, right willingly would I become one of your brothers.' Replied St. Francis, 'My son, thou art a youth, tender and noble, it may well be that thou couldest not endure our hardships and our poverty.' And quoth he, 'Father, are ye not men even as I? Wherefore, as ye endure, even so shall I be able with the grace of Jesus Christ.'"

And Toney seemed to be comforted by these words, "As ye endure." That was it, to endure nobly, that meant she must not be beaten by her pain. Ah, she too would endure as did that young noble. Of course, endurance was easy when everything went right, but the only thing worth a rag was to endure when everything went wrong! And Toney looked this great sorrow in the face and made up her mind, oh, if it were possible--and it was possible--to endure _cheerfully_. Then, knowing she must be up early, she went to bed and fell asleep.

She awoke to the sound of marriage bells through the open windows; for one moment her face was all joy, then suddenly the pain returned. She dressed very quickly in a plain white serge dress, and then ran out to find the motor. Jim was ready with it. He looked beaming.

"I want to see if the church is properly beautiful. When you get married, Jim, I'll do the same for you. When is it to be?"

"We're in no hurry, Miss Tonia, there's time enough."

Toney laughed, Jim did not feel as did Frank Weston evidently.

At the church there were busy helpers, and several men from London. Large hampers of lilies were being unpacked.

Next, Toney motored to Waycott Hall and interviewed Maud, and then went home to early breakfast. Jim and the motor were to be kept busy.

The actual wedding was simple in the extreme. Only the Waycott Hall party, Miss Waycott, Mrs. Hamilton and Maud; and from Aldersfield, Sir Evas, Toney, the bridegroom, and Dr. Mayo. As the party entered he was already playing divine music, but the church was full of poor people and of white lilies. Never had the little old building looked so beautiful; Jeanie paused at the entrance.

"Oh! This is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen!" she whispered to Frank.

Mrs. Hamilton looked at Toney and then at her sister.

"Honoria, what extravagance, but how beautiful!"

"It's Toney all over," said Miss Honoria.

As to Frank Weston, he thought, "This is as it should be, no fuss, only poor people and flowers and heavenly music."

There were no jovial young men fussing and talking, no hustling, no disgraceful pushing, no whispered conversations. To the poor it was nearly as good as a funeral as they listened to Mr. Hales' strong manly voice, and saw his face full of mystic joy.

If Jeanie Hamilton had wanted any more reforming she had it then. How could pride exist in this sanctuary of beauty? She looked like a lily herself in a white afternoon dress, not a ball dress to be minutely described in the newspapers, Jeanie, belonging to one of the oldest families in the county, was marrying a self-made man, but as she looked up at his strong face, full of manly joy, she knew that she, not he, had the best of the bargain! She was only proud now of belonging to him.

Mrs. Hamilton was touched by the beauty and the originality. There was no vulgarity to hurt her pride, and she forgave Maud's first words in the vestry,

"Oh dearest Jeanie, you are a lucky woman. Toney, it was quite, quite perfect."

"You shall have the same, Maud, when you marry," answered Toney smiling.

Maud laughed and looked guilty. How pretty she appeared in her white dress, looking not unlike a bride herself.

The poor people remained seated till the pair came out together, but Toney stayed behind with a little army of helpers. All the lilies were to be tied in bunches, and each poor person in the church was to take home a bunch. Toney therefore missed seeing an uninvited guest at the church door, who shook hands cordially with the wedding party.

"Forgive me, Mrs. Weston, I was not invited, but I heard a whisper of your original wedding and----"

Jeanie smiled.

"It's Miss Whitburn's idea. Could anything be more beautiful?"

He was by Maud's side now and he said quite gravely,

"I took note of everything, Miss Hamilton."

"Oh," said Maud smiling, "it would not do for _your_ tastes. Hanover Square and a rowdy audience!"

"Indeed you are unjust. This is the first wedding I have enjoyed----"

Mrs. Hamilton was smiling, but, thinking Edward Lang wanted to make up to Toney, she did not invite him to the breakfast. Only Maud lingered a minute to say something, and then the poor people came trooping out, and when Toney reappeared she was too busy talking to them to see anything else.

The breakfast at Waycott Hall was a great trial to Toney, but she fought against this lion and no one found out she was in a battle. Dr. Mayo acted as best man, and his speech was short but to the point.

"The bridegroom being a friend of long standing, I rise to drink his health. The bride I have only seen to-day, but I congratulate her from the bottom of my heart. To be the wife of Frank Weston means to be the wife of a genius--that is nothing, he was born a genius, he couldn't help himself--but it also means to be the wife of a man who, having a grand profession, has always ennobled it, and who has never, by thought, word, or deed, lowered the high standard he set before himself, and I think Mr. and Mrs. Weston are wise to go at once to Germany, so as to avoid such demonstration from the musical world here as might be overpowering."

The bridegroom's speech was also very short.

"I thank my friend for his words, because I think he believes them!--but I rise to drink the health of Miss Whitburn. I believe she does not like titles, so when we think of all she has accomplished, we mentally say 'Toney'---- Round this word centres the gratitude of two persons who can never forget her. I am further asked by Mr. Lewis Waycott, to say how much he regrets not being amongst us, but his plans could not be altered. He has ordered that all the cottagers on his estate are to have a good dinner--he wishes us to accept that as his wedding present. For my part he could not have offered me anything I appreciate more."

Toney felt her throat tighten again. Lewis had thought of the nicest thing possible--if only he had been there himself! Maud was looking so happy, but then she, of course, knew he was happy, and knew he could not change.

Now Miss Honoria had something to say.

"I am very sorry that my nephew is not here in person, but he thought of everybody before his departure, and he begged me to say that as all the wedding arrangements were due to Miss Whitburn, he had asked all his tenants to remember her when they enjoyed their dinner."

Toney actually blushed, and Sir Evas, who was sitting beside her, nudged her.

"Come, Toney, say something. Don't say you're shy! Nobody would believe that!"

Toney laughed and stood up.

"It's all a mistake. I'm just doing nothing but please myself awfully when I plan a romance, so there is no credit at all but---- Gracious stars! I can't spout any more."

There was a burst of laughter and the wedding ended in merriment. Toney's one comfort was, "He did think of me anyhow." As they prepared to get ready for going away, she went up to Maud, his Maud.

"Maud, you do look sweet! I want to kiss you. It will do me good."

It was so unlike Toney that Maud laughed.

"I want to hug you, dear Toney, it will do me good! I am so happy."

Jeanie's thanks were simple.

"Toney, Frank says he'll always come when you want him--for a private concert or anything, and so will I."

"How charming of you both, but I don't think there is another romance for me to undertake except Maud's."

"Oh, Maud--must wait," said her sister.

"Yes, of course. Well, now we're going to see you off in grand style."

*CHAPTER XXIX.*

*AN ANGRY LAWYER.*

Sir Evas and Toney travelled up to London directly after the wedding pair had left in a private carriage ordered by Toney. In the train the heiress was very quiet. Sir Evas put it down to weariness, and no wonder after all she had accomplished this morning; so the "Good Comrade" respected her silence and read his paper. He was very understanding as Toney always expressed it. At Waterloo, Sir Evas called a hansom for Toney.

"Toney, you'll only go to Mr. Staines. Eh? Why not come on to Charing Cross Hotel later, and have tea or something?"

Toney turned away to find her umbrella. The temptation was very great.

"I shan't have much time, uncle, and I'll get back by the first train possible; Aunt Dove will feel dull and will want to hear all about the wedding. She doesn't quite approve of it, so she had a headache; but she is dying to hear particulars I know!"

"You see, musicians are--well, I mean marrying out of your set wasn't the fashion in her day."

"I wish I knew a nice sweep!" said Toney laughing, "but I don't; or I might, perhaps, fall in love with him; anyhow, I'm booked for a wallflower, so I shan't shock her!"

"Humph!" said Sir Evas. "Well, good-bye, I'll do your commission for you, Toney, in fact I'm going straight to Lawn and Alders now, to order a 450-bore high velocity cordite rifle for Lewis' lions. Make your mind easy and I'll be back to-morrow. Any message to Waycott?"

"No, nothing in particular. Tell him it was mean to miss the wedding, and tell him that Maud looked very pretty as well as the bride. Good-bye, Ducky Uncle."

The cab drove off and Sir Evas was left on the platform looking after it.

"There's something on the child's mind," he said to himself. "It's not Lewis Waycott, she could have come to hunt me up if it had been. I laid that trap nicely."

Chuckling at his own deep artfulness, Sir Evas went off to see about the necessary kit for killing lions and tigers!

The clerks at Mr. Staines' office paid the heiress great attention. It annoyed Toney, and indeed she looked so young and so simple it was difficult to treat her as a great lady, but they all knew she was worth L50,000 a year! You cannot be treated in an ordinary way if you are worth that amount. Toney was shown into the private room at once.

"How are you, Miss Whitburn? Delighted to see you! This is nicer than the telephone."

"Yes. Never quite sure who's hulloing," laughed Toney. "I shan't be long. Do you know Stone House has been begun this week?"

Mr. Staines shook his head.

"It will swallow a large sum of--but you can afford it."

"I've given _carte blanche_ for everything about it The firm is honest and I won't have scamped work. Pups said it never paid. I don't want to ruin the building either, and I want a margin for improvements."

"You have a very good head for business, Miss Whitburn. Now, how can I help you?"

Toney rose from the chair, she felt less cramped standing up.

"Why, ever so much!" She took a paper out of her pocket which was covered with figures. "First, tell me how much I could live on suppose I left Aldersfield House? Not yet; but suppose Aunt and uncle died suddenly, the place goes to a distant cousin who is a Judge in New Zealand, and he has a large family?"

"You would then make a home of your own."

"Yes; but I wouldn't have a big place in a park. They sort of stifle me. I want just necessities, because I haven't screwed up my courage to beg yet."

"To beg!" Mr. Staines thought his client had gone off her head.

"Yes. St. Francis did, you know--but then at that time you weren't taken up for begging as I should be now."

They both laughed.

"I think you would be put in a lunatic asylum begging with L50,000 a year."

"That's just it. Well, it's no good beating about the bush. Stone House will cost a heap to build, but now I want to make sure it's endowed."

"Endowed! Good heavens!"

"Why, of course, you can't live on nice rooms, can you? It may take in about forty persons double and single--then----. Yes, I want all my money to go to endow it, except just what will prevent my being a beggar."

"When you die you mean," said the lawyer turning a little pink. It was like someone suggesting throwing a priceless picture into the Thames.

"No, now, at once---- You know, Mr. Staines, my will was only temporary. I told you so. If I build and endow Stone House it will be a real monument to the memory of the General and Pups."

"What madness! You are so young, you will marry, and your husband has a right to expect a large proportion of your fortune."

"There it is again," cried Toney. "I won't marry; but if I did, why should he expect my money? If I'm not worth loving without, then--oh, I'm glad I shall never, never marry--and if I give this away it will save a lot of people the trouble of asking me for it."

"It's madness, utter foolishness," cried the lawyer, rising and pacing about the room; "sheer, downright madness! I won't be a party to it."

Toney turned pale. Would no one help her? Would no one understand that to give this away was real happiness, that she could never bear the burden alone, and that by keeping it she was a temptation to every man who required money?

"I think the General would understand, Mr. Staines, and so would Uncle Evas."

"Though you are your own mistress, I must consult your uncle."

Toney shook her head.

"It's no use---- He wouldn't like to go slap against you! Old family lawyers are such tyrants."

Mr. Staines looked furious.

"Tyrants, indeed! But for us half the owners of money would commit endless follies such as you wish to do, Miss Whitburn!"

"You can't keep all that pile and remain on the 'Path of Perfection,'" said Toney decidedly, "it can't be done. I wish you would read 'The Little Flowers.'"

"This is pure drivelling----"

"Look here, Mr. Staines, I've a real regard for you. You wouldn't run away with anyone's money, but--you don't understand. Anyhow, I've told you I mean to keep some, because there are always needy people, and then I think I shall keep the Haven to retire to myself, and I could live then on--there I do want help. I've always lived on nothing before I had this pile."

"Are you decided?"

"Quite, quite, quite--if you can't do it, hitch me on to a man that will."

Toney stood now firm and strong. The colour returned to her cheeks.

Mr. Staines could not possibly lose the handling of the money, so he bowed to necessity.

"I must reserve enough for your private needs and casual charity," he said.

"That's it. I thought you'd come round to see it, Mr. Staines. Only I want it done awfully soon, and then I shall breathe again! In fact draw up something now, to make it quite secure. One never knows. I might have a smash in the train to-day. You see I couldn't be sure about Aunt Dove, she does love the coin. Sort of madness, I guess."

"Cannot I first see Sir Evas Dove?" groaned Mr. Staines.

"It would make no difference; still, when it's done you can tell him. I like everything above board, don't you?"

"Above board" was the last thing suitable for his position. The lawyer did not answer.

"I'll go and get a mouthful to eat, Mr. Staines, arguing with you has made me so hungry, and then I'll come back and sign."

"Give me discretion to keep a sufficiency for----"

"Yes--and if it's too much I can come again, but, gracious stars! it's enough to stifle a poor girl having to decide all these questions. Half an hour will do for a preliminary canter, won't it, and make it sure."

Toney departed and took a cab to Lyons' Restaurant, Piccadilly. All the time she looked out at the passers-by. By a bare chance she might see Lewis Waycott walking about, and she would just nod a last good-bye. What would he say to her action? She didn't know, but she believed he would say "Quite right, Toney, much better secure it for these people."

Of course he was the only man who would not reproach her! Her heart felt lighter.

The Lyons made her think still more of Lewis' lions! She ordered some tea and hot toast to try and get him out of her thoughts, but she felt terribly lonely in the big place so full of people going and coming. It was like a miniature world full of persons thinking of their own concerns or their own comfort. For the first time she began to appreciate the lonely park at Aldersfield. It was this busy world that oppressed her now. Was she changing? She who had jostled against so many persons, and who had been afraid of nothing.

She felt better after her tea and jumped into a hansom again, to return to Mr. Staines. How glad she would be when the deed of gift was done and signed.

Once more she stood in the private room. Mr. Staines looked really distressed.

"You have forced me to go against my conscience," he said, unfolding a big paper.

Toney could not help laughing as she sat down with alacrity to sign.

"I've kept a sufficiency," he said; "don't try me too much."

"You are really nice," she answered, signing her full name with a flourish whilst two clerks came to witness the signature and retired, little guessing what they had helped to do.

"I've endowed Stone House with L30,000 a year. That will be ample for a whole colony. The money you gave to Lady Dove has taken a slice of the capital, and you have lived in fine style since then! Then the building will take another large slice."

"When Aunt Dove dies I want you to settle the L2,000 on Miss Maud Hamilton," said Toney. "She is a great friend of mine and poor. Oh, I've had a glorious time, Mr. Staines, but I knew it was only for a time. St. Francis never kept things with the excuse of giving them away again."

"Hang St. Francis!"

Toney laughed, and Mr. Staines could not help smiling.

"Well, good-bye, I've got to catch a train, and please, Mr. Staines, will you accept a little personal present? Not the firm---- Just to show you forgive me, and _I_ won't say how _you_ are to spend it! Oh, it's from me and the General."

Then like a strange gleam of unearthly sunshine Toney was gone. Mr. Staines opened the envelope and discovered a cheque for a thousand pounds. From another client it is doubtful if he would have accepted it, but a strange smile passed over his face.

"They are going to shut up a wing of the Children's Hospital at Margate," he said; "this will just save it; that girl sets a shocking example, but I did my best----"

He was not yet happy, but, strange to say, he was somewhat comforted.

Toney walked into the Aldersfield drawing-room half an hour before the dressing bell. Lady Dove was listening to Miss Grossman's rather loud voice. The novel was dull, and she was glad to stop her. Usually Miss Grossman insisted on reading the whole hour before dinner without stopping or allowing her employer to talk.

"Oh, Aunt Dove, I've had a nice afternoon. I saw Mr. Staines and had a jolly tea at the Lyons' Restaurant. Uncle is coming back early to-morrow, but I knew you'd be dying to hear about our wedding."

"Mrs. Hamilton has been here and told me all. I'm sure, Toney, you must have wasted a great deal on flowers out of season."

"They did good all round, and Jeanie and Mr. Weston just seemed lifted up by them. So would you have been if you'd seen them."

"I never countenance useless waste," was the answer.

"Sentimentality is not sentiment," interposed Miss Grossman.

To herself Toney said, "Consider the lilies of the field how they grow;" aloud, she added, "Anyhow Miss Honoria agreed that Jeanie and Maud looked lovely!"

"Mrs. Hamilton really bored me about her daughters' perfections. I said I was sorry her son-in-law's escutcheon was a blank, but, of course, she is going to keep Maud in her own set. Lewis Waycott has as many quarterings as the Hamiltons."

Toney's heart went thump, thump, again. How horrid she was!

"Quarterings are no use at all to the Westons. They will be just perfect without them," said Toney.

"But of course," continued Lady Dove, "I do wonder at her countenancing the marriage of cousins."

"The future owner of Waycott will be an idiot," said Miss Grossman decidedly. Then Toney rushed away; the atmosphere of the drawing-room without Uncle Evas suffocated her. "If it weren't for him," she thought, "I would fly to the Haven at once, but I can't forsake him, no, I can't, he's so awfully good to me."

Happily everybody was tired that evening (Miss Grossman condescended to dine with them as Lady Dove was alone, for Toney's companionship did not count), and Toney did her best to rattle on about all sorts of things till the early bedtime when all three were glad to retire to bed, little guessing what the night would bring forth, but as Toney said her prayers her heart seemed suddenly to feel light again.

"It will be easier to get to the other side," she thought, "without that load, anyway!"

*CHAPTER XXX.*

*A FIERY ORDEAL.*

Toney was usually an excellent sleeper and it took a good deal to wake her before morning, and she had gone through much in the last twenty-four hours. The brain, however, can be powerfully impressed by smell, and this must have been the reason why at two o'clock she heard a soft whine close to her ear, then a short, sharp bark, and then Toney started up in bed, fully awake. Next she gave a sniff and then the strong clear mind went straight to the mark.

"Powder me pink!" she exclaimed, then she jumped out of bed and dressed quicker than she had ever done in her life before. Her garments were few and substantial, and she drew on a skirt and a flannel blouse. Next she seized a big bath towel and soaked it in her hip bath.

"It's shorter in the long run," she thought, then she cautiously opened the door of her small room at the top of the house. The passage had smoke in it too, thicker smoke than in her room. For half a second she paused to think as she snatched up Trick in her arms. "Maids up here--the men in the other wing--bother, the telephone is down in my room--worse luck!" Then she dashed along the passage to the maids' rooms, opening each door as she passed, and shouting, "Get up! Fire! Quick!" At the end of the passage the cook opened the door, she was dressed, having also been awakened by the smell of smoke.

"Oh, Miss Tonia! It's fire--God have mercy on us!"

"All right, ring a bell out of the window, the men in the other wing will hear it. Shout Fire!--and, look here, tell the maids to dress first, it's safer in the end."

The elderly cook felt that Miss Tonia was right, her words acted like a strong restorative and brought back her presence of mind as the half-dressed maids crowded into the passage.

"Dress all of you girls, thick jackets, it's cold; we are safe at present." Toney paused.

"Yes, all safe at present, take wet towels with you. I'm afraid it's on the first floor, and these stairs don't look inviting!"

A volume of smoke rolled up now, and for a moment hid them from each other. Toney wrapped her wet towel round her head and shoulders and once more called out,

"Keep together--shout loud--try the other stairs, not these. I'll go and explore, but you had better not. Try the leads, you'll be safer there. Good-bye!"

"Miss Tonia! for God's sake don't go down those stairs, it's madness, stay here," cried the cook.

"I can't, Aunt Dove and Miss Grossman, but look here, Rose, take Trick and hold him tight, he will want to follow me and I must have my two hands," then suddenly Toney disappeared in another volume of smoke. The maids shrieked and wrung their hands, but the cook had happily regained her senses.

"Girls! follow me, the other stairs may be safe."

Clinging to each other they ran down the long passage, but at the other end they found quite as much smoke, for the narrow stairs seemed to act like two funnels.

"Let's go down, oh, let's go down!" cried the maids, "we must go before it's too late!"

"Miss Tonia said, 'the leads'--I think, girls, she's right. We can call for help from there. We might be suffocated in this smoke. Make for the trap-door on to the leads," and soon they were breathing pure air and exercising their lungs with screams. To their delight they saw that men were already running about below and were signalling to them that help was coming.

We must follow Toney on her dangerous exploration. She had one idea in her mind. The fire must have begun in her Aunt Dove's room or else in Miss Grossman's, a few doors off, or else in some flue close by. The dense smoke pointed unmistakably to this. Had they escaped? Their rooms were at the end of a passage, and they must go down it to reach the central staircase. The stairs down which she now forced her way were rather steep, and ended at the opposite end of the Hall to where was her aunt's passage, but Toney knew every step by heart. It was impossible to see even if there had been any light, the smoke was too thick. Should she meet the fire face to face and be driven back? Even here she felt the stairs were hot and the smoke was terrible. When she reached the bottom, however, she paused; by some strange freak for a few moments the smoke cleared, and she could breathe again! Oh, the relief! but this was only for a moment. She had to keep her mind clear; wrapping her wet towel still closer to her head, she made a dash along the central passage. Toney realised that this was passable, but dense smoke came rolling towards her from her aunt's passage. Oh, how could she pass it? She must, she must go on, for no one answered her smothered cry of "Aunt Dove! Aunt Dove! Miss Grossman!"

Again she paused to take what breath she could. Her eyes tingled, she felt choked, but as yet she saw no fire.

"I must, I must," she repeated and strangely enough came the words to her mind, "the Path of Perfection." Was this the Path? If only Aunt Dove were not locked in! If only Uncle Evas had been here! if only-- "Now," she thought, feeling the towel was getting dry and smoke-laden, "Now!"

Never had Toney made such a desperate dart down the passage. Oh, the heat! and the roaring and the smoke!--the smoke, that was the most terrible part of it! She hurled herself, blindfolded as she was, against the door and it gave way, but how the smoke rolled in with her! So immediately she shut the door, then she loosed the towel and called out.

"Aunt Dove, Aunt Dove! where are you? Speak, I can't see, Aunt Dove!"

"Help! help!" was the feeble smothered answer, but it was Miss Grossman's voice.

"Where? where?" She stumbled forwards across the big room and knocked against the bath filled with water. She stooped down and dashed her head in it, towel and all. What a relief she felt as she staggered forwards.

"Miss Grossman, where is Aunt Dove? Where are you?"

"In the wardrobe--we are suffocated! Help! help!"

"Come out quick." Toney seized another towel and dipped it in the bath. "We can still cross--at least I think so."

The big wardrobe opened, and as Miss Grossman crawled out Toney threw the wet towel over her; then Lady Dove emerged speechless from fear and smoke.

"Miss Grossman, why didn't you go down? I, think we can still do it."

"I ran in here, and then--Lady Dove would not follow me. Oh, the smoke--the window--open the window!"

"No, no, not yet, the draught--quick, oh, quick--Aunt Dove, take my arm. You have only your dressing-gown--take a blanket--Miss Grossman, run fast, we will follow." Miss Grossman was feeling the relief of the wet towel, she made a dash towards the door.

"Quick! Aunt Dove, follow me--I'll drag you, we have only just time."

"I can't, Antonia--don't leave me--oh, I can't breathe!"

"You must, you must." Toney dragged her a few steps, but fear had paralyzed her; at this moment Miss Grossman had reached the door and realised the danger of opening it more than once. A dull roar was heard.

"Are you coming? For God's sake, I cannot go alone----"

"Go," cried Toney, "you have time--I think. Aunt Dove, come, for Uncle Evas' sake come--pull yourself together. In a minute we----"

The door was opened by Miss Grossman, whose muffled voice again called out, "Come, come," then she shut it again, and Toney was left alone with her aunt. A terrible column of smoke had rolled in, and she noticed that one tongue of fire tried to pierce the smoke in the big chamber.

"Toney, I can't--I can't walk. Don't leave me--air--air--open the window!"

"Yes, it's too late for the door, Aunt Dove, we must come back--I'll open the window and call. Oh! they must be trying to save us now--don't leave go--stick tight to me: they will hear us." Toney felt a terrible weight on her; would her aunt give in? Here was one of the windows, the red curtain drawn across it, she pulled it back, a sofa was against it, she managed with superhuman effort to get her aunt on it, but it was terribly difficult.

"Aunt Dove, I'll open now or we shall be suffocated--only--there is danger--the draught--you know! I'll not leave you. Hold my jacket whilst I open." The window was locked, she could not find the bolt with that weight impeding her, she wrapped her hand round the towel and smashed the glass. Oh, the relief of the air! all danger seemed for a moment swallowed up in that relief. She was even able to unbolt the latch and pull up the sash.

"Help! help! Jim, ladders--help!" She saw a crowd below, some holding lanterns, some torches. She heard a fire engine gallop up, she even saw a shoot. "Here! here!" she called. Were they saved?

"Aunt Dove, they are coming. Put your head out of the window!" Toney said this because the roar behind them was increasing. She saw the tongue of fire very plainly now. Was there time? The engine was there. A great jet of water was playing on them, no, above them, they had not yet located the fire and it was coming, coming. Oh! the heat, the terrible heat! but now the fire escape was there, it was placed against the wall.

"Oh, Aunt Dove, don't give up--here they are!"

"Don't leave me! I can't move, Toney! the fire--look!"

"No, no, don't look." A ringing cheer, and a man was on the sill, having run up a ladder whilst the shoot was placed in position close to the window.

"Quick," he said, "not a moment to waste--one at a time." Toney did not hesitate, never thought of hesitating, as she dragged her aunt up to the sill. Her powerlessness had returned. The long shoot was there, it would have been so easy for Toney to step into it, but Aunt Dove was utterly unnerved--no one but Toney could rouse her.

"Help her, so--Aunt Dove, you are saved, it is not difficult; you slide down. Get in--you must--think of Uncle Evas." Lady Dove had clutched Toney so tightly that she could not, or would not, leave go. The fireman had to wrench her hand away by main force, and precious minutes were lost!

For God's sake--quick! It was certainly a very undignified retreat, but it was done; Lady Dove was saved!

But Toney, what of Toney? was there time? A great flare of light seemed suddenly visible behind her. The fireman had disappeared, and Toney could not linger another minute. She jumped on the sill and stood for a few seconds clinging to the sash above. Then she saw there was but one chance for her; she must let herself drop on to a kind of parapet below, and then clutch the iron rod that was now at her feet--if she did not miss it! In the lurid light she was seen by everybody--there was a breathless moment, then she let go--and without once hesitating clutched and retained the rod. A roar of admiration and horror mingled together was heard; then suddenly, like a lightning flash, another form had run up the ladder, and though it was not in right position Jim stretched out both arms and supported her, in what was an untenable position--because--Toney's sleeve had caught fire.

"Miss Tonia, hold on one minute. Now"--with one hand he held her, with the other he crushed the fire out, then--but for Jim there would have been no then, Toney could not have held on--the next instant the shoot was moved and again placed in position for Toney, and Jim straining forward helped her to get in--alone she could not have done it.

"Miss Tonia, Miss Tonia--thank God, it's all right." Then Toney heard a great shout, a shout that permeated everywhere, and she felt herself sliding down, down, always down; but the truth was that for the first time in her life Toney had fainted, and when she came to herself she was in the big barn where the grand supper had been served, and which was situated on the side where the fire was not.

"Aunt Dove--and everybody?" she gasped. It was Maud who was beside her, and Dr. Latham was cutting off her sleeve and wrapping up her left arm in cotton wool after having soaked it in oil.

"Oh! Toney, Toney, all are saved; you did it; is the pain very bad?"

Toney shut her eyes a moment.

"Gracious stars!--I forgot--I thought I was going down and down, and the fire was running after me! Oh, all saved! Maud! I am glad. Where's Trick?" At this moment a poor, singed, bedraggled animal made a bound and was on Toney's couch, licking her face and half wild with joy.

"I was so afraid we should never get aunt out! Trick, Trick, you gave the first warning; you're just a hero! Let me get up, Dr. Latham; I'm quite fit--is my study burnt?

"No, all that wing is safe; the wind carried the fire the other way, and the engines are keeping it down. Lady Dove and Miss Grossman have been driven to Waycott Hall; she revived wonderfully, but you were not ready to go off with them."

"The maids were saved first," added Maud; "fortunately, they were on the roof, and very visible, but till Miss Grossman appeared we could not locate where you were. Mr. Russell has done wonders. Oh, it was dreadful!"

Toney's colour began to return; she insisted on getting up, and Maud fetched a great ulster for her to keep her warm.

"We must telephone to Uncle Evas at once," she said; "he's at Charing Cross Hotel." To herself Toney thought, "Lewis Waycott will know I did my best before he goes." Then she shook herself to make sure her legs were her own.

"Now I must go--where's Jim? Oh, Maud, I couldn't have held on a second longer without him!"

The two girls went out to the front of the house. It was four o'clock now, and a great glare and volumes of smoke made lurid light, but every now and then the water conquered the fire. All the villagers were working with a will, carrying pictures and valuables to safety, and, strange to say, most ably directed by Plantagenet Russell. He seemed to forget entirely his own personality, and thought only of saving all that was precious in the best possible way. Every now and then a cheer was heard, when something was brought out through the danger zone. It was on this scene that Toney appeared, and again there was a shout that drowned all other sounds. The old men and women gathered round her, the others were working for all they were worth.

"Miss Tonia! Miss Tonia! Thank God! thank God! You gave us such a fright, that you did! when you stood up there. Jim wouldn't wait; he did his duty, did Jim. There wasn't time to wait, though the fireman said there was---- Here, Jim, stop a bit, and come and see Miss Tonia!" Jim, looking like a sweep, touched his hat.

"It's all right now you're safe, Miss Tonia."

"It's all owing to you, Jim; I couldn't have kept hold another minute."

"You saved her ladyship, Miss Tonia; she was sheer dazed with fright; the fireman said he couldn't have managed it himself. Her ladyship was very upset, and directly she heard you were safe she went off with Miss Grossman. We can't think how you managed that drop, miss; none of us could have done it!"

"I had to, Jim, the heat was so awful!"

"I came just in time," said Maud. "Oh! Toney, to see you dropping down from that ledge made me feel sick! I shall never forget it. If only Lewis had been here!" Toney turned to see the men again.

"Thank you very much for helping to save uncle's things; but please don't go into danger for them. Mr. Russell, how good you've been; you'll take care of the men? Now I think I'll go to Waycott Hall to see after Aunt Dove. Come, Maud." Doctor Latham joined her.

"There's the carriage coming back. I'll come too. You will feel your arm pain you more later."

* * * * *

"If you please, Sir Evas Dove, you're wanted at the telephone immediately," said a sleepy waiter.

"Hulloa! what's up? Is it Lady Dove?--Impossible--I'll come immediately."

"Are you Sir Evas?"

"Yes; who is it? Ah! Russell, is it you? What's the matter?"

"Aldersfield is on fire; can you come first train? Everybody saved; Lady Dove much upset; Miss Whitburn has burnt her arm--Miss Hamilton wants Mr. Waycott to know."

"What the Dickens are you all up to? I'll come first train; never mind if all are safe."

Sir Evas rushed to Lewis Waycott's room.

"Waycott, are you awake?"

"Yes; what's up?"

"I'm off immediately; Aldersfield is burning; Toney has been burnt."

"Toney burnt! Good heavens! I'll come with you."

"No need, only her arm; but Maud wanted you to know. Good-bye; good luck to your hungry lions."

But Lewis did not reply, he was hurrying into his clothes with greater rapidity than ever before, and when Sir Evas stepped into the carriage he did not see that Lewis Waycott jumped in too, just as the train was starting.

*CHAPTER XXXI.*

*HOME AGAIN.*

Hardly had Maud, Toney, and Dr. Latham reached Waycott Hall in the grey light of morning, than a rider galloped up. It was Edward Lang, who threw himself off his saddle to greet the girls.

"We heard such stories that I simply threw myself on Tempest and galloped here. You were reported dead, Miss Whitburn--are you hurt, Miss Hamilton? They sent me on here from Aldersfield."

"Toney's arm is burnt, I was only a spectator."

"The fire is being got under, but the left wing looks bad." He kept close to Maud and looked more at her than at Toney. Maud told the tale. Toney did not care to talk about it, so she left them to go and find her aunt, and met Miss Honoria, Mrs. Hamilton, and Miss Grossman looking for her.

"My dear child," cried Miss Honoria, kissing her, "is your arm bad? You must go to bed."

"We are all proud of you," said Mrs. Hamilton, conquered at last, for personal courage was her special admiration, "Miss Grossman told us all. Lady Dove has gone to bed and begged not to be disturbed, so you had better not see her yet, she is much shaken."

"How did you get through?" said Toney to the companion. "Aunt Dove couldn't move, I think fear paralyzed her, and, gracious stars! the shoot just finished her for a moment. We had to use force, I couldn't go down on her head, and by the time I could I had to move away from it along the sill, out of reach. But you know, Miss Honoria, Jim saved me. I was holding on for all I was worth, but--oh, I couldn't have done it half a minute longer."

Toney was simply bent on praising Jim, forgetting that these horrible moments had been endured for Aunt Dove's sake.

"I couldn't have got through but for that soaked towel, Miss Whitburn, you saved my life, I shall feel in your debt for the rest of my life," said Miss Grossman, who having washed and dressed looked quite normal. Toney laughed.

"Oh don't, please, a towel is a very old joke, isn't it?"

"I find, to my surprise, that the obvious escapes one at such moments. Lady Dove rang the bell in my room violently and, smelling smoke, I ran to her without thought. Once there I did the best I could for us both."

"Well, that was real lucky for her, but I guess you were nearly stifled in that wardrobe," said Toney smiling. "Tell me what Aunt Dove said afterwards?"

"If you wish to know, she said it was the first time you had been of real use."

"That's grand from her! Now, Miss Honoria, I think I'll go and curl up till Uncle Evas comes. I don't want to go to bed, thank you," she said smiling bravely.

"Then just come to Lewis' study. No one will go there to disturb you, dear," answered Miss Honoria.

"All right, I'll go, don't come with me. Maud's somewhere telling Mr. Lang."

Toney washed her face and brushed her hair in Maud's room, then she hurried towards the study. She would like to be there, quiet and alone; she wanted to get rid of that horrible feeling of holding on to an impossible position. She had fancied herself braver. Pups wouldn't have turned a hair over it--neither would she formerly. This life of luxury was unnerving her; how glad, how very glad she was that her will had been altered. She heaved a sigh of relief as she opened the door. Then she stood still thunderstruck! The room was not empty, Maud was talking eagerly to Edward Lang and they were close to each other and he was holding her hand. How horrid of Maud! What would Lewis think?

"Ehem!" said Toney in a loud voice, and the two flew apart, Maud turning round with a crimson face.

"Oh, Toney, we--I didn't think you would come here---- I was telling Mr. Lang----"

"Oh I say, Miss Whitburn, I'll take a leaf out of your book---- I want Maud to marry me and she won't say 'yes!'"

Toney nearly said, "How dishonourable," then by a sudden inspiration her mind was illumined. She must have imagined, all--the other thing? A great weight seemed to be suddenly lifted from her heart, she felt light as air so that she actually burst out laughing.

"Oh! Stars and Stripes!--Maud--you never told me---- Is it really true--or----"

Edward Lang's eyes were so blue and so kind, he seized Maud's hand.

"She'll obey you, Miss Whitburn--tell her to say 'yes'--and you can't say I love her for her money--because she has none, and if she will just reform this extravagant personage we shall be as happy as----"

"Gracious stars! Maud--do you----"

"He's most unworthy," said Maud laughing, "but I have a slight regard for him only--it's all very well promising to reform but----"

"You can't tell unless you try me," he answered, looking really in earnest, "but be witness, Miss Whitburn, 'pon my honour I will, Maud says I must work, and really I mean in future to be less of a lazy dog, but if Maud throws me up----"

"A gentleman always keeps his word, Maud," said Toney, "and indeed, Mr. Lang, Maud won't always be penniless, I've just made my will, and when Aunt Dove dies, you'll have two thousand a year, Maud--it's my wedding gift to you."

The lovers stared hard, then Maud actually cried and ended by laughing.

"Oh, Toney! We can't--he won't reform if I'm not a beggar!"

"Aunt Dove's got an awfully good constitution, so there's no hurry," said Toney, "but I'm so very, very glad, Mr. Lang, though of course, Maud is too good for you, only----"

They all laughed, and Maud seeing Toney's tired look, suggested she should lie down and be left alone.

"Yes, I think I'll curl up," said Toney, "I'm still a bit dazed--but, oh, Maud--I never guessed!"

The lovers went out and Toney called Trick, then literally curled herself round on the big sofa, feeling that it would take a long time to re-adjust her ideas. Why had she believed Aunt Dove, and--oh, it was all a mistake--what about Lewis' strange coldness? But even the new sweet, strange puzzle, and the great lightness of heart, could not keep her weary eyes open, though she did not want to sleep but to see Sir Evas directly he appeared, so she took her little book out of her pocket and opened it at the place where the little boy saw St. Francis in a wood, surrounded with heavenly visitors, and she read how St. Francis, returning home, stumbled over the boy, and then lifted him in his arms, "as doth a good shepherd with his sheep," and Toney thought of the terrible moments on the sill, and thanked God that she had been upheld by the Good Shepherd till help had come, for she heard Jim tell someone that it was a miracle how Miss Tonia had held on---- Then "The Little Flowers of St. Francis" dropped from her hands and Toney fell asleep.

* * * * *

Sir Evas, getting out at Winchley Station, stumbled against Lewis Waycott.

"Bless my soul, you came too, Waycott! How can you spare the time? There's a fly waiting, come with me, I wanted to talk about your lions, but all this has driven everything out of my head."

"The lions will wait," said Lewis gravely. Then Sir Evas spoke a few words to the Station Master, after which both men hurried into the fly.

"It might have been worse, but Ingram says it was a near shave for Toney. However, now the fire is got under. She saved her aunt's life, Ingram says. What a fright I had, but Toney's safe; I'm as fond of that girl as if she was my own."

"Of course," said Lewis, "I'm sure she never thought of herself."

"Always was foolhardy--but coming down I was reading a letter from Staines, he's terribly upset. What do you think Toney did yesterday?"

"Yesterday! Was she in town?"

"Yes, I forgot to say so--Staines said she insisted on making an immediate deed of gift to that confoun--well, that Stone House of hers of L30,000, and to think of all the time I wasted on that girl's money affairs! It's preposterous! I don't wonder Staines is nearly off his head!"

"A deed of gift of L30,000!" repeated Lewis turning towards Sir Evas with a flash of joy in his eyes.

"Yes, I thought you'd be as surprised as I am. Worse--Staines said he would tell me--out of the remainder, she's given my wife L2,000 principal and interest, and at her death it's to go on to your Cousin Maud."

"To Maud!"

"Yes, Toney's very fond of Maud, and--you know I expect she thought it would help you."

"Help me! Why?"

"Oh she told me not to let the cat out of the bag, but I never could keep a cat in anything. She heard you were engaged to Maud--keeping it quiet--much better--I wouldn't have mentioned it but for this money."

"Good heavens! What else--she won't have much left."

"Confound it all--the rest, I suppose, will build Stone House, only----" and Sir Evas chuckled,

"Staines has kept the coal mines as her share, and there's no knowing what they are worth, unless the seam fails--there'll be pickings, but only pickings. Such a fortune, a princely fortune. Stone couldn't have foreseen it."

"I believe he did, Sir Evas, I believe it was his fashion of dispensing charity."

"I don't know, he was a queer fish himself, gave lavishly in secret, but--it's really enough to turn Staines' hair white."

Here Lewis Waycott laughed aloud; Sir Evas looked at him a little reproachfully.

"I don't see the joke."

"Forgive me, Sir Evas--I do--but what made Toney say that about Maud? What an absurd idea! I'm awfully fond of Maud--I think I told Toney so--but I look upon these girls as my sisters. They're tremendously improved, and it's Toney's doing."

"Then you're not engaged to Maud! I always said it surprised me--Toney's too cute. Here we are--good heavens! It's not pleasant to see your ancestral home looking like this!"

The two men were surrounded immediately by responsible and irresponsible people. Sir Evas heard all that was known, and Lewis was shown where Toney had stood and told how she had saved the lives of Lady Dove and Miss Grossman. Lewis Waycott looked away. He was a strong man but at that moment he felt faint.

"They are all at Waycott, Sir Evas," said Lewis, "I think I'll go on."

"Yes, do, say I am coming. I must thank my people for saving so much of my property. There isn't a picture burnt, and much of the furniture is saved."

Sir Evas had become very popular since Toney had rubbed his shyness off, so now he went about among his tenants scattering kind words, and he was almost overcome by their heartfelt sympathy. Though his treasures had been at everybody's mercy, not the smallest thing had been injured.--"It will soon be built up again, sir--'Twas a mercy everyone was saved--Her ladyship wouldn't face the shoot at first, sir--If Miss Tonia hadn't been there the two ladies would have been roasted alive--The ways of Providence is wonderful! 'Tain't for such of us to understand them!"

On leaving Sir Evas, Lewis had stumbled on Jim.

"Jim, if you're not wanted, take me home in the motor--at least if it isn't burnt."