914

hip. Mariton.

ld her to disconnnoyed, I let the ment, not willing at such a time. the course of the school to me; so

:

any other guest Mr. Wainwright until the follows might arrive in

en sounding Will success, about m. All she could

certain he was Grant had done ere sure to give st he startled her carnying chap," oth-spoken Mr. w; but, on furwas only Jack had told him so; axter.

ad been married ite-it gives full r; and her skin, nt and healthy in ning to her comas been working that the three ve holiday had vas owing to the -he seemed so > attached to Mr. rt good.

"Silver Swan,"
Mrs. Cargil that
I thought, as she
ght be as well to
morning.

ter arrived about
hey would come
that she should
en, while I talked
im looking more
ons, and he had
ining designs in

h made me think
be hopeless.

CHAP. XXIV.

A PARTY AT FAIRCLOUGH.

GLOVES.

WHITE KID

I felt at intervals some very uncomfortable feelings in regard to Grant Wainwright's conduct and threats; sometimes, even considering it might be right to put the matter before Mr. Grey, who is a magistrate; for a breach of the peace seemed imminent, unless I could find means to induce Mr. Brown to avoid the Darliston Road. I thought of the rocks; but, beside that no certain safety was promised by such a change of route, I remembered Mrs. Peters' vain attempt to prevail on Mr. Brown to enter her premises through the kitchen. Finally, seeing that I had plenty of other matter to occupy me, and there seemed no immediate danger, I determined to do nothing until I had seen Mr. Brown again.

Barbara's services were very efficient, but in one matter she vexed me. I had already once found it necessary to desire her not to polish my oak-stairs, and on Tuesday morning, when I came in from a walk across the garden to Mrs. Barncliffe's, whither I had been to ask for some of her flowers, I found Barbara on her knees, surreptitiously laying on some compound of oil and bee's-wax. So I said, “Barbara, take that stuff away: I told you before I did not want the stairs polished."

66

Oh, ma'am" she replied, "the stairs at Cardington Castle are polished beautiful; and I'd make these look almost as well with one rubbing, the wood's so good. I don't mind the trouble."

"I don't like slippery stairs; I prefer comfort to beauty in this case, Barbara."

"But, ma'am, you need not be afraid of slipping, if you hold by the balisters, even if you do get on the oak; and there's the carpet down the middle."

I do not like long arguments with servants. I considered I had said enough, and passed into my bedroom, where I had a little occupation in looking out what I should wear in the evening, and some other slight matters. When I came out I was little pleased to find Barbara had gone on with her rubbing. She pretended to have

thought I had not positively told her to discontinue it, and, though rather annoyed, I let the matter pass without much comment, not willing to put my maid out of humour at such a time.

Helen's attire was sent in the course of the morning, and she came from school to me; 80 I had her for a full hour before any other guest arrived. I was pleased to find Mr. Wainwright had consented to her remaining until the following noon, as we expected letters might arrive in the morning from Vienna.

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Helen informed me she had been sounding Will Harper several times, without success, about his ideas concerning Mr. Witham. All she could get out of him was that he was certain he was 'no good," and he wished Mr. Grant had done with all "that lot," as they were sure to give him a bad example. At the last he startled her by saying he was afraid that "carnying chap," by which he meant the smooth-spoken Mr. Witham, was about the road now; but, on further question, he admitted it was only Jack Barnes, who is half an idiot, had told him so; and it was likely to be a Mr. Baxter.

Helen wore the dress she had been married

in. She looks very nice in white-it gives full effect to her dark eyes and hair; and her skin, though not fair, is so transparent and healthy in tint, that it is scarcely less becoming to her complexion. I think she really has been working too hard, for it struck me now that the three previous days of comparative holiday had freshened her. Helen said it was owing to the coming of Mr. Merton Brown-he seemed so cheerful and strong, and was so attached to Mr. Mainwaring, that it did her heart good.

Concerning the affair at the "Silver Swan," Helen had only heard from Mrs. Cargil that some sharp words had passed. I thought, as she was looking very happy, it might be as well to defer the particulars until next morning.

Alfred Merrivale and his sister arrived about six o'clock. I had requested they would come early, and arranged with Helen that she should take Miss Kate round the garden, while I talked with her brother. I thought him looking more cheerful than on former occasions, and he had brought a small portfolio containing designs in illustration of "Ivanhoe," which made me think his case as an artist could not be hopeless.