Part 14 (2/2)
”Pray pardon me. I can understand your sentiments. It must be a shock to think of losing Lettice in any case, and I am aware that I am not what is called a good match. Such a beautiful girl--her father's daughter, your ward--might marry into any circle. I sympathise with your disappointment; but, believe me, Lettice should never have any reason to regret her choice. I would devote my life to securing her happiness. I will call to-morrow morning, then, with your permission.
Eleven o'clock? Thank you! Pray pardon any distress I may have caused you, and think of me as indulgently as you can.”
He left the room, and Miss Carr raised both hands to her head with a gesture of despair.
”He is all that he should be--humble, devoted, deferential--but oh, Lettice! my poor, dear child, what a mistake you have made! You would eat your heart out in a year's time, married to a man whom you do not love; and you don't love Arthur Newcome, I know you don't--it is all vanity, and weakness, and imagination. Poor Austin, what a welcome for him! A nice pill for me to have such a piece of news to tell--I, who was going to do such wonders for the child! Well, well! this comes of mixing oneself up in other people's affairs. She could have come to no worse fate than this if I had left her to vegetate in Clearwater.”
There was no more rest for Miss Carr that afternoon. The magazine lay neglected on the table, the cus.h.i.+ons fell to the ground and lay unnoticed as she fidgeted about, now rising and pacing angrily to and fro, now throwing herself on a seat in weary despair. She alternately longed for and dreaded Mr Bertrand's arrival, and it needed all her self-control to keep up a semblance of cheerfulness while he drank his tea and refreshed himself after the long journey. It was not easy, however, to deceive such an intimate friend. Mr Bertrand studied her face with critical eyes, and said kindly--
”You are not up to the mark, Helen; you look tired and worried! That youngster of mine has not been misbehaving herself, I hope? What's the trouble?”
”Oh, Austin, the deluge! The most awful complication. I feel inclined to whip her! Would you believe it, that wooden Arthur Newcome called upon me this very afternoon, not two hours ago, to ask my consent to his engagement to Lettice!”
”Arthur Newcome? Oh, I know--the solemn person in the frock coat! What preposterous nonsense! Lettice is a baby! We must not let the young people at home hear of this, or they will tease the poor girl to death.
Young Newcome is a favourite b.u.t.t, and they often mimic him for my benefit. Well, I hope you let the poor fellow down gently, and saved me a disagreeable task.”
”But--but, my dear Austin, you don't understand. He cannot be dismissed in that easy fas.h.i.+on, for he says--it is inconceivable--I don't know what to make of it--but he tells me that he has spoken to Lettice herself, and that she has accepted him!”
”What?” Mr Bertrand put down his cup and turned to confront Miss Carr with a face from which every trace of laughter had disappeared.
”Accepted him? Lettice? This is serious indeed. Had you ever suspected--or noticed any sign of an attachment growing up between them?”
Miss Carr wrung her hands in distress.
”My dear Austin, how can you ask such a question? As if I would not have consulted with you at once if that had been the case. You know what Arthur Newcome is--the acme of all that is sober and stolid. I have never seen a sign of emotion of any kind on his face until this afternoon. He has seen a good deal of Lettice, for she and Madge are great friends, but I never thought of anything more--never for one moment! And as for Lettice herself, I am confident that the child never thought of him in that light, and that she is as heart-whole as I am myself.”
”Then why--why--?”
”Oh, don't ask me! I am too miserable and disappointed to speak. I thought I had guarded against this sort of thing; but you know what Lettice is. He is very much in love, and no doubt she was pleased and flattered.”
Mr Bertrand thrust his hands into his pockets and paced up and down the room. His face looked drawn and anxious, but after five minutes had pa.s.sed he drew a long breath and made a determined effort at cheerfulness.
”Well, it's a bad business, but it has to be faced. I am humiliated and disappointed that Lettice could have behaved so foolishly; but you must not blame yourself, my dear old friend. No one could have done more for the child for the last three years, and I am glad I am here to help you through this difficulty. The young fellow will have to be told that there has been a mistake. I am sorry for him, but it is better now than later on. When did you say you expected Lettice?”
”She may be here at any moment. She was to leave her friends at six o'clock. I thought I heard the door open just now. Perhaps she has arrived.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
LETTICE IS OBSTINATE.
Miss Carr's surmise proved correct, for even as she spoke the door opened and Lettice appeared on the threshold. No longer the Lettice of short skirts and flowing locks, but an elegant young lady who swept forward with a rustle of silken skirts, and held up the sweetest pink and white face in the world to receive her father's kiss of greeting.
”Lovely Lettice,” indeed, lovelier than ever in the first bloom of womanhood. As her father held her from him at arm's length, the slim figure was almost as tall as his own, and the golden head dropped before the grave, scrutinising glance. Lettice knew that her lover had called during her absence, and Miss Carr's silence, her father's unusual solemnity, added to her natural nervousness. The grey eyes roved from one face to another with a scared, helpless look which they were quick to understand.
”Yes,” said Mr Bertrand, ”we know all about it by this time, Lettice.
Mr Newcome has interviewed Miss Carr. She was intensely surprised; I also; but she has had more opportunity of seeing you together, and she tells me that you have shown no special signs of interest in this young fellow. Tell me, my dear--speak frankly, we are only thinking of your happiness--have you allowed yourself to be persuaded against your own judgment? It is a pity if that is the case, but it can be remedied.
There is no engagement as yet, and I can easily explain to Mr Newcome that you have made a mistake.”
Lettice had seated herself opposite her father and busied herself pulling off her long suede gloves. She avoided her father's glance, but the answer came in a little, breathless gasp--”Oh, no, no! I don't want--”
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