Part 14 (2/2)
This is one for him and two for herself; and--need I say?--the family friend is once more unfurled, and waves to and fro majestically in the soft wind.
”Now, don't you feel better?” asks Molly, placing her two fingers beneath his chin, and turning his still rather angry face toward her.
”I do,” replies he; and a smile creeping up into his eyes slays the chagrin that still lingers there, but half _perdu_.
”And--are you happy?”
”Very.”
”Intensely happy?”
”Yes.”
”So much so that you could not be more so?”
”Yes,” replies he again, laughing, and slipping his arm round her waist. ”And you?” tenderly.
”Oh, I'm all right!” says Miss Ma.s.sereene, with much graciousness, but rather disheartening vivacity. ”And now begin, Teddy, and tell me all about Herst Royal and its inmates. First, is it a pretty place?”
”It is a magnificent place. But for its attractions, and his twenty thousand pounds a year, I don't believe your grandfather would be known by any one; he is such a regular old bear. Yet he is fond of society, and is never content until he has the house crammed with people, from garret to bas.e.m.e.nt, to whom he makes himself odiously disagreeable whenever occasion offers. I have an invitation there for September and October.”
”Will you go?”
”I don't know. I have hardly made up my mind. I have been asked to the Careys, and the Brownes also; and I rather fancy the Brownes. They are the most affording people I ever met: one always puts in such a good time at their place. But for one reason I would go there.”
”What reason?”
”That Herst is so much nearer to Brooklyn,” with a fond smile. ”And, perhaps, if I came over once or twice, you would be glad to see me?”
”Oh, would I not!” cries Molly, her faultless face lighting up at his words. ”You may be sure of it. You won't forget, will you? And you will come early, so as to spend the entire day here, and tell me all about the others who will be staying there. Do you know my cousin Marcia?”
”Miss Amherst? Yes. She is very handsome, but too statuesque to please me.”
”Am I better-looking?”
”Ten thousand times.”
”And Philip Shadwell; he is my cousin also. Do you know him?”
”Very intimately. He is handsome also, but of a dark Moorish sort of beauty. Not a popular man, by any means. Too reserved,--cold,--I don't know what it is. Have you any other cousins?”
”Not on my mother's side. Grandpa had but three children, you know,--my mother, and Philip's mother, and Marcia's father: he married an Italian actress, which must have been a terrible _mesalliance_, and yet Marcia is made much of, while I am not even recognized. Does it not sound unfair?”
”Unaccountable. Especially as I have often heard your mother was his favorite child!”
”Perhaps that explains his harshness. To be deceived by one we love engenders the bitterest hatred of all. And yet how could he hate poor mamma? John says she had the most beautiful, lovable face.”
”I can well believe it,” replied he, gazing with undisguised admiration upon the perfect profile beside him.
<script>