Part 22 (1/2)

”I would try again to-night, Hubert,” she said in a low voice.

He was silent for a moment, twirling the ta.s.sel of the curtain.

”There is nothing to be really alarmed at in her ideas, regrettable as they are. She is young. That sort of thing will soon wear off after she is married.”

Temperley flung away the ta.s.sel.

”She doesn't know what she is talking about. These high-flown lectures and discussions have filled all their heads with nonsense. It will have to be rooted out when they come to face the world. No use to oppose her now. Nothing but experience will teach her. She must just be humoured for the present. They have all run a little wild in their notions. Time will cure that.”

”I am sure of it,” said Hubert tolerantly. ”They don't know the real import of what they say.” He hugged this sentence with satisfaction.

”They are like the young Russians one reads about in Turgenieff's novels,” said Henriette--”all ideas, no common-sense.”

”And you really believe----?”

Henriette's hand was laid comfortingly on her brother's arm.

”Dear Hubert, I know something of my s.e.x. After a year of married life, a woman has too many cares and responsibilities to trouble about ideas of this kind, or of any other.”

”She strikes me as being somewhat persistent by nature,” said Hubert, choosing a gentler word than _obstinate_ to describe the quality in the lady of his affections.

”Let her be as persistent as she may, it is not possible for any woman to resist the laws and beliefs of Society. What can she do against all the world? She can't escape from the conditions of her epoch. Oh! she may talk boldly now, for she does not understand; she is a mere infant as regards knowledge of the world, but once a wife----”

Henriette smiled and shook her head, by way of finish to her sentence.

Hubert mused silently for some minutes.

”I could not endure that there should be any disturbance--any eccentricity--in our life----”

”My dear boy, if you don't trust to the teaching of experience to cure Hadria of these fantastic notions, rely upon the resistless persuasions of our social facts and laws. Nothing can stand against them--certainly not the fretful heresies of an inexperienced girl, who, remember, is really good and kind at heart.”

”Ah! yes,” cried Hubert; ”a fine nature, full of good instincts, and womanly to her finger-tips.”

”Oh! if she were not that, _I_ would never encourage you to think of her,” cried Henriette with a shudder. ”It is on this essential goodness of heart that I rely. She would never be able, try as she might, to act in a manner that would really distress those who were dear to her. You may count upon that securely.”

”Yes; I am sure of it,” said Hubert, ”but unluckily” (he shook his head and sighed) ”I am not among those who are dear to her.”

He rose abruptly, and Henriette followed him.

”Try to win her to-night,” she murmured, ”and be sure to express no opposition to her ideas, however wild they may be. Ignore them, humour her, plead your cause once more on this auspicious day--the last of the old year. Something tells me that the new year will begin joyously for you. Go now, and good luck to you.”

”Ah! here you are,” cried Mr. Fullerton, ”we were wondering what had become of you. You said you wished to see a reel. Mrs. McPherson is so good as to play for us.”

The kindly old Scottish dame had come, with two nieces, from a distance of ten miles.

A thrill ran through the company when the strange old tune began.

Everyone rushed for a partner, and two long rows of figures stood facing one another, eager to start. Temperley asked Hadria to dance with him.

Algitha had Harold Wilkins for a partner. The two long rows were soon stepping and twirling with zest and agility. A new and wilder spirit began to possess the whole party. The northern blood took fire and transfigured the dancers. The Temperleys seemed to be fas.h.i.+oned of different clay; they were able to keep their heads. Several elderly people had joined in the dance, performing their steps with a conscientious dexterity that put some of their juniors to shame. Mr.

Fullerton stood by, looking on and applauding.