Part 29 (2/2)
”You have been very kind to me, Mr Chute,” said Hazel, standing her ground now, and determined that he should not see her hurry in because the vicar was coming down the street.
”Yes, I've been very kind, and you've done nothing but trifle and play with me ever since you saw how I loved you.”
”Mr Chute, you know this is not the truth!” cried Hazel indignantly.
”I have tried to behave to you in accordance with my position as your fellow-teacher.”
”Then you haven't, that's all,” he cried fiercely. ”But you don't know me yet. I'm not one to be trifled with, and there ain't time to say more now, only this--you've led me on and made me love you, and have you I will--there now! Don't you think you're going to hook Lambent, or Canninge, or old Burge; because you won't. It's friends or enemies here, so I tell you, and I'll watch you from this day, so that you shan't stir a step without my knowing it. I'm near enough,” he added with a sneer, ”and when I'm off duty I'll put mother on.--Oh, I say, Hazel, I _am_ sorry I spoke like that.”
”Good-day. Miss Thorne,” said the vicar, coming slowly up with a disturbed look in his face. ”Good-day, Mr Chute.”
”'Day, sir,” said Chute, standing his ground, while the vicar waited for him to go.
”You need not wait, Mr Chute,” said the vicar at last; and the schoolmaster's eyes flashed, and he was about to make an angry retort; but there was something in the cold, stern gaze of the clergyman that was too much for him, and, grinding his teeth together, he turned upon his heel and walked away.
”Mr Chute is disposed to be rude, Miss Thorne,” said the vicar with a grave smile, as he laid his gloved hand upon the oak fence and seemed to be deeply interested in the way in which the grain carved round one knot. ”I beg that you will not think me impertinent, but I take a great interest in your welfare. Miss Thorne.”
”I do not think you impertinent, sir,” she replied; ”and I have to thank you for much kindness and consideration.”
”Then I may say a few words to you,” he said gravely; and there was an intensity in his manner that alarmed her.
”I beg--I must ask”--she began.
”A few words as a friend. Miss Thorne,” he said in a low, deep voice, and the grain of the oak paling seemed to attract him more than ever, for, save giving her a quick glance now and then, he did not look at her. ”You are very young. Miss Thorne, and yours is a responsible position. It is my duty, as the head of this parish, to watch over the schools and those who have them in charge. In short,” he continued, changing from his slow, hesitating way, ”I feel bound to tell you that I could not help noticing Mr Chute's very marked attentions to you.”
”Mr Lambent,” began Hazel imploringly.
”Pray hear me out,” he said. ”I feel it my duty to speak, and to ask you if it is wise of you--if it is your wish--to encourage these attentions? It is quite natural, I know--I do not blame you; but--but after that which I saw as I came up, I should be grateful, Miss Thorne, if you would speak to me candidly.”
Hazel longed to turn and flee, but she was driven to bay, and, after a few moments' pause to command her voice, she said firmly--
”Mr Chute's attentions to me, sir, have been, I own, very marked, and have given me much anxiety.”
”Have given you much anxiety?” he said softly, as if to himself.
”When you came up, Mr Chute had been making certain proposals to me, which, as kindly as I could, I had declined. Mr Lambent,” she added hastily, ”you said just now that I was very young. I am, and this avowal is very painful to me. Will you excuse me if I go in now?”
He raised his eyes to hers at this, and she saw his pale handsome face light up; and then she trembled at the look of joy that darted from his eyes, as, drawing himself up in his old, stiff way, he raised his hat and saluted her gravely, drawing back and opening the gate to allow her to go in, parting from her then without another word.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
A SURPRISE.
Hazel's first impulse was to hurry up to her room, but to her astonishment, she became aware of the fact that her mother had been watching both interviews, by her manner, for she was standing inside the room door, and throwing her arms round her daughter she kissed her on both cheeks.
There was another surprise for Hazel though, for a loud voice exclaimed--
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