Part 4 (1/2)

”You, at least, were a gentleman, Marquis,” I said.

”There is that, to be sure,” he allowed. ”But my wife preferred her dancing-master. One can never judge.”

At half-past two o'clock (they must have gobbled their lunch), Mrs.

Gurrage, Augustus--yes, I must get accustomed to saying that odious name--Augustus and Miss Hoad drove up in the barouche, and got solemnly out and came up to the door which Hephzibah held open for them. They solemnly entered the sitting-room where we all were, and solemnly shook hands. There is something dreadfully ill-behaved about me to-day. I could hardly prevent myself from screaming with laughter.

”I've heard the joyous news,” Mrs. Gurrage said, ”and I've come to take you to me heart, me dear.”

Upon which I was folded fondly against a mosaic brooch containing a lock of hair of the late Mr. Gurrage.

It says a great deal for the una.s.sailable dignity of grandmamma that she did not share the same fate. She, however, escaped with only numerous hand-shakings.

”He is, indeed, to be congratulated, _votre fils_, madame,” the Marquis said, on being presented.

”And the young lady, too, me dear sir. A better husband than me boy'll make there is not in England--though his old mother says it.”

Grandmamma behaved with the stiffest decorum. She suggested that we--the young girls--should walk in the garden, while she had some conversation with Mrs. Gurrage and Augustus.

Miss Hoad and I left the room. Her name is Amelia. She looked like a turkey's egg, just that yellowish white with freckles.

”I hope you will be good to Gussie,” she said, as we walked demurely along the path. ”He is a dear fellow when you know him, though a bit masterful.”

I bowed.

”Gussie's awfully spoony on you,” she went on. ”I said to aunt weeks ago I knew what was up,” she giggled.

I bowed again.

”I say, he'll give you a bouquet for the ball to-night; we are going into Tilchester now to fetch it.”

I could not bow a third time, so I said:

”Is not a bouquet rather in the way of dancing? I have never been to a ball yet.”

”Never been to a ball? My! Well I've never had a bouquet, so I can't say. If you have any one sweet on you I suppose they send them, but I have always been too busy with aunt to think about that.”

Poor Miss Hoad!

When they had gone--kept behind grandmamma's chair, and so only received a squeeze of the hand from my betrothed--grandmamma told me she would be obliged to forego the pleasure of herself taking me to the ball to-night, but the Marquis would accompany me, and Mrs.

Gurrage would chaperon me there. So, after all, I am going with Mrs. Gurrage! Grandmamma also added that she had explained the circ.u.mstances of her health to them, and that Augustus had suggested that the wedding should take place with the shortest delay possible.

”I have told them your want of _dot_,” she said, ”and I must say for these _bourgeois_ they seemed to find that a matter of no importance.

But they do not in the least realize the honor you are doing them.

That must be for you as a private consolation. I have stipulated, as my time is limited, that I shall have you as much to myself as possible during the month that must elapse before you can collect a trousseau.”

For that mercy, how grateful I felt to grandmamma!