Part 33 (1/2)

There was another unmistakable pressure from Clotilde's hand, too, and a far more timid one from that of Marie, whose eyes wore a curiously pensive look, as the gentlemen doffed their hats and went their way.

It is worthy of note that poor Ruth pa.s.sed an exceedingly uncomfortable day, being made aware of what was as nearly a couple of quarrels as could take place between ladies. The first took place in the drawing-room, where, after bidding Clotilde and Marie go and take off their things, the Honourable Philippa fiercely attacked her sister upon her levity.

”_Shocked_, Isabella! I can find no other word for it--_shocked_,” she exclaimed. ”Your conduct to-day with those two young men was really objectionable.”

”I deny it, sister,” retorted the Honourable Isabella. ”We met two of dear Lady Littletown's guests whom we knew, and we spoke to them. They are both officers and gentlemen, and nothing, I am sure, could have been nicer than the behaviour of Captain Glen.”

”Is--a--bella!” exclaimed her sister, ”when you know what is being arranged. It is like madness to encourage the intimacy of those young men.”

”Perhaps they wish to be intimate for politeness' sake,” said the Honourable Isabella demurely, though her nervous hands were trembling and playing about the puckers of her dress.

”I declare, sister, you are absurd, you are almost childish; as if young men--young officers--cared about politeness when there were ladies like our nieces in the case.”

”Well, sister,” replied the Honourable Isabella tearfully, ”I am sure I don't know, but for my part I would rather see Clotilde and Marie married to Captain Glen and Mr Millet than as you and dear Lady Littletown had arranged.”

”And you!” cried her sister; ”you were as eager as anyone, and you know how it will be for their good. Our family will be raised from penury to affluence, and we shall have done our duty, I am sure.”

”But it seems very sad, sister--very sad indeed.”

”Fie, Isabella!” exclaimed the Honourable Philippa; ”what would Lady Littletown think if she heard of such miserable weakness? Think, too, what would Lord Henry Moorpark or Mr Elbraham say if they knew that these young men were encouraged here? It must be stopped, or encouraged very coldly indeed. Yes, Markes, what is it?”

”This box, please'm, and this little basket, please'm,” said the woman.

”How often have we told you, Markes, that all these things should be left to Joseph to bring up? It is not your duty,” exclaimed the Honourable Philippa. ”Now, let me see.”

The box was directed to her, so was the basket; and reading the direction by the aid of her large gold eyegla.s.s, she afterwards cut the box string, and on opening the loose lid set free a marvellously beautiful bouquet of very choice flowers.

The basket was opened, and contained another bouquet, but there was no message, no letter, with either.

The Honourable Philippa gazed at the Honourable Isabella, and that lady returned the meaning gaze; then they sent Markes away with the empty box and basket, leaving the elderly sisters to commune alone, and to whisper their satisfaction, in spite of a little hanging back on the part of the Honourable Isabella, that matters had progressed so well.

Meanwhile there was a cloudiness in the moral atmosphere upstairs which betokened a storm.

Ruth saw it and trembled, for hour by hour her cousins had seemed to her to change.

She did not know how it was--in fact, she was puzzled; but the change was very natural. The two girls had been treated somewhat after the fas.h.i.+on of flowers, and grown on and on in their cool retirement until they had attained to their full development and beauty, though as yet only in a state of bud. Then they had suddenly been placed in the full blaze of society's suns.h.i.+ne.

The effect was what might have been expected. The buds had suddenly expanded; every latent thought of suppressed womanhood had burst into light and pa.s.sionate life; every kept-down fancy and desire that had been in abeyance had started forth, and the buds were in full bloom, just as some choice exotic will in a few hours be completely transformed.

Very little was said for a time, but as the sisters removed their walking apparel there was more than one fierce look exchanged.

”I saw her look at him,” thought Clotilde; ”and I'd kill her sooner than she should.”

”Such outrageous effrontery!” thought Marie; ”but she does not know me if she thinks I am going to sit down quietly and let her win.”

”Enjoy your walk, dear?” said Clotilde, att.i.tudinising before the gla.s.s, and admiring herself with half-closed eyes.

”Oh yes, Clo dear, it was delightful; but you shouldn't flirt so with that little boy.”

”Now that's too bad, dear,” retorted Clotilde, turning half round to smile sweetly at her sister. ”You know that it was you. I felt quite ashamed sometimes to see how you went on.”