Part 28 (1/2)
”The life is not dull, father.”
”My dear, my dear,” Sir John patted Hester's long slim fingers as they rested on his arm, ”I was young once myself and I know what youth wants, and I have seen other girls, and I know what my girl requires. Hester, I am not unmindful of you; and the step--the step I am about to take is taken not wholly, but mainly, on your account and Nan's.”
Hester suddenly withdrew her hand from Sir John's arm. A kind of intuition told her what was coming. Like a flash a sword seemed to pierce right through her heart. She had a memory of her mother, of the loving eyes now closed--the voice so full of sympathy now silent. Was her mother to be supplanted and because of her? For once pa.s.sion got the upper hand of prudence.
”Do it,” she said, suddenly flas.h.i.+ng round upon Sir John; ”do it, certainly, if you wish, but do not do it for Nan's sake and mine.
Nothing in all the wide world could pain us more.”
Sir John looked as astonished as if Hester had suddenly slapped him in the face.
”Your words are extremely vigorous, my dear,” he said in a voice of ice; ”and I am not aware that I have yet told you what I mean to do.”
”Oh, I know, I know,” answered Hester; ”you are going to marry again.
Oh, don't do it for our sakes; that is all I have to say.”
Sir John was quite silent for nearly a minute. Then he said quietly: ”As you have been so clever as to guess my intention, you have of course saved me the trouble of breaking my news to you. Young girls sometimes resent the presence of a stepmother, but as a rule they appreciate the advantage of one when once they have become accustomed to the change.
The lady who has honoured me by promising to accept my hand is Mrs.
Bernard Temple. She is about my own age and has one daughter of seventeen--your age, Hester--whose name is Antonia. I have not yet seen Antonia, but I am told that she is a most charming, ladylike girl. Mrs.
Bernard Temple has written to me to say she will come here on a visit on Sat.u.r.day with Antonia. This is Thursday, and I expect you, Hester, in the meantime, to break the news to Nan, and to get everything ready for the honoured guests who will then arrive. I expect this is a surprise to you, my dear, so I forgive the excited words you have just made use of.
You will doubtless have reason to rejoice yet at my decision. You are too young to be at the head of a great establishment like this, Hetty. I am doing wisely in removing such a burden from such young shoulders.”
”I have never felt it a burden,” said Hester in a choked voice.
”No; you have been good, very good, and now you will reap your reward.
My marriage will probably take place in October, and my wife and I will return to the Grange for Christmas. Next season we shall probably have a house in town, when my dear Laura will present you and Antonia at one of the drawing-rooms.”
Hester made no remark.
”I think that is all, my love,” said Sir John; ”you can now return to your friends. I have several letters to attend to.”
”May I tell Mrs. Willis, and--and the others?” asked Hester.
”You may tell everyone; it is no secret.”
Sir John took out his cigar case as he spoke, and Hester, with a sinking heart, turned away.
Annie, full of trouble on her account, dreading inexpressibly the moment when Mrs. Willis should ask her for the ring, was sauntering up and down, lost in anxious thought in front of the house.
She caught sight of Hester coming slowly towards her.
”Good gracious, Hetty, whatever is the matter?” she exclaimed. ”I never saw your pale face with peonies on it before, and your eyes look as if you had been crying. I cannot imagine what has come to everyone,”
continued Annie; ”the whole place seems to be in a ferment. Nora, I know, has been crying about something, and Molly's face looks positively blotchy.”
”Oh, I should like to see Molly; is she here?” exclaimed Hester.
”Yes, she's on the lawn talking to Nora, and Guy is with them, and Mrs.