Part 37 (2/2)

”Now you're becoming reasonable,” said Antonia, ”and I really won't keep you from your hair a moment longer than I can help. I went to the Towers this morning, mother; it's really a heavenly old place; quite steeped in the best sort of mediaeval art. In the house, old china and low ceilings; out of doors, nature untrammelled. Think of a place like the Towers in the possession of Susy Drummond and her father, the ex-coal-merchant.

Mother, it is not to be.”

”My dear Antonia, I can't listen to you another moment.” Mrs. Bernard Temple rose as she spoke. ”Pinkerton, come at once,” she called.

Pinkerton turned the handle of the door.

”Go away, Pinkerton!” shouted Antonia. ”Now, mother, sit down; there's oceans of time.”

”Really, really, my dear! Oh, what a trial one's children sometimes are.

The Drummonds have bought the Towers. The whole thing is an accomplished fact.”

”It is not too late,” pursued Antonia. ”I have been giving a spice of my mind to Susy, and she hates and detests the place, and will do what she can to get her father to back out of his bargain. Well, the Lorrimers are almost dying at the thought of going. The ugly duckling told me the whole story to-day, and I never listened to anything more piteous; and Squire Lorrimer is hiding in London because of his poor feelings. In short, the moment for strong measures has arrived; and if you won't speak to Sir John, I will.”

Mrs. Bernard Temple turned white.

”If _you_ speak to him, Antonia,” she said, ”he will break off the match, and we shall be ruined--ruined.”

”Very well, mother; you must have a conversation with him. One or other of us must have it, that is certain.”

”Oh, you most terrible child! What am I to say to him?”

”Say this, and say it firmly. Say that you won't marry him unless he goes to see Squire Lorrimer, and makes an arrangement to lend him sufficient money to stay on at the Towers. The Drummonds will be delighted to get out of their bargain, and the Lorrimers will be saved.

That's the plan of campaign. Either I undertake to see it through, mother, or you do. Now, which is it to be?”

”You must give me until to-morrow morning to think over your wild words.

Really, my poor head is splitting.”

Antonia went up and kissed her mother.

”You can come now, Pinkerton,” she called out.

CHAPTER XXV.

MOLLY'S SORROW.

Hester was a good deal astonished that same day, when, just before dinner, Annie Forest came up to her with a request.

”I don't want to dine here to-night,” she said. ”I want to go to the Towers to have a good long talk with Molly.”

”But, really, Annie,” replied Hester, ”is it necessary for you to go to-night? I did not know--I mean I did not think that--that you and Molly----”

”That we were special friends?” interrupted Annie. ”Oh, yes, we are quite friendly enough for the little talk I mean to have. You'll spare me, won't you, Hetty, and if Molly offers me a bed, I'll sleep there and be back quite early in the morning.”

”I can't refuse you, of course,” said Hester, ”but that won't prevent my missing you. It will be rather a dreadful dinner party, with only Mrs.

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