Part 6 (2/2)
”I never care for London at any time--in August it is particularly detestable,” was his reply. ”We are going to stay here for a day or two.
I think you know Miss Keys; she told me that you were an old friend of hers.”
”She was at the same school with me years ago,” said Florence, flus.h.i.+ng as she spoke. ”Oh, do look at that beauty in the corner: a kind of dark electric-blue. What a wonderful creature! Oh, and that rose-coloured one near it! Sea-anemones are like great tropical flowers.”
Meanwhile Mrs. Aylmer was consulting with Kitty.
”Shall we or shall we not ask him to supper?” she said. ”What do you think?”
”I am sure I don't know,” said Kitty. She looked at her companion with those innocent, wide-open grey eyes, which were her greatest charm.
”He has quite taken to Florence; don't you see for yourself?”
”Oh, yes; everyone takes to her,” replied Kitty, with enthusiasm; ”she is so nice and honest and downright.”
Mrs. Aylmer sighed.
”She has had her troubles, poor child; but in the end things may come round in a most wonderful way. Do you know, I like him very much?”
”Like who?” asked Kitty.
”Really, Miss Sharston, you are a little silly--Mr. Trevor, Mr. Maurice Trevor, the adopted son of my wealthy sister-in-law, Susan Aylmer.”
”Oh, yes,” said Kitty; ”I forgot that you were talking about him.”
”I was asking you, my dear, if you thought we might invite him to join us at supper.”
”Why not?” said Kitty.
”Well, Sukey's temper grows worse and worse. We were going to have a very small supper, not what you could put a man down to; but if he were coming you and I might just whip round to the shrimp-shop and get a lobster: lobster with a nice salad is what young men delight in; and we might get a bottle of claret at the grocer's. If you would carry the lobster, I would bring the claret. It is an enormous expense to go to, but if in the end----”
”Oh, dear,” said Kitty, rising. She looked at Mrs. Aylmer, and the colour rose in a delicate wave all over her pretty face. ”Oh, I would not,” she said; ”I don't think Florence would like it--I am certain she would not. Oh, you know her: she will be rude; don't do it, please, please don't.”
But if there was one person more determined than another to have her own way, it was the little Mummy. She had only vaguely considered the possibility of asking Mr. Trevor to partake of their humble meal when she first spoke of it; now that Kitty opposed it she made up her mind that by hook or crook she would convey him to their house. What a victory it would be! Susan Aylmer, her rich sister-in-law, waiting and wondering why her handsome and fascinating young protege did not appear: Bertha Keys finding her meal very dull without him: both these ladies talking about him, and in their hearts of hearts longing for his society: and he all the time in the tiny cottage, partaking of the humble fare of Mrs. Aylmer the less, with the naughty Florence close to his side, and the fascinating Kitty not a yard off. Oh, it was worth a struggle!
Mrs. Aylmer rose to her feet. A good stiff wind was beginning to blow, and she staggered for a moment as it caught her stout little person.
Then she raised her voice: ”Florence!”
”Yes, mother,” said Florence, turning. She was a hundred yards away now, and Trevor was talking in a more fascinating way than ever about sea-anemones and their beauties.
”If Mr. Trevor would come back to supper with us, we should be much pleased to see him. I will expect you, dear, to bring him in, when you have done your little preambulation. So pleased if you will join us, Mr.
Trevor.”
All these words were shrieked on the sea-breeze. Florence made a reply which did not quite reach her mother's ears. Mrs. Aylmer shouted once more, and then, seizing Kitty's hand, turned in the direction of the little town.
”Now for the shrimp-woman and the grocer's shop,” she said; ”we must be as quick as possible. Sukey will be in a flurry: but never mind: it is worth the effort.”
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