Part 12 (2/2)
”I am not Listen, and I will tell you what has happened”
Mr Cardew then related his brief intervieith Merry, and Merry's passionate desire to go to Aylmer House
”And what did you say to her, love?” asked his wife
”I told her it was impossible, of course”
”But it really isn't, dear, you know,” said Mrs Cardew in a low tone; ”and as you cannot make up your mind to live in London, those two vacancies at Aylmer House see to his feet ”Nothing will ever shake ard to school-life,” he said
”And yet the life in town----”
”That is iht in the face, Sylvia If by any chance--don't, please, i way--but if, by any possible chance, I were to yield, could you, irls?”
”With you--I could,” she answered, and she held out her hand to him, which he raised to his lips and kissed
”Well, I am upset,” he said ”If only Miss Beverley and Bennett were not so silly, we should not be in this aard fix I'll go for a ride, if you don't mind, Sylvia, and be back with you in an hour's ti man does when his most cherished wishes are opposed, and when circuht, bears down every objection Beyond doubt the girlsin London could not be entertained Country life was essential Meredith Manor ht visit the girls whenever he went to London; but, after all, he was now reat firo to London more than four or five times a year Oh!
school was hateful, but little Merry had longed for it How troublesoh
He was riding hohts still in a most perturbed condition, when he suddenly drew up just in front of a little figure who stood by the roadside, attired as a gipsy, with a scarlet bandana handkerchief twisted round her head, a short skirt reaching not quite to her ankles ay blue shawl across her shoulders She was carrying a tareat bunch of ure was seen close to the rectory grounds, and Mr Cardeas so startled by it, and so also was his horse, that he drew up abruptly and looked imperiously at the small suppliant for his favor
”If you please, sir,” said Maggie Howland, speaking in her nified her charms, ”will you, kind sir, allow me to cross your hand with silver and let me tell your fortune?”
Mr Carde burst into ayour pardon; I did not recognize you”
Maggie dropped a low curtsy ”I'irl Caranina, and I should like to tell your fortune, kind and generous sir”
Just then the pretty face of Cicely was seen peeping over the rectory grounds She was dressed as a flower-girl, and looked more lovely than he had ever seen her before
”Why, dad, dad,” she cried, ”oh! you ie?”
”I a another low curtsy, and holding her little ta attitude; ”and you are Flora, queen of the flowers”
”Well, really, this is entertaining,” said Mr Cardew ”What queer little minxes you all are! And may I really come in and see the fun?”
”Indeed you irl ”Oh, and please ant you to look at Merry Merry's a fairy, ings We're going to have e call an evening revel presently, and we are all in our dress for the occasion But Maggie--Iour fortunes--that is, until the real fun begins”
”Do please coood luck,” said Mrs Tristra forward herself at this moment ”Won't you join my husband andpeople are having such a good time”
”I will co as he spoke ”Can some one hold Hector for me?”
David was quickly summoned, and Mr Cardealked across the hay-field to where the hastily improvised tent was placed