Part 14 (2/2)
”Oh yes; she'll be down in a minute”
Lady Lysle now hurried into the room
”How do you do, Cyril?” she said ”I didn't expect to find you in town just now Is there anything I can do for you?”
”I am rather anxious to have a chat with you,” replied Mr Cardew
”Aneta darling, you had better leave us,” said her aunt
The girl went off with a light laugh ”Auntie,” she said, ”I've just been telling Mr Cardew that he ought to send Cicely and Merry to Ayl shot
”As a ree with Aneta,” said Lady Lysle ”A couple of years at that splendid school would do the girls no end of good”
Mr Cardeas silent for ato you, Lucia,” he said then
”What is it, Cyril?”
”I have by no means made up my mind; but we are very overness Miss Beverley, and at the girls'
ht I would ask you a question or two about this wonderful Mrs Ward I don't suppose for a singlethe children there; and, besides, she is not in London now, is she?”
”Yes, she is,” replied Lady Lysle Mr Cardew felt at that moment that he hated Mrs Ward ”She ca town to-o and see her, and thus judge of the school for yourself--it would co, of course--she will, I know, be at ho”
”Dear, dear!” said Mr Cardew ”How very provoking!”
”What do you , of course, Lucia But if, as you say, the school is so popular, there will be no vacancies, for I think some one told me that Mrs Ward only took a limited number of pupils”
”There are two vacancies at the present h they are likely to be filled up immediately, for Mrs Ward has had ly particular, and will only take girls of high birth and of very distinguished character”
”Doubtless she has filled up the vacancies by thiswith some alacrity ”Well, thank you, Lucia As I am in town--came up on business you know--I may as well just have a look at Aylmer House and Mrs Ward It will satisfy my dear wife”
”Why, surely you don't for a irls there?” said Lady Lysle with a superior smile
”I cannot tell what I overness breaks down, and--and--don't question me too closely, Lucia, and keep our little interview to yourself As I have just said, nothing will probably coo and see the lady just to satisfy irls to Aylhed as she spoke, and Mr Cardew found hiot into it
”Of course the vacancies will be filled up,” he said to hiton He further thought, ”Although that good Mrs Ward is re for such an unconscionable ti If she is out that puts an end to everything; but even if she is in, she must ave filled up her vacancies Then I shall be able to return to the Manor with a quietwill be taken out of my hands Dear little Merry! I didn't like that discontent on her sweet face Ah, well, she can't guess what school is like It's not horeater, and a man must sacrifice himself for his children Odd what that queer little Miss Howland tolda deed of self-sacrifice She's a queer girl, but quite nice; and Aneta is a char creature I could never desire even one of irls to look nicer than Aneta does Well, here I a from the hanso the bell at the front door of a statelymaid-servant opened it for him
”Is Mrs Ward, within?” questioned Cardew
”Yes, sir”