Part 53 (1/2)
”Well, now, darling, how could they? n.o.body but Sylvia knows that I live at The Priory, and why should they think that you had gone there? No; it is the police they will question, and the village they will go to, and the railway maybe. But it is fun to think of the fine chase we are giving them, and all to no purpose.”
Evelyn laughed, and the two, holding each other's hands, continued on their way. By and by they reached the back entrance to The Priory.
Jasper had left the gate a little ajar. Pilot came up to show attentions; he began to growl at Evelyn, but Jasper laid her hand on his big forehead.
”A friend, good dog! A little friend, Pilot,” was Jasper's remark; and then Pilot wagged his tail and allowed his friend Jasper-to whom he was much attached, as she furnished him with unlimited chicken-bones-to go to the house. Two or three minutes later Evelyn found herself established in Jasper's snug, pretty little bedroom. There the fire blazed; supper was in course of preparation. Evelyn flung herself down on a chair and panted slightly.
”So this is where you live?” she said.
”Yes, my darling, this is where I live.”
”And where is Sylvia?” asked Evelyn.
”She is having supper with her father at the present moment.”
”Oh! I should like to see her. How excited and astonished she will be!
She won't tell-you are sure of that, Jasper?”
”Tell! Sylvia tell!” said Jasper. ”Not quite, my dearie.”
”Well, I should like to see her.”
”She'll be here presently.”
”You have not told that I was coming?”
”No, darling; I thought it best not.”
”That is famous, Jasper; and do you know, I am quite hungry, so you might get something to eat without delay.”
”You did not by any chance forget the money?” said Jasper, looking anxiously at Evelyn.
”Oh no; it is in my little black bag; you had better take it while you think of it. It is in two rolls; Uncle Edward gave it to me. It is all gold-gold sovereigns; and there are twenty of them.”
”Are not you a darling, a duck, and all the rest!” said Jasper, much relieved at this information. ”I would not worry you for the money, darling,” she continued as she bustled about and set the milk on to boil for Evelyn's favorite beverage, ”but that my own funds are getting seriously low. You never knew such a state as we live in here. But we have fun, darling; and we shall have all the more fun now that you have come.”
Evelyn leant back in her chair without replying. She had lived through a good deal that day, and she was tired and glad to rest. She felt secure.
She was hungry, too; and it was nice to be petted by Jasper. She watched the preparations for the chocolate, and when it was made she sipped it eagerly, and munched a sponge-cake, and tried to believe that she was the happiest little girl in the world. But, oh! what ailed her? How was it that she could not quite forget the horrid days at the Castle, and the dreadful days at school, and Audrey's face, and Lady Frances's manner, and-last but not least-dear, sweet, kind Uncle Edward?
”And I never proved to him that I could shoot a bird on the wing,” she thought. ”What a pity-what a sad pity! He will find the gun loaded, and how astonished he will be! And he will never, never know that it was his Evelyn loaded it and left it ready. Oh dear! I am sorry that I am not likely to see Uncle Edward for a long time again. I am sorry that Uncle Edward will be angry; I do not mind about any one else, but I am sorry about him.”
Just then there came the sound of a high-pitched and sweet voice in the kitchen outside.
”There is Sylvia,” said Jasper. ”I am going to tell her now, and to bring her in.”
She went into the outside kitchen. Sylvia, in her shabbiest dress, with a pinched, cold look on her face, was standing by the embers of the fire.
”Oh Jasper,” she said eagerly, ”I do not know what to make of my father to-night! He has evidently had bad news by the post to-day-something about his last investments. I never saw him so low or so irritable, and he was quite cross about the nice little hash you made for his supper.
He says that he will cut down the fuel-supply, and that I am not to have big fires for cooking; and, worst of all, Jasper, he threatens to come into the kitchen to see for himself how I manage. Do you know, I feel quite frightened to-night. He is very strange in his manner, and suspicious; and he looks so cold, too. No fire will he allow in the sitting-room. He gets worse and worse.”