Part 1 (2/2)
So poor Mrs Vane, who had comfort in so few things, had much comfort in her daughters and their love. And she needed all their comfort, poor soul! for some troubles, hard to bear, fell to her lot at this time-- troubles which she could not let them share with her, and which need not be told here.
CHAPTER TWO.
A whole week of holidays!--unexpected, unhoped-for holidays! For Mrs Glencairn was a Scotch lady, and had small respect for days ”appointed by men.” All the days in the year were good days to a G.o.dfearing people, said she; and as a general thing, Easter pa.s.sed in their school just like any other time. But this year there was to be a whole week of holidays, whatever might be the reason. The pupils who stayed wearied themselves with conjectures as to why it had so happened; but the happy little girls who could go home to enjoy them, accepted the boon without a question, content with the fact itself.
Content! That hardly expresses the feelings of the little Vanes as they went dancing down the street, unconsciously jostling the many church-goers in their joyful excitement. Perfect happiness was in their hearts, shone in their faces, and rang out in their voices, and people as they pa.s.sed turned again to look at them, so charming was the sight to see. They were happy in their own holiday, and happy in the thought that their coming home would make a holiday for their mother and Selina and their little brothers.
”And I am sure there will be some flowers out in the garden,” said Theresa,--”hyacinths or snowdrops, at least. And all the walks will be so neat and the borders. That is one good thing about Mrs Ascot, she does see that the garden is beautifully kept.”
”Yes, very. But I only hope mama will be well. It is so lovely to-day; and we must have a drive. It will make no difference though Dixen be busy in the garden, because I shall drive myself.”
”But will mama like that, do you think?” asked Theresa doubtfully.
”Of course she will like it, and Selina too. They have perfect confidence in me,” said Frederica firmly. ”And as for p.r.i.c.kly Polly,”-- she shrugged her shoulders.
”But no, my children! What shall I say to your papa when you shall be brought home in little morsels, and the carriage, and your dear mama!”
And Theresa clasped her hands, and threw back her head with an air so ludicrously like Mrs Ascot, that her sister laughed merrily.
”She will go to church to-day. What if we should meet her?”
”Oh! she would be sure to go back with us. Let us go down the other way!”
Laughing and running, the girls turned into a narrow street. In their haste they ran against a little old gentleman just stepping out from an office door. They did not quite overturn him, but they startled him out of his good manners, and he uttered an angry exclamation in French.
Then, as they turned to apologise, he exclaimed, ”The young ladies Vane!
What next, I wonder?”
”Mr St. Cyr! a thousand pardons.” They had been speaking English all the way down the street, but they spoke French to him, and both the girls dropped their very best curtseys.
”It must be that my little cousins have come to get their wills made, or their marriage contracts drawn, in all this haste.”
Mr St. Cyr was the gentleman to whom their grandfather had committed the arrangement of his affairs; it was he who still managed the property; and through his hands their mother's income came still.
”I was going to church this morning, but I shall be happy to defer it for you. You need not have been in such haste, however.”
The girls laughed, and apologised again.
”We were running away from p.r.i.c.kly Polly,” said Theresa.
”From Madame Marie Pauline Precoe Ascot,” explained Frederica.
”Is she coming after you? You had much better come in here,” said Mr St. Cyr, pretending great fright.
”Oh, no! But she is sure to go to church today, and we thought we might meet her. And if she knew we were going home, it might shorten her devotions.”
”If she knew we had a holiday, she would want to come home to vex us.
We are not among her favourites--especially Fred.”
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