Part 3 (2/2)
Selina waited for her mother to speak.
”I don't think Mrs Ascot would like it, nor papa. He says Mr St. Cyr must advance the money to pay the bills, that is all.”
”Oh! as for papa, he won't trouble himself; and I think I should rather like to vex madame. She need not be vexed if she has made no mistakes, and if she is quite to be trusted,” said Frederica, with some hesitation.
”There is no good in struggling against Mrs Ascot,” said Mrs Vane hopelessly; ”I have tried often, and there is no use. I have not the strength nor the courage.”
The papers fell to the floor, as Frederica started up suddenly.
”Mama, I have strength and courage to tear Madame Ascot into fifty thousand little pieces, if she dares to trouble you,” cried she; and then, as she saw her mother's face, she hung her head, adding, ”I beg your pardon, mama: that was very foolish and wicked.”
”My darling, there is no use in doing anything that Mrs Ascot will not like. I have tried to bring things right often.”
”Because you are not strong. Papa ought to do it,” said Frederica.
”And, mama, this cannot go on always. There must come an end some time, and I think Frederica is right, and these papers should be sent to Mr St. Cyr.” Selina spoke very quietly.
”And why should Madame Ascot care?” said Frederica. ”I hope she will care. I should like to see her face when she knows Mr St. Cyr has got those disagreeable papers. I have a fancy that their only use is to make you uncomfortable, you and Selina. Now I shall put them away, and you must promise not to think of them again, till Cousin Cyprien shall make them all right. And I will order the ponies, and drive you first, mama, and Lina, and afterwards Tessie and the boys, if they are very good.”
”Mama,” said Selina, ”I think this is quite the best way--about the papers, I mean. You know you have thought about giving them to him before. And he will be quite willing to take the trouble, and he will know what to do; he is wise. Say that this is right, mama.”
”Indeed, love, I do not know what is right; but we will send them: I can do nothing else.”
”And it will all be made easy, mama. I only wonder we have not sent them long ago. And you are really not to think about them--promise, dear mama.”
And so the disagreeable subject was put away for that time.
CHAPTER FOUR.
The orders were given, and all preparations made, and in a little time the pony carriage stood at the door. It was a carriage which Mr St.
Hubert had had made for his daughter's use, after she became an invalid.
It was open and quite low, and large enough to hold two persons, besides the fortunate ones who should occupy the luxurious chief seats.
But the boys were restless, and sometimes noisy, and Tessie was to stay at home with them, so that their mother and Selina might sit in state and comfort. Frederica, on the high front seat, acted as driver, and enjoyed it well. Dixen was there beside her, so that her mother need not have the least cause for being frightened or nervous, and so lose the pleasure of the drive.
Dixen had once been a soldier, and Mr Vane's servant while he was in the army, and had lived with him since his marriage in various capacities. Lately he had been called the coachman; but to take Mrs Vane and Selina out to their unfrequent drives, was only a small part of what was expected from him. He waited on Mr Vane, he worked under the gardener, and held himself ready to do whatever else might be found for him to do. The other servants had got into the fas.h.i.+on of calling him old and good for little; but none of them all worked so faithfully for their wages as he.
He did not feel affronted that the reins were taken out of his hands on this occasion; for the young lady had been taught to drive by him, and he was proud of her skill and success in the art.
They left the city streets, and pa.s.sing the toll-gate, soon found themselves with the river on one side and the dull grey fields and leafless trees on the other, with nothing to hinder the putting of the ponies to their speed. It was a summer day for brightness and mildness, but Mrs Vane drew her fur cloak close around her, as the breeze from the river reached her; for she had made herself a prisoner in the house for a long time, and the keen air made her s.h.i.+ver. Selina smiled with pleasure as she felt the wind on her face, and drew in long breaths of the sweet refres.h.i.+ng air.
”Is not this nice, mama?” asked she, laying herself back among the cus.h.i.+ons with a sigh of satisfaction.
”Very nice and pleasant,” said her mother, touching her hand gently.
This stood to the blind girl for a smile.
”And you are glad you came, mama?”
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