‘And see that Margaret does not come to harm,’ said Ethel.
‘I am not afraid of that,’ said Flora, something in her eye belying her; ‘but she might be troublesome to Harry, and I had rather he did not see one of her fights with Miss Morton.’
‘How has she been? I thought her looking clearer and better to-day,’ said Ethel, kindly.
‘Yes, she is pretty well just now,’ said Flora, allowing herself in one of her long deep sighs, before descending into the particulars of the child’s anxiously-watched health. If she had been describing them to her father, there would have been the same minuteness, but the tone would have implied cheerful hope; whereas to Ethel she took no pains to mask her dejection. One of the points of anxiety was whether one shoulder were not outgrowing the other, but it was not easy to discover whether the appearance were not merely owing to the child’s feeble and ungainly carriage. ‘I cannot torment her about that,’ said Flora. ‘There are enough miseries for her already without making more, and as long as it does not affect her health, it matters little.’
‘No, certainly not,’ said Ethel, who had hardly expected this from Flora.
Perhaps her sister guessed her thought, for she said, ‘Things are best as they are, Ethel; I am not fit to have a beautiful admired daughter. All the past would too easily come over again, and my poor Margaret’s troubles may be the best balance for her.’
‘Yes,’ said Ethel, ‘it is bad enough to be an heiress, but a beautiful heiress is in a worse predicament.’
‘Health would improve her looks,’ began the maternal instinct of defence, but then breaking off. ‘We met Lord H–- yesterday, and the uniform is to be like the northern division. Papa will hear it officially tomorrow.’
‘The northern has gray, and green facings.’
‘You are more up in it than I. All we begged for was, that it might be inexpensive, for the sake of the townspeople.’
‘I hear of little else,’ said Ethel, laughing; ‘Dr. Spencer is as hot on it as all the boys. Now, I suppose, your party is to come off!’
‘Yes, it ought,’ said Flora, languidly, ‘I waited to see how Harry was, he is a great element towards making it go off well. I will talk it over with Blanche, it will give somebody pleasure if she thinks she manages it.’
‘Will it give George no pleasure?’
‘I don’t know; he calls it a great nuisance, but he would not like not to come forward, and it is quite right that he should.’
‘Quite right,’ said Ethel; ‘it is every one’s duty to try to keep it up.’
With these words the sisters came within sight of the targets, and found Margaret under Harry’s charge, much interested, and considerably in the way. The tidings of the colour of the uniform were highly appreciated; Aubrey observed that it would choke off the snobs who only wanted to be like the rifle brigade, and Leonard treated its inexpensiveness as a personal matter, having apparently cast off his doubts, under Hector’s complimentary tuition. Indeed, before it grew too dark for taking aim, he and the weapon were so thoroughly united, that no further difficulty remained but of getting out his thanks to Mr. Ernescliffe.
Averil was sitting alone over the fire in the twilight, in a somewhat forlorn mood, when the door was pushed ajar, and the muzzle of a gun entered, causing her to start up in alarm, scarcely diminished by the sight of an exultant visage, though the words were, ‘Your money or your life.’
‘Leonard, don’t play with it, pray!’
‘It’s not loaded.’
‘Oh! but one never can telclass="underline" ’ then, half ashamed of her terror, ‘Pray put it back, or we shall have an uproar with Henry.’
‘This is none of Henry’s. He will never own such a beauty as this.’
‘Whose is it? Not yours? Is it really a rifle! H. E.? What’s that?’
‘Hector Ernescliffe! Didn’t I tell you he was a princely fellow?’
‘Given it to you? Leonard, dear, I am so happy! Now I don’t care for anything! What a gallant volunteer you will make!’ and she kissed him fondly. We will order the uniform as soon as ever it is settled, and I hope it will be a very handsome one.’
‘It will be a cheap one, which is more to the purpose. I could get part myself, only there’s the tax for Mab, and the subscription to the cricket club.’
‘I would not have you get any of it! You are my volunteer, and I’ll not give up my right to any one, except that Minna and Ella want to give your belt.’
‘Where are those children?’ he asked.
‘Henry has taken them to Laburnum Grove, where I am afraid they are being crammed with cake and all sorts of nonsense.’
‘What could have made him take them there?’
‘Oh! some wish of Mrs. Pugh’s to see the poor little dears,’ said Averil, the cloud returning that had been for a moment dispelled.
‘What’s the row?’ asked Leonard, kindly. ‘Has he been bothering you?’
‘He wants me to sound Mary May about an invitation for Mrs. Pugh to Mrs. Rivers’s volunteer entertainment. I am glad I did not say no one in mourning ought to go, for I must go now you are a volunteer.’
‘But you didn’t consent to mention her?’
‘No, indeed! I knew very well you would say it was a most improper use to make of the Mays’ kindness, and I can’t see what business she has there! Then he said, no, she was certain not to go, but the attention would be gratifying and proper.’
‘That is Mrs. Rivers’s look-out.’
‘So I said, but Henry never will hear reason. I did not tell you of our scene yesterday over the accounts; he says that we must contract our expenses, or he shall be ruined; so I told him I was ready to give up the hot-house, or the footman, or the other horse, or anything he would specify; but he would not hear of it—he says it would be fatal to alter our style of living, and that it is all my fault for not being economical! O, Leonard, it is very hard to give up all one cared for to this housekeeping, and then never to please!’
Leonard felt his brother a tyrant. ‘Never mind, Ave dear,’ said he, ‘go on doing right, and then you need not care for his unreasonableness. You are a dear good girl, and I can’t think how he can have the heart to vex you.’
‘I don’t care while I have you, Leonard,’ she said, clinging to him.
At that moment the others were heard returning, and an ironical look passed between the brother and sister at certain injunctions that were heard passing about the little India-rubber goloshes; but Henry had returned in high good-humour, was pleased to hear of his brother’s good fortune, pronounced it very handsome in Mr. Ernescliffe, and even offered to provide the rest of the equipment; but this was proudly rejected by Averil, with some of the manifestations of exclusive partiality that naturally wounded the elder brother. He then announced an engagement that he had made with Mrs. Ledwich for a musical evening the next week. Averil had her harmonium at her tongue’s end, but the evening was a free one, chosen on purpose to accommodate her; she had no excuse, and must submit.
‘And practise some of your best pieces, Ave,’ said Henry. ‘Mrs. Pugh was kind enough to offer to come and get up some duets with yon.’
‘I am greatly obliged,’ said Averil, dryly, ‘but I do not play duets.’
‘You would do wisely to accept her kindness, argued Henry. ‘It would be a great advantage to you to be intimate with a lady of her opportunities.’
‘I do not like patronage,’ said Averil.
‘Ave! Ave!’ cried the children, who had been trying to attract her attention, ‘if you will let us go to Laburnum Grove by twelve o’clock tomorrow, Mis. Pugh will show us her book of the pretty devices of letters, and teach us to make one.’
‘You will have not finished lessons by twelve.’
‘But if we have?’
‘No, certainly not, I can’t have you bothering every one about that nonsensical fashion.’
‘You shall go, my dears,’ said Henry. ‘I can’t think why your sister should be so ill-natured.’