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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Lippa
+
+Author: Beatrice Egerton
+
+Release Date: February 5, 2006 [EBook #17681]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIPPA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Susan Skinner
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+LIPPA
+
+A NOVEL
+
+BY
+
+BEATRICE EGERTON
+
+London
+
+EDEN, REMINGTON & CO., PUBLISHERS
+KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN
+
+ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Chapter numbering is as in the original text,
+so there are two Chapter XIs.]
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+    'I hold the world but as the world
+    A stage where every man must play a part.'
+
+       --SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+It is four o'clock, and ---- Street is wearing a very deserted
+appearance although it is July. The cab-drivers are more or less fast
+asleep in attitudes far from suggesting comfort, the sentries on guard
+at ---- Palace look almost suffocated in their bearskins, and a
+comparative quiet is reigning over the great metropolis.
+
+'Do you know, Helmdon,' says Jimmy Dalrymple. 'I'm nearly done;' these
+two are seated in the bow window of a well-known club.
+
+'You don't mean it, what!' replies Helmdon, better known as Chubby.
+
+'I do, all the same,' says Jimmy, testily, 'heat, money, everything, in
+fact!'
+
+'That comes of racing, my good boy,' this from Chubby, in a sort of
+I-told-you-so tone.
+
+'For Heaven's sake don't begin lecturing,' says Dalrymple, 'it doesn't
+suit you, and how in the name of fortune could the heat come from my
+racing. Chubby, you're an ass!' and really, J. Dalrymple of the Guards
+is not far wrong, for the said Chubby, otherwise Lord Helmdon does look
+rather foolish half leaning half sitting on the back of a chair, his
+hat well at the back of his head (why it remains there is a mystery),
+his reddish hair very dishevelled, his face on a broad grin while he
+watches with deep interest two dogs fighting in the street below.
+
+Dalrymple receiving no answer to his complimentary speech, gives vent to
+a yawn, and sends for a brandy and soda.
+
+'Eh what!' says Chubby, suddenly, and _à propos_ of nothing; by this
+time the dogs have been separated. 'Didn't you speak just now?'
+
+'Well, yes,' replies Dalrymple, 'I merely observed that you were an
+ass.'
+
+'Thanks, awfully, but why did it strike you just now?' asks Lord
+Helmdon, sweetly.
+
+'Don't know, I'm sure--'
+
+'Ah! I thought so, but look here, why are you so down in the mouth,
+there's something up I'm sure,' and Chubby scrutinises his friend
+gravely.
+
+'Nothing's up,' says Jimmy, 'but I've got into a confounded business
+with Harkness over that mare of his, that ought to have run in the Oaks,
+I've laid more than I've got, against her winning the Ledger, and I
+don't know what on earth to do--'
+
+'Do nothing,' says Helmdon, 'it'll all shake down somehow, and the
+Ledger's weeks off--'
+
+Jimmy grunts an assent, and then rising says, 'I'm off to tea at Brook
+Street and the Park afterwards.'
+
+'You'll probably find me there,' replies Helmdon, settling himself
+comfortably for a nap. While Dalrymple walks out of the Club and turns
+in the direction of Brook Street. He has not gone far when he is
+overtaken by a man who greets him with: 'Where are you going to, my
+pretty maid?'
+
+'I'm on my way to the Park,' replies Dalrymple, smiling, 'only I thought
+of stopping at your sister's on the way. Where are you bound for?'
+
+'There too,' answers his companion, who, save for his drooping fair
+moustache would better deserve to be called a 'pretty maid.' 'Mabel has
+a small party on, and I promised to drop in, we may as well go
+together.'
+
+Paul Ponsonby is decidedly handsome; tall, fair, of almost a feminine
+complexion, and with blue eyes of a very sad expression. He is a great
+favourite with the female sex and many a mother longs to have him for a
+son-in-law, remembering that he has plenty of money, and only three
+people between him and an earldom; but he has no intention of marrying,
+there being 'a just cause and impediment' why he should not.
+
+But by this time our friends have reached their destination, and ascend
+the staircase to the strains of distant music.
+
+'Mabel,' otherwise Mrs Seaton, is standing on the landing and greets
+them both eagerly.
+
+'So glad you've come,' says she, 'but I didn't expect _you_, Mr
+Dalrymple, and now you're here you must make yourself useful, your
+mission in life at the present moment, Paul,' she adds, turning to her
+brother, 'is to go and amuse Philippa, poor child, I'm afraid she feels
+rather out of it, but I haven't time to attend to her now. She's near
+the window, the old Professor was talking to her a few minutes ago--'
+
+'Very well,' says Paul, moving towards the well filled drawing-room; the
+music has ceased and everyone is talking at once. He pauses for a second
+in the doorway and glances round the room, bowing to two or three
+people, then making his way to the window holds out his hand to a girl
+who is looking decidedly _ennuyée_.
+
+'How do you do, Mr Ponsonby,' she says in a clear sweet voice, 'I'm so
+glad you've come, don't you know the feeling of loneliness that comes
+over one in a crowd of unknown people, and I've been here all the
+afternoon feeling dreadfully cross, and have wished myself back again in
+Switzerland about twenty times. It's rather a bad beginning,' she adds,
+with a little laugh--
+
+'Feeling cross, do you mean?' asks he, 'I often think it does one a
+great deal of good to be cross. I wish Mrs Grundy didn't come between us
+and the carpet, it would be so delightful to sprawl full length on it
+and roar; I remember I used to derive a great deal of comfort in it in
+the days of my youth.'
+
+'I suppose that was a long time ago,' says she, mischievously--
+
+'Yes, of course, almost centuries--but where's Teddy?'
+
+'Gone out for a walk,' replied Philippa, 'isn't he a dear little boy?'
+
+Paul Ponsonby laughs and says, 'I I think him rather the _enfant
+terrible_, but I suppose women are naturally fond of children, even
+taken as a whole; it does not matter much what they are like taken
+singly.'
+
+Some one has begun to sing and Philippa does not answer, but when the
+song is finished, she asks the name of an old lady who is sitting on the
+sofa at the farther end of the room.
+
+'The one with the blue feather, that's Lady Dadford,' says Ponsonby,
+'and that's her daughter standing by her, Lady Anne; she is very clever;
+but surely they're some sort of relation to you, I know the old lady
+comes here very often.'
+
+'Well, child,' exclaims little Mrs Seaton, coming up and laying her hand
+on Philippa's shoulder; 'they have nearly all gone, thank goodness, I am
+afraid you have been very dull, eh?'
+
+Philippa laughs, while Paul twirling his moustache says, 'You know I've
+been talking to Miss Seaton for the last half hour, as you told me to,
+next time I shall not obey you if this is all the thanks I get.'
+
+Philippa looks up quickly, so this is why he has been talking to her.
+'It was very good of you,' she says in a very polite tone, 'very kind,
+but you need not have troubled yourself so much, I am quite happy
+watching people.'
+
+'My dear child, what an absurd creature you are,' exclaims her
+sister-in-law, 'but come with me now I want to introduce you to two or
+three people--'
+
+'What did I say to annoy her,' thinks Paul, and then seizing the first
+opportunity he makes for the door, but his sister stops him on the
+threshold.
+
+'Oh, Paul, do be a dear,' she says, 'and get some places for us for the
+play, I don't care what, only let it be somewhere proper, for Philippa's
+sake not mine, get them for to-morrow night, and come and dine here
+beforehand.'
+
+'All right,' he answers, 'I shall probably look in during the morning.
+Ta ta.'
+
+Mabel Seaton is a great favourite. She is not what one would call
+pretty, but she possesses a bright, cheery face, which is reflected in
+miniature in her son Teddy, who is as his uncle says rather the '_enfant
+terrible!_' but do not say so before his mother, or her wrath would be
+dire. Her husband George is really the only person who dares to
+interfere concerning the conduct of that small personage.
+
+Philippa, who up till now has lived with an aunt in Switzerland, having
+reached the age of eighteen, has come over to England to be presented
+and enter into the vortex of London society. So it is to quite another
+world she has come, and she wonders if she will be happy. Life is such
+a strange thing, so many beginnings and so few endings.
+
+But the theatre is hardly the place for melancholy meditations, and she
+is sitting in the stalls of the L----. Mabel on one side, Paul Ponsonby
+on the other; the latter has become deeply interested in Philippa, and
+wonders what sort of a woman she will become--a coquette, a flirt? He
+glances at her fair, childish face and sighs. The curtain goes up, but
+he does not see the scene before him; no, 'tis a woman's face he seems
+to see, a pale face, with large brown eyes that are fixed on him with a
+look of--pshaw! what had love to do with her. Time had been when love
+for that woman had filled his whole being, but there came a day when he
+tried to make himself hate her, and he did not succeed. Heigh ho!
+
+'Mr Ponsonby,' Philippa is saying to him, 'do look at that dear little
+baby.'
+
+With a start he comes back from the reverie into which he had sunk and
+answers at random 'Yes, she always acts perfectly--'
+
+Philippa looks at him in astonishment, how could that child _always_ act
+perfectly when it couldn't be more than three, but she says nothing and
+watches with interest the play. It is a sad piece of a woman wronged,
+the acting is splendid and more than once Miss Seaton feels a lump in
+her throat, but it is over at length and the curtain falls for the last
+time.
+
+'Did you like it?' asks Ponsonby, helping her on with her cloak.
+
+'Very much,' she replies, 'I have never been to an English theatre
+before, you know, but it was awfully sad.'
+
+'Sadder if it had been the man wronged,' he says--
+
+Philippa looks up with a laughing retort about each one for himself, but
+he seems so very grave that she refrains and wonders why he said that,
+but it is sometime before she finds out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+    'A face in a crowd, a glance, a droop of the lashes,
+        and all is said.'--MARION CRAWFORD.
+
+
+It is some days later, and having a ball in prospect, Mrs Seaton has
+left Philippa to rest, whilst she goes on a round of visits; and
+Philippa, nothing loth, settles herself comfortably on the sofa with a
+book, and prepares to enjoy a lazy afternoon, but she is destined to
+interruption. The door suddenly bursts open and Teddy flies in, with
+'Oh, Aunt Lippa, will you come into the Square with me. Marie's sister
+has come to see her and it would be kind to let them be together, don't
+you think--'
+
+Lippa feels inclined to suggest that it would be just as kind to let her
+alone, but she refrains and merely says 'Well?'
+
+'Will you?' asks the little boy, emphasizing his words by leaning
+heavily against his aunt. 'You see,' he continues, 'I do feel sometimes
+lonely, 'cos Marie's old and won't run, and I think you look as if you
+could--'
+
+'I have done so in the course of my life,' she answers laughing, 'and I
+might be able to do so again.'
+
+'Then you will try this afternoon, won't you?' this very coaxingly.
+'Marie had better walk with us there, but it's such a little way we can
+come back by ourselves, can't we.'
+
+'Yes; I should think so,' says Philippa.
+
+'Then I'll just go and get my hat,' and Teddy, pausing at the door,
+adds. 'Do you know I think you're a very good aunt for a boy to have.'
+
+'Indeed?' and Lippa laughs.
+
+She finds it quite as pleasant sitting under a shady tree in the Square,
+as on the sofa in Brook Street; and her nephew does not require her to
+run, having found another companion in the person of a fat, very plain
+little girl; but after some time she has to go home, and Teddy having
+worried the life out of a stray cat, returns to his aunt, with a red,
+smutty face.
+
+'Well,' he says, 'I am so hot, what shall I do to get cool--'
+
+'Sit still,' suggests Lippa.
+
+'Oh no, that'd make me heaps hotter, oh! there's Joseph,' and away flies
+Teddy. Joseph is an old gardener whose business it is to keep the paths
+in order, and of whom most of the square live in wholesome awe, not so
+Teddy, he loves him dearly and will talk as long as the old man has time
+to listen, this afternoon he is busy and Teddy soon returns again to the
+seat.
+
+'He's such a dear old man,' he says, nodding in the direction the
+gardener has taken, 'a dear old man, but he has a terrible cough, and he
+doesn't know anything that will cure it.'
+
+'Poor old man,' she answers, 'but really Teddy you _must_ sit still, you
+are so hot, and jumping up and down like that shakes me all over.'
+
+'Does it?' he says, innocently. 'I'll sit still if you'll tell me
+something, but perhaps I'd better tell you something first. Did you ever
+know that I had a sister?'
+
+Lippa nods.
+
+'Oh!' he says, 'well then perhaps you knew that her name was Lilian, and
+she was lost.'
+
+'Yes,' replies Philippa, 'I knew all about her; you see your father is
+my brother, so of course I know all about you.'
+
+'Not everything,' says Teddy, confidently, 'you don't know that I'm
+feeling rather empty, not 'xactly hungry but as if I could eat my tea.'
+
+'Well, I dare say it is time to go in,' says his aunt, 'and if you will
+cease to sit on my feet I will get up.'
+
+Teddy rises with alacrity, and not till they get to the square gate do
+they remember they have not got the key. 'How tiresome,' ejaculates
+Philippa.
+
+But Teddy who is always full of resources, departs in the hope of
+finding Joseph or some one who has a key, but alas they are the only
+occupants of the square, what is to be done. They stand gazing
+helplessly over the gate, Philippa looking uncommonly pretty in a light
+gown that fits to perfection, and her large black hat adorned with red
+poppies, 'I wonder who she is,' thinks a gentleman who has already
+passed them twice, and is contemplating turning back to see her again.
+But he hears his name called in a shrill voice, 'Captain Harkness,
+Cap-ta-i-n H-a-r-kness!' He turns round hastily and sees Teddy waving
+frantically over the gate.
+
+'Well, little boy,' he says, 'what is the matter? eh!'
+
+'We can't get out, Aunt Lippa and I, we've forgotten the key, do go to
+mother and ask her for it.'
+
+Captain Harkness turns to Philippa and raising his hat, says, 'I shall
+be very pleased if I can be of any service to you, I was just on my way
+to see Mrs Seaton.'
+
+'If you could get the key,' replies she, 'it would be most kind.'
+
+'Not at all,' says he, still wondering who she is, 'I will not be long,'
+and he is as good as his word, reappearing with the key and setting them
+free, when they return to Brook Street.
+
+'My dear child,' says Mabel, addressing Lippa, as they enter the
+drawing-room, 'how very foolish of you to lock yourselves up like that.
+I was getting quite uneasy about you, but come and have some tea, and
+you Teddy go upstairs to yours, Captain Harkness now let me introduce
+you properly to my sister-in-law.'
+
+Philippa smiles and Captain Harkness congratulates himself on his
+afternoon adventure.
+
+Eleven o'clock sees Mabel and Philippa on their way to the ball, not
+having been to many she has not become _blasée_, but enjoys herself
+thoroughly. It is still early when they reach their destination, and Mrs
+Seaton is enabled to find a seat in a good place for seeing, almost
+opposite the door. Lady Dadford followed by her daughter soon puts in an
+appearance and makes for them at once.
+
+'Well, Mabel, my dear,' she begins, 'so glad to have found you here, how
+do you do, Philippa, you are not done up yet, I see, and you look
+charming, what a sweet dress you have, and I do believe you have not
+been introduced to my boy yet, I am afraid he isn't coming here
+to-night, he's such a dear boy, my Helmdon, I'm sure you will like him.
+But where's Anne, ah! dancing already, the dear child, she does do it so
+well,' and with a benign smile on her kind old face, Lady Dadford seats
+herself by Mabel.
+
+Miss Seaton's partners claim her one after the other; they have very
+little individuality to her, of course some are better dancers than the
+others, but caring for one more than another, would be quite impossible
+she tells herself. Why is it then that suddenly as she catches sight of
+a certain brown head in the doorway, she smiles, and when the owner
+comes towards her feels just a little thrill of pleasure.
+
+Ah! Miss Seaton let me warn you, don't pretend to care for _none_ of
+them, for that thrill does not come without some cause, and almost
+before you are aware of it, you will find that your heart is not your
+own, you know quite well that Jimmy Dalrymple has found favour in your
+eyes, and you know too, that with very little trouble you could bewitch
+him. Do not play with edged tools.
+
+Lippa waltzes off with him through the crowded room and just a little
+sigh escapes her as the music stops.
+
+'Where would you like to go to?' asks he. 'To supper or the garden?'
+
+'Oh, the garden,' says Miss Seaton, 'fancy naming them together. Supper
+is such a very prosaic affair,' and then as they enter the garden, 'One
+could almost imagine oneself miles away from London here.'
+
+'They have arranged it awfully well,' says Dalrymple, gazing round on
+the illuminated parterres, and then, 'would you like to sit or shall we
+walk about?'
+
+'Walk, I think,' replies Philippa, and so they wander on, talking about
+nothing in particular, and yet they both forget that there are such
+things as sleep and to-morrow. Having come to the end of a narrow path,
+and finding two empty chairs they remain there. The lights are dim and
+the people passing and repassing are scarcely recognisable, but
+presently a lady in a light blue gown attracts Lippa's attention. 'Who
+is she?' she says.
+
+Dalrymple turns and looks at her. They hear a murmured sentence and then
+'Eh, what!' in rather an unmistakeable tone.
+
+'Oh, her partner is Helmdon,' says Jimmy, 'he's never to be mistaken
+with his _what_. The lady, I think, is Mrs Standish, an American widow,
+and therefore rolling in riches. I never knew an American widow who
+wasn't.'
+
+'It would be very nice,' says Lippa.
+
+'What! to be an American widow?'
+
+She laughs. 'No! to be very rich; there would be no need to think twice
+as to whether you could afford anything--'
+
+'What a great many useless things you would get,' says Dalrymple.
+
+'Really! but why?'
+
+'I did not mean you in particular,' he protests. 'I assure you I didn't;
+but there are a great many useless things in the shops, which I suppose
+people buy. What is the matter, Miss Seaton? For Philippa has risen
+hastily with a little scream. 'There's something under my chair, I felt
+it move,' she says, woman-like raising her skirt.
+
+Dalrymple bends down, kneel he could not in his best evening trousers,
+'I don't see anything,' he says, peering about and nearly choking for
+his collar is high and somewhat tight. _Il faut souffrir pour être
+beau.'_
+
+'Oh, but you must,' persists Lippa. 'I felt it move.'
+
+'Wait a second,' says he, producing a match, and proceeding to light it
+on the sole of his pump; they are all alone in this part of the garden,
+and nobody is watching them, the match will not ignite at first and then
+they both bend down at once nearly upsetting each other, and behold
+calmly blinking at them a large black cat. This is too much for Jimmy
+who gives way to suppressed laughter, the match goes out, and Miss
+Seaton though inwardly convulsed thinks proper to assume an air of
+dignity. 'I think I had better go back to the ball-room,' says she.
+
+Jimmy vaguely feeling he has done something he ought not to, says; 'I-er
+beg your pardon, I'm awfully sorry--'
+
+'What for?' asks Lippa, stroking her right arm with her left hand.
+
+Jimmy considers for a moment wondering what he had better say, and then
+suddenly seized with an inspiration 'I do believe I hurt you,' he says,
+'the match didn't touch you, did it?'
+
+'No; but _you_ did,' replies she, and then seeing the consternation
+depicted on his face, Miss Seaton smiles, and then they both laugh.
+
+'You know, you really might have knocked me over,' she says
+pathetically.
+
+'I can't tell you how sorry I am,' exclaims Dalrymple, gently taking
+possession of the injured arm; 'please forgive me?'
+
+'I'll try,' she says,--'I wonder what has happened to the cat--'
+
+They are nearing the ball-room, and he finding this _tête-à-tête_ very
+pleasant wishes to prolong it and says, 'Shall we go back and see?'
+
+'I think I am engaged for this dance,' says Lippa, knowing Mabel will be
+wondering what has become of her.
+
+'You'll let me have another?' asks Jimmy, eagerly.
+
+'Certainly,' replies she; 'only, no more cat-finding. I can't bear them,
+can you?'
+
+'Can't endure them,' says Dalrymple, who would agree with whatever she
+said.
+
+That night, or I should say next morning, when Miss Seaton retires to
+rest, a certain brown head figures prominently in her dreams, together
+with searching after huge monsters, who all bear a resemblance to Lady
+Dadford. And even when awake the brown head is a subject for deep
+thought, and it is with a bright, happy face Miss Seaton appears (though
+somewhat late) at the breakfast table.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+'Philippa,' says Mrs Seaton one day, 'I have just had an invitation from
+old Mrs Boothly, asking us to a water party next Wednesday, would you
+like to go?'
+
+'Who is going?' asks Lippa wisely, 'not only the Boothlys--'
+
+'I suppose the "_not only_," means that in that case you would not go,
+but rest assured lots of other people are going, the two Graham girls,
+little Tommy Grant, Mr Dalrymple, and Captain Harkness,' says Mabel,
+'but read the note yourself and decide--' Philippa's mind is soon made
+up. 'I think I should like to go, it will be rather fun I expect.'
+
+'Yes, I daresay,' replies Mabel, 'then I will write at once to get it
+off my mind, but _what_ day is it for?'
+
+'Wednesday,' says Philippa, meaning to enjoy herself. But in one sense
+she is doomed to disappointment, the weather is everything that could be
+wished, and, donning a pretty gown, and covering her head with a dainty
+confection, she feels ready for the fray.
+
+Ten o'clock is the hour fixed for starting from ---- Station, but Teddy
+has been refractory over his breakfast and his mother considers it her
+duty to reprimand him, tears ensue, and then some time is spent in
+consolation, so that they are only just in time and have to run along
+the platform to the saloon carriage, out of which Tommy Grant is
+gesticulating violently.
+
+'You're only just in time,' says he, helping them in.
+
+Philippa looks round and does not see Dalrymple; she finds herself next
+the eldest Miss Boothly who is saying, 'I am so pleased you could come,'
+giving Lippa's arm a little squeeze at the same time, 'I think we shall
+have a nice day, don't you, and you know all the people?'
+
+'All except the man at the further end.'
+
+'Oh! don't you know him,' says Miss Boothly. 'He's Lord Helmdon; he has
+come in the place of Mr Dalrymple, who at the last moment wrote to say
+he could not come, and so we asked Lord Helmdon, he's so nice; we always
+fall back upon him when anyone fails us.'
+
+Chubby does not look as if he had been fallen back upon by any means,
+for apparently he is keeping up the spirits of the party, for they are
+all in shrieks of laughter. Captain Harkness eyes Lippa from the
+distance, and when they reach their destination prepares to assist her
+to alight, when Lord Helmdon clumsily treads on her dress just as she is
+about to jump down on the platform; no great damage is done, and Chubby,
+profuse in apologies, wins Miss Seaton's heart by the plain distress
+depicted on his countenance, and a safety pin which he produces and
+with which he fastens up the torn gathers, and before they come to the
+river, they are on quite friendly terms, much to the disgust of
+Harkness, who has been attacked by his hostess's youngest daughter.
+
+Up the river they go, dividing into three parties; Mrs Boothly, who has
+placed herself next Mabel, warm, and decidedly sleepy, tries in vain to
+feel happy in seeing her dear girls amused, and discusses the management
+of children with Mrs Seaton. And the day wears on, Helmdon making
+himself decidedly agreeable to everyone. Lippa amuses herself to a
+certain extent, but she becomes irritated by the assiduous attentions of
+Captain Harkness, to whom she has taken a violent dislike. She gets
+more and more out of patience with him and at length is almost rude. It
+appears to have no effect upon him whatever, for like a great many other
+people he has a very good opinion of himself, and that this girl is not
+pleased with his attentions never enters his well-curled head. Philippa
+has taken his fancy and as he has just made up his mind that it is time
+to enter the blissful (?) state of matrimony, she seems to him to be the
+exact person to make his wife; money makes no difference, for he is one
+of those fortunate individuals who has almost more than he knows what to
+do with. That Miss Seaton will have nothing to do with him, has not
+crossed his mind yet.
+
+The party disperse again at the station pouring into Mrs Boothly's ear
+many sweet sentences, which had she been listening would have made her
+think that going up the river in a boat and lunching on the bank was
+almost heaven upon earth; but poor dear lady she is longing to get home,
+feeling painfully conscious of the shapeliness of her shoes; and the
+pain thereby caused, absorbs all her faculties for the present: but when
+the above mentioned articles are removed, she thinks with pleasure how
+much everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and she makes up her mind to
+have a similar day; only, made more pleasant to her by large and
+shapeless boots. Wise Mrs Boothly--
+
+Garden-parties, balls, dinner-parties, follow each other in rather
+monotonous succession, and Lippa is beginning to tire of them, she has
+been to three balls where a certain young man has been conspicuous by
+his absence; and it is almost a week since he has dropped in to tea, and
+Miss Seaton misses him more than she will own to herself. She is feeling
+out of sorts this afternoon and has betaken herself to the back
+drawing-room, which is only curtained off from the front, leaving Mabel
+and Lady Dadford in earnest conversation.
+
+Presently the door opens, and Ponsonby comes in. 'All alone,' says he.
+'I thought you always had some one worshipping at your shrine.'
+
+'Indeed, you are much mistaken,' replies she laughing, 'but I didn't
+know you were in London--'
+
+'I only came back this morning--'
+
+'Mabel and Lady Dadford are in there,' interrupts Philippa
+indifferently, pointing to the front room.
+
+'Well, unless I am disturbing you, I will remain here,' says Paul,
+'there are some letters I must write,' and going to the table he
+proceeds to hunt for paper and pens; Lippa goes on reading her book, and
+a silence of a few minutes ensues.
+
+Then he says, 'What wretched pens you do keep--'
+
+'Yes,' replies she, 'they are rather bad, but I think you will find some
+others in the right hand drawer--have you ever read this?' holding up
+her volume.
+
+'The "Epic of Hades," yes, parts of it are very fine. "There is an end
+of all things that thou seest. There is an end of wrong and death and
+hell,"' quotes he.
+
+'What a melancholy passage,' says Lippa.
+
+'A very grand one I think,' he replies, 'but I should never have thought
+you would care for that kind of literature.'
+
+'Why not?--'
+
+'Because, well, I should have thought it would have been too deep for
+you--'
+
+'Really,' then after a pause, 'do you know _that_ wasn't very polite--'
+
+'Wasn't it? suppose I say then that I am agreeably surprised--'
+
+'That's nearly as bad, if not quite, it sounds as if you expected me to
+read nothing but books like the "Daisy Chain," or "Laneton Parsonage."'
+
+'Very excellent books too--'
+
+'Oh, Paul! how _tiresome_ you are, do you know I,' and then Miss Seaton
+is filled with confusion, she has called him by his Christian name and
+he is looking at her and smiling. 'I--er beg your pardon,' she says
+quickly in her childish way.
+
+'What for?' asks he, pretending not to understand her.
+
+'For calling you by your Christian name--'
+
+'Well, and what harm was there?'
+
+'You see,' she says deprecatingly, 'Mabel is always talking about you,
+and so I get into the habit of talking of you as Paul.'
+
+Paul rises and standing in front of her says--'As I said before, where
+is the harm? I have never called you anything else but Philippa, or
+Lippa; I could not address you as Miss Seaton, it does not suit you one
+bit you know; now let us make it a compact from henceforth, I call you
+Lippa, and you call me Paul.'
+
+'Very well,' replies she.
+
+'What ever are you two doing here,' and the curtain is hastily drawn
+aside by Mabel. 'You look as grave as judges, come and have some
+strawberries and cream, Lady Dadford has gone.'
+
+At the sound of strawberries, Lippa hastily rises, and they go into the
+front room, where Jimmy Dalrymple is.
+
+'How do you do,' says Philippa, wondering how long he has been there.
+And then they attack the strawberries.
+
+'I'm longing to know what you two were talking about,' says Mabel.
+
+Paul laughs and replies, 'We were settling a very weighty matter,
+weren't we, Lippa?'
+
+Philippa merely says 'Yes,' and longs to turn the conversation, for what
+may not Jimmy think.
+
+In truth he feels an unaccountable overwhelming desire to know what the
+weighty matter was, but he is not to know, and therefore is kept on
+tenter hooks for some time.
+
+'She came to ask us all to a cattle show and ball,' Mrs Seaton is
+saying.
+
+'Who?' asks her brother.
+
+'Lady Dadford; she particularly wants you.'
+
+'I feel highly honoured, I'm sure--'
+
+'Are you going?' says Lippa, turning to Dalrymple.
+
+'I was asked, but I don't know whether I shall be able to get away,' he
+replies, still pondering over the 'weighty matter.'
+
+'Only a few minutes ago you were telling Lady Dadford how pleased you
+would be to go, Mr Dalrymple; I did not know you were such a humbug,'
+cries Mabel.
+
+Jimmy laughs.
+
+'Mrs Boothly,' announces the servant. Philippa retires to the back
+drawing-room and Dalrymple follows her. 'I have not seen you for ages,'
+says he.
+
+'Only a week, I think,' replies Lippa.
+
+'Isn't that seven whole long days?'
+
+'Short I call them, but what have you been doing?'
+
+'Duty.'
+
+'Oh!'
+
+Then after a pause he says, 'I can't make up my mind about the Dadfords,
+shall I go?'
+
+Lippa feels naughty. 'What difference could it make to me whether you
+went or not?' she says.
+
+'None, I suppose,' replies he sadly.
+
+'None whatever,' she repeats, 'unless perhaps you make yourself very
+disagreeable, then I must say I would rather you stayed away.'
+
+'But,' says he, his face brightening, 'suppose I make myself very
+agreeable, what then?'
+
+'Could you?' she asks coquettishly.
+
+'Miss Seaton,' protests he, 'how cruel you can be.'
+
+But she appears deaf, and enters the other room. Nevertheless she gives
+him the benefit of a lovely little smile when he goes away, which makes
+him settle at once as to whether he goes to the Dadfords or not. And of
+course he is the first person Lippa sees on arriving there, and who
+shall say that it does not cause her pleasure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+    'The fine fat bulls, the dear little sheep,
+    The fat piggy-wiggy wiggies all in a heap,
+    The beautiful Moo cows all in a row,
+    Jolly fine fun at the cattle show.'
+
+
+Such a lovely day it is; the sun shining forth in all its glory, casting
+a touch of gold over everything, while a hush reigns supreme; that
+lovely stillness that hangs over the earth in the early morning before
+the work of the day begins.
+
+Lippa scarcely took in what the ancestral home of the Dadfords was like,
+when she arrived last night, but waking early she dresses hastily in
+order to survey the surrounding country, an outing before breakfast she
+delights in, when all the world seems fresh and clean, and the humdrum
+business of life is barely begun.
+
+Passing down the wide oak staircase she comes across a friendly
+housemaid who shows her the way through a conservatory to the garden,
+such a lovely garden it is, with its broad walks, its green velvety
+lawns and slopes, and its masses of old-fashioned dew beladen flowers,
+the perfume of which fills the morning air. Her spirits rise as she
+wanders on, drinking in with delight the surrounding beauty, so absorbed
+is she in it that she forgets there is such a person as Jimmy
+Dalrymple. Quack, quack, quack, go the ducks as she approaches the lake
+on which they disport themselves, and gazes down at the sky therein
+reflected and at her own image. But she is not admiring her youthful
+face and the curly golden hair that stands like a halo round it. No, she
+is sunk in a dream; the morning has called forth her greatest
+aspirations; the striving after the unattainable; that comes to us all
+sometime or other, when we feel that truly life is worth living, and
+that there is something beyond, so great that we cannot grasp it, but we
+feel it is there producing a great speechless longing within us while
+our hearts throb and our pulses stir till we could cry for joy.
+
+Such a state as this Lippa has reached, when she is suddenly brought
+down from the elevated height to which her mind has soared, to the
+outward circumstances of life, by the squeaking of a window which is
+suddenly opened; she is so close to the house, that on looking up she
+recognises the brown head that is thrust out for a moment. 'Tis enough;
+the spell has been broken and she becomes aware that breakfast would be
+a very acceptable thing, so she wends her way back to the house. Of
+course everyone is full of the cattle show and the merits of Herefords,
+short horns, Devons and Kerrys are discussed together with Jersey
+creamers and separators. Most of the guests are old and uninteresting,
+and intend leaving on the following day to make room for the younger
+folk who can dance.
+
+Dalrymple and Philippa are the only young people at present, besides, of
+course, Lady Anne and Chubby.
+
+'I've ordered the dog-cart,' says the latter, in the course of
+breakfast, to Lippa, who is sitting next him, 'because I thought we
+might leave the old people to go by themselves. I've got an awfully good
+animal, which I should like you to see, what! My sister and Dalrymple
+will come too, and we can go where we please. That is to say unless,
+perhaps, you would prefer to drive in state in the landau. What!'
+
+'No, indeed,' says Lippa, laughing.
+
+'You're wise, I think,' replies Lord Helmdon. 'You don't know what my
+respected parent is like at a show, everything must be commented upon. I
+went with him once,--didn't get away for hours, and I said to
+myself--never again. By ourselves we can come and go just as we please.
+By-the-bye, mother,' he goes on, turning to Lady Dadford, 'I suppose
+you've asked the Lippingcotts to the ball. I met him yesterday, but he
+didn't say anything about it, eh what!'
+
+'I really don't remember; have we, Anne?' says her ladyship.
+
+Lady Anne produces a piece of paper whereon the names of the invited
+guests are inscribed, glances down it, and says 'No.'
+
+'How dreadful.'
+
+'It's a pity,' says Anne.
+
+'Not too late yet,' suggests Chubby. 'Little Mrs Lippingcott is so
+awfully pretty and dances quite beautifully. It would be a shame if she
+wasn't asked.'
+
+'Well; I will write now if you like,' says his mother, ready to do
+anything her 'dear' boy wishes. 'They only came back a week ago, I
+suppose, that is how they were forgotten.'
+
+'And if I see them I'll say something pretty that will make up, what!'
+
+'Do you really think you could?' says Dalrymple, from the other side of
+the table.
+
+'Don't doubt it for a moment,' replies Chubby, 'Miss Seaton I know will
+verify my statement.'
+
+When all the older folk have been packed off, the dog-cart appears and
+with it the 'awfully good animal,' which of course has to be admired,
+and viewed from all points, before the owner sees fit to start. Lippa,
+of course, has the place of honour, by the driver, much to Jimmy's
+disgust. There is no need to go into details of the show, all of which
+are more or less alike, with dogs of all sizes and breeds, barking in
+different keys, pigs grunting and squeaking, horses neighing, cows
+mooing, cocks crowing, ducks quacking; boys yelling out the price of
+catalogues, men requesting people to 'walk up,' and inspect their wares,
+which are all warranted to be the very best of their kind; and besides
+all this two brass bands which play two different tunes at the same
+time. If a deaf man suddenly recovered his hearing at a cattle show, I
+am sure he would wish himself deaf again. However, some people enjoy
+cattle shows, I do not, but that is neither here nor there.
+
+Lord Dadford, J.P. for the county and owner of some fine short horns, is
+surrounded by gaitered and pot-hatted men, who all appear to be talking
+at once. Helmdon conducting Philippa and his sister with the ever
+constant Jimmy, carefully fights shy of his father.
+
+'What luck to have met you,' he exclaims as they run up against a pretty
+woman, Mrs Lippingcott of course, and forthwith they launch into an
+eager conversation with humble apologies from him and earnest
+entreaties that she will grace the ball with her appearance, and with
+any one who may be staying with her.
+
+'Oh, how do you do, Miss Seaton?' makes Lippa turn, who is in earnest
+conversation with Dalrymple, and see Harkness standing before her. She
+would have liked to give vent to a naughty little expression, but she
+merely bows saying--
+
+'I had no idea of meeting you here, isn't it a lovely day?'
+
+'Beautiful,' he replies, 'I am stopping with the Lippingcotts for a few
+days; really the country is quite delightful after London.'
+
+'Delicious,' replies Lippa, moving on leaving Harkness gazing at her
+and Dalrymple; is that young beggar going to cut him out, it looks
+uncommonly like it. Lucky fellow he is, thinks the Captain, winning over
+that race last month when the odds were dead against him, and now--
+
+'Thank goodness!' ejaculates Miss Seaton, finding herself free from her
+admirer.
+
+'What for?' asks Dalrymple.
+
+'Why, to get rid of him of course.'
+
+'Poor man,' says Jimmy pensively.
+
+'Wherefore?'
+
+'Because he has evidently incurred your displeasure.'
+
+'Oh,' with a little laugh, 'is my displeasure such a very dreadful
+thing.'
+
+'It would be to me,' is the reply.
+
+'Well, if you're very good, I will try and be pleased with you, it might
+be unpleasant if we--'
+
+'Will it require a great deal of trying?'
+
+'That depends,' says Miss Seaton, glancing up in his face, to find he is
+looking at her rather more earnestly than is necessary. But the
+conversation is interrupted by Lady Anne.
+
+Poor Lady Anne, there is a romance connected with her life, that nobody
+knows of save her parents, and they have almost forgotten it. A romance
+in which a young officer figures prominently; when Lady Anne first came
+out she fell desperately in love with him, and he with her, they
+plighted their troth at a London ball; but her parents said she was too
+young to marry just then, and it was agreed to wait a year. But war
+broke out and his regiment was 'ordered to the front.' Oh! the sorrow
+conveyed in those words, how many, many went out like Lady Anne's lover
+and never returned, how many lives like hers were blighted in
+consequence. 'God bless you, Dick,' she had said the night before he
+started, 'and I hope you will come back soon.'
+
+'Soon,' he had repeated, 'dearest, I may never come back again.'
+
+He was right, for he fell on the field of A----, found dead where the
+fight had been fiercest; and Lady Anne's heart was broken. She did not
+die of grief, nor did she appear to the world as hopelessly crushed, but
+went on living just the same, with a feeling of aching emptiness, that
+is, oh, so hard to bear, and she shut away from prying eyes the picture
+of her young lover, and round her neck she hung the crystal heart he had
+given her, whereon his name was inscribed.--Dick.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+    'Love me, for I love you,' and answer me
+    'Love me, for I love you.'--CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.
+
+
+'Tis the night of the ball, dinner is over and the house party is
+collected in the hall, waiting the arrival of the guests. The fiddles
+are scraping away in the drawing-room, where the furniture having been
+taken away and the carpet removed, the floor looks inviting and 'is
+perfectly delicious' owns Philippa, having performed a _pas seul_
+thereon, before anyone was down. She looks extremely pretty to-night in
+a quaint, little white satin dress, her hair fluffed all round her
+head, and tied up with pale green ribbons.
+
+At this moment she is striving in vain to button up one of Chubby's
+gloves. 'It's awfully good of you,' he says. 'I can't think why they are
+so tight, what--'
+
+'If I don't button it this time,' she replies, 'I really can't try any
+more, for I have not got my own on yet, and I know they'll begin to
+dance in a moment.'
+
+'You'll let me have the first, won't you?' he says.
+
+'Certainly,' she answers, all her attention absorbed in the button which
+is just half in the button-hole, one little poke and 'there it's done,'
+she says.
+
+But alas! it is _done_ indeed, for there is an ominous crack, and a
+large split is seen right across it.
+
+'What a nuisance,' says Helmdon, gazing at the torn article.
+
+'Oh I hope it wasn't my fault,' says Lippa.
+
+'No; not at all, I assure you--'
+
+'Don't waste time then looking at it, fetch another quickly,' and
+Philippa begins hastily to cover her own bare hands. 'Chubby,' she calls
+after him, 'they're beginning to dance. I can't keep this one for you,
+the next one will do just as well, won't it?'
+
+'Quite,' is the reply as he ascends the stairs three steps at a time;
+while she becomes aware of two men making for her, Harkness and
+Dalrymple, the former she feels will reach her first, and she has no
+desire to dance with him: so she suddenly feels that she ought to be
+nearer her sister-in-law, and edging her way through the crowd gains her
+chaperon's side, a second before Jimmy comes up.
+
+'May I have this?' he says eagerly, and receiving an affirmative, he
+leads her off to the ball-room, where the "Garden of Sleep" waltz is
+echoing through the well-lighted apartment, and the air is fragrant with
+the scent of many flowers. Already a goodly crowd is there, mammas,
+elderly spinsters, girls of all sizes and ages, in satin, silks, and
+tulle; old men, middle-aged men, young men and mere boys are all
+collected there. In a second Dalrymple and Philippa join in the giddy
+dance; for what is more giddifying (if I may use such a word), than
+waltzing in a room full of people who have not summoned up courage
+enough to begin, round and round they go, till Miss Seaton at length
+says, 'I think I really must stop although the best part of the tune is
+just coming. We can't be like the river, can we, going on forever:'
+
+    'Men may come and men may go,'
+    'But I go on forever.'
+
+She murmurs more to herself than to him, as they make their way to the
+conservatory, and then, 'Do you like poetry?' she asks.
+
+'Pretty well, I don't read much of it.'
+
+'I am so fond of it,' replies Philippa, settling herself comfortably on
+a sofa surrounded by cushions, 'I could read it all day.'
+
+'Ah, you see you have more time to do what you like, but when a fellow
+has been at work all day, he doesn't feel inclined for poetry, you've
+got nothing to do except to read and do fancy work, I suppose.'
+
+'That's a mistake that all men make, they think that girls have nothing
+to do all day, when they have quite as much as men if not more; you
+don't know anything about them. And I think poetry is the _most_ restful
+thing to read when one's tired, you see our minds soar to higher things
+than yours, you study the _Racing Calendar_ and the newspapers, don't
+you?'
+
+'Generally, not always,' admits Jimmy.
+
+'The _Racing Calendar_, _versus_ Tennyson, Longfellow, or Mrs Browning;
+but I don't believe you're half listening to me,' says she, for he is
+gazing straight in front of him.
+
+'I assure you I was,' he protests, 'I am in a crowd now, may I not muse
+on the "absent face that has fixed" me.'
+
+'No, certainly not, you ought to be thinking of me,' this in a slightly
+aggrieved tone.
+
+'How do you know I wasn't,' gazing at her earnestly.
+
+'I'm not absent,' and then Philippa seeing what might be implied,
+blushes a rosy red, and rising says, 'We must go back now, I promised
+Lord Helmdon this dance, and he'll never find me here. Ah! there he is.'
+
+'Are you so anxious to dance with him?' asks Jimmy in a would-be
+indifferent tone.
+
+'Yes, of course,' she replies, 'I like him so much, don't you?'
+
+'Oh, yes,' replies Dalrymple with equal indifference. And so the evening
+wears on and Miss Seaton is congratulating herself at having eluded
+Captain Harkness, when she suddenly finds him standing before her.
+
+'Won't you give me a dance?' he says in his suave tone. 'I have been
+trying to speak to you all the evening--'
+
+'Have you?' she replies, and not knowing quite how to get out of it.
+'You may have the next one if you like,' she says.
+
+'May I really? Then I shall find you somewhere about here?'
+
+Lippa nods, and her partner, an aged baronet, claims her and they go
+through the intricacies of the lancers. Almost before the next dance has
+begun, Harkness appears; he dances beautifully and knows it too, but it
+is not long before he suggests a saunter in the garden.
+
+Philippa consents, and forth they go into the cool night air. A hundred
+tiny lamps have been placed among the bushes, which shed a subdued light
+over the scene; charming corners have been arranged to sit in, while
+the splashing of the fountains mingles with the laughter and
+conversation of the company.
+
+'What an interminable dance,' thinks Philippa, as having walked a good
+way round the garden, she finds herself once more outside the ball-room,
+and the same tune is still being played. She heaves a sigh of despair
+and raising her eyes meets those of Dalrymple, who is propping himself
+against a pillar. There is a look of reproach in them, and Lippa, though
+her conscience tells her she was unkind to him, feels an insane desire
+to make him jealous, and turns with an adorable smile to Harkness, not
+having heard a word of what he has just been saying; but he, thinking he
+has everything in his grasp, smiles, and leads her almost before she is
+aware, to a secluded corner.
+
+'I--er I have been meaning to say something to you all this evening,' he
+begins, standing before her with his arms folded.
+
+'Indeed,' replies Miss Seaton lightly, 'it can't be anything of great
+importance, or you would have said it before.'
+
+'Not important,' this with a little more energy, 'why it is of vital
+importance; on it hangs the whole fate of my existence, Miss Seaton,'
+bending towards her, 'er--er Philippa, do you not know, have you not
+guessed that I love you, that to see you is necessary to my happiness,
+the first time I saw you--hear me,' as she makes as if to speak, 'you
+must know it, do you not see it in my eyes?' he is growing melodramatic
+and Lippa feels inclined to laugh, 'but one word, you love me, do you
+not, ah!' and he is about to seize her hand when she steps back from him
+saying,--
+
+'I am afraid, Captain Harkness, you have made a mistake.'
+
+'Mistake,' he replies, 'do you mean that you will not marry me.'
+
+'Yes, I mean that I will _not_ marry you.'
+
+'Not marry me,' it is getting monotonous this repeating of her words,
+and she makes a movement of impatience, then all of a sudden his
+expression changes, 'I am afraid I put the question too soon,' he says,
+coming a little closer and taking hold of her hand, 'but do you love
+another?'
+
+'Leave go,' she exclaims, 'I think you forget, what--'
+
+'Who is it,' he goes on, not heeding her, 'is it Helmdon or Dalrymple?'
+he is so close that she can feel his breath on her cheek, 'ah, I can see
+by your eyes it is Dalrymple?'
+
+This is too much, and with a sudden movement she raises her other hand
+and gives him a good box on the ear. He is so taken aback that he drops
+Lippa's hand, and she, thoroughly frightened, rushes down the path into
+the unlighted part of the garden, and falls headlong into the arms of
+Jimmy; who, consumed with despair, has sought refuge in solitude.
+
+'I--er I beg your pardon,' says Philippa, starting back, 'I--I--' but
+sobs check her words.
+
+'What is the matter?' asks he tenderly, his despair having vanished; the
+gentle tone of his voice makes her cry the more and so he does the thing
+that comes most naturally to him, without thinking of the consequences,
+for he puts his arm round her, and kisses her madly; and Lippa without
+resisting, leans her perturbed little head against his shoulder feeling
+unutterably happy.
+
+'Why have you been running away from me all the evening?' he asks, when
+a perfect understanding has been made between them.
+
+'I didn't,' she says indignantly, 'it was you who never came near me.'
+
+A kiss is the answer to this, and then tenderly, 'But what were you
+crying about just now?'
+
+'I was frightened rather--'
+
+'What at, darling?' asks Jimmy, gazing down at the blushing face, which
+is being rubbed up and down against his coat sleeve.
+
+'At--at what I'd done,' stammers Lippa.
+
+'Something very dreadful, no doubt,' says he with a look that belies his
+words.
+
+'Yes, you're quite right,' Miss Seaton answers, 'it _was_ dreadful. I
+can't think how I did it, shall I have to beg his pardon?'
+
+'His! whose?' asks Jimmy quickly.
+
+'Captain Harkness,' is the whispered reply, while she digs a hole in the
+gravel path with the heel of her white satin shoe. 'I boxed him on the
+ear, I hardly knew what I was doing at the moment, and now I can't think
+how I could do it--you see he'd asked me to marry him.'
+
+'Is that the usual way you refuse your suitors?' says Jimmy laughing.
+'What a mercy I had not to suffer the same fate.'
+
+'Now if I remember rightly,' replies Miss Seaton gravely, 'you haven't
+asked me to marry you.'
+
+'What have I done then?' asks Dalrymple.
+
+'You've told me you loved me, but that isn't a bit the same, you know.'
+
+'No, of course not, but, dearest, you _will_ marry me?'
+
+'Silly boy,' is the reply, while she suddenly reaches up and kisses him,
+and then disengaging herself from his detaining arm hurries back to the
+house, whither he follows her a little more slowly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+    ''Tis true, 'tis true, 'tis pity, and pity 'tis, 'tis true.'--HAMLET
+
+It is breakfast time, but at present nobody has put in an
+appearance; whoever is punctual the morning after a ball! The
+drawing-room looks dreadful, all empty and bare, and the candles burnt
+down in their sockets. 'Ugh!' Lippa shudders as she pokes her head in,
+just to have a look at the place where Jimmy bade her goodnight. She
+does even more, for she goes and lays her head against a place on the
+wall, where she remembers he leant against, and as she does so a happy
+contented smile hovers round her mouth, and then laughing at herself,
+she hurries to the dining-room.
+
+'What, no one down yet!' she exclaims, gazing round the empty room.
+
+'Yes; I am,' replies a voice from outside, and Paul appears at the open
+window. 'Good-morning, how early you are,' he says.
+
+'Only punctual,' replies Philippa; 'isn't it a lovely day again. I can't
+think how the others can be so lazy. Come into the garden, do.'
+
+Paul acquiesces. He has taken a great liking to Miss Seaton. 'Did you
+like the ball?' he asks.
+
+'Oh, so much,' replies she, 'wasn't it lovely. I wish it could come all
+over again.'
+
+'Do you?' he says.
+
+'Well, perhaps not quite all,' she answers, blushing suddenly at the
+remembrance of her interview with Harkness.
+
+'Which portion could you do without. The quarter of an hour before you
+ran into the shrubbery and nearly knocked me down?'
+
+'Did I?' is the reply.
+
+'Indeed you _did_,' says Ponsonby, laughing, 'and you looked so fierce I
+was afraid to go after you and fled in the opposite direction, leaving
+you to vent your wrath on Dalrymple whom I had just left.'
+
+'I am very glad you did,' says Lippa, with a little conscious laugh.
+'Two's company, three's none.'
+
+'Yes,' replies Paul, quietly, and then a pause ensues.
+
+'Oughtn't I to have said that?' asks Philippa, suddenly looking up into
+his face. 'Because--well ... you see, if you'd been there--now, if I
+tell you something, promise to keep it a secret,' this very persuasively
+and slipping her arm through his.
+
+'On my word and honour,' Paul answers.
+
+'Well, Mr Dalrymple asked me--to--marry him--there!'
+
+'What, Jimmy!' exclaims Paul. 'I'm so glad; he's quite the nicest fellow
+I know. I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.'
+
+'Thank you,' says Lippa, simply. 'But you won't tell anybody, will you?
+Nobody knows, not even Mabel--'
+
+'But, my dear child, why did you tell _me_, of all people first?' asks
+he.
+
+'I had to tell somebody, and I know George couldn't keep anything from
+Mabel, or Mabel from him.'
+
+'I hope you will be very happy, but look, Lady Dadford is beckoning to
+us--'
+
+'What early birds you are,' says her ladyship. 'I needn't ask if you are
+the worse for last night's dissipation, for you don't look it, either of
+you--'
+
+'I'm sure Philippa will say that it did her an immense amount of good,'
+replies Paul, with a wink at Lippa, which makes her tremble in her
+shoes as to what may be coming next.
+
+It has been arranged that the whole of the party should go for a picnic
+to a spot about five miles off. 'Just to get out of the way,' says Lord
+Dadford, 'while the house is being put straight again; sort yourselves,
+sort yourselves,' he adds, standing at the front door, surrounded by
+guests and vehicles. 'I reserve to myself the pleasure of driving Mrs
+Mankaster,' (the vicar's wife) for both he and his spouse, a portly
+lady, resplendent in stiff brown silk, have been invited to take part in
+the outing.
+
+By degrees the carriages are filled and off they go, Lippa finding to
+her chagrin that she is seated by Paul in a dog-cart, Jimmy and Lady
+Anne behind, Lord Helmdon is on in front with some other people.
+
+'I'm sorry for you,' says Ponsonby, 'but if you wish your secret to be
+kept from the others, you must not be seen too much together.'
+
+Lippa sighs.
+
+'So love-sick already,' says he laughing.
+
+'How rude you are, I wasn't sighing a bit, I caught my breath.'
+
+'Oh, I like that,' is the reply.
+
+'I'm sure you can never have,' hesitatingly, 'been in love, have you?'
+and she glances up at him. 'I'm so sorry I said that,' she adds,
+noticing the pained look that comes into his eyes, and then a silence
+ensues.
+
+'Look here, Lippa,' says he at length in rather a lower tone, 'don't you
+know, has no one told you that I was married five years ago.'
+
+'Married?' exclaims Miss Seaton in astonishment, 'oh, I'm so sorry I
+said that.'
+
+'It does not matter in the least,' he replies, 'but I should think no
+one has been more desperately in love than I was once.'
+
+'She, your wife, is dead?' asks Lippa quietly.
+
+'I would to Heaven she were,' is the quick reply. 'No, child, don't
+think of me as a lonely widower,' this with a laugh that is hard and
+grating, 'I'm worse than that.'
+
+'Poor Paul,' says Lippa gently, while her eyes fill with tears, and she
+lays her hand on his unoccupied one, the hard look quits his handsome
+face, and he sighs.
+
+'Good little soul,' he says possessing himself of it.
+
+Meanwhile Dalrymple is devoured with curiosity as to what this earnest
+conversation can be about. He has listened patiently to Lady Anne, who
+has gone through all the books she has read lately, arguing on their
+merits and demerits, and now she is enlarging on the degenerating
+manners of the rising generation.
+
+Jimmy puts in a 'Yes' or 'No,' or 'I quite agree with you,' every now
+and then, but for aught he knows he may be agreeing that red's white,
+and white is black. But at last he says something that does not suit
+Lady Anne for she says, 'Do you really mean to say you do?'
+
+Jimmy feels caught; what in the name of fortune _does_ he really mean to
+say, he has not the faintest idea, so he says--
+
+'I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I did not quite hear what you said,
+I--er have rather a bad headache.' (Oh Jimmy, Jimmy).
+
+'Have you?' replies Lady Anne. 'I hope it is not a very bad one, you
+ought to have stayed at home; the best thing of course to do is to lie
+down; and have you ever tried Menthol, white stuff that you rub on your
+forehead; and then there is a certain kind of powder, I can't remember
+what they are called. Ah! I have it,' and Lady Anne who has been
+fumbling in her pocket produces a salts bottle. 'There,' she says, 'I
+have nothing else to offer you.'
+
+'Thanks very much,' says Dalrymple, and feeling bound to use it, takes a
+vigorous sniff, but it is strong and proves too much for him, for he is
+seized with a violent choking.
+
+'What's the matter?' inquires Ponsonby, glancing round. 'Lady Anne, what
+have you been doing to him?'
+
+'Oh, it's only my salts bottle, he has a headache, you know,' she
+replies, while Jimmy looks decidedly embarrassed.
+
+The day passes off very pleasantly, nothing has been forgotten with
+regard to the luncheon, and the weather is lovely, there is just enough
+wind to rustle through the trees and prevent the air from being sultry,
+the spot chosen for the repast is at the top of a hill which is covered
+with fir trees and tall green bracken, innumerable paths lead up and
+down and all round it, and at the summit a clearing has been made, and a
+small picturesque cottage has been built, with small diamond paned
+windows and a balcony running round two sides; the inmates, an old man
+and woman, who can provide water, are profuse in their greetings begging
+the company to sit in the balcony, and Lippa tired and sleepy with last
+night's exertion excuses herself from the members of the party who set
+out for a ramble, and takes advantage of the balcony and gives herself
+up to sleep: more than once a little smile hovers round her lips, and
+Dalrymple who has turned back under pretext of renewed headache, watches
+her for some time, then fearing to awake her, lights a cigar and strolls
+away. What a great deal of trouble and misunderstanding he could have
+prevented in awaking her,--but how could he tell.
+
+Sometime later Philippa with a sigh of content opens her eyes, she is
+still too sleepy to think of moving, so she remains quite still,
+presently the sound of voices breaks upon her ears, but she does not
+heed them. 'Oh--how--comfortable I am,' she thinks and is just dropping
+off to sleep again when she hears her name spoken!
+
+'Philippa,' someone is saying. 'Yes; she is a dear little girl.'
+
+'That's Mab's voice. She thinks me a dear little girl, does she,'
+comments Miss Seaton.
+
+'Poor child; she is so like what her mother was at that age. Does she
+know about her?'
+
+Lippa recognises Lady Dadford's voice, but it never enters her head that
+she ought not to listen.
+
+'No,' replies Mabel. 'You see she was such a baby at the time, and
+afterwards George thought it better that she should remain under the
+belief that she is dead; she is so very sensitive--'
+
+'I daresay your husband is right,' says Lady Dadford. 'It was all very
+sad. At first, you know, the doctors had hopes that her reason would
+come back, but they gave it up after a year. Does your--'
+
+But Philippa hears no more. She has listened breathlessly, her colour
+coming and going--What does it all mean? Is it true, is it true? The
+mother she had always thought of as long since dead, is she alive and
+_mad_! Oh! 'What shall I do?' she asks herself, while her brain feels on
+fire. 'Mad? Then I might go mad too! Oh, horrible thought! Jimmy, Jimmy,
+what would you say if you knew? Oh, it is all cruel, cruel--' And then
+Philippa sits very still and ponders over many things, till the voices
+of the others laughing and talking come nearer and nearer. With an
+effort she rises. 'I must not show that anything has happened, but oh!
+if I must give up Jimmy,' and with a little sob she leans her head
+against the wall for a moment, then stepping forward, she meets the
+others.
+
+'Are you rested?' asks Lord Helmdon. 'I do believe you have been asleep,
+what!'
+
+'Yes,' replies Lippa. 'I have been fast asleep--'
+
+'Dreaming,' suggests Miss Appleby, a young lady given to sentiment.
+
+'Of me, I hope,' puts in Chubby.
+
+'Now, why _you_ of all people, I should like to know,' says Dalrymple,
+at which they all laugh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+Lippa is strangely silent on the way home and all the evening she avoids
+being alone with Dalrymple, but Jimmy gets uneasy and on saying
+Good-night adds in a low tone, 'Come into the garden early to-morrow, I
+want to talk to you.'
+
+'Very well,' she replies, 'I have something to tell you too.' She says
+this so gravely, and flushes a little, that he ponders for some time on
+what she can have to tell him, and Philippa goes up to her bedroom, her
+head throbbing and with a wild desire to cry.
+
+'Good-night, dear,' says Mabel, 'I am so tired I really cannot stay and
+talk to you to-night, and you, child, you look knocked up, go to bed at
+once.'
+
+'Good-night,' replies Lippa, and having dispensed with the services of
+her maid she seems to have no intention of seeking her downy couch, she
+envelopes herself in a loose wrapper and drawing an armchair up to the
+window, appears to be contemplating the moon, but her thoughts are far
+far away from it.
+
+Poor little Miss Seaton, a great battle is going on within her; she will
+let no one know what she has overheard this afternoon, unless she
+explains all to Dalrymple and lets him decide as to what ... but no,
+she will just tell him it is impossible for her to marry him, ten to one
+if he knew all he would laugh at her fears, and marrying her, would in a
+few years have to consign his wife to a lunatic asylum; it will be the
+right thing not to let him have a chance of marrying her; and coming to
+this conclusion, she tries to forget the man she loves, and her heart is
+filled with compassion for her mother, and then she remembers Ponsonby's
+life story. 'How strange,' she murmurs, 'in one day to have learnt all
+this; but oh, how shall I tell Jimmy, and he will think I love somebody
+else, but I must do the right thing, I must and I will.'
+
+The clock strikes one as she rises with a little shiver, and is soon in
+bed, but it is sometime before her eyes close, and even after she is
+asleep sobs check her breathing. Dear, good little heart it is always
+hardest to do what _seems_ right, and it seems too, as if it will never
+be rewarded, but surely, surely it is in the end....
+
+Drip, drip, drip, is what Dalrymple hears as soon as he wakes. 'Wet,' he
+says to himself turning round, 'no good getting up yet, Philippa is sure
+not to.' For ten minutes he dozes, and then with two or three loud yawns
+he pulls himself together, and at length attired in a faultless suit he
+opens his door. It is still what he calls early, (being half-past eight)
+and he meets no one as he descends. Whistling gaily, he opens the door
+of the drawing-room, and finds Philippa there already, standing by the
+window. She turns as he goes up to her, and when he is about to embrace
+her she draws back.
+
+'Good-morning,' she says, looking up at him for a moment and then gazing
+steadily at the carpet; the pattern of which she remembers long
+afterwards.
+
+'Good-morning,' he replies blankly, and then thinking that perhaps she
+is shy, he puts his hand on her shoulder, saying, 'Lippa, dearest, what
+is the matter?' There is an amount of concern in his voice that is
+almost too much for her, but she has made up her mind to tell him it is
+impossible for her to marry him, and cost what it may she will do it.
+
+'Mr Dalrymple,' she begins in a low but perfectly calm voice, 'if you
+remember I told you last night that I had something to say to you--'
+
+'Certainly,' he says, 'that is why I came down so early; but why have
+you changed so since yesterday?'
+
+'That is exactly it, I have changed since yesterday,' says she,
+'I--er--I think I led you to imagine that I would marry you, but--'
+
+'But,' he echoes, bending towards her, 'you have not changed your mind,
+have you?'
+
+'Yes I have,' replies Philippa clasping her hands tightly behind her
+back.
+
+'Do you mean it?' he asks in a bewildered tone.
+
+'Yes,' this very low.
+
+'May I ask why you have changed?' and Dalrymple draws himself up and his
+voice is cold and studiously polite. 'Is it money,--I am not very well
+off I know, but I did not think you were the kind of girl to mind that?'
+
+'Ah, you see I am different from what you thought, it is a good thing we
+found it out before it was too late.'
+
+Jimmy looks at her curiously, and then catches her in his arms. 'Oh my
+dearest,' he says, 'you can't mean it, you could not be so cruel--'
+
+For a second Lippa feels she cannot hold out any longer, but it is only
+for a second, and then freeing herself from his embrace she says slowly
+and distinctly--'I mean all I have said.'
+
+'I must go then,' says Jimmy, a world of sorrow in his honest brown
+eyes.
+
+'Yes,' she replies, not daring to look up till she hears the door shut
+behind him, and then she realises all she has done: sent away the man
+she loves, the one man who is 'her world of all the men'; sent him away
+thinking she is cruel and mercenary. She chokes back the tears that
+start to her eyes; the others must not know, must not even suspect, but
+oh the aching at her heart.
+
+It goes on raining steadily all day, and every one is dull and
+depressed, even Chubby. Dalrymple suddenly discovers that it is
+absolutely necessary for him to be back at the barracks as soon as
+possible, and bidding farewell, decamps.
+
+Lady Anne, despite the weather, tramps off to the village to preside at
+a sewing-class. Philippa is forbidden by Mabel to put her nose out of
+doors, who then retires to Lady Dadford's private boudoir where she
+spends the afternoon.
+
+'What shall we do?' asks Lord Helmdon, gazing helplessly round on the
+remaining guests. 'Miss Seaton, suggest something, do!'
+
+'I can't think of anything,' answers Lippa, longing for some distraction
+to her thoughts.
+
+'Don't you think a little music would be nice,' says Miss Appleby,
+'nothing enlivens one so much on a wet day.'
+
+'Let us have some by all means,' says Helmdon. 'I say Tommy, I'm sure
+you'll honour us with a song, eh, what?'
+
+Tommy is a very juvenile young man, with light hair parted down the
+middle, a red face, and pince-nez.
+
+'Anything you like,' he responds gaily.
+
+'Come along then,' and away starts Chubby to the drawing-room followed
+by the others. 'Now, ladies and gentlemen,' he begins having opened the
+piano, 'I give you fair warning that every one of you will have to
+contribute to the entertainment.'
+
+'Catch me,' says George Seaton, and on the earliest opportunity slips
+away to the smoking-room.
+
+Miss Appleby is called upon to begin and sings a dear little song with
+very few words in it.
+
+'Tommy, it's your turn next,' says Paul, 'I'll accompany you!'
+
+'Oh, thanks awfully,' and settling his pince-nez firmly on his very
+small nose, sings with an air of sweet simplicity--'Because my mother
+told me so,' which sends Chubby into shrieks of laughter.
+
+When Philippa's turn comes, she goes to the piano knowing that Paul is
+watching her, she feels he has guessed that something is up, so tries to
+mislead him by singing a merry song, but he is not taken in. Helmdon
+produces a banjo and sings several nigger songs lustily.
+
+'Do you know, Chubby,' says Tommy, 'do you know that you are just made
+for that kind of music, you'd do so well at the Christy Minstrels.'
+
+'Ah, my boy,' replies he, 'I'm glad you've found an occupation for me in
+which I should excel, for it is more than I have done myself; but I'm
+afraid the sameness would bore me. If I do anything I shall go in for
+music-hall singing, there one would have more scope for one's dramatic
+talent.'
+
+By degrees they all disperse, some to play billiards, others to write
+letters, and Philippa is left alone, seated on one of the deep window
+sills, a book in her hand, but her eyes are fixed on the distant
+horizon, where the sun has suddenly appeared from behind the clouds,
+and is shedding a yellow haze over the dripping trees.
+
+So absorbed is she that she does not hear Paul come. He goes up to where
+she is, and says, 'What has happened?'
+
+She starts and turning round replies, 'Nothing,' while a tell-tale blush
+dyes her cheeks.
+
+'Yes, there is,' he persists, 'why did Jimmy leave so suddenly?'
+
+'He told Lady Dadford that he must get back to the Barracks to-night,'
+she replies.
+
+'Do you think I believe that?' says Paul.
+
+'Why shouldn't you?'
+
+'Now child, I know that something is wrong,' and Paul sits down by her
+side, 'you told me yesterday you had promised to marry him, why has he
+gone away to-day; you have not already disagreed?'
+
+'I don't see that you have any right to question me like this,' she
+answers evasively, 'but I suppose I had better tell you that I am not
+going to marry Mr Dalrymple,' she says it so firmly that Ponsonby can
+see that she is not joking.
+
+'Why not?' he asks.
+
+'For many reasons,' is the reply. 'For one he has not much to live on,
+and--there are circumstances which would make it impossible--'
+
+'Whew!--may I ask if the circumstances prevent him from marrying you or
+you him.'
+
+'I think there is no occasion for me to answer you,' replies Lippa
+coldly, 'and I will beg you will mention to no one what I have told you
+either yesterday or just now.'
+
+'I shall write to Dalrymple to-night,' says he meditatively.
+
+'I hope you will do no such thing,' and Miss Seaton rises hastily. 'I
+think it would be extremely out of place for _you_ to interfere in any
+way.'
+
+There is a marked emphasis on the 'you' that makes Paul start while he
+bites fiercely the ends of his moustache, and Philippa walks quickly out
+of the room, rushes up to her own, and flinging herself on the bed gives
+way to tears. 'Oh dear, oh dear,' she sobs, 'why does everything go
+wrong and only a little time ago I was _so_ happy, and now I have hurt
+Paul's feelings, and ...'
+
+'Paul!'
+
+Ponsonby on his way to bed is surprised at hearing himself called.
+
+'Yes,' he replies.
+
+'I want to tell you something,' is the answer.
+
+The gas has been turned out and all the other men are just turning in
+for the night.
+
+'What do you want?' he says, going into the sitting-room, from whence
+the voice issues, a solitary candle burns on the table, and discloses
+Philippa.
+
+'You here?' he exclaims surprised.
+
+'Yes,' she says. 'I am afraid I vexed you this afternoon, and I wanted
+to tell you I was sorry, and ...--'
+
+'Don't think about it again, but really you know you ought not to be
+here--'
+
+'I only waited to tell you that,' she says, turning towards the door
+feeling utterly miserable, and the tears that she has tried to keep back
+break forth, and covering her face with her hands she cries as though
+her heart would break.
+
+Paul goes up to her. 'Philippa, my dear,' he says very gently, 'there is
+something very wrong, can't you tell me why Jimmy went away--'
+
+'No, no,' she sobs. 'I told him to go, but I can't tell you why--'
+
+'How cold you are,' he says. 'Stop crying and go to bed at once, or you
+will make yourself ill.'
+
+'Very well,' replies she, meekly. 'But you [sob] you won't tell Mabel--'
+
+'I won't tell a soul.'
+
+'And you're not vexed with me?'
+
+'No; why should I be. Good-night.'
+
+'Good-night,' such a sad little face she turns to him, that he stoops
+and kisses it.
+
+'What a child she is,' he thinks, as he watches her down the passage. 'I
+wonder what induced her to throw Jimmy over. Couldn't have been better
+off as regards a husband. Money! as if that would ever enter into her
+head. Can't make it out at all. She likes him I can see.'
+
+For some time, Paul puzzles his handsome head about Philippa, and then
+when sleep has come, he dreams of the woman he loved; she to whom he
+gave his love, his faith, his all, only to be abused; the woman who has
+blighted his life. Oh! it is a strange world. It is like a puzzle that
+everyone tries to make, but does not succeed because the principal parts
+are missing. Will they ever be found, the missing links, the pieces of
+the puzzle, the answer to the 'whys' and 'wherefores?'
+
+    'We run a race to-day, and find no halting place,
+    All things we see be far within our scope
+    And still we peer beyond with craving face.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+In a few days they are back again in Brook Street, George, Mabel and
+Philippa. It is the beginning of September and anything more dreary and
+deserted than the parks could not be imagined. No one is in London. Who
+would be when the seaside is everything delightful and the moors are
+covered with heather and grouse? Philippa shudders as she looks out of
+her bedroom window into the mews, even that is deserted, a canary in a
+very small cage and a lean cat are the only living creatures to be
+seen.
+
+'Well,' she says, 'it might almost be the city of the dead ...' here her
+meditations are interrupted by Teddy, who rushes in and flings his arms
+round her neck. 'How brown you are,' she exclaims.
+
+'Yes, ain't I,' he answers. 'Me and Marie have been in the Square most
+of the days and it has been so hot, have you enjoyed yourself?'
+
+'Yes, thank you,' replies Philippa.
+
+'I don't think you have,' says Teddy, who is as sharp as a needle,
+'because, well, you don't look very happy now.'
+
+'That is just it perhaps, I am so sorry it is over.'
+
+'Oh,' and Teddy goes to the window only half convinced, 'there's that
+canary,' he says, 'I watch him often and often, and never can see
+nobody feeding it. I asked Marie to let me go and see if it had got some
+seed; but she was cross and said I wasn't to--oh, Aunt Lippa, isn't it
+hot?'
+
+'It is rather, but it must be nearly tea-time, let us have some tea and
+then go out.'
+
+'Can't; Marie's gone to see her sister,' replies Teddy, trying to see
+himself in the knob at the end of the bedstead.
+
+'Perhaps mother will come; but really Teddy do get off my bed, you are
+making it in such a mess,' and she rushes at him, seizing him in her
+arms, 'oh, what a dreadful little nephew you are.'
+
+'Let go, let go,' he cries, between struggling and laughing, and then
+mischievously, 'You don't look half pretty now, you're quite red.
+I'll--tell Mr Dal--'
+
+'Mr who?' asks Lippa, putting him down.
+
+'Sha'n't tell you,' he says, making for the door, but Philippa is too
+quick for him, and placing her back against it, says in tones of mild
+reproof,
+
+'Do you know, it is very rude to make personal remarks.'
+
+'Is it?' he asks, 'well you see it was only to Mr Dalrymple, and I've
+known him for such a great many years, I met him yesterday, he was
+walking the same way as me, and--you've got a hair-pin coming out, Aunt
+Lippa.'
+
+'Never mind that,' says she, adjusting the straying article, 'and--'
+
+'Oh, him or I began, I don't 'xactly remember, but we talked about
+pretty persons, and he said he was glad he wasn't a pretty person,
+because they were nearly always nasty, and then I said they weren't,
+'cos there's mother and you, and I said you're always pretty.'
+
+'And what did he say?' asks Lippa.
+
+'He said,' replies Teddy, in the gruffest voice he can assume, trying to
+imitate Jimmy, '"More's the pity," and now you see I can just tell him
+you don't look pretty a bit, when you're holding somebody in your arms.'
+
+'You must not say anything of the kind,' says she; it would be useless
+to exact a promise from him, probably be the way to make him repeat the
+conversation word for word; but Philippa has found out what she wanted
+to know, namely, that Jimmy is in London, and it causes her for the
+moment exquisite pain, to feel that he is not so far away, for though
+the Metropolis is a large place, there is always the chance of meeting
+one's friends in the street.
+
+After deep thought Philippa has made up her mind to tell no one, of all
+she has heard and of all that has happened in consequence. She can rely
+on Ponsonby keeping secret the little he knows of it; but what is
+hardest to bear is the having nothing to look forward to, for the future
+looks, oh, so dark and dreary. Sometimes she feels that it cannot be
+true, and she shrinks with horror from the remembrance of the fate that
+may be awaiting her. But Mabel does not notice that something has
+changed her; that her step is not so light as it was, or her laugh so
+gay. How little we know of each other, although living the same lives,
+seeing the same people and things; we have all got an inner existence
+which no one but ourselves knows anything about, it is so shadowy and
+unreal, that contact with the outer world would crush all the beauty and
+poetry of it.
+
+'I think we might go to the sea somewhere,' says Mrs Seaton, one day as
+she and Philippa are sitting together under the trees in the park, while
+Teddy is hunting for caterpillars, 'it is really too unutterably dull
+here, and it would do that boy good to have a change, what do you say to
+a fortnight or three weeks at Folkestone?'
+
+'It would be very nice, I should think,' replies Lippa, who is watching
+the ungainly not to say peculiar movements, of a stout elderly female
+who is taking equestrian exercise.
+
+'We could get rooms at an hotel,' goes on Mabel, 'you know some cousins
+of mine are there; and George said that I might do anything I liked,
+while he's up in Scotland; do you really think it would be nice?'
+
+'Yes, I do,' Lippa replies, feeling that one place is the same to her as
+another. The stout elderly female has bumped away, and she is staring
+straight in front of her, when suddenly the colour rushes to her face
+leaving it whiter than it was before.
+
+'Why, there's Jimmy Dalrymple,' says Mabel, 'and I do believe he's not
+going to see us. I really think he might, it would be quite refreshing
+to talk to somebody else besides you--'
+
+'Am I such a dull companion then?'
+
+Mabel laughs good-naturedly.
+
+There is not any doubt that Dalrymple will see them, for Master Seaton
+has observed him and rushing to the railings gesticulates violently, and
+the former attracted by some magnetic influence turns, hesitates for a
+moment and then crosses over.
+
+'So glad to see you. Lippa and I were so afraid you were going to cut
+us,' says the unsuspecting Mabel. 'What are you doing in London now?'
+
+'I have to be up at the barracks,' says he.
+
+'Come and sit here, do, and tell us some news,' says she motioning him
+to the chair at her side.
+
+Philippa has become deeply interested in one of her nephew's
+caterpillars, and beyond extending him a limp hand; pays no attention to
+Dalrymple, but her outward calm hides the tumult within, for her heart
+is throbbing violently.
+
+At any other time and under any other circumstances, Dalrymple would be
+very willing to spend any length of time with Mabel, for he is very
+fond of pretty little Mrs Seaton and carrying on a mild flirtation with
+her would be the reverse of unpleasant to him, but to be so near the
+object of his affection, no, he couldn't do it, so excusing himself he
+raises his hat and passes on.
+
+'He seems in a great hurry,' says Mabel turning to Lippa who is looking
+in exactly the opposite direction to the one Dalrymple has taken.
+
+Her 'Yes,' and something in her expression opens Mabel's eyes to the
+fact that something is up, however she says nothing just then for Teddy
+would be sure to hear, but she intends to find out everything.
+
+On the eve of their trip to Folkestone she begins to cross-examine her
+sister-in-law.
+
+'Philippa, dear,' she says as soon as the coffee-cups have been taken
+away after their dinner and they are left alone. 'I am going to ask you
+something, which you must not mind, come nearer.'
+
+Lippa who has been gazing out of the window into the gaslit street below
+turns slowly, and going up to Mrs Seaton sits down on a stool at her
+feet, she is looking very lovely in a pale blue tea-gown and the
+lamp-light falling on her golden hair.
+
+'Well, Mab,' she says, 'is it a lecture or good advice, I'm not to
+mind?'
+
+'Neither one nor the other,' is the reply, 'but I want to know if there
+is anything between you and--Mr Dalrymple. Well Lippa?' as there is no
+answer for a second--and then,
+
+'Nothing,' she replies.
+
+'Not at present perhaps,' suggested Mabel, 'but hasn't there been?'
+
+'Why do you want to know?' asks Miss Seaton.
+
+'Well, dear, you see it is awkward, as he comes here so often, and--'
+
+'Like all other women you're dying of curiosity to know; own the truth!'
+and after a pause Lippa adds, apparently deeply interested in the point
+of her shoe, 'If you must know, he did ask me to marry him, but I said I
+couldn't,' here the shoe is drawn out of sight as though it had not
+found favour in its owner's eyes. Mabel is astonished, tries to see
+Lippa's face and not succeeding says,
+
+'Do you mean that you do not like him?'
+
+Not like him, oh, to be accused of that, not like him, when poor little
+soul she is desperately in love with him. Oh, Mabel! Mabel! why can't
+you guess? a few words from you would put everything right, and make two
+people happy, but such is life!
+
+'He has not much to live on,' says Lippa evasively.
+
+'Now, child, you don't think you are going to take me in like that,' and
+Mrs Seaton becomes quite vehement. 'What do you care about money, or
+know about it either.'
+
+'I know there are girls who can fall in love,' is the answer. 'I knew
+one once who told me her idea of bliss was love in a cottage, but that
+wouldn't suit me at all. I shouldn't know how to get on without heaps of
+things that I could not have, if I married a poor man.' Lippa's fingers
+are doing great damage to the ribbons which are attached to her gown,
+and till they are reduced to a crumpled mess, she continues to take the
+beauty out of them, by folding and refolding them. Mabel is only half
+convinced and says no more to Philippa, but a long letter is written to
+dear George, begging him to come to them soon, and he enjoying himself
+vastly shooting and fishing does not come, and time passes on.
+
+Philippa tries to forget Jimmy, and wonders how he is getting on, she
+has yet to learn that,--
+
+    'Man's love is a thing apart,
+    'Tis woman's whole existence.'
+
+Love is forgotten and put on one side, for racing, shooting, hunting,
+etc., and it is well that it is so, for a love-lorn youth is a decided
+bore.
+
+But James Dalrymple of the Guards has been more deeply wounded than he
+owns to himself, his love for Miss Seaton is more than a passing fancy,
+that causing pain for a short time, will be laughed over in about a
+year. Love Lippa, he does hopelessly, madly, and so he will till the end
+of the chapter.
+
+Real true love is not a thing to be taken up and cast aside at will,
+like a broken toy; it may grow upon us or come suddenly, why we cannot
+tell, and although we hardly acknowledge to ourselves that Cupid, who
+has wrought so much harm as well as good in the world, has paid us a
+visit, yet we never feel quite the same again; maybe we are happier than
+we have ever been before, or else, and alas it happens to very many,
+that Eros' darts have only made a wound which might almost have been
+caused by a poisoned arrow; ah me! the healing takes a weary long time
+or maybe can never heal. Truly love is a dangerous thing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+'I say, Mab, there's such a delightful monkey outside, do lend me
+sixpence?'
+
+Mrs Seaton looks up from a telegram she is reading and says to Philippa,
+'Never mind the monkey, I've just had this from George and--'
+
+'Is he ill?' inquires Lippa.
+
+'No, but--'
+
+'Do give me the sixpence then, I will be back in a moment again.'
+
+Mabel produces the coin, and Philippa having delivered it hurries back.
+'He was so pleased,' she says, 'the dear little--' but her
+sister-in-law's face causes her to stop and inquire hastily, 'What has
+happened, do tell me?' her thoughts recurring at once to Jimmy
+Dalrymple.
+
+'Well, dear,' says Mabel, 'George has telegraphed to me the death of--'
+
+'Who?' asks Philippa, clutching at a chair near her.
+
+'No one you ever knew,' replies Mabel, guessing the question that she
+would ask.
+
+'Ah!' and Lippa breathes a sigh of relief, 'is it a friend of George's
+or Paul's?' 'wife' she is going to say but hesitates.
+
+'No,' replies Mabel, 'it is someone who has been in an asylum for many
+years,' she pauses wondering how to go on when Philippa spares her the
+trouble by saying,
+
+'My mother?'
+
+'How did you guess?' says Mabel, surprised.
+
+Lippa heeds her not. 'Somebody I never knew,' she murmurs to herself,
+'somebody I never knew, and yet my mother; how strange. Tell me about
+her,' she adds, 'when, did she go--_mad_?'
+
+'I thought you knew nothing about it,' says Mabel, 'your mother had a
+shock when you were two years old, which affected her brain, and of
+course at the time you were too young to understand and it was thought
+best not to tell you anything, even when you were older; but dearest,
+who told you of this, George and I were under the impression you knew
+nothing about it?'
+
+'I overheard you talking about my mother to Lady Dadford. I know it was
+wrong, Mab, but I could not help it, and I thought that perhaps it would
+be just as well not to let you know. Was it wrong?'
+
+Mrs Seaton finds it hard to reprove the owner of the face that is lifted
+to hers, with such a wistful look in the blue eyes. 'I think you ought
+to have told me,' she says gravely, 'it would have made no difference to
+anyone, but still it does not matter now; and we shall hear all
+particulars from George to-morrow; he says he is writing.'
+
+There is a pause. Lippa is gazing out of the window, but her thoughts
+are very busy. Presently she says, 'Madness generally descends from
+father to son, doesn't it?'
+
+Mabel, thinking she is alluding to George, says hastily, 'There is no
+necessity whatever--'
+
+'Ah!' and Lippa clasps her hands together and looks eagerly at Mabel,
+'then, then, ... there's no great likelihood of my going mad.'
+
+Mabel looks at her. Is this then what she has been worrying about.
+'There is no necessity whatever, the doctors said, insanity is not in
+your family at all; it was a shock your mother had when she was not very
+strong, so dear, please do not fancy foolish things like that.'
+
+Lippa smiles. Oh! the joy of feeling that there is no impediment between
+her and Jimmy; it need never have been then, this time of separation,
+and yet probably it has been very wholesome for them both. But how to
+convey to him that she is ready, aye, and more than willing, to link her
+fate with his; there is nothing for it but to wait and see.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And time goes on, as it always does. Autumn passes away, and winter
+comes with its frost, snow and fogs, while Lippa waits for the day when
+Jimmy will know all, but just now her time is fully occupied, for the
+housekeeping has fallen upon her shoulders, as Mabel is up to nothing
+but hugging a little bundle with a red face, which made its appearance
+one day.
+
+'Ain't you sorry she's a girl?' Teddy is saying as he is chaperoning his
+aunt to church on Christmas day, 'because, you know, she's sure not to
+like games.'
+
+'It will be some time before she can play games,' replies Lippa,
+laughing; 'but you will have to be very good to her. What do you want
+her to be called?'
+
+'Lots of names,' says Teddy. 'But look, Auntie; do look, there's Mr
+Dalrymple. Do you think he's going to our church?'
+
+'I don't know at all,' she replies, trying to look unconcerned. 'We
+shall be there in a moment, come along; it is rude to stare at people.'
+
+She hurries her nephew up the aisle and into their pew, for fear of
+coming face to face with Jimmy; she remains a few moments on her knees,
+and so does not interfere with Teddy, who having hurried through his
+own private devotions, turns round and watches the stream of people
+passing in through the door. He suddenly nods and beckons, and when
+Lippa rises she finds that Jimmy is sitting one off her, only Teddy
+between. It is the first time she has seen him since her mother's death,
+and she wonders if he will speak when they get out of church, and why he
+ever came into their pew. But when the service is over, Teddy having
+sung lustily in his shrill voice, nothing awkward takes place.
+
+'A merry Christmas,' he says.
+
+'The same to you,' replies Philippa.
+
+'Are you going to walk home?' he asks.
+
+'No, we are going back in a hansom.'
+
+Here Teddy interrupts with, 'Did you know I've got a sister, you'll come
+and see her, won't you?'
+
+'I shall be delighted,' replies Dalrymple, looking at Lippa, who has
+turned her head away. 'May I come?' he asks in a low voice.
+
+But Miss Seaton does not answer, as Lady Dadford suddenly appears, 'Ah!
+my _dear_ child,' she exclaims, 'how is the sweet mother and the baby?'
+
+So a long string of questions ensues, and Philippa answers them, feeling
+that Jimmy is watching her, and suddenly she meets his eye, and there is
+a look of entreaty in them that makes her smile back; such a dear little
+tender smile, that it causes Dalrymple to start, while a new life seems
+to course through his veins.
+
+Ah! what a great deal a pretty woman's smile may do, of good and often
+alas of harm.
+
+How many men have been lured on by a smile and only too late have awoke
+from its enchantment. Oh, women, women, some of you hardly take into
+consideration what a great part you take in the world's drama; with you
+it lies to make or mar the lives of the men, be they brothers, husbands,
+sons or merely friends; it is in your power to make them God-fearing,
+true gentlemen; and it is you too, who drag them down till they become
+mere lovers of pleasure, giving way to every vanity, forgetting
+_surely_ that they are human beings, with immortal souls!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is tea-time, and in Brook Street Lippa has just begun to pour out
+that delicious beverage for herself and her brother, when the door opens
+and Dalrymple walks in.
+
+'Hullo,' says George, 'what an age it is since you have been near the
+house--'
+
+'Yes,' replies Jimmy, rather lamely, taking Philippa's proffered hand.
+
+'How do you do, again,' says she, 'you will have some tea, won't you?'
+
+Jimmy says, 'Thanks,' and for a second or two there is an awkward pause,
+neither Lippa nor Dalrymple feeling quite at their ease, and George
+never speaks except it is necessary; but Teddy suddenly appears, and
+suggests that the baby ought to be visited, and after a long argument as
+to who it is like, remembers that he came with a message to the effect
+that his mother wanted to speak to his father.
+
+'Why didn't you tell me before?' says George.
+
+'I'd forgotten it,' replies his son placidly; nothing ever disturbs
+Teddy's peace of mind.
+
+'You'll wait till I come back,' says Mr Seaton turning to Dalrymple, and
+the door shuts.
+
+A little time is passed in uninteresting conversation on the weather and
+things in general, till every subject they can think of has been
+exhausted, when Lippa finds that Dalrymple is looking at her, she
+fiddles with her teaspoon in her cup and then raises her eyes to his,
+and finding them still fixed on her, returns to the teaspoon symphony,
+but he rises and leans against the mantelpiece.
+
+'Philippa,' he says in a low tone, 'I have tried so hard to think badly
+of you, but to-day you looked so kindly at me, you did not do it for
+nothing, did you, Lippa tell me, will you bid me go away a second time?
+I am not rich, but I might sell out and get some more remunerative
+employment, and if you only knew how I love you--'
+
+Miss Seaton has risen, her head bent down and slightly averted from her
+lover's ardent gaze. 'I--er--I,' she begins then pauses, and not
+knowing what to say she looks up, makes a step forward and is in Jimmy's
+arms.
+
+'Oh,' she says, 'I thought it would all come right at last.'
+
+'Dearest,' says he, 'tell me why were you so cruel before; you can't
+think what I've suffered?'
+
+'So have I,' is the reply.
+
+'But what made you do like that?'
+
+'It's a long story, so don't you think we might as well sit--'
+
+'Sweetheart,' is all he says pressing his lips to her brow.
+
+And then Philippa explains all, for quite half-an-hour they remain
+alone, and then George, thinking they have been long enough together
+(he having come in and retired again unobserved in a very inauspicious
+moment) opens the door, at the same time giving vent to a very loud and
+prolonged cough.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+'My dear, I can't tell you how glad I am,' and Lady Dadford bustles
+across the room to the sofa where Mabel is reposing, 'Where is the sweet
+girl?'
+
+'Philippa? she is out now,' replies Mrs Seaton, 'but I expect she will
+be in soon.'
+
+'Well, if I may, I should like to stay and see her,' says the old lady,
+'but you are sure I shall not be tiring you; directly you feel you have
+had enough of me, say so, won't you?'
+
+Mabel laughs and replies, 'I shall like you to stay very much, you have
+not seen baby yet; we cannot settle on a name. I should like it to be
+called Lilian, but both George and Lippa say it would be unlucky; he,
+you know, always hopes we may find her again.'
+
+'And yourself, dear?' asks Lady Dadford.
+
+'I think I have almost given up hope now. You know the body of a little
+child was found in a river, not far from L---- (where we were living
+then) and it answered so much to the description of Lilian; she was such
+a dear little thing. It is worse than if she had died at home and ...'
+
+'Yes, yes, I understand,' says Lady Dadford, 'but I would not give up
+hope quite. I agree with the old proverb, "Hope on, hope ever," you
+know. But tell me about Philippa? very happy, I suppose.'
+
+'Perfectly happy,' replies Mabel. 'I can't imagine her as a wife, she's
+such a child, but Jimmy is sure to take great care of her, and she has
+come into some money by her mother's death.'
+
+'Ah yes! it must have been a very happy release, a very happy release,'
+and Lady Dadford shakes her head gravely. 'Did the dear child ever know
+anything about it?'
+
+'Yes, she overheard you talking to me that day in the summer, when we
+went for a picnic, and she foolishly never said a word about it, but
+made up her mind that she could not marry anyone, because she might go
+out of her mind, so she refused Jimmy at first, and all this time she
+has been making both him and herself miserable.'
+
+'Miserable, who is miserable?' asks Lippa, coming in followed by
+Dalrymple.
+
+'No one, I hope,' says he, 'ah, Lady Dadford,' he continues on catching
+sight of her, 'how do you do?'
+
+'Better, thank you,' she replies, she always makes a point of answering
+that foolish question, and invariably does so by saying 'Better'--she
+has been better for so long that she must have reached a most perfect
+state of health by now. 'Really much better; I came here to congratulate
+you: Lippa, my dear, you cannot think how pleased I am,' this
+accompanied by a kiss.
+
+Lippa cannot think of anything to say and therefore remains silent.
+
+'Anne would have come with me,' rattles on the old lady, 'she sent you
+all sorts of messages, but she had to go to a cooking class, and she
+felt sure you would understand that it was a case of duty before
+pleasure.'
+
+'I shouldn't have thought it was a _duty_ for a Marquis' daughter to
+learn cooking,' thinks Jimmy and something in the merriment depicted in
+his eyes causes Philippa to cast a reproachful glance at him, and then
+to enter heart and soul into the question of the use of cooking classes;
+it is some time before the old lady rises to depart, and then, of
+course, Mabel thinks it necessary that the baby should be visited so
+they mount to the nursery.
+
+'Well, and what was the cause of the withering glance you directed at me
+about ten minutes ago?' asks Dalrymple, when they are left alone, Lippa
+and he.
+
+'You know quite well,' she replies, removing her boa and settling
+herself comfortably before the fire, her feet resting on the fender.
+
+'I declare I do not,' says Dalrymple, regardless of speaking the truth,
+for he loves to see Lippa indignant.
+
+'More shame for you then, but you know quite well, you were laughing at
+Lady Dadford, and what's worse you tried to make me, I hope you are not
+in the habit of laughing at people, are you? Because if you are I shall
+certainly not'--
+
+'What?'
+
+'Marry you.'
+
+'Will you throw me over a second time; you will soon become expert at
+it?'
+
+'Jimmy,' cries she, 'how can you talk like that.'
+
+'You suggested it first,' says he.
+
+'I said so conditionally.'
+
+'Yes, and that was that I must not smile at anybody, and suppose I
+cannot help it, it being my nature to do so?'
+
+Miss Seaton looks up at him and says, 'I sha'n't marry you, that's all'
+
+'All,' repeats he, 'it's a good deal, I don't know what you could call
+more.'
+
+Lippa smiles. 'Oh you silly boy,' she says, 'you look as grave as a
+judge. Mabel, if she happened to come in, would think we had been
+quarrelling already.'
+
+'Then you intend doing so later on?' queries he.
+
+'Certainly; we should be very dull if we didn't, besides there will be
+always the making up.'
+
+'Oh what a child you are,' says he laughing, 'but do you really love
+me?'
+
+'Of course,' replies she gaily, and then seeing how earnest he is she
+goes up to him and slipping her arms round his neck she says, 'there is
+one thing you have not done.'
+
+'What is it?' asks he.
+
+'You've never settled where we are to live.'
+
+'And more important still, you will not settle when we are to be
+married.'
+
+'Not just yet; you see I shall have to get some clothes, and they
+couldn't be ready before Lent, and it would be unlucky to be married
+then.'
+
+'That will put it off for at least three months,' objects he.
+
+'Yes--don't you think the end of June would do nicely?'
+
+'It will have to I suppose, but it is a long time off.'
+
+'Never mind, it will soon be gone,' says Miss Seaton sweetly.
+
+'June be it then,' replies Jimmy. 'The leafy month of June.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+    'Thee will I love and reverence, evermore.'
+
+       --AUBREY DE VERE.
+
+
+'There, Mab, I really can't write any more,' and throwing down her pen,
+regardless that it is full of ink, and that it alights on a photograph
+of Teddy, thereby giving him a black eye, Miss Seaton rises from the
+writing-table and flings herself into an armchair.
+
+'Well, dear,' says Mabel, 'I said I would do them for you, after you are
+gone to-morrow, look at these little china figures, I don't believe
+you've glanced at them, they came from old Mrs Boothly and I fancy they
+are real Sévres--?'
+
+'At it still,' interrupts George, poking his head in at the door, 'what
+it is to be on the eve of a wedding; I suppose you'll want a detective,
+and, oh, by the bye where are we going to dine?'
+
+'In your room, I thought,' replies his wife, 'you see you can go to the
+club, and we shall not want much.'
+
+'Fasting before a festival, I suppose,' says he; 'or perhaps you are
+afraid you will not be able to get into that new gown of yours.'
+
+'How do you know anything about my new gown,' asks Mabel.
+
+George laughs, 'I happened to see it put out for inspection in your
+room.'
+
+'My room, what were you doing there?' begins Mabel, but he has
+departed.
+
+'What can he have been doing?' she says.
+
+'Go and see,' suggests Lippa, and Mabel filled with curiosity, hastens
+upstairs, but returns again in a minute.
+
+'Look, what the dear thing has given me,' she cries, holding up a little
+blue velvet case, 'I must go and thank him,' and down she goes to the
+smoking-room, 'George, you dear old boy,' she says, hugging him round
+the neck, 'isn't it lovely,' she goes on, turning to Philippa who has
+followed her.
+
+'It is indeed,' says she, carefully examining the moonstone set in
+diamonds. 'Did you choose it yourself, George?'
+
+'Didn't give me credit for so much taste, eh?'
+
+'No, I don't think I did,' replies Lippa, quietly slipping out of the
+room.
+
+She wants to be alone, to think a little, it all seems so strange and
+lovely; this time to-morrow she will be Mrs Dalrymple--Mrs Dalrymple!
+how funny it sounds--and Jimmy will be all her own, and they will go
+away together;--and she sinks into a dream of delight, seeing the future
+only as a golden mist through which she and her husband will pass side
+by side. And she suddenly falls upon her knees, and buries her golden
+head in her hands, and breathes forth an earnest prayer of heartfelt
+gratitude to the great God who orders all things.
+
+    'The Divinity that shapes our ends,
+    Rough hew them as we will.'
+
+The next morning, her wedding day, dawns at length; the first thing she
+hears are some sparrows chirping outside, and anxious to see if it is
+fine, she goes to the window and draws up the blind, letting in a whole
+flood of crimson light.
+
+It is one of those lovely days in London when there is just a little
+breath of wind stirring among the trees that prevents it from being
+sultry, and everyone seems to expand to the warmth and look happy. It is
+still quite early, two or three costermongers' carts are being wheeled
+along by their owners, fresh from Covent Garden; a lark belonging to the
+house opposite is singing merrily despite its small cage, and Lippa
+smiles as she recalls the old saying, 'Blessed is the bride whom the
+sun shines on.'
+
+As sleep seems impossible and rather loud voices are heard from
+overhead, she throws a loose wrapper round her and goes up to the
+nurseries. Teddy is in his bath and no power on earth can persuade him
+to get out, in vain Marie gesticulates and calls him '_Un bien méchant
+gamin_,' Teddy knows he has the best of it, as whenever she comes near
+he throws water at her.
+
+'Oh, Teddy! Teddy!' exclaims Philippa, opening the door, 'do be a good
+boy, or else you know, you could not be my page.'
+
+Teddy, surprised at his aunt's sudden appearance, ceases to splash about
+and regards her gravely.
+
+'I shall be your page if I'm good then,' he says.
+
+'Certainly,' replies Philippa, 'get out of the bath now and after your
+breakfast you shall come to my room.'
+
+Teddy looks longingly at the water and then at her, finally with a deep
+sigh he gets out of the bath and submits to being rubbed dry by Marie.
+
+The morning wears on and five minutes after the appointed time Lippa
+calm and very lovely in her bridal attire, walks up the aisle of St
+P---- leaning on her brother's arm, and there before the altar takes
+James Dalrymple to be her husband, for better, for worse, till death
+them do part.
+
+Into further details there is no need to go; weddings are all alike, you
+will say, except, of course, when you happen to be one of the chief
+parties concerned. There was of course, the orthodox best man,
+bridesmaids, and spectators, the lengthy signing of the register and
+last but not least Mendelssohn's wedding march. I wonder how the world
+could have got on without it!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'Well, I'm glad that's over, ain't you?' says Mrs Dalrymple, who is
+comfortably seated in a railway carriage, her husband opposite.
+
+'Very,' replies Jimmy, looking unutterable things at her. 'I say though,
+how late you were. I thought you were never coming, and Helmdon had the
+fidgets.'
+
+'It was exactly five minutes late,' says she, 'for George looked at his
+watch just before the carriage stopped, but do look at that woman, isn't
+she lovely?'
+
+The train is stopping at one of the suburban stations, and the lady who
+has caught Lippa's attention is hurrying down the platform, trying to
+find a seat, holding a small child by the hand.
+
+Jimmy pokes his head out of the window. 'By Jove,' he says, 'she is
+handsome. She's getting into a third class, doesn't look like it, does
+she?'
+
+'No,' says Lippa, and then they forget all about her, till on reaching
+their destination, they see her again.
+
+'Hullo,' says Dalrymple, 'there's that woman again, I wonder who she
+is?' As they pass out of the station, she drops her umbrella, and Jimmy
+picking it up, restores it to her.
+
+'Thank you,' she says, raising for a moment a pair of wonderful dark
+eyes to his face.
+
+Lippa looks at her curiously, wondering what her life story is, and then
+they part, going in opposite directions.
+
+Jimmy has a small house of his own, not far from C---- and only
+half-a-mile from the sea coast and quite close to 'The Garden of Sleep,'
+and here it is that he brings Lippa to pass the first days of their
+married life, days of almost perfect happiness. But, in course of time,
+as they are going to live together for the rest of their lives they come
+to the wise conclusion that an overdose of solitude to begin with,
+would be tedious, to say the least of it.
+
+'It wasn't as if we were going to stop here long,' says Lippa one day.
+'When we go back to London we must set to work to be very economical,
+and that will give me heaps to do; I can't bear being idle, can you?'
+
+'I am afraid, dear, that I rather like it,' replies Jimmy, 'but you're
+not going to worry yourself over making both ends meet, are you? I dare
+say it will be rather difficult, but if we let this place, it will help
+us a little, and you said you wouldn't mind.'
+
+'Mind,' and Lippa rises and goes up to him, kneeling down at his side,
+'I shan't mind anything now, Jimmy,' she says.
+
+'What does the "now" imply,' asks he, 'that you did once mind, eh?'
+
+'Yes, I did, when you used to look so gravely at me, when we met in the
+street, I think my heart was nearly breaking, you know you tried to
+think I was a flirt, and--'
+
+'Never mind now, sweetheart, it was blind of me not to see through it
+all, and if you only could have guessed how I was longing to take you in
+my arms, to ask you why you sent me away, you would not have looked so
+cold, and--'
+
+It is her turn to interrupt this time, which she does by kissing him.
+'Do you know,' she says, 'you nearly made me forget what I was going to
+say--'
+
+'Is it of great importance?' asks he.
+
+'Yes, it is. Don't you think it would be nice to ask Mabel and the
+children down here, and we might all go back to London together. I know
+Teddy would like the sands here; and there is plenty of room; shall we?'
+
+Jimmy says yes, although he would have preferred to remain alone for a
+little longer.
+
+There is something so nice in knowing that the lovely little person who
+is always with him, is his very own to take care of and protect against
+everything, for all the years that lie before them. And he fears to be
+disturbed, in case it may all prove a dream, and burst like a bubble
+with the slightest contact of the outer world. But a week later Mabel
+arrives accompanied by Teddy and the baby; George and Paul, whom Lippa
+has also begged to come, turn up, and the lovely days that follow, when
+the sun creeps into their rooms in the early morning enticing them out,
+where the hedges are covered with sweet smelling honey-suckle and the
+fields are carpeted with brilliant red poppies, and a walk will take
+them to the 'Garden of Sleep,' where among the tombstones and long grass
+they can watch the sea sparkling in a golden haze, and listen to the
+waves as they break on the yellow sands; where the birds are ever
+trilling forth their songs without words; those days for ever are stored
+in the minds of some of them as the loveliest summer man could wish
+for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+    'Love pardons the unpardonable past.'--CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.
+
+
+It is six o'clock. The tea things have been taken away, and the
+occupants of the little drawing-room are all apparently lazily enjoying
+themselves.
+
+Mabel has the baby on her knee, her husband is dozing in an armchair,
+Jimmy is sitting half-in half-out of the window, Paul is reading, and
+Philippa is lying on the sofa.
+
+'Lippa,' says Dalrymple, 'sing us something.'
+
+'What would you like?' she answers, rising slowly.
+
+'Anything,' he replies.
+
+She runs her fingers over the keys and then sings 'The Garden of Sleep.'
+
+Paul closes his book as she begins, looking at her earnestly.
+
+Why does she sing that song, so close as they are to the real spot; and
+why does it say 'the graves of dear women,' the only one he knows buried
+there is a little child. He rises abruptly as the song is finished, and
+passes through the French window into the garden. Philippa has begun
+something else. He pauses and listens.
+
+    'Why live when life is sad?
+    Death only sweet.'
+
+Ah! thinks he, that is exactly it. What good is life to me!
+
+The evening sun floods with a golden haze the road before him; he walks
+on, the distant sound of the waves coming up from the sands, and almost
+unconsciously he sings in a low voice,
+
+    'Did they love as I love
+    When they lived by the sea?
+    Did they wait as I wait
+    For the days that may be?'
+
+And then, with a start he finds himself in 'The Garden of Sleep,' and
+just on the edge of the cliff, reaching over to pick some poppies is a
+child, a little girl with golden hair.
+
+In an instant he is at her side, and without saying a word for fear of
+starting her, he catches her in his arms.
+
+'Mummy, mummy, don't,' she cries, and then seeing that it is a stranger
+her anger is roused still more. 'Put me down, how dare lou touch me, me
+wants the flowers.'
+
+'Now look here,' replies Paul. 'Do you know, you might have fallen over.
+It is very dangerous to go so near the edge. If I get you the flowers,
+promise me you will go away,'--no answer--so he puts her down, he picks
+the flowers, and gravely hands them to her.
+
+'Sank lou,' she says, taking them in her little fat hand, 'sank lou, but
+I could have gottened them meself.'
+
+Paul smiles, wondering who she reminds him of.
+
+'What's lour name?' she asks suddenly.
+
+'Paul,' he replies, promptly, 'what is yours, and who are you with?'
+
+'I doesn't know what's my name is,' she answers, gravely, 'Mummy always
+calls me Baby, I'm wif Mummy. Does lou know Mummy?'
+
+'I do not think I have that pleasure,' says he, 'but I should like to
+speak to her,' thinking to reprove her for her carelessness in letting
+the child wander about so far away.
+
+'Vis way,' says the little girl catching hold of his hand, and turning
+down a path among the tombstones, 'Mummy always comes to a little tiny
+grave.'
+
+Paul goes with her, wondering why he does so. When, why is it? that she
+is taking him to the grave of his.... And, good heavens! the person the
+child calls 'Mummy' is kneeling beside it, her head bent, apparently not
+hearing their approach.
+
+'Oh, Mummy look,' cries the child, 'look what bootiful flowers me's
+gottened, him wouldn't let me get them meself. Look at him, Mummy,' she
+urges as the woman still kneels with lowered head, 'him's name is Paul.'
+
+She raises her head at the name, and he starts back on seeing her face
+and looks at her for a moment with astonishment.
+
+'Clotilde,' at length he says, and his voice is low, 'you here.'
+
+Her head is once more bowed--
+
+'You here,' he repeats, 'here at the grave of your child and'--with a
+slight pause 'mine. It is four years since I saw you last, and now to
+meet you like this.'
+
+No sound comes from the kneeling figure. 'Where is ... he?' Paul asks in
+a hoarse unnatural voice.
+
+'Dead,' she whispers.
+
+'Ah!' and he breathes a sigh of relief, 'so you always come here,' he
+says, repeating the little girl's words, and then remembering her. 'Good
+God!' he cries, 'that child! speak, Clotilde, tell me,' he bends forward
+and touches her almost roughly, 'for Heaven's sake, speak, and say she
+is not your child, but no! I would rather not hear it,' and overcome by
+a strong emotion, he turns towards the sea, while a tumult of passionate
+strife rends his very soul.
+
+Why had he saved the child. One minute more where she had been would be
+certain death, if he had only known who she was he would never have
+rescued her, and yet--and yet--what harm has the _child_ done, that he
+should wish for her death like this.
+
+Poor little innocent child, but who does she remind him of--not
+Clotilde, not that other, no it is Philippa she is like, what could it
+all mean.
+
+A little tug at his leg interrupts his train of thought, and he becomes
+aware that the child is standing at his side, his first impulse is to
+push her away roughly, but the little thing is looking up at him so
+gravely. 'Mummy says,' she begins, 'that she doesn't know who I is,
+I'se Baby, and got losted years ago, but Mummy loves me.'
+
+Paul returns quickly, 'Is this true?' he asks.
+
+'Yes,' she replies slowly, 'quite true, I found her, and was never able
+to trace her parents; it is nearly three years ago now.'
+
+'Three years, have you kept her,' he says, 'you! a woman with a past
+like yours, how--'
+
+'Spare me! spare me!' she cries, 'have I not suffered enough, am I not
+suffering enough now, do not taunt me, I know well I deserve it; but I
+have always thought of you, as I saw you last, and your sad reproachful
+face has often stayed me from.... Last year, I thought I would go and
+seek you, I got as far as Brook Street, and there I saw you talking to a
+girl in a carriage, your back was turned to me, but I heard her say,
+"Poor woman, how ill she looks!" and I dared not speak to you; death was
+what I longed for, and I went to the river, but that girl's voice
+haunted me. "Poor woman," aye indeed! I _was_ to be pitied; I had done
+wrong, but I would try to atone--but why am I telling you all this, you
+who ought to hate and despise me, I who have ruined your life. Oh! my
+God! my God! have mercy--' And with a paroxysm of grief, she lays her
+head on the little green mound.
+
+A strange sight the old vicar sees as he passes through the long grass
+on his way to the church; a tall man in flannels gazing down on the
+figure of a woman, kneeling before him, divided only by a small grave,
+and a little golden-haired child looking at them wonderingly; he has
+spoken to the child before and now she leaves the other two and follows
+him into the sacred edifice.
+
+The bell begins to toll for even-song, but neither Paul nor Clotilde
+move, so close they are together, only the past lies between them. A
+small cross marks the grave of their child, whereon his name, and age
+(but a few months) is inscribed.
+
+Paul reads the inscription though he knows it only too well, and then he
+once more rests his gaze on the woman before him; the woman he once
+loved! nay, does still love, for a great desire to comfort her comes
+over him.
+
+'Clotilde,' he says at length, 'let us forget the past. Come.'
+
+He takes her by the hand and he leads her gently to the church, up the
+aisle they go, and side by side they kneel; and the old clergyman is not
+surprised to see them, and the little golden-haired child watches them
+from another pew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+    'I were but little happy, if I could say how much.'
+
+    SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+Twenty-four hours have come and gone and have left everyone a day older,
+they are all in the garden, except Paul; a little golden haired girl is
+playing with Teddy, and Mabel watches them from a distance with a
+beaming smile. For a great happiness has come to her, the empty place in
+her heart has been refilled, for a strange and wonderful thing has
+happened; for only the evening before, her brother knocked at her
+bedroom door, as she was dressing for dinner, and on her saying, come
+in, he opened it, and said, 'Mabel, here is somebody I should like you
+to see.'
+
+Somebody! yes indeed; and a small somebody too, somebody so like
+Philippa, somebody! who had a little gold locket with a turquoise in the
+centre. Ah! it seems too good to be true!
+
+'Lilian!' Mabel calls, and then as the child does not take any notice,
+'Baby--' The child turns and looks shyly at her mother; and emboldened
+by a sweet smile she runs and hides her head in her mother's gown, while
+the little hands are covered with kisses.
+
+'You won't be afraid of me, will you?' asks Mabel, 'and you will love me
+very soon, I hope.'
+
+'Ses,' is the answer, 'but I must love Mummy still.'
+
+'Yes, dear, of course,' is the answer, 'Mummy, as you call her, is
+coming to see me this afternoon.'
+
+Teddy has been watching from the distance, his nose has been altogether
+put out of joint, and it is rather a melancholy freckled face that
+Philippa catches sight of.
+
+'Why, Teddy,' she says, 'come here and tell me what you were doing all
+the morning, and oh, Jimmy,' she says, turning to her husband, 'do be an
+angel and take baby back to the nursery, Mabel is so engrossed with
+Lilian.'
+
+'Come along then, old woman,' and Jimmy lifts up his niece, 'but I say,
+Lippa, don't you think it would be just as well to be out of the way
+when Paul comes.'
+
+'Perhaps it would,' answers she, 'and you had better take Teddy with you
+as well.'
+
+Jimmy has just turned the corner of the house, when he runs straight
+into Paul and the lady he saw in the train.
+
+There is no time to retreat, so he says, 'How do you do?' and the baby
+puts further conversation out of the question, by beginning to howl,
+Jimmy in the bottom of his heart feels thankful for it, though aloud he
+says, 'I must depart with this tiresome person, come along Teddy.'
+
+The baby deposited in the nursery, he keeps out of the way till
+tea-time, when he finds them all seated round a table still in the
+garden.
+
+Clotilde had at first refused to see anyone, but Paul persuaded her at
+length, 'Sooner or later, you must,' he had said, 'you know Mabel, and
+Lippa is a dear little girl.'
+
+'But--' and Clotilde had looked up at her husband with those large dark
+eyes of hers 'they will--'
+
+'The past will be forgotten,' was his reply, spoken sadly and quietly.
+And now she seems to be more at her ease.
+
+'Have some tea, Jimmy,' says Philippa as he approaches.
+
+'No thanks, it is too hot,' he replies.
+
+'Come and sit then,' suggests Mabel pushing forward an empty chair, into
+which he sinks.
+
+'Well, lazy boy, what have you been doing,' this from Lippa who is
+eating strawberries with apparent relish.
+
+'Nothing,' is the yawned reply.
+
+'Not even thinking of me,' and Lippa looks coquettishly at him from
+under her large shady hat.
+
+'No, indeed, why should I, but you may as well spare me one strawberry.'
+
+'Certainly not,' says she, 'this is my last one' (gradually raising it
+to her lips), 'not unless you say, you thought of me, all the time.'
+
+'Oh, well, if you must! I thought of no one but you, I saw you in every
+one I met, even the gardener.'
+
+'That's rude,' she says, 'but you may as well have this,' extending to
+him the coveted strawberry, with an adorable smile.
+
+'What a silly child you are,' is all the thanks she gets.
+
+But some one has driven up, in a very old fly, to the front door and Mrs
+Dalrymple is watching to see who it is.
+
+'Chubby,' she exclaims as a man gets out clothed in an extraordinary
+check suit. 'No one else could have clothes like that.' There is no
+doubt about its being Lord Helmdon, he has caught sight of them and is
+coming towards them, looking decidedly hot and dusty.
+
+'Do look at him,' says Paul, though there is absolutely no need, as they
+are all gazing at him.
+
+'Hullo,' says Jimmy, 'who would have thought of seeing you here!'
+
+'Eh! what,' is the inevitable answer.
+
+'Dear Mrs Dalrymple,' he goes on, shaking her vigourously by the hand,
+'I am stopping not far from here,--I thought you would not mind my
+coming over to see you, what!'
+
+'She didn't say a word,' says Jimmy still reclining in the armchair,
+'you didn't give her time.'
+
+Mabel shakes with suppressed laughter, and Lippa's mouth is contorted
+into the most extraordinary shape, but she says calmly, 'I'm so glad to
+see you, won't you stop the night now you are here?'
+
+'I'm afraid I can't, ah, how do you do?' he says to Mabel, 'well, Paul,
+pretty fit, eh?'
+
+'Decidedly so,' replies he.
+
+Clotilde has been sitting quite silent longing to get away, but Paul
+will not look at her, and, oh! what shall she do, Philippa is
+introducing her to the newcomer.
+
+'Chubby allow me to introduce you to Paul's wife.'
+
+'What!' he exclaims.
+
+Jimmy who is in fear and trembling as to what he may say, kicks him
+violently on the shins under cover of the tablecloth, which sends him
+sprawling on his knees before Clotilde.
+
+'I--er, I beg your pardon,' he says, 'but really, Jimmy, I wish you
+would keep your legs to yourself.'
+
+'Me,' says Dalrymple, regardless of grammar and looking quite
+unconscious, 'never was further from doing anything else, in my life.'
+
+'May you be forgiven,' whispers Lippa, who has observed it all--but
+aloud she says, 'Won't you have some tea.'
+
+'No thanks, really not,' replies Helmdon, 'but if I may stay, we may as
+well tell the fly to go away.'
+
+'Do,' says Dalrymple rising, 'have you got anything with you,' and
+together they go back to the house, where Jimmy explains all, including
+Clotilde, and the kick.
+
+'Thanks, awfully, old man,' says Helmdon, 'I couldn't make it out a bit,
+what!'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The evening is lovely, and two and two they gradually leave the
+drawing-room, to Chubby, who, his body in one chair, and his legs in
+another, is wrapt in peaceful slumbers. Mabel and her husband walk
+slowly up and down, before the house discussing their children and
+friends.
+
+Quite unconsciously Paul and Clotilde take their way to the little
+church, and pause not till they come to their baby's grave. The moon
+shines down on them, as side by side they stand on the edge of the
+cliff, the dark ocean stretching out before them, a type of the unknown
+future that will be theirs.
+
+Paul becomes aware that she is crying, and says, turning her face up to
+his. 'My darling, dry your eyes, we have all done wrong, but it is no
+use dwelling on the past, a future lies before us, in which by God's
+help, we will try to atone for the past, "Heaven means crowned not
+vanquished when it says forgiven."' For all answer Clotilde goes close
+to him, and lays her sad weary head against his shoulder.
+
+'Paul,' she murmurs, 'how good you are,' and then there is a silence
+more eloquent than words.
+
+In the meantime Jimmy and Philippa hand in hand have reached a
+cornfield.
+
+'Let us stop here,' she says seating herself on a stile.
+
+'Very well,' he replies, following her example, 'only we must not stay
+out too late you know.'
+
+'No, we won't,' says Lippa, 'but Jimmy, dear, don't you feel awfully
+happy, because I do.'
+
+'Sitting on this stile,' queries he.
+
+'No, of course not, don't be stupid, but,' and she puts her arm round
+his neck, 'everybody is all right, are they not? Mabel has her child
+back, Paul has Clotilde, and oh, Jimmy darling, I've got you.'
+
+There is a little sob as she says this.
+
+'Crying,' says he, placing his arm round her, 'if you cry when you're
+happy, what will you do, when there is really something to cry for, oh
+you silly child,' but the look in his eyes belies his words, and Lippa
+raising hers sees something in them, which makes her draw still closer,
+till their lips meet.
+
+'Dearest,' he whispers.
+
+And then a silence also falls on them, while the calm moon, unmoved at
+what she sees, still shines on the same, and the distant ripple of the
+waves breaking on the shore is all that is heard.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton
+
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Lippa
+
+Author: Beatrice Egerton
+
+Release Date: February 5, 2006 [EBook #17681]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIPPA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Susan Skinner
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 273px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="273" height="400" alt="Front Cover" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<h1>LIPPA</h1>
+
+<p class="center">A NOVEL</p>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>BEATRICE EGERTON</h2>
+
+<p class="center">London</p>
+
+<p class="center">EDEN, REMINGTON &amp; CO., PUBLISHERS
+KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN</p>
+
+<p class="center">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
+</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p>[Transcriber's Note: Chapter numbering is as in the original text,
+so there are two Chapter XIs.]</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'I hold the world but as the world<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A stage where every man must play a part.'<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i3">&mdash;<span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>It is four o'clock, and &mdash;&mdash; Street is wearing a very deserted
+appearance although it is July. The cab-drivers are more or less fast
+asleep in attitudes far from suggesting comfort, the sentries on guard
+at &mdash;&mdash; Palace look almost suffocated in their bearskins, and a
+comparative quiet is reigning over the great metropolis.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you know, Helmdon,' says Jimmy Dalrymple. 'I'm nearly done;' these
+two are seated in the bow window of a well-known club.</p>
+
+<p>'You don't mean it, what!' replies Helmdon, better known as Chubby.</p>
+
+<p>'I do, all the same,' says Jimmy, testily, 'heat, money, everything, in
+fact!'</p>
+
+<p>'That comes of racing, my good boy,' this from Chubby, in a sort of
+I-told-you-so tone.</p>
+
+<p>'For Heaven's sake don't begin lecturing,' says Dalrymple, 'it doesn't
+suit you, and how in the name of fortune could the heat come from my
+racing. Chubby, you're an ass!' and really, J. Dalrymple of the Guards
+is not far wrong, for the said Chubby, otherwise Lord Helmdon does look
+rather foolish half leaning half sitting on the back of a chair, his
+hat well at the back of his head (why it remains there is a mystery),
+his reddish hair very dishevelled, his face on a broad grin while he
+watches with deep interest two dogs fighting in the street below.</p>
+
+<p>Dalrymple receiving no answer to his complimentary speech, gives vent to
+a yawn, and sends for a brandy and soda.</p>
+
+<p>'Eh what!' says Chubby, suddenly, and <i>à propos</i> of nothing; by this
+time the dogs have been separated. 'Didn't you speak just now?'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, yes,' replies Dalrymple, 'I merely observed that you were an
+ass.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thanks, awfully, but why did it strike you just now?' asks Lord
+Helmdon, sweetly.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't know, I'm sure&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah! I thought so, but look here, why are you so down in the mouth,
+there's something up I'm sure,' and Chubby scrutinises his friend
+gravely.</p>
+
+<p>'Nothing's up,' says Jimmy, 'but I've got into a confounded business
+with Harkness over that mare of his, that ought to have run in the Oaks,
+I've laid more than I've got, against her winning the Ledger, and I
+don't know what on earth to do&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Do nothing,' says Helmdon, 'it'll all shake down somehow, and the
+Ledger's weeks off&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy grunts an assent, and then rising says, 'I'm off to tea at Brook
+Street and the Park afterwards.'</p>
+
+<p>'You'll probably find me there,' replies Helmdon, settling himself
+comfortably for a nap. While Dalrymple walks out of the Club and turns
+in the direction of Brook Street. He has not gone far when he is
+overtaken by a man who greets him with: 'Where are you going to, my
+pretty maid?'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm on my way to the Park,' replies Dalrymple, smiling, 'only I thought
+of stopping at your sister's on the way. Where are you bound for?'</p>
+
+<p>'There too,' answers his companion, who, save for his drooping fair
+moustache would better deserve to be called a 'pretty maid.' 'Mabel has
+a small party on, and I promised to drop in, we may as well go
+together.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul Ponsonby is decidedly handsome; tall, fair, of almost a feminine
+complexion, and with blue eyes of a very sad expression. He is a great
+favourite with the female sex and many a mother longs to have him for a
+son-in-law, remembering that he has plenty of money, and only three
+people between him and an earldom; but he has no intention of marrying,
+there being 'a just cause and impediment' why he should not.</p>
+
+<p>But by this time our friends have reached their destination, and ascend
+the staircase to the strains of distant music.</p>
+
+<p>'Mabel,' otherwise Mrs Seaton, is standing on the landing and greets
+them both eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'So glad you've come,' says she, 'but I didn't expect <i>you</i>, Mr
+Dalrymple, and now you're here you must make yourself useful, your
+mission in life at the present moment, Paul,' she adds, turning to her
+brother, 'is to go and amuse Philippa, poor child, I'm afraid she feels
+rather out of it, but I haven't time to attend to her now. She's near
+the window, the old Professor was talking to her a few minutes ago&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' says Paul, moving towards the well filled drawing-room; the
+music has ceased and everyone is talking at once. He pauses for a second
+in the doorway and glances round the room, bowing to two or three
+people, then making his way to the window holds out his hand to a girl
+who is looking decidedly <i>ennuyée</i>.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you do, Mr Ponsonby,' she says in a clear sweet voice, 'I'm so
+glad you've come, don't you know the feeling of loneliness that comes
+over one in a crowd of unknown people, and I've been here all the
+afternoon feeling dreadfully cross, and have wished myself back again in
+Switzerland about twenty times. It's rather a bad beginning,' she adds,
+with a little laugh&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Feeling cross, do you mean?' asks he, 'I often think it does one a
+great deal of good to be cross. I wish Mrs Grundy didn't come between us
+and the carpet, it would be so delightful to sprawl full length on it
+and roar; I remember I used to derive a great deal of comfort in it in
+the days of my youth.'</p>
+
+<p>'I suppose that was a long time ago,' says she, mischievously&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, of course, almost centuries&mdash;but where's Teddy?'</p>
+
+<p>'Gone out for a walk,' replied Philippa, 'isn't he a dear little boy?'</p>
+
+<p>Paul Ponsonby laughs and says, 'I think him rather the <i>enfant
+terrible</i>, but I suppose women are naturally fond of children, even
+taken as a whole; it does not matter much what they are like taken
+singly.'</p>
+
+<p>Some one has begun to sing and Philippa does not answer, but when the
+song is finished, she asks the name of an old lady who is sitting on the
+sofa at the farther end of the room.</p>
+
+<p>'The one with the blue feather, that's Lady Dadford,' says Ponsonby,
+'and that's her daughter standing by her, Lady Anne; she is very clever;
+but surely they're some sort of relation to you, I know the old lady
+comes here very often.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, child,' exclaims little Mrs Seaton, coming up and laying her hand
+on Philippa's shoulder; 'they have nearly all gone, thank goodness, I am
+afraid you have been very dull, eh?'</p>
+
+<p>Philippa laughs, while Paul twirling his moustache says, 'You know I've
+been talking to Miss Seaton for the last half hour, as you told me to,
+next time I shall not obey you if this is all the thanks I get.'</p>
+
+<p>Philippa looks up quickly, so this is why he has been talking to her.
+'It was very good of you,' she says in a very polite tone, 'very kind,
+but you need not have troubled yourself so much, I am quite happy
+watching people.'</p>
+
+<p>'My dear child, what an absurd creature you are,' exclaims her
+sister-in-law, 'but come with me now I want to introduce you to two or
+three people&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'What did I say to annoy her,' thinks Paul, and then seizing the first
+opportunity he makes for the door, but his sister stops him on the
+threshold.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, Paul, do be a dear,' she says, 'and get some places for us for the
+play, I don't care what, only let it be somewhere proper, for Philippa's
+sake not mine, get them for to-morrow night, and come and dine here
+beforehand.'</p>
+
+<p>'All right,' he answers, 'I shall probably look in during the morning.
+Ta ta.'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel Seaton is a great favourite. She is not what one would call
+pretty, but she possesses a bright, cheery face, which is reflected in
+miniature in her son Teddy, who is as his uncle says rather the '<i>enfant
+terrible!</i>' but do not say so before his mother, or her wrath would be
+dire. Her husband George is really the only person who dares to
+interfere concerning the conduct of that small personage.</p>
+
+<p>Philippa, who up till now has lived with an aunt in Switzerland, having
+reached the age of eighteen, has come over to England to be presented
+and enter into the vortex of London society. So it is to quite another
+world she has come, and she wonders if she will be happy. Life is such
+a strange thing, so many beginnings and so few endings.</p>
+
+<p>But the theatre is hardly the place for melancholy meditations, and she
+is sitting in the stalls of the L&mdash;&mdash;. Mabel on one side, Paul Ponsonby
+on the other; the latter has become deeply interested in Philippa, and
+wonders what sort of a woman she will become&mdash;a coquette, a flirt? He
+glances at her fair, childish face and sighs. The curtain goes up, but
+he does not see the scene before him; no, 'tis a woman's face he seems
+to see, a pale face, with large brown eyes that are fixed on him with a
+look of&mdash;pshaw! what had love to do with her. Time had been when love
+for that woman had filled his whole being, but there came a day when he
+tried to make himself hate her, and he did not succeed. Heigh ho!</p>
+
+<p>'Mr Ponsonby,' Philippa is saying to him, 'do look at that dear little
+baby.'</p>
+
+<p>With a start he comes back from the reverie into which he had sunk and
+answers at random 'Yes, she always acts perfectly&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Philippa looks at him in astonishment, how could that child <i>always</i> act
+perfectly when it couldn't be more than three, but she says nothing and
+watches with interest the play. It is a sad piece of a woman wronged,
+the acting is splendid and more than once Miss Seaton feels a lump in
+her throat, but it is over at length and the curtain falls for the last
+time.</p>
+
+<p>'Did you like it?' asks Ponsonby, helping her on with her cloak.</p>
+
+<p>'Very much,' she replies, 'I have never been to an English theatre
+before, you know, but it was awfully sad.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sadder if it had been the man wronged,' he says&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Philippa looks up with a laughing retort about each one for himself, but
+he seems so very grave that she refrains and wonders why he said that,
+but it is sometime before she finds out.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'A face in a crowd, a glance, a droop of the lashes, and all is said.'&mdash;<span class="smcap">Marion Crawford.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>It is some days later, and having a ball in prospect, Mrs Seaton has
+left Philippa to rest, whilst she goes on a round of visits; and
+Philippa, nothing loth, settles herself comfortably on the sofa with a
+book, and prepares to enjoy a lazy afternoon, but she is destined to
+interruption. The door suddenly bursts open and Teddy flies in, with
+'Oh, Aunt Lippa, will you come into the Square with me. Marie's sister
+has come to see her and it would be kind to let them be together, don't
+you think&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa feels inclined to suggest that it would be just as kind to let her
+alone, but she refrains and merely says 'Well?'</p>
+
+<p>'Will you?' asks the little boy, emphasizing his words by leaning
+heavily against his aunt. 'You see,' he continues, 'I do feel sometimes
+lonely, 'cos Marie's old and won't run, and I think you look as if you
+could&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I have done so in the course of my life,' she answers laughing, 'and I
+might be able to do so again.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then you will try this afternoon, won't you?' this very coaxingly.
+'Marie had better walk with us there, but it's such a little way we can
+come back by ourselves, can't we.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; I should think so,' says Philippa.</p>
+
+<p>'Then I'll just go and get my hat,' and Teddy, pausing at the door,
+adds. 'Do you know I think you're a very good aunt for a boy to have.'</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed?' and Lippa laughs.</p>
+
+<p>She finds it quite as pleasant sitting under a shady tree in the Square,
+as on the sofa in Brook Street; and her nephew does not require her to
+run, having found another companion in the person of a fat, very plain
+little girl; but after some time she has to go home, and Teddy having
+worried the life out of a stray cat, returns to his aunt, with a red,
+smutty face.</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' he says, 'I am so hot, what shall I do to get cool&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Sit still,' suggests Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh no, that'd make me heaps hotter, oh! there's Joseph,' and away flies
+Teddy. Joseph is an old gardener whose business it is to keep the paths
+in order, and of whom most of the square live in wholesome awe, not so
+Teddy, he loves him dearly and will talk as long as the old man has time
+to listen, this afternoon he is busy and Teddy soon returns again to the
+seat.</p>
+
+<p>'He's such a dear old man,' he says, nodding in the direction the
+gardener has taken, 'a dear old man, but he has a terrible cough, and he
+doesn't know anything that will cure it.'</p>
+
+<p>'Poor old man,' she answers, 'but really Teddy you <i>must</i> sit still, you
+are so hot, and jumping up and down like that shakes me all over.'</p>
+
+<p>'Does it?' he says, innocently. 'I'll sit still if you'll tell me
+something, but perhaps I'd better tell you something first. Did you ever
+know that I had a sister?'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa nods.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh!' he says, 'well then perhaps you knew that her name was Lilian, and
+she was lost.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replies Philippa, 'I knew all about her; you see your father is
+my brother, so of course I know all about you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not everything,' says Teddy, confidently, 'you don't know that I'm
+feeling rather empty, not 'xactly hungry but as if I could eat my tea.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, I dare say it is time to go in,' says his aunt, 'and if you will
+cease to sit on my feet I will get up.'</p>
+
+<p>Teddy rises with alacrity, and not till they get to the square gate do
+they remember they have not got the key. 'How tiresome,' ejaculates
+Philippa.</p>
+
+<p>But Teddy who is always full of resources, departs in the hope of
+finding Joseph or some one who has a key, but alas they are the only
+occupants of the square, what is to be done. They stand gazing
+helplessly over the gate, Philippa looking uncommonly pretty in a light
+gown that fits to perfection, and her large black hat adorned with red
+poppies, 'I wonder who she is,' thinks a gentleman who has already
+passed them twice, and is contemplating turning back to see her again.
+But he hears his name called in a shrill voice, 'Captain Harkness,
+Cap-ta-i-n H-a-r-kness!' He turns round hastily and sees Teddy waving
+frantically over the gate.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, little boy,' he says, 'what is the matter? eh!'</p>
+
+<p>'We can't get out, Aunt Lippa and I, we've forgotten the key, do go to
+mother and ask her for it.'</p>
+
+<p>Captain Harkness turns to Philippa and raising his hat, says, 'I shall
+be very pleased if I can be of any service to you, I was just on my way
+to see Mrs Seaton.'</p>
+
+<p>'If you could get the key,' replies she, 'it would be most kind.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not at all,' says he, still wondering who she is, 'I will not be long,'
+and he is as good as his word, reappearing with the key and setting them
+free, when they return to Brook Street.</p>
+
+<p>'My dear child,' says Mabel, addressing Lippa, as they enter the
+drawing-room, 'how very foolish of you to lock yourselves up like that.
+I was getting quite uneasy about you, but come and have some tea, and
+you Teddy go upstairs to yours, Captain Harkness now let me introduce
+you properly to my sister-in-law.'</p>
+
+<p>Philippa smiles and Captain Harkness congratulates himself on his
+afternoon adventure.</p>
+
+<p>Eleven o'clock sees Mabel and Philippa on their way to the ball, not
+having been to many she has not become <i>blasée</i>, but enjoys herself
+thoroughly. It is still early when they reach their destination, and Mrs
+Seaton is enabled to find a seat in a good place for seeing, almost
+opposite the door. Lady Dadford followed by her daughter soon puts in an
+appearance and makes for them at once.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, Mabel, my dear,' she begins, 'so glad to have found you here, how
+do you do, Philippa, you are not done up yet, I see, and you look
+charming, what a sweet dress you have, and I do believe you have not
+been introduced to my boy yet, I am afraid he isn't coming here
+to-night, he's such a dear boy, my Helmdon, I'm sure you will like him.
+But where's Anne, ah! dancing already, the dear child, she does do it so
+well,' and with a benign smile on her kind old face, Lady Dadford seats
+herself by Mabel.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Seaton's partners claim her one after the other; they have very
+little individuality to her, of course some are better dancers than the
+others, but caring for one more than another, would be quite impossible
+she tells herself. Why is it then that suddenly as she catches sight of
+a certain brown head in the doorway, she smiles, and when the owner
+comes towards her feels just a little thrill of pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! Miss Seaton let me warn you, don't pretend to care for <i>none</i> of
+them, for that thrill does not come without some cause, and almost
+before you are aware of it, you will find that your heart is not your
+own, you know quite well that Jimmy Dalrymple has found favour in your
+eyes, and you know too, that with very little trouble you could bewitch
+him. Do not play with edged tools.</p>
+
+<p>Lippa waltzes off with him through the crowded room and just a little
+sigh escapes her as the music stops.</p>
+
+<p>'Where would you like to go to?' asks he. 'To supper or the garden?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, the garden,' says Miss Seaton, 'fancy naming them together. Supper
+is such a very prosaic affair,' and then as they enter the garden, 'One
+could almost imagine oneself miles away from London here.'</p>
+
+<p>'They have arranged it awfully well,' says Dalrymple, gazing round on
+the illuminated parterres, and then, 'would you like to sit or shall we
+walk about?'</p>
+
+<p>'Walk, I think,' replies Philippa, and so they wander on, talking about
+nothing in particular, and yet they both forget that there are such
+things as sleep and to-morrow. Having come to the end of a narrow path,
+and finding two empty chairs they remain there. The lights are dim and
+the people passing and repassing are scarcely recognisable, but
+presently a lady in a light blue gown attracts Lippa's attention. 'Who
+is she?' she says.</p>
+
+<p>Dalrymple turns and looks at her. They hear a murmured sentence and then
+'Eh, what!' in rather an unmistakeable tone.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, her partner is Helmdon,' says Jimmy, 'he's never to be mistaken
+with his <i>what</i>. The lady, I think, is Mrs Standish, an American widow,
+and therefore rolling in riches. I never knew an American widow who
+wasn't.'</p>
+
+<p>'It would be very nice,' says Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'What! to be an American widow?'</p>
+
+<p>She laughs. 'No! to be very rich; there would be no need to think twice
+as to whether you could afford anything&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'What a great many useless things you would get,' says Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>'Really! but why?'</p>
+
+<p>'I did not mean you in particular,' he protests. 'I assure you I didn't;
+but there are a great many useless things in the shops, which I suppose
+people buy. What is the matter, Miss Seaton? For Philippa has risen
+hastily with a little scream. 'There's something under my chair, I felt
+it move,' she says, woman-like raising her skirt.</p>
+
+<p>Dalrymple bends down, kneel he could not in his best evening trousers,
+'I don't see anything,' he says, peering about and nearly choking for
+his collar is high and somewhat tight. <i>Il faut souffrir pour être
+beau.</i></p>
+
+<p>'Oh, but you must,' persists Lippa. 'I felt it move.'</p>
+
+<p>'Wait a second,' says he, producing a match, and proceeding to light it
+on the sole of his pump; they are all alone in this part of the garden,
+and nobody is watching them, the match will not ignite at first and then
+they both bend down at once nearly upsetting each other, and behold
+calmly blinking at them a large black cat. This is too much for Jimmy
+who gives way to suppressed laughter, the match goes out, and Miss
+Seaton though inwardly convulsed thinks proper to assume an air of
+dignity. 'I think I had better go back to the ball-room,' says she.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy vaguely feeling he has done something he ought not to, says; 'I-er
+beg your pardon, I'm awfully sorry&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'What for?' asks Lippa, stroking her right arm with her left hand.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy considers for a moment wondering what he had better say, and then
+suddenly seized with an inspiration 'I do believe I hurt you,' he says,
+'the match didn't touch you, did it?'</p>
+
+<p>'No; but <i>you</i> did,' replies she, and then seeing the consternation
+depicted on his face, Miss Seaton smiles, and then they both laugh.</p>
+
+<p>'You know, you really might have knocked me over,' she says
+pathetically.</p>
+
+<p>'I can't tell you how sorry I am,' exclaims Dalrymple, gently taking
+possession of the injured arm; 'please forgive me?'</p>
+
+<p>'I'll try,' she says,&mdash;'I wonder what has happened to the cat&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>They are nearing the ball-room, and he finding this <i>tête-à-tête</i> very
+pleasant wishes to prolong it and says, 'Shall we go back and see?'</p>
+
+<p>'I think I am engaged for this dance,' says Lippa, knowing Mabel will be
+wondering what has become of her.</p>
+
+<p>'You'll let me have another?' asks Jimmy, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly,' replies she; 'only, no more cat-finding. I can't bear them,
+can you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Can't endure them,' says Dalrymple, who would agree with whatever she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>That night, or I should say next morning, when Miss Seaton retires to
+rest, a certain brown head figures prominently in her dreams, together
+with searching after huge monsters, who all bear a resemblance to Lady
+Dadford. And even when awake the brown head is a subject for deep
+thought, and it is with a bright, happy face Miss Seaton appears (though
+somewhat late) at the breakfast table.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+
+<p>'Philippa,' says Mrs Seaton one day, 'I have just had an invitation from
+old Mrs Boothly, asking us to a water party next Wednesday, would you
+like to go?'</p>
+
+<p>'Who is going?' asks Lippa wisely, 'not only the Boothlys&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I suppose the "<i>not only</i>," means that in that case you would not go,
+but rest assured lots of other people are going, the two Graham girls,
+little Tommy Grant, Mr Dalrymple, and Captain Harkness,' says Mabel,
+'but read the note yourself and decide&mdash;' Philippa's mind is soon made
+up. 'I think I should like to go, it will be rather fun I expect.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I daresay,' replies Mabel, 'then I will write at once to get it
+off my mind, but <i>what</i> day is it for?'</p>
+
+<p>'Wednesday,' says Philippa, meaning to enjoy herself. But in one sense
+she is doomed to disappointment, the weather is everything that could be
+wished, and, donning a pretty gown, and covering her head with a dainty
+confection, she feels ready for the fray.</p>
+
+<p>Ten o'clock is the hour fixed for starting from &mdash;&mdash; Station, but Teddy
+has been refractory over his breakfast and his mother considers it her
+duty to reprimand him, tears ensue, and then some time is spent in
+consolation, so that they are only just in time and have to run along
+the platform to the saloon carriage, out of which Tommy Grant is
+gesticulating violently.</p>
+
+<p>'You're only just in time,' says he, helping them in.</p>
+
+<p>Philippa looks round and does not see Dalrymple; she finds herself next
+the eldest Miss Boothly who is saying, 'I am so pleased you could come,'
+giving Lippa's arm a little squeeze at the same time, 'I think we shall
+have a nice day, don't you, and you know all the people?'</p>
+
+<p>'All except the man at the further end.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh! don't you know him,' says Miss Boothly. 'He's Lord Helmdon; he has
+come in the place of Mr Dalrymple, who at the last moment wrote to say
+he could not come, and so we asked Lord Helmdon, he's so nice; we always
+fall back upon him when anyone fails us.'</p>
+
+<p>Chubby does not look as if he had been fallen back upon by any means,
+for apparently he is keeping up the spirits of the party, for they are
+all in shrieks of laughter. Captain Harkness eyes Lippa from the
+distance, and when they reach their destination prepares to assist her
+to alight, when Lord Helmdon clumsily treads on her dress just as she is
+about to jump down on the platform; no great damage is done, and Chubby,
+profuse in apologies, wins Miss Seaton's heart by the plain distress
+depicted on his countenance, and a safety pin which he produces and
+with which he fastens up the torn gathers, and before they come to the
+river, they are on quite friendly terms, much to the disgust of
+Harkness, who has been attacked by his hostess's youngest daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Up the river they go, dividing into three parties; Mrs Boothly, who has
+placed herself next Mabel, warm, and decidedly sleepy, tries in vain to
+feel happy in seeing her dear girls amused, and discusses the management
+of children with Mrs Seaton. And the day wears on, Helmdon making
+himself decidedly agreeable to everyone. Lippa amuses herself to a
+certain extent, but she becomes irritated by the assiduous attentions of
+Captain Harkness, to whom she has taken a violent dislike. She gets
+more and more out of patience with him and at length is almost rude. It
+appears to have no effect upon him whatever, for like a great many other
+people he has a very good opinion of himself, and that this girl is not
+pleased with his attentions never enters his well-curled head. Philippa
+has taken his fancy and as he has just made up his mind that it is time
+to enter the blissful (?) state of matrimony, she seems to him to be the
+exact person to make his wife; money makes no difference, for he is one
+of those fortunate individuals who has almost more than he knows what to
+do with. That Miss Seaton will have nothing to do with him, has not
+crossed his mind yet.</p>
+
+<p>The party disperse again at the station pouring into Mrs Boothly's ear
+many sweet sentences, which had she been listening would have made her
+think that going up the river in a boat and lunching on the bank was
+almost heaven upon earth; but poor dear lady she is longing to get home,
+feeling painfully conscious of the shapeliness of her shoes; and the
+pain thereby caused, absorbs all her faculties for the present: but when
+the above mentioned articles are removed, she thinks with pleasure how
+much everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and she makes up her mind to
+have a similar day; only, made more pleasant to her by large and
+shapeless boots. Wise Mrs Boothly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Garden-parties, balls, dinner-parties, follow each other in rather
+monotonous succession, and Lippa is beginning to tire of them, she has
+been to three balls where a certain young man has been conspicuous by
+his absence; and it is almost a week since he has dropped in to tea, and
+Miss Seaton misses him more than she will own to herself. She is feeling
+out of sorts this afternoon and has betaken herself to the back
+drawing-room, which is only curtained off from the front, leaving Mabel
+and Lady Dadford in earnest conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the door opens, and Ponsonby comes in. 'All alone,' says he.
+'I thought you always had some one worshipping at your shrine.'</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed, you are much mistaken,' replies she laughing, 'but I didn't
+know you were in London&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I only came back this morning&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Mabel and Lady Dadford are in there,' interrupts Philippa
+indifferently, pointing to the front room.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, unless I am disturbing you, I will remain here,' says Paul,
+'there are some letters I must write,' and going to the table he
+proceeds to hunt for paper and pens; Lippa goes on reading her book, and
+a silence of a few minutes ensues.</p>
+
+<p>Then he says, 'What wretched pens you do keep&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replies she, 'they are rather bad, but I think you will find some
+others in the right hand drawer&mdash;have you ever read this?' holding up
+her volume.</p>
+
+<p>'The "Epic of Hades," yes, parts of it are very fine. "There is an end
+of all things that thou seest. There is an end of wrong and death and
+hell,"' quotes he.</p>
+
+<p>'What a melancholy passage,' says Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'A very grand one I think,' he replies, 'but I should never have thought
+you would care for that kind of literature.'</p>
+
+<p>'Why not?&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Because, well, I should have thought it would have been too deep for
+you&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Really,' then after a pause, 'do you know <i>that</i> wasn't very polite&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Wasn't it? suppose I say then that I am agreeably surprised&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'That's nearly as bad, if not quite, it sounds as if you expected me to
+read nothing but books like the "Daisy Chain," or "Laneton Parsonage."'</p>
+
+<p>'Very excellent books too&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, Paul! how <i>tiresome</i> you are, do you know I,' and then Miss Seaton
+is filled with confusion, she has called him by his Christian name and
+he is looking at her and smiling. 'I&mdash;er beg your pardon,' she says
+quickly in her childish way.</p>
+
+<p>'What for?' asks he, pretending not to understand her.</p>
+
+<p>'For calling you by your Christian name&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, and what harm was there?'</p>
+
+<p>'You see,' she says deprecatingly, 'Mabel is always talking about you,
+and so I get into the habit of talking of you as Paul.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul rises and standing in front of her says&mdash;'As I said before, where
+is the harm? I have never called you anything else but Philippa, or
+Lippa; I could not address you as Miss Seaton, it does not suit you one
+bit you know; now let us make it a compact from henceforth, I call you
+Lippa, and you call me Paul.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' replies she.</p>
+
+<p>'What ever are you two doing here,' and the curtain is hastily drawn
+aside by Mabel. 'You look as grave as judges, come and have some
+strawberries and cream, Lady Dadford has gone.'</p>
+
+<p>At the sound of strawberries, Lippa hastily rises, and they go into the
+front room, where Jimmy Dalrymple is.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you do,' says Philippa, wondering how long he has been there.
+And then they attack the strawberries.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm longing to know what you two were talking about,' says Mabel.</p>
+
+<p>Paul laughs and replies, 'We were settling a very weighty matter,
+weren't we, Lippa?'</p>
+
+<p>Philippa merely says 'Yes,' and longs to turn the conversation, for what
+may not Jimmy think.</p>
+
+<p>In truth he feels an unaccountable overwhelming desire to know what the
+weighty matter was, but he is not to know, and therefore is kept on
+tenter hooks for some time.</p>
+
+<p>'She came to ask us all to a cattle show and ball,' Mrs Seaton is
+saying.</p>
+
+<p>'Who?' asks her brother.</p>
+
+<p>'Lady Dadford; she particularly wants you.'</p>
+
+<p>'I feel highly honoured, I'm sure&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Are you going?' says Lippa, turning to Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>'I was asked, but I don't know whether I shall be able to get away,' he
+replies, still pondering over the 'weighty matter.'</p>
+
+<p>'Only a few minutes ago you were telling Lady Dadford how pleased you
+would be to go, Mr Dalrymple; I did not know you were such a humbug,'
+cries Mabel.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy laughs.</p>
+
+<p>'Mrs Boothly,' announces the servant. Philippa retires to the back
+drawing-room and Dalrymple follows her. 'I have not seen you for ages,'
+says he.</p>
+
+<p>'Only a week, I think,' replies Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'Isn't that seven whole long days?'</p>
+
+<p>'Short I call them, but what have you been doing?'</p>
+
+<p>'Duty.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh!'</p>
+
+<p>Then after a pause he says, 'I can't make up my mind about the Dadfords,
+shall I go?'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa feels naughty. 'What difference could it make to me whether you
+went or not?' she says.</p>
+
+<p>'None, I suppose,' replies he sadly.</p>
+
+<p>'None whatever,' she repeats, 'unless perhaps you make yourself very
+disagreeable, then I must say I would rather you stayed away.'</p>
+
+<p>'But,' says he, his face brightening, 'suppose I make myself very
+agreeable, what then?'</p>
+
+<p>'Could you?' she asks coquettishly.</p>
+
+<p>'Miss Seaton,' protests he, 'how cruel you can be.'</p>
+
+<p>But she appears deaf, and enters the other room. Nevertheless she gives
+him the benefit of a lovely little smile when he goes away, which makes
+him settle at once as to whether he goes to the Dadfords or not. And of
+course he is the first person Lippa sees on arriving there, and who
+shall say that it does not cause her pleasure.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'The fine fat bulls, the dear little sheep,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The fat piggy-wiggy wiggies all in a heap,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The beautiful Moo cows all in a row,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Jolly fine fun at the cattle show.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>Such a lovely day it is; the sun shining forth in all its glory, casting
+a touch of gold over everything, while a hush reigns supreme; that
+lovely stillness that hangs over the earth in the early morning before
+the work of the day begins.</p>
+
+<p>Lippa scarcely took in what the ancestral home of the Dadfords was like,
+when she arrived last night, but waking early she dresses hastily in
+order to survey the surrounding country, an outing before breakfast she
+delights in, when all the world seems fresh and clean, and the humdrum
+business of life is barely begun.</p>
+
+<p>Passing down the wide oak staircase she comes across a friendly
+housemaid who shows her the way through a conservatory to the garden,
+such a lovely garden it is, with its broad walks, its green velvety
+lawns and slopes, and its masses of old-fashioned dew beladen flowers,
+the perfume of which fills the morning air. Her spirits rise as she
+wanders on, drinking in with delight the surrounding beauty, so absorbed
+is she in it that she forgets there is such a person as Jimmy
+Dalrymple. Quack, quack, quack, go the ducks as she approaches the lake
+on which they disport themselves, and gazes down at the sky therein
+reflected and at her own image. But she is not admiring her youthful
+face and the curly golden hair that stands like a halo round it. No, she
+is sunk in a dream; the morning has called forth her greatest
+aspirations; the striving after the unattainable; that comes to us all
+sometime or other, when we feel that truly life is worth living, and
+that there is something beyond, so great that we cannot grasp it, but we
+feel it is there producing a great speechless longing within us while
+our hearts throb and our pulses stir till we could cry for joy.</p>
+
+<p>Such a state as this Lippa has reached, when she is suddenly brought
+down from the elevated height to which her mind has soared, to the
+outward circumstances of life, by the squeaking of a window which is
+suddenly opened; she is so close to the house, that on looking up she
+recognises the brown head that is thrust out for a moment. 'Tis enough;
+the spell has been broken and she becomes aware that breakfast would be
+a very acceptable thing, so she wends her way back to the house. Of
+course everyone is full of the cattle show and the merits of Herefords,
+short horns, Devons and Kerrys are discussed together with Jersey
+creamers and separators. Most of the guests are old and uninteresting,
+and intend leaving on the following day to make room for the younger
+folk who can dance.</p>
+
+<p>Dalrymple and Philippa are the only young people at present, besides, of
+course, Lady Anne and Chubby.</p>
+
+<p>'I've ordered the dog-cart,' says the latter, in the course of
+breakfast, to Lippa, who is sitting next him, 'because I thought we
+might leave the old people to go by themselves. I've got an awfully good
+animal, which I should like you to see, what! My sister and Dalrymple
+will come too, and we can go where we please. That is to say unless,
+perhaps, you would prefer to drive in state in the landau. What!'</p>
+
+<p>'No, indeed,' says Lippa, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>'You're wise, I think,' replies Lord Helmdon. 'You don't know what my
+respected parent is like at a show, everything must be commented upon. I
+went with him once,&mdash;didn't get away for hours, and I said to
+myself&mdash;never again. By ourselves we can come and go just as we please.
+By-the-bye, mother,' he goes on, turning to Lady Dadford, 'I suppose
+you've asked the Lippingcotts to the ball. I met him yesterday, but he
+didn't say anything about it, eh what!'</p>
+
+<p>'I really don't remember; have we, Anne?' says her ladyship.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Anne produces a piece of paper whereon the names of the invited
+guests are inscribed, glances down it, and says 'No.'</p>
+
+<p>'How dreadful.'</p>
+
+<p>'It's a pity,' says Anne.</p>
+
+<p>'Not too late yet,' suggests Chubby. 'Little Mrs Lippingcott is so
+awfully pretty and dances quite beautifully. It would be a shame if she
+wasn't asked.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well; I will write now if you like,' says his mother, ready to do
+anything her 'dear' boy wishes. 'They only came back a week ago, I
+suppose, that is how they were forgotten.'</p>
+
+<p>'And if I see them I'll say something pretty that will make up, what!'</p>
+
+<p>'Do you really think you could?' says Dalrymple, from the other side of
+the table.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't doubt it for a moment,' replies Chubby, 'Miss Seaton I know will
+verify my statement.'</p>
+
+<p>When all the older folk have been packed off, the dog-cart appears and
+with it the 'awfully good animal,' which of course has to be admired,
+and viewed from all points, before the owner sees fit to start. Lippa,
+of course, has the place of honour, by the driver, much to Jimmy's
+disgust. There is no need to go into details of the show, all of which
+are more or less alike, with dogs of all sizes and breeds, barking in
+different keys, pigs grunting and squeaking, horses neighing, cows
+mooing, cocks crowing, ducks quacking; boys yelling out the price of
+catalogues, men requesting people to 'walk up,' and inspect their wares,
+which are all warranted to be the very best of their kind; and besides
+all this two brass bands which play two different tunes at the same
+time. If a deaf man suddenly recovered his hearing at a cattle show, I
+am sure he would wish himself deaf again. However, some people enjoy
+cattle shows, I do not, but that is neither here nor there.</p>
+
+<p>Lord Dadford, J.P. for the county and owner of some fine short horns, is
+surrounded by gaitered and pot-hatted men, who all appear to be talking
+at once. Helmdon conducting Philippa and his sister with the ever
+constant Jimmy, carefully fights shy of his father.</p>
+
+<p>'What luck to have met you,' he exclaims as they run up against a pretty
+woman, Mrs Lippingcott of course, and forthwith they launch into an
+eager conversation with humble apologies from him and earnest
+entreaties that she will grace the ball with her appearance, and with
+any one who may be staying with her.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, how do you do, Miss Seaton?' makes Lippa turn, who is in earnest
+conversation with Dalrymple, and see Harkness standing before her. She
+would have liked to give vent to a naughty little expression, but she
+merely bows saying&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I had no idea of meeting you here, isn't it a lovely day?'</p>
+
+<p>'Beautiful,' he replies, 'I am stopping with the Lippingcotts for a few
+days; really the country is quite delightful after London.'</p>
+
+<p>'Delicious,' replies Lippa, moving on leaving Harkness gazing at her
+and Dalrymple; is that young beggar going to cut him out, it looks
+uncommonly like it. Lucky fellow he is, thinks the Captain, winning over
+that race last month when the odds were dead against him, and now&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'Thank goodness!' ejaculates Miss Seaton, finding herself free from her
+admirer.</p>
+
+<p>'What for?' asks Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, to get rid of him of course.'</p>
+
+<p>'Poor man,' says Jimmy pensively.</p>
+
+<p>'Wherefore?'</p>
+
+<p>'Because he has evidently incurred your displeasure.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' with a little laugh, 'is my displeasure such a very dreadful
+thing.'</p>
+
+<p>'It would be to me,' is the reply.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, if you're very good, I will try and be pleased with you, it might
+be unpleasant if we&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Will it require a great deal of trying?'</p>
+
+<p>'That depends,' says Miss Seaton, glancing up in his face, to find he is
+looking at her rather more earnestly than is necessary. But the
+conversation is interrupted by Lady Anne.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Lady Anne, there is a romance connected with her life, that nobody
+knows of save her parents, and they have almost forgotten it. A romance
+in which a young officer figures prominently; when Lady Anne first came
+out she fell desperately in love with him, and he with her, they
+plighted their troth at a London ball; but her parents said she was too
+young to marry just then, and it was agreed to wait a year. But war
+broke out and his regiment was 'ordered to the front.' Oh! the sorrow
+conveyed in those words, how many, many went out like Lady Anne's lover
+and never returned, how many lives like hers were blighted in
+consequence. 'God bless you, Dick,' she had said the night before he
+started, 'and I hope you will come back soon.'</p>
+
+<p>'Soon,' he had repeated, 'dearest, I may never come back again.'</p>
+
+<p>He was right, for he fell on the field of A&mdash;&mdash;, found dead where the
+fight had been fiercest; and Lady Anne's heart was broken. She did not
+die of grief, nor did she appear to the world as hopelessly crushed, but
+went on living just the same, with a feeling of aching emptiness, that
+is, oh, so hard to bear, and she shut away from prying eyes the picture
+of her young lover, and round her neck she hung the crystal heart he had
+given her, whereon his name was inscribed.&mdash;Dick.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Love me, for I love you,' and answer me<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Love me, for I love you.'&mdash;<span class="smcap">Christina Rossetti.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>'Tis the night of the ball, dinner is over and the house party is
+collected in the hall, waiting the arrival of the guests. The fiddles
+are scraping away in the drawing-room, where the furniture having been
+taken away and the carpet removed, the floor looks inviting and 'is
+perfectly delicious' owns Philippa, having performed a <i>pas seul</i>
+thereon, before anyone was down. She looks extremely pretty to-night in
+a quaint, little white satin dress, her hair fluffed all round her
+head, and tied up with pale green ribbons.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment she is striving in vain to button up one of Chubby's
+gloves. 'It's awfully good of you,' he says. 'I can't think why they are
+so tight, what&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'If I don't button it this time,' she replies, 'I really can't try any
+more, for I have not got my own on yet, and I know they'll begin to
+dance in a moment.'</p>
+
+<p>'You'll let me have the first, won't you?' he says.</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly,' she answers, all her attention absorbed in the button which
+is just half in the button-hole, one little poke and 'there it's done,'
+she says.</p>
+
+<p>But alas! it is <i>done</i> indeed, for there is an ominous crack, and a
+large split is seen right across it.</p>
+
+<p>'What a nuisance,' says Helmdon, gazing at the torn article.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh I hope it wasn't my fault,' says Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'No; not at all, I assure you&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Don't waste time then looking at it, fetch another quickly,' and
+Philippa begins hastily to cover her own bare hands. 'Chubby,' she calls
+after him, 'they're beginning to dance. I can't keep this one for you,
+the next one will do just as well, won't it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Quite,' is the reply as he ascends the stairs three steps at a time;
+while she becomes aware of two men making for her, Harkness and
+Dalrymple, the former she feels will reach her first, and she has no
+desire to dance with him: so she suddenly feels that she ought to be
+nearer her sister-in-law, and edging her way through the crowd gains her
+chaperon's side, a second before Jimmy comes up.</p>
+
+<p>'May I have this?' he says eagerly, and receiving an affirmative, he
+leads her off to the ball-room, where the "Garden of Sleep" waltz is
+echoing through the well-lighted apartment, and the air is fragrant with
+the scent of many flowers. Already a goodly crowd is there, mammas,
+elderly spinsters, girls of all sizes and ages, in satin, silks, and
+tulle; old men, middle-aged men, young men and mere boys are all
+collected there. In a second Dalrymple and Philippa join in the giddy
+dance; for what is more giddifying (if I may use such a word), than
+waltzing in a room full of people who have not summoned up courage
+enough to begin, round and round they go, till Miss Seaton at length
+says, 'I think I really must stop although the best part of the tune is
+just coming. We can't be like the river, can we, going on forever:'</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Men may come and men may go,'<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'But I go on forever.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>She murmurs more to herself than to him, as they make their way to the
+conservatory, and then, 'Do you like poetry?' she asks.</p>
+
+<p>'Pretty well, I don't read much of it.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am so fond of it,' replies Philippa, settling herself comfortably on
+a sofa surrounded by cushions, 'I could read it all day.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, you see you have more time to do what you like, but when a fellow
+has been at work all day, he doesn't feel inclined for poetry, you've
+got nothing to do except to read and do fancy work, I suppose.'</p>
+
+<p>'That's a mistake that all men make, they think that girls have nothing
+to do all day, when they have quite as much as men if not more; you
+don't know anything about them. And I think poetry is the <i>most</i> restful
+thing to read when one's tired, you see our minds soar to higher things
+than yours, you study the <i>Racing Calendar</i> and the newspapers, don't
+you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Generally, not always,' admits Jimmy.</p>
+
+<p>'The <i>Racing Calendar</i>, <i>versus</i> Tennyson, Longfellow, or Mrs Browning;
+but I don't believe you're half listening to me,' says she, for he is
+gazing straight in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>'I assure you I was,' he protests, 'I am in a crowd now, may I not muse
+on the "absent face that has fixed" me.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, certainly not, you ought to be thinking of me,' this in a slightly
+aggrieved tone.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you know I wasn't,' gazing at her earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm not absent,' and then Philippa seeing what might be implied,
+blushes a rosy red, and rising says, 'We must go back now, I promised
+Lord Helmdon this dance, and he'll never find me here. Ah! there he is.'</p>
+
+<p>'Are you so anxious to dance with him?' asks Jimmy in a would-be
+indifferent tone.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, of course,' she replies, 'I like him so much, don't you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, yes,' replies Dalrymple with equal indifference. And so the evening
+wears on and Miss Seaton is congratulating herself at having eluded
+Captain Harkness, when she suddenly finds him standing before her.</p>
+
+<p>'Won't you give me a dance?' he says in his suave tone. 'I have been
+trying to speak to you all the evening&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Have you?' she replies, and not knowing quite how to get out of it.
+'You may have the next one if you like,' she says.</p>
+
+<p>'May I really? Then I shall find you somewhere about here?'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa nods, and her partner, an aged baronet, claims her and they go
+through the intricacies of the lancers. Almost before the next dance has
+begun, Harkness appears; he dances beautifully and knows it too, but it
+is not long before he suggests a saunter in the garden.</p>
+
+<p>Philippa consents, and forth they go into the cool night air. A hundred
+tiny lamps have been placed among the bushes, which shed a subdued light
+over the scene; charming corners have been arranged to sit in, while
+the splashing of the fountains mingles with the laughter and
+conversation of the company.</p>
+
+<p>'What an interminable dance,' thinks Philippa, as having walked a good
+way round the garden, she finds herself once more outside the ball-room,
+and the same tune is still being played. She heaves a sigh of despair
+and raising her eyes meets those of Dalrymple, who is propping himself
+against a pillar. There is a look of reproach in them, and Lippa, though
+her conscience tells her she was unkind to him, feels an insane desire
+to make him jealous, and turns with an adorable smile to Harkness, not
+having heard a word of what he has just been saying; but he, thinking he
+has everything in his grasp, smiles, and leads her almost before she is
+aware, to a secluded corner.</p>
+
+<p>'I&mdash;er I have been meaning to say something to you all this evening,' he
+begins, standing before her with his arms folded.</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed,' replies Miss Seaton lightly, 'it can't be anything of great
+importance, or you would have said it before.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not important,' this with a little more energy, 'why it is of vital
+importance; on it hangs the whole fate of my existence, Miss Seaton,'
+bending towards her, 'er&mdash;er Philippa, do you not know, have you not
+guessed that I love you, that to see you is necessary to my happiness,
+the first time I saw you&mdash;hear me,' as she makes as if to speak, 'you
+must know it, do you not see it in my eyes?' he is growing melodramatic
+and Lippa feels inclined to laugh, 'but one word, you love me, do you
+not, ah!' and he is about to seize her hand when she steps back from him
+saying,&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I am afraid, Captain Harkness, you have made a mistake.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mistake,' he replies, 'do you mean that you will not marry me.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I mean that I will <i>not</i> marry you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not marry me,' it is getting monotonous this repeating of her words,
+and she makes a movement of impatience, then all of a sudden his
+expression changes, 'I am afraid I put the question too soon,' he says,
+coming a little closer and taking hold of her hand, 'but do you love
+another?'</p>
+
+<p>'Leave go,' she exclaims, 'I think you forget, what&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Who is it,' he goes on, not heeding her, 'is it Helmdon or Dalrymple?'
+he is so close that she can feel his breath on her cheek, 'ah, I can see
+by your eyes it is Dalrymple?'</p>
+
+<p>This is too much, and with a sudden movement she raises her other hand
+and gives him a good box on the ear. He is so taken aback that he drops
+Lippa's hand, and she, thoroughly frightened, rushes down the path into
+the unlighted part of the garden, and falls headlong into the arms of
+Jimmy; who, consumed with despair, has sought refuge in solitude.</p>
+
+<p>'I&mdash;er I beg your pardon,' says Philippa, starting back, 'I&mdash;I&mdash;' but
+sobs check her words.</p>
+
+<p>'What is the matter?' asks he tenderly, his despair having vanished; the
+gentle tone of his voice makes her cry the more and so he does the thing
+that comes most naturally to him, without thinking of the consequences,
+for he puts his arm round her, and kisses her madly; and Lippa without
+resisting, leans her perturbed little head against his shoulder feeling
+unutterably happy.</p>
+
+<p>'Why have you been running away from me all the evening?' he asks, when
+a perfect understanding has been made between them.</p>
+
+<p>'I didn't,' she says indignantly, 'it was you who never came near me.'</p>
+
+<p>A kiss is the answer to this, and then tenderly, 'But what were you
+crying about just now?'</p>
+
+<p>'I was frightened rather&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'What at, darling?' asks Jimmy, gazing down at the blushing face, which
+is being rubbed up and down against his coat sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>'At&mdash;at what I'd done,' stammers Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'Something very dreadful, no doubt,' says he with a look that belies his
+words.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, you're quite right,' Miss Seaton answers, 'it <i>was</i> dreadful. I
+can't think how I did it, shall I have to beg his pardon?'</p>
+
+<p>'His! whose?' asks Jimmy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>'Captain Harkness,' is the whispered reply, while she digs a hole in the
+gravel path with the heel of her white satin shoe. 'I boxed him on the
+ear, I hardly knew what I was doing at the moment, and now I can't think
+how I could do it&mdash;you see he'd asked me to marry him.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is that the usual way you refuse your suitors?' says Jimmy laughing.
+'What a mercy I had not to suffer the same fate.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now if I remember rightly,' replies Miss Seaton gravely, 'you haven't
+asked me to marry you.'</p>
+
+<p>'What have I done then?' asks Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>'You've told me you loved me, but that isn't a bit the same, you know.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, of course not, but, dearest, you <i>will</i> marry me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Silly boy,' is the reply, while she suddenly reaches up and kisses him,
+and then disengaging herself from his detaining arm hurries back to the
+house, whither he follows her a little more slowly.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">''Tis true, 'tis true, 'tis pity, and pity 'tis, 'tis true.'&mdash;<span class="smcap">Hamlet.</span><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>It is breakfast time, but at present nobody has put in an
+appearance; whoever is punctual the morning after a ball! The
+drawing-room looks dreadful, all empty and bare, and the candles burnt
+down in their sockets. 'Ugh!' Lippa shudders as she pokes her head in,
+just to have a look at the place where Jimmy bade her goodnight. She
+does even more, for she goes and lays her head against a place on the
+wall, where she remembers he leant against, and as she does so a happy
+contented smile hovers round her mouth, and then laughing at herself,
+she hurries to the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>'What, no one down yet!' she exclaims, gazing round the empty room.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes; I am,' replies a voice from outside, and Paul appears at the open
+window. 'Good-morning, how early you are,' he says.</p>
+
+<p>'Only punctual,' replies Philippa; 'isn't it a lovely day again. I can't
+think how the others can be so lazy. Come into the garden, do.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul acquiesces. He has taken a great liking to Miss Seaton. 'Did you
+like the ball?' he asks.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, so much,' replies she, 'wasn't it lovely. I wish it could come all
+over again.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do you?' he says.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, perhaps not quite all,' she answers, blushing suddenly at the
+remembrance of her interview with Harkness.</p>
+
+<p>'Which portion could you do without. The quarter of an hour before you
+ran into the shrubbery and nearly knocked me down?'</p>
+
+<p>'Did I?' is the reply.</p>
+
+<p>'Indeed you <i>did</i>,' says Ponsonby, laughing, 'and you looked so fierce I
+was afraid to go after you and fled in the opposite direction, leaving
+you to vent your wrath on Dalrymple whom I had just left.'</p>
+
+<p>'I am very glad you did,' says Lippa, with a little conscious laugh.
+'Two's company, three's none.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replies Paul, quietly, and then a pause ensues.</p>
+
+<p>'Oughtn't I to have said that?' asks Philippa, suddenly looking up into
+his face. 'Because&mdash;well ... you see, if you'd been there&mdash;now, if I
+tell you something, promise to keep it a secret,' this very persuasively
+and slipping her arm through his.</p>
+
+<p>'On my word and honour,' Paul answers.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, Mr Dalrymple asked me&mdash;to&mdash;marry him&mdash;there!'</p>
+
+<p>'What, Jimmy!' exclaims Paul. 'I'm so glad; he's quite the nicest fellow
+I know. I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you,' says Lippa, simply. 'But you won't tell anybody, will you?
+Nobody knows, not even Mabel&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'But, my dear child, why did you tell <i>me</i>, of all people first?' asks
+he.</p>
+
+<p>'I had to tell somebody, and I know George couldn't keep anything from
+Mabel, or Mabel from him.'</p>
+
+<p>'I hope you will be very happy, but look, Lady Dadford is beckoning to
+us&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'What early birds you are,' says her ladyship. 'I needn't ask if you are
+the worse for last night's dissipation, for you don't look it, either of
+you&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm sure Philippa will say that it did her an immense amount of good,'
+replies Paul, with a wink at Lippa, which makes her tremble in her
+shoes as to what may be coming next.</p>
+
+<p>It has been arranged that the whole of the party should go for a picnic
+to a spot about five miles off. 'Just to get out of the way,' says Lord
+Dadford, 'while the house is being put straight again; sort yourselves,
+sort yourselves,' he adds, standing at the front door, surrounded by
+guests and vehicles. 'I reserve to myself the pleasure of driving Mrs
+Mankaster,' (the vicar's wife) for both he and his spouse, a portly
+lady, resplendent in stiff brown silk, have been invited to take part in
+the outing.</p>
+
+<p>By degrees the carriages are filled and off they go, Lippa finding to
+her chagrin that she is seated by Paul in a dog-cart, Jimmy and Lady
+Anne behind, Lord Helmdon is on in front with some other people.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm sorry for you,' says Ponsonby, 'but if you wish your secret to be
+kept from the others, you must not be seen too much together.'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa sighs.</p>
+
+<p>'So love-sick already,' says he laughing.</p>
+
+<p>'How rude you are, I wasn't sighing a bit, I caught my breath.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, I like that,' is the reply.</p>
+
+<p>'I'm sure you can never have,' hesitatingly, 'been in love, have you?'
+and she glances up at him. 'I'm so sorry I said that,' she adds,
+noticing the pained look that comes into his eyes, and then a silence
+ensues.</p>
+
+<p>'Look here, Lippa,' says he at length in rather a lower tone, 'don't you
+know, has no one told you that I was married five years ago.'</p>
+
+<p>'Married?' exclaims Miss Seaton in astonishment, 'oh, I'm so sorry I
+said that.'</p>
+
+<p>'It does not matter in the least,' he replies, 'but I should think no
+one has been more desperately in love than I was once.'</p>
+
+<p>'She, your wife, is dead?' asks Lippa quietly.</p>
+
+<p>'I would to Heaven she were,' is the quick reply. 'No, child, don't
+think of me as a lonely widower,' this with a laugh that is hard and
+grating, 'I'm worse than that.'</p>
+
+<p>'Poor Paul,' says Lippa gently, while her eyes fill with tears, and she
+lays her hand on his unoccupied one, the hard look quits his handsome
+face, and he sighs.</p>
+
+<p>'Good little soul,' he says possessing himself of it.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Dalrymple is devoured with curiosity as to what this earnest
+conversation can be about. He has listened patiently to Lady Anne, who
+has gone through all the books she has read lately, arguing on their
+merits and demerits, and now she is enlarging on the degenerating
+manners of the rising generation.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy puts in a 'Yes' or 'No,' or 'I quite agree with you,' every now
+and then, but for aught he knows he may be agreeing that red's white,
+and white is black. But at last he says something that does not suit
+Lady Anne for she says, 'Do you really mean to say you do?'</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy feels caught; what in the name of fortune <i>does</i> he really mean to
+say, he has not the faintest idea, so he says&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I did not quite hear what you said,
+I&mdash;er have rather a bad headache.' (Oh Jimmy, Jimmy).</p>
+
+<p>'Have you?' replies Lady Anne. 'I hope it is not a very bad one, you
+ought to have stayed at home; the best thing of course to do is to lie
+down; and have you ever tried Menthol, white stuff that you rub on your
+forehead; and then there is a certain kind of powder, I can't remember
+what they are called. Ah! I have it,' and Lady Anne who has been
+fumbling in her pocket produces a salts bottle. 'There,' she says, 'I
+have nothing else to offer you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Thanks very much,' says Dalrymple, and feeling bound to use it, takes a
+vigorous sniff, but it is strong and proves too much for him, for he is
+seized with a violent choking.</p>
+
+<p>'What's the matter?' inquires Ponsonby, glancing round. 'Lady Anne, what
+have you been doing to him?'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, it's only my salts bottle, he has a headache, you know,' she
+replies, while Jimmy looks decidedly embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>The day passes off very pleasantly, nothing has been forgotten with
+regard to the luncheon, and the weather is lovely, there is just enough
+wind to rustle through the trees and prevent the air from being sultry,
+the spot chosen for the repast is at the top of a hill which is covered
+with fir trees and tall green bracken, innumerable paths lead up and
+down and all round it, and at the summit a clearing has been made, and a
+small picturesque cottage has been built, with small diamond paned
+windows and a balcony running round two sides; the inmates, an old man
+and woman, who can provide water, are profuse in their greetings begging
+the company to sit in the balcony, and Lippa tired and sleepy with last
+night's exertion excuses herself from the members of the party who set
+out for a ramble, and takes advantage of the balcony and gives herself
+up to sleep: more than once a little smile hovers round her lips, and
+Dalrymple who has turned back under pretext of renewed headache, watches
+her for some time, then fearing to awake her, lights a cigar and strolls
+away. What a great deal of trouble and misunderstanding he could have
+prevented in awaking her,&mdash;but how could he tell.</p>
+
+<p>Sometime later Philippa with a sigh of content opens her eyes, she is
+still too sleepy to think of moving, so she remains quite still,
+presently the sound of voices breaks upon her ears, but she does not
+heed them. 'Oh&mdash;how&mdash;comfortable I am,' she thinks and is just dropping
+off to sleep again when she hears her name spoken!</p>
+
+<p>'Philippa,' someone is saying. 'Yes; she is a dear little girl.'</p>
+
+<p>'That's Mab's voice. She thinks me a dear little girl, does she,'
+comments Miss Seaton.</p>
+
+<p>'Poor child; she is so like what her mother was at that age. Does she
+know about her?'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa recognises Lady Dadford's voice, but it never enters her head that
+she ought not to listen.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' replies Mabel. 'You see she was such a baby at the time, and
+afterwards George thought it better that she should remain under the
+belief that she is dead; she is so very sensitive&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I daresay your husband is right,' says Lady Dadford. 'It was all very
+sad. At first, you know, the doctors had hopes that her reason would
+come back, but they gave it up after a year. Does your&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>But Philippa hears no more. She has listened breathlessly, her colour
+coming and going&mdash;What does it all mean? Is it true, is it true? The
+mother she had always thought of as long since dead, is she alive and
+<i>mad</i>! Oh! 'What shall I do?' she asks herself, while her brain feels on
+fire. 'Mad? Then I might go mad too! Oh, horrible thought! Jimmy, Jimmy,
+what would you say if you knew? Oh, it is all cruel, cruel&mdash;' And then
+Philippa sits very still and ponders over many things, till the voices
+of the others laughing and talking come nearer and nearer. With an
+effort she rises. 'I must not show that anything has happened, but oh!
+if I must give up Jimmy,' and with a little sob she leans her head
+against the wall for a moment, then stepping forward, she meets the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>'Are you rested?' asks Lord Helmdon. 'I do believe you have been asleep,
+what!'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replies Lippa. 'I have been fast asleep&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Dreaming,' suggests Miss Appleby, a young lady given to sentiment.</p>
+
+<p>'Of me, I hope,' puts in Chubby.</p>
+
+<p>'Now, why <i>you</i> of all people, I should like to know,' says Dalrymple,
+at which they all laugh.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+
+<p>Lippa is strangely silent on the way home and all the evening she avoids
+being alone with Dalrymple, but Jimmy gets uneasy and on saying
+Good-night adds in a low tone, 'Come into the garden early to-morrow, I
+want to talk to you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' she replies, 'I have something to tell you too.' She says
+this so gravely, and flushes a little, that he ponders for some time on
+what she can have to tell him, and Philippa goes up to her bedroom, her
+head throbbing and with a wild desire to cry.</p>
+
+<p>'Good-night, dear,' says Mabel, 'I am so tired I really cannot stay and
+talk to you to-night, and you, child, you look knocked up, go to bed at
+once.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good-night,' replies Lippa, and having dispensed with the services of
+her maid she seems to have no intention of seeking her downy couch, she
+envelopes herself in a loose wrapper and drawing an armchair up to the
+window, appears to be contemplating the moon, but her thoughts are far
+far away from it.</p>
+
+<p>Poor little Miss Seaton, a great battle is going on within her; she will
+let no one know what she has overheard this afternoon, unless she
+explains all to Dalrymple and lets him decide as to what ... but no,
+she will just tell him it is impossible for her to marry him, ten to one
+if he knew all he would laugh at her fears, and marrying her, would in a
+few years have to consign his wife to a lunatic asylum; it will be the
+right thing not to let him have a chance of marrying her; and coming to
+this conclusion, she tries to forget the man she loves, and her heart is
+filled with compassion for her mother, and then she remembers Ponsonby's
+life story. 'How strange,' she murmurs, 'in one day to have learnt all
+this; but oh, how shall I tell Jimmy, and he will think I love somebody
+else, but I must do the right thing, I must and I will.'</p>
+
+<p>The clock strikes one as she rises with a little shiver, and is soon in
+bed, but it is sometime before her eyes close, and even after she is
+asleep sobs check her breathing. Dear, good little heart it is always
+hardest to do what <i>seems</i> right, and it seems too, as if it will never
+be rewarded, but surely, surely it is in the end....</p>
+
+<p>Drip, drip, drip, is what Dalrymple hears as soon as he wakes. 'Wet,' he
+says to himself turning round, 'no good getting up yet, Philippa is sure
+not to.' For ten minutes he dozes, and then with two or three loud yawns
+he pulls himself together, and at length attired in a faultless suit he
+opens his door. It is still what he calls early, (being half-past eight)
+and he meets no one as he descends. Whistling gaily, he opens the door
+of the drawing-room, and finds Philippa there already, standing by the
+window. She turns as he goes up to her, and when he is about to embrace
+her she draws back.</p>
+
+<p>'Good-morning,' she says, looking up at him for a moment and then gazing
+steadily at the carpet; the pattern of which she remembers long
+afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>'Good-morning,' he replies blankly, and then thinking that perhaps she
+is shy, he puts his hand on her shoulder, saying, 'Lippa, dearest, what
+is the matter?' There is an amount of concern in his voice that is
+almost too much for her, but she has made up her mind to tell him it is
+impossible for her to marry him, and cost what it may she will do it.</p>
+
+<p>'Mr Dalrymple,' she begins in a low but perfectly calm voice, 'if you
+remember I told you last night that I had something to say to you&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly,' he says, 'that is why I came down so early; but why have
+you changed so since yesterday?'</p>
+
+<p>'That is exactly it, I have changed since yesterday,' says she,
+'I&mdash;er&mdash;I think I led you to imagine that I would marry you, but&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'But,' he echoes, bending towards her, 'you have not changed your mind,
+have you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes I have,' replies Philippa clasping her hands tightly behind her
+back.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you mean it?' he asks in a bewildered tone.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' this very low.</p>
+
+<p>'May I ask why you have changed?' and Dalrymple draws himself up and his
+voice is cold and studiously polite. 'Is it money,&mdash;I am not very well
+off I know, but I did not think you were the kind of girl to mind that?'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, you see I am different from what you thought, it is a good thing we
+found it out before it was too late.'</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy looks at her curiously, and then catches her in his arms. 'Oh my
+dearest,' he says, 'you can't mean it, you could not be so cruel&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>For a second Lippa feels she cannot hold out any longer, but it is only
+for a second, and then freeing herself from his embrace she says slowly
+and distinctly&mdash;'I mean all I have said.'</p>
+
+<p>'I must go then,' says Jimmy, a world of sorrow in his honest brown
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she replies, not daring to look up till she hears the door shut
+behind him, and then she realises all she has done: sent away the man
+she loves, the one man who is 'her world of all the men'; sent him away
+thinking she is cruel and mercenary. She chokes back the tears that
+start to her eyes; the others must not know, must not even suspect, but
+oh the aching at her heart.</p>
+
+<p>It goes on raining steadily all day, and every one is dull and
+depressed, even Chubby. Dalrymple suddenly discovers that it is
+absolutely necessary for him to be back at the barracks as soon as
+possible, and bidding farewell, decamps.</p>
+
+<p>Lady Anne, despite the weather, tramps off to the village to preside at
+a sewing-class. Philippa is forbidden by Mabel to put her nose out of
+doors, who then retires to Lady Dadford's private boudoir where she
+spends the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>'What shall we do?' asks Lord Helmdon, gazing helplessly round on the
+remaining guests. 'Miss Seaton, suggest something, do!'</p>
+
+<p>'I can't think of anything,' answers Lippa, longing for some distraction
+to her thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>'Don't you think a little music would be nice,' says Miss Appleby,
+'nothing enlivens one so much on a wet day.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let us have some by all means,' says Helmdon. 'I say Tommy, I'm sure
+you'll honour us with a song, eh, what?'</p>
+
+<p>Tommy is a very juvenile young man, with light hair parted down the
+middle, a red face, and pince-nez.</p>
+
+<p>'Anything you like,' he responds gaily.</p>
+
+<p>'Come along then,' and away starts Chubby to the drawing-room followed
+by the others. 'Now, ladies and gentlemen,' he begins having opened the
+piano, 'I give you fair warning that every one of you will have to
+contribute to the entertainment.'</p>
+
+<p>'Catch me,' says George Seaton, and on the earliest opportunity slips
+away to the smoking-room.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Appleby is called upon to begin and sings a dear little song with
+very few words in it.</p>
+
+<p>'Tommy, it's your turn next,' says Paul, 'I'll accompany you!'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, thanks awfully,' and settling his pince-nez firmly on his very
+small nose, sings with an air of sweet simplicity&mdash;'Because my mother
+told me so,' which sends Chubby into shrieks of laughter.</p>
+
+<p>When Philippa's turn comes, she goes to the piano knowing that Paul is
+watching her, she feels he has guessed that something is up, so tries to
+mislead him by singing a merry song, but he is not taken in. Helmdon
+produces a banjo and sings several nigger songs lustily.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you know, Chubby,' says Tommy, 'do you know that you are just made
+for that kind of music, you'd do so well at the Christy Minstrels.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah, my boy,' replies he, 'I'm glad you've found an occupation for me in
+which I should excel, for it is more than I have done myself; but I'm
+afraid the sameness would bore me. If I do anything I shall go in for
+music-hall singing, there one would have more scope for one's dramatic
+talent.'</p>
+
+<p>By degrees they all disperse, some to play billiards, others to write
+letters, and Philippa is left alone, seated on one of the deep window
+sills, a book in her hand, but her eyes are fixed on the distant
+horizon, where the sun has suddenly appeared from behind the clouds,
+and is shedding a yellow haze over the dripping trees.</p>
+
+<p>So absorbed is she that she does not hear Paul come. He goes up to where
+she is, and says, 'What has happened?'</p>
+
+<p>She starts and turning round replies, 'Nothing,' while a tell-tale blush
+dyes her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, there is,' he persists, 'why did Jimmy leave so suddenly?'</p>
+
+<p>'He told Lady Dadford that he must get back to the Barracks to-night,'
+she replies.</p>
+
+<p>'Do you think I believe that?' says Paul.</p>
+
+<p>'Why shouldn't you?'</p>
+
+<p>'Now child, I know that something is wrong,' and Paul sits down by her
+side, 'you told me yesterday you had promised to marry him, why has he
+gone away to-day; you have not already disagreed?'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't see that you have any right to question me like this,' she
+answers evasively, 'but I suppose I had better tell you that I am not
+going to marry Mr Dalrymple,' she says it so firmly that Ponsonby can
+see that she is not joking.</p>
+
+<p>'Why not?' he asks.</p>
+
+<p>'For many reasons,' is the reply. 'For one he has not much to live on,
+and&mdash;there are circumstances which would make it impossible&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Whew!&mdash;may I ask if the circumstances prevent him from marrying you or
+you him.'</p>
+
+<p>'I think there is no occasion for me to answer you,' replies Lippa
+coldly, 'and I will beg you will mention to no one what I have told you
+either yesterday or just now.'</p>
+
+<p>'I shall write to Dalrymple to-night,' says he meditatively.</p>
+
+<p>'I hope you will do no such thing,' and Miss Seaton rises hastily. 'I
+think it would be extremely out of place for <i>you</i> to interfere in any
+way.'</p>
+
+<p>There is a marked emphasis on the 'you' that makes Paul start while he
+bites fiercely the ends of his moustache, and Philippa walks quickly out
+of the room, rushes up to her own, and flinging herself on the bed gives
+way to tears. 'Oh dear, oh dear,' she sobs, 'why does everything go
+wrong and only a little time ago I was <i>so</i> happy, and now I have hurt
+Paul's feelings, and ...'</p>
+
+<p>'Paul!'</p>
+
+<p>Ponsonby on his way to bed is surprised at hearing himself called.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' he replies.</p>
+
+<p>'I want to tell you something,' is the answer.</p>
+
+<p>The gas has been turned out and all the other men are just turning in
+for the night.</p>
+
+<p>'What do you want?' he says, going into the sitting-room, from whence
+the voice issues, a solitary candle burns on the table, and discloses
+Philippa.</p>
+
+<p>'You here?' he exclaims surprised.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she says. 'I am afraid I vexed you this afternoon, and I wanted
+to tell you I was sorry, and ...&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Don't think about it again, but really you know you ought not to be
+here&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I only waited to tell you that,' she says, turning towards the door
+feeling utterly miserable, and the tears that she has tried to keep back
+break forth, and covering her face with her hands she cries as though
+her heart would break.</p>
+
+<p>Paul goes up to her. 'Philippa, my dear,' he says very gently, 'there is
+something very wrong, can't you tell me why Jimmy went away&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'No, no,' she sobs. 'I told him to go, but I can't tell you why&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'How cold you are,' he says. 'Stop crying and go to bed at once, or you
+will make yourself ill.'</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' replies she, meekly. 'But you [sob] you won't tell Mabel&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'I won't tell a soul.'</p>
+
+<p>'And you're not vexed with me?'</p>
+
+<p>'No; why should I be. Good-night.'</p>
+
+<p>'Good-night,' such a sad little face she turns to him, that he stoops
+and kisses it.</p>
+
+<p>'What a child she is,' he thinks, as he watches her down the passage. 'I
+wonder what induced her to throw Jimmy over. Couldn't have been better
+off as regards a husband. Money! as if that would ever enter into her
+head. Can't make it out at all. She likes him I can see.'</p>
+
+<p>For some time, Paul puzzles his handsome head about Philippa, and then
+when sleep has come, he dreams of the woman he loved; she to whom he
+gave his love, his faith, his all, only to be abused; the woman who has
+blighted his life. Oh! it is a strange world. It is like a puzzle that
+everyone tries to make, but does not succeed because the principal parts
+are missing. Will they ever be found, the missing links, the pieces of
+the puzzle, the answer to the 'whys' and 'wherefores?'</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'We run a race to-day, and find no halting place,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">All things we see be far within our scope<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And still we peer beyond with craving face.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+
+<p>In a few days they are back again in Brook Street, George, Mabel and
+Philippa. It is the beginning of September and anything more dreary and
+deserted than the parks could not be imagined. No one is in London. Who
+would be when the seaside is everything delightful and the moors are
+covered with heather and grouse? Philippa shudders as she looks out of
+her bedroom window into the mews, even that is deserted, a canary in a
+very small cage and a lean cat are the only living creatures to be
+seen.</p>
+
+<p>'Well,' she says, 'it might almost be the city of the dead ...' here her
+meditations are interrupted by Teddy, who rushes in and flings his arms
+round her neck. 'How brown you are,' she exclaims.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, ain't I,' he answers. 'Me and Marie have been in the Square most
+of the days and it has been so hot, have you enjoyed yourself?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, thank you,' replies Philippa.</p>
+
+<p>'I don't think you have,' says Teddy, who is as sharp as a needle,
+'because, well, you don't look very happy now.'</p>
+
+<p>'That is just it perhaps, I am so sorry it is over.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' and Teddy goes to the window only half convinced, 'there's that
+canary,' he says, 'I watch him often and often, and never can see
+nobody feeding it. I asked Marie to let me go and see if it had got some
+seed; but she was cross and said I wasn't to&mdash;oh, Aunt Lippa, isn't it
+hot?'</p>
+
+<p>'It is rather, but it must be nearly tea-time, let us have some tea and
+then go out.'</p>
+
+<p>'Can't; Marie's gone to see her sister,' replies Teddy, trying to see
+himself in the knob at the end of the bedstead.</p>
+
+<p>'Perhaps mother will come; but really Teddy do get off my bed, you are
+making it in such a mess,' and she rushes at him, seizing him in her
+arms, 'oh, what a dreadful little nephew you are.'</p>
+
+<p>'Let go, let go,' he cries, between struggling and laughing, and then
+mischievously, 'You don't look half pretty now, you're quite red.
+I'll&mdash;tell Mr Dal&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Mr who?' asks Lippa, putting him down.</p>
+
+<p>'Sha'n't tell you,' he says, making for the door, but Philippa is too
+quick for him, and placing her back against it, says in tones of mild
+reproof,</p>
+
+<p>'Do you know, it is very rude to make personal remarks.'</p>
+
+<p>'Is it?' he asks, 'well you see it was only to Mr Dalrymple, and I've
+known him for such a great many years, I met him yesterday, he was
+walking the same way as me, and&mdash;you've got a hair-pin coming out, Aunt
+Lippa.'</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind that,' says she, adjusting the straying article, 'and&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, him or I began, I don't 'xactly remember, but we talked about
+pretty persons, and he said he was glad he wasn't a pretty person,
+because they were nearly always nasty, and then I said they weren't,
+'cos there's mother and you, and I said you're always pretty.'</p>
+
+<p>'And what did he say?' asks Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'He said,' replies Teddy, in the gruffest voice he can assume, trying to
+imitate Jimmy, '"More's the pity," and now you see I can just tell him
+you don't look pretty a bit, when you're holding somebody in your arms.'</p>
+
+<p>'You must not say anything of the kind,' says she; it would be useless
+to exact a promise from him, probably be the way to make him repeat the
+conversation word for word; but Philippa has found out what she wanted
+to know, namely, that Jimmy is in London, and it causes her for the
+moment exquisite pain, to feel that he is not so far away, for though
+the Metropolis is a large place, there is always the chance of meeting
+one's friends in the street.</p>
+
+<p>After deep thought Philippa has made up her mind to tell no one, of all
+she has heard and of all that has happened in consequence. She can rely
+on Ponsonby keeping secret the little he knows of it; but what is
+hardest to bear is the having nothing to look forward to, for the future
+looks, oh, so dark and dreary. Sometimes she feels that it cannot be
+true, and she shrinks with horror from the remembrance of the fate that
+may be awaiting her. But Mabel does not notice that something has
+changed her; that her step is not so light as it was, or her laugh so
+gay. How little we know of each other, although living the same lives,
+seeing the same people and things; we have all got an inner existence
+which no one but ourselves knows anything about, it is so shadowy and
+unreal, that contact with the outer world would crush all the beauty and
+poetry of it.</p>
+
+<p>'I think we might go to the sea somewhere,' says Mrs Seaton, one day as
+she and Philippa are sitting together under the trees in the park, while
+Teddy is hunting for caterpillars, 'it is really too unutterably dull
+here, and it would do that boy good to have a change, what do you say to
+a fortnight or three weeks at Folkestone?'</p>
+
+<p>'It would be very nice, I should think,' replies Lippa, who is watching
+the ungainly not to say peculiar movements, of a stout elderly female
+who is taking equestrian exercise.</p>
+
+<p>'We could get rooms at an hotel,' goes on Mabel, 'you know some cousins
+of mine are there; and George said that I might do anything I liked,
+while he's up in Scotland; do you really think it would be nice?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I do,' Lippa replies, feeling that one place is the same to her as
+another. The stout elderly female has bumped away, and she is staring
+straight in front of her, when suddenly the colour rushes to her face
+leaving it whiter than it was before.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, there's Jimmy Dalrymple,' says Mabel, 'and I do believe he's not
+going to see us. I really think he might, it would be quite refreshing
+to talk to somebody else besides you&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Am I such a dull companion then?'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel laughs good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>There is not any doubt that Dalrymple will see them, for Master Seaton
+has observed him and rushing to the railings gesticulates violently, and
+the former attracted by some magnetic influence turns, hesitates for a
+moment and then crosses over.</p>
+
+<p>'So glad to see you. Lippa and I were so afraid you were going to cut
+us,' says the unsuspecting Mabel. 'What are you doing in London now?'</p>
+
+<p>'I have to be up at the barracks,' says he.</p>
+
+<p>'Come and sit here, do, and tell us some news,' says she motioning him
+to the chair at her side.</p>
+
+<p>Philippa has become deeply interested in one of her nephew's
+caterpillars, and beyond extending him a limp hand; pays no attention to
+Dalrymple, but her outward calm hides the tumult within, for her heart
+is throbbing violently.</p>
+
+<p>At any other time and under any other circumstances, Dalrymple would be
+very willing to spend any length of time with Mabel, for he is very
+fond of pretty little Mrs Seaton and carrying on a mild flirtation with
+her would be the reverse of unpleasant to him, but to be so near the
+object of his affection, no, he couldn't do it, so excusing himself he
+raises his hat and passes on.</p>
+
+<p>'He seems in a great hurry,' says Mabel turning to Lippa who is looking
+in exactly the opposite direction to the one Dalrymple has taken.</p>
+
+<p>Her 'Yes,' and something in her expression opens Mabel's eyes to the
+fact that something is up, however she says nothing just then for Teddy
+would be sure to hear, but she intends to find out everything.</p>
+
+<p>On the eve of their trip to Folkestone she begins to cross-examine her
+sister-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>'Philippa, dear,' she says as soon as the coffee-cups have been taken
+away after their dinner and they are left alone. 'I am going to ask you
+something, which you must not mind, come nearer.'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa who has been gazing out of the window into the gaslit street below
+turns slowly, and going up to Mrs Seaton sits down on a stool at her
+feet, she is looking very lovely in a pale blue tea-gown and the
+lamp-light falling on her golden hair.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, Mab,' she says, 'is it a lecture or good advice, I'm not to
+mind?'</p>
+
+<p>'Neither one nor the other,' is the reply, 'but I want to know if there
+is anything between you and&mdash;Mr Dalrymple. Well Lippa?' as there is no
+answer for a second&mdash;and then,</p>
+
+<p>'Nothing,' she replies.</p>
+
+<p>'Not at present perhaps,' suggested Mabel, 'but hasn't there been?'</p>
+
+<p>'Why do you want to know?' asks Miss Seaton.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, dear, you see it is awkward, as he comes here so often, and&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Like all other women you're dying of curiosity to know; own the truth!'
+and after a pause Lippa adds, apparently deeply interested in the point
+of her shoe, 'If you must know, he did ask me to marry him, but I said I
+couldn't,' here the shoe is drawn out of sight as though it had not
+found favour in its owner's eyes. Mabel is astonished, tries to see
+Lippa's face and not succeeding says,</p>
+
+<p>'Do you mean that you do not like him?'</p>
+
+<p>Not like him, oh, to be accused of that, not like him, when poor little
+soul she is desperately in love with him. Oh, Mabel! Mabel! why can't
+you guess? a few words from you would put everything right, and make two
+people happy, but such is life!</p>
+
+<p>'He has not much to live on,' says Lippa evasively.</p>
+
+<p>'Now, child, you don't think you are going to take me in like that,' and
+Mrs Seaton becomes quite vehement. 'What do you care about money, or
+know about it either.'</p>
+
+<p>'I know there are girls who can fall in love,' is the answer. 'I knew
+one once who told me her idea of bliss was love in a cottage, but that
+wouldn't suit me at all. I shouldn't know how to get on without heaps of
+things that I could not have, if I married a poor man.' Lippa's fingers
+are doing great damage to the ribbons which are attached to her gown,
+and till they are reduced to a crumpled mess, she continues to take the
+beauty out of them, by folding and refolding them. Mabel is only half
+convinced and says no more to Philippa, but a long letter is written to
+dear George, begging him to come to them soon, and he enjoying himself
+vastly shooting and fishing does not come, and time passes on.</p>
+
+<p>Philippa tries to forget Jimmy, and wonders how he is getting on, she
+has yet to learn that,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Man's love is a thing apart,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">'Tis woman's whole existence.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Love is forgotten and put on one side, for racing, shooting, hunting,
+etc., and it is well that it is so, for a love-lorn youth is a decided
+bore.</p>
+
+<p>But James Dalrymple of the Guards has been more deeply wounded than he
+owns to himself, his love for Miss Seaton is more than a passing fancy,
+that causing pain for a short time, will be laughed over in about a
+year. Love Lippa, he does hopelessly, madly, and so he will till the end
+of the chapter.</p>
+
+<p>Real true love is not a thing to be taken up and cast aside at will,
+like a broken toy; it may grow upon us or come suddenly, why we cannot
+tell, and although we hardly acknowledge to ourselves that Cupid, who
+has wrought so much harm as well as good in the world, has paid us a
+visit, yet we never feel quite the same again; maybe we are happier than
+we have ever been before, or else, and alas it happens to very many,
+that Eros' darts have only made a wound which might almost have been
+caused by a poisoned arrow; ah me! the healing takes a weary long time
+or maybe can never heal. Truly love is a dangerous thing.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+
+<p>'I say, Mab, there's such a delightful monkey outside, do lend me
+sixpence?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Seaton looks up from a telegram she is reading and says to Philippa,
+'Never mind the monkey, I've just had this from George and&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Is he ill?' inquires Lippa.</p>
+
+<p>'No, but&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Do give me the sixpence then, I will be back in a moment again.'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel produces the coin, and Philippa having delivered it hurries back.
+'He was so pleased,' she says, 'the dear little&mdash;' but her
+sister-in-law's face causes her to stop and inquire hastily, 'What has
+happened, do tell me?' her thoughts recurring at once to Jimmy
+Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, dear,' says Mabel, 'George has telegraphed to me the death of&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Who?' asks Philippa, clutching at a chair near her.</p>
+
+<p>'No one you ever knew,' replies Mabel, guessing the question that she
+would ask.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah!' and Lippa breathes a sigh of relief, 'is it a friend of George's
+or Paul's?' 'wife' she is going to say but hesitates.</p>
+
+<p>'No,' replies Mabel, 'it is someone who has been in an asylum for many
+years,' she pauses wondering how to go on when Philippa spares her the
+trouble by saying,</p>
+
+<p>'My mother?'</p>
+
+<p>'How did you guess?' says Mabel, surprised.</p>
+
+<p>Lippa heeds her not. 'Somebody I never knew,' she murmurs to herself,
+'somebody I never knew, and yet my mother; how strange. Tell me about
+her,' she adds, 'when, did she go&mdash;<i>mad</i>?'</p>
+
+<p>'I thought you knew nothing about it,' says Mabel, 'your mother had a
+shock when you were two years old, which affected her brain, and of
+course at the time you were too young to understand and it was thought
+best not to tell you anything, even when you were older; but dearest,
+who told you of this, George and I were under the impression you knew
+nothing about it?'</p>
+
+<p>'I overheard you talking about my mother to Lady Dadford. I know it was
+wrong, Mab, but I could not help it, and I thought that perhaps it would
+be just as well not to let you know. Was it wrong?'</p>
+
+<p>Mrs Seaton finds it hard to reprove the owner of the face that is lifted
+to hers, with such a wistful look in the blue eyes. 'I think you ought
+to have told me,' she says gravely, 'it would have made no difference to
+anyone, but still it does not matter now; and we shall hear all
+particulars from George to-morrow; he says he is writing.'</p>
+
+<p>There is a pause. Lippa is gazing out of the window, but her thoughts
+are very busy. Presently she says, 'Madness generally descends from
+father to son, doesn't it?'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel, thinking she is alluding to George, says hastily, 'There is no
+necessity whatever&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah!' and Lippa clasps her hands together and looks eagerly at Mabel,
+'then, then, ... there's no great likelihood of my going mad.'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel looks at her. Is this then what she has been worrying about.
+'There is no necessity whatever, the doctors said, insanity is not in
+your family at all; it was a shock your mother had when she was not very
+strong, so dear, please do not fancy foolish things like that.'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa smiles. Oh! the joy of feeling that there is no impediment between
+her and Jimmy; it need never have been then, this time of separation,
+and yet probably it has been very wholesome for them both. But how to
+convey to him that she is ready, aye, and more than willing, to link her
+fate with his; there is nothing for it but to wait and see.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>And time goes on, as it always does. Autumn passes away, and winter
+comes with its frost, snow and fogs, while Lippa waits for the day when
+Jimmy will know all, but just now her time is fully occupied, for the
+housekeeping has fallen upon her shoulders, as Mabel is up to nothing
+but hugging a little bundle with a red face, which made its appearance
+one day.</p>
+
+<p>'Ain't you sorry she's a girl?' Teddy is saying as he is chaperoning his
+aunt to church on Christmas day, 'because, you know, she's sure not to
+like games.'</p>
+
+<p>'It will be some time before she can play games,' replies Lippa,
+laughing; 'but you will have to be very good to her. What do you want
+her to be called?'</p>
+
+<p>'Lots of names,' says Teddy. 'But look, Auntie; do look, there's Mr
+Dalrymple. Do you think he's going to our church?'</p>
+
+<p>'I don't know at all,' she replies, trying to look unconcerned. 'We
+shall be there in a moment, come along; it is rude to stare at people.'</p>
+
+<p>She hurries her nephew up the aisle and into their pew, for fear of
+coming face to face with Jimmy; she remains a few moments on her knees,
+and so does not interfere with Teddy, who having hurried through his
+own private devotions, turns round and watches the stream of people
+passing in through the door. He suddenly nods and beckons, and when
+Lippa rises she finds that Jimmy is sitting one off her, only Teddy
+between. It is the first time she has seen him since her mother's death,
+and she wonders if he will speak when they get out of church, and why he
+ever came into their pew. But when the service is over, Teddy having
+sung lustily in his shrill voice, nothing awkward takes place.</p>
+
+<p>'A merry Christmas,' he says.</p>
+
+<p>'The same to you,' replies Philippa.</p>
+
+<p>'Are you going to walk home?' he asks.</p>
+
+<p>'No, we are going back in a hansom.'</p>
+
+<p>Here Teddy interrupts with, 'Did you know I've got a sister, you'll come
+and see her, won't you?'</p>
+
+<p>'I shall be delighted,' replies Dalrymple, looking at Lippa, who has
+turned her head away. 'May I come?' he asks in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>But Miss Seaton does not answer, as Lady Dadford suddenly appears, 'Ah!
+my <i>dear</i> child,' she exclaims, 'how is the sweet mother and the baby?'</p>
+
+<p>So a long string of questions ensues, and Philippa answers them, feeling
+that Jimmy is watching her, and suddenly she meets his eye, and there is
+a look of entreaty in them that makes her smile back; such a dear little
+tender smile, that it causes Dalrymple to start, while a new life seems
+to course through his veins.</p>
+
+<p>Ah! what a great deal a pretty woman's smile may do, of good and often
+alas of harm.</p>
+
+<p>How many men have been lured on by a smile and only too late have awoke
+from its enchantment. Oh, women, women, some of you hardly take into
+consideration what a great part you take in the world's drama; with you
+it lies to make or mar the lives of the men, be they brothers, husbands,
+sons or merely friends; it is in your power to make them God-fearing,
+true gentlemen; and it is you too, who drag them down till they become
+mere lovers of pleasure, giving way to every vanity, forgetting
+<i>surely</i> that they are human beings, with immortal souls!</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>It is tea-time, and in Brook Street Lippa has just begun to pour out
+that delicious beverage for herself and her brother, when the door opens
+and Dalrymple walks in.</p>
+
+<p>'Hullo,' says George, 'what an age it is since you have been near the
+house&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' replies Jimmy, rather lamely, taking Philippa's proffered hand.</p>
+
+<p>'How do you do, again,' says she, 'you will have some tea, won't you?'</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy says, 'Thanks,' and for a second or two there is an awkward pause,
+neither Lippa nor Dalrymple feeling quite at their ease, and George
+never speaks except it is necessary; but Teddy suddenly appears, and
+suggests that the baby ought to be visited, and after a long argument as
+to who it is like, remembers that he came with a message to the effect
+that his mother wanted to speak to his father.</p>
+
+<p>'Why didn't you tell me before?' says George.</p>
+
+<p>'I'd forgotten it,' replies his son placidly; nothing ever disturbs
+Teddy's peace of mind.</p>
+
+<p>'You'll wait till I come back,' says Mr Seaton turning to Dalrymple, and
+the door shuts.</p>
+
+<p>A little time is passed in uninteresting conversation on the weather and
+things in general, till every subject they can think of has been
+exhausted, when Lippa finds that Dalrymple is looking at her, she
+fiddles with her teaspoon in her cup and then raises her eyes to his,
+and finding them still fixed on her, returns to the teaspoon symphony,
+but he rises and leans against the mantelpiece.</p>
+
+<p>'Philippa,' he says in a low tone, 'I have tried so hard to think badly
+of you, but to-day you looked so kindly at me, you did not do it for
+nothing, did you, Lippa tell me, will you bid me go away a second time?
+I am not rich, but I might sell out and get some more remunerative
+employment, and if you only knew how I love you&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Seaton has risen, her head bent down and slightly averted from her
+lover's ardent gaze. 'I&mdash;er&mdash;I,' she begins then pauses, and not
+knowing what to say she looks up, makes a step forward and is in Jimmy's
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh,' she says, 'I thought it would all come right at last.'</p>
+
+<p>'Dearest,' says he, 'tell me why were you so cruel before; you can't
+think what I've suffered?'</p>
+
+<p>'So have I,' is the reply.</p>
+
+<p>'But what made you do like that?'</p>
+
+<p>'It's a long story, so don't you think we might as well sit&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Sweetheart,' is all he says pressing his lips to her brow.</p>
+
+<p>And then Philippa explains all, for quite half-an-hour they remain
+alone, and then George, thinking they have been long enough together
+(he having come in and retired again unobserved in a very inauspicious
+moment) opens the door, at the same time giving vent to a very loud and
+prolonged cough.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+
+<p>'My dear, I can't tell you how glad I am,' and Lady Dadford bustles
+across the room to the sofa where Mabel is reposing, 'Where is the sweet
+girl?'</p>
+
+<p>'Philippa? she is out now,' replies Mrs Seaton, 'but I expect she will
+be in soon.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, if I may, I should like to stay and see her,' says the old lady,
+'but you are sure I shall not be tiring you; directly you feel you have
+had enough of me, say so, won't you?'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel laughs and replies, 'I shall like you to stay very much, you have
+not seen baby yet; we cannot settle on a name. I should like it to be
+called Lilian, but both George and Lippa say it would be unlucky; he,
+you know, always hopes we may find her again.'</p>
+
+<p>'And yourself, dear?' asks Lady Dadford.</p>
+
+<p>'I think I have almost given up hope now. You know the body of a little
+child was found in a river, not far from L&mdash;&mdash; (where we were living
+then) and it answered so much to the description of Lilian; she was such
+a dear little thing. It is worse than if she had died at home and ...'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, yes, I understand,' says Lady Dadford, 'but I would not give up
+hope quite. I agree with the old proverb, "Hope on, hope ever," you
+know. But tell me about Philippa? very happy, I suppose.'</p>
+
+<p>'Perfectly happy,' replies Mabel. 'I can't imagine her as a wife, she's
+such a child, but Jimmy is sure to take great care of her, and she has
+come into some money by her mother's death.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ah yes! it must have been a very happy release, a very happy release,'
+and Lady Dadford shakes her head gravely. 'Did the dear child ever know
+anything about it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, she overheard you talking to me that day in the summer, when we
+went for a picnic, and she foolishly never said a word about it, but
+made up her mind that she could not marry anyone, because she might go
+out of her mind, so she refused Jimmy at first, and all this time she
+has been making both him and herself miserable.'</p>
+
+<p>'Miserable, who is miserable?' asks Lippa, coming in followed by
+Dalrymple.</p>
+
+<p>'No one, I hope,' says he, 'ah, Lady Dadford,' he continues on catching
+sight of her, 'how do you do?'</p>
+
+<p>'Better, thank you,' she replies, she always makes a point of answering
+that foolish question, and invariably does so by saying 'Better'&mdash;she
+has been better for so long that she must have reached a most perfect
+state of health by now. 'Really much better; I came here to congratulate
+you: Lippa, my dear, you cannot think how pleased I am,' this
+accompanied by a kiss.</p>
+
+<p>Lippa cannot think of anything to say and therefore remains silent.</p>
+
+<p>'Anne would have come with me,' rattles on the old lady, 'she sent you
+all sorts of messages, but she had to go to a cooking class, and she
+felt sure you would understand that it was a case of duty before
+pleasure.'</p>
+
+<p>'I shouldn't have thought it was a <i>duty</i> for a Marquis' daughter to
+learn cooking,' thinks Jimmy and something in the merriment depicted in
+his eyes causes Philippa to cast a reproachful glance at him, and then
+to enter heart and soul into the question of the use of cooking classes;
+it is some time before the old lady rises to depart, and then, of
+course, Mabel thinks it necessary that the baby should be visited so
+they mount to the nursery.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, and what was the cause of the withering glance you directed at me
+about ten minutes ago?' asks Dalrymple, when they are left alone, Lippa
+and he.</p>
+
+<p>'You know quite well,' she replies, removing her boa and settling
+herself comfortably before the fire, her feet resting on the fender.</p>
+
+<p>'I declare I do not,' says Dalrymple, regardless of speaking the truth,
+for he loves to see Lippa indignant.</p>
+
+<p>'More shame for you then, but you know quite well, you were laughing at
+Lady Dadford, and what's worse you tried to make me, I hope you are not
+in the habit of laughing at people, are you? Because if you are I shall
+certainly not'&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'What?'</p>
+
+<p>'Marry you.'</p>
+
+<p>'Will you throw me over a second time; you will soon become expert at
+it?'</p>
+
+<p>'Jimmy,' cries she, 'how can you talk like that.'</p>
+
+<p>'You suggested it first,' says he.</p>
+
+<p>'I said so conditionally.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, and that was that I must not smile at anybody, and suppose I
+cannot help it, it being my nature to do so?'</p>
+
+<p>Miss Seaton looks up at him and says, 'I sha'n't marry you, that's all'</p>
+
+<p>'All,' repeats he, 'it's a good deal, I don't know what you could call
+more.'</p>
+
+<p>Lippa smiles. 'Oh you silly boy,' she says, 'you look as grave as a
+judge. Mabel, if she happened to come in, would think we had been
+quarrelling already.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then you intend doing so later on?' queries he.</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly; we should be very dull if we didn't, besides there will be
+always the making up.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh what a child you are,' says he laughing, 'but do you really love
+me?'</p>
+
+<p>'Of course,' replies she gaily, and then seeing how earnest he is she
+goes up to him and slipping her arms round his neck she says, 'there is
+one thing you have not done.'</p>
+
+<p>'What is it?' asks he.</p>
+
+<p>'You've never settled where we are to live.'</p>
+
+<p>'And more important still, you will not settle when we are to be
+married.'</p>
+
+<p>'Not just yet; you see I shall have to get some clothes, and they
+couldn't be ready before Lent, and it would be unlucky to be married
+then.'</p>
+
+<p>'That will put it off for at least three months,' objects he.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes&mdash;don't you think the end of June would do nicely?'</p>
+
+<p>'It will have to I suppose, but it is a long time off.'</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind, it will soon be gone,' says Miss Seaton sweetly.</p>
+
+<p>'June be it then,' replies Jimmy. 'The leafy month of June.'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Thee will I love and reverence, evermore.'<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i3">&mdash;<span class="smcap">Aubrey de Vere</span>.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>'There, Mab, I really can't write any more,' and throwing down her pen,
+regardless that it is full of ink, and that it alights on a photograph
+of Teddy, thereby giving him a black eye, Miss Seaton rises from the
+writing-table and flings herself into an armchair.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, dear,' says Mabel, 'I said I would do them for you, after you are
+gone to-morrow, look at these little china figures, I don't believe
+you've glanced at them, they came from old Mrs Boothly and I fancy they
+are real Sévres&mdash;?'</p>
+
+<p>'At it still,' interrupts George, poking his head in at the door, 'what
+it is to be on the eve of a wedding; I suppose you'll want a detective,
+and, oh, by the bye where are we going to dine?'</p>
+
+<p>'In your room, I thought,' replies his wife, 'you see you can go to the
+club, and we shall not want much.'</p>
+
+<p>'Fasting before a festival, I suppose,' says he; 'or perhaps you are
+afraid you will not be able to get into that new gown of yours.'</p>
+
+<p>'How do you know anything about my new gown,' asks Mabel.</p>
+
+<p>George laughs, 'I happened to see it put out for inspection in your
+room.'</p>
+
+<p>'My room, what were you doing there?' begins Mabel, but he has
+departed.</p>
+
+<p>'What can he have been doing?' she says.</p>
+
+<p>'Go and see,' suggests Lippa, and Mabel filled with curiosity, hastens
+upstairs, but returns again in a minute.</p>
+
+<p>'Look, what the dear thing has given me,' she cries, holding up a little
+blue velvet case, 'I must go and thank him,' and down she goes to the
+smoking-room, 'George, you dear old boy,' she says, hugging him round
+the neck, 'isn't it lovely,' she goes on, turning to Philippa who has
+followed her.</p>
+
+<p>'It is indeed,' says she, carefully examining the moonstone set in
+diamonds. 'Did you choose it yourself, George?'</p>
+
+<p>'Didn't give me credit for so much taste, eh?'</p>
+
+<p>'No, I don't think I did,' replies Lippa, quietly slipping out of the
+room.</p>
+
+<p>She wants to be alone, to think a little, it all seems so strange and
+lovely; this time to-morrow she will be Mrs Dalrymple&mdash;Mrs Dalrymple!
+how funny it sounds&mdash;and Jimmy will be all her own, and they will go
+away together;&mdash;and she sinks into a dream of delight, seeing the future
+only as a golden mist through which she and her husband will pass side
+by side. And she suddenly falls upon her knees, and buries her golden
+head in her hands, and breathes forth an earnest prayer of heartfelt
+gratitude to the great God who orders all things.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'The Divinity that shapes our ends,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Rough hew them as we will.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The next morning, her wedding day, dawns at length; the first thing she
+hears are some sparrows chirping outside, and anxious to see if it is
+fine, she goes to the window and draws up the blind, letting in a whole
+flood of crimson light.</p>
+
+<p>It is one of those lovely days in London when there is just a little
+breath of wind stirring among the trees that prevents it from being
+sultry, and everyone seems to expand to the warmth and look happy. It is
+still quite early, two or three costermongers' carts are being wheeled
+along by their owners, fresh from Covent Garden; a lark belonging to the
+house opposite is singing merrily despite its small cage, and Lippa
+smiles as she recalls the old saying, 'Blessed is the bride whom the
+sun shines on.'</p>
+
+<p>As sleep seems impossible and rather loud voices are heard from
+overhead, she throws a loose wrapper round her and goes up to the
+nurseries. Teddy is in his bath and no power on earth can persuade him
+to get out, in vain Marie gesticulates and calls him '<i>Un bien méchant
+gamin</i>,' Teddy knows he has the best of it, as whenever she comes near
+he throws water at her.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, Teddy! Teddy!' exclaims Philippa, opening the door, 'do be a good
+boy, or else you know, you could not be my page.'</p>
+
+<p>Teddy, surprised at his aunt's sudden appearance, ceases to splash about
+and regards her gravely.</p>
+
+<p>'I shall be your page if I'm good then,' he says.</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly,' replies Philippa, 'get out of the bath now and after your
+breakfast you shall come to my room.'</p>
+
+<p>Teddy looks longingly at the water and then at her, finally with a deep
+sigh he gets out of the bath and submits to being rubbed dry by Marie.</p>
+
+<p>The morning wears on and five minutes after the appointed time Lippa
+calm and very lovely in her bridal attire, walks up the aisle of St
+P&mdash;&mdash; leaning on her brother's arm, and there before the altar takes
+James Dalrymple to be her husband, for better, for worse, till death
+them do part.</p>
+
+<p>Into further details there is no need to go; weddings are all alike, you
+will say, except, of course, when you happen to be one of the chief
+parties concerned. There was of course, the orthodox best man,
+bridesmaids, and spectators, the lengthy signing of the register and
+last but not least Mendelssohn's wedding march. I wonder how the world
+could have got on without it!</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>'Well, I'm glad that's over, ain't you?' says Mrs Dalrymple, who is
+comfortably seated in a railway carriage, her husband opposite.</p>
+
+<p>'Very,' replies Jimmy, looking unutterable things at her. 'I say though,
+how late you were. I thought you were never coming, and Helmdon had the
+fidgets.'</p>
+
+<p>'It was exactly five minutes late,' says she, 'for George looked at his
+watch just before the carriage stopped, but do look at that woman, isn't
+she lovely?'</p>
+
+<p>The train is stopping at one of the suburban stations, and the lady who
+has caught Lippa's attention is hurrying down the platform, trying to
+find a seat, holding a small child by the hand.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy pokes his head out of the window. 'By Jove,' he says, 'she is
+handsome. She's getting into a third class, doesn't look like it, does
+she?'</p>
+
+<p>'No,' says Lippa, and then they forget all about her, till on reaching
+their destination, they see her again.</p>
+
+<p>'Hullo,' says Dalrymple, 'there's that woman again, I wonder who she
+is?' As they pass out of the station, she drops her umbrella, and Jimmy
+picking it up, restores it to her.</p>
+
+<p>'Thank you,' she says, raising for a moment a pair of wonderful dark
+eyes to his face.</p>
+
+<p>Lippa looks at her curiously, wondering what her life story is, and then
+they part, going in opposite directions.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy has a small house of his own, not far from C&mdash;&mdash; and only
+half-a-mile from the sea coast and quite close to 'The Garden of Sleep,'
+and here it is that he brings Lippa to pass the first days of their
+married life, days of almost perfect happiness. But, in course of time,
+as they are going to live together for the rest of their lives they come
+to the wise conclusion that an overdose of solitude to begin with,
+would be tedious, to say the least of it.</p>
+
+<p>'It wasn't as if we were going to stop here long,' says Lippa one day.
+'When we go back to London we must set to work to be very economical,
+and that will give me heaps to do; I can't bear being idle, can you?'</p>
+
+<p>'I am afraid, dear, that I rather like it,' replies Jimmy, 'but you're
+not going to worry yourself over making both ends meet, are you? I dare
+say it will be rather difficult, but if we let this place, it will help
+us a little, and you said you wouldn't mind.'</p>
+
+<p>'Mind,' and Lippa rises and goes up to him, kneeling down at his side,
+'I shan't mind anything now, Jimmy,' she says.</p>
+
+<p>'What does the "now" imply,' asks he, 'that you did once mind, eh?'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, I did, when you used to look so gravely at me, when we met in the
+street, I think my heart was nearly breaking, you know you tried to
+think I was a flirt, and&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Never mind now, sweetheart, it was blind of me not to see through it
+all, and if you only could have guessed how I was longing to take you in
+my arms, to ask you why you sent me away, you would not have looked so
+cold, and&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>It is her turn to interrupt this time, which she does by kissing him.
+'Do you know,' she says, 'you nearly made me forget what I was going to
+say&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Is it of great importance?' asks he.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, it is. Don't you think it would be nice to ask Mabel and the
+children down here, and we might all go back to London together. I know
+Teddy would like the sands here; and there is plenty of room; shall we?'</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy says yes, although he would have preferred to remain alone for a
+little longer.</p>
+
+<p>There is something so nice in knowing that the lovely little person who
+is always with him, is his very own to take care of and protect against
+everything, for all the years that lie before them. And he fears to be
+disturbed, in case it may all prove a dream, and burst like a bubble
+with the slightest contact of the outer world. But a week later Mabel
+arrives accompanied by Teddy and the baby; George and Paul, whom Lippa
+has also begged to come, turn up, and the lovely days that follow, when
+the sun creeps into their rooms in the early morning enticing them out,
+where the hedges are covered with sweet smelling honey-suckle and the
+fields are carpeted with brilliant red poppies, and a walk will take
+them to the 'Garden of Sleep,' where among the tombstones and long grass
+they can watch the sea sparkling in a golden haze, and listen to the
+waves as they break on the yellow sands; where the birds are ever
+trilling forth their songs without words; those days for ever are stored
+in the minds of some of them as the loveliest summer man could wish
+for.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI_2" id="CHAPTER_XI_2"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Love pardons the unpardonable past.'&mdash;<span class="smcap">Christina Rossetti</span>.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>It is six o'clock. The tea things have been taken away, and the
+occupants of the little drawing-room are all apparently lazily enjoying
+themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Mabel has the baby on her knee, her husband is dozing in an armchair,
+Jimmy is sitting half-in half-out of the window, Paul is reading, and
+Philippa is lying on the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>'Lippa,' says Dalrymple, 'sing us something.'</p>
+
+<p>'What would you like?' she answers, rising slowly.</p>
+
+<p>'Anything,' he replies.</p>
+
+<p>She runs her fingers over the keys and then sings 'The Garden of Sleep.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul closes his book as she begins, looking at her earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>Why does she sing that song, so close as they are to the real spot; and
+why does it say 'the graves of dear women,' the only one he knows buried
+there is a little child. He rises abruptly as the song is finished, and
+passes through the French window into the garden. Philippa has begun
+something else. He pauses and listens.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Why live when life is sad?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Death only sweet.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Ah! thinks he, that is exactly it. What good is life to me!</p>
+
+<p>The evening sun floods with a golden haze the road before him; he walks
+on, the distant sound of the waves coming up from the sands, and almost
+unconsciously he sings in a low voice,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Did they love as I love<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">When they lived by the sea?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Did they wait as I wait<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For the days that may be?'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>And then, with a start he finds himself in 'The Garden of Sleep,' and
+just on the edge of the cliff, reaching over to pick some poppies is a
+child, a little girl with golden hair.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant he is at her side, and without saying a word for fear of
+starting her, he catches her in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>'Mummy, mummy, don't,' she cries, and then seeing that it is a stranger
+her anger is roused still more. 'Put me down, how dare lou touch me, me
+wants the flowers.'</p>
+
+<p>'Now look here,' replies Paul. 'Do you know, you might have fallen over.
+It is very dangerous to go so near the edge. If I get you the flowers,
+promise me you will go away,'&mdash;no answer&mdash;so he puts her down, he picks
+the flowers, and gravely hands them to her.</p>
+
+<p>'Sank lou,' she says, taking them in her little fat hand, 'sank lou, but
+I could have gottened them meself.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul smiles, wondering who she reminds him of.</p>
+
+<p>'What's lour name?' she asks suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>'Paul,' he replies, promptly, 'what is yours, and who are you with?'</p>
+
+<p>'I doesn't know what's my name is,' she answers, gravely, 'Mummy always
+calls me Baby, I'm wif Mummy. Does lou know Mummy?'</p>
+
+<p>'I do not think I have that pleasure,' says he, 'but I should like to
+speak to her,' thinking to reprove her for her carelessness in letting
+the child wander about so far away.</p>
+
+<p>'Vis way,' says the little girl catching hold of his hand, and turning
+down a path among the tombstones, 'Mummy always comes to a little tiny
+grave.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul goes with her, wondering why he does so. When, why is it? that she
+is taking him to the grave of his.... And, good heavens! the person the
+child calls 'Mummy' is kneeling beside it, her head bent, apparently not
+hearing their approach.</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, Mummy look,' cries the child, 'look what bootiful flowers me's
+gottened, him wouldn't let me get them meself. Look at him, Mummy,' she
+urges as the woman still kneels with lowered head, 'him's name is Paul.'</p>
+
+<p>She raises her head at the name, and he starts back on seeing her face
+and looks at her for a moment with astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>'Clotilde,' at length he says, and his voice is low, 'you here.'</p>
+
+<p>Her head is once more bowed&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>'You here,' he repeats, 'here at the grave of your child and'&mdash;with a
+slight pause 'mine. It is four years since I saw you last, and now to
+meet you like this.'</p>
+
+<p>No sound comes from the kneeling figure. 'Where is ... he?' Paul asks in
+a hoarse unnatural voice.</p>
+
+<p>'Dead,' she whispers.</p>
+
+<p>'Ah!' and he breathes a sigh of relief, 'so you always come here,' he
+says, repeating the little girl's words, and then remembering her. 'Good
+God!' he cries, 'that child! speak, Clotilde, tell me,' he bends forward
+and touches her almost roughly, 'for Heaven's sake, speak, and say she
+is not your child, but no! I would rather not hear it,' and overcome by
+a strong emotion, he turns towards the sea, while a tumult of passionate
+strife rends his very soul.</p>
+
+<p>Why had he saved the child. One minute more where she had been would be
+certain death, if he had only known who she was he would never have
+rescued her, and yet&mdash;and yet&mdash;what harm has the <i>child</i> done, that he
+should wish for her death like this.</p>
+
+<p>Poor little innocent child, but who does she remind him of&mdash;not
+Clotilde, not that other, no it is Philippa she is like, what could it
+all mean.</p>
+
+<p>A little tug at his leg interrupts his train of thought, and he becomes
+aware that the child is standing at his side, his first impulse is to
+push her away roughly, but the little thing is looking up at him so
+gravely. 'Mummy says,' she begins, 'that she doesn't know who I is,
+I'se Baby, and got losted years ago, but Mummy loves me.'</p>
+
+<p>Paul returns quickly, 'Is this true?' he asks.</p>
+
+<p>'Yes,' she replies slowly, 'quite true, I found her, and was never able
+to trace her parents; it is nearly three years ago now.'</p>
+
+<p>'Three years, have you kept her,' he says, 'you! a woman with a past
+like yours, how&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'Spare me! spare me!' she cries, 'have I not suffered enough, am I not
+suffering enough now, do not taunt me, I know well I deserve it; but I
+have always thought of you, as I saw you last, and your sad reproachful
+face has often stayed me from.... Last year, I thought I would go and
+seek you, I got as far as Brook Street, and there I saw you talking to a
+girl in a carriage, your back was turned to me, but I heard her say,
+"Poor woman, how ill she looks!" and I dared not speak to you; death was
+what I longed for, and I went to the river, but that girl's voice
+haunted me. "Poor woman," aye indeed! I <i>was</i> to be pitied; I had done
+wrong, but I would try to atone&mdash;but why am I telling you all this, you
+who ought to hate and despise me, I who have ruined your life. Oh! my
+God! my God! have mercy&mdash;' And with a paroxysm of grief, she lays her
+head on the little green mound.</p>
+
+<p>A strange sight the old vicar sees as he passes through the long grass
+on his way to the church; a tall man in flannels gazing down on the
+figure of a woman, kneeling before him, divided only by a small grave,
+and a little golden-haired child looking at them wonderingly; he has
+spoken to the child before and now she leaves the other two and follows
+him into the sacred edifice.</p>
+
+<p>The bell begins to toll for even-song, but neither Paul nor Clotilde
+move, so close they are together, only the past lies between them. A
+small cross marks the grave of their child, whereon his name, and age
+(but a few months) is inscribed.</p>
+
+<p>Paul reads the inscription though he knows it only too well, and then he
+once more rests his gaze on the woman before him; the woman he once
+loved! nay, does still love, for a great desire to comfort her comes
+over him.</p>
+
+<p>'Clotilde,' he says at length, 'let us forget the past. Come.'</p>
+
+<p>He takes her by the hand and he leads her gently to the church, up the
+aisle they go, and side by side they kneel; and the old clergyman is not
+surprised to see them, and the little golden-haired child watches them
+from another pew.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'I were but little happy, if I could say how much.'<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare</span>.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+<p>Twenty-four hours have come and gone and have left everyone a day older,
+they are all in the garden, except Paul; a little golden haired girl is
+playing with Teddy, and Mabel watches them from a distance with a
+beaming smile. For a great happiness has come to her, the empty place in
+her heart has been refilled, for a strange and wonderful thing has
+happened; for only the evening before, her brother knocked at her
+bedroom door, as she was dressing for dinner, and on her saying, come
+in, he opened it, and said, 'Mabel, here is somebody I should like you
+to see.'</p>
+
+<p>Somebody! yes indeed; and a small somebody too, somebody so like
+Philippa, somebody! who had a little gold locket with a turquoise in the
+centre. Ah! it seems too good to be true!</p>
+
+<p>'Lilian!' Mabel calls, and then as the child does not take any notice,
+'Baby&mdash;' The child turns and looks shyly at her mother; and emboldened
+by a sweet smile she runs and hides her head in her mother's gown, while
+the little hands are covered with kisses.</p>
+
+<p>'You won't be afraid of me, will you?' asks Mabel, 'and you will love me
+very soon, I hope.'</p>
+
+<p>'Ses,' is the answer, 'but I must love Mummy still.'</p>
+
+<p>'Yes, dear, of course,' is the answer, 'Mummy, as you call her, is
+coming to see me this afternoon.'</p>
+
+<p>Teddy has been watching from the distance, his nose has been altogether
+put out of joint, and it is rather a melancholy freckled face that
+Philippa catches sight of.</p>
+
+<p>'Why, Teddy,' she says, 'come here and tell me what you were doing all
+the morning, and oh, Jimmy,' she says, turning to her husband, 'do be an
+angel and take baby back to the nursery, Mabel is so engrossed with
+Lilian.'</p>
+
+<p>'Come along then, old woman,' and Jimmy lifts up his niece, 'but I say,
+Lippa, don't you think it would be just as well to be out of the way
+when Paul comes.'</p>
+
+<p>'Perhaps it would,' answers she, 'and you had better take Teddy with you
+as well.'</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy has just turned the corner of the house, when he runs straight
+into Paul and the lady he saw in the train.</p>
+
+<p>There is no time to retreat, so he says, 'How do you do?' and the baby
+puts further conversation out of the question, by beginning to howl,
+Jimmy in the bottom of his heart feels thankful for it, though aloud he
+says, 'I must depart with this tiresome person, come along Teddy.'</p>
+
+<p>The baby deposited in the nursery, he keeps out of the way till
+tea-time, when he finds them all seated round a table still in the
+garden.</p>
+
+<p>Clotilde had at first refused to see anyone, but Paul persuaded her at
+length, 'Sooner or later, you must,' he had said, 'you know Mabel, and
+Lippa is a dear little girl.'</p>
+
+<p>'But&mdash;' and Clotilde had looked up at her husband with those large dark
+eyes of hers 'they will&mdash;'</p>
+
+<p>'The past will be forgotten,' was his reply, spoken sadly and quietly.
+And now she seems to be more at her ease.</p>
+
+<p>'Have some tea, Jimmy,' says Philippa as he approaches.</p>
+
+<p>'No thanks, it is too hot,' he replies.</p>
+
+<p>'Come and sit then,' suggests Mabel pushing forward an empty chair, into
+which he sinks.</p>
+
+<p>'Well, lazy boy, what have you been doing,' this from Lippa who is
+eating strawberries with apparent relish.</p>
+
+<p>'Nothing,' is the yawned reply.</p>
+
+<p>'Not even thinking of me,' and Lippa looks coquettishly at him from
+under her large shady hat.</p>
+
+<p>'No, indeed, why should I, but you may as well spare me one strawberry.'</p>
+
+<p>'Certainly not,' says she, 'this is my last one' (gradually raising it
+to her lips), 'not unless you say, you thought of me, all the time.'</p>
+
+<p>'Oh, well, if you must! I thought of no one but you, I saw you in every
+one I met, even the gardener.'</p>
+
+<p>'That's rude,' she says, 'but you may as well have this,' extending to
+him the coveted strawberry, with an adorable smile.</p>
+
+<p>'What a silly child you are,' is all the thanks she gets.</p>
+
+<p>But some one has driven up, in a very old fly, to the front door and Mrs
+Dalrymple is watching to see who it is.</p>
+
+<p>'Chubby,' she exclaims as a man gets out clothed in an extraordinary
+check suit. 'No one else could have clothes like that.' There is no
+doubt about its being Lord Helmdon, he has caught sight of them and is
+coming towards them, looking decidedly hot and dusty.</p>
+
+<p>'Do look at him,' says Paul, though there is absolutely no need, as they
+are all gazing at him.</p>
+
+<p>'Hullo,' says Jimmy, 'who would have thought of seeing you here!'</p>
+
+<p>'Eh! what,' is the inevitable answer.</p>
+
+<p>'Dear Mrs Dalrymple,' he goes on, shaking her vigourously by the hand,
+'I am stopping not far from here,&mdash;I thought you would not mind my
+coming over to see you, what!'</p>
+
+<p>'She didn't say a word,' says Jimmy still reclining in the arm-chair,
+'you didn't give her time.'</p>
+
+<p>Mabel shakes with suppressed laughter, and Lippa's mouth is contorted
+into the most extraordinary shape, but she says calmly, 'I'm so glad to
+see you, won't you stop the night now you are here?'</p>
+
+<p>'I'm afraid I can't, ah, how do you do?' he says to Mabel, 'well, Paul,
+pretty fit, eh?'</p>
+
+<p>'Decidedly so,' replies he.</p>
+
+<p>Clotilde has been sitting quite silent longing to get away, but Paul
+will not look at her, and, oh! what shall she do, Philippa is
+introducing her to the newcomer.</p>
+
+<p>'Chubby allow me to introduce you to Paul's wife.'</p>
+
+<p>'What!' he exclaims.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy who is in fear and trembling as to what he may say, kicks him
+violently on the shins under cover of the tablecloth, which sends him
+sprawling on his knees before Clotilde.</p>
+
+<p>'I&mdash;er, I beg your pardon,' he says, 'but really, Jimmy, I wish you
+would keep your legs to yourself.'</p>
+
+<p>'Me,' says Dalrymple, regardless of grammar and looking quite
+unconscious, 'never was further from doing anything else, in my life.'</p>
+
+<p>'May you be forgiven,' whispers Lippa, who has observed it all&mdash;but
+aloud she says, 'Won't you have some tea.'</p>
+
+<p>'No thanks, really not,' replies Helmdon, 'but if I may stay, we may as
+well tell the fly to go away.'</p>
+
+<p>'Do,' says Dalrymple rising, 'have you got anything with you,' and
+together they go back to the house, where Jimmy explains all, including
+Clotilde, and the kick.</p>
+
+<p>'Thanks, awfully, old man,' says Helmdon, 'I couldn't make it out a bit,
+what!'</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>The evening is lovely, and two and two they gradually leave the
+drawing-room, to Chubby, who, his body in one chair, and his legs in
+another, is wrapt in peaceful slumbers. Mabel and her husband walk
+slowly up and down, before the house discussing their children and
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>Quite unconsciously Paul and Clotilde take their way to the little
+church, and pause not till they come to their baby's grave. The moon
+shines down on them, as side by side they stand on the edge of the
+cliff, the dark ocean stretching out before them, a type of the unknown
+future that will be theirs.</p>
+
+<p>Paul becomes aware that she is crying, and says, turning her face up to
+his. 'My darling, dry your eyes, we have all done wrong, but it is no
+use dwelling on the past, a future lies before us, in which by God's
+help, we will try to atone for the past, "Heaven means crowned not
+vanquished when it says forgiven."' For all answer Clotilde goes close
+to him, and lays her sad weary head against his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>'Paul,' she murmurs, 'how good you are,' and then there is a silence
+more eloquent than words.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime Jimmy and Philippa hand in hand have reached a
+cornfield.</p>
+
+<p>'Let us stop here,' she says seating herself on a stile.</p>
+
+<p>'Very well,' he replies, following her example, 'only we must not stay
+out too late you know.'</p>
+
+<p>'No, we won't,' says Lippa, 'but Jimmy, dear, don't you feel awfully
+happy, because I do.'</p>
+
+<p>'Sitting on this stile,' queries he.</p>
+
+<p>'No, of course not, don't be stupid, but,' and she puts her arm round
+his neck, 'everybody is all right, are they not? Mabel has her child
+back, Paul has Clotilde, and oh, Jimmy darling, I've got you.'</p>
+
+<p>There is a little sob as she says this.</p>
+
+<p>'Crying,' says he, placing his arm round her, 'if you cry when you're
+happy, what will you do, when there is really something to cry for, oh
+you silly child,' but the look in his eyes belies his words, and Lippa
+raising hers sees something in them, which makes her draw still closer,
+till their lips meet.</p>
+
+<p>'Dearest,' he whispers.</p>
+
+<p>And then a silence also falls on them, while the calm moon, unmoved at
+what she sees, still shines on the same, and the distant ripple of the
+waves breaking on the shore is all that is heard.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">THE END</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton
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+</body>
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+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Lippa
+
+Author: Beatrice Egerton
+
+Release Date: February 5, 2006 [EBook #17681]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIPPA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Susan Skinner
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+LIPPA
+
+A NOVEL
+
+BY
+
+BEATRICE EGERTON
+
+London
+
+EDEN, REMINGTON & CO., PUBLISHERS
+KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN
+
+ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Chapter numbering is as in the original text,
+so there are two Chapter XIs.]
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+    'I hold the world but as the world
+    A stage where every man must play a part.'
+
+       --SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+It is four o'clock, and ---- Street is wearing a very deserted
+appearance although it is July. The cab-drivers are more or less fast
+asleep in attitudes far from suggesting comfort, the sentries on guard
+at ---- Palace look almost suffocated in their bearskins, and a
+comparative quiet is reigning over the great metropolis.
+
+'Do you know, Helmdon,' says Jimmy Dalrymple. 'I'm nearly done;' these
+two are seated in the bow window of a well-known club.
+
+'You don't mean it, what!' replies Helmdon, better known as Chubby.
+
+'I do, all the same,' says Jimmy, testily, 'heat, money, everything, in
+fact!'
+
+'That comes of racing, my good boy,' this from Chubby, in a sort of
+I-told-you-so tone.
+
+'For Heaven's sake don't begin lecturing,' says Dalrymple, 'it doesn't
+suit you, and how in the name of fortune could the heat come from my
+racing. Chubby, you're an ass!' and really, J. Dalrymple of the Guards
+is not far wrong, for the said Chubby, otherwise Lord Helmdon does look
+rather foolish half leaning half sitting on the back of a chair, his
+hat well at the back of his head (why it remains there is a mystery),
+his reddish hair very dishevelled, his face on a broad grin while he
+watches with deep interest two dogs fighting in the street below.
+
+Dalrymple receiving no answer to his complimentary speech, gives vent to
+a yawn, and sends for a brandy and soda.
+
+'Eh what!' says Chubby, suddenly, and _a propos_ of nothing; by this
+time the dogs have been separated. 'Didn't you speak just now?'
+
+'Well, yes,' replies Dalrymple, 'I merely observed that you were an
+ass.'
+
+'Thanks, awfully, but why did it strike you just now?' asks Lord
+Helmdon, sweetly.
+
+'Don't know, I'm sure--'
+
+'Ah! I thought so, but look here, why are you so down in the mouth,
+there's something up I'm sure,' and Chubby scrutinises his friend
+gravely.
+
+'Nothing's up,' says Jimmy, 'but I've got into a confounded business
+with Harkness over that mare of his, that ought to have run in the Oaks,
+I've laid more than I've got, against her winning the Ledger, and I
+don't know what on earth to do--'
+
+'Do nothing,' says Helmdon, 'it'll all shake down somehow, and the
+Ledger's weeks off--'
+
+Jimmy grunts an assent, and then rising says, 'I'm off to tea at Brook
+Street and the Park afterwards.'
+
+'You'll probably find me there,' replies Helmdon, settling himself
+comfortably for a nap. While Dalrymple walks out of the Club and turns
+in the direction of Brook Street. He has not gone far when he is
+overtaken by a man who greets him with: 'Where are you going to, my
+pretty maid?'
+
+'I'm on my way to the Park,' replies Dalrymple, smiling, 'only I thought
+of stopping at your sister's on the way. Where are you bound for?'
+
+'There too,' answers his companion, who, save for his drooping fair
+moustache would better deserve to be called a 'pretty maid.' 'Mabel has
+a small party on, and I promised to drop in, we may as well go
+together.'
+
+Paul Ponsonby is decidedly handsome; tall, fair, of almost a feminine
+complexion, and with blue eyes of a very sad expression. He is a great
+favourite with the female sex and many a mother longs to have him for a
+son-in-law, remembering that he has plenty of money, and only three
+people between him and an earldom; but he has no intention of marrying,
+there being 'a just cause and impediment' why he should not.
+
+But by this time our friends have reached their destination, and ascend
+the staircase to the strains of distant music.
+
+'Mabel,' otherwise Mrs Seaton, is standing on the landing and greets
+them both eagerly.
+
+'So glad you've come,' says she, 'but I didn't expect _you_, Mr
+Dalrymple, and now you're here you must make yourself useful, your
+mission in life at the present moment, Paul,' she adds, turning to her
+brother, 'is to go and amuse Philippa, poor child, I'm afraid she feels
+rather out of it, but I haven't time to attend to her now. She's near
+the window, the old Professor was talking to her a few minutes ago--'
+
+'Very well,' says Paul, moving towards the well filled drawing-room; the
+music has ceased and everyone is talking at once. He pauses for a second
+in the doorway and glances round the room, bowing to two or three
+people, then making his way to the window holds out his hand to a girl
+who is looking decidedly _ennuyee_.
+
+'How do you do, Mr Ponsonby,' she says in a clear sweet voice, 'I'm so
+glad you've come, don't you know the feeling of loneliness that comes
+over one in a crowd of unknown people, and I've been here all the
+afternoon feeling dreadfully cross, and have wished myself back again in
+Switzerland about twenty times. It's rather a bad beginning,' she adds,
+with a little laugh--
+
+'Feeling cross, do you mean?' asks he, 'I often think it does one a
+great deal of good to be cross. I wish Mrs Grundy didn't come between us
+and the carpet, it would be so delightful to sprawl full length on it
+and roar; I remember I used to derive a great deal of comfort in it in
+the days of my youth.'
+
+'I suppose that was a long time ago,' says she, mischievously--
+
+'Yes, of course, almost centuries--but where's Teddy?'
+
+'Gone out for a walk,' replied Philippa, 'isn't he a dear little boy?'
+
+Paul Ponsonby laughs and says, 'I I think him rather the _enfant
+terrible_, but I suppose women are naturally fond of children, even
+taken as a whole; it does not matter much what they are like taken
+singly.'
+
+Some one has begun to sing and Philippa does not answer, but when the
+song is finished, she asks the name of an old lady who is sitting on the
+sofa at the farther end of the room.
+
+'The one with the blue feather, that's Lady Dadford,' says Ponsonby,
+'and that's her daughter standing by her, Lady Anne; she is very clever;
+but surely they're some sort of relation to you, I know the old lady
+comes here very often.'
+
+'Well, child,' exclaims little Mrs Seaton, coming up and laying her hand
+on Philippa's shoulder; 'they have nearly all gone, thank goodness, I am
+afraid you have been very dull, eh?'
+
+Philippa laughs, while Paul twirling his moustache says, 'You know I've
+been talking to Miss Seaton for the last half hour, as you told me to,
+next time I shall not obey you if this is all the thanks I get.'
+
+Philippa looks up quickly, so this is why he has been talking to her.
+'It was very good of you,' she says in a very polite tone, 'very kind,
+but you need not have troubled yourself so much, I am quite happy
+watching people.'
+
+'My dear child, what an absurd creature you are,' exclaims her
+sister-in-law, 'but come with me now I want to introduce you to two or
+three people--'
+
+'What did I say to annoy her,' thinks Paul, and then seizing the first
+opportunity he makes for the door, but his sister stops him on the
+threshold.
+
+'Oh, Paul, do be a dear,' she says, 'and get some places for us for the
+play, I don't care what, only let it be somewhere proper, for Philippa's
+sake not mine, get them for to-morrow night, and come and dine here
+beforehand.'
+
+'All right,' he answers, 'I shall probably look in during the morning.
+Ta ta.'
+
+Mabel Seaton is a great favourite. She is not what one would call
+pretty, but she possesses a bright, cheery face, which is reflected in
+miniature in her son Teddy, who is as his uncle says rather the '_enfant
+terrible!_' but do not say so before his mother, or her wrath would be
+dire. Her husband George is really the only person who dares to
+interfere concerning the conduct of that small personage.
+
+Philippa, who up till now has lived with an aunt in Switzerland, having
+reached the age of eighteen, has come over to England to be presented
+and enter into the vortex of London society. So it is to quite another
+world she has come, and she wonders if she will be happy. Life is such
+a strange thing, so many beginnings and so few endings.
+
+But the theatre is hardly the place for melancholy meditations, and she
+is sitting in the stalls of the L----. Mabel on one side, Paul Ponsonby
+on the other; the latter has become deeply interested in Philippa, and
+wonders what sort of a woman she will become--a coquette, a flirt? He
+glances at her fair, childish face and sighs. The curtain goes up, but
+he does not see the scene before him; no, 'tis a woman's face he seems
+to see, a pale face, with large brown eyes that are fixed on him with a
+look of--pshaw! what had love to do with her. Time had been when love
+for that woman had filled his whole being, but there came a day when he
+tried to make himself hate her, and he did not succeed. Heigh ho!
+
+'Mr Ponsonby,' Philippa is saying to him, 'do look at that dear little
+baby.'
+
+With a start he comes back from the reverie into which he had sunk and
+answers at random 'Yes, she always acts perfectly--'
+
+Philippa looks at him in astonishment, how could that child _always_ act
+perfectly when it couldn't be more than three, but she says nothing and
+watches with interest the play. It is a sad piece of a woman wronged,
+the acting is splendid and more than once Miss Seaton feels a lump in
+her throat, but it is over at length and the curtain falls for the last
+time.
+
+'Did you like it?' asks Ponsonby, helping her on with her cloak.
+
+'Very much,' she replies, 'I have never been to an English theatre
+before, you know, but it was awfully sad.'
+
+'Sadder if it had been the man wronged,' he says--
+
+Philippa looks up with a laughing retort about each one for himself, but
+he seems so very grave that she refrains and wonders why he said that,
+but it is sometime before she finds out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+    'A face in a crowd, a glance, a droop of the lashes,
+        and all is said.'--MARION CRAWFORD.
+
+
+It is some days later, and having a ball in prospect, Mrs Seaton has
+left Philippa to rest, whilst she goes on a round of visits; and
+Philippa, nothing loth, settles herself comfortably on the sofa with a
+book, and prepares to enjoy a lazy afternoon, but she is destined to
+interruption. The door suddenly bursts open and Teddy flies in, with
+'Oh, Aunt Lippa, will you come into the Square with me. Marie's sister
+has come to see her and it would be kind to let them be together, don't
+you think--'
+
+Lippa feels inclined to suggest that it would be just as kind to let her
+alone, but she refrains and merely says 'Well?'
+
+'Will you?' asks the little boy, emphasizing his words by leaning
+heavily against his aunt. 'You see,' he continues, 'I do feel sometimes
+lonely, 'cos Marie's old and won't run, and I think you look as if you
+could--'
+
+'I have done so in the course of my life,' she answers laughing, 'and I
+might be able to do so again.'
+
+'Then you will try this afternoon, won't you?' this very coaxingly.
+'Marie had better walk with us there, but it's such a little way we can
+come back by ourselves, can't we.'
+
+'Yes; I should think so,' says Philippa.
+
+'Then I'll just go and get my hat,' and Teddy, pausing at the door,
+adds. 'Do you know I think you're a very good aunt for a boy to have.'
+
+'Indeed?' and Lippa laughs.
+
+She finds it quite as pleasant sitting under a shady tree in the Square,
+as on the sofa in Brook Street; and her nephew does not require her to
+run, having found another companion in the person of a fat, very plain
+little girl; but after some time she has to go home, and Teddy having
+worried the life out of a stray cat, returns to his aunt, with a red,
+smutty face.
+
+'Well,' he says, 'I am so hot, what shall I do to get cool--'
+
+'Sit still,' suggests Lippa.
+
+'Oh no, that'd make me heaps hotter, oh! there's Joseph,' and away flies
+Teddy. Joseph is an old gardener whose business it is to keep the paths
+in order, and of whom most of the square live in wholesome awe, not so
+Teddy, he loves him dearly and will talk as long as the old man has time
+to listen, this afternoon he is busy and Teddy soon returns again to the
+seat.
+
+'He's such a dear old man,' he says, nodding in the direction the
+gardener has taken, 'a dear old man, but he has a terrible cough, and he
+doesn't know anything that will cure it.'
+
+'Poor old man,' she answers, 'but really Teddy you _must_ sit still, you
+are so hot, and jumping up and down like that shakes me all over.'
+
+'Does it?' he says, innocently. 'I'll sit still if you'll tell me
+something, but perhaps I'd better tell you something first. Did you ever
+know that I had a sister?'
+
+Lippa nods.
+
+'Oh!' he says, 'well then perhaps you knew that her name was Lilian, and
+she was lost.'
+
+'Yes,' replies Philippa, 'I knew all about her; you see your father is
+my brother, so of course I know all about you.'
+
+'Not everything,' says Teddy, confidently, 'you don't know that I'm
+feeling rather empty, not 'xactly hungry but as if I could eat my tea.'
+
+'Well, I dare say it is time to go in,' says his aunt, 'and if you will
+cease to sit on my feet I will get up.'
+
+Teddy rises with alacrity, and not till they get to the square gate do
+they remember they have not got the key. 'How tiresome,' ejaculates
+Philippa.
+
+But Teddy who is always full of resources, departs in the hope of
+finding Joseph or some one who has a key, but alas they are the only
+occupants of the square, what is to be done. They stand gazing
+helplessly over the gate, Philippa looking uncommonly pretty in a light
+gown that fits to perfection, and her large black hat adorned with red
+poppies, 'I wonder who she is,' thinks a gentleman who has already
+passed them twice, and is contemplating turning back to see her again.
+But he hears his name called in a shrill voice, 'Captain Harkness,
+Cap-ta-i-n H-a-r-kness!' He turns round hastily and sees Teddy waving
+frantically over the gate.
+
+'Well, little boy,' he says, 'what is the matter? eh!'
+
+'We can't get out, Aunt Lippa and I, we've forgotten the key, do go to
+mother and ask her for it.'
+
+Captain Harkness turns to Philippa and raising his hat, says, 'I shall
+be very pleased if I can be of any service to you, I was just on my way
+to see Mrs Seaton.'
+
+'If you could get the key,' replies she, 'it would be most kind.'
+
+'Not at all,' says he, still wondering who she is, 'I will not be long,'
+and he is as good as his word, reappearing with the key and setting them
+free, when they return to Brook Street.
+
+'My dear child,' says Mabel, addressing Lippa, as they enter the
+drawing-room, 'how very foolish of you to lock yourselves up like that.
+I was getting quite uneasy about you, but come and have some tea, and
+you Teddy go upstairs to yours, Captain Harkness now let me introduce
+you properly to my sister-in-law.'
+
+Philippa smiles and Captain Harkness congratulates himself on his
+afternoon adventure.
+
+Eleven o'clock sees Mabel and Philippa on their way to the ball, not
+having been to many she has not become _blasee_, but enjoys herself
+thoroughly. It is still early when they reach their destination, and Mrs
+Seaton is enabled to find a seat in a good place for seeing, almost
+opposite the door. Lady Dadford followed by her daughter soon puts in an
+appearance and makes for them at once.
+
+'Well, Mabel, my dear,' she begins, 'so glad to have found you here, how
+do you do, Philippa, you are not done up yet, I see, and you look
+charming, what a sweet dress you have, and I do believe you have not
+been introduced to my boy yet, I am afraid he isn't coming here
+to-night, he's such a dear boy, my Helmdon, I'm sure you will like him.
+But where's Anne, ah! dancing already, the dear child, she does do it so
+well,' and with a benign smile on her kind old face, Lady Dadford seats
+herself by Mabel.
+
+Miss Seaton's partners claim her one after the other; they have very
+little individuality to her, of course some are better dancers than the
+others, but caring for one more than another, would be quite impossible
+she tells herself. Why is it then that suddenly as she catches sight of
+a certain brown head in the doorway, she smiles, and when the owner
+comes towards her feels just a little thrill of pleasure.
+
+Ah! Miss Seaton let me warn you, don't pretend to care for _none_ of
+them, for that thrill does not come without some cause, and almost
+before you are aware of it, you will find that your heart is not your
+own, you know quite well that Jimmy Dalrymple has found favour in your
+eyes, and you know too, that with very little trouble you could bewitch
+him. Do not play with edged tools.
+
+Lippa waltzes off with him through the crowded room and just a little
+sigh escapes her as the music stops.
+
+'Where would you like to go to?' asks he. 'To supper or the garden?'
+
+'Oh, the garden,' says Miss Seaton, 'fancy naming them together. Supper
+is such a very prosaic affair,' and then as they enter the garden, 'One
+could almost imagine oneself miles away from London here.'
+
+'They have arranged it awfully well,' says Dalrymple, gazing round on
+the illuminated parterres, and then, 'would you like to sit or shall we
+walk about?'
+
+'Walk, I think,' replies Philippa, and so they wander on, talking about
+nothing in particular, and yet they both forget that there are such
+things as sleep and to-morrow. Having come to the end of a narrow path,
+and finding two empty chairs they remain there. The lights are dim and
+the people passing and repassing are scarcely recognisable, but
+presently a lady in a light blue gown attracts Lippa's attention. 'Who
+is she?' she says.
+
+Dalrymple turns and looks at her. They hear a murmured sentence and then
+'Eh, what!' in rather an unmistakeable tone.
+
+'Oh, her partner is Helmdon,' says Jimmy, 'he's never to be mistaken
+with his _what_. The lady, I think, is Mrs Standish, an American widow,
+and therefore rolling in riches. I never knew an American widow who
+wasn't.'
+
+'It would be very nice,' says Lippa.
+
+'What! to be an American widow?'
+
+She laughs. 'No! to be very rich; there would be no need to think twice
+as to whether you could afford anything--'
+
+'What a great many useless things you would get,' says Dalrymple.
+
+'Really! but why?'
+
+'I did not mean you in particular,' he protests. 'I assure you I didn't;
+but there are a great many useless things in the shops, which I suppose
+people buy. What is the matter, Miss Seaton? For Philippa has risen
+hastily with a little scream. 'There's something under my chair, I felt
+it move,' she says, woman-like raising her skirt.
+
+Dalrymple bends down, kneel he could not in his best evening trousers,
+'I don't see anything,' he says, peering about and nearly choking for
+his collar is high and somewhat tight. _Il faut souffrir pour etre
+beau.'_
+
+'Oh, but you must,' persists Lippa. 'I felt it move.'
+
+'Wait a second,' says he, producing a match, and proceeding to light it
+on the sole of his pump; they are all alone in this part of the garden,
+and nobody is watching them, the match will not ignite at first and then
+they both bend down at once nearly upsetting each other, and behold
+calmly blinking at them a large black cat. This is too much for Jimmy
+who gives way to suppressed laughter, the match goes out, and Miss
+Seaton though inwardly convulsed thinks proper to assume an air of
+dignity. 'I think I had better go back to the ball-room,' says she.
+
+Jimmy vaguely feeling he has done something he ought not to, says; 'I-er
+beg your pardon, I'm awfully sorry--'
+
+'What for?' asks Lippa, stroking her right arm with her left hand.
+
+Jimmy considers for a moment wondering what he had better say, and then
+suddenly seized with an inspiration 'I do believe I hurt you,' he says,
+'the match didn't touch you, did it?'
+
+'No; but _you_ did,' replies she, and then seeing the consternation
+depicted on his face, Miss Seaton smiles, and then they both laugh.
+
+'You know, you really might have knocked me over,' she says
+pathetically.
+
+'I can't tell you how sorry I am,' exclaims Dalrymple, gently taking
+possession of the injured arm; 'please forgive me?'
+
+'I'll try,' she says,--'I wonder what has happened to the cat--'
+
+They are nearing the ball-room, and he finding this _tete-a-tete_ very
+pleasant wishes to prolong it and says, 'Shall we go back and see?'
+
+'I think I am engaged for this dance,' says Lippa, knowing Mabel will be
+wondering what has become of her.
+
+'You'll let me have another?' asks Jimmy, eagerly.
+
+'Certainly,' replies she; 'only, no more cat-finding. I can't bear them,
+can you?'
+
+'Can't endure them,' says Dalrymple, who would agree with whatever she
+said.
+
+That night, or I should say next morning, when Miss Seaton retires to
+rest, a certain brown head figures prominently in her dreams, together
+with searching after huge monsters, who all bear a resemblance to Lady
+Dadford. And even when awake the brown head is a subject for deep
+thought, and it is with a bright, happy face Miss Seaton appears (though
+somewhat late) at the breakfast table.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+'Philippa,' says Mrs Seaton one day, 'I have just had an invitation from
+old Mrs Boothly, asking us to a water party next Wednesday, would you
+like to go?'
+
+'Who is going?' asks Lippa wisely, 'not only the Boothlys--'
+
+'I suppose the "_not only_," means that in that case you would not go,
+but rest assured lots of other people are going, the two Graham girls,
+little Tommy Grant, Mr Dalrymple, and Captain Harkness,' says Mabel,
+'but read the note yourself and decide--' Philippa's mind is soon made
+up. 'I think I should like to go, it will be rather fun I expect.'
+
+'Yes, I daresay,' replies Mabel, 'then I will write at once to get it
+off my mind, but _what_ day is it for?'
+
+'Wednesday,' says Philippa, meaning to enjoy herself. But in one sense
+she is doomed to disappointment, the weather is everything that could be
+wished, and, donning a pretty gown, and covering her head with a dainty
+confection, she feels ready for the fray.
+
+Ten o'clock is the hour fixed for starting from ---- Station, but Teddy
+has been refractory over his breakfast and his mother considers it her
+duty to reprimand him, tears ensue, and then some time is spent in
+consolation, so that they are only just in time and have to run along
+the platform to the saloon carriage, out of which Tommy Grant is
+gesticulating violently.
+
+'You're only just in time,' says he, helping them in.
+
+Philippa looks round and does not see Dalrymple; she finds herself next
+the eldest Miss Boothly who is saying, 'I am so pleased you could come,'
+giving Lippa's arm a little squeeze at the same time, 'I think we shall
+have a nice day, don't you, and you know all the people?'
+
+'All except the man at the further end.'
+
+'Oh! don't you know him,' says Miss Boothly. 'He's Lord Helmdon; he has
+come in the place of Mr Dalrymple, who at the last moment wrote to say
+he could not come, and so we asked Lord Helmdon, he's so nice; we always
+fall back upon him when anyone fails us.'
+
+Chubby does not look as if he had been fallen back upon by any means,
+for apparently he is keeping up the spirits of the party, for they are
+all in shrieks of laughter. Captain Harkness eyes Lippa from the
+distance, and when they reach their destination prepares to assist her
+to alight, when Lord Helmdon clumsily treads on her dress just as she is
+about to jump down on the platform; no great damage is done, and Chubby,
+profuse in apologies, wins Miss Seaton's heart by the plain distress
+depicted on his countenance, and a safety pin which he produces and
+with which he fastens up the torn gathers, and before they come to the
+river, they are on quite friendly terms, much to the disgust of
+Harkness, who has been attacked by his hostess's youngest daughter.
+
+Up the river they go, dividing into three parties; Mrs Boothly, who has
+placed herself next Mabel, warm, and decidedly sleepy, tries in vain to
+feel happy in seeing her dear girls amused, and discusses the management
+of children with Mrs Seaton. And the day wears on, Helmdon making
+himself decidedly agreeable to everyone. Lippa amuses herself to a
+certain extent, but she becomes irritated by the assiduous attentions of
+Captain Harkness, to whom she has taken a violent dislike. She gets
+more and more out of patience with him and at length is almost rude. It
+appears to have no effect upon him whatever, for like a great many other
+people he has a very good opinion of himself, and that this girl is not
+pleased with his attentions never enters his well-curled head. Philippa
+has taken his fancy and as he has just made up his mind that it is time
+to enter the blissful (?) state of matrimony, she seems to him to be the
+exact person to make his wife; money makes no difference, for he is one
+of those fortunate individuals who has almost more than he knows what to
+do with. That Miss Seaton will have nothing to do with him, has not
+crossed his mind yet.
+
+The party disperse again at the station pouring into Mrs Boothly's ear
+many sweet sentences, which had she been listening would have made her
+think that going up the river in a boat and lunching on the bank was
+almost heaven upon earth; but poor dear lady she is longing to get home,
+feeling painfully conscious of the shapeliness of her shoes; and the
+pain thereby caused, absorbs all her faculties for the present: but when
+the above mentioned articles are removed, she thinks with pleasure how
+much everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and she makes up her mind to
+have a similar day; only, made more pleasant to her by large and
+shapeless boots. Wise Mrs Boothly--
+
+Garden-parties, balls, dinner-parties, follow each other in rather
+monotonous succession, and Lippa is beginning to tire of them, she has
+been to three balls where a certain young man has been conspicuous by
+his absence; and it is almost a week since he has dropped in to tea, and
+Miss Seaton misses him more than she will own to herself. She is feeling
+out of sorts this afternoon and has betaken herself to the back
+drawing-room, which is only curtained off from the front, leaving Mabel
+and Lady Dadford in earnest conversation.
+
+Presently the door opens, and Ponsonby comes in. 'All alone,' says he.
+'I thought you always had some one worshipping at your shrine.'
+
+'Indeed, you are much mistaken,' replies she laughing, 'but I didn't
+know you were in London--'
+
+'I only came back this morning--'
+
+'Mabel and Lady Dadford are in there,' interrupts Philippa
+indifferently, pointing to the front room.
+
+'Well, unless I am disturbing you, I will remain here,' says Paul,
+'there are some letters I must write,' and going to the table he
+proceeds to hunt for paper and pens; Lippa goes on reading her book, and
+a silence of a few minutes ensues.
+
+Then he says, 'What wretched pens you do keep--'
+
+'Yes,' replies she, 'they are rather bad, but I think you will find some
+others in the right hand drawer--have you ever read this?' holding up
+her volume.
+
+'The "Epic of Hades," yes, parts of it are very fine. "There is an end
+of all things that thou seest. There is an end of wrong and death and
+hell,"' quotes he.
+
+'What a melancholy passage,' says Lippa.
+
+'A very grand one I think,' he replies, 'but I should never have thought
+you would care for that kind of literature.'
+
+'Why not?--'
+
+'Because, well, I should have thought it would have been too deep for
+you--'
+
+'Really,' then after a pause, 'do you know _that_ wasn't very polite--'
+
+'Wasn't it? suppose I say then that I am agreeably surprised--'
+
+'That's nearly as bad, if not quite, it sounds as if you expected me to
+read nothing but books like the "Daisy Chain," or "Laneton Parsonage."'
+
+'Very excellent books too--'
+
+'Oh, Paul! how _tiresome_ you are, do you know I,' and then Miss Seaton
+is filled with confusion, she has called him by his Christian name and
+he is looking at her and smiling. 'I--er beg your pardon,' she says
+quickly in her childish way.
+
+'What for?' asks he, pretending not to understand her.
+
+'For calling you by your Christian name--'
+
+'Well, and what harm was there?'
+
+'You see,' she says deprecatingly, 'Mabel is always talking about you,
+and so I get into the habit of talking of you as Paul.'
+
+Paul rises and standing in front of her says--'As I said before, where
+is the harm? I have never called you anything else but Philippa, or
+Lippa; I could not address you as Miss Seaton, it does not suit you one
+bit you know; now let us make it a compact from henceforth, I call you
+Lippa, and you call me Paul.'
+
+'Very well,' replies she.
+
+'What ever are you two doing here,' and the curtain is hastily drawn
+aside by Mabel. 'You look as grave as judges, come and have some
+strawberries and cream, Lady Dadford has gone.'
+
+At the sound of strawberries, Lippa hastily rises, and they go into the
+front room, where Jimmy Dalrymple is.
+
+'How do you do,' says Philippa, wondering how long he has been there.
+And then they attack the strawberries.
+
+'I'm longing to know what you two were talking about,' says Mabel.
+
+Paul laughs and replies, 'We were settling a very weighty matter,
+weren't we, Lippa?'
+
+Philippa merely says 'Yes,' and longs to turn the conversation, for what
+may not Jimmy think.
+
+In truth he feels an unaccountable overwhelming desire to know what the
+weighty matter was, but he is not to know, and therefore is kept on
+tenter hooks for some time.
+
+'She came to ask us all to a cattle show and ball,' Mrs Seaton is
+saying.
+
+'Who?' asks her brother.
+
+'Lady Dadford; she particularly wants you.'
+
+'I feel highly honoured, I'm sure--'
+
+'Are you going?' says Lippa, turning to Dalrymple.
+
+'I was asked, but I don't know whether I shall be able to get away,' he
+replies, still pondering over the 'weighty matter.'
+
+'Only a few minutes ago you were telling Lady Dadford how pleased you
+would be to go, Mr Dalrymple; I did not know you were such a humbug,'
+cries Mabel.
+
+Jimmy laughs.
+
+'Mrs Boothly,' announces the servant. Philippa retires to the back
+drawing-room and Dalrymple follows her. 'I have not seen you for ages,'
+says he.
+
+'Only a week, I think,' replies Lippa.
+
+'Isn't that seven whole long days?'
+
+'Short I call them, but what have you been doing?'
+
+'Duty.'
+
+'Oh!'
+
+Then after a pause he says, 'I can't make up my mind about the Dadfords,
+shall I go?'
+
+Lippa feels naughty. 'What difference could it make to me whether you
+went or not?' she says.
+
+'None, I suppose,' replies he sadly.
+
+'None whatever,' she repeats, 'unless perhaps you make yourself very
+disagreeable, then I must say I would rather you stayed away.'
+
+'But,' says he, his face brightening, 'suppose I make myself very
+agreeable, what then?'
+
+'Could you?' she asks coquettishly.
+
+'Miss Seaton,' protests he, 'how cruel you can be.'
+
+But she appears deaf, and enters the other room. Nevertheless she gives
+him the benefit of a lovely little smile when he goes away, which makes
+him settle at once as to whether he goes to the Dadfords or not. And of
+course he is the first person Lippa sees on arriving there, and who
+shall say that it does not cause her pleasure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+    'The fine fat bulls, the dear little sheep,
+    The fat piggy-wiggy wiggies all in a heap,
+    The beautiful Moo cows all in a row,
+    Jolly fine fun at the cattle show.'
+
+
+Such a lovely day it is; the sun shining forth in all its glory, casting
+a touch of gold over everything, while a hush reigns supreme; that
+lovely stillness that hangs over the earth in the early morning before
+the work of the day begins.
+
+Lippa scarcely took in what the ancestral home of the Dadfords was like,
+when she arrived last night, but waking early she dresses hastily in
+order to survey the surrounding country, an outing before breakfast she
+delights in, when all the world seems fresh and clean, and the humdrum
+business of life is barely begun.
+
+Passing down the wide oak staircase she comes across a friendly
+housemaid who shows her the way through a conservatory to the garden,
+such a lovely garden it is, with its broad walks, its green velvety
+lawns and slopes, and its masses of old-fashioned dew beladen flowers,
+the perfume of which fills the morning air. Her spirits rise as she
+wanders on, drinking in with delight the surrounding beauty, so absorbed
+is she in it that she forgets there is such a person as Jimmy
+Dalrymple. Quack, quack, quack, go the ducks as she approaches the lake
+on which they disport themselves, and gazes down at the sky therein
+reflected and at her own image. But she is not admiring her youthful
+face and the curly golden hair that stands like a halo round it. No, she
+is sunk in a dream; the morning has called forth her greatest
+aspirations; the striving after the unattainable; that comes to us all
+sometime or other, when we feel that truly life is worth living, and
+that there is something beyond, so great that we cannot grasp it, but we
+feel it is there producing a great speechless longing within us while
+our hearts throb and our pulses stir till we could cry for joy.
+
+Such a state as this Lippa has reached, when she is suddenly brought
+down from the elevated height to which her mind has soared, to the
+outward circumstances of life, by the squeaking of a window which is
+suddenly opened; she is so close to the house, that on looking up she
+recognises the brown head that is thrust out for a moment. 'Tis enough;
+the spell has been broken and she becomes aware that breakfast would be
+a very acceptable thing, so she wends her way back to the house. Of
+course everyone is full of the cattle show and the merits of Herefords,
+short horns, Devons and Kerrys are discussed together with Jersey
+creamers and separators. Most of the guests are old and uninteresting,
+and intend leaving on the following day to make room for the younger
+folk who can dance.
+
+Dalrymple and Philippa are the only young people at present, besides, of
+course, Lady Anne and Chubby.
+
+'I've ordered the dog-cart,' says the latter, in the course of
+breakfast, to Lippa, who is sitting next him, 'because I thought we
+might leave the old people to go by themselves. I've got an awfully good
+animal, which I should like you to see, what! My sister and Dalrymple
+will come too, and we can go where we please. That is to say unless,
+perhaps, you would prefer to drive in state in the landau. What!'
+
+'No, indeed,' says Lippa, laughing.
+
+'You're wise, I think,' replies Lord Helmdon. 'You don't know what my
+respected parent is like at a show, everything must be commented upon. I
+went with him once,--didn't get away for hours, and I said to
+myself--never again. By ourselves we can come and go just as we please.
+By-the-bye, mother,' he goes on, turning to Lady Dadford, 'I suppose
+you've asked the Lippingcotts to the ball. I met him yesterday, but he
+didn't say anything about it, eh what!'
+
+'I really don't remember; have we, Anne?' says her ladyship.
+
+Lady Anne produces a piece of paper whereon the names of the invited
+guests are inscribed, glances down it, and says 'No.'
+
+'How dreadful.'
+
+'It's a pity,' says Anne.
+
+'Not too late yet,' suggests Chubby. 'Little Mrs Lippingcott is so
+awfully pretty and dances quite beautifully. It would be a shame if she
+wasn't asked.'
+
+'Well; I will write now if you like,' says his mother, ready to do
+anything her 'dear' boy wishes. 'They only came back a week ago, I
+suppose, that is how they were forgotten.'
+
+'And if I see them I'll say something pretty that will make up, what!'
+
+'Do you really think you could?' says Dalrymple, from the other side of
+the table.
+
+'Don't doubt it for a moment,' replies Chubby, 'Miss Seaton I know will
+verify my statement.'
+
+When all the older folk have been packed off, the dog-cart appears and
+with it the 'awfully good animal,' which of course has to be admired,
+and viewed from all points, before the owner sees fit to start. Lippa,
+of course, has the place of honour, by the driver, much to Jimmy's
+disgust. There is no need to go into details of the show, all of which
+are more or less alike, with dogs of all sizes and breeds, barking in
+different keys, pigs grunting and squeaking, horses neighing, cows
+mooing, cocks crowing, ducks quacking; boys yelling out the price of
+catalogues, men requesting people to 'walk up,' and inspect their wares,
+which are all warranted to be the very best of their kind; and besides
+all this two brass bands which play two different tunes at the same
+time. If a deaf man suddenly recovered his hearing at a cattle show, I
+am sure he would wish himself deaf again. However, some people enjoy
+cattle shows, I do not, but that is neither here nor there.
+
+Lord Dadford, J.P. for the county and owner of some fine short horns, is
+surrounded by gaitered and pot-hatted men, who all appear to be talking
+at once. Helmdon conducting Philippa and his sister with the ever
+constant Jimmy, carefully fights shy of his father.
+
+'What luck to have met you,' he exclaims as they run up against a pretty
+woman, Mrs Lippingcott of course, and forthwith they launch into an
+eager conversation with humble apologies from him and earnest
+entreaties that she will grace the ball with her appearance, and with
+any one who may be staying with her.
+
+'Oh, how do you do, Miss Seaton?' makes Lippa turn, who is in earnest
+conversation with Dalrymple, and see Harkness standing before her. She
+would have liked to give vent to a naughty little expression, but she
+merely bows saying--
+
+'I had no idea of meeting you here, isn't it a lovely day?'
+
+'Beautiful,' he replies, 'I am stopping with the Lippingcotts for a few
+days; really the country is quite delightful after London.'
+
+'Delicious,' replies Lippa, moving on leaving Harkness gazing at her
+and Dalrymple; is that young beggar going to cut him out, it looks
+uncommonly like it. Lucky fellow he is, thinks the Captain, winning over
+that race last month when the odds were dead against him, and now--
+
+'Thank goodness!' ejaculates Miss Seaton, finding herself free from her
+admirer.
+
+'What for?' asks Dalrymple.
+
+'Why, to get rid of him of course.'
+
+'Poor man,' says Jimmy pensively.
+
+'Wherefore?'
+
+'Because he has evidently incurred your displeasure.'
+
+'Oh,' with a little laugh, 'is my displeasure such a very dreadful
+thing.'
+
+'It would be to me,' is the reply.
+
+'Well, if you're very good, I will try and be pleased with you, it might
+be unpleasant if we--'
+
+'Will it require a great deal of trying?'
+
+'That depends,' says Miss Seaton, glancing up in his face, to find he is
+looking at her rather more earnestly than is necessary. But the
+conversation is interrupted by Lady Anne.
+
+Poor Lady Anne, there is a romance connected with her life, that nobody
+knows of save her parents, and they have almost forgotten it. A romance
+in which a young officer figures prominently; when Lady Anne first came
+out she fell desperately in love with him, and he with her, they
+plighted their troth at a London ball; but her parents said she was too
+young to marry just then, and it was agreed to wait a year. But war
+broke out and his regiment was 'ordered to the front.' Oh! the sorrow
+conveyed in those words, how many, many went out like Lady Anne's lover
+and never returned, how many lives like hers were blighted in
+consequence. 'God bless you, Dick,' she had said the night before he
+started, 'and I hope you will come back soon.'
+
+'Soon,' he had repeated, 'dearest, I may never come back again.'
+
+He was right, for he fell on the field of A----, found dead where the
+fight had been fiercest; and Lady Anne's heart was broken. She did not
+die of grief, nor did she appear to the world as hopelessly crushed, but
+went on living just the same, with a feeling of aching emptiness, that
+is, oh, so hard to bear, and she shut away from prying eyes the picture
+of her young lover, and round her neck she hung the crystal heart he had
+given her, whereon his name was inscribed.--Dick.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+    'Love me, for I love you,' and answer me
+    'Love me, for I love you.'--CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.
+
+
+'Tis the night of the ball, dinner is over and the house party is
+collected in the hall, waiting the arrival of the guests. The fiddles
+are scraping away in the drawing-room, where the furniture having been
+taken away and the carpet removed, the floor looks inviting and 'is
+perfectly delicious' owns Philippa, having performed a _pas seul_
+thereon, before anyone was down. She looks extremely pretty to-night in
+a quaint, little white satin dress, her hair fluffed all round her
+head, and tied up with pale green ribbons.
+
+At this moment she is striving in vain to button up one of Chubby's
+gloves. 'It's awfully good of you,' he says. 'I can't think why they are
+so tight, what--'
+
+'If I don't button it this time,' she replies, 'I really can't try any
+more, for I have not got my own on yet, and I know they'll begin to
+dance in a moment.'
+
+'You'll let me have the first, won't you?' he says.
+
+'Certainly,' she answers, all her attention absorbed in the button which
+is just half in the button-hole, one little poke and 'there it's done,'
+she says.
+
+But alas! it is _done_ indeed, for there is an ominous crack, and a
+large split is seen right across it.
+
+'What a nuisance,' says Helmdon, gazing at the torn article.
+
+'Oh I hope it wasn't my fault,' says Lippa.
+
+'No; not at all, I assure you--'
+
+'Don't waste time then looking at it, fetch another quickly,' and
+Philippa begins hastily to cover her own bare hands. 'Chubby,' she calls
+after him, 'they're beginning to dance. I can't keep this one for you,
+the next one will do just as well, won't it?'
+
+'Quite,' is the reply as he ascends the stairs three steps at a time;
+while she becomes aware of two men making for her, Harkness and
+Dalrymple, the former she feels will reach her first, and she has no
+desire to dance with him: so she suddenly feels that she ought to be
+nearer her sister-in-law, and edging her way through the crowd gains her
+chaperon's side, a second before Jimmy comes up.
+
+'May I have this?' he says eagerly, and receiving an affirmative, he
+leads her off to the ball-room, where the "Garden of Sleep" waltz is
+echoing through the well-lighted apartment, and the air is fragrant with
+the scent of many flowers. Already a goodly crowd is there, mammas,
+elderly spinsters, girls of all sizes and ages, in satin, silks, and
+tulle; old men, middle-aged men, young men and mere boys are all
+collected there. In a second Dalrymple and Philippa join in the giddy
+dance; for what is more giddifying (if I may use such a word), than
+waltzing in a room full of people who have not summoned up courage
+enough to begin, round and round they go, till Miss Seaton at length
+says, 'I think I really must stop although the best part of the tune is
+just coming. We can't be like the river, can we, going on forever:'
+
+    'Men may come and men may go,'
+    'But I go on forever.'
+
+She murmurs more to herself than to him, as they make their way to the
+conservatory, and then, 'Do you like poetry?' she asks.
+
+'Pretty well, I don't read much of it.'
+
+'I am so fond of it,' replies Philippa, settling herself comfortably on
+a sofa surrounded by cushions, 'I could read it all day.'
+
+'Ah, you see you have more time to do what you like, but when a fellow
+has been at work all day, he doesn't feel inclined for poetry, you've
+got nothing to do except to read and do fancy work, I suppose.'
+
+'That's a mistake that all men make, they think that girls have nothing
+to do all day, when they have quite as much as men if not more; you
+don't know anything about them. And I think poetry is the _most_ restful
+thing to read when one's tired, you see our minds soar to higher things
+than yours, you study the _Racing Calendar_ and the newspapers, don't
+you?'
+
+'Generally, not always,' admits Jimmy.
+
+'The _Racing Calendar_, _versus_ Tennyson, Longfellow, or Mrs Browning;
+but I don't believe you're half listening to me,' says she, for he is
+gazing straight in front of him.
+
+'I assure you I was,' he protests, 'I am in a crowd now, may I not muse
+on the "absent face that has fixed" me.'
+
+'No, certainly not, you ought to be thinking of me,' this in a slightly
+aggrieved tone.
+
+'How do you know I wasn't,' gazing at her earnestly.
+
+'I'm not absent,' and then Philippa seeing what might be implied,
+blushes a rosy red, and rising says, 'We must go back now, I promised
+Lord Helmdon this dance, and he'll never find me here. Ah! there he is.'
+
+'Are you so anxious to dance with him?' asks Jimmy in a would-be
+indifferent tone.
+
+'Yes, of course,' she replies, 'I like him so much, don't you?'
+
+'Oh, yes,' replies Dalrymple with equal indifference. And so the evening
+wears on and Miss Seaton is congratulating herself at having eluded
+Captain Harkness, when she suddenly finds him standing before her.
+
+'Won't you give me a dance?' he says in his suave tone. 'I have been
+trying to speak to you all the evening--'
+
+'Have you?' she replies, and not knowing quite how to get out of it.
+'You may have the next one if you like,' she says.
+
+'May I really? Then I shall find you somewhere about here?'
+
+Lippa nods, and her partner, an aged baronet, claims her and they go
+through the intricacies of the lancers. Almost before the next dance has
+begun, Harkness appears; he dances beautifully and knows it too, but it
+is not long before he suggests a saunter in the garden.
+
+Philippa consents, and forth they go into the cool night air. A hundred
+tiny lamps have been placed among the bushes, which shed a subdued light
+over the scene; charming corners have been arranged to sit in, while
+the splashing of the fountains mingles with the laughter and
+conversation of the company.
+
+'What an interminable dance,' thinks Philippa, as having walked a good
+way round the garden, she finds herself once more outside the ball-room,
+and the same tune is still being played. She heaves a sigh of despair
+and raising her eyes meets those of Dalrymple, who is propping himself
+against a pillar. There is a look of reproach in them, and Lippa, though
+her conscience tells her she was unkind to him, feels an insane desire
+to make him jealous, and turns with an adorable smile to Harkness, not
+having heard a word of what he has just been saying; but he, thinking he
+has everything in his grasp, smiles, and leads her almost before she is
+aware, to a secluded corner.
+
+'I--er I have been meaning to say something to you all this evening,' he
+begins, standing before her with his arms folded.
+
+'Indeed,' replies Miss Seaton lightly, 'it can't be anything of great
+importance, or you would have said it before.'
+
+'Not important,' this with a little more energy, 'why it is of vital
+importance; on it hangs the whole fate of my existence, Miss Seaton,'
+bending towards her, 'er--er Philippa, do you not know, have you not
+guessed that I love you, that to see you is necessary to my happiness,
+the first time I saw you--hear me,' as she makes as if to speak, 'you
+must know it, do you not see it in my eyes?' he is growing melodramatic
+and Lippa feels inclined to laugh, 'but one word, you love me, do you
+not, ah!' and he is about to seize her hand when she steps back from him
+saying,--
+
+'I am afraid, Captain Harkness, you have made a mistake.'
+
+'Mistake,' he replies, 'do you mean that you will not marry me.'
+
+'Yes, I mean that I will _not_ marry you.'
+
+'Not marry me,' it is getting monotonous this repeating of her words,
+and she makes a movement of impatience, then all of a sudden his
+expression changes, 'I am afraid I put the question too soon,' he says,
+coming a little closer and taking hold of her hand, 'but do you love
+another?'
+
+'Leave go,' she exclaims, 'I think you forget, what--'
+
+'Who is it,' he goes on, not heeding her, 'is it Helmdon or Dalrymple?'
+he is so close that she can feel his breath on her cheek, 'ah, I can see
+by your eyes it is Dalrymple?'
+
+This is too much, and with a sudden movement she raises her other hand
+and gives him a good box on the ear. He is so taken aback that he drops
+Lippa's hand, and she, thoroughly frightened, rushes down the path into
+the unlighted part of the garden, and falls headlong into the arms of
+Jimmy; who, consumed with despair, has sought refuge in solitude.
+
+'I--er I beg your pardon,' says Philippa, starting back, 'I--I--' but
+sobs check her words.
+
+'What is the matter?' asks he tenderly, his despair having vanished; the
+gentle tone of his voice makes her cry the more and so he does the thing
+that comes most naturally to him, without thinking of the consequences,
+for he puts his arm round her, and kisses her madly; and Lippa without
+resisting, leans her perturbed little head against his shoulder feeling
+unutterably happy.
+
+'Why have you been running away from me all the evening?' he asks, when
+a perfect understanding has been made between them.
+
+'I didn't,' she says indignantly, 'it was you who never came near me.'
+
+A kiss is the answer to this, and then tenderly, 'But what were you
+crying about just now?'
+
+'I was frightened rather--'
+
+'What at, darling?' asks Jimmy, gazing down at the blushing face, which
+is being rubbed up and down against his coat sleeve.
+
+'At--at what I'd done,' stammers Lippa.
+
+'Something very dreadful, no doubt,' says he with a look that belies his
+words.
+
+'Yes, you're quite right,' Miss Seaton answers, 'it _was_ dreadful. I
+can't think how I did it, shall I have to beg his pardon?'
+
+'His! whose?' asks Jimmy quickly.
+
+'Captain Harkness,' is the whispered reply, while she digs a hole in the
+gravel path with the heel of her white satin shoe. 'I boxed him on the
+ear, I hardly knew what I was doing at the moment, and now I can't think
+how I could do it--you see he'd asked me to marry him.'
+
+'Is that the usual way you refuse your suitors?' says Jimmy laughing.
+'What a mercy I had not to suffer the same fate.'
+
+'Now if I remember rightly,' replies Miss Seaton gravely, 'you haven't
+asked me to marry you.'
+
+'What have I done then?' asks Dalrymple.
+
+'You've told me you loved me, but that isn't a bit the same, you know.'
+
+'No, of course not, but, dearest, you _will_ marry me?'
+
+'Silly boy,' is the reply, while she suddenly reaches up and kisses him,
+and then disengaging herself from his detaining arm hurries back to the
+house, whither he follows her a little more slowly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+    ''Tis true, 'tis true, 'tis pity, and pity 'tis, 'tis true.'--HAMLET
+
+It is breakfast time, but at present nobody has put in an
+appearance; whoever is punctual the morning after a ball! The
+drawing-room looks dreadful, all empty and bare, and the candles burnt
+down in their sockets. 'Ugh!' Lippa shudders as she pokes her head in,
+just to have a look at the place where Jimmy bade her goodnight. She
+does even more, for she goes and lays her head against a place on the
+wall, where she remembers he leant against, and as she does so a happy
+contented smile hovers round her mouth, and then laughing at herself,
+she hurries to the dining-room.
+
+'What, no one down yet!' she exclaims, gazing round the empty room.
+
+'Yes; I am,' replies a voice from outside, and Paul appears at the open
+window. 'Good-morning, how early you are,' he says.
+
+'Only punctual,' replies Philippa; 'isn't it a lovely day again. I can't
+think how the others can be so lazy. Come into the garden, do.'
+
+Paul acquiesces. He has taken a great liking to Miss Seaton. 'Did you
+like the ball?' he asks.
+
+'Oh, so much,' replies she, 'wasn't it lovely. I wish it could come all
+over again.'
+
+'Do you?' he says.
+
+'Well, perhaps not quite all,' she answers, blushing suddenly at the
+remembrance of her interview with Harkness.
+
+'Which portion could you do without. The quarter of an hour before you
+ran into the shrubbery and nearly knocked me down?'
+
+'Did I?' is the reply.
+
+'Indeed you _did_,' says Ponsonby, laughing, 'and you looked so fierce I
+was afraid to go after you and fled in the opposite direction, leaving
+you to vent your wrath on Dalrymple whom I had just left.'
+
+'I am very glad you did,' says Lippa, with a little conscious laugh.
+'Two's company, three's none.'
+
+'Yes,' replies Paul, quietly, and then a pause ensues.
+
+'Oughtn't I to have said that?' asks Philippa, suddenly looking up into
+his face. 'Because--well ... you see, if you'd been there--now, if I
+tell you something, promise to keep it a secret,' this very persuasively
+and slipping her arm through his.
+
+'On my word and honour,' Paul answers.
+
+'Well, Mr Dalrymple asked me--to--marry him--there!'
+
+'What, Jimmy!' exclaims Paul. 'I'm so glad; he's quite the nicest fellow
+I know. I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.'
+
+'Thank you,' says Lippa, simply. 'But you won't tell anybody, will you?
+Nobody knows, not even Mabel--'
+
+'But, my dear child, why did you tell _me_, of all people first?' asks
+he.
+
+'I had to tell somebody, and I know George couldn't keep anything from
+Mabel, or Mabel from him.'
+
+'I hope you will be very happy, but look, Lady Dadford is beckoning to
+us--'
+
+'What early birds you are,' says her ladyship. 'I needn't ask if you are
+the worse for last night's dissipation, for you don't look it, either of
+you--'
+
+'I'm sure Philippa will say that it did her an immense amount of good,'
+replies Paul, with a wink at Lippa, which makes her tremble in her
+shoes as to what may be coming next.
+
+It has been arranged that the whole of the party should go for a picnic
+to a spot about five miles off. 'Just to get out of the way,' says Lord
+Dadford, 'while the house is being put straight again; sort yourselves,
+sort yourselves,' he adds, standing at the front door, surrounded by
+guests and vehicles. 'I reserve to myself the pleasure of driving Mrs
+Mankaster,' (the vicar's wife) for both he and his spouse, a portly
+lady, resplendent in stiff brown silk, have been invited to take part in
+the outing.
+
+By degrees the carriages are filled and off they go, Lippa finding to
+her chagrin that she is seated by Paul in a dog-cart, Jimmy and Lady
+Anne behind, Lord Helmdon is on in front with some other people.
+
+'I'm sorry for you,' says Ponsonby, 'but if you wish your secret to be
+kept from the others, you must not be seen too much together.'
+
+Lippa sighs.
+
+'So love-sick already,' says he laughing.
+
+'How rude you are, I wasn't sighing a bit, I caught my breath.'
+
+'Oh, I like that,' is the reply.
+
+'I'm sure you can never have,' hesitatingly, 'been in love, have you?'
+and she glances up at him. 'I'm so sorry I said that,' she adds,
+noticing the pained look that comes into his eyes, and then a silence
+ensues.
+
+'Look here, Lippa,' says he at length in rather a lower tone, 'don't you
+know, has no one told you that I was married five years ago.'
+
+'Married?' exclaims Miss Seaton in astonishment, 'oh, I'm so sorry I
+said that.'
+
+'It does not matter in the least,' he replies, 'but I should think no
+one has been more desperately in love than I was once.'
+
+'She, your wife, is dead?' asks Lippa quietly.
+
+'I would to Heaven she were,' is the quick reply. 'No, child, don't
+think of me as a lonely widower,' this with a laugh that is hard and
+grating, 'I'm worse than that.'
+
+'Poor Paul,' says Lippa gently, while her eyes fill with tears, and she
+lays her hand on his unoccupied one, the hard look quits his handsome
+face, and he sighs.
+
+'Good little soul,' he says possessing himself of it.
+
+Meanwhile Dalrymple is devoured with curiosity as to what this earnest
+conversation can be about. He has listened patiently to Lady Anne, who
+has gone through all the books she has read lately, arguing on their
+merits and demerits, and now she is enlarging on the degenerating
+manners of the rising generation.
+
+Jimmy puts in a 'Yes' or 'No,' or 'I quite agree with you,' every now
+and then, but for aught he knows he may be agreeing that red's white,
+and white is black. But at last he says something that does not suit
+Lady Anne for she says, 'Do you really mean to say you do?'
+
+Jimmy feels caught; what in the name of fortune _does_ he really mean to
+say, he has not the faintest idea, so he says--
+
+'I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I did not quite hear what you said,
+I--er have rather a bad headache.' (Oh Jimmy, Jimmy).
+
+'Have you?' replies Lady Anne. 'I hope it is not a very bad one, you
+ought to have stayed at home; the best thing of course to do is to lie
+down; and have you ever tried Menthol, white stuff that you rub on your
+forehead; and then there is a certain kind of powder, I can't remember
+what they are called. Ah! I have it,' and Lady Anne who has been
+fumbling in her pocket produces a salts bottle. 'There,' she says, 'I
+have nothing else to offer you.'
+
+'Thanks very much,' says Dalrymple, and feeling bound to use it, takes a
+vigorous sniff, but it is strong and proves too much for him, for he is
+seized with a violent choking.
+
+'What's the matter?' inquires Ponsonby, glancing round. 'Lady Anne, what
+have you been doing to him?'
+
+'Oh, it's only my salts bottle, he has a headache, you know,' she
+replies, while Jimmy looks decidedly embarrassed.
+
+The day passes off very pleasantly, nothing has been forgotten with
+regard to the luncheon, and the weather is lovely, there is just enough
+wind to rustle through the trees and prevent the air from being sultry,
+the spot chosen for the repast is at the top of a hill which is covered
+with fir trees and tall green bracken, innumerable paths lead up and
+down and all round it, and at the summit a clearing has been made, and a
+small picturesque cottage has been built, with small diamond paned
+windows and a balcony running round two sides; the inmates, an old man
+and woman, who can provide water, are profuse in their greetings begging
+the company to sit in the balcony, and Lippa tired and sleepy with last
+night's exertion excuses herself from the members of the party who set
+out for a ramble, and takes advantage of the balcony and gives herself
+up to sleep: more than once a little smile hovers round her lips, and
+Dalrymple who has turned back under pretext of renewed headache, watches
+her for some time, then fearing to awake her, lights a cigar and strolls
+away. What a great deal of trouble and misunderstanding he could have
+prevented in awaking her,--but how could he tell.
+
+Sometime later Philippa with a sigh of content opens her eyes, she is
+still too sleepy to think of moving, so she remains quite still,
+presently the sound of voices breaks upon her ears, but she does not
+heed them. 'Oh--how--comfortable I am,' she thinks and is just dropping
+off to sleep again when she hears her name spoken!
+
+'Philippa,' someone is saying. 'Yes; she is a dear little girl.'
+
+'That's Mab's voice. She thinks me a dear little girl, does she,'
+comments Miss Seaton.
+
+'Poor child; she is so like what her mother was at that age. Does she
+know about her?'
+
+Lippa recognises Lady Dadford's voice, but it never enters her head that
+she ought not to listen.
+
+'No,' replies Mabel. 'You see she was such a baby at the time, and
+afterwards George thought it better that she should remain under the
+belief that she is dead; she is so very sensitive--'
+
+'I daresay your husband is right,' says Lady Dadford. 'It was all very
+sad. At first, you know, the doctors had hopes that her reason would
+come back, but they gave it up after a year. Does your--'
+
+But Philippa hears no more. She has listened breathlessly, her colour
+coming and going--What does it all mean? Is it true, is it true? The
+mother she had always thought of as long since dead, is she alive and
+_mad_! Oh! 'What shall I do?' she asks herself, while her brain feels on
+fire. 'Mad? Then I might go mad too! Oh, horrible thought! Jimmy, Jimmy,
+what would you say if you knew? Oh, it is all cruel, cruel--' And then
+Philippa sits very still and ponders over many things, till the voices
+of the others laughing and talking come nearer and nearer. With an
+effort she rises. 'I must not show that anything has happened, but oh!
+if I must give up Jimmy,' and with a little sob she leans her head
+against the wall for a moment, then stepping forward, she meets the
+others.
+
+'Are you rested?' asks Lord Helmdon. 'I do believe you have been asleep,
+what!'
+
+'Yes,' replies Lippa. 'I have been fast asleep--'
+
+'Dreaming,' suggests Miss Appleby, a young lady given to sentiment.
+
+'Of me, I hope,' puts in Chubby.
+
+'Now, why _you_ of all people, I should like to know,' says Dalrymple,
+at which they all laugh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+Lippa is strangely silent on the way home and all the evening she avoids
+being alone with Dalrymple, but Jimmy gets uneasy and on saying
+Good-night adds in a low tone, 'Come into the garden early to-morrow, I
+want to talk to you.'
+
+'Very well,' she replies, 'I have something to tell you too.' She says
+this so gravely, and flushes a little, that he ponders for some time on
+what she can have to tell him, and Philippa goes up to her bedroom, her
+head throbbing and with a wild desire to cry.
+
+'Good-night, dear,' says Mabel, 'I am so tired I really cannot stay and
+talk to you to-night, and you, child, you look knocked up, go to bed at
+once.'
+
+'Good-night,' replies Lippa, and having dispensed with the services of
+her maid she seems to have no intention of seeking her downy couch, she
+envelopes herself in a loose wrapper and drawing an armchair up to the
+window, appears to be contemplating the moon, but her thoughts are far
+far away from it.
+
+Poor little Miss Seaton, a great battle is going on within her; she will
+let no one know what she has overheard this afternoon, unless she
+explains all to Dalrymple and lets him decide as to what ... but no,
+she will just tell him it is impossible for her to marry him, ten to one
+if he knew all he would laugh at her fears, and marrying her, would in a
+few years have to consign his wife to a lunatic asylum; it will be the
+right thing not to let him have a chance of marrying her; and coming to
+this conclusion, she tries to forget the man she loves, and her heart is
+filled with compassion for her mother, and then she remembers Ponsonby's
+life story. 'How strange,' she murmurs, 'in one day to have learnt all
+this; but oh, how shall I tell Jimmy, and he will think I love somebody
+else, but I must do the right thing, I must and I will.'
+
+The clock strikes one as she rises with a little shiver, and is soon in
+bed, but it is sometime before her eyes close, and even after she is
+asleep sobs check her breathing. Dear, good little heart it is always
+hardest to do what _seems_ right, and it seems too, as if it will never
+be rewarded, but surely, surely it is in the end....
+
+Drip, drip, drip, is what Dalrymple hears as soon as he wakes. 'Wet,' he
+says to himself turning round, 'no good getting up yet, Philippa is sure
+not to.' For ten minutes he dozes, and then with two or three loud yawns
+he pulls himself together, and at length attired in a faultless suit he
+opens his door. It is still what he calls early, (being half-past eight)
+and he meets no one as he descends. Whistling gaily, he opens the door
+of the drawing-room, and finds Philippa there already, standing by the
+window. She turns as he goes up to her, and when he is about to embrace
+her she draws back.
+
+'Good-morning,' she says, looking up at him for a moment and then gazing
+steadily at the carpet; the pattern of which she remembers long
+afterwards.
+
+'Good-morning,' he replies blankly, and then thinking that perhaps she
+is shy, he puts his hand on her shoulder, saying, 'Lippa, dearest, what
+is the matter?' There is an amount of concern in his voice that is
+almost too much for her, but she has made up her mind to tell him it is
+impossible for her to marry him, and cost what it may she will do it.
+
+'Mr Dalrymple,' she begins in a low but perfectly calm voice, 'if you
+remember I told you last night that I had something to say to you--'
+
+'Certainly,' he says, 'that is why I came down so early; but why have
+you changed so since yesterday?'
+
+'That is exactly it, I have changed since yesterday,' says she,
+'I--er--I think I led you to imagine that I would marry you, but--'
+
+'But,' he echoes, bending towards her, 'you have not changed your mind,
+have you?'
+
+'Yes I have,' replies Philippa clasping her hands tightly behind her
+back.
+
+'Do you mean it?' he asks in a bewildered tone.
+
+'Yes,' this very low.
+
+'May I ask why you have changed?' and Dalrymple draws himself up and his
+voice is cold and studiously polite. 'Is it money,--I am not very well
+off I know, but I did not think you were the kind of girl to mind that?'
+
+'Ah, you see I am different from what you thought, it is a good thing we
+found it out before it was too late.'
+
+Jimmy looks at her curiously, and then catches her in his arms. 'Oh my
+dearest,' he says, 'you can't mean it, you could not be so cruel--'
+
+For a second Lippa feels she cannot hold out any longer, but it is only
+for a second, and then freeing herself from his embrace she says slowly
+and distinctly--'I mean all I have said.'
+
+'I must go then,' says Jimmy, a world of sorrow in his honest brown
+eyes.
+
+'Yes,' she replies, not daring to look up till she hears the door shut
+behind him, and then she realises all she has done: sent away the man
+she loves, the one man who is 'her world of all the men'; sent him away
+thinking she is cruel and mercenary. She chokes back the tears that
+start to her eyes; the others must not know, must not even suspect, but
+oh the aching at her heart.
+
+It goes on raining steadily all day, and every one is dull and
+depressed, even Chubby. Dalrymple suddenly discovers that it is
+absolutely necessary for him to be back at the barracks as soon as
+possible, and bidding farewell, decamps.
+
+Lady Anne, despite the weather, tramps off to the village to preside at
+a sewing-class. Philippa is forbidden by Mabel to put her nose out of
+doors, who then retires to Lady Dadford's private boudoir where she
+spends the afternoon.
+
+'What shall we do?' asks Lord Helmdon, gazing helplessly round on the
+remaining guests. 'Miss Seaton, suggest something, do!'
+
+'I can't think of anything,' answers Lippa, longing for some distraction
+to her thoughts.
+
+'Don't you think a little music would be nice,' says Miss Appleby,
+'nothing enlivens one so much on a wet day.'
+
+'Let us have some by all means,' says Helmdon. 'I say Tommy, I'm sure
+you'll honour us with a song, eh, what?'
+
+Tommy is a very juvenile young man, with light hair parted down the
+middle, a red face, and pince-nez.
+
+'Anything you like,' he responds gaily.
+
+'Come along then,' and away starts Chubby to the drawing-room followed
+by the others. 'Now, ladies and gentlemen,' he begins having opened the
+piano, 'I give you fair warning that every one of you will have to
+contribute to the entertainment.'
+
+'Catch me,' says George Seaton, and on the earliest opportunity slips
+away to the smoking-room.
+
+Miss Appleby is called upon to begin and sings a dear little song with
+very few words in it.
+
+'Tommy, it's your turn next,' says Paul, 'I'll accompany you!'
+
+'Oh, thanks awfully,' and settling his pince-nez firmly on his very
+small nose, sings with an air of sweet simplicity--'Because my mother
+told me so,' which sends Chubby into shrieks of laughter.
+
+When Philippa's turn comes, she goes to the piano knowing that Paul is
+watching her, she feels he has guessed that something is up, so tries to
+mislead him by singing a merry song, but he is not taken in. Helmdon
+produces a banjo and sings several nigger songs lustily.
+
+'Do you know, Chubby,' says Tommy, 'do you know that you are just made
+for that kind of music, you'd do so well at the Christy Minstrels.'
+
+'Ah, my boy,' replies he, 'I'm glad you've found an occupation for me in
+which I should excel, for it is more than I have done myself; but I'm
+afraid the sameness would bore me. If I do anything I shall go in for
+music-hall singing, there one would have more scope for one's dramatic
+talent.'
+
+By degrees they all disperse, some to play billiards, others to write
+letters, and Philippa is left alone, seated on one of the deep window
+sills, a book in her hand, but her eyes are fixed on the distant
+horizon, where the sun has suddenly appeared from behind the clouds,
+and is shedding a yellow haze over the dripping trees.
+
+So absorbed is she that she does not hear Paul come. He goes up to where
+she is, and says, 'What has happened?'
+
+She starts and turning round replies, 'Nothing,' while a tell-tale blush
+dyes her cheeks.
+
+'Yes, there is,' he persists, 'why did Jimmy leave so suddenly?'
+
+'He told Lady Dadford that he must get back to the Barracks to-night,'
+she replies.
+
+'Do you think I believe that?' says Paul.
+
+'Why shouldn't you?'
+
+'Now child, I know that something is wrong,' and Paul sits down by her
+side, 'you told me yesterday you had promised to marry him, why has he
+gone away to-day; you have not already disagreed?'
+
+'I don't see that you have any right to question me like this,' she
+answers evasively, 'but I suppose I had better tell you that I am not
+going to marry Mr Dalrymple,' she says it so firmly that Ponsonby can
+see that she is not joking.
+
+'Why not?' he asks.
+
+'For many reasons,' is the reply. 'For one he has not much to live on,
+and--there are circumstances which would make it impossible--'
+
+'Whew!--may I ask if the circumstances prevent him from marrying you or
+you him.'
+
+'I think there is no occasion for me to answer you,' replies Lippa
+coldly, 'and I will beg you will mention to no one what I have told you
+either yesterday or just now.'
+
+'I shall write to Dalrymple to-night,' says he meditatively.
+
+'I hope you will do no such thing,' and Miss Seaton rises hastily. 'I
+think it would be extremely out of place for _you_ to interfere in any
+way.'
+
+There is a marked emphasis on the 'you' that makes Paul start while he
+bites fiercely the ends of his moustache, and Philippa walks quickly out
+of the room, rushes up to her own, and flinging herself on the bed gives
+way to tears. 'Oh dear, oh dear,' she sobs, 'why does everything go
+wrong and only a little time ago I was _so_ happy, and now I have hurt
+Paul's feelings, and ...'
+
+'Paul!'
+
+Ponsonby on his way to bed is surprised at hearing himself called.
+
+'Yes,' he replies.
+
+'I want to tell you something,' is the answer.
+
+The gas has been turned out and all the other men are just turning in
+for the night.
+
+'What do you want?' he says, going into the sitting-room, from whence
+the voice issues, a solitary candle burns on the table, and discloses
+Philippa.
+
+'You here?' he exclaims surprised.
+
+'Yes,' she says. 'I am afraid I vexed you this afternoon, and I wanted
+to tell you I was sorry, and ...--'
+
+'Don't think about it again, but really you know you ought not to be
+here--'
+
+'I only waited to tell you that,' she says, turning towards the door
+feeling utterly miserable, and the tears that she has tried to keep back
+break forth, and covering her face with her hands she cries as though
+her heart would break.
+
+Paul goes up to her. 'Philippa, my dear,' he says very gently, 'there is
+something very wrong, can't you tell me why Jimmy went away--'
+
+'No, no,' she sobs. 'I told him to go, but I can't tell you why--'
+
+'How cold you are,' he says. 'Stop crying and go to bed at once, or you
+will make yourself ill.'
+
+'Very well,' replies she, meekly. 'But you [sob] you won't tell Mabel--'
+
+'I won't tell a soul.'
+
+'And you're not vexed with me?'
+
+'No; why should I be. Good-night.'
+
+'Good-night,' such a sad little face she turns to him, that he stoops
+and kisses it.
+
+'What a child she is,' he thinks, as he watches her down the passage. 'I
+wonder what induced her to throw Jimmy over. Couldn't have been better
+off as regards a husband. Money! as if that would ever enter into her
+head. Can't make it out at all. She likes him I can see.'
+
+For some time, Paul puzzles his handsome head about Philippa, and then
+when sleep has come, he dreams of the woman he loved; she to whom he
+gave his love, his faith, his all, only to be abused; the woman who has
+blighted his life. Oh! it is a strange world. It is like a puzzle that
+everyone tries to make, but does not succeed because the principal parts
+are missing. Will they ever be found, the missing links, the pieces of
+the puzzle, the answer to the 'whys' and 'wherefores?'
+
+    'We run a race to-day, and find no halting place,
+    All things we see be far within our scope
+    And still we peer beyond with craving face.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+In a few days they are back again in Brook Street, George, Mabel and
+Philippa. It is the beginning of September and anything more dreary and
+deserted than the parks could not be imagined. No one is in London. Who
+would be when the seaside is everything delightful and the moors are
+covered with heather and grouse? Philippa shudders as she looks out of
+her bedroom window into the mews, even that is deserted, a canary in a
+very small cage and a lean cat are the only living creatures to be
+seen.
+
+'Well,' she says, 'it might almost be the city of the dead ...' here her
+meditations are interrupted by Teddy, who rushes in and flings his arms
+round her neck. 'How brown you are,' she exclaims.
+
+'Yes, ain't I,' he answers. 'Me and Marie have been in the Square most
+of the days and it has been so hot, have you enjoyed yourself?'
+
+'Yes, thank you,' replies Philippa.
+
+'I don't think you have,' says Teddy, who is as sharp as a needle,
+'because, well, you don't look very happy now.'
+
+'That is just it perhaps, I am so sorry it is over.'
+
+'Oh,' and Teddy goes to the window only half convinced, 'there's that
+canary,' he says, 'I watch him often and often, and never can see
+nobody feeding it. I asked Marie to let me go and see if it had got some
+seed; but she was cross and said I wasn't to--oh, Aunt Lippa, isn't it
+hot?'
+
+'It is rather, but it must be nearly tea-time, let us have some tea and
+then go out.'
+
+'Can't; Marie's gone to see her sister,' replies Teddy, trying to see
+himself in the knob at the end of the bedstead.
+
+'Perhaps mother will come; but really Teddy do get off my bed, you are
+making it in such a mess,' and she rushes at him, seizing him in her
+arms, 'oh, what a dreadful little nephew you are.'
+
+'Let go, let go,' he cries, between struggling and laughing, and then
+mischievously, 'You don't look half pretty now, you're quite red.
+I'll--tell Mr Dal--'
+
+'Mr who?' asks Lippa, putting him down.
+
+'Sha'n't tell you,' he says, making for the door, but Philippa is too
+quick for him, and placing her back against it, says in tones of mild
+reproof,
+
+'Do you know, it is very rude to make personal remarks.'
+
+'Is it?' he asks, 'well you see it was only to Mr Dalrymple, and I've
+known him for such a great many years, I met him yesterday, he was
+walking the same way as me, and--you've got a hair-pin coming out, Aunt
+Lippa.'
+
+'Never mind that,' says she, adjusting the straying article, 'and--'
+
+'Oh, him or I began, I don't 'xactly remember, but we talked about
+pretty persons, and he said he was glad he wasn't a pretty person,
+because they were nearly always nasty, and then I said they weren't,
+'cos there's mother and you, and I said you're always pretty.'
+
+'And what did he say?' asks Lippa.
+
+'He said,' replies Teddy, in the gruffest voice he can assume, trying to
+imitate Jimmy, '"More's the pity," and now you see I can just tell him
+you don't look pretty a bit, when you're holding somebody in your arms.'
+
+'You must not say anything of the kind,' says she; it would be useless
+to exact a promise from him, probably be the way to make him repeat the
+conversation word for word; but Philippa has found out what she wanted
+to know, namely, that Jimmy is in London, and it causes her for the
+moment exquisite pain, to feel that he is not so far away, for though
+the Metropolis is a large place, there is always the chance of meeting
+one's friends in the street.
+
+After deep thought Philippa has made up her mind to tell no one, of all
+she has heard and of all that has happened in consequence. She can rely
+on Ponsonby keeping secret the little he knows of it; but what is
+hardest to bear is the having nothing to look forward to, for the future
+looks, oh, so dark and dreary. Sometimes she feels that it cannot be
+true, and she shrinks with horror from the remembrance of the fate that
+may be awaiting her. But Mabel does not notice that something has
+changed her; that her step is not so light as it was, or her laugh so
+gay. How little we know of each other, although living the same lives,
+seeing the same people and things; we have all got an inner existence
+which no one but ourselves knows anything about, it is so shadowy and
+unreal, that contact with the outer world would crush all the beauty and
+poetry of it.
+
+'I think we might go to the sea somewhere,' says Mrs Seaton, one day as
+she and Philippa are sitting together under the trees in the park, while
+Teddy is hunting for caterpillars, 'it is really too unutterably dull
+here, and it would do that boy good to have a change, what do you say to
+a fortnight or three weeks at Folkestone?'
+
+'It would be very nice, I should think,' replies Lippa, who is watching
+the ungainly not to say peculiar movements, of a stout elderly female
+who is taking equestrian exercise.
+
+'We could get rooms at an hotel,' goes on Mabel, 'you know some cousins
+of mine are there; and George said that I might do anything I liked,
+while he's up in Scotland; do you really think it would be nice?'
+
+'Yes, I do,' Lippa replies, feeling that one place is the same to her as
+another. The stout elderly female has bumped away, and she is staring
+straight in front of her, when suddenly the colour rushes to her face
+leaving it whiter than it was before.
+
+'Why, there's Jimmy Dalrymple,' says Mabel, 'and I do believe he's not
+going to see us. I really think he might, it would be quite refreshing
+to talk to somebody else besides you--'
+
+'Am I such a dull companion then?'
+
+Mabel laughs good-naturedly.
+
+There is not any doubt that Dalrymple will see them, for Master Seaton
+has observed him and rushing to the railings gesticulates violently, and
+the former attracted by some magnetic influence turns, hesitates for a
+moment and then crosses over.
+
+'So glad to see you. Lippa and I were so afraid you were going to cut
+us,' says the unsuspecting Mabel. 'What are you doing in London now?'
+
+'I have to be up at the barracks,' says he.
+
+'Come and sit here, do, and tell us some news,' says she motioning him
+to the chair at her side.
+
+Philippa has become deeply interested in one of her nephew's
+caterpillars, and beyond extending him a limp hand; pays no attention to
+Dalrymple, but her outward calm hides the tumult within, for her heart
+is throbbing violently.
+
+At any other time and under any other circumstances, Dalrymple would be
+very willing to spend any length of time with Mabel, for he is very
+fond of pretty little Mrs Seaton and carrying on a mild flirtation with
+her would be the reverse of unpleasant to him, but to be so near the
+object of his affection, no, he couldn't do it, so excusing himself he
+raises his hat and passes on.
+
+'He seems in a great hurry,' says Mabel turning to Lippa who is looking
+in exactly the opposite direction to the one Dalrymple has taken.
+
+Her 'Yes,' and something in her expression opens Mabel's eyes to the
+fact that something is up, however she says nothing just then for Teddy
+would be sure to hear, but she intends to find out everything.
+
+On the eve of their trip to Folkestone she begins to cross-examine her
+sister-in-law.
+
+'Philippa, dear,' she says as soon as the coffee-cups have been taken
+away after their dinner and they are left alone. 'I am going to ask you
+something, which you must not mind, come nearer.'
+
+Lippa who has been gazing out of the window into the gaslit street below
+turns slowly, and going up to Mrs Seaton sits down on a stool at her
+feet, she is looking very lovely in a pale blue tea-gown and the
+lamp-light falling on her golden hair.
+
+'Well, Mab,' she says, 'is it a lecture or good advice, I'm not to
+mind?'
+
+'Neither one nor the other,' is the reply, 'but I want to know if there
+is anything between you and--Mr Dalrymple. Well Lippa?' as there is no
+answer for a second--and then,
+
+'Nothing,' she replies.
+
+'Not at present perhaps,' suggested Mabel, 'but hasn't there been?'
+
+'Why do you want to know?' asks Miss Seaton.
+
+'Well, dear, you see it is awkward, as he comes here so often, and--'
+
+'Like all other women you're dying of curiosity to know; own the truth!'
+and after a pause Lippa adds, apparently deeply interested in the point
+of her shoe, 'If you must know, he did ask me to marry him, but I said I
+couldn't,' here the shoe is drawn out of sight as though it had not
+found favour in its owner's eyes. Mabel is astonished, tries to see
+Lippa's face and not succeeding says,
+
+'Do you mean that you do not like him?'
+
+Not like him, oh, to be accused of that, not like him, when poor little
+soul she is desperately in love with him. Oh, Mabel! Mabel! why can't
+you guess? a few words from you would put everything right, and make two
+people happy, but such is life!
+
+'He has not much to live on,' says Lippa evasively.
+
+'Now, child, you don't think you are going to take me in like that,' and
+Mrs Seaton becomes quite vehement. 'What do you care about money, or
+know about it either.'
+
+'I know there are girls who can fall in love,' is the answer. 'I knew
+one once who told me her idea of bliss was love in a cottage, but that
+wouldn't suit me at all. I shouldn't know how to get on without heaps of
+things that I could not have, if I married a poor man.' Lippa's fingers
+are doing great damage to the ribbons which are attached to her gown,
+and till they are reduced to a crumpled mess, she continues to take the
+beauty out of them, by folding and refolding them. Mabel is only half
+convinced and says no more to Philippa, but a long letter is written to
+dear George, begging him to come to them soon, and he enjoying himself
+vastly shooting and fishing does not come, and time passes on.
+
+Philippa tries to forget Jimmy, and wonders how he is getting on, she
+has yet to learn that,--
+
+    'Man's love is a thing apart,
+    'Tis woman's whole existence.'
+
+Love is forgotten and put on one side, for racing, shooting, hunting,
+etc., and it is well that it is so, for a love-lorn youth is a decided
+bore.
+
+But James Dalrymple of the Guards has been more deeply wounded than he
+owns to himself, his love for Miss Seaton is more than a passing fancy,
+that causing pain for a short time, will be laughed over in about a
+year. Love Lippa, he does hopelessly, madly, and so he will till the end
+of the chapter.
+
+Real true love is not a thing to be taken up and cast aside at will,
+like a broken toy; it may grow upon us or come suddenly, why we cannot
+tell, and although we hardly acknowledge to ourselves that Cupid, who
+has wrought so much harm as well as good in the world, has paid us a
+visit, yet we never feel quite the same again; maybe we are happier than
+we have ever been before, or else, and alas it happens to very many,
+that Eros' darts have only made a wound which might almost have been
+caused by a poisoned arrow; ah me! the healing takes a weary long time
+or maybe can never heal. Truly love is a dangerous thing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+'I say, Mab, there's such a delightful monkey outside, do lend me
+sixpence?'
+
+Mrs Seaton looks up from a telegram she is reading and says to Philippa,
+'Never mind the monkey, I've just had this from George and--'
+
+'Is he ill?' inquires Lippa.
+
+'No, but--'
+
+'Do give me the sixpence then, I will be back in a moment again.'
+
+Mabel produces the coin, and Philippa having delivered it hurries back.
+'He was so pleased,' she says, 'the dear little--' but her
+sister-in-law's face causes her to stop and inquire hastily, 'What has
+happened, do tell me?' her thoughts recurring at once to Jimmy
+Dalrymple.
+
+'Well, dear,' says Mabel, 'George has telegraphed to me the death of--'
+
+'Who?' asks Philippa, clutching at a chair near her.
+
+'No one you ever knew,' replies Mabel, guessing the question that she
+would ask.
+
+'Ah!' and Lippa breathes a sigh of relief, 'is it a friend of George's
+or Paul's?' 'wife' she is going to say but hesitates.
+
+'No,' replies Mabel, 'it is someone who has been in an asylum for many
+years,' she pauses wondering how to go on when Philippa spares her the
+trouble by saying,
+
+'My mother?'
+
+'How did you guess?' says Mabel, surprised.
+
+Lippa heeds her not. 'Somebody I never knew,' she murmurs to herself,
+'somebody I never knew, and yet my mother; how strange. Tell me about
+her,' she adds, 'when, did she go--_mad_?'
+
+'I thought you knew nothing about it,' says Mabel, 'your mother had a
+shock when you were two years old, which affected her brain, and of
+course at the time you were too young to understand and it was thought
+best not to tell you anything, even when you were older; but dearest,
+who told you of this, George and I were under the impression you knew
+nothing about it?'
+
+'I overheard you talking about my mother to Lady Dadford. I know it was
+wrong, Mab, but I could not help it, and I thought that perhaps it would
+be just as well not to let you know. Was it wrong?'
+
+Mrs Seaton finds it hard to reprove the owner of the face that is lifted
+to hers, with such a wistful look in the blue eyes. 'I think you ought
+to have told me,' she says gravely, 'it would have made no difference to
+anyone, but still it does not matter now; and we shall hear all
+particulars from George to-morrow; he says he is writing.'
+
+There is a pause. Lippa is gazing out of the window, but her thoughts
+are very busy. Presently she says, 'Madness generally descends from
+father to son, doesn't it?'
+
+Mabel, thinking she is alluding to George, says hastily, 'There is no
+necessity whatever--'
+
+'Ah!' and Lippa clasps her hands together and looks eagerly at Mabel,
+'then, then, ... there's no great likelihood of my going mad.'
+
+Mabel looks at her. Is this then what she has been worrying about.
+'There is no necessity whatever, the doctors said, insanity is not in
+your family at all; it was a shock your mother had when she was not very
+strong, so dear, please do not fancy foolish things like that.'
+
+Lippa smiles. Oh! the joy of feeling that there is no impediment between
+her and Jimmy; it need never have been then, this time of separation,
+and yet probably it has been very wholesome for them both. But how to
+convey to him that she is ready, aye, and more than willing, to link her
+fate with his; there is nothing for it but to wait and see.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And time goes on, as it always does. Autumn passes away, and winter
+comes with its frost, snow and fogs, while Lippa waits for the day when
+Jimmy will know all, but just now her time is fully occupied, for the
+housekeeping has fallen upon her shoulders, as Mabel is up to nothing
+but hugging a little bundle with a red face, which made its appearance
+one day.
+
+'Ain't you sorry she's a girl?' Teddy is saying as he is chaperoning his
+aunt to church on Christmas day, 'because, you know, she's sure not to
+like games.'
+
+'It will be some time before she can play games,' replies Lippa,
+laughing; 'but you will have to be very good to her. What do you want
+her to be called?'
+
+'Lots of names,' says Teddy. 'But look, Auntie; do look, there's Mr
+Dalrymple. Do you think he's going to our church?'
+
+'I don't know at all,' she replies, trying to look unconcerned. 'We
+shall be there in a moment, come along; it is rude to stare at people.'
+
+She hurries her nephew up the aisle and into their pew, for fear of
+coming face to face with Jimmy; she remains a few moments on her knees,
+and so does not interfere with Teddy, who having hurried through his
+own private devotions, turns round and watches the stream of people
+passing in through the door. He suddenly nods and beckons, and when
+Lippa rises she finds that Jimmy is sitting one off her, only Teddy
+between. It is the first time she has seen him since her mother's death,
+and she wonders if he will speak when they get out of church, and why he
+ever came into their pew. But when the service is over, Teddy having
+sung lustily in his shrill voice, nothing awkward takes place.
+
+'A merry Christmas,' he says.
+
+'The same to you,' replies Philippa.
+
+'Are you going to walk home?' he asks.
+
+'No, we are going back in a hansom.'
+
+Here Teddy interrupts with, 'Did you know I've got a sister, you'll come
+and see her, won't you?'
+
+'I shall be delighted,' replies Dalrymple, looking at Lippa, who has
+turned her head away. 'May I come?' he asks in a low voice.
+
+But Miss Seaton does not answer, as Lady Dadford suddenly appears, 'Ah!
+my _dear_ child,' she exclaims, 'how is the sweet mother and the baby?'
+
+So a long string of questions ensues, and Philippa answers them, feeling
+that Jimmy is watching her, and suddenly she meets his eye, and there is
+a look of entreaty in them that makes her smile back; such a dear little
+tender smile, that it causes Dalrymple to start, while a new life seems
+to course through his veins.
+
+Ah! what a great deal a pretty woman's smile may do, of good and often
+alas of harm.
+
+How many men have been lured on by a smile and only too late have awoke
+from its enchantment. Oh, women, women, some of you hardly take into
+consideration what a great part you take in the world's drama; with you
+it lies to make or mar the lives of the men, be they brothers, husbands,
+sons or merely friends; it is in your power to make them God-fearing,
+true gentlemen; and it is you too, who drag them down till they become
+mere lovers of pleasure, giving way to every vanity, forgetting
+_surely_ that they are human beings, with immortal souls!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It is tea-time, and in Brook Street Lippa has just begun to pour out
+that delicious beverage for herself and her brother, when the door opens
+and Dalrymple walks in.
+
+'Hullo,' says George, 'what an age it is since you have been near the
+house--'
+
+'Yes,' replies Jimmy, rather lamely, taking Philippa's proffered hand.
+
+'How do you do, again,' says she, 'you will have some tea, won't you?'
+
+Jimmy says, 'Thanks,' and for a second or two there is an awkward pause,
+neither Lippa nor Dalrymple feeling quite at their ease, and George
+never speaks except it is necessary; but Teddy suddenly appears, and
+suggests that the baby ought to be visited, and after a long argument as
+to who it is like, remembers that he came with a message to the effect
+that his mother wanted to speak to his father.
+
+'Why didn't you tell me before?' says George.
+
+'I'd forgotten it,' replies his son placidly; nothing ever disturbs
+Teddy's peace of mind.
+
+'You'll wait till I come back,' says Mr Seaton turning to Dalrymple, and
+the door shuts.
+
+A little time is passed in uninteresting conversation on the weather and
+things in general, till every subject they can think of has been
+exhausted, when Lippa finds that Dalrymple is looking at her, she
+fiddles with her teaspoon in her cup and then raises her eyes to his,
+and finding them still fixed on her, returns to the teaspoon symphony,
+but he rises and leans against the mantelpiece.
+
+'Philippa,' he says in a low tone, 'I have tried so hard to think badly
+of you, but to-day you looked so kindly at me, you did not do it for
+nothing, did you, Lippa tell me, will you bid me go away a second time?
+I am not rich, but I might sell out and get some more remunerative
+employment, and if you only knew how I love you--'
+
+Miss Seaton has risen, her head bent down and slightly averted from her
+lover's ardent gaze. 'I--er--I,' she begins then pauses, and not
+knowing what to say she looks up, makes a step forward and is in Jimmy's
+arms.
+
+'Oh,' she says, 'I thought it would all come right at last.'
+
+'Dearest,' says he, 'tell me why were you so cruel before; you can't
+think what I've suffered?'
+
+'So have I,' is the reply.
+
+'But what made you do like that?'
+
+'It's a long story, so don't you think we might as well sit--'
+
+'Sweetheart,' is all he says pressing his lips to her brow.
+
+And then Philippa explains all, for quite half-an-hour they remain
+alone, and then George, thinking they have been long enough together
+(he having come in and retired again unobserved in a very inauspicious
+moment) opens the door, at the same time giving vent to a very loud and
+prolonged cough.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+'My dear, I can't tell you how glad I am,' and Lady Dadford bustles
+across the room to the sofa where Mabel is reposing, 'Where is the sweet
+girl?'
+
+'Philippa? she is out now,' replies Mrs Seaton, 'but I expect she will
+be in soon.'
+
+'Well, if I may, I should like to stay and see her,' says the old lady,
+'but you are sure I shall not be tiring you; directly you feel you have
+had enough of me, say so, won't you?'
+
+Mabel laughs and replies, 'I shall like you to stay very much, you have
+not seen baby yet; we cannot settle on a name. I should like it to be
+called Lilian, but both George and Lippa say it would be unlucky; he,
+you know, always hopes we may find her again.'
+
+'And yourself, dear?' asks Lady Dadford.
+
+'I think I have almost given up hope now. You know the body of a little
+child was found in a river, not far from L---- (where we were living
+then) and it answered so much to the description of Lilian; she was such
+a dear little thing. It is worse than if she had died at home and ...'
+
+'Yes, yes, I understand,' says Lady Dadford, 'but I would not give up
+hope quite. I agree with the old proverb, "Hope on, hope ever," you
+know. But tell me about Philippa? very happy, I suppose.'
+
+'Perfectly happy,' replies Mabel. 'I can't imagine her as a wife, she's
+such a child, but Jimmy is sure to take great care of her, and she has
+come into some money by her mother's death.'
+
+'Ah yes! it must have been a very happy release, a very happy release,'
+and Lady Dadford shakes her head gravely. 'Did the dear child ever know
+anything about it?'
+
+'Yes, she overheard you talking to me that day in the summer, when we
+went for a picnic, and she foolishly never said a word about it, but
+made up her mind that she could not marry anyone, because she might go
+out of her mind, so she refused Jimmy at first, and all this time she
+has been making both him and herself miserable.'
+
+'Miserable, who is miserable?' asks Lippa, coming in followed by
+Dalrymple.
+
+'No one, I hope,' says he, 'ah, Lady Dadford,' he continues on catching
+sight of her, 'how do you do?'
+
+'Better, thank you,' she replies, she always makes a point of answering
+that foolish question, and invariably does so by saying 'Better'--she
+has been better for so long that she must have reached a most perfect
+state of health by now. 'Really much better; I came here to congratulate
+you: Lippa, my dear, you cannot think how pleased I am,' this
+accompanied by a kiss.
+
+Lippa cannot think of anything to say and therefore remains silent.
+
+'Anne would have come with me,' rattles on the old lady, 'she sent you
+all sorts of messages, but she had to go to a cooking class, and she
+felt sure you would understand that it was a case of duty before
+pleasure.'
+
+'I shouldn't have thought it was a _duty_ for a Marquis' daughter to
+learn cooking,' thinks Jimmy and something in the merriment depicted in
+his eyes causes Philippa to cast a reproachful glance at him, and then
+to enter heart and soul into the question of the use of cooking classes;
+it is some time before the old lady rises to depart, and then, of
+course, Mabel thinks it necessary that the baby should be visited so
+they mount to the nursery.
+
+'Well, and what was the cause of the withering glance you directed at me
+about ten minutes ago?' asks Dalrymple, when they are left alone, Lippa
+and he.
+
+'You know quite well,' she replies, removing her boa and settling
+herself comfortably before the fire, her feet resting on the fender.
+
+'I declare I do not,' says Dalrymple, regardless of speaking the truth,
+for he loves to see Lippa indignant.
+
+'More shame for you then, but you know quite well, you were laughing at
+Lady Dadford, and what's worse you tried to make me, I hope you are not
+in the habit of laughing at people, are you? Because if you are I shall
+certainly not'--
+
+'What?'
+
+'Marry you.'
+
+'Will you throw me over a second time; you will soon become expert at
+it?'
+
+'Jimmy,' cries she, 'how can you talk like that.'
+
+'You suggested it first,' says he.
+
+'I said so conditionally.'
+
+'Yes, and that was that I must not smile at anybody, and suppose I
+cannot help it, it being my nature to do so?'
+
+Miss Seaton looks up at him and says, 'I sha'n't marry you, that's all'
+
+'All,' repeats he, 'it's a good deal, I don't know what you could call
+more.'
+
+Lippa smiles. 'Oh you silly boy,' she says, 'you look as grave as a
+judge. Mabel, if she happened to come in, would think we had been
+quarrelling already.'
+
+'Then you intend doing so later on?' queries he.
+
+'Certainly; we should be very dull if we didn't, besides there will be
+always the making up.'
+
+'Oh what a child you are,' says he laughing, 'but do you really love
+me?'
+
+'Of course,' replies she gaily, and then seeing how earnest he is she
+goes up to him and slipping her arms round his neck she says, 'there is
+one thing you have not done.'
+
+'What is it?' asks he.
+
+'You've never settled where we are to live.'
+
+'And more important still, you will not settle when we are to be
+married.'
+
+'Not just yet; you see I shall have to get some clothes, and they
+couldn't be ready before Lent, and it would be unlucky to be married
+then.'
+
+'That will put it off for at least three months,' objects he.
+
+'Yes--don't you think the end of June would do nicely?'
+
+'It will have to I suppose, but it is a long time off.'
+
+'Never mind, it will soon be gone,' says Miss Seaton sweetly.
+
+'June be it then,' replies Jimmy. 'The leafy month of June.'
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+    'Thee will I love and reverence, evermore.'
+
+       --AUBREY DE VERE.
+
+
+'There, Mab, I really can't write any more,' and throwing down her pen,
+regardless that it is full of ink, and that it alights on a photograph
+of Teddy, thereby giving him a black eye, Miss Seaton rises from the
+writing-table and flings herself into an armchair.
+
+'Well, dear,' says Mabel, 'I said I would do them for you, after you are
+gone to-morrow, look at these little china figures, I don't believe
+you've glanced at them, they came from old Mrs Boothly and I fancy they
+are real Sevres--?'
+
+'At it still,' interrupts George, poking his head in at the door, 'what
+it is to be on the eve of a wedding; I suppose you'll want a detective,
+and, oh, by the bye where are we going to dine?'
+
+'In your room, I thought,' replies his wife, 'you see you can go to the
+club, and we shall not want much.'
+
+'Fasting before a festival, I suppose,' says he; 'or perhaps you are
+afraid you will not be able to get into that new gown of yours.'
+
+'How do you know anything about my new gown,' asks Mabel.
+
+George laughs, 'I happened to see it put out for inspection in your
+room.'
+
+'My room, what were you doing there?' begins Mabel, but he has
+departed.
+
+'What can he have been doing?' she says.
+
+'Go and see,' suggests Lippa, and Mabel filled with curiosity, hastens
+upstairs, but returns again in a minute.
+
+'Look, what the dear thing has given me,' she cries, holding up a little
+blue velvet case, 'I must go and thank him,' and down she goes to the
+smoking-room, 'George, you dear old boy,' she says, hugging him round
+the neck, 'isn't it lovely,' she goes on, turning to Philippa who has
+followed her.
+
+'It is indeed,' says she, carefully examining the moonstone set in
+diamonds. 'Did you choose it yourself, George?'
+
+'Didn't give me credit for so much taste, eh?'
+
+'No, I don't think I did,' replies Lippa, quietly slipping out of the
+room.
+
+She wants to be alone, to think a little, it all seems so strange and
+lovely; this time to-morrow she will be Mrs Dalrymple--Mrs Dalrymple!
+how funny it sounds--and Jimmy will be all her own, and they will go
+away together;--and she sinks into a dream of delight, seeing the future
+only as a golden mist through which she and her husband will pass side
+by side. And she suddenly falls upon her knees, and buries her golden
+head in her hands, and breathes forth an earnest prayer of heartfelt
+gratitude to the great God who orders all things.
+
+    'The Divinity that shapes our ends,
+    Rough hew them as we will.'
+
+The next morning, her wedding day, dawns at length; the first thing she
+hears are some sparrows chirping outside, and anxious to see if it is
+fine, she goes to the window and draws up the blind, letting in a whole
+flood of crimson light.
+
+It is one of those lovely days in London when there is just a little
+breath of wind stirring among the trees that prevents it from being
+sultry, and everyone seems to expand to the warmth and look happy. It is
+still quite early, two or three costermongers' carts are being wheeled
+along by their owners, fresh from Covent Garden; a lark belonging to the
+house opposite is singing merrily despite its small cage, and Lippa
+smiles as she recalls the old saying, 'Blessed is the bride whom the
+sun shines on.'
+
+As sleep seems impossible and rather loud voices are heard from
+overhead, she throws a loose wrapper round her and goes up to the
+nurseries. Teddy is in his bath and no power on earth can persuade him
+to get out, in vain Marie gesticulates and calls him '_Un bien mechant
+gamin_,' Teddy knows he has the best of it, as whenever she comes near
+he throws water at her.
+
+'Oh, Teddy! Teddy!' exclaims Philippa, opening the door, 'do be a good
+boy, or else you know, you could not be my page.'
+
+Teddy, surprised at his aunt's sudden appearance, ceases to splash about
+and regards her gravely.
+
+'I shall be your page if I'm good then,' he says.
+
+'Certainly,' replies Philippa, 'get out of the bath now and after your
+breakfast you shall come to my room.'
+
+Teddy looks longingly at the water and then at her, finally with a deep
+sigh he gets out of the bath and submits to being rubbed dry by Marie.
+
+The morning wears on and five minutes after the appointed time Lippa
+calm and very lovely in her bridal attire, walks up the aisle of St
+P---- leaning on her brother's arm, and there before the altar takes
+James Dalrymple to be her husband, for better, for worse, till death
+them do part.
+
+Into further details there is no need to go; weddings are all alike, you
+will say, except, of course, when you happen to be one of the chief
+parties concerned. There was of course, the orthodox best man,
+bridesmaids, and spectators, the lengthy signing of the register and
+last but not least Mendelssohn's wedding march. I wonder how the world
+could have got on without it!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+'Well, I'm glad that's over, ain't you?' says Mrs Dalrymple, who is
+comfortably seated in a railway carriage, her husband opposite.
+
+'Very,' replies Jimmy, looking unutterable things at her. 'I say though,
+how late you were. I thought you were never coming, and Helmdon had the
+fidgets.'
+
+'It was exactly five minutes late,' says she, 'for George looked at his
+watch just before the carriage stopped, but do look at that woman, isn't
+she lovely?'
+
+The train is stopping at one of the suburban stations, and the lady who
+has caught Lippa's attention is hurrying down the platform, trying to
+find a seat, holding a small child by the hand.
+
+Jimmy pokes his head out of the window. 'By Jove,' he says, 'she is
+handsome. She's getting into a third class, doesn't look like it, does
+she?'
+
+'No,' says Lippa, and then they forget all about her, till on reaching
+their destination, they see her again.
+
+'Hullo,' says Dalrymple, 'there's that woman again, I wonder who she
+is?' As they pass out of the station, she drops her umbrella, and Jimmy
+picking it up, restores it to her.
+
+'Thank you,' she says, raising for a moment a pair of wonderful dark
+eyes to his face.
+
+Lippa looks at her curiously, wondering what her life story is, and then
+they part, going in opposite directions.
+
+Jimmy has a small house of his own, not far from C---- and only
+half-a-mile from the sea coast and quite close to 'The Garden of Sleep,'
+and here it is that he brings Lippa to pass the first days of their
+married life, days of almost perfect happiness. But, in course of time,
+as they are going to live together for the rest of their lives they come
+to the wise conclusion that an overdose of solitude to begin with,
+would be tedious, to say the least of it.
+
+'It wasn't as if we were going to stop here long,' says Lippa one day.
+'When we go back to London we must set to work to be very economical,
+and that will give me heaps to do; I can't bear being idle, can you?'
+
+'I am afraid, dear, that I rather like it,' replies Jimmy, 'but you're
+not going to worry yourself over making both ends meet, are you? I dare
+say it will be rather difficult, but if we let this place, it will help
+us a little, and you said you wouldn't mind.'
+
+'Mind,' and Lippa rises and goes up to him, kneeling down at his side,
+'I shan't mind anything now, Jimmy,' she says.
+
+'What does the "now" imply,' asks he, 'that you did once mind, eh?'
+
+'Yes, I did, when you used to look so gravely at me, when we met in the
+street, I think my heart was nearly breaking, you know you tried to
+think I was a flirt, and--'
+
+'Never mind now, sweetheart, it was blind of me not to see through it
+all, and if you only could have guessed how I was longing to take you in
+my arms, to ask you why you sent me away, you would not have looked so
+cold, and--'
+
+It is her turn to interrupt this time, which she does by kissing him.
+'Do you know,' she says, 'you nearly made me forget what I was going to
+say--'
+
+'Is it of great importance?' asks he.
+
+'Yes, it is. Don't you think it would be nice to ask Mabel and the
+children down here, and we might all go back to London together. I know
+Teddy would like the sands here; and there is plenty of room; shall we?'
+
+Jimmy says yes, although he would have preferred to remain alone for a
+little longer.
+
+There is something so nice in knowing that the lovely little person who
+is always with him, is his very own to take care of and protect against
+everything, for all the years that lie before them. And he fears to be
+disturbed, in case it may all prove a dream, and burst like a bubble
+with the slightest contact of the outer world. But a week later Mabel
+arrives accompanied by Teddy and the baby; George and Paul, whom Lippa
+has also begged to come, turn up, and the lovely days that follow, when
+the sun creeps into their rooms in the early morning enticing them out,
+where the hedges are covered with sweet smelling honey-suckle and the
+fields are carpeted with brilliant red poppies, and a walk will take
+them to the 'Garden of Sleep,' where among the tombstones and long grass
+they can watch the sea sparkling in a golden haze, and listen to the
+waves as they break on the yellow sands; where the birds are ever
+trilling forth their songs without words; those days for ever are stored
+in the minds of some of them as the loveliest summer man could wish
+for.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+    'Love pardons the unpardonable past.'--CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.
+
+
+It is six o'clock. The tea things have been taken away, and the
+occupants of the little drawing-room are all apparently lazily enjoying
+themselves.
+
+Mabel has the baby on her knee, her husband is dozing in an armchair,
+Jimmy is sitting half-in half-out of the window, Paul is reading, and
+Philippa is lying on the sofa.
+
+'Lippa,' says Dalrymple, 'sing us something.'
+
+'What would you like?' she answers, rising slowly.
+
+'Anything,' he replies.
+
+She runs her fingers over the keys and then sings 'The Garden of Sleep.'
+
+Paul closes his book as she begins, looking at her earnestly.
+
+Why does she sing that song, so close as they are to the real spot; and
+why does it say 'the graves of dear women,' the only one he knows buried
+there is a little child. He rises abruptly as the song is finished, and
+passes through the French window into the garden. Philippa has begun
+something else. He pauses and listens.
+
+    'Why live when life is sad?
+    Death only sweet.'
+
+Ah! thinks he, that is exactly it. What good is life to me!
+
+The evening sun floods with a golden haze the road before him; he walks
+on, the distant sound of the waves coming up from the sands, and almost
+unconsciously he sings in a low voice,
+
+    'Did they love as I love
+    When they lived by the sea?
+    Did they wait as I wait
+    For the days that may be?'
+
+And then, with a start he finds himself in 'The Garden of Sleep,' and
+just on the edge of the cliff, reaching over to pick some poppies is a
+child, a little girl with golden hair.
+
+In an instant he is at her side, and without saying a word for fear of
+starting her, he catches her in his arms.
+
+'Mummy, mummy, don't,' she cries, and then seeing that it is a stranger
+her anger is roused still more. 'Put me down, how dare lou touch me, me
+wants the flowers.'
+
+'Now look here,' replies Paul. 'Do you know, you might have fallen over.
+It is very dangerous to go so near the edge. If I get you the flowers,
+promise me you will go away,'--no answer--so he puts her down, he picks
+the flowers, and gravely hands them to her.
+
+'Sank lou,' she says, taking them in her little fat hand, 'sank lou, but
+I could have gottened them meself.'
+
+Paul smiles, wondering who she reminds him of.
+
+'What's lour name?' she asks suddenly.
+
+'Paul,' he replies, promptly, 'what is yours, and who are you with?'
+
+'I doesn't know what's my name is,' she answers, gravely, 'Mummy always
+calls me Baby, I'm wif Mummy. Does lou know Mummy?'
+
+'I do not think I have that pleasure,' says he, 'but I should like to
+speak to her,' thinking to reprove her for her carelessness in letting
+the child wander about so far away.
+
+'Vis way,' says the little girl catching hold of his hand, and turning
+down a path among the tombstones, 'Mummy always comes to a little tiny
+grave.'
+
+Paul goes with her, wondering why he does so. When, why is it? that she
+is taking him to the grave of his.... And, good heavens! the person the
+child calls 'Mummy' is kneeling beside it, her head bent, apparently not
+hearing their approach.
+
+'Oh, Mummy look,' cries the child, 'look what bootiful flowers me's
+gottened, him wouldn't let me get them meself. Look at him, Mummy,' she
+urges as the woman still kneels with lowered head, 'him's name is Paul.'
+
+She raises her head at the name, and he starts back on seeing her face
+and looks at her for a moment with astonishment.
+
+'Clotilde,' at length he says, and his voice is low, 'you here.'
+
+Her head is once more bowed--
+
+'You here,' he repeats, 'here at the grave of your child and'--with a
+slight pause 'mine. It is four years since I saw you last, and now to
+meet you like this.'
+
+No sound comes from the kneeling figure. 'Where is ... he?' Paul asks in
+a hoarse unnatural voice.
+
+'Dead,' she whispers.
+
+'Ah!' and he breathes a sigh of relief, 'so you always come here,' he
+says, repeating the little girl's words, and then remembering her. 'Good
+God!' he cries, 'that child! speak, Clotilde, tell me,' he bends forward
+and touches her almost roughly, 'for Heaven's sake, speak, and say she
+is not your child, but no! I would rather not hear it,' and overcome by
+a strong emotion, he turns towards the sea, while a tumult of passionate
+strife rends his very soul.
+
+Why had he saved the child. One minute more where she had been would be
+certain death, if he had only known who she was he would never have
+rescued her, and yet--and yet--what harm has the _child_ done, that he
+should wish for her death like this.
+
+Poor little innocent child, but who does she remind him of--not
+Clotilde, not that other, no it is Philippa she is like, what could it
+all mean.
+
+A little tug at his leg interrupts his train of thought, and he becomes
+aware that the child is standing at his side, his first impulse is to
+push her away roughly, but the little thing is looking up at him so
+gravely. 'Mummy says,' she begins, 'that she doesn't know who I is,
+I'se Baby, and got losted years ago, but Mummy loves me.'
+
+Paul returns quickly, 'Is this true?' he asks.
+
+'Yes,' she replies slowly, 'quite true, I found her, and was never able
+to trace her parents; it is nearly three years ago now.'
+
+'Three years, have you kept her,' he says, 'you! a woman with a past
+like yours, how--'
+
+'Spare me! spare me!' she cries, 'have I not suffered enough, am I not
+suffering enough now, do not taunt me, I know well I deserve it; but I
+have always thought of you, as I saw you last, and your sad reproachful
+face has often stayed me from.... Last year, I thought I would go and
+seek you, I got as far as Brook Street, and there I saw you talking to a
+girl in a carriage, your back was turned to me, but I heard her say,
+"Poor woman, how ill she looks!" and I dared not speak to you; death was
+what I longed for, and I went to the river, but that girl's voice
+haunted me. "Poor woman," aye indeed! I _was_ to be pitied; I had done
+wrong, but I would try to atone--but why am I telling you all this, you
+who ought to hate and despise me, I who have ruined your life. Oh! my
+God! my God! have mercy--' And with a paroxysm of grief, she lays her
+head on the little green mound.
+
+A strange sight the old vicar sees as he passes through the long grass
+on his way to the church; a tall man in flannels gazing down on the
+figure of a woman, kneeling before him, divided only by a small grave,
+and a little golden-haired child looking at them wonderingly; he has
+spoken to the child before and now she leaves the other two and follows
+him into the sacred edifice.
+
+The bell begins to toll for even-song, but neither Paul nor Clotilde
+move, so close they are together, only the past lies between them. A
+small cross marks the grave of their child, whereon his name, and age
+(but a few months) is inscribed.
+
+Paul reads the inscription though he knows it only too well, and then he
+once more rests his gaze on the woman before him; the woman he once
+loved! nay, does still love, for a great desire to comfort her comes
+over him.
+
+'Clotilde,' he says at length, 'let us forget the past. Come.'
+
+He takes her by the hand and he leads her gently to the church, up the
+aisle they go, and side by side they kneel; and the old clergyman is not
+surprised to see them, and the little golden-haired child watches them
+from another pew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+    'I were but little happy, if I could say how much.'
+
+    SHAKESPEARE.
+
+
+Twenty-four hours have come and gone and have left everyone a day older,
+they are all in the garden, except Paul; a little golden haired girl is
+playing with Teddy, and Mabel watches them from a distance with a
+beaming smile. For a great happiness has come to her, the empty place in
+her heart has been refilled, for a strange and wonderful thing has
+happened; for only the evening before, her brother knocked at her
+bedroom door, as she was dressing for dinner, and on her saying, come
+in, he opened it, and said, 'Mabel, here is somebody I should like you
+to see.'
+
+Somebody! yes indeed; and a small somebody too, somebody so like
+Philippa, somebody! who had a little gold locket with a turquoise in the
+centre. Ah! it seems too good to be true!
+
+'Lilian!' Mabel calls, and then as the child does not take any notice,
+'Baby--' The child turns and looks shyly at her mother; and emboldened
+by a sweet smile she runs and hides her head in her mother's gown, while
+the little hands are covered with kisses.
+
+'You won't be afraid of me, will you?' asks Mabel, 'and you will love me
+very soon, I hope.'
+
+'Ses,' is the answer, 'but I must love Mummy still.'
+
+'Yes, dear, of course,' is the answer, 'Mummy, as you call her, is
+coming to see me this afternoon.'
+
+Teddy has been watching from the distance, his nose has been altogether
+put out of joint, and it is rather a melancholy freckled face that
+Philippa catches sight of.
+
+'Why, Teddy,' she says, 'come here and tell me what you were doing all
+the morning, and oh, Jimmy,' she says, turning to her husband, 'do be an
+angel and take baby back to the nursery, Mabel is so engrossed with
+Lilian.'
+
+'Come along then, old woman,' and Jimmy lifts up his niece, 'but I say,
+Lippa, don't you think it would be just as well to be out of the way
+when Paul comes.'
+
+'Perhaps it would,' answers she, 'and you had better take Teddy with you
+as well.'
+
+Jimmy has just turned the corner of the house, when he runs straight
+into Paul and the lady he saw in the train.
+
+There is no time to retreat, so he says, 'How do you do?' and the baby
+puts further conversation out of the question, by beginning to howl,
+Jimmy in the bottom of his heart feels thankful for it, though aloud he
+says, 'I must depart with this tiresome person, come along Teddy.'
+
+The baby deposited in the nursery, he keeps out of the way till
+tea-time, when he finds them all seated round a table still in the
+garden.
+
+Clotilde had at first refused to see anyone, but Paul persuaded her at
+length, 'Sooner or later, you must,' he had said, 'you know Mabel, and
+Lippa is a dear little girl.'
+
+'But--' and Clotilde had looked up at her husband with those large dark
+eyes of hers 'they will--'
+
+'The past will be forgotten,' was his reply, spoken sadly and quietly.
+And now she seems to be more at her ease.
+
+'Have some tea, Jimmy,' says Philippa as he approaches.
+
+'No thanks, it is too hot,' he replies.
+
+'Come and sit then,' suggests Mabel pushing forward an empty chair, into
+which he sinks.
+
+'Well, lazy boy, what have you been doing,' this from Lippa who is
+eating strawberries with apparent relish.
+
+'Nothing,' is the yawned reply.
+
+'Not even thinking of me,' and Lippa looks coquettishly at him from
+under her large shady hat.
+
+'No, indeed, why should I, but you may as well spare me one strawberry.'
+
+'Certainly not,' says she, 'this is my last one' (gradually raising it
+to her lips), 'not unless you say, you thought of me, all the time.'
+
+'Oh, well, if you must! I thought of no one but you, I saw you in every
+one I met, even the gardener.'
+
+'That's rude,' she says, 'but you may as well have this,' extending to
+him the coveted strawberry, with an adorable smile.
+
+'What a silly child you are,' is all the thanks she gets.
+
+But some one has driven up, in a very old fly, to the front door and Mrs
+Dalrymple is watching to see who it is.
+
+'Chubby,' she exclaims as a man gets out clothed in an extraordinary
+check suit. 'No one else could have clothes like that.' There is no
+doubt about its being Lord Helmdon, he has caught sight of them and is
+coming towards them, looking decidedly hot and dusty.
+
+'Do look at him,' says Paul, though there is absolutely no need, as they
+are all gazing at him.
+
+'Hullo,' says Jimmy, 'who would have thought of seeing you here!'
+
+'Eh! what,' is the inevitable answer.
+
+'Dear Mrs Dalrymple,' he goes on, shaking her vigourously by the hand,
+'I am stopping not far from here,--I thought you would not mind my
+coming over to see you, what!'
+
+'She didn't say a word,' says Jimmy still reclining in the armchair,
+'you didn't give her time.'
+
+Mabel shakes with suppressed laughter, and Lippa's mouth is contorted
+into the most extraordinary shape, but she says calmly, 'I'm so glad to
+see you, won't you stop the night now you are here?'
+
+'I'm afraid I can't, ah, how do you do?' he says to Mabel, 'well, Paul,
+pretty fit, eh?'
+
+'Decidedly so,' replies he.
+
+Clotilde has been sitting quite silent longing to get away, but Paul
+will not look at her, and, oh! what shall she do, Philippa is
+introducing her to the newcomer.
+
+'Chubby allow me to introduce you to Paul's wife.'
+
+'What!' he exclaims.
+
+Jimmy who is in fear and trembling as to what he may say, kicks him
+violently on the shins under cover of the tablecloth, which sends him
+sprawling on his knees before Clotilde.
+
+'I--er, I beg your pardon,' he says, 'but really, Jimmy, I wish you
+would keep your legs to yourself.'
+
+'Me,' says Dalrymple, regardless of grammar and looking quite
+unconscious, 'never was further from doing anything else, in my life.'
+
+'May you be forgiven,' whispers Lippa, who has observed it all--but
+aloud she says, 'Won't you have some tea.'
+
+'No thanks, really not,' replies Helmdon, 'but if I may stay, we may as
+well tell the fly to go away.'
+
+'Do,' says Dalrymple rising, 'have you got anything with you,' and
+together they go back to the house, where Jimmy explains all, including
+Clotilde, and the kick.
+
+'Thanks, awfully, old man,' says Helmdon, 'I couldn't make it out a bit,
+what!'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The evening is lovely, and two and two they gradually leave the
+drawing-room, to Chubby, who, his body in one chair, and his legs in
+another, is wrapt in peaceful slumbers. Mabel and her husband walk
+slowly up and down, before the house discussing their children and
+friends.
+
+Quite unconsciously Paul and Clotilde take their way to the little
+church, and pause not till they come to their baby's grave. The moon
+shines down on them, as side by side they stand on the edge of the
+cliff, the dark ocean stretching out before them, a type of the unknown
+future that will be theirs.
+
+Paul becomes aware that she is crying, and says, turning her face up to
+his. 'My darling, dry your eyes, we have all done wrong, but it is no
+use dwelling on the past, a future lies before us, in which by God's
+help, we will try to atone for the past, "Heaven means crowned not
+vanquished when it says forgiven."' For all answer Clotilde goes close
+to him, and lays her sad weary head against his shoulder.
+
+'Paul,' she murmurs, 'how good you are,' and then there is a silence
+more eloquent than words.
+
+In the meantime Jimmy and Philippa hand in hand have reached a
+cornfield.
+
+'Let us stop here,' she says seating herself on a stile.
+
+'Very well,' he replies, following her example, 'only we must not stay
+out too late you know.'
+
+'No, we won't,' says Lippa, 'but Jimmy, dear, don't you feel awfully
+happy, because I do.'
+
+'Sitting on this stile,' queries he.
+
+'No, of course not, don't be stupid, but,' and she puts her arm round
+his neck, 'everybody is all right, are they not? Mabel has her child
+back, Paul has Clotilde, and oh, Jimmy darling, I've got you.'
+
+There is a little sob as she says this.
+
+'Crying,' says he, placing his arm round her, 'if you cry when you're
+happy, what will you do, when there is really something to cry for, oh
+you silly child,' but the look in his eyes belies his words, and Lippa
+raising hers sees something in them, which makes her draw still closer,
+till their lips meet.
+
+'Dearest,' he whispers.
+
+And then a silence also falls on them, while the calm moon, unmoved at
+what she sees, still shines on the same, and the distant ripple of the
+waves breaking on the shore is all that is heard.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippa, by Beatrice Egerton
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