The Hoyden Part 95

"But we shall not live in town. You have promised to come to the country with me," says he quickly. "And even if this plant dies, another can grow--a new one. I told you that I bought a place.

It--it is in the same county as Oakdean."

"Ah! Oakdean!" A pathetic look grows within her large eyes. She turns aside. "I _dread_ the country now that my old house is gone---- I----" Suddenly she gives way, and bursts into a storm of tears. "Everything seems gone!" cries she. "But if I _must_ seek a new home let me go to it at once. Don't let me think about it. Take me there as soon as ever you can."

"To-morrow," says Rylton, "if you wish."

"Yes, yes," feverishly, "to-morrow."

She is sobbing bitterly.

"t.i.ta," says Rylton, who is now very pale, "if it costs you so much, I give up my plan. Stay with Margaret--stay where you like, only let me provide for you."

"No, I shall go with you," says t.i.ta, making a violent effort to suppress her sobs. "It is arranged, I tell you. Only let me go _at once_. I cannot stand the thinking of it day by day."

"To-morrow, then, by the evening train; will that suit you?"

"Yes."

"I shall call for you here?"

"Yes."

"Remember our compact. You shall be as free as air."

"I know."

He goes to her, and, taking her head between his hands, kisses her forehead. He would have liked to take her in his arms and kiss her with all his heart, but something forbids him.

"Good-bye, t.i.ta."

"Good-bye."

He has his hand upon her shoulder now.

"Do you know you have never once called me by my name," says he.

"Have I not?" mournfully.

"Not once; and if we are to be friends--friends, at least--you might----" He pauses, but no answer comes. "Well, good-bye," says he again.

He is half-way across the room when she says: "Good-bye, Maurice,"

in a faint tone, like a child repeating a lesson.

The sorrow in Rylton's heart is deeper as he leaves the house.

CHAPTER XXIX.

HOW A JOURNEY IS BEGUN AS THE DAY DIES DOWN; AND HOW THAT JOURNEY ENDS; AND HOW A GREAT SECRET IS DISCOVERED--THE SECRET OF t.i.tA'S HEART.

The parting between Margaret and t.i.ta had taken a long time. There had been many admonitions from the former, and entreaties from the latter, princ.i.p.ally about Margaret's coming to see her as soon as possible. These precious moments had been broken in upon by Colonel Neilson, who had sent up word by one of the servants that he asked a few minutes' conversation with Miss Knollys.

Those minutes had grown into a quarter of an hour, and then Margaret had come back looking decidedly guilty, but rather inclined to a tearful mirth.

"You needn't speak," said t.i.ta, with a pretence at contempt. "You didn't say 'No' on Sunday, and you have said 'Yes' to-day. It is quite simple."

"Well, it is all your fault," Margaret had returned, sinking into a chair, and beginning to laugh rather shamefacedly. "If you had stayed with me it never would have happened. But you have shown me how delightful companionship is, and having shown it, you basely desert me. And now--I feel so lonely that----"

"That?"

"I have broken through all my vows, and said----"

"Yes?"

"Yes!"

"You must _both_ come down and stay with me as soon as ever you can," said t.i.ta, giving her a tender hug.

The long sweet summer evening is growing into night as the train draws up at the old station that t.i.ta knows so well. She looks out of the window, her heart in her eyes, taking in all the old signs--the guard fussy as ever--Evans the porter (she nods to him through eyes filled with tears)--the glimpse of the church spire over the top of the station-house--the little damp patch in the roof of the booking-office.

She almost starts, so deep is her reverie, as Rylton lays a hand upon her shoulder.

"Come," says he, smiling.

"Why----" begins she, surprised. She sees he has her travelling-bag in his hand, and that he wants to pa.s.s her to open the window.

"This is our station," says he.

"This?"

"Yes. I think I told you the new place I had bought was in this county."

"Yes. I know, but so near----"

Rylton has opened the door, and is calling to a porter. Evan comes up.

"Welcome home, my lady," says he, touching his cap to t.i.ta, who gives him a little nod in return, whilst feeling that her heart is breaking.

"Home!" She feels as if she hates poor Evans, and yet of course he had meant nothing. No doubt he thought she was coming back to Oakdean. Dear, _dear_ Oakdean, now lost to her for ever!