The Mynns' Mystery Part 13

"I am sure you do," said Gertrude, kissing the acid-looking old lady.

"Thank you, my dear," said Mrs Hampton, beaming, as she threw her gaunt arms about Gertrude, and gave her two sounding kisses. "And now, my dear, goose or no goose, I've watched everything, and I'm going to speak out."

"You alarm me, Mrs Hampton."

"Yes, that's my way. I always do alarm people most when I want to be kindest. Now look at me: I'm a very unpleasant-looking body, ain't I?

and I've got a terrible temper, but do you know Hampton and I have been married forty-three years, and never had an angry word?"

"I always knew you were a very happy pair, Mrs Hampton."

"And we are, my dear; but, Gertie Bellwood, are you two going to be a happy pair?"

"I hope so--oh, I'm sure so!" cried Gertrude, with the tears in her eyes. "I shall try so hard to make him happy."

"That settles it."

"Mrs Hampton!"

"Yes, my dear; that settles it. If you've got to force yourself to be happy, and will have to try so hard, why, it will all be a failure, so give it up."

"But Mr Harrington's wishes!"

"Bother Mr Harrington's wishes! He was a good eccentric old man, but he didn't know everything. He quarrelled with his son because they were both obstinate, and when he grew older he repented, and made up his mind to do to his grandson what he had omitted to do to his son. He has made him rich, and to make him happy he told you to marry him: but it will not do, my dear--it will not do."

"Mrs Hampton!"

"I can't help it, my child. Marry in haste and repent at leisure; but you shan't run headlong into misery without Rachel Hampton saying a word of warning."

"I feel that it is my duty to the dead," cried Gertrude.

"Duty! Ha! Then you love some one else--not that dreadful Saul Harrington?"

"Oh, no, Mrs Hampton."

"Thank goodness! You gave me quite a turn. Then it's some other young man?"

"Indeed, no."

"Are you sure? Don't be afraid to confess to me. Yes, you are sure. I can read you like a book. My dear, you don't love anyone else, and you don't love George Harrington."

"But I shall--I am sure I shall."

"No. You can't grow that plant, my dear. It comes up of itself, like mushrooms. You may get sp.a.w.n from the best seedsmen, and make a bed and grow some leathery, tasteless things that look like mushrooms, but they're no more like the real thing than your grown love is like the genuine article. No, my dear, it won't do, so take my advice, give up your rich man, and come and live with us till the right one comes."

"No, no; I cannot, George Harrington expects me to be his wife, and I shall pray to G.o.d to make me all that is true and loving to the man chosen for my husband."

"Then I've done my duty that way, so I'm at rest. Now, about something else."

"Yes, Mrs Hampton?" said Gertrude in alarm.

"Take him in hand, my dear, and try and mould him into a better shape."

"Oh, a little mixing with decent society will soon soften all that you notice."

"No, it will not, my dear. He drinks too much."

Gertrude sighed.

"He gambles."

Gertrude started.

"And he seems to have found a congenial spirit in that Mr Saul Harrington."

Gertrude shook her head sadly.

"I'm a matter-of-fact woman, my dear, and I speak out sometimes, and I'm going to speak out now. I hate Mr Saul Harrington, and you'd better take a few lessons from me, and hate him too."

Gertrude looked at her in a bewildered way.

"Oh, come, that won't do; you are going to marry Mr George?"

"Yes, Mrs Hampton."

"And you are going to devote yourself to making him a good young man?"

"Yes."

"Then you must put your hand to the plough with a will; and the first thing to do is to wean him away from Saul Harrington."

"But how?"

"Woman's wit, my dear. Make him love you, and think there's no happiness to be found anywhere in the world except by your side."

A rosy flush came into Gertrude's cheeks, but it faded away, and left them pale, while the sad look of perplexity that was growing there became more p.r.o.nounced.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mrs Hampton," said Gertrude, with a sigh.

"That's what I did with Mr Hampton, and I don't look the sort of woman, do I?"

"Pray don't ask me such questions. But surely Mr Hampton was never at all--"

"Wild, my dear? No, but he was growing too fond of his whist, and I--"

"Yes, Mrs Hampton; you--"

"Well, my dear," said the old lady, kissing her affectionately, "I played a trump card. There, I'm going for my walk now. Will you come?"