Thereby Hangs a Tale Part 34

Which was the simple truth, though, all the same, Miss Polly had been comparing him, somewhat to his disadvantage, with Humphrey.

"Good girl," said Mrs Lloyd. "You must get yourself a silk dress, child--a nice light one."

"Thank you, aunt," said the girl, flushing with pleasure.

"Yes, he's a fine young fellow, and as good and n.o.ble as he is high."

"I'm sure he must be, aunt," said the girl. "He spoke so nicely to me."

"When?--where?" said Mrs Lloyd, eagerly.

"Yesterday, aunt, when I took in that silver cup."

"Ah?" said Mrs Lloyd. "Yes, she'll be a lucky girl who wins him."

"Yes, that she will, aunt," said the girl, enthusiastically. "He's very rich, isn't he?"

"Very, my dear; and his wife will be the finest lady in the county, with dresses, and carriages, and parties, and a town-house, I daresay."

"I hope he'll marry some one who loves him very much," said the girl, simply.

"Of course he will, child. Why, any girl could love him. She ought to jump at the chance of having such a man. And now I must go, child. I was rather cross to you last night. I was worried with the preparations, and it did not look well for me to come and see that fellow with his hands through the window; but that won't happen again.

A little flirting's all very well for once in a girl's life, but there must be no more of it, and I know I shan't have to speak any more."

She hurried out of the room before the girl could reply, leaving her with her little forehead wrinkled by the puzzling, troubled thoughts which buzzed through her brain.

"Aunt must mean something," she said to herself. "I wonder what she really does mean. She can't really--oh, nonsense, what a little goose I am!"

Polly's pretty little face puckered with a smile, and she took up her work, waiting to be called for breakfast, and sat wondering the while what Humphrey was doing.

Humphrey was away down by the disputed piece of land, and Trevor soon forgot all about him; for, crossing a field and leaping a stile, he stood in one of the winding lanes of the neighbourhood; then crossing it, and leaping another stile, he began to make his way along the side of a steep valley, when he stopped short; for, from amongst the trees in front, rang out, clear and musical--

"There came a lady along the strand, Her fair hair bound with a golden band, Sing heigh!"

And a second voice--

"Sing ho!"

Then the two, sweetly blended together, repeated the refrain, "Oh, Tiny!" cried the voice, "here's one pretty enough to make even Aunt Matty look pleasant. Oh, my gracious!" she exclaimed, dropping her little trowel, for Trevor had come into sight.

"Don't be alarmed, pray!" he said, laughing. "But really I did not know we had such sweet song-birds in the woods."

"It was very rude to listen, Mr Trevor; and it isn't nice to pay compliments to strangers," said Fin, nodding her saucy head.

"Then," said Trevor, taking the hand slightly withheld, "I shall be rude again only in one thing--listening; for we must be strangers no more, seeing that we are such near neighbours. Miss Rea," he said, taking Tiny's hand in turn, and looking earnestly in her timid eyes, "you were not hurt yesterday?"

"Oh no, not in the least," was the reply.

"We are indebted to your friends, too, for taking compa.s.sion upon us in our misfortune."

"Don't name that," he said, hastily. "I am glad the carriage came up in time. By the way, Miss Rea, I am glad we have met, I want to clear up a little unpleasantly that occurred yesterday."

"Oh, of course," said Fin. "Why, we ought to have cut you this morning."

"No, no," said Trevor, laughing, "that would be too cruel I am really very, very sorry about it all; and I have sent a letter over to Sir Hampton this morning, apologising for my hasty words."

"Oh, have you?" said Fin, clapping her hands, and making a bound off the moss; "how nice! I mean," she added, demurely, "how correct."

Fin whispered her sister, who was growing flushed and troubled by the eager and impressive way in which Trevor spoke to her.

"It would be such a pity," he said, walking on by her side, "if any little trifle like that in dispute should be allowed to disturb the peace, and break what would, I am sure, be a charming intimacy!"

"Why, the great, handsome wretch is making love to her," said Fin to herself. "Oh, what a shame! I hate him already."

"I know--I feel sure papa will only be too glad--too ready to make amends," said Tiny, who was growing more confused; for every time she spoke and ventured to glance at her companion, it was to meet his eyes gazing into hers with a depth of tenderness that pleased while it troubled her, and made her little heart behave in the most absurdly fluttering fashion. He looked so frank and handsome--so different in his brown tweeds and carelessly put-on hat to the carefully dressed dandies, their companions of the day before.

"I have told Sir Hampton that I mean to call this afternoon to ask him to shake hands with me. Do you think I may?" he said, with another look.

"I don't know--I think so--oh yes! pray call," said Tiny, confused, and blushing more than ever.

"Thank you, I will," he said, earnestly, "and you will be at home?"

"I forbid thee--no, thou must not come," said Fin, in a mock-serious tone, "And why not?" said Trevor, turning upon her.

"Because Aunt Matty hates the sight of young men, and papa will be ready to eat you."

"Why, bless your bright, merry little face," cried Trevor, enthusiastically, and catching Fin's hands in his. "Do you know what I feel as if I could do?"

"No, of course not," cried Fin, trying to frown, and looking bewitching.

"Why, catch you up and kiss you a dozen times for a merry little woodland fay," cried Trevor.

"Oh, gracious!" cried Fin, s.n.a.t.c.hing away her hands, and retreating behind her sister.

"Don't be alarmed, little maiden," said Trevor, laughing; "I won't do so."

"I should think not," cried Fin.

"Sailors' manners," said Trevor, laughing, as he walked on by their side.

"Do you know how old I am, sir?" said Fin, austerely.

"I should say nearly sixteen," said Trevor, glancing at her sister.

"Seventeen and a half, sir," said Fin, with dignity on her forehead, and a laugh at each corner of her little mouth.

"Then it will be a sin if Nature ever lets you get a day older," said Trevor, laughing.