CHAPTER V.

Otago Witness, Issue 919, 10 July 1869, Page 20

CHAPTER V.

The result of the above conversation was that, early in the afternoon of the following day, the village street of Farley waa enlivened by the appearance of Mr Langley's barouche, with Mrs Lester inside. The powdered footman attached to this equipage, descending at the curate's door gave such a succession of bangs with the rarely used knocker, that the whole house shook, and poor Mrs Mackworth nearly jumpedj umped out of her chair. In another moment the open-eyed maid-servant had shown in Mrs Lester : a mass of black velvet and white fur, so flowing and voluminous that the tiny square parlor seemed hardly large enough to contain her drapery. Mrs Mackworth, alwaya gentle and self-possessed, was not at all discomposed by this apparition, nor by the consciousness of her own well-worn merino, and the ungainly basket of tattered garments which lay, as usual, at her feet. Mary waa in the kitchen, her sleeves tucked up and her arm 3 all over flour, engaged in the manufacture of certain cakos, tho recipe for which she had obtained from Mrs Halroyd's cook, and which were destined to tempt Cilia's fanciful appetite at supper. She was flinging gaily at her work, when Cilia burst in, hor pale cheeks flushed scarlet, her blue eyes dancing with excitement. " Mary ! Mary ! What do you think i Mrs Lester is hero— in the parlor with mamma— oh ! my hair ?my hair! " " Oh ! my cakos !my cakos!" said Mary ; "however they're in a stato that they can bo left, luckily." And as soon as she could froo her hands from flour, and divest herself of tho gvoat apron which defended her dres3, sho helped to arrange those tanglusomo locks of Cilia's, which never would lio flat, but which looked all tho prettier for thoir disarray. Tho sisters nntorod togothor to hear Mrs Mackworth saying : "It is vory, vory kind, and would bo a groat ploasuro to tho girls, and my son too — but I don't know. " "I must got thorn to intercede," said Mrs Lcstor, as eho shook hands with !\lary, and gnvo a kind greeting to Cilia : ' ' my brother has charged mo to say how much ho hopes you will all come to his ball on tho 13th. Mrs Mackworth aaya it is out of tho question for herself or Mr Mackworth ; but as I toll hor, I should bo charmed to bo your chaporono. Por<mado hor to lot you como." Mary and Cilia looked nt oaoh othor, and never did two pair of oyes boom with grcator dolight. But then Mary glanced at hor mother. "If you don't miml our gointj, mamma, I can man Ago ©rorything," said Mary, in a low voico. Tht* ond of the diuaiHsbn was, that Mr* Mackworth promised to consult hor hnnb&nd, and if ho gavo hia consont, to allow thoir daughter* and son to go to this famous ball. I So whon the curato oamo homo in tha ov<vninj», ho found all his household in a utiUo of feminine buntlo ; a showy ahowor jof muslin heaped on tho sofa : nnd a bewildering mum of ribbons and tapes lying on tho table. Am ho stood amazed at the door, Cilia dancod up to him, all oxcito* mont, with tho wonderful news that they

were goin ? to tHe.Nettlehurst ball,; Mary hastily adding that it depended on whether he liked-th'em to do-so. •" My dears, do you really wish to go ? Won't you feel very much at a loss? You can't, dance,, any'of you." " Can't we, indeed ?" cried Mary, " haven't I sat by and seen Carrie and Archie figuring away under Mr Caracol, every Friday of my life for the last two years ? ' I will undertake to coach Harry and Cilia— if we may, papa?" " But your clothes ? Where is the money to come from V "I believe Mary is a conjuror," said her mother ; " she produced all this finery at a moment's notice. And then Mary began explaining how she had bought the white muslin some months before, when she found it necessary to have a be3t evening dress for Carrie's birthday, and how, just as she had done so, Mrs Halroyd had made her a present of another white muslin, ready made up, silk underskirt and all. "So the new muslin will just come in for Cilia, and she can have the silk petticoat," said Mary, eagerly ; " and all this green ribbon, her own favorite green, will run under the muslin — all about— so. How lucky I brought it for her !" " And yourself, Mary," asked the curate, who .had listened with some amusement to this explanation. "Oh! my dress will do up nicely : I can make it quite fresh with a little ironing and plaiting," said Mary, briskly. "Only Bay we may, papa!" Though all papa said was " foolish children ! " it was said with a smile which made his daughters fly round him with kisses and delighted thanksA very pleasant little note from Mrs Lester arrived a few days before the ball, hoping that they would allow the brougham to be sent for them, and reminding the Bisters that they were to consider themselves in her charge for the evening. At last came the great day itaelf ; and a busy, bustling, happy day it was, such as young ladies who go habitually to two or three balls a night can form no idea of. Such a perpetual buzz of chatter and laughing went on, as would have driven the curate wild, but for his peculiar power of abstracting himself from what went on about him. But even he Bhowod some interest when the girls made their appearance in the parlor early in the evening, ready dressed, in order that they might net keep the brougham one moment waiting. Laurry and Jack, who had insisted on the unwonted extravagance of two pairs of candles, in order that their sisters' magnificence might appear to advantage, capered about in a high state of excitement, in dangerous proximity to the floating muslin ro^es. " You are really worth looking at, I must say," cried Mr Mackworth, smiling approvingly ; while his wife's eyes glistened with pride at sisht of her bright pair of girls. "Doesn't Cilia look charming," Mary cried, her eyea riveted on her sister : who certainly did look remarkably pretty in the white draperies, exquisitely fresh and crisp, as if the sewing and trimming had been performed by fairy fingers ; wavy lines of green, pale, yet bright, wandered about under the muslin, and peeped out more decidedly in the folds of the bodico ; and a wreath of real holly encircled the small head, only the green, white-speckled leaves in front, and a few bright berries mixing with her soft loose hair at tho back, looked liko coral set in gold. Mary's beat caro and skill had not been able to give hor own often-worn dross quite the fresh, full sit of hor sister's, but it was well made and appropriate, and a few bright dashes of holly trimmed it here and there, matching the wreath, in which, mindful of her own dark coloring, Mary had left a largor number of berries than she had allowed to Cilia. Nothing could have been moro bocoming than tho rich full color was to her ; and at her openly expressed admiration of Cilia, tho parent* oxchanged a smilo which meant that Mary herself was by no moans unworthy of being admired and sought aftor. Harry appearod to leas advantage than his sisters. It was not in Mary's powor to make his dress anything vory first-rato ; and ho was at the ago whon a lad is painfully conscious thafc ho has coased to 00 a boy, and is a very poor imitation of a man. Tho brougham arrivod, tho trio atarfcod, and, aftor a rathor nervous and silent drive through the dark lanes, entered tho gates of Nottlohurat, and came in sight of tho houso, blazing with lights : tho oon«ervatory,with its colored lamps and lovely flowors, looked liko an enchanted paiaco. The library was the recoplion room, as tho drawing-room was given up to tho dancorn. At tho door stood Mrs Lentor. in tho handsome black robes which eho had novor cast off sinco her early widowhood, Hor cordial grootJng sot the fluttered girls at once at thoir caso. Tho brougham h*d boon sent so oarly that thoy wore almost tho first arrivals. Vory soon Mr Langley joinod thorn : " I am vory glftd to sco you hero," ho aaid to Mary ; ?t I was »fraid Mr Mackworth would not lot you come now." "Ho was very glad for us to havo tho pleasure," tftid Mary. " Y©»> but I foarod that now porhap* ho might) change hi* mind. It would haro boon cru»l"

« But why should he ? " asked Mary*- bo-, j tiwildered. " Have you not hfltod^rj"; Mr Langley "was' beginning ; but, & fresh;; arrival called him, away, and the guests bectan rapidly to assemble. *' „' It was a great amusement to Mary to watch them, and to see bo many people who had hitherto been only names to her. All the higher class of professional people from Brigham were the first to arrive : and a little later the county families, of whom there were .many. Mary noticed with what marked cordiality they appeared to welcome the banker into their ranks, and her heart swelled with a feeling of pride, for which she laughed at herself, as she recalled all she had lately heard her father and brother «ay of the high reputation for honor, liberality, and public spirit which Mr Langley had always borne. "Asif I had any right to feel proud-el him ! " she thought, and then glanced at Cilia, the real object of her pride ; and a delightful vision began to float before her, dispersed in a moment as she remembered how papa would despise such castle building. Mrs Lester did not forget her young charges : she had promised her brother to be kind to them, and she thoroughly fulfilled her promise. She had little difficulty in finding partners for two such attractive girls ; and indeed when Cilia had once been noticed, her chaperone had numerous applications for an introduction. Mary's bright eyes danced with pleasure as she watched her sister, and Mrs Lester looked at her often and with much interest. " She is the nicest girl I ever saw in my life," Mrs Lester thought, " and if it is to be, I won't forbid the banns. Still it would be a pity." And she glanced at her brother, who was dancing with a very handsome girl, daughter to one of the county magnate, s It was not until late in the evening that Mr Langley came up to Mary again. Cilia, who had just been dancing, was resting on a seat, looking flushed and weary, but full of enjoyment. Mary had had her share of dancing too; Harry alone had found the evening rather blow. " Won't you come and have something to eat 1 The hall is open now." Mary and Mr Langley passed into the conservatory, which opened also into the hall, now con* verted into a supper room. "What a crowd of people ! " he said pausing. " Don't you think it would be better to stay here among the orange trees than to plunge into that hungry multitude ? Shall I get you something ?An ice ? " "If you please," said Mary, and they were soon comfortably established on two low green seats in the conservatory. The colored lamps twinkled among the dark foliage, bright figures passed and repassed, a soft continuous ripple of voice and laughter, mingled with the music from the ballroom. " T have been trying to get near you all this evening, but I have been obliged to attend to so many people. I hope my sister has taken care of you.* " She has been so very kind, and my sister and I have enjoyed ourselves extremely." " I suppose it it her first ball —and yours too. Is it?" Mary laughed 1 " Our first, and probably our laufc. You do not know what a treat you have given us : it was so very kind of you and Mrs Lester to think of asking us." " Kind ! " he repeated, smiling ; " it was very kind of you to come, I think." « '^ye-the-bye,'* asked Mary, suddenly, "what did you mean by asking me if we had hoard something ? " " You have not heard it, evidently," said Mr Langloy, hesitating, "I am sorry I said anything about it. Isthere no second post at Farley V 1 " Not unless we send to Brigham." "Thataccounts for it ; they wrote to tell me a» soon as it happened. Poor old Dr Lowthor died yesterday morning. Mary felt shocked. " I had no idea nowas really ill," she said in an awe-struck voice. "It is tho old story of boy and wolf," said Mr. Langley. "Poor old fellow ! 1 really fancy he might have lived to ninety il he could have thought leas about his health ; but a man canH goon taking physio all his life withoot taking too much at last." Poor Dr. Lowthor, I hardly knew him, but he used to be kind to us when we were little. Once he gave me a prayer-book. I wonder,** Mary added, aftor a pause, *' who our new rector will be !" Mr. Langley hesitated. Mary looked up, and saw something in his face whioh made her fancy that her remark had been somehow raal-apropo*. " I beg your pardon," she said, instinctively. " For what?" he asked, amused by her perplexity; "I only thought that perhaps you knew the Farley living to be in my gift. I bought it with the Nottlehursfc ostato. I hoped—l do hope—*' Mr. Langloy hesitated. «« Do you think that Mr. Mackworth would kindly undertako tho responsibility ? He has long done all the work, 1 know." Mary's breath was absolutely taken away by surprise and emotion. Sho looked up with a wondering, incredulous gaze : then tried to ip<t»k ; then stopped, and ttoarly broke down altogether, fllr. Langloy brought her a gl«w of water. « I am ashamtd o( mywif/' the paid, at

BOonM.shecould; then, liiolookoo! warm * interest encouraging her to speak frankly, she went on. " But you don't know the relief! You. don't know what; life, has been all these years for papa and mamma, Oilla and Harry. They will thank you better than I can." She held out her

hand, looking up to him with glad tearful eyes. Mr. Langley pressed the hand warmly, as if the thanksgiving look had gone to his heart. " Nobody need thank me, Heaven knows, except the people of Farley. WJiat would they be without Mr. Maokworfh? I believe the rectory is in pretty good repair, and the garden well kept up ; but Mr. Mackworth and I must go over it together." "It is perfect," said Mary, as a vision of the pleasant roomy house and bowery garden rose before her. " Thank you, thank you ! You may think I care a great deal about money, but it is not that. It is such pain to see one's own dear people wanting anything, and not to be able to give it to them." "You will, at all events, be freed from your slavery now, I hope," said Mr. Langley, • - Mary looked surprised. " I have nothing to complain of, though it will be nice to be at home of course, nicer than anything." A fine lad .your brother in. Does he think of the churoh ?" " No, he wishes for, the army, but lately he. has been thinking of going into Mr. Bagahawe's office. He hated the idea, but he wouldn't trouble papa with making difficulties. He is sq unselfish," said the Bister, proudly. "But there .will be no trouble about the army- now, thanks to you.?' Mr.. Langley was tiuched by this simple girlY great idea of the capabilities of their new income. "How should I feel ?" he thought, "if I were obliged to live on nine hundred a-year ! Well, this lad's commission may be a means of paying my five hundred pounds." "You will let mo come to-morrow V he said aloud : " I must see your father, and go over the rectory with him ; and I shall see you too, shall I not?" " Certainly," said Mary ; " I don't go back to London until the 20th." " And then only to say good-bye to it, I hope. A new dance is beginning, will you come V* As Mary rose, she could not help saying, " I seem to have been talking of nothing but my home concerns." " You could not have given me greater pleasure," was the answer. " Miss Mackworth, I must say it Whatever happens hereafter, I shall never forget what I owe to that brown paper parcel."

At night, when all the guests were gone, Mr. Langley, pacing the deserted conservatory with a cigar, mused much as follows :—": — " She is too grateful to me — by far too grateful When she looked up at me with those innocent thankful eyes, I could hardly help speaking then and there ; but I must wait till she forgets that I am something of a benefactor, and only remembers me as a friend. Please God, the best friend she will ever have ! 0 blessings on the fog, and on the snow, and on the brown-paper parcel, and on the hansom, andoneverythingelae. And blessings on old Lowther, wherever he is now, for going off at the convenient moment ! Well, to-morrow I shall see her again — those clear bright eyes that went straight to my heart in the cold and dark that day ; and the sweet smile, and the earnest quiet mouth, worth all her sinter** beauty, twenty thousand times ! If her heart is not too full of father and mother, and sister and brothers, to leave one corner for me 1 Well, I must hope and try, and 1 shall see her again to-morrow." And at the same time, Mary, who kept her precious secret for the morrow to disclose, lying wakeful beside her sleeping sister, poured out her earnest thanksgivings for troubles over, and peace beginning. " How kind he U ! " she thought with team. " How nicely he apoke of Harry I How he listened when I talked so much ! How could I talk so much to a stranger ? But, somehow, I don't feel as if he were a stranger ; I feel as if he must belong to us some day. Is that prophetic, I wonder ! Is he to be the knight that I hare always dreamed of, who was to come and carry off my Oilla ? May be. And yet, I don't know. There are tome people in the world who seem too good for any oneeven for Cilia."