LOVE AFFAIR OF ARCHIBALD MATURIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 81

LOVE AFFAIR OF ARCHIBALD MATURIN.

By Mrs C. E. Weigall, author of “ The Shadow of a Sin,” “The Jewels of Princess Valda,” etc. Archie Maturin ran downstairs one morning whistling as he came. He was rather late in starting for his club, because the rivet of his old nurse’s spectacles had come out, and there was no one but his blessed self who could mend them, and, having once inveigled him into the nursery, he had much to listen to concerning his childhood and the inferiority of the present days to the old ones. “ You’re not lookin’ well, my dearie,” said nurse, when the spectacles were mended and she was hunting for a hole to darn in Archie’s last now set of socks. “I expect itY London life as don't agree with my blessed, and them London victuals; you’ll have to dine at home a bit oftener, my lambic—-and old nurse can dose you wi’ carbonate of soda, like you used to have as a little boy after your meals.” “I can remember tire taste of it now, Nannie,” said Archie, cheerfully. “ And I think I’d rather dine at the club without the carbonate of soda.” “ Mm Harvey was only savin’ the other night as she was get-tin’ real tired of havin’ nothin’ to do here, my dearie boy, and if vou want to keep her you’ll have to give her somethin’ to cook—and you know iu these days cooks is very hard to get. and she so honest and all for your interest, though she may be gettiu’ into years and a bit gnarled wi' rheumatism.” “ I must gat her a young woman under her, and—and let her do more of the housekeeping.” said Archie, cheerfully. “ Now, don’t you go off at a tangent, my dearie. Just yon leave the thing alone, or maybe I shall get blasphemed i’ the house for takin’ more upon me than I should ought; but if you was Jo get married, Mrs Harvey 'd do fine for the housekeeper, and maybe she wouldn’t be sensitive no more as to havin’ things done for her by a young woman.” “So you want me to get married for Harvey’s sake?” said Archie, brightly. “ What a clear old self-sacrificing creature you are, Nannie. How would you like a mistress in Eaton square?” “Sometimes,” said Nannie, striving with dim eyes to thread a needle, “I think as I’d rather go to the workhouse than see you married, mv dearie. And other times I'd—l’d—well, I’d give the new gold brooch you gave me and the silk gown to - —to hold a child of yours iu my arms, ray dearie boy, afore 1 die. See here, my bain lie, I’ve kept the rattle as your mother had when she was a baby, and your first little woolly boots; aye, and the ring as you cut your teeth on, all dented wi’ your pretty bites; they're all ready for your own child, Lord Archie, and I can’t rest till I’ve held the third generation in my arms.” “Bless you, Nannie; perhaps—perhaps it may come sooner than you think,” said the embarrassed Archie, laying down the denied indiarubber ring, and looking with ill-concealed aversion at a washedout pair of woollen boots, that, if they had ever held his feet, must have shrunk in the course of thirty years beyond recognition. “ But don’t.you join the family conspiracy against my freedom. Believe me, I am very happy here with you and Harvey and Matthew to look after me—and who can toll but that a Lady Archie might want a great many changes?” “ Not the Lady Archibald as I should pick for you, my dearie,” said Nanny, preening her feathers like a peacock on a wall; ‘‘.slic’d have to pass an examination in sock mendin’ and one or two other things from me afore I was quite satisfied. But I've no objection to a mistress iu this house, my dearie—fai otherwise, indeed—and it'd only take a few words from me to Mrs Harvey and Matthew to make them quite agreeable, too.” And it was of Nannie’s words that Archie was thinking as he ran downstairs that morning, with an expression of such incredulous derision ou hits face as left no doubt of his own sentiments. “Eaton Square and Lady Archie are poles asunder yet!” he said. “There’s r.o one in the world I'd give up mv freedom for, in spite of all the Nannies in the world !” He brushed his hat carefully and saw to his latchkey, for Matthews had bad rheumatism that day, and Archie would not have brought him upstairs from die comfort of the butler’s pantry for a king’s ransom.

The door bell rang loudlv. and Archie stepped across the hall. It would seem quite natural for him to open the door, since he was going out himself, and meanwhile Matthews could nurse his foot in comfort.

Two ladies were stand ng outside in the bright sunlight, and Archie hardly saw the ample proportions and shining face of the elder one. for he became immediately absorbed in the extreme beauty of the younger. “flood morning.” said the stout lady, briskly. “We have come to see the house. You know my name—Mrs Furness—Miss Fiorella Furness.” “Miss Fiorella Furness.” said Archie, stupidly, racking Iris brains to consider where he could have made the acquaintance of this exquisite piece of maidenhood and forgotten her. “It is rather hot on'the step —Mr—er Mr ” “Maturin,” interpolated Archie, blandly “Won’t you come in?” ‘‘Ah —some relation of the Castledred family, I suppose,” said "Mrs Furness. “Would it be impossible to erect an awning over the front entrance?” “There is one already,” said Archie,

with becoming meekness, *V«!y the butler is not very strong just now—l mean it hurts his hand to pull it down.” The gold eyeglasses of Mrs Furness were turned full upon this extraordinary agent °1 the Maturing, who appeared to be a willing young man, but one to whom the. duties of servants seemed to be unknown quantities. It was the ardent desire of Mrs Furness to get into the society that is distinguished by a big S. And though she had not arrived as yet at the full knowledge of Iter qualifications for success, she was sure that if she took a Castledred house it would at least entail a call from the Marchioness. But then Fiorella was so very odd in her ideas of love, and in her ideas of the commercial value of her own colossal fortune.

They stood now in the hall, and Archie shut the door, manoeuvring thereby to get a view from a different aspect of Miss Furness, who appeared to be certainly the most lovely creature in the world, even if her mother was mad.

Fiorella Furness, at the age of twentvbne, was as flower-fair as Archie \vas dark. Her fine white muslin gown, with its blue ribbons and old blonde fichu, harmonised with her white hat with i's chiffon frills that showed her amber hair. There was an innocent pathos about her blue eyes that was unite unknown to the eyes of the town girls who danced and fluted with Archie. She had the air of a country flower that has been transported into a strange town, and is not sure that the change is an agreeable one. khe had an air about her that appealed straight to Archies iuate chivalry, and yet he felt the strength of the lovely grave month and the dignity of her voting figure. She was asking Archie to be lenient with her stepmother, and he responded gallantly.

If he Mere to clear the air of some preconceived notion that was evidently a colossal mistake, Fiorella might go away, and he Mould never see her again, and he felt that he could not endure the consideration of the possibility. “The hall is a fair si/.e,’’*said Mr<j Fur--ness, dispassionately. “ Does—docs Lord Maturin—yes, yes, Fiorella, Lord .Archibald Maturin, 1 mean, of course—does be use it- much ?”

“A great deal, madam,” said Archie, entering into the spirit 'of the affair with some zest. “He uses it as an exit oftener than any bachelor in London.” “ 1 did not, of course, mean that,” said Airs I’ urness, hurriedly. “I meant for tea in the summer, or—or, as a lounge hail.” “It is probable that if he tried to do that the butler would object, mother,” said liorella hastily. *As there are three sitting rooms on the ground floor, as well as all the servants’ offices!” It is a most desirable mansion,” said Archie solemnly. “There is not a better one in Loudon.”

I have yet to be persuaded of that, and also to be satisfied with drains and rent,” said Airs Furness, who thought the agreeable agent a trifle forward. But Archie had drawn Miss Furness aside with a look. “I want to show vou the Wedgwood in the Jiu.ng room. ' 1 know you would apnreclatc it,” he said The eyes of Fiorella touched him for an instant with a light in them that lie could not understand ; but before his ardent glance they fell immediiftelv. ihe china in the dining room was very beautiful; but it was Airs Furness who looked at it, while the young people admired the view.

“ Would the family silver he included with the house?” she said at last, lost, in admiration of the priceless Castledred plate on the sideboard. “The silver? Oh, yes, madam, everything goes with' the house, from the owner of it downwards,” said Archie, glibly.

There are a variety of old servants also, I understand.” continued Mrs Furness. "Of course, if they are not past their work, it would give a good impression, would it not, Fiorella?” “The servants are fixtures,” returned Archie, calmly. ” they are merely waiting here till there is room for them in heaven.” “Are they so perfect, then?” said Fiorella, gently. “ 1 think so,” said Archie. “But then, you see. they looked after me when I was a child.” It was at that moment that the eyes of Miss Furness lost the speculation in their depths, and became wells of limpid and unintelligible mirth. Their dancing, provocative joy escaped Mrs Furness, who was now engaged upon the question of floor coverings "1 can see that this carpet is nearlv threadbare,” she said. “It would have to he replaced And if that is the beet breakfast cloth, I, at least, am not accustomed to darned linen.” “The family linen of what is popularly called the aristocracy of Kngland,” paid Archie, with complete gravity, "if washed anywhere but at home is liable to holes and thin plai es.” “ But 1 never wash at home.” cried Airs Furness. “ What an impossible idea!” “ft has been done in Fa ton square.” said Archie. “The Castled reds usually wach theirs at home.” Mrs Furness relapsed into silence, for

she was open-minded enough to be anxious to absorb impressions of every description as to the daily life of England’s aristocracy. She had already established two laundrymaids and the latest form of mangle in the Eaton square basement before Archie had finished an absorbing conversation on Raskin as compared with the latest art critic of our time. ‘I am quite ready iw 1 . Mr Maturin,” she said. " I think this room is twenty by fifteen.” “Is it really?” said Archie, politely. 'How very thrilling. Do you wish to see the rest of the house?” “I never,” said Mrs Furness, impressively. “take a pig in a poke. If you hale no objection to acting as showman, Mr Maturin.” “Not in the least. I am quite lolighted.” ermd Archie. Pi a \ Dav as long as possible. In fact, I can otter you

lunch, if you do not object to Scotch collops—or—ahem—hasty pudding.” Mi's Furness, having heard much of the eccentricity of the Castledred family, hailed this remark as only another evidence of good birth on the part of the agent.

‘‘Fiorella and I should have beeS} charmed, only we are going to lunch wi: & Sir Abmadab Cornwallis, at the Carlton* Do you know him, Mr Maturin?” Dim visions of a city financier of stoui proportions and many vices flashed aero si

Archie's mind, and he answered vaguely. He could not bear to think that Fiorella, delicate and delicious, should sit next such a. man at lunch at a fashionable restaurant. It hurt him like a blow to connect her with the sordid, vulgar side oMife. of which she should know nothing. “I daresay lie is not very fashionable, but he is very kind,” said Mrs Furness, hastily. ‘‘Perhaps, however, a telephone message might postpone our lunch with him ?” lo eat even hasty pudding with a Castledred was an honour of which Mrs !' unless had not dreamt until she had met Mrs Ferars at tea the dav before. Bat now the thought of an al fresco meal with the possibility of Lord Archie's return 10 share it offered inducements that she could not refuse. ‘Aon cannot do that, mamma,” said Fiorella, firmly. "It would oe rude ' "I can do more than you think, my love, ’ said her stepmother with an air <f triumph. ‘‘And if you sugar rudeness amply enough, it is quite likely to appear to lie cordiality. Rs Lord Archibald likely to be at home for lunch?” ‘■'Very likely indeed, madam,” said Archie. “In fact, certain to be.” “It must be very pleasant for you (o have the run of (he house and the inviting ot guests,” said Fiorella. softly, "I should think your position must he a most desirable one.” ‘lt has alleviations.” said Archie, evasively. ‘‘Shall we go np to the drawing room, Mm Furness"?” Ihe move upwards was attended by various remarks as to the possibility of big receptions on the staircase, and Lord Archibald Maturin listened with profound attention, since he had never heard the capabilities of his house so thoroughly discussed before. “With two hundred people the house would be full, don’t you think so. Fiorella?’ said Mrs Furness. “Now. the Berkeley Square house would hold three hundred easily.”

“But we don’t know three people in London,” said Fiorella. faintlv. "But we shall know them, my hove, as soon as we are established in a-—in a ”

“Reputable house/’ suggested Archie, gently ;■‘•or is that the wrong word?"’ “It does not seem to me to he quite right, ’ said Mrs Furness. “But \on know what I mean.’’

“It is naturally interesting to me to consider the (jne.-tion of entertaining,” said Archie, enthusiastically. " I here have been many receptions held here, and I hope there will be again. There was once-—within my memory—a wedding.” His eyes were on Fiorella’s face under its chiffon frills, and lie saw that sha flushed like the dawn.

“There might, of course, be another wedding here,” said Mrs Furness, thoughtfully. ' Unt i don ( see that there isany place where the bride could stand under a bell of flowers, like they do in America —and that would he my idea for Fidelia's wedding.”

“Thank you. mamma. I would rather not discuss an event that-is hardly .within the bounds of possibility." said Miss Furness. ignoring an eloquent glance from Archie. “Is this-—can this possibly be —-

the original of Corregio’s ’Midday Mar kef?”

f l he verifying of the famous picture took so long between the two young enthusiasts that Mrs Furness had skirmished through the drawing room ami the boudoir and one or two bedrooms before rha could attract the attention of her tompa nions. “It might be as well to see the nest flight,” she said. “We have so many domestics.” “ 1 should like yon to see the nursery,” said Archie, with his eyes on Fioreila’a face. He wanted to see Nanny with her. He wanted the old eves to assure him of the truth lie had discovered for himself when Fiorella came in at the door—that here, by heaven’s truth, was the one wife for him. ■‘Merciful powers!” ejaculated Mrs Furness faintlv. “ No one told me that there were children here? Whose—whose aro they?" She knew Archibald Malinin by reoufe as a dashing young bachelor with a large heart, and she read her society papers with diligence. There was nothing impossible to the gilded youth of the upper ten thousand, according to the Northumberland Taller; but Archie’s face was a study in outraged

‘ 1 Theie is a nursery, he aid. turning his eves steadily to Fiorella, “furnished as my nursery used to be when I was a little bov, and in it lives an old woman who looks upon me as an incompetent child to be loved and scolded. Do you know, I rather like it, Miss Furness! On cold, winter afternoons there are no muffins such as are to be found in that nursery on the upper floor, and no such tea. Also, and quite incidentally, there is no such mender of socks nor purveyor of good advice in all the metropolis ! Mrs Furness had mounted the stairs before Fiorc-lla spoke, for she had not waited for Archie’s answer in her haste 1c penetrate to the inner secrets of the mansions of the blest. But the girl put out a warm, soft hand and touched Archie’s arm. “ I think—-I think I like you very much, she said gently. “ Aon are a good man. Her hasty- and birdlike flight up 1 “ etaiis prevented Lord Archibald Matunn from answering as otherwise he might have clone, which was possibly a gopd thino- for himself, as an immediate offer of hand and heart might have led to awkward complications. . . , . Nanny was quite ready to receive visitors, though a little doubtful of Mrs ness’s good intentions. But when Fiorella had seated herself upon a. stool at the kind old knees, and had admired ecstatically the knitting of a pair of wool socks destined for Archie’s feet, and had also requested the history of the gold brooch with the two locks of hair in it that fastened Nanny’s collar, Nanny forgot everything but" the charm of the lovely face. . . . Archie was swept off in the tram of Mrs Furness, with a backward glance of longing, as he heard such enticing words as “toddling feet” and “yellow hair. But he might have blushed to find himself the the old woman’s thoughts and words a moment later. “There .never was anyone like him m the whole world, miss. A bonny, sweettempered child he always was, and a bonny sweet-tempered man he’ll always be—-my dearie boy. as hasn’t a thought that isn t One of kindness in his heart. Never thinks of himself, he doesn’t, from mornin to. night, as he’d be a treasure for any woman as a husband, though there isn t anv of tern as’d be good enough for him, and that. I tell you straight.” . , T , “Fiorella! Fiorella!’’ cried Mrs Furness, now hurrying back again. “There is quits a delicious octangular room up heie that would do for your boudoir, and Mr Matunn is quite sure that Lord Archibald null put in a lift, and repaper the room in white and amber to match your hair. And now I really think we have seen quite enough to determine me to take the house if you will kindly inform me as to. the rent.”

Archie's hour had come. “Madame, lie said superbly, “this house is not to be Jet. I intend to continue to live in it myself.” “Good heavens!” said Mrs Furness, falling into a chair. “Then who are you, and why have I been deceived ?” “My 'name is Archibald Maturin, at your service,” said Archie. “Perhaps we have been playing a game of cress purposes. But do you not feel inclined to forgive me even as I forgive you, and tfl remain in Eaton square to eat hasty pudding?”

“Well, of all the impident. ncse-in-the-air, potato-paring hussies, give me that there Mm Furness, as come into my nursery with neither with your leave nor by your leave,” said Nanny a few hours later as she toasted a fresh round of bread for Archie. “A pingling, prying lapidary, if ever there was one! And a mercy she’s no blood relation to that pretty young thing in the white frock, as is one of the nicest young ladies I ever clapped eyes on since your mamma left the nursery.”

“I certainly don’t care very much for Mrs Furness myself,” said Archie, taking a bite out of his toast. “But we need not see much of her in future.”

“It’d be a pity not to see more of the young lady. There was things I was saving up to tell her about your young days. She seemed strange and interested in you as a baby.”

Archie dropped the toast —butter-side downwards —on the carpet, and in the consequent lamentations that ensued as to life being always the same, and the buttered side usually to the floor on the day when it hadn’t been nothing but merely licked with a carpet-sweeper, his own blushes passed unnoticed. “And where are you going to dine tohight, dearie boy?” said Nancy a few minutes later, with her eyes on his handsome face. “At Mrs Ferrars—and I should not wonder —no, I should not wonder at all — if Miss Furness were not there too.” “My bonny boy,” said Nanny with some anxiety in her voice that was not quite steady. “What’d your mamma say about it all?’ “I don’t think she would mind, Nanny ■ —in fact, she would probably be both interested and —and pleased.” “And will the wecldin’ be here?” said Nanny, with seeming irrelevance. “Bless my soul, Nanny, you were always so rash in your conclusions,” said Archie, making headlong for the door. “My dearie lamb, you’ll—you’ll let me keep the nursery?” The old voice was so quavering that Lord Archibald was compelled to turn hack to kiss the tears from a pair of old eyes. “Why, of course, Nanny, how could two young people venture into matrimony without you?” And Nanny was content.