CHAPTER VIII. SIR HUGH MANNERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2119, 6 February 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER VIII. SIR HUGH MANNERS.

As soon as George had changed his ridiculous costume, he went round at once to welcome his cousin. He did so with mutch cordiality. There was the strong bond of kinsmanship between those two men, as well as that of early associations and regard, and if Sir Hugh Manners admitted one human friendship to his heart, is certainly was for his cousin George. ' Well, old fellow,' he said, shaking his hand which so warmly grasped his own, * you see I came without an invitation when I heard of your festivities. Allow me to congratulate you — you were eminently ridiculous.' 'I succeeded in my aim, then, 1 said George goodnaturedly, ' I meant to make the children laugh, and I'm glad I did.' | ' You made me, at any rate,' answered Sir Hugh, 'and horribly jealous too, I see through your dodge, Cousin George.' 'What dodge I would like to know ?' ' Your sisters have a remarkable pretty governess.' • She is good-looking,' replied George, with affected indifference. ' She is,' said Sir Hugh, laughing. ' Pray do me the honour to introduce me.' •Very well,' answered George, trying

Dot to look annoyed. • But I must tell you, Hugh — she is — a very lady-like person.' Sir Hugh laughed again, and shrugged his shoulders, and then turned carelessly round and began to talk to Adelaide Manners, who had been standing near, and had overheard his conversation with George. 'I have something to say to you, Hugh,' she said in a half- whisper as George walked away, ' something about that person.' ' What, about the governess ? ' Yes — George is infatuated with her, I think. He has quarrelled with me for somethinf? or other which I did to offend her, and he is for ever with her and the children.' ' Bah ! ' And Sir Hugh gave a glance of infinite coutempt. ' Surely, Adelaide, yon are not ho foolish as to think George means any nonsense.' 'i do not know what he means,' answered Adelaide gravely, ' but I know he has been so changed and capricious lately, that I think I could believe anything of him.' IHe is amusinsf himself,' said Sir Hugh, with his cold smile. ' I do not know that.' 'He shows some taste too, I think. She seems uncommonly pretty.' 'No, she is not, really. She often looks so worn and faded. Of course tonight dressed up, and I daresay painted, she does look pretty well.' { Don't admit it, Adelaide,' paid Sir Hugh, smiling. • Why should I not ?' answered Adelaide, angrily. ' What is it to me whether che is pretty or not, except as regards George V ' Console yourself my dear ; I daresay he found it exceedingly hard to pass the Sundays here before she came, and was glad of any littla diversion.' ' But there is something I want to ask you about if you will only bo serious,' said Miss Manners, 'Do you know anything of Colonel Ross of the 3rd ?' ' Colonel James Ross ?' asked Sir Hugh, now looking at his cousin with some curiosity. ' Yes, I believe it was James ; but at all events the regiment was the 3rd. Was Colonel Ross the colonel when you were in it ?' ' What has he to do with her?' answered Sir Hugh, parrying the question. ' His wife, Mrs Ross, was her only reference.' 1 Colonel Ross is in India ?' said Sir Hugh. 'Is Mrs Ross there now also ?' • Yos, the letter of reference was dated from Calcutta. ' I know them/ said Sir Hugh, after a short pause. ' Was ehe *a lady ?' asked Adelaide, eageily. ' As far as I can remember, she wa9.' Adelaide bit her lip. ' There is somethins strange about Miss Williams,' she continued. She dresses splendidly — as if she were an heiress instead of a governess.' ' I will have a good look at her by-and-by,' answered Sir Hugh ; • but won't you have home tea or something ? I see the young people are refreshing themselves over there.' He moved away as he spoke— going up to the table where Mrs Manners and Lady Lilhourne, assisted by two maidservants, were very busily engaged pouring out tea and coffee for the children, who were crowding 1 round them, waiting for the forms to be removed in preparation for the dance which they had been promised. ' Well, Sir Hugh,' said Lady Lilbourne, * and what do you think of it ?' 'I think it was jolly for small children,' he answered. • Mrs Manners, that Dolly of yours will turn out a very clever young woman some of the.«e days.' ' Oh, I don't know,' said Mrs Manners, humbly. ♦ She's too sharp, I'm afraid.' ' Uncommonly sharp, I should say ; and what a lovely child the third is — what is her n ime ? Ah, to ba sure, Millicent. She will be the belle of the Mannerses.' The fond mother sighed. " She is very <1< hoite, I am afraid, Sir Hugh,' she said. 1 She'll outgrow it,' he answered carelp»ly, and then went on talking to Lady Lilliourne. Katie, Dolly, and Milly now came into the mom ; Millyhtill wearing the longedfor w hito dress with its golden stars, and the children all gathered round them, langhing and talking about the pliy. Then by-and-by the piano was brought forwurJ, and Mi-s Howard, Lady Lilbourne's governess, commenced playing a sot of quadrilles. 'May I have the honour?' said Sir Hush, turning to Adelaide Manners, whilst the little boys were eagorly choosing their paitn»rs ; and she, with a bright flush suddenly crossing her face, placed her hand upon her cousin's arm. When they were dancing the set, George and Miss Williams entered the room. ' He positively has been to the Vicarage with her, I believe,' said Adelaide pointing them out to her partner. ' And did you ever «cc anything so preposterous as her dress ?' ' Happy fellow !' answered Sir Hugh. 1 1 wonder if he has been acting the lady's-maid ?' • How can you jest about such a thing, Hugh ?" 1 All life is but a jest, my dear.' 1 Sometimes a very bitter one,' answered Adelaide. 1 Sir Hugh laughed, and then fixed his eyes steadily on Miss Williams's face. As he did so, a strange emile stole over his lips. A scornful one was habitual to them, but this was mixed with curiosity and surpiise. 'Colonel Rosa's letter was from Calcutta you said, did you not?' he asked. ' What was the date ?' 'Yes,' said Adelaide, who had been eagerly watohing his face. 'Do you know anything of her? Can she have been there ? I can find the letter, and tell you when it was written.' Sir Hugh smiled again, but made no answer, still keeping his keen eyes fixed upon the governess's face. ' Keep your mind easy, Adelaide,' he said, after having gazed at her thus for some minutes. ' George will never marry her.' ' You know something of her, Hugh ?' asked Adelaide, pale with exoitement. For a second Hugh hesitated, and then he said, in his usual manner — ' I know she is an exceedingly pretty woman, Adelaide, and now I am going to dance with her.' As soon as the quadrille was over he kept his word, leaving his cousin with a little nod, he crossed the room and went up to the corner where Miss Williams was standing, with George by her side. • George,' he^said, addressing him, < will you do me the honour of introducing me to— this lady J" ' Certainly,' answered George, looking anything but pleased. ' Miss Williams, allow me to piesent to you Sir Hugh Manners.' 'May I have the honour of dancing with the beautiful young Prince ?' said Sir Hugh, bowing 1 Very low. 'I am sorry,' said Miss Williams quietly, but smiling, 'that the Prince cannot have the pleasure.' llfit is not presumiug too far, may I inquire the reason ?' asked Sir Hugh. ' I am going to play for the children, 1 answered Miss William?. We have already encroached too much on Miss Howard's kindness. ' But one dance surely you can spare me?' 'I have promised one already,' she replied with a smile, glancing at George.

• Lucky man !' said Sir Hugh, laying las hand on his cousin's shoulder. Bat George moved impatiently under his kinsman's touch. 1 1 must go to the piano now,' said Miss Williams, vising, and bowing slightly to the two gentlemen. 'Allow me to escort you,' said Sir Hugh, offering his arm, and leading her across the room, whilst George's eyes followed them as they went. When they reached the piano, and Sir Hugh was stooping down to arrange her music, Miss Williams, for the first time, looked earnestly at his face, and an expression of almost fear stole over her own as she did so. But it was only for a moment, for the next Sir Hugh glanced sharply up and smiled, as if conscious of her examination, and with a burning blush Miss Williams turned away her head. ' How do you like this charming place ?' he said, addressing her. ' Don't you find if uncommonly cold?' 'I like it,' she answered, 'and they have all been so kind to me — all at least, except ' ' Except Adelaide, of course ; but I suppose you put that down to its proper cause. Since the world began, I wonder, was there ever one pretty woman who was not jealous of another ?' 'I do not consider Miss Manners pretty. 1 ' She's not, but Bhe thinks she is, and that's about the samo thing; and then she is what you call a fine looking girl.' Miss Williams was silent. • And Cousin George,' continued Sir Hugh, 'is he handsome ?' 'He is good-looking 1 , I think,' replied Miss Williams. 'I envy George, 'though I'm not in general given to that vice,' said Sir Hugh. • But it strikes me he must have had a remarkably pleasant time of it for the last mouth or two.' ' How do you mean ?' ' B"ing so much with you, of course.' ' But perhaps he has not.' 'But perhaps he ha*,' answered Sir Hugh with a bow. ' Bat he lives in Oldcastle, you know,' said Miss Williams, ' not here.' ' Yea — ho buys and sells ; he ' maketh haste to gret rich.' What is it the Scripture saith ? I know what my money does. I am sure.' 'What is that?' 'Taketh to itself wings — ihe deuce where to.' ' The children are ready, Sir Hugh,' said Miss Williams, looking: round ; ' had you not better sek a partner ?' ' Which means, Sir Hugh bo kind enough to leave mv elbow.' •Yes.' ' AH the pretty ones are engaged, 1 answered Sir Hugh, carelessly glancing over his shoulders, ' and I would rather stay when I am.' ' Then you must excuse me not talking to you,' said Miss Williams, beginning to play her set of Lancers. Surely a child's party is a pretty sight. Those fair haired little girls and boys, those smooth and rosy cheeks, at least are pleasant to the eyes. But Sir Hugh, after watching them for a moment or two, turned indifferently away. 'They say children are so innocent and happy,' he said, ' but what a farce it is. Half these little devils are I daresay hating each other just now. There is a boy over yonder in velvet knickerbockers scowling at Willie Lilbourne, who is dancing with Millie Minners. She's a beautiful child. Here's jealousy, hatred, back-biting, and lying. Just like a grown-up party, I declare Miss Williams, miniature little men and women, every one of them !' ' What makes you so bitter V she asked. ' I don't mean to be bitter ; I am only speaking what I think.' ' What makes yon think so bitterly then ?' 'I have lived nine-and-twenty years, Miss Williams — that is a sufficient answer.' ' When you grow older, perhaps you'll grow more amiable.' ' I'll get doting in time, I've no doubt. I'll adore my grandchildren and hate my own ; its the regular course of humanity. 1 ' Some men do not feel like that.' 'I'm not a good boy I suppose,' answered Sir Hugh. 'Do you try to be ?' said Miss Williams. Not I — Not I indeed — I do well enough for my companions.' 'Your cousin would not say that.' 'George is a paragon, of course. Georgo has also some motives of action which are too far out of our reach either to be my aim or my belief.' ' I think he tries to be a good man.' ' Can you turn round and look at him just now ? By Jove ! he dosen't look like a saint I can tell you at the present momeut, He looks,' added Sir Hugh, with a little laugh, 'as if he would uncommonly like to cut my throat.' 1 Perhaps you deserve it.' ' For trying to cut him out, eh ? Is that what you mean ?' ' No, it is not.' ' Don't frown so horribly. It doesn't suit you. I assure you I didn't mean to say anything that was not— well what shall I call it ?— not polite.' Bang, bang, bane:, went Miss Williams' fingers. Tralla tralla, tralla, of the last figures of the Lancers ; playing it must be confessed, a wrong note or two occasionally in her energy. ' What wonderful strength you display,' said Sir Hugh, watching her. ' There's the end of it, at any rate,' said Miss Williams, turning ronnd. ' I wonder how the poor children have been able to dance to it. I have been playing abominably.' 'I have been talking to you too much.' • Just so— l told you to go away, you know.' 1 You see what it is to be too — charming.' ' How can you be so absurd ?' said Misa Williams, and she rose rather impatiently from the music-stool. Miss Howard came up to her. ' Let me play next,' she said, good-naturedly, and Miss Williams, who was tired and heated, was glad to give up her place. ' You will dance this with me, now ?' said Sir Hugh. 'I promised the first dance to your cousin George.' • Where's the happy tellow then ? Ah, there he is, making fierce love to the Lady Lilbourne. I shall have to warn my good friend the worthy baronet.' IHe will be coming presently, I daresay,' said Miss Williams. But George showed no signs of doing so, or of remembering his engagement to the pretty governess. He was standing with his Back to the company, talking apparently with great interest to Lady Lilbourne, and he never turned round when the music for tiie next dance began. •He isn't coming,' said Sir Hugh, presently. ' You had better take a turn with me.' But Miss Williams had no wish to offend, or even ann6y George, and she therefore declined. 'No,' she said, 'I shall wait for my partner.' Just then George glanced round, and his cousin beckoned to him to come. •My dear fellow,' he said, as George rather slowly approached them, ' here is a young lady waiting for you most anxiously ; steadily refusing the most pressing offer «f your humble servant ; and yet you oome as if you were suffering from a roost severe attaok of gout,'

'I thought you seemed very well engaged,' said George looking at Miss Williams. There was a flash on his dark face, and an angry light in his eyes, as he said this, and Miss Williams saw that something had greatly annoyed him. 1 1 was only waiting patiently for you,' she said, with a smile, rising, and putting her hand upon his arm. • Well, and how do you think it has gone off ?' she asked in the first pause of the dance, as they stood side by side. ' Oh, tolerably well— just what I expected. These things always end in being a bore, I think, replied George. ' Miss Williams looked up at her partner in surprise as ho said this. 'I thought you were enjoying it bo much, Bho said. ' 1 hope you are ?' inquired George. • Yes I am — but what is the matter ? Something has vexed you, I am sure. Won't you tell me what it is ?' • I'm not vexed— only rather tired. 1 1 I'm sorry for that.' 1 Oh you'll uofc some one to amuse you. There's Hugh — he's always game for anything of that soit.' A smile stole over Miss Williams' pretty lips as George Manners said this ; she was beginning to see what had ruffled bis temper. ' Sir Hugh is very agreeable,' she remarked. 1 Very. He's quite a lady's man. If a woman's good-tanking and ready to flirt with him, Hugh is always willing,' Miss Williams laughed. ' How does he show he's willing ?' she said. ' Like other men, I suppose, Miss Williams— only he don't feel like ono.' • It's all looks with him, then ?' George scowled at her as she said this, for Miss Williams could not help laughing again. ' Wh.it is amusing you so much ?' he asked, half savagely. ' Your de-cription of Sir Hugh.' ' Perhaps you will find it to be a true one.' ' It is a matter of no interest to me, at «.ny rate,' she s-iid. • Give me your arm, I've something to tell you.' It was only some foolish tale about the children, but she wanted to plenso him again ; wanted to mako him feel happy ; and after a few gentle confidential words, a few kindly inquiries, George's brow cleared, lie was in love with her, poor fellow, and if he tried ever so hard — if he had given his lifo to resist her he could not. ' What was tho matter with you a few minutes ago ?' she a^ked presently. ' I— I — was ii jealous fool, I think,' said George, penitently; ami Sir Hugh, watching them, 6aw their little coldness was over. s What a. c 7 ever minx ifc !■»,* he thought admiringly. ' She can twist that big fellow round her little finger if she likes ; but I must spoil her game I think— l would be sorry if anything were to happrn to George— though, deuce take it, why should I ?' (To he continued. )