by L. T. Meade
CHAPTER XXVIII.
RIVALS.
A couple of days after this Beatrice Meadowsweet received a note fromMrs. Bell, asking her to call to see her. The note came early in themorning, and immediately after breakfast Beatrice went to the Bells'house.
Mrs. Bell took her into the drawing-room and shut the door behind themboth.
"Beatrice," she said, "I owed you a grudge, but that is past. Youstepped in, where you had no right to step, and for a time, I won't denyit, my heart was very sore. I haven't sent for you to-day, though, torip up past troubles. I'm inclined to think that all's for the best. Ithas pleased the Almighty to provide you with a wild mate--and my girlwith a steady one. Last night as the clock struck nine, Gusty Jenkinspopped the question for Matty, and all being agreeable, the young mantorn with love, and rock-like as regards character, Gusty and Matty arenow an affianced pair. Therefore, Beatrice, I say let by-gones beby-gones, and may you have what luck can await you in the future withthat wild young man."
"I don't see why you should take away Captain Bertram's character," saidBeatrice, with some spirit. "You liked him very much once."
"I'm not saying anything against him, my dear. I mean not anything morethan the truth can bear out. There was a time when I thought well ofCaptain Bertram. I'm the last to deny there was such a time, buthandsome is that handsome does, and when a young man had not the courageto obey his heart's promptings, and when rumors will travel on thebreezes of extravagant, not to say naughty ways, I say, Beatrice, awoman can't become blind as a bat when these things stare her in theface."
No one in Northbury ever remembered seeing Beatrice in a passion. Shewas acknowledged to be sweet-tempered, and slow to be provoked. On thisoccasion, however, she was very nearly making the proverbial exceptionto her general rule. Beatrice was very nearly angry. A flush of colorcrimsoned her cheeks and brow, and an indignant light flashed from hereyes. In time, however, she was able to murmur to herself: "This is onlyMrs. Bell's talk, and how could I be so silly as to mind Mrs. Bell?" Soafter a pause she said with effort, "I must congratulate Matty on herengagement; I am glad Matty is happy."
"Ah, my dear, and well she may be! Glad should I be to know that othergirls had half so bright a future before them. Rich, handsome, andyoung, that's what Gusty is! Devoted! he's like one of the old knightsfor devotion. I have had my qualms about the jealousy of his nature, butotherwise Gusty is, _song pear and song reproach_."
At this moment the door was opened, some childish giggles and mirth wereheard in the passage, and Matty rushed in, followed by the redoubtableGusty. "Oh, Gus, you'll kill me!" she exclaimed; "you are too funny.Why, ma, is that you? And--and--Bee? How do you do, Bee?"
Matty came over and kissed her friend awkwardly.
"I am very glad to hear of your happiness, Matty," said Beatrice; "and Icongratulate you, too, Augustus," she added, turning to the bashfulswain.
"Oh, you want us to leave this room to yourselves, you two naughtythings!" said the mother, shaking her head in fat ecstasy over her twoturtle-doves. "Come, Bee; by-the-way, there's a young girl upstairs, aMiss Hart, a friend of mine, who is very anxious to see you."
Mrs. Bell and Beatrice left the drawing-room, and Augustus Jenkinsturned to his fiancee "By Jove," he said, "that girl _is_ a bouncer!"
"What girl?" said Matty, in a quick jealous voice. She had flung herselfin a languid attitude on the sofa, now she sat bolt upright.
"Killing, I call her," proceeded Gus; "simply killing. Such an eye, sucha curl of the lip! By Jove--she'd bowl any fellow over."
Matty flushed deeply, and turned her head away to look out of thewindow.
"What's up, now, little duck?" said the lover. "Oh, she's jealous, isshe? By George, that's a good un! You were in luck, missy, to come in myway first, or I don't know what mightn't have happened; and she's gotlots of the tin, too, I've been told! So she's Captain Bertram's fancy.Well, he's a good judge and no mistake."
"I don't know that she's his fancy at all, Gusty. Ma always said thatI--I--"
"Oh, by Jove! Matty, don't you try to come it over me like that. What athunder-cloud? So she's frightfully jealous, is she, poor little duck? Isay, though, you'd better keep me out of that girl's way; engaged ornot, she'd mash any fellow. Now, what's up? Is that you, Alice? What anoisy one you are, to be sure!"
Alice had rushed into the room followed by Sophy, who was followed againby Daisy Jenkins.
"The bride's-maid dresses have come!" screamed Alice. "Let's all go andtry them on, Matty!"
When Mrs. Bell took Beatrice out of the room, she said a few more wordsabout Miss Hart. Finally she took Beatrice upstairs, and ushered herinto her young visitor's bedroom.
Amongst the other luxuries which Josephine's money had secured for herin the Bells' house was an old-fashioned sofa, which was drawn acrossthe windows. On this sofa Josephine often lay for hours. She was lyingon it now, in a white morning dress. Mrs. Bell introduced the girls toeach other, and then left them.
"I have seen you before," said Beatrice, the moment they were alone;"once before I have seen your face. You were looking out of a window.Stay," she added, suddenly, "I think I have seen you twice before. Areyou not the girl who brushed past Captain Bertram and me the other nightin the dark? Yes, I am sure you are the girl."
"You are right," said Josephine; "I am the girl." She spoke in an eagervoice, two burning spots rose to her pale cheeks; her eyes always brightnow almost glittered. "I am the girl," she repeated. She half rose fromher sofa, but sat down on it again, and panted heavily, as though herbreath failed her.
"You are ill," said Beatrice, with compunction; "you look very ill. Haveyou been long here? Mrs. Bell says that you are a friend of hers, avisitor."
"Yes, I am a friend and visitor. Mrs. Bell is very good to me."
"But you are ill. You ought to see a doctor."
"I ought not--I will not."
"Can I help you? It was kind of you to send for me. Can I do anythingfor you?"
"Wait until I get back my breath. I will speak in a minute. Sit quiet.Let me be still. It is agitation enough to have you in the room."
Her eyes glittered again. She pressed her white transparent hands to herthrobbing heart.
Beatrice sat motionless. She had a queer feeling at her own heart, akind of premonition that a blow was about to be struck at her. Severalminutes passed. Then the girl on the sofa spoke.
"The struggle of seeing you is past. I see--I endure. Your name isBeatrice Meadowsweet--?"
"Yes, I am Beatrice Meadowsweet."
"You are engaged to Captain Bertram?"
"Yes."
"You are to be married on the 10th of this month."
"Yes."
"This is the 5th. You are to be married in five days!"
"I am, Miss Hart. Do you want to congratulate me?"
"I--yes--I congratulate you. You--are attached--to Loftus?"
"To Captain Bertram? Do you know him?"
"No matter. You--you love him?"
"Why should I speak of my feelings? To marry a man is a proof of love,is it not? Do you know my future husband?"
"I--once I knew him."
"He has never spoken to me about you. Did you know him well?"
"No matter. I knew him--no matter how much. He loves you, does he not?"
"I believe he faithfully loves me."
"Yes, I saw you together. There is no doubt. I heard the tone in hisvoice. You can't mistake that tone, can you?"
"I don't know. I have not much experience."
"You ought to have, for you are so beautiful. Yes, he loves you. It isall over."
"What is all over?"
"Nothing. Did I say anything wild of that sort? Don't believe thenonsense I speak. I am ill, and my brain sometimes wanders. There is agreat fire consuming me, and I am tired of being burned alive. Sometimesin my pain I talk wildly. Nothing is over, for nothing really began. Youwill be good to Captain Bertram, won't you? How you look at me! You havevery true eyes, very
true. Now I will tell you the truth. Once I knewhim, and he was kind to me--a _little_ kind--you know the sort ofthing. I thought it meant more. He has forgotten me, of course, andyou'll be good to him, for he--he's not perfect--although hesuited--yes, he suited me very well. How my heart beats! Don't talk tome for a minute."
She lay back panting on the sofa. Beatrice got up and walked to thewindow. There was a long view of the High Street from this window. Thestreet was straight and narrow, with few curves.
At that moment Beatrice saw Captain Bertram. He was a long way off, buthe was walking down the street in the direction of the Bells' house. Inabout three minutes he would pass the house.
As Beatrice stood by the window she thought. A memory came over her. Amemory of a man's steps--they were leaving her--they were hurrying--theywere quickening to a run. In a flash she made up her mind.
She came back to the sofa where Nina sat.
"Can I do anything for you? Tell me quickly, for I earnestly desire tohelp you."
"You are good," said Nina. "You have a true voice, as well as a trueface. Yes, I sent for you. I do want you to be kind to me. I want you totake a present from me to Captain Bertram."
"A present? What?"
"This little packet. It is sealed and addressed. Inside there is astory. That story would make Captain Bertram unhappy. I know the story;he does not know it. On your wedding-day, after you are married, givehim this packet. When you put it in his hands, say these words, 'Ninasent you this, Loftus, and you are to burn it.' You must promise to seehim burn the packet. What is the matter? Aren't you going to take it?"
"Yes, I will take it. Give it to me; I will put it in my pocket. Now,wait a moment. I want to run downstairs. I will come back again."
She softly closed the door of Nina's room, rushed downstairs, and outinto the street.
Captain Bertram was passing the Bells' door when Beatrice ran up to him.
"Loftus, I want you," she said.
He turned in astonishment. He had been walking down the street, lost ina miserable dream. Beatrice, in her sharp, clear tone awoke him. Hestarted, a wave of color passed over his dark face.
"Is anything wrong?" he asked, almost in alarm. "Bee, you are excited!"
"I am, fearfully. Come in, come upstairs!"
"Into the Bells' house! I don't want to visit the Bells. Beatrice, youlook strange, and oh, how lovely!"
"Don't talk of my looks. Come in, come upstairs. No, you are not to seethe Bells, nor are any of them about. Come--come at once."
She ran quickly up the stairs. He followed her, wondering, perplexed andirritated.
"Beatrice, what is the matter?" he said, once.
"Not much--or, rather, yes, everything. Inside that room, CaptainBertram, is one you know. Go and see her--or rather, come and see her,with me. You know her, and once, you were, after your fashion,--a_little_ kind."
Beatrice threw open the door.
"Nina," she said, "Captain Bertram is here,"--then she paused,--her nextwords came with a visible effort--"And his heart shall choose the girlhe loves."
Beatrice walked straight across the room to the window. She heard a cryfrom Nina, and something between a groan and an exclamation of joy fromBertram.
She did not look round.