by L. T. Meade
am expecting also a number of her young school-companions to visit me. Mine will be a bachelor's establishment, but it will be enlivened by the presence of my little boy, who is Robina's very great friend, and whom she has managed to be uncommonly kind to. She will doubtless herself tell you the story of her friendship for my little son. In consequence of that, I have the very great pleasure of awarding to her a prize which she has most justly won. It was open to the competition of all her form, and she out of the eight girls came first in the list. My little son, Ralph, himself decided the matter. This prize is a pony which I am forwarding to your residence, Heather House. I bought it at Tattersall's yesterday, and believe that it is a thoroughly sound and well-trained animal, accustomed to carrying a lady in the saddle. It has no tricks, and is altogether safe, and also spirited. The animal is not too large, and at the same time, not too small, so that it can be made use of not only when your little girl is still a child, but by and by, when she reaches woman's estate. A habit has been made for her, of the newest design, and safety pattern, and was forwarded yesterday from Poole's, in London. It ought to reach her about the time when you receive this letter. A side-saddle, of the most comfortable make, accompanies the pony. I am sending the pony and saddle by a man of my own, whom I hope you will make arrangements to quarter either in your establishment or in rooms near. The man is part of the prize. He undertakes all the care of the pony, and is, of course, paid by me. His wages need not trouble you in any manner, for you, my dear sir, have nothing to do with them. I am well aware, that, delightful as ponies are, they may sometimes arrive at country houses where they are not welcome for reasons which need not be described. It would be a shabby present on my part, if I put you to any expense with regard to it. My man will provide the pony with all necessary provender, and will send me the bill monthly.
"All these things, my dear sir, your daughter has earned by her most admirable conduct; and believe me, I am very much her debtor, and shall always remain so, for she has done for the dearest being on earth to me, more than money can ever repay.
"Believe me, Dear Sir,--
"Yours faithfully,--
"Malcolm Durrant."
"Oh!" said Robina, when the long letter had come to an end.
"Upon my word?" exclaimed her father.
He took up the other letter. It was merely an announcement that a horseof the name of "Bo-peep" was about to be forwarded by rail fromPaddington that evening, and would arrive with his groom at the neareststation to Heather House at eleven o'clock the following morning.
"Why, the pony will be here in an hour!" said Mr Starling. "Dear!dear! dear! What a truly exciting, remarkable thing! Robina, monkey:what am I to make of you?"
Just then, Miss Jennings came into the room.
"Haven't you done breakfast yet?" she said. "Oh, don't make suchconfusion in the room, and don't talk all of you at once."
"We have something to talk about," said her brother-in-law. "Thischild--this monkey of mine, has made her mark in the world already. Shehas got a pony of her own."
"I have heard of it," said Miss Jennings. "You do not intend to be sucha fool as to keep it, Edward."
"Keep it? I have nothing to do with it. The pony, Bo-peep by name,arrives with his own special groom, and the groom is found food andlodging and paid wages by Mr Durrant--Malcolm Durrant, the greattraveller and explorer. I have no expense whatever with the pony. Hebelongs to Robina, and she has won him by doing some extraordinarilykind action--what, I cannot make out. For goodness' sake, my dearFelicia, _don't_ get so excited. It is my turn to say `don't' to younow. Keep out of the way, if the news is not welcome to you. The ponyis coming, and we can't prevent its coming; it will be here in no time,and the children and Robina will, if I am not greatly mistaken, spend asmall part of to-day trying his paces."
"Then your two young children will be killed!" said Miss Felicia,folding her hands and standing stock-still for a minute and thenpreparing to leave the room.
A timid laugh from Violet, and a shriek of dismay from Rose greeted thisutterance. But Robina clasped Rose in her arms.
"Oh, my pretty sweet!" she said. "Bo-peep won't kill you. I will getinto the side-saddle, and you shall sit in front of me, and I will putmy arm round your waist, and you'll be as steady and safe as old Time."
"As Ole Time!" echoed Rose, the tears arrested in her eyes.
"There is another bit of news, and you may as well have it first aslast," said Miss Jennings' brother-in-law. "Robina leaves us in lessthan a fortnight, to spend the rest of her holidays at a place calledSunshine Lodge."
"And you permit this?" said Miss Felicia.
"Am I likely to refuse Malcolm Durrant?" was the response.
Miss Felicia felt vanquished; for even she respected Malcolm Durrant.She left the room.
Book 2--CHAPTER FOUR.
THE PONY CONQUERS.
The pony was a beauty. He was a glossy chestnut, with a white star onhis forehead. He had gentle and wonderful eyes, and a way of raisinghis feet from the ground, which showed his high breeding. His differentpoints were pronounced first-rate. In short, Bo-peep was a success. Hetook not only Robina herself, but the entire family of Starlings bystorm. The very moment he arrived, he walked straight into theirhearts. But his most marvellous conquest was that of Miss FeliciaJennings. That lady would not admit it for the world, but the fact was,that Malcolm Durrant was her hero of heroes. For years she had followedhis career with the deepest and most absorbing interest. She had livedin his adventures; she had read every word he ever wrote; her maidenheart had thrilled through and through over his dangers and wildadventures, and, in short, she could deny nothing to the person who hadso captivated her fancy.
She pretended, it is true, to be snappish and disagreeable aboutBo-peep; but when alone with this captivating little animal, she fed himon apples, carrots, and stroked his nose, and even said foolish nothingsinto his ear. Bo-peep also look a fancy to her, and trotted up to herwhen she came in view, and thrust his nose into her hand.
Robina was not more tolerated than usual, but that was of smallconsequence; for Bo-peep could do what he liked with the household. Thefirst day of his arrival passed in a sort of universal rejoicing.Robina rode him with much majesty, and a lofty expression of face. Herlittle sisters in turn sat before her on the side-saddle. Her friendsfrom the nearest house came to see, wonder, and congratulate.
The groom, Peter by name, was very nearly as much admired as was Bo-peephimself. Mr Starling openly announced that he had never enjoyedhimself so much before. Peter was likely to prove a most valuableacquisition to the family, and the only thing that was regretted was thegroom's determination never to eat food in the kitchen.
"Your tea will be always ready for you in case you wish for it," MissFelicia was heard to say.
But Peter replied stoutly that he had his orders, and that, in fact, hehad already secured for himself a room over the saddler's shop in thevillage.
"But suppose Bo-peep should be ill in the night," said Miss Felicia.
At this the man smiled.
"'Tain't likely, madam," he said. "The 'oss is a strong 'oss, and whenI leave him, after grooming him down and giving him his mash, he won'twant no one else to interfere with him until the morning."
Thus the arrival of Bo-peep was one of the happiest things that couldhave happened to Robina. The horse had, however, been two days atHeather House before Mrs Starling heard of the event. It was Robinawho broke the news to her. She was busily engaged now getting ready herwardrobe for her delightful visit to Sunshine Lodge. Mrs Starling senther a message to come to see her. The good lady was lying on a conch bythe window.
"Come in very gently, Robina," she said, "and try to make as littlenoise as possible."
Robina advanced as quietly as she could. She sank down by her mother'ssofa, put one firm hand over the invalid's tremulous one, and said, in abroken sort of voice:
&nbs
p; "Oh, mummy!"
"Don't be so intense, my dear; it makes my heart flutter."
"But aren't you better, mummy dear? I have such a lot of things to talkover with you."
"I cannot bear them, Robina; that is, if they are exciting. Since youcame, I don't know how it is, but I have felt as though the whole housewas in a flutter. This state of things is exceedingly bad for me, andmy palpitations are much worse in consequence."
"That is because you don't know," said Robina. She leaned out of thewindow. There was a struggle in her heart. If there was one thing morethan another that she pined and longed for, it was to take possession ofthat poor, weak, suffering, nervous mother