The Hoyden by Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (first ebook reader .txt) π
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it? How dreadful!" says Mrs. Chichester. She looks immensely amused. "Do you know I heard the other day that he was married again! It can't be true--can it?"
She appeals once again to Colonel Neilson, as if enjoying his discomfiture, and being willing to add to it through pure mischief. However, she is disappointed this time. Colonel Neilson does not know what to do with her appeal to him, and remains discreetly silent. He can see she is not in earnest.
"At all events, _if_ true," says Mrs. Chichester, looking now at Miss Gower, and speaking in a confidential tone, "I am sure John will let me know about it."
"John" is Major Chichester.
Marryatt is leaning now so far over her that he is whispering in her ear.
"Is this--_is_ this true?" questions he, in low but vehement tones.
"It--it may be. Who can tell?" returns she, with beautiful hesitation.
She subsides once again behind the invaluable fan. To him she seems to be trembling. To Margaret, who is watching her angrily, she seems to be laughing.
"You have evidently great faith in your husband," says Miss Gower, with what she fondly believes to be the most artful sarcasm.
"Oh, I have--I have!" says Mrs. Chichester, clasping her hands in an enthusiastic fashion.
"And he in you, doubtless?"
"Oh, _such_ faith!" with a considerable increase in the enthusiasm.
Miss Gower looks at her over her spectacles. It is an awful look.
"I shall pray for you to-night!" says she, in a piously vindictive tone.
"Oh, thanks! Thanks! How _kind_ of you!" says Mrs. Chichester, with extreme pathos.
There is an explosion on her left. Mrs. Chichester looks mournfully in that direction to see the cause of it. There is only Mr. Gower to be seen! He, as usual, is misconducting himself to quite a remarkable degree. He is now, in fact, laughing so hard but so silently that the tears are running down his cheeks. To laugh out loud with his aunt listening, might mean the loss of seven hundred a year to him.
"What's the matter with you? Aren't you well?" asks Mrs. Chichester, in a loud voice, calculated to draw attention to him.
She feels that here is an opportunity given her to pay off old scores.
"Oh, don't," gasps Gower, frantically struggling still with his laughter. "If she hears you, she'll be down on me like a shot. As you are strong, be merciful!"
"Very well; remember you are in my debt," says she, who _au fond_ is not ill-natured. At this moment Tita passes down the balcony to where her husband is standing on the top of the steps that lead to the gardens beneath.
As she draws closer to him, he fixes his eyes upon her as if to compel a glance from her in return; but Tita, who is accompanied by Minnie Hescott, does not so much as once let her gaze wander in his direction. She comes nearer--ever nearer, laughing and talking gaily, and passes him, still without recognition of any sort. As her skirt sweeps against him, he speaks.
"Are you going out, Tita?"
It is the first word that has passed between them since last night--since she left his room. A sudden angry determination to _make_ her speak to him, induces him now to get before her, and bar her passage to the steps.
"Yes," returns she coldly, graciously, briefly.
She leans back a little, as if to catch up the tail of her white gown--in reality, to avoid looking at him.
"Just here there is shelter," says Rylton, speaking hurriedly, as if to gain time, and keep her from gliding past him. "But outside---- And you have a very thin frock on. Shall I get you a shawl?"
"No, thank you."
Her manner is still perfectly gracious, but still she refuses to look at him. The gathering up of her frock is evidently causing her a great deal of trouble.
"Shall I take you out some cushions, then?"
"No, thank you."
She has conquered the frock now, but still she does not look at him. In fact, she turns to Minnie, and, as though forgetful of his presence, murmurs some little thing or other to her.
"If you are going to the gardens," says Rylton, with Heaven knows what intention--perhaps a desire to show her how little he cares for her childish anger, perhaps to bring matters to their worst--to know what she means--"may I come with you?"
Tita gives him a glance--the fleetest; a smile--the briefest.
_"No,_ thank you," says she, a faint emphasis upon the "No" being the only change in her even tone.
As she speaks she goes down the steps, Minnie Hescott following her.
END OF VOL. I.
VOL. II.
LEIPZIG
1894.
CONTENTS
OF VOLUME II.
CHAPTER I.
How Minnie Hescott gives Tita a Hint; and learns that Hints may be thrown away; and how Margaret's Soul is grieved
CHAPTER II.
How Tita commits a great Folly, though little is the Sin that lies therein. And how Margaret tries to make Peace, and what comes of it
CHAPTER III.
How Mr. Gower grows darkly mysterious; and how Tita hears of the Arrival of another Guest
CHAPTER IV.
How Tita's Soul at last is stirred; and how her Happiness is threatened and herself set at naught; and how Minnie Hescott speaks
CHAPTER V.
How Miss Gower goes for a pleasant Row upon the Lake with her Nephew; and how she admires the Sky and Water; and how presently Fear falls on her; and how Death threatens her; and how by a mere Scratch of a Pen she regains Shore and Life
CHAPTER VI.
How all the House Party at Oakdean grow frivolous in the Absence of the Lord and Master; and how Mrs. Bethune encourages a Game of Hide-and-seek; and how, after many Escapes, Tita is caught at last
CHAPTER VII.
How Tita is "caught," but by one whom she did not expect; and how she played with Fire for a little Bit; and how finally she ran away
CHAPTER VIII.
How Tita, having been repulsed, grows angry; and how a very pretty Battle is fought out; and how Tita gains a Present; and how Sir Maurice loses his Temper
CHAPTER IX.
How Mrs. Bethune is brought before the Bar; and how she gives her Evidence against Tita; and how Maurice's Mother desires an Interview with Maurice's Wife
CHAPTER X.
How "that Girl" was "seen" by the Dowager Lady Rylton; and how Tita held her small Head very high, and fought a good Fight with the Enemy
CHAPTER XI.
How Tita goes for a Walk with two sad Companions--Anger and Despair; and how she meets Sir Maurice; and how she introduces him to Anger
CHAPTER XII.
How Tita, running from the Enemy, suddenly finds herself Face to Face with another Foe; and how she fights a second Battle, and comes off victorious
CHAPTER XIII.
How a little Sparring is done amongst the Guests at Oakdean; and how Tom Hescott tells a Story
CHAPTER XIV.
How Tita flings herself upon Margaret's Breast; and how Margaret comforts her; and how Tita promises to be good; and how she has a Meeting "by Lamplight alone"
CHAPTER XV.
How Jealousy runs Riot in Oakdean; and how Margaret tries to throw Oil upon the Waters; and how a great Crash comes, with many Words and one Surprise
CHAPTER XVI.
How Maurice tells his Mother of the great Fiasco; and how she receives the News
CHAPTER XVII.
How Matters come to a Climax; and how Tita tells Maurice many Things that sting him sharply; and how he lays Hands upon her; and how the last Adieux are said
CHAPTER XVIII.
How Margaret steps into the Breach, and learns that all Peacemakers are not blessed
CHAPTER XIX.
How Margaret and Tita tread many Paths; and how Fortune, having turned her Back on Tita, shows a smiling Front to Maurice
CHAPTER XX.
How Margaret starts as a special Pleader, and is much worsted in her Argument; and how a simple Knock at the Hall Door scatters one Being who delights in War
CHAPTER XXI.
How Margaret makes a fearful Discovery; how she rushes to the Rescue, but is far from well received; and how Tita gives herself away, not once, but twice
CHAPTER XXII.
How Maurice smokes a Cigar, and muses on many Things; how he laments his Solitude; and how an unexpected Visitor comes to him
CHAPTER XXIII.
How Rylton's evil Genius comes to him and speaks sweet Treacheries within his Ear; and how he renounces her and all her Deeds
CHAPTER XXIV.
How Tita pleads her Cause with Margaret; and how Margaret rebukes her; and how Steps are heard, and Tita seeks Seclusion behind a Japanese Screen; and what comes of it
CHAPTER XXV.
How Tita wages War with Margaret and Maurice; and how Margaret suffers ignominious Treatment on both Hands; and how Maurice at the last gains one small Victory
CHAPTER XXVI.
How some old Friends reappear again; and how some News is told; and how Maurice makes another Effort to win his Cause
CHAPTER XXVII.
How Maurice gains another Point; and how Tita consents to think about it; and how Margaret tells a Lie
CHAPTER XXVIII.
How Tita receives a Basket of Flowers and an Entreaty; and how she ceases to fight against her destiny
CHAPTER XXIX.
How a Journey is begun as the Day dies down; and how that Journey ends; and how a great Secret is discovered--the Secret of Tita's Heart
THE HOYDEN.
CHAPTER I.
HOW MINNIE HESCOTT GIVES TITA A HINT; AND LEARNS THAT HINTS MAY BE THROWN AWAY; AND HOW MARGARET'S SOUL IS GRIEVED.
Minnie Hescott, during the time it takes her to go down the terrace steps behind Tita, comes to a resolution. _She will give Tita a hint!_ It will be a gift of no mean order, and whether it be well received or not, will always be a gift to be remembered, perhaps with gratitude.
And Minnie, who is strictly practical if nothing else, sees a fair hope of return in her present plan. She likes Tita in her way--likes her perhaps better than she likes most people, and Tita may be useful to her as Sir Maurice Rylton's _wife_. But Tita, dismantled of her honours, would be no help at all, and therefore to keep Tita enthroned is now a very special object with her astute cousin.
In and between all this is Minnie's detestation of Mrs. Bethune, who has occasionally been rude to her in the small ways that make up the sum of life.
Minnie, who is not sensitive, takes the bull by the horns.
"Mrs. Bethune," says she, as they go by a bed of hollyhocks now hastening to their death, "is a friend of yours?"
It is a question.
"Mrs. Bethune!" says Tita, stopping and looking at her as if wondering.
What does she mean?
"Yes," says Minnie pleasantly. "A friend. An old friend!"
"Not an _old_ friend," says Tita quietly. "She is a cousin of Maurice's."
"Yes. But not a friend of yours?"
"No," coldly.
"I'm glad of that," says Minnie, with hilarity. "I _hate_ old friends, don't you? They always cost one such a
She appeals once again to Colonel Neilson, as if enjoying his discomfiture, and being willing to add to it through pure mischief. However, she is disappointed this time. Colonel Neilson does not know what to do with her appeal to him, and remains discreetly silent. He can see she is not in earnest.
"At all events, _if_ true," says Mrs. Chichester, looking now at Miss Gower, and speaking in a confidential tone, "I am sure John will let me know about it."
"John" is Major Chichester.
Marryatt is leaning now so far over her that he is whispering in her ear.
"Is this--_is_ this true?" questions he, in low but vehement tones.
"It--it may be. Who can tell?" returns she, with beautiful hesitation.
She subsides once again behind the invaluable fan. To him she seems to be trembling. To Margaret, who is watching her angrily, she seems to be laughing.
"You have evidently great faith in your husband," says Miss Gower, with what she fondly believes to be the most artful sarcasm.
"Oh, I have--I have!" says Mrs. Chichester, clasping her hands in an enthusiastic fashion.
"And he in you, doubtless?"
"Oh, _such_ faith!" with a considerable increase in the enthusiasm.
Miss Gower looks at her over her spectacles. It is an awful look.
"I shall pray for you to-night!" says she, in a piously vindictive tone.
"Oh, thanks! Thanks! How _kind_ of you!" says Mrs. Chichester, with extreme pathos.
There is an explosion on her left. Mrs. Chichester looks mournfully in that direction to see the cause of it. There is only Mr. Gower to be seen! He, as usual, is misconducting himself to quite a remarkable degree. He is now, in fact, laughing so hard but so silently that the tears are running down his cheeks. To laugh out loud with his aunt listening, might mean the loss of seven hundred a year to him.
"What's the matter with you? Aren't you well?" asks Mrs. Chichester, in a loud voice, calculated to draw attention to him.
She feels that here is an opportunity given her to pay off old scores.
"Oh, don't," gasps Gower, frantically struggling still with his laughter. "If she hears you, she'll be down on me like a shot. As you are strong, be merciful!"
"Very well; remember you are in my debt," says she, who _au fond_ is not ill-natured. At this moment Tita passes down the balcony to where her husband is standing on the top of the steps that lead to the gardens beneath.
As she draws closer to him, he fixes his eyes upon her as if to compel a glance from her in return; but Tita, who is accompanied by Minnie Hescott, does not so much as once let her gaze wander in his direction. She comes nearer--ever nearer, laughing and talking gaily, and passes him, still without recognition of any sort. As her skirt sweeps against him, he speaks.
"Are you going out, Tita?"
It is the first word that has passed between them since last night--since she left his room. A sudden angry determination to _make_ her speak to him, induces him now to get before her, and bar her passage to the steps.
"Yes," returns she coldly, graciously, briefly.
She leans back a little, as if to catch up the tail of her white gown--in reality, to avoid looking at him.
"Just here there is shelter," says Rylton, speaking hurriedly, as if to gain time, and keep her from gliding past him. "But outside---- And you have a very thin frock on. Shall I get you a shawl?"
"No, thank you."
Her manner is still perfectly gracious, but still she refuses to look at him. The gathering up of her frock is evidently causing her a great deal of trouble.
"Shall I take you out some cushions, then?"
"No, thank you."
She has conquered the frock now, but still she does not look at him. In fact, she turns to Minnie, and, as though forgetful of his presence, murmurs some little thing or other to her.
"If you are going to the gardens," says Rylton, with Heaven knows what intention--perhaps a desire to show her how little he cares for her childish anger, perhaps to bring matters to their worst--to know what she means--"may I come with you?"
Tita gives him a glance--the fleetest; a smile--the briefest.
_"No,_ thank you," says she, a faint emphasis upon the "No" being the only change in her even tone.
As she speaks she goes down the steps, Minnie Hescott following her.
END OF VOL. I.
VOL. II.
LEIPZIG
1894.
CONTENTS
OF VOLUME II.
CHAPTER I.
How Minnie Hescott gives Tita a Hint; and learns that Hints may be thrown away; and how Margaret's Soul is grieved
CHAPTER II.
How Tita commits a great Folly, though little is the Sin that lies therein. And how Margaret tries to make Peace, and what comes of it
CHAPTER III.
How Mr. Gower grows darkly mysterious; and how Tita hears of the Arrival of another Guest
CHAPTER IV.
How Tita's Soul at last is stirred; and how her Happiness is threatened and herself set at naught; and how Minnie Hescott speaks
CHAPTER V.
How Miss Gower goes for a pleasant Row upon the Lake with her Nephew; and how she admires the Sky and Water; and how presently Fear falls on her; and how Death threatens her; and how by a mere Scratch of a Pen she regains Shore and Life
CHAPTER VI.
How all the House Party at Oakdean grow frivolous in the Absence of the Lord and Master; and how Mrs. Bethune encourages a Game of Hide-and-seek; and how, after many Escapes, Tita is caught at last
CHAPTER VII.
How Tita is "caught," but by one whom she did not expect; and how she played with Fire for a little Bit; and how finally she ran away
CHAPTER VIII.
How Tita, having been repulsed, grows angry; and how a very pretty Battle is fought out; and how Tita gains a Present; and how Sir Maurice loses his Temper
CHAPTER IX.
How Mrs. Bethune is brought before the Bar; and how she gives her Evidence against Tita; and how Maurice's Mother desires an Interview with Maurice's Wife
CHAPTER X.
How "that Girl" was "seen" by the Dowager Lady Rylton; and how Tita held her small Head very high, and fought a good Fight with the Enemy
CHAPTER XI.
How Tita goes for a Walk with two sad Companions--Anger and Despair; and how she meets Sir Maurice; and how she introduces him to Anger
CHAPTER XII.
How Tita, running from the Enemy, suddenly finds herself Face to Face with another Foe; and how she fights a second Battle, and comes off victorious
CHAPTER XIII.
How a little Sparring is done amongst the Guests at Oakdean; and how Tom Hescott tells a Story
CHAPTER XIV.
How Tita flings herself upon Margaret's Breast; and how Margaret comforts her; and how Tita promises to be good; and how she has a Meeting "by Lamplight alone"
CHAPTER XV.
How Jealousy runs Riot in Oakdean; and how Margaret tries to throw Oil upon the Waters; and how a great Crash comes, with many Words and one Surprise
CHAPTER XVI.
How Maurice tells his Mother of the great Fiasco; and how she receives the News
CHAPTER XVII.
How Matters come to a Climax; and how Tita tells Maurice many Things that sting him sharply; and how he lays Hands upon her; and how the last Adieux are said
CHAPTER XVIII.
How Margaret steps into the Breach, and learns that all Peacemakers are not blessed
CHAPTER XIX.
How Margaret and Tita tread many Paths; and how Fortune, having turned her Back on Tita, shows a smiling Front to Maurice
CHAPTER XX.
How Margaret starts as a special Pleader, and is much worsted in her Argument; and how a simple Knock at the Hall Door scatters one Being who delights in War
CHAPTER XXI.
How Margaret makes a fearful Discovery; how she rushes to the Rescue, but is far from well received; and how Tita gives herself away, not once, but twice
CHAPTER XXII.
How Maurice smokes a Cigar, and muses on many Things; how he laments his Solitude; and how an unexpected Visitor comes to him
CHAPTER XXIII.
How Rylton's evil Genius comes to him and speaks sweet Treacheries within his Ear; and how he renounces her and all her Deeds
CHAPTER XXIV.
How Tita pleads her Cause with Margaret; and how Margaret rebukes her; and how Steps are heard, and Tita seeks Seclusion behind a Japanese Screen; and what comes of it
CHAPTER XXV.
How Tita wages War with Margaret and Maurice; and how Margaret suffers ignominious Treatment on both Hands; and how Maurice at the last gains one small Victory
CHAPTER XXVI.
How some old Friends reappear again; and how some News is told; and how Maurice makes another Effort to win his Cause
CHAPTER XXVII.
How Maurice gains another Point; and how Tita consents to think about it; and how Margaret tells a Lie
CHAPTER XXVIII.
How Tita receives a Basket of Flowers and an Entreaty; and how she ceases to fight against her destiny
CHAPTER XXIX.
How a Journey is begun as the Day dies down; and how that Journey ends; and how a great Secret is discovered--the Secret of Tita's Heart
THE HOYDEN.
CHAPTER I.
HOW MINNIE HESCOTT GIVES TITA A HINT; AND LEARNS THAT HINTS MAY BE THROWN AWAY; AND HOW MARGARET'S SOUL IS GRIEVED.
Minnie Hescott, during the time it takes her to go down the terrace steps behind Tita, comes to a resolution. _She will give Tita a hint!_ It will be a gift of no mean order, and whether it be well received or not, will always be a gift to be remembered, perhaps with gratitude.
And Minnie, who is strictly practical if nothing else, sees a fair hope of return in her present plan. She likes Tita in her way--likes her perhaps better than she likes most people, and Tita may be useful to her as Sir Maurice Rylton's _wife_. But Tita, dismantled of her honours, would be no help at all, and therefore to keep Tita enthroned is now a very special object with her astute cousin.
In and between all this is Minnie's detestation of Mrs. Bethune, who has occasionally been rude to her in the small ways that make up the sum of life.
Minnie, who is not sensitive, takes the bull by the horns.
"Mrs. Bethune," says she, as they go by a bed of hollyhocks now hastening to their death, "is a friend of yours?"
It is a question.
"Mrs. Bethune!" says Tita, stopping and looking at her as if wondering.
What does she mean?
"Yes," says Minnie pleasantly. "A friend. An old friend!"
"Not an _old_ friend," says Tita quietly. "She is a cousin of Maurice's."
"Yes. But not a friend of yours?"
"No," coldly.
"I'm glad of that," says Minnie, with hilarity. "I _hate_ old friends, don't you? They always cost one such a
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