the daisy chain, or aspirations-第94章

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be　good。〃

〃Who　are　they　for　then？〃　said　Ethel；　beginning　to　be
frightened。

〃For　a　young　lady；　whose　brother　has　got　the　Newdigate　prize；　and　who
is　going　to　Oxford。〃

〃Me！　　Those！　　But　I　have　not　got　four　backs；〃　as　Ethel　saw　Meta　in
fits　of　laughing；　and　Flora　making　affirmative　signs。　　Mary　gave　a
ponderous　spring　of　ecstasy。

〃Come！〃　said　Flora；　〃you　may　as　well　be　quiet。　　Whatever　you　may
like；　I　am　not　going　to　have　the　Newdigate　prizeman　shown　as　brother
to　a　scarecrow。　　I　knew　what　you　would　come　to；　without　me　to　take
care　of　you。　　Look　at　yourself　in　the　glass。〃

〃I'm　sure　I　see　no　harm　in　myself；〃　said　Ethel；　turning　towards　the
pier…glass；　and　surveying　herselfin　a　white　muslin；　made　high；　a
black　silk　mantle；　and　a　brown　hat。　　She　had　felt　very　respectable
when　she　set　out；　but　she　could　not　avoid　a　lurking　conviction　that；
beside　Flora　and　Meta；　it　had　a　scanty；　schoolgirl　effect。　　〃And；〃
she　continued　quaintly；　〃besides；　I　have　really　got　a　new　gown　on
purposea　good　useful　silk；　that　papa　chose　at　Whitfordjust　the
colour　of　a　copper　tea…kettle；　where　it　turns　purple。〃

〃Ethel！　you　will　kill　me！〃　said　Meta；　sinking　back　on　the　sofa。

〃And　I　suppose；〃　continued　Flora；　〃that　you　have　sent　it　to　Miss
Broad's；　without　any　directions；　and　she　will　trim　it　with　flame…
coloured　gimp；　and　glass　buttons；　and；　unless　Margaret　catches　you；
you　will　find　yourself　ready　to　set　the　Thames　on　fire。　　No；　my　dear
tea…kettle；　I　take　you　to　Oxford　on　my　own　terms；　and　you　had　better
submit；　without　a　fuss；　and　be　thankful　it　is　no　worse。　　George
wanted　me　to　buy　you　a　white　brocade；　with　a　perfect　flower…garden　on
it；　that　you　could　have　examined　with　a　microscope。　　I　was　obliged　to
let　him　buy　that　lace　mantle；　to　make　up　to　him。　　Now　then；　Meta；　the
scene　opens；　and　discovers〃

Meta　opened　the　folding…doors　into　Flora's　bedroom；　and　thence　came
forward　Bellairs　and　a　little　brisk　Frenchwoman；　whom　Flora　had
acquired　at　Paris。　　The　former；　who　was　quite　used　to　adorning　Miss
Ethel　against　her　will；　looked　as　amused　as　her　mistresses；　and；
before　Ethel　knew　what　was　going　on；　her　muslin　was　stripped　off　her
back；　and　that　instrument　of　torture；　a　half　made　body；　was　being
tried　upon　her。　　She　made　one　of　her　most　wonderful　grimaces　of
despair；　and　stood　still。　　The　dresses　were　not　so　bad　after　all；
they　were　more　tasteful　than　costly；　and　neither　in　material　nor
ornament　were　otherwise　than　suitable　to　the　occasion　and　the　wearer。
It　was　very　kind　and　thoughtful　of　Florathat　she　could　not　but
feelnothing　had　been　forgotten；　but　when　Ethel　saw　the　mantles；　the
ribbons；　the　collars；　the　bonnet；　all　glistening　with　the　French　air
of　freshness　and　grace；　she　began　to　feel　doubts　and　hesitations；
whether　she　ought　to　let　her　sister　go　to　such　an　expense　on　her
account；　and　privately　resolved　that　the　accepting　thanks　should　not
be　spoken　till　she　should　have　consulted　her　father。

In　the　meantime；　she　could　only　endure；　be　laughed　at　by　her　elders；
and　entertained　by　Mary's　extreme　pleasure　in　her　array。　　Good　Mary
it　was　more　than　any　comedy　to　her；　she　had　not　one　moment's　thought
of　herself；　till；　when　Flora　dived　into　her　box；　produced　a　pair　of
bracelets；　and　fastened　them　on　her　comfortable　plump　arms；　her　eyes
grew　wide　with　wonder；　and　she　felt；　at　least；　two　stages　nearer
womanhood。

Flora　had　omitted　no　one。　　There　was　a　Paris　present　for　every
servant　at　home；　and　a　needle…case　even　for　Cherry　Elwood；　for　which
Ethel　thanked　her　with　a　fervency　wanting　in　her　own　case。

She　accomplished　consulting　her　father　on　her　scruples；　and　he　set
her　mind　at　rest。　　He　knew　that　the　outlay　was　a　mere　trifle　to　the
Riverses；　and　was　greatly　pleased　and　touched　with　the　affection　that
Flora　showed；　so　he　only　smiled　at　Ethel's　doubts；　and　dwelt　with
heartfelt　delight　on　the　beautiful　print　that　she　had　brought　him；
from　Ary　Scheffer's　picture　of　the　Great　Consoler。

Flora　was　in　her　glory。　　To　be　able　to　bestow　benefits　on　those　whom
she　loved；　had　been　always　a　favourite　vision；　and　she　had　the　full
pleasure　of　feeling　how　much　enjoyment　she　was　causing。　　They　had　a
very　pleasant　evening；　she　gave　interesting　accounts　of　their　tour；
and　by　her　appeals　to　her　husband；　made　him　talk　also。　　He　was　much
more　animated　and　agreeable　than　Ethel　had　ever　seen　him；　and　was
actually　laughing；　and　making　Mary　laugh　heartily　with　his　histories
of　the　inns　in　the　Pyrennees。　　Old　Mr。　Rivers　looked　as　proud　and
happy　as　possible；　and　was　quite　young　and　gay；　having　evidently
forgotten　all　his　maladies；　in　paying　elaborate　attention　to　his
daughter…in…law。

Ethel　told　Margaret；　that　night；　that　she　was　quite　satisfied　about
Florashe　was　glad　to　own　that　she　had　done　her　injustice；　and　that
Norman　was　right　in　saying　there　was　more　in　George　Rivers　than　met
the　eye。

The　morning　spent　at　home　was　equally　charming。　　Flora　came　back；
with　love　strengthened　by　absence。　　She　was　devoted　to　Margaret
caressing　to　all；　she　sat　in　her　old　places；　she　fulfilled　her　former
offices；　she　gratified　Miss　Bracy　by　visiting　her　in　the　schoolroom；
and　talking　of　French　books；　and　won　golden　opinions；　by　taking
Gertrude　in　her　hand；　and　walking　to　Minster　Street　to　call　on　Mrs。
Hoxton；　as　in　old　times；　and　take　her　the　newest　foreign　device　of
working　to　kill　time。

So　a　few　days　passed　merrily　away；　and　the　great　journey　commenced。
Ethel　met　the　Abbotstoke　party　at　the　station；　and；　with　a　parting
injunction　to　her　father；　that　he　was　to　give　all　his　patients　a
sleeping　potion；　that　they　might　not　miss　him；　she　was　carried　away
from　Stoneborough。

Meta　was　in　her　gayest　mood；　Ethel　full　of　glee　and　wonder；　for　once
beyond　Whitford；　the　whole　world　was　new　to　her；　Flora　more　quiet；
but　greatly　enjoying　their　delight；　and　George　not　saying　much；　but
smiling　under　his　beard；　as　if　well　pleased　to　be　so　well　amused　with
so　little　trouble。

He　took　exceeding　care　of　them；　and　fed　them　with　everything　he　could
make　them　eat　at　the　Swindon　Station；　asking　for　impossible　things；
and　wishing　them　so　often　to　change　for　something　better；　that；　if
they　had　been　submissive；　they　would　have　had　no　luncheon　at　all；
and；　as　it　was；　Flora　was　obliged　to　whisk　into　the　carriage　with　her
last　sandwich　in　her　hand。

〃I　am　the　more　sorry；〃　said　he；　after　grumbling　at　the　allotted　ten
minutes；　〃as　we　shall　dine　so　late。　　You　desired　Norman　to　bring　any
friend　he　liked；　did　you　not；　Flora？〃

〃Yes；　and　he　spoke　of　bringing　our　old　friend；　Charles　Cheviot；　and
Mr。　Ogilvie；〃　said　Flora。

〃Mr。　Ogilvie！〃　said　Ethel；　〃the　Master　of　Glenbracken！　　Oh！　I　am　so
glad！　　I　have　wanted　so　much　to　see　him！〃

〃Ah！　he　is　a　great　hero　of　yours？〃　said　Flora。

〃Do　you　know　him？〃　said　Meta。

〃No；　but　he　is　a　great　friend　of　Norman's；　and　a　Scottish　cousin
Norman　Ogilvie。　　Norman　has　his　name　from　the　Ogilvies。〃

〃Our　grandmother；　Mrs。　Mackenzie；　was　a　daughter　of　Lord
Glenbracken；〃　said　Flora。

〃This　man　might　be　called　the　Master　of　Glenbracken　at　home；〃　said
Ethel。　　〃It　is　such　a　pretty　title；　and　there　is　a　beautiful　history
belonging　to　them。　　There　was　a　Master　of　Glenbracken　who　carried
James　IV。's　standard　at　Flodden；　and　would　not　yield；　and　was　killed
with　it　wrapped　round　his　body；　and　the　Lion　was　dyed　with　his　blood。
Mamma　knew　some　scraps　of　a　ballad　about　him。　　Then　they　were　out
with　Montrose；　and　had　their　castle　burned　by　the　Covenanters；　and
since　that　they　have　been　Jacobites；　and　one　barely　escaped　being
beheaded　at　Carlisle！　　I　want　to　hear　the　rights　of　it。　　Norman　is　to
go；　some　time　or　other；　to　stay　at　Glenbracken。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Flora；　〃coming　down　to　times　present；　this　young　heir
seems　worthy　of　his　race。　　They　are　pattern　peoplehave　built　a
church；　and　have　all　their　tenantry　in　excellent　order。　　This　is　the
only　son；　and　very　good　and　cleverhe　preferred　going　to　Balliol；
that　he　might　work；　but　he　is　a　great　sportsman；　George；〃　added　she；
〃you　will　get　on　with　him　very　well；　about　fishing；　and　grouse
shooting；　I　dare　say。〃

Norman　met　them　at　the　station；　and　there　was　great　excitement　at
seeing　his　long　nose　under　his　college　cap。　　He　looked　rather　thin
and　worn；　but　brightened　at　the　sight　of　the　party。　　After　the
questionwhether　there　had　been　any　letters　from　Harry？　he　asked
whether　his　father　were　coming？and　Ethel　thought　he　seemed　nervous
at　the　idea　of　this　addition　to　his　audience。　　He　saw　them　to　their
hotel；　and；　promising　them　his　two　guests；　departed。

Ethel　watched　collegiate　figures　passing　in　the　street；　and
recollected　the　gray　buildings；　just　glimpsed　at　in　her　driveit　was
dreamy　and　confused；　and　she　stood　musing；　not　discovering　that　it
was　time　to　dress；　till　Flora　and　her　Frenchwoman　came　in；　and　laid
violent　hands　on　her。

The　effect　of　their　manipulations　was　very　successful。　　Ethel　was
made　to　look　well…dressed；　and；　still　more；　distinguished。　　Her
height　told　well；　when　her　lankiness　was　overcome；　and　her　hair　was
disposed　so　as　to　set　off　her　features　to　advantage。　　The　glow　of
amusement　and　pleasure　did　still　more　for　her；　and　Norman；　who　was　in
the　parlour　when　the　sisters　appeared；　quite　started　with　surprise
and　satisfaction　at　her　aspect。

〃Well　done。　Flora！〃　he　said。　　〃Why！　I　have　been　telling　Ogilvie　that
one　of　my　sisters　was　very　plain！〃

〃Then；　I　hope　we　have　been　preparing　an　agreeable　surprise　for　him；〃
said　Flora。　　〃Ethel　is　very　much　obliged　to　you。　　By　the　bye；〃　she
said；　in　her　universal　amity；　〃I　must　ask　Harvey　Anderson　to　dinner
one　of　these　days？〃　　Norman　started；　and　his　face　said　〃Don't。〃

〃Oh；　very　well；　it　is　as　you　please。　　I　thought　it　would　please
Stoneborough；　and　that　Edward　was　a　protege　of　yours。　　What　has　he
been　doing？　　Did　we　not　hear　he　had　been　distinguishing　himself？　　Dr。
Hoxton　was　boasting　of　his　two　scholars。〃

〃Ask　him；〃　said　Norman　hurriedly。　〃At　least；〃　said　he；　〃do　not　let
anything　from　me　prevent　you。〃

〃Has　he　been　doing　anything　wrong？〃　reiterated　Flora。

〃Not　that　I　know　of；〃　was　the　blunt　answer；　and；　at　the　same　instant；
Mr。　Ogilvie　arrived。　　He　was　a　pleasant；　high…bred　looking　gentleman；
brown…complexioned；　and　dark…eyed；　with　a　brisk　and　resolute　cast　of
countenance；　that；　Ethel　thought；　might　have　suited　the　Norman　of
Glenbracken；　who　died　on　the　ruddy　Lion　of　Scotland；　and　speaking
with　the　very　same　slight　degree　of　Scottish　intonation　as　she
remembered　in　her　mother；　making　a　most　home…like　sound　in　her　ears。

Presently；　the　rest　of　their　own　party　came　down；　and；　soon　after；
Charles　Cheviot　appeared；　looking　as　quiet　and　tame；　as　he　used　to　be
in　the　schoolboy　days；　when　Norman　would　bring　him　home；　and　he　used
to　be　too　shy　to　speak　a　word。

However；　he　had　learned　the　use　of　his　tongue　by　this　time；　though　it
was　a　very　soft　one；　and　he　stood　by　Ethel；　asking　many　questions
about　Stoneborough；　while　something；　apparently　very　spirited　and
amusing；　was　going　on　between　the　others。

The　dinner　went　off　wellthere　were　few　enough　for　the　conversation
to　be　general。　　The　young　men　began　to　strike　out　sparks　of　wit
against　each　otherFlora　put　in　a　word　or　twoEthel　grew　so　much
interested　in　the　discussion；　t