Hornung Ernest William - A Bride from the Bush стр 25.

this singularly simple-minded man of thirty melted into thankfulness ineffable and perfect peace.

It so happened that they sang an anthem in the old church that evening. This neither attracted nor distracted Alfred at first. He was a man without very much more music in his soul than what he was able to whistle when in high spirits. It did not strike him that this anthem was lovelier than most tunes. The sweet sensations that stole over his spirit as the singing of it proceeded certainly were not credited to the music. To the words he never would have attempted to listen but for an accident.

To Alfred the anthem presented but one of the many opportunities presented by the Church Service for private reverie on the part of worshippers. Of course his reverie was all about the future and Gladys. And while he mused his arm touched hers, that was the delightful part of it. But on glancing down to see her face again (he had actually not looked upon it for five whole minutes) his musing swiftly ended. Her singular expression arrested his whole attention. And this was the accident that made him listen to the words of the anthem, to see if they could have affected her so strangely.

The Brides expression was one of powerful yearning. The first sentence Alfred managed to pick out from the words of the anthem was: Oh, for the wings, for the wings of a dove! piped in a boys high treble.

The melting wistfulness in the Brides liquid eyes seemed to penetrate through that darkening east window into far-away worlds; and the choir-boy sang: Far away, far away would I rove!

The solo went on:

As they knelt down after the anthem, his eyes met those of his mother. She, too, had seen Gladyss expression. Was it the expression she had referred to on the way to church? Was such an expression a common one with his darling, and concealed only from him? Was it possible that she was secretly longing and pining for the Bush now when they were all so happy?

Much later in the evening long after church Lady Bligh made an opportunity of speaking again alone with Alfred. I have been maturing my little plans, she said, smiling.

As regards Gladys? he asked.

Yes; and I have been thinking that really, after all, she need not be so dull during the next few days

Alfred interrupted her hastily.

I also have been thinking; and, do you know, after all, I half fancy that she is a bit dull. I shall be very glad indeed if you have thought of something to liven her up a little.

Lady Bligh regarded him shrewdly; but she was not entirely astonished at this complete change of opinion. She, too, had seen Gladyss longing, far-away expression in church. She, too, remembered it.

Well, she will be less dull during the next few days than just lately, said Lady Bligh, after a slight pause. On Tuesday, to begin with, there is this garden-party of ours; a dull thing enough in itself, but the people may amuse Gladys. On Wednesday, there is to be the Opera for her, at last. Thursday and Friday you must boat and drive. But for Saturday when the Lord Chief is coming you are all invited to lawn-tennis somewhere; are you not? After this week it is simply embarras ; the two matches at Lords, and Henley too, one on top of the other; then Wimbledon. Gladys must miss none of these. But can you guess what my happy thought is?

You seem to have so many happy thoughts!

No; but my little plan for to-morrow?

I have no idea. But I think Gladys would be content to do nothing much to-morrow, perhaps.

Alfred, said Lady Bligh, severely, Gladys tells me you have never once had her in the Park! How is that?

I well, the fact is, Im such a duffer in the very swagger part of the town, said poor Alfred; and I never did know the run of the parks properly.

Then you shall drive with Gladys and me, and learn. It is getting near the end of the season, when every day makes a difference. So, not to lose another day, well drive in to-morrow. This is my happy thought! I think Gladys will like it though Garrod wont.

You mean hell say its too much for his horses? I should think hell give warning, said Alfred, encouragingly.

He may, said Lady Bligh, with a fine fearlessness which can be properly appraised only by ladies who keep, or once

kept, their coachman. He may. I defy him!

CHAPTER XI A THUNDER-CLAP

It was an appearance; for Lady Bligh, though in no sense a woman of fashion, was sufficiently well known to attract attention, which was heightened by the increasing rarity of her appearances in the fashionable world. Even had it been otherwise, the robust, striking beauty of the dark young woman at her side must have awakened interest on its own account. It did, among those who did not know the Blighs by sight. But with most people the questions were: Where had Lady Bligh discovered such a fresh and taking type of prettiness? Was the girl a relative? Was that Alfred Bligh sitting opposite to the ladies, come back from Australia disfigured by a beard? Was she his fiancée or were they already married? It is intended by no means to imply that the modest and even homely equipage of Lady Bligh became the cynosure of Hyde Park; but it was certainly seen; and few saw it with unawakened curiosity.