They talked and laughed, the rest were too hot, too busy, or too sleepy for conversation, even Philip being tired into enjoying the dolce far niente; and they basked in the fresh breezy heat and perfumy hay with only now and then a word, till a cold, black, damp nose was suddenly thrust into Charless face, a red tongue began licking him; and at the same moment Charlotte, screaming There he is! raced headlong across the swarths of hay, to meet Guy, who had just ridden into the field. He threw Deloraines rein to one of the haymakers, and came bounding to meet her, just in time to pick her up as she put her foot into a hidden hole, and fell prostrate.
In another moment he was in the midst of the whole party, who crowded round and welcomed him as if he had been a boy returning from his first half-years schooling; and never did little school-boy look more holiday-like than he, with all the sunshine of that June day reflected, as it were, in his glittering eyes and glowing face, while Bustle escaping from Charless caressing arm, danced round, wagging his tail in ecstasy, and claiming his share of the welcome. Then Guy was on the ground by Charles, rejoicing to find him out there, and then, some dropping into their former nests on the hay, some standing round, they talked fast and eagerly in a confusion of sound that did not subside for the first ten minutes so as to allow anything to be clearly heard. The first distinct sentence was Charlottes Bustle, darling old fellow, you are handsomer than ever!
What a delicious day! next exclaimed Guy, following Philips example, by throwing off hat and neck-tie.
A spontaneous tribute to the beauty of the day, said Charles.
Really it is so ultra-splendid as to deserve notice! said Philip, throwing himself completely back, and looking up.
One cannot help revelling in that deep blue! said Laura.
Tomorrowll be the happiest time of all the glad new year, hummed Guy.
Ah you will teach us all now, said Laura, after your grand singing lessons.
Do you know what is in store for you, Guy? said Amy. Oh! havent you heard about Lady Kilcorans ball?
You are to go, Guy, said Charlotte. I am glad I am not. I hate dancing.
And I know as much about it as Bustle, said Guy, catching the dog by his forepaws, and causing him to perform an uncouth dance.
Never mind, they will soon teach you, said Mrs. Edmonstone.
Must I really go?
He begins to think it serious, said Charles.
Is Philip going? exclaimed Guy, looking as if he was taken by surprise.
He is going to say something about dancing being a healthful recreation for young people, said Charles.
Youll be disappointed, said Philip. It is much too hot to moralize.
Apollo unbends his bow, exclaimed Charles. The captain yields the field.
Ah! Captain Morville, I ought to have congratulated you, said Guy. I must come to Broadstone early enough to see you on parade.
Come to Broadstone! You arent still bound to Mr. Lascelles, said Charles.
If he has time for me, said Guy. I am too far behind the rest of the world to afford to be idle this vacation.
Thats right, Guy, exclaimed Philip, sitting up, and looking full of approval. With so much perseverance, you must get on at last. How did you do in collections?
Tolerably, thank you.
You must be able to enter into the thing now, proceeded Philip. What are you reading?
Thucydides.
Have you come to Pericles oration? I must show you some notes that I have on that. Dont you get into the spirit of it now?
Up-hill work still, answered Guy, disentangling some cinders from the silky curls of Bustles ear.
Which do you like bestthat or the ball? asked Charles.
The hay-field best of all, said Guy, releasing Bustle, and blinding him with a heap of hay.
Of course! said Charlotte, who would not like hay-making better than that stupid ball?
Poor Charlotte! said Mrs. Edmonstone; commiseration which irritated Charlotte into standing up and protesting,
Mamma, you know I dont want to go.
No more do I, Charlotte, said her brother, in a mock consoling tone. You and I know what is good for us, and despise sublunary vanities.
But you will go, Guy, said Laura; Philip is really going.
In spite of Lord Kilcorans folly in going to such an expense as either taking Allonby or giving the ball, said Charles.
I dont think it is my business to bring Lord Kilcoran to a sense of his folly, said Philip. I made all my protests to Maurice when first he started the notion, but if his father chose to take the matter up, it is no concern of mine.
You will understand, Guy, said Charles, that this ball is specially got up by Maurice for Lauras benefit.
Believe as little as you please of that speech, Guy, said Laura; the truth is that Lord Kilcoran is very good-natured, and Eveleen was very much shocked to hear that Amy had never been to any ball, and I to only one, and so it ended in their giving one.
When is it to be?
On Thursday week, said Amy. I wonder if you will think Eveleen as pretty as we do!
She is Lauras great friend, is not she?
I like her very much; I have known her all my life, and she has much more depth than those would think who only know her manner. And Laura looked pleadingly at Philip as she spoke.
Are there any others of the family at home? said Guy.
The two younger girls, Mabel and Helen, and the little boys, said Amy. Lord de Courcy is in Ireland, and all the others are away.
Lord de Courcy is the wisest man of the family, and sets his face against absenteeism, said Philip, so he is never visible here.
But you arent going to despise it, I hope, Guy, said Amy, earnestly; it will be so delightful! And what fun we shall have in teaching you to dance!
Guy stretched himself, and gave a quaint grunt.
Never mind, Guy, said Philip, very little is required. You may easily pass in the crowd. I never learnt.
Your ear will guide you, said Laura.
And no one can stay at home, since Mary Ross is going, said Amy. Eveleen was always so fond of her, that she came and forced a promise from her by telling her she should come with mamma, and have no trouble.
You have not seen Allonby, said Laura. There are such Vandykes, and among them, such a King Charles!
Is not that the picture, said Charles, before which Amy
O dont, Charlie!
Was found dissolved in tears?
I could not help it, murmured Amy, blushing crimson.
There is all Charless fate in his face, said Philip,earnest, melancholy, beautiful! It would stir the feelingswere it an unknown portrait. No, Amy, you need not be ashamed of your tears.
But Amy turned away, doubly ashamed.
I hope it is not in the ball-room, said Guy.
No said Laura, it is in the library.
Charlotte, whose absence had become perceptible from the general quietness, here ran up with two envelopes, which she put into Guys hands. One contained Lady Kilcorans genuine card of invitation for Sir Guy Morville, the other Charlotte had scribbled in haste for Mr. Bustle.
This put an end to all rationality. Guy rose with a growl and a roar, and hunted her over half the field, till she was caught, and came back out of breath and screaming, We never had such a haymaking!