by L. T. Meade
CHAPTER XXXV.
BEATRICITES--EVERY ONE.
Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Butler had a cup of tea together after the wedding.They partook of their tea in Mrs. Butler's house, and they gossiped overthe events of the day for long hours.
Part of the strange story of Beatrice's engagement the rector had toldhis guests at the wedding-breakfast--a sufficient portion of thiscurious romance was related to show some of the real nobility of thisyoung girl's character. People were to conjecture about the rest. Theywere never to know. They never did know.
The Hartites and the Beatricites ceased to exist at the breakfast, orrather the whole community became Beatricites on the spot.
Bertram took his bride away, and the town was very glad to think theymight keep Beatrice Meadowsweet with them after all. Neither Mrs.Bertram nor Mrs. Meadowsweet were present at the wedding, but they metthat evening, for Mrs. Meadowsweet drove up to the Manor; she wasaccompanied by Beatrice and they both asked to see Mrs. Bertram.
They were admitted into the great lady's bedroom.
"I am sorry you are so poorly, Mrs. Bertram," said Mrs. Meadowsweet."I thought, as Bee was coming up, I'd call with her. There's nothing forworry on the nerves like Eleazer Macjones's Life Pills, and here's afresh box of them. I thought I'd bring them up, and tell you that for mypart I'm highly pleased."
"Pleased," said Mrs. Bertram.
She raised her white face and looked at her visitor.
"Yes, of course I am. I keep my girl. The young man wasn't suited toher, nor she to him. I guessed there'd be no luck about that engagement,when I was so deaved with 'poor dears,' and 'poor friends.' That's notthe right way to speak before any wedding. They were neither of themmore than half-hearted towards one another, and it's well they found itout in time. Now when I married Meadowsweet--"
"Mother," interrupted Beatrice, "I think Mrs. Bertram is tired."
"Well, my pet, and you want the old lady to stop her chatter. You trythe Life Pills, Mrs. Bertram, I'll wait in the next room for Bee. Shehas a word to say to you."
When they were alone together Beatrice went and knelt by Mrs. Bertram'ssofa.
"So you never loved my son. Beatrice?" said Mrs. Bertram, raising herheavy eyes, and looking at her.
"I did not, I consented to marry him because I was silly and thought Icould do him good. I was saved just in time from making a grave mistake.Josephine loves him."
"You think she will do him good?"
"The greatest, the best. They were meant for one another. They ought tolead happy lives together."
"Beatrice, I have heard--I don't know how to thank you--I have heardwhat you have done with some--some of your money. I don't know how tothank you, child. You have saved Loftus and me."
Beatrice bent forward and kissed Mrs. Bertram on her cheek.
"I am glad," she said in a simple, quiet voice. "My father would be gladtoo. I am abundantly content."
"Beatrice, you would have been just the wife for Loftus."
"No, he was not the husband meant for me. Some day my true lover maycome. If not, I have always been a happy girl, Mrs. Bertram, I am happystill. I feel full of delight to-night. Now I must go. Only, first ofall, do something--something for the girl who has been made yourdaughter to-day."
"Something for--for Josephine?"
"For Nina, whose great love will raise and save your son. Take thispacket; put it into the fire."
"What is it, Beatrice? I am weak. Are there any more shocks?"
"No. Josephine does not wish the story of her birth to be ever revealed.She is a Bertram now without any need of proving her title. Her objectis to guard her husband's secret, and she does this, when she asks hismother to burn this packet which contains the full proofs of heridentity as a Bertram."
Mrs. Bertram shivered. She touched the packet. Then she gave it back toBeatrice.
"Put it into the fire yourself," she said. "Beatrice, you have saved usall."
This little scene happened on the evening of Bertram's wedding-day. Justat that same hour Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Butler were hob-nobbing over theirtea.
"For my part," said Mrs. Butler, "I no longer regret the absence of mybrooch. I will own I fretted for it when there seemed likely to be nowedding to speak of. For why should the Northbury folks put themselvesout about the marriage of two strangers. But now I am glad Beatrice hasit, for though she is not a bride she is a beautiful character, and nomistake, and such should be encouraged."
"That's my way of thinking, too," said Mrs. Bell. "I'll thank you foranother lump of sugar, Mrs. Butler. Yes, I have no fault to find withBeatrice Meadowsweet. If she failed, she failed in a graceful fashion,and, when all is said and done, her intentions were of the best."
THE END.
