CHAPTER XX.
"SOMEBODY'S CRUTCH."
"Of all the paths that lead to a woman's love Pity's the straightest."--_Beaumont and Fletcher_.
One afternoon in October Olivia sat at her work in the front parlour.She was expecting Greta to join her, and more than once she had lookedat the clock on the mantelpiece as though wondering at her lateness.
The folding-doors were open; the young couple had taken advantage oftheir improved circumstances to add to their scanty stock of furniture.The dining-table and mahogany chairs bought second-hand in Dr.Luttrell's bachelor days and the small, ugly chiffonier had been movedinto the smaller and duller back room, and the front parlour had beentransformed into a dainty sitting-room. Greta's skilful fingers andgood taste had been placed at her friend's service. To gratifyMarcus's love of comfort two really handsome saddle-back chairs werebeside the fireplace, and a little round table occupied the centre ofthe room. A second-hand writing-table with drawers had been picked upin the city as a great bargain and appropriated for Marcus's use. Overit hung the sketch of Dot and the kitten, long ago presented by thegrateful artist. The pretty blue carpet and curtains gave an air offinish.
By Marcus's desire the folding-doors were always kept open, and Oliviano longer felt herself stifled for want of air. This afternoon thelittle sitting-room looked at its best. A bowl of dark-red cactusdahlias stood on the table, an offering from Alwyn, and a magnificent_Lilium auratum_, a gift from Greta, blocked up the dining-room window.
When the door-bell rang Olivia laid down her work with a pleased smile,and the next moment Greta entered the room.
"How late you are, you naughty girl," she said, kissing heraffectionately. "I have been sewing for the last hour."
"Yes, I know; something unforeseen detained me," and then Greta droppedher eyes in sudden embarrassment and blushed. "Oh, Olive dear, can youguess what I have to tell you this afternoon?" and then Olivia lookedat her steadily.
"Do you mean," she began, anxiously--but Greta, blushing still morerosily, interrupted her, "Yes, I do mean it; and, Olive, dear friend,truest of friends, you must congratulate me, for I am so happy."
"You take my breath away, Greta. Are you and Alwyn actually engaged?"
"Yes, dear, we settled it this afternoon; but, of course--of course, Ihave known for weeks what he meant and wished. He has gone round nowto tell his father, and will be here presently. Dear Olive, why areyou so silent? Are you not glad about this?"
"I am glad that anything should make you happy," returned Olivia,gently. "And you know how deeply interested I am in your and Alwyn'swelfare. But forgive me, Greta, if I ask one question. Are you sure,are you perfectly sure, that this step will be for your happiness----"
Then Greta looked at her in surprise, and there was a reproachfulexpression in her grey eyes.
"Sure! when I have loved him all these months. My dear Olive, what canyou mean? Alwyn is the only man I could ever marry."
"Oh, how it relieves me to hear you say that Dear Greta, I am so fondof you both. Alwyn is charming; but until you said that I was afraidto congratulate you. You know my views on this subject, dear. Do youremember how we talked on the beach at Eastbourne? I am afraid thatmore than once I made you a little sad; but I was thinking of this. Iknew then in my own mind that Alwyn had begun to care for you, and Iwanted you to have plenty of time for consideration."
"Oh, yes; you made your meaning clear to me even then," returned Greta,smiling; "but, indeed, no consideration was necessary. When Alwyn cameto me and said quite simply that he loved me and wanted me to be hiswife, I just put my hand in his without a word. It almost shocked meto see his gratitude. He kept saying over and over again that he wasnot worthy of me; that he knew he had done nothing to win my respect,and I should not be able to look up to him. Oh, Olive, he quite brokedown when he said this, but I soon comforted him. 'I only remember twothings,' I said to him,--'that you love me, and that you need me.' Andafter that we understood each other."
"Dearest Greta. Aunt Madge was right when she told me that you wereborn into the world to be somebody's crutch."
"Did she say that?" and Greta's eyes had a dreamy look in them; "but Itell Alwyn that I mean to lean on him. Indeed, Olive, you must notundervalue him. Alwyn is stronger than you think. He has repentedtruly and deeply of all his boyish mistakes, and those who love himshould utterly and for ever wipe out the record of his past. See howdevotedly his father loves him; his forgiveness was absolute."
"Dear, you need not say any more;" and Olivia embraced her with tearsin her eyes. "I can only wish you all the happiness you deserve."
"In that case my happiness would be little enough; but, of course, Iknow what you mean. And, Olive, for the first time in my life I cansay with truth that I have found my vocation. It will be such aprivilege to be allowed to take care of Alwyn; he is far from strong,and he will need care for a long time. I wonder if you know thefeeling I have about that? With Dr. Luttrell you cannot have had it.You have never been anxious about him; and then he has always takencare of you. But I shall always have to think for Alwyn."
"Oh, you are right there!"
"We shall think for each other," she went on, fearing that she hadadmitted too much. "And there is one thing of which I am certain thatI shall have every right to be proud of him. Do you know what hisfather says? that he has genius, unmistakable genius, and he is no meanjudge. 'Mark my words, he will be an R.A. yet;' he only said that tome a few days ago."
"Marcus thinks the same; but, Greta, there is one thing: if you marryAlwyn, you will have to take his father too; you can never separatethem."
"Those were Alwyn's very words," returned Greta, with a soft flushwhich made her look years younger; "but, indeed, I love him already forAlwyn's sake, and because he is so good to him. Oh, Olive dear, if youknew the joy it will be to me to have someone for whom I can careagain. I do not want my life to be too easy or free fromresponsibility; but I do want it to be real, actual life. Mrs.Broderick and I were only talking about it yesterday. She says whatsingle women miss in their lives is some absorbing interest; a workthat shall fill up all the crannies."
"Oh, Aunt Madge is very strong on that point. I remember, before Iknew Marcus, that we had wonderful talks on this subject. She used tobe so fond of quoting Carmen Sylva's speech, 'A woman does not become amother, she is a mother from her birth. A woman's family satisfies hervocation, but does not create it.' And she used to tell me to mothermy pupils. 'You must love them hard,' she would say, 'and live theiryoung lives as well as your own;' but, thank God, we can always findobjects for our love. I should make you laugh, Greta, if I told youhow I mapped out my future as an old maid; but I am quite sure I shouldhave made a good one."
Just then the door-bell rang, and Alwyn entered; he looked eager andexcited.
"Well, has she told you?" were his first words, as Olivia met him withoutstretched hands; and then, as she warmly congratulated him, his eyesglowed with feeling. "I have not deserved such a prize, have I, Mrs.Luttrell? but Greta has promised to make the best of me. Will youforgive me if I take her away for a little? My father is mostimpatient to welcome his new daughter, and he will only excite himselfif we keep him waiting."
"Go with him, Greta, dear," returned Olivia; "Mr. Alwyn will bring youback to us." And then Greta rose at once, though she looked a littleshy.
As Olivia stood at the door watching them as they crossed the road,Marcus came up Harbut Street.
"Where are those two going?" he asked, curiously. "I thought MissWilliams was to spend the evening with us." Then Olivia linked her armin his and drew him into the passage.
"Oh, do come in, Marcus," she said, breathlessly. "I cannot talk atthe street-door, and I have such a lot to tell you." Then Marcus putdown his hat and drew off his gloves with exasperating slowness.
"We have been married nearly three years," he said, flecking the dustoff his coat-collar, "but I never remember the day when, as
you soelegantly express it, you had not a 'lot to tell me.'"
"Yes, but something has really happened," she returned, ignoring thisprovoking speech.
"Oh, indeed," was the cool answer; "so they have settled it at last,have they? Well, I have changed my opinion lately. Gaythorne may notbe quite up to the mark, but he will make a good husband. I suppose heis taking her across for the parental blessing?" And then Oliviaadmitted that this was the case.
"I am so glad that you really do not mind," she said, in a relievedtone; "but I fancied you would not approve. You almost said as muchone day."
"Oh, even great intellects change their opinions sometimes," returnedMarcus, dryly; "Sir Robert Peel and Gladstone, for example. And thenmost people know their own business best. Perhaps if you were tocross-examine me severely I might own that Alwyn Gaythorne is not theman I should have selected for your interesting friend, but as she haschosen him, she is evidently of another opinion, and this is one thingin his favour, he is thoroughly in love with her, and really, take himall in all, he is not a bad fellow," and Olivia, who understood herhusband perfectly, was quite content with this opinion.
When Marcus went upstairs to wash his hands, whistling the air of "Myold Dutch," she knew he was quite as much excited as she was.
When Greta came back she looked a little flushed and agitated, and, ata sign from Alwyn, Olivia took her upstairs.
"What is it, dear?" she said, gently, as Greta shed a few tears; "wasnot Mr. Gaythorne nice to you?"
"Nice?" repeated Greta, with a little sob; "he was as dear as possible.If I had been Olive he could not have been more gentle. I tell Alwynthat I shall be quite spoiled between them, but somehow as he talked tome I could not help thinking of poor father and of my mother. Howhappy mother would have been, for she was always so fond of Alwyn."
"Yes; dear, I understand."
"Yes, and Alwyn understands, too. He told me so just now. He saidthat though this was the happiest day of his life, he could not helpmissing his mother and Olive. Olivia, do you know that Mr. Gaythornemeans us to live with him? I was just a little bit frightened when Iheard that, and I am afraid Alwyn saw it, for he spoke about itafterwards."
"Does he wish it himself?" Olivia was careful to reserve her ownopinion. Both she and Marcus had their own views on this subject.
"I do not know what he really wishes, and it was too soon to discussthings, but he did say that he thought that his father ought not to beleft alone, and, of course, he is right, and it is for him to decide,"and then she gave an embarrassed little laugh.
"Mr. Gaythorne was very good to me, but you know what an autocrat heis. He wants it to be soon, very soon. Oh, he quite took my breathaway, and I could see Alwyn was sorry for me. He thinks it is theimpatience of the disease and that we must humour him a little. Alwynwas so beautifully gentle with him and so considerate for me, but hesaw how overwhelmed I was."
"Yes, one wants quiet at first to realise one's happiness," returnedOlivia, sympathetically. "Now I am going to make the tea, and youshall join us when you like."
But when she got downstairs she found Alwyn alone. He was pacing upand down as though he were anxious.
"Where is Marcus?" she asked at once.
"Oh, someone wanted him at No. 25, Sligo Street. I was to tell youthat," and then, with a change of tone, "I hope my father did notreally upset Greta."
"Oh, no; she was only a little overwhelmed."
"No wonder! You know what my father is, Mrs. Luttrell. He never willwait for anything. If a thing is to be done it must be done at once.Only yesterday I was laughing at him, and telling him he would havemade an excellent slave-driver. He is immensely pleased and excited,and he treated Greta as though she were a princess. He has finemanners, you will allow that, but the dear girl looked dreadfully shyand embarrassed. And then, to put her at her ease, he wanted her topromise that she would marry me as soon as possible. It was no usetrying to hush him, for he would have his say. I got her away at lastby pretending you would be waiting tea for us. Oh, here she comes,"and his face brightened as he hurried to his _fiancee's_ side. Gretahad recovered her tranquillity, and when Marcus entered she receivedhis congratulations as happily as possible.
Olivia went over to Galvaston House the next day.
Mr. Gaythorne was evidently expecting her.
"Well," he said, holding her hand, "I suppose you have come tocongratulate me on my new daughter. I tell Alwyn he is a lucky dog. Asweet girl and three thousand a year. Not that either he or I careabout the money,--there will be plenty for Alwyn, plenty. I wastelling them both last night," he went on, "that there must be no delayand nonsense. In my state of health any procrastination would befoolish. I want to see him with a good wife. Crampton is all verywell, but a wife will understand him better. The house will hold usall. With the exception of the library and my own bedroom, it will allbelong to them. Alwyn can refurnish the drawing-room, if he likes; andthere is that little room on the first floor, opening into theconservatory, that would make a charming morning-room for Greta. Hecan have _carte blanche_ to do what he likes, and she and Crampton willmanage the house between them, so what is the use of waiting?"
And as Olivia noted the old man's feverish excitement she could nothelp thinking that a short engagement would be best, and when Alwynwalked with her to Mayfield Villas she told him so.
"I quite agree with you," was his answer. "Dr. Luttrell and I had atalk over things last night, but I do not mean Greta to be botheredwith plans and preparations until she has had a few days' quiet You donot know her as well as I do, Mrs. Luttrell. Greta is so unselfish, soabsolutely self-less, that she will do anything for the good of thoseshe loves. In the old days she always yielded her wishes to Olive, andshe is just as ready to do so now," and, as Alwyn said this with hisbright, winning smile, Olivia was not quite so sure, after all, thatGreta had made a mistake.
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