A Very Naughty Girl

by L. T. Meade

  CHAPTER V.--FRANK'S EYES.

  Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning. Breakfast atthe Castle was a rather stately affair. A loud, musical gong sounded toassemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were notreally ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squireread prayers morning after morning before the assembled household. Afterprayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortablebreakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued. To be absent frombreakfast was to insure Lady Frances's displeasure; she had no patiencewith lazy people. And as to lazy girls, her horror of them was so greatthat Audrey would rather bear the worst cold possible than announce toher mother that she was too ill to appear. Evelyn's absence, therefore,was commented on with a very grave expression of face by both the Squireand his wife.

  "I must speak to her," said Lady Frances. "It is the first morning, andshe does not understand our ways, but it must not occur again."

  "You will not be too hard on the child, dear," said her husband."Remember she has never had the advantage of your training."

  "Poor little creature!" said Lady Frances. "That, indeed, my dearEdward, is plain to be seen."

  She bridled very slightly. Lady Frances knew that there was not a morecorrect trainer of youth in the length and breadth of the county thanherself. Audrey, who looked very bright and handsome that morning,ventured to glance at her mother.

  "Perhaps Evelyn is dressed and does not know that we are at breakfast,"she said. "May I go to her room and find out?"

  "No, Audrey, not this morning. I shall go to see Evelyn presently. Bythe way, I hope you are ready for your visitors?"

  "I suppose so, mother. I don't really quite know who are coming."

  "The Jervices, of course--Henrietta, Juliet, and their brothers; thereare also the Claverings, Mary and Sophie. I think those are the onlyyoung people, but with six in addition to you and Evelyn, you will haveyour hands full, Audrey."

  "Oh, I don't mind," replied Audrey. "It will be fun.--You will help meall you can, won't you, Jenny?"

  "Certainly, dear," replied Miss Sinclair.

  "It is the greatest possible comfort to me to have you in the house,Miss Sinclair," said Lady Frances, now turning to the pretty younggoverness. "You have not yet had an interview with Evelyn, have you?"

  "I talked to her a little last night," replied Miss Sinclair. "She seemsto me to be a child with a good deal of character."

  "She is like no child I ever met before," said Lady Frances, with ashudder. "I must frankly say I never looked forward with any pleasure toher arrival, but my worst fears did not picture so thoroughlyobjectionable a little girl."

  "Oh, come, Frances--come!" said her husband.

  "My dear Edward, I do not give myself away as a rule; but it is just aswell that Miss Sinclair should see how much depends on her guidance ofthe poor little girl, and that Audrey should know how objectionable sheis, and how necessary it is for us all to do what we can to alter herways. The first step, of course, is to get rid of that terrible womanwhom she calls Jasper."

  "But, mother," said Audrey, "that would hurt Evelyn's feelings verymuch--she is so devoted to Jasper."

  "You must leave the matter to me, Audrey," said Lady Frances, rising."You may be sure that I will do nothing really cruel or unkind. But, mydear, it is as well that you should learn sooner or later that spoilinga person is never true kindness."

  Lady Frances left the room as she spoke; and Audrey, turning to hergoverness, said a few words to her, and they also went slowly in thedirection of the conservatory.

  "What do you think of her, Jenny?" asked the girl.

  "Just what I said, dear. The child is full of originality and strongfeelings, but of course, brought up as she has been, she will be a trialto your mother."

  "That is just it. Mother has never seen any one in the least likeEvelyn. She won't understand her; and if she does not there will bemischief."

  "Evelyn must learn to subdue her will to that of Lady Frances," saidMiss Sinclair. "You and I, Audrey, will try to be very patient with her;we will put up with her small impertinences, knowing that she scarcelymeans them; and we will try to make things as happy for her as we can."

  "I don't know about that," said Audrey. "I cannot see why she should berude and chuff and disagreeable. I don't altogether dislike her. Shecertainly amuses me. But she will not have a very happy time at theCastle until she knows her place."

  "That is it," said Miss Sinclair. "She has evidently been spoken to mostinjudiciously--told that she is practically mistress of the place, andthat she may do as she likes here. Hence the result. But at the worst,Audrey, I am certain of one thing."

  "What is that, Jenny? How wise you look, and how kind!"

  "I believe your father will be able to manage her, whoever else fails.Did you not notice how her eyes followed him round the room last night,and how, whenever he spoke to her, her voice softened and she alwaysreplied in a gentle tone?"

  "No, I did not," answered Audrey. "Oh dear! it is very puzzling, and Ifeel rather cross myself. I cannot imagine why that horrid little girlshould ever own this lovely place. It is not that I am jealous of her--Iassure you I am anything but that--but it hurts me to think that one whocan appreciate things so little should come in for our lovely property."

  "Well, darling, let us hope she will be quite a middle-aged woman beforeshe possesses Castle Wynford," said the governess. "And now, what aboutyour young friends?"

  Audrey slipped her hand inside Miss Sinclair's arm, and the two pacedthe conservatory, talking long and earnestly.

  Meanwhile Evelyn, having partaken of a rich and unwholesome breakfast ofpastry, game-pie, and chocolate, condescended slowly to rise. Jasperwaited on her hand and foot. A large fire burned in the grate; noservant had been allowed into the apartment since Evelyn had takenpossession of it the night before, and it already presented an untidyand run-to-seed appearance. White ashes were piled high in the untidygrate; dust had collected on the polished steel of the fire-irons; dusthad also mounted to the white marble mantelpiece covered with velvet ofturquoise-blue, but neither Evelyn nor Jasper minded these things in theleast.

  "And now, pet," said the maid, "what dress will you wear?"

  "I had better assert myself as soon as possible," said Evelyn. "Motherytold me I must. So I had better put on something striking. I saw thathorrid Audrey walking past just now with her governess; she had on aplain, dark-blue serge. Why, any dairymaid might dress like that. Don'tyou agree with me, Jasper?"

  "There is your crimson velvet," said Jasper. "I bought it for you inParis. You look very handsome in it."

  "Oh, come, Jasper," said her little mistress, "you said I was squat lastnight."

  "The rich velvet shows up your complexion," persisted Jasper. "Put iton, dear; you must make a good impression."

  Accordingly Evelyn allowed herself to be arrayed in a dress of a curiousshade between red and crimson. Jasper encircled her waist with a redsilk sash; and being further decked with numerous rows of colored beads,varying in hue from the palest green to the deepest rose, the heiresspronounced herself ready to descend.

  "And where will you go first, dear?" said Jasper.

  "I am going straight to find my Uncle Edward. I have a good deal to sayto him. And there is mother's note; I think it is all about you. I willgive it to Uncle Edward to give to my Aunt Frances. I don't like my AuntFrances at all, so I will see Uncle Edward first."

  Accordingly Evelyn, in her heavy red dress, her feet encased in blackshoes and white stockings, ran down-stairs, and having inquired in veryhaughty tones of a footman where the Squire was likely to be found,presently opened the door of his private sanctum and peeped in.

  Even Lady Frances seldom cared to disturb the Squire when he was in hisden, as he called it. When he raised his eyes, therefore, and sawEvelyn's pale face, her light flaxen hair falling in thin strands abouther ears, her big, somewhat light-brown eyes staring at him, he couldnot help giving a start of
annoyance.

  "Oh, Uncle Ned, you are not going to be cross too?" said the littlegirl. She skipped gaily into the room, ran up to him, put one arm roundhis neck, and kissed him.

  The Squire looked in a puzzled way at the queer little figure. Like mostmen, he knew little or nothing of the details of dress; he was onlyaware that his own wife always looked perfect, that Audrey was the soulof grace, and that Miss Sinclair presented a very pretty appearance. Hewas now, therefore, only uncomfortable in Evelyn's presence, not in theleast aware of what was wrong with her, but being quite certain thatLady Frances would not approve of her at all.

  "I have come first to you, Uncle Edward," said Evelyn, "because we musttransact some business together."

  "Transact some business!" repeated her uncle. "What long words you use,little girl!"

  "I have heard my dear mothery talk about transacting business, so I havepicked up the phrase," replied Evelyn in thoughtful tones. "Well, UncleEdward, shall we transact? It is best to have things on a businessfooting; don't you think so--eh?"

  "I think that you are a very strange little person," said her uncle."You are too young to know anything of business matters; you must leavethose things to your aunt and to me."

  "But I am your heiress, don't forget. This room will be mine, and allthat big estate outside, and the whole of this gloomy old house when youdie. Is not that so?"

  "It is so, my child." The Squire could not help wincing when Evelynpronounced his house gloomy. "But at the same time, my dear Evelyn,things of that sort are not spoken about--at least not in England."

  "Mothery and I spoke a lot about it; we used to sit for whole eveningsby the fireside and discuss the time when I should come in for myproperty. I mean to make changes when my time comes. You don't mind mysaying so, do you?"

  "I object to the subject altogether, Evelyn." The Squire rose and facedhis small heiress. "In England we don't talk of these things, and nowthat you have come to England you must do as an English girl and a ladywould. On your father's side you are a lady, and you must allow youraunt and me to train you in the observances which constitute trueladyhood in England."

  Evelyn's brown eyes flashed a very angry fire.

  "I don't wish to be different from my mother," she said. "My mother wasone of the most splendid women on earth. I wish to be exactly like her.I will not be a fine lady--not for anybody."

  "Well, dear, I respect you for being fond of your mother."

  "Fond of her!" said Evelyn; and a strange and intensely tragic lookcrossed the queer little face.

  She was quite silent for nearly a minute, and Edward Wynford watched herwith curiosity and pain mingled in his face. Her eyes reminded him ofthe brother whom he had so truly loved; in every other respect Evelynwas her mother over again.

  "I suppose," she said after a pause, "although I may not speak aboutwhat lies before me in the future, and you must die some time, UncleEdward, that I may at least ask you to supply me with the needful?"

  "The what, dear?"

  "The needful. Chink, you know--chink."

  Squire Wynford sank slowly back again into his chair.

  "You might ask me to sit down," said Evelyn, "seeing that the room andall it contains will be----" Here she broke off abruptly. "I beg yourpardon," she continued. "I really and truly do not want you to die aminute before your rightful hour. We all have our hour--at least motherysaid so--and then go we must, whether we like it or not; so, as you mustgo some day, and I must----Oh dear! I am always being drawn up now by thathorrid wish of yours that I should try to be an English girl. I will tryto be when I am in your presence, for I happen to like you; but as forthe others, well, we shall see. But, Uncle Ned, what about the chink?Perhaps you call it money; anyhow, it means money. How much may I haveout of what is to be all my own some day to spend now exactly as Ilike?"

  "You can have a fair sum, Evelyn. But, first of all, tell me what youwant it for and how you mean to spend it."

  "I have all kinds of wants," began Evelyn. "Jasper had plenty of moneyto spend on me until I came here. She manages very well indeed, doesJasper. We bought lots of things in Paris--this dress, for instance. Howdo you like my dress, Uncle Ned?"

  "I am not capable of giving an opinion."

  "Aren't you really? I expect you are about stunned. You never thought agirl like me could dress with such taste. Do you mind my speaking toAudrey, Uncle Ned, about her dress? It does not seem to me to becorrect."

  "What is wrong with it?" asked the Squire.

  "It is so awfully dowdy; it is not what a lady ought to wear. Ladiesought to dress in silks and satins and brocades and rich embroideredrobes. Mothery always said so, and mothery surely knew. But there, I amidling you, and I suppose you are busy directing the management of yourestates, which are to be----Oh, there! I am pulled up again. I want mymoney for Jasper, for one thing. Jasper has got some poor relations, andshe and I between us support them."

  "She and you between you," said the Squire, "support your maid'srelations!"

  "Oh dear me, Uncle Ned, how stiffly you speak! But surely it does notmatter; I can do what I like with my own."

  "Listen to me, Evelyn," said her uncle. "You are only a very young girl;your mind may in some ways be older than your body, but you are nothingmore than a child."

  "I am not such a child as I look. I was sixteen a month ago. I amsixteen, and that is not very young."

  "We must agree to differ," said her uncle. "You are young and you arenot wise; and although there is some money which is absolutely your owncoming from the ranch in Tasmania, yet I have the charge of it until youcome of age."

  "When I come of age I suppose I shall be very, very rich?"

  "Not at all. You will be my care, and I will allow you what is proper,but as long as I live you will only have the small sum which will cometo you yearly from the rent of the ranch. As the ranch may possibly besold some day, we may be able to realize a nice little capital for you;but you are too young to know much of these things at present. Thematter in hand, therefore, is all-sufficient. I will allow you aspocket-money five pounds a quarter. I give precisely the same sum toAudrey. Your aunt will buy your clothes, and you will live here and betreated in all respects as my daughter. Now, that is my side of thebargain."

  Evelyn's face turned white.

  "Five pounds a quarter!" she said. "Why, that is downright penury!"

  "No, dear; for the use you require it for it is downright riches. But,be it riches or be it penury, you get no more."

  Evelyn looked full at her uncle; her uncle looked back at her.

  "Come here, little girl," he said.

  Her heart was beating with furious anger, but there was something in histone which subdued her. She went slowly to him, and he put his arm roundher waist.

  "Your eyes are like--very like--one whom I loved best on earth."

  "You mean my father," said the girl.

  "Your father. He left you to me to care for, and to love and to train--totrain for a high position eventually."

  "He left me to mothery; you are quite mistaken there. Mothery hastrained me; father left me to her. She often and often and often told meso."

  "That is true, dear. While your mother lived she had the prior claimover you, but now you belong to me."

  "Yes," said Evelyn. She felt fascinated. She snuggled comfortably insideher uncle's arm; her strange brown eyes were fixed on his face.

  "I give you," he continued, "the love and care of a father, but I expecta return."

  "What? I don't mind. I have two diamonds--beauties. You shall have themto make into studs; you shall, because I--yes, I love you."

  "I don't want your diamonds, my little girl, but I want otherthings--your love and your obedience. I want you, if you like me, and ifyou like your Aunt Frances, and if you like your cousin, to follow inour steps, for we have been brought up to approve of courteous mannersand quiet dress and gentle speech; and I want that brain of yours,Evelyn, to be educated to high and lofty thoughts. I want you to be
agrand woman, worthy of your father, and I expect this return from youfor all that I am going to do for you."

  "Are you going to teach me your own self?" asked Evelyn.

  "You can come to me sometimes for a talk, but it is impossible for me tobe your instructor. You will have a suitable governess."

  "Jasper knows a lot of things. Perhaps she could teach both Audrey andme. She might if you paid her well. She has got some awfully poorrelations; she must have lots of money, poor Jasper must."

  "Well, dear, leave me now. We will talk of your education and who is toinstruct you, and all about Jasper too, within a few days. You have gotto see the place and to make Audrey's acquaintance; and there are someyoung friends coming to the Castle for a week. Altogether, you havearrived at a gay time. Now run away, find your cousin, and make yourselfhappy."

  Squire Wynford rose as he spoke, and taking Evelyn's hand, he led her tothe door. He opened the door wide for her, and saw her go out, and thenhe kissed his hand to her and closed the door again.

  "Poor little mite!" he said to himself. "As strange a child as I eversaw, but with Frank's eyes."