Cousin Geoffrey and I ... With ... illustrations by W. Parkinson

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COUSIN GEOFFREY AND I. "^JP7 MABEL IN THE OLD RIDING HABI COUSIN GEOFFREY AND I. BY CAROLINE Author of "Hugh Herbert's Inheritance ;" "Marie's Homer*' 4c. WITH SIX FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. PARKINSON. LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, 49 & 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN CONTENTS. Chap. Page I. The Gathering op the Storm, 9 II. An Old Home and New Faces 22 III. What we Heard on Knavesmire, 35 IV. Ruby 47 V. It isn't Right, 65 VI. Retribution 84 VII. Aunt Eliza, 106 VIII. Aunt Eliza's Home, 131 IX. My Cousin Matilda, . .• 144 X. Cinderella's Afternoon Party, 161 XI. My Desperate Venture, 181 XII. A Strange Encounter 212 XIII. My New Home 231 XIV. My First Appearance 251 XV. Saved 269 XVI. Mine Enemy, ILLUSTRATIONS. Page Mabel in the old Riding Habit, .... Frontispiece. 73 Mabel releases Mr. Grey from his undignified Position, 21 Geoffrey and Mabel, 68 The Arrival of Joe Peters 95 "If my Matilda isn't fit to be a duchess," 148 " I trotted quickly into the arena," COUSIN GEOFFREY AND I.

Chapter I. The Gathering Of The Storm

OOR thing! How peaceful she do sleep, to be sure! It seems most a pity that she should ever wake again." These words fell upon my ears as I lay betwixt sleeping and waking, and restored me to full consciousness. But I did not stir. I, too, in my wild heart thought it a pity that I could not lie thus for ever. The curtain of my bed was just then drawn back softly, and I felt that someone was gazing down upon me. " Dear, dear ! " said a second voice, " only to think of it! After the life she's led, and all; with every tiling heart could desire. And now a workhouse child is as well off' as she." I began to feel vaguely interested. Nothing mattered much, certainly, since my dearest father was lying in the churchyard; but the speaker's tones of half con temptuous pity, even more than the words that were THE GOSSIPS. uttered, roused a slight feeling of uneasiness in my breast.

"It can't be true, surely," said the voice that had first spoken, and that I knew belonged to our housekeeper, Mrs. Jones. There had never been any love lost be tween Mrs. Jones and myself, and, softly as she spoke, I was well aware that the news to which she alluded had not been altogether unpleasant to her. Mrs. Harrington, her friend and crony, who had been brought to the Hall to perform the last sad offices for my father, and who for the past few days had hovered ghoul-like round the chamber that held his dear remains, was very ready to be drawn into giving further information. " It's as true as I stand here," she said. " I was standing in the hall, quite by chance like, and the library door was open, and I heard the lawyer say, 'I can find no will anywhere, and no trace of any pro vision for the child.

Affairs seem to be in a bad state. I have feared so for some time past. Not long ago the late Mr. Grey drew a large sum out of the bank suddenly. What with debts — ' and just then Mr. Harold Grey, he steps forward and shuts the door as sharp as possible, in my very face one might almost say." "But surely, now," exclaimed Mrs. Jones, half breath less with excitement, " you heard more than that. If it had been only for Miss Mabel's sake I'd have — " "And so I did, Mrs. Jones. Trust me. And loud as they were talking there wasn't much difficulty in putting two and two together. And — " UNPLEASANT REVELATIONS. 11 "Well?" " Well, the long and the short of it is just this. The lawyer he kept talking about Mabel, and pleading for her, like; and at last Mr. Harold — I should know his whining voice anywhere — he jumps up and stamps about, and he says: 'My cousin has used me shameful.

The property has gone to the dogs, and he has spent every penny he could lay hands on. He has robbed me and my son, and now he leaves his brat on my hands. She can go to the workhouse for all I care.' His very words, Mrs. Jones, I do assure you." " Dear, dear ! I shall apply for my wages this very night. Do you think that there will be enough for us?" " That I'm sure I don't know, Mrs. Jones. One thing's certain, I wouldn't trust Mr. Harold Grey, not one inch. You don't know all yet; for just as I was standing there with my heart all bleeding for this poor lamb, out he bounced into the hall. Directly he saw me he flew into a passion, and such words as he used. I only wonder the roof didn't fall in and crush him." " You quite deserved it," I said suddenly, sitting up in bed and calmly surveying the astonished women.

" Don't you know that it is very mean to listen at doors?" Mrs. Harrington, whose heart had been so lately bleeding for me, turned crimson and gave me an angry look, but said nothing. Mrs. Jones remarked sharply : " That's not the way to speak, anyhow. It seems CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES. to me you'll have to learn to behave less haughty-like now." Never before had Mrs. Jones dared to use such a tone in addressing me. It was just the way she used to speak to the under-servants. The blood flew to my face. "You are an impertinent woman," I exclaimed. " Go away and send Annie to me. I must make my self tidy, and then I shall go downstairs and see my cousin." " Annie can't come,'' returned Mrs. Jones. " I sent her into the village to do an errand for me. The sooner you learn to do without her the better."

Mrs. Jones beat rather a hasty retreat as she spoke, following Mrs. Harrington, who had already dis appeared, and I was left alone. For the moment indignation had made me forget even my grief, and I sprang off the bed and began to smooth the creases out of my tumbled black frock. Then I went to the glass and tried to arrange my rebellious hair; but it was an unaccustomed effort, and I was weak with long days and nights of watching and weeping. Never before, although I was just fourteen, had I been called upon to do a hand's turn for myself, and as I tugged at the knots until my arms ached my sense of injury grew deeper. " To send Annie out on this day of all days. How dared she go! She might have known that I should want her," I gasped out in a fury; and then, remem bering that there was no one to whom I could go for redress, I broke down, and burying my face in my hands sobbed bitterly.

"I WON'T BE DEPENDENT." 13 Annie's gentle voice roused me. "Miss Mabel, Miss Mabel! don't cry like that," she whispered. " I made all the haste I could. I ran all the way there and back. I wouldn't have gone, only Mrs. Jones is so queer. And I thought if I offended her she might get me sent away from you. Let me put your hair straight, Miss Mabel, and get you some water to bathe your face. You'll feel ever so much better then." I did not reply, but I graciously suffered Annie's attention. My hair went into its right place as if by magic, and her gentle touch soothed my aching head. After she had made me swallow a cup of tea I was obliged to acknowledge that I did feel better. "Now, I must go and find Mr. Grey," I said, rising from the easy chair where Annie had placed me. " Not this afternoon, dear Miss Mabel," she urged.

" I must," I persisted. Then, noticing her pitiful look, I turned round sharply. "Have you heard what they are saying?" I asked. " Don't trouble your head about gossip, Miss Mabel," she returned. " We all knew — more's the pity — that as you are a young lady, the property has to go — " " Yes, yes," I interrupted ; " but they say — they say — never mind. I shall know the truth to-night, and they shall know that I wont be dependent on anybody." I tossed my head a little, and I felt quite like a heroine as I spoke. I could see that I had impressed Annie, and that gave me courage. It was the first time that I had left my room since — since they had taken my dear father to the church- FAMILIAR SCENES. yard, and a dreadful sense of desolation fell upon me as I walked down the long corridor which led to the wing of the house that my cousin was occupying.

This corridor was lighted by a row of narrow windows reaching nearly to the floor, and filled with small square panes of glass. It was here that my father and I had romped together when I was a little child, and it was here that we used to pace up and down together sometimes, as I grew older, while he gave me such learning as I possessed, for he would never allow anyone else to instruct me. The place was full of memories of him, and as these rushed upon me the first keenness of my grief returned, and I stopped and threw open one of the windows, almost gasping for air. The short mid-winter day was nearly over, and in the fading light anything more melancholy than the landscape on which my eyes rested it would be diffi cult to imagine. Just below lay my mother's rose garden, laid out in quaintly-shaped beds intersected by narrow walks bordered with high box edges, while here and there stood tall yew-trees cut into fantastic shapes.

The box was untrimmed, the rose-trees had thrown out long shoots, which were as yet unpruned, and everything bore an appearance of neglect. This garden was skirted by a small pine -wood which bounded the demesne on that side, and beyond was Knavesmire, the great common that lay between us and the city of York. I can never speak of Knavesmire, even now, without a little thrill of awe. To this day I can recall many a story of mysterious and undiscovered crime of which RUBY. Knavesmire was believed to have been the theatre. In the imagination of the peasants it was peopled with ghostly forms doomed to wander nightly through those desolate fields. In old times Knavesmire was the Tyburn of the North. Not only malefactors had met their fate there. More than one martyr, whose fame still lingered in the country side, had given up life for his faith on Knavesmire.

A fitting scene it looked for dark deeds as I gazed upon it. Not a breath of air was stirring, but yet the pine-trees swayed and seemed to murmur one to another. Light mists hung over the damp meadow land, and took ghostly forms, floating hither and thither like wicked spirits full of unrest. I shuddered, and thought of my father lying so still in the churchyard with cold mists gathering round him, and then I could contain myself no longer. In my agony I called his name. Something soft touched my hand. Looking down I saw that his favourite hound Ruby had crept to my side, and through the gathering darkness I could see her great human eyes were looking up into mine with an expression of dumb pain. "Ruby, my darling Ruby!" I cried, stooping and throwing my arms round her neck, while tears rained down my cheeks; "where have you been all this time?"

Ruby licked my face. "You understand — you know, Ruby. You are better than a human being. He said so." Ruby tried to wag her tail, but it was a poor attempt. A RUSH OF RECOLLECTIONS. " Only one little week ago, Ruby. Only — ' Tears suddenly choked my utterance, while every incident of a certain never-to-be-forgotten morning passed like a panorama before me. I can shut my eyes now and I can see it all again, just as if it had only happened yesterday. I see hounds on the lawn, and an expectant crowd, and eager horses impatiently pawing the ground. I see the scene lit by soft winter sunshine, I hear a murmur of happy voices, and feel the stir of excitement in the air. My father in his well-worn pink coat is standing on the steps, with me beside him. How genially he bids each one welcome, how cheerily the merry talk and light laughter rings out!

I feel my father's dear arms lift me into my saddle, I see him mount his own horse, and he smiles as he does so in answer to a whisper from his groom. " Don't much like the look o' that new nag o' yourn, Squire," I hear a farmer say as we canter off to covert. There is not long to wait. A little whimper from inside that well-known gorse sets our hearts beating and our eyes sparkling, and a moment later we see the fox stealing away stealthily. There follows a burst of the music that we love, and away go the hounds, full cry, after him. Straight as a die they go, and my father and I follow. We know the country, every inch of it. " Keep Robin's head straight and sit tight," cries my father to me as we come in sight of some low postern rails, beyond which we both know lies a deep brook. I obey.

A rush through the air, a sensation like flying, and I land safely on the other side. On I go, ONLY A WEEK AGO! 17 my heart beating with joy. I do not even notice that I am alone until an awful cry falls upon my ears. I glance round. Where is my father? I pull up and look back. Then I seem to understand in a second, although I see only a group of riderless horses, and the dismounted horsemen bending over something that lies on the ground. I creep back. No one notices me as I approach. No one heeds me as I join the group. Then I hear them say: "Poor fellow! He's done for this time." And I throw myself on the ground, calling wildly on my father. He does not answer me or even stir. And they were right. He never spoke again. Only a week ago! Oh, Ruby! Ruby! I remained motionless for some time with my arms round Ruby's neck, until I heard a step advancing from the further end of the corridor.

I looked up, and notwithstanding the dim light I recognized my cousin, Harold Grey. He came along slowly, stopping to examine the old portraits with which the walls were hung. " Disgraceful! " I heard him mutter as he approached. " Everything has been allowed to go to wrack and ruin." I rose to my feet, keeping my hand on Ruby, who began to growl. My cousin started when he caught sight of me. I had only seen him once before, and that was on the night of his arrival, when, thinking that my father would have wished me to do so, I had gone down to ( 539 ) b THE NEW SQUIRE. meet him. He and my father had not been on friendly terms. A coldness had arisen between them in early life, since when they had been entirely separated; Mr. Grey, as I afterwards learnt, having made his home in Italy, until my father's sudden and unexpected death had recalled him to take possession of the family estate.

After a moment's hesitation he held out his hand to me stiffly, saying in a studiously courteous voice, which chilled me nevertheless: " Can I do anything for you ? I have not asked for you, as I thought that you would scarcely have cared to leave your room to-day." All my courage evaporated beneath his half-sarcastic glance. I just touched his hand, which fell limply by his side directly afterwards, and stammered out: " I — I only wanted to ask you — " The words would not come. There was a dreadful pause. " Well, what is it that you wish to ask me? " he said at last, each word dropping out separately. Ruby was watching him intently, and began to growl again. I checked her and went on desperately: " I do not exactly want to ask you anything, but to tell you — to tell you that — if what they say is true, you need not think that I shall be a burden to you or to anybody.

I can go — go — " I met my cousin's cold gaze, and the words I would have spoken died on my lips. He folded his arms and leant wearily against the window-frame, looking down upon me with ill-suppressed impatience. DEEPER INTO THE MIRE. 19 They say ! Who is they, pray ? " Oh! the servants — everybody." "The servants. Oh, indeed! And what is it that they do say? " I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper into the mire. I knew that in repeating servants' conversation I was placing myself in the worst light before Mr. Grey, but I went on doggedly: " They say that I have nothing, and that you are afraid that I shall be dependent on you; but I — " " That will do," he interrupted. " I understand you, and I think that the sooner you understand me the better. I will say nothing about gossipping with ser vants and listening at doors.

Those bad habits may be the result of your bringing up, which is no affair of mine. But let me tell you once for all that it is useless to talk about your future to me or to anyone else. Little girls have to do as they are told. Something will be arranged for you, and you will be informed of it in due time. At present, under the circumstances, and considering that your father was only laid in his grave to-day, it would be more seemly for you to retire to your room. Good-evening." Once more he put out his hand, but I dashed it away. I was speechless with a sense of injustice and the misery of powerlessness. My tears seemed all dried up, and without a word I turned to go. In doing so I loosened my hold on Ruby, who gave a short, angry bark. " What is this dog doing here ? " asked my cousin sharply.

"CALL THE BRUTE AWAY!" I had moved away a few paces, and my quick ears cauaht an inflexion of fear in his voiee. I looked back, and saw that my cousin was still leaning against a corner of the window-frame, while Ruby had sprung forward and was crouching just in front of him, giving a low, ominous growl whenever he attempted to stir. It was not a dignified position, especially for so languid a fine gentleman as Mr. Harold Grey. Child as I was, I grasped the situation directly. " Call the brute away ! " he said angrily, seeing that I neither moved nor spoke. " I hate dogs in the house. I won't have them about. Do you understand me? Call her off." " She does not mean anything," I answered. " It is only her play. She is as gentle as possible." But Ruby did not look very gentle with her great eyes glaring like balls of fire as my cousin ventured on an impatient movement.

"You aren't afraid, are you?" I asked innocently. I was really surprised, for having been accustomed to dumb animals all my life, the sensation of fear with regard to them was quite unknown to me. " Afraid ! " he echoed, and his passionate tones fairly frightened me. " I tell you what it is: I'll have the dog shot." " You sha'n't ! " I cried, starting forward. " She was my father's, and if you shoot her you shall shoot me too." " Then you had better do as I tell you and call her off." " Promise me, if I do, that you won't shoot her." iIABEL RELEASES MR. GREY FROM HIS UNDIGNIFIED POSITION, AN EXTORTED PROMISE. 21 I was very much in earnest, and I drew nearer to him, while Ruby gave a savage growl. " Of course, of course," he said. " I did not mean that. Call her to you, like a good girl." I would have given anything to prolong his torture, but somehow that threat of shooting Ruby daunted me.

"You promise faithfully?" I asked with childish persistence. Mr. Grey turned white and set his teeth, but his terror forced him to control his temper. "I promise," he said; and I was satisfied. " Come, Ruby," I cried ; but at first Ruby did not stir, and it was not until I laid my hand upon her that the angry glare left her eyes and she condescended to release Mr. Grey from his undignified position. Then we walked off together, down the long corridor and back to my own rooms. The interview had not afforded me much comfort, and a sense of injustice rankled very deeply in my heart. But the recollection of Mr. Grey's humiliation sweetened my reflections, and at the remembrance of the scene with Ruby I smiled for the first time since I lost my father. A poor satisfaction it was, and one for which I was destined to pay pretty dearly in the time to come. EXPECTING ARRIVALS.

Chapter II. An Old Home And New Faces

TWO long miserable days followed. Never-ending days they seemed to me as I crept listlessly about the great silent house, avoiding those parts of it where I was likely to meet Mr. Grey, who, on his part, seemed equally anxious to avoid my company. I learned from Annie that he spent nearly all his time in the library, examining papers, writing letters, and interviewing the steward and various people connected with the estate. It seemed to my childish imagination as if this wretched state of affairs had lasted for months, when, on the third morning after our memorable meeting in the corridor, a little stir of excitement pervaded the atmosphere. Windows long closed — for my father and I had lived almost entirely in one wing of the old house — were thrown open, and from the corridor, where I was free to wander at will, I could hear the jingle of Mrs. Jones' keys, and the rustle of her silk gown, as she bustled hither and thither, talking to the house maids in a loud important voice.

" Good morning, miss," she said, seeing me standing at my usual station near the window. " Good morning," I answered. "You seem very busy. What is going to happen?" " Don't you know," she said, " that my mistress and the young master are expected this evening?" MINE NO LONGER. 23 I made no reply, but I suppose my face fell. Soli tude was bad enough, but the prospect of Mrs. Grey and the " young master " did not improve matters. " You don't look particularly pleased," she went on. " By what I hear, Mr. Grey thinks the world and all of Master Geoffrey. The pony has been out to exercise this morning, so as to be ready for him, and a new saddle has come down from London. Such a beauty ! " " The pony. Do you mean my Robin?" I gasped. "Yours? Well, the one you used to call yours." " He sha'n't ride Robin," I cried.

" A nasty rough boy — " Then I remembered myself and stopped. Nothing was mine now. " It isn't wise to speak of your betters that way, miss, as you'll very soon find out," said Mrs. Jones. " And, by the way, she went on, her eyes falling on Ruby, who was now my constant companion, " Mr. Grey has given strict orders that no dogs are to be allowed inside the house. He can't a-bear them." " He daren't interfere with Ruby," I said exultingly, and Mrs. Jones swept away, calling out something about "daren't, indeed!" I hated that woman. I'm afraid I was very wicked, for I hated everybody just then; but most of all I hated " Master Geoffrey," who was going to ride my Robin. The long day wore away slowly. Annie bore with all my humours, and did her best to please me. Through her I learnt the hour at which the new-comers were expected, and, having wrought myself up to a pitch of nervous excitement about them, when the time approached I stationed myself at one of the cor- I FEEL LIKE A GHOST. ridor windows, from whence I could catch a glimpse of the drive, in order to watch for them.

It was a lovely winter's afternoon. The air was very still, and the sun was shining through a soft haze. Patches of pale yellow light fell here and there upon the desolate common, while in the far distance, veiled in blue mist, the great towers of York Minster seemed to keep watch and ward over wicked Knaves mire. Punctually at the time expected a close carriage entered the avenue and drove quickly up to the door. I just caught a glimpse of an eager boyish face at the carriage window, and that was all. From below there came the sound of voices and of hurrying feet, and a clear, ringinc; laugh that reminded me of old times and of the joyous greetings there used to be when my father returned after some brief absence. " I feel like a ghost," I said to myself as the sounds died away, making the silence that followed more ap parent.

" Ruby, Ruby ! I'm so glad you are flesh and blood! How warm and comfortable you feel." Ruby pressed closer to me, and a minute afterwards Annie came to me. Mrs. Jones had insisted on her appearing in the hall with the other servants. " She seems such a nice lady," said kind Annie re assuringly to me. " She spoke so gently. And as for Master Geoffrey, if it wasn't that he seems to have come like to take your place I couldn't but have taken to him. You won't be friendless now, Miss Mabel. It will all come right, as I said it would." I shook my head. HUSBAND AND WIFE. 25 " I wish I could die and go to my father," I said passionately. " No one wants me." And then, because I did not want to look like a cry-baby in case I had to see Mrs. Grey or Geoffrey, I forced back my tears and remained silent.

" I'm going to see about getting your tea, dear Miss Mabel," said Annie presently. And I graciously per mitted her to go. Perhaps half an hour passed by. I began to feel stiff and cold and to think of returning to my own room, when I heard footsteps approaching. I shrank back into my recess. I did not want to be seen. " It looks a little cold and dismal certainly," said a soft voice; "but with plenty of good fires and some nice, warm curtains, and a house full of people — " " A house full of people," echoed Mr. Grey in irri tated accents; " that is just your usual reckless way of talking. Where, pray, is the money to come from to pay for entertaining a house full of people? I tell you we shall be poorer than ever. Things are in a terrible state. I have been shamefully used- It is only by the strictest economy that we shall be able to live here at all.

But I suppose I shall get no help from you." " You know, dear Harold, that I will do all I can," returned Mrs. Grey nervously. "But don't you think, if things are so bad, that it is almost a pity to try to live here?" "That means you don't like the place, I suppose? No thought for your husband or child. I mean to live here. You — " I had coughed and made signals to warn them of "ARE YOU ALL ALONE?" my presence, but they were both too much engrossed to heed them. My father had taught me to despise mean actions, and I knew that in honour I was com pelled to make my relations aware that they were not alone. Accordingly, I stepped forward and confronted them. Mr. Grey frowned angrily. " You here," he said sharply. I did not answer, and I suppose the forlorn little figure in its black frock touched Mrs. Grey's heart.

" Who is this ? " she asked, starting back. " Not Mabel, surely. I thought that she had gone to her own relations." " Yes, this is Mabel," answered her husband irritably. " She will remain here for the present, until I have decided what to do with her." I think he must have caught sight of Ruby, for he moved on hurriedly as he spoke ; but Mrs. Grey lingered. " My child," she said, taking my hand, " are you all alone?" " Yes," I answered. Perhaps I spoke sullenly. I was fighting against my tears. In my heart I longed to throw my arms round the neck of this beautiful, sad-faced lady. But she could not guess that. She only saw a shrinking form and downcast looks, and I think she felt repelled. She dropped my hand, but her tones were very gentle as she went on: "And have you been alone through all this dreadful time ?