Lippa: a novel

Front matter

LIPPA LIPPA A NOVEL BY BEATRICE EGERTON T£ 0 11 0 0 tt EDEN, REMINGTON & CO., PUBLISHERS KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN ALL RIGHTS REStRVLD 189I LIPPA ■» j-OOOOi — *— CH APTE R I I hold the world but as the world A starve where every man must play a part.' Shakespeare. It is four o'clock, and Street is wearing a very deserted appearance although it is July. The cab-drivers are more or less fast asleep in attitudes far from sug'QsestinQcomfort, the sentries on coiard at Palace look almost suffo cated in their bearskins, and a comparative quiet is reigning over the great metropolis. ' Do you know, Helmdon,' says Jimmy A LiprA Dalrymple. 'I'm nearly done;' these two are seated in the bow window of a well-known club. ' You don't mean it, what ! ' replies Helmdon, better known as Chubby. ' I clo, all the same,' says Jimmy, testily, ' heat, money, everything, in fact ! ' ' That comes of racing, my good boy,' this from Chubby, in a sort of I-told-you so tone. ' For Heaven's sake don't begin lectur ing,' says Dalrymple,' it doesn't suit you, and how in the name of fortune could the heat come from my racing.

Chubby, you're an ass!' and really, J. Dalrymple of the Guards is not far wrong, for the said Chubby, otherwise Lord Helmdon dees look rather foolish half leaning half sitting LIPPA 3 on the back of a chair, his hat well at the back of his head (why it remains there is a mystery), his reddish hair very dishevelled, his face on a broad arm while he watches with deep interest two clogs fighting in the street below. Dalrymple receiving no answer to his complimentary speech, gives vent to a yawn, and sends for a brandy and soda. ' Eh what ! ' says Chubby, suddenly, and a propos of nothing ; by this time the dogs have been separated. ' Didn't you speak just now ? ' ' Well, yes,' replies Dalrymple, T merely observed that you were an ass.' ' Thanks, awfully, but why did it strike you just now?' asks Lord Helmdon, sweetly.

LIPPA 4 ' Don't know, I'm sure — ' ' Ah ! I thought so, but look here, why are you so down in the mouth, there's something up I'm sure,' and Chubby scrutinises his friend gravely. 'Nothing's up,' says Jimmy, 'but I've got into a confounded business with Harkness over that mare of his, that ought to have run in the Oaks, I've laid more than I've got, against her winning the Ledger, and I don't know what on earth to do — ' ' Do nothing,' says Helmdon, ' it'll all shake down somehow, and the Ledger's weeks off — ' Jimmy grunts an assent, and then rising says, ' I'm off to tea at Brook Street and the Park afterwards.' LIPPA 5 ' You'll probably find me there,' replies Helmdon, settling himself comfortably for a nap. While Dalrymple walks out of the Club and turns in the direction of Brook Street.

Chapter II

' A face in a crowd, a glance, a droop of the lashes, and all i-r said.' — Marion Crawford. It is some days later, and having a ball in prospect, Mrs Seaton has left Philippa to rest, whilst she goes on a round of visits ; and Philippa, nothing loth, settles herself comfortably on the sofa with a book, and prepares to enjoy a lazy after noon, but she is destined to interruption. The door suddenly bursts open and Teddy flies in, with ' Oh, Aunt Lippa, will you come into the Square with me. Marie's sister has come to see her and it LIPPA 17 would be kind to let them be together, don't you think — ' Lippa feels inclined to suggest that it would be just as kind to let her alone, but she refrains and merely says ' Well ? ' ' Will you ? ' asks the little boy, em phasizing his words by leaning heavily against his aunt. ' You see,' he continues, ' I do feel sometimes lonely, 'cos Marie's old and won't run, and I think you look as if you could — ' ' I have done so in the course of my life,' she answers laughing, ' and I might be able to do so again.' ' Then you will try this afternoon, won't you ? ' this very coaxingly. ' Marie had better walk with us there, but it's such a B LIPPA little way we can come back by ourselves, can't we.' ' Yes ; I should think so,' says Philippa. ' Then I'll just go and get my hat,' and Teddy, pausing at the door, adds. ' Do you know I think you're a very good aunt for a boy to have.' ' Indeed ? ' and Lippa laughs.

She finds it quite as pleasant sitting under a shady tree in the Square, as on the sofa in Brook Street ; and her nephew does not require her to run, having found another companion in the person of a fat, very plain little girl ; but after some time she has to go home, and Teddy having worried the life out of a stray cat, returns to his aunt, with a red, smutty face. LIPPA 19 ' Well,' he says, ' I am so hot, what shall I do to get cool — ' Sit still,' suggests Lippa ' Oh no, that'd make me heaps hotter, oh ! there's Joseph,' and away flies Teddy. Joseph is an old gardener whose business it is to keep the paths in order, and of whom most of the square live in wholesome awe, not so Teddy, he loves him dearly and will talk as long as the old man has time to listen, this afternoon he is busy and Teddy soon returns again to the seat. ' He's such a dear old man,' he says, nodding in the direction the gardener has taken, 'a dear old man, but he has a terrible cough, and he doesn't know anything that will cure it.' LIPPA 20 ' Poor old man,' she answers, ' but really Teddy you must sit still, you are so hot, and jumping up and down like that shakes me all over.' ' Does it ? ' he says, innocently. ' I'll sit still if you'll tell me something, but perhaps I'd better tell you something first.

Did you ever know that I had a sister ? ' Lippa nods. ' Oh ! ' he says, ' well then perhaps you knew that her name was Lilian, and she was lost.' ' Yes,' replies Philippa, ' I knew all about her ; you see your father is my brother, so of course I know all about you.' ' Not everything,' says Teddy, confi dently, 'you don't know that I'm feeling LIPPA 21 rather empty, not 'xactly hungry but as if I could eat my tea.' 'Well, I daresay it is time to go in,' says his aunt, ' and if you will cease to sit on my feet I will get up.' Teddy rises with alacrity, and not till they get to the square gate do they re member they have not got the key. ' How tiresome,' ejaculates Philippa. But Teddy who is always full of re sources, departs in the hope of finding Joseph or some one who has a key, but alas they are the only occupants of the square, what is to be done.

They stand gazing helplessly over the gate, Philippa looking uncommonly pretty in a light gown that fits to perfection, and her large black hat adorned with red poppies, ' I LIPPA 22 wonder who she is,' thinks a gentleman who has already passed them twice, and is contemplating turning back to see her again. But he hears his name called in a shrill voice, ' Captain Harkness, Cap ta-i-n H-a-r-kness ! ' He turns round hastily and sees Teddy waving franti cally over the gate. ' Well, little boy,' he says, ' what is the matter ? eh ! ' 'We can't get out, Aunt Lippa and I, we've forgotten the key, do go to mother and ask her for it.' Captain Harkness turns to Philippa and raising his hat, says, ' I shall be very pleased if I can be of any service to you, I was just on my way to see Mrs Seaton.' LIPPA 23 ' If you could get the key,' replies she, ' it would be most kind.' ' Not at all,' says he, still wondering who she is, ' I will not be long,' and he is as good as his word, reappearing with the key and setting them free, when they return to Brook Street. ' My dear child,' says Mabel, address ing Lippa, as they enter the drawing room, ' how very foolish of you to lock yourselves up like that.

I was getting quite uneasy about you, but come and have some tea, and you Teddy go up stairs to yours, Captain Harkness now let me introduce you jiiroperly to my sister-in-law.' Philippa smiles and Captain Harkness LIPPA 24 cono-ratulates himself on his afternoon O adventure. Eleven o'clock sees Mabel and Philippa on their way to the ball, not having been to many she has not become blasde, but enjoys herself thoroughly. It is still early when they reach their destination, and Mrs Seaton is enabled to find a seat in a good place for seeing, almost opposite the door. Lady Dadford followed by her daughter soon puts in an appearance and makes for them at once. ' Well, Mabel, my dear,' she begins, ' so glad to have found you here, how do you do, Philippa, you are not done up yet, I see, and you look charming, what a sweet dress you have, and I do believe you have not been introduced to my boy yet, I am LIPPA 25 afraid he isn't coming here to-night, he's such a dear boy, my Helmdon, I'm sure you will like him.

But where's Anne, ah ! dancing already, the dear child, she does do it so well,' and with a benign smile on her kind old face, Lady Dadford seats herself by Mabel. Miss Season's partners claim her one after the other ; they have very little individuality to her, of course some are better dancers than the others, but caring for one more than another, would be quite impossible she tells herself. Why is it then that suddenly as she catches sight of a certain brown head in the door way, she smiles, and when the owner comes towards her feels just a little thrill of pleasure. LIPPA Ah ! Miss Seaton let me warn you, don't pretend to care for none of them, for that thrill does not come without some cause, and almost before you are aware of it, you will find that your heart is not your own, you know quite well that Jimmy Dalrymple has found favour in your eyes, and you know too, that with very little trouble you could bewitch him.

Do not play with edged tools. Lippa waltzes off with him through the crowded room and just a little sigh escapes her as the music stops. ' Where would you like to go to ? ' asks he. ' To supper or the garden ? ' ' Oh, the garden,' says Miss Seaton, ' fancy naming them together. Supper is such a very prosaic affair,' and then as LIPPA 27 they enter the garden, ' One could almost imagine oneself miles away from London here.' ' They have arranged it awfully well,' says Dalrymple, gazing round on the illuminated parterres, and then, ' would you like to sit or shall we walk about ? ' 'Walk, I think,' replies Philippa, and so they wander on, talking about nothing in particular, and yet they both forget that there are such things as sleep and to-morrow. Having come to the end of a narrow path, and finding two empty chairs they remain there.

The lights are dim and the people passing and repassing are scarcely recognisable, but presently a lady in a light blue gown attracts Lippa's at tention. ' Who is she ? ' she says. LIPPA Dalrymple turns and looks at her. They hear a murmured sentence and then ' Eh, what ! ' in rather an unmistakeable tone. ' Oh, her partner is Helmdon,' says Jimmy, ' he's never to be mistaken with his what. The lady, I think, is Mrs Standish, an American widow, and there fore rolling in riches. I never knew an American widow who wasn't.' ' It would be very nice,' says Lippa. ' What ! to be an American widow ? ' She laughs. ' No ! to be very rich ; there would be no need to think twice as to whether you could afford anything — ' ' What a great many useless things you would get,' says Dalrymple. ' Really ! but why ? ' LIPPA 29 ' I did not mean you in particular,' he protests. ' I assure yrou I didn't ; but there are a great many useless things in the shops, which I suppose people buy.

What is the matter, Miss Seaton? For Philippa has risen hastily with a little scream. ' There's something under my chair, I felt it move,' she says, woman-like raising her skirt. Dalrymple bends down, kneel he could not in his best evening trousers, ' I don't see anything,' he says, peering about and nearly choking for his collar is high and somewhat tight. // faut souffrir pour etre beau. ' Oh, but you must,' persists Lippa. ' I felt it move. ' Wait a second,' says he, producing a LIPPA 30 match, and proceeding to light it on the sole of his pump ; they are all alone in this part of the garden, and nobody is watching them, the match will not ignite at first and then they both bend down at once nearly upsetting each other, and behold calmly blinking at them a large black cat. This is too much for Jimmy who gives way to suppressed laughter, the match goes out, and Miss Seaton though inwardly convulsed thinks proper to assume an air of dignity. ' I think I had better go back to the ball-room,' says she.

Jimmy vaguely feeling he has done something he ought not to, says ; ' I -er beg your pardon, I'm awfully sorry — ' ' What for ? ' asks Lippa, stroking her right arm with her left hand. LIPPA 31 Jimmy considers for a moment wonder ing what he had better say, and then suddenly seized with an inspiration ' I do believe I hurt you,' he says, ' the match didn't touch you, did it ? ' ' No ; but you did,' replies she, and then seeing the consternation depicted on his face, Miss Seaton smiles, and then they both laugh ' You know, you really might have knocked me over,' she says pathetically. ' I can't tell you how sorry I am,' ex claims Dalrymple, gently taking posses sion of the injured arm ; ' please forgive me ? ' ' I'll try,' she says, — ' I wonder what has happened to the cat — ' They are nearing the ball-room, and LIPPA 32 he finding this tete-a-tete very pleasant wishes to prolong it and says, ' Shall we go back and see ? ' ' I think I am engaged for this dance,' says Lippa, knowing Mabel will be wondering what has become of her. ' You'll let me have another ? ' asks Jimmy, eagerly. ' Certainly,' replies she ; ' only, no more cat-finding.

T can't bear them, can you?' ' Can't endure them,' says Dalrymple, who would agree with whatever she said. That night, or I should say next morning, when Miss Seaton retires to rest, a certain brown head figures pro minently in her dreams, together with searching after huge monsters, who all bear a resemblance to Lady Dadford. LIPPA 33 And even when awake the brown head is a subject for deep thought, and it is with a bright, happy face Miss Seaton appears (though somewhat late) at the breakfast table.

Chapter III

' Philippa,' says Mrs Seaton one day, ' I have just had an invitation from old Mrs Boothly, asking us to a Water party next Wednesday, would you like to go?' ' Who is going ? ' asks Lippa wisely, ' not only the Boothlys — ' ' I suppose the " not only," means that in that case you would not go, but rest as sured lots of other people are going, the two Graham girls, little Tommy Grant, Mr Dalrymple, and Captain Harkness,' says Mabel, ' but read the note yourself and decide — ' LIPPA 35 Philippa's mind is soon made up. ' I think I should like to go, it will be rather o fun I expect.' 'Yes. I daresay,' replies Mabel, 'then I will write at once to get it off my mind, but what day is it for ? ' ' Wednesday,' says Philippa, meaning to enjoy herself. But in one sense she is doomed to disappointment, the weather is everything that could be wished, and, donning a pretty gown, and covering her head with a dainty confection, she feels ready for the fray.

Ten o'clock is the hour fixed for starting from Station, but Teddy has been refractory over his breakfast and his mother considers it her duty to reprimand him, tears ensue, and then LIPPA some time is spent in consolation, so that they are only just in time and have to run along the platform to the saloon carriage, out of which Tommy Grant is gesticulating violently. ' You're only just in time,' says he, helping them in. Philippa looks round and does not see Dalrymple ; she finds herself next the eldest Miss Boothly who is saying, ' I am so pleased you could come,' giving Lippa's arm a little squeeze at the same time, ' I think we shall have a nice day, don't you, and you know all the people?' ' All except the man at the further end.' ' Oh ! don't you know him,' says Miss Boothly. ' He's Lord Helmdon ; he has come in the place of Mr Dalrymple, who LIPPA 37 at the last moment wrote to say he could not come, and so we asked Lord Helmdon, he's so nice ; we always fall back upon him when anyone fails us.' Chubby does not look as if he had been fallen back upon by any means, for apparently he is keeping up the spirits of the party, for they are all in shrieks of laughter.

Captain Harkness eyes Lippa from the distance, and when they reach their destination prepares to assist her to alight, when Lord Helmdon clumsily treads on her dress just as she is about to jump down on the platform ; no great damage is done, and Chubby, profuse in apologies, wins Miss Seaton's heart by the plain distress depicted on his coun tenance, and a safety pin which he pro- LIPPA duces and with which he fastens up the torn gathers, and before thev come to the river, they are on quite friendly terms, much to the disgust of Harkness, who has been attacked by his hostess's youngest daughter. Up the river they go, dividing into three parties ; Mrs Boothly, who has placed herself next Mabel, warm, and decidedly sleepy, tries in vain to feel happy in seeing her dear girls amused, and discusses the management of children with Mrs Seaton.

And the day wears on, Helmdon making himself decidedly agreeable to everyone. Lippa amuses herself to a certain extent, but she be comes irritated by the assiduous attentions of Captain Harkness, to whom she has LIPPA 39 taken a violent dislike. She gets more and more out of patience with him and at length is almost rude. It appears to have no effect upon him whatever, for like a great many other people he has a very good opinion of himself, and that this girl is not pleased with his atten tions never enters his well-curled head. Philippa has taken his fancy and as he has just made up his mind that it is time to enter the blissful (?) state of matrimony, she seems to him to be the exact person to make his wife ; money makes no dif ference, for he is one of those fortunate individuals who has almost more than he knows what to do with.

That Miss Seaton will have nothing to do with him, has not crossed his mind vet. LIPPA 40 The party disperse again at the station pouring into Mrs Boothly's ear many sweet sentences, which had she been listening would have made her think that going up the river in a boat and lunch ing on the bank was almost heaven upon earth ; but poor clear lady she is longing to get home, feeling painfully conscious of the shapeliness of her shoes ; and the pain thereby caused, absorbs all her faculties for the present : but when the above mentioned articles are removed, she thinks with pleasure how much everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and she makes up her mind to have a similar day ; only, made more pleasant to her by large and shapeless boots. Wise Mrs Boothly — LIPPA 41 Garden-parties, balls, dinner-parties, follow each other in rather monotonous succession, and Lippa is beginning to tire of them, she has been to three balls where a certain young man has been conspicuous by his absence ; and it is almost a week since he has dropped in to tea, and Miss Seaton misses him more than she will own to herself.

She is feeling out of sorts this afternoon and has betaken herself to the back drawing-room, which is only curtained off from the front, leaving Mabel and Lady Dadford in earnest conversation. Presently the door opens, and Pon sonby comes in. ' All alone,' says he. ' I thought you always had some one worshipping at your shrine.' LIPPA 42 Indeed, you are much mistaken,' replies she laughing, ' but I didn't know you were in London — ' ' I only came back this morning — ' ' Mabel and Lady Dadford are in there,' interrupts Philippa indifferently, pointing to the front room. ' Well, unless I am disturbing you, I will remain here,' says Paul, ' there are some letters I must write,' and going to the table he proceeds to hunt for paper and pens ; Lippa goes on reading her book, and a silence of a few minutes ensues.

Then he says, ' What wretched pens you do keep — ' 'Yes,' replies she, 'they are rather bad, but I think you will find some others LIPPA 43 in the right hand drawer — have you ever read this ? ' holding up her volume. ' The " Epic of Hades," yes, parts of it are very fine. " There is an end of all things that thou seest. There is an end of wrong and death and hell,'' quotes he. ' What a melancholy passage,' says Lippa. ' A very grand one I think,' he replies, ' but I should never have thought you would care for that kind of literature.' ' Why not ?— ' Because, well, I should have thought it would have been too deep for you — ' ' Really,' then after a pause, ' do you know that wasn't very polite — ' 'Wasn't it? suppose I say then that I am agreeably surprised — ' LIPPA 44 ' That's nearly as bad, if not quite, it sounds as if you expected me to read nothing but books like the " Daisy Chain," or " Laneton Parsonage." ' Very excellent books too — ' ' Oh, Paul ! how tiresome you are, do you know I,' and then Miss Seaton is filled with confusion, she has called him by his Christian name and he is looking at her and smiling. ' I — er beg your pardon,' she says quickly in her childish way. ' What for ? ' asks he, pretending not to understand her. ' For calling you by your Christian name — ' ' Well, and what harm was there ? ' ' You see,' she says deprecatingly, LIPPA 45 ' Mabel is always talking about you, and so I get into the habit of talking of you as Paul.' Paul rises and standing in front of her says — ' As I said before, where is the harm ?

I have never called you any thing else but Philippa, or Lippa ; I could not address you as Miss Seaton, it does not suit you one bit you know ; now let us make it a compact from henceforth, I call you Lippa, and you call me Paul.' ' Very well,' replies she. ' What ever are you two doing here,' and the curtain is hastily drawn aside by Mabel. ' You look as grave as judges, come and have some strawberries and cream, Lady Dadford has gone.' At the sound of strawberries, Lippa LIPPA hastily rises, and they go into the front room, where Jimmy Dalrymple is. ' How do you do,' says Philippa, wondering how long he has been there. And then they attack the strawberries. ' I'm longing to know what you two were talking about,' says Mabel. Paul laughs and replies, ' We were settling a very weighty matter, weren't we, Lippa ? ' Philippa merely says ' Yes,' and longs to turn the conversation, for what may not Jimmy think.

In truth he feels an unaccountable over whelming desire to know what the weighty matter was, but he is not to know, and therefore is kept on tenter hooks for some time. LIPPA 47 ' She came to ask us all to a cattle show and ball,' Mrs Seaton is saving. ' Who ? ' asks her brother. ' Lady Dadford ; she particularly wants you. ' I feel highly honoured, I'm sure — ' Are you going ? ' says Lippa, turning to Dalrymple. ' I was asked, but I don't know whether I shall be able to get away,' he replies, still pondering over the ' weighty matter.' ' Only a (ev. minutes ago you were telling Lady Dadford how pleased you would be to go, Mr Dalrymple; I did not know you were such a humbug,' cries Mabel. Jimmy laughs. ' Mrs Boothly,' announces the servant. LIPPA Philippa retires to the back drawing-room and Dalrymple follows her. ' I have not seen you for ages,' says he. ' Only a week, I think,' replies Lippa. ' Isn't that seven whole long days ? ' ' Short I call them, but what have you been doing ? ' ' Duty.' 'Oh!' Then after a pause he says, ' I can't make up my mind about the Dadfords, shall I go ? ' Lippa feels naughty. ' What difference could it make to me whether you went or not ? ' she says. ' None, I suppose,' replies he sadly ' None whatever,' she repeats, ' unless perhaps you make yourself very disagree- LIPPA 49 able, then I must say I would rather you stayed away.' ' But,' says he, his face brightening, ' suppose I make myself very agreeable, what then ? ' ' Could you ? ' she asks coquettishly. ' Miss Seaton,' protests he, ' how cruel you can be.' But she appears deaf, and enters the other room.

Nevertheless she gives him the benefit of a lovely little smile when he goes away, which makes him settle at once as to whether he goes to the Dad fords or not. And of course he is the first person Lippa sees on arriving there, and who shall say that it does not cause her pleasure. D

Chapter IV

' The fine fat bulls, the dear little sheep, The fat piggy-wiggy wiggies all in a heap, The beautiful Moo cows all in a row, Jolly fine fun at the cattb show.' Such a lovely day it is ; the sun shining forth in all its glory, casting a touch of gold over everything, while a hush reigns supreme ; that lovely stillness that hangs over the earth in the early morning before the work of the day begins. Lippa scarcely took in what the an cestral home of the Dadfords was like, when she arrived last night, but waking early she dresses hastily in order to LIPPA 51 survey the surrounding country, an out ing before breakfast she delights in, when all the world seems fresh and clean, and the humdrum business of life is barely begun. Passing down the wide oak staircase she comes across a friendly housemaid who shows her the way through a con servatory to the garden, such a lovely garden it is, with its broad walks, its o green velvety lawns and slopes, and its masses of old-fashioned dew beladen flowers, the perfume of which fills the morning air.

Her spirits rise as she wanders on, drinking in with delight the surrounding beauty, so absorbed is she in it that she forgets there is such a person as Jimmy Dalrymple. Quack, LIPPA 52 quack, quack, go the ducks as she approaches the lake on which they disport themselves, and gazes down at the sky therein reflected and at her own image. But she is not admiring her youthful face and the curly golden hair that stands like a halo round it. No, she is sunk in a dream ; the morning has called forth her greatest aspirations ; the striving after the unattainable ; that comes to us all sometime or other, when we feel that truly life is worth living, and that there is something beyond, so great that we cannot grasp it, but we feel it is there producing a great speechless longing within us while our hearts throb and our pulses stir till we could cry for joy.