The Wheel of Fate

Chapter I

" ~V7"ES, Constance, you can fasten up the rugs ; J- I shall certainly not require them to-day. It is so very warm. And, Gwendoline " — here Mrs. Treherne turned towards her elder daughter — "go downstairs quickly and ask the hotel proprietor if he is quite sure that the carriage will be here in time." " But I have asked him twice already ! " was the reply, spoken in a tone of mild expostulation. " Both times he said he was quite certain that it would be here punctually." "Really, Gwendoline, you should not take everything you hear for granted," rejoined her mother, with a shade of annoyance. "Ask him a third time. One cannot feel too positive when so much depends on punctuality." Gwendoline rose with reluctance to do as her mother directed. " Now, Constance," continued Mrs. Treherne, as the door closed, " you can sew that button on my glove ; and, when you have finished that, there are several other little things that you can do for me."

Momentary silence followed. Mrs. Treherne brought out her keys and tried to discover which one fitted her handbag; then, having satisfactorily solved the question, she immediately began to talk again, this time in an aggrieved voice. " I wish your Uncle Stewart had not chosen this particular moment for being ill," said she. " I was looking forward to enjoying a complete rest here. It is really too disappointing to have to return home after being in Switzerland only a fortnight ; and I do not feel absolutely sure of the wisdom of leaving you two girls here without a chaperon ! " An anxious ring was now perceptible in her voice. "The people we know here are, of course, only casual acquaintances. Happily, White is a trustworthy maid, and your father will probably be able to join you in a week or two.

I hope Gwendoline will act discreetly and with circum spection, and not laugh so cheerfully as she usually does. You, Constance, will be discreet, I am sure of that," " And I am quite sure that Gwendoline will be too, mother. You need not be anxious about us. We are quite capable of taking care of ourselves for a few days. We ought to be, at our age." " Yes, I suppose that girls of twenty-two and twenty three ought to possess a little common-sense." " The proprietor assures me that the carriage will be here punctually," said Gwendoline, entering, " and he prays that ' Madame will not be anxious on the subject.'" " That sounds satisfactory ; and now, Gwendoline " — Mrs. Treherne stopped, and glanced round ; she had a genius for finding occupation for other people — "go quickly, dear, and tell White that, if she has fastened on the labels and packed my bonnets, she can come and speak to me."

In answer to her mistress's summons, White — a spare, prim-looking maid — soon appeared. " You will be most careful of the young ladies," observed Mrs. Treherne, speaking impressively to her. " Yes, mum." "And wait upon them most attentively — especially if they catch colds ! " " Yes, mum." "Your master will probably join them next week. Meanwhile, of course, you understand " " Oh, mother ! pray do not be so very anxious about us," interrupted Gwendoline, fearful of what Mrs. Treherne might say next. " I can assure you we shall be quite safe." " I am not anxious, in the strictest sense of the word," said Mrs. Treherne, with a tinge of annoyance ; then, turning to the maid, she added authoritatively, " I have said all I wished, White ; and — my bonnets, of course, are carefully packed ? " "Yes, mum," was the answer, spoken in a manner that said : " Did you ever know me not pack carefully ?

" After White had retired no one spoke for a few minutes, then Mrs. Treherne cheerfully exclaimed : " I see my way out of the difficulty ! I will ask Mr. Hughes, the chaplain, to take charge of you — to assume, in fact, a religious protectorate over you just for the time being, until your father arrives." " But, mother ! " gasped Gwendoline in astonishment, " we know nothing about him, and he knows still less — if that be possible — of us ! " " He is a nice, quiet, unsophisticated man ! " con tinued Mrs. Treherne, speaking with greater decision, and not deigning to notice her daughter's remarks. Then rising, she added, " I shall go at once and speak to him. I know he is a well-connected, respectable person." " But, mother, we are such perfect strangers to each other ! " interposed Constance.

" My dear, that is not of the slightest consequence. Anyone with ordinary powers of divination can see at a glance that we are people of recognised social standing. I shall not refer to your father's position, naturally, for more reasons than one. It would be most foolish to allow it to be known that girls with — er — with prospects were staying here without a chaperon." "Perhaps Mrs. Hughes may not like her husband being asked to take charge of us, mother," said Constance ; " and I am sure it would be much pleasanter for us to be quite independent of everybody." "My dear child, don't talk foolishly," said Mrs. Treherne in a conclusive manner. " Mrs. Hughes is a homely, pleasant person, and will certainly be pleased to think her husband is of use to us." Without further parley Mrs. Treherne put on her veil, drew on her gloves, and then departed to find Mr. Hughes, and to inform him of the high honour — according to her own manner of thinking — destined to befall him.

He was comfortably ensconced in a lounge chair on the verandah, book in hand — the personification of a man with a clear conscience enjoying a well-merited holiday. He had come to Switzerland with the full determination to face as little exertion as possible, and to enjoy himself in a mild, unexciting manner. He listened with polite, though mild, attention to Mrs. Treherne's rambling explanation of her brother's serious illness, and the anxiety into which it had plunged the family. But when she reached that stage of her troubles which referred to the sudden curtailment of her visit to Switzerland, he became at once interested. "You must, of course, feel disappointed," he said, sympathetically. " There is nothing more necessary to people than a complete rest and change once a-year. As you are leaving in such haste, perhaps I might be of some little — er — service to you.

If so, I hope you will have no hesitation in mentioning the matter." " You are very kind," replied Mrs. Treherne in a tone of relief, "and I am sure you speak from a genuine desire to assist me." " Yes, quite so," smilingly concurred the clergyman. " You know my two daughters ? " she said, rather abruptly. "Yes." Mr. Hughes' face became slightly over clouded. " They are remaining here." "Here? Alone? At Les Avants!" There was concentrated surprise in his voice. Mrs. Treherne glanced critically at him, and asked herself the question — "Does he look a thoroughly trustworthy person ? " An emphatic " Yes " arose in* reply ; so without further hesitation she plunged into ' the subject which occupied her mind. " I am sure I can leave my daughters safely in your charge," she said rather hurriedly.

" My charge ? I don't — quite — quite — understand," stammered Mr. Hughes in evident consternation. " Yes — your charge," repeated Mrs. Treherne, utterly ignoring any possible wish he might have to decline the responsibility ; " and I am sure you will kindly see that no harm happens to them. Their father will join them in a week or ten days. Entre nous, they are attractive, and nothing would annoy me more than their becoming embroiled in any silly love affairs — you understand ? Good-bye " — she extended her hand effusively, but without ceasing to speak for an instant — " so many, many thanks. Tell Mrs. Hughes, please, I so much regretted not having the pleasure of saying good-bye to her. I see the carriage is waiting for me ; there cannot be a moment to lose ! So good of you to offer to be of use.

Sympathy is always so welcome." Here Mr. Hughes made a vain effort to speak. He had been waiting with his lips apart for some moments, ready to rush in with expostulations on the first available chance ; but no such opportunity was given him. Mrs. Treherne rambled on, without apparently waiting to take breath. " I am sure the dear girls will be safe under your charge," she continued ; " kindly nip all flirtations in the bud." Mr. Hughes shuddered, and made another unsuccessful attempt to put in a word. He was following Mrs. Treherne closely as she hurried towards the carriage. " My daughter Constance," he heard her saying, " is a reliable, quiet character. But Gwendoline is spirited — oh ! here they both are. Good-bye, dears, I must not wait a moment. Mr. Hughes has kindly offered to take charge of you."

She kissed them both hurriedly, and whispered to each : " Be economical," then added out loud, as she entered the carriage : " You must consult Mr. Hughes about everything, remember, dears — about everything." Here Mr. Hughes stepped forward, stern resolution depicted on his face. But before he had time to utter a word the horses had started off at a brisk trot, and Mrs. Treherne was waving her adieux. With a strong sense of indignation Mr. Hughes watched the carriage out of sight, then glanced round with considerable interest at the two girls whose guardianship had been thus unexpectedly forced upon him. Gwendoline was tall, graceful and dark, with vivacious, fascinating manners, and a face that possessed the irresistible charm of ever-varying expression. Constance was small and slight, with fair hair and large expressive brown eyes.

Though not possessing the striking personal attractions of her sister, there was a distinctly pleasing element in her sweet and thoughtful face. Both were quite conscious of the fact that their mother had probably strained matters in order to obtain Mr. Hughes's acquiescence to her request ; and they mentally decided not to allow him to imagine that they would take advantage of his good-nature. In silence and with quiet dignity they re-entered the hotel and returned to their rooms.

Chapter II. And

so you have positively consented to take charge of those two attractive girls, of whom we know nothing — absolutely nothing ! " gasped Mrs. Hughes, sinking into a chair, and regarding her husband with unqualified indignation and surprise. " The position was forced upon me," he replied in an explanatory voice. " Forced upon you ! " repeated his wife. " Are you, then, incapable of saying ' no ' to a presumptuous request ? " " But Mrs. Treherne did not give me an opportunity of saying anything." " Then you should have made an opportunity," was the decisive reply. " But before I had time to recover from my surprise at the request, and could fully grasp the difficulties of the situation, Mrs. Treherne said good-bye, got into the carriage, and drove away ! No one could have launched a request more precipitately ; and her manner of assuming I had said yes was — was — quite unnerving.

What could I do ? I could not raise my voice and call after her : ' I cannot take charge of your daughters. It would have been unseemly." " Naturally it would. But had I been there I should have acted with more decision," persisted his wife ; " and it is of no use your trying to explain away your own thoughtlessness. Of course, you must have acquiesced either by look or deed when Mrs. Treherne brought up the subject. It is perfectly incompre hensible to me how you could have acted so foolishly, especially considering that we came here for rest and quiet, and to be free from all responsibilities. Had I been present I should have risen to the occasion and utterly declined to have those two stylish girls left in our charge. Supposing they are flirts ? " Mr. Hughes shuddered. The thought was terrible.

He had a deep-rooted fear of flirts. " And supposing they insist on strolling about the grounds after dusk, notwithstanding our remonstrances," continued Mrs. Hughes in the same strain, noticing with satisfaction that she was making an impression, "and supposing they show a preference for talking to the — the male visitors at the hotel ? " She almost whispered the last few words. " But, my dear, that would be too dreadful — so compromising for us ! How I wish you had been present when Mrs. Treherne approached the subject ! If her daughters behave in the manner that you suggest, I fear that we shall be placed in a very awkward position. I — I — really do not know how I ought to act under the circumstances. I should not feel justified in allowing them to take moonlight walks alone : and yet I do not exactly see how I could accompany them."

" Of course you could not accompany them, William," replied his wife decisively. " If you did so, and it became known at Twiddenham, you would forfeit all your influence over the young and frivolous members of the congregation. Everyone would say that you had been flirting." " My dear ! they could scarcely say that ! " rejoined her husband in consternation. " But many would say it. You know how eagerly some people seize the smallest opportunity to say things that injure others. A little sprinkling of truth is all that is requisite, in their opinion, to cover the most unkind slander." " I am afraid you are right, in a measure ; but I should merely accompany the Miss Trehernes in the capacity of chaplain," he argued. " Taking moonlight walks with frivolous and hand some girls is not a chaplain's duty," briefly observed Mrs. Hughes.

"Perhaps not," agreed her husband, leaning back meditatively. He was a thin, gaunt man, with a kind and sympathetic face. It was a plain face, yet so full of character that it offered a pleasant study. He could not be more than forty-five, judging from his general appearance ; and his wife appeared about three years younger. Both bore the stamp of unquestionable respectability, and were exactly the class of people who regarded duties and responsibilities as matters not to be lightly undertaken, and certainly never shirked. " Now, tell me, Maria," Mr. Hughes began, speaking slowly, " what line of conduct you would suggest our adopting with regard to the two Miss Trehernes? Their father will probably join them next week ; meanwhile " He stopped and looked interroga tively towards his wife. " We shall have to take an interest in their occupa tions, and see that they keep respectable hours," she observed practically.

" It would scarcely be considered necessary, though, for me to — er — conduct them " Mr. Hughes came to an abrupt standstill ; then added hurriedly- — " to their rooms at night ? " " Of course not ! " exclaimed his wife. " It would be the talk of the hotel if you did. You don't seem in the least capable of understanding your position, or of acting discreetly." " I confess I feel very much at sea in the matter. The position is one of great novelty to me, and I feel strangely incapable of grasping its details. It seems to me that there are remarkable difficulties in my acting as temporary guardian to these two London girls. If they were only district visitors, or Sunday school teachers, or old workhouse men and women, I should feel so much easier in my mind. I always know intuitively what they want to talk about ; but these London girls have quite different types of mind.

I should imagine they prefer talking about pictures, and music, and the theatre and opera — things, my dear, that you and I know nothing about. Yet we must do our duty by them, and try to appear interested in them generally." "I suppose we must. But, William, don't let them suspect that you are not a man of learning and experience. Try and appear calm, dignified, and somewhat haughty before them. As for conversation, surely you can talk cleverly about your life at Oxford, and the great preachers of the day ; and you know those two men I often hear you mention to Mr. Bennett — you could bring their names up." " Carlyle and Ruskin, you mean, perhaps, Maria." " Yes ; and for my part I shall impress upon the Miss Trehernes that there is nothing so charming as a quiet, reticent manner. I shall certainly ask them to be punctual for table d'hdte.

Their habit of entering the salle-d-manger after everyone is seated attracts too much notice. It caused every man to glance round at them yesterday. If they only dressed badly and were plain, how much easier our path of duty would be." " Yes, it would," concurred Mr. Hughes. " If you notice, their general bearing is admirable." "Oh, yes," said his wife, shortly. "But I should strongly advise you, WiUiam, to take as little personal notice of them as possible. If they consult you specially on any matter, let me know what it is about before you give them an answer." " I will, Maria, you can rely on that." Then he added with emphasis : " It will be a great relief to me when their father joins them, and relieves me from all responsibility." B "I warmly echo those sentiments," said his wife, fervently.

"But if you are circumspect and discreet I do not think any positive harm will come of your having them left under your charge ; and perhaps we shall even be enabled to influence them for good. Judging by their style of dress, I should not imagine that they were religious. Those large, stylishly-trimmed hats of theirs have a distinctly worldly look." " I am afraid you are right — still " Mr. Hughes did not finish the sentence, but rose up and looked out of the window. " It has left off raining, Maria," he added, cheerfully ; " we '11 go out for a walk at once. There's just an hour before dinner."

Chapter III. Afew

days after Mrs. Treherne's sudden departure from Les Avants, her two daughters were ensconced in a shady nook bordering the woods near the hotel. Constance was leaning back reading a novel in a desultory, non-interested manner ; and Gwendoline was sketching. " We are managing to live very happily here by ourselves," said the latter, breaking in upon the silence. " I am sure mother need not trouble herself so much about us. Father will join us as soon as he can ; meanwhile, we are quite safe here. As for exchanging Switzerland for a stupid, fashionable English watering-place, I am entirely against such a suggestion. Are you not, Constance ? " "Yes — you know how I dislike English seaside places. I think they are the dullest and most un interesting places in the world. I would far rather pass the summer in London than go to one.

You simply ruin your complexion without gaining any benefit in return." " I shall write and tell mother that we are managing admirably alone, and that there is a dearth of bachelors at the hotel. The only man who approaches eligi bility is that French artillery officer with a bullet in his arm. The woman who marries him will have to spend a part of every day talking about that bullet. My interest in it has evaporated already." Gwendoline eyed her sketch critically, then continued : " But I am very sorry for him. It must be so sad to be a semi invalid at his age ; and he is so handsome and bright. What a funny little gushing woman his mother is ! " " I wish you would not talk to them so much," said Constance in a tone of reproof. " Then I won't in future ; but they are really inter esting people.

Madame has known some of the greatest artists of the age, and has an amusing way of discussing them. However, as she possesses an eligible son, it would probably be wiser not to talk to her. Wiser, at least, from mother's point of view, though from my own — bah ! It 's lowering to the dignity of woman hood to always imagine that a man must have matrimonial projects on hand if he makes himself agreeable to a girl. I think it would be a good plan if you were to write mother a chatty letter, describing how we pass our days here. You can dwell upon the fact that I do nothing scarcely but sketch, and am the most circumspect of all circumspect spinsters. Mother has a great opinion of what you say." Constance smiled. "It seems strange that my opinion should be taken before yours, Gwendoline." " It does, when one comes to think of it.

But I really do not mind, for you certainly are an excellent and wise person. As for myself, I feel at the present moment as far removed from any inclination to flirt as the North Pole is from the South. The more inter ested I become in my painting the more sedate I grow. As for you, Con, I don't believe you could flirt if you tried." " No ; and I have not the slightest desire to try. I should like to know what Mr. and Mrs. Hughes think of our being left on their hands. I believe they imagined that we expected to be asked to spend our days at their side ! " "Our quiet display of independence has surprised them, I think. I saw Mr. Hughes eyeing us curiously during breakfast." " Hush ! " exclaimed Constance. " Here he comes. I hope he won't see us." Mr. Hughes was advancing slowly, a meditative look on his face, and a book under his arm.

Truth fully speaking, he was beginning to feel that he had not done his duty with regard to Gwendoline and Constance. He could not quite decide in his own mind if it was his fault or theirs that they had only exchanged a few passing remarks since Mrs. Treherne's departure. He was half afraid that his manner had lacked cordiality, and he was feeling somewhat conscience-stricken on the subject. So the moment he caught a glimpse of them he decided to seize the present opportunity for showing that, so far as he was concerned, his feelings were, strictly speaking, friendly and cordial. " How do you do ? " he observed, walking up to Gwendoline. " You have chosen a very pretty spot for sketching." " This is our usual resort when it is very warm," she answered, brightly. " It is a charming, shady nook," said Mr. Hughes, glancing round.

Then he shook hands with Constance, and his heart began to soften towards these clever, independent girls. " May I look at your sketch ? " he said, returning to Gwendoline. " I am afraid it is scarcely worth looking at now. I only began it this morning." " So far it looks very promising ! " He stepped back and eyed it critically, then added : " You are no mere amateur, I see. Probably you are very fond of painting." " I love it — intensely," she replied with warmth. " Do you exhibit ? " " Yes. I had a small picture at the Academy last year. It was ' skyed,' unfortunately, so of course you did not notice it." " I very seldom go to the Academy. During our short visits to London I prefer spending my time attending the Exeter Hall meetings, and hearing the leading preachers of the day. What church do you attend, may I ask ?

" " Oh, I attend several. Would you like to hear how I usually spend my Sundays ? " " Yes, I should." There was a deeply interested ring in Mr. Hughes's voice. "I go to Matins at All Saints', Margaret Street," Gwendoline began. " The moment they are over I hurry off to Mr. Stopford Brooke's church, and get there in time for the sermon. After that I go home to lunch. When I have finished my luncheon I start off immediately to a hospital and give out books to the patients, and I generally remain and take part in the patients' service, which is held by a Low Churchman. I always go to Mr. Haweis's church in the evening. I am trying not to be narrow-minded, you see." " I am afraid your religious views will become — er — confused," said Mr. Hughes, looking perplexed ; and he at once proceeded to shift his ground.

" You have not forgotten your Catechism, I hope," he said impressively. " I find so few grown-up people retain any knowledge of it." " I believe I could say it backwards. Shall I try ? " " No — no ! it would lose so much of its meaning," he hastily observed. A smile flitted across Gwendoline's face. Then Mr. Hughes turned his attention to Constance, and made inquiries about the invalid at home, and had a little chat concerning general topics. After that he nodded a friendly farewell and continued his walk. " I like him," said Gwendoline, in her usual decided way, the moment he was beyond the range of hearing. " He has character, though it has been dwarfed by a humdrum, monotonous life. Shall we ask him and his wife to join us for tea in the woods to morrow ? " " She is so oppressively self-satisfied," replied Constance, " and has a way of imparting her knowledge to others that is distressingly aggravating.

She always appears to be proclaiming : ' This is my opinion, and I am a conscientious Christian.' " " Yes ; she has an all-absorbing confidence in herself and her own opinions ; and, do you know, I think it is one of the pleasantest things to have. Confidence in one's own abilities is the centre-point of success and happiness. People who lack self-confidence must be miserable, and can never hope to do good work. It stands to reason that this must be so. Why, then, should we begrudge poor Mrs. Hughes this comfortable doctrine ? She believes in herself, she believes in her husband, and she also believes that the world was made for them, not they for the world — a very pleasant theory to possess, one which must greatly add to the pleasure of living." " Oh, Gwendoline, don't preach. It 's appalling to be preached at on a hot day like this — it gives one a head ache.

Anyhow, if we do ask the Hughes for tea to morrow you must not take your turn at making the tea. Imagine what Mrs. Hughes would say if she saw you putting the tea-leaves into cold water and leaving them to boil up in the kettle ! " " A sensible, time-saving arrangement, and not to be despised when one is trying to catch sunlight effects." Gwendoline spoke with her usual imperturbable good humour. " If they do come I shall make the tea myself," observed Constance conclusively.

Chapter IV. It

is unfortunate — very ! " exclaimed Mrs. Hughes, as her husband folded up a letter from his nephew, Dennis Vane, and carefully replaced it in his pocket. " I wish we could stop his coming. He is so impressionable ; and, of course, we know nothing of the Trehernes, though we are forced to appear as if we were thoroughly acquainted with them, and since your chat with them yesterday we seem to have been thrown so much together. It is most annoying ! " Mr. Hughes acted discreetly in keeping his nephew's letter in his own possession ; for it contained a postscript which ran : " I hear the two Trehernes have been left in your charge. This must be a great anxiety to you, and I am hurrying to Les Avants to share the anxiety with you. Hume comes with me. Don't tell aunt — don't ! " It was decidedly against the good man's conscience to conceal this ominous news from his wife, and he felt himself somewhat of a traitor when she observed in a very pointed manner : " Of course, we shall not introduce Dennis to the Trehernes.

It would place us in a most awkward position if he paid them any attention. I wish we could prevent his coming ; but even a telegram would not reach him now. The only thing to be done under the circumstances will be for you to take him for long excursions every day, and to keep him entirely out of their reach. Young men have such a silly and unaccountable habit of being attracted by girls who are pretty and dress becomingly. But there are endless delightful excursions that you can take him, are there not, dear ? " Mrs. Hughes glanced round interrogatively at her husband. " Yes — oh, yes ! " he answered, feeling a still greater traitor. " But Dennis has his own ideas on enjoyment. Have you not noticed that ? " " Yes, I have, and I am sorry to say that my con fidence in Dennis has been sadly shaken lately.