For Erica's Sake

Front matter

A. JLflTXsXTTJESrsr NO LONGER UNKNOWN. ((\ TOW that the cold and chilly I \ season of the year has * arrived, the food we take is a matter requiring serious con sideration. ' Coffee ' has always been regarded as a superior winter beverage, its warming and invigo rating properties being generally recognised The famous FRENCH COFFEE, as used in Paris, should be selected for the morning breakfast. It can be obtained in Shilling Canisters from Messrs. BARBER & COMPANY, 274, Regent Circus, and their various branch establishments in Brighton and Birmingham. This eminent firm has been established nearly a century (since 1797) and has always been noted for the superior quality of its Teas and Coffees." — The Court Journal, Oct. 29, 1892 This is the Choicest and most Carefully Selected Coffee, " Roasted on the French Principle," and mixed with the Finest Bruges Chicory. 2-Ib.

Sample, in Tins, sent free by Parcel Post to any Post Town in the United Kingdom and Channel Islands for 2s. 6tt.; 5 Ibs., in Tins, for _S." S Ibs., in Tins, for 9s. (ill. Larger Quantities Carriage Free in England. Cheques and Postal Orders to be crossed *' Xational Provincial Sank." BARBER & COMPANY*, (THE ORIGINAL) " Established in the last Century (1797)." ONLY ADDRESSES NOW AKE— 274, REGENT CIRCUS, OXFORD STREET, W. 61, Bishopsgate Street, London, E.C. I 67, Brixton Road, S.W. 102, W estbourne Grove, W. 42, Great Titchfield Street, W. Quadrant, New Street, BIRMINGHAM. 147, North Street, & 75, East Street, BRIGHTON; also 60, Churoh Road, Hovs (their only Addresses in Sussex). "HE CAUGHT SIGHT OF A SMALL DARK FIGURE {.Chaster X., p. 68.) BY MARY E. SHEPHERD CASSELL and COMPANY Limited LONDON PARIS & MELBOURNE 1894 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reprinted from The Quiver.

Chapter I Erica Has Her Own Opinion Of Matters

" Erica, my dear ! " The tone was a soft one, with something of an apology in it, as though the gentle old lady from whom it emanated felt reluctant to disturb the fair girl who lay on a lounge near the window, with her eyes closed. Erica North was an orphan, and the idol of her grandmother, Mrs. Greville, with whom she lived. Her mother had been Mrs. Greville's only child, so it was perhaps natural that the old lady should dote excessively on Erica, her sole grandchild. Mrs. Greville waited for a few minutes, and then, meeting with no response, she crossed over to the lounge and drew down the fleecy Afghan, at the same time laying a cool hand on Erica's hot forehead. The white lids were raised instantly, and Erica looked up. " I am not asleep — I mean, I was not, grannie," she said, half smiling.

" You did not answer me, love, just now," Mrs. Greville said, putting back one of Erica's stray curls. " No ; I heard you call, but I felt too lazy to answer ; I am very rude, I think. Forgive me, grannie." She looked up with a comical expression of peni tence ; her face suddenly sobered again as she sat up to take the medicine Mrs. Greville had brought. " Oh dear ! I am so tired of this sleepy old Torris dale ; it makes me feel so dreadfully lazy and tired," she said petulantly. "You must not blame poor Torrisdale," said Mrs. Greville; "you know, you have barely recovered from your, illness y7et, and cannot expect to feel quite strong for some little time." " Let us go away again," Erica pleaded, her ey7es following Mrs. Greville as the old lady crossed the room to her favourite easy7-chair.

" My dear ! And we only came home from Harro gate last week ! " " I know. But I don't want to go back there ; let us go somewhere quite fresh." " Very well, love ; anywhere you please," Mrs. Gre ville responded quickly7, though she felt somewhat puzzled at Erica's proposal to leave home again so soon. She looked across now at Erica's thin white fingers toying with the silken tassel of her fan. " Where would you like to go, dear? " she asked. " Anywhere, grannie," was the listless answer. " Shall we — oh ! I have just thought of a place ! — shall we go to a Hydro ? You know how pleased the Lawfords were with the one at Merrivale. Suppose we try the same place ? " " Very well ; anywhere for a change, grannie. I am tired of Torrisdale, that's all." " Then we will go," decided Mrs. Greville. " You do need a fresh change, Erica ; you are not at all like your own bonny self yet, dearie • you don't seem to take any interest in anything or anybody."

Erica has her own Opinion of Matters. 9 " Grandmamma ! " Erica said reproachfully7. " Well, of course, I didn't include myself," said the old lady7, smiling ; " I think you do care for the old woman a little. But I wish you would not be quite so indifferent to two or three others whom I could name ; at any rate, I should like y7ou to give them a little less cool reception when they pay you a little attention. Mind, I don't want you to get married for several years yet. But it would be a little diversion for you : give you something to think about, my love." " I don't want to think," said Erica ; " I feel too lazy. And as for all their attentions, I don't like any one of them, from Sir James down to Paul Brend." " I thought you rather liked the latter ? " " I should like him better if I were not quite sure that he means to propose as soon as he sees his oppor tunity, which I don't intend he ever shall.

It is a great nuisance ! " and Erica looked serious. " Why, my dear, most girls enjoy courting their pro posals," Mrs. Greville said, laughing; "'the more the merrier,' they say." " I don't like them," Erica said quietly. " I hope I shall not have to say ' No ' again to any man ; it makes you feel very uncomfortable." " My love, you are too romantic. Men don't make such a fuss over a ' no ' as you imagine. Sir James cracks as many jokes as ever, and Paul Brend would enjoy the tennis to the full on Saturday if he should 'see his opportunity' to-morrow, and get a refusal from you." Erica shook her head. " I cannot agree with you, grannie," she said ; " but it is too hot to argue. I don't mean to test Paul's enjoyment of tennis, at any rate ; it would be a great pity7 to spoil his chances of winning the tournament prize."

Mrs. Greville smiled mischievously. " You will have to plan how to escape him, then, my love," she said quietly. " I met him this morning coming from Foxhoe, and he said he intended calling this evening to see you." i J " Oh, how provoking ! " exclaimed Erica. " It is just that, and nothing else. I shall not see him, grandmamma ; I will " " But you must, my dear ; I told him you were dis engaged." " Oh, bother ! " Mrs. Greville judiciously kept silence. " Well, I suppose if I must, I must," Erica said at last. " Only, grannie, promise me you will not leave us alone at all, even for a minute." And Mrs. Greville reluctantly promised.

Chapter II

"'twixt the cup and the lip." PAUL Brend felt his heart leap quickly as a sudden bend in the road brought him in full view of The Cedars. Another moment, and it was again hidden from sight by the stately trees from which it took its name. " I have no hope," he kept repeating to himself, as he walked slowly up the winding carriage drive, " but I must tell her — yes, I must speak." He was ushered into the drawing-room, where Mrs. Greville and Erica were both sitting — the elder lady busy knitting a pale pink wrap, and the younger idly lolling in a low chair, with Dandy, her favourite pug, curled up in the folds of her white dress. She half rose and extended her hand to Paul, as the young man, having greeted Mrs. Greville, came forward, and then languidly settled back in her chair, still retain ing Dandy, who, after a friendly sniff at Paul, resumed his slumbers.

" You are looking better," said Paul, as he took a seat about equi-distant from Erica and Mrs. Greville, his eyes the while eagerly observant of the former. " Did you mean me ?" she queried, looking up at him. "Why, yes," he answered, "of course. Why need you ask ? " and his dark eyes were bent tenderly to meet her own. " You didn't mention any name, that was all," Erica said, with a half-laugh. " I was looking at you when I spoke," Paul said simply. " Oh, I beg your pardon," she said quickly. " I be lieve I was looking at Dandy at the time." She felt uneasy under the fire of those dark eyes, and was thankful when Mrs. Greville came to her rescue by saying — " Yes, I think Erica is just a trifle better than when you saw her last ; but still I am very anxious about her. She seems so languid and weak."

" I am afraid she does not get sufficient fresh air and exercise," said Paul, looking gravely at her. " I go for a drive every fine morning," Erica said hurriedly, afraid lest he should prescribe some walks with himself for her companion. " But I don't think that is sufficient," he rejoined. — " Mrs. Greville," turning to that lady, " can you trust her with me in my little canoe on the river ? The Torris breezes would do her a world of good, and I will take every care of her." It was fortunate that Paul's eyes were directed towards Mrs. Greville, and so escaped seeing the look of dismay with which Erica greeted this proposal. " Thank you very much," Mrs. Greville said, coolly ignoring the expression on Erica's face. " I should be very pleased for Erica to go with you sometimes. And as for trusting her with y7ou — why, my dear Paul, every one knows how clever you are at boating, and all that sort of thing.

I should be delighted for her to go." " Thank you," said the young man gratefully. — ■ '' When may I come for you ? " he asked, turning to "'Twixt the Cup and the Lip'.' 13 Erica, who sat vainly trying to discover a loophole of escape. " I — I don't know just yet, thank you," she answered confusedly. " Will to-morrow evening suit you ? " and he looked wistfully at her. Erica hesitated for a moment. " I have an engagement," she said at last, looking down at Dandy7's silky coat. Mrs. Greville looked inquiringly at her. " My dear, I don't remember " she began, and then stopped short at Erica's appealing glance. Paul saw her confusion, too, and generously came to her aid. " Suppose we let it stand over till next week," he said gently. " Please don't allow it to upset any previous engagement you may have made.

Any evening will suit me." He was rewarded by a swift glance of gratitude which she shot at him, and which — foolish fellow ! — made his cheek burn for an instant. " Thank you ; you are very kind, Paul," was all that escaped her lips. Inwardly she was saying to herself — " I wonder what he would think if he knew ' the engagement ' was just my seeing that Dandy had his bath properly ? " The conversation began to turn on general topics then, much to Erica's relief; and for about twenty minutes she breathed freely. " He is behaving quite sensibly," was her verdict as she listened to his lively talk, now and then putting in a few monosyllables by way of contribution. Gradually, however, she began to notice some breaks in the stream of conversation. Mrs. Greville chatted as volubly as ever, but Paul's share grew less and less.

" This won't do," she thought ; " he will be doing something desperate presently if I don't interest him ; " and so she exerted herself to revive the flagging tide of talk. Not very successfully, however • Erica's powers in that direction were very limited, and he still seemed distrait. " It is getting late, I think," he remarked at length, glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece and then at Erica, in the vain hope that Mrs. Greville would under stand. " Oh, don't hurry away7, Paul," she said pleasantly, going on with her knitting as composedly as though she meant to sit in her chair all night. " Let me see : what was it I wanted to ask you ? Oh ! is it true that the Daylesfords are coming back to the Manor again?" " I believe so," he replied ; " if the general report speaks truly, they will be here in a few weeks."

" Is it possible I did not make it clear this morning that my visit would be only to Erica ! " was his silent comment on the old lady's obtuseness. " Dear me ! And they really are coming back to the old place," said Mrs. Greville ; " well, they will But you are surely not going yet, Paul ? Erica will Erica, love, just go to the piano and give Paul a little song : what is that pretty one you had last ? " " Down, Dandy7, down," Erica said, depositing her pug on the floor, and rising with unwonted alacrity. " I am quite out of practice," she said, as Paul came forward to help her open the instrument. " I haven't touched the piano for weeks. What would y7ou like me to sing?" she asked, kneeling down by the music canterbury. "'Twixt the Cup and the Lip" 15 He knew her repertoire — not a very extensive one — by heart, and at any other time would eagerly have expressed a wish for one or two favourites.

But this evening, with those words burning on his tongue, all her songs seemed much alike to him, and so he answered indifferently: "Pray please yourself; I have no preference." His tone was polite, but the words wounded Erica's sensitive pride. " Oh, very well," she said coldly, rising to her feet ; " I have no preference, either." " Forgive me," cried Paul, seizing her hand in both his own. " Erica, you know I didn't mean to vex you ; I " " What — what is all this ? " exclaimed Mrs. Greville. " Erica, why are you not going to sing for Paul ? " " He doesn't want me to," Erica replied, withdrawing her hand from the grasp in which it was held, and turn ing away from the piano. " Don't be angry with me, Erica," stayed her steps ; and in truth, a more stubborn temper than Erica's would have yielded to those beseeching tones.

Her irritation vanished at once, and she smiled graciously. " I am not angry, Paul," she said. "Then will you sing something? 'Waiting' per haps ? Or, stay " — a happy thought striking him — " perhaps you do not care about singing this evening. Won't you just come out in the conservatory and show me those new pelargoniums you were speaking of last week ? " Speech failed Erica for an instant. What should she do ? Avoid a tete-a-tete with him she must. " Grandmamma," she said, raising her voice, after a moment's irresolution, " Paul wants to see those new Pelargoniums of yours ; please come and show us where they are." " My dear," said the old lady, " is it possible you have forgotten where to look for them ? " Mrs. Greville was both proud and fond of her con servatory, and liked nothing better than a personal exhi bition of her gardener's horticultural skill ; so, disregard ing Paul's assurance that they should " be able to find them without troubling her," she put down her knitting, and, pushing up her gold-rimmed spectacles, led the way across the room and through the wide French doors, which stood open.

The two followed her in silence, Erica secretly amused at the chagrined expression of Paul's face. " Here is my favourite," said Mrs. Greville, stopping before a magnificent specimen of geraniaceœ with large white petals richly veined with crimson ; " it is quite a new variety. Walters says he is sure it will take a first class prize at the show." " Yes, it is very fine," said Paul, feeling it was neces sary to say something, but casting about in his mind at the same time for some other method of securing the wished-for interview with Erica. " Ah ! perhaps you like darker flowers best ? See here," and Mrs. Greville led him to a stand filled with smaller specimens, whose rich violet and pink petals were deeply variegated and veined with dark purple and crimson. " What do you think of these ?

" " They are very beautiful," he answered, his eyes meanwhile following Erica, who was slowly disappearing through the French doors. " Yes, I am glad you like them. Ah ! Erica has gone in, has she ? Good child ! she knows I never allow her to stand long on these tiles ; I am always afraid she "'Twixt the Cup and the Lip." 17 will get rheumatism. Now look at this spirca ; isn't it a gigantic affair ? " Once on the subject of flowers, and there was no stopping Mrs. Greville's tongue. All round the spacious conservatory Paul was trotted, until nearly every plant had been pointed out for his benefit, and it was not until after nine o'clock that he was permitted to escape from its flower-scented dusk into the cooler air of the drawing room. The parlour-maid was lighting the lamp as they entered, and Paul could see that Erica was lying back gracefully in her low chair.

" You will stay to supper, Paul ? " said Mrs. Greville. He hesitated, and looked wistfully at Erica. " I think not, thank you, Mrs. Greville," he answered, noting the indifferent expression on Erica's face as she turned it towards him. Evidently she did not care whether he stayed or not, and he should probably gain nothing by remaining —might even damage his cause by so doing. "Yes, stay," Mrs. Greville urged, as the gong just then sounded. " Thanks, Mrs. Greville, but you must please excuse me this evening," Paul answered, crossing over to Erica's chair. — " Good-night, Erica." " Good-night, Paul," she said, rising, and holding out her hand. « And — and may I come for you some evening next week ? " he ventured to ask, holding it for an instant in his own. " Oh, we are going away," she answered quickly ; " going to a Hydro, somewhere or other, next week."

" Going away again ? " he asked, with a blank, disappointed look ; " not for long, I hope ? " U He looked beseechingly down at her : somehow Erica found it difficult to answer just then. " No, not for long, Paul," Mrs. Greville answered. " We shall be home again soon, I expect : Erica will soon long for Torrisdale again." " I fear not, Mrs. Greville," was the grave answer. " Torrisdale has very few attractions to offer her, I am afraid." He bowed low as he spoke, and in another moment the door had closed behind him. " Well, my love, I hope you are satisfied," Mrs. Gre ville said, laughing and shaking her head at Erica. " Silly child ! " — and she patted Erica's cheek — " why, I had three proposals before I was your age — you are eighteen, are you not ? — and not a tithe of your good looks.

You needn't blush, my pet. All girls get some, unless they are very plain ; so " " Katharine is neither the one nor the other," Erica said quickly, " and she is twenty-two." " Katharine Hembury is a very nice girl," Mrs. Gre ville said complacently ; " but of course, my love, you must not compare her position in society — or appearance cither, for that matter — with y7ours. I suppose she will be married some day to some nice — ah — person in her own station." " Katharine is a lady, grandmamma," interpolated Erica. " Why, yes, my dear ; of course — she is your friend. But still, as I was saying, your position and hers are so different. Of course she would not expect to be sought after like you are, my love. Well, well, I kept my promise, remember, though you did not deserve it."

Chapter III

A DIFFICULTY AND ITS EXTRICATION, AND SOMETHING MORE. " All change here for Pilston, Merrivale, Ashleigh, Lakehurst, Bedwin ! " shouted a guard. " Merrivale ! " repeated Mrs. Greville, just roused from a doze in her comfortable corner, "why, that is Erica ! Erica ! " " Oh dear ! another change ? What a nuisance ! " complained Erica, yawning behind her book, and then coming forward from her end of the railway carriage. " Quick, Collins, or we shall not catch our train," said Mrs. Greville, hastening her maid, who was somewhat tardy in her movements. Collins gathered up the ladies' light wraps and etceteras, and followed them on to the platform, which Mrs. Greville's foot was tapping impatiently. " Dear, dear ! and no porter at hand to direct us to our train," she said, looking round eagerly for an official of some kind.

" Here, Collins, give me those things, and go in search of one," she said, taking the wraps from the maid's arm. " See, there is one wheeling that load of luggage at the end of the platform." Collins obediently departed, returning in a few moments to say, breathlessly, that they " must hurry ; only had five minutes to catch the train for Merrivale." B " He said we must cross that bridge " — pointing to one at some distance on the right—" then turn to the— the right, then take another turning to the left, and there we are." " Come ! quickly, then; " and relinquishing the wraps once more to the panting Collins, Mrs. Greville led the way in the direction pointed out. The bridge was soon gained and crossed. " First turning to the right, was it not ? " Mrs. Gre ville asked of Collins. " Yes, madam," was the answer, without any hesitation, " then turn to the left."

On they7 hurried for a few steps, and then all three simultaneously7 came to a standstill. A blank wall ran right across in front of them ! Mrs. Greville turned wrathful Iy to Collins — " How could you be so stupid as to make such a mistake ? " she exclaimed. " I thought how it would be when I sent you ! " " I am very sorry, madam," began Collins ; " I " " Now we shall lose that train, and all through your good-for-nothing " " Oh, come," interrupted Erica, " we had better get back as quickly as possible, grannie ; you can scold Collins to-morrow. See, there is no one here we can inquire of." So with all speed they retraced their steps until they found themselves once more on the bridge, poor Collins so thoroughly crestfallen that she did not dare to utter a word of any kind. " Well, what shall we do now ?

" Mrs. Greville demanded, looking round hopelessly at the constant stream of people crossing to and fro ; " dear, dear now annoying it is ! What a fix we are in, to be A Difficulty and its Extrication. 21 sure ! I am certain we shall not reach Merrivale to night." " Excuse me," said a voice behind her, " can I be of any assistance, madam ? " Both ladies turned to the speaker, who raised his hat and bowed low. " We are trying to find the Merrivale train," Mrs. Greville explained ; " my maid here " He cut her explanations short with a hurried "Follow me, if y7ou please — the train leaves almost immediately." Another minute, and he was handing them into a first-class carriage, Mrs. Greville thanking him profusely the while. " Pray don't mention it ; I am happy to have been able to assist you," he said ; and with another bow and parting look at Erica, who smiled gratefully at him from her cushions, the gentleman disappeared.

The excitement and fatigue of even the short three hours' journey from Torrisdale completely exhausted Erica, and she was glad when the Hydro was reached, and she could go straight to her room. A good night's rest, however, thoroughly refreshed her, and by eleven o'clock she had breakfasted, and was standing beside Mrs. Greville on the broad terrace which ran round the three sides of the building. " Well, where would you like to go, dear ? " Mrs. Greville was saying, when two girls in boating costume passed along the terrace. They nodded and smiled as they passed, then sud denly halted, while the elder ran back a few steps and held out her hand, saying — '• I am glad to see some more fresh faces ; you have just come, I understand ? " Erica assented, and Maud Travers, having introduced herself and her sister Grace, all four ladies walked slowly down a winding asphalt path which led to the lake.

"You will come with us?" Miss Travers asked, as they came in sight of the clear, still water. " Ah ! there is Ted waiting for us." " Hulloa ! you have come at last," greeted them ; and the speaker, a tall young fellow of about twenty7, sprang out of the little blue boat drawn up at the water's edge. Miss Travers introduced him, and in a few moments Erica found herself sitting beside Maud in the stern, while Grace and Ted Lyne seated themselves and began to ply their oars vigorously. " It is very pleasant," Erica said, thoroughly enjoying the swift motion. " And oh, what a magnificent bird \" she exclaimed, looking round at the superb black swan following majestically in their wake. " Yes ; ah, that reminds me — Ted," Miss Travers called, "not quite so quickly7, please ; I want Miss North to see the swan's nest on this island as we pass."

" It's round the other side of the island," sang out Ted. "Grade, don't dip y7our oar so deeply." " Yes, of course — I had forgotten. Well, make for it, please," said Miss Travers. " This is one of the ' lions ' of the lake," she said to Erica as they came slowly round a crag jutting out into the water, and gained the other side of the island. Someone else was evidently trying to get a view of something amongst the brushwood ; for as they7 rounded the crag they caught sight of a red boat only a few strokes ahead, the sole occupant of which was peering carefully over his shoulder as he rested on his oars. " Hulloa ! that's the new fellow," Ted called out ; " I say, Maud, what's his name ? I can't remem " A Difficulty and its Extrication. 23 "Hush!" said Miss Travers, raising a warning finger.

" I believe he is the Mr. Lascelles who came last night," she said in a low voice to Erica ; " but in those flannels, and with his back to us, I can't be certain." " Stop, Grade," cried Ted, " or we shall run foul of him. Hulloa ! you there," raising his voice, " have you seen the swan's nest ? " The stranger turned round quickly, and Erica almost started at recognising again the dark eyes and handsome features of their friend of the day before. " Yes, it is he," Maud whispered ; " Ted was right." " I believe I did just now get a glimpse," was Mr. Lascelles' response, at the same time raising his cap and bowing to the ladies. For an instant his glance rested on Erica, and then she saw a swift smile of recognition cross his face as he again courteously raised his cap, Erica feeling annoyed with herself for the sudden deepening of the colour in her cheeks as she returned his bow.

They made a pretty picture under the shade of the overhanging trees. Erica's white dress, and hat caught up on one side with a bunch of blue cornflowers, formed a cool contrast to her companion's bright red and blue stripes, and reflected with a pleasant gleam in the dark, limpid water on which they were gently swaying. Perhaps Mr. Lascelles thought so too. At any rate, it was not until Ted Lyne had asked him, somewhat impatiently7, to "shove off a little, just to give these ladies a peep," that he changed his boat's position. " I beg your pardon," he said then ; and seizing his oars, the boat sped swiftly away, Erica watching closely their long sweeping stroke, and not sorry to receive another low bow just before the boat vanished behind another tangle of brushwood. The morning passed only too quickly, so Erica thought, and she was sorry when the luncheon-bell sounded.