CHAPTER X.

_CHRISTMAS._

"Guy, Guy! oh, dearest Guy! Can it really be you? It seems too good to be true!"

"Very much myself, _Schwesterling mein_, and very delighted to be here at last, and to see you in all your glory!"

"Oh, Guy, it is delightful! It is like a dream! Why did you not tell me you were coming?"

"Because I am rather an uncertain mortal in the winter, and I would not have had you disappointed for anything. I knew you would be anxious about the mother, and I did not want you to have any more bothers. Besides, I like a surprise."

"So do I when it takes this form! Oh, Guy, it is so good to see your dear face, and to have somebody here for Christmas! How pleased Desmond will be when he comes home! Edmund will run over just for the few days he can get away; but when his leave is due he will go home, of course. Now tell me about all the dear ones at home. Make yourself comfortable in that big chair, and I will get you your tea. It is so good to have you there! Now tell me about them all--mother in particular."

"She is much better; it was just a sharp attack of bronchitis. We think she took a chill. Of course Mary has been busy nursing her and looking after things, so it was impossible for us to think of a family gathering here--even if father and Henry could have got away. Nor did it seem a very advisable thing, all round, to have you and Desmond across to us. Then I made up my mind that if mother were really convalescent, and they could spare me, I would come here myself to be your companion during some of these dull winter days. They all thought it a capital plan, and here I am, you see!"

"It is delightful!" cried Odeyne, with shining eyes. "It will make Christmas just perfect. There will be a few quiet gaieties to enliven you. I keep rather quiet, because I prefer it; but you can have a good deal of fun if you like it. It is rather a gay little place in its way."

"My fun will be sitting at home with you, I think, little sister. That's rather more my idea of enjoyment than gadding about, though, of course, I want to know Desmond's people, and will make one of any family gathering to which I am asked. Now tell me every single thing about yourself, and your life, and all that you do. You have been very good about writing long letters; but after all letters only give a rather dim and distant idea of the real thing."

To have a long and confidential talk with Guy was just the luxury most desired by Odeyne. To her second self she could pour out all that was in her heart about her new life and the people by whom she was surrounded. Long before the story was done an interruption came in the arrival of Desmond; and his cordial welcome to his wife's brother put Guy perfectly and entirely at his ease in this house. Desmond had always been very fond of Guy, and to have him on a visit of indefinite length suited him exactly.

Desmond was in almost boyishly high spirits all the evening, and upon the next morning. He laughed, and made obscure remarks to Odeyne, not altogether comprehensible to her; till at last she turned laughingly to Guy, and said--

"He is up to some mischief--I know he is! He always betrays himself like that when it is coming!" Then turning to Desmond and shaking her finger at him, she said, "Take care, you bad boy, and don't you get into trouble, or you'll be well hen-pecked when you come back to me, I can tell you!"

And as Desmond went off laughing and bubbling over with mirth, after kissing his wife as he always did, she turned to her brother and said--

"He is such a boy still in some of his ways, but he really is growing to be a very good man of business, they say. We had a dinner for some of the other members of the firm not long ago. They were heavy City men, not the sort of people we meet in society as a rule, but very worthy in their way. Several of them said very complimentary things about Desmond's abilities to me. I am so glad he has that regular occupation as a sort of ballast, for he has such high spirits that if he had nothing to do but enjoy himself I should be almost afraid for him."

"He seems wonderfully young for his years and position," said Guy; "but it is nice to see him so happy; and if he works hard, too, no one need fall foul of his high spirits."

Odeyne spent a very happy morning showing Guy all over her house and garden. Cissy Ritchie had gone home the day before the arrival of the brother, as Odeyne felt it would be selfish to keep her away during all the pleasant bustle of the Christmas preparations at home. And now, having Guy, she wanted no one else; and they spent a charming morning together, his interest and pleasure in her possessions giving them an added value in her eyes.

"Desmond must be a richer man than he told us," was his comment as they sat at lunch together, the servants having handed the dishes and retired. "We knew by the settlements that he had a very fair fortune of his own; but there is something almost princely in the way he spends his money here. Does it feel at all strange to you to be the queen of so much grandeur?"

"It did at first; but I have grown used to it. You don't mean you think Desmond extravagant, do you, Guy?"

"I certainly meant no criticism of that sort," answered Guy. "You know extravagance is to my thinking spending more than a man has a right to do--more than he can really afford. If he is living within his income, giving a fair proportion to those who need it, and keeping a margin for a less prosperous day, then, according to my ideas, he has a full right to do as he will with the remainder, so long as he does not fritter it away in follies and vanities, or, of course, in vicious pleasures. But I am sure Desmond has no tendencies of that sort."

"Indeed, I hope and trust not; but I do sometimes wonder if he is not a little more fond of spending money than is quite wise. He is very generous to everybody; he gives away liberally to a number of good objects, and likes me to help in the parish and subscribe to all the local charities. I am more afraid of his being indiscriminate in his charities than niggardly. He is always so sorry for people in trouble. He is a very dear fellow, though I suppose it is not for me to praise him!"

"Never mind, I like to hear you," answered Guy. "And now tell me about little Alice! I have a box of presents for her from her people and friends at home. They were rather taken by surprise at the suddenness of the marriage, and had not got the things all done in time. Shall we take them to her this afternoon, if you have nothing more important on hand?"

"I should like that very much," answered Odeyne. "I have only just seen her since she got home. They had a little trip after the wedding; but they arrived home three days ago. Alice had hardly got settled down then, but now she will be ready for visitors. She will be delighted to see anyone from the old home. We will order the carriage and go."

This was accordingly done; and the brother and sister reached the pretty lodge early in the afternoon. There was a small maid-servant with ribbons in her cap to open the door, greatly to Guy's amusement. This damsel showed them into the parlour, where she said her mistress would see them directly; she had run out a few minutes before, but would certainly not be long gone. She was doing up her dress, the girl informed them, with an air of pride, for a ball at the Royal George that evening.

This fact explained the remarkable state of the parlour, which was littered from end to end with odds and ends of white ribbons and bits of silk. Upon the table lay Alice's wedding dress, upon which she was plainly at work, taking out the sleeves, and cutting it low in the neck, in obvious imitation of some of Odeyne's Paris gowns, which had filled Alice with boundless admiration. Long white gloves lay upon the table, together with what Odeyne did not at all like to see--some sham diamond ornaments--a clever enough imitation of the real thing; but only a trumpery imitation, yet too costly all the same for Alice to buy.

Guy took in all this as quickly as Odeyne herself, and uttered a long, low whistle.

"This is an odd sort of development for that quiet little dainty Alice. How comes it all about?"

"I don't know," answered Odeyne, with tears in her eyes. "I am afraid I have not done my duty by her. I was always fond of her, and she seemed like a little bit of home. I talked to her, and perhaps made too much of her, and she is so pretty that when she went about with me she was always noticed and made much of. I am afraid that vanity has always been her besetting sin, and that I have not done enough to combat it."

At this moment Alice came hurrying in with her hands full of sprays of delicate ivy. Odeyne remembered that one of her Paris dresses was trimmed and adorned with ivy sprays, and that Alice had always particularly admired it. The inference was obvious. The ex-maid was going to appear at this local festivity in a dress closely imitating one of her mistress's. It was not the imitation itself that troubled Odeyne, but the incongruity of the whole thing--Alice dressed up to the eyes, going to a ball, when she would have been so much better and happier sitting at home with her husband, mending his stockings and cooking his supper!

The girl crimsoned from brow to chin on seeing her visitors, and hastily invited them into the other room, where there was not all that litter about.

"Jane was so stupid," she grumbled, with a toss of the head; "really, servants were more trouble than they were worth!"

Odeyne made no comment on what she had seen. She knew very well that any remonstrance would be thrown away. Alice was now a married woman, free of all control in her own house, save that of her husband. If he approved this kind of thing it was not for others to interfere, and Odeyne contented herself with inquiries about the little holiday trip, and whether the lodge was a comfortable place to live in.

Then the box was brought in, and Guy gave her the key, and quite a number of messages from her mother and friends. Alice grew more like herself at this point, and opened the box with natural curiosity; but her face fell somewhat as she drew out its contents, and there was something like a supercilious curl on her pretty mouth as she laid the things out on the little sofa.

A year ago she would have been delighted by the quiet and neatly-made dresses and the comfortable, warm shawl that her mother and sisters had made for her, and her brother sent from his manufactory. To Odeyne's eyes they looked far more suited to the young wife's position than the finery in the next room. But Alice was evidently of quite another opinion.

"It's kind of mother, to be sure; but folks right away in the country don't know anything about fashions and style. Why, those things might have come out of the ark! But then poor mother would never be any the wiser!"

"They are nice, serviceable dresses," answered Odeyne, "and your mother and sisters' beautiful needlework would make any of their handiwork valuable. I think you will find their presents very useful, Alice."

"I can wear them up at the house when I come," said Alice, as if this were rather a bright idea; and it gave Odeyne the opportunity of saying--

"You have not found your way up there since you came back."

"No, ma'am, I have been so very busy. It takes time to get settled and in order; but I shall come very soon--perhaps to-morrow."

Odeyne looked at her rather gravely.

"I think you will be too tired to-morrow, Alice, after the ball to-night."

Alice coloured up, but answered rather hastily and defiantly--

"Well, ma'am, I can't help the ball. It's got up partly for us--Walter having been a guest there so long, and me being a bride, and all that. I don't see why we shouldn't have our bit of fun as well as our betters. Everything's going to be done in first-class style, and I'm to open the ball with the master of the house--just as you did, ma'am, when you went as a bride to Lord Altrincham's."

"I was not finding fault with you, Alice," said Odeyne with gentle gravity. "You have a husband now to take care of you. If he approves of this sort of thing I have nothing to say."

"Oh, Walter likes to see me dressed like a lady and everybody admiring me," answered Alice with the freedom of one to whom a considerable liberty of speech has been granted.

"To be sure, he is often a bit jealous--that's the way with men--but he likes it all the same, and was pleased for us to go. Most of the guests pay for their tickets, but Walter and I go free, because it's our wedding ball, you know."

Odeyne did not stay long. She felt rather sorrowful and anxious, and yet altogether helpless as regards Alice, and she had an uneasy feeling that perhaps it had not been a good thing for her, this transporting of her from the quiet Rectory to the gayer life of the Chase. But Guy tried to cheer her up.

"She would never have stayed there. She was resolved to go and see life for herself elsewhere. She might have done much worse. She is married now to a man of whom all speak well. It is the fashion nowadays to ape the gentry in everything. It is a pity they cannot take their pleasures more simply; but we have to take things as they are, not as we should like to see them. Alice will play her little game of vanity and display, and enjoy it; let us be thankful she has a husband at her side all the while. When she has a few babies to look after she will think of things differently. The responsibilities of life will come upon her quite fast enough."

When Desmond came home that afternoon it was by an earlier train than usual; and out of the back of the dog-cart came a large box and a number of parcels, and as he flung them down gaily on the drawing-room sofa he exclaimed--

"There, little wifie! I told you I would look after the presents for 'home.' You see if I have chosen right, and give me credit for being a good shopper!"

"Oh, Desmond! how delightful of you! I was beginning to think you had forgotten. Let us have the lamp in and examine everything! We ought to send them off to-night, or first thing to-morrow, for it is the twenty-first--and traffic is always crowded just now."

It was indeed a grand show of presents that was displayed when the lamps were brought in. Desmond had forgotten nobody, and seemed to have intuitions as to the taste of all. For the Rector there were rare old books on divinity, and some modern works which were exciting no small stir amongst thinking men, and which Odeyne was certain her father would delight in possessing. For the mother there was a beautiful soft Indian shawl, just such a wrap as her children would love to see her in; for Mary a fur-lined cloak that would enable her to resist the cold, even in the severest weather; and for Henry, who did all the long tramps over the scattered parish in the snow, and all the night-work too, a fur-lined coat--just such a one as Desmond wore himself up to town in cold weather.

"Henry and I could always wear each other's things," said Desmond, as he undid the bundle, "so if it fits me it will fit him. I should have liked to get one for the father too, but I knew he was so wedded to his wonderful Inverness that I don't believe he would ever wear it."

"I don't think he would," answered Odeyne; "he will never put on anything with sleeves. But for Henry this will be splendid; he will not mind the weight, and he does feel the cold a good bit."

For the three little girls there were wonderful boxes of bonbons, story-books, and dolls. For the old servants, shawls, tea-caddies, and so forth. Then he had bought a plated tea-pot and sugar basin for Alice and her husband, and various small things for old people on the estate.

"I sent things off for the mother, and Maud, and Beatrice, and Algy, straight from the jewellers," he explained; "I always think that women-folk like jewellery better than anything else; and they will show you them all in good time, if you care to see. Don't you expect anything yourself, wifie, after all this outlay? I'm about bankrupt now, till the next quarter begins"; and Desmond laughed gaily as he bent to kiss Odeyne.

"I don't want anything but you, Desmond," she answered, with a happy light in her eyes, "and I told you all along that my Christmas present was to be the _carte-blanche_ you gave me to make a nice Christmas for all the poor people on the estate."

Odeyne was in fact very busy all these next days with her distribution of doles and gifts. She took great interest in the people about them, those who were her husband's tenants, and those who belonged to the parish also. From the Ritchies and from the clergyman's wife she had learned much about them; and Christmas Eve was quite given over to the pleasure of seeing the people all going happily away with the gifts of good things provided.

But when Odeyne came down on Christmas morning to find her plate piled with parcels--many of them brought by Guy from home, others come by post, some left at the house by friends in the neighbourhood--there was one suspicious-looking packet which she could not but open first, and there, within the morocco case, lay a wonderful diamond necklace and pendant, that even Odeyne's experience told her must have cost a small fortune.

"To my dear wife," were the words inscribed upon a little scrap of paper inside the lid; and when Odeyne lifted her dazzled eyes there was Desmond standing over her, to put his arm about her and press kisses on her lips.

"Darling, I won't be scolded!" he cried gaily. "It is my good little wife who keeps me from bad habits, and sends me into the City day by day, making a richer man of me than I ever thought to be! I will have my own little whims as to how I spend the money she has helped me to earn. Even the careful Guy will say that that is all fair and square!"

Guy and Edmund were both at table, and both struck dumb by the magnificence of Desmond's gifts. Guy's was a splendid dressing-bag with every accessory heart could wish, and silver monograms on everything; and Edmund's a complete hunting rig--scarlet coat, white breeches, top boots, and immaculate hat--all from one of the first tailors in London (Edmund understood now why he had been badgered into leaving a suit of clothes at the Chase on the pretence of its making his visits easier), and a fine set of golf tools, which he had been desiring for some time, but had not yet thought himself justified in buying.

"Really, Desmond, you are too generous!" they cried, pressing up to thank him; but he waved them gaily off, saying--

"Don't thank me. Thank Odeyne; it's all her doing, I assure you. And, besides, a man and his wife are one; so she must never be left out of anything you attribute to me."

Odeyne looked at her bright-faced young husband with a world of love in her eyes, and wondered whether ever woman was so happy as herself that day.

Upon the morrow was a grand ball at Beatrice's house. Odeyne had begged off, and had been permitted to stay quietly at home; and Guy would now be her companion, as late hours and dancing were alike injurious to him; but Edmund and Desmond of course must be there; and Odeyne had promised to drive Guy over earlier in the day, to introduce him to her sister-in-law, and look round at the flower-decked rooms and at the preparations for the evening's festivity. Guy had been introduced before this to Mrs. St. Claire and Maud, and had been very cordially received there. But, so far, he had not seen Beatrice, and was glad of the opportunity.

It was impossible to catch Mrs. Vanborough at a disadvantage. Although she had been busy all the morning superintending the arrangement of the rooms, and although her hair was tumbled, and she had on, for her, quite an old dress, she managed to look bewitchingly bright and pretty as she came sailing down the staircase to meet them; and Odeyne noticed in a moment that the slightly forced mirthfulness of her laugh and the haggard expression of her eyes had quite vanished, leaving her all sparkle, and brightness, and life.

"You delightful creature! I was afraid you might be afraid of the snow. And I am dying to thank you and Desmond for your lovely present. Algy says opals are unlucky; but I don't care if they are. I am not superstitious, thank goodness, and I love them and dote on them. I am going to wear them to-night. I have a lovely new dress I want you to see. Oh yes, and Guy shall come too! I'm not foolish enough or inexperienced enough not to know that men like to see pretty things just as well as we do, and often have just as good taste. Come and see my dress and my flowers--I have had three splendid bouquets sent me, and I hardly know which to wear. You shall help me to decide. I'm sorry you won't be there to-night; but I shan't bother you to come. I believe you will be better at home, really; and you will have Guy to take care of you."

Beatrice's friendly way of adopting Odeyne's brothers almost as her own, gave them a feeling of intimacy with her almost at once; and Guy was quite pleased to follow her into the luxuriously-appointed upstairs room, where the beautiful ball-dress lay spread out upon a couch.

"It's a real Worth dress. I haven't been able to afford one for quite an age; but Algy said I really might this time. My dear Odeyne, I don't know how to be grateful enough to you for what you've done for us. It has just made all the difference in the world to us."

Odeyne raised a puzzled face and said--

"I don't know what you mean, Beatrice."

"Oh, don't you know that Desmond has taken Algy in hand, and is teaching him some sort of business. He never could have done that, if you had not got him to take up the work himself first."

"I didn't know," answered Odeyne eagerly. "Desmond never said anything about Algernon. Is he going into the business house?"

"I don't know exactly what it is," answered Beatrice; "I am so ignorant about business. All I know is that Algy goes into the City two or three days a week, and that things have been ever so much better with us ever since. And it's all dear Desmond's doing. He has taught Algy everything, and put him in the way of things. We have paid off no end of our debts, and are quite flourishing again."

Odeyne was delighted. She wondered why Desmond had never told her, and she wondered why Guy looked rather grave and said nothing. Perhaps it was because he did not know Beatrice well enough to join in a conversation about her private affairs.

Then after they had looked at the dress and the opals, and had gone downstairs and admired the rooms with their great banks of flowering plants, Beatrice took them into her boudoir, which was the only really comfortable room in the house, and gave them tea, and told them racy stories, till they all laughed heartily together and felt quite like old friends, and Guy promised to come again soon, and not make a stranger of Desmond's sister.

"There is something about Beatrice that fascinates me always," said Odeyne as they drove home, "and the little boy is sweet, though I did not like to ask for him to-day, as they were all so busy. Algernon is the one I can never quite like. He gives me the impression of being a fast man--not a good one. But I was so glad to hear that he had taken to business ways. I wonder why Desmond never spoke about it. Why do you look like that, Guy? Don't you think it's a very good thing?"

"That depends upon what he does," answered Guy gravely. "I do not quite understand how such elasticity of means can have been made in so short a time. I don't profess to understand business, but common sense tells me it is not likely that it has been done in the ordinary course of business."

"But, Guy, how else could it be done?"

"It sounds much more like gambling in stocks and shares. You know there are fortunes won and lost every day on the Stock Exchange. It is another form of gambling, and rather a terrible one. I hope that Desmond is not dabbling in that sort of thing in the way of business. Keep him from it with all your might, Odeyne, if there is any danger; for it generally ends in one thing, and that is--ruin."