Now, but for Zoe, he would on no account have left England just then; for he was just going to build model cottages in his own village, upon designs of his own, each with a little plot, and a public warehouse or granary, with divisions for their potatoes and apples, etc. However, he turned this over in his mind while. he was packing; he placed certain plans and papers in his dispatch box, and took his ticket to Taddington, instead of going at once to London. From Taddington he drove over to Hillstoke and asked for Miss Gale. They told him she was fixed at Vizard Court. That vexed him: he did not want to meet Vizard. He thought it the part of a Jerry Sneak to go and howl to a brother against his sister. Yet if Vizard questioned him, how could he conceal there was something wrong?
However, he went down to Vizard Court; but said to the servant who opened the door, "I am rather in a hurry, sir: do you think you could procure me a few minutes with Miss Gale? You need not trouble Mr. Vizard.""Yes, my laud. Certainly, my laud. Please step in the morning-room, my laud. Mr. Vizard is out."That was fortunate, and Miss Gale came down to him directly.
Fanny took that opportunity to chatter and tell Mademoiselle Klosking all about Lord Uxmoor and his passion for Zoe. "And he will have her, too,"said she, boldly.
Lord Uxmoor told Miss Gale he had called upon business. He was obliged to leave home for a time, and wished to place his projects under the care of a person who could really sympathize with them, and make additions to them, if necessary. "Men," said he, "are always making oversights in matters of domestic comfort: besides, you are full of ideas. I want you to be viceroy with full power, and act just as you would if the village belonged to you."Rhoda colored high at the compliment.
"Wells, cows, granary, real education--what you like" said he. "I know your mind. Begin abolishing the lower orders in the only way they can be got rid of--by raising them in comfort, cleanliness, decency, and knowledge. Then I shall not be missed. I'm going abroad.""Going abroad?"
"Yes. Here are my plans: alter them for the better if you can. All the work to be done by the villagers. Weekly wages. We buy materials. They will be more reconciled to improved dwellings when they build them themselves. Here are the addresses of the people who will furnish money.
It will entail traveling; but my people will always meet you at the station, if you telegraph from Taddington. You accept? A thousand thanks.
I am afraid I must be off."
She went into the hall with him, half bewildered, and only at the door found time to ask after Zoe Vizard.
"A little better, I think, than when she came.""Does she know you are going abroad?"
"No; I don't think she does, yet. It was settled all in a hurry."He escaped further questioning by hurrying away.
Miss Gale was still looking after him, when Ina Klosking came down, dressed for a walk, and leaning lightly on Miss Dover's arm. This was by previous consent of Miss Gale.
"Well, dear," said Fanny, "what did he say to you?""Something that has surprised and puzzled me very much." She then related the whole conversation, with her usual precision.
Ina Klosking observed quietly to Fanny that this did not look like successful wooing.
"I don't know that," said Fanny, stoutly. "Oh, Miss Gale, did you not ask him about her?""Certainly I did; and he said she was better than when she first came.""There!" said Fanny, triumphantly.
Miss Gale gave her a little pinch, and she dropped the subject.
Vizard returned, and found Mademoiselle Klosking walking on his gravel.
He offered her his arm, and was a happy man, parading her very slowly, and supporting her steps, and purring his congratulations into her ear.
"Suppose I were to invite you to dinner, what would you say?""I think I should say, 'To-morrow.'"
"And a very good answer, too. To-morrow shall be a _fete."_"You spoil me?"
"That is impossible."
It was strange to see them together; he so happy, she so apathetic, yet gracious.
Next morning came a bit of human nature--a letter from Zoe to Fanny, almost entirely occupied with praises of Lord Uxmoor. She told the bull story better than I have--if possible--and, in short, made Uxmoor a hero of romance.
Fanny carried this in triumph to the other ladies, and read it out.
"There!" said she. "Didn't I tell you?"
Rhoda read the letter, and owned herself puzzled. "I am not, then," said Fanny: "they are engaged--over the bull; like Europa and I forgot who--and so he is not afraid to go abroad now. That is just like the men.
They cool directly the chase is over."
Now the truth was that Zoe was trying to soothe her conscience with elegant praises of the man she had dismissed, and felt guilty.
Ina Klosking said little. She was puzzled too at first. She asked to see Zoe's handwriting. The letter was handed to her. She studied the characters. "It is a good hand," she said; "nothing mean there." And she gave it back.
But, with a glance, she had read the address, and learned that the post town was Bagley.
