CHAPTER 4

AFTER THE BALL

Before we go on any further we had better say a word about Isobel Saunders.

She was the only daughter of Colonel Saunders of the 159th who having lost a lot of money in the army was now in very poor circ.u.mstances. His wife had died five years previously and left him with three sons and a daughter. The eldest son William was a tall stout elderly man of about 25 who followed his father's profession. Robert the next was fair and delicate looking taking after his mother and lived very much at home and was just 21 years of age. The youngest son Frederick who was Isobel's junior by 4 years was still at school.

Isobel, who at the time my story opens had just attained the age of 20 years was 5 feet 3 inches in height, she had thick dark hair fashionably dressed and a ma.s.sive fringe over her stately forehead. She had bewitching brown eyes from which long lashes swept her cheeks. She had an aqueline nose and a bright complextion. She had nice feet and was fairly podgy.

It was 10 o'clock on the morning after the ball, when Colonel Saunders came into the breakfast room with an open letter in his hand.

"Here is some news for you Isobel" he said "Your aunt Miss Vickers intends favouring us with one of her weekly visits she will arrive this afternoon by the 3 o'clock train, so mind and have everything ready or there will be a fine fuss."

"Oh dear" exclaimed Isobel preparing to pour out the whisky for her father. "I always dread Aunt Sophia's visits."

"Yes indeed she is an old nuisance but we must make the best of her and after all a week is not long."

"That is true" replied Isobel "but still it adds to my other troubles."

and with a sigh she ran up to prepare the bedroom.

The town clock was striking 4 when a cab drew up at Vebena Villa and Isobel flew to open the front door.

"How are you dear Aunt! she exclaimed.

"Well my dear I am not as well as might be expected. I have had a severe cold and my servants have worried me so much I thought a week's rest might do me good" answered the fidgety dame hastening into the drawing room and taking a seat she proceeded to give Isobel a list of all her complaints and when she had come to an end of them she turned to her niece saying "Please tell Jane to take my box up and then after I have had some tea I will go to bed, I have had a long and fatiging journey."

Here will be a good time to explain Miss Vickers, she was tall and angular and thin with black hair slightly grey which she wore in an untidy n.o.b behind, she had dark piercing eyes that always seemed to find out other people's business.

Isobel smiled as the door closed on the tall and portly frame of her aunt and she began to re-arrange the room which already in 10 minutes Miss Vickers had turned upside down.

CHAPTER 5

AFTER THE BALL (_continued_)

Whilst this scene was taking place at Vebena Villa, a very different one was going on at Yellowflower Hall.

While sitting at the breakfast table Sylvia Monton was wondering how to ask her uncle if she might come to terms with Leslie Woodc.o.c.k.

Presently Mr. Earlsdown rose from his chair and seizing his pipe he entered his study roaring 'Private Tommy Atkins' at the top of his loud voice.

"I am afraid my uncle is in one of his boisterous moods" sighed Sylvia finishing her coffee, "but he does get so excited poor uncle especially when he has been out the night before. I don't remember seeing much of him at the ball. I was so taken up with Leslie. I am rather glad I did not see him though for nothing would induce him to wear evening clothes or a shirt front and he insisted on going in his bicycling suit and such a soiled red tie and _oh_ his hair it was really like a crows nest, I don't know what Mr. and Mrs. Woodc.o.c.k would have said if he had suddenly burst out with that dreadful 'Tommy Atkins.' but there poor uncle he _has_ such spirits."

So saying Sylvia skipped into her uncle's study.

"Hullo hullo my la.s.sie" he cried tossing down last week's 'Pick me up.'

"I wanted to speak to you Uncle" said Sylvia putting her trembling hand on Mr. Earlsdown's shoulder.

"Talk away then" said Mr. Earlsdown "I am prepared for the very worst news."

"It's nothing much" said the girl "only--

"Wake up wake up my child" said her uncle "only what?"

"Only that Leslie Woodc.o.c.k has asked me to marry him and with your permission I will accept."

"I dare say you will" said Mr. Earlsdown "but I am not going to give my consent" replied the excitable gentleman "I am not going to see you marry a begger."

"But uncle he is not a begger" cried Sylvia "he is well off, honest and dependable"

"I dare say he is all that" said Mr. Earlsdown "dependable indeed! why ten to one when you have been married to him a month he will devoice you for some other girl he is silly enough to prefer; no no you shall marry a lord, that is what I want for my money, so next time you see young Woodc.o.c.k just send him about his business, impudent young fellow!!"

"Uncle have _some_ mercy" here burst from Sylvia's pale lips "I'll never marry any one else" and with a cry of "Leslie _my_ Leslie" she fled from the room and flinging herself on her own bed gave way to bitter tears.

But finally taking heart of grace she siezed her blotting book and poured forth these heart rending words.

MY OWN,

Owing to my merciless uncle I am forced to give you up as he thinks to marry a lord, but _no never!_ my Leslie and although I may never see you again think of me always as I shall of you and believe me to be

Yours and yours alone SYLVIA.

CHAPTER 6

THE ELOPEMENT

It was past 2 o'clock before Leslie received Sylvia's wretched appeal.

It was brought to him in his room whilst dressing for an afternoon party. Leslie read it carefully through and then throwing it on the floor seezed his head in his hands and thought it over.

Presently he looked up with, a determined expression on his face "I must marry her" he cried, and then sitting down he picked up a sheet of writing paper and prepared to answer the note and this was what he said.

MY BEST LOVED

If you will agree to this plan I will marry you yet. Have all your wants packed up this evening by 6 o'clock and we will elope together dearest and when we are one, we will go to America and make our fortunes.

Ever dearest YOUR OWN LESLIE.

He then told one of the servants to take the above to Yellowflower Hall and give it into Miss Monton's hands, and wait for her answer.