Captain Millet’s Brother’s Wife.
Plump, blonde Lady Millet uttered an ejaculation and made a gesture of annoyance as she settled herself in a luxurious lounge.
“Now, do for goodness’ sake wipe your eyes, Gertrude, and be sensible if you can! I declare it’s enough to worry one to death. Once for all, I tell you I do not like these Huishes, and what your father could have been about to listen to your uncle Robert and bring that young man here I can’t think.”
Gertrude Millet forced back her tears, and bent lower over some work upon which she was engaged in the drawing-room of her father’s house in Grosvenor Square.
“They are very plebeian sort of people, and they have no money; but because his father was an old friend of your uncle Robert’s when he was a young man, this Mr. John Huish must be invited here, and you, you silly child! must let him make eyes at you.”
“Really, mamma—”
“Now do let me speak, Gertrude,” said Lady Millet severely. “It is as I say, and I will not have it. Sentimentality does very well for low-class people, but we have a position to maintain, and I have other views for you.”
“But, mamma, you never thought Frank Morrison plebeian,” said Gertrude, raising her bright grey eyes to bring them to bear on her dignified mother, who was arranging the lace about her plump white throat.
“My dear child, comparisons are odious, and at your age you should allow people to think for you. Does it ever occur to you that your mother’s sole wish—the object for which she almost entirely lives—is to see her child happily settled in life? No, no; don’t speak, please: you hurt me. I consented to your sister Renée’s union with Frank for many reasons. Certainly his family is plebeian, but he is a young man whom I am rejoiced to see determined to make use of his wealth to his own elevation—to marry well, and be the founder of a new family of gentry.”
“But I’m sure Renée is not happy, mamma.”
“Then, in her position, it is her own fault, my dear, of course. I had been married years before I had a second carriage. Once for all, there is no comparison between Frank and this Mr. Huish. If it had not been out of commiseration for your uncle Robert—it being his wish—Mr. Huish would not have been received here at all.”
Gertrude bit her nether lip, and bent lower over her work as sweet and lovable a face as girl of twenty could have.
“Your uncle is a most unhappy man; and if he were not so rich people would call him insane, living such an absurd life as he does. I often feel as if I must go and rouse him up, and force him to act like a Christian. By the way, you have not been to see him lately?”
“No, mamma.”
“Call, then, soon. He must not be neglected. We have our duties to do, and that is one of them. He is always kind to you?”
“Always, mamma.”
“That is right. You must humour him, for he seems to have taken a most unnatural dislike to Richard.”
“Yes, mamma.”
“Do you think so?” said Lady Millet sharply.
“He forbade Dick to call again after he had importuned him for money.”
“Foolish, reckless boy! That’s the way young people always seem to me determined to wreck their prospects. Your uncle Robert has no one else to leave his money to but you children, and yet you persist in running counter to his wishes.”
“I, mamma?”
“All of you. Do you suppose because he desired your father to take a little more notice of this John Huish that you were to throw yourself at his head?”
Gertrude squeezed her eyelids very tightly together, and took three or four stitches in the dark.
“I have always found Uncle Robert particularly kind to me.”
“And so he would be to Renée and to Richard if they were not so foolish. I declare I don’t know what that boy can possibly do with his money. But, there, I suppose being in a regiment is expensive.”
“Do you like Major Malpas, mamma?” said Gertrude suddenly.
“Certainly not!” said Lady Millet tartly; “and really, Gertrude, you are a most extraordinary girl! John Huish one moment, Major Malpas the next. Huish was bad enough; now don’t, for goodness’ sake, go throwing yourself at Major Malpas.”
“Mamma!”
“Will you let me speak, child?” cried Lady Millet angrily. “I don’t know what you girls are thinking about! Why, you are as bad as Renée! If I had not been firm, she would have certainly accepted him, and he is a man of most expensive habits. It was most absurd of Renée. But there: that’s over. But I do rather wonder at Frank making so much of a friend of him. Oh dear me, no, Gertrude! that would be impossible!”
“Of course, mamma!”
“Then why did you talk in that tone?”
“Because I don’t like Major Malpas, and I am sure Renée does not, either.”
“Of course she does not. She is a married lady. Surely she can be civil to people without always thinking of liking! It was a curious chance that Richard should be gazetted into the same regiment; and under the circumstances I have been bound to invite him and that other officer, Captain Glen, here, for they can help your brother, no doubt, a great deal. You see, I have to think of everything, for your poor father only thinks now of his dinners and his clubs.”
Gertrude sighed and went on with her work, while Lady Millet yawned, got up, looked out of the window, and came back.
“Quite time the carriage was round. Then I am to go alone?”
“I promised Renée to be in this morning,” said Gertrude quietly.
“Ah, well; then I suppose you must stop. I wonder whether Lady Littletown will take any notice of Richard now he is at Hampton Court?”
“I should think she would, mamma. She is always most friendly.”
“Friendly, but not trustworthy, my dear. A terribly scheming woman, Gertrude. Her sole idea seems to be match-making. But, there, Richard is too young to become her prey!”
Gertrude’s brow wrinkled, and she looked wonderingly at her mother, whose face was averted.
“I have been looking up the Glens. Not a bad family, but a younger branch. I suppose Richard will accompany his brother officer here one of these days. By the way, my dear, Lord Henry Moorpark seemed rather attentive to you at the Lindleys the other night.”
“Yes, mamma,” said Gertrude quietly; “he took me in to supper, and sat and chatted with me a long time.”
“Yes; I noticed that he did.”
“I like Lord Henry, mamma; he is so kind and gentle and courteous.”
