The Clever Woman of the Family [37]
it was just what would suit you," added Fanny, to the colonel. "Some winds are very cold here," interposed Rachel. "I always pity people who are imposed upon to think it a Mentone near home. They are choking our churchyard." "Very inconsiderate of them," muttered the young man. "But what made you come home so late, Fanny?" said Rachel. Alison suspected a slight look of wonder on the part of both the officers at hearing their general's wife thus called to account; but Fanny, taking it as a matter of course, answered, "We found that the -th was at Avoncester. I had no idea of it, and they did not know I was here; so I went to call upon Mrs. Hammond, and Colonel Keith went to look for Alick, and we have brought him home to dine." Fanny took it for granted that Rachel must know who Alick was, but she was far from doing so, though she remembered that the -th had been her uncle's regiment, and had been under Sir Stephen Temple's command in India at the time of the mutiny. The thought of Fanny's lapsing into military society was shocking to her. The boys were vociferating about boats, ponies, and all that had been deferred till the Major's arrival, and he was answering them kindly, but hushing the extra outcry less by word than sign, and his own lowered voice and polished manner--a manner that excessively chafed her as a sort of insult to the blunt, rapid ways that she considered as sincere and unaffected, a silkiness that no doubt had worked on the honest, simple general, as it was now working on the weak young widow. Anything was better than leaving her to such influence, and in pursuance of the intention that Rachel had already announced at home, she invited herself to stay to dinner; and Fanny eagerly thanked her, for making it a little less dull for Colonel Keith and Alick. It was so good to come down and help. Certainly Fanny was an innocent creature, provided she was not spoilt, and it was a duty to guard her innocence. Alison Williams escaped to her home, sure of nothing but that her sister must not be allowed to share her uncertainties; and Lady Temple and her guests sat down to dinner. Rachel meant to have sat at the bottom and carved, as belonging to the house; but Fanny motioned the Colonel to the place, observing, "It is so natural to see you there! One only wants poor Captain Dent at the other end. Do you know whether he has his leave?" Wherewith commenced a discussion of military friends--who had been heard of from Australia, who had been met in England, who was promoted, who married, who retired, &c., and all the quarters of the -th since its return from India two years ago; Fanny eagerly asking questions and making remarks, quite at home and all animation, absolutely a different being from the subdued, meek little creature that Rachel had hitherto seen. Attempts were made to include Miss Curtis in the conversation by addressing anecdotes to her, and asking if she knew the places named; but she had been to none, and the three old friends quickly fell into the swing of talk about what interested them. Once, however, she came down on them with, "What conclusion have you formed upon female emigration?"
"'His sister she went beyond the seas, And died an old maid among black savagees.'
That's the most remarkable instance of female emigration on record, isn't it?" observed Alick. "What; her dying an old maid?" said Colonel Keith. "I am not sure. Wholesale exportations of wives are spoiling the market." "I did not mean marriage," said Rachel, stoutly. "I am particularly anxious to know whether there is a field open to independent female labour." "All the superior young women seemed to turn nurserymaids," said the Colonel. "Oh," interposed Fanny, "do you remember that nice girl of ours who would marry that Orderly-Sergeant O'Donoghoe? I have had a letter from her in such distress." "Of course, the natural termination," said Alick, in his lazy voice. "And I thought you would tell me how to manage sending her some help," proceeded Fanny. "I could
"'His sister she went beyond the seas, And died an old maid among black savagees.'
That's the most remarkable instance of female emigration on record, isn't it?" observed Alick. "What; her dying an old maid?" said Colonel Keith. "I am not sure. Wholesale exportations of wives are spoiling the market." "I did not mean marriage," said Rachel, stoutly. "I am particularly anxious to know whether there is a field open to independent female labour." "All the superior young women seemed to turn nurserymaids," said the Colonel. "Oh," interposed Fanny, "do you remember that nice girl of ours who would marry that Orderly-Sergeant O'Donoghoe? I have had a letter from her in such distress." "Of course, the natural termination," said Alick, in his lazy voice. "And I thought you would tell me how to manage sending her some help," proceeded Fanny. "I could