“ Happily, Lady Dove was tired, so did not appear. She particularly disliked lovers.
"We want to be married as soon as possible," said the genius after breakfast to Toney, "will you help us? Jeanie says you can work miracles, and then I will take her to Germany."
"That's just what I should like; I hate grand weddings. I'll tell you what, Maud, if you will give me leave I'll manage it all: will a week be short enough?"
They looked at each other and laughed,
"Would it be possible? Mother——"
"Oh, I know she'll say she can't afford it! Aunt Dove always does when she doesn't want anything. ”

“ But it does not harm even a lawyer to think for a few minutes that money is not the aim of all mankind!
It was wonderful how soon Mrs. Faber reverted to the habits of her long bondage—though now she knew it was only an interlude—for Toney found her writing notes and doing flowers and being bullied by Lady Dove, just as if the beautiful reality of her wedded happiness did not exist. Mr. Faber had jogged off home in his pony carriage, Toney promising to bring back his dearest Anne as soon as Miss Grossman was able to return to public life. ”

“ But as every human being changes for better or for worse, there was something even more displeasing than formerly in Lady Dove's face. She was a prey—and had been ever since the memorable day when she heard the news of Toney's good fortune—to the demon of jealousy, who never leaves his victims many peaceful moments, and just now he was her constant visitor. Toney had been very little at Aldersfield, because Sir Evas and Mr. Staines, the lawyer, had insisted on her having foreign advantages, and Lady Dove had eagerly acquiesced. ”

“ It's Trick's fault. How do you do, Mr. Staines? I hope you won't be very solemn, as I want everyone to be awfully jolly to-morrow. I've made my own time-table this time," and the remembrance of Aunt Dove's time-table nearly upset Toney's gravity.
Mr. Staines had happily a sense of fun, besides he knew what to expect and merely smiled.
"It is my duty to be solemn, Miss Whitburn, but I fear it is an impossible duty in your presence! To-morrow you will come of age and you will have the sole control of your fortune. ”

“ Now, Aunt Dove is never happy. You should have seen me and Uncle Evas racing here from the barn. He really raced, it wasn't make believe—and I was laughing so much when we came into the drawing-room to receive a scolding."
"Have you undertaken Miss Grossman, Toney?" asked Mr. Hales.
"Oh! no! but I do admire her; she isn't one bit afraid of Aunt Dove, and almost enjoys having words with her."
"Will you give me the first dance, Toney?" said Lewis.
"No, not the first; there are ever so many of the men who will be too shy to begin if I don't go and ask them, and they won't dare to say no! ”

“ Toney headed the procession out of the drawing-room, Edward Lang, hurrying to open the door for her, and hiding, as best he could, his amused smile as Toney nodded at him, saying, "I'll come back soon."
Lady Dove gave a sigh of relief. She was so much annoyed that she forgot her rôle of kind aunt.
"Antonia is incorrigible. You see how she collects strange people round her. I tried hard to show her what an English lady should be like, but it was trouble wasted."
"She will soon outgrow all that," said Lady Southbourne kindly; "in these days young people are so original, but it does not last!" ”

“ Imagine that!"
"Pray don't imitate Brother Juniper," laughed Miss Waycott.
"Mrs. Hamilton, won't you trust yourself in the new motor? I've got my certificate in my pocket."
"Yes, come along, Aunt Delia; I want to come, too, and go round by Deep Hollow. Miss Whitburn thinks she will like to buy it, and I must get as much as I can out of her," said Lewis gravely.
"My dear Lewis, you always cheat yourself," sighed Mrs. Hamilton, who was hopelessly literal.
"I know riches have no attraction for you! Yes, I will come. ”

“ The Honourable Edward Lang was just as charming as he could be."
Lewis felt aggrieved.
"Why didn't you come and see us instead?"
"Aunt Dove wanted to accept the invitation to tea, and yet didn't want the trouble, whilst I enjoyed it. Isn't it odd why people ask other people they don't want to see, and who don't want to come?" Lewis laughed.
"The ways of Society, Toney. You must learn all that!"
"I never shall. Oh, Mr. Waycott, my new secretary has come, Mr. Plantagenet Russell, and Aunt Dove is fascinated with him! Isn't that a piece of luck?" ”

“ I'm going to make my groom a chauffeur, as he will do all he is told. Those stuck-up reefed-in men are rather tyrants."
"We are all tyrannized over by our servants," said Lady Southbourne with a smile.
"Wouldn't suit me," said Toney emphatically. "Aunt Dove's head gardener is a tyrant, and there are ructions between them. They go out to battle, but he always wins!"
"So does mother's head gentleman," said Edward laughing; "but man is the superior creature."
"I think co-operation is best. St. Francis never lauded it over his brothers." ”

“ Ah! Russell, is it you? What's the matter?"
"Aldersfield is on fire; can you come first train? Everybody saved; Lady Dove much upset; Miss Whitburn has burnt her arm—Miss Hamilton wants Mr. Waycott to know."
"What the Dickens are you all up to? I'll come first train; never mind if all are safe."
Sir Evas rushed to Lewis Waycott's room.
"Waycott, are you awake?"
"Yes; what's up?"
"I'm off immediately; Aldersfield is burning; Toney has been burnt."
"Toney burnt! Good heavens! I'll come with you."
"No need, only her arm; but Maud wanted you to know. Good-bye; good luck to your hungry lions." ”

“ Foremost among all the workers was Toney herself, dressed in a short serge dress covered with a big apron. She looked the picture of happiness, and even Aunt Dove's cold congratulations at breakfast had not been able to damp her spirits. Mrs. Faber was making "button-holes," whilst Toney was arranging flowers in vases with her deft magic touch to adorn the long tables. Men were putting up festoons among the dark rafters, and the brightest sunshine was pouring in at the door and windows. ”

“ Faber undertakes them. A child is always good with her. Isn't it odd? Do you see that Mr. Faber is hard at work there now with her? I shall want to cut myself in three pieces! Oh, I am so happy!"
Lewis glancing at her face did not doubt her happiness, but he could not echo the speech. Before Toney had become an heiress, Lewis had fallen in love with her, he had made her promise to give him something when he should ask for it, and then suddenly this terrible fortune had dropped down from the skies, and had set up a wall of division between him and the girl he admired as well as loved. ”

“ Lewis did not want Maud, but could not refuse.
"I shall tire Maud for I am walking."
"Oh no, I shall want some fresh air before the dance. How hot it will be in the barn!"
"You girls must fill up your programmes early," said Mrs. Hamilton pointedly.
"Oh, Toney won't have any! She says people must dance as the spirit moves them."
"How inconvenient. Well, anyhow, Lewis, you'll see the girls get partners."
"No fear! Think of all the tenants dying to trip it with such fair damsels!"
"One has to pretend one likes it," said Jeanie languidly; "but it's not at all enjoyable." ”

“ They went on in silence for a little while, then Toney remarked,
"Do you know, Uncle Evas, you might have told me about a pretty romance going on near us."
"Whose, Toney?"
"It's Mr. Waycott. I guess he's awfully in love with Maud Hamilton. Don't you think that that will be a very, very happy romance? He's so real nice, isn't he? and you see, she's very poor, so it isn't for money only, but just because he loves and admires her. We'll give them a scrumptious wedding present, won't we, uncle?"
"As it's a secret better say nothing; but, as you remark, he can't be marrying for money!" ”

“ You don't know what a wonderful musician he is, and what a very, very nice man. I think Jeanie broke his heart, or nearly, and I believe she is breaking hers, as she is so cross if I mention him. Oh, Toney, can you help her? You got Miss Crump married. Lewis says it was all your doing."
"Gracious stars! but I do love a real, real romance. Of course I'd marry a pig-sticker if he was real nice, but I'm not a Hamilton—I'm only just Toney Whitburn. But, Maud, let's think out a solution, and thank you very, very much for being so nice to me! I'll never be jealous of you!" ”

“ At that moment Miss Waycott returned, followed by Maud and Mrs. Hamilton. Both were cordial to Toney, but the cordiality from the last lady did not ring quite true. Envy is a subtle poison and it required much Christianity not to envy the girl's splendid health and splendid fortune. Mrs. Hamilton could not imagine why some people were so lucky and why no legacies ever fell to her share—mere nobodies now had all the money. Pride is not altogether a satisfying dish when served up ungarnished.
"You have made all the county-side talk, Miss Whitburn, with your generosity to Sir Evas' tenants." ”

“ The barn will astonish you, Aunt Delia. Already it is like fairyland, and imagine, Aunt Honoria, Toney has hired real plate for the poor people's dinner."
"Lady Dove would not lend hers, I expect," said Miss Honoria.
"Of course she would not! Imagine the expense though, and it will be all on the same scale. Toney sees no difference between poor and rich."
"It shows how unfit she is to deal with money," said Mrs. Hamilton decidedly. "It is a real misfortune that old man left her his money."
"Yes, it certainly is," echoed Lewis firmly. ”

“ I fear Mr. Staines will think all your foreign experience has not made a grown-up young lady of you!"
"Oh yes, it has!" said Toney, releasing him. "A sense of sorrow for my sins has grown awful big lately, and I never used to have it. It feels like indigestion, a lump here; but just this evening, uncle, I'll be young, and I'm so awfully pleased. I'll tell you what: you and I will have a sort of house-warming here next week, and ask just our very particular friends, but my party's coming first."
"There's the Winchley ball," said the lawyer, "I suppose you mean to go to that." ”

“ Toney's laugh was catching.
"But I may be rewarded with a talk with you, apart from the genteel beggars," he said cheerfully.
"It's all very well laughing at beggars, but if one has nothing one does strange things. Do you know when I first came here I was a beggar, and not at all genteel, Aunt Dove would tell you—and I was glad to make a whistle for five shillings!" ”

“ To herself Toney said, "Consider the lilies of the field how they grow;" aloud, she added, "Anyhow Miss Honoria agreed that Jeanie and Maud looked lovely!"
"Mrs. Hamilton really bored me about her daughters' perfections. I said I was sorry her son-in-law's escutcheon was a blank, but, of course, she is going to keep Maud in her own set. Lewis Waycott has as many quarterings as the Hamiltons."
Toney's heart went thump, thump, again. How horrid she was!
"Quarterings are no use at all to the Westons. They will be just perfect without them," said Toney. ”

“ The breakfast was a joy to the hungry, and Lady Southbourne all amiability to Toney and Sir Evas. He had nothing to mar his enjoyment, and even managed not to think of Melina at home.
All luncheon time Edward could think of nothing more original than discussing the hunt, but as so many of the male guests would chat with Toney and all were enthusiastic over her riding, he only succeeded in carrying her off to the conservatory when the horses were at the door. It does not help matters if you feel there must be no delay over your proposal. ”

“ Toney crept in behind them, but was seen by her aunt.
"Toney, how dreadfully late you are! The musician—what's his name—has not come down yet. Tell Thomas to fetch him at once." Toney nodded.
"It's all right, Aunt Dove; I've done it. You know musical people are not like others."
Sir Evas knew he had to obey orders, and got hold of Jeanie. He held the list of the other pairs in his hand, but several gentlemen came up to talk to this vision of beauty. Maud kept close to Toney; she could not talk, she could hardly see. What would Jeanie do? and what would he do? Why had Toney done this? ”