CHAP. VII. DOUBLED. DARLISTON, "Well, dear, what became of the storm?" Why, we have had none at all. Grandfather Of AN OLD MAN'S REAL AND IDEAL-A SECRET has been so kind, you don't know! He told me that Grant had been in grand tantrums with him because I had said him nay, and questioned me whether I were really in earnest. course I left him no doubt of that. I told him how hard I had tried to like Grant, because I thought it was his wish. And then he said he only wished me to be safe and happy; that perhaps I was right. He doubted much if I should be one or the other, with that puppy,' so he called him. He said Grant thought a deal too much of himself, and that, I could get a better husband than him any day. I tell you just what he said, Mrs. Gainsborough, because it shows his mind is not so set on Grant; and that is a great relief." I had promised Helen, while she was staying at Fairclough, that I would go to the Hall at the end of the week, to give some advice respecting her summer dress. Accordingly I walked over on Saturday. At the gate I was met by Mrs. Cargill, who, with rather a grave face and a lowered voice, said, "Oh ma'am, I'm sorry to tell you, Master was took ill yesterday after he came home from Marsham. He'd tired himself may-be over-much, and then he and Mr. Grant had words, and Master was took quite giddy, in a sort of fit, we think; but you'll please not say so to Miss Helen-only that he was tired and worried." "I will be careful. Cargill ?" But how is he now, Mrs. Better: but he don't seem himself. He's rather unnatural quiet." "He has not seen a doctor ?" "No, ma'am. I wanted to send, but he said there was no occasion; he knew what ailed him. He's took some physic, and indeed, ma'am, I hope he's better; but you'll see what you think. Miss Helen is with him in the parlour." There was certainly no appearance of stormy weather between Helen and her grandfather now. He was looking pale and calm; Helen, gentle enough. She received me with a smile; and the old man raised his eyes from the fireside, and gave me a kindly greeting. "You must stay, now you have come," he said; "I'm not so well as I might be; and we shall be having Helen out of sorts again, if she has no other company than her old grandfather." I tried to excuse myself, but he would take no denial. "There, go and have your chat together," he said; "and when you have done talking over muslins and fal-lals, I should like to speak with you myself, Mrs. Gainsborough." Of course we did not begin with the muslins. Helen's face had a pleased look upon it when she closed her bedroom door, and came to help me to take off my cloak. Thereupon we proceeded to the dress question. Helen revealed her stores: I passed my opinions. I heard Mr. Wainwright seldom gave her money to spend, but was often kind in bringing home things he saw, and fancied looked handsome. There were indeed some very good articles among a great many worthless ones. We decided on what improvements could be effected, agreed as to what purchases were indispensable, and I repaired to the parlour under the idea that I was to talk over these indispensable matters with Mr. Wainwright. I found him prepared to begin on another subject. He watched me enter and close the door, then pointed to a chair near his own, and said "I thought that foolish little wench would keep you all day over her ribbons and frippery ; and I want to talk to you about matters that concern her more. Mrs. Gainsborough, you have heard from Helen, I know, for she told me so, that that young nephew of mine is wanting her to marry. Now, Mrs. Gainsborough, I look upon you as a woman of the world (I felt alarmed, but tried not to look it): what do you think of Grant Wainwright? What sort of position do you think he will take in the county?" I was scarcely prepared for such a question; but I thought for a few minutes, and tried to look judicious. S "Social position do you mean?" "Yes. Will the gentlemen receive him as one of themselves? Will his wife be invited, and hold a good place in society-that is, supposing they have plenty of money to back them ?" "I am scarcely sufficiently acquainted with the character of the gentlemen of this county to be enabled to form an opinion. Among ladies, although your nephew's handsome person is a recommendation, he is too careless of what are considered essentials, to be valued in good society." "But he's young, Mrs. Gainsborough. Young men are often careless through want of experience?" I shook my head. "If love has failed to soften his manners, I fear there must be some great intractability about him. I fear he despises the opinion of gentlewomen, and perhaps has some little world of his own, with whose code he is satisfied." "There you have it, ma'am! You are a shrewd woman; I felt sure you were! Aye, that's the point; and he's as obstinate as a mule upon it. But Helen's not to be looked down upon. Helen shall have a husband that will place her in as good a position as she deserves. She's a good girl; and it shows her sense that she did not take to Grant, seeing the company he keeps. Now, Mrs. Gainsborough, you're discreet I know. What I am going to tell you is a bit of a secret, and they say women can't keep secrets, but that I think depends on what the secrets are." “I think I can keep a bit of a secret," I said; "don't give me anything too heavy to carry, Mr. Wainwright.' "Well-see here, Mrs. Gainsborough, it's no great matter after all, only it would be a disgrace to Grant to have it known, if it prove as is thought; and though he deserves punishment, I would rather not have it talked about. You must know, about Christmas I heard Grant had some visitors at the Rood Farm; and Mr. Hawkins, an old acquaintance of mine, came and told me they were an ill set my nephew had about him, and I'd better look to it, or he'd be ruined. So I just bade Grant bring some of them to the Hall, thinking if they were questionable characters they would be off and not venture to show themselves. They came however, and certainly behaved respectably. Now there was a little man named Witham among them very pleasant sort of company, and he got poking about the place with my granddaughter. I thought he meant to make love to her, but she said-nothing of the sort; that he just wanted her to show him the carvings over the mantel-pieces. Well; I've not said a word to Helen, because she's had fright enough about the rascals. Why, Will Harper says to me that for the life of him he cannot get out of his head that one of the three who held him down and gagged him was this Mr. Witham!" "Indeed! That is strange; but stranger things have been. thereupon?" Have you taken any steps "I have told Hawkins to make particular enquiries about him, and to come over and tell me his opinion. If he thinks Will Harper may be right, I suppose I must give the hint to the police." "I think it would be advisable on public grounds, even if the robbery has not been considerable enough to justify your taking trouble about it." "Why, Mrs. Gainsborough, the confounded rascals have got hold of my will. Between ourselves, I'm not one of those fools always bragging of their riches; but Helen will have such a fortune as will set all the scamps in the country looking after her; and who knows what use they may make of it? There's Grant has his faults, but he don't know one-fifth of what she'll bring her husband, and he's willing to take her any day. But-hang the fellow! to lower himself by associating with house-breakers! I know, of course he did not know the man was a house-breaker, but the greater fool he! Am I going to give the Darliston estate, and what not of property besides, into the hands of a booby who don't know a gentleman from a cracksman?-a' dolt who chooses his company in the betting ring, and can't say Bo! to a goose when he's in good company? That would be bringing my pigs to a pretty market! No, Mrs. Gainsborough; I've not cared for society myself this long while, I've done with it these many years; but when I was in my prime, there was not a door in the county that was closed against Philip Wainwright; and if I had not set my heart on- Well, well! anyhow I had pretty well the pick of the county for a wife, and Helen shall have a husband from the best in the land. She could buy them all out, I tell you! Helen's as good as any of them, and shall ride yet in as fine a carriage! (Here Helen came into the room, and went to the corner cupboard for the tea-caddy). Helen shall go in her diamonds and laces, and be presented at Court; I say she shall!" and his fist came down on the table. Helen, caddy in hand, made a profound curtsey and said, "And Helen will say May it please your Majesty, next time you come our way I shall be most happy to see you at Darliston; for we have most beautiful new spoons, and oh! such a teapot!"" I dare say it is wise of her to make a joke of these brilliant promises. Indeed I was more amused than surprised to find their realisation at present go no further than a five-pound note. Helen observed afterwards, "Grandfather always talks like a fairy godmother, when he is in a good humour; and I suppose you must have charmed him into one, for we were dull when you came." For all, I am persuaded he has made her his heiress, and his property must be considerable. Doubtless he looks forward to her being a person of high consideration in the county, as the |