CHAPTER XXXI
NEWENHAM COURT
Newenham was a real eighteenth-century village, chiefly composed of red brick flat-faced houses,—some shyly withdrawn from the road, behind prim little gardens, others standing boldly upon the street. There was a dumpy, contented-looking old church, an ivy-clad parsonage, and an ancient inn, formerly a noted posting-house; now resuscitated, after nearly a century of neglect, as a halting-place and garage. The Court was situated in a land of heavy trees, green slopes and great peace; its back entrance opened directly into the village, but from an opposite direction a long and imposing avenue, with gates guarded by a pair of fierce stone wolves, wound up to the hall door.
The Court was a mixture of the Georgian and Victorian period, without any claim to architectural beauty; but it had the dignity of mellow age, and solid prosperity. The entrance faced north, and looked upon wide grass slopes, crowned by heavy plantations. In the interior was a vast hall, popular as a lounge and general sitting-room. Here people sat, read, had tea, played Bridge and had liberty to smoke. A spacious drawing-room, library, dining and billiard-rooms opened to right and left.
Almost every window in the Court commanded a view, and most of the sitting-rooms had French windows opening to the ground. Upstairs the passages were narrow, and rambling, with very low ceilings, and unexpected steps,—but the adjoining bedrooms dwelt long in the affectionate memory of many guests. These were furnished to suit the period, with large four-posters, and small looking-glasses, but were supplied with modern mattresses, comfortable armchairs, and the latest thing in Jacobean chintz! Here were writing-tables, well supplied,—including stamps,—fresh flowers, the newest books, and in season, the most cheerful fires.
Mrs. De Wolfe escorted her young friend all over the premises; she saw not only the kitchen, the still-room, the Justice's room, but the two apartments once occupied by the old lady's sons,—and now closed. Their mother displayed their books, and toys, of childhood,—as well as the trophies, and treasures of later years. The south side of the Court, overlooked a well-timbered park, and winding river; immediately in front, lay smooth green lawns, bounded right and left, by long herbaceous borders, and rose-covered pergolas. Somehow this unusual display gave the impression that an army corps of flowers, had escaped from the grim walled garden,—which lay half concealed beyond the shrubberies—and encamped in the grounds; immediately below the lawns were tennis courts; these were pointed out to Nancy by her hostess, as one of the chief features of the place.
"It is not for its gardens,—which as you see, are quite unique,—having boldly come out of bounds, and run into the park,—nor yet, for some very remarkable old furniture, nor even for its good dinners, that the Court is celebrated," said its mistress. "It is famed, for having the best tennis courts on this side of the county! My two boys were wonderful players,—Hughie was a champion, and in their day, the great tennis week took place here. There was always an immense gathering, we provided lunch and refreshments in big tents,—and the house was packed to the garret! When I am at home, I still endeavour to keep up Newenham Tennis week. I needn't tell you, that I never played tennis myself,—my game was croquet, in the good old days when croquet hoops were a generous size; but I still like to keep the tennis going,—indeed I don't suppose my neighbours would allow me to drop it; they consider it hard case, that it is not an annual fixture; but when I am here, I do my best to hold the meeting in all its glory. It is true, that, as it has been hinted to me, 'I now do very little for the county in the way of entertaining,' so I feel bound to put my best foot forward, once in a way. I fill the house with tennis-playing neighbours, I invite the residents for miles, I engage a band that I board in the village,—two extra cooks, tents, waiters, and supply all the delicacies of the season, and I offer, last not least, prizes that are worth while. There is tennis, more or less all day, the young people dance in the racquet court at night, others play Bridge, or billiards; oh, what a week it is! You will see, that I shall not be at home, more than a few days,—before letters come pouring in, to inquire the date of the Newenham Tennis Tournament?"
"It must be an immense undertaking for you," said Nancy, "but personally I think it will be great fun! I will help you, write out the invitations, and do the flowers, and any odd jobs you can find for me."
"Thank you, my dear, I'm sure you will be useful, but I generally get a man, to arrange dates, events, handicaps and so on, and more or less to run the show. I give him carte blanche; you shall be deputy hostess, and I will sit in my arm-chair,—and take all the credit! Four years ago, Derek Mayne was my helper,—I don't know who I shall have this time; perhaps Dudley Villars? he is not much of a tennis player, nor what I call practical, but he knows how to lay out money, and to make things go smoothly."