"I suppose he has grown out of all his mischievous puppy tricks, hasn't he?" Celia inquired; then she flushed crimson, remembering the trick he had served her in the rock garden, and was covered with confusion and shame.
"He has sobered down considerably," Joy replied.
Memory was busy with her, too, and for a minute a shadow crossed her face; but it was gone again almost directly, and she met Celia's wistful gaze with her brightest smile.
By-and-bye, Sir Jasper, mindful of his rheumatism, and fearful on that account of the evening air, went into the house, and Eric and his mother strolled away to the rock garden, leaving the sisters alone.
"Isn't mother looking well!" Joy questioned, and receiving an answer in the affirmative, she continued, "She had a worrying time whilst I was in the hospital, but I think she is very happy now. Celia, do you know that Uncle Jasper means Eric to be his heir? Yes," as Celia gave a violent start of surprise, "he does indeed! He told mother so some time ago; he says Eric is a manly, honest lad, and he is very proud of him. And he's going to provide for our futures too. Dr. Forbes believes I shall be quite strong enough to take up my music again by-and-bye; but just at present he won't allow me to practice much, though I sometimes play a little to Uncle Jasper—'The Last Rose of Summer,' and the old tunes he loves. Oh, Celia, why are you looking so sad? Are you unhappy?"
"No, no! I am happier than I ever thought I should be again—happier far than I deserve to be. Oh, Joy, I am thinking of last year, and how I was always trying to curry favour with Uncle Jasper, and pretending to better in every way than I actually was, all the time I was so discontented really; and then, when I thought I had lost all I had valued most—money, and comfort, and luxuries, I found out that it was none of those things that would make me happy, and I did not mind their loss. And then—"
"Yes?" said Joy, interrogatively, as her sister paused.
"And then, after the fire," Celia continued, "when mother talked to me, and pointed out to me all the mischief I had caused, I was wild with remorse. And when we feared you would never walk again, I thought my heart would break, and I was as wretched as I possibly could be. Afterwards, when you were in hospital, before I heard the operation was successful, I felt—oh, dreadful!" She shuddered; then added: "Joy, I think I have learnt the secret of happiness now. It is not riches that make one contented, but faith in God."
Thus were the sisters one in heart and mind; and long before Mrs. Wallis and Eric finished their stroll in the rock garden they had come to a perfect understanding with each other.
A happy time followed, which the young people spent mostly out-of-doors, enjoying unclouded sunshine of the August days. Lulu came to the Moat House as had been promised; and Lawrence Puttenham paid his visit to the Vicarage, and, with Eric, spent many a pleasant evening in the cricket field. The members of the Crumleigh Cricket Club had become proficient players by this time, and actually won the match against the eleven from T—, when, true to his word, Sir Jasper Amery was present to witness their success.