“Give me one,” said Mrs. Lovel; “here, this one.” Her fingers shook; she could scarcely take the flower. “Phil, will you put it into my dress? I won’t wear more than one; you shall place it there. Child, child, the thorn has pricked me—every rose has a thorn.”
“Mother,” whispered Phil, “you are quite sure of the surprise coming?”
“Yes, darling. Hush, dear. Stay close to me.”
The time wore on. The guests were merry; the old place rang with unwonted life and mirth and laughter. It was many years since Avonsyde had been so gay. The weather was so lovely that even the older portion of the visitors decided to spend the time out of doors. They stood about in groups and talked and laughed and chatted. Tennis went on vigorously. Rachel and Kitty, like bright fairies, were flitting here, there, and everywhere. Phil was strangely quiet and silent, standing always close to his mother. The chaise which had been sent to the railway station to meet Mr. Baring returned empty. This fact was communicated by Canning to his mistress, and as the time wore on Miss Griselda’s face certainly looked less happy.
The guests streamed in to lunch, which was served in the great dining-hall in the old part of the house. Then several boys and girls would investigate the tower and would roam through the armory and the old picture-gallery.
“That man—that Rupert Lovel is Phil’s ancestor,” the boys and girls remarked. “He is not a bit like Phil.”
“No; the present heir is an awfully weakly looking chap,” the boys said. “Why, he doesn’t look as if he had strength enough even to go in for a game of cricket.”
“Oh, but he’s so interesting,” the girls said, “and hasn’t he lovely eyes!”
Then the guests wandered out again to the grounds and commented and wondered as to when the crucial moment would arrive, and when Miss Griselda, taking Phil’s hand, would present him to them all as the long-sought-for heir.
“It is really a most romantic story,” one lady said. “That little boy represents the elder branch of the family; the property goes back to the elder branch with him.”