The result of the important engagement to which the Major hastened after the scene with his servant was of a most distressing nature. The happiness of friends whom he regarded with profound esteem was in peril, and he had been told that the catastrophe could only be averted by his immediate interference. The information and the intimation were so astounding that he was bewildered. What could he do? How could he find the opportunity, or rather how could he find a sufficiently delicate method of saving those friends from the folly to which they were being hastened by misunderstanding and passion?
The friends referred to were Joseph Elliott, J.P. of Todhurst, to whose place the Major was to proceed on the following day; and the cousin of that gentleman, John Elliott, of Arrowby. The conduct of the latter threatened a domestic imbroglio, in which an outsider’s interference was more likely to do mischief than render service. The whole trouble sprang from a foolish misunderstanding, which a sentence of explanation would set right. It seemed very hard to have the power of speaking that sentence, and to remain silent out of selfish considerations of prudence. Nay, was it not wicked to stand by and see the whole fabric of domestic bliss fall into ruins, when by simply giving a timely halloo the calamity might be prevented?
Still, the matter was so delicate that the Major wisely hesitated to meddle with it, although appealed to by the near relative of the two families. Then came the upbraiding question: ‘Was he not a friend of the family, respected by them all, and having no interest one way or another, except to do a generous act of service to people who had temporarily lost control of their tempers and judgment?’ Yes, he was a friend of the family, the Major admitted with something like a sigh, and there was no doubt it was his duty to open their eyes, and he must do it.
There was a merry party on the large bowling-green of Todhurst Grange playing at lawn-tennis in the sunshine of the autumn afternoon. The players had no intention of making a business of the game by too strict adherence to rules. Blunders were not regarded by this blithe party as serious offences, but were laughed at, and explained to the inexperienced. The young folk of both sexes were particular in regard to correct costume, but beyond that they had come out to amuse themselves, to display their graces, to laugh, to flirt—or it might be to make love—but not to strive for any prize except the amusement of each other.
The Major had taken his place amongst the young people, and in his light kerseymeres looked as youthful as his competitors. He was the worst player on the ground, and in that respect distinguished himself by affording the greatest degree of enjoyment to the company. He was perfectly aware of his own incapacity; but, cheerfully declaring that it was never too late to learn, he laughed cordially with those who laughed at him. He, undoubtedly, would have been less buoyant had he been aware that much of the mirth he provoked was due to the droll effect of his earnest efforts to skip hither and thither with the same lightness and ease as his youthful rivals. Of this he was happily unconscious, and so he flourished his racket gaily, and began to think that he would soon be a first-class player. He skipped the more when he observed that Miss Euphemia Panton, the wealthy spinster, was watching his movements from the terrace.
He had made what was, for him, a most dexterous stroke, and stood complacently waiting his turn to play, when a servant approached him and presented a note.
‘Beg pardon, sir, but I was told to ask your immediate attention to this.’
‘Thank you,’ said the Major, putting the note carelessly in his pocket, as he stood smiling on his pretty partner, Miss Helen (in home circles, Nellie) Carroll, who was understood to be engaged to the stalwart young fellow on the other side of the net, and at present her opponent.
The Major admired the clever competition of the lovers; they were so gay and energetic in it, that his mental reflection was that they were really trying the question as to which should be master in the future.