icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon

The Hoyden

Chapter 9 HOW MAURICE PLACES HIS LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE HOYDEN, AND HOW SHE TELLS HIM MANY THINGS, AND DESIRES MANY THINGS OF HIM.

Word Count: 3699    |    Released on: 01/12/2017

om, where some dancing is going on. His face is a little white, but beyond that he betrays no emotion whatever. He feels even surpr

the next. Yes; he can have it. She dances like a little fairy, and when the waltz is at a

to laugh when she laughed, to listen to her nonsense. As he walks with her towards the flowers, he tells himsel

over! it is

better. She has fo

at the end of that is another and larger conservatory, connected with the drawing-room.

t to dance

of flowers, seems very mu

tired. It is bad for you to fatigue yourself so much. You have had

hile," says s

she takes every step that leads

e flowering shrubs, adds a delicious sense of coolness to the air. The delicate perfume of heliotrope mingles with the breath of the roses, yellow and

pressing her gently into a deep lounging chair that seems to s

to wonder if he might have a cigarette. He might almost have believ

ays Tita, glancing ro

ds me of

kde

she softly-"where I

ing of your life,"

. He has, indeed, but one idea, and that is to encourage her

very happy at Oakdean, when," hesitating, "papa was alive; but now I hav

matter wit

se, too, but I hate it; it is so gloomy. I'm sure," with a shrug of her shoulders, "Unc

s to make a poor s

without reservation. "He's a be

s Rylton, rou

tle amused, and somewhat surprised. She seems

People say a lot about family resemblances, but it seems wicked to think Un

changeling," s

elieve it! he drowned every one of them-said they were ill-bred, or something. And they weren't, they couldn't have been; they were perfectly beautiful, and my darling Scrub fretted herself nearly to death after

men pride themselves on the pedigree o

efend him!" says she, risi

ng could excuse his refusing you that one pupp

e won't let me

et you co

traight at him. "My uncle is ashamed because we are nobodies-because his father earned his

own your father," says Rylton, ad

ly. She pauses, as if still thinking, and then, "As f

ys Rylton. "Crime sits

but presently she stops

ys she ruefully. "You have not to go home

oralizing me! But, surely, if you cannot live in peace with him, ther

o relations-at least, none who could look after me; and, for another,

ve me! I should not have laughed," says he, "espe

subdued lights of those pink

; I've heard of people who were married at sixteen! But they must have been fools. No? I don't want to be married,

, rather abominably,

confusedly. "I hav

't," says

ith my uncle. No; I can't." She leans back, and, flinging her arms behind her neck, looks

w far removed from worldly considerations! His affair with Marian is at an end. Never

e would please his mother, and restore the old name to something of i

over. It is

easing voice

faith. She shall know all. Probably she will refuse him. For one thing, because he is ten years older than she is-a century in the eyes of a child o

ll be all fair and above-board between them. He can give her a titl

In all probability she will say "No" to it. But if not-if

ld do," says he, "would be to ma

says

ems su

hen, with whom you

d do a great deal more than that to get away from

that Rylton's heart grows cold within

her religiously, "would you marry

love w

in love, but who a

wouldn't want to marry me," says Tita.

eliberately. He leans for

t, he will throw up the remnant of his life here and go abroad. And, at all events, he can so f

ou!" sa

ares a

ou to marry him for any reason less than love; but I-I

ked at his own words

asks the

deep inquiry and wonder

stly. "Your money could redeem this old place, and

tfully. There is silence for awhile, and then-"I should be a

l things should be allowed her at this juncture,

up at him. "You could

ou!" say

himself, but the gir

nothing," says she

hortly with all the rest. For myself, I don't care much really, but my

elp you!" says Tita

tress upon t

you trust yo

t mys

before you. I am not in love with you, and I have n

ays Tita. "I," patheti

t she had set great st

ally. But you say t

will help me

Tita, with some haste. And then in a

cert

er air is so na?ve that Rylton bursts out laughing. After all, the la

father's death. "You shall command me in this matter; I shall live at Oakdean if that is your desire."

past delights in which he has had no part. "To live there again!" She sighs quickly, excitedly. "You haven't seen it, you don't know," says she. "Bu

returns he. Indeed, to him it is now a matter of indifference where life may b

blessing I came here! Fancy getting rid of Uncle George and getting back to Oakdean all in one stroke!"

wn, and regards her with some anxiety-"have you thought it all out? I have t

ate you if you were in love with me. Fancy a person following me about always, and saying silly things to me, and perh

s this startling question, tha

n't k

w, and at once," says Mi

core. To marry a girl who even objected to a kiss! It sounds like a French play. He subdues his untimely mirth by an effort, and says gravely, "How can I pr

had struck her. "Well, let it stay so," says she. "If ever I do grow

bargain,

augh. It seems to him that she is

, with quite a polite air,

ght with much energy. She tilts the shoulder nearest to h

an embryo flirt of the first water? Whatever she is, at all events, s

no?" que

ds her

e said 'Yes' to

d again. She nod

ll marry yo

tell my

ittle troubled expressio

ll be mad. She won't let you marry

her declaration makes it the more shocking. And how does she kno

e to me. I don't blame her. I'm sure I'm often horrid. I

pa

at w

our c

cous

love her,

ly as pale as death. "What do yo

a. "I think Miss Knollys is the

voluntarily. The relief is so great th

ays Tita. "Who did

en now I am surprised. Margaret, though very

ou lov

es, I

at him quickly-"I have been thinking that"-nervously-"that when I marry you, Miss Knollys will be my cousin, to

e. He has barely yet recovered from t

the first question. "Do you think she will

open arms." He feels as if he were lying when he says this, yet is

ike it," says Tita, "not some

of the conservatory that will lead her to t

other," says he gentl

her whole young, gene

ll! I shal

re and there are groups in twos or threes-the twos are most popular. Just as they come to t

e trembling. For the first time the solemnity of this ma

says Rylto

But you--" She hesitates, looking at him always. Her gaze is intense. He

" says he. "Don't mistrust me

nd of me. I'm-you don't know it-nobody knows it-but I'm often

or ever." He is touched to his very heart by her words and her small face. He stoops over her

I know I shall be happy with you." She is evidently comparing him most favourably

me God!" says Ryl

th of allegiance-kind

abjuration of all his

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open
1 Chapter 1 HOW DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND, AND HOW THE SPARKS FLEW.2 Chapter 2 HOW MARGARET PLEADS FOR THE LITTLE HOYDEN, AND WITH WHAT ILL-SUCCESS.3 Chapter 3 HOW LADY RYLTON SAYS A FEW THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER LEFT UNSAID. HOW THE SCHEME IS LAID BEFORE SIR MAURICE, AND HOW HE REFUSES TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.4 Chapter 4 HOW THE HEART OF MAURICE GREW HOT WITHIN HIM, AND HOW HE PUT THE QUESTION TO THE TOUCH, AND HOW HE NEITHER LOST NOR WON.5 Chapter 5 SHOWING HOW, WHEN PEOPLE DO CONGREGATE TOGETHER, MUCH KNOWLEDGE MAY BE FOUND, AND HOW THE LITTLE HOYDEN HAD SOME KIND THINGS SAID ABOUT HER.6 Chapter 6 HOW GAMES WERE PLAYED, OF SORTS ; AND HOW TITA WAS MUCH HARRIED, BUT HOW SHE BORE HERSELF VALIANTLY, AND HOW, NOT KNOWING OF HER VICTORIES, SHE WON ALL THROUGH.7 Chapter 7 HOW THE ARGUMENT GROWS HIGHER; AND HOW MARIAN LOSES HER TEMPER, AND HOW MARGARET OBJECTS TO THE RUIN OF ONE YOUNG LIFE.8 Chapter 8 HOW A STORM RAGED; AND HOW, WHEN A MAN AND WOMAN MET FACE TO FACE, THE VICTORY-FOR A WONDER-WENT TO THE MAN.9 Chapter 9 HOW MAURICE PLACES HIS LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE HOYDEN, AND HOW SHE TELLS HIM MANY THINGS, AND DESIRES MANY THINGS OF HIM.10 Chapter 10 HOW MAURICE GIVES WAY TO TEMPER, AND HOW LADY RYLTON PLANTS A SHAFT OR TWO. AND HOW MARGARET SAYS A WORD IN SEASON, AND HOW IN RETURN COLONEL NEILSON SAYS A WORD TO HER.11 Chapter 11 HOW THE LAST DAY COMES, AND HOW SOME STRANGE WORDS ARE SAID BEFORE THE MARRIAGE IS ACCOMPLISHED; AND HOW MARION BETHUNE SCORES A POINT.12 Chapter 12 HOW TITA COMES BACK FROM HER HONEYMOON, AND HOW HER HUSBAND'S MOTHER TELLS HER OF CERTAIN THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT UNTOLD.13 Chapter 13 HOW A YOUNG AND LOVELY NATURE TAKES A SHOCK MOST CRUELLY ADMINISTERED. AND HOW A DOWAGER TAKES A NEW NAME AS A DIRECT INSULT. AND HOW TITA DECLINES TO PROMISE ANYTHING.14 Chapter 14 HOW TITA COMES TO OAKDEAN, AND IS GLAD. AND HOW MAURICE CALLS TO HER, AND SHE PERFORMS AN ACROBATIC FEAT. AND HOW A DISCUSSION ARISES.15 Chapter 15 HOW TITA TELLS OF TWO STRANGE DREAMS, AND OF HOW THEY MOVED HER. AND HOW MAURICE SETS HIS SOUL ON ASKING A GUEST TO OAKDEAN; AND HOW HE GAINS HIS DESIRE.16 Chapter 16 HOW A DULL MORNING GIVES BIRTH TO A STRANGE AFTERNOON. AND HOW RYLTON'S EYES ARE WIDENED BY A FRIEND.17 Chapter 17 HOW TITA SUGGESTS A GAME OF BLIND MAN'S BUFF, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.18 Chapter 18 HOW TITA GETS A SCOLDING, AND HOW SHE REBELS AND ACCUSES SIR MAURICE OF BREACH OF CONTRACT.19 Chapter 19 HOW RYLTON'S HEART CONDEMNS HIM. AND HOW, AS HE WALKS, A SERPENT STINGS HIM. AND HOW HE IS RECOVERED OF HIS WOUND. AND HOW THE LITTLE RIFT IS MENDED-BUT WITH TOO FINE THREAD.20 Chapter 20 HOW TITA TAKES HIGH GROUND, AND HOW SHE BRINGS HER HUSBAND, OF ALL PEOPLE, TO HER FEET.21 Chapter 21 HOW EVERYONE GOES TO LADY WARBECK'S DANCE, AND HELPS TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS; AND HOW MANY CURIOUS THINGS ARE SAID AND DONE THERE.22 Chapter 22 HOW RYLTON ASKS HIS WIFE TO TREAD A MEASURE WITH HIM, AND HOW THE FATES WEAVE A LITTLE MESH FOR TITA'S PRETTY FEET.23 Chapter 23 HOW MARIAN FIGHTS FOR MASTERY; AND HOW THE BATTLE GOES; AND HOW CHANCE BEFRIENDS THE ENEMY.24 Chapter 24 HOW RYLTON MAKES A MOST DISHONOURABLE BET, AND HOW HE REPENTS OF IT; AND HOW, THOUGH HE WOULD HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM IT, HE FINDS HE CANNOT.25 Chapter 25 HOW TITA TOLD A SECRET TO TOM HESCOTT IN THE MOONLIGHT; AND HOW HE SOUGHT TO DISCOVER MANY THINGS, AND HOW HE WAS MOST INNOCENTLY BAFFLED.26 Chapter 26 HOW TITA LOOKS AT HERSELF IN THE GLASS AND WONDERS; AND HOW SHE DOES HER HAIR IN QUITE A NEW STYLE, AND GOES TO ASK SIR MAURICE WHAT HE THINKS OF IT; AND HOW HE ANSWERS HER.27 Chapter 27 No.2728 Chapter 28 No.2829 Chapter 29 No.2930 Chapter 30 No.3031 Chapter 31 No.3132 Chapter 32 No.3233 Chapter 33 No.3334 Chapter 34 No.3435 Chapter 35 No.3536 Chapter 36 No.3637 Chapter 37 No.3738 Chapter 38 No.3839 Chapter 39 No.3940 Chapter 40 No.4041 Chapter 41 No.4142 Chapter 42 No.4243 Chapter 43 No.4344 Chapter 44 No.4445 Chapter 45 No.4546 Chapter 46 No.4647 Chapter 47 No.4748 Chapter 48 No.4849 Chapter 49 No.4950 Chapter 50 No.5051 Chapter 51 No.5152 Chapter 52 No.5253 Chapter 53 No.5354 Chapter 54 No.5455 Chapter 55 HOW MINNIE HESCOTT GIVES TITA A HINT; AND LEARNS THAT HINTS MAY BE THROWN AWAY; AND HOW MARGARET'S SOUL IS GRIEVED.56 Chapter 56 HOW TITA COMMITS A GREAT FOLLY, THOUGH LITTLE IS THE SIN THAT LIES THEREIN. AND HOW MARGARET TRIES TO MAKE PEACE, AND WHAT COMES OF IT.57 Chapter 57 HOW MR. GOWER GROWS DARKLY MYSTERIOUS; AND HOW TITA HEARS OF THE ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER GUEST.58 Chapter 58 HOW TITA'S SOUL AT LAST IS STIRRED; AND HOW HER HAPPINESS IS THREATENED AND HERSELF SET AT NAUGHT; AND HOW MINNIE HESCOTT SPEAKS.