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It might be pleasant to have an affectionate wife, but no drinking gambler like Ned Hardcash should ever be able to say or remember that he had kissed the mistress of The Beauties. I was sad at heart: hope now failed me. Poor little Eva! I must bury her image with the "wild rose," with "my star," with the "sympathizing friend." All, all are emptiness are names, are dreams.
"I won't laugh," I said, putting her arm in mine and walking down the verandah. "Come, sit on this sofa and tell me all about it." "Well," she said, half pouting and half crying, "I must marry some one this season both mamma and auntie say so and I can't marry Ned." "Ned Hardcash? You don't mean to say he was spooney on you?" "Yes he was, but I told him he was too poor."
"I can do nothing. What do you advise, Jane?" "In the first place, stop her being with such gentlemen as Mr. Hardcash." "Eva is so high-spirited," groaned Mrs. Fluffy, "I fear she would not listen to me." "You mean obstinate, Sarah. Tell her seriously that she has had two very gay seasons that you can't afford another that she must make up her mind now.
In the midst of this reverie the door burst open, shut with a bang, and Ned Hardcash threw himself on a fauteuil opposite me. "What's up now?" I cried. "Has Harry Basset lost?" Ned was always deep on the turf, and I could think of nothing else that would cut him up so much. "D n Harry Basset! I say, Charley, haven't you some brandy?"
"Tell me," answered Jane after an ominous silence that was quite thrilling, "where is Eva at this moment?" "Oh,", replied Sarah with a sigh of relief, "she is walking with Mr. Hardcash. You introduced him at the last ball." "I introduced him to dance with, not to walk with," said Jane severely. "Goodness me, sister! what's the difference?" "She asks me 'What's the difference? Are you a child?
Hardcash is just the size to waltz well with Eva he shows her off to advantage but he is not a man to encourage afterward. She should not be seen walking or talking intimately with a gentleman who has less than ten thousand a year." Mrs. Stunner delivered this ultimatum with the tone of a just judge who will hear of no appeal.
But I am missing all her trash: better listen. It is really not worth getting heated over. "The others I will see about," continued Aunt Jane. "It is very little consequence who they are. Only one thing: I won't have that Hardcash about: he and Eva have been entirely too much together." "She is rough on Ned," thought I in ambush. "I am afraid you won't be able to manage Eva, my dear Jane."
I don't see that she would have been any the worse for it if I had kissed her; and wasn't I as respectful as her nearest relation? 'Pon honor I was. A very odd girl. I shall ask Ned Hardcash about it. I never saw Eva looking better than she did that night. I lounged around the room until I came to her crowd, attached myself there, and did some heavy flirting.
Why, just the difference between dancing and walking." From the pause that followed I knew that Mrs. F. was looking with both her round eyes, intent on seeing it. I suppose she did not succeed, as her sister continued, emphasizing each word clearly, "Mr. Hardcash has not a penny," as if that at once explained the knotty question. "Why did you introduce him if you don't approve of him?" asked Mrs.
Maybe some women are modest: I will ask Hardcash about it. She may not have known what she was saying agitated, and all that sort of thing. I will see how she acts to-night need not ask her again if she is not civil. Eva will comfort me if I need it. What a sweet voice she had till she got angry! but she was very odd. I strolled home to the hotel, musing over the adventure of the afternoon.
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