The Carved Cupboard | Page 6

the hedge. I like the place myself, and it is in good repair,
for the owner has only just left it. I must tell you about him, for there is
quite a story about him. Old Mrs. Tucker was his cook. He is an
eccentric widower, and has a brother with a lot of property in the
neighbourhood. He spends his time in carving, painting, and writing
about old manuscripts. That is one thing you will like, Clare; all the
doors and cupboards in the house are carved most beautifully, even the
low window sills, and mantelpieces. About four months ago he had a
dreadful quarrel with his brother, and told Mrs. Tucker that he was
going abroad till his temper cooled. He stored all his furniture, and said
he would let the house, but only to a yearly tenant, as he might wish to
return again. That is the disadvantage of the house; but I think he will
not be in a hurry to return. There is an old carved cupboard let into the
wall in the room which was his study, and this he has left locked, and
wishes any tenant to understand that it is not to be opened. They take
the house under this condition.'
'A Bluebeard's cupboard,' said Clare delightedly. 'Why, this is most
interesting. I am longing to take the house now.'
'That is indeed a woman's speech,' said a voice behind her, and a tall
broad-shouldered man laid his hand gently on her shoulder.
Clare turned round, with a pretty pink colour in her cheeks.
'Oh, Hugh, is it you? Come and sit down, and hear about the cottage we
meditate taking. Gwen is our business man, and seems to have found
just the place we wanted.'
Captain Knox took a seat by his betrothed, and was soon hearing about
it all. Then after it was discussed afresh, and he agreed that it might
prove suitable, the other girls slipped away to the inner drawing-room,
and left the young couple alone.

Clare's wistful dreaminess had vanished now, and she was bright and
animated.
'I believe you girls are rejoicing in your sudden downfall,' said Captain
Knox at length; 'I hear no moans now over your lost fortunes. It is the
outside world that is pitying you. "Those poor girls," I hear on all sides,
"after the very marked way in which old Miss Dane told everybody
they would be heiresses at her death. It is most incomprehensible."'
It is no laughing matter, Hugh,' said Clare gravely. 'We are going to try
and make the best of it; but when we think of James, our blood boils!'
'Well, darling, you will never know actual want, that is my comfort.
How I wish I could offer you a home now! but I have been advised so
strongly to go with this party that I feel I ought not to refuse. It will
only be a matter of six months, I hope, and then I shall take you away
from your country retreat altogether.'
'I sometimes wish----' Clare stopped.
'Well, what?'
'I was going to say I wish you were not in the army, but that is wrong. I
do so much prefer a settled home to the incessant change in the service.'
Captain Knox's brows clouded a little, for he was a keen soldier, and
was devoted to his corps, which was the Royal Engineers.
'But, Clare, I have heard you say before that you do not care for a gay
town life, nor a quiet country one; so what do you like?'
'I don't know what I like,' she said, laughing; 'generally it is what I
haven't got. Don't mind my grumblings. I shall be so tired of the
country, and the dull monotony of it all, by the time you come back,
that I shall fly to you with open arms, and entreat you to take me into
the very midst of garrison gaiety.'
Captain Knox smiled, though he still looked perplexed. Clare's moods,

and contradictions of humour, were inexplicable to a man of his frank,
straightforward nature. Yet she was so sweetly penitent after a fit of
discontent, and so delightful in her waywardness, that he only loved her
the more, and found, as so many others do, that woman is a problem
that few masculine brains can solve.
Whilst the two lovers were enjoying their tête-à-tête, Elfie had crept
upstairs to see Nannie, and a gravity had settled on her usually sunny
face as she entered her nurse's room.
'Have you come for a chat, Miss Elfie?' inquired the old woman,
brightening at the sight of her.
'Yes, Nannie. I have been thinking over my verse that you gave me. I
can't get it out of my head. It is a very lovely