Wych Hazel | Page 4

'Well, sir?' she repeated, looking up at him, 'what are they, if you
please?'
'Two brilliants of the first water,' replied Mr. Falkirk looking down into
her eyes. 'To which some people add, two fine bits of sardius.'
'And which some people say are set in bronze,'--said the young lady,
but with a pretty little laugh and flush.
'Where do you propose the search should begin?' said the gentleman,
disregarding this display.
'At Chickaree, sir. I should go down there at once, and so start from
home in proper style.'
'And your plan of operations?' pursued Mr. Falkirk.
'Perfectly simple, sir. Of two roads I should always take the most
difficult, and so on--ad infinitum.'
'Perfectly simple, indeed,' said Mr. Falkirk. 'Yet it might lead to a
complication. I'm afraid it would prove a Western line of travel, my
dear--end in a squirrel track, and run up a tree.'
'What a lookout we shall have!' said Wych Hazel. 'But about the dress,
Mr. Falkirk--you know my last one is quite new--and I do so want
another!'
'Then get it,' he said with a smile. 'Though I am afraid, my dear, it is
hardly in keeping. Quickear began the search in rags, and Cincerella in
ashes, and the "Fair one with the golden locks" had, I think, no other
adornment. Puss in boots was indeed new rigged--but Puss was only a

deputy. What do you say to sending me forth in boots, to seek a fortune
for you?'
An irrepressible laugh rippled forth--sweet and sound, and, oh, so
heartwhole!
'Let me see,' she said; 'To-day is Monday. To-morrow I will get the
dress and distract my dressmaker. And next Monday we will set out,
and take Chickaree for our first stage. My dear Mr. Falkirk--most
potent, grave, and reverend sir,--if you sally forth as Puss in boots, of
course I shall at once turn into the Marquis of Carrabas, which would
not suit your notions at all--confess!' she added, locking both hands
round his arm, and flashing the brilliants before his eyes.
'Next Monday we will take the first stage for Chickaree,' said Mr.
Falkirk in an unmoved manner. 'How many servants in your train, Miss
Hazel?'
'None, sir. Mrs. Bywank is there already, and Mrs. Saddler can
"forward" me "with care." I'll pick up a new maid by the way.'
'Will you pick up a page too? or does Dingee keep his place?'
'If he can be said to have one. O, Dingee, of course.'
'Wych Hazel,' said Mr. Falkirk from under his brows, 'what is your
plan?--if you are capable of such a thing.'
'My plan is to unfold my capabilities, sir,--for your express benefit, Mr.
Falkirk. We will beat the bush in every direction, and run down any
game that offers.'
Mr. Falkirk turned his chair half away, and looked into the fire. Then
slowly, but with every effect of expression, he repeated,--
'A creature bounced from the bush, Which made them all to laugh, "My
lord," he cried, "A hare! a hare!" But it proved an Essex calf.'
'Yes,' said Wych Hazel with excellent coolness,--'men do make such

little mistakes, occasionally. But this time I shall be along. Good night,
sir.'
CHAPTER III.
CORNER OF A STAGE COACH
'Miss Hazel!--Dear Miss Hazel!--Dear me, Miss Hazel!--here's the
morning, ma'am,--and Gotham, and Mr. Falkirk!'
So far the young eyes unclosed as to see that they could see
nothing--unless the flame of a wind-tossed candle,--then with a
disapproving frown they closed again.
'But Miss Hazel?' remonstrated Mrs. Saddler.
'Well?' said Wych Hazel with closed eyes.
'Mr. Falkirk's dressed, ma'am.'
'What is it to me if Mr. Falkirk chooses to get up over night?'
'But the stage, ma'am!'
'The stage can wait.'
'The stage won't, Miss Hazel,' said Mrs. Saddler, earnestly. 'And
Gotham says it's only a question of time whether we can catch it now.'
Something in these last words had an arousing power, for the girl
laughed out.
'Mrs. Saddler, how can one wake up, with the certainty of seeing a
tallow candle?'
'Dear me,' said Mrs. Saddler hurrying to light two tall sperms, 'if that's
all, Miss Hazel--'
'That's not all. What's the matter with Mr. Falkirk this morning?'

'Why nothing, ma'am. Only he said you wanted to take the first stage to
Chickaree.'
'Which I didn't, and don't.'
'And Gotham says,' pursued Mrs. Saddler, 'that if it is the first, ma'am,
we'll save a day to get to Chickaree on Thursday.'
Whereupon, Wych Hazel sprung at once into a state of physical and
mental action which nearly blew Mrs. Saddler away.
'Look,' she said, tossing the curls over her comb,--'there's my new
travelling dress on the chair.'
'Another new travelling dress!' said Mrs. Saddler with upraised hands.
'And the hat ribbands match,' said Wych Hazel, 'and the gloves. And
the