However, for the present the uneasiness was set aside, in the daily
avocations of the Rectory, where Alick was always a very different
person from what he appeared in Lady Temple's drawing-room, constantly
engaged as he was by unobtrusive watchfulness over his uncle, and active
and alert in this service in a manner that was a curious contrast to his
ordinary sauntering ways. As to Rachel, the whole state of existence
was still a happy dream. She floated on from day to day in the tranquil
activity of the Rectory, without daring to look back on the past or to
think out her present frame of mind; it was only the languor and rest
of recovery after suffering, and her husband was heedfully watching her,
fearing the experiment of the croquet party, though on many accounts
feeling the necessity of its being made.
Ermine's hint, that with Rachel it rested to prevent her unpopularity
from injuring her husband, had not been thrown away, and she never
manifested any shrinking from the party, and even took some interest in
arraying herself for it.
"That is what I call well turned out," exclaimed Alick, when she came
down.
"Describe her dress, if you please," said Mr. Clare, "I like to hear how
my nieces look."
Alick guided his hand. "There, stroke it down, a long white feather in
a shady hat trimmed with dark green, velvet; she is fresh and rosy,
you know, sir, and looks well in green, and then, is it Grace's taste,
Rachel? for it is the prettiest thing you have worn--a pale buff sort of
silky thing, embroidered all over in the same colour," and he put a fold
of the dress into his uncle's hand.
"Indian, surely," said Mr. Clare, feeling the pattern, "it is too
intricate and graceful for the West."
"Yes," said Alick, "I remember now, Grace showed it to me. It was one
that Lady Temple brought from India, and never had made up. Poor Grace
could get no sympathy from Rachel about the wedding clothes, so she was
obliged to come to me."
"And I thought you did not know one of my things from another," said
Rachel. "Do you really mean that you care?"
"Depend upon it, he does, my dear," said Mr. Clare. "I have heard him
severely critical on his cousins."
"He has been very good in not tormenting me," said Rachel, nestling
nearer to him.
"I apprehended the consequences," said Alick, "and besides, you never
mounted that black lace pall, or curtain, or whatever you call it, upon
your head, after your first attempt at frightening me away with it."
"A cap set against, instead of at," said Mr. Clare, laughing; and
therewith his old horse was heard clattering in the yard, and Alick
proceeded to drive the well-used phaeton about three miles through
Earlsworthy Park, to a pleasant-looking demesne in the village beyond.
As they were turning in at the gate, up came Lady Keith with her two
brisk little Shetlands. She was one mass of pretty, fresh, fluttering
blue and white muslin, ribbon, and lace, and looked particularly well
and brilliant.