SIR HENRY SAID IT WAS THE ONLY THING.
The dinner at the deanery went off without much excitement. Captain De
Baron would of course have preferred that Lord George should have
remained at Manor Cross, but under no circumstances could he have had
much more to say to the lady. They understood each other now. He was
quite certain that any evil thing spoken of her had been sheer slander,
and yet he had managed to tell her everything of himself without
subjecting himself to her undying anger. When she left the
drawing-room, the conversation turned again upon the great Popenjoy
question, and from certain words which fell from the Dean, Jack was
enabled to surmise that Lord George had reason to hope that an heir
might be born to him. "He does not look as though he would live long
himself," said the Dean, speaking of the Marquis.
"I trust he may with all my heart," said Lord George.
"That's another question," replied the Dean. "I only say that he
doesn't look like it." Lord George went away early, and Jack De Baron
thought it prudent to retire at the same time. "So you're going
to-morrow, dear," said the Dean.
"Yes, papa. Is it not best?"
"Oh yes. Nothing could be worse than a prolonged separation. He means
to be honest and good."
"He is honest and good, papa."
"You have had your triumph."
"I did not want to triumph;--not at least over him."
"After what had occurred it was necessary that you should have your own
way in coming here. Otherwise he would have triumphed. He would have
taken you away, and you and I would have been separated. Of course you
are bound to obey him;--but there must be limits. He would have taken
you away as though in disgrace, and that I could not stand. There will
be an end of that now. God knows when I shall see you again, Mary."
"Why not, papa?"
"Because he hasn't got over his feeling against me. I don't think he
ever gets over any feeling. Having no home of his own why does he not
bring you here?"
"I don't think he likes the idea of being a burden to you."
"Exactly. He has not cordiality enough to feel that when two men are in
a boat together, as he and I are because of you, all that feeling
should go to the wind. He ought not to be more ashamed to sit at my
table and drink of my cup than you are. If it were all well between us
and he had the property, should I scruple to go and stay at Manor
Cross."
"You would still have your own house to go back to."
"So will he,--after a while. But it can't be altered, dear, and God
forbid that I should set you against him. He is not a rake nor a
spendthrift, nor will he run after other women." Mary thought of Mrs.
Houghton, but she held her tongue. "He is not a bad man and I think he
loves you."
"I am sure he does."
"But I can't help feeling sad at parting with you. I suppose I shall at
any rate be able to see you up in town next season." The Dean as he
said this was almost weeping.
Mary, when she was alone in her room, of course thought much of Captain
De Baron and his story. It was a pity,--a thousand pities,--that it
should be so. It was to be regretted,--much regretted,--that he had
been induced to tell his story. She was angry with herself because she
had been indiscreet, and she was still angry,--a little angry with
him,--because he had yielded to the temptation. But there had been
something sweet in it. She was sorry, grieved in her heart of hearts
that he should love her. She had never striven to gain his love. She
had never even thought of it. It ought not to have been so. She should
have thought of it; she should not have shown herself to be so pleased
with his society. But yet,--yet it was sweet. Then there came upon her
some memory of her old dreams, before she had been engaged to Lord
George. She knew how vain had been those dreams, because she now loved
Lord George with her whole heart; but yet she remembered them, and felt
as though they had come true with a dreamy half truth. And she brought
to mind all those flattering words with which he had spoken her
praises,--how he had told her that she was an angel, too good and pure
to be supposed capable of evil; how he had said that in his castles in
the air he would still think of her as his wife. Surely a man may build
what castles in the air he pleases, if he will only hold his tongue!
She was quite sure that she did not love him, but she was sure also
that his was the proper way of making love. And then she thought of
Guss Mildmay. Could she not in pure charity do a good turn to that poor
girl? Might she not tell Captain De Baron that it was his duty to marry
her? And if he felt it to be his duty would he not do so? It may be
doubted whether in these moments she did not think much better of
Captain De Baron than that gentleman deserved.
On the next day the Manor Cross carriage came over for her. The Dean
had offered to send her, but Lord George had explained that his mother
was anxious that the carriage should come. There would be a cart for
the luggage. As to Lady George herself there was a general feeling at
Manor Cross that in the present circumstances the family carriage
should bring her home. But it came empty. "God bless you, dearest,"
said the Dean as he put her into the vehicle.
"Good-bye, papa. I suppose you can come over and see me."
"I don't know that I can. I saw none of the ladies when I was there
yesterday."
"I don't care a bit for the ladies. Where I go, papa, you can come. Of
course George will see you, and you could ask for me." The Dean smiled,
and kissed her again, and then she was gone.
She hardly knew what grand things were in store for her. She was still
rebelling in her heart against skirts and petticoats, and resolving
that she would not go to church twice on Sundays unless she liked it,
when the carriage drove up to the door. They were all in the hall, all
except the Marchioness. "We wouldn't go in," said Lady Amelia, "because
we didn't like to fill the carriage."
"And George wanted us to send it early," said Lady Sarah, "before we
had done our work." They all kissed her affectionately, and then she
was again in her husband's arms. Mrs. Toff curtseyed to her most
respectfully. Mary observed the curtsey and reminded herself at the
moment that Mrs. Toff had never curtseyed to her before. Even the tall
footman in knee-breeches stood back with a demeanour which had hitherto
been vouchsafed only to the real ladies of the family. Who could tell
how soon that wicked Marquis would die; and then,--then how great would
not be the glory of the Dean's daughter! "Perhaps you won't mind coming
up to mamma as soon as you have got your hat off," said Lady Susanna.
"Mamma is so anxious to see you." Mary's hat was immediately off, and
she declared herself ready to go to the Marchioness. "Mamma has had a
great deal to trouble her since you were here," said Lady Susanna, as
she led the way upstairs. "She has aged very much. You'll be kind to
her, I know."
"Of course I'll be kind," said Mary; "I hope I never was unkind."
"She thinks so much of things now, and then she cries so often. We do
all we can to prevent her from crying, because it does make her so
weak. Beef-tea is best, we think; and then we try to get her to sleep
a good deal. Mary has come, mamma. Here she is. The carriage has only
just arrived." Mary followed Lady Susanna into the room, and the
Marchioness was immediately immersed in a flood of tears.
"My darling!" she exclaimed; "my dearest, if anything can ever make me
happy again it is that you should have come back to me." Mary kissed
her mother-in-law and submitted to be kissed with a pretty grace, as
though she and the old lady had always been the warmest, most
affectionate friends. "Sit down, my love. I have had the easy chair
brought there on purpose for you. Susanna, get her that footstool."
Susanna, without moving a muscle of her face, brought the footstool.
"Now sit down, and let me look at you. I don't think she's much
changed." This was very distressing to poor Mary, who, with all her
desire to oblige the Marchioness could not bring herself to sit down in
the easy chair. "So that poor little boy has gone, my dear?"
"I was so sorry to hear it."
"Yes, of course. That was quite proper. When anybody dies we ought to
be sorry for them. I'm sure I did all I could to make things
comfortable for him. Didn't I, Susanna?"
"You were quite anxious about him, mamma."
"So I was,--quite anxious. I have no doubt his mother neglected him. I
always thought that. But now there will be another, won't there?" This
was a question which the mother expectant could not answer, and in
order to get over the difficulty Susanna suggested that Mary should be
allowed to go down to lunch.
"Certainly, my dear. In her condition she ought not to be kept waiting
a minute. And mind, Susanna, she has bottled porter. I spoke about it
before. She should have a pint at lunch and a pint at dinner."
"I can't drink porter," said Mary, in despair.
"My dear, you ought to; you ought indeed; you must. I remember as well
as if it were yesterday Sir Henry telling me it was the only sure
thing. That was before Popenjoy was born,--I mean Brotherton. I do so
hope it will be a Popenjoy, my dear." This was the last word said to
her as Mary was escaping from the room.
She was not expected to make cloaks and skirts, but she was obliged to
fight against a worse servitude even than that. She almost longed for
the cloaks and skirts when day after day she was entreated to take her
place in the easy chair by the couch of the Marchioness. There was a
cruelty in refusing, but in yielding there was a crushing misery. The
Marchioness evidently thought that the future stability of the family
depended on Mary's quiescence and capability for drinking beer. Very
many lies were necessarily told her by all the family. She was made to
believe that Mary never got up before eleven; and the doctor who came
to see herself and to whose special care Mary was of course
recommended, was induced to say that it was essential that Lady George
should be in the open air three hours every day. "You know I'm not the
least ill, mother," Mary said to her one day. Since these new hopes and
the necessity for such hopes had come up the Marchioness had requested
that she might be called mother by her daughter-in-law.
"No, my dear, not ill; but I remember as though it were yesterday what
Sir Henry said to me when Popenjoy was going to be born. Of course he
was Popenjoy when he was born. I don't think they've any physicians
like Sir Henry now. I do hope it'll be a Popenjoy."
"But that can't be, mother. You are forgetting."
The old woman thought for a while, and then remembered the difficulty.
"No, not quite at once." Then her mind wandered again. "But if this
isn't a Popenjoy, my dear,--and it's all in the hands of God,--then the
next may be. My three first were all girls; and it was a great trouble;
but Sir Henry said the next would be a Popenjoy; and so it was. I hope
this will be a Popenjoy, because I might die before the next." When a
week of all this had been endured Mary in her heart was glad that the
sentence of expulsion from Manor Cross still stood against her husband,
feeling that six months of reiterated longings for a Popenjoy would
kill her and the possible Popenjoy also.
Then came the terrible question of an immediate residence. The month
was nearly over, and Lord George had determined that he would go up to
town for a few days when the time came. Mary begged to be taken with
him, but to this he would not accede, alleging that his sojourn there
would only be temporary, till something should be settled. "I am sure,"
said Mary, "your brother would dislike my being here worse than you."
That might be true, but the edict, as it had been pronounced, had not
been against her. The Marquis had simply ordered that in the event of
Lord George remaining in the house, the house and park should be
advertised for letting. "George, I think he must be mad," said Mary.
"He is sane enough to have the control of his own property."
"If it is let, why shouldn't you take it?"
"Where on earth should I get the money?"
"Couldn't we all do it among us?"
"He wouldn't let it to us; he will allow my mother and sisters to live
here for nothing; and I don't think he has said anything to Mr. Knox
about you. But I am to be banished."
"He must be mad."
"Mad or not, I must go."
"Do,--do let me go with you! Do go to the deanery. Papa will make it
all square by coming up to us in London."
"Your father has a right to be in the house in London," said Lord
George with a scowl.
When the month was over he did go up to town, and saw Mr. Knox. Mr.
Knox advised him to go back to Manor Cross, declaring that he himself
would take no further steps without further orders. He had not had a
line from the Marquis. He did not even know where the Marquis was,
supposing, however, that he was in his house on the lake; but he did
know that the Marchioness was not with him, as separate application had
been made to him by her Ladyship for money. "I don't think I can do
it," said Lord George. Mr. Knox shrugged his shoulders, and again said
that he saw no objection. "I should be very slow in advertising, you
know," said Mr. Knox.
"But I don't think that I have a right to be in a man's house without
his leave. I don't think I am justified in staying there against his
will because he is my brother." Mr. Knox could only shrug his
shoulders.
He remained up in town doing nothing, doubtful as to where he should go
and whither he should take his wife, while she was still at Manor
Cross, absolutely in the purple, but still not satisfied with her
position. She was somewhat cheered at this time by a highspirited
letter from her friend Mrs. Jones, written from Killancodlem.
"We are all here," said Mrs. Jones, "and we do so wish you were with
us. I have heard of your condition at last, and of course it would not
be fit that you should be amusing yourself with wicked idle people like
us, while all the future of all the Germains is, so to say, in your
keeping. How very opportune that that poor boy should have gone just as
the other is coming! Mind that you are a good girl and take care of
yourselves. I daresay all the Germain ladies are looking after you day
and night, so that you can't misbehave very much. No more Kappa-kappas
for many a long day for you!
"We have got Lord Giblet here. It was such a task! I thought cart-ropes
wouldn't have brought him? Now he is as happy as the day is long, and
like a tame cat in my hands. I really think he is very much in love
with her, and she behaves quite prettily. I took care that Green pere
should come down in the middle of it, and that clenched it. The lover
didn't make the least fight when papa appeared, but submitted himself
like a sheep to the shearers. I shouldn't have done it if I hadn't
known that he wanted a wife and if I hadn't been sure that she would
make a good one. There are some men who never really get on their legs
till they're married, and never would get married without a little
help. I'm sure he'll bless me, or would do, only he'll think after a
bit that he did it all by himself.
"Our friend Jack is with us, behaving very well, but not quite like
himself. There are two or three very pretty girls here, but he goes
about among them quite like a steady old man. I got him to tell me that
he'd seen you at Brotherton, and then he talked a deal of nonsense
about the good you'd do when you were Marchioness. I don't see, my
dear, why you should do more good than other people. I hope you'll be
gracious to your old friends, and keep a good house, and give nice
parties. Try and make other people happy. That's the goodness I believe
in. I asked him why you were to be particularly good, and then he
talked a deal more nonsense, which I need not repeat.
"I hear very queer accounts about the Marquis. He behaved himself at
Rudham almost like anybody else, and walked into dinner like a
Christian. They say that he is all alone in Italy, and that he won't
see her. I fancy he was more hurt in that little affair than some
people will allow. Whatever it was, it served him right. Of course I
should be glad to see Lord George come to the throne. I always tell the
truth, my dear, about these things. What is the use of lying. I shall
be very glad to see Lord George a marquis,--and then your Popenjoy will
be Popenjoy.
"You remember the Baroness,--your Baroness. Oh, the Baroness! She
absolutely asked me to let her come to Killancodlem. 'But I hate
disabilities and rights,' said I. She gave me to understand that that
made no difference. Then I was obliged to tell her that I hadn't a bed
left. Any little room would do for her. 'We haven't any little rooms at
Killancodlem,' said I;--and then I left her.
"Good-bye. Mind you are good and take care of yourself; and, whatever
you do, let Popenjoy have a royal godfather."
Then her father came over to see her. At this time Lord George was up
in town, and when her father was announced she felt that there was no
one to help her. If none of the ladies of the family would see her
father she never would be gracious to them again. This was the
turning-point. She could forgive them for the old quarrel. She could
understand that they might have found themselves bound to take their
elder brother's part at first. Then they had quarrelled with her, too.
Now they had received her back into their favour. But she would have
none of their favours, unless they would take her father with her.
She was sitting at the time in that odious arm-chair in the old lady's
room; and when Mrs. Toff brought in word that the Dean was in the
little drawing-room, Lady Susanna was also present. Mary jumped up
immediately, and knew that she was blushing. "Oh! I must go down to
papa," she said. And away she went.
The Dean was in one of his best humours, and was full of Brotherton
news. Mr. Groschut had been appointed to the vicarage of Pugsty, and
would leave Brotherton within a month.
"I suppose it's a good living."
"About L300 a year, I believe. He's been acting not quite on the square
with a young lady, and the Bishop made him take it. It was that or
nothing." The Dean was quite delighted; and when Mary told him
something of her troubles,--how impossible she found it to drink
bottled porter,--he laughed, and bade her be of good cheer, and told
her that there were good days coming. They had been there for nearly
an hour together, and Mary was becoming unhappy. If her father were
allowed to go without some recognition from the family, she would never
again be friends with those women. She was beginning to think that she
never would be friends again with any of them, when the door opened,
and Lady Sarah entered the room.
The greeting was very civil on both sides. Lady Sarah could, if she
pleased, be gracious, though she was always a little grand; and the
Dean was quite willing to be pleased, if only any effort was made to
please him. Lady Sarah hoped that he would stay and dine. He would
perhaps excuse the Marchioness, as she rarely now left her room. The
Dean could not dine at Manor Cross on that day, and then Lady Sarah
asked him to come on the Thursday following.