|Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, Baronet, of Charlton Hall, in. Staffordshire,
a very fine place, was a person of considerable importance. He had been
a member for the county, and was still a zealous politician. That he
had not married earlier in life was owing to a disappointment he
experienced, which had deeply affected him and caused him to remain a
bachelor.
In age Sir Bridgnorth was not far from sixty, still handsome, though
rather portly, and exceedingly gentlemanlike in manner. He had seen
Mildred at a county ball, and, being much struck by her resemblance to
his former love, the old flame was revived, and he determined to offer
his hand.
Accordingly, he wrote to Mrs. Calverley, as we have explained.
Sir Bridgnorth had never been in Ouselcroft before, and after a few
observations on the beauty of the grounds, he said:
“You will, no doubt, have conjectured why I have done myself the honour
of waiting upon you, ma'am?”
Mrs. Calverley slightly moved.
“You have a very lovely step-daughter. It is not necessary for me to
launch into her praises; but I may say I have only seen one person in
the course of my life who has charmed me so much. That person would have
been my wife had she not jilted me and wedded another. Miss Calverley
shall be Lady Charlton if she will accept me.
“You do us great honour, Sir Bridgnorth!” observed Mrs. Calverley.
“I don't know whether I am right, ma'am,” he pursued; “but I prefer
making this offer through you, instead of direct to the young lady, as
you can put an end to the affair at once, if you think proper. I needn't
enter into any particulars. You know my position; you know what sort of
place I have got you know I can make a good settlement on my wife, as
well as give her a title. The main question is--will Miss Calverley have
me? Is she wholly free? for I would not, for the world, interfere with
any other engagement. I have suffered too much myself not to be careful.
I am not foolish enough to persuade myself she can love me; but I
believe I could make her a very good husband, and hope she would be
happy. I am quite sure she would be indulged.”
He said this with an honest, manly sincerity, that produced a strong
effect upon Mrs. Calverley.
In a voice of some emotion, she remarked, “My own husband, as I needn't
tell you, Sir Bridgnorth, was considerably older than myself, and no one
could be happier than I was with him.”
“You encourage me to hope, madam, that the disparity of years may not
prove an objection. Supposing the young lady to be entirely disengaged,
may I be permitted to see her?”
“Most certainly, Sir Bridgnorth! I would much rather she answered for
herself than I should answer for her. Ah! I see her in the garden! If
you will step out with me to the lawn I will present you to her!”
Sir Bridgnorth willingly complied, though he felt some little internal
trepidation. A variety of emotions agitated him.
Mildred was at the further end of the lawn, but she came to meet them,
and he thought her even more charming in her simple morning costume than
in evening dress.
“I had the pleasure of seeing you at the ball at Stafford the other
night, Miss Calverley,” he said, after the presentation had taken place.
“You interested me exceedingly from the striking resemblance you bear to
a young lady to whom I was tenderly attached in former days. I will tell
you that little story some time or other should you desire to hear it.
Meantime, it may suffice to say that I was actually engaged to her, but
she threw me over for a better-looking man, and married him. It was a
severe blow, and I did not recover it for a long time. I made up my
mind never to marry, and for five-and-twenty years adhered to my
determination. But see what our resolutions are worth! The sight of
you dispelled mine in a moment! As I gazed at you, my youth seemed to
return. I felt as much enamoured as I had done before, and it was with
difficulty I could prevent myself from going up to you and saying,
'Behold your lover!'”
“I am very glad you didn't, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Mildred.
“I knew you would think me a madman!” he continued; “and fearing I might
be guilty of some indiscretion, I would not even be introduced to you.
But I watched you throughout the evening, and your image has haunted me
ever since. Feeling that my happiness is at stake, I have come here to
plead my cause in person, and have just spoken to Mrs. Calverley. Now
you know all.”
“Not quite all, my love,” said Mrs. Calverley. “I am bound to add, that,
in making his proposal to you through me, Sir Bridgnorth has behaved in
the handsomest manner.”
“I am convinced of it,” said Mildred; “but----”
“Do not crush my hopes at once,” cried Sir Bridgnorth, in alarm. “Give
me the chance of winning your affections. I don't desire an immediate
answer.”
“But I am very fickle myself, Sir Bridgnorth, and extremely liable to
change my mind. You shall have no reason to complain of me as you do of
your former love.”
“I don't complain of her,” he said, in a quiet tone.
“Then you are extremely forgiving; for, in my opinion, she used you
shamefully.”
“You must not say a word against her,” exclaimed Sir Bridgnorth.
“Why not?” inquired Mildred, in surprise.
“For an excellent reason,” he replied. “She was your own mother.”
Mildred could scarcely repress a cry.
“I thought as much,” said Mrs. Calverley. “Your fair inconstant was the
beautiful Annabella Chetwynd, my husband's first wife.”
“Exactly so,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “I never beheld her since her
marriage,” he added, to Mildred. “No wonder, therefore, your appearance
produced such an effect upon me. For a moment I thought she had come to
life again. I shall always take an interest in you, and shall always be
delighted to serve you. Since I cannot be your husband, you must allow
me to be a friend.”
“That offer I gladly accept, Sir Bridgnorth,” she replied, extending her
hand towards him.
He took it, and pressed it to his lips.
“You may rely upon me, as you could have done upon your own father,” he
said, with an earnestness that bespoke his sincerity. “Call on me when
you will, I will answer the appeal. And now farewell!”
“I hope you are not going, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Mrs. Calverley. “Pray
stay and spend the remainder of the day with us! I am charmed to make
your acquaintance.”
“I shall be quite grieved if you go, dear Sir Bridgnorth.” added
Mildred.
“Since you ask me, I cannot refuse,” he replied. “But my carriage is
waiting at the door.”
“I will give orders that it shall be put up immediately,” said Mrs.
Calverley. “It is so kind of you to stay.”
And she went into the house to give the necessary directions.