Isabel was to spend this Xmas with the Morningtons, who with with the
exception of Harry, were to return to Europe in February. It was very
rough weather, and Isabel had much such a journey as that to Elm Grove,
and was in a very similar condition to what she had been on that
occasion. On her arrival at Eastwood, Ada embracing her exclaimed "Oh!
here you are at last my own darling Isabel, I have been watching for you
all day, papa was sadly afraid of accidents this stormy weather, and Bob
kept bringing such dreadful accounts of trains being snowed up, that he
nearly frightened me to death. Papa has been to the depot three times,
and Harry twice, and missed you after all. But do come and warm yourself
dearest, for you seem half frozen," she continued as she hurried Isabel
into the cosy little breakfast-room, where the bright fire was indeed a
pleasant sight on such a bitterly cold day.
"We met with several disagreeable stoppages, but nothing worse" replied
Isabel, her teeth chattering with cold. "I am sadly chilled with this
piercing wind, Oh! this is nice" she added going to the fire, "and it is
so very pleasant to be at 'Eastwood' once more."
"Why here is Isabel I declare," cried the impulsive Lucy, as she bounded
into the room, "how delightful, you will help me to arrange the
gim-cracks on the Xmas tree, won't you my pet," said the merry girl as
she threw her arms round her friend, and hugged her unmercifully.
"To be sure I will, when I recover the use of my fingers," returned
Isabel laughing.
"Well, I don't want you to come now, for if I am a little madcap as papa
says, I'm not quite so unreasonable as that," Lucy answered, seating
herself upon an ottoman. "Here I am your humble servant to command what
orders for your slave, most noble Isabel of Leicester. You have but to
speak and I obey."
"Do be sensible Lucy and let mamma know that Isabel has come," said Ada
reprovingly.
"I go," answered Lucy with mock gravity, "to usher my illustrious mother
to the presence of the noble Isabel of Leicester."
"Oh! Lucy, just the same nonsensical," laughed Isabel.
"Alas, I fear that it will be the same to the end of the chapter,"
sighed the incorrigible Lucy as she left the room. She soon returned
bringing the other members of the family with her, and Isabel received a
very warm welcome. She could not help shedding tears of happiness and
gratitude, when Mrs. Mornington embracing her said, "ever look upon this
as your home dear child, whenever you like to come you will always find
us glad to see you," and Mr. Mornington added in his kindly tone "yes,
yes, always remember Isabel my dear, that while I have a roof over my
head, you have still a home, and kind friends to welcome you."
On being conducted to her room, she found the best was given her as of
old; it was evident that her altered circumstances made no difference at
Eastwood.
Happy days were these which Isabel spent with her dearest friends. Bob's
party went off with great _eclat_, and the perfect success of the Xmas
trees was owing to Isabel's tasteful arrangement.
The Ashtons arrived on New Year's Eve, for Ada was to be married on
twelfth day. Lady Ashton was very much surprised to find how very
partial the Morningtons were to Isabel, they consulted her on all
occasions, and her advice was almost invariably taken. This annoyed Lady
Ashton extremely, and she often succeeded in vexing her, and making her
feel very uncomfortable. But Lady Ashton's disagreeable behaviour did
not annoy Isabel so much as at Ashton Park. Here among her best friends,
she could even think of herself as a governess without experiencing the
same degree of mortification as formerly, but she was still very
sensitive upon that point.
Lady Ashton had noticed that her nephew, The Honorable Arthur Barrington
was very attentive to Miss Leicester, this raised her ire, and she was
determined to prevent it--she resolved to put a stop to it, so seeing
him seated next Isabel at dinner, she asked her across the table how her
little pupils were when she left them, and if Mrs. Arlington had granted
extra holidays, as she could scarcely get back by the end of the usual
Xmas vacation."
Isabel grew scarlet as she replied "that they were quite well when she
left them, and that she did not return until the first of February."
Lady Ashton was gratified to see that she was successful so far. Isabel
was no longer the same attentive listener to all Arthur's stories of
marvellous adventures, (for she was both hurt and angry, as the question
was evidently intended to annoy--for as Emily had come to Eastwood with
the Ashtons, Lady Ashton had later intelligence from Elm Grove than she
could possibly give) and Arthur finding her pre-occupied, transferred
his attention to Mabel Ainsley, so that Isabel was left to the mercy of
a queer old gentleman who sat next her on the other side, who was
exceedingly deaf, and stuttered dreadfully. Nor did Lady Ashton's
evident satisfaction tend to make her feel more at ease, so that she was
heartily glad when this to her most tedious dinner was over. But she had
a worse attack to endure, for when the ladies reached the drawing-room,
Lady Ashton said in the most annoying tone, "I should not have mentioned
your pupils if I had had any idea that you would have been so painfully
affected by my doing so, at the same time rest assured my dear Miss
Leicester----."
"Pray don't mention it Lady Ashton," replied Isabel coldly, "any apology
is quite unnecessary."
"You mistake my meaning Miss Leicester," replied Lady Ashton stiffly,
"I am not aware of having anything to apologize for," she added with a
contemptuous little laugh, "I was about to say" she continued, "that the
sooner you overcome this feeling the better. You ought not to be ashamed
of earning an honest living----."
"Nor am I ashamed of it," replied Isabel with dignity, "at least I hope
not."
"I am glad that you qualify your denial, as your crimson cheeks both now
and during dinner are ample proof that I am right. But (as I was about
to say, when you interrupted me so rudely) from my observations,
I thought it high time that Mr. Barrington should be reminded of your
position, as I know that his father would never allow him to marry a
governess, of course it is no disgrace to be a governess, still, it is
not from that class of persons that Arthur should choose a wife."
"I'm afraid that you have taken unnecessary trouble, Lady Ashton,"
returned Isabel, "I am convinced that my position is of no consequence
to Mr. Barrington, any more than his is to me. I assure you that you
have made a great mistake."
"It is nonsense for a girl in your circumstances to pretend such
indifference, I am not deceived, I know that you would be only too glad
to make such a match, and he is just foolish enough to take a fancy to a
pretty face. But I warn you not to encourage him, as it will only end in
misery to you both, as Lord Barrington would never consent."
"Really, Lady Ashton, I do not know what right you have to insult me in
this manner, I cannot permit it," said Isabel, and then with dignified
composure she crossed the room to Ada, who was scarcely less annoyed
than herself, at Lady Ashton's unprovoked attack.
This little scene had afforded no little amusement to the party
generally, tho' all agreed that it was too bad of Lady Ashton, and very
ill-natured.
Lady Ashton, however, had miscalculated the effect of the course she had
pursued, for Arthur Barrington was annoyed at her interference, and
being really good-natured he was even more than ever attentive to
Isabel, and endeavored as much as possible to atone for his aunt's
disagreeable behaviour, while Isabel (being convinced that Lady Ashton
had nothing to warrant her conjecture, but her own surmises,) made no
alteration in her manners. She found him a very agreeable companion, and
imagined that he too found her society pleasant, as indeed he did,
beautiful, accomplished, and good-natured, how could she be otherwise
than attractive. But Lady Ashton's chagrin knew no bounds, and she told
Isabel that she should certainly let Mrs. Arlington know how very unfit
a person she was to have the care of her daughters. She had always been
surprised at her having such a very young person, but she had heard that
it was out of charity, but there was such a thing as carrying that much
abused virtue too far.
Stooping lower over her tatting, Isabel only smiled at the harmless
threat, for whatever her failings might be, Mrs. Arlington was not over
ready to believe evil of any one, and seldom did so without due cause.
Moreover, she was not easily influenced by others, and her decisions
were usually just. But the hot blood suffused her cheeks as Lady Ashton
concluded. Fortunately Lucy entered the room, and then her ladyship was
or appeared to be deeply engaged with her book, as having before been
worsted in a combat of sharp speeches with that young lady, she by no
means wished for a renewal of hostilities.
Isabel was invariably made low spirited by one of Lady Ashton's
ill-natured attacks, especially so to-day, as the insults she had
received were particularly painful, being both unfeeling and uncalled
for. However, upon retiring to her own room at night, she found upon the
dressing table a letter, the contents of which soon dispersed all gloomy
thoughts, and Lady Ashton's rudeness was quite forgotten.
Louis, her own dear Louis, wrote that he would return in the early
spring. My uncle he said, has or is about to purchase for me a practice
in H----, so that I trust dearest, the period of your teaching will not
be of long duration, as there will then be no cause to delay our union.
I already in perspective, seem to see you my own dearest, presiding over
my bright fireside in H----, the joy of my heart, and the good angel of
my home.
I trust that you have made no arrangement with Mrs. Arlington but such
as can easily terminate upon a short notice. I would not advise your
taking any steps at present, as my uncle does not say positively that
the purchase is absolutely made. But at all events you may depend upon
seeing me in the early spring, as I have his orders to return.
The darkest hour is just before dawn. She had been so truly wretched an
hour ago, and now how radiantly happy she was. Ah, with what sweet
visions of a bright unclouded future did she fall asleep, to dream of
her loved one far away, soon to be distant no longer.
When Isabel descended to the breakfast-room next morning, she looked so
bright and happy, that Lady Ashton could account for it in no other way
than that Arthur had proposed, and that she had accepted him, so she
taxed him with it accordingly. Arthur was excessively amused, and so
archly evaded giving a direct answer, that she became the more convinced
of the truth of her own surmises, and grew so wrathy that Arthur fearing
that in her anger she might annoy Miss Leicester, at length assured her
that she need be under no apprehension, as nothing was farther from his
thoughts.