Sigh no more, lady, lady, sigh no more,
Men were deceivers ever,
One foot on shore and one on land,
To one thing constant never.
--Percy’s Reliques
‘So, you say Miss Martindale has left town?’
‘Yes; Violet writes me that the family passed through London, and took
her to the continent on Tuesday.’
‘Then let Annette know she is to be ready to come with me to town on
Monday. We shall see if it is the young lady’s doing, or whether Mrs.
Martindale intends to give herself airs with her father and sister.’
‘Poor dear,’ sighed the good care-worn mother, ‘I do long to hear of
her; but may I not write first? I should not like to get the dear child
into trouble.’
‘On no account write, or we shall have some excuse about
pre-engagements. I shall take Annette at once, and see with my own eyes.
Martindale can never have the face to hinder her from asking her own
sister to stay in the house, when once she is there.’
‘I hope he is kind to her!’ said Mrs. Moss. ‘I long to hear whether she
is quite recovered; and she says so little of herself. She will be glad
to see her sister, and yet, one does not like to seem pushing.’
‘Never you mind,’ said the acute, sharp-faced attorney, putting her
aside as if she was presuming beyond her sphere; ‘only you get Annette
ready. Since we found such a match for Violet, she is bound to help off
her sisters; and as to Annette, a jaunt is just what is wanting to
drive that black coat out of her head. I wish he had never come near the
place. The girl might have had the Irish captain, if she had not been
running after him and his school. Tell her to be ready on Monday.’
Meek Mrs. Moss never dared to question her husband’s decision; and she
had suffered too much anxiety on her daughter’s account, not to rejoice
in the prospect of a trustworthy report, for Violet’s letters were
chiefly descriptions of her children.
There was much soreness in the Moss family respecting Violet, and two
opinions with regard to her; some inclining to believe her a fine lady,
willing to discard her kindred; others thinking her not a free agent,
but tyrannized over by Miss Martindale, and neglected by her husband.
So Annette, who had pined and drooped under the loss of the twin-like
companionship of her sister, was sent out as on an adventure, in much
trepidation and mysterious dread of Captain Martindale, by no means
consistent with the easy good nature of his days of courtship. And thus
her first letter was written and received with such feelings as attend
that of an explorer of a new country.
‘Cadogan-place, August 19th.
‘Well, dearest mamma, I am writing from Violet’s house. Yes, she is her
own sweet self, our precious flower still--nobody must think anything
else--she is not changed one bit, except that she is terribly pale and
thin; but she calls herself quite well, and says that if I had seen
her when Johnny was five weeks old, I should give her credit now. But
Matilda will say I cannot write a comprehensible letter, so I will begin
regularly.
‘We slept at Uncle Christopher’s, and after an early breakfast walked
here. The man did not think his mistress could see any one, but when he
heard who we were, showed us to the drawing-room, and there was Violet,
quite alone, breakfasting by herself, for he is gone to Scotland! Poor
dear girl! When she saw us, she gave a little scream, and flew up to me,
clinging round my neck, and sobbing as she did on her wedding-day; it
was as if the two years were nothing. However, in a moment, she composed
herself, and said it was silly, but there was still a sob in her throat,
and she was shy and constrained as she used to be with papa, in old
times. She says she would not tell us Captain Martindale was going to
Scotland, because of not tantalizing us with his passing so near, but I
fear it is that she will not confess how often she is left alone. I am
so glad we are come, now he is out of the way. She has asked us to stay
while papa has to be in London, and I shall, but papa finds it more
convenient to sleep at Uncle Christopher’s. If we are not here oftener,
I am sure it is no fault of hers; and her husband cannot be displeased
with this little visit--at least he ought not. She sent for the
children; the babe was asleep, but Johnnie came, and oh! how curious it
seemed to hear the voice calling her mamma, and see the little creature
holding out his arms to go to her. I felt, indeed, how long we have been
apart--it was our own Violet, and yet some one else. You would have been
amused to see how altered she was by having her son in her arms; how the
little morsel seemed to give her confidence, and the shy stiffness went
away, and she looked so proud and fond, and smiled and spoke with ease.
There was the dear little fair fellow standing on her lap, leaning
against her shoulder, with his arm round her neck, hiding his face when
I looked at him too much. She said he was puzzled not to see the aunt
he knew, and how I grudged his knowing any aunt better than me! They
do look lovely together, and so much alike; but I could cry to see them
both so white and wan; not a shade of her pretty colour on her cheek,
and the little darling so very tiny and weak, though he is as clever as
possible, and understands all you say to him. If I had but got them both
in our fresh north countree!
‘Papa could not stay, and as soon as he was gone, she set her boy down
on the sofa, and threw her arms round my neck, and we were like wild
things--we kissed, and screamed, and laughed, and cried, till poor
Johnnie was quite frightened. “Now, Annette, come and see,” said Violet,
and took me up-stairs to the nursery, and there half-waking, under
the archway of her cradle, lay, like a little queen, that beautiful
creature, Helen, opening her black eyes just as we came up, and moving
her round arms. How I longed for mamma to see her, and to see Violet’s
perfect look of happiness as she lifted her out and said, “Now, is not
she worth seeing?” and then Sarah came up. Violet says Sarah threatened
to go away, when there were two to be always racketing, but when it came
to the point, could not leave Johnnie, whom she keeps in great order,
and treats with much ceremony, always calling him Master John. She
believes Sarah disapproves of poor Helen altogether, as an intruder upon
Johnnie’s comfort; and she is quite savage at admiration of her, as if
it was a slight on him; but she has turned out an admirable nurse, in
her own queer way. Such a morning as we have had, chattering so fast!
all about you all. I am sure she loves us as much as ever, and I do not
believe she is unhappy. She talks of her husband as if they were happy,
and he has given her such quantities of pretty things, and I hear of so
much that seems as if she was on comfortable terms with them all. I am
satisfied about her, pray be so too, dear mamma.
‘I am writing while waiting for her to drive to fetch my things
from Uncle Christopher’s--She tells me to finish without minding her
visitor--I was interrupted by Sarah’s bringing Johnnie down, and he was
very good with me, but presently a gentleman was announced, without
my catching his name. I feared Johnnie would cry, but he sprang with
delight, and the stranger saying, “Ha! master, you recollect me?” took
him in his arms. I said my sister would come directly, and he gave a
good-natured nod, and muttered half to himself, “Oh! another of the
genus Viola. I am glad of it.” I cannot make him out; he must be a
relation, or one of the other officers. Violet did not know he was
there, and came in with the baby in her arms; he stepped towards her,
saying, “So you have set up another! Man or woman?” and then asked if
she was another flower. Violet coloured, as she spoke low, and said,
“Her name is Helen.” I must ask Violet the meaning, for he looked
gravely pleased, and answered gratefully, “That is very good of you.” “I
hope she will deserve it,” Violet said, and was introducing me, but he
said Johnnie had done him that honour. He has been talking of Captain
Martindale (calling him Arthur), and telling curious things he has
seen in Ireland. He is very amusing, bluff, and odd, but as if he was
a distinguished person. Now I see that Violet is altered, and grown
older--he seems to have such respect for, and confidence in her; and she
so womanly and self-possessed, entering into his clever talk as Matilda
would, yet in the simple way she always had. You would be proud to see
her now--her manners must be perfection, I should think; so graceful and
dignified, so engaging and quiet. I wish Louisa had seen her. What are
they talking of now?
‘Violet.--How did you find Pallas Athene?
‘Unknown.--Alas, poor Pallas! With the judgment of the cockney who
buttered his horse’s hay, the ragged boy skinned her mice and plucked
her sparrows in my absence. The consequence was her untimely end. I was
met by my landlady with many a melancholy “Ah, sir!” and actually the
good creature had had her stuffed.
‘Violet.--Poor Pallas! then the poor boy has lost his employment?
‘Unknown.--Happily, his honesty and his grief so worked upon my
landlady, that she has taken him as an errand boy. So that, in fact,
Minerva may be considered to have been the making of his fortune.
‘I leave this for a riddle for the sisters. I am longing to ask Violet
who this gentleman is who seems to know all the negroes so well.’
(Scratched out.) ‘What nonsense I have written! I was listening to some
letters they were reading from the Mr. Martindale in the West Indies.
Violet tells me to finish with her dearest love.
‘Your most affectionate,
‘A. Moss.
‘P.S.--He will come to-morrow to take us to a private view of the Royal
Academy, before the pictures are removed.’
The same post carried a letter from Violet to her husband, communicating
the arrival of her guests, and telling him she knew that he could not
wish her not to have Annette with her for these few days, and that it
did make her very happy.
Having done this, she dismissed doubts, and, with a clear conscience,
gave herself up to the enjoyment of her sister’s visit, each minute
of which seemed of diamond worth. Perhaps the delights were the more
intense from compression; but it was a precious reprieve when Arthur’s
answer came, rejoicing at Violet’s having a companion, and hoping that
she would keep her till his return, which he should not scruple to
defer, since she was so well provided for. He had just been deliberating
whether he could accept an invitation to the Highlands.
If the wife was less charmed than her sister, she knew that, under any
circumstances, she would have had to consent, after the compliment had
been paid of asking whether she could spare him; and it was compensation
enough that he should have voluntarily extended her sister’s visit.
Annette, formerly the leader of her younger sister, was often pleasantly
surprised to find her little Violet become like her elder, and that
not only from situation, but in mind. With face and figure resembling
Violet’s, but of a less uncommon order, without the beauteous complexion
and the natural grace, now enhanced by living in the best society,
Annette was a very nice-looking, lady-like girl, of the same refined
tone of mind and manners; and having had a longer space of young
ladyhood, she had more cultivation in accomplishments and book
knowledge, her good taste saving her from being spoilt, even by her
acquiescence in Matilda’s superiority. She saw, however, that Violet
had more practical reflection, and though in many points simple and
youthful, was more of a woman than herself; and it was with that sweet,
innocent feeling, which ought not to bear the same name as pride, that
she exulted in the superiority of her beloved sister. Selfish jealousies
or petty vanities were far from her; it was like a romance to hear
Violet describe the splendours of Martindale, or the gaieties of
London; and laugh over the confession of the little perplexities as to
proprieties, and the mistakes and surprises, which she trusted she had
not betrayed.
Still Violet missed the power of fully reciprocating her sister’s
confidence. Annette laid open every home interest and thought, but
Violet had no right to disclose the subjects that had of late engrossed
her, and at every turn found a separation, something on which she must
not be communicative.
The view of the Exhibition was happily performed under Mr.
Fotheringham’s escort. Annette, thanks to Lord St. Erme’s gallery, had
good taste in pictures; she drew well, and understood art better than
her sister, who rejoiced in bringing out her knowledge, and hearing her
converse with Percy. They had the rooms to themselves, and Annette was
anxious to carry away the outline of one or two noted pictures. While
she was sketching, Percy wandered to another part of the room, and stood
fixedly before a picture. Violet came to see what he was looking at.
It was a fine one by Landseer of a tiger submitting to the hand of the
keeper, with cat-like complacency, but the glare of the eye and curl of
the tail manifesting that its gentleness was temporary.
‘It may be the grander animal,’ muttered he; ‘but less satisfactory for
domestic purposes.’
‘What did you say?’ asked Violet, thinking it addressed to her.
‘That is a presumptuous man,’ he said, pointing to the keeper. ‘If he
trusts in the creature’s affection, some day he will find his mistake.’
He flung himself round, as if he had done with the subject, and his tone
startled Violet, and showed her that more was meant than met the ear.
She longed to tell him that the creature was taming itself, but she
did not dare, and he went back to talk to Annette, till it ended in his
promising to come to-morrow, to take them to the Ellesmere gallery.
‘That’s the right style of woman,’ soliloquized Percy, as he saw the
carriage drive off. ‘Gentleness, meekness, and a dash of good sense, is
the recipe for a rational female--otherwise she is a blunder of nature.
The same stamp as her sister, I see; nothing wanting, but air and the
beauty, which, luckily for Arthur, served for his bait.’
When he came, according to appointment, Annette was in the drawing-room,
unable to desist from touching and retouching her copy of her nephew’s
likeness, though Violet had long ago warned her to put it away, and to
follow her up to dress.
He carried the portrait to the light. ‘M. Piper,’ he read. ‘That little
woman! That mouth is in better drawing than I could have thought her
guilty of.’
‘Oh! those are Lord St. Erme’s touches,’ said unconscious Annette.
‘He met Miss Martindale taking it to be framed, and he improved it
wonderfully. He certainly understood the little face, for he even wrote
verses on it.’
Here Violet entered, and Annette had to hurry away for her bonnet. Percy
stood looking at the drawing.
‘So, Johnnie has a new admirer,’ he said. Violet was sorry that he
should hear of this; but she laughed, and tried to make light of it.
‘I hear he is in Germany.’
‘Yes; with his sister and their aunt.’
‘Well,’ said Percy, ‘it may do. There will be no collision of will, and
while there is one to submit, there is peace. A tigress can be generous
to a puppy dog.’
‘But, indeed, I do not think it likely.’
‘If she is torturing him, that is worse.’
Violet raised her eyes pleadingly, and said, in a low, mournful tone: ‘I
do not like to hear you speak so bitterly.’
‘No,’ he said, ‘it is not bitterness. That is over. I am thankful to
have broken loose, and to be able to look back on it calmly, as a past
delusion. Great qualities ill regulated are fearful things; and though
I believe trials will in time teach her to bring her religious principle
to bear on her faults, I see that it was an egregious error to think
that she could be led.’
He spoke quietly, but Violet could not divest herself of the impression
that there was more acute personal feeling than he was aware of. In the
Ellesmere gallery, he led them to that little picture of Paul Potter’s,
where the pollard willows stand up against the sunset sky, the evening
sunshine gleaming on their trunks, upon the grass, and gilding the backs
of the cows, while the placid old couple look on at the milking, the
hooded lady shading her face with her fan.
‘There’s my notion of felicity,’ said he.
‘Rather a Dutch notion,’ said Violet.
‘Don’t despise the Dutch,’ said Percy. ‘Depend upon it, that respectable
retired burgomaster and his vrow never had words, as we Brogden folk
say.’
‘I think you would find that very stupid,’ said Violet.
‘Not I,’ said Percy. ‘When I want to pick a quarrel, I can get it
abroad.’
‘When?’ said Annette, smiling.
‘Yes, I like to keep my teeth and claws sharpened,’ said Percy; but one
wants repose at home. That burgomaster is my model.’
He continued to find sights for them, showing Violet more lions of
London than had ever come in her way. One day, when a thunder-storm
hindered their going to the Zoological Gardens, he stayed the whole
afternoon reading to them. In the midst, Violet thought of last
September’s storm; she looked up--an idea flashed upon her!
‘How delightful! How well they suit! I shall have my Annette close to
me! They can marry at once! My father will be satisfied. How happy they
will be! It will be the repose he wants. Dear Annette, what will she not
be under his training!’ The joyous impulse was to keep him to dinner;
but she had scruples about inviting him in Arthur’s absence, and
therefore only threw double warmth into her farewells. Her spirits were
up to nonsense pitch, and she talked and laughed all the evening with
such merriment as Annette had hardly ever known in her.
But when she was alone, and looked her joy in the face, she was amazed
to find how she had been forgetting Theodora, whose affairs had lately
been uppermost. Annette might be worth a hundred Theodoras: but that did
not alter right and justice.
If Theodora was accepting the Earl! Violet knew he was at Baden; he
could not yet have been dismissed: and the sister-in-law had proved
a disappointing correspondent, her nature being almost as averse to
letter-writing as was Arthur’s. Let her marry him, and all would be
well. The question, however, really lay between Percy and Annette
themselves; and Violet thought he had made a wise discovery in
preferring her gentle, yielding sister to the former lady of his choice.
Matters might take their course; Arthur would be gratified by this
testimony to her family’s perfections; John would rejoice in whatever
was for his friend’s real happiness; to herself, in every way, it would
be complete felicity.
Still she hesitated. She had heard of pique driving persons to make
a fresh choice, when a former attachment appeared obliterated by
indignation, only to revive too late, and to be the misery of all
parties. Percy’s late words, harsh when he fancied them indifferent,
made her doubtful whether it might not be so in his case. In his sound
principle she had entire confidence, but he might be in error as to the
actual state of his sentiments; and she knew that she should dread, for
the peace of mind of all parties, his first meeting, as her sister’s
husband, with either Miss Martindale, or the Countess of St. Erme.
She decided that Annette ought to hear the whole, so as to act with her
eyes open. If she had been engaged, she should never have heard what
was past, but she should not encourage him while ignorant of the
circumstances, and, these known, Violet had more reliance on her
judgment than on her own. The breach of confidence being thus justified,
Violet resolved, and as they sat together late in the evening, found
an opportunity of beginning the subject. ‘We used to expect a closer
connection with him, or I should never have learnt to call him Percy--’
‘You told me about poor Mr. Martindale.’
‘Yes, but this was to have been a live connection. He was engaged to
Theodora.’
Violet was satisfied that the responding interjection was more surprised
and curious than disappointed. She related the main features of the
story, much to Annette’s indignation.
‘Why, Violet, you speak as if you were fond of her!’
‘That I am. If you knew how noble and how tender she can be! So generous
when most offended! Oh! no one can know her without a sort of admiring
love and pity.’
‘I do not understand. To me she seems inexcusable.’
‘No, no, indeed, Annette! She has had more excuse than almost any one.
It makes one grieve for her to see how the worse nature seems to have
been allowed to grow beyond her power, and how it is like something
rending her, when right and wrong struggle together for the mastery.’
So many questions ensued, that Violet found her partial disclosure had
rendered the curtain over Martindale affairs far less impenetrable; but
she had spoken no sooner than was needful, for the very next morning’s
post brought an envelope, containing a letter for Miss Moss, and a few
lines addressed to herself:--
‘My Dear Mrs. Martindale,--Trust me. I have discovered my error, and
have profited by my lesson. Will you give the enclosed to your sister? I
know you will act as kindly as ever by
‘Yours, &c.,
‘A. P. F.’
So soon! Violet had not been prepared for this. She gasped with wonder
and suspense, as she laid the letter before the place where Annette had
been sitting, and returned to her seat as a spectator, though far from
a calm one: that warmhearted note had made her wishes his earnest
partisans, and all her pulses throbbed with the desire that Annette
might decide in favour of him; but she thought it wrong to try to
influence her, and held her peace, though her heart leapt into her mouth
at her sister’s exclamation on seeing the letter, and her cheeks glowed
when the flush darted into Annette’s.
She glanced in a sort of fright over the letter, then looked for help to
Violet, and held it to her. ‘Oh, Violet! do you know?’
‘Yes, I have a note myself. My darling Annette!’
Annette threw herself down by her side, and sat on the floor, studying
her face while she read the note, which thus commenced:--
‘My Dear Miss Moss,--You will say that our acquaintance is too short to
warrant my thus addressing you; but your sister knows me as well as most
people; and in knowing your sister, and seeing your resemblance to her,
I know you. If AM=VM, and VM=Wordsworth’s “spirit yet a woman too,” then
AM=the same.’
From this curious opening he proceeded to a more ordinary and very
earnest entreaty for her consent to his applying to her father.
‘Well, Violet!’
‘How exactly like him!’
‘How highly he does esteem you!’ said Annette; ‘but if he thinks me like
you he would find his mistake. After what you told me--so soon! Oh, I
wish it had not happened! Violet, do tell me what to do.’
‘I don’t think any one can advise in a matter like this.’
‘Oh! don’t say so, Violet; you know the people, and I don’t. Pray say
something.’
‘He is a most excellent, admirable person,’ said Violet, in an unmeaning
tone.
‘Yes, I know that, but--’
‘Really, I think nothing but your own feeling should decide.’
‘Ah! you did not hesitate when you were asked!’ said Annette, sighing;
and Violet at once blushed, smiled, and sighed, as she spoke her quick
conscious ‘No, no!’
‘Such a romance cannot always be expected,’ said Annette, a little
mournfully. ‘He is everything estimable, in spite of his oddness. But
then, this affair--so recent! Violet’ (impatiently), ‘what DO you think?
what do you wish?’
‘What I wish? To have my own Annette near me. For two such people to
belong to each other! Don’t you know what I like? But the question is
what you wish.’
‘Yes!’ sighed Annette.
‘I don’t think you wish it much,’ said Violet, trying to get a view of
her face.
‘I don’t know whether I ought to make up my mind. I am not much inclined
to anything. But I dare say it would turn out well. I do like him very
much. But Miss Martindale! Now, Violet, will you not tell me what you
think? Take pity on me.’
‘Annette,’ said Violet, not without effort, ‘I see you have not the
feeling that would make you unhappy in giving him up, so I may speak
freely. I am afraid of it. I cannot be certain that he is so completely
cured of his old attachment as he supposes himself to be while the anger
is fresh. He is as good as possible--quite sincere, and would never
willingly pain you, whatever he may feel. But his affection for Theodora
was of long standing; and without any one’s fault there might be worries
and vexations--’
‘Yes, yes,’ said Annette, in a voice that reassured her.
‘I think it wiser not, and perhaps more honourable to Theodora. Hitherto
I have been wishing that it might yet be made up again. If you had been
disposed that way, I should have been anxious,--as you seem doubtful, I
fancy it would be safer--’
‘O, Violet, I am so glad! It is a great relief to me.’
‘But, you know, it is only I that say so.’
‘Better you than a hundred! My doubt was this. You know there are a
great many of us, and papa wants to see us well married. He has talked
more about it since you went. Now this is not romantic; but I was
considering whether, for the sake of the rest, I ought not to try
whether I could like him. But what you have said sets me quite at ease
in refusing him.’
‘Poor Percy!’ said Violet. ‘I am afraid he will be vexed.’
‘And it is a great compliment, though that is to you. He takes me on
trust from you.’
‘And he took me on trust from John,’ said Violet. ‘I wish he had known
you before Theodora.’
‘I only hope papa will never hear of it,’ said Annette, shrinking. ‘How
fortunate that he was not here. I shall tell no one at home.’
‘If it had not been for Theodora,’ sighed Violet, ‘I know nothing that
would have been more delightful. It was too charming to come true!’
‘Violet,’ said Annette, with her face averted, ‘don’t be sorry, for I
could not have been glad of it now; though for their sakes I might have
tried to work myself into the feeling. I cannot help telling you, though
you will think it more wrong in me, for I shall never see HIM again, and
he never said anything.’
‘I know whom you mean,’ whispered Violet, rightly divining it was Mr.
Fanshawe.
‘Don’t call it anything,’ said Annette, with her head drooping. ‘I would
not have told even you, but to console you about this. Nothing ever
passed, and I was silly to dwell on the little things they laughed at me
about, but I cannot help thinking that if he had seen any prospect--’
‘I wonder if John could--’ Violet checked herself.
‘O, don’t say anything about it!’ cried Annette, frightened. ‘It may
be only my foolish fancy--but I cannot get it out of my mind. You see
I have no one to talk over things with now you are gone. I have lost my
pair in you, so I am solitary among them, and perhaps that has made me
think of it the more.’
‘Dearest! But still I think you ought to try to draw away your mind from
it.’
‘You do not think I ought to try to like Mr. Fotheringham?’
‘Indeed, under present circumstances, I could not wish that.’
‘But do you think me very wrong for considering whether I could? I hope
not, dear Violet,’ said Annette, who shared her sister’s scrupulous,
self-distrustful character, and had not, like her, been taught, by stern
necessity, to judge for herself.
‘No, indeed,’ said Violet; ‘but, since that is settled, he ought to know
it at once, and not to be kept in suspense.’
It was not until after much affectionate exhortation that Violet could
rouse her sister from talking rather piteously over the perplexity
it would have been if his case or hers had been otherwise, arguing
to excuse herself in her own eyes for the notion of the marriage for
expediency, and describing the displeasure that the knowledge of the
rejection would produce at home. It was the first time she had had to
act for herself, and either she could not resolve to begin, or liked
to feel its importance. Perhaps she was right in saying that Mr.
Fotheringham would be disappointed if he supposed her Violet’s equal,
for though alike in lowliness, amiability, and good sense, she had not
the same energy and decision.
At last the letter was begun, in the style of Matilda and the “Polite
Letter Writer” combined, though the meek-spirited Annette peeped through
in the connecting links of the set phrases. Violet, who was appealed to
at every stage, would fain have substituted the simple words in which
Annette spoke her meaning; but her sister was shocked. Such ordinary
language did not befit the dignity of the occasion nor Matilda’s pupil;
and Violet, as much overruled as ever by respect for her elder sisters,
thought it an admirable composition.
‘May I see yours?’ asked Annette, resting before making her fair copy.
‘And welcome, but it is not worthy of yours.’
‘My Dear Mr. Fotheringham,--I wish with all my heart it could be--I am
very sorry it must not. Pray say nothing to my father: it would only
put her to needless pain. I beg your pardon for not being able to do
anything for you. You know how glad I should have been if I had not been
obliged to perceive that it would not be really right or kind to either.
Only do let me thank you for liking my dear sister, and forgive us if
you are grieved. I am very, very sorry.
‘Yours, very sincerely,
‘V. H. MARTINDALE.’
Annette raised her eyes in surprise. ‘Ah!’ said Violet, ‘it is of no
use for me to try to write like Matilda. I did once, but I am not clever
enough; it looked so silly and affected, that I have been ashamed to
remember it ever since. I must write in the only way I can.’
Her sister wanted to tear up her letter as a piece of affectation,
but this she would not allow. It made her feel despairing to think
of spending two hours more over it, and she hoped that she would be
satisfied with the argument that the familiar style employed by Mrs.
Martindale towards an old friend might not be suited to Annette Moss
when rejecting his suit.
Each sentence underwent a revision, till Violet, growing as impatient
as was in her nature, told her at last that he would think more of the
substance than of the form.
Next, she had to contend against Annette’s longing to flee home at once,
by Theodora’s own saying, ‘London was wide enough for both;’ and more
effectually by suggesting that a sudden departure would be the best
means of proclaiming the adventure. It was true enough that Mr.
Fotheringham was not likely to molest her. No more was heard of him
till, two days after, the owl’s provider brought a parcel with a
message, that Mr. Fotheringham had given up his lodging and was going to
Paris. It contained some books and papers of John’s, poor little Pallas
Athene herself, stuffed, and directed to Master J. Martindale, and a
book in which, under his sister’s name, he had written that of little
Helen. Violet knew he had intended making some residence at Paris, to be
near the public libraries, and she understood this as a kind, forgiving
farewell. She could understand his mortification, that he, after casting
off the magnificent Miss Martindale, should be rejected by this little
humble country girl; and she could not help thinking herself ungrateful,
so that the owl, which she kept in the drawing-room, as the object
of Johnnie’s tender strokings, always seemed to have a reproachful
expression in its round glass eyes.
The hope of seeing the expediency of her decision waxed fainter, when
she received the unexpected honour of a letter from Lord Martindale,
who, writing to intrust her with some commission for John, added some
news. ‘I have had the great pleasure of meeting with my cousin,
Hugh Martindale,’ he said; ‘who, since the death of his wife, has so
overworked himself in his large town parish, as to injure his eyesight,
and has been ordered abroad for his health. It does not appear that he
will ever be fit to return to his work at Fieldingsby, and I am in hopes
of effecting an exchange which may fix him at Brogden in the stead of
Mr. Wingfield. When you are of my age, you will understand the pleasure
I have in returning to old times. Theodora has likewise been much with
him, and I trust may be benefited by his advice. At present she has not
made up her mind to give any definite answer to Lord St. Erme, and
since I believe she hesitates from conscientious motives, I am the less
inclined to press her, as I think the result will be in his favour.
I find him improve on acquaintance. I am fully satisfied with his
principles and temper, he has extensive information, and might easily
become a valuable member of society. His sister, Lady Lucy, spends much
of her time with us, and appears to be an amiable pleasing girl.’
Lord Martindale evidently wished it to be forgotten that he had called
Lord St. Erme absurd-looking.
Violet sighed, and tried to counterbalance her regrets by hopes that
John would have it in his power to patronize his chaplain. However,
these second-hand cares did not hinder her from thriving and prospering
so that she triumphed in the hopes of confuting the threat that she
would not recover in London, and she gloried in the looks with which she
should meet Arthur. A dozen times a day she told her little ones that
papa was coming home, till Johnnie learnt to repeat it; and then she
listened in ecstasy as the news took a fresh charm from his lips.
She went to meet Arthur at the station; but instead of complimenting
her on the renewed carnation of her cheeks, as perhaps, in her pretty
conjugal vanity, she had expected, when she had taken such pains with
her pink ribbons, he gazed straight before him, and presently said,
abruptly, ‘Is your sister here?’
Had she been displeasing him the whole time? She only breathed a faint
‘Yes.’
‘Is Fotheringham in town?’
‘No; he is gone to Paris.’
‘Then it is humbug, as I thought. I met that precious Miss Gardner in
the train going to Worthbourne, and she would have me believe you were
getting up a match between those two! A fine story,--not a year since
he proposed to Theodora! There was she congratulating me on the
satisfaction it must be to Mrs. Martindale!’
‘So she wanted to make mischief between us,’ said Violet, much hurt.
‘Mischief is meat and drink to her. But not a jot did I believe, I tell
you, silly child. You are not wasting tears on that crocodile tongue!
I had a mind to tell her to her face that Percy is made of different
stuff; and for my own Violet blossom--’
The tears dropped bright and happy. ‘Though, dear Arthur, it was true,
as far as Percy was concerned. Annette has had to refuse him.’
‘A wise girl!’ exclaimed Arthur, in indignant surprise. ‘But Percy! I
could not have believed it. Why would she not have him?’
‘Chiefly from thinking it not right to accept him. I hope I did not do
wrong in telling her all about it. I thought it only fair, and she did
not care enough for him to make the refusal an effort.’
‘I should think not! The fickle dog. To go and take up with--No
disrespect to Annette,--but after Theodora! So soon, too!’
‘I fancied it more pique than inconstancy. There is so much anger about
him that I suspect there is more affection than he knows.’
‘And you think that mends matters,’ said Arthur, laughing. ‘Well, I hope
Theodora will marry St. Erme at once, so as to serve him right. I am
sure she will if she hears of this.’
‘And I am afraid Miss Gardner will write to her.’
‘That she will, with nice histories of you and me and Annette. And she
will tell them at Worthbourne till old Sir Antony disinherits Percy. No
more than he deserves!’
She might well be glad of the part she had taken, now that she found
her husband so much more alive to the affront to his sister than she
had expected. He was in high good-humour, and talked merrily of his
expedition, proceeding even to such a stretch of solicitude as to say he
supposed ‘the brats were all right, as he had heard nothing of them.’
His greeting to Annette was warm and cordial, he complimented her on
her sister’s recovered looks, and tried to extort a declaration that
she looked just like what she had been when he took her from Wrangerton.
Annette peeped out under her eyelashes, smiled, and shook her head
timidly.
‘Ha! What’s your treason, Miss Annette? Does not she look as well as
ever?’
‘Better, in some ways,’ said Annette, looking at Violet, glowing and
smiling, with her husband’s hand on her shoulder.
‘And what in others!’
‘I like to look at her better than ever, but I cannot say she is not
paler and thinner.’
‘Yes, and sober and matronly. That I am!’ said Violet, drawing herself
up. ‘I must stand on my dignity now I have two children. Don’t I look
old and wise, Annette?’
‘Not a bit now,’ said Annette.
There was an end of Annette’s doubt and dread of her grand
brother-in-law. He talked and laughed, took her on pleasant expeditions,
and made much of her with all his ready good-nature, till her heart was
quite won. She did not leave them till just as they were departing for
Windsor, and as she looked back from her railway carriage, at Violet and
her husband, arm-in-arm, she sighed a sigh on her own account, repented
of as soon as heaved, as she contrasted her own unsatisfactory home with
their happiness.
But the heart knoweth its own bitterness, and Annette little guessed
at the grief that lurked in the secret springs of her sister’s joy,
increasing with her onward growth in the spirit that brought her sure
trust and peace. It was the want of fellowship with her husband, in her
true and hidden life. She could not seek counsel or comfort from above,
she could not offer prayer or thanksgiving, she could not join in the
highest Feast, without finding herself left alone, in a region whither
he would not follow. It was a weariness to him. In the spring she had
had hopes. At Easter, an imploring face, and timid, ‘Won’t you come?’
had made him smile, and say he was not so good as she, then sigh, and
half promise, ‘Next time, when he had considered.’ But next time he had
had no leisure for thinking; she should do as she liked with him when
they got into the country. And since that, some influence that she could
not trace seemed, as she knew by the intuition of her heart, rather than
the acknowledgment of her mind, to have turned him away; the distaste
and indifference were more evident, and he never gave her an opening for
leading to any serious subject. It was this that gave pain even to her
prayers, and added an acuter pang to every secret anxiety.
‘When his children are older, and he feels that they look up to him’
thought Violet, hopefully, and in the meantime she prayed.