Among other features peculiar to itself, Oldchester possesses a
quadrangular building with an inner cloister, commonly called College
Quad. It is in the immediate neighbourhood of the cathedral, and is
divided into small tenements inhabited by clergy forming part of the
cathedral body. At the back of the houses on the south side of the
quadrangle, pleasant gardens slope down towards the river Wend. The
cloister is a very beautiful piece of Gothic work, with fretted roof and
springing pillars. Peace and quiet reign within it. In summer there
comes a sleepy sound of rooks from the Bishop's garden close at hand;
and, towards sunrise and sunset, the chirp of innumerable sparrows
mingled with the richer notes of thrush, blackbird, and nightingale in
their season. At certain times of the day, too, the stillness is broken
by the thrilling freshness of children's voices, as the scholars of the
ancient Grammar School scatter themselves over the Cathedral Green,
shouting and calling in the shrill silvery treble of boyhood. But these
sounds are softened and subdued by distance and thick masonry before
they penetrate within the precincts of College Quad. In autumn and
winter there is a chill dampness on the greenish-gray paving-stones of
the cloister, and the rain drips heavily from carven capitals into the
resounding court. The very order and cleanliness of the place--its
decorous, clerical, smooth-shaven air--seem sometimes under a watery
sky, and when the winds are moaning and complaining, or thrumming like
ghostly fingers on the fine resonant Gothic fret-work, to fill the mind
with melancholy.
A rich contrasting note is seldom wanting:--firelight and the glimpse of
a crimson curtain seen through lozenge-shaped window-panes; or an open
door sending out a gush of warmth and spicy smells from the kitchen, and
the sound of friendly voices. Yet even within doors there seems to be a
haunting sense of the old, old times when hands long crumbled into dust
built up that dainty cloister, and when patient monkish feet, long
stilled for ever, paced its stones. It is not a wholly sad feeling. It
may even give zest to the glance of living eyes, and the warm pressure
of dear hands. But it has a peculiar pathos:--a pathos which, perhaps,
is felt peculiarly by northern people, as the sad-sweet twilight belongs
to northern climates, and which many of those, to the manner born, would
not exchange for the unbroken garishness of golden-blue days and
silver-blue nights.
The habitations on the south side of College Quad are considered the
most desirable of all, by reason of the gardens before-mentioned running
down to the Wend, although one or two houses on the west side may be a
trifle larger. Canon Hadlow's family of three persons inhabited one of
these coveted southern houses, and found it roomy enough for their
needs; yet it was a small--a very small--dwelling. The front door opened
on to the beautiful cloister. Immediately on entering the house you
found yourself in a tiny entrance-hall, to the left of which a steep and
narrow staircase of dark oak conducted to the one upper story. On the
right, a massive oaken-door gave access to a long, low parlour, whose
three latticed windows--darkened somewhat by a drooping fringe of
jessamine and virginia-creeper--looked across the garden and the river
to wide meadows. Opposite to the front door, a glass one, which in
summer stood wide open all day long, led into the garden. In winter,
swinging double-doors, covered with dark baize, shut out the cold air
and the chill, damp mist which sometimes crept up from the river.
The exterior of the houses in College Quad was coeval with the Gothic
cloister; within, the passing centuries had somewhat modified their
aspect. The main features, however, were ancient, and most of the
inhabitants had chosen to preserve this general air of antiquity. Only
in some few cases had disastrous attempts at modernizing been made with
paint and French wall-papers. It would have been needless to tell any
Oldchester person that no such sacrilegious innovations deformed the
fine oak beams and wainscoting in Canon Hadlow's house. There was a dark
tone all through it, which, however, was not chill. It was rather the
rich darkness of Rembrandt's shadows, which seem to have a latent glow
in the heart of them. A deep red curtain here and there, or a well-worn
Turkey carpet, with its kaleidoscope of subdued tints, relieved the
general sombreness. Flowers in all manner of receptacles--from a
precious old china punch-bowl to the cheapest of glass goblets--adorned
every room in the house throughout the year. Even in winter there was
ivy to be had, and red-berried holly, and the coral clusters of the
mountain ash, and pale chrysanthemums. The garden furnished an ample
supply of stocks, roses, carnations, holly-hocks, china asters,
sweetwilliams, wallflowers, and the like old-fashioned blossoms with
homely names. But as Mrs. Hadlow herself quaintly remarked, she cared
more for the sight and smell of a flower than its sound.
One sacrifice the flowers cost; the Hadlows had no lawn-tennis ground.
Mrs. Hadlow declared she could not spare the space. Her neighbours to
the right and left boasted of lawns which, with their white lines,
looked like tables chalked on the pavement for the popular street game
of hop-scotch--and were very little bigger. But the Hadlows' garden was
a mosaic of box-bordered flower-beds. Only quite at the lower end, where
a clipped hedge divided it from a footpath on the river bank, there was
a strip of green sward like a velvet carpet, spread completely across
the garden. At one angle stood a yew-tree of fabulous age, and in its
shadow were a garden bench and table, and a few rustic chairs. This was
Mrs. Hadlow's drawing-room whenever the weather permitted her to be
out-of-doors. There she sewed, and read, and received visits. The oak
parlour, which served also as a dining-room, was the ordinary family
living room. There was a small room called the study, lined with books
from floor to ceiling; but drawing-room, properly so-called, there was
none at all. Constance Hadlow was the only one of the family who
regretted this circumstance. The canon was perfectly content with his
abode. And as to Mrs. Hadlow, no one who valued her good opinion would
have ventured to hint to her that her house lacked anything to make it
convenient and delightful. An ill-advised stranger had once opined in
her presence that the near neighbourhood of the river must make the
south side of the College Quad damp and unhealthy during the autumn and
winter, and Mrs. Hadlow's indignation had been boundless. That it was
sometimes cold in College Quad she was willing to admit--just as it was
sometimes cold on the Riviera or in Cairo. But that it could, under any
circumstances, or for the shortest space of time, be damp, was what she
would never be brought to acknowledge. As to the Wend, if any
exhalations did arise from that gentle stream, they could not, she was
sure, be unwholesome--_above bridge_. It was important to bear in mind
this limitation, since below bridge, where the factories were, and where
the poorer dwellings stood in crowded ranks, and the streets vibrated to
the rumble of heavy waggons and tramway cars, the Wend must naturally
incur such corruption of its good manners as came from evil
communications. Mrs. Hadlow loved and admired Oldchester with
enthusiasm. But Oldchester, in her mind, meant the cathedral and its
immediate surroundings. Her admiration was bounded by the cathedral
precincts; and, to judge from her words, so was her love also. But her
heart was not to be imprisoned within any such confines. Prejudice might
rule her speech, and warp her judgments, but her warm human sympathies
went out towards those unfortunates who dwelt beyond the pale, even
under the shadow of Bragg's factory chimney; nay, even in those vulgar
suburban villas, with fine names, which were particularly abhorrent to
Mrs. Hadlow's soul.
The sun shone brightly on a group of persons assembled in Mrs. Hadlow's
garden on the Monday forenoon after Mrs. Dobbs's supper-party. It was a
sun more bright than warm; and a little crisp breeze fluttered now and
then among the scarlet and gold leaves of the virginia-creeper which
draped the back of the house. Constance Hadlow, wrapped in a fleecy
shawl, and sitting in a patch of sunshine outside the shadow of the
yew-tree, declared it was "bitterly cold." Her opinion was evidently
shared by a black-and-tan terrier that shivered convulsively at
intervals with a sort of ostentation, as though to hint to the less
sensitive bipeds that it was high time to retire to the shelter of a
roof and the comforts of the hearthrug. Mrs. Hadlow's round, rosy face
seemed to shed a glow around it like a terrestrial sun, as she beamed
from behind a great basket piled with grey woollen socks belonging to
the canon: which socks were never darned by any other than his wife's
fingers. Her nephew, Owen Rivers, lounged on the bench beside her.
Seated on a low chair, May Cheffington was winding a ball of grey
worsted for the socks; and standing opposite to her, with his shoulder
against the trunk of the yew-tree, was Mr. Theodore Bransby. This young
gentleman had just said something which had startled the assembled
company. He was not given to saying startling things. He would probably
have pronounced it "bad form" to do so:--a phrase which, to his mind,
carried with it the severest condemnation. He had merely observed, "You
will all be sorry to lose Miss Cheffington, shall you not, Mrs. Hadlow?"
quite unconscious of saying anything to cause surprise. Surprise,
however, was plainly expressed on every countenance, including that of
Miss Cheffington herself.
The fact was that rumour, speaking by the voices of Mr. and Mrs.
Simpson, had already announced in Oldchester that May Cheffington was
going away to live with her grand relations in London. The report had
not yet penetrated College Quad, but it had been brought to the
Bransbys' house that morning by Mrs. Simpson when she came to give her
daily lesson to the children.
"Lose her! What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Hadlow.
"You're not going to be married, are you, May?" cried Miss Constance,
dropping her parasol in order to look full at the other girl; while Mr.
Rivers, on the other hand, raised himself on his elbow and stared at
young Bransby.
May laughed and coloured at her friend's question. "Certainly not that I
know of, Constance," she answered.
"Are you going away, then?"
"You must ask Mr. Bransby. He seems to know; I don't."
As she spoke, May turned a pair of bright hazel eyes full on the young
gentleman in question, and smiled. The admixture of Dobbs blood with the
noble strain of Cheffington had certainly not produced any physical
deterioration of the race. Yet the dowager had been discontented with
her grand-daughter's appearance, and had particularly lamented the
absence of the Cheffington profile. Now the Cheffington profile was
handsome enough in its way, in certain subjects and at a certain time of
life; but with advancing years it was apt to resemble the profile of an
owl: the nose being beaky, and the orbit of the eyes very large, with
eyebrows nearly semi-circular; while the chin tended to disappear in
hanging folds and creases of throat. The Cheffingtons, moreover, were
sallow and dark-haired. May inherited her mother's fair skin and soft
brown hair. Her slender young figure, not yet fully grown, was rather
below than above the middle height. She had the healthy, though
delicate, freshness of a field-flower; but, like the field-flower, she
might easily pass unnoticed. There was nothing of high or dazzling
beauty about May Cheffington, but she had that subtle attraction which
does not always belong to beauty. A great many persons, however, thought
she did not bear comparison with Constance Hadlow, her friend and
schoolfellow. Besides a firm faith in her own beauty--which is a more
powerful assistance to its recognition by others than is generally
supposed--Miss Hadlow possessed a pair of fine dark eyes and eyebrows, a
clear, pale skin, regular features, and white teeth. Those who were
disposed to be critical observed that her face and head were rather too
massive for her height; and that her figure, sufficiently plump at
present, threatened to become too fat as she approached middle life. But
at twenty years of age that would have appeared a very remote
contingency to Constance Hadlow, supposing her to have ever thought
about it. Although circumstances often prevented her from being dressed
after the latest fashion, her hair--dark, wavy, and abundant--was always
skilfully arranged in the prevalent mode, whatever that might be. It
happened just then to be a becoming one to Miss Hadlow's head and face.
The crimson colour of the shawl wrapped round her made a fine contrast
with the creamy pallor of her skin and the vivid darkness of her eyes.
Altogether, she looked handsome enough to excuse Owen Rivers for finding
it difficult to remove himself from her society, supposing Mr. Simpson's
statement to be true that the young man was "dangling after his cousin
instead of minding his business."
Theodore Bransby, on being called upon to explain himself, answered that
he understood Miss Cheffington was shortly going to London to reside
with her aunt, Mrs. Dormer-Smith.
"Oh no, I'm not," said May promptly, before any one else could speak.
"That is quite a mistake."
"Indeed!"
"Oh yes, indeed it is. I'm going to stay with granny."
"Indeed!" said Theodore Bransby once more. Then he added, "Are you quite
sure? Because I had it from a person who had it from Mrs. Dobbs
herself."
"From granny?" In her astonishment May let fall the ball of worsted. It
rolled across the grass under the very nose of the toy terrier, who
snapped at it, and then shivered more strongly than ever with an added
sense of injury.
"Very likely nothing is positively settled yet," continued Theodore.
"Mrs. Dobbs was speaking of family arrangements for the future."
"Then I suppose," said May, with an anxious look, "that she has heard
from papa?"
"Yes, I believe so; something was said about a communication from
Captain Cheffington."
There was a little pause. Then Mrs. Hadlow said, "Well, of course we
shall be sorry to lose you, my dear, as Theodore says. But it is quite
right that you should be amongst your own people, and be properly
introduced."
"Granny is my own people," returned May in a low voice.
"Of course; and a most kind and excellent grandmother she is. But I
mean--in short, since it is Mrs. Dobbs's own plan, we must suppose she
thinks it best for you to go to town; and I must say I agree with her."
"It is obviously necessary," said young Bransby. "Miss Cheffington will
have, of course, to be presented."
"Why, you look quite glum, May!" cried Constance laughing. "Oh, you
little goose! I only wish I had the chance of going to town to be
presented."
Owen Rivers, who had hitherto been silent, now addressed May, and asked
her if she disliked her aunt.
"Dislike Aunt Pauline? Oh no; I don't dislike her at all. But I--I don't
know her very well."
"I thought," said Bransby, "that you had been in the habit of staying
with Mrs. Dormer-Smith during the school vacations?"
"No; before Grandmamma Cheffington died I used to go to Richmond, and I
only saw Aunt Pauline now and then. Since that time I haven't seen her
at all, for I've spent all my holidays with dear granny."
Constance began to question young Bransby as to who had given him the
news about May's departure; what it was that had been said; whether the
time of her going away were positively fixed; and so forth. May rose,
and, under cover of picking up her ball of worsted, walked away out of
earshot.
"Are you that phenomenon, a young lady devoid of curiosity, Miss
Cheffington?" asked Owen Rivers, as she passed near him.
"Oh, there's nothing to be curious about," returned the girl, flushing a
little. "Granny and I shall talk it all over together this evening. I
need not trouble myself about what other people may say or guess."
Miss Hadlow had apparently forgotten that it was "bitterly cold:" for
she continued to sit on the lawn talking with Theodore after the others
had gone into the house. She moved at length from her seat at the
summons of the luncheon-bell. Fox the terrier, more consistent, had
availed himself of the breaking-up of the little party to hasten indoors
and establish himself on the dining-room hearthrug:--a step which
nothing but his unconquerable dislike to being alone, had prevented him
from taking long ago.
When the two loiterers at length entered the dining-room, Mrs. Hadlow
announced that May had gone home. Her grandmother had sent the servant
for her a little earlier than usual, and May had refused to remain for
luncheon. The young girl's absence gave an opportunity for discussing
her and her prospects; and they were discussed accordingly, as the party
sat at table.
Mrs. Hadlow expressed great satisfaction at hearing that May was to be
received and accepted "as a Cheffington;" Constance inclined to think
that May would not duly appreciate her good fortune; and Theodore
Bransby observed stiffly, that Miss Cheffington's removal to town had
always been inevitable, and that the date of it alone could have been
matter for uncertainty to persons who knew anything of the Cheffington
family.
"Well," said Rivers, "I suppose Constance is the only one of us here
present who possesses that knowledge."
"No; I never knew much of them," answered his cousin. "I saw them
occasionally when I was at school. Sometimes the dowager came down to
stay at Brighton, and she used, now and then, to call for May in her
carriage; but she never entered the doors. And once or twice Mrs.
Dormer-Smith came. I remember we girls used to make game of old Mrs.
Cheffington with her black wig and her airs."
"She was thoroughly _grande dame_, I believe," said Theodore Bransby.
"Very likely. The servants used to say she was dreadfully stingy, and
call her an old cat. Mrs. Dormer-Smith had nice manners, and was always
beautifully dressed."
"Your information is somewhat sketchy, my dear Constance; but no doubt
the outline is correct as far as it goes," observed Rivers.
"Decidedly sketchy!" said Mrs. Hadlow, who was helping her guests to
minced mutton.
"Miss Hadlow, however, is _not_ the only one of us who knows anything
about the Cheffingtons," said young Bransby, with his grave air.
"Oh, dear me, I had forgotten!" interposed Mrs. Hadlow, after a quick
glance at the young man's face. "To be sure, Theodore has visited the
family in town. The fact is, Theodore has been a stranger himself so
long, that we have had no opportunity of hearing his report. Tell us
what the Dormer-Smiths are like, Theodore, since you know them."
"Like? They are like people who move in the best society--like
thoroughbred people," returned Theodore, drawing himself up, stiffly.
"Poor little May!" said Mrs. Hadlow, thoughtfully. "She's a sweet little
thing. I hope they'll be kind to her."
"Do you know anything of Mrs. Dobbs, Aunt Jane?" asked Rivers. "I mean,"
he added, "of course, you know _of_ her. But do you know her?"
"Oh yes. Once, many years ago, the canon had a tough battle with Mrs.
Dobbs, when he was helping to canvas for the city member. We couldn't
get her husband's vote for the right side. But he was a worthy man, and
sold very good ironmongery. When Constance first asked leave to invite
her schoolfellow here, I had an interview with Mrs. Dobbs. She came to
the point at once. She said, 'Mrs. Hadlow, you need not be uneasy. My
friends and equals are not yours; but neither are they my
grand-daughter's. She belongs by her father's family to a different
class. As for me, I am too old to make any mistakes about my place in
the world, and too proud to wish to change it."
"Too proud!" repeated Bransby, with raised eyebrows.
"I thought it was very well said," answered Mrs. Hadlow. "I only wish
all the people of her class had the same honest pride. But Mrs. Dobbs is
a woman of great good sense, and of the highest integrity. All the same,
of course, now that May is grown up, the girl's position in that house
is too anomalous. Captain Cheffington no doubt feels that. He probably
left his daughter there so long out of tenderness to Mrs. Dobbs's
feelings; and perhaps also to help out the old lady's income. But now,
naturally, it must come to an end. He can't sacrifice May's future. That
is how I explain the state of the case; and it seems to me to be
creditable to all concerned."
"At all events, it is creditable to Mrs. Dobbs, Aunt Jane," said Rivers.
"And why not, pray, to Captain Cheffington too?" asked Constance. "But
Captain Cheffington has the misfortune to be born a gentleman, so, of
course, Owen disapproves of him."
"Not at all, 'of course.' But I agree with you as to the misfortune--for
the other gentlemen, at all events!"
"I think you're a little mistaken about Captain Cheffington, Rivers,"
said Theodore. "He's a friend of mine."
"In that case I'm very sorry," answered Owen drily.
Mrs. Hadlow here interposed, rising from the table with a show of
cheerful bustle. "Come," said she, "you children must not loiter here
all day. The canon comes home from Wendhurst by the three-forty train,
and I am going to meet him; Constance has an engagement with the
Burtons; and as for you two boys, I shall turn you out without
ceremony."
The kind lady's intention had been to break off the discourse between
the two young men, which threatened to become disagreeable. But as
Bransby and Rivers walked away side by side through the fretted cloister
of College Quad, the former, with a certain quiet doggedness which
belonged to him, returned to the subject.
"You must understand," he said, "that I am not very intimate with
Captain Cheffington; but I know him, and am his debtor for some
courteous attentions. And I think you are a little--rash, if you don't
mind my saying so, in condemning him."
"I don't at all mind your saying so."
"You see, there are a great many circumstances to be taken into account,
in judging of Captain Cheffington's career. In the first place, there
was his unfortunate marriage."