Tom Pynsent was serious when he engaged to make an early appearance. He
arrived earlier at Wetheral than even Lady Wetheral could expect him,
and her smiles were proportionably bland and expressive. Tom Pynsent
would have detected and laughed at the affectionate reception which
awaited him, had his heart been free to seek amusement in the hopes
and fears of Lady Wetheral; but the scene was changed. The parent,
anxious for a daughter's establishment, was, in Tom Pynsent's eyes, his
prop and stay against the forthcoming proposal; and Lady Wetheral, the
"well-known manœuvrer," was at this time only Julia's mother and his
kind well-wisher. In short, Tom Pynsent was caught; and, like other
keen-sighted men of fortune, he was perfectly upon his guard, when no
danger threatened his heart; but every firm resolution melted, when his
eye was pleased, and his fancy gratified.
He was now on the eve of proposing to Julia Wetheral, in spite of his
determination never to bow the knee to a Wetheral, or to be "hooked"
by her ladyship's gracious compliments. Poor Tom Pynsent! he fell
honourably at the very head of his thousand determinations never to
visit Wetheral Castle but as an amusement, and never to flirt with a
daughter of that house but as a means of raising false hopes in the
lady mother's anxious bosom.
"Men's faiths are wafer-cakes."
Lady Wetheral affected to be entirely ignorant of the cause of Tom
Pynsent's early visit.
"Mr. Pynsent so very early in the field! it must indeed be a hunting
appointment. Sir John will be delighted;" and she held out her hand,
smiling a million agreeable welcomes. "Where are my daughters? they
did not expect you so soon, I dare say. Lord Ennismore has escorted
them walking, probably."
Tom Pynsent was disappointed at Julia's absence, but he only looked
bewildered.
"I wish to see Sir John as soon as possible, Lady Wetheral; I came
early on purpose to see him; perhaps I may find him in his study; shall
I proceed there?"
"By all means, my dear Mr. Pynsent, unless you allow me to summon Sir
John to us. Am I _de trop_?"
"Oh! no, not _that_," answered Tom Pynsent, becoming somewhat
disordered; "you will hear it in time, so you may as well be present,
only--"
"Let me lead the way then, my dear Mr. Pynsent;" and she proceeded
towards the door of the study. Sir John was seated in his arm-chair,
looking over a package of new books; and, for a minute or two, he did
not recognize Mr. Pynsent. Lady Wetheral was shocked.
"Sir John, you do not appear to remember our friend Mr. Pynsent, who
is anxious to see you. What is the study, my love, which so engrosses
your faculties?"
Sir John rose, and received Tom Pynsent with his usual quiet politeness.
"I did not immediately recollect you, sir; I hope your family are well,
Mr. Pynsent; be seated, if you please."
Tom Pynsent glanced at the chair which was advanced towards him, but he
remained standing with a red face and an embarrassed manner.
"I hope all are well at Hatton," repeated Sir John, surprised by the
silence of his companion.
Tom Pynsent could only comfortably entertain one idea at a time, and
his present idea was exclusively the proposal he intended to make for
Julia. The repetition, however, roused him from his embarrassment.
"Sir John, I'm come here for a very particular purpose." The plunge was
made, and Tom Pynsent's voice and manner recovered their serenity. "I
have something to say, Sir John, which I hope will not give offence. I
like Miss Julia very much; indeed I love and admire her extremely, and
I wish to know if I have your leave to address her?"
Lady Wetheral threw looks and smiles at the speaker, which encouraged
and delighted the lover; but Sir John was taken by surprise.
"Sir, you are--I am, I confess, a very little surprised. You say my
daughter _Julia_, sir."
"I wish for your consent, Sir John, to address Miss Julia. I have
spoken to her, and she did not altogether refuse me, as she laughed
very much; but I think it right to speak to you upon the subject, that
all things may be above-board."
"You are acting honourably and properly, Mr. Pynsent," returned Sir
John, holding out his hand, which was seized by the warm-hearted Tom.
He continued, "My daughter, Mr. Pynsent, must decide for herself, but,
if she finds no reason to decline your proposal, I am quite ready to
welcome you as my son-in-law."
Lady Wetheral went greater lengths in speech than her husband, for her
joy was uncontrollable.
"My dear Tom--for now I address you as my future son--my happiness
will be perfect, should I ever visit you and my dear Julia at Hatton.
It gives me unfeigned pleasure to think Julia has fixed her affections
upon an object so truly worthy, and so acceptable to her own family.
This is indeed to me a very happy moment."
"I will do every thing you wish in the settlement way, Sir John,"
said the honest-hearted suitor, his face almost purple with gratified
feelings. "My father says he will relinquish Hatton to me directly;
but I don't mean the governor to quit his own favourite place. Let him
keep it for life, you know, for we young ones can move about. He will
allow me to make a very handsome settlement upon my wife--any thing you
suggest, Sir John."
Sir John was pleased by the open-hearted manner and matter, and his
heart warmed to Tom Pynsent.
"Sir, I wish you well with my daughter, and, if you succeed, we shall
easily arrange the necessary form. You have my best wishes, for I like
your sentiments, and your father, sir, may be proud of your heart. A
good son is a sure promise of an indulgent husband, and I quite approve
of your declining to allow your father to quit Hatton, Mr. Pynsent."
"Why, Sir John, there is but a right and wrong way of doing things--if
a man does right, he goes on very well; and if he does wrong, why, he
will be damned for it!"
The voices of Julia and Lord Ennismore, in playful tones, echoing
through the hall, at this moment reached Tom Pynsent's ears. He became
alarmed and nervous.
"I wish it was over, Sir John. I could wish to see Miss Julia now,
and hear my fate at once. A man gets very awkward and nervous in this
situation, I declare!" and Tom Pynsent's red face became ashy pale.
Lady Wetheral undertook to make his burthen an easy one. She even
ventured to answer for Julia's affection--this was going too far.
Julia had never confided her feelings to her mother upon any subject,
and Lady Wetheral's anxiety to secure Tom Pynsent led her into the
commission of much injustice. She had sacrificed Anna Maria's peace by
thoughtless manœuvring, and now she was creating false hopes in the
heart of Tom Pynsent. His situation at this moment was pitiable, and
Sir John at once decided upon the necessity of an immediate conference
with Julia. Poor Julia obeyed the summons conveyed through Thompson,
and appeared in the study brilliant in smiles, and glowing with her
recent exercise. She was not surprised at seeing Tom Pynsent, though
she did not expect him so early. Julia was never off her guard. No
girl in existence possessed her perfect command of feelings, and her
self-possessed manner which never deserted her under any circumstance.
She was quite prepared for a scene with Tom Pynsent and her mother.
"My dear Julia," said her father, taking her hand, and seating her
between Tom Pynsent and himself, "Mr. Pynsent has been here some little
time, and he has been speaking on a subject which you alone can
dispose of."
"Oh, papa, I will dispose of it in one word," replied Julia, in her
gayest manner. "What is it about?"
Tom Pynsent took up the matter as appertaining to himself, exclusively.
"Miss Julia, I have spoken to Sir John upon the subject of last night."
"Well, Mr. Pynsent."
"And, Sir John gives his consent, Miss Julia, if----."
"But I do not give mine, Mr. Pynsent."
Lady Wetheral sat rooted upon her chair; the fountain of her speech was
dried up. Tom Pynsent coloured.
"You laughed at my remarks, Miss Julia, at the time, and that was not
discouraging, I thought."
"There is no sentiment in a laugh, Mr. Pynsent, but I am sorry you
misunderstood my manner. Excuse me, but I never can like you in any
light but that of a pleasant acquaintance, and I hope you will not
renew the subject. I laughed at your odd way of broaching your subject
last night, but I am sure I could not encourage you, for I left you, if
you remember."
"You were very abrupt with me, Miss Julia, but I fancied you were only
angry because I squeezed your hand."
Tom Pynsent turned scarlet as he spoke.
"Well, Mr. Pynsent, don't let us say another word on the subject, and
pray don't worry me with complaints, for I am speaking my unchangeable
sentiments when I say, any expostulation on your part will only make me
dislike you; and I really like you very much as only Tom Pynsent, our
pleasant neighbour."
"Why, there's only a right and wrong way of doing things," replied Tom
Pynsent, rising; "and I have no idea of teazing a woman as if I was
digging out a fox, to make her dread the sound of my voice. I wish you
well, Miss Julia, and as you will never hear me complain of a woman who
tells me plump she does not like me, you need not be afraid of meeting
me sometimes. I like every body to be above-board, and say what they
mean. I am very sorry to appear rude, Sir John, but you will excuse my
taking leave. I came upon a business which is settled, you know, so I
had better take myself off."
Tom Pynsent bowed, and turned towards Lady Wetheral, whose lips were
white and compressed.
"I must not take a lady's word for her daughter in future, but you did
all you could to give me hope, for which I am obliged to you, Lady
Wetheral. Good morning to you."
He passed Julia in silence, but she held out her hand.
"Say we are friends, Mr. Pynsent."
This little circumstance apparently overpowered poor Tom Pynsent, for
he made no reply. He held the offered hand to his lips for some time,
and, relinquishing it gently, he quitted the room like a man who had
suffered disappointment, but who was prepared to bear his trial without
flinching. Even Julia felt admiration at her lover's manly exit.
Lady Wetheral was some minutes before she spoke, though her lips had
moved without the power of conveying sounds. She was stupified at the
conversation which had taken place before her, and Tom Pynsent was gone
without her having the ability of tongue or hand to detain him! Julia
had unequivocally refused Tom Pynsent, Hatton, and a settlement! These
things were too powerful to bear. At length she gained her voice, but
it came hollow and slowly from her parched lips.
"Julia!"
"Well, mamma, what have you to say to me? Do not you think I made a
quick affair of my proposal?"
"Do you know what you have done?" said her mother, in the same dreadful
tone.
"To be sure, mamma, I do. I have refused great, broad-faced, but honest
Tom Pynsent; but now I have something to tell _you_."
Lady Wetheral waved her hand.
"Do not speak to me, Julia; and never let my eyes behold you. I cannot
help being your mother, but you are no longer my daughter in feeling,
and I command you to remain in your own apartments for ever. You have
given me the bitterest sorrow a mother can experience."
Sir John quitted the room.
"You have brought me in sorrow to the grave, for I shall never outlive
this disgrace!"
"Oh yes, you will, mamma: you must live to dance at my wedding."
"I detest the sound!" she exclaimed--"your wedding! You have refused
the first match in the two counties, and you will be disgraced and
dishonoured among the wise, while I am pitied and despised by all my
friends! Send Thompson to me."
Her ladyship became hysterical, and Julia became serious.
"I tell you, mamma, you will live to dance at my wedding, if you could
only keep off those hysterics. Would you have me accept two men at
once? How can I take poor Tom Pynsent when I am engaged to another!"
"Engaged to another, without asking my advice! Send instantly for
Thompson: I am very ill." Her ladyship rang the bell violently. "You
have killed me, and disgraced my reputation, Julia,--you have trifled
with my kindness and affection--you have killed your mother!"
The servant appeared, and Julia summoned the redoubted Thompson, who
hurried to the scene of action. She beheld her lady in her usual state
of agitation, when any thing disagreeable occurred. Julia was seated
calmly by her side.
Thompson applied her usual remedies, and entreated to hear what had
distressed her lady's nerves. Every family affair was confided to the
lady's-maid.
"Your mistress, Thompson, is discomposed at the idea of my engagement
to Lord Ennismore," replied Julia. "You know mamma has fits now, upon
every fresh occurrence."
Julia's words fell upon her mother's heart like the
"Sweet south upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour."
She raised her head, and held out her hand to Julia.
"My dear child, you have given me excessive pain most uselessly.
Thompson, I am better; you always stifle me with those salts; take
them away. Your obstinacy in refusing Mr. Pynsent and Hatton almost
broke my heart. How could I be aware that you had secured Lord
Ennismore, Julia? I never saw the least attention on his part, and I
had arranged he was to propose hereafter to Clara. Well, I am much
relieved. I really fancied you engaged to some horrid creature, like
Leslie."
"If you had listened to me, mamma, when I told you I had something to
say, all this would have been spared."
"My dear, how can people listen when they are in terror? I saw you
parading before me as the wife of some common creature, and all my
friends laughing at me--what horrid visions!--but now you will be a
peeress, with the glory of having refused the first commoner in the
county! My dear Julia, you have done extremely well; I am sorry Anna
Maria has effected nothing; but I never saw Lord Ennismore offer you
any attention--how did it all come about?"
"You are the only blind person, then, mamma, for Lord Ennismore has
been publicly attentive ever since he came to Wetheral. You must have
noticed his manner last night."
"No, my dear, that was Tom Pynsent."
"Nonsense, mamma, it was Lord Ennismore. Every body saw his attentions;
so would you, if you had not been running your head against Tom
Pynsent. Lord Ennismore has written this morning to his mother to join
him. He hopes she will be with us in a very few days. I told him not to
say a word to papa yet, because I knew he objected to Lord Ennismore's
health, but we shall soon nurse him into good care."
"To be sure, my love!" responded her mother, "Lord Ennismore will find
himself a very different person when he is settled into married life,
with a wife to watch over him. Tom Pynsent is an excellent creature,
but, as you say, he _is_ broad set, and red-faced. Too much health is
worse than too little, in my opinion; Sir John will see things in a
different light, when he knows of the actual proposal."
"He must be made acquainted with my engagement, sooner or later,"
observed Julia, musing; "I wish the whole business was over."
"Let _me_ open the business to your father, my love, and I shall be
surprised if he is not extremely pleased at your good fortune. We
will say nothing about it to-day, but to-morrow I will answer for his
acquiescence. Lady Ennismore will find every thing arranged when she
arrives, and I flatter myself you will be in Staffordshire this day six
months, I shall be very proud of my daughter Ennismore!"
Julia assented to her mother's proposition, and nothing was made public
till the following morning, when her ladyship found herself alone
with her husband, in his study. Sir John opened the conversation, by
lecturing his lady upon her sentiments.
"I am called upon, Gertrude, to object to many things which take
place at Wetheral, but I was particularly hurt at your observations
to Julia yesterday. Had my daughter been condemned by the laws of her
country for crimes offensive to humanity, you could not have expressed
yourself in stronger terms than the reproaches you levelled at Julia
for declining a man who was disagreeable to her."
"Now, love, that is past and gone. I was very angry with her, and
should continue to be so, had I not found her refusal of Pynsent
proceeded from an excellent cause, which I am going to explain. You
know it is very wrong to accept one man, when you are engaged to
another. That is a rule with all proper people."
"Julia has accepted some gentleman, then, Gertrude."
"Ah, how differently you and I feel under such a knowledge! A mother
feels so keenly! I was obliged to send for Thompson, when I heard Julia
plead an engagement. I was sure it was Leslie, or some such creature,
and I was in hysterics, while you have not even changed countenance in
your suspense. My love, Julia is engaged to Ennismore, if you do not
object, which I am sure you will not think of doing. I congratulate
you, my dear, on acquiring a peer for your son-in-law."
"And Julia refused Pynsent for Ennismore?"
"To be sure she did, most wisely."
"Then," he exclaimed, "she has done that which she will repent to her
dying day; and you, Gertrude, must be responsible for her misery."
"Good heavens, how you have thrown down all my plans, Sir John, and how
you embitter my happy moments! I cannot imagine why you like to terrify
me in this way!"
Lady Wetheral trembled, which was ever a prelude to hysterics, but her
husband's temper was now tried "to the top of its bent," and he heeded
not the increasing symptoms.
"Lord Ennismore has been duped into making Julia an offer."
"I meant him for Clara, love, not Julia," cried his lady, hoping to
ward off his reproach.
"And you have given one of your daughters, Gertrude, to a creature
diseased in body and mind."
"What does that signify, my love? Julia will not think of his looks a
month after her marriage, and she will be a peeress, with an immense
estate."
"You are marrying her to an idiot of quality."
"Fiddlededee, Sir John, he enters a room as well as other people. Who
makes a fuss about intellects, if a man of large fortune proposes to
their daughter? I should die with shame if you advanced such musty
notions before company. Besides, you asked Lord Ennismore to Wetheral
yourself."
"I did so," replied Sir John, "I did so; but I believed my daughters
must be safe in their affections. I could not suppose Lord Ennismore
would attract a woman's love; and I will not believe Julia cares for
him. You have tutored her, Gertrude, to barter her soul for a coronet,
and your system has corrupted her heart and feelings."
He paced the room in unusual agitation of manner. Lady Wetheral
perceived the tide of her powerful influence over her husband's mind
was fast ebbing, and a _coup de main_ was the last resource of her
inventive genius. She became indignant.
"It is well, Sir John, my children have possessed a mother devoted
to their interest, since you have ever been indifferent to their
well-doing. Had I sat supinely in my room, as you have done in
your study, my daughters had passed the prime of their days in
insignificance; or, if one had changed the scene, it might have
been her happy lot, perhaps, to move into dirty barracks with young
Leslie, whom you persist in receiving at Wetheral, in spite of my
remonstrances."
"Leslie would not choose a wife from your group, my love. His idea of
matrimonial comforts does not jump with your own."
"Don't make me ill, Sir John, with any allusion to that young man; or
imagine for a moment we could 'jump' in any sentiment together. Had
I sat supinely looking on, as you have done, Isabel would never have
married a wealthy commoner, or Julia become a peeress, with the glory
of refusing Tom Pynsent."
"Julia has done wrong in declining him for Ennismore; she has given up
an honest fellow, for a poor, ill-nursed, unhealthy creature, with a
mind as weak as his body."
"I never can talk with you, Sir John, upon this kind of subject,
your notions are so extremely contracted, and you are so blind to
advantages."
"What advantages, Gertrude, in Ennismore?"
"Oh, my love, unspeakable advantages. He is a man of rank and large
fortune, two very considerable advantages, and, if his health is not
very good, it may improve; and, as to his mind, he may not be extremely
learned--few men are, who are not destined for professions. He may not
be particularly good-tempered, but----," Lady Wetheral became somewhat
confused in her palliatives, by her husband suddenly stopping short
in his perambulation, and, fixing his eyes upon her, "every body has
something to balance their virtues."
"What virtues does Ennismore possess, Gertrude?"
"I'm sure I don't know; I wish you would not annoy me with such out
of the way questions. Lord Ennismore shows good taste in addressing
Julia, and I dare say she will improve many of his foibles. Lady
Ennismore will be here next week, and I hope every thing will be
arranged in a few weeks, for you could not be so reckless as to
withhold your consent--could you now, my love!"
"I will see Julia alone," replied Sir John.
"By all means, but do not invent objections for her, and do not
distress her with your long lectures, my dear love, for my sake. I see
poor Julia is very much attached."
"Nonsense! attached to such a man in a fortnight's acquaintance--for
shame!"
"Julia is _decidedly_ attached to Ennismore, Sir John, quite as much
attached as a woman ought to be. I think it highly indelicate in a
young girl to run after a man, and disgust him with fondness; those
things are not done. She is attached very properly, and I beg you will
not persuade her to the contrary."
"I shall see, Gertrude."
"You never saw in your life, my love; I never could persuade you to see
any thing in a proper light."
"I saw through Boscawen, Gertrude, when you were blind."
"Nonsense! who cared to see through old Boscawen! I never thought about
Isabel, therefore, her admirers could not interest me. I was sure she
would only attract odd people, and you see I was correct."