Mrs Brandon's was a genuine feeling of affection for the gentle
motherless girl who strove so hard and not unsuccessfully to gain the
love of her pupils. She had called herself a poor judge of human
nature, and had doubtless erred with regard to Charley Vining; but her
estimation of Ella Bedford's worth, quickly as it was arrived at, was
correct; and many an hour were her thoughts devoted to the best means of
serving her protegee.
It need hardly be stated that Charley Vining too occupied no slight
share of her thoughts--thoughts that now inclined in one, now in the
other direction. They loved; that was evident. Both were young,
true-hearted, handsome. They would make an admirable couple. Why
should there not be an engagement? Then the balance was on the other
side--of difference of position, the slighting treatment that might be
met with from wealthy relations; and all at last ended with a sigh, as
she told herself that the only way in which she could act was to be a
watchful friend to her protegee, and to let matters shape themselves as
they would, hoping always that the course they would take would be the
best.
Meanwhile, during one of her walks with the children, Ella had a narrow
escape from an encounter with Max Bray; and after staying within doors
for a couple of days, she again had to hurry back; but this time not
without his company for a part of the distance--a fact which Ella was
not slow in announcing to her protectress, who bit her lip with
annoyance, and tried to form some plan for putting a stop to these
importunities; but, strangely enough, all Mrs Brandon's plans ended
with thoughts of Charley Vining--when she gave up.
The day at last came when, in accordance with the given consent, Charley
was to call; and Mrs Brandon sat turning matters over in her mind as to
what she should do--what plan she should adopt. The week had slipped
away, and, in spite of her cogitation, she was still undecided. "What
should she do?" she asked herself for the hundredth time. She had not
even acquainted Ella with the fact that he was coming again; and in a
few hours he would certainly be there, beseeching her to stand his
friend.
"What should she do?" she asked herself again; and she was just about to
send to request Ella to come to the drawing-room when a carriage drove
up to the door, there was a peal at the bell, and directly after Mrs
Brandon felt that matters had indeed now come to a crisis; for the
footman came in and announced Sir Philip Vining.
"To see Miss Bedford, Edward?" she asked eagerly.
"No, ma'am; to see you."
And this time, with no slight feeling of trepidation, Mrs Brandon
requested that the visitor might be shown in there, and prepared herself
for what she conceived would be an anxious scene.
The old baronet bowed with all a courtier's grace, and then, taking the
indicated seat, immediately opened the business upon which he had come.
"You are doubtless surprised at this call, Mrs Brandon," he said, "for
we are not acquaintances, and our homes are far removed; but I will be
frank with you. You have a young lady here as governess--a Miss
Bedford?"
"Yes," said Mrs Brandon quietly, as she waited to see what course she
ought to pursue.
"I come to ask your permission for an interview with that young lady,"
said Sir Philip.
"It was unnecessary, Sir Philip Vining," said Mrs Brandon, rising. "I
will at once send Miss Bedford to you."
"Stay, stay a little, I beg of you," said Sir Philip; and Mrs Brandon
resumed her seat. "I must tell you, in the first place, that my son--my
only son--has formed a most unfortunate attachment in that quarter--an
attachment which it seems to me will blight his prospects in life.
Mind, madam," he added hastily, "I make no attack upon the lady, who may
be one of the most estimable of women; but it would grieve me sorely if
such an alliance were to be formed. It may seem to be weak, but I have
a certain pride in our old pedigree, and it is the earnest wish of my
heart that my son should marry well."
He paused for a moment.
"I was aware of this," said Mrs Brandon quietly.
"Indeed!" said Sir Philip. "But I need not be surprised: Miss Bedford
has, perhaps, confided to you my son's offer."
"Yes," said Mrs Brandon, "and so did your son."
"He was here a week ago," said Sir Philip. "Has he been since?"
"I expect him this afternoon to ask my cooperation; and I confess I am
much troubled thereby."
"Your cooperation," said Sir Philip; "but I see, the lady is perhaps
coy. Mrs Brandon, I must ask your aid on my side. This marriage is
impossible--it would be an insane act, and can never take place. Will
you ask that Miss Bedford may be sent here?"
"Will you see her alone?"
"No, no! I would rather you were present, Mrs Brandon. You know all;
and perhaps, as a mother, you may be able to sympathise with another
parent."
"Sir Philip Vining, you are placing me in a most difficult position.
How am I to divide sympathies that are with all of you? But I will
ring. Let us have Ella here; and I tell you candidly that I am glad to
be free from a responsibility that threatened to fix itself upon my
shoulders."
"Ask Miss Bedford to step this way," said Mrs Brandon as the man
appeared.
And five minutes after, very pale, but quite collected, Ella was ushered
into the room.
Mrs Brandon advanced to meet her, and led her to Sir Philip, who
saluted her gravely, and then placed for her a chair.
Then for a few minutes there was an embarrassed silence, broken at last
by Sir Philip Vining.
"Miss Bedford," he said, "I am an old and prejudiced man; proud of my
wealth, proud of my estate, proud of my position in the county. I have,
too, an only son, whose life and future are dearer to me than my own.
For many years past my sole hope has been that he would form some
attachment to a lady of his own rank in society; one who should be to
him a loving wife--to me a daughter in whom I could feel pride."
"Hear me out," he continued, rising and standing before Ella, in almost
a piteous and pleading attitude, while Mrs Brandon sank upon her knees
by the fair girl's side, and placing one hand around her, took Ella's
with the other.
"Hear me out," said Sir Philip; "and forgive me if my words sound harsh
and cruel. On an unfortunate day he beheld you--fair, beautiful, as was
his sainted mother--a woman to be seen but to be loved; and though I
came here hot and angered against you, I tell you frankly that I am weak
and disarmed. Had it been some proud scheming woman, I could have
acted; but I find you sweet, gentle, pure-hearted, and one who gains the
good word and love of all with whom you come in contact. He tells me
boldly that he loves you. I do not ask you if you love him. No one
could know his frank honest heart without giving him their love. But I
ask you, hoping that any affection you may bear him may be slight, to
make some sacrifice for his sake--for my sake--the sake of an old man
who will give you his blessing. You must esteem him, even if you do not
love. Think, then, of his prospects--think of his position. You see I
humble myself, for his sake, to plead to you--to implore that this may
go no farther. I came as a last hope; for I find that he has sought you
out--that he will be here again to-day."
"He here to-day!" exclaimed Ella, starting, her wounds reopened by the
cruel ordeal she was called upon to suffer. Then calmly rising, she
stood before the old man, looking down at his feet, as, clearly and
distinctly, she said, "Sir Philip Vining--his father!--I love him too
well--with too pure a love--a love that I dare here avow to you--to
wrong him either in thought or deed! I have told him it is impossible;
I have avoided--I have fled from him. I have done all that woman can do
to prove to him that we are separated by a gulf that cannot be crossed.
I came here seeking rest and peace; but it was not to be: and in a few
days I will go--go somewhere where he shall see me no more! You need
not fear for me. I would not listen to him--I will not listen to him;
and I thought that all that was at an end. It is nothing!" she said
with a gasp, turning with a smile to Mrs Brandon. "I think I am weak.
I wish to be alone. Sir Philip Vining will excuse me perhaps; but I
have had much trouble lately. Thanks; I am better now!"
She tried to withdraw her hand; but Sir Philip took it, and raised it to
his lips.
"Heaven bless you, my child!" he said, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"I have wronged you bitterly in thought; but you must pardon me. I
came, thinking to meet an ambitious aspiring woman; but I find an angel.
Would to heaven that it could have been otherwise--or," he muttered,
"that this pride was humbled! I feel," he continued aloud, "that I am
playing a hard part; but you will forgive me."
Ella turned her face towards him with a sad and weary smile, and then
one arm was thrown over Mrs Brandon's shoulder, the little head drooped
down as droops some storm-beaten flower, and, as it touched Mrs
Brandon's breast, there was a faint gasping sigh, and Sir Philip started
forward.
"You had better leave us, Sir Philip Vining," said Mrs Brandon gravely;
"the poor child has fainted."
And pale, trembling, and looking years older, Sir Philip walked with
tottering steps to the door, paused, looked round, came back, and then
kneeling, pressed his lips twice upon Ella's glossy hair, before, with a
sigh, he tore himself away, and was rapidly driven off.
At that self-same hour, light-hearted and hopeful, Charley Vining
mounted his favourite mare to ride over to Laneton.
Volume 2, Chapter XI.