CLOUDS OVERHEAD
THE news of Kathleen's engagement spread quickly, and calls and
congratulatory letters were many. How could it be otherwise? The
customs of society demanded this much. Well for the parties concerned
that they did not hear all that was said on the subject. Kathleen's
friends pitied both her and her guardians; the girl, because of the
future before her, the latter for having allowed John Torrance to
outwit them. Ralph was wild with joy. His heart had been sore after
that afternoon when he displeased Kathleen so much, but now he was
forgiven, and his happiness complete.
The head gardener at Hollingsby had grown grey in his present service;
but he promptly remarked, "When Captain Torrance is master here, he'll
want a fresh gardener." Mountain was on the point of saying the same
thing as to his position, but, with his usual contradiction, he turned
fiercely on his fellow-servant.
"I shall stick to my horses and my young mistress," said he. "It's
a poor sort of a servant that would leave her because she means to
please herself. I reckon Miss Mountford didn't engage you to pick her a
husband, or me either."
"I was here before she was born," was the answer.
"Then more shame for you to talk of leaving at the first contrary wind.
You've had smooth times and good pay."
"I've earned my wages," said Griffiths, in high dudgeon.
"Who said you hadn't? You've no call to take offence."
But Griffiths departed, whilst Mountain growled out that some folks'
tempers were short, like themselves, the gardener being little of
stature. Moreover, he would like to know what Griffiths made by
"perkisites," for precious little out of what he grew could be used at
the Hall.
"We shall lose Mrs. Ellicott and Miss Geraldine," moaned Mrs. Mountain.
"They'll not stay when Captain Jack comes."
"How do you know? Hold your tongue, and let your betters manage their
own business. Look after your own girl, if you want something to do."
Patty Mountain, probably infected by Miss Mountford's example, had
consented to become the wife of William Burns as soon as her mistress's
wedding had taken place. Their cottage was being made ready, and
Mrs. Ellicott, Geraldine, Kathleen, and Aylmer were all helping by
well-timed gifts to make it comfortable and pretty for the young couple.
Mountain liked his son-in-law-elect, but growled us usual, and declared
that all girls were idiots who left a good service to marry, as they
would never again be as well off. Mrs. Mountain was a much enduring
woman, but she retorted for once.
"You've told the truth, George," she said. "I know a girl who left a
good service thirty years ago, to marry a man who has grumbled at her
more in a week than her mistresses did in all the years she served
them."
Mountain was too much astonished to reply, so went off to the stables,
leaving his wife triumphant.
Kathleen's twenty-first birthday soon came, and tenants were regaled
and school-children feasted most liberally. She wished to have no
gatherings at her own home, but at length agreed to a dinner-party for
older friends, and an evening one for younger neighbours.
Hetty Stapleton was at neither. Her brother and his wife were guests,
knowing nothing of what had passed between Kathleen and Hetty.
Kathleen had repented of her hasty words, and had learned to doubt the
correctness of her conclusions regarding the acquaintance between Hetty
and John Torrance. She told him nothing of the scene, but wrote to
Hetty, and owned her fault in giving way to temper and using insulting
words on the slenderest foundation. She begged her "to forget and
forgive, and to be still the friend of her ever affectionate Kathleen
Mountford."
Hetty wrote kindly in reply, and assured Kathleen of her forgiveness.
"As to forgetting," she added, "I cannot promise what I know to be
impossible, and you must feel this also. I was very angry at first,
and felt inclined to state the exact truth in your presence and that
of John Torrance. For your sake I have been silent, and shall continue
so. I cannot, however, accept your invitation, dear, for though I would
gladly come at the call of Kathleen Mountford, I could never be a guest
under the roof which owns John Torrance as its master, or consent to
sit at the same table with him. Nevertheless, if you ever want any
service that I can render, send for me, and you shall find a true
friend in Hetty Stapleton."
To Aylmer alone had Hetty told the story of that stormy interview
with Kathleen, and there was no fear of its becoming public property.
Remembering, however, how Hetty had foretold the result of Ralph's
influence on his father's behalf, Aylmer was still more inclined to
join in her fears for Kathleen's future as the wife of John Torrance.
After this confidence he was most anxious that his ward's property
should be settled upon her. In those days there was no protection for a
wife, if a husband squandered every penny of her property, and, without
a settlement, Kathleen's large personal property would be wholly in the
hands of John Torrance.
"Hollingsby Hall, the land, in fact, all real property and half the
personalty, may be settled on Kitty, with my full consent," said the
ex-captain. "It will be safer for both of us. The money is more than
I expected. It was reported she would have fifty thousand, and I find
it is over sixty. I do not wish to redeem Monk's How. My memories of
the life there are not of the pleasantest—I mean since Adela died—and
somehow I would rather live my second married life elsewhere. I should
seem to see my first wife all over the place, and very likely call
Kitty by the wrong name."
Aylmer agreed to the wisdom of Torrance's decision, and was moved in
his favour by this really generous proposition. He had hardly expected
so great a concession.
When the terms were repeated to Kathleen, she rejected them
point-blank. Impetuous, ready to go to extremes in self-devotion, she
flung prudence and common-sense to the winds. She would take no advice,
listen to no warning.
"Not only do I refuse to have the freehold estate settled on myself,"
she said, "but I intend to give it to John by executing a direct
conveyance. No one can prevent my doing this now, and no one shall
interfere with my undoubted rights!"
Mrs. Ellicott's pleading and the remonstrances of Aylmer and the
solicitor were equally useless. All three urged that, by carrying out
her resolution, she would be untrue to the trust reposed in her by her
father, but they spoke in vain.
"There is one thing Miss Mountford would not be likely to think
of," said the solicitor, who was much distressed by his client's
persistency. "Without the direct conveyance to Mr. Torrance, he would
only have a life interest in the real estate, which would descend to a
son by the second marriage at his death, should there be such issue. If
Miss Mountford persists in her determination, the property will belong
absolutely to Mr. Torrance and his son; Ralph would—if living, and in
the absence of a contrary will, inherit the Hollingsby property."
"You, madam," he added, addressing Mrs. Ellicott, "would be the fittest
person to speak to your niece on this subject."
"I will do so, and at once," replied Mrs. Ellicott. "You give me reason
to hope that Kathleen will now yield to our persuasion, for surely she
would never risk the alienation of Hollingsby from a child of her own."
To her aunt's bitter disappointment, Kathleen adhered to her resolution.
"As though John would do wrong to a second son, if he should have one!"
she said indignantly. "Would a child of mine be less dear to him than
Ralph is? John loves me truly and disinterestedly. Has he not proved it
by wishing to have the settlement? We shall begin a new life together,
and my perfect trust in him will be his greatest help and safeguard."
Even John Torrance's subsequent avowal that the proposed settlement
would be right and proper, failed to move her.
"There shall be no half confidences," she said. "When I promised to be
John's wife and Ralph's mother, I trusted John with the best I had to
give. Do you think that I value money or lands as I do my own hope of
happiness? If John is fit to take care of me and make me happy, he is
fit for the lesser charge of managing and turning to good account, for
our mutual benefit, whatever property I have the power to place in his
hands."
Kathleen's face fairly shone with enthusiasm, and never had she looked
more beautiful than when insisting upon what she regarded as an act of
unselfish trustfulness, though others deemed it rashness and folly.
"Is there nothing that she is unable to alienate?" asked Mrs. Ellicott,
in deep distress.
"Just one little property, which came to her from an aunt of her
father. It is worth about three hundred and fifty a year, and is tied
up to her as fast as the law can secure it," replied the disgusted
solicitor. "I must congratulate you, madam, and Mr. Matheson too," he
added, "that you no longer hold the place of guardians to such a wilful
ward. You cannot protect her now against her own self-will. We can only
hope she will have no cause to regret the having set at naught the
counsel of all her friends, including that of her intended husband.
What would her father have said? He who was so proud of the Mountfords'
care of the old lands, so long held by them."
"My luck is beyond belief," thought John Torrance. "Poor Kathleen! I
wish I were a better man for her sake, and, 'pon my word, I wish the
property could be settled. It is an awful temptation; and, when one has
seen the last shilling of two fortunes vanish, one would like to keep
hold of the third. Very few men get so many chances as I have had."
On a sunny April day Kathleen was married at the village church, where
she had worshipped all her life. There had been talk of a wedding at a
fashionable church in London, but this she would not hear of.
"Miss Pritchard shall make my wedding-gown. If Mellingham mercers
have not as large a stock, they can get patterns and pieces, lace and
lingerie without limit. I shall have all my outfit as pretty as I can
desire, and at half the cost of London and Paris productions. I have
no wish to waste money because there is plenty," was Kathleen's wise
decision.
She had settled, too, that Mrs. Ellicott should give her away. She
could not stab the faithful heart that had been all her own, by asking
Aylmer to do this.
"You will follow the example of our own royal lady, in bestowing me
upon a husband," she said. "So, aunty, you must act the father, mother,
and guardian all in one."
Mrs. Ellicott demurred at first, but Kathleen gaily declared that the
choice lay between her and Mountain.
"I shall ask my faithful servitor if you refuse, aunty," she said, so
Mrs. Ellicott was fain to consent.
Amid outward sunshine Kathleen was married to John Torrance, and
departed on a wedding-tour which was to last over a couple of months.
But there were clouds gathering overhead, and, whilst loving wishes
and prayers for their happiness went with the newly-married pair,
forebodings could not be wholly banished.
Much had to be done during the weeks that followed. John Torrance had
given up Monk's How, and taken his last leave of the place as a home.
It had not passed into strange hands, for Aylmer Matheson had purchased
the house, grounds, and a portion of the land.
The house was undergoing much-needed repairs and decoration, and the
grounds, which were of very moderate extent, were being restored to
order and beauty, ready for Mrs. Ellicott and Geraldine to occupy.
In the fulness of her heart, Kathleen had talked of keeping her aunt
and Ger with her at the Hall, but neither they nor any one else
concerned would have entertained the proposal for a moment.
Monk's How would suit Mrs. Ellicott's requirements. It was a pretty
place, and would make a charming home for such tenants, and Kathleen
was delighted to have them near her. John Torrance was gratified from a
selfish point of view. "At first," thought he, "I must devote myself to
Kitty. Later on she cannot expect me to be tied to her apron strings,
and when I run away now and then, their being close by will prevent her
being able to plead loneliness. I hope she will be as reasonable as
Adela was. Kitty can blaze up into a passion, but her fits of self-will
have all been to my advantage. Remembering this, I will give her a
long tether, but in a question of mastery she will find me very unlike
Matheson. He is almost too good for this world, and quite too yielding;
but, thanks to Kathleen's wilfulness, he can never meddle again. I am
glad he has bought Monk's How. He is fond of Ralph, too. Perhaps he
will leave it to the boy. He is so steadfast, that I doubt if, having
lost Kathleen, he will ever marry, though Miss Ellicott would be a
model wife for him."
It was well Kathleen could not read what was passing in her
bridegroom's mind as the train carried them away. But he whispered
sweet words in her ears, wondered how she could have loved him so well,
and then began telling of fair scenes they would visit, and picturing a
happy homecoming when they began to long for rest. Kathleen, listening
to such words, forgot everything save that she loved and was beloved
by John Torrance. All she had given seemed as nothing to her generous
nature. She wished she had more to give.
Ralph had caused some trouble. Indulgence had made him exacting, and
fancying that he would not be parted from Kathleen again, he gave
way to alternate fits of weeping and passion. It needed his father's
firmness and Kathleen's persuasions to subdue the boy, and after their
departure he refused to be comforted.
Mrs. Ellicott and Geraldine were to take up their abode at Monk's How,
just before the return of the newly-married pair. Ralph was to remain
at the Hall with them, but Aylmer found it necessary to relieve them of
their charge, and in his hands the boy was more manageable.
Kathleen and her husband returned to the Hall before the appointed
date, but not to remain there.
Mr. Torrance—"the captain" had been sunk by request—suggested that the
rest of the season should be spent in town. He wished his beautiful
wife to have some enjoyment before settling down at Hollingsby.
"It is your due, Kitty," he said. "I owe you everything, and it would
be a shame to bury you in the country, now you have a husband to act
as guide and protector. We can take a furnished house, of which I
heard to-day, for five weeks or so, and after that have a rest in the
country. We have neither of us had much in the way of decent society
for a long time past."
Kathleen would have preferred going home, but she was overruled, not
by any assumption of mastery on her husband's part, but by flattering
words and tender suggestions which, loving him devotedly as she did,
she was unable to withstand.
So the house was taken, and Ralph was again left behind, but with
the promise that he should spend part of the time in London with his
parents.
Kathleen found that her wardrobe must be enlarged. She had not cared
for a costly trousseau, preferring to purchase extra dresses as
occasion required, and she was not anxious to spend a large sum on such
as would be comparatively useless to her in the country.
"Besides, John, I hate extravagance, though I think you have always
seen me fairly well dressed," she said.
"You are always charmingly dressed, Kitty, for the country, but one
may be pardoned for wishing that one's wife should be seen to the best
advantage during a few weeks in town, at the close of the honeymoon.
If you were less beautiful, my darling, it would be different. We will
only be extravagant for this once;" and he closed her lips with a kiss.
It was hardly likely that Kathleen could fail to get some enjoyment
out of her visit to town, especially as she found herself an object
of interest on account of the circumstances attending her marriage.
Rumour had been busy with her name, and had surrounded her with a halo
of romance. Her attachment to a penniless man, her determination to
endow him absolutely with the whole of her fortune, in spite of her
guardians' remonstrances—much that was true, and much that was partly
or wholly untrue—had gone to give society plenty to talk about.
John Torrance's past history was freely discussed, but in whispers not
likely to reach the ears of those most concerned, though it proved of
interest to many of his old associates. Amongst such the question was,
how they could benefit by Jack Torrance's wonderful luck.
The amount of Kathleen's fortune was greatly exaggerated.
Whilst in town, Kathleen won both regard and admiration by her beauty,
charm of manner and dignity, combined with frankness. Her husband was
proud of her success, and began to talk of their next season, saying,
"We must have a longer time next year."
"I thought this was to be our one extravagance before we settled at
home," said Kathleen. "We could not afford to spend so much in a
general way."
"The wedding and after journeyings will not come again. As a bride,
your surroundings only suited your position."
"I should have been contented with less, but you are pleased, and I can
only be glad too."
Kathleen smiled at her husband, then said, "When is Ralph to come? We
promised he should join us."
"Do you really want him? He will not enjoy himself with Sarah for a
companion. You are so much engaged."
"But we promised to have the child, John."
"Have your own way, Kitty. But you need not be so particular. Children
must be pacified by promises sometimes. Ralph may not be quite pleased
in the long run, but in the meanwhile he is quieted by the expectation
of good things to come. Anticipation is often better than reality,
Kitty, as I have proved to my sorrow many a time."
Kathleen withdrew the caressing hand, and looked grave and troubled.
"Come now, sweetheart, you must not take such sober views of things.
You cannot honestly say that it will be best for Ralph to come here,"
said her husband.
"That is not the question. With me it is whether it can possibly be
best to break my word. Oh, John, I do want to be a good mother to
the boy! He loves me, and I love him. What would he think of such a
beginning, were his first experience of my motherhood to be a broken
promise? Besides, as a child and a girl, I was accustomed to trust
the word of my parents implicitly. I believe my father would have
considered it a crime to break his word to one who had no power to
enforce its fulfilment. My guardians were equally scrupulous. Let us be
true in all things to Ralph."
"My darling, your appeal makes me feel quite criminal. I am afraid the
memory of the absolutely perfect people you have had about you will
make you rue the having exchanged such guardians for good-for-nothing
John Torrance. However, do as you like. Send for Ralph. If he is lonely
and miserable here, the fault will not be mine."
"It shall not be mine," replied Kathleen, resolutely. "If I have to
give up some of my remaining engagements, the boy shall have a happy
time."
Mr. Torrance did not reply, but after an irrelevant remark or two,
left Kathleen with a "Good-bye till luncheon, Kitty." But he did not
turn his head towards her with the usual farewell look, generally
supplemented by a kiss, and she felt sore at heart in consequence.
Barely three months of married life were over, and Kathleen could not
help feeling that she had cause for grave anxiety on her husband's
account. During their stay abroad, he had persisted in taking her into
the casino at Monte Carlo.
"It is one of the sights of the world, Kitty," he had said. "It can do
you no harm, and I suppose you are hardly afraid of my being corrupted
by it. You ought not to leave without seeing what the place is like."
Kathleen had been brought up to hate everything that savoured of
gambling, but her husband insisted, and she accompanied him in fear and
trembling. The feeling was increased as she noticed a sort of eager
expression on his face, and heard him say, "Try your luck, Kitty, with
one gold piece," offering her one as he spoke.
She shrank back as if she had been stung, and said, "Not for the world,
John! Take me away."
He laughed at her fears, and placing the coin, together with four
others on the table, held her fast by his side until the result was
declared.
It was in his favour, and, sweeping up a handful of gold, he said, "I
will present my winnings to you, dear. We will go now. I only wanted
you to see for once how easily money is lost or won."
Kathleen did not speak, but her face was white to the lips, and as her
husband tendered the gold she gave him an indignant look and passed out
of the place. She felt ready to faint, yet when he again laughingly
tendered the gold, she pushed his hand aside, and gasped out, "I would
not touch it for the world!" then broke down and wept.
Mr. Torrance expressed his regret, and said he only meant to give her a
novel experience, not to cause pain.
Kathleen was at length coaxed into outward composure, but the painful
impression remained. She could not forget the fierce pleasure on her
husband's face as he swept up the gold, and had since been haunted by a
dread, which other circumstances had intensified during their stay in
town.
"What if the old Mountford estates should be squandered through my
unlimited trust in John!" she thought. "The 'slip of a girl,' as my
father called me, was entrusted with all of which he was so proud. And
I meant to hold them safely, yet have placed them in John's power,
though he owned he could not trust himself. Alas! he spoke the truth."
Ralph came to London, expecting to be all in all with his new mother,
and did not find sight-seeing, under the convoy of Sarah and a
man-servant, altogether satisfactory. Kathleen did her best, and
cheered him by saying—
"It will be different at Hollingsby."
She was glad the town-house must be vacated at the time first agreed
on, as it was again let to new tenants.
Mr. Torrance was not sorry to turn his back on town. Old associates
had found him out, and, though they never entered the home that held
Kathleen, they managed to lighten his purse of some of the gold poured
into it by her too generous hands.
Such was the beginning of a married life, entered on despite the wise
warnings of earthly friends, and without seeking the guidance of the
best Friend of all.