THE WEAKER VESSEL.
They came up the steps with their arms about each other. Mrs. Mason
stood there, Annis clinging to her skirt, Patricia and Varina looking
on in curious expectancy. Louis ventured out of his retreat.
"We don't want papa changed any, do we?" placing her other arm over her
mother's shoulder, and glancing fondly into her eyes.
"I wouldn't live with grandpapa for all the world!" began Patricia.
"There, children!" exclaimed their father; "we will not discuss the
matter. Mr. Floyd feels sure he is right, and I am very sorry it should
have happened, though I can't see that any of you were out of the
way----"
"I knew Ralston cared a great deal for Marian," said Louis, "and I
never imagined that old Mr. Greaves would stand in the way. Do you
suppose he would if he knew it? And I admire Ralston bearding the lion
in his den. It's a shame that poor Polly should have to suffer, but I
hope she will be spunky and not give in."
"Do you mean to make us marry whoever you like?" Patty edged up to her
father and raised a saucy face with laughing eyes.
"You will find me terrible when you reach that period," declared their
father. "At present there are enough things for you to consider and
learn about without taking up marriage."
"Do you suppose grandpapa is in real earnest? He looked very resolute,
didn't he? I've seen him angry with the slaves, and I shouldn't like to
belong to him, I really shouldn't. And do you think he actually doesn't
want any of us to come up----"
"Not at present. I trust the matter will blow over. Marian will give
in after a while and, no doubt, be very comfortable. Ask your mother if
she is sorry. I know little Annis wants to go back to Kentucky," and he
pinched the child's cheek.
"You'll have to go alone," declared Louis.
"But I can't go alone; I should get lost. And I don't want to go away
from you all."
Mrs. Mason flushed and smiled at the raillery.
"But, you see, we are old enough to appreciate mamma," began Jaqueline.
"And those Greaves children are all little, and they are very plain
too. One of the boys has a squint eye. It looks so queer, as if he
always saw two ways. And poor Marian will have to settle to playing
whist, and she does love so to dance. She had such a good time here,
and in Washington with Jane."
Dixon, the overseer, came up the path. Mr. Mason was wanted to settle
some matter. Patty and Jaqueline sat down on the step by their mother
and Annis leaned against her knee, while Varina hung over Patty's
shoulder, rather to her sister's discomfort. And, in spite of their
father's request, they went on talking of Marian. Their mother said
they were too young to know what was really best in such matters; but
they thought they did, and she could not lead them to other subjects.
They were very happy, and not difficult to get along with, if they
were rather lawless. To be sure, Jaqueline did evince a tendency to
admiration, and often gave dangerous glances out of eyes that could
look languishing as well as laughing.
Louis did not hesitate to express his indignation to both of his
sisters.
"Grandpapa is an old tyrant!" he declared; "and I dare say we'll never
hear. It's like someone taking off your book when you are at the most
interesting part."
"Do you suppose we'll be asked to the wedding?" wondered Patty; "and
what a farce congratulations would be? 'I hope you will be very happy.'
'I wish you much joy.'"
Patty pirouetted round, shaking an imaginary hand and using a most
affected tone, at which they all laughed.
But Marian surprised them all with a letter, written the day her
parents were away. How she sent it was a mystery. It excited them all
beyond measure.
"It was dreadful," she wrote. "Oh, Jaqueline! if I could have known
Lieutenant Ralston was there I should have rushed into the room and
told him that I loved him, and that I should never, never marry anyone
else, if father shut me up in a dungeon and kept me on bread and water!
But I did not know until he was sent away, and I can't know all that
father said to him, but I do know he was very fierce and unreasonable.
And I was so frightened when father went at me that I had to confess
about those two delicious days. He was sure it was a plot on your part,
and he taxed me with having known all about it. I didn't dream of such
a thing at first, but I am afraid it was so.
"I never saw anyone so angry. At first I was dreadfully frightened. But
when he accused me of duplicity and forwardness, and said I had run
after Mr. Ralston, it roused me, and I said I loved him and I never
would marry anyone else. I know he would wait years for me. And when
Mr. Greaves asks me I shall tell him plain out how I feel about it,
and I am quite sure he will not want to marry me. I hate the prosy old
fellow! I wish Mr. Ralston could know how much I care for him. I expect
you are having a terrible time to-day with father. Oh, I wish he could
be like brother Randolph! Oh, Jaqueline, do you know how delightful
it is! And your mother is so sweet, just like another girl. Such old
people as father and mother forget they ever were young."
There was much more youthful and romantic protest and resolve.
"I really didn't think Marian had so much force of character," said
Louis. "I do wonder if it would be wrong to give Ralston an inkling of
how the case stands? It seems as if she almost expected us to do it."
"I think papa ought to see the letter," returned Jaqueline soberly.
"And I almost know he will not want us to stir further in the matter.
Marian must have someone she can trust, or she would not have dared to
write the letter. Oh, I hope she will be true and brave, and some time
it may come out right!"
"Mis' Jettson's come," said Julia. "And your pa and ma have gone over
to Middle Creek."
"Oh, Jane!" They all made a rush to the great front piazza, Jaqueline
with her letter in hand.
"Oh, girls!" cried Jane, "did you have a dreadful time when father
was down here? He wrote me a letter. But Lieutenant Ralston had been
in, and he told me of his call at the Pineries. You see, he thought
they were as good as engaged; only he meant to begin honorably, and
ask father's sanction to his addresses. But father was--yes, really
outrageous--if he is my father! I've always felt he would be a
gentleman under any circumstances, but this was insulting, abusive;
and Lieutenant Ralston is well bred and well connected, and is in the
way of getting a fine position. And, in any event, there was nothing
derogatory to Marian in his falling in love with her. Why, he is
invited almost everywhere, and the girls are pulling straws for him.
Then father writes me a very cross and irritating note, and says for
the present Marian is to hold no communication with me--my own sister,
too!--and that I am not to mention nor in any way refer to Mr. Ralston,
but that any letter of mine will be read by him first. Why, we might as
well go back to the Dark Ages, or be Puritans at once! I believe those
old Puritan fathers compelled their daughters to marry to their liking.
If I _could_ only know how Marian feels! Why do you all look so queer?
Jaqueline, who is your letter from?"
"From Marian," said the girl, with rising color.
"Oh, I _must_ see it." She took it from Jaqueline's hand. "Oh, poor,
dear Marian! If she loves him it will be all right. And she does. I
think father won't have such an easy time persuading her to marry Mr.
Greaves. Why, he could have been her father; he's old enough! And none
of us can write to her. It is too cruel! Now tell me what was said the
day they were down here."
The scene lost nothing by repetition. They all agreed about the
injustice. Then Jane decided she would return at once. The baby was
teething and rather fretful. They were to go to Bladensburg for a
fortnight.
"And, Jaqueline, I wish you could come. It is really quite gay there,
and the water is said to be so good. Arthur is too busy to leave, and
often has to spend his evenings drafting and making plans. Patty might
come too, if she liked."
So the word of encouragement went its way to the lover, and was a great
comfort and delight.
"I hope you will all respect grandfather's wishes," said Mr. Mason,
when he read his young sister's letter. "I shall trust you not to hold
any communication with Marian."
"But if Jane does?" commented Louis.
"That is not strictly our affair. And, Louis, do not be too ready to
give young Ralston the encouragement of this letter, even. Mr. Floyd is
very tenacious and----"
"Oh, you might as well call it obstinate," laughed Louis. "Perhaps
Marian may inherit some of the same characteristics, when it comes to
the point. And I fancy we are all on her side. It is as you once said,
Jack, we _do_ have to take sides!"
"And I'm going to be on Marian's side," said Varina proudly. "I don't
like grandpapa very much. Annis, what will you do?"
"I like Marian," she replied a little timidly.
"Now we must go and see what side Charles will take. The old knights
fought for the ladies."
"I see you are all arrayed in rebellion," and the squire shook his
head. "I am afraid I have not brought you up properly."
Jaqueline and Patty went to Bladensburg, which was quite a resort.
Louis joined a party who were going down the Chesapeake in a sailing
vessel, and the three young ones played and disputed and made up
friends. The elders essayed several duty visits to the Pineries, but
they saw the girls only in the presence of their parents, so Marian
had no opportunity of explaining how matters were going with her; but
she was thinner and heavy-eyed, and had lost her spirits. Mr. and Mrs.
Floyd held their heads high and were rather captious.
What had happened when Mr. Greaves' year of mourning had expired was
that he went over to the Pineries one afternoon dressed in a new suit
and gotten up quite in the style of the day. After Marian entered the
room he made a formal proposal for her hand and asked her father's
consent.
"You have mine, most cordially," said Mr. Floyd in his grandest
manner. "It is my wish that my daughter should accept you as her future
husband. It is natural and womanly that she should have some misgivings
on the subject, as it is a grave one and full of responsibility. But we
have reared her to do her duty in that state of life to which it shall
please God to call her. And her mother and I hope to see her fill this
place in your home and your affections, and become a happy wife at the
proper time. We are in no hurry to part with her, but until that time
you will be a most welcome guest."
Marian shivered, but her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth when
she would have spoken. It seemed to her as if she should scream if
he touched her hand, but he contented himself with making a rather
elaborate speech to her mother, and pressing the elder's hand to his
lips. There was some wine and cake brought in, and healths were drunk.
After some desultory conversation supper was announced, a very high tea
befitting a festive occasion. There was the inevitable game of whist
afterward. This was Thursday, and Sunday Mr. Greaves walked over to
the Floyds' pew, and down the aisle with Miss Marian, Mrs. Floyd having
taken Dolly under her wing. And the matter seemed to be settled without
any voice from Marian either way.
"But it is dreadful! I never, never will marry him!" sobbed the girl on
Dolly's neck in the quiet of their own chamber. "If I _could_ run away!
And if I only knew about Mr. Ralston!"
"If we could only hear from Jane! You will have to let things go on and
hope for some way out of it. I wonder who will come along for me? And
we might be having such a delightful time with Jane! I sometimes wish
Mr. Ralston had not come to hand and spoiled it all."
"But you can't think, Dolly, how deliciously sweet those two days were!
A whole lifetime of that!" sighingly.
"But men only love that way a little while. Then it gets to be an old
story and is merely respect," returned the wise younger sister.
"I am sure Arthur is fond of Jane and proud enough of her too, and look
at brother Randolph! Oh, I just envy Jaqueline! What a nice time she
will have!"
Dolly had said so many times, "It's just awful, Marian," that she
had nothing more left to say. Then, it was hard to be watched and
questioned and not allowed any liberty on Marian's account. She didn't
see how Marian could run away, for she was never trusted to go anywhere
alone. And no well-bred girl would throw herself at her lover without
a very urgent invitation.
The clergyman and his wife came in to tea, and found Mr. Greaves there,
and congratulated them both. Then the neighbors took it up as a settled
thing, and poor Marian felt the net closing about her. There had been
a vague half-expectation that Lieutenant Ralston would make some effort
to assure her of his constancy. Or if some word could come from Jane!
Louis went back to Williamsburg, and Patricia was sent for some
educational advantages. There was a new little girl at the Jettsons',
and Jaqueline was to be one of the godmothers. Afterward Jane pleaded
so hard for her to remain. She could go on with her French and her
singing, as she had a very pretty voice and singing was one of the
accomplishments of the day. Then, too, the Carringtons were very glad
to have her. Indeed, Jaqueline was a great favorite for her vivacity
and her charming manner, which was so pretty and deferential to her
elders, so bright and winsome to her compeers.
Mrs. Mason took up the education of the two little girls with Charles'
help. He went over to the house of the clergyman every morning, who
was a graduate of Oxford and quite ready to piece out his salary
with a class of five small boys in the neighborhood. Charles was a
born student, delighted with all kinds of knowledge. Annis was always
interested as well.
"You will make the child a regular bookworm," declared the squire. And
then he would take her and Varina off for a canter over the hills.
"I don't see why girls and women shouldn't love to learn," Charles said
to his mother.
"But they can't be doctors, nor ministers, nor judges, nor
politicians," smilingly.
"They could help their husbands if they knew how."
"But they help them by keeping the house in good order, and watching
the servants, and sewing, and making their husbands comfortable and
happy."
"I want Annis to learn a great many other things, for you know I am to
marry her when we are grown up," said the little boy gravely.
Mrs. Mason smiled at his earnestness.
A messenger had been sent down from the Pineries early in December to
invite all the family to a Christmas dinner. Mrs. Floyd had not been
in her usual health for some weeks back, and now that the cause of
disagreement had been removed she was anxious to receive all the family
that could come together. She had hoped to have Mr. and Mrs. Conway,
but he could not leave his parish at such an important time. So, if
they would waive their own family gathering and join her she would
be most grateful. She realized that she and Mr. Floyd were getting to
be old people, and they could not tell how much longer they might be
spared.
"Then it is all settled that Marian will marry Mr. Greaves," said Mr.
Mason.
His wife gave a little sigh.
Jaqueline came home to hear the verdict and vent her indignation.
Jane had received a letter from her father announcing that Marian
had accepted the husband selected for her and given up her rebellious
attitude. So the family, he hoped, would meet in amity once more. Mrs.
Floyd had not been well of late, and was desirous of seeing her new
little granddaughter.
"Marian can't have given up so easily! And all this time Mr. Ralston
has been so confident! What an awful disappointment it will be to him!
He has gone up to Philadelphia to consult with some engineers. Oh,
papa, can't something be done? Jane is almost wild about it."
"My dear girl, if Marian is satisfied----"
"But I cannot think she is. She did love Mr. Ralston so!"
"A girl's fancy. How many lovers have you had? See how indulgent I am
to trust you to Jane, who really hasn't much more sense than you."
"Why, I haven't any real lover. And I do not want one for ever so
long." Yet she flushed and dropped her eyes.
Perhaps he would not have trusted his daughter in the giddy whirl of
society if he had not known of someone every way worthy and acceptable,
who was watching her and waiting for the right moment to speak. When
she had taken her fling of gayety, she would be the more ready to
listen. And he would not mar what he really desired by seeming to bias
her inclinations. She was not a girl to be forced into a step or have
her patience worn out, as he suspected was the case with his young
sister Marian.
"Of course Jane means to join the family party?"
"Oh, yes. Jane has been almost heartbroken over the matter. She is
very fond of Marian and Dolly. Oh, papa, I hope you won't get cross and
queer as you grow older!"
He laughed and patted her shoulder. "Grandfather thinks you will all
come to grief from over-indulgence."
"We are all going to come out magnificently in the end, just to prove
him a false prophet and you the very dearest of fathers."
"You are a sad flatterer, Jack. I'm afraid you learn too much of
it in the gay circles. But you must be on your best behavior at the
Pineries, and not stir up any disaffection. Family differences are
very disagreeable things; and, after all, age is entitled to a certain
indulgence and respect. I shouldn't wonder if you were a queer,
arbitrary old lady yourself."
"Oh, papa!" reproachfully.
Patricia thought it very hard that she could not come home for
Christmas, which was the great holiday of all the year. But Louis was
not coming; he had some arrears to make up, and was also very much
interested in one of a certain household of girls, and was to attend
their Christmas-Eve ball. Patty grumbled a good deal. Aunt Catharine
treated her like one of the children. She was not allowed to go to
parties, and she had to learn all kinds of fancywork and cooking, and
making sauces and everything. "And I've made up my mind if keeping
a house is so much work I shall never get married," declared the
much-tried girl. "And I think aunt was much nicer as an old maid than a
married woman. Though she's a great personage now, and everybody comes
to her for advice and patterns and stitches in lace-making and recipes
for everything. If I ever did marry, I wouldn't be a clergyman's wife."
Mrs. Conway wrote a rather stilted, but very affectionate, letter
to her mother and Marian. She congratulated the latter warmly. Gray
Court was certainly a fine old place. Four children were a great
responsibility; she found her three a continual care, but Mr. Conway
was so devoted to his study, his classes, and his sermons she could
have no help from him. As they wanted certainly to come to the marriage
in the spring, it was better to wait until then, as it was quite
impossible to get away now. She sent Marian a piece of fine old lace
that she had bought from a parishioner in very reduced circumstances,
and who was the last of her line.
The Pineries wore a welcome aspect for the guests. Great fires were
kept blazing in the wide chimneys, and the Franklin stove in the hall
sent out pleasant cheer. Brandon the son, his wife, and three children
were among the first guests. The Masons added six, and Mrs. Jettson
came with her three babies, but her husband was not to join them until
Christmas morning, on account of some engagements.
There was staying at the house a young Mr. Floyd, a distant relative
from South Carolina. It was plain to be seen that he was very sweet on
Dolly, and grandfather was highly elated.
Mr. Greaves had certainly thawed a little. He was quite lover-like
in a courtly and formal fashion, and made himself very much a son of
the house. In arranging for the guests Mrs. Floyd had brought her two
daughters next to her own room so there should be no chance for nightly
gossips or confidences over dressing. Marian had begun to think a home
of her own desirable. With the unreason of womankind she felt that Mr.
Ralston ought to make some effort to learn her true sentiments. As he
had not, as also her mother persisted that young society men of that
class thought it entertainment to make love to every woman they met,
she had yielded reluctantly.
Then, too, Gray Court was a fine old place. It had not suffered much
during the Revolution, though the treasures of plate and fine china had
been buried out of harm's way. Marian found that she was the envy of
the elder spinsters, and even the younger girls thought her lucky. So
she had given in on condition that the marriage should not take place
until May.
"Honey, dat's an awful onlucky month!" said her old nurse.
"Then it shall be June," returned the prospective bride.
"And suppose I should be married at the same time! This is Preston
Floyd's second visit, and he and father hit off wonderfully well. They
agree in politics, and I wonder why it is such a pleasure to have the
country go to ruin. However, I don't think it will; it has stood many
storms. And Charleston must be an agreeable city to live in, if all be
true that is said about it. I would like Philadelphia or New York, but
I see no prospect of getting there. So if Preston asks me to marry him
I shall accept. I don't suppose father would ever trust us to visit
Jane again. And when you are gone it will be dismal. Marriage seems the
right and proper thing. I wonder if Jaqueline has a lover!"
A modern girl would have complained that Jaqueline made "big eyes" at
Preston Floyd. Before she had been an hour in the house there was a
different atmosphere. She was not aggressive, and her rather hoydenish
ways were toned down to a certain fearless elegance. She was bright and
vivacious and had bits of merry wit at her tongue's end, yet it was not
so much what she said as her manner of saying it.
"I can't get a word alone with Marian," complained Jane to the young
girl. "But I must say that Mr. Greaves acquitted himself wonderfully
well last evening. Only Mr. Ralston is so sure Marian will be faithful
through everything. He gave me so many messages for her, and mother
makes a great point of not mentioning his name. What shall I do?"
"It's horrid! I do believe Marian has ceased to care for him. And now
that everything is settled it would seem dreadful to stir it all up
again. Papa insisted that I should let the matter entirely alone."
"But Mr. Ralston will be so dreadfully disappointed. He was so
proud of his new position for her sake. And Marian really puzzles
me. She _seems_ content. Oh, did you see that exquisite lace Aunt
Catharine sent her? Of course it _is_ all settled, and if Marian is
satisfied--oh, Jaqueline, I hope you will really fall in love! I adore
lovers, even if I am the mother of three children. I mean that my
little girl shall have a delightful time when she is grown up."
The children were having a gay time. Varina was the leader, and Annis,
with her soft ways, the peacemaker, when anything went wrong. The
two Jettson boys adored her. Charles roamed over the old house, and
pleased grandfather by his interest in family legends and the history
of various articles of furniture and plate. It was grandfather's boast
that there wasn't a stick of Yankee furniture in the house. Charles
longed to have Annis with him, but though grandfather said "she was a
nice little thing," he did not take very fervently to little girls, and
had more than once regretted that Jane and Marian had not been boys.
"I don't see what you find interesting about those babies," Charles
said rather disdainfully. "They're always wanting to tumble over
you and make a noise, and they're never as funny as the little slave
children, who _can_ amuse you if you want that sort of fun. I wish
you'd come and hear grandfather talk about the Indians and when the
settlers first came to Virginia."
"I don't think he quite likes me," Annis said hesitatingly, with a
nervous little laugh.
"As well as he likes any child girls. I think he likes them better when
they are big enough to play whist. But you could listen, all the same."
"I get tired of just listening. I like the children because they are
alive and can laugh and talk. The other people who have been dead so
long----"
"But you liked Captain John Smith, and the Froissart men who were so
brave. And King Arthur----"
"But Grandfather Floyd said there never was any such King Arthur, nor
Merlin, nor ever so many other people."
"Grandfather is wrong about some things. And it isn't polite to
contradict him, because he is an old man. Oh, do come!"
"Annis! Annis!" called two or three eager baby voices.
"Oh, yes, I would rather be with them. And when we get home you
may tell me all these things. They'll sound so much better than in
grandpapa's voice. It sometimes gets shaky and seems cold, while yours
is soft and sweet and fine when you come to the grand places."
That mollified the boy, who certainly had become grandfather's
favorite, and was pronounced sensible.