IN REBELLION.
Janetta was naturally very anxious to know something of the progress of
affairs between Wyvis and Margaret, but she heard little for a rather
considerable space of time. She was now entirely severed from Helmsley
Court, and had no correspondence with Margaret. As the summer holidays
had begun, little Julian did not come every morning to Gwynne Street,
but Tiny and Curly were invited to spend a month at the Red House in
charge of Nora, who was delighted to be so much with Cuthbert, and who
had the power of enlivening even the persistent gloom of Mrs. Brand.
Janetta was thus obliged to live a good deal at home, and Wyvis seemed
to shun her society. His relations at home had heard nothing of his
proposal for Margaret's hand, and Janetta, like them, did not know that
it had ever been actually made. Another event drove this matter into the
background for some little time--for it was evidently fated that Janetta
should never be quite at peace.
Mrs. Colwyn summoned her rather mysteriously one afternoon to a
conference in her bedroom.
"Of course I know that you will be surprised at what I am going to say,
Janetta," began the good lady, with some tossings of the head and
flourishings of a handkerchief which rather puzzled Janetta by their
demonstrativeness; "and no doubt you will accuse me of want of respect
of your father's memory and all that sort of thing; though I'm sure I
don't know why, for _he_ married a second time, and I am a young woman
still and not without admirers."
"Do you mean," said Janetta, "that you think----?"
She could go no further: she stood and looked helplessly at her
stepmother.
"Do I think of marrying again? Well, yes, Janetta, I do; and more for
the children's good than for my own. Poor things, they need a father:
and I am tired of this miserable, scraping, cheeseparing life that you
are so fond of. I have been offered a comfortable home and provision for
my children, and I have decided to accept it."
"So soon!"
"It will not be announced just yet, of course. Not until the end of the
summer. But it is really no use to wait."
Janetta stood pale and wide-eyed: she did not dare to let herself speak
just yet. Mrs. Colwyn grew fretful under what she felt to be silent
condemnation.
"I should like to know what harm it can do to you?" she said. "I've
waited quite as long as many widows do, and toiled and suffered more
than most. Poor James was the last man to grudge me a little rest and
satisfaction as a reward for all that I have undergone. My own children
will not repine, I am sure, and I look to you, Janetta, to explain to
them how much for their good it will be, and how advantageous for them
all."
"You can hardly expect me to try to explain away an act of disrespect to
my father's memory," said Janetta, coldly.
"There is no disrespect to the dead in marrying a second time."
"After a decent interval."
Mrs. Colwyn burst into tears. "It's the first time in my life that I've
ever been told that I was going to do a thing that wasn't decent," she
moaned. "And when it's all for his dear children's good, too! Ah, well!
I'll give it up, I'll say no, and we will all starve and go down into
the grave together, and then perhaps you will be satisfied."
"Mamma, please do not talk such nonsense. Who is it that has asked you
to be his wife?"
"Dr. Burroughs," said Mrs. Colwyn, faintly.
Janetta uttered an involuntary exclamation. Dr. Burroughs was certainly
a man of sixty-five, but he was strong and active still; he had a good
position in the town, and a large private income. His sister, who kept
his house, was a good and sensible woman, and Dr. Burroughs himself was
reputed to be a sagacious man. His fondness for children was well known,
and a little thought convinced Janetta that his choice of a wife had
been partly determined by his liking for Tiny and Curly, to say nothing
of the elder children. He had been a close friend of Mr. Colwyn, and it
was not likely that Mrs. Colwyn's infirmity had remained a secret from
him: he must have learned it from common town-talk long ago. Angry as
Janetta was, and petrified with surprise, she could not but acknowledge
in her heart that such a marriage was a very good one for Mrs. Colwyn,
and would probably be of immense advantage to the children. And the old
physician and his sister would probably be able to keep Mrs. Colwyn in
check: Janetta remembered that she had heard of one or two cases of
intemperance which had been cured under his roof. As soon as she could
get over her intense feeling that a slur was thrown on her father's
memory by this very speedy second marriage of his widow, her
common-sense told her that she might be very glad. But it was difficult
to rid herself all at once of her indignation of what she termed "this
indecent haste."
She made an effort to calm Mrs. Colwyn's fretful sobbing, and assured
her with as much grace as she had at command that the marriage would not
at all displease her if it took place at a somewhat later date. And she
reflected that Dr. and Miss Burroughs might be depended upon not to
violate conventionalities. Her own soreness with regard to the little
affection displayed by Mrs. Colwyn to her late husband must be disposed
of as best it might: there was no use in exhibiting it.
And as Mrs. Colwyn had hinted, it fell to Janetta to inform the rest of
the family of their mother's intention, and to quell symptoms of
indignation and discontent. After all, things might have been worse. The
children already liked Dr. Burroughs, and soon reconciled themselves to
the notion of living in a large, comfortable house, with a big garden,
and unlimited treats and pleasures provided by their future stepfather
and aunt. And when Janetta had had an interview with these two good
people, her mind was considerably relieved. They were kind and generous;
and although she could not help feeling that Dr. Burroughs was marrying
for the sake of the children rather than their mother, she saw that he
would always be thoughtful and affectionate to her, and that she would
probably have a fairly happy and luxurious life. One thing was also
evident--that he would be master in his own house, as James Colwyn had
never been.
The marriage was to take place at Christmas, and the house in Gwynne
Street was then to be let. Cuthbert and Nora began to talk of marrying
at the same time, for Nora was somewhat violently angry at her mother's
proceeding, and did not wish to go to Dr. Burroughs' house. The younger
members of the family would all, however, migrate to The Cedars, as Dr.
Burroughs' house was called; and there Miss Burroughs was still to
maintain her sway. On this point Dr. Burroughs had insisted, and Janetta
was thankful for it, and Miss Burroughs was quite able and willing to
perform the duty of guardian not only to her brother's step-children,
but to her brother's wife.
"And of course you will come to us, too, dear?" Miss Burroughs said to
Janetta. "This will be your home always: Andrew particularly wished me
to say so."
"It is very kind of Dr. Burroughs," said Janetta, gratefully. "I have no
claim on him at all: I am not Mrs. Colwyn's daughter."
"As if that made any difference! James Colwyn was one of Andrew's best
friends, and for his sake, if for no other, you will be always welcome."
"I am very much obliged to you," Janetta replied, "and I shall be
pleased to come to you now and then as a visitor; but I have made up my
mind that now--now that my duty seems to be done, I had better go out
into the world and try to make a career for myself. I shall be happier
at work than leading an idle, easy life. But please do not think me
ungrateful--only I _must_ get away."
And Miss Burroughs, looking into the girl's worn face, and noticing the
peculiar significance of her tone, refrained from pressing the point.
She was sure from both that some hidden pain existed, that there was
some secret reason why Janetta felt that she "_must_ get away." She was
anxious to help the girl, but she saw that it would be no true kindness
to keep her in Beaminster against her will.
These matters took some time to arrange, and it was while some of them
were still pending that Janetta was startled by a visit from Margaret
Adair.
It was a sultry day towards the end of July, and Miss Adair looked for
once hot and dusty. She was much thinner than she had been, and had a
harassed expression which Janetta could not fail to remark. As she
hurriedly explained, she had walked some little distance, leaving Alicia
Stone at the Post Office, and it afterwards transpired, giving her
mother the slip at a confectioner's, in order to see Janetta once again.
"It is very kind of you, dear," said Janetta, touched, rather against
her will, by so unwonted a proof of affection. "But I am afraid that
Lady Caroline would not be pleased."
"I know she would not," said Margaret, a little bitterly. "She did not
want me to see any more of you. I told her how unjust it was to blame
you, but she would not believe me."
"It does not matter, Margaret, dear, I do not much mind."
"I thought I should like to see you once again." Margaret spoke with
unusual haste, and almost in a breathless manner. "I want to know if you
would do something for me. You used to say you would do anything for
me."
"So I will, if I can."
"We were going abroad in a few days. I don't know where, exactly: they
won't tell me. They are angry with me, Janetta, and I can't bear it,"
cried Margaret, breaking suddenly into tears which were evidently very
heartfelt, although they did not disfigure that fair and placid face of
hers in the slightest degree; "they were never angry with me before, and
it is terrible. They may take me away and keep me away for years, and I
don't know what to do. The only thing I can think of is to ask you to
help me. I want to send a message to Wyvis--I want to write to him if
you will give him the letter."
"But why do you not write him through the post?"
"Oh, because I promised not to post anything to him. Mamma said she must
supervise my correspondence unless I promised not to write to him. And
so I keep my word--but a few lines through you, Janet, darling, would
not be breaking my word at all, for it would not be a letter exactly.
And I want to arrange when I can see him again."
Janetta drew back a little. "It would be breaking the spirit of your
promise, Margaret. No, I cannot help you to do that."
"Oh, Janetta, you would never be so hard as to refuse me! I only want to
tell Wyvis that I am true to him, and that I don't mind what the world
says one bit, because I know how people tell lies about him! You know
you always promised to stand by me and to be my best friend."
"Yes, but I never promised to do a dishonorable action for you," said
Janetta, steadily.
Margaret started up, her face a-flame directly.
"How dare you say such a thing to me, Janetta?" she exclaimed.
"I cannot help it, Margaret, you know that I am right."
The two looked at each other for a moment, and then Margaret turned away
with the mien of an insulted princess.
"I was wrong to come. I thought that you would be true to the old bond
of friendship between us. I shall never come to you again."
Poor Janetta's heart was very tender, although her resolution was
impregnable. She ran after Margaret, putting her hands on her arm, and
imploring her with tears to forgive her for her refusal. "If it were
only anything else, Margaret, dear! If only you did not want me to do
what your father and mother do not wish! Don't you see that you are
trying to deceive them? If you were acting openly it would be a
different thing! Don't be angry with me for wanting to do right!"
"I am not at all angry," said Margaret, with stateliness. "I am very
disappointed, that is all. I do not see that I am deceiving anybody by
sending a message to Wyvis. But I will not ask you again."
"If only I could!" sighed Janetta, in deep distress and confusion of
mind. But her anchor of truth and straightforwardness was the thing of
all others that she relied on for safety, and she did not let go her
hold. In spite of Margaret's cold and haughty displeasure, Janetta
kissed her affectionately, and could not refrain from saying, "Dear, I
would do anything for you that I thought right. But don't--don't deceive
your father and mother."
"I will not, as you shall see," returned Margaret, and she left the
house without again looking at her former friend. Janetta felt very
bitterly, as she watched the graceful figure down the street, that the
old friendship had indeed become impossible in its older sense. Her very
faithfulness to the lines in which it had been laid down now made it an
offence to Margaret.
Janetta's direct and straightforward dealing had the effect of driving
Margaret, though chiefly out of perversity, to do likewise. Miss Adair
was not accustomed to be withstood, and, during the unexpected
opposition with which her wishes had been met, her mind had turned very
often to Janetta with unswerving faith in her old friend's readiness to
help her at an emergency.
In this faith she considered that she had been cruelly disappointed. And
her mingled anger, shame, and sorrow so blinded her to the circumstances
in which she stood, that she walked quietly up to Lady Caroline and
Alicia Stone in Beaminster High Street, and did not think of hiding her
escapade at all.
"My dearest child, where _have_ you been?" cried Lady Caroline, who was
always caressing, if inflexible.
"I have been to Janetta Colwyn's, mamma," said Margaret, imperturbably,
"to ask her to give a message to Mr. Brand."
"Margaret! Have you quite forgotten yourself? Oh, that unsuitable
friendship of yours!"
"I don't think you need call it unsuitable, mamma," Margaret rejoined,
with a weary little smile. "Janetta absolutely refused to give the
message, and told me to obey my parents. I really do not see that _you_
can blame her."
Lady Caroline replied only by a look of despair which spoke unutterable
things, and then she walked onward to the spot where she had left the
carriage. The three ladies drove home in complete silence. Lady Caroline
was seriously displeased, Alicia curious, Margaret in rebellion and
disgrace. The state of things was becoming very grave, for the whole
tenor of life at Helmsley Court was disturbed, and Margaret's father and
mother wanted their daughter to be a credit and an ornament to them, not
a cause of disturbance and irritation. Margaret had kept up a gallant
fight: she had borne silence, cold looks, absence of caresses, with
unwavering courage; but she began now to find the situation unendurable.
And a little doubt had lately been creeping into her heart--was it all
worth while? If Wyvis Brand were really as undesirable a _parti_ as he
was represented to be, Margaret was not sure that her lot would be very
happy as his wife. Hitherto she had maintained that the stories told
about him, his habits and his position, were falsehoods. But if--she
began to think--if they were true, and if a marriage with him would
exclude her from the society to which she had been accustomed, was it
worth while to fight as hard as she had done? Perhaps, after all, her
mother and her father were right.
Lady Caroline, not knowing of these weaknesses in Margaret's defence,
was inclined for once to be more severe than caressing. She went
straight to her husband when she entered the Court, and had a long
conversation with him. Then she proceeded to Margaret's room.
"I have been talking to your father, Margaret," she said coldly, "and we
are both very much distressed at the course which things are taking."
"So am I, mamma," said Margaret.
"Of course we cannot proceed in the mediæval fashion, and lock you up in
your own room until you are reasonable," said Lady Caroline, with a
faint smile. "I should have thought that your own instinct as a lady
would have precluded you from doing anything that would make it
necessary for us to lay any restraint upon you; but to-day's occurrence
really makes me afraid. You have promised not to write to Mr. Brand, I
think?"
"Yes. But I meant to send him a little note to-day."
"Indeed? Then what I have to say is all the more necessary. We do not
restrict you to any part of the house, but you must understand that when
you come out of your own room, Margaret, you are never to be alone.
Alicia will sit with you, if I am engaged. She will walk with you, if
you wish to go out into the garden. I have no doubt it will be a little
unpleasant," said Lady Caroline, with a slight, agreeable smile, "to be
constantly under _surveillance_, and of course it will last only until
we leave home next week; but in the meantime, my dear, unless you will
give up your _penchant_ for Mr. Brand, you must submit to be watched.
You cannot be allowed to run off with messages to this man as if you
were a milliner's girl or a servant maid: _we_ manage these matters
differently."
And then Lady Caroline withdrew, though not too late to see the girl
sink down into a large arm-chair and burst into a very unwonted passion
of sobs and tears.
"So tiresome of Margaret to force one to behave in this absurd manner!"
reflected Lady Caroline. "So completely out of date in modern days!"