On the morning after his marriage, Charles was anxious, doubtful, and
diffident. His original intention was to go at once to his father, to
state what he had done, and to persuade him, if possible, to overlook
a step, that, from its suddenness, might be deemed rash, but, from
the source and motives from which it proceeded, could, he thought, be
regarded only as praiseworthy. Still, though this was his own opinion,
he, nevertheless, had some idea that the old gentleman would not view
it exactly in the same light; and the feeling which this doubt awakened
made him hesitate at first, and finally to seek a mediator.
He had long remarked, that ‘the leddy,’ his grandmother, sustained
a part of great dignity towards his father; and he concluded, from
the effect it appeared to produce, that her superiority was fully
acknowledged. Under this delusion, after some consideration of the
bearings and peculiarities of his case, he determined to try her
interference, and, for that purpose, instead of going to Grippy, as he
had originally intended, when he left Isabella, he proceeded to the
house of the old lady, where he found her at home and alone.
The moment he entered her sitting-room, she perceived that his mind was
laden with something which pressed heavily on his feelings; and she
said,
‘What has vext you, Charlie? has your father been severe upon you for
ony misdemeanour, or hae ye done any thing that ye’re afeared to tell?’
In the expression of these sentiments, she had touched the sensitive
cord, that, at the moment, was fastened to his heart.
‘I’m sure,’ was his reply, ‘that I hae done no ill, and dinna ken why I
should be frightened in thinking on what every bodie that can feel and
reflect will approve.’
‘What is’t?’ said the leddy, thoughtfully: ‘What is’t? If it’s aught
good, let me partake the solace wi’ you; and if it’s bad speak it out,
that a remedy may be, as soon as possible, applied.’
‘Bell Fatherlans,’ was his answer; but he could only articulate her
name.
‘Poor lassie,’ said the venerable gentlewoman, ‘her lot’s hard, and I’m
wae both for your sake and hers, Charlie, that your father’s so dure
as to stand against your marriage in the way he does. But he was ay a
bargainer; alack! the world is made up o’ bargainers; and a heart wi’ a
right affection is no an article o’ meikle repute in the common market
o’ man and woman. Poor genty Bell! I wish it had been in my power to
hae sweetened her lot; for I doubt and fear she’s oure thin-skinned to
thole long the needles and prins o’ Miss Mally Trimmings’ short temper;
and, what’s far waur, the tawpy taunts of her pridefu’ customers.’
‘She could suffer them no longer, nor would I let her,’ replied the
bridegroom, encouraged by these expressions to disclose the whole
extent of his imprudence.
Mrs. Hypel did not immediately return any answer, but sat for a few
moments thoughtful, we might, indeed, say sorrowful--she then said,
‘Ye should na, Charlie, speak to me. I canna help you, my dear, though
I hae the will. Gang to your father and tell him a’, and if he winna do
what ye wish, then, my poor bairn, bravely trust to Providence, that
gars the heart beat as it should beat, in spite o’ a’ the devices o’
man.’
‘I fear,’ replied Charles, with simplicity, ‘that I hae done that
already, for Bell and me were married yesterday. I could na suffer to
see her snooled and cast down any longer by every fat-pursed wife that
would triumph and glory in a new gown.’
‘Married, Charlie!’ said the old lady with an accent of surprise,
mingled with sorrow; ‘Married! weel, that’s a step that canna be
untrodden, and your tribulation is proof enough to me that you are
awakened to the consequence. But what’s to be done?’
‘Nothing, Mem, but only to speak a kind word for us to my father,’ was
the still simple answer of the simple young husband.
‘I’ll speak for you, Charlie, I can do that, and I’ll be happy and
proud to gie you a’ the countenance in my power; but your father,
Charlie--the gude forgie me because he is your father--I’m darkened and
dubious when I think o’ him.’
‘I hae a notion,’ replied Charles, ‘that we need be no cess on him:
we’re content to live in a sma’ way; only I would like my wife to be
countenanced as becomes her ain family, and mair especially because she
is mine, so that, if my father will be pleased to tak her, and regard
her as his gude-dochter, I’ll ask nothing for the present, but do my
part, as an honest and honourable man, to the very uttermost o’ my
ability.’
The kind and venerable old woman was profoundly moved by the earnest
and frank spirit in which this was said; and she assured him, that so
wise and so discreet a resolution could not fail to make his father
look with a compassionate eye on his generous imprudence. ‘So gae your
ways home to Bell,’ said she, ‘and counsel and comfort her; the day’s
raw, but I’ll even now away to the Grippy to intercede for you, and by
the gloaming be you here wi’ your bonny bride, and I trust, as I wish,
to hae glad tidings for you baith.’
Charles, with great ardour and energy, expressed the sense which he
felt of the old lady’s kindness and partiality, but still he doubted
the successful result of the mission she had undertaken. Nevertheless,
her words inspired hope, and hope was the charm that spread over the
prospects of Isabella and of himself, the light, the verdure, and the
colours which enriched and filled the distant and future scenes of
their expectations with fairer and brighter promises than they were
ever destined to enjoy.