On the day immediately after the funeral of her sister-in-law, Mrs.
Charles Walkinshaw was surprised by a visit from the widower.
‘I am come,’ said he, ‘partly to relieve my mind from the weight that
oppresses it, arising from an occurrence to which I need not more
particularly allude, and partly to vindicate myself from the harsh
insinuations of James. He will find that I have not been so sordid in
my views as he so unaccountably and so unreasonably supposed, and that
I am still disposed to act towards him in the same liberal spirit I
have ever done. What is the result of the application to Mrs. Eadie’s
friend? And is there any way by which I can be rendered useful in the
business?’
This was said in an off-hand man-of-the-world way. It was perfectly
explicit. It left no room for hesitation; but still it was not said in
such a manner as to bring with it the comfort it might have done to the
meek and sensitive bosom of the anxious mother.
‘I know not in what terms to thank you,’ was her answer, diffidently
and doubtingly expressed. ‘Your assistance certainly would be most
essential to James, for, now that he has received a commission in the
King’s army, I shall be reduced to much difficulty.’
‘In the King’s army! I thought he was going to India?’ exclaimed her
brother-in-law, evidently surprised.
‘So it was originally intended; but,’ said the mother, ‘Mr. Frazer
thought, in the present state of Europe, that it would be of more
advantage for him to take his chance in the regular army; and has
in consequence obtained a commission in a regiment that is to be
immediately increased. He has, indeed, proved a most valuable friend;
for, as the recruiting is to be in the Highlands, he has invited James
to Glengael, and is to afford him his countenance to recruit among
his dependants, assuring Mrs. Eadie that, from the attachment of the
adherents of the family, he has no doubt that, in the course of the
summer, James may be able to entitle himself to a Company, and then’----
This is very extraordinary friendship, thought the Glasgow merchant
to himself. These Highlanders have curious ideas about friendship and
kindred; but, nevertheless, when things are reduced to their money
price, they are just like other people. ‘But,’ said he aloud, ‘what do
you mean is to take place when James has obtained a Company?’
‘I suppose,’ replied the gentle widow timidly, she knew not wherefore,
‘that he will then not object to the marriage of James and Ellen.’
‘I think,’ said her brother-in-law, ‘he ought to have gone to India.
Were he still disposed to go there, my purse shall be open to him.’
‘He could not hope for such rapid promotion as he may obtain through
the means of Glengael,’ replied Mrs. Charles somewhat firmly; so
steadily, indeed, that it disconcerted the Laird; still he preserved
his external equanimity, and said,--
‘Nevertheless, I am willing to assist his views in whichever way they
lie. What has become of him?’
Mrs. Charles then told him that, in consequence of the very encouraging
letter from Mr. Frazer, Walkinshaw had gone to mention to his father’s
old friend, who had the vessel fitting out for New York, the change
that had taken place in his destination, and to solicit a loan to help
his outfit.
Her brother-in-law bit his lips at this information. He had obtained
no little reputation among his friends for the friendship which he had
shown to his unfortunate brother’s family; and all those who knew his
wish to accomplish a match between James and his daughter, sympathised
in sincerity with his disappointment. But something, it would not be
easy to say what, troubled him when he heard this, and he said,--
‘I think James carries his resentment too far. I had certainly done him
no ill, and he might have applied to me before going to a stranger.’
‘Favours,’ replied the widow, ‘owe all their grace and gratitude to
the way in which they are conferred. James has peculiar notions, and
perhaps he has felt more from the manner in which you spoke to him than
from the matter you said.’
‘Let us not revert to that subject--it recalls mortifying reflections,
and the event cannot be undone. But do you then think Mr. Frazer will
consent to allow his daughter to marry James? She is an uncommonly fine
girl, and, considering the family connexions, surely might do better.’
This was said in an easy disengaged style, but it was more assumed than
sincere; indeed, there was something in it implying an estimate of
considerations, independent of affections, which struck so disagreeably
on the feelings, that his delicate auditor did not very well know what
to say; but she added,--
‘James intends, as soon as we are able to make the necessary
arrangements, to set out for Glengael Castle, where, being in a
neighbourhood where there are many old officers, he will be able to
procure some information with respect to the best mode of proceeding
with his recruiting; and Mr. Frazer has kindly said that it will be for
his advantage to start from the castle.’
‘I suppose Miss Frazer will accompany him?’ replied the widower dryly.
‘No,’ said his sister-in-law, ‘she does not go till she accompanies
Mrs. Eadie, who intends to pass the summer at Glengael.’
‘I am glad of that; her presence might interfere with his duty.’
‘Whom do you mean?’ inquired Mrs. Charles, surprised at the remark;
‘whose presence?’ and she subjoined smilingly, ‘You are thinking of
Ellen; and you will hardly guess that we are all of opinion here that
both she and Mrs. Eadie might be of great use to him on the spot.
Mrs. Eadie is so persuaded of it, that the very circumstance of their
marriage being dependent on his raising a sufficient number of men to
entitle him to a company, would, she says, were it known, make the sons
of her father’s clansmen flock around him.’
‘It is to be deplored that a woman, who still retains so many claims,
both on her own account, and the high respectability of her birth,
should have fallen into such a decay of mind,’ said the merchant,
at a loss for a more appropriate comment on his sister-in-law’s
intimation.--‘But,’ continued he, ‘do not let James apply to any other
person. I am ready and willing to advance all he may require; and,
since it is determined that he ought immediately to avail himself
of Mr. Frazer’s invitation, let him lose no time in setting off for
Glengael. This, I trust,’ said he in a gayer humour, which but ill
suited with his deep mourning, ‘will assure both him and Miss Frazer
that I am not so much their enemy as perhaps they have been led to
imagine.’
Soon after this promise the widower took his leave; but, although
his whole behaviour during the visit was unexpectedly kind and
considerate, and although it was impossible to withhold the epithet of
liberality--nay more, even of generosity--from his offer, still it did
not carry that gladness to the widow’s heart which the words and the
assurance were calculated to convey. On the contrary, Mrs. Charles sat
for some time ruminating on what had passed; and when, in the course of
about an hour after, Ellen Frazer, who had been walking on the brow of
the hazel bank with Mary, came into the parlour, she looked at her for
some time without speaking.
The walk had lent to the complexion of Ellen a lively rosy glow. The
conversation which she had held with her companion related to her
lover’s hopes of renown, and it had excited emotions that at once
sparkled in her eyes and fluctuated on her cheek. Her lips were vivid
and smiling; her look was full of intelligence and naïveté--simple at
once and elegant--gay, buoyant, and almost as sly as artless, and a
wreath, if the expression may be allowed, of those nameless graces in
which the charms of beauty are mingled with the allurements of air and
manners, garlanded her tall and blooming form.
She seemed to the mother of her lover a creature so adorned with
loveliness and nobility, that it was impossible to imagine she was not
destined for some higher sphere than the humble fortunes of Walkinshaw.
But in that moment the mother herself forgot the auspices of her own
youth, and how seldom it is that even beauty, the most palpable of all
human excellence, obtains its proper place, or the homage of the manly
heart that Nature meant it should enjoy.