Mr. Greystock's Troubles
Frank Greystock stayed the Sunday in London and went down to
Bobsborough on the Monday. His father and mother and sister all knew
of his engagement to Lucy, and they had heard also that Lady Eustace
was to become Lady Fawn. Of the necklace they had hitherto heard very
little, and of the quarrel between the two lovers they had heard
nothing. There had been many misgivings at the deanery, and some
regrets, about these marriages. Mrs. Greystock, Frank's mother, was,
as we are so wont to say of many women, the best woman in the world.
She was unselfish, affectionate, charitable, and thoroughly feminine.
But she did think that her son Frank, with all his advantages,--good
looks, cleverness, general popularity, and seat in Parliament,--might
just as well marry an heiress as a little girl without twopence in
the world. As for herself, who had been born a Jackson, she could
do with very little; but the Greystocks were all people who wanted
money. For them there was never more than ninepence in a shilling, if
so much. They were a race who could not pay their way with moderate
incomes. Even the dear dean, who really had a conscience about money,
and who hardly ever left Bobsborough, could not be kept quite clear
of debt, let her do what she would. As for the admiral, the dean's
elder brother, he had been notorious for insolvency; and Frank was a
Greystock all over. He was the very man to whom money with a wife was
almost a necessity of existence.
And his pretty cousin, the widow, who was devoted to him, and would
have married him at a word, had ever so many thousands a year! Of
course, Lizzie Eustace was not just all that she should be;--but then
who is? In one respect, at any rate, her conduct had always been
proper. There was no rumour against her as to lovers or flirtations.
She was very young, and Frank might have moulded her as he pleased.
Of course there were regrets. Poor dear little Lucy Morris was as
good as gold. Mrs. Greystock was quite willing to admit that. She
was not good-looking;--so at least Mrs. Greystock said. She never
would allow that Lucy was good-looking. And she didn't see much in
Lucy, who, according to her idea, was a little chit of a thing. Her
position was simply that of a governess. Mrs. Greystock declared to
her daughter that no one in the whole world had a higher respect for
governesses than had she. But a governess is a governess;--and for a
man in Frank's position such a marriage would be simply suicide.
"You shouldn't say that, mamma, now; for it's fixed," said Ellinor
Greystock.
"But I do say it, my dear. Things sometimes are fixed which must be
unfixed. You know your brother."
"Frank is earning a large income, mamma."
"Did you ever know a Greystock who didn't want more than his income?"
"I hope I don't, mamma, and mine is very small."
"You're a Jackson. Frank is Greystock to the very backbone. If he
marries Lucy Morris he must give up Parliament. That's all."
The dean himself was more reticent and less given to interference
than his wife; but he felt it also. He would not for the world have
hinted to his son that it might be well to marry money; but he
thought that it was a good thing that his son should go where money
was. He knew that Frank was apt to spend his guineas faster than
he got them. All his life long the dean had seen what came of such
spending. Frank had gone out into the world and had prospered,--but
he could hardly continue to prosper unless he married money. Of
course, there had been regrets when the news came of that fatal
engagement with Lucy Morris. "It can't be for the next ten years, at
any rate," said Mrs. Greystock.
"I thought at one time that he would have made a match with his
cousin," said the dean.
"Of course;--so did everybody," replied Mrs. Dean.
Then Frank came among them. He had intended staying some
weeks,--perhaps for a month, and great preparations were made for
him; but immediately on his arrival he announced the necessity that
was incumbent on him of going down again to Scotland in ten days.
"You've heard about Lizzie, of course?" he said. They had heard
that Lizzie was to become Lady Fawn, but beyond that they had heard
nothing. "You know about the necklace?" asked Frank. Something of a
tale of a necklace had made its way even down to quiet Bobsborough.
They had been informed that there was a dispute between the widow and
the executors of the late Sir Florian about some diamonds. "Lord Fawn
is behaving about it in the most atrocious manner," continued Frank,
"and the long and the short of it is that there will be no marriage!"
"No marriage!" exclaimed Mrs. Greystock.
"And what is the truth about the diamonds?" asked the dean.
"Ah;--it will give the lawyers a job before they decide that. They're
very valuable;--worth about ten thousand pounds, I'm told; but the
most of it will go among some of my friends at the Chancery bar. It's
a pity that I should be out of the scramble myself."
"But why should you be out?" asked his mother with tender
regrets,--not thinking of the matter as her son was thinking of it,
but feeling that when there was so much wealth so very near him, he
ought not to let it all go past him.
"As far as I can see," continued Frank, "she has a fair claim to
them. I suppose they'll file a bill in Chancery, and then it will
be out of my line altogether. She says her husband gave them to
her,--absolutely put them on her neck himself, and told her that
they were hers. As to their being an heirloom, that turns out to be
impossible. I didn't know it, but it seems you can't make diamonds
an heirloom. What astonishes me is, that Fawn should object to the
necklace. However, he has objected, and has simply told her that he
won't marry her unless she gives them up."
"And what does she say?"
"Storms and raves,--as of course any woman would. I don't think she
is behaving badly. What she wants is, to reduce him to obedience, and
then to dismiss him. I think that is no more than fair. Nothing on
earth would make her marry him now."
"Did she ever care for him?"
"I don't think she ever did. She found her position to be
troublesome, and she thought she had better marry. And then he's a
lord,--which always goes for something."
"I am sorry you should have so much trouble," said Mrs. Greystock.
But in truth the mother was not sorry. She did not declare to herself
that it would be a good thing that her son should be false to Lucy
Morris in order that he might marry his rich cousin; but she did
feel it to be an advantage that he should be on terms of intimacy
with so large an income as that belonging to Lady Eustace. "Doan't
thou marry for munny, but goa where munny is." Mrs. Greystock would
have repudiated the idea of mercenary marriages in any ordinary
conversation, and would have been severe on any gentleman who was
false to a young lady. But it is so hard to bring one's general
principles to bear on one's own conduct or in one's own family;--and
then the Greystocks were so peculiar a people! When her son told her
that he must go down to Scotland again very shortly, she reconciled
herself to his loss. Had he left Bobsborough for the sake of being
near Lucy at Richmond, she would have felt it very keenly.
Days passed by, and nothing was said about poor Lucy. Mrs. Greystock
had made up her mind that she would say nothing on the subject.
Lucy had behaved badly in allowing herself to be loved by a man who
ought to have loved money, and Mrs. Greystock had resolved that she
would show her feelings by silence. The dean had formed no fixed
determination, but he had thought that it might be, perhaps, as well
to drop the subject. Frank himself was unhappy about it; but from
morning to evening, and from day to day, he allowed it to pass by
without a word. He knew that it should not be so, that such silence
was in truth treachery to Lucy;--but he was silent. What had he meant
when, as he left Lizzie Eustace among the rocks at Portray,--in that
last moment,--he had assured her that he would be true to her? And
what had been Lizzie's meaning? He was more sure of Lizzie's meaning
than he was of his own. "It's a very rough world to live in," he said
to himself in these days as he thought of his difficulties.
But when he had been nearly a week at the deanery, and when the day
of his going was so near as to be a matter of concern, his sister did
at last venture to say a word about Lucy. "I suppose there is nothing
settled about your own marriage, Frank?"
"Nothing at all."
"Nor will be for some while?"
"Nor will be,--for some while." This he said in a tone which he
himself felt to be ill-humoured and almost petulant. And he felt also
that such ill-humour on such a subject was unkind, not to his sister,
but to Lucy. It seemed to imply that the matter of his marriage was
distasteful to him. "The truth is," he said, "that nothing can be
fixed. Lucy understands that as well as I do. I am not in a position
at once to marry a girl who has nothing. It's a pity, perhaps, that
one can't train one's self to like some girl best that has got money;
but as I haven't, there must be some delay. She is to stay where she
is,--at any rate, for a twelvemonth."
"But you mean to see her?"
"Well, yes; I hardly know how I can see her, as I have quarrelled to
the knife with Lord Fawn; and Lord Fawn is recognised by his mother
and sisters as the one living Jupiter upon earth."
"I like them for that," said Ellinor.
"Only it prevents my going to Richmond;--and poor Fawn himself is
such an indifferent Jupiter."
That was all that was said about Lucy at Bobsborough, till there
came a letter from Lucy to her lover acquainting him with the
circumstances of her unfortunate position at Richmond. She did not
tell him quite all the circumstances. She did not repeat the strong
expressions which Lord Fawn had used, nor did she clearly explain how
wrathful she had been herself. "Lord Fawn has been here," she said,
"and there has been ever so much unpleasantness. He is very angry
with you about Lady Eustace, and of course Lady Fawn takes his part.
I need not tell you whose part I take. And so there have been what
the servants call--'just a few words.' It is very dreadful, isn't
it? And, after all, Lady Fawn has been as kind as possible. But the
upshot of it is, that I am not to stay here. You mustn't suppose
that I'm to be turned out at twelve hours' notice. I am to stay till
arrangements have been made, and everybody will be kind to me. But
what had I better do? I'll try and get another situation at once if
you think it best, only I suppose I should have to explain how long I
could stay. Lady Fawn knows that I am writing to you to ask you what
you think best."
On receipt of this, Greystock was very much puzzled. What a little
fool Lucy had been, and yet what a dear little fool! Who cared for
Lord Fawn and his hard words? Of course, Lord Fawn would say all
manner of evil things of him, and would crow valiantly in his own
farm-yard; but it would have been so much wiser on Lucy's part to
have put up with the crowing, and to have disregarded altogether
the words of a man so weak and insignificant! But the evil was done,
and he must make some arrangement for poor Lucy's comfort. Had he
known exactly how matters stood, that the proposition as to Lucy's
departure had come wholly from herself, and that at the present time
all the ladies at Fawn Court,--of course, in the absence of Lord
Fawn,--were quite disposed to forgive Lucy if Lucy would only be
forgiven, and hide herself when Lord Fawn should come;--had Frank
known all this, he might, perhaps, have counselled her to remain
at Richmond. But he believed that Lady Fawn had insisted on Lucy's
departure; and of course, in such a case, Lucy must depart. He showed
the letter to his sister, and asked for advice. "How very
unfortunate!" said Ellinor.
"Yes; is it not?"
"I wonder what she said to Lord Fawn?"
"She would speak out very plainly."
"I suppose she has spoken out plainly, or otherwise they would never
have told her to go away. It seems so unlike what I have always heard
of Lady Fawn."
"Lucy can be very headstrong if she pleases," said Lucy's lover.
"What on earth had I better do for her? I don't suppose she can get
another place that would suit."
"If she is to be your wife, I don't think she should go into another
place. If it is quite fixed,--" she said, and then she looked into
her brother's face.
"Well; what then?"
"If you are sure you mean it--"
"Of course I mean it."
"Then she had better come here. As for her going out as a governess,
and telling the people that she is to be your wife in a few months,
that is out of the question. And it would, I think, be equally so
that she should go into any house and not tell the truth. Of course,
this would be the place for her." It was at last decided that Ellinor
should discuss the matter with her mother.
When the whole matter was unfolded to Mrs. Greystock, that lady was
more troubled than ever. If Lucy were to come to the deanery, she
must come as Frank's affianced bride, and must be treated as such by
all Bobsborough. The dean would be giving his express sanction to the
marriage, and so would Mrs. Greystock herself. She knew well that she
had no power of refusing her sanction. Frank must do as he pleased
about marrying. Were Lucy once his wife, of course she would be made
welcome to the best the deanery could give her. There was no doubt
about Lucy being as good as gold;--only that real gold, vile as it
is, was the one thing that Frank so much needed. The mother thought
that she had discovered in her son something which seemed to indicate
a possibility that this very imprudent match might at last be
abandoned; and if there were such possibility, surely Lucy ought not
now to be brought to the deanery. Nevertheless, if Frank were to
insist upon her coming,--she must come.
But Mrs. Greystock had a plan. "Oh, mamma," said Ellinor, when the
plan was proposed to her, "do not you think that would be cruel?"
"Cruel, my dear! no; certainly not cruel."
"She is such a virago."
"You think that because Lizzie Eustace has said so. I don't know
that she's a virago at all. I believe her to be a very good sort of
woman."
"Do you remember, mamma, what the admiral used to say of her?"
"The admiral, my dear, tried to borrow her money, as he did
everybody's, and when she wouldn't give him any, then he said severe
things. The poor admiral was never to be trusted in such matters."
"I don't think Frank would like it," said Ellinor. The plan was this.
Lady Linlithgow, who, through her brother-in-law, the late Admiral
Greystock, was connected with the dean's family, had made known
her desire to have a new companion for six months. The lady was to
be treated like a lady, but was to have no salary. Her travelling
expenses were to be paid for her, and no duties were to be expected
from her, except that of talking and listening to the countess.
"I really think it's the very thing for her," said Mrs. Greystock.
"It's not like being a governess. She's not to have any salary."
"I don't know whether that makes it better, mamma."
"It would just be a visit to Lady Linlithgow. It is that which makes
the difference, my dear."
Ellinor felt sure that her brother would not hear of such an
engagement,--but he did hear of it, and, after various objections,
gave a sort of sanction to it. It was not to be pressed upon Lucy if
Lucy disliked it. Lady Linlithgow was to be made to understand that
Lucy might leave whenever she pleased. It was to be an invitation,
which Lucy might accept if she were so minded. Lucy's position as an
honourable guest was to be assured to her. It was thought better that
Lady Linlithgow should not be told of Lucy's engagement unless she
asked questions;--or unless Lucy should choose to tell her. Every
precaution was to be taken, and then Frank gave his sanction. He
could understand, he said, that it might be inexpedient that Lucy
should come at once to the deanery, as,--were she to do so,--she must
remain there till her marriage, let the time be ever so long. "It
might be two years," said the mother. "Hardly so long as that," said
the son. "I don't think it would be--quite fair--to papa," said the
mother. It was well that the argument was used behind the dean's
back, as, had it been made in his hearing, the dean would have upset
it at once. The dean was so short-sighted and imprudent, that he
would have professed delight at the idea of having Lucy Morris as
a resident at the deanery. Frank acceded to the argument,--and was
ashamed of himself for acceding. Ellinor did not accede, nor did her
sisters, but it was necessary that they should yield. Mrs. Greystock
at once wrote to Lady Linlithgow, and Frank wrote by the same post
to Lucy Morris. "As there must be a year's delay," he wrote, "we all
here think it best that your visit to us should be postponed for a
while. But if you object to the Linlithgow plan, say so at once. You
shall be asked to do nothing disagreeable." He found the letter very
difficult to write. He knew that she ought to have been welcomed
at once to Bobsborough. And he knew, too, the reason on which his
mother's objection was founded. But it might be two years before he
could possibly marry Lucy Morris;--or it might be three. Would it be
proper that she should be desired to make the deanery her home for
so long and so indefinite a time? And when an engagement was for so
long, could it be well that everybody should know it,--as everybody
would if Lucy were to take up her residence permanently at the
deanery? Some consideration, certainly, was due to his father.
And, moreover, it was absolutely necessary that he and Lizzie Eustace
should understand each other as to that mutual pledge of truth which
had passed between them.
In the meantime he received the following letter from Messrs.
Camperdown:--
62, New Square, Lincoln's Inn,
15 September, 18--
DEAR SIR,
After what passed in our chambers the other day, we think
it best to let you know that we have been instructed by
the executor of the late Sir Florian Eustace to file a
bill in Chancery against the widow, Lady Eustace, for
the recovery of valuable diamonds. You will oblige us
by making the necessary communication to her ladyship,
and will perhaps tell us the names of her ladyship's
solicitors.
We are, dear sir,
Your very obedient servants,
CAMPERDOWN & SON.
F. Greystock, Esq., M.P.
A few days after the receipt of this letter Frank started for
Scotland.