‘If you say so, what must I?’
Percy resolved that, after consulting Lord Martindale, he would at once set off for London, to signify his acceptance, and make the necessary inquiries. Theodora asked whether he meant to appear conscious of the influence exerted in his favour. ‘I will see whether it was directly employed; if so, it would be paltry to seem to appear unconscious. I had rather show that I appreciate his feeling, and if I feel an obligation, acknowledge it.
‘I wonder, Theodora,’ said Arthur, ‘that you allow him to go. He is so fond of giving away whatever any one cries for, that you will find yourself made over to St. Erme.’
In three days’ time Percy returned; Theodora went with Arthur and Violet to meet him at the station.
‘Well!’ said he, as they drove off, ‘he is a very fine fellow, after all! I don’t know what is to be done for him! I wish we could find a Theodora for him.’
‘I told you so, Theodora!’ cried Arthur. ‘He has presented you.’
‘There were two words to that bargain!’ said Percy. ‘He must be content to wait for Helen.’
‘So instead of my sister, you dispose of my daughter,’ said Arthur.
‘Poor little Helen!’ said Violet. ‘Imagine the age he will be when she is eighteen!’
‘He will never grow old!’ said Percy. ‘He has the poet’s gift of perpetual youth, the spring of life and fancy that keeps men young. He has not grown a day older since this time five years. I found he had taken a great deal of trouble about me, recommended me strenuously, brought forward my papers on foreign policy, and been at much pains to confute that report that was afloat against me. He treated my appointment as a personal favour; and he is a man of weight now. You were right, Theodora; it would have been abominable to sulk in our corner, because we had behaved ill ourselves, and to meet such noble-spirited kindness as an offence.’
‘I am very glad that you feel it so,’ returned Theodora.
‘Now that I have seen him I do so completely. And another thing I have to thank you for, Violet, that you saved me from laying it on any thicker in that criticism of his poetry.’
‘I told you how he said that you had done him a great deal of good.’
‘A signal instance—almost a single instance of candour. But there is a nobility of mind in him above small resentments and jealousies. Ay! there never will be anybody fit for him but Helen!’
‘And Helen brought up to be much better than her aunt,’ said Theodora.
‘It won’t be my mother’s fault if she is,’ said Arthur. ‘I was determined yesterday to see what she would succeed in making her do, and I declare the sprite drove her about like a slave—“Grandmamma, fetch me this,” “grandmamma, you must do that,” till at last she brought my poor mother down on her knees, stooping under the table to personate an old cow in the stall.’
‘Oh! Arthur! Arthur, how could you?’ exclaimed Violet. ‘What were you about to let it go on?’
‘Lying on the sofa, setting a good example,’ said Percy.
‘No, no, I did not go that length,’ said Arthur. ‘I was incog. in the next room; but it was too good to interrupt. Besides, Helen has succeeded to my aunt’s vacant throne, and my mother is never so hurt as when Violet interferes with any of her vagaries. The other day, when Violet carried her off roaring at not being allowed to turn grandmamma’s work-box inside out, her ladyship made a formal remonstrance to me on letting the poor child’s spirit be broken by strictness.’
‘I hope you told her that some spirits would be glad to have been broken long ago,’ said Theodora.
‘I only told her I had perfect faith in Violet’s management.’
Percy was wanted speedily to set off for his new situation, and the question of the marriage became difficult. His income was fully sufficient, but Theodora had many scruples about leaving her mother, whom the last winter had proved to be unfit to be left without companionship. They doubted and consulted, and agreed that they must be self-denying; but John came to their relief. He shrank with a sort of horror from permitting such a sacrifice as his own had been; held that it would be positively wrong to let their union be delayed any longer, and found his father of the same opinion, though not knowing how Lady Martindale would bear the loss. Perhaps his habit of flinching from saying to her what he expected her to dislike, had been one cause of Mrs. Nesbit’s supremacy.
John, therefore, undertook to open her eyes to the necessity of relinquishing her daughter, intending to offer himself as her companion and attendant, ready henceforth to devote himself to her comfort, as the means of setting free those who still had a fair prospect.
As usual, Lady Martindale’s reluctance had been overrated. John found that she had never calculated on anything but Theodora’s marrying at once; she only observed that she supposed it could not be helped, and she was glad her dear aunt was spared the sight.
‘And you will not miss her so much when I am at home.’
‘You, my dear; I am never so happy as when you are here; but I do not depend on you. I should like you to spend this winter abroad, and then we must have you in Parliament again.’
‘If I were sure that you would be comfortable,’ said John; ‘but otherwise I could not think of leaving you.’
‘I was thinking,’ said Lady Martindale, with the slowness of one little wont to originate a scheme, ‘how pleasant it would be, if we could keep Arthur and Violet always with us. I cannot bear to part with the dear children, and I am sure they will all be ill again if they go back to London.’
‘To live with us! exclaimed John. ‘Really, mother, you have found the best plan of all. Nothing could be better!’
‘Do you think your father would approve?’ said Lady Martindale, eagerly.
‘Let us propose it to him,’ said John, and without further delay he begged him to join the conference. The plan was so excellent that it only seemed strange that it had occurred to no one before, combining the advantages of giving Arthur’s health a better chance; of country air for the children, and of economy. Lord Martindale looked very well pleased, though still a little doubtful, as he pondered, whether there might not be some unseen objection, and to give himself time to think, repeated, in answer to their solicitations, that it was a most important step.
‘For instance,’ said he, as if glad to have recollected one argument on the side of caution, ‘you see, if they live here, we are in a manner treating Johnnie as the acknowledged heir.’
‘Exactly so,’ replied John; ‘and it will be the better for him, and for the people. For my part—’
They were interrupted by Arthur’s walking in from the garden. Lady Martindale, too eager to heed that her lord would fain not broach the question till his deliberations were mature, rose up at once, exclaiming, ‘Arthur my dear, I am glad you are come. We wish, when Theodora leaves us, that you and your dear wife and children should come and live at home always with us. Will you, my dear?’ Arthur looked from one to the other in amaze.
‘It is a subject for consideration,’ began Lord Martindale. ‘I would not act hastily, without knowing the sentiments of all concerned.’
‘If you mean mine,’ said John, ‘I will finish what I was saying,—that, for my part, a home is all that I can ever want; and that for Arthur to afford me a share in his, and in his children’s hearts, would be the greatest earthly happiness that I can desire.’
‘I am sure’—said Arthur, in a voice which, to their surprise, was broken by a sob—‘I am sure, John—you have every right. You have made my home what it is.’
‘Then he consents!’ exclaimed Lady Martindale; ‘I shall have Violet always with me, and Helen.’
‘Thank you, thank you, mother; but—’ His eye was on his father.
‘Your mother does not know what she is asking of you, Arthur,’ said Lord Martindale. ‘I would not have you engage yourself without consideration. Such arrangements as these must not be made to be broken. For myself, it is only the extreme pleasure the project gives me that makes me balance, lest I should overlook any objection. To have your dear Violet for the daughter of our old age, and your children round us, would, as John says, leave us nothing to wish.’
Arthur could only tremulously repeat his ‘Thank you,’ but there was a hesitation that alarmed his mother. ‘Your father wishes it, too,’ she eagerly entreated.
‘Do not press him, Anna,’ said Lord Martindale. ‘I would not have him decide hastily. It is asking a great deal of him to propose his giving up his profession and his establishment.’
‘It is not that,’ said Arthur, turning gratefully to his father. ‘I should be glad to give up the army and live at home—there is nothing I should like better; but the point is, that I must know what Violet thinks of it.’
‘Right! Of course, she must be consulted,’ said Lord Martindale.
‘You see,’ said Arthur, speaking fast, as if conscious that he appeared ungracious, ‘it seems hard that she should have no house of her own, to receive her family in. I had promised she should have her sisters with her this winter, and I do not quite like to ask her to give it up.’
‘When the house is finished, and we have room,’ began Lady Martindale, ‘the Miss Mosses shall be most welcome.’
‘Thank you, thank you,’ repeated Arthur. ‘But besides, I do not know how she will feel about the children. If we are to be here, it must be on condition that she has the entire management of them to herself.’
‘Certainly,’ again said his father. She has them in excellent training, and it would be entirely contrary to my principles to interfere.’
‘Then, you see how it is,’ said Arthur. ‘I am quite willing. I know it is what I do not deserve, and I am more obliged than I can say; but all must depend upon Violet.’
He was going in quest of her, when the Rickworth carriage stopped at the gate and prevented him. Poor Lady Martindale, when she had sent her note of invitation to Lady Elizabeth and Emma to spend a long day at Brogden, she little imagined how long the day would be to her suspense. She could not even talk it over with any one but John, and he did not feel secure of Violet’s willingness. He said that, at one time, she had been very shy and uncomfortable at Martindale, and that he feared there was reason in what Arthur said about the children. He suspected that Arthur thought that she would not like the scheme, and supposed that he knew best.
‘Cannot you try to prevail with her, dear John? You have great influence.’
‘I should not think it proper to persuade her. I trust to her judgment to see what is best, and should be sorry to distress her by putting forward my own wishes.’
This conversation took place while the younger ladies were walking in the garden with Lady Elizabeth and her daughter. It was the first time that Emma had been persuaded to come from home, and though she could not be more quiet than formerly, there was less peculiarity in her manner. She positively entered into the general conversation, and showed interest in the farming talk between her mother and Lord Martindale; but the children were her chief resource. And, though affectionate and almost craving pardon from Violet,—drawing out from her every particular about the little ones, and asking much about Arthur’s health, and Theodora’s prospects,—she left a veil over the matters that had so deeply concerned herself.
It was from Lady Elizabeth that the sisters heard what they wished to know; and Theodora, on her side, imparted the information which Percy had brought from London. He had been trying whether it were possible to obtain payment of Mr. Gardner’s heavy debts to Arthur, but had been forced to relinquish the hope. So many creditors had claims on him that, ample as was the fortune which Mrs. Finch’s affection had placed entirely in his power, there was little probability that he would ever venture to return to England. No notice had been taken of the demands repeatedly sent in, and Percy had learnt that he was dissipating his wife’s property very fast upon the Continent; so that it was likely that, in a few years, Mr. Finch’s hoards would be completely gone. Report also spoke of his rewarding his wife’s affection with neglect and unkindness; and her sister, Mrs. Fotheringham, declared that, having acted against warning, Georgina must take the consequences, and could expect no assistance from Worthbourne.
Mournfully Theodora spoke. It was a saddening thought in the midst of her happiness, and it pressed the more heavily upon her from the consciousness, that she had been looked up to by Georgina, and had, in her pride and self-will, forfeited the chance of exerting any beneficial influence. She perceived the contrast between the effect of her own character on others, and that of Violet, and could by no means feel herself guiltless of her poor playmate’s sad history. Still she cherished a secret hope that it might yet be permitted to her to meet her again, and in the time of trouble to be of service to her.
This, of course, was not for Lady Elizabeth’s ears, but enough was told her to make her again marvel over her daughter’s past infatuation, and express her thankfulness for the escape.
Emma’s mind was gradually becoming tranquillized, though it had suffered another severe shock from the tidings, that Theresa Marstone had actually become a member of the Roman Catholic Church. A few months ago, such intelligence might have unsettled Emma’s principles, as well as caused her deep grief; but the conviction of the undutiful and uncandid part which Miss Marstone had led her to act, had shaken her belief in her friend’s infallibility; and in the safe and wholesome atmosphere of her home, there had been a gradual disenchantment. She saw Sarah Theresa in a true light, as a person of excellent intentions, and of many right principles, but entirely unconscious of her own foibles, namely, an overweening estimate of self and of her own opinions, and a love of excitement and dominion. These, growing more confirmed with her years, had resulted in the desertion of her mother-church, under the expectation that elsewhere she might find that ideal which existed only in her own imagination; and Emma had been obliged to acknowledge, that had her work at the Priory been hastily begun, according to her wishes, four years ago, little could have resulted but mischief from such a coadjutor.
Emma’s sense of folly and instability made her ready to submit to another five years’ probation; but to her surprise, her mother, whom Miss Marstone had taught her to imagine averse to anything out of the ordinary routine, was quite ready to promote her plans, and in fact did much to turn her mind into that channel.
The orphans were doubled in numbers, and Emma spent much time in attending to them, an old woman had been rescued from the Union, and lodged in an adjoining room, as a ‘granny’ to the little girls, giving the whole quite a family air; a homeless governess, in feeble health, was on a visit, which Emma hoped would be prolonged indefinitely, if she could be persuaded to believe herself useful to the orphans. The inhabitants of the house were fast outstripping their space in the parish church, and might soon be numerous enough to necessitate the restoration of the ruin for their lodging. An architect had been commissioned to prepare plans for the rebuilding of the chapel at once, and Lady Elizabeth was on the watch for a chaplain. Thus matters were actually in train for the fulfilment of Emma’s aspiration, spoken so long ago, that ‘Sunday might come back to Rickworth Priory.’ Little had she then imagined that she should see its accomplishment commence with so heavy a heart, and enter on her own share of the toil with so little of hope and joy. Alas! they had been wasted in the dreamy wanderings whither she had been led by blind confidence in her self-chosen guide; and youthfulness and mirth had been lost in her rude awakening and recall, lost never to return. Yet in time the calmer joy of ‘patient continuance in well-doing’ would surely arise upon her, and while working for her Master, His hand would lighten her load.
So Violet felt comforted with regard to Emma; and as she stood at the garden-gate with her sister-in-law in the clear, lovely summer night, watching the carriage drive off, smiled as she said, ‘How well all has turned out! How strange to remember last time I parted with Lady Elizabeth at Brogden, when I was almost equally anxious about Emma, about you and Percy, and about our own affairs—to say nothing of the dreariness for Annette!’
‘When the sky is darkest the stars come out,’ said Theodora. ‘Yes, the tide in the affairs of men has set most happily in our favour of late; though I don’t see our own way yet. John and my father both say, that our marriage must be at once; and I have not made out which is the worst, to desert my mother or to have my own way.’
‘Which is your own way?’ said Violet, archly.
‘That is what provokes me! I don’t know.’
‘And which is Percy’s?’
‘Whichever mine is, which makes it all the worse. Violet! I wish Helen could be put into the hot-house, and made a woman of at once. Only, then, if Lord St. Erme is to have her, it would be equally troublesome.’
‘My dears, pray come in!’ said Lady Martindale, in the porch. ‘You do not know how late it is.’
Her ladyship was in an unusual hurry to make them wish good night, and come up-stairs. She followed Violet to her room, and in one moment had begun:
‘Violet, my dear, has Arthur told you?’
‘He has told me nothing. What is it?’
‘We all think, now Theodora is going to leave us, that it would be the best way for you all to come and live at home with us. Lord Martindale wishes it, and John, and every one. Will you, my dear?’
‘How very kind!’ exclaimed Violet. ‘What does Arthur say?’
‘Arthur says he is willing, but that it must depend on what you like.’ Then, perhaps taking Violet’s bewildered looks for reluctance, ‘I am afraid, my dear, I have not always been as affectionate as you deserved, and have not always tried to make you comfortable.’
‘Oh! no, no! Don’t say so!’
‘It was before I rightly knew you; and indeed it shall never be so again. We are so comfortable now together; do not let us break it up again, and take the poor dear children away to grow pale in London. You shall have all you wish; I will never do anything you don’t like with the children; and all your family shall come and stay whenever you please; only don’t go away, dear Violet—I cannot spare you.’
‘Oh! don’t, dear grandmamma! This is too much,’ said Violet, almost crying. ‘You are so very kind. Oh! I should be so glad for Arthur to be spared the London winter! How happy the children will be! Thank you, indeed.’
‘You do consent, then!’ cried Lady Martindale, triumphantly. ‘John thought we had not made you happy enough!’
‘John should know better! It is the greatest relief—if Arthur likes it, I mean.’
‘Then you do stay. You will be, as Lord Martindale says, the daughter of our old age—our own dear child!’
‘Will I?’ Violet threw her arms round Lady Martindale’s neck, and shed tears of joy.
Lady Martindale held her in her arms, and murmured caressing words. Arthur’s step approached. His mother opened the door and met him. ‘She consents! Dear, dear Violet consents! Now we shall be happy.’
Arthur smiled, looked at his wife, understood her face, and replied to his mother with a warm kiss, a thank you, and good night. She went away in perfect satisfaction.
Your last, greatest victory, Violet,’ said he. ‘You have got at her heart at last, and taught her to use it. But, do you like this plan?’
‘Like it? It is too delightful! If you knew how I have been dreading that winter in London for your chest!’
‘And saying nothing?’
‘Because I thought there was nothing else to be done; but this—’
‘Ay! I have told my father that, if we stay here, I hope he will lessen my allowance. Even then, I can pay off something every year of the debts that will be left after what would be cleared by the price of my commission.’
‘Oh, yes; we shall have scarcely any expense at all.’
‘Don’t agree to it, though, because you think I like it, if you do not. Consider how you will get on with grandmamma and the children. She makes promises; but as to trusting her not to spoil Helen—’
‘She does not spoil her half as much as her papa does,’ said Violet, with a saucy smile. ‘I’m not afraid. It is all love, you know, and grandmamma is very kind to me, even when Helen is in disgrace. If we can only be steady with her, I am sure another person to love her can do her no harm in the end. And, oh! think of the children growing up in the free happy country.’
‘Ay, my father and John spoke of that,’ said Arthur. ‘John wishes it very much. He says that all he could desire in this world is a share in our home and in our children’s hearts.’
‘I don’t know how it is that every one is so kind. Oh! it is too much! it overflows!’ Violet leant against her husband, shedding tears of happiness.
‘You silly little thing!’ he said, fondling her: ‘don’t you know why? You have won all their hearts.’
‘I never meant to’—half sobbed Violet.
‘No, you only meant to go on in your own sweet, modest way of kindness and goodness; but you have done it, you see. You have won every one of them over; and what is more, gained pardon for me, for your sake. No, don’t struggle against my saying so, for it is only the truth. It was bad enough in me to marry you, innocent, unknowing child as you were; but you turned it all to good. When I heard that lesson on Sunday, about the husband and the believing wife, I thought it was meant for you and me; for if ever now I do come to good, it is owing to no one but you and that boy.’
‘O, Arthur, I cannot bear such sayings. Would you—would you dislike only just kneeling down with me, that we may give thanks for all this happiness! Oh! what seemed like thorns and crosses have all turned into blessings!’