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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Englefield Grange, by H. B. Paull
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Englefield Grange
+       or Mary Armstrong's Troubles
+
+Author: H. B. Paull
+
+Release Date: December 30, 2010 [EBook #34794]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENGLEFIELD GRANGE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Mary Meehan and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                          ENGLEFIELD GRANGE
+
+                   OR, _MARY ARMSTRONG'S TROUBLES_
+
+                         BY MRS. H. B. PAULL
+
+     AUTHOR OF "EVELYN-HOWARD," "STRAIGHT PATHS AND CROOKED WAYS"
+
+
+    Warne's Star Series
+
+    "The love of money is the root of all evil."--1 Tim. vi. 10
+
+    LONDON:
+    FREDERICK WARNE AND CO.
+    AND NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+I. BY THE SEA
+
+II. WHO SAVED HER?
+
+III. A SOCIAL DILEMMA
+
+IV. DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME
+
+V. AT THE REVIEW
+
+VI. BUCEPHALUS
+
+VII. FREDDY'S NEW SCHOOL
+
+VIII. ENGLEFIELD GRANGE
+
+IX. LOOKING BACK
+
+X. HENRY HALFORD'S NEW STUDY
+
+XI. OUR ANTIPODES
+
+XII. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
+
+XIII. A CHANGE OF OPINION
+
+XIV. AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
+
+XV. A VISIT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
+
+XVI. THE COMMEMORATION WEEK
+
+XVII. CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS
+
+XVIII. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
+
+XIX. HENRY HALFORD WRITES A LETTER
+
+XX. HUSBAND AND WIFE
+
+XXI. MOTHER AND SON
+
+XXII. PARK LANE IN JUNE
+
+XXIII. A DISCOVERY AND ITS RESULT
+
+XXIV. NEW ARRIVALS
+
+XXV. COUNTRY COUSINS
+
+XXVI. AT THE STATION
+
+XXVII. TEMPTED
+
+XXVIII. COUSIN SARAH
+
+XXIX. CONSCIENCE
+
+XXX. UNCONSCIOUS RIVALS
+
+XXXI. THE NEW CURATE
+
+XXXII. AT GUY'S HOSPITAL
+
+XXXIII. CHARLES HERBERT GIVES HIS OPINION
+
+XXXIV. REPENTANCE
+
+XXXV. A PANIC IN THE CITY
+
+XXXVI. GIPSY DORA
+
+XXXVII. AT MEADOW FARM
+
+XXXVIII. THE NEW RECTOR OF BRIARSLEIGH
+
+
+
+
+ENGLEFIELD GRANGE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+BY THE SEA.
+
+
+The afternoon sun of early summer shone brightly on the arm of the sea
+which joins the Solent at West Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. A few boats
+were moored alongside the landing-place, but as the season had not yet
+commenced, the boatmen were standing about idle, scarcely hoping for a
+fare.
+
+Presently three ladies and a little boy were observed descending the
+steps, and one of the men, with whom the ladies seemed acquainted,
+hastily advanced, and touching his cap, exclaimed--
+
+"Want a boat, ma'am, to-day? splendid tide!"
+
+The lady was about to reply, when her youngest daughter, a beautiful
+girl of about eighteen, touched her on the arm, and exclaimed--
+
+"Oh, mamma, look at the waves; is not the sea very rough to-day?"
+
+"Lor', no, Miss," replied the man, "that's only a little ripple, caused
+by the fresh breeze; the boat 'ill sail beautiful if you're going up the
+Solent, for she'll have wind and tide in her favour."
+
+Maria St. Clair looked above and around her as the man spoke, and truly
+the sea presented a charming aspect of crested, tiny waves, rippling in
+the breeze, and sparkling beneath the sun, shining in a sky of brilliant
+blue.
+
+Her fears almost gave way at the sight, yet her sister's remark,
+although it shamed her into silence, did not complete the cure.
+
+"Why, Maria, how can you be so foolish? If you had sailed to India and
+back, as I have done, you would laugh at your fears of a sea like this."
+
+"You shall not venture, my dear," said her mother, who wore a widow's
+costume, "unless you feel quite willing to do so."
+
+"Oh, thank you, mamma, but I would rather go with you. I want to conquer
+this nervousness on the water; why, even on a steamer I always feel
+afraid."
+
+While they talked the men were launching a prettily-rigged pleasure
+boat, the colours of green and gold with which it was painted gleaming
+in pleasant contrast with the rippling water; and over the seats in the
+stern an awning was stretched to protect the ladies from the sun's rays.
+
+Mrs. St. Clair and her elder daughter, Mrs. Herbert, with her little boy
+of four, were, however, safely seated in the boat before Maria could
+make up her mind to follow them.
+
+At a part of West Cowes near this landing-place stood a row of private
+houses, the back windows overlooking the sea, and the gardens reaching
+down to it protected by a sea wall. As in Devonshire, the foliage of
+this beautiful island in some part stretches down to the water's edge,
+and gardens near the sea are often well filled with roses and other
+summer flowers in profusion.
+
+In one of these gardens, and very near the boundary wall against which
+the high tide dashed pleasantly, stood a gentleman earnestly watching
+the embarkation of the party in the pleasure-boat.
+
+His dress was more like that of the yeoman of those days than the
+seaside costume of a gentleman. The thick shoes and drab gaiters, part
+of the customary garb of a farmer, were, however, concealed by the
+garden wall, and when for a moment he took off the white, low-crowned
+beaver hat, and rubbed his fingers through his hair, the face and head
+were those of a handsome man of the intellectual type. Regular features,
+clear olive skin, dark sparkling eyes, hair, eyebrows, and whiskers of
+almost raven blackness, and a certain air of refinement, were certainly
+not quite in character with his homely attire.
+
+"Where have I seen that face?" he said to himself, as Maria St. Clair
+paused irresolutely with one foot on the prow of the boat. "It is very
+beautiful."
+
+And the gentleman's reflections were not far wrong. Plainly, but
+tastefully dressed, the lithe figure slightly bent forward in a
+shrinking, yet graceful attitude, and the outstretched tiny foot were
+attractive enough to excite notice. But the face truly deserved the
+epithet bestowed upon it by the lounger in the garden. Fair at this
+moment, even to paleness, the delicately-chiselled features, the
+half-opened lips, expressive of fear, and exposing the pearly teeth, and
+the long fair ringlets that fell on her shoulders made up a picture
+which when once seen was not easily forgotten. Such a face is often
+supposed to belong to a woman devoid of character or insipid, but from
+this appearance it was saved by marked eyebrows darker than the hair and
+violet eyes shaded by long dark lashes.
+
+While thus Edward Armstrong stood making a photograph of the young girl
+on his memory, he recalled the fact that he had seen her at church on
+the previous Sunday as one of the pupils of a ladies' school, and had
+been attracted to notice her by her retiring timid manner, which to him
+formed her greatest charm.
+
+He remained to watch till he saw her safely seated in the boat with the
+other ladies, and then, as the rowers turned in the direction of the
+Solent, he found himself observed by the ladies. At once, but not
+abruptly, he left his post of observation, saying to himself, "I'll find
+out the name of that fair lassie from my landlady; she has lived here
+many years and knows everybody." At the garden door he met the very
+person of whom he thought, and she at once opened the subject without
+requiring him to "beat about the bush" for that purpose.
+
+"You've been watching the ladies embark, sir," she said; "it's a lovely
+day for a row or even a sail, if they like. Mrs. St. Clair and her
+daughter, Mrs. Herbert, often hires that boat for themselves, but it's
+the first time I've ever seen Miss Maria on the sea, except in a
+steamboat; she's very much afraid of the water."
+
+"Is Mrs. St. Clair a visitor?" he asked.
+
+"Well, sir, in one way she is, for she's visiting her daughter, Mrs.
+Herbert, who resides here with her little boy. Her husband, Captain
+Herbert, is in India, and she came over about twelve months ago, on
+account of her health.
+
+"Mrs. St. Clair has a house near London, and she's a real lady, sir,"
+continued the old woman, glad to have for once an interested listener.
+"She's one of the Elliots; they're a Warwickshire family, and she
+married the Honourable Mr. St. Clair, a grandson of Lord Selmore's. He
+wasn't very well off, sir--you know those younger sons seldom are--and
+when he died, about five years ago, he left his widow a very small
+income, and nothing for his three daughters."
+
+"And is Mrs. Herbert the eldest?" he asked.
+
+"No, sir; Miss St. Clair, when she was only twenty, married a rich
+admiral fifty years of age, and now she's Lady Elston. But for my part I
+can't understand how a woman can marry a man so much older than herself,
+just for money and a title. Miss Helen, that's Mrs. Herbert, made the
+best match. Captain Herbert's not much older than she is, and he's got
+private property besides his pay. She was very high-spirited and
+independent, and would go and be a governess, and I think Miss Maria,
+that's the youngest, wants to do the same now she's left school, but her
+mamma wont hear of it because she's so timid; all the young ladies are
+very clever and accomplished. But I beg your pardon, sir, I'm keeping
+you standing to listen to my gossip, and I daresay you want your tea."
+
+"Yes, if you please, Mrs. Lake, as soon as you like," and Edward
+Armstrong turned into his parlour, forming a resolution in his mind that
+by some means or other he would prevent the possibility of Maria St.
+Clair ever becoming a governess.
+
+It had cost the timid girl a strong effort to enter the boat; she
+tottered, and would have fallen more from fear than from the rocking of
+the boat, had not the man held her firmly, and even when first seated,
+she held on with both hands while the rowers brought the boat round, and
+could not feel secure till they were rowing gently with the tide.
+
+After awhile her sister remarked, "This is pleasant now, is it not,
+Minnie?"
+
+"Oh, yes, delightful," she replied, "and I'm so glad you and mamma
+persuaded me to come, for I'm tired of being laughed at, and called a
+coward; why, even little Charlie does not seem afraid!"
+
+"Not he, are you, my pet?" continued his mother, addressing her boy.
+
+"No, mamma, not a bit; I like it better than riding in a coach or a
+train."
+
+For some distance they continued their course towards Ryde, till Mrs.
+St. Clair, looking at her watch, and finding they had been out more than
+an hour, expressed a wish to return. She had noticed also that the
+breeze stiffened as the sun approached the west, and although no thought
+of danger entered her mind, she was unwilling to wait for a rough sea to
+alarm her timid daughter. The tide had turned, and therefore the return
+would, she knew, be as free from difficulty on that score as on the way
+out, but the wind would be against them, and create, of course, an
+uneasy motion of the boat.
+
+It was as she expected. The removal of the awning became necessary, and
+the rocking of the little craft during this performance so alarmed poor
+Maria that she became completely unnerved, nor could all the efforts of
+her friends and the boatmen reassure her. However, at times they were
+sheltered, and although Maria felt a motion which thrilled through the
+boat as it battled with the waves roughened by the wind, she was
+becoming more at ease, and by the time they passed Osborne House, not
+then a royal residence, and came in sight of the houses of West Cowes,
+she was positively beginning to enjoy her trip, and could talk
+pleasantly to her mother and sister.
+
+Meanwhile Edward Armstrong sat at his solitary tea-table wrapped up in
+his own thoughts. Mrs. Lake came in to fetch the tea-things, but he did
+not speak. She roused him, however, by one remark--
+
+"The ladies have got a beautiful evening for their trip, sir," she said;
+"they generally stay out two hours, but they started later than usual
+this evening--I suppose because the days are getting longer, and they're
+not back yet."
+
+"It is a beautiful evening," replied the young man, rising and going to
+the open window; "I may as well have a stroll by the sea as sit here."
+
+"So I thought, sir," was the reply, "and that's why I mentioned it."
+
+Edward Armstrong smiled as he left the room, unprepared for the events
+of an evening which for his whole life would never be obliterated from
+his memory.
+
+When he reached the village street, and turned down by the landing-place
+to the beach, the change from the costume of the afternoon to a suit of
+black, and a black hat with a crape band, made his appearance entirely
+that of a gentleman; there was nothing of the farmer's slouch in the
+tall, well-built, erect figure, and manly carriage.
+
+He wandered on the beach for some time, enjoying the sweet freshness of
+the sea-breeze and watching the rippling waves, over which the approach
+of sunset threw a glow of crimson and gold; now and then, however,
+casting glances in the direction of Ryde, with a hope of once more
+beholding the face that had so completely enthralled him. The church
+clock struck seven, and presently, as he stood at a point a little
+beyond the battery from which royal salutes are now fired, he saw the
+Southampton steamer coming round a point of land at a little distance.
+He, with others, walked quietly on towards the landing-place, actuated
+by the curiosity as to new arrivals which generally besets occasional
+residents at the seaside.
+
+But his attention was quickly withdrawn from the steamer. In the
+direction of Ryde he could see the green and gold of the pleasure-boat
+as it approached, struggling against the wind, which made her progress
+difficult and uneasy.
+
+The rowers were evidently making for the point from which the boat had
+started, not very far from the spot where the steamer now lay, blowing
+off her steam, yet easily reached without danger of being run down, even
+if she moved before they could do so.
+
+But the steamer had already created a difficulty, for when the boat
+entered the point where the waters unite, she encountered also the swell
+made by the paddle-wheels. Steadily the men plied their oars, while the
+boat, dancing and rolling on the surge, caused by the united effects of
+the wind, the steamer, and the double currents, attracted the attention
+of others besides Edward Armstrong. He could distinguish the ladies
+clearly as the men neared the shore. He saw the pale face and the violet
+eyes of Maria St. Clair fixed upon the steamer with painful intenseness;
+he saw the little gloved hands clasped on her lap, as if by that violent
+pressure she could prevent the steamer from moving. The men were bending
+all their strength to the oars, as with rapid strokes they made for the
+landing-place. Nearer and nearer came the boat till within fifty yards
+of the shore. The spectators scarcely breathed as it passed under the
+stern of the steamer, no one on deck seeming to notice it. Would they
+reach the shore before it moved?
+
+"Is there any danger?" was eagerly asked.
+
+"No; boats like that would ride the wave safely--besides, the men are
+becoming used to steamers now, and sailors can always avoid danger."
+
+Alas! not always. At this critical moment the steamer moved from the
+pier, its paddle-wheels backing slowly to make the turn towards Ryde
+more easily; from beneath them the foaming water rolled in eddying,
+agitating circles, swelling the already disturbed waves. Upon one of
+these the boat was lifted, and then to the terrified occupants appeared
+to be sinking headlong into the trough of the sea.
+
+Edward Armstrong stretched out his arms as if to avert the impending
+danger. He had seen the young girl rise from her seat, and as she
+tottered from the consequences of this almost always fatal act, she
+caught at her little nephew's arm, and the next moment they were both
+struggling together in the surging water.
+
+There were screams on the shore--running to and fro--a cry for
+ropes--the stoppage of the steamer, from which a boat was quickly
+lowered; but unexpected help was nearer at hand.
+
+A gentleman on the beach was seen to throw off his coat and hat, and
+plunge into the boiling waves. In a few moments he returned with the
+little boy in his arms, for whom many hands were eagerly held out. He
+paused not a moment, but struck out again towards the spot at which he
+had seen the young girl fall overboard.
+
+The rowers had hastened on to the shore, in order to land the alarmed
+mother and sister in safety, they then quickly proceeded to the spot
+where the boat from the steamer had already arrived with ropes.
+
+Amongst the anxious spectators on shore stood Mrs. Lake, who, the
+instant she saw Mrs. St. Clair and her daughter, rushed towards them,
+exclaiming, "Oh pray, ladies, do not stay here, the gentleman is sure to
+save Miss Maria, he's my lodger, and----"
+
+At this moment Mrs. Herbert started forward, she had seen her boy
+carried from the water and ran to meet him.
+
+"Take the little boy to my house, Mrs. Herbert, pray do," cried the
+excited landlady; "it's close by, and he'll want attention directly."
+
+Too bewildered to refuse, and anxious also to remove her mother from the
+scene of excitement, for Mrs. St. Clair seemed ready to faint as she
+stood, Mrs. Herbert took her arm, and together they followed the man who
+carried little Charlie.
+
+"You know where it is, Tom," said Mrs. Lake to the man; "take the
+ladies, I'll be there directly; I must stay and see if Mr. Armstrong
+saves that dear young lady," she added to herself, as she turned back to
+the shore.
+
+Meanwhile the men had cheered the stranger as he plunged a second time
+into the waves, but he remained more than once so long under water when
+diving, that fears were entertained for his own fate. There was a pause.
+At last, amid the shouts of the spectators, he rose to the surface, but
+so faint and exhausted that he had only sufficient strength to give up
+the apparently lifeless body of Maria St. Clair to the men in one of the
+boats. He would himself have sunk after doing so, had he not been
+quickly seized by ready hands and dragged into the boat.
+
+A few moments brought them to shore, amid the cheers of the spectators,
+who were, however, hushed to silence when Maria St. Clair and her
+deliverer, both to all appearance dead, were lifted out of the boat.
+
+"Oh dear! oh, sir! Mr. Armstrong, and Miss Maria too!--oh, that I should
+live to see this day!"
+
+"Hush! that outcry will do no good," and the voice of the doctor stayed
+the useless complaints of Mrs. Lake. "Is there any house near to which
+this lady can be taken?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir," she replied, "mine is close by; Mrs. Herbert's there now
+with the little boy, and the gentleman's own apartments are at my
+house."
+
+But Edward Armstrong had by this time so far recovered, that with
+assistance he was able to leave the boat and follow on foot the bearers
+of that lifeless form to his own apartments, with trembling steps and a
+sinking at his heart.
+
+He was met at the door by Mrs. St. Clair and Mrs. Herbert. The former in
+dismay at her daughter's appearance, could not utter a word, but Mrs.
+Herbert, as he entered, held out her hand, and clasping that of her
+child's deliverer, she exclaimed, "God bless you, sir, I can never repay
+you for what you have done." He had no heart to reply, but he pressed
+the hand he held, and turned towards his own bedroom with the painful
+thought that all his efforts, even at the risk of his own life, had been
+unsuccessful in the case of Maria St. Clair.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+WHO SAVED HER?
+
+
+The question which heads this chapter was asked by many on that
+memorable evening, long after it became known that the remedies and
+prompt measures adopted by the doctors had been successful in restoring
+Maria St. Clair to consciousness after hours of anxious suspense.
+
+The same question will occur to the reader, to whom, perhaps, the answer
+may prove a disappointment.
+
+In a street near the most fashionable part of the West End of London,
+stood a large and well-built house, the lower part of which bore the
+appearance of a place of business, half-shop, half-office. Above it, in
+large letters, appeared the words, "Edward Armstrong, Corn Factor."
+
+The handsome, intellectual-looking man who had so courageously
+distinguished himself on the beach at West Cowes, could boast of no
+higher position than that of a London tradesman, nor of any ancestors
+more honourable than England's yeomen. For nearly two hundred years the
+Armstrongs had been known as farmers in the neighbourhood of
+Basingstoke. Only one direct branch of the family now remained, an aged
+farmer still occupying Meadow Farm, and Edward Armstrong, his only
+child.
+
+The boy early gave evidence that he possessed tastes very different to
+those required in agricultural pursuits. On this account his mother,
+who, like many mothers, wished her son to be more educated than his
+parents, strongly encouraged the proposal that he should be sent to
+boarding-school. That her boy should become what the country folks call
+a "fine scholar," was her greatest ambition.
+
+Whether he obtained that title or not, it is certain that at school he
+quickly developed intellectual tastes, and acquired a certain degree of
+refinement, which made him quite unfit for association, except in the
+corn market, with farmers who talked of their "'ay and their whoats, and
+whate." For a few years, however, he remained at home, and acquired
+sufficient knowledge of these said "whoats and whate" to be very useful
+to him in his present position. After awhile, his father consented to
+his going to London and establishing a business.
+
+Notwithstanding Edward Armstrong's taste for reading and other literary
+pursuits, he was still a thorough man of business, and had succeeded so
+well in his London undertaking, that at the age of thirty-three he found
+himself master of a splendid business, a well-furnished house, known and
+respected on the Corn Exchange, and still unmarried.
+
+Yet with all his literary and scientific knowledge--which was not a
+little--with all his industry, energy, and business habits, he had
+strong prejudices consequent upon early education; peculiar notions on
+various subjects, and a will, as well as opinions, that would brook no
+contradiction.
+
+Much of all this might have been softened down and removed by an early
+and suitable marriage.
+
+But one of Edward Armstrong's peculiarities was shown in his
+determination, when he did marry, to have a real lady for his wife--in
+those days not a very easy matter for a man in trade.
+
+His appearance in the Isle of Wight was caused by having had to attend
+the funeral of his mother, and he had been spending a fortnight at his
+old home, and making arrangements for a cousin and his wife to manage
+the farm, under his father's guidance, when business matters brought him
+from Meadow Farm to the Isle of Wight. He had been detained at Cowes for
+nearly a week when the alarming events described in the last chapter
+made a hero of him, almost against his will.
+
+On reaching his bedroom on that eventful evening, he found doctors and
+nurses ready to prescribe and attend to him. He was quickly stripped of
+his wet clothes, hurried to bed, and made to take proper remedies in
+spite of a great deal of self-willed opposition. Mrs. Lake had secured
+the attendance of her own doctor, who divided his time between her best
+room, occupied by Maria St. Clair, and that of her deliverer. Mrs. St.
+Clair's medical attendant was also present during that terrible time, in
+which the gentle spirit of her daughter, Maria, fluttered on the
+confines of eternity.
+
+Edward Armstrong, however, could not compose himself to sleep; indeed he
+openly refused to take a draught which the doctor had sent to enable him
+to do so. Mrs. Lake, therefore, ventured to send for Dr. Freeman, hoping
+that he might be better able to influence the refractory patient.
+
+"Doctor," said Edward, as the former entered the room, fully intending
+to exert his professional authority, "I cannot and will not sleep till I
+hear more favourable accounts of Miss St. Clair. Tell me at once if
+there is any hope."
+
+"Hey-day, my friend, your energy gives me strong hopes for your own
+complete recovery at all events, but you know well that we are not the
+arbiters of life and death; we can only use all the means and trust to a
+Higher Power for the result."
+
+"But _is_ there any hope?" persisted Edward.
+
+"Certainly, I cannot deny there is hope," he replied. "Dr. Anson also is
+very sanguine respecting the result of our efforts; but, my friend, if
+you will not take the sleeping draught, I must insist on your keeping
+yourself warm and quiet, or the consequences of your sea-bath will be
+more serious than you anticipate; and now I must return to Miss St.
+Clair, who at the present moment requires all the attention we can give
+her."
+
+"Send me word directly a change for the better takes place," said the
+patient anxiously, as Dr. Freeman turned to go.
+
+"I will come myself," he replied, "on condition that you keep quiet and
+try to sleep."
+
+"Well," thought the doctor, as with cautious steps he proceeded to the
+young lady's room, "the man has not been in this place much more than a
+week, his landlady tells me, or I should suppose he was Miss St. Clair's
+lover by the way he goes on."
+
+Could he have been aware of Edward Armstrong's thoughts, as he lay with
+closed eyes, but mentally awake, he would more readily have understood
+the cause of his restless and wakeful anxiety.
+
+He had tried to save the life of a girl to whom he had been strangely
+attracted, and after all, though he might mourn over the untimely death
+which could blight such a lovely flower, still he had not even a right
+to sympathise with her relatives, to whom he was a stranger. They might
+certainly appreciate his sympathy, and be grateful for his efforts to
+save her, but they could not know anything of the hopes which he had
+within the last few days encouraged and fostered.
+
+And what were these hopes? he asked himself. Were they not founded on
+impossibilities? Even if Miss Maria St. Clair recovered, and owed her
+life to his energy, could he still hope to win her? Would the Honourable
+Mrs. St. Clair consider a London tradesman, who owned a shop, a suitable
+husband for the descendant of an Earl? for such her youngest daughter
+truly was. Would saving her life create a debt of gratitude sufficiently
+strong to break down the barriers of social prejudices and social
+distinctions? Would the fact of his being able to support a wife in
+comfort and luxury tempt the mother to give him her portionless
+daughter? He found himself unable to answer these mental queries, and as
+he turned from side to side in restless anxiety, poor Mrs. Lake longed
+for good news from the best bedroom, as much for the sake of her lodger
+as for the friends of the young lady themselves.
+
+When Dr. Freeman entered the bedroom from which he had been called to
+Edward Armstrong, he saw at a glance that his colleague, Dr. Anson, was
+more hopeful than ever. Every remedy used in cases of drowning had been
+tried, but Dr. Anson evidently considered that the continued state of
+unconsciousness, in which Maria St. Clair lay, was attributable to
+another cause. To conquer the effects of this cause was now his aim; yet
+half an hour passed before his efforts were rewarded with even a shadow
+of success. Maria St. Clair lay still and nerveless on the bed. From her
+pale face the golden curls had been pushed back, and lay scattered in
+disordered profusion on the pillow.
+
+Although the summer twilight still lingered, the gas had been lighted to
+assist the medical men in their efforts to restore life. Dr. Anson stood
+with his fingers on the delicate wrist, and as his colleague entered he
+made a sign for him to draw near the bed.
+
+On the opposite side near the head sat Mrs. St. Clair, holding the hand
+of her daughter, Helen, in a convulsive grasp. The crisis had come, and
+the mother and daughter were awaiting with painful intentness the result
+of the doctor's efforts. Minutes passed, but they did not relax these
+efforts. Presently Dr. Anson looked up suddenly; his sensitive fingers
+had detected a slight vibration at the wrist. For a few moments there
+was a pause, a breathless stillness had seemed to foreshadow the
+approach of death. It was but the intensity of suspense--every eye
+rested on the fair, pale face. Was it fancy? Did the eyelids really
+quiver, and the lips tremble? Yes; for as the eyes languidly opened, the
+lips parted and a breath like a sigh gave evidence of returning life.
+Mrs. St. Clair rose hastily and clung to her married daughter, while the
+doctor quickly administered a stimulant which, to his great joy, the
+patient was able to swallow. Gradually the feeble breath became more
+regular, the eyes more intelligent, and a faint colour overspread the
+cheek. Again the doctor offered the stimulant, and this time it was
+taken more easily, and the patient made an effort to speak.
+
+"Mamma, are you here?" were the faint, feeble words.
+
+"Yes, darling," said Mrs. St. Clair, coming round to the other side of
+the bed with Mrs. Herbert, "and Helen is here too."
+
+"Where is little Charlie?"
+
+"Safe in bed and asleep," was the reply.
+
+"Mamma, who saved us?" she asked, after a pause.
+
+"You and Charlie owe your lives, under God, to a stranger who is lodging
+here with Mrs. Lake," replied her mother.
+
+"Mamma, let me thank him. Where is he?"
+
+"In bed, and I hope asleep," exclaimed Dr. Freeman; "and, my dear young
+lady, we must get you to sleep quickly, too, or there is no answering
+for the consequences. You shall see our friend to-morrow and thank him
+yourself."
+
+Maria St. Clair closed her eyes in token of obedience; readily she took
+what the medical men prescribed, and after awhile, with many cautions to
+the anxious mother, the gentlemen took their leave. On the way
+downstairs Dr. Freeman remarked, "That poor girl was not long enough in
+the water to so completely deprive her of consciousness. I believe she
+fainted from terror when she found herself falling."
+
+"I have no doubt of it," replied Dr. Anson. "I know that Maria has
+always had a natural dread of the water, and it was injudicious to
+persuade her to enter a boat under any but absolute necessity. Had she
+not recovered, her death would have been mainly attributable to the
+shock received by the nervous system. Are you going to remain here
+longer?" he asked, as Dr. Freeman stopped and held out his hand.
+
+"Only to see my other patient."
+
+"Is he all right?" was the next question.
+
+"I hope he will be after the draught I am going to give him," replied
+Dr. Freeman; "he has had a narrow escape with life, but it is a mercy he
+was there at all. No one could have acted more promptly and courageously
+than he did."
+
+"I shall look in again on my patient this evening," said Dr. Anson as
+they shook hands. "If no feverish symptoms supervene we shall soon have
+the young lady quite well."
+
+"There is more danger of fever in this case," thought the doctor, as he
+stood by Edward Armstrong's bed with his fingers on his pulse a few
+minutes later, describing what had occurred, and telling him of Miss St.
+Clair's hopeful condition.
+
+The effect, however, of this information, and the remedy which he did
+not now refuse, were so beneficial that in less than half an hour after
+the doctor left him to the care of Mrs. Lake, he was sleeping calmly.
+
+Yet potent as the medicine might be, it was not powerful enough to keep
+Edward Armstrong asleep all night. More than once he awoke, and finding
+Mrs. Lake watching in his room on the last occasion, he anxiously
+inquired for Miss St. Clair.
+
+"Sleeping sweetly, sir, thank God," was the reply. "I've just been into
+the room, and glad enough I am that the ladies are able to take some
+rest. I only came in here to see if you were all right; and now I'm
+going to take my place in Miss St. Clair's room, while they go and lie
+down. Oh, sir, they're both so thankful to you for what you did last
+night. But I'm not going to have you waking up and losing your rest;
+whatever am I about, chattering like this?" And she cautiously drew the
+curtains closer to shut out the early summer daylight.
+
+But Edward was too much under the effects of his draught to keep awake
+long. He had understood sufficiently from Mrs. Lake's speech that Miss
+St. Clair was in no danger, and even before she had ceased talking he
+fell asleep.
+
+The morning sun, however, roused him, as he supposed, at his usual hour,
+and he rose quite refreshed, and feeling very little the worse for his
+exploits of the preceding evening.
+
+Dressing quickly, he descended to his sitting-room and found to his
+surprise that the clock had struck nine.
+
+On the mantelpiece lay his watch, which had stopped as he plunged into
+the water, and the hands pointed to half-past seven. Taking it up to set
+it to the right time, he walked to the window and looked out across the
+garden to the spot which had so nearly proved fatal to himself as well
+as to another, and shuddered as he thought of what might have been if
+his efforts had proved unsuccessful.
+
+While thus reflecting, Mrs. Lake entered with his breakfast.
+
+"Good morning, sir," she said, as he turned to greet her; "I'm that glad
+to see you downstairs again, and all right, I hardly know what to say.
+But do you really feel quite well, sir?" she added hastily, "for you're
+looking pale."
+
+"I'm all right," he replied, smiling, "or at least I shall be after
+breakfast, I hope, for that physic stuff has made my head ache."
+
+"I daresay it has, sir; them sleeping draughts always do, but you'll be
+quite well after a cup of coffee."
+
+Edward Armstrong seated himself, nothing loth, while his landlady
+continued to remain in the room by waiting upon him or dusting here and
+there, or rearranging different articles on the table, in hopes of being
+questioned. Her hopes were soon realised, for her lodger asked, "How is
+the young lady this morning, Mrs. Lake?"
+
+"Oh! doing nicely, sir, and so is Master Charlie; he slept in my room
+last night, and he's been awake I can't tell how long, asking heaps of
+questions about the kind gentleman that took him and dear aunty out of
+the water--and the ladies, sir, they've been asking for you, and they do
+say Miss Maria is quite herself again this morning, and that she's going
+to get up presently."
+
+Mrs. Lake was interrupted by a tap at the door, and without waiting for
+a reply, it was opened, and Dr. Anson, the medical attendant of Mrs. St.
+Clair, entered the room.
+
+"Yes, it is my friend Edward Armstrong," he exclaimed, as the gentleman
+he addressed rose with surprise to receive his visitor. "I only learnt
+the name of our hero from Dr. Freeman this morning; I had no idea that
+the gentleman whose intrepidity and courage is the talk of the place was
+the son of my good friend, Farmer Armstrong."
+
+Edward smiled as he shook hands with the friend whom he had known from a
+boy, but there was a languor in his movements, and a pallor on the
+cheeks, very unusual in the active man of business, which the doctor's
+quick eye soon detected.
+
+"Are you feeling any ill effects from your exertions last evening?" he
+asked.
+
+"No," was the reply; "unless a feeling of laziness and disinclination to
+move may be ranked among ill effects."
+
+"Well, not exactly," said Dr. Anson, "although what you complain of is
+no doubt caused by exhaustion and excitement. At all events, you must
+extend your holiday and rest here for a day or two longer; such a
+sea-bath as yours produces effects which are not so easily got over."
+
+At this moment the door was pushed open slightly, and through the
+opening appeared a rosy face, brown curls, and a pair of dark eyes which
+looked with curiosity at the two gentlemen.
+
+"Ah, Charlie," said the doctor, "is that you? Come in and say how d'ye
+do to the gentleman that fished you out of the water yesterday."
+
+Little Charlie Herbert boldly advanced, and standing before Mr.
+Armstrong held out his chubby hand and said, "Thank 'oo for saving me
+from being drowned."
+
+Edward lifted the boy on his knee and kissed him, while the doctor
+asked--
+
+"Who sent you here, Charlie?"
+
+"Mrs. Lake," he replied, "and I've said what she told me to say to the
+gentleman."
+
+The doctor smiled as he rose, and shaking hands with his friend he
+said--
+
+"I must leave you now to pay my visit upstairs. Edward, keep the boy
+here for awhile; you cannot have better company."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A SOCIAL DILEMMA.
+
+
+While Edward Armstrong was becoming better acquainted with the little
+nephew of Maria St. Clair, Dr. Anson was attempting the cure of a
+disease far more difficult to subdue than any in the whole catalogue of
+the various "ills which flesh is heir to"--a mental disease called
+pride.
+
+He found his patient in a fair way for complete recovery. Her restless
+anxiety to thank the strange gentleman who had saved her, had made her
+mother give way to her wish to be dressed, and she now sat in an
+easy-chair, looking pale certainly, but apparently suffering only from
+exhaustion.
+
+"Up and dressed? upon my word!" said Dr. Anson. "I was not prepared for
+such a speedy recovery as this."
+
+"I feel almost as well as ever, doctor," she said, "only a little weak
+and tired; but I cannot rest till mamma and all of us have thanked the
+gentleman who saved me and little Charlie. Mrs. Lake says he is quite
+well this morning, and talks of going back to London to-morrow, so if we
+are to see him and thank him personally, it must be to-day."
+
+"All right, my dear," said the doctor; "there will be no difficulty in
+asking my friend Mr. Edward Armstrong to visit you."
+
+"Your friend, Dr. Anson?" exclaimed Mrs. St. Clair, in surprise; "have
+you known him long?"
+
+"Almost from his boyhood, and a more intelligent, well-informed man I
+have seldom met with. I was not, however, aware till now that he
+possessed courage and daring in addition to his other good qualities."
+
+"But who is he?" was the next question.
+
+"The son, indeed the only child, of Farmer Armstrong, who owns Meadow
+Farm, about two miles from Basingstoke. The farm has belonged to
+Armstrong's ancestors for nearly two hundred years. The old gentleman
+has recently lost his wife, and the son came from London a few weeks ago
+to be present at his mother's funeral."
+
+"Young Mr. Armstrong resides in London, then, I suppose?" remarked Mrs.
+Herbert.
+
+"Yes; his tastes for intellectual pursuits and his education made him
+dislike farming, and at last his father, with great reluctance, allowed
+him to commence business in London as a corn-dealer."
+
+Mrs. St. Clair had listened to this plain straightforward description of
+her daughter's and grandson's deliverer and his antecedents with very
+conflicting sensations. She had hoped to be able personally to show her
+deep sense of gratitude to this gentleman, who had risked his own life
+for her child; but now, how could she do so? She had been brought up to
+consider persons in trade far inferior to herself, and the doctor's
+account seemed to place this stranger at such an immeasurable distance,
+and yet how could she relieve herself from such a debt of gratitude?
+
+During the pause that ensued, Dr. Anson examined and questioned his
+patient, and having received satisfactory answers, was about to take his
+leave, when Mrs. St. Clair's voice arrested his movements.
+
+"Dr. Anson, we can never really repay this person the debt of gratitude
+we owe him, but as he is in trade, do you think he would accept a sum of
+money; something handsome, I mean! I am sure my son-in-law, Sir James
+Elston, would readily advance it in such a case."
+
+"Mamma!"
+
+"Madam!"
+
+The words burst forth almost simultaneously from Mrs. Herbert and the
+doctor. The former gave up her right to speak to the doctor, who
+exclaimed--
+
+"My friend Mr. Edward Armstrong is not only a man of large property, but
+of refined and intellectual tastes, and can boast of an education far
+beyond the generality of farmers' sons. I could not----"
+
+"Oh, pray pardon me!" interrupted Mrs. St. Clair, greatly surprised at
+the doctor's vehemence, "but when you spoke of your friend as a man of
+business, I supposed him to be what a tradesman generally is."
+
+"Mrs. St. Clair," said the doctor, "England is becoming proud of her
+commerce, and the young people of the present age may live to see the
+time when, like the ancients of old, 'her princes will be merchants,' as
+well as men of intellect, refinement, and education. At all events, my
+dear madam, give your daughters an opportunity to thank this gentleman
+for risking his life on their behalf; personally, I am quite sure, he
+will expect this, and consider it cancels all obligations. If you see
+him you can judge for yourselves. Good morning, ladies. Don't excite
+yourself, my dear," he continued, more gently, as he shook hands with
+his patient; "your constitution has received a shock, and you must be
+careful."
+
+"I will, doctor, I promise you," she said, "but I may go into the
+drawing-room with mamma and Helen to receive the visitor?"
+
+"Of course--of course," he replied, "but remember, you are not to talk
+too much."
+
+For some minutes after Dr. Anson left the room silence reigned supreme:
+Mrs. St. Clair could not at once recover from the surprise at being thus
+set down by her own medical man; indeed, she looked so disconcerted that
+Helen could not resist the merry laugh that broke the silence.
+
+"Mamma, don't look so uncomfortable," she said; "of course you could not
+be expected to know what would be the best means of showing our
+gratitude to this stranger, for indeed we ought to be grateful----"
+
+"I know it, my dear," said Mrs. St. Clair, whose pride had received a
+severe blow; "and now what are we to do?"
+
+"We have simply to adjourn to the drawing-room, ring the bell, and send
+down our cards, with our compliments, and a request that Mr. Armstrong
+will favour us with a visit."
+
+This advice was at once acted upon, and in a few minutes Maria found
+herself comfortably seated in an arm-chair in Mrs. Lake's pretty
+drawing-room, while her mother and sister awaited the appearance of
+their visitor in formal state on the sofa. Even to Maria, Edward
+Armstrong was an entire stranger, for although she had modestly shrunk
+from his earnest gaze at church on the previous Sunday, and had seen his
+face twice on the day of the accident, it was still unknown to her.
+
+They had not waited long when footsteps on the stairs announced his
+approach; not alone, however, for as Mrs. Lake opened the door Edward
+Armstrong entered, leading by the hand little Charlie Herbert.
+
+"Your little son has paid me a visit this morning, Mrs. Herbert," he
+said, as he bowed to the ladies who rose to welcome him, "and I have
+brought him upstairs with me to place him safely in your care."
+
+Mrs. Herbert gave him a grateful look as she placed a chair for their
+guest. Then seating herself, she said--
+
+"I hope Charlie has not been troublesome?"
+
+"Not in the least," he replied; "indeed, his childish prattle has done
+me good."
+
+Mrs. St. Clair's surprise at the appearance of her visitor, who wore his
+mourning suit, increased for a time the confusion of ideas produced by
+the doctor's farewell speech. She was, however, a true English
+gentlewoman, and before Edward could take the chair placed for him she
+advanced, and holding out her hand, said with a warmth of manner not to
+be mistaken for mere politeness--
+
+"Mr. Armstrong, I have taken the liberty of asking you to visit us,
+because I wish to join with my daughters in expressing my gratitude for
+your kind and prompt energy yesterday, which saved the lives of my
+daughter and little grandson. It is not possible to say all we feel on
+the subject. I only hope you will believe in our sincere and grateful
+appreciation."
+
+"Madam," replied Edward, to whom all this was really painful, "I am only
+too happy to remember that I was on the spot, and able to be of service
+to you."
+
+"A service we can never repay," said Mrs. Herbert; "but for your
+exertions I should have lost my darling boy."
+
+"And I," exclaimed a gentle voice, "should have lost my life, Mr.
+Armstrong, but for you; my best thanks are but a poor return to offer
+you."
+
+"Ladies," said Edward Armstrong, "you do me too much honour. I am only
+too thankful to have been made the instrument, in God's hands, to save
+you from great sorrow, and the consciousness of this is all the reward I
+ask. But allow me, Miss St. Clair," he said, hurriedly changing the
+subject, "I hope you do not feel any serious effects from the great
+danger to which you were exposed yesterday?"
+
+"Oh, no," she replied; "except a slight feeling of exhaustion, I am
+otherwise as well as usual."
+
+The blush that tinted the pale cheek of Maria St. Clair, who, while she
+spoke, was conscious of the earnest eyes so closely watching her, added
+additional beauty to the fair face which Edward Armstrong so greatly
+admired. With ready tact he turned to Mrs. St. Clair, and introduced
+another subject of conversation.
+
+So pleasantly did an hour pass as they talked, that when the visitor
+rose to go, the elder ladies each expressed a wish that he should visit
+them at their own residences. But he unhesitatingly stated his anxiety
+to return to business, promising, however, to call upon Mrs. St. Clair
+at Richmond; and naming his own address in Dover Street, Piccadilly.
+
+Edward Armstrong's peculiar notions and obstinate prejudices, which we
+shall hear more of by-and-by, were kept under violent restraint while in
+the company of these ladies. Hitherto he had encouraged himself in a
+kind of contempt for all social distinctions, but now that he had made
+acquaintance with a family whose position, socially speaking, was above
+his own, he crushed down the feeling, and when writing his address for
+Mrs. St. Clair, he omitted the words "corn-dealer."
+
+Perhaps his radical notions would not have been restrained by any motive
+less powerful than a growing attachment for the daughter of a lady who
+could rank with England's aristocracy. And with the lady herself there
+is little doubt that Edward Armstrong's apparent refinement in manner
+and dress would have failed to make such an impression had not his
+handsome face, manly carriage, and reputation for wealth been thrown
+into the scale of opinion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME.
+
+
+Edward Armstrong had parted from the family of Mrs. St. Clair without
+even the slightest hint of those intentions which a more intimate
+association had strengthened. But the three days during which he stayed
+at West Cowes were not lost time. He had seen Maria St. Clair daily, and
+made himself so truly agreeable a companion and escort, that the ladies
+willingly accepted his invitation to accompany him for a drive more than
+once in an open carriage which he hired for the occasion.
+
+They bade him farewell at last with regret, and influenced by her
+daughters, Mrs. St. Clair expressed a hope that they should see him at
+Richmond after their return home, which she expected would be in about a
+fortnight.
+
+Edward Armstrong returned to London with his mind fully made up. He
+possessed a determined will, and in spite of the misgivings which had
+tormented him after the exciting evening at Cowes, he had too much
+self-esteem to dread failure.
+
+The girl he loved might be the daughter of the Honourable Mrs. St.
+Clair, and the great-granddaughter of an earl, and he knew that, in his
+eyes at least, she was beautiful, but she was penniless; and the
+gratitude she felt towards him for having saved her life was fast
+growing into love. Added to this he had the money she lacked, and the
+power to surround her with all the pleasant comforts and luxuries which
+money can procure. He determined, however, notwithstanding this
+confidence in himself, to wait until he had visited Mrs. St. Clair at
+her own home, and become more acquainted with the real position of the
+family to whom he wished to ally himself.
+
+Mr. Edward Armstrong's house in Dover Street, Piccadilly, had been
+originally the London residence of a nobleman's family who during the
+early part of the present century had made that part of London, then
+called May Fair, their head-quarters.
+
+He had let the upper part of his house at a good rental, keeping only
+for himself a bachelor's parlour behind the office, and a bedroom.
+
+On the first evening after his return from the Isle of Wight, these said
+bachelor apartments wore a very meagre and desolate aspect.
+
+Hitherto business and money-making had so absorbed his thoughts that the
+rooms he occupied had scarcely any interest in his eyes. So long as his
+housekeeper prepared his meals regularly, and kept his apartments clean
+and comfortable, he was satisfied.
+
+Now, however, he looked with a critical eye upon his domestic
+arrangements, and on this evening of his arrival, while leaning back
+after supper in his easy-chair, some such thoughts as these passed
+through his mind--
+
+"I could not expect any wife to be satisfied with such a dingy little
+place as this for a sitting-room, and to think of bringing that fairy
+girl, Maria St. Clair, to such a home is absurd. If I mean to win her I
+must get rid of these people upstairs, and furnish my house in a fit
+style to receive her. However, I must not give them notice to leave till
+I am sure of success. Sure of success! what am I thinking about? 'Faint
+heart ne'er won fair lady!' and Edward Armstrong is not the man to fail
+when he once makes up his mind."
+
+Three weeks passed away, and on a warm, sultry morning in July, Maria
+St. Clair stood at the window of a pretty drawing-room at Richmond,
+looking out over the beautiful park upon a scene that has not its rival
+in any suburb at the same distance from London. The noble trees that are
+scattered over the greensward from the brow of Richmond Hill to the
+silvery stream of the Thames, which flows at its foot, were luxurious in
+summer foliage. Chestnut and oak, elm and birch, reared their noble
+forms at varied distances, casting their broad shadows on the undulating
+velvet turf, while the gentle deer browsed in safety beneath the
+sheltering branches.
+
+Mrs. St. Clair sat at work near the open window, now and then glancing
+at the fair face of her young daughter, which wore a thoughtful, pensive
+look, in spite of its radiant loveliness.
+
+Maria had quite recovered the effects of her dangerous sea-bath, and the
+word radiant is not too exaggerated a term to apply to the appearance of
+the young girl as she stands gracefully, yet carelessly, leaning against
+the window-frame.
+
+"Have you quite finished practising, Maria?" said her mother, at last.
+
+"No, mamma; but I could not resist another look at the dear old park.
+After all, I don't think there is a prettier place than Richmond Hill,
+even in the Isle of Wight; and although I have lived here ever since my
+childhood, I declare it seems more beautiful to me every year."
+
+"That is because you are older, and more able to appreciate beautiful
+scenery."
+
+"I suppose that is the reason," replied Maria--and yet while she spoke
+arose a consciousness that this new appreciation of Nature at Richmond
+owed its origin to a romantic and vivid description of the feelings the
+scene had excited in the heart of one who now monopolised all her
+thoughts. "He promised to come and see us," she said to herself, "and we
+have been home a week and yet he has not made his appearance. Perhaps he
+wont come, after all;" and then, feeling that she must throw off the sad
+thoughts which were attracting her mother's notice, she suddenly rushed
+to the piano, and struck the first chords of a piece with variations on
+the air of "The Lass of Richmond Hill."
+
+But the composer's efforts were destined to come to a sudden end. The
+young housemaid opened the drawing-room door, and as she ushered a
+gentleman into the room, startled the ladies by exclaiming--
+
+"Mr. Edward Armstrong, ma'am," at the same time placing that gentleman's
+card in the hands of her mistress.
+
+Maria rose from the piano in hasty confusion. Much as she had thought
+upon the gentleman, whom she called her deliverer, his appearance at
+this moment was so totally unexpected that she was relieved to see him
+advance first to her mother, who sat at a distance from the piano. She
+had scarcely time to recover her self possession, however, before her
+mother's words in reply to Mr. Armstrong's inquiries for her daughter
+caused him to turn and approach her.
+
+As Maria St. Clair came forward to meet this man, to whom she owed, as
+she thought, such a debt of gratitude, Edward Armstrong, in spite of his
+own good opinion of himself, was conscious of a feeling of inferiority.
+
+The young girl before him in the simple white morning dress, had a
+manner and bearing which seemed to place him at an immeasurable
+distance.
+
+True, there was a modest timidity and a blushing confusion, which added
+a charm to the beautiful face, as she held out her hand and answered his
+inquiries for her health with lady-like ease. Yet Edward Armstrong was
+some minutes before he could feel himself quite at home in the company
+of these ladies.
+
+We are all liable to be influenced by externals, and therefore when
+Edward Armstrong met Mrs. St. Clair and her daughter at their own
+residence, the impression produced on his mind differed greatly from
+what he had felt in the Isle of Wight.
+
+There he had been introduced to them in the sombre and old-fashioned
+drawing-room of a lodging-house, but here everything spoke of refinement
+and elegance. There was nothing pretensive or ostentatious about the
+house or the noble entrance, even the drawing-room in which they sat had
+a low ceiling, and the furniture was neither luxurious nor new. But it
+bore the impress of refined taste, and like all articles bought for
+their intrinsic value rather than for show, bid fair to last for many
+years longer in good condition.
+
+Yet not even the antique cabinets, the curiously-wrought worktables, and
+other valuable ornaments would have been sufficient to produce in Edward
+Armstrong the impression referred to. It was the _toute ensemble_,--the
+old-fashioned red brick house, the broad oaken stairs, with the centre
+covered with Brussels carpet; the long, low drawing-room, its windows
+opening to the ground on a balcony; the delicate chintz covering to
+chairs and couches; the flowers, the music, the lace curtains, and the
+presence of two gentle, lady-like women, one in her widow's dress
+contrasting to her daughter's simple white, all intermixed with the
+perfume of flowers, and finished by the glorious prospect stretched out
+before the windows, made up a picture which Edward Armstrong never
+forgot.
+
+"You must stay to luncheon, Mr. Armstrong," remarked Mrs. St. Clair,
+after they had talked for more than half an hour over the still
+absorbing topic of the boat accident at West Cowes.
+
+"I fear I shall not be able to remain," he replied, "as I have business
+in Richmond which will detain me for some time to-day; but if it would
+be agreeable, Mrs. St. Clair, I will spend an afternoon with you next
+week on any day you may find it convenient."
+
+Mr. Armstrong's scruples about staying to lunch were, however, quickly
+overcome by the promise that he should leave as soon as he pleased
+afterwards; and the visitor departed that afternoon, more than ever
+fascinated by Maria St. Clair, and fully determined to obtain her as his
+wife. "Where there's a will there's a way," is an old adage which few
+were more likely to carry out than Edward Armstrong.
+
+From this visit an intimacy arose between Edward Armstrong and Maria St.
+Clair, which her mother found herself unable to prevent. She saw in her
+daughter a growing preference for the man who had saved her life. She
+perceived on his part plain indications, that the greatest reward he
+could ask as a return for his courage and bravery, would be the hand of
+Maria St. Clair; and yet she could do nothing to avert such a result
+without ingratitude to the wooer, and perhaps pain to her daughter.
+
+"I suppose I ought to consult my sister Louisa," she said to herself,
+"and Sir James, or wait till Herbert comes home from India. Helen is too
+grateful about little Charlie to make any objection, I am quite sure,
+but perhaps the colonel may disapprove;"--and then, as Mrs. St. Clair
+recalled the character of her soldier son-in-law, and reflected on what
+his gratitude would be towards the man who had saved his only son from
+drowning, she felt how impossible it was for her to interfere.
+
+She could not forbid him the house, and all she could do was to wait for
+him to explain his intentions, and then if Maria's affections were
+really won, she must place the matter before Sir James and take his
+advice.
+
+Mrs. St. Clair had not long to wait.
+
+One afternoon, towards the end of October, Edward Armstrong had
+accompanied the ladies in a walk through the park, then glorious in its
+colouring of red and golden brown, with which autumn had tinted the
+noble trees.
+
+They were joined by a middle-aged gentleman of martial appearance, whom
+Mrs. St. Clair greeted with pleased surprise.
+
+"Why, Colonel Elliot, is it possible," she exclaimed, as she shook
+hands, "when did you arrive?"
+
+"The day before yesterday," he replied. "My wife sent me over to-day to
+pay my respects, and as soon as I found you were here, I followed you."
+
+"And we are very glad to see you," replied Mrs St. Clair. Then turning
+to her daughter, she said, "You remember little Maria, colonel? I
+suppose you find her grown?"
+
+"Grown indeed! what a change six years have made," he replied, glancing
+at her companion.
+
+"Mr. Armstrong--Colonel Elliot"--and Mrs. St. Clair observing the
+glance, introduced the gentleman, adding, "We owe the life of Maria and
+her little nephew, Charles, to this gentleman's bravery when they were
+in danger of drowning."
+
+"I have heard the whole account from my wife," said the colonel,
+quickly; and as Edward Armstrong raised his hat on the introduction, he
+held out his hand, and added, "Mr. Armstrong, I am indeed happy to make
+your acquaintance."
+
+"You must accompany us home to dinner," said Mrs. St. Clair, after a few
+minutes of explanations respecting his arrival in England, and then they
+turned towards home, the colonel walking by Mrs. St. Clair, and the
+young people falling behind. The evening passed pleasantly, for Edward
+Armstrong was always seen to greater advantage in the company of men,
+with whom he could converse on almost any subject.
+
+He had the tact to conceal a certain want of that _something_ which
+marks the man accustomed from childhood to refined society, and in this
+he was assisted by a vast amount of self-sufficiency. Be this as it may,
+when Colonel Elliot rose to go early, on account of his distance from
+home, he cordially expressed his regret at leaving such a pleasant
+companion.
+
+Mrs. St. Clair had remarked during dinner the deepened colour on the
+cheeks and the bright look in the eyes of her daughter, but she was
+scarcely prepared for Edward Armstrong's words when after tea in the
+drawing-room Maria rose and left her mother alone with him.
+
+"Mrs. St. Clair," he said--and for once the voice of the self-possessed
+Edward Armstrong trembled--"I could not venture to ask you such a favour
+as I am about to crave, but for your kindness during the last few
+months. You once requested me to tell you in what way you could show
+your gratitude to me for what was after all a mere act of common
+humanity." He paused, but Mrs. St. Clair did not speak, so he went
+on--"There is no recompense on earth that could be to me a fraction of
+the value of the gift which you can bestow in giving me your daughter.
+Even in my efforts to save her life I was actuated by a growing love for
+her, which has increased since you so kindly allowed us to become better
+acquainted."
+
+He paused again, for his words had been hurried, and were at last almost
+breathless. Too well he knew the social barrier existing between a
+farmer's son and the great-granddaughter of an earl, and while he spoke
+that barrier had arisen grimly before the mental vision of Mrs. St.
+Clair. How could it be overcome? At last she broke the silence, which
+was becoming oppressive--
+
+"Mr. Armstrong, I feel honoured by your preference for my daughter. I
+can never be sufficiently grateful for the courage which saved her life.
+I believe you have won her love, and on my own part I would readily give
+her to you without a moment's hesitation, but I must consider my family,
+my sons-in-law, and my husband's relatives. What will they say if I
+allow her to marry a----"
+
+"Do not hesitate, Mrs. St. Clair," exclaimed Edward, whose pride had
+been roused by her words; "I know I am asking Miss Maria St. Clair to
+marry a tradesman, but I can offer her a home with more of the comforts,
+luxuries, and refinements than are often found among many persons who
+are far above me in rank."
+
+His vehemence troubled Mrs. St. Clair; but after a few minutes'
+reflection she said, "Mr. Armstrong, I am quite aware that in a money
+point of view your proposal for my daughter is worthy of consideration,
+but I cannot give my consent till I have consulted my relatives. Give me
+a few days to lay the matter before them, and to ascertain the
+sentiments of Maria, that is all I ask."
+
+"Madam," said Edward Armstrong, rising, "if your dear daughter's wishes
+are duly considered in this matter, I have no fear as to the result. I
+will wait a week for your decision."
+
+Mrs. St. Clair could scarcely restrain a smile at the self-appreciation
+displayed in this speech, but she shook hands pleasantly and promised
+that in less than a week he should hear from her. The result, however,
+of Mrs. St. Clair's application to her relatives was in every case but
+one favourable to Edward Armstrong. Her daughter Helen was ready to
+ignore everything about him, but that he was respectably connected, able
+to give Maria a superior home, and in himself handsome, well educated,
+well informed, and without doubt brave and courageous, for had he not
+saved her sister and her little son from death?
+
+Colonel Elliot stood out strongly in favour of the man who had made
+himself so agreeable on that evening at Richmond; indeed all Mrs. St.
+Clair's relatives who had heard the romantic story so well known in the
+Isle of Wight were on the side of Edward Armstrong--more especially when
+his increasing wealth was confirmed by men of business to whom he had
+referred Mrs. St. Clair.
+
+Only from an old maiden aunt was the information received that "she must
+not be expected to associate with people who kept a shop." Mrs. St.
+Clair had very little trouble in discovering her daughter's real
+sentiments respecting Edward Armstrong, and Sir James Elston's opinions
+settled the matter. After hearing all the particulars respecting the man
+who had asked his wife's mother for her portionless daughter, the bluff
+old Admiral had remarked, "Ah, well, if Mrs. St. Clair marries her
+daughter to a respectable tradesman who can support her in comfort,
+instead of looking out for a sprig of nobility without a shilling in his
+pocket, she will be a very wise woman."
+
+Some little of Edward Armstrong's character showed itself before the
+wedding. Mrs. St. Clair wished her daughter to be married from Sir James
+Elston's house in Portland Place, and at a fashionable London
+church--but the bridegroom elect preferred the quiet of her own house,
+and the seclusion of Richmond.
+
+Finding she could not succeed in having her own way with a gentleman
+possessing such a determined will, Mrs. St. Clair appealed to her
+daughter. But Maria, naturally gentle and yielding, was too anxious to
+agree with the wishes of her future husband to become an ally with her
+mother against him. So the gentleman had his way, and in the prettily
+situated old church, Maria St. Clair plighted her troth to the man who
+had been the means of saving her life.
+
+In the heart of this young girl there was no doubt too much of the
+worship of the instrument and too little recognition of the Hand to
+whose merciful Providence she owed her life. She had yet to learn that
+in times of sadness, trial, and death, "vain is the help of man" without
+the aid He alone can give. We shall find also as the story proceeds that
+Edward Armstrong was not so willing to give up his prejudices for the
+sake of his _own_ daughter, as he had been to oblige Mrs. St. Clair to
+give up hers when he wished to obtain Maria St. Clair as his wife.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+AT THE REVIEW.
+
+
+"Miss Mary, dear, wake up," said a pleasant middle-aged woman, as she
+gently shook the sleeper to whom she spoke; "it wants twenty minutes to
+eight, and Rowland will be here with the ponies presently."
+
+A pair of large blue eyes opened languidly and stared at the speaker.
+"What's the matter, nurse?"
+
+"Aren't you going to ride this morning, Miss Mary? you'll have to be
+quick if----"
+
+But Mary's senses were roused now, and the young girl of thirteen sprung
+out of bed, interrupting her nurse's speech.
+
+"I'll be ready, nurse, don't fear," she cried, as she began to dress
+with her usual quickness. "What did you say was the time?"
+
+"Twenty minutes to eight," was the reply, "so you've twenty-five
+minutes. Rowland is allowed to wait five minutes, I know."
+
+"Ah, yes," cried Mary, "but I wont keep him waiting at all, nurse," she
+added, "you need not stay. I laid out my habit and all I wanted in
+readiness last night."
+
+"To be sure, Miss Mary, you can be quick, I know, and no mistake; so
+I'll get out of your way if you don't want me."
+
+True to her word, the little lady appeared at the door in a few minutes
+after the groom arrived, and she was very soon cantering round the
+Regent's Park in the full enjoyment of this healthful exercise. Drawing
+rein as usual before crossing the New Road on her return towards home,
+she walked her pony through the Crescent, intending to enjoy a good
+canter up the broad thoroughfare of Portland Place.
+
+Scarcely had she reached the turning leading through private streets to
+Piccadilly, when the sound of horse's hoofs coming rapidly behind her
+caused her to turn her head, and the next moment pull up suddenly as a
+large black horse trotted quickly to her side.
+
+"Why, Mary," exclaimed the owner of the horse, "I had no idea you were
+such a capital rider. I saw a little lady cantering in front of me, but
+I should not have known who it was had not Rowland touched his hat as I
+passed; and what a clever little pony," he added, as he stooped low to
+pat the smooth black head and long flowing mane. "How long have you had
+him?"
+
+"Six months, uncle," she replied. "Papa bought him of Sir Henry Turner;
+his boys all learnt to ride on Boosey, but they have grown too old and
+too tall for such a small pony, so now he is mine."
+
+"What is the pony's name, Mary? It sounds peculiar."
+
+"Oh, Boosey, uncle," she replied, laughing. "Sir Henry's boys named him
+after Alexander's horse Bucephalus; the groom shortened it to Boosey,
+and we still keep up the name."
+
+"So he is a classical pony, eh?" said Colonel Herbert; "I suppose the
+name was too much of a jaw-breaker for the stablemen. Boosey, however,
+is rather a degradation for the bearer of such a title."
+
+"He's a military pony, too," laughed Mary, "for he can stand fire,
+uncle. One morning the soldiers were at drill and firing in the Park as
+I rode past, and Boosey walked by as quietly as possible. I did feel
+half afraid till I remembered that Sir Henry was a field-officer and his
+sons were often with him at reviews, one of them always riding the
+pony."
+
+"Well, then, my dear, if Boosey is so well trained, would you like to go
+with me to-day? There is to be a review at Hyde Park, and you can be
+with me near the flagstaff--opposite the firing, you know. Are you sure
+you have no fear?"
+
+"Not a bit, uncle, and indeed I should like it so much if papa will
+allow me to go."
+
+"Suppose we ride home and ask him."
+
+The horses had been walking while they talked, and the colonel putting
+his horse into a trot as he spoke, Boosey started off at full speed,
+cantering as fast as his little legs would carry him to keep pace with
+the colonel's tall black horse.
+
+They reached Dover Street in a very short time, and Mr. Armstrong,
+seeing them approach, came out to welcome the colonel. The request for
+Mary was soon made, yet she almost feared that the answer would be
+unfavourable when her father said,--"Mary had not breakfasted yet,
+colonel; and you know I object to my daughter being seen on horseback in
+the neighbourhood of my business after nine o'clock."
+
+"Then let her ride home now to our house and breakfast with us," said
+the colonel, quickly.
+
+To this there appeared no objection, and Mr. Armstrong readily gave his
+consent, but Mary had not forgotten her mother's fears.
+
+"Oh, father," she exclaimed, "do you think mamma will mind my going? you
+know how anxious she always is even when I ride quietly before
+breakfast."
+
+Mr. Armstrong was about to say that his wife was not likely to oppose
+his wishes, when the colonel exclaimed,--"I will go up and quiet her
+fears about Mary's safety."
+
+He was not absent many minutes, but as he remounted his horse Mary knew
+he had succeeded, for on looking up she saw her mother at the window
+nodding and smiling at her as she rode off with her uncle.
+
+Rowland, who remained behind, stood for a few moments watching his young
+mistress as she and her uncle rode towards Piccadilly. Then as he turned
+to take his horse to the stables he said to himself,--"Master wont get
+his way with that young lady, I can see, with all his queer rules about
+what she is to do."
+
+Mary breakfasted with her aunt and uncle in Park Lane, and in less than
+an hour after started to be present at the review. She certainly felt a
+little nervous at first when she found herself among a group of officers
+and ladies on horseback, or in carriages near the flagstaff, especially
+when the soldiers were preparing for the first volley.
+
+But Boosey stood firm, and that gave her courage to sit and calmly watch
+the varied performances of the men so easily seen from such an
+advantageous point of view.
+
+Many questions were asked the colonel respecting the little equestrian,
+who looked very attractive in her riding attire. The long curls falling
+to the waist over the dark blue riding-habit would have been called
+golden in these days; and a black beaver hat, with a drooping feather
+and a broad brim, did not quite conceal the fair complexion and delicate
+features of the really pretty child. When asked, "Who is your little
+friend?" the colonel would merely reply, "My niece." No mention was made
+of her name, or of the fact of her being a tradesman's daughter, for in
+those days of exclusiveness it would have created a feeling of surprise.
+
+More than fourteen years have passed since Edward Armstrong became the
+husband of the young girl who owed her life to his energy and courage.
+
+A marriage under such circumstances was not unlikely to be accompanied
+with real affection on both sides, although a union of those who occupy
+different positions socially is seldom truly happy.
+
+Notwithstanding the love that made Edward Armstrong gentle and indulgent
+to his wife, there yet existed certain phases in his character which
+jarred upon her love of refinement, and caused her great annoyance. His
+eccentricities, his prejudices, and, at times when angry, a certain
+coarseness of manner, were actual pain to his sensitive wife. But she
+possessed a natural sweetness of temper that could "turn away wrath" by
+a "soft answer" or silence. She had quickly discovered that his will was
+law, and brooked no contradiction; and her love of peace as well as her
+wifely love very soon taught her to give way to her husband in every
+point.
+
+Besides, she had all the comforts and luxuries of a refined home, equal
+in many respects to the homes of her sisters, although considered so
+inferior in position; a loving and indulgent husband, and four children,
+of whom Mary was the eldest and only girl.
+
+Her relatives had not cast her off because of her marriage; the occasion
+of their first meeting, when Edward Armstrong had been the means of
+saving their sister's life, rendered such an idea impossible. Added to
+this, Maria's husband was unmistakably a man of intellectual tastes as
+well as education, notwithstanding his eccentricities and peculiar
+notions. Association with his wife, and mixing in the society he
+sometimes met with at the houses of her sisters, had already increased
+his refinement of manner, although nothing could as yet entirely
+overcome the effects of narrow minded prejudices.
+
+The custom now so prevalent which enables a man of business to take a
+house for his wife and children at a distance from London, was at the
+time of which we write a novelty. Railways and omnibuses, by which
+London is now filled in the morning and deserted in the evening, were in
+a state of progression. Yet Mr. Armstrong could not be persuaded to take
+a house out of town; it was a new-fangled notion, he would say, and
+quite out of place in a man of business. Mrs. Armstrong's family,
+therefore, could only get over the fact of her living above a shop with
+her children by ascribing it to her husband's eccentricities.
+
+"My brother-in-law keeps horses, and he could easily ride or drive into
+town every day if he chose, but we cannot persuade him to do so," said
+Mrs. Herbert to a visitor on one occasion; "but I hope he will give way
+at last, especially when his daughter is old enough to be introduced
+into society."
+
+But if all these little matters troubled Mrs. Armstrong's family, her
+husband felt himself also aggrieved on one point in which she was the
+unfortunate cause.
+
+He had quickly discovered after his marriage that his loving and
+accomplished wife was totally ignorant of domestic duties or of the
+management of a household.
+
+She soon also became conscious of her deficiencies, and tried to acquire
+the necessary knowledge by every effort in her power, but in vain; and
+her husband, accustomed to the perfect order and regularity of his
+mother's house, never appeared satisfied.
+
+This circumstance produced after a time, as their family increased, new
+plans on the part of Mr. Armstrong. He engaged a suitable housekeeper,
+to regulate the domestic arrangements of his home, and placed the
+education of Mary in the hands of her mother, knowing well that no one
+could be found more fit for that office.
+
+Gladly Mrs. Armstrong gave up the duties she felt so irksome, and
+divided her time between the nursery and the schoolroom. In this way,
+notwithstanding the fact that her drawing-room and dining-room were on
+the floor above her husband's business, and in spite also of various
+annoyances which his eccentric doings in the household often caused, the
+years passed away in comfort and happiness, bringing the time in which
+this chapter commences.
+
+Mr. Armstrong's next proposition, however, was by no means so
+satisfactory to his wife.
+
+About six months before the meeting of Mary with her uncle Herbert
+during her morning ride, Mr. Armstrong made his appearance in the
+schoolroom, and finding his wife alone, he said apparently with an
+effort,--"Maria, my dear, I want to make some little change in Mary's
+educational duties; I suppose you have no objection?"
+
+"In what way?" she asked, with a dread in her heart of what her
+eccentric husband might be about to propose.
+
+"Why, my dear," he replied, seating himself, "you know your own
+deficiencies in domestic knowledge, but I am determined my daughter
+shall never fail in that important part of a woman's education; you may
+make her as accomplished as you please, I will take care that she is
+made domestic."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong had been trained in those days when to stoop to domestic
+duties, or to understand how to make a pie or pudding, was considered a
+degradation to an accomplished young lady; and to her ultra refinement
+there was something repulsive in the idea of her daughter learning the
+duties of a cook or a housemaid. But when her husband expressed himself
+in such a firm decided manner, she knew it was useless to offer any
+opposition, so she merely said faintly,--"What do you wish Mary to do?"
+
+"Send for her, my dear," he replied, "there will be no objections on her
+part, I am quite sure."
+
+In a few minutes Mary made her appearance, and listened to her father's
+proposition, the subject of which will appear in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BUCEPHALUS.
+
+
+"Mamma, oh, do come to the window, there is such a dear little pony
+standing at the door, and father is talking to the groom."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong advanced to the drawing-room window at her daughter's
+request, and joined with her in admiration of the shiny black coat, and
+long mane and tail of Bucephalus, whose purchase had on that morning
+been completed.
+
+Some idea of the truth occurred to both mother and daughter when Rowland
+appeared and led the pony away. In a very few minutes Mr. Armstrong
+himself entered the room, startling Mary by the question,--"Well, my
+daughter, how do like your new pony?"
+
+"Mine, father?" (one of Mr. Armstrong's peculiar fancies made him object
+to be called "papa," considering it another form of "aping the gentry").
+How the blue eyes glittered and the face lighted up with pleasure and
+astonishment as Mary spoke.
+
+"Yes, my dear, it is yours on the conditions I spoke of yesterday,"
+replied her father, seating himself and drawing his daughter to his
+side; "will you be able to fulfil them?"
+
+"I will try, father," she replied, glancing at her mother.
+
+"Your mother will not object, I know," he said, noticing the glance;
+"but now listen, and I will tell you more clearly what I expect you to
+do, and your reward will be riding lessons for three months at the
+Riding School, Albany Street, and the attendance of Rowland while you
+canter round the Parks, any morning you like, before breakfast--hear me
+out, Mary," he continued, interrupting her expressions of
+delight--"Rowland will have orders from me to be here at seven in
+summer, and eight in winter, and if you are not ready for your ride
+within five minutes of the time, he is to take the ponies back to the
+stable, and you will lose your ride."
+
+"Oh, I don't think that will ever happen, dear father," she replied. "I
+am so delighted I hardly know how to thank you enough."
+
+"I don't want thanks, my child, if my gift make you an early riser,
+which I am very anxious you should be; and you will not forget that I
+wish you to spend two hours every morning in learning domestic duties."
+
+"Mary has done this already, Edward," Mrs. Armstrong ventured to remark.
+
+"I know it, my dear," he replied, "but not to the extent I wish.
+Although she may never be in a position to require such knowledge,
+excepting as the mistress of a house, yet those women make the best
+mistresses who know the time, the labour, and the skill required in
+every form of domestic work."
+
+"I think you degrade your daughter by this strange request," said Mrs.
+Armstrong, whose opinions of what a lady might do without compromising
+her dignity and refinement were thoroughly shocked.
+
+"Nothing done by a _lady_," replied Mr. Armstrong, with an emphasis on
+the word, "will ever degrade her, if it can be done by a _woman_ without
+_disgrace_."
+
+In spite of what were called his singular notions, there was no doubt
+perfect truth in this remark. We are reminded by it of George Herbert's
+lines:--
+
+    "Who sweeps a room, as in God's laws,
+    Makes that and the action fine."
+
+Mary seemed to have the same impression; for after a pause she
+said,--"Father, I am quite willing to do as you wish, only----"
+
+"Only what, my child?"
+
+"I was going to say, it would take away the time from my studies, but I
+must work all the harder, I suppose, and I don't mind if mamma does
+not."
+
+And so in this, at that period unusual association of domestic duties
+with refined studies, and the fashionable accomplishment of riding, Mary
+Armstrong passed the next two years of her life. Then occurred another
+phase in her father's opinion of what his daughter's education should
+be.
+
+During the two years to which we have referred, partly as an additional
+reward for her efforts to please him, he had provided her with masters
+for French and music, and partly to relieve her mother, whose health had
+lately been rather uncertain. Mary's young brothers were high-spirited
+boys, and soon proved themselves too much for their mother's management.
+
+The two elder were sent to school early, and the youngest, now five
+years old, was to accompany them after Midsummer. This was the
+opportunity for which Mr. Armstrong waited. He at once put a stop to the
+domestic duties, and took his daughter into his counting-house for two
+hours daily to act as his clerk; her love of arithmetic he knew would
+make this a pleasure to her.
+
+But now worldly opinion interfered. One or two business men connected
+with the Corn Exchange, started with surprise at the appearance of a
+young girl writing at the desk when introduced to Mr. Armstrong's
+counting-house, and when alone with him spoke plainly on the subject.
+
+Not all the domestic work, nor it must be confessed, the occasional
+coarseness of her father when angry, could counteract the influence of
+her mother on Mary's manner and appearance.
+
+She was growing daily more like her, and the gentle graceful girl was in
+every respect a lady, and far superior in manners and appearance to the
+daughters of tradesmen in her father's position. Indeed, she knew
+nothing of any society but that of her mother's relations. The words
+which at last startled Mr. Armstrong were really needed to show him his
+error.
+
+"Who is that young lady writing at the desk in your counting-house,
+Armstrong?"
+
+"My daughter," he replied, proudly. "I wish her to acquire business
+habits, and this is the only plan I can adopt for the purpose."
+
+"Then the sooner you discontinue it the better; nothing can be more
+unwise. Do your clerks have access to your counting-house?"
+
+Mr. Armstrong was not without a certain degree of pride in his wife's
+connexions, and he flushed high as he replied--"Mrs. Armstrong's
+daughter is not likely to notice one of her father's clerks."
+
+His friend shrugged his shoulders as he said,--"Well, Armstrong, you
+know best; but if I had such a beautiful girl for my daughter, I would
+not degrade her by placing her in a position on a level with those whom
+I considered her inferiors."
+
+Half offended as he was, Mr. Armstrong yet took the hint. He returned to
+his counting-house and furtively examined the beautiful profile as Mary,
+_con amore_, leaned over her task. Her auburn hair hung in massive curls
+to her waist, and though braided on her forehead and thrown behind her
+ears, the curls drooped over the lower part of her face even to the
+paper on which she wrote.
+
+"She's growing more like her mother than ever," was the father's
+thought. "I believe it is that profusion of hair which makes her so
+attractive; suppose it were cut off or rolled up in some way, I could
+insist----" He paused. "No; I should have mother, and aunts, and uncles
+all against me. I've had my way in most things, I suppose I must give up
+now and put a stop to this."
+
+And so ended Mary's days in the counting-house. The time came when also
+for this short insight into business matters she could thank her
+father's peculiarities.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong's sisters were, of course, duly informed of all these
+eccentric arrangements on the part of her husband, but they knew it was
+useless to interfere. They knew also that his influence over his
+daughter was too great for them to attempt to counteract it.
+
+"Fancy, Helen," said Mrs. Armstrong one day to her sister, "Mary has not
+only to make beds and dust rooms, but actually spends an hour in the
+kitchen every morning learning to make pies and puddings, and even how
+to roast and boil meat!"
+
+Mrs. Herbert shrugged her shoulders as she replied,--"Well, if all this
+nonsense about teaching her the duties of servants and such degrading
+employment does not eventually destroy all refinement of feeling and
+manners in Mary I shall be very much surprised."
+
+But the two years passed, and the relatives of Mrs. Armstrong were
+obliged to own that no such terrible result had happened to their niece.
+She appeared at their social gatherings, she rode with her uncle and
+cousin Charles on horseback, and drove round the Park with her aunts in
+an open carriage, showing plainly both in person, dress, and manners,
+that the study of domestic duties had not unfitted her for good society.
+
+Charles Herbert, the colonel's only child, was not only fond of his
+cousin Mary, but also a great admirer of his uncle Armstrong. Although
+scarcely old enough to retain a correct remembrance of the time when
+this uncle had snatched him from a watery grave, yet his mother had
+spoken of it to him so often that the impression made on his mind at
+four years of age had never been effaced. He once encountered Mary
+coming from the kitchen department with her curls tucked up beneath a
+white handkerchief, a large coarse apron before her, and her hands
+covered with flour.
+
+"Why, Mary," exclaimed the youth of nineteen, "what ever will you do?
+there is mamma at the door in her carriage wailing to take you for a
+drive!"
+
+"Come to the drawing-room, Charles, and wait for me," she said; "I will
+be ready to go with you and aunt in five minutes."
+
+"Then you must be Cinderella," he replied, as he followed her upstairs
+as far as the drawing-room, "and have a fairy to help you!"
+
+"So I have, and more than one," she replied, laughing, as she continued
+her flight upward.
+
+Mary's fairies were Neatness, Quickness, Order, and Method. Therefore in
+very few minutes more than the time she had named she presented herself
+in the drawing-room ready for her drive.
+
+All fear that domestic duties would make Mrs. Armstrong's daughter
+coarse or unrefined must have vanished at her appearance. She was simply
+attired in a pale violet silk dress and cape, with close-fitting gloves,
+lace collar and cuffs, and a broad-brimmed hat partly concealing her
+face, but not the profusion of auburn ringlets that fell around her
+shoulders.
+
+"How like you grow to your mother, my dear," said her aunt, as Mary,
+with the softness and refinement of that mother's manner, advanced to
+welcome her. And as she rose to accompany her niece to the carriage she
+said to herself, "Well, perhaps after all Edward is right--a woman is
+none the worse for understanding the management of household duties."
+
+One evening Mary was present at a family dinner-party at her uncle Sir
+James Elston's house in Portland Place. Very little had been said to the
+old sailor about what Mrs. Armstrong's sisters called the peculiar
+manner in which Edward Armstrong was educating his daughter, but that
+little had been met by him with a remark that silenced them--
+
+"Making his girl domestic, is he? Wise man, wise man; that's all I can
+say."
+
+On this family gathering, Mary, who was now in her sixteenth year, gave
+sufficient proof that learning to be domestic had not prevented her from
+becoming accomplished. A young French lady was present with whom Mary
+conversed with ease in her own tongue.
+
+"You speak with a pure accent, mademoiselle," said the young lady; "have
+you resided in France?"
+
+"No," was the reply; "but mamma was at school in Paris for years, and
+she has spoken French to me from my infancy."
+
+In the course of the evening Mary was called upon to accompany her aunt
+Herbert in a duet for the harp and piano, and in this she succeeded so
+well as to gain approbation from every one present.
+
+Another unexpected success awaited her. She had attempted to copy on
+ivory a miniature of her mother painted by Sir George Hayter. It was in
+truth only the effort of a learner, and by no means so deserving of
+praise as her studies of heads and landscapes; yet when Mr. Armstrong
+produced it, framed and reposing in a velvet-lined morocco case, it
+obtained for her great commendation.
+
+"Oh, papa," said Mary, blushing deeply when she saw it in his hand, "my
+painting is not worth all that expense."
+
+"I have had it done to show my approval of your conduct, Mary," said her
+father, in a low voice.
+
+The flush on her face deepened at the words. Mary Armstrong sought for
+no greater reward than her father's approving smile.
+
+"Well, brother Armstrong," said Colonel Herbert an hour afterwards, when
+the party were about to separate, "I must congratulate you on the
+success of your plans. If you are as much satisfied with Mary's exploits
+in the domestic line as we are with her in other respects, you have no
+reason to complain of failure."
+
+And thus armed at all points but _one_ for contact with the world, Mary
+Armstrong passed from girlhood to womanhood without a care for the
+future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+FREDDY'S NEW SCHOOL.
+
+
+More than three years have passed since Mary's probation ended so
+pleasantly, and they have very much changed her father.
+
+Perhaps we ought to say that the gentle influence of his wife and close
+association with her family, had to a certain extent softened down the
+rugged points of his character, and made him more amenable to the usages
+of the society in which he moved. The very fact of his choosing for a
+wife a woman of education and refinement proved that his tastes were
+above his position, for in the days of which we write, the idea of
+refinement in the wife of a tradesman would have been treated with
+incredulity, if not contempt.
+
+During this period the death of Mrs. Armstrong's mother, Mrs. St. Clair,
+was the only change that occurred in his wife's family. The house at
+Richmond was given up, and Mary greatly missed the society of her dear
+grandmamma, and the pleasant visits to her house; but she still
+constantly associated with her aunts and uncles.
+
+Among the changes of opinion which had by degrees crushed down Mr.
+Armstrong's prejudices and crotchets, were two important ones, not
+perhaps in themselves, but in their results. He took a house for his
+family at Kilburn, which was then a really rural suburb of London.
+
+Sometimes he would ride into town to his business, or take the newly
+established omnibus which left that locality in time for business hours.
+
+This arrangement led to the less important change from an early to a
+late dinner, and also to the choice of a school for his youngest boy,
+Freddy, now in his eighth year. The child's health had always suffered
+in London, and as, since their residence in the country, he appeared so
+much better, Mrs Armstrong wished him to remain at home and go daily to
+a school in the neighbourhood.
+
+It was not long before a circular found its way from Englefield Grange
+School to Lime Grove, as Mr. Armstrong's residence was named, from two
+magnificent lime-trees which stood as sentinels on each side the
+entrance gate, in summer filling the air with their sweet fragrance.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong decided to call upon the principal, Dr. Halford, herself,
+and with all a mother's anxiety talk to him about her boy.
+
+Her own health had wonderfully improved during the six months of her
+residence at Kilburn. The open country--for houses then were few and far
+between--the sweet fresh air, the pleasant walks, gave her, as it were,
+new life, and last, but not least, the six o'clock dinner suited her
+better than a late supper. Mr. Armstrong would sometimes tell her she
+was growing young again, and it may be understood well how her relatives
+rejoiced over the change in her husband's opinions which had brought
+about such pleasant results. This improved state of health enabled Mrs.
+Armstrong to array herself fearlessly in warm winter clothing, and
+venture out in the cold frosty air a few weeks after Christmas, to call
+upon Dr. Halford. The distance along the country road was very trifling,
+and she had more than once noticed the large old-fashioned house which
+stood back from the road, surrounded by playgrounds, orchards, and a
+farmyard, all visible to the passer-by.
+
+The vacation was nearly at an end, and the house, with its large
+dormitories and schoolrooms, in perfect readiness for the return of Dr.
+Halford's pupils. Its clean and well-furnished appearance satisfied the
+rather fastidious lady, although she had no intention of sending her boy
+as a boarder. She had been conducted to a pleasant drawing-room
+overlooking a beautiful prospect at the back of the house, and instead
+of taking the chair placed for her she advanced to the window to admire
+the view. While thus standing, she almost started as the door opened and
+the doctor entered.
+
+A mildly speaking man, above the middle height, with silvery hair and
+keen intellectual eyes, advanced to greet the visitor, who quickly
+discerned that the schoolmaster, of whose erudition she had heard so
+much, was truly a gentleman of the old school. The cavalier deference in
+his manner to women, the old-fashioned courtesy with which he requested
+Mrs. Armstrong to be seated, and addressed her as "Madam," were
+essentially pleasing to that lady. They were soon quite at home on the
+subject of education, and Dr. Halford added no little to the
+prepossession he had created by listening to her anxieties respecting
+Freddy's health with courteous interest.
+
+"You have children of your own, Dr. Halford?" said Mrs. Armstrong, in a
+tone of inquiry.
+
+"I have two living, madam; a son and a daughter. My son is being
+educated for the Church, but at present he assists me in my school."
+
+"And your daughter in the domestic arrangements, I presume," said the
+lady, with a kind of wish to know whether other men were as anxious over
+that point as her husband.
+
+"She was accustomed to do so before her marriage," he replied, "but she
+has resided for several years with her husband in Australia. My son is
+much younger than his sister. She is the eldest of seven, and he the
+youngest."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong mentally reflected on the sorrowful loss of five
+children, which must have caused such a terrible gap between the only
+surviving son and daughter, for there had been a sadness in his tone
+when he last spoke. Her own sympathies were too strong, and the memory
+of the loss of two children since Freddy, too painful still to allow her
+to continue the subject, so she said--
+
+"When do you commence school again, Dr. Halford?"
+
+"On Monday, madam," was the reply. "Would you like to see the
+schoolrooms and dining-rooms?" he added, "as your little boy is to dine
+with us."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong gladly assented, and on her way to these apartments met
+Mrs. Halford, with whom she was equally pleased to make acquaintance.
+After a stay of nearly an hour, she at last took her leave of the doctor
+and his wife, saying--
+
+"I shall send my little boy on Monday week, Dr. Halford, not before, and
+I feel sure he will make progress under your care, and be quite happy."
+
+The terms for so young a pupil were not of such great importance as to
+justify Dr. Halford's pleasure at this addition to his numbers, but he
+had been as quick to detect a gentlewoman in Mrs. Armstrong as she had
+been respecting himself. Besides, he had heard rumours already of the
+wealth and good connexions of the family at Lime Grove, and the latter
+fact was more especially agreeable to him.
+
+A clergyman who is a schoolmaster and his wife are both often well born
+and well connected though poor, and naturally they prefer to teach boys
+who learn refinement and good breeding at home, to those who are perhaps
+better paid for by parents who think everything, even intellect and good
+manners, can be obtained for money.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong returned home at a quick pace; the pleasure she felt at
+being able to place her delicate Freddy with such nice people, and the
+fresh bracing air of the cold morning, invigorated her so greatly that
+Mary, who met her in the hall, exclaimed--
+
+"Why, mamma, you look quite young and blooming, and as happy as if you
+had heard pleasant news!"
+
+"Well, dear, I think I have, for Dr. Halford is one of the nicest
+schoolmasters I ever met with, rather of the old school in manners, but
+not in the least pedantic, and I like Mrs. Halford exceedingly, there is
+such a kind, motherly way about her, and they are both really well
+bred."
+
+"So I suppose you intend Freddy to go there to school, mamma?" said
+Mary.
+
+"Yes, indeed I do, my dear; and I am so pleased with the house and the
+arrangements, that if the Grange were not too near home, I should like
+to send Arthur and Edward as boarders. But I begin to feel rather tired,
+darling," she added, throwing herself into an easy-chair, "although the
+fresh bracing air seems to have given me new life."
+
+"Ah, yes, so it may," cried Mary, "but, mamma, I can see you are tired;
+all the bright colour on your checks is beginning to fade already, so
+you must sit quite still in that chair till luncheon time; it will soon
+be ready, and I will take off your things and carry them upstairs while
+you rest."
+
+The fairies of old are still Mary's attendants; gently and quickly she
+removed her mother's bonnet and wraps, and running upstairs with them,
+returned in a very few minutes with her head-dress, which she arranged
+tastefully on the pale brown hair, still worn in side curls as in the
+days of her youth.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong has not yet reached the age of forty, and the delicate
+health of the last few years has only rendered her fair complexion more
+delicate and her physical powers weaker, without adding age to her
+appearance or a single grey hair to the shining curls which hang on each
+side of her face.
+
+As Mary Armstrong stands by her mother, smoothing the soft ringlets, it
+is plainly to be seen that the pretty child of twelve has developed into
+a very beautiful woman. At the age of eighteen she resembles her mother
+only in complexion, eyes, and hair. Her features, though as regular, are
+not so delicately chiselled, they are larger and more marked; and in
+this, as in an expression of calm decision, the resemblance to her
+father is very striking. It is when she smiles, and her blue eyes light
+up with pleasure and interest, that strangers often exclaim, "How like
+you are to your mother, Miss Armstrong!" Mary has grown very little
+since the time when her cousin named her "Cinderella," but she looks
+taller, partly on account of her figure having fully developed into
+rounded proportions, but principally because the curls have disappeared.
+They have been tortured into plaits and massive coils at the back of her
+head, but true to Nature they often rebel, and escape here and there in
+the form of ringlets--often unnoticed by their owner, but when pointed
+out to her they are unceremoniously pushed back.
+
+Mary is still influenced by the words of her father; he once said to
+her, "Mary, can you not arrange your hair as other girls do? those long
+curls are too childish at your age."
+
+From this moment, to her mother's great regret, she, as it was then
+called, "turned up her hair" in the way we have described.
+
+Her aunts approved, because this arrangement was less singular and more
+fashionable, which latter fact would have greatly surprised Mr.
+Armstrong. At all events, they differed from him in one respect still.
+When the rebellious hair would escape from the plaits in stray ringlets
+while in the company of her aunts, Mary had at first attempted to reduce
+them to submission, but she was quickly interrupted. "Leave your hair
+alone, Mary," her aunt Herbert exclaimed; "why, those stray ringlets are
+most effective, and quite an improvement to the appearance of your head.
+Surely your father will not object to what is natural; if you curled it
+in paper every night to produce an effect, then he might complain or
+disapprove."
+
+Mary laughed, but when visiting at her aunt's she allowed Nature to act
+as she pleased. Yet at home there seemed no happier task to the young
+girl than to give way to every wish of her father, whether openly
+expressed or slightly hinted at, no matter to what it referred. It was a
+kind of hero-worship in the girl's heart. Her father was her hero, and
+the fact that she did not love him with the same clinging fondness as
+she loved her mother was quite unknown to herself.
+
+Mary Armstrong certainly obeyed the command, "Honour thy father and thy
+mother;" yet in the family at Lime Grove there was still one thing
+wanting, "the perfect love that casteth out fear."
+
+The principles of honour, rectitude, truthfulness, generosity, and other
+moral virtues were cultivated in Mary's home, but the "charity, or
+love," without which, St. Paul tells us, all our doings are as "sounding
+brass and tinkling cymbals," was wanting. Love to God and love to man,
+on which "hang all the law and the commandments," were known only in
+theory.
+
+Mary Armstrong had yet to learn that to her Father in heaven she must
+turn in trouble and sorrow, and in future days she might have said
+almost in the words of Wolsey, "Had I but served my Father in heaven as
+diligently as I studied to please my father on earth, He would not have
+forsaken me now in my hour of sorrow." And yet for these days of trial
+Mary at last could feel thankful. Christianity in her home had been an
+acknowledged fact. Its outward duties, its moral principles, were all
+inculcated; but when our daily life passes smoothly, untroubled, by
+sorrow or poverty, which is, perhaps, the hardest trial of all to bear,
+especially when accompanied by sickness and pain, we are apt to forget
+the sweet principle of love to God and love to man which, St. Paul tells
+us, "is the fulfilling of the law;" and Mary Armstrong's life hitherto
+had known no trials more painful than those caused by her father's
+eccentricities.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ENGLEFIELD GRANGE.
+
+
+More than thirty-five years before the period of which we write, James
+Halford, who had been travelling tutor to the son of a nobleman,
+commenced a school at Bayswater, then a pretty rural village. His
+father, a country surgeon in good practice, had given his only son a
+superior education, but the young man had no liking for his father's
+profession. To send James to the university Mr. Halford felt would be
+beyond his means, and the young man's wish to enter the Church was
+therefore set aside, causing him great disappointment. Ultimately he was
+engaged as tutor to the youth already spoken of, and while with him in
+that capacity became acquainted with the governess of his sisters, Clara
+Marston, whom he afterwards married. At the death of his father a small
+but unexpected amount of money fell into his hands. He almost
+immediately relinquished his engagement with the son of Lord Rivers, and
+took a house at Bayswater. Trifling as the sum was, it still formed a
+sufficient capital upon which to commence a school, and so well had he
+performed his duty with his pupil that the high recommendation of the
+young man's relatives soon gained him several pupils. Six months after
+his father's death Clara Marston became his wife. For ten years they
+continued to carry on their school most successfully, till bricks and
+mortar had completely destroyed the countrified character of the place,
+and obliged them at last to seek a home elsewhere.
+
+Armies of builders were already invading the beautiful fields and
+meadows in the neighbourhood; long rows of small semi-detached cottages,
+at rentals varying from 20_l._ to 50_l._ a year, sprung up as if by
+magic. Worse still, when the long leases of many old red brick mansions
+expired they were quickly demolished, and not only on their sites, but
+in the midst of the beautiful gardens and pleasure-grounds belonging to
+them arose piles of inferior buildings, bringing to their owners a quick
+return for the capital expended. The same spoliation of Nature is still
+going on around us, and in these days of utilitarianism how can it be
+avoided?
+
+The loveliest of Nature's landscapes--the bright flowers of a well-kept
+garden--the glorious old trees, from the tops of which is heard the
+musical cawing of rooks--the red brick mansion with its many windows
+glittering in the setting sun, and its colour contrasting picturesquely
+with the green foliage--the stream of limpid water with the graceful
+swans gliding on its shadowed surface,--all this is very lovely to see,
+and belongs to the beautiful, but "will it pay?" is the question asked
+now; and the practical man of business knows that _money_ not
+"_knowledge_ is power," in these days of mammon-worship. So the
+beautiful is sacrificed without regret if it can be replaced by
+something that "pays better."
+
+This brick-building mania, however, hastened Mr. Halford's removal from
+a house already too small for his increased number of pupils and rising
+family. His gentle firmness with the former, and his wife's clever
+domestic management, had made them very successful, and when they
+removed to their present commodious residence all their pupils followed
+them, and others were quickly added to their number.
+
+Many sorrows, however, had overtaken them during the twenty-five years
+at Englefield Grange. Of their seven children two only survived, the
+eldest and the youngest.
+
+Fanny Halford at the age of twenty had married, and accompanied her
+husband to Melbourne about fourteen years before the time of which we
+write. The youngest, Henry, a studious reading boy, was therefore the
+only hope of his parents. Dr. Halford, remembering his own
+disappointment about entering the Church, watched his boy anxiously, and
+as he grew from childhood to youth discovered with satisfaction that his
+wish to become a clergyman was as strong as his own had been.
+
+Indeed, the youth's tastes all tended to such a result. At eight years
+old he commenced Greek; Caesar, Horace, and Virgil were the companions of
+his play-hours, history an amusement, and poetry a delight. When these
+talents developed themselves Mr. Halford could not control his regret at
+a lost opportunity. Henry had not reached his seventh year when a friend
+obtained for him a presentation to Christ's Hospital; but the mother,
+who had followed so many children to the grave, could not spare her
+youngest boy. Mr. Halford hesitated to press it, and so the opportunity
+was lost. Now, however, she was ready to make any possible sacrifice to
+help in carrying out his own and his father's wishes.
+
+When Henry Halford reached the age of sixteen it became necessary to
+make some decision as to his future. He had his faults, as all young
+people have, and they had been to a certain extent fostered by the
+indulgence of his loving mother and sister. Fanny was twelve years older
+than her brother, and knowing how he hated the restrictions of order and
+neatness, she would, during his early boyhood, quietly set to rights
+untidy rooms, carefully replace scattered books, and forgive his seeming
+indifference to her kind attention. Even a certain irritation of temper
+was passed over by mother and sister, for if he was hasty, was he not
+quick to forgive? and who so penitent as Henry Halford after uttering an
+angry or unjust word? Besides, they reasoned, studious and imaginative
+people were often very irritable. After his sister's marriage, he had
+another to spoil him in her place, of whom we shall hear more by-and-by.
+And so the time passed on till his father felt it necessary to obtain
+for his son suitable preparation for the university.
+
+One evening he broached the subject to his wife. "My dear," he said,
+"there is no one to whom I could send Henry with so much confidence as
+to Dr. Mason; he is a man of high standing, and his pupils scarcely ever
+fail in passing for the professions in which he prepares them. He took a
+first class at Oxford, and has had many years' experience."
+
+"Are not his terms a hundred a year?" asked Mrs. Halford.
+
+"Yes," was the reply, "but I have thought the matter over seriously;
+Henry must be with Dr. Mason two years at least, and we can spare the
+200_l._, Clara dear, don't you think so?"
+
+"Indeed, I do," she replied; "I would make any sacrifice rather than
+interfere with the dear boy's prospects."
+
+"There will be no sacrifice," said her husband, "even if it should cost
+the whole of the thousand pounds I have saved for him, to send him to
+the university. Fanny has had her share, and if Henry is willing for his
+portion to be spent on preparation for the Church we cannot object to
+his wishes."
+
+"And is he willing?" asked the mother, who was ready to give up double
+the sum named by her husband if by so doing she could gratify her son.
+
+"More than willing, he is most anxious. I never saw the boy look so
+eager and delighted as when he found I could spare the money I had set
+aside for him without inconvenience to myself. I explained to him the
+whole cost--200_l._ for two years with Dr. Mason,--and, at the lowest
+estimate, 600_l._ while at Oxford. Altogether, with coaching, private
+tutor, ordination fees, and other expenses, a thousand pounds will just
+about cover it."
+
+"You have set my mind at ease, James, about the boy," said Mrs. Halford.
+"In six or seven years he will be ordained, and by that time, if our
+school continues to be successful, we may still have something to leave
+to our children after all."
+
+"And you forget, my dear, that if I should be laid up or unable to work,
+Henry as a clergyman will be much more suitable to carry on the school
+than myself, although I have a foreign degree. And after my death there
+will be an income for him to fall back upon if he does not speedily
+obtain a living."
+
+"Don't anticipate evil," said the hopefully proud mother. "God grant we
+may both live to see our son a useful minister in the Church before we
+die, whether as curate or rector."
+
+And in this happy prospect Henry Halford, at the age of seventeen, had
+been placed with Dr. Mason to prepare for matriculation at Oxford.
+
+The breakfast parlour at the Grange was situated at the back of the
+house, looking over the prospect so admired by Mrs. Armstrong. The sun
+shining upon the front of the house during the summer afternoon made
+this apartment cool and pleasant for tea, which was now prepared on a
+table near the window.
+
+Close to it sat a lady past middle age, yet most attractive in
+appearance. On her white silky hair rested a lace cap tastefully
+trimmed; beneath the white hair and strongly contrasted with it were
+dark eyes, eyebrows, and lashes, still reminding those who knew her in
+youth of the bright and lively Clara Marston. The soft, patient face has
+now lost its vivacity, but it is not the less pleasing on that account.
+Her hand held a stocking, but it rested on her lap, her thoughts were
+evidently far away.
+
+The door opened and Dr. Halford entered, followed by his niece, who
+exclaimed--
+
+"Aunt, I declare you have been mending stockings, but I mean to hide
+that stocking-basket out of your sight; and now you are to make yourself
+comfortable in your easy-chair while I pour out the tea."
+
+Mrs. Halford smiled, but she submitted quietly to her niece's
+injunctions, gave up the stocking which she took from her passive hand,
+and then drew her aunt's chair nearer to the table.
+
+Happy as they appeared, Mrs. Halford could scarcely, even after the
+lapse of ten years, repress a sigh as she saw her niece take her absent
+daughter's place.
+
+Perhaps she felt thankful at not being able to trace a likeness in her
+brother's daughter to her own Fanny, who in features, eyes, and hair so
+much resembled herself. But in truth Kate Marston was a great comfort to
+her aunt and uncle. Plain and homely, with a fair skin and rosy cheeks
+that betokened her north-country origin, she was yet active, methodical,
+and industrious--a daughter in loving attention to her aunt and uncle,
+and at all times good-tempered and cheerful.
+
+"Uncle," she said presently, "you need not hide your letter, I saw the
+postman give you one this afternoon."
+
+Mrs. Halford looked up quickly. "Is it from Dr. Mason?" she asked.
+
+"Well, yes, it is," he replied. "I wanted to wait till we had finished
+tea, but Katey is impatient, so I suppose I must read it at once."
+
+"Yes, uncle, of course you must; I saw the postmark when you took it in,
+so no wonder I am impatient."
+
+We also need not wonder, for the orphan daughter of Mrs. Halford's only
+brother had no hopes or interests beyond those of Englefield Grange; and
+although she had long passed the ominous age of thirty she had no
+thought of marriage.
+
+Dr. Halford took the letter from his pocket, and not even the mother's
+eyes could be brighter with interest as she listened while her husband
+read than those of Kate Marston. And this is what Dr. Mason wrote
+respecting the dearly loved son and cousin:--
+
+     "MY DEAR SIR,--When you requested me to send you my opinion
+     respecting the abilities and character of your son Henry at the
+     end of one month, I feared it would be too soon to enable me to
+     form a correct judgment.
+
+     "I might, however, have done so safely, for as I found him
+     during the first month he still continues; to even a
+     superficial observer his character and tendencies are plainly
+     distinguishable. I never met with a youth less reticent or more
+     transparent,--too much so indeed for contact with the world; he
+     is fearless of consequences, and careless of concealment.
+
+     "I have been led to form this opinion from mere trifling
+     matters which have come under my notice. A want of order and
+     neatness, and a reckless disregard to rules, have made him
+     break them openly, and as if unconscious that by so doing he
+     was deserving of blame. I am inclined to think that Master
+     Henry's mamma and cousin are answerable for all this, for the
+     boy acts as if he had been accustomed to be waited upon hand
+     and foot.
+
+     "He has a high proud spirit which will brook no insult; yet,
+     quick as he is to resent, he is equally quick to forgive, and
+     when he has given offence by a hasty or unjust remark he is
+     ready to acknowledge it and to apologise in a moment. He is
+     warm-hearted and generous to a fault, and a great favourite
+     with some of my best pupils, all older than himself.
+
+     "Perhaps one great cause for this may arise from their
+     admiration of his talents. My dear friend, you did not prepare
+     me for such a genius as your boy. You have, no doubt,
+     instructed him well, but there is in him a natural love for the
+     acquirement of knowledge for its own sake, and indeed talents,
+     which if cultivated will one day make of him a great man.
+
+     "Do not hesitate to send him to the university; and if he still
+     wishes to become a clergyman, encourage him by all means to
+     work for that end.
+
+     "The power over his own language which he displays in his
+     translations of the Greek and Latin poets is wonderful in a
+     youth of his age. He never seems at a loss for a word to
+     express the true meaning of the original, and his English
+     themes are superior in many respects to those of my oldest
+     pupils.
+
+     "The style wants training and pruning, like a plant of
+     luxurious growth, till it reaches perfection and beauty. Time
+     and experience will do this, and I have no fear for the result.
+
+     "In mathematical studies, however, he is rather deficient, but
+     for these he appears to have no predilection. I shall not allow
+     him to give them up entirely, although I have no hopes of
+     making him a mathematician. My epistle is extending itself
+     beyond all reasonable limits, but I was most anxious to give
+     you my candid opinion of your son's character and abilities,
+     and I trust I have complied with your request in a satisfactory
+     manner.
+
+     "With kind regards to Mrs. Halford and your niece, believe me
+     to be
+
+     "Most faithfully yours,
+
+     "M. MASON."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+LOOKING BACK.
+
+
+A few miles from Meadow Farm, the birthplace of Edward Armstrong, stood
+a nobleman's mansion, which in spite of modern alterations and
+adornments, gave numerous proofs of its antiquity. The building formed
+three sides of a square, the fourth enclosed by iron railings and a
+curiously carved gate, gilded escutcheons and coats of arms forming its
+chief ornaments. The house stood on the brow of a hill, looking across
+the town of Basingstoke, which lay beneath it at a distance of a few
+miles.
+
+A streamlet, issuing in little rills from springs on the summit of the
+ascent, fell in tiny cascades through woody glens and artificial
+grottoes till it approached the house. Here it formed a miniature lake
+on which the majestic swans sailed in stately pride. Continuing its
+course, it passed under a rustic bridge, a limpid stream, in which the
+speckled trout sported, fearless of the angler's line, beneath the
+shadow of lofty elms or gracefully bending willows.
+
+Within, the house was equally attractive. A large hall occupied the
+centre of the building, its lofty dimensions reaching to the roof, and
+lighted by tall narrow windows which faced the entrance gates. From this
+hall, doors and a noble staircase led to other apartments, the
+dining-room and drawing-room occupying a similar space at the back. In
+the former room, a few days after the marriage of Arthur Franklyn to
+Fanny Halford, a family party were assembled at breakfast. From a deep
+oriel window, with its lattice and diamond panes open to the sweet
+perfumed air of spring, could be seen, not only gardens, shrubberies,
+and a richly wooded park, but a distant prospect of hill and valley,
+field and meadow, equalled, no doubt, but not often surpassed in our
+fertile island.
+
+The furniture of the room, though suited to its antique architecture,
+wore an appearance of brightness which the light though simple morning
+attire of some of its occupants greatly increased.
+
+The party consisted of three ladies, a gentleman in the prime of life,
+and a youth of sixteen. The eldest of the ladies, though pale and
+delicate, appeared almost too youthful to be the mother of the two girls
+of seventeen and nineteen who sat at the table by her side.
+
+The younger of them had the _Times_ newspaper in her hand, and appeared
+to be deeply engaged in examining its first column. The elder presided
+at the breakfast-table.
+
+"Well, Dora," said her father, "what have you found in the paper
+interesting enough to make you oblivious to the fact that your breakfast
+is getting cold?"
+
+"Why, papa," she replied, laughing, "I am not particularly interested,
+but puzzled with the advertisement of a wedding. The house of the
+bride's father has the same name as ours,--at least, not exactly; but
+listen, papa.
+
+"'On the 6th instant, at the parish church, Kilburn, Arthur Leigh
+Franklyn, Esq., solicitor, of Clement's Inn, London, and Brook House,
+Clapton, to Frances Clara, only daughter of Dr. Halford, Englefield
+Grange, Kilburn.'"
+
+"Halford's daughter married!" exclaimed the earl, for such he was;
+"truly indeed time flies: it seems but the other day that he and I were
+travelling together on the Continent, and studying men and manners."
+
+"Oh, papa, I remember now. Dr. Halford was your tutor. I thought I had
+heard the name; but how came his house to be called Englefield Grange?"
+
+"A liberty rather, I should say," remarked the young heir to the title
+and estate, Lord Robert, Viscount Woodville.
+
+"My _friend_ James Halford," said Earl Rivers, with a stress upon the
+word, "intended it as a compliment, Robert, yet he waited for my
+father's permission before he named his house Englefield Grange. My
+conscience smites me for having neglected him so long. I must pay them a
+visit this season while we are in London."
+
+"I have heard your mother speak of Dr. Halford," said Lady Rivers; "did
+he not marry your sister's governess?"
+
+"Yes, Clara Marston. Why, it must be two or three and twenty years ago.
+They lived at Bayswater for some time after their marriage, but I have
+seen nothing of them since they removed to Kilburn."
+
+"And this daughter, papa," said Lady Dora, "did you ever see her?"
+
+"Well, my dear, I have some recollection of a little dark-eyed girl
+named Fanny, to whom I was introduced in one of my visits at Bayswater.
+She was then, I should say, about eight years old, and the Halfords have
+resided nearly eleven years at Kilburn."
+
+"If the little girl was named Fanny, papa, she must be the same who has
+just married, for the name in the paper is Frances. Oh yes," added Lady
+Dora, after another glance at the _Times_, "and it says only daughter,
+so this must be the bride."
+
+"You appear greatly interested in this young married lady, my dear,"
+said her father.
+
+Lady Dora blushed. Her interest was only that of girls of seventeen in
+all ranks of society about brides in general, and one in particular if
+her age, parentage, and antecedents are known. "I think I am interested
+now," replied the young lady, "because you knew the bride when she was a
+little girl, and her father was your tutor; but the name of Englefield
+first attracted me in the newspaper. Papa," she continued after a slight
+pause, during which no one spoke, "Englefield is a strange title for any
+house, especially such a beautiful estate as this. Do you know how it
+originated?"
+
+"From nothing very mysterious or romantic," said her father,
+laughing,--"at least, none that I ever heard of. According to the
+etymology of the word, however, we ought to be descended from the
+gipsies, for Engle is evidently derived from the old Saxon word Ingle,
+which signifies a hearth or chimney corner. Ingle or Engle in a field,
+as the name of this estate implies, must denote a cosy, homelike
+fireplace, in a meadow or on a common, such as only gipsies can invent.
+But you must decide upon this matter yourself, Dora," continued the
+earl, as he rose and looked at his watch; "I have no time for farther
+discussion upon the origin of a name which belonged to this estate more
+than four hundred years ago."
+
+"How very absurd you are, Dora!" said her elder sister, when the earl
+had left the room, "just as if it mattered to us what originated the
+name of an estate which has descended to papa through so many
+generations. And why you should be interested about the marriage of a
+schoolmaster's daughter I cannot imagine."
+
+"A schoolmaster's daughter!" repeated Lady Dora, "I did not know Dr.
+Halford kept a school."
+
+"He does, my dear," said Lady Rivers, gently, "but Dr. Halford and his
+wife are truly well-bred people, and their profession has never lessened
+the respect and kind interest with which both your father and
+grandfather have always treated them."
+
+Lady Mary Woodville shrugged her shoulders; she had been a frequent
+visitor at her grandmother's, the Dowager Lady Rivers, and this lady's
+influence and opinions had fostered in the heart of Lady Mary her
+natural pride of birth, and a foolish contempt for those who had to work
+for their living.
+
+"You have not much to boast of, Mary," said her brother, laughing, as he
+rose from his seat and approached the window, "if, as papa suggests, we
+are descended from the gipsies."
+
+"What nonsense you talk, Robert!" replied his sister.
+
+"Well, perhaps I ought to have addressed you, Dora, instead of Mary, for
+with your brown face and your flashing black eyes you are an out-and-out
+little gipsy;" but as the youth spoke, his glance of affection too
+plainly proved that the "little gipsy" was a favourite sister.
+
+"I am like papa, Robert," she replied, good-naturedly.
+
+"Of course you are, my dear," said Lady Rivers, "and he has nothing of
+the gipsy about him; but do not waste time in talking nonsense.--Robert,
+I thought you asked Dora to ride with you this morning, and the sooner
+you order the horses the better, for this bright April weather may not
+continue all day."
+
+Lord Robert hastened to follow his mother's advice, while Lady Dora
+gladly escaped from the room to prepare for her ride.
+
+This little peep into the domestic habits and manners of the family at
+Englefield will give our readers some idea of the pleasant home in which
+James Halford met his future wife, Clara Marston, in the years gone by.
+
+The present Earl Rivers, who had been Dr. Halford's pupil for three
+years from the age of twenty-one, had reached his forty-fifth year at
+the time of which we write. Well might Lady Rivers assert that there was
+nothing of the gipsy in his appearance, in spite of the dark eyes and
+hair in which, as well as in features, his youngest daughter so strongly
+resembled him. Lord Rivers' tall, commanding figure, noble bearing, and
+marked features belonged to the class which an Englishman designates
+aristocratic. Yet he had no proud assumption of superiority on this
+account. Although polished and refined, and a true English gentleman of
+the olden times, his manners were simple and unobtrusive; and now, as he
+rides his horse slowly through the park and along the road to the
+station, he recalls with pain the fact that he has neglected his friend
+Dr. Halford long enough for his little daughter Fanny, whose marriage is
+in the _Times_, to grow to womanhood and become a bride.
+
+"I will pay them a visit next week," was his decision at length, as he
+put his horse into a canter.
+
+April had fulfilled its proverbial destiny. It had passed away in
+"showers" and sunshine, leaving behind as its trophies the "May flowers"
+which were to gladden the earth with their beauty and fragrance in this
+the first summer month of the year.
+
+One morning, while Kate Marston was busy in one of the rooms overlooking
+the road, she saw a gentleman on horseback stop at the gate and alight.
+She heard the peal of the gate bell, and then the question to the
+man-servant who answered it--
+
+"Is Dr. Halford at home?"
+
+The next moment the tall figure of a stranger to Kate approached the
+house, and she could hear the footsteps ascending the stairs to the
+drawing-room.
+
+"Some gentleman about pupils," said Kate to herself, as she returned to
+her occupation. Yet she could not get rid of the idea that the visitor
+was not exactly of the same stamp as those who generally presented
+themselves at Englefield Grange.
+
+Meanwhile Dr. Halford's man-servant had placed a card in his master's
+hand which made him rise hastily from his desk, leave the schoolroom to
+the care of the assistants, and hasten upstairs to welcome his visitor.
+
+As the two gentlemen shook hands, so many recollections of the past
+thronged to their memories that neither for a moment could utter a word.
+Lord Rivers recovered himself first.
+
+"Doctor," he said, the old familiar title coming naturally to his lips,
+"I am positively ashamed to meet you again after so many years of
+neglect, but here I am at last, to plead for myself, and ask you and
+your wife to forgive me."
+
+"Lord Rivers," replied Dr. Halford, "there is nothing to forgive. I know
+too well what the demands upon the time of a man in your position must
+be, and my old pupil will always be welcome at Englefield Grange;" and
+as the gentleman spoke he placed a chair for his visitor and begged him
+to be seated.
+
+"And this is the house you have named after Englefield," said the earl.
+"Well, it is a charming spot; and what a splendid prospect from that
+window!" he added, rising and approaching to obtain a more extended
+view. "I feel myself honoured by your choice of a name for such a
+residence."
+
+"It can scarcely be called an honour," said the doctor, "but this house
+is a great improvement upon the one at Bayswater; do you remember it,
+Lord Rivers?"
+
+"Indeed I do, to my regret. My last visit there must be nearly ten years
+ago, and that reminds me--I will make my confession at once--I saw in
+the _Times_ of last week a notice of the marriage of your only daughter.
+I suppose the little Fanny I met at my last visit. The name of
+Englefield Grange attracted my youngest daughter's notice, and when she
+pointed it out to me I felt inclined to say, like the chief butler in
+Pharaoh's court, 'I do remember my faults this day.'"
+
+"My dear Lord Rivers," began Dr. Halford, but the visitor stopped him.
+
+"I will not say another word on the subject, doctor. And now tell me all
+about your daughter; whom she has married, and how many sons you have.
+And one question I should have asked first--how is Mrs. Halford? I must
+not go away without seeing her."
+
+Dr. Halford was at this time fourteen years younger than on the day when
+Mrs. Armstrong called upon him to arrange about her little boy; a man
+still in the prime of life, scarcely ten years older than his late
+pupil, yet the parting with his only daughter had sprinkled the first
+grey streaks in his dark hair, and already aged him in appearance. Lord
+Rivers had brought to his memory the occasion to which his lordship had
+referred. On that last visit at Bayswater, Fanny, the eldest, had not
+been the _only_ girl: his family consisted then of five children; four
+of these he had lost during a few succeeding years, and of the two boys
+born since, his son Henry alone survived.
+
+The bereaved father felt that while the loss of his daughter Fanny was
+such a recent event he must nerve himself before he could call up old
+memories to enlighten his kind visitor.
+
+Lord Rivers, he knew, was actuated by the kindest interest in
+questioning him on the past, and the earl's present ideas about Fanny's
+marriage were formed on the supposition that it was a matter for
+congratulation, and a time of joyful hopes. All this was evident to Dr.
+Halford, and he gladly seized upon the opportunity offered by the
+mention of Mrs. Halford's name to say--
+
+"Lord Rivers, you will stay and lunch with us in our plain simple way;
+you must not refuse, indeed you must not, for the sake of olden times,"
+he added quickly, as he noticed a look of hesitation in his friend's
+face.
+
+"I do not mean to refuse," said his lordship, "but I was thinking about
+the horses and my groom; if he could be told to take them to the inn for
+an hour or so, and get provender for them and himself, I will gladly
+remain with you to lunch."
+
+Glad of an excuse to leave the room and tell Mrs. Halford of the
+arrival, Dr. Halford, with a hasty apology and a promise to send the
+order of Lord Rivers to the groom, left the gentleman to himself.
+
+But Mrs. Halford, the Clara Marston of olden times, was more calm and
+self-possessed in cases of emergency than her erudite husband. She had
+heard from Kate of the arrival of a gentleman on horseback, and from
+Thomas the name on the card.
+
+Giving orders at once for lunch to be prepared in the private
+dining-room, she made some trifling addition to her dress, and waited
+for a summons from her husband.
+
+As he left the drawing-room she met him on the stairs.
+
+"Lord Rivers is here, Clara," was his flurried remark.
+
+"I know it, my dear; everything is ready. Whither are you going?"
+
+"To send Thomas out to the groom about the horses. You go up to the
+visitor; he is going to lunch with us."
+
+"Do not be long," she said, as she continued her way upstairs and
+entered the room.
+
+Lord Rivers started forward with pleasure to receive her, and in a very
+few minutes they were talking eagerly of old times at Englefield, when
+the earl, then Lord Woodville, a youth in his teens, had been sometimes
+a troublesome intruder on the school hours or music and drawing lessons
+of his two young sisters, Miss Marston's pupils.
+
+Presently Dr. Halford joined them; he was more able to touch upon family
+sorrows with his wife for an ally, and a great amount of the sad part of
+the details was got over before the summons to lunch.
+
+In one point, however, Lord Rivers did some real good.
+
+Dr. Halford was expressing a kind of mournful regret that his daughter's
+marriage should take her so far away from home, when Lord Rivers
+interrupted him.
+
+"My dear doctor, you are not keeping pace with the times. In the present
+day a voyage to Australia is not more distant as regards time than
+America or even the Mediterranean in years gone by. And the wonderful
+facility of communication by post unites friends personally separated by
+thousands of miles as closely in these days of rapid travelling as those
+who a hundred years ago merely occupied different parts of our own
+little island."
+
+"Very true," replied Dr. Halford, "yet, still----" and he paused.
+
+"Not satisfied yet?" exclaimed Lord Rivers, cheeringly, as they
+descended to the dining-room. "Are you more hopeful about your daughter,
+Mrs. Halford?"
+
+"I am getting more reconciled to her loss," was the reply, "and perhaps
+in time the interchange of letters and news of Fanny's happiness will
+complete the cure."
+
+During luncheon the conversation became more cheerful, and Lord Rivers
+was about to express his regret that he must leave such pleasant
+society, when the door opened and a little blue-eyed boy of about eight
+years old entered the room.
+
+"Ah," exclaimed the visitor, "this is your youngest child, doctor, I
+suppose, of whom you were speaking just now.--Come here, my little man,
+and shake hands with papa's friend."
+
+The boy advanced fearlessly and placed his little hand in that of his
+father's old pupil, while he looked in the face of Lord Rivers with
+bright, intelligent eyes, and that peculiar smile which even in
+childhood added such a charm to the face of Henry Halford.
+
+"My only boy, Henry, and my only child now, I may say," was the remark
+of the father, in a rather sad tone.
+
+"I see nothing in that fact calculated to make you speak sadly, doctor,"
+said the nobleman, pushing back the brown curls from the child's broad
+white forehead. "There is room for any amount of knowledge here, I
+should say. Are you fond of your books, my boy?"
+
+"I like reading history," replied Henry, simply--"all about those
+wonderful Greeks and Romans, and the great Northmen that conquered so
+many countries," and then the child paused suddenly, as if ashamed of
+his enthusiasm.
+
+Lord Rivers, with a glance at the radiant face of the proud mother, drew
+the boy nearer to him, and said--
+
+"Go on, Henry, tell me what books you like best; have you begun to learn
+Latin yet?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir," said Henry, "I've been all through my Latin grammar and
+the Delectus, and now I'm learning Greek."
+
+"So you mean to be a learned man like your father, eh, Master Henry?"
+
+"I don't know, sir; but I should like to be a learned man very much."
+
+"And I daresay you will, if you study very hard."
+
+Lord Rivers glanced at his old tutor as he spoke, and said, "What do you
+mean to make of this boy, doctor?"
+
+"Go into the schoolroom, Henry," said his father, "and ask Mr. Howard to
+assemble the classes for afternoon school."
+
+Henry turned to obey. Lord Rivers detained him a moment.
+
+"May I?" he said, holding a sovereign in his hand, which could only be
+seen by Dr. Halford. "Just a trifle to purchase any books he may choose,
+and consider them my present."
+
+There was a silent acquiescence to this appeal, which Lord Rivers
+quickly understood.
+
+Turning to the boy he placed the sovereign in his hand, saying,
+"Good-by, Henry; there is something to buy you any books you wish for,
+and you must call them my present."
+
+The child for a moment looked bewildered, then he turned to his father
+with inquiring eyes.
+
+"Thank Lord Rivers for his kind present, Henry," said his father, "and
+when you have delivered my message to Mr. Howard you can return here."
+
+"Thank you, Lord Rivers," said the child; and then with an earnest look
+in the nobleman's face he asked, "Was papa your tutor once?"
+
+"Yes, my boy," said the earl; and as he stooped to kiss the bright,
+intelligent face, he added, "And now go and deliver papa's message."
+
+With a quick movement the boy, turning to his father, placed the
+sovereign in his hand, and hastily left the room.
+
+"What a splendid boy!" was the earl's remark as the door closed on the
+child. "What do you intend to make of him? he has genius enough for any
+position."
+
+"I hope to send him to the university," replied Dr. Halford, "and if I
+find he has any predilection that way, I shall encourage him to take
+orders."
+
+"Almost a pity, doctor, to bury such talents in the Church, and limit
+the young man's income to 100_l._ a year as a curate."
+
+"I shall be guided by the boy's own wishes; but if I find he desires to
+become a clergyman as earnestly as I did, I will not raise a single
+obstacle in his path."
+
+"Well, no," said Lord Rivers, rising as Thomas entered with the
+information that the horses were at the door. "I can quite understand
+your wish that your son should not be thwarted in his hopes as you were;
+and remember one thing--if in the years to come your son Henry should
+become a clergyman, I have two livings in my gift, one of which shall be
+his as soon as it becomes vacant after he is ordained."
+
+Before the delighted parents could express their warmest thanks for this
+promise, the little boy made his appearance, and accompanied his father
+to the gate with the visitor.
+
+The child's eager admiration of the beautiful high-bred animal which the
+earl mounted, and indeed of the earl himself, was so enthusiastic that
+it formed an epoch in his life never to be forgotten while memory should
+last.
+
+Not more lasting and real was the earl's promise in the memory of the
+doctor and his wife; and this promise, added to the fact that Henry
+Halford's talents and wishes tended the same way, led to the results
+which have been described in the preceding chapters of this history.
+
+Perhaps Dr. Halford, whose character was not hopeful, did not allow
+himself to trust too much in the earl's promise. He remembered the
+words, "Put not your trust in princes, for vain is the help of man." Yet
+it influenced him to a certain extent, for he felt convinced that if his
+old pupil lived, and the opportunity presented itself, Lord Rivers was
+not likely to forget his promise.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+HENRY HALFORD'S NEW STUDY.
+
+
+Mr. Armstrong's horse, a valuable and spirited chestnut, stood at the
+gate of Lime Grove about ten days after Mrs. Armstrong's visit to
+Englefield Grange.
+
+The family had just finished breakfast in a large room overlooking a
+beautiful garden from its broad bay-window. The sun shone brightly on
+the frozen gravel walks, and glittered in the rime that hung on the
+branches of the leafless trees. Bare and cold as the January prospect of
+winter might be, yet the clear air and bright sunlight had an
+invigorating effect on youthful and healthy constitutions.
+
+"Pray wrap up well," said Mrs. Armstrong, as she saw Mary helping her
+father with his great-coat, "you will have a cold ride this morning; and
+take care Firefly does not slip."
+
+"No fear of that, Maria, he's a most sure-footed horse; and besides, the
+ground is too hard to be slippery. And as to wrapping up," he added,
+patting with his hand a thick shawl doubled across his chest and throat,
+"I think I am wrapped up sufficiently to defy any kind of weather."
+
+"Not in Russia, papa" (the once objectionable title was tolerated now);
+"your nose would be frozen, and icicles would hang on your eyelashes; I
+learnt that in my geography at school."
+
+"Yes, there is no doubt about that fact, Freddy; but in England such
+terrible results are not likely to happen; and that reminds me I hear
+you are going to a new school, and I hope you will be a good and
+attentive boy, and not give your mamma and sister any trouble about your
+lessons or by being late; and I must be off too," he added, glancing at
+the clock; "and, Freddy, you have only a quarter of an hour to finish
+your breakfast and get to school."
+
+"I have finished now, papa," cried the boy, starting up as his father
+left the room; and then coming over to where his mother sat in an
+easy-chair by the fire, he put his little hand on hers and said--"Mamma,
+will you go with me to school? I don't like going by myself the first
+morning."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong put her arm round her boy and drew him to her side.
+
+"I am not well enough to venture out in the cold, Freddy," she replied,
+"but Mary will go with you; and you need not be afraid of Dr. Halford,
+he is most gentle and kind to little boys who are attentive and learn
+their lessons, and I hope you will try to please him.--Mary, my dear,"
+continued Mrs. Armstrong as her daughter entered the room, "Freddy does
+not like to go to school the first time by himself, will you take him?"
+
+"Oh yes, mamma, I should like the walk above all things on this bright
+cold morning. I know the house, it is not far--come Freddy."
+
+Freddy kissed his mother, and then ran upstairs after Mary, and in a
+very few minutes they were walking along the country road together, Mary
+with elastic graceful step, and Freddy half walking, half running by her
+side.
+
+The brother and sister were overflowing with health and spirits on this
+clear wintry day, and stepped quickly on till they drew near their
+destination; then Freddy subsided into a more sober pace. The first
+visit to a new school has rather a depressing influence upon the boyish
+feelings at eight years old. Freddy's manner excited Mary's sympathy, it
+was therefore with a very demure look that she led her little brother to
+the entrance and knocked.
+
+As they stood waiting for admission several boys older than Freddy
+entered the gate, and passed round the house by a side way to the
+schoolroom entrance. Of course such a proceeding would have been at that
+moment too trying for Freddy's nerves, but he cast furtive, inquiring
+glances at his future schoolfellows, which they returned fearlessly and
+with interest.
+
+So intent was the child that the opening of the door startled him, and
+he did not quite recover till he found himself alone with Mary in the
+drawing-room of Englefield Grange. How often in after years Mary
+recalled that visit! and how little she anticipated, as she stood
+admiring the prospect which had so attracted her mother, that its
+consequences would be interwoven with the whole thread of her future
+life!
+
+Mrs. Armstrong had been unwilling to send her boy too soon after the
+close of the Christmas holidays. More than a week had passed, and yet
+the boarders were returning rather slowly.
+
+"School is all very well," they argued, "in summer, when we can have
+cricket and games in the playground till bedtime." And we are quite
+willing to own that winter evenings at school are a trial to a boy who
+compares them with the warm carpeted parlour, the blazing fire, and the
+freedom of home, with no lessons to learn.
+
+The arrangements at Dr. Halford's in winter were, however, very
+homelike. The boys sat on winter evenings in a comfortable class-room,
+with two fireplaces, not stoves, in which genial fires, protected by
+wire guards, blazed pleasantly, and large gas burners increased the
+warmth and created light and cheerfulness.
+
+Still, during the first week or two after the holidays the restless
+boy-spirit often rebelled against the necessary restraint, without which
+or the presence of a master the room would very soon have become a
+modern Babel, or something worse, in noise and tumult.
+
+On this Monday morning Mrs. Halford was busy in the dormitory,
+arranging, with the assistance of the wardrobe-keeper, the clothes of
+those boys who had arrived during the preceding week.
+
+The door opened hastily, and Kate Marston entered. Mrs. Halford has
+changed very little since we saw her at the tea-table some years before,
+listening to Dr. Mason's letter. She looked up hastily and smiled as her
+niece said, "Aunt, is the key of the wardrobe room in your key-basket? I
+cannot find it anywhere." She advanced to the table on which the basket
+lay, and began to turn over the contents.
+
+"I have the key, my dear," said her aunt, putting her hand into her
+pocket. "I found it in the door last evening, and took possession of
+it."
+
+"Oh! Harry, Harry," exclaimed Kate, laughing, "you are incorrigible; how
+earnestly the dear old fellow did promise me to put the key back in its
+place! I expect I shall find the drawers open and every sash of the
+wardrobe pushed back."
+
+Mrs. Halford smiled. "No, my dear," she said, "I went in and put
+everything to rights before I locked the door."
+
+The kind, loving mother had found doors and wardrobe open, and the usual
+neatness of everything destroyed by her boy in his anxiety to discover a
+missing vest, which after all was found in his own bedroom.
+
+Henry Halford has changed very little in character during the years that
+have elapsed since the receipt of Dr. Mason's letters. He has made great
+progress in his studies, and when he left Dr. Mason's care, about three
+years before the Christmas-time of which we write, his father, who had
+just parted with a classical assistant, found Henry quite capable of
+supplying his place.
+
+Dr. Halford felt also the truth of Thomson's words--
+
+    "Teaching we learn, and giving we retain,
+    The birth of intellect, when dumb, forgot."
+
+And Henry Halford so thoroughly understood the advantage to himself that
+he entered into his task with interest and zeal. Young as he was, he
+soon gained the honour and respect of his father's elder pupils, who
+were not slow to discover the real value of their young teacher's
+knowledge.
+
+But Henry Halford at the age of twenty-two was far beyond that age in
+appearance as well as knowledge. His figure, though tall and rather
+slight, had a manliness of carriage seldom seen before twenty-five. The
+clear olive complexion looked even fair by contrast to the thick dark
+whiskers and eyebrows that adorned it. A beard and moustache were not
+then, as now, considered necessary ornaments, or we might say useful
+appendages for the mouth, neck, and throat. At all events, Harry Halford
+was pronounced handsome by those who were sufficiently intimate with him
+to observe the play of features, the mobile mouth, and the intelligent
+sparkling of the deep blue eyes while conversing, although the former
+was large and displayed want of firmness, and the nose scarcely escaped
+being pronounced a snub.
+
+Such was the young tutor who now sat in the class-room of the Grange,
+reading some Greek author, and quite oblivious to the unchecked noise
+made by the early arrival of day pupils and the boarders in the room.
+
+He had a wonderful power of concentrating his mind on any one subject in
+spite of surroundings which would have driven some students crazy. The
+brass bands or a grinding organ might have paraded London streets in
+peace so far as Henry Halford was concerned. And his sister and cousin
+would often practise together for hours in winter, in a room close to
+his little study, uncomplained of by him even when a boy.
+
+As he grew older, and after Fanny left home on her marriage, he would
+often say to Kate Marston, "Why don't you practise, Kate? I assure you
+it will not disturb me."
+
+But Kate, after his return from Dr. Mason's, seldom touched the piano
+while he was in the house; her love of music was so true that she could
+not understand the possibility of not being disturbed in any mental
+employment by the _practice_, not the _perfect_ performance of a piece
+of music.
+
+Well and correctly played, a beautiful air falls on the ear as melodious
+harmony without disturbing any mental effort then occupying the mind;
+but to a true musician every false note, every break of tune or measure,
+jars upon the senses, and attracts other mental powers beyond the mere
+sense of hearing, and totally breaks up for a time the disturbed train
+of thought.
+
+But Henry Halford was no musician, and therefore not liable to
+interruptions of this kind, nor indeed of any other, as his present
+oblivion in the class-room plainly indicates.
+
+Even the opening of the door failed to disturb him, and it was only when
+a sudden silence fell on the rebels that the voice of his father made
+itself heard.
+
+Henry started from his seat, closed the book, and followed Dr. Halford,
+who beckoned him out of the room.
+
+"Mrs. Armstrong is in the drawing-room, Henry. I suppose she has brought
+her little boy. Will you go and see her? I fear she will detain me. The
+clock has struck nine, and I will get these boys into order while you
+are gone."
+
+Dr. Halford always took this "getting into order" upon himself; it was
+one of the duties he could not delegate to his son.
+
+Dr. Halford had understood from the maidservant who admitted Mary and
+her brother that _Mrs._ Armstrong had brought the little boy, and Henry
+passed on to the drawing-room, prepared to be detained by a long story
+of the requirements of her child and the injunctions of a fond mother.
+
+It must be owned he opened the door rather reluctantly, but it was to
+start with surprise, and for a few moments to lose all self-possession.
+A young, handsome, and elegant girl rose as he entered, and bowed also
+with slight confusion. Her mother had described Dr. Halford as a tall,
+pale, intellectual-looking man of sixty, with white hair and a slight
+stoop. Who then could this be, with his erect bearing and youthful face?
+Mary Armstrong could not control the deep blush that rose to her cheek,
+but she quickly recovered her self-possession. Mary had been subject to
+too many contrasts in life and was too really well-bred to allow of any
+awkwardness. She took Freddy's hand and led him forward as she said, "I
+have brought my little brother, Frederick Armstrong, to school; he did
+not like to come alone on the first morning, and mamma was not well
+enough to bring him herself."
+
+Henry Halford by this time had also recovered himself to a certain
+degree as he stammered out--
+
+"I will tell my father, Miss Armstrong; he is in the schoolroom at
+present. He asked me to see--I thought Mrs. Armstrong----" and then
+remembering his father's fear of being detained by that lady, and of his
+own dread of her in consequence, he paused in helpless confusion.
+Woman-like, this hesitation gave Mary courage. She could scarcely
+repress a smile as the young man's words explained unintentionally the
+cause of his evident surprise. He had expected a middle-aged lady, her
+mother, instead of a young girl. Perhaps this was the studious son
+spoken of by Dr. Halford to her mother. Bookworms were always awkward in
+the company of ladies, especially young ones; and as these thoughts
+passed rapidly through her mind, she said with her accustomed ease and
+dignity--for Mary Armstrong could be dignified at times--"I need not
+detain you, Mr. Halford, if you will kindly take my little brother to
+the schoolroom and explain to Dr. Halford why mamma could not bring him
+herself."
+
+"Certainly, Miss Armstrong," was all he could say, as he opened the door
+and followed her with Freddy downstairs to the entrance.
+
+When they reached the door he opened it for her to pass out.
+
+"Be a good boy, Freddy," she said, as she stooped to kiss her brother,
+then she bowed to Henry Halford and descended the steps. On the gravel
+path she turned to give Freddy one more encouraging look. Henry Halford
+still stood at the open door, holding Freddy's hand in a firm clasp. Of
+course she could only bow to him again, but as she passed through the
+gate into the high road she reflected that this young man who held the
+child's hand so kindly would no doubt be kind to their little Freddy.
+
+But of the thoughts which had been passing through Henry Halford's mind
+during that short interview Mary Armstrong was quite unsuspecting;
+neither had she the least idea that he stood at the open door watching
+her for some minutes, to Freddy's surprise, and until a movement of the
+child recalled him to the duties of the hour.
+
+Hastily taking Freddy to the schoolroom and telling his father the
+child's name, he brought his mind to bear upon the duties of his class
+with his usual power of concentration. No sooner, however, had morning
+school closed than he retired to his own little sanctum, but not to his
+usual studies. A new object of study was occupying his mind, and he
+threw himself into his chair, and folding his arms, thought over again
+his adventure of the morning. How clearly every movement, every look,
+even every article of dress worn by the visitor was photographed on his
+memory! He could see again the tall graceful figure, the fair expressive
+face, the large blue eyes, the bright auburn hair, one or two locks as
+usual escaping under the hat.
+
+He recalled the blush which added brilliance to the face, and knew that
+in action, word, and movement the young girl before him was a true
+gentlewoman. Even the dress, so suitable to the season and the hour,
+showed this--warm and dark and soft, only brightened by an ermine muff
+and furs, and red ribbons in the hat. And the boy too, young as he was,
+had more of the _savoir faire_ about him than many of the sons of rich
+merchants who attended the school, and yet the father of these young
+people was a tradesman. Henry Halford was puzzled. He had been brought
+up with the foolish prejudice against trade then so prevalent. Both his
+parents had been well born and were well connected. His father's sister
+had married into a good family, although, like many of these old
+families, they had little to boast of in the way of money. And then the
+young student grew bewildered. Hitherto his books had so occupied every
+thought that any idea of falling in love had never entered his mind.
+Perhaps he had too much poetry and imagination in his heart connected
+with the subject of marriage to allow him to do so easily. In him there
+existed a refined and spiritualised sense of what a woman should be in
+the different phases of her existence, as daughter, sister, wife, and
+mother. Marriage to him was too holy, and the pure love of a woman too
+ethereal, for either to be trifled with, or made the means of merely
+obtaining a home or a settlement.
+
+As he thus reflected he began to wonder that the mere meeting with a
+stranger could arouse in his mind such thoughts as these. Henry Halford
+had certainly never given the subject such deep consideration before in
+his life as now. He had met with many young ladies, sisters or relations
+of the boys under his father's care, and also among his own relations;
+but none had ever so struck him as Miss Armstrong. What and how did she
+differ from others? Most certainly there was something about her he
+could not define.
+
+These conflicting thoughts no doubt arose from ignorance of the world.
+Perhaps also the mind, fatigued by teaching and study, required more
+frequent relaxation. Indeed, his mother felt this necessary, and often
+urged him to accept invitations which he had refused, but without
+success. Be this as it may, before Henry Halford had been sitting an
+hour in his little study the old habits asserted themselves. He started
+up. "Well, I wonder if I am suffering from premonitory symptoms of
+softening of the brain?" he said to himself. "What have I to do with
+falling in love or marriage for years to come? Such thoughts, too, just
+as I am about to succeed in my aims, and have matriculated at Oxford!
+No, no, this will never do, Henry Halford;" and shaking himself as a dog
+fresh from the water, he took up Seneca and buried himself in its pages
+till the dinner bell rang.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+OUR ANTIPODES.
+
+
+In direct contrast to the bright frosty day we have described in the
+last chapter, the reader must be introduced to the clear atmosphere,
+cloudless sky, and bright sunshine of a midsummer day at
+Melbourne--almost England's antipodes. The inhabitants are enjoying a
+long summer's day on this 29th of January, and the surrounding country
+is presenting a verdant aspect and leafy foliage something akin to
+England in July. Midsummer when we have Christmas. Cold and frosty
+weather while we enjoy June sunshine; picnics and evening strolls in the
+calm summer moonlight, while we are shivering by the fire, or preparing
+for a Christmas party; midnight while we have noon, and short summer
+nights when with us darkness sets in at four in the afternoon and
+continues until eight the next morning.
+
+Such are some of the contrasts which astronomers tell us are the
+consequences of the earth's varied movements on her own axis and round
+the sun. But in neither country are the inhabitants conscious of these
+differences, much less can they realise that we in England are walking
+feet to feet with our brethren and sisters in Australia. At Melbourne,
+indeed, with its broad streets, elegant shops, and noble buildings,
+there is too much that reminds one of England to allow of any
+consciousness of contrast. Cathedrals, churches, colleges, botanical
+gardens, and other proofs of refined civilisation mark the progress of
+Saxon energy and enterprise, which have already supplanted in large
+territories of our globe the original inhabitants.
+
+The English are carrying with them not only civilisation and refinement,
+but also the principles of that "knowledge of the Lord which shall cover
+the whole earth as the waters cover the sea."
+
+True, the seed so scattered is mixed with the tares which settlers in
+distant lands carry with them from Christian England to her shame. But,
+like the grain of mustard seed, Christianity will grow and flourish into
+a large tree wherever the seeds of the "kingdom of heaven" are sown, in
+spite of the tares.
+
+In a large drawing-room, luxuriously furnished, and lighted by noble
+windows overlooking a broad street more than a mile long, reclined a
+pale, delicate-looking lady, about thirty-four years of age. Her sofa
+had been drawn near the open window, and as she gazed upon the gaily
+attired passengers passing to and fro on the broad pavements, or making
+purchases in the shops, she sighed deeply.
+
+"What makes you sigh, mamma?" said a pretty little girl of nine years,
+who sat reading in a low chair by her mother's side.
+
+"If I sighed, darling," she replied, "it was because this place reminds
+me of England, and I could almost fancy myself in that broad street in
+London that you have heard me speak of, Mabel."
+
+"Regent Street, you mean, mamma. Yes, I know, for I've heard papa say
+Bourke Street reminded him of it. He says there are just the same sort
+of beautiful shops, and lots of carriages, and ladies and children so
+handsomely dressed. Oh, mamma, I should so like to go to England, and
+see grandpapa and grandmamma, and uncle Henry. Do you think we ever
+shall?"
+
+"Perhaps _you_ may, my dear, but go on with your book, Mabel. I cannot
+bear talking."
+
+The child gladly obeyed; she was a great lover of reading, and never
+more happy than when allowed to bring her book and her low chair, and
+sit near her mother, ready to attend to her every wish.
+
+Mrs. Franklyn leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes. Some
+recollections of England had during the past few months been very
+painful to her from their contrast to the present time.
+
+She had left her home at Englefield Grange, and readily consented to
+what appeared a sentence of banishment to every one but herself, for was
+she not sure of happiness with the man of her choice, even at the other
+side of the world to which they were going?
+
+None of her friends could deny the apparent suitability of the marriage
+between the young lawyer, Arthur Franklyn, and Fanny Halford, the
+schoolmaster's only daughter. Arthur had been one of Dr. Halford's
+earliest pupils, and being an orphan and under the care of his aged
+grandmother, he often remained at school during the holidays. The boy
+soon became very fond of playing with the little Fanny, then nine years
+younger than himself, and this childish acquaintance was kept up long
+after he had left school to be articled to a solicitor. The almost
+friendless youth paid frequent visits to his old schoolmaster, and was
+always received with a kind welcome.
+
+To make Fanny Halford his wife had been the purpose of Arthur Franklyn's
+heart for many years, but to mention the subject to her father until his
+means were sufficient to maintain a wife he well knew would be useless.
+
+He had reached his twenty-ninth year, when the death of his grandmother
+made him the possessor of about fifteen hundred pounds. Now the way
+seemed open to him. But he had another scheme in view, which very nearly
+caused him the loss of Fanny. Australia had for many years been the El
+Dorado of his hopes; he had also distant relatives doing well at
+Melbourne, who had often expressed a wish that he should join them, but
+Fanny Halford had been the tie that bound him to England.
+
+The little girl had learnt to love her boy playfellow in childhood as
+they grew older, and the young people, as if by mutual consent, seemed
+to take it for granted that some day they should be husband and wife.
+Although no word had passed on the subject either between them or to
+Fanny's parents, Dr. Halford felt towards the young man almost as much
+affection as for his own son, Henry Halford being at that time a mere
+child. It was not till his grandmother's legacy had altered Arthur
+Franklyn's position that his eyes were opened to the fact that the young
+man and his daughter might be attached to each other.
+
+The good old gentleman, however, when once brought to understand the
+case, readily agreed to Arthur's proposals; and Mrs. Halford, much as
+she dreaded the loss of her child from her home, raised no objections.
+Her daughter would still of course be at a visiting distance now
+railways and omnibuses were becoming so general, and she could therefore
+often see her.
+
+Arthur Franklyn's intimation, therefore, came upon them like a
+thunder-clap. "Australia! Our antipodes! No, no, Arthur, the idea is
+impossible, we cannot part with our child to such a distance," were the
+doctor's words. But neither the father's objections nor the mother's
+tears could influence Fanny, she would go with Arthur all over the
+world; and so at last the parents were conquered by the pale face and
+failing health of their only daughter, and they consented to the
+marriage.
+
+To Arthur's legacy was added the 1000_l._ saved by Dr. Halford for his
+daughter's marriage portion, and the young people sailed for Australia
+with their own hopes for the future bright and glowing, and followed by
+the earnest prayers of their reluctant parents.
+
+Fourteen years have rolled by since then, and what are Fanny Franklyn's
+reflections as she now reclines on the sofa in her luxurious home? What
+had she to complain of beyond the failing health and strength to which
+we are all liable? She had a kind and loving husband, four healthy,
+intelligent children, and every comfort and attention she required. But
+all this was on the surface; only wife or husband can detect faults in
+each other which are hidden from the world, unless those faults lead to
+or produce consequences which eventually become matters of publicity.
+
+And a fear of this latter result had been the one bitter drop in Fanny
+Franklyn's happiness, the bane of her married life.
+
+Arthur on arriving at Melbourne established himself as a solicitor, and
+for a time with moderate success. Then he became restless and
+dissatisfied. He wanted to make a fortune more rapidly, gave up his
+profession, and commenced speculating. With this began Fanny's
+anxieties. She had quickly discovered her husband's want of business
+knowledge. She could see how differently he acted from her own parents,
+to whose careful, saving habits she owed her marriage portion.
+Fortunately for Arthur, his wife was thoroughly domestic, and more than
+once she had warded off an impending blow by her economy and good
+management.
+
+But as their family increased her anxieties became greater. The very
+good nature, and pleasant unsuspecting sociability which had won them
+all at Englefield Grange, proved Arthur's greatest danger. Sanguine to
+the highest degree respecting the results of a new speculation, he would
+recklessly act upon the mere hope of success, and involve himself in
+difficulties, and so it had been going on; at times living in a style of
+elegance and luxury, in consequence of a successful speculation, and at
+others in obscurity and almost penury.
+
+No wonder poor Fanny Franklyn's health sunk in the midst of such
+vicissitudes.
+
+While reflecting over the past which has been so briefly described, the
+sound of a hasty footstep roused her, and presently her husband stood by
+her couch anxiously questioning her.
+
+"How are you, darling?" he said gently as he stooped to kiss the pale
+cheek. "I have been so much engaged all day, or I should have come in to
+see you before this." And then, without waiting for her to reply, he
+walked to the window and looked out on the gay and busy scene in the
+street beneath.
+
+"You will soon get well in this lively place, Fanny," he said; "I cannot
+tell you how anxious I have been to get you out of that dull cottage on
+the hills, with nothing to look at but gardens and fields and trees."
+
+"Yes, but, papa," said little Mabel, rising from her seat and coming to
+his side, "we were close to the Botanical Gardens and the park, and
+mamma used to go out in a chair every day."
+
+"Well, so she can here, Mabel, and I should think you and Clara like
+these large noble rooms better than those low ceilings and cramped
+apartments at the cottage."
+
+"There are some rooms I should prefer far beyond those at the cottage,
+or even these," said Mrs. Franklyn, gently.
+
+Mr. Franklyn smiled, and was delighted to see a smile and a slight tinge
+of colour on his wife's face as she spoke. "Where are they, darling?" he
+exclaimed. "I have only taken these for a month certain; we would move
+directly if I thought it would do you good."
+
+"I'm sorry I expressed my thoughts aloud, Arthur," she said, "for you
+must not incur any farther expense; but the rooms I mean are at
+Englefield Grange."
+
+Arthur Franklyn became silent. He was longing to return to England
+almost as much as his wife; but at that moment he had more than one
+speculation in view, which he felt sure would make him a rich man; and
+then to return to his native land and star it amongst his schoolfellows,
+who had often scorned the penniless orphan, would be indeed a triumph.
+
+"I wish I could take you to England at once, dearest," said her husband;
+"indeed, I should like to send you and the two girls now, and remain
+here alone for a year or two; but I cannot allow you to attempt such a
+voyage in your present weak state."
+
+"No, no, Arthur," she replied, "I will not leave you, I could not go
+alone. Let us continue in this house as long as you like, rather than go
+to greater expense. I hope I shall be better as the weather becomes
+cooler."
+
+The appearance of the tea-tray put a stop to the conversation, and Fanny
+consoled herself by the thought, "I cannot leave him of my own
+free-will, and if God sees fit to remove me before he is able to return
+to England, I can leave him and the dear children in His hands."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
+
+
+Mary Armstrong returned home after leaving Freddy at school, quite
+unaware of the disturbance her appearance had created in the mind of
+Henry Halford; and indeed so perfectly indifferent, that after removing
+her walking dress she entered the dining-room where her mother sat, and
+said--
+
+"I did not see Dr. Halford, mamma, he was engaged in the schoolroom, but
+his son took charge of Freddy."
+
+"His son! Ah, yes, I remember he spoke of a son who was studying for the
+Church. From Dr. Halford's description I should say this son was a man
+of very studious habits."
+
+"Yes, mamma, and I am sure he must be, for he appears quite unused to
+the society of ladies; he hesitated, and stammered, and seemed hardly
+able to say a word: he did manage, however, to explain that he expected
+to see Mrs. Armstrong. I set him down as a bookworm at once."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong glanced at her daughter; she was not one of those foolish
+mothers who overrate the charms of their daughters, but a thought she
+could not repress made her fear that this son of Dr. Halford's might be
+a dangerous acquaintance. A kind of presentiment of evil made her look
+at Mary intently as she took her German books from a side-table and
+commenced studying the language just then coming into vogue.
+
+There was a look of perfect indifference on the face which Mrs.
+Armstrong so carefully studied, and yet she could not help saying
+suddenly, "What sort of young man is Dr. Halford's son in appearance,
+Mary?"
+
+The sound of her mother's voice made Mary look up with a start from a
+difficult exercise. "_Haben sie!_" she exclaimed aloud; and then, "Oh,
+mamma, I beg your pardon, did you not ask me a question? I have such a
+puzzling sentence here, and I quite forgot what Herr Kling told me about
+it."
+
+"It was nothing of importance, my dear," said her mother, as carelessly
+as she could speak; "I only asked you what sort of a young man Dr.
+Halford's son is in appearance."
+
+"Handsome or plain, you mean, mamma," was the reply: "certainly not
+handsome, and his hair looked as if, while poring over a book, he had
+been pushing it up with his hands till it stood on end like pussy's tail
+when she is angry."
+
+"My dear, what a comparison!" said her mother, with a laugh and a
+feeling of satisfaction. But Mary felt ashamed of her description.
+
+"I ought not to speak in this way, mamma, I know; the fact is, when I
+found young Mr. Halford so confused, I avoided looking at him; but he is
+a gentleman, I could see that, and his hair is black. He appeared to be
+careless about his dress and appearance, and that, added to his confused
+manner, made me think he was a bookworm. You know, mamma, two or three
+of papa's friends who are so wrapped up in science and literature fidget
+me dreadfully when they dine here. Mr. Barnett, the great engineer,
+often has his collar on one side, or a button off his boots, and they
+all look as if they dressed in the dark, and without a looking-glass. So
+I suppose young Mr. Halford will be just the same. Oh, mamma, please
+don't make me talk any more," she added, glancing at the clock. "Herr
+Kling will be here in half an hour, and I am not yet ready for him."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong was quite contented to remain silent. The easy and rather
+satirical tone in which Mary spoke of Dr. Halford's son removed all
+apprehension from her mind for the present.
+
+Mr. Armstrong she knew too well would harshly oppose marriage for his
+daughter with any man who did not possess the means of making a handsome
+settlement on his wife, and raising her to the position of her mother's
+relations. Neither of Mary's parents wished her to marry young: the idea
+of losing her was agony to Mrs. Armstrong, and a constant dread had now
+arisen in the mother's heart lest this new position in a country home,
+which had already drawn them into society, might lead Mary to form a
+girlish attachment not in accordance with the conditions laid down by
+her father.
+
+Mr. Armstrong, however, had no such fears; Mary's ready acquiescence in
+all his wishes, and the evident respect she had always shown to his
+opinions, caused him to overlook in his child a will as firm and
+unbending as his own.
+
+Hitherto none of his requirements had been opposed to the deeper or more
+sensitive feelings of her nature. Mary could overcome her repugnance so
+long as her father's wishes only required the sacrifice of certain
+conventional rules, and minor matters of opinion. But he could make no
+distinction, and he was prepared to expect implicit obedience in every
+point, even where her wishes were opposed to his. The thought that she
+would ever fail in this obedience never entered his mind.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong understood her daughter's character more correctly than
+her husband, with all his boasted superiority of intellect, and
+therefore she dreaded a passage of arms between these two so near and
+dear to her.
+
+The trial was more closely at hand than even she for a moment
+anticipated.
+
+Little Freddy often brought home from school a full and particular
+account of some incident that had occurred during the day, and in which
+he had been greatly interested.
+
+These incidents were listened to by Mary only out of love to her little
+brother; and although very often Mr. Henry Halford's name stood
+prominent in these narrations, Mary's interest on that account was very
+little excited. It gratified her, however, to find that the child was
+treated with great kindness by both father and son, and to hear his
+earnest declaration--
+
+"Oh, Mary, I like Mr. Henry Halford so much, he is so kind to us little
+ones in the playground; he plays at peg-top, and all sorts of games,
+with us; and sometimes we go into the cricket-field, without the big
+boys, and he teaches us how to play; isn't it kind of him?"
+
+All this was very pleasing to Mrs. Armstrong, more especially as she
+could discern very clearly that Mary listened to it all as a matter of
+course. No suspicion that this kindness to her brother could arise from
+a wish to win the sister, or for her sake, entered her mind.
+
+Not so her mother; suspicions of this kind would intrude themselves at
+times, only to be set aside by her daughter's evident indifference.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong, however, was wrong. Henry Halford's kindness to the
+little boys arose from a natural love of children, and Freddy Armstrong
+was not favoured more than others. All thoughts of the fair girl whose
+appearance had so confused him on that cold January morning had been
+banished with determination. After school duties ceased he became, as
+usual every day, absorbed in his books, his only recreation a game at
+cricket, or, as we have heard, the fun with the juniors, which gave him
+the greatest pleasure. And so the weeks passed on, and brought with them
+signs of the approach of spring.
+
+One afternoon, about a fortnight before Easter, Mr. Armstrong returned
+from the City rather earlier than usual, to have a ride with his
+daughter. He had on this account travelled to town and back by the
+omnibus.
+
+"Give me half an hour's rest, Mary," he said, as she came in full of
+pleasure to ask when he wished to start.
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied, "and there will be also time for you to have a
+cup of tea with mamma; she generally has it about four o'clock." Away
+ran Mary to hasten the refreshing "cup which cheers but not inebriates,"
+while Mr. Armstrong seated himself and began to talk to his wife.
+
+"I shall not be sorry to have a cup of tea," he said, "for I rode
+outside the 'bus, and the roads are too dusty to be pleasant, whatever
+the old proverb may say, and perhaps with some truth, that 'a peck of
+March dust is worth a king's ransom.'"
+
+"If it is good for the gardens and the harvest to have a dry March,"
+said Mrs. Armstrong, "it is certainly worth while to bear the
+inconvenience, and my health is always much better in dry, clear
+weather. Your proverb about March dust will form another incentive for
+patience when it troubles me while taking my daily walks."
+
+"How much improved your health appears lately, my dear Maria!" remarked
+her husband, after a pause; "and you are looking almost as young as
+ever. I am not a little pleased to find you in such good spirits,
+because I want you to join me in accepting an invitation next week to
+dinner at the Drummonds'; I suppose you have returned Mrs. Drummond's
+visit?"
+
+"Oh yes, a few weeks ago; she is a most pleasant, lady-like woman, and
+we were friends almost immediately."
+
+"Then you will raise no objection, my dear; indeed, I am sure the change
+will be good for you. Mary is also invited, and I have my reasons for
+wishing her to go. Drummond rode with me from town to-day, and I
+accepted his invitation for Mary and myself at once, but for you
+conditionally."
+
+"I shall be happy to go with you," replied his wife. "The Drummonds are
+people I should wish Mary to know, and I am much more able to bear an
+evening visit at this time of the year than in the depth of winter. You
+must remember, Edward, that even when living in London I always regained
+health and strength in the spring and early summer."
+
+"And here, of course, your health and strength are doubly sure to
+improve in these seasons," he replied, laughing. "Ah, well, darling, I
+am glad we made the change for your sake."
+
+The appearance of the tea put a stop to the conversation, and in a very
+short time Mrs. Armstrong stood at the door watching her daughter as she
+sprang lightly to her saddle, on a beautiful grey mare, her father's
+latest gift.
+
+Bucephalus is not, however, quite discarded; sometimes in the morning
+she will take him for a canter over the heath, or in the holidays join
+her brothers, one of whom rides Rowland's pony, and the other
+Bucephalus. Edward Armstrong is fifteen now, and has grown too tall for
+Boosey; during the absence of the elder boys the pony belongs entirely
+to Freddy, who is learning to ride under Mary's guidance.
+
+During their ride, Mr. Armstrong told Mary of the invitation to dinner
+at Mr. Drummond's. "You will like to pay such a visit, I suppose," he
+said, "and I have accepted the invitation for you as well as myself."
+
+"Will it be a large party?" asked Mary, timidly; she had no thought of
+opposing her father's wishes, after hearing that he had accepted the
+invitation for her, but she remembered her discomfort at her first
+dinner-party, at which a large number of guests were present, some of
+them not very refined, and certainly not well-bred.
+
+In fact, she could not help making comparisons between the noisy, and to
+her, almost vulgar visitors at the table; or at the evening parties of
+the rich in the neighbourhood, and the quiet refinement and dignity of
+such gatherings at the homes of her mother's relations.
+
+Something akin to Mary's thoughts was passing through her father's mind
+before he answered her question, and influenced his reply.
+
+"Mr. Drummond told me to-day that he did not expect more than six or
+eight guests in addition to his own family. And, Mary," he continued,
+"you need not fear meeting coarseness or vulgarity at Mr. Drummond's
+table. Your mother has readily consented to accompany us, and that is a
+sufficient proof that she considers the friends of Mrs. Drummond fit
+associates for her daughter."
+
+"Oh, papa," said Mary, "I hope you do not think it was pride that made
+me speak as if I did not wish to go, only I do dread a large number of
+people; and papa----" But Mary paused; she hesitated, with the delicacy
+of a refined mind, to speak of the coarse flattery to which she had been
+subjected at one dinner-party by some of the gentlemen when they left
+the dining-room.
+
+"And what, my dear?" said her father, gently.
+
+"I told mamma," she replied, "when I came home, but I only meant to ask
+you whether some of the gentlemen at Mr. Ward's dinner party had not
+taken too much wine."
+
+A flush of indignation rose to Mr. Armstrong's brow as he thought of
+what, under such circumstances, some of them might have said to his
+gentle daughter. Determining to ask her mother, however, he merely
+said,--"I fear such was the case, Mary, but you are not likely to meet
+with anything of that kind at the Drummonds'. The practice of staying
+for hours after dinner, drinking wine, till men make themselves unfit
+for the company of ladies, is happily becoming less frequent in good
+society. And now," he added, looking at his watch, "we must canter for
+awhile, or we shall be late for dinner."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A CHANGE OF OPINION.
+
+
+Among the guests expected at Mr. Drummond's table on that memorable
+occasion was a gentleman of great note in the scientific world, to whom
+Mr. Armstrong had been very anxious to be introduced. Indeed, this wish
+had influenced him greatly in his ready acceptance of the invitation.
+
+"My friend Professor Logan will dine with us on that evening," had been
+Mr. Drummond's remark to Mr. Armstrong. "I suppose you have read his
+address at the Royal Society on the inventions of the last thirty years?
+It was correctly reported in the _Times_."
+
+"Yes, indeed, and there I saw it," was the eager reply. "Is Professor
+Logan your friend, Drummond? It will be a great privilege to meet such a
+man."
+
+"And he will be equally pleased with you," was the reply; "indeed, I
+expect it will be quite a learned gathering, for I have asked three or
+four other men of education to join us, and I almost fear the evening
+will be dull for Mrs. Armstrong and your bright, lively daughter; but
+Mrs. Drummond will be terribly disappointed if they do not come, and she
+will make the evening as pleasant as possible for them. My nieces are
+very musical, and----"
+
+"Oh, pray do not make the invitation more attractive than it is
+already," interrupted Mr. Armstrong. "My daughter's tastes resemble my
+own, and she has had advantages of education which I have not. I'm
+afraid, Drummond, your friends will expect too much from a self-taught
+man like myself if you have, as you say, placed me on the list of your
+'learned' acquaintance."
+
+"Nonsense, Armstrong!" was the reply, as the omnibus stopped for that
+gentleman to alight. "Mind," he added, as he waved his hand in farewell,
+"we shall expect you all on Tuesday."
+
+Mr. Armstrong's close carriage arrived at Argyle Lodge only five minutes
+before the hour appointed for dinner. In a very short time, therefore,
+Mary found herself being conducted to the dinner-table by a gentleman
+whose face seemed familiar to her, but whose name, when spoken by her
+hostess, she had not caught.
+
+"I think I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Armstrong once before,
+when she brought her little brother to school," was the remark which
+made Mary turn and look at her companion.
+
+There was a smile on the face she had called plain, but it did not now
+deserve such an epithet. The rough, dark hair, which in its disorder she
+had likened to a "pussy-cat's tail in a rage," was now arranged in
+shining wavy curls across the broad forehead; the dark eyebrows almost
+meeting over the nose gave character to the face, and a look in the deep
+blue eyes, although Mary Armstrong had quickly recognised her companion
+as Henry Halford, made her ask herself if she had really ever seen them
+before. So changed was the face, so expressive the glance, so winning
+the smile, that Mary could only stammer out with a blushing face--
+
+"I beg your pardon, Mr. Halford; I did not at first recognise you, but I
+do now."
+
+They entered the dining-room as she said this, and during the slight
+commotion occasioned by placing every one with due regard to the varied
+requirements which make the position of a hostess so difficult, Mary
+could only recall with shame and wonder her satirical description of
+Henry Halford.
+
+The silence that generally pervades the company at the commencement of
+dinner enabled Mary to recover herself and look round for the home
+faces.
+
+Her mother, who had been taken into dinner by Mr. Drummond, was seated
+nearly opposite to her at his right hand. At the moment of this
+discovery she observed her bow to some one on Mary's side of the table.
+Her surprise at this caused her to lean forward slightly. What friend of
+her mother's could be dining with Mr. Drummond?
+
+A gentleman with white hair, and a pale, handsome face, was returning
+the recognition. Mary was fairly puzzled, but she had conquered the
+confusion caused by Mr. Henry Halford's unexpected appearance, and when
+the conversation became general she could talk to her companion with
+ease and intelligence.
+
+Mary could hear her father's voice, but she could not see him, as he sat
+at the same side of the table as herself by Mrs. Drummond.
+
+Presently Henry Halford spoke.
+
+"Are you acquainted with that gentleman at the head of the table on Mrs.
+Drummond's left hand?" he asked, under cover of many voices.
+
+Mary shook her head. She had observed that he and her father were
+already in earnest conversation across the table, but he was a total
+stranger to her.
+
+"No, I am not," she replied; "all here are strangers to me, excepting
+Mr. and Mrs. Drummond and my own parents."
+
+"Then you do not know my father, to whom your mamma bowed just now. I
+saw you lean forward to discover who had been so honoured by Mrs.
+Armstrong's notice."
+
+"Is that gentleman your father, Mr. Halford?" said Mary, simply. "I
+think he is a very handsome old man; that silvery white hair always
+looks to me beautiful when accompanied with dark eyebrows and eyes."
+
+"My father would feel extremely flattered if he heard your opinion of
+him, Miss Armstrong," said Henry Halford.
+
+"I am not flattering," replied Mary, "I am only giving my opinion, and
+you have not told me the name of that gentleman opposite. He looks
+clever."
+
+"Why, really, Miss Armstrong, I shall begin to be afraid of your opinion
+about myself if you are so quick at reading character. That gentleman is
+Professor Logan, whose address at the Royal Society has made such a stir
+in the scientific world."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad to meet him!" she exclaimed. "I know he must be clever
+because papa is talking to him so earnestly, and I read his address at
+the Royal Society in the _Times_."
+
+"Did you, indeed, Miss Armstrong?" said Henry, in a tone of surprise.
+
+"Certainly I did, and with very great interest. Is there anything very
+wonderful in that, Mr. Halford?"
+
+Henry Halford hesitated to reply; he looked earnestly at the young lady
+who could read an address on the most abstruse sciences with "great
+interest." He had heard young ladies spoken of rather contemptibly as
+"pedants" and "blue-stockings." Was this gentle, simple-speaking girl by
+his side one of these? Or if not, did she belong to the frivolous,
+half-educated young ladies, who think of nothing but dress, or lovers,
+or husbands _in futuro_? Although Mary had spoken of him as unused to
+ladies' society with some truth, yet he had seen and heard enough to
+judge of them as belonging to a sex inferior in strength both mentally
+and physically, and in those days of which we write his judgment was not
+far wrong.
+
+"I will put a few questions to this young lady who expresses her
+interest in abstruse subjects," he said to himself. "Perhaps after all
+it is merely a smattering of knowledge which she possesses, and a wish
+to be thought a 'blue.' Are you fond of scientific subjects, Miss
+Armstrong?" he asked, with something akin to satire in the tone of his
+voice.
+
+But Mary Armstrong did not detect it; she replied unaffectedly--
+
+"I think I am, at least so far as I can understand them, and that is not
+to a very great extent; but arithmetic is a science, is it not? and I am
+very fond of that; and I like the study of thorough-bass quite as well
+as the practical part of music."
+
+"I am rather surprised to hear a young lady say she is fond of
+arithmetic," replied Henry Halford, rather amused, and doubtful still.
+"How far have you penetrated into the mysteries of calculation?--to
+Practice, perhaps?"
+
+Mary now detected a shadow of satire.
+
+"A little beyond Practice," she replied, with a smile. "I begin to feel
+afraid to tell you how far, you appear so surprised that a girl should
+learn boys' studies, but my father wished me to do so."
+
+Henry Halford flushed deeply. The straightforward simplicity of the
+young lady whom he wished to prove a pedant or a "blue" baffled him, and
+made him feel ashamed of his satire.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Armstrong," he said. "It is such an unusual
+thing in the present day to meet with young ladies who really care for
+any studies beyond music and singing, and what are called the fine arts,
+that I was a little incredulous; pray show me I am forgiven by telling
+me what advance you have made in these studies, which you consider
+belong to boys."
+
+There was an earnestness and sincerity in the young man's voice which
+could not be mistaken.
+
+Mary replied candidly, but without the slightest appearance of
+ostentation--
+
+"Mr. Halford, papa himself taught me algebra after I had studied every
+rule in arithmetic, and the first book of Euclid. That is the extent of
+my knowledge--nothing so very wonderful, after all."
+
+"And the _pons asinorum_, Miss Armstrong?"
+
+"Yes," she replied, "even the _pons asinorum_."
+
+There was a look of respect, mingled with surprise, on Henry Halford's
+face; for once he had met with a young lady who had evidently some
+pretensions to mental strength without being proud of it.
+
+By degrees he managed to discover that, owing to her father's wise
+decision, she had not been allowed to learn music without studying
+thorough-bass, or drawing unless accompanied with the study of
+perspective. But as, without asking direct questions, he contrived to
+draw her out by adopting a conversational tone, he found to his delight
+that this scientific young lady was far more deeply interested in poetry
+and literature.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong watched the fair face of her daughter as it lighted up
+with pleasure at the poetical remarks of her companion, who criticised
+her favourite authors with so much clearness and justice.
+
+She was not sorry when Mrs. Drummond gave the signal for leaving the
+table. She could read in the gentleman a growing interest and admiration
+of her daughter, which made her uneasy; not a little increased by a
+remark of Mr. Drummond's--
+
+"Mr. Henry Halford and your daughter are getting on famously together. I
+know that her education has been solid as well as accomplished, and he
+appears to have found out that fact."
+
+"Is that Dr. Halford's son?" asked Mrs. Armstrong; she remembered her
+daughter's description of him as plain, but the young man so earnestly
+conversing with Mary on a favourite topic was as usual giving to that
+face the flashings of intellect, the expressive smile, and, it must be
+owned, a too evident admiration of the fair girl by his side, which made
+him unmistakably handsome.
+
+"Yes; did you not know it?" was Mr. Drummond's reply. "And a really
+clever fellow he is too; he has lately matriculated at Oxford. His
+father wishes him to be a clergyman, and I have no doubt he will come
+off with 'flying colours.'"
+
+No wonder Mrs. Armstrong was relieved when the signal came to remove her
+daughter from such dangerous company.
+
+But Mary very soon restored her mother's peace of mind by the absence of
+all consciousness when she referred to Mr. Henry Halford.
+
+On entering the drawing-room the mother noticed with anxiety the deep
+flush that so generally made Mary's face too brilliant. She watched her
+as she wandered alone to a distant table and took up a book, after
+examining several, and seated herself to read. She walked over to her
+and said, "You are interested in your book, Mary."
+
+"Yes, mamma; Mr. Henry Halford has been talking about Milton's 'Paradise
+Lost,' and he has explained to me a great deal of those learned terms
+and classical references which make some pages of the book so difficult
+to understand, and I mean to read it through again; you know how fond I
+am of Milton."
+
+"Yes, dear," said her mother, "but you cannot do so now in Mrs.
+Drummond's drawing-room."
+
+"No, mamma, of course not; I was only glancing over a few pages to try
+how much I could remember of Mr. Henry Halford's explanations. Oh,
+mamma, you cannot imagine how clever he is."
+
+"No doubt, and I hear he is at Oxford studying for the Church. But,
+Mary, do you remember your description of Dr. Halford's son? In my
+opinion he is anything but plain, and his hair----"
+
+"Oh, mamma, pray don't refer to what I once said;" and Mrs. Armstrong
+knew that the flush on Mary's cheek as she spoke arose from shame at her
+foolish words, nothing more. "I hardly looked at him that morning, but
+now that I have heard him speak with so much animation and cleverness I
+consider Mr. Henry Halford handsome; don't you, mamma?"
+
+This simple admission satisfied the anxious mother; she agreed readily
+with her daughter's remark, and a servant advancing with tea and coffee
+put a stop to the conversation.
+
+Presently the gentlemen made their appearance.
+
+Mary noticed that her father and Mr. Henry Halford were eagerly
+discussing scientific subjects with Professor Logan as they entered.
+
+Even as they stood with a cup of coffee in the hand of each, the subject
+was being carried on with great earnestness.
+
+At last one of Mr. Drummond's nieces approached the piano, at her aunt's
+request, and struck a few chords.
+
+A sudden pause, and then the rich tones of the singer hushed the
+scientific controversy. Even those who had no natural appreciation of
+harmonious sounds were attracted to listen; among these ranked Henry
+Halford.
+
+To a singer with less confidence the silence would have been fatal, but
+Edith Longford was not likely to fail from nervousness, and there is
+nothing so calculated to steady the nerves of a performer in any subject
+as a perfect knowledge of what he is about.
+
+As the soft melodious tones ceased, Henry Halford contrived to whisper
+to Miss Armstrong a question, intended to try whether the young girl,
+whose conversation had so interested him at dinner, could bear the
+praise of another without jealousy.
+
+During the song he had not been able to resist the attraction of her
+presence. Although really occupied with the subject of dispute as he
+entered the room, Henry Halford's quick eye discovered at once the
+whereabouts of Mr. Armstrong's daughter, and he had gradually moved
+towards the table where she sat.
+
+"Miss Longford plays and sings well, Miss Armstrong," were the words
+that made Mary start from a reverie. "I am quite ignorant of music
+theoretically, and I have no natural taste for the harmonies; but you
+can tell me whether my opinion is a correct one."
+
+"I, Mr. Halford!" said Mary, recovering herself; "Miss Longford is far
+beyond me in music. I could not take the liberty of forming a judgment
+upon her, excepting that I know she sings and plays far better than I
+do."
+
+"Generous and candid," said the young man to himself as a gentleman
+advanced to lead Mary to the piano. He followed them, and stood
+listening with surprise to the simple English ballad which Mary sang
+with real taste and feeling.
+
+Henry Halford when alone in his room that night made a decision in his
+own mind on certain points; in some of these, had he remained firm and
+unshaken, our story would have ended here.
+
+"Mary Armstrong is a very beautiful girl," were his first mental words,
+"full of intellectual knowledge, far beyond any young lady I have ever
+met. She is candid, plain-speaking, impervious to flattery, and generous
+to a rival--at least if Miss Longford is a rival. For my part, I
+consider Miss Armstrong's music far more pleasing. And then what a
+talented man her father is! no wonder, with such a teacher, his daughter
+should be so different from other girls. I have met many girls, but none
+like Miss Armstrong."
+
+By a strange association of ideas, to which we are all subject, Easter
+and Oxford presented themselves to his mind, and the involuntary sigh
+that followed a recollection of the fact that in less than a week he
+should be miles away from Mary Armstrong, changed the whole current of
+his thoughts.
+
+"How absurdly I am allowing my mind to dwell upon this young lady!" he
+said to himself. "A man so rich as her father will of course wish her to
+marry a man of wealth, and one equal in position to her mother's
+relations. I might lay claim to the latter qualification, but what shall
+I be at the end of my three years at Oxford? an usher in my father's
+school, or a curate with an income of perhaps 100_l._ a year or less. I
+will think of her no more!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.
+
+
+Whatever impression might have been made by Mr. Henry Halford's
+cleverness on the mind of Mary Armstrong was destined to be obliterated
+by the most unlooked-for occurrence.
+
+One evening, about a fortnight after Easter, Mr. Armstrong returned at
+an unusually early hour, and entered the library, where Mary and her
+mother were seated, with a look of anxiety on his face which surprised
+them both.
+
+He held a letter in his hand, and his wife asked nervously--
+
+"What is the matter, Edward? you have no bad news about the boys, I
+hope."
+
+"No, no," he said hastily, "but I have had a letter from John Armstrong;
+my poor father, he says, is sinking fast, and wishes to see me once
+more."
+
+"Oh, papa, when are you going?" cried Mary, "can I pack your carpet bag,
+or prepare anything for you? I suppose you will go this evening?"
+
+"I should have gone direct from London, after sending you a telegram,"
+he replied, "but my father wishes me to bring Mary; have you any
+objection, my dear?" he added, turning to his wife.
+
+"No, indeed," she replied, "take her with you by all means; I remember
+how pleased the dear old gentleman was with his little granddaughter
+when we paid him a visit fifteen years ago."
+
+Mary, who had risen when she offered to assist in preparing for her
+father's hasty departure, stood still during this conversation in silent
+astonishment. Rapid thoughts passed through her mind. Was she really
+going to see the dear old grandfather, of whom she had so often heard
+her mother speak, and beautiful Meadow Farm, the home of her father's
+childhood, and the house in which he was born?
+
+So bewildered did she feel at the sudden news, that her mother had to
+say--
+
+"Do you not wish to accompany your father, Mary?"
+
+"Oh yes, yes, mamma, but it seems too good to be true."
+
+"You must be quick, Mary, if you wish to go," said her father, looking
+at his watch; "I have ordered James to have the brougham at the door by
+half-past three, and the train starts from Waterloo at 4.30."
+
+In a moment all was bustle and excitement. Slight refreshment was
+quickly prepared for the travellers. But Mary had still her useful
+fairies at her elbow, and when her father summoned her from the
+dining-room at the time appointed, she only detained him one moment to
+cling to her mother's neck and kiss her fondly.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong stood at the door to see them off and wish them _bon
+voyage_. Then she returned to the library to rest after the hurried
+excitement, which fatigued her even more than a long walk.
+
+This hasty summons which her husband had received carried her memory
+back to those early days of her married life when with her husband and
+her little daughter Mary, she had visited Mr. Armstrong's paternal home.
+She recalled the sweet country landscape, the apple-orchards in full
+blossom, the fragrant hayfields, the leafy woods surrounding Meadow
+Farm, then redolent with the delights of early summer.
+
+She saw and heard again, in imagination, the crowing of cocks, the
+clucking of hens, the chirping chicks and lowing cattle, and the
+occasional "quack, quack" of ducks and geese, all of which sights and
+sounds greeted eye and ear from her bedroom window when she rose in the
+morning.
+
+Even the journey by the old-fashioned stage-coach was not without
+interest; and how well she remembered the pride of her mother's heart as
+her little Mary, then scarcely three years old, excited the astonishment
+of the passengers by spelling from the coach window the letters upside
+down, which formed the name of the coach proprietor!
+
+Again she recalled their amusement at one of Mary's childlike speeches,
+when they stopped to change horses on the road. Across the inn yard came
+a man with a wooden leg, carrying a pail of water. The child, who had
+never before seen this substitute for a human limb, almost screamed with
+excitement as she exclaimed--
+
+"Oh, mamma, mamma, do look; there's a man with one leg, and a piece of
+stick for another!"
+
+Even now she could smile at the memory of the child's remark, but it was
+soon lost as her thoughts turned to the time when she stood in the old
+hall at Meadow Farm to receive the welcome of her husband's father, a
+tall, noble-looking man, one of the olden times, whose dark eyes at the
+age of sixty-seven had not lost their sparkling intelligence. These
+eyes, with eyelashes and brows equally dark, contrasted pleasantly with
+the silvery white hair; and the face with its winter-apple colour,
+though bronzed by constant exposure to the weather, wore a refined
+dignity of which his son Edward could scarcely boast. The welcome
+awarded by this fine old yeoman to his son's wife had a mixture of
+deference and affection which deeply gratified the well-born daughter of
+the St. Clairs, and her father-in-law's love for his little fairy
+grandchild completely won her heart.
+
+All this Mrs. Armstrong had described to Mary so vividly, that the young
+girl felt as if she already knew every nook and cranny of the old farm,
+as well as the face of the dear old gentleman who was her father's
+father. And yet she had not the slightest recollection of the visit so
+clearly remembered by her mother.
+
+Since that time Mr. Armstrong had more than once paid a visit to his
+paternal home, but delicate health and an increasing family prevented
+his wife from accompanying him, yet he never offered to take Mary. Once
+her mother had proposed to him to do so, but he repudiated the idea.
+
+"No, Maria dear," he had said, "there are no women at Meadow Farm, or in
+the neighbourhood, who are fit associates for your daughter. By-and-by,
+when her manners are more formed, I shall have no objection."
+
+But Mrs. Armstrong was not deceived by these excuses; she knew that as
+her husband's income increased, so did his pride. For eccentric persons
+are always inconsistent, and his strange notions about his daughter's
+education, and his refusal to allow her to ride on horseback after a
+certain hour, with other objections to practices which he called "aping
+the gentry," all arose from "the pride that apes humility."
+
+Meanwhile, quite unaware of her mother's reflections or her father's
+opinions, Mary seated herself in a first-class carriage, her happiness
+in the prospect of the coming journey only clouded by the fact that her
+aged grandfather was approaching the borders of the grave.
+
+They were alone in the carriage as far as Slough, and as the express
+train sped on the consciousness of this made her so uneasy that she
+could not help breaking the silence by saying--
+
+"Papa, do you think my grandfather will remember me?"
+
+"I think not, my daughter," he replied; "you were scarcely three years
+old when he saw you last, and now you are a woman."
+
+"But I do hope he will be well enough to know who I am," she said. "I
+have heard mamma talk of grandpapa so often that I feel sure I shall
+recognise him when I see him, from her description."
+
+"Your mother does talk to you, then, about her visit to Meadow Farm?"
+
+"Yes, papa, often, and she says grandpapa was a fine, handsome old man
+when she saw him fifteen years ago."
+
+There was a little feeling of gratification in Mr. Armstrong's heart at
+this proof that his lady-wife could so think of his father; she had
+often so spoken of him in conversation, but he had passed it by as the
+loving words of a wife who wished to prove that she did not look down
+with contempt on her husband's relations.
+
+But in her remarks to Mary there could be no such motives, and it was in
+a tone of regret that he replied--
+
+"Fifteen years will make a great difference in your grandfather's
+appearance, Mary, and I expect you will find him decrepit, and infirm at
+eighty-two years of age, and very much changed from the handsome old man
+your mother describes."
+
+"I shall love him just the same, papa," she said firmly.
+
+The early spring evening was closing in as Mr. Armstrong and his
+daughter drove to the gates of Meadow Farm. Mary could see, however,
+that her father's face was pale with anxiety, as he hastily alighted
+from the railway fly and turned to assist his daughter.
+
+At the same moment she heard a pleasant voice exclaiming--
+
+"You have brought your daughter, Edward; I am very glad, for uncle is
+longing to see her.--You are the image of your mother, Miss Armstrong,"
+continued the speaker, with a sudden deference, as the tall, graceful
+girl held out her hand to the lady whom her father introduced as his
+cousin Sarah. "The men will bring in your luggage, Edward," she added;
+"come in at once and see uncle; he seems to have gained new life since
+we sent for you and--Mary."
+
+The name came at last after a slight hesitation, for the bearing and
+manner of Mary Armstrong, though perfectly free from pride, threw a
+restraint upon her homely kinswoman, who remembered her only as a little
+child of three years.
+
+Before they reached the house John Armstrong met them, and involuntarily
+removed his garden hat, when his cousin Edward asked him if he
+remembered his little playfellow Mary.
+
+"I hope you do, cousin," said Mary, pleasantly, to put him at his ease,
+for this deferential treatment by her country cousins pained her
+greatly. "I have often heard mamma speak of cousin Sarah and cousin
+John, and I am so happy to be able to pay you a visit at last."
+
+As she spoke they entered the old farm kitchen. A space round the fire
+was partially hidden by a screen.
+
+Mr. Armstrong led his daughter forward to the enclosed spot.
+
+"Who is come, Sarah?" said the quavering voice of an old man.
+
+"It is your son Edward. Father, how are you? This is my daughter, the
+little Mary of whom you were once so fond."
+
+The old man looked up and grasped the hand of his son; then, as he saw
+Mary, he made an effort to rise.
+
+"No, no, grandfather," she exclaimed, kneeling by his side and kissing
+his cheek; "you must try to forget I am taller and older than the little
+Mary you once knew."
+
+"Thank God that I have lived to see you, my child," said the old man,
+laying his hand on her head, for Mary had thrown off her hat; "I thought
+you wouldn't bring her, Edward," continued the old man, in the tearful
+voice of excited old age. "But now you're come, my dear, we'll make you
+happy. You're like your mother, child. Dear me, how the time flies! Ah,
+well, I'm almost home now, and I feel like old Simeon, 'ready to depart
+in peace,'" and the voice had a choking sound as he paused as if for
+breath. Cousin Sarah approached.
+
+"You must be quiet for a little while, uncle," she said, "and not excite
+yourself. I'm going to take Miss Armstrong upstairs for a few minutes
+till tea is ready, and Edward would like to go to his room, I daresay."
+
+"Yes, yes, quite right, Sarah, I'll take care of myself," replied the
+old man. "I'm only a little overcome at first." And as they left the
+room he leaned back in his easy-chair and quietly watched the rosy
+country servant as she covered the table with a profusion of good
+things, such profusion as country people consider necessary to prove
+their hospitality.
+
+Meanwhile Mary had followed cousin Sarah to a bedroom which, while it
+lacked many of the elegant luxuries of her own room at home, charmed her
+by its simplicity, cleanliness, and tasteful arrangements. The ceiling,
+across which appeared a large beam, was low, the floor uneven and only
+partially covered with a carpet. But through the lattice window the
+moonlight fell in diamond patterns on the floor, only broken by the
+shadow of the flickering rose-leaves that surrounded it. The dimity
+curtains, the quilt, the bed furniture, and the toilet covers were of
+snowy whiteness, and that peculiar fragrance of the country which is
+often found in country bedrooms pervaded the room.
+
+Twilight still lingered, yet Mrs. John Armstrong carried a lighted
+candle which flared and flickered in the draught from the open window.
+
+"I am sorry the window has not been closed, Miss Armstrong," she said,
+as she shaded the candle in her hand, and advanced to fasten the
+casement.
+
+"Please call me Mary, cousin Sarah," said the young lady, earnestly;
+"and if you will put out the candle and leave the window curtains
+undrawn, I shall prefer the moonlight. Oh, what a pleasant window!" she
+added, as she looked out on the prospect so often described by her
+mother. "Did mamma sleep here?"
+
+"No, your papa has the room in which she slept, it is larger than this;
+but you shall see it to-morrow, the window overlooks the orchard."
+
+"Yes, I know," said Mary; "mamma has described it so often that I am
+sure I shall recognise it."
+
+"Then Mrs. Armstrong remembers her visit to Meadow Farm?"
+
+"Indeed she does with great pleasure, and I have been so longing to come
+here. I hope, however, that my coming has not excited dear grandfather
+too much," she added, anxiously; "but I did not expect to find him up
+from what cousin John said in the letter."
+
+"Oh, did you not? Why, uncle has never kept his bed a whole day yet; he
+always comes down to dinner; strong, healthy men like he has been seldom
+live long after once they take to their beds."
+
+Mary had been hastily making some slight alteration in her dress, and
+emptying her carpet bag with a quickness which surprised cousin Sarah;
+and seeing her ready they went downstairs together.
+
+Mary Armstrong had never before seen a real farm-house kitchen, and she
+was not likely to forget the scene that presented itself as she entered.
+
+A large roomy apartment, containing two oriel windows, with leaden
+casements and diamond window-panes. On one side a dresser and shelves,
+covered with pewter plates, old china bowls, and various articles of
+wedgwood and earthenware.
+
+Through an opposite door she could see another large kitchen lighted by
+the blaze of a wood fire, in which servants were apparently busy, and
+the voices of men and women could be heard. She noticed as she followed
+her cousin to the screen that the window nearest the entrance door was
+uncovered, and that the floor of the old kitchen appeared to be formed
+of rough stones which she afterwards found was a mixture of lime and
+sand. But for the moonlight, which passed through the uncovered window
+and glittered like silver on the pewter plates, this part of the farm
+kitchen would have had a very desolate aspect. Once, however, inside the
+screen, how changed everything appeared! The portion enclosed was as
+large as many a London parlour, and entirely covered with a thick
+carpet. On the wide, open hearth lay a pile of coals and wooden logs,
+that sent a blaze and a sparkle up the chimney, while the glowing heat
+rendered the stone on which the carpet in front of the fire lay a far
+warmer resting-place for a cold foot than the thickest hearth-rug ever
+invented.
+
+On a large round table in the centre, covered with a snowy cloth, were
+arranged china teacups of curious shape and rare value, the silver
+teapot, cream-jug, and sugar-dish of most antique patterns, in which the
+firelight gleamed and flickered, adding brightness to the good fare with
+which the table was loaded. Above the high mantelpiece hung various
+useful kitchen articles composed of tin, copper, and brass, all so
+carefully and brightly polished that the light from a lamp and the
+reflected blaze of the fire flashed from their surfaces with a glitter
+that illuminated the enclosed portion of the kitchen, making the outer
+part darker by contrast.
+
+In the most protected corner of this pleasant enclosure, and near the
+glowing fire, sat old Mr. Armstrong with his son by his side, cheering
+the old man by his pleasant conversation. Mary, as she entered, thought
+she had never seen her father to so much advantage. The tender,
+deferential manner of the son to the aged father was a new phase in his
+character which charmed his youthful daughter. Mrs. John Armstrong took
+her seat at the tea-table, while her husband rose with a native
+politeness to place a chair for Mary, which made her forget that his
+dress was the homely garb of a farmer.
+
+"Give up your seat to your daughter, Edward, and let Mary sit by me."
+
+The change was quickly made, and then the old gentleman said--
+
+"Ah, my dear, I can see you more plainly now in the light of the lamp;
+there is a look of the little child I remember so well, although you are
+grown so tall and womanly."
+
+"Do you not think Mary is like her mother, uncle?" said cousin Sarah;
+"and yet she has a look sometimes that reminds me of Edward."
+
+"Never mind whom she resembles," said the old man; "if my granddaughter
+is, as I hear from her father, a dutiful and affectionate daughter, that
+is of far more value than her personal appearance."
+
+How pleasantly that evening passed! Mary played a game of chess with the
+old gentleman, whose mind was still clear, notwithstanding his
+eighty-two years, and delighted him by her quick intelligence, and
+perhaps not less by finding that he could beat her after a well-matched
+contest.
+
+When Mary laid her head on her pillow that night in the pretty white
+bedroom, as she called it, she felt that there could be found much more
+real happiness in a country life than in all the gaieties and
+frivolities of a London season.
+
+But Mary had yet to learn the real foundation of the peace and harmony
+which seemed to surround the residents at Meadow Farm like a halo, and
+even to make her sleep more sweetly in her white-curtained bed than she
+had ever done even in the richly furnished rooms and luxurious couches
+at her aunt Elston's, in Portland Place, after an evening spent in
+gaiety and excitement.
+
+For the first time in her life Mary had knelt at family prayer.
+
+The old clock in the kitchen had scarcely finished striking nine when
+cousin Sarah rose, and taking from a shelf a large old-fashioned Bible
+and book of family prayers, placed them on the table before Edward
+Armstrong.
+
+"Do you not read yourself, father?" he asked.
+
+"No, my son, I have not been able to do so for some years; John always
+supplies my place; but now you are here you must officiate."
+
+To Mary all this was new. Except at church she had never seen her father
+with a Bible in his hand, and she wondered whether he had been
+accustomed to this in his childhood.
+
+Edward Armstrong possessed one accomplishment which is not always
+sufficiently appreciated, he read well; and the beautiful chapter which
+his father requested him to read sounded to Mary as something she had
+never before heard--the 15th chapter of St. Luke, and the story of the
+prodigal son.
+
+The prayer also which followed was new to her. It seemed so suited to
+the time and place and persons assembled, that she could follow every
+petition as if it came from her own heart. No wonder Mary Armstrong
+after this could sleep peacefully.
+
+The sunbeams of an April morning aroused her at an early hour next
+morning. She sprung out of bed and drew back the window-curtains. What a
+charming prospect met her view! Close beneath her lay stretched a large
+and well-kept garden, old-fashioned paths bordered with box, and
+flower-beds of various geometrical shapes, in which crocus and snowdrop,
+wallflower, and polyanthus spread themselves in picturesque confusion.
+
+Nearer the house the lilac buds were just bursting into flower, and
+around her windows the monthly roses mingled their delicate pink leaves
+with the dark green ivy that covered the wall.
+
+Beyond stretched field and meadow in early spring verdure. In the
+furrows of an adjacent field men were already busily employed in sowing
+seeds, and from a distance could be heard the lowing of cattle, the
+clucking of hens as they led their chirping broods, the quacking of
+ducks and geese, the peculiar note of the guinea-fowl, and above them
+all Chanticleer's shrill but familiar crow. Mary turned from the window
+with a hasty determination to obtain a closer inspection of these
+pleasant rural sights and sounds. Dressing herself quickly she descended
+the stairs, and found every one in the house up and busy except her
+father and grandfather, although it was not yet half-past six o'clock.
+
+Mrs. John Armstrong came forward with surprise to greet the London lady,
+who could leave her room at such an early hour.
+
+"What, up already, Mary?" she said, "I did not expect to see you till
+nine o'clock."
+
+"I rise early at home always," she replied; "papa often leaves for
+London at half-past eight, and I breakfast with him."
+
+"Ah, yes, I forgot that you live at some distance from London now, and
+therefore our country manners and ways are not quite new to you."
+
+"It is very pleasant country where we live, but not so rural as this,"
+said Mary; and then, as she observed her cousin take some barley from a
+bin in the outer kitchen, she exclaimed, "Oh, cousin Sarah, if you are
+going to feed the chickens, do let me go with you, I am longing to see
+the farmyard, and I can carry something for you."
+
+"Of course you shall go, my dear; I shall be glad to have you. Ned and
+Jack are away at school now in Southampton, and I miss their help very
+much."
+
+Mary was soon loaded with a basket containing provision for the farmyard
+pensioners, and while they walked she asked many questions about her
+cousins John and Edward, boys of eleven and fifteen, cousin Sarah's only
+surviving children. But the strange farmyard scenes soon occupied all
+Mary's attention. Never in her life had she seen so many geese, ducks,
+chickens, and pigeons, and until they were all fed and satisfied nothing
+else could be attempted.
+
+At length Mary was at liberty to look round her. The farmyard was
+surrounded by barns, stables for horses and cattle, waggon-sheds, hen
+and pigeon-houses, rabbit-hutches, and a pond in the centre, by no means
+small, for the ducks and geese, near which stood their comfortable
+nests.
+
+"The man is going to feed the pigs, Mary," said her cousin; "their sties
+are at the back of the stables, opening into a field."
+
+She led the way from the farmyard as she spoke, and as they drew near
+the spot Mary heard a most unmelodious sound, half-grunting,
+half-squeaking, with which the little hungry animals greeted their
+keeper. There appeared about a hundred little pigs in a portion of the
+field adjoining the sties, and railed in from the other part by wooden
+palings and hurdles. At intervals, close to the fence, stood troughs,
+and the moment their keeper appeared in sight there arose such a perfect
+yell and growl of grunting and squealing that Mary could not attempt to
+speak.
+
+The little animals, who varied in age from six weeks to three months,
+were beautifully clean and white, and when Mary saw them looking through
+holes in the palings, and many of them standing on their hind-legs to
+put their noses over, she could scarcely speak for laughing.
+
+"I thought pigs were such heavy, stupid things," she said at last, "but
+these are lively enough."
+
+"They be lively enough when they be'es hungry," said the man, as he
+entered the enclosure and drove them back into their houses while he and
+his helper filled their troughs.
+
+"You can come and see them fed another morning," said cousin Sarah, "but
+I must go in and prepare breakfast now. Will you amuse yourself in the
+garden till you hear the bell ring, and gather some flowers for the
+table?"
+
+"Yes, I should like it of all things;" and Mrs. John Armstrong led Mary
+to the garden gate and left her.
+
+Mary wandered down the dew moistened paths, now and then gathering
+flowers as she passed. In her mind, while looking at the ungainly little
+beasts in the field, had arisen a memory of words in the parable she had
+heard read the evening before--"and he sent him into the fields to feed
+swine." Her knowledge of Oriental customs enabled her to understand the
+deep degradation of such employment, not only to the Jew, but to the
+natives of other Eastern countries. And yet, after all, the prodigal's
+father received him again with open arms.
+
+She was walking still in deep thought when her father's step aroused
+her.
+
+"What is the subject of my daughter's thoughts?" he said as he placed
+his arm round her.
+
+Mary avoided a direct reply. Not even to her father could she open her
+heart on the real subject of her thoughts. But she described with so
+much vivacity the scenes she had lately visited, not forgetting the
+greedy pigs, that her father was quite amused.
+
+The eight o'clock bell summoned the whole household to prayers, and when
+Mary entered the farm kitchen she found the screen drawn back and about
+twenty farm-servants, male and female, waiting to join in the morning
+devotions.
+
+Her grandfather was absent, but her father conducted the service as on
+the previous evening. And when she seated herself at the breakfast-table
+the glow of health on her cheek was not brighter than the glow of
+pleasure in her heart as she thought of a whole family kneeling and
+asking God to guide and keep them through the day from danger and sin.
+
+Mr. Edward Armstrong was obliged to return to London on the day after
+his arrival, and finding his father so much better than he expected he
+did so with less regret. "You can leave your daughter for a few days
+longer, Edward," said his father; "I have hardly had time to renew my
+acquaintance with her, and it is not possible that I shall ever see her
+again in this world."
+
+"Would you like to stay for a week, Mary?" asked her father.
+
+"Yes, papa, very much, if dear mamma can spare me for so long."
+
+"There is no doubt of that, my dear," he replied, "especially if she
+thinks your stay will be agreeable to your grandfather."
+
+And so Mary Armstrong remained at Meadow Farm for a week, a period which
+in after-life was never forgotten. The loving affection of the kind old
+man was returned by her in attention to his every wish. So much, indeed,
+had this visit cheered and revived him, that on fine afternoons, when
+persuaded by Mary, he would lean on her strong young arm, and walk about
+the garden and fields of the farm.
+
+On the Sunday he even ventured to the village church; and when
+congratulated by friends who wondered at the elegant graceful girl on
+whose arm he leaned, he would say with affectionate pride, "This is my
+granddaughter, Edward's eldest child."
+
+In these walks the young girl opened her heart to the aged Christian,
+who had had a long life's experience in the "ways of wisdom," and had
+found her paths "paths of peace."
+
+From him Mary Armstrong learnt those truths which were to be her comfort
+and guide in after days of sorrow and trial.
+
+When her father came for her at the end of the week she felt the parting
+from her grandfather and cousins only softened by the thought that she
+was returning to her mother so dearly loved. At parting the good old
+gentleman gave her a Bible with marginal references, and a concordance,
+which she received with many tears, for she felt that never again on
+earth should she hear the loving voice that had first said to her, "This
+is the way, walk ye in it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+A VISIT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
+
+
+During the evening at Mr. Drummond's there had been very little
+opportunity for Mr. Armstrong to discover that the gentleman with white
+hair was the head of the school at which his little Freddy attended as a
+pupil. He had been greatly pleased with the gentle and refined manners
+of Dr. Halford and his son, and felt at once that they were both men of
+superior education. He had greatly appreciated their remarks on both
+literary and scientific subjects after the ladies had left the
+dinner-table; but, unfortunately, one of Mr. Armstrong's narrow-minded
+prejudices made him judge schoolmasters and clergymen with anything but
+Christian charity. Added to this they were proverbially poor, and
+poverty in his eyes was becoming almost a crime.
+
+"What business," he would say, "has a man to educate his son to be a
+clergyman if he has not independent means, or a living ready for him? or
+even to be a schoolmaster, with fine notions about education, and not a
+penny in his pocket? Better by far make him a carpenter or a shoemaker,
+to work for his living without having to endure the torture of keeping
+up a genteel appearance upon poverty."
+
+Mr. Armstrong had been unfortunate in his experience respecting
+schoolmasters and curates; and with the unbending obstinacy of his
+nature adhered to the opinion he had formed. The bare idea that Dr.
+Halford could be a schoolmaster, or that his son was studying at Oxford
+to become a curate, never occurred to him. His wife, who knew his
+prejudiced opinions too well, would not enlighten him on the subject,
+while speaking next morning of the great pleasure he had found in their
+society, although she wondered that the name had not reminded him of
+Freddy's school.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong congratulated herself, as she remembered that Mary's
+father had been too much occupied at the dinner-table to notice the
+gentleman who sat by her side. "If any unpleasantness should arise from
+the attentions of that young man to my daughter," she said to herself,
+"I shall have to remove my little Freddy from school, and he is so happy
+there."
+
+One afternoon, after the Easter holidays, Freddy brought home a little
+note, fortunately addressed to herself, containing the quarter's
+account. The sum was comparatively trifling, and she sent it herself the
+next day by Freddy. It had been made out to Mr. Armstrong; but she
+feared to show him the bill on which the name of Halford stood so
+conspicuously written.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong was giving herself unnecessary anxiety. Henry Halford was
+already at Oxford absorbed in his books, and more than ever determined
+to ignore even the existence of a certain young lady with large grey
+eyes and bright brown hair, who had for a time dazzled his senses.
+
+And Mary, did a thought of that pleasant dinner-party ever pass over her
+mind? Yes; for true to her promise she had read Milton's works with
+greater interest than ever; she had made notes of the explanations Mr.
+Henry Halford had given her so far as she could remember them, and
+perhaps a little feeling of disappointment arose in her heart that he
+had not sent the copy of "Paradise Lost," which he had offered to lend
+her, and which contained notes in the margin. Mary Armstrong owned to
+herself that she liked Mr. Henry Halford, both in manners and
+appearance; and, above all, for being so evidently clever and
+well-informed; but she was not likely to be easily won. The thought of
+marriage, as a possible event at some future time, would sometimes occur
+to her; but _falling_ in love implied a weakness, and the citadel of
+Mary Armstrong's heart was so well guarded by constant and active
+employment, a love of acquiring knowledge, and a mind well informed on
+the best subjects, that it would need a strong siege to make the citadel
+surrender. At present, therefore, Mary was free; and the spring months
+passed away; and June, with its roses, its blue skies and balmy air,
+arrived to gladden the earth.
+
+The health of Mrs. Armstrong had greatly improved since her residence at
+Lime Grove. Freddy was also looking well and rosy; and letters from
+Edward and Arthur were full of the anticipation of the happiness in
+store for them during the Midsummer holidays.
+
+One morning early in June a carriage drove up to the gate of Lime Grove,
+and to Mrs. Armstrong's great satisfaction she saw her sister, Mrs.
+Herbert, preparing to alight. The colonel and his wife had been abroad
+during the winter; and the sisters met in the hall with affectionate
+pleasure.
+
+"Why, Mary," said her aunt, as her niece came forward to welcome her,
+"you are grown quite a woman; and you and your mother look so well, I am
+sure this place must agree with you."
+
+"Yes, indeed it does, aunt," replied Mary, leading her to a chair; "but
+has it not made a change in mamma?"
+
+"Wonderful!" said the lady, as she seated herself.
+
+"Wont you take off your bonnet, Helen, and stay to lunch?" asked her
+sister.
+
+"Yes, presently. I want a little talk first, and there is plenty of
+time."
+
+"Let me send a message to the coachman to put up the horses, aunt," said
+Mary; "it's a long drive from town, and they must want rest."
+
+Mrs. Herbert agreed to remain for an hour or two; the horses were safely
+stabled, and the servants desired to give the two men their dinners;
+all, indeed, was arranged according to Mary's wishes, for Mrs. Armstrong
+gave up every household management to her active, energetic daughter.
+
+"Well, upon my word, Mary," said her aunt, after having been, as she
+said, carried upstairs by force of arms to remove her bonnet and shawl,
+and was now seated in a luxurious chair near an open window, "upon my
+word you manage to have your own way very decidedly."
+
+"Perhaps I do," she replied, laughing; "but now, aunt, is it not more
+comfortable to feel you have nothing to do but talk or listen, instead
+of being obliged to interrupt a pleasant conversation to get ready for
+lunch in a great hurry?"
+
+"Ah, yes, I daresay you are right, Mary; but now, before I tell you one
+cause of my visit I must hear all the news. Do you like your house as
+well as ever?"
+
+"Yes, quite; indeed I may say, better, for the garden is repaying the
+money we laid out upon it last year, and we have obtained such a nice
+school for Freddy."
+
+"Your flowers are beautiful, I can see so far," said Mrs. Herbert--and
+so of one thing and another the ladies continued to talk, till at last,
+after Mary's drawings had been examined, her German lessons described,
+as well as the beautiful grey mare her father had given her--Mrs.
+Herbert said, "When will Edward be at home, Maria?"
+
+"Not before five; we dine at six. If you wish to see him you must stay
+to dinner."
+
+"I would rather not do so; it will make my return home so late. Do you
+think I may venture to take Mary away for a week or ten days without
+asking her father's consent?"
+
+"Oh, aunt, I'm afraid not," said Mary, "if you wish me to visit you in
+Park Lane."
+
+"Only for a day or two, my dear. Your uncle and I are going to Oxford
+for a week on a special invitation from Charles, and in his letter he
+says I am to be sure and bring Mary."
+
+"It is no use to look so anxiously at me, my dear," said Mrs. Armstrong;
+"I could not decide myself in such a matter; you must persuade your aunt
+to stay to dinner, and then she can ask your father herself."
+
+"Would you like to go, Mary?" said her aunt.
+
+"Oh yes, above all things, aunt. I went to Cambridge once with papa, but
+he says it is nothing to Oxford. We shall be able to visit the colleges,
+and the museum, and libraries. I've read about them; and to visit such
+ancient, antique places, will be a great treat."
+
+"Charles seems to think," replied her aunt, "that there is nothing so
+likely to attract visitors to Oxford as the grand commemoration which
+takes place once in three years, and is to happen this year. I suppose,
+from what he says, that it will be a very gay and exciting time at
+Oxford."
+
+"Can you manage without me, mamma?" asked Mary, suddenly.
+
+"Certainly, darling; I would not deprive you of such a pleasure for a
+great deal."
+
+"Then if aunt cannot stay I'll ask papa myself, and perhaps he will take
+me to Park Lane to-morrow, when he goes to town."
+
+"I should like to have a decision to-day, my dear, that I may write to
+Charles and tell him when to expect us, so I suppose I must stay, for I
+intend to take you back with me this evening, Mary; and as it is
+daylight till ten o'clock, we need not mind being late."
+
+This decision gave pleasure to both mother and daughter; and after
+luncheon Mary left the sisters to their pleasant afternoon chat, while
+she went to pack a box with various articles which she knew she should
+require for so long a visit.
+
+"I don't think my father will refuse to grant me this great pleasure,"
+she said to herself, "so I may as well have everything in readiness, and
+not keep aunt Helen waiting when his consent is obtained. If he does
+object to my going I can easily unpack my box again, and replace
+everything."
+
+But Mary sighed at the prospect of a disappointment.
+
+She was, however, not doomed to such a result. Mr. Armstrong could not
+resist the pleading eyes of his daughter when her aunt stated her wish,
+and readily gave his consent. As quickly as possible after they had
+dined, the carriage was brought to the door. Yet with all the delightful
+anticipations of the visit in store for her, Mary could not part from
+her mother without a feeling of regret which almost produced tears. She
+had so lately left her to visit her grandfather for a week, and as she
+kissed her she whispered--"Mamma, are you sure you can manage without
+me, and shall you feel lonely?"
+
+"No no, dearest, don't be afraid, Morris will do all I require, and I
+shall amuse myself by thinking of your happiness, and of all you will
+have to tell me on your return."
+
+Mr. Armstrong seemed to participate fully in his daughter's pleasure,
+and as he placed her in the carriage with her aunt, after kissing her
+affectionately, a deep feeling of pride rose in his heart. Mary was all
+he could wish her to be. He had superintended her education, and to
+himself alone he attributed all the good qualities she possessed.
+
+"My daughter will attract notice in the society she meets at Colonel
+Herbert's," he said to himself. "I wish her to marry well, both as to
+position and money. She is not likely to make a foolish attachment. At
+all events, should such a thing arise I have influence enough with her
+to put a stop to it. Mary will not disobey me."
+
+Meanwhile Colonel Herbert's open carriage was bowling along on its
+delicate springs towards London in the pleasant summer evening.
+
+For some minutes the present and anticipated enjoyment kept Mary silent.
+At last her aunt made some remark which caused her to say--"I thought
+cousin Charles was at Windsor with his regiment."
+
+"So he was a week ago, but he has taken advantage of leave of absence to
+visit an old friend at Oxford, who has lately obtained a fellowship, and
+he is so delighted with the place that he wishes us to participate in
+his pleasure."
+
+"He is very kind to think of me," replied Mary, "and you could not have
+proposed for me a greater treat. When do you intend to start?"
+
+"On Thursday, I hope, but I must write to Charles this evening that he
+may secure apartments at the Mitre Hotel. I believe that during the week
+of commemoration Oxford presents a very gay appearance, and every
+available room in the town is quickly hired at a fabulous rent. I have
+heard the scenes described, but while Charles was at the Woolwich
+Academy the grand days there in which he figured were my greatest
+attraction."
+
+"Oh yes, aunt, I can quite understand a preference for the places where
+our own relations are studying. Those days when you took me to Woolwich
+while cousin Charles was a cadet were delightful."
+
+And so the aunt and niece continued to talk till the carriage drove into
+Park Lane, and Colonel Herbert appeared to welcome the arrival of his
+niece.
+
+"Well done, Helen," he said, as his wife led Mary in. "So you have
+succeeded in your expedition, and enticed the home bird from her nest?"
+
+"Not without waiting for permission from head-quarters," she replied. "I
+was made to remain to dinner, for the young lady appeared resolute; she
+would not stir without her father's sanction, which, however, was most
+readily given."
+
+"Quite right, Mary, there can be no hope of future happiness in any
+matter which opposes a parent's will."
+
+"Take Miss Armstrong to her room, Annette," said Mrs. Herbert to the
+little French maid, who stood waiting to attend the young lady; and then
+she added in English--"I am going to write to Charles at once, Mary. Go
+with Annette, she will unpack your box, and do all you require."
+
+Mary followed the tastefully yet neatly dressed French girl to a
+pleasant room overlooking the park, and soon delighted the young
+foreigner in a strange land by addressing her with ease in her own
+language.
+
+Mary, after arranging her dress, and allowing her beautiful hair to pass
+through the agile fingers of the French girl, seated herself at the open
+window to watch with eager amusement the varied groups who still
+lingered or sauntered leisurely along in the cool evening air.
+
+The summons for tea took her to the drawing-room, and the evening passed
+in listening to descriptions of her aunt's journey to the south of
+France, and of the beautiful _chateau_ overlooking the blue waters of
+the Mediterranean in which they had lived.
+
+"We often wished you and your mother were with us, Mary," said her
+uncle, "all the reading in the world about these lovely spots can never
+realise the scenes to the imagination of the reader in their full
+beauty. They must be seen to be understood."
+
+"I hope I shall have that opportunity some day," said Mary. "Papa often
+talks about spending a few months on the Continent, although he dreads
+the thought of leaving the management of his business to others. But,
+aunt Helen, I should think some of the scenery in Wales or Scotland, and
+in England too, especially in the lake country, must be as beautiful as
+any place in foreign lands."
+
+"England has a beauty of its own in its soft and picturesque scenery,"
+said her uncle, "but in the glorious south the sunshine, the luxurious
+vegetation, and the clear air, which makes distant objects so sharply
+defined, render the scenery very unlike that of a northern landscape.
+Still, it is a fact that many English people go abroad to admire foreign
+countries who know nothing of the beauties in their own native land."
+
+"I've heard papa make the same remark, uncle, and I shall always feel
+thankful to him for taking me so many pleasant trips through England,
+and if I ever have the good fortune to visit other countries I shall be
+able to make comparisons, and I don't think dear old England will lose
+much after all."
+
+"Quite right, Mary, stand up for your own native land, and be thankful
+that you are not being suffocated with the heat in India, nor subject in
+England to earthquakes, tornados, or storms, such as destroy cities, and
+terrify so often the inhabitants of the torrid zone."
+
+"Indeed I am thankful already, uncle, for I have heard Aunt Helen
+describe Indian storms, and the terrible heat, too often not to be glad
+I have a dear English home. Is the scenery round Oxford beautiful?" she
+asked after a pause.
+
+"It is rather flat, but very picturesque on the banks of the Thames,
+which runs behind Christchurch Meadows, especially in summer. Have you
+never been in Oxfordshire, Mary?"
+
+"No, uncle, but I have seen Windsor, that is the next county, so I
+suppose there is a similarity in the scenery."
+
+"A little, perhaps, but I will leave you to judge for yourself. And now,
+suppose you give us a little music."
+
+And thus the evening passed away, and we cannot wonder if in Mary's
+dreams were mixed up various subjects which had made that day so
+different to the quiet studious scenes of home.
+
+Next day they drove to the Kensington Museum, and afterwards spent a few
+hours at the Exhibition of the Royal Academy, the latter always a
+delight to Mary. And at a rather early hour she laid her head on her
+pillow full of joyous anticipations of the morrow's journey.
+
+Could she have foreseen the result of this visit would she have shrunk
+from it? We cannot tell.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE COMMEMORATION WEEK.
+
+
+Brightly shone the sun over the towers and pinnacles of the glorious old
+city as the train sped along between Didcot and Oxford. Down the High
+Street towards the railway station two gentlemen were walking slowly,
+one of them wearing the Master of Arts gown and the trencher cap; the
+other, though in plain clothes, had the bearing and gait of a soldier.
+
+Except the bright dark eyes and the clear olive skin there is very
+little in the tall manly figure and whiskered face to recall the Charley
+Herbert whom Edward Armstrong saved from an untimely death. His
+companion, who scarcely reaches to his shoulder, has no such personal
+attractions as his friend, but the keen eye, broad forehead, and
+intellectual, studious face, command at once respect and attention.
+
+"At what time is the train due?" asked Charles Herbert, taking out his
+watch.
+
+"12.30," was the reply.
+
+"Oh, then we have plenty of time to drop in at Queen's and asked Maurice
+about the boatrace. Hollo, old fellow, where are you going?" and the
+young officer looked at the offered hand of his friend with surprise.
+
+"I ought not to intrude upon your friends on the very moment of their
+arrival, Herbert, so I'll say good-by now."
+
+"Nonsense! I want you to know them; come, along, Wilton; you are not
+going to escape me in this way; and here comes Maurice, the very man I
+want. Who is that tall fellow with him?" he added hastily, in a low
+tone, as the two undergraduates approached, one of them with a pleased
+recognition of Charles and his friend.
+
+"I'll introduce you if you like," had been Mr. Wilton's reply, and as
+the four gentlemen met and exchanged a friendly greeting, Charles found
+himself returning the bow of the stranger, who was being named to him as
+"Mr. Henry Halford, of Queen's."
+
+"I think we have met before, Mr. Herbert," said Henry, with a smile, "we
+were fellow pupils at Dr. Mason's."
+
+"To be sure, I thought the name was familiar," exclaimed Charles,
+holding out his hand, "but how was I to recognise our famous Grecian as
+a tall undergrad. with whiskers; but I remember the face now." And then
+the two gentlemen stood talking over olden times until Horace Wilton
+reminded Charles Herbert that he had but a few minutes to spare if he
+wished to reach the station in time to meet his friends, and persisting
+in wishing him "Good-by," started him off.
+
+Hasty promises were made to meet on the morrow, hasty farewells uttered,
+and then Charles Herbert found himself proceeding alone at a rapid rate
+towards the station.
+
+He had, however, several minutes to wait on the platform before the
+train slowly drew up, and then from a window of a first-class carriage
+he recognised the bright, intelligent face of his cousin Mary.
+
+In a few moments the door of the carriage was opened, and a proud, fond
+welcome from the son whom the mother had not seen for so many months
+almost brought tears in Mary's eyes.
+
+"Are you tired? Shall we walk to the hotel, and leave the boxes for a
+porter to bring?" were the eager questions readily assented to at last,
+and then Charles Herbert, taking possession of his cousin's arm, led the
+way to his hotel.
+
+Perhaps, to a stranger, no period of time at Oxford can be more fraught
+with interest than the week in which the yearly commemoration is held.
+The town no doubt appears more dull by contrast during the long
+vacation, but in full term time the streets seem redolent of learning;
+the grave don walking with stately step, as if conscious how far above
+all other is the power conferred by knowledge and mental superiority;
+the severe-looking proctor, with his black velvet-trimmed gown adding to
+his appearance of stern, gloomy determination to be the punisher of
+evildoers; the youthful freshman, who wears his new honours with shy
+pride, contrasted with the careless indifference of his more experienced
+companion, who, carrying a number of musty-looking volumes under his
+arm, seems quite unconscious that his gown is in rags, or that the cane
+is visible at one or more corners of his cap.
+
+The yearly commemoration at Oxford certainly presents a scene of
+excitement scarcely equalled, from the peculiar features of the place,
+the period, and the principal actors.
+
+It is preceded by that terrible time when the aspirants for honours,
+shivering and pale, sit writing answers to questions of alarming
+difficulty, or replying with painful nervousness to their seemingly
+stern examiners, who sit or stand before them with covered heads.
+
+This is followed by sickening suspense till the list of names decides
+their fate. Then the scene changes; books are laid aside, learning seems
+for a time ignored. The long vacation is about to commence; all is
+pleasure and gaiety.
+
+Happy fathers, proud mothers, brothers, sisters, and cousins, occupy
+every habitable part of Oxford outside the college walls, submitting to
+any inconvenience that they may be present during the exciting week.
+
+On the day of Mary's arrival with her aunt and uncle, several of the men
+who had been going through a terrible ordeal in the schools might be
+seen with pale and anxious faces wending their way to different
+colleges. But as Mary entered the High Street at Magdalen Bridge, the
+colleges on either side of the road, and the steeples in the distance so
+occupied her attention that she scarcely noticed any other object.
+
+"What college is that?" she asked, as the beautiful but antique outline
+of Magdalen first met her view.
+
+"I am not quite up in the wonders of Oxford yet," he replied, "although
+I have been here a week; but I can tell you the names of those before
+you. This is Magdalen College. A little higher on the right is Queen's;
+the one opposite is University. That church with the spire is St.
+Mary's, the University Church; close to it All Soul's College, and----"
+
+"Oh, stop," cried Mary, "if you have whole streets of colleges and
+churches in Oxford to describe, you must let me learn their names a few
+at a time, or I shall mix them all up together. Are those young men with
+caps and gowns clergymen?" she asked, suddenly.
+
+"No, but what made you think so, Mary?"
+
+"Because they have white ties, and others in the same dress have not."
+
+"I am glad to be able to explain so far," he replied, laughing; "they
+have been passing their examination in the schools, and at such an
+occasion, I am told, the white tie is a customary appendage. But, Mary,
+if you are bent upon understanding all the unusual things you see at
+Oxford, I must provide you with a more experienced guide than myself.
+And here we are at the hotel," he added, as he stopped to wait for his
+parents, who were examining the buildings they passed with almost as
+much eagerness and interest as Mary.
+
+They turned into the hotel together, and in a very short time, after
+taking a hasty lunch, they sallied forth in the bright sunshine, bent
+upon exploring the wonders of a city so famed in ancient lore.
+
+"We may as well begin with Magdalen College," said Charles, as they
+walked down the High Street, but on reaching Queen's, he suddenly
+paused, and saying, "Wait for me a moment," darted into the quadrangle,
+and disappeared among the cloisters.
+
+In a few moments he returned in the company of a gentlemanly-looking
+man, in cap and gown, whom he introduced to the colonel and Mrs.
+Herbert. Then turning to his cousin, he said--
+
+"Mr. Maurice, my cousin Miss Armstrong has been already asking me so
+many questions about the manners, customs, and buildings of your famous
+university, that I shall be glad to place her in the charge of a more
+well-informed guide than myself."
+
+The young man, who wore a bachelor's gown with its large sleeves, gladly
+but modestly accepted the charge so pleasantly made over to him. And
+Mary, though at first a little reserved, soon found it pleasant to have
+a companion who could answer her questions and give her unasked many
+interesting particulars. In the course of the afternoon they were joined
+by Mr. Wilton, Charles Herbert's friend, who proved himself a very
+valuable addition to the party.
+
+And so Friday and Saturday passed away in sight-seeing, visits to the
+colleges, or attending afternoon service at New College and Magdalen;
+and yet Mary showed no signs of fatigue. Never in her life had she been
+more deeply interested; and although as _Show Sunday_ approached, the
+streets were filled with well-dressed people, her attention was not
+easily diverted. Sunday arrived, a bright June day, and in the evening a
+gathering took place in Christ Church meadows, singularly styled _Vanity
+Fair_. Fair ladies are certainly present on these occasions, but who
+would apply to them the term vanity, although they have literally come
+out to see and to be seen?
+
+Show Sunday, as the Sunday before commemoration is termed, certainly
+presents a show very seldom seen in any other locality in England.
+
+The most dignified of Oxford's learned magnates are there, accompanied
+by the ladies of their families and distinguished visitors.
+
+Strings of gownsmen, arm-in-arm, parade the Long Walk, observing with a
+sort of good-natured envy their more favoured fellows, on whose arms
+lean some of the fairest and noblest of England's daughters. And in
+almost every instance the promenaders of the gentler sex are attired in
+that simple elegance of style which marks the well-bred woman of
+polished society. Into this novel and attractive scene Mary Armstrong
+was led by her cousin and Frank Maurice, upon whose arm she leaned.
+
+Her uncle and aunt had continued their walk to the water side, but
+Charles and his friend detained her after the second turn in the Long
+Walk for another stroll through the broad promenade beneath the lofty
+elm trees.
+
+Charles Herbert felt proud of the slight, graceful figure, so becomingly
+attired, by whom he walked. The simple, white dress, lace mantle, and
+blue silk bonnet were attractive from their simplicity, and more than
+one gownsman, who raised his cap to Frank Maurice, cast admiring eyes on
+the fair, intellectual face and noble features of the young lady by his
+side. Presently two gownsmen turned into the walk, and as they
+approached, one of them said to the other--
+
+"Why, Halford, here comes Wilton's tall friend with Maurice, and a lady
+on his arm."
+
+The young man thus addressed started as his companion spoke; he had
+quickly recognised the young lady whom he had twice met, and now as they
+drew near, and Charles Herbert advanced to claim his acquaintance in a
+friendly manner, his face became pale as death. It flushed, however, and
+the consciousness of this restored his self-possession as Charles
+introduced his cousin, Miss Armstrong.
+
+"I have met Miss Armstrong before," he said, with an effort; "my father
+resides at Kilburn, at a very short distance from the Limes."
+
+For once Mary was at fault, so great was her surprise to see her
+dinner-table friend, and her little brother's tutor, at Oxford, in the
+costume of an undergraduate. But as the new-comers joined them in their
+walk, and entered into conversation, with her companions, she recovered
+herself, and took the first opportunity to address a few words to him.
+
+The bells began to toll for evening service, and Frank Maurice, excusing
+himself to Mary and her cousin, wished them good evening and joined the
+gownsmen with whom Henry Halford had a few minutes before made his
+appearance.
+
+"Whither shall we go this evening, Mary?" asked her cousin.
+
+"I have no choice," she replied; "aunt talked of going to St. Mary's,
+but where are uncle and aunt gone?" she exclaimed, looking round in
+surprise.
+
+Charles Herbert hesitated for a moment, and then, as the sudden thought
+occurred that Mary had met an old acquaintance, he said--
+
+"Mr. Halford, if you will kindly take care of my cousin, I will go in
+search of my runaway relatives."
+
+Henry Halford bowed, and as Charles quickly disappeared he offered his
+arm to Mary, and led her slowly on in the direction taken by her cousin.
+
+For some minutes conflicting thoughts filled the minds of these two
+young people so suddenly thrown into each other's society.
+
+"How very pale Mr. Halford looked when he met us just now!" said Mary
+Armstrong to herself. "What could be the cause? How strange that I
+should meet him here! and yet I remember now that mamma said Dr.
+Halford's son was going to Oxford. How nervous he seems! and so
+different from his manner at the dinner-table at Mr. Drummond's. Ah, how
+clever I thought him then! and after a university education I should
+feel absolutely afraid to talk with him. I expect he will end by taking
+a fellowship like Mr. Wilton. These clever men never marry;" and then a
+quick flash of thought that crimsoned the young girl's face passed
+through her mind: "yet I should like my husband to be even more clever
+and well informed than papa." The silence was becoming painful, and Mary
+was glad enough to be able to say--
+
+"Oh, here they come at last; do you know my uncle and aunt, Mr.
+Halford?"
+
+Before he could reply, the colonel and his wife drew near, and Charles
+quickly introduced the young gownsman, whom he had seen more than once,
+and of whom he had heard favourable accounts.
+
+After a while Charles Herbert offered his arm to Mary, leaving his young
+friend to make his own way with his elders, which he did so successfully
+that they invited him to their hotel to dine on the following day.
+
+Charles made the most of his time during the walk home with his cousin.
+He had a kind of brotherly affection for Mary, and her regard for him
+had all the elements of sisterly love; there was therefore perfect ease
+on both sides in their association with each other, which perhaps
+induced him to say to her on this evening words which created in her
+mind new ideas, and led to results he little anticipated.
+
+Charles Herbert himself had no thought of marriage at present, and
+therefore never suspected that the trifling questions he put to Mary in
+a joking way would lead to serious thoughts on her part.
+
+"So you and Mr. Halford are old friends. Mary?"
+
+"No, Charles, I have only met him twice; the second time, three months
+ago at a dinner party."
+
+"Well, he appeared considerably discomposed when he met you. Do you
+think uncle Armstrong would consider the future parson a suitable match
+for his daughter?"
+
+"Oh, Charles, don't say such foolish things; does every young man want
+to marry a young lady when he talks pleasantly to her? if I thought so,
+I would never speak to any of them again."
+
+The young officer laughed heartily as he replied, "Well, Mary, I wont
+tease you any more, but if Mr. Halford does take advantage of pleasant
+talk with you, and should make you an offer, remember I warned you."
+
+Mary did not reply, and the conversation drifted into another subject.
+
+But her cousin's playful remarks had excited new ideas, and when alone
+in her room that night she almost decided to avoid the society of the
+young man in whom she felt herself already interested. In about two
+years he would finish his terms, and with his acknowledged talents was
+it likely he would fail to pass for his degree, and obtain ordination?
+And then--he would be a clergyman, a curate perhaps with a hundred a
+year,--would her father consent to such a match for her? Some such
+thoughts as these for a time perplexed her, till at last she dismissed
+them as absurd. Mr. Henry Halford had never by word or look given her a
+right to imagine any such nonsense; and after all why should she allow
+herself to be influenced by the jokes of her cousin Charles?
+
+But to dismiss thoughts of persons with whom we are constantly
+associated is not an easy matter, as Mary quickly discovered. In an
+early walk next day with her cousin and his friends they again
+encountered Henry Halford. He accompanied them to the afternoon service
+at New College, and soon proved himself as efficient a guide as Frank
+Maurice. At dinner he completely won the good opinion of Colonel
+Herbert, by making sensible remarks on various subjects with a modest
+unobtrusiveness so pleasing in a young man to his elders; and when they
+separated on that evening it was quite understood that Henry Halford was
+to consider himself one of their party during this visit to Oxford.
+Charles Herbert looked however in vain for any signs that these two
+young people, Henry Halford and Mary Armstrong, were, as he called it,
+"falling in love" with each other.
+
+They appeared on most friendly terms; Henry rather reserved, but kind,
+attentive, and polite to the young lady, who treated him with easy
+familiarity totally unmixed with self-consciousness. There was no
+scheming to separate from the rest of the party, and Charles Herbert was
+at length forced to admit that his joking remarks to Mary had been
+ill-timed.
+
+And yet in the heart of Henry Halford a struggle had commenced, which he
+could with difficulty maintain when in Mary's society. He also had
+secretly communed with himself after meeting her so suddenly on the
+Sunday evening in Christchurch meadows. His first impulse was to leave
+Oxford and return home at once, rather than again meet the girl whose
+presence had aroused all the former emotions which he had supposed were
+completely crushed. He tried to reason with himself on the folly of
+supposing that he could form a just estimate of a young lady's character
+in scarcely two interviews; and even if he had now the opportunity
+placed in his way of seeing her more frequently, could he venture to
+offer himself to Mr. Armstrong as a suitor for his only daughter? But
+this very hopelessness nerved him to remain in her society; he was not
+coxcomb enough to suppose such a sensible girl as Mary Armstrong in any
+danger from this association with him; and so he remained, firmly
+guarding his words and actions, that not one might be mistaken as a wish
+to gain her affections.
+
+Yet the days passed pleasantly: very frequently the three young people
+sallied forth alone, Mrs. Herbert and the colonel not being able to
+endure so much fatigue; at other times they were punted up the river to
+Iffley, passing water-lilies and banks of forget-me-nots, while the
+gaudy dragon-fly, with its green and gold feathers glittering in the
+sun, flitted across from bank to bank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS.
+
+
+The morning of Commemoration-day dawned in full summer splendour. At an
+early hour Mrs. Herbert and Mary were conducted by Henry Halford and the
+captain to the ladies' gallery of the Sheldonian Theatre, which on these
+occasions bears the closest resemblance to a flower-garden.
+
+Ladies in bonnets and dresses of every shade and colour are seated
+closely together, no break occurring by the appearance of a figure in
+black broadcloth, and a white tie, as from this gallery gentlemen are
+entirely excluded. And here for many hours sat Mary Armstrong and her
+aunt, enjoying with amused surprise the performances in the gallery
+above them, where persons and subjects were named only to be received
+with cheers or groans, as it best suited the ten or twelve hundred wild
+spirits there assembled.
+
+Perhaps in the time of which we write these said wild spirits were more
+under the control of their own good sense than others have been lately,
+and therefore were not above submitting to the rules of the university.
+Most certainly when the dons entered, and the business of the day
+commenced, they did suppress the noisy shouting, and treat their
+superiors, in learning at least, with some deference; and although now
+and then there would occur a little outbreak of mirth and drollery, the
+Sheldonian Theatre had not yet aspired, as it has lately, to the dignity
+of a "bear-garden."
+
+Mary Armstrong therefore could listen with but little interruption to
+the Latin oration and the delivery of the prize poem--the latter most
+attractive to a girl of intellectual tastes. Indeed, all that took place
+possessed for her the attraction of novelty, and tired as she felt, she
+could not help saying to her aunt as they rose to leave the place--
+
+"Oh, aunty, I'm sorry it's all over."
+
+"Why, my dear child, you must be tired to death; it is nearly three
+o'clock, and we've been here ever since half-past ten."
+
+"Oh, aunt, have I kept you here all this time on my account? I'm so
+sorry. I did not feel tired, and I forgot to think of you; why did you
+not tell me?"
+
+"Nonsense, dear Mary! it is not likely I should wish to spoil your
+pleasure. But see, here are the gentlemen, and they have got a carriage
+for us to ride to the hotel. How very thoughtful!"
+
+Mary also acknowledged herself tired now the excitement was over, and
+gladly seated herself in the carriage by her aunt, with a sense of
+relief at not having to walk.
+
+Yet after a rest she was quite ready to accompany her cousin and Henry
+Halford to the afternoon service at Magdalen. Mary felt she could never
+be too tired to enjoy the sweet choral services at this and other
+college chapels.
+
+After dinner the young people proposed a stroll in Christchurch meadows.
+
+"With all my heart," said the colonel, "if I am not expected to join
+you. I don't think I ever felt more tired after a day's march than I do
+now. Take care of Mary, Charles," he added, "she mustn't overdo it."
+
+"Oh, I don't feel tired, uncle," she replied, "at least, not
+very--besides, this is our last day at Oxford, and I must have a
+farewell walk."
+
+"A walk wont hurt her," said Mrs. Herbert, who was lying on the sofa;
+"young people have a reserve force of strength which enables them to
+recover quickly from fatigue."
+
+A very few minutes brought Henry Halford and his companions to the Long
+Walk, in which many persons were already assembled.
+
+The sun, still in full brightness, was approaching the west, and his
+slanting rays glittered like golden bands of light through the summer
+foliage. But neither Mary nor her friends seemed inclined for
+promenading in a crowd, so they sauntered slowly away from the company
+towards the river side. Here they found a seat, and were presently
+joined by Charles's friend Wilton. For more than an hour they sat
+talking over the events of the day, and other matters connected with
+university life, to which Mary had very little to do but listen with
+great interest.
+
+Suddenly Horace Wilton rose, and exclaimed, "Here are my aunt and
+cousin, Captain Herbert; will you allow me to introduce them to you?"
+
+Mary Armstrong and Henry Halford also rose as the ladies approached, for
+they recognised Mrs. Drummond and her niece Edith Longford, whose
+musical powers had been a matter of discussion between them at the
+dinner party.
+
+A mutual and surprised recognition took place amidst sundry inquiries.
+"How long have you been at Oxford?" "When did you arrive?" "What have
+you seen?" and so on.
+
+At length Mrs. Drummond suggested that they should retrace their steps
+to the chief entrance, as the evening was becoming cool. The whole party
+therefore returned towards the Long Walk.
+
+As usual in such cases, each gentleman fell into companionship with the
+one lady to whom at the time of moving he happened to be speaking.
+Horace Wilton therefore led the way with his aunt, Charles walked by the
+side of Edith Longford, evidently much pleased with her companionship,
+and Mary found herself alone with Henry Halford. In this lingering
+summer evening walk there was no occasion for a gentleman to offer his
+arm to the lady who accompanied him moving slowly by his side. Mary
+therefore felt herself free. She was, however, for some minutes silently
+occupied in contemplating the calm beauty of the sunset, which threw
+over the park-like enclosure of Christchurch Meadows a glow of crimson
+and gold. Behind them the rippling waters of the Thames dashed their
+tiny waves against the mossy banks. At a distance in front, the turrets
+and grey walls of the college glittered through the trees with the gleam
+of sunset. A thrush in a thicket close by was sweetly warbling his
+evening hymn of praise; and the scent of new-mown hay filled the air
+with its fragrance.
+
+Strollers like themselves were wending their way homewards to pass the
+gate before Old Tom should sound out his one hundred and one sonorous
+notes, and the meadows were almost deserted in the precincts of the
+river. All this Mary noticed in silence on this never-to-be-forgotten
+evening.
+
+Suddenly she exclaimed--
+
+"Oh, Mr. Halford, I have left my book on the seat; is there time to go
+back for it? I meant to leave it at the library as we passed."
+
+"I will fetch it for you, Miss Armstrong," he replied, "if you do not
+mind waiting here alone for a few minutes."
+
+"Oh, not in the least; thank you very much;" and she turned towards the
+river as he started at a rapid pace to fetch the book. Another summer
+evening beauty presented itself to her delighted eyes. Across the river
+glittered a silver band of light, and looking up Mary saw through the
+trees the full moon casting shadows of the quivering leaves on the turf
+beneath.
+
+Almost unconsciously she continued walking towards the river, and in a
+few moments met Henry Halford returning hastily with the lost book in
+his hand. After many earnest thanks from Mary they hastened to overtake
+their companions, who were now out of sight; but some moments elapsed
+before Henry could recover breath to speak easily after his rapid
+movements.
+
+Strange to say, amidst all his firm resolves a strong impulse was at
+this moment agitating every nerve, and seeming to impel him to discover
+whether this young girl, his very _beau ideal_ of what a woman should
+be, could return the love which he now knew was rising for her in his
+heart.
+
+The twilight hour, the lonely walk, the expected separation on the
+morrow, all tended to strengthen the impulse; yet he did not speak. Mary
+walked on quickly, wondering at his silence, and anxious to overtake her
+friends, yet evidently feeling fatigued.
+
+"You are tired, Miss Armstrong," he said at last; "will you take my
+arm?"
+
+In silence Mary complied, and after walking rather quickly for a few
+minutes they came to a turn in the road, and saw their companions at
+some little distance before them.
+
+"Oh, there they are," exclaimed Mary, slackening her speed; "we need not
+walk so fast now if we keep them in sight: I am so sorry you had to
+return for the book, Mr. Halford. I am afraid----"
+
+"Don't, pray don't apologise, Miss Armstrong," was the reply that
+interrupted her in agitated tones. "I should only be too happy to attend
+to your every wish for my whole life, if I dared to encourage a hope
+that such a result was possible."
+
+Was it true? Had she heard aright? What could he mean? What could she
+say in reply? Nothing. They walked on slowly in silence. How sweetly it
+accorded with her feelings at the moment! Those few words had shown her,
+as by a flash of lightning, the state of her own heart. Did it not
+re-echo the sentiments just uttered by her companion? Was it not
+happiness to be near him, hanging upon his arm, and conscious from his
+words of his thoughts respecting her? so talented, so clever, and so
+good, or he would not wish to be a clergyman.
+
+During this visit to Oxford she had been conscious of a pleasure in his
+society, and a satisfaction in observing how readily he won the
+approbation of her friends; but now she could see more clearly the cause
+of these feelings, and in the first moment of gladness she had no dread
+of the future. Perfectly innocent of the world, she did not, as many
+would have done, laugh off the agitated words as a mere compliment. She
+had formed too high an estimate of the truthful character of Henry
+Halford to doubt him for one moment.
+
+But Henry Halford already trembled at what he had done in a moment of
+impulse. Silently he led his companion to her friends, who had stopped
+at the entrance of the cloisters to wait for them. Together they crossed
+the quadrangle, Henry now and then joining in the conversation, and at
+last, to Mary's great delight, passed out at the gate as Old Tom sounded
+the first of his hundred and one strokes at nine o'clock.
+
+No other words passed between these two till just before they reached
+the hotel, where the rest of the party were waiting to wish them good
+night.
+
+"I will not intrude upon your family circle this evening, Miss
+Armstrong," said Henry Halford, "but I will call in to-morrow to say
+good-by;" and he added quickly, "If I have offended you by what I said
+just now, please forgive me and forget it."
+
+"I am not offended, Mr. Halford," was the almost whispered reply, which
+caused the young man to press the little hand resting on his arm, and
+then turn quickly away to bid farewell, with stifled feelings, to those
+who stood waiting for him at the door of the hotel.
+
+Mary escaped to her room, and closing the door, turned the key in the
+lock. To be troubled with Annette's French chatter at such a moment was
+more than she could bear even to contemplate.
+
+Taking off her hat and gloves, she threw herself into the easy-chair and
+began to reflect. Had she compromised her womanly dignity by allowing
+Henry Halford to suppose she believed what might have been a compliment?
+No--impossible; he was too honourable and truthful, and too agitated
+while he spoke, to allow of such a fear. Besides, had he not, during the
+last few days, given her evident proofs of his preference and notice,
+made more apparent by the unmistakable efforts he made to conceal them?
+More than this, was not her own admiration of his talents and character
+leading to a feeling which made her listen for his footstep, and feel
+happy in his society? And as the young girl thought thus her cheek
+flushed even in her loneliness.
+
+"Ah, well," she continued to herself, "there is nothing to be ashamed
+of; I know I should only be too proud if I am to be married some day to
+have such a clever, intellectual, well-informed man for my husband.
+Besides, he must be a good son to help his father as he does, especially
+as he is going to be a clergyman."
+
+And so the young girl, who knew nothing of the world outside her own
+home, and who, at the age of eighteen, had never read a novel, sat
+raising an idol in her own heart to which she could offer that worship
+which in characters like Mary Armstrong often leads to an infringement
+of the first commandment.
+
+A summons to tea aroused her. Hastily smoothing her hair, and with deft
+fingers making those little alterations which, as if by magic, add
+neatness to a lady's dress, she descended to the private room they
+occupied at the hotel.
+
+As she entered, the light of the gas dazzled her eyes, and she could
+scarcely distinguish who were present.
+
+Not so Mrs. Herbert, who exclaimed--
+
+"Why, Mary dear, how flushed you are! I hope you have not taken cold."
+
+"Am I flushed?" she replied, raising her hand to her cheek. "It is warm
+this evening, aunt, and we walked home quickly."
+
+Her cousin Charles, who had observed the blush deepen as his mother
+spoke, quickly made a remark that turned the subject.
+
+He had his own suspicions as to the cause of Mary's unusual colour, but
+he had no wish for the cause of those suspicions to suggest itself to
+others.
+
+By degrees the conversation turned pleasantly on the events of the week,
+and the prospect of returning to her dear home with so much to tell her
+mother for a time diverted Mary's thoughts from a subject which was
+beginning to make itself all-absorbing.
+
+Charles accompanied them next day by train as far as Slough, from thence
+he changed carriages for Windsor. Mary stayed with her uncle and aunt in
+Park Lane that night, and next day was driven home to Kilburn to be
+welcomed with the fondest expressions of love from her mother and
+brother Freddy. Equally warm, yet less demonstrative, was her father's
+greeting to his cherished daughter. How little he guessed that she was
+nurturing in her heart any sentiment likely to turn her father's love to
+a fierce anger, of which she had not supposed him capable!
+
+Mary Armstrong's education, on which her father so prided himself, had
+been lacking in more ways than one. Among other mistakes in training
+their daughter, her parents had kept her from the society of girls of
+her own age. Pride on Mrs. Armstrong's part caused her to object to
+allow Mary to visit often at any houses except those of her own
+relatives. The same foolish pride of those days prevented those whom she
+met at her aunt's from inviting the daughter of a tradesman, especially
+while he resided at his place of business.
+
+She had only one cousin, Charles Herbert; and therefore at the age of
+seventeen, when her father removed his family to Kilburn, she knew
+literally nothing of female society, or indeed of any society but that
+of her mother's relatives.
+
+True, she could and did feel her mother to be her best confidential
+friend, yet it was not a favourable position for a young girl of her age
+to be thrown into society with nothing but the knowledge obtained from
+books to direct her conduct.
+
+Accustomed to be candid and truthful in every action, she knew nothing
+of the conventional customs which would have condemned the readiness
+with which she admitted and trusted Henry Halford's first attempts at a
+more intimate acquaintance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.
+
+
+Henry Halford had intended to return home from Oxford by the 11.40
+train, but while saying a few hasty words of farewell to Captain Herbert
+at the door of the hotel, he discovered that his party were purposing to
+leave by the same train. He instantly decided to remain an hour or two
+longer in Oxford. After what had passed that evening he felt it
+impossible to meet Miss Armstrong's friends as if nothing had happened.
+
+No, he must wait till his return home, and then openly and honourably
+place the matter before Mr. Armstrong.
+
+This gentleman was, as yet, in happy ignorance of the news in store for
+him. He welcomed his daughter home with undisguised pleasure, and
+listened to her lively and vivid descriptions of what she had seen and
+heard, and of the wonderful and delightful places she had visited with
+great interest.
+
+Not once, however, did the name of Henry Halford escape her lips. She
+spoke in a general way of Charles Herbert's college friends who had met
+them in their walks and shown them the lions of Oxford, but not one was
+singled out for any particular description.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong watched her daughter's countenance as she talked, and
+noticed a something in her manner and appearance that marked the change
+from girlhood to womanhood--a certain reticence on some points, unlike
+Mary's usual frankness and candour.
+
+"Something has occurred," said the gentle mother to herself, "and Mary's
+wish to conceal it is painful to her natural frank truthfulness. But she
+will tell me by-and-by when we are alone."
+
+Happy is the daughter who makes a confidante of her mother in preference
+to one of her own age and sex, and thrice happy is the mother who feels
+that she knows all that daughter has to confide--of course supposing
+that mother to be one who is anxious for her child's happiness, and able
+to give her good advice.
+
+Perhaps, after all, mothers whose only ambition is to see their
+daughters married for the sake of riches and position, are not likely to
+gain their confidence on any subject.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong would have been the very last to take an undue advantage
+of the girlish confidence of her daughter, although she trembled at the
+thought that what Mary might have to tell would be displeasing to her
+father.
+
+With all Mr. Armstrong's habit of looking upon gentle, amiable women as
+inferior in intellect and deficient in mental strength, he would have
+been rather surprised to find that his wife understood his daughter's
+character better than himself.
+
+Days passed, however, after her return from Oxford, before Mrs.
+Armstrong had any opportunity for discovering Mary's secret, and then it
+was only by accident that the truth came out.
+
+One fine afternoon in July Mrs. Armstrong, with Mary and her three
+brothers, was returning home along the high road, in which stood their
+own house and Englefield Grange. They had passed the latter, which was
+less than a quarter of a mile from Lime Grove on the opposite side of
+the road, when Freddy exclaimed--
+
+"O mamma, here comes Mr. Henry Halford."
+
+And, regardless of ceremony, he started off at a rapid pace to meet him.
+
+Taking the hand of his little pupil, who literally danced along by his
+side, Henry Halford advanced to greet Mrs. Armstrong and her daughter
+with the easy self-possession of a gentleman.
+
+Yet there was a flush on his face as he shook hands with Mrs. Armstrong,
+which changed to paleness when he greeted Mary, and spoke to the boys,
+Edward and Arthur.
+
+The latter had heard so much of Freddy's school and the masters, that
+they were earnest in their petitions to be allowed to stay at home and
+attend with their brother at Dr. Halford's. They had heard from Mary of
+Mr. Henry Halford's wonderful cleverness, and they now had eyes for no
+one else as he stood talking to their mother.
+
+"Have you recovered from your fatigue at Oxford, Miss Armstrong?" was
+one of his first questions.
+
+Mary saw her mother glance at her with surprise, but the commonplace
+question had set her at her ease, and she replied--"Yes, quite, thank
+you, Mr. Halford. It was a most delightful visit, yet I was glad to get
+home again."
+
+While the two young people continued to talk of what had been seen and
+heard at Oxford, Mrs. Armstrong would now and then make some remark, and
+the boys listened with interest.
+
+Yet as she did so across the mother's mind passed the memory of the
+dinner-party at Mr. Drummond's.
+
+Were her fears about to be realised? Had these young people met at
+Oxford and formed an acquaintance fraught with disappointment to Mary
+and pain to herself in consequence of her husband's displeasure? Still
+as they talked she could see the clear grey eyes of the young tutor
+light up with a pleasure which made Mary droop her own and blush beneath
+his gaze.
+
+And then another recollection flashed upon her Mary had not mentioned
+the fact of having met Henry Halford at Oxford. What did it all mean?
+
+In her anxiety Mrs. Armstrong looked at her watch.
+
+Henry Halford saw the action, and said, quickly--"I am keeping you
+standing while we talk, Mrs. Armstrong."
+
+And then, to her astonishment, instead of taking his leave, he turned to
+walk with them towards their home.
+
+Placing himself by Mrs. Armstrong's side, he continued to speak of
+various subjects so agreeably that she forgot her fears and began to
+account in her own mind for any attraction her daughter might feel to
+his society.
+
+They had nearly reached home, when Mrs. Armstrong, hearing the sound of
+horse's feet, looked up quickly, and saw her husband alight from his
+horse and advance to meet them.
+
+He seemed to recognise the stranger in a moment, and as Henry lifted his
+hat, Mr. Armstrong held out his hand.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Mr. Halford," he said, as the gentlemen shook
+hands cordially. "I have often thought of our pleasant discussions at
+Mr. Drummond's that evening. I hope your father is well. Are you staying
+in our neighbourhood?" he added, scarcely allowing Henry time to reply
+respecting his father's health.
+
+"I am a neighbour of yours, Mr. Armstrong," he replied, firmly. Henry
+Halford had decided upon what course to pursue with this gentleman, and
+was therefore prepared to act candidly and openly.
+
+"A neighbour, Mr. Halford? then why have you not paid us a visit before
+this? I never give dinner-parties, but if at any time you and your
+father will join our family dinner-table at six o'clock, we shall be
+most happy to see you. Will you come in now?" he added, as Mrs.
+Armstrong moved to open the gate.
+
+"Thank you, not to-day, Mr. Armstrong," he replied, "but I will not
+forget your kind invitation." And merely raising his hat in farewell to
+the ladies, and returning Freddy's warm adieu by lifting the boy and
+kissing him, Henry Halford turned towards his own home, feeling greatly
+elated. Was not this meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong full of
+hopefulness as to the result of a project on which he had made up his
+mind?
+
+Mary escaped to her room to dress for dinner with every nerve quivering
+with excitement.
+
+What would be the result of this meeting? Why had Henry Halford forced
+his company upon her mother? Was he going to ask her father about her,
+as she had read in books was the custom of gentlemen? And the young girl
+who had been kept so secluded from society, blushed at the recollection
+that if Henry Halford meant what he said on that evening in Christchurch
+Meadows, he must wish her to be his wife.
+
+Mary Armstrong had never been joked about sweethearts and flirtation; to
+her mother there had always appeared a want of womanly delicacy and
+refinement in making such things a subject for ridicule, and Mary had
+grown to womanhood with the same innate refinement. She had no girl
+friends of her own age to tell her their tales of love and conquest, of
+discarded lovers, and contemptible treatment of honourable proposals, as
+conduct of which a woman might be proud. She had gained her ideas of
+love from poetry, and Milton's Eve before the fail was her _beau ideal_
+of what a woman should be--
+
+    "For contemplation he and valour formed,
+    For softness she, and sweet attractive grace;
+    He for God only, she for God in him.
+    ... Though his eye sublime declared
+    Absolute rule ... implied
+    Subjection, but required with gentle sway,
+    And by her yielded."
+
+No doubt poets describe ideal characters not to be found in these fast
+days of practical utilitarianism. What is an ideal worth when compared
+with the real earthly good which money can produce? Yet money cannot
+produce happiness, with all its power; and the ruling god of the present
+day has caused more unhappiness in domestic life by its presence than by
+its absence. Mary Armstrong had formed her own _beau ideal_ of what a
+husband ought to be, and certainly in the component parts of this ideal
+money had no place. She had never known the want of money, and was
+therefore ignorant of its value. She was to learn this lesson by bitter
+experience.
+
+Very little remark was made at dinner on the evening of which we write
+respecting the meeting with Henry Halford.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong avoided the subject as much as her daughter, but for very
+different reasons; and her brothers, who had not been at home from
+school long, were full of talk about their examinations and their
+prizes. But with the dessert Freddy made his appearance, and as usual
+took his place between his father's knees.
+
+Presently Freddy looked up. "Papa," he said, "isn't Mr. Henry Halford a
+nice man?"
+
+"Ah, yes, I saw him kiss you, Freddy, as if you were old friends; when
+have you seen him before to-day?"
+
+"Oh, often, papa, and he kisses the other little boys too when we're in
+the playground, and he's so kind to us in the schoolroom."
+
+"Schoolroom! what schoolroom? Who are you talking about, Freddy?"
+
+"About Mr. Henry Halford, papa; he used to teach the little boys' class
+at our school--Dr. Halford's, you know, papa, where I go at Englefield
+Grange. Dr. Halford is Mr. Henry's father. He hasn't taught us since
+Easter, because he's been to Oxford learning to be a clergy man."
+
+There was silence for a few moments. Mr. Armstrong glanced at his wife
+and daughter.
+
+"Did you know this when we met the father and son at Drummond's?" he
+asked his wife.
+
+"Of course I did," she replied.
+
+"Why did you not mention it to me?"
+
+Much as Mrs. Armstrong dreaded an angry word from her husband, she could
+not utter an untruth.
+
+"I had my reasons," she said, calmly; "they cannot be explained now, I
+will tell you when we are alone."
+
+"And did you know it, Mary?" asked her father, as he saw the flushed
+face on which blushes had fixed a colour that made his daughter look as
+if she were painted.
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied, "if you remember I took Freddy to school in
+the winter, because mamma was not well enough to go herself."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong saw the gathering clouds on her husband's brow, and
+turning to her boys, she said--
+
+"Freddy, go up to the nursery, or into the garden, with your brothers
+for half an hour. I will send Morris for you when it is time for bed."
+
+The boys obeyed, and Mary also rose to go, but her father stopped her.
+
+"Sit down, Mary. I want to know why I have been kept in ignorance about
+these school people. Why did you and your mother hide the fact from me?"
+
+"I did not hide it, papa. I thought you knew from Mr. Drummond who these
+gentlemen were. Why should I wish to conceal their names from you? I
+knew nothing of them except as schoolmasters until I went to Oxford."
+
+"And how often have you met this young schoolmaster?" asked her father,
+with suppressed anger.
+
+"Once when I took Freddy to school, and a second time when I dined with
+him at Mr. Drummond's. Until I met him at Oxford with his friend Charles
+Herbert he was a comparative stranger to me."
+
+"And you met him there often?" said her father, his tones slightly
+softened by finding this schoolmaster a friend of his nephew Charles.
+
+"Every day."
+
+"Alone?"
+
+"Once, by accident."
+
+"And then he made love to you, I suppose."
+
+"Papa!" There was a mixture of sorrow, distress, anger, and indignation
+in the tone in which Mary Armstrong repeated this word.
+
+And then her memory recalled the words Henry Halford had uttered, the
+pressure of the hand, the inquiry whether he was forgiven. Was all this
+making love? Perhaps it was--perhaps he wished by speaking and acting as
+he did, to show her that he loved her. So tender was the young girl's
+conscience that she was about to tell her father all that had passed
+rather than feel conscious of having unwittingly deceived him. His angry
+words checked her.
+
+"Well for you that this poverty-stricken schoolmaster has not dared to
+make love to my daughter. Going to be a parson, is he? and wants her
+money to make up the deficiency of a curate's pittance. No, no, Mary, no
+such half-starved husbands for you; and if you ever dare to marry
+without my consent, not a penny of money shall you have, even to save
+you from the workhouse!"
+
+He rose as he spoke, his utterance inarticulate, and his features
+distorted with rage; then he left the room, banging the door after him.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong leaned back in her chair, pale even to the lips; Mary had
+risen in terror when her father left the room; she now hastened to her
+mother, and leading her to the drawing-room, placed her in an
+easy-chair, and then fetched her a glass of wine. The calm and loving
+attention of her daughter restored quietness to her nerves, and then
+Mary knelt at her feet, and burying her face in the folds of her dress,
+she said--
+
+"Mamma, I am afraid I have not been quite truthful in what I said this
+evening. Mamma, I have wanted to speak to you about something ever since
+I came back from Oxford; but I did not know how to begin, and I must
+now. If--if a gentleman tells you he should be too happy to attend to
+your every wish for his whole life, if he could only dare to hope such a
+thing were possible, is that making love?"
+
+Mrs. Armstrong smiled, even in the midst of her fears; but as Mary did
+not raise her head, she said--
+
+"Well, my dear, it depends. Many men would make such a remark merely as
+a compliment; but has any gentleman said this to you?"
+
+"Yes, mamma."
+
+"What gentleman, Mary?" How the mother dreaded the answer which she
+already guessed! It came at last, clear and distinct, for Mary raised
+her head to speak, but she did not look up.
+
+"Mr. Henry Halford."
+
+"Did you see much of him at Oxford, Mary?"
+
+"Yes, mamma, he dined with uncle and aunt at the hotel several times,
+and they liked him very much."
+
+"Was he very attentive to you?"
+
+"No, mamma, not more than to other ladies."
+
+"Did you walk out often alone?"
+
+"Never but once, and that occurred because he went back to fetch a book
+for me, and the rest got a long way before us."
+
+"Did nothing more pass between you?"
+
+"Not much; when we were getting near the hotel he asked me to forgive
+what he had said and forget it."
+
+"And what was your reply to this?"
+
+"Mamma, I told him there was nothing to forgive."
+
+"Then of course he understands that you would like him to attend to your
+every wish for your whole life--is that it, Mary?"
+
+"Yes, mamma," in smothered tones.
+
+"But you say this Mr. Henry Halford did not pay you more attentions than
+to other ladies. What has made my daughter so easily won?"
+
+"O mamma!" and Mary raised her head now and looked fearlessly at her
+mother, "Mr. Henry Halford has not tried to win me. I should have told
+papa at once if he had asked me to be his wife; and I hope he wont now,
+for I am sure I should learn to love him if he did. I suppose it is not
+right to marry people who have no money, but, mamma, I could not marry
+any man, if he were the richest in the world, unless he were as clever
+and intellectual as Henry Halford, and I'm sure that's not very likely."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong sighed. There was no doubt now as the state of her
+daughter's affections, or how it would end!
+
+The appearance of the boys at the drawing-room window, and the sound of
+Mr. Armstrong's footsteps, roused mother and daughter. Mary, however,
+had scarcely reached the door, for she felt unable to meet him, when her
+father entered, and, as she tried to pass, caught her in his arms and
+kissed her fondly. Then he advanced to his wife and apologised for his
+roughness.
+
+"You know, Maria dearest," he said, "that I am only anxious to prevent
+your clever and accomplished daughter from making an unsuitable
+marriage."
+
+"I know it, Edward," replied his wife; "but we must be careful not to
+make her unhappy for life, as I should have been had _my_ friends
+objected to _you_."
+
+Mr. Armstrong made no reply. He knew too well the truth of his wife's
+remark, and exerted himself through the evening to make Mary forget his
+angry words. She appreciated and understood the effort, but he could see
+by her swollen eyelids how much he had wounded and pained his hitherto
+dutiful daughter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+HENRY HALFORD WRITES A LETTER.
+
+
+When Mr. Henry Halford parted from Mr. Armstrong and his family at the
+gates of Lime Grove, he felt as if walking on air. After such a kind
+reception and cordial invitation from the father of Mary Armstrong,
+there could be nothing to fear of disappointment.
+
+He reached home in a very short space of time, and looked so bright and
+joyous as he met his mother in the hall, that she said to him, "Why,
+Henry, you appear as if you had heard good news; where have you been?"
+
+"Only for a walk, mother; but on my way home I met Mrs. Armstrong and
+the young people, and they have given me a cordial invitation to come in
+and see them as often as I like."
+
+"I thought you disliked going out to dinner and paying visits, Henry?"
+
+"So I do as a rule, but there is no rule without an exception; and Mr.
+Armstrong's family forms that exception."
+
+Mrs. Halford stood for a moment contemplating her son's bright and
+lively mood with real surprise. Truly he presented an exception to the
+rule which generally governed him. For once the sedate, studious youth
+had assumed a gay and lightsome manner, which completely changed his
+appearance. Suddenly she remembered hearing Dr. Halford speak of the
+young lady he and her son had met at Mr. Drummond's dinner-party--the
+only and elder sister of little Freddy Armstrong. Determining to
+question her husband respecting this young lady, she readily allowed
+Henry to go on to his study without another word.
+
+But once seated in this sanctum, so exclusively his own, Henry Halford's
+thoughts took a more serious turn. What he was about to do appeared more
+formidable on reflection than during the first few minutes of his walk
+home, when every difficulty seemed swept from his path.
+
+On his return from Oxford, although, if possible, more earnest in his
+wish to obtain Mary Armstrong as a wife when he had made for her a home,
+the wish seemed hopeless. He had met her father and mother but once; he
+was not a visitor at their house, and till his terms at Oxford were
+ended he had no profession, excepting that of usher in his father's
+school.
+
+Report said the woman he loved would be rich; how could he ask for her
+in his present penniless condition? So reasoned common sense. But then
+arose a thousand arguments in favour of asking for her now. If Mary
+Armstrong really loved him she would wait years for him. Might not he
+ask her father's permission to discover if such were the case? After
+all, it might be only for three years; and as soon as he was ordained
+had not his father's old pupil promised him a living for his son? And
+even if that failed, his father would make him a partner in the school,
+which he knew would be his at his death.
+
+Thus reflecting he made up his mind to the venture, and seated himself
+at his desk to commence a letter to Mr. Armstrong.
+
+But he found the task too full of difficulties to be hurried over. Two
+sheets of paper had been filled and thrown aside as unsuitable, and the
+summons to tea came before he had finished his third attempt. Carelessly
+pushing the spoiled sheets into his desk and locking it, he arose to
+join his friends at the tea-table, saying to himself, "I will write my
+letter to-morrow; it must not be done in a hurry." With this resolve he
+entered the little breakfast parlour, where we once heard a letter read
+which so faithfully portrayed his own characteristics. Kate Marston, who
+was pouring out the tea, looked at him earnestly.
+
+"Why, aunt Clara," she said, "Henry looks as grave as a judge. I
+expected to see him come into the room like a sunbeam from your
+description."
+
+"Well, Katey," said her cousin, "clouds must cover the sunbeams
+sometimes; and have you forgotten the poet's words?--'O man, thou
+pendulum betwixt a smile and tear.'"
+
+"You can defend yourself, at all events, Henry," she replied; "and you
+know how completely you can silence me when you quote poetry. I never
+could learn to repeat a line of poetry in my life."
+
+There was a pause, during which Henry, who sat opposite the window,
+appeared to be absorbed in the prospect of garden, fields, and meadows,
+thick summer foliage, and the distant blue hills of Highgate and Harrow
+which met his view. But the eyes were not "with the heart, for that was
+far away,"--in the meadows of Christ Church, Oxford, with a fair young
+girl leaning on his arm.
+
+Persons who have the power of concentrating the mind on one particular
+subject at a time are spoken of as absent, and many curious incidents
+are related of talented men and their strange doings during these fits
+of abstraction. But it is to this very power of concentration that we
+owe our greatest statesmen, lawyers, poets, and warriors. The discovery
+of the power of steam, the inventions in science, art, mechanics, and
+medicine, which have given to the world its luxuries, its comforts, its
+advantages, and its power of alleviating suffering and pain, can all be
+attributed to that concentration of thought on one subject, which alone
+can give the mind a power to grasp it in all its completeness. The
+subject, however, so absorbing to Henry Halford might in one respect be
+called trivial; and yet that subject which involves the future happiness
+or misery of two individuals for life, can scarcely deserve such a name.
+
+The probable success of his letter to Mr. Armstrong was the least
+important of his thoughts at this moment. Would it insure the happiness
+of the girl he loved? and was he justified in proposing mere
+possibilities as a basis for that happiness? were some of the questions
+he asked himself.
+
+A smart blow with the palm of her hand on his shoulder, and his cousin
+Kate's words, "Uncle has spoken to you twice, Henry. What are you
+thinking about so deeply?" aroused him from his reverie.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," he exclaimed, with a flushed face, "did you
+ask me a question?"
+
+"Yes, Henry; I asked where you met Mr. Armstrong yesterday."
+
+"Outside his own gate. He had just arrived from town on horseback. He
+treated me most affably, and said he should be glad to see you and
+myself to join their six o'clock dinner at any time without a special
+invitation, as he never gives dinner-parties."
+
+There was a pause for some minutes, and then Mrs. Halford remarked--
+
+"You met Miss Armstrong and her mother at Mr. Drummond's in March,
+James?"
+
+"Yes, I remember the young lady's bright, intelligent face. Drummond
+told me her father has interfered greatly in the education of his
+daughter, teaching her the advanced rules of arithmetic, and even
+algebra and Euclid, and other subjects most unusual in the education of
+girls."
+
+"I should imagine such knowledge would deprive a girl of all softness
+and refinement," remarked Mrs. Halford.
+
+"It has not done so in Miss Armstrong's case," said Henry, quickly; "I
+saw enough of her at Mr. Drummond's to discover that."
+
+"And you have seen her since at Oxford?" said his mother.
+
+"Yes, almost every day for nearly a week; and I can assure you I never
+met a more lady-like, accomplished girl in my life, in spite of what is
+said of her father's eccentric plans in her education."
+
+Kate Marston noticed the rising colour as it deepened in her cousin's
+cheek. She glanced at her aunt, and in that glance knew that the
+mother's suspicions confirmed her own.
+
+"I think you told me, James, that Miss Armstrong's marriage portion will
+be very considerable," remarked Mrs. Halford.
+
+"Something fabulous, according to Drummond's account; that is, if she
+marries a man of whom her father approves;" and the father as he spoke
+looked at his son. "Drummond told me that the ambition of Mr. Armstrong
+is to marry his daughter to a man of wealth and position, but if both
+are not attainable he will give her money enough to purchase the latter.
+He heard him say once that such a girl as his daughter would be an
+ornament to society in the highest circles in the kingdom."
+
+"Would Mr. Armstrong sacrifice his daughter's wishes to gratify sinful
+pride and mistaken ambition?" asked Henry, indignantly; "it seems to me
+an impossibility that any father could act thus." He drank off the
+contents of his teacup and left the room without waiting for a reply.
+
+Again in his little study, he closed the door and locked it, opened his
+desk with impulsive eagerness, took out a sheet of writing-paper, and
+drew his chair to the table.
+
+"I cannot believe any man could be so cruelly unkind to his only
+daughter," he said to himself. "Would he force her to marry a man she
+did not love, even if by so doing he could make her a countess? Does the
+acquisition of money so harden a parent's heart? I cannot, I will not
+believe it. I will try Mr. Armstrong before I can credit anything so
+base in human nature. He will no doubt answer my letter; and if he
+refuses to allow me to address his daughter, he will of course give me
+his reasons for doing so."
+
+And so the young heart, ignorant of the world, as is the case with most
+men of studious habits, and with the trust in human nature which seldom
+outlives a few years of worldly experience, commenced a letter to a man
+who would, while reading it, sneer at the noble expressions of
+true-hearted affection it contained, and perhaps treat the writer with
+contemptuous silence. Nevertheless the letter was written and posted
+before Henry Halford slept that night.
+
+We will follow it to its destination in London, and intrude upon Mr.
+Armstrong's private room at his office in Dover Street, to which it was
+addressed.
+
+Several letters were lying on the table when he entered the room on this
+morning of which we write, followed by his clerk. Still talking to him
+while opening them rapidly, he came upon the unknown hand and glanced at
+the signature, pausing in the midst of an important commission to the
+clerk to do so. "What could Mr. Henry Halford write to him about?
+excepting----" and at the thought that followed he flushed with anger.
+But a question from the gentlemanly young man who stood so patiently
+waiting his commands, recalled him to the business in hand. Laying the
+letter at a distance on the table, he opened the rest, and after a few
+brief directions, yet still so clear as to leave no room for a mistake,
+the clerk was dismissed. Then Mr. Armstrong, after writing in pencil
+various notes on the business letters before him, pushed them on one
+side and took up Henry Halford's long and closely written epistle.
+
+We will read it with him:--
+
+     "Englefield Grange, July 4th, 18--.
+
+     "DEAR SIR,--Your very kind and cordial invitation this
+     afternoon makes it imperative on me to address you with
+     reference to a certain subject before I accept it. It is
+     probable that after I have candidly explained the cause of my
+     hesitation you may forbid me to enter your house, yet I should
+     prefer even that sentence to any clandestine or concealed
+     proceedings.
+
+     "Since Mrs. Armstrong placed her youngest son under my father's
+     care I have had the pleasure of seeing your daughter several
+     times; only twice, however, until the week of her visit to
+     Oxford.
+
+     "I will confess to my admiration of Miss Armstrong even on the
+     two former occasions, more especially while in her society at
+     Mrs. Drummond's; but many considerations made me resist the
+     inclination to call at your house and become better acquainted
+     with the young lady.
+
+     "At Oxford, however, I met your daughter with my friend Captain
+     Herbert, who was my fellow-student some years ago at Dr.
+     Mason's, though older than myself. I was surprised to find that
+     my friend Charles Herbert was your daughter's cousin and Mrs.
+     Armstrong's nephew; Colonel Herbert kindly invited me to his
+     hotel during their visit to Oxford, and I there met your
+     daughter, and saw and conversed with her frequently during the
+     week of her stay.
+
+     "I need not enlarge upon the personal attractions, the unusual
+     talents, and the sweet character which make Miss Armstrong so
+     charming, for these must be well known to yourself. But I ask
+     to be allowed to seek to win her affections with the sanction
+     of her parents and under their own roof.
+
+     "I ask this with great hesitation, because I am not yet in a
+     position to offer your daughter such a home as I could wish,
+     and shall eventually obtain for her. In two years I hope to be
+     ordained, and my father's friend, Lord Rivers, has already
+     promised him a living for his son.
+
+     "If I can succeed in gaining the affections of your daughter,
+     she will not mind waiting the time I have named. We are both
+     young, and I would wait as Jacob did for Rachel, so great is
+     the love I bear her.
+
+     "I will only add that if you kindly grant me your consent, it
+     will give me increased energy to prepare for my profession, and
+     to make every effort to shorten the period of my probation, in
+     the hope that the great happiness of making your charming
+     daughter my cherished wife may eventually be mine.
+
+     "I remain, dear Sir,
+
+     "Very faithfully yours,
+
+     "HENRY HALFORD."
+
+When Mr. Armstrong had read this letter hastily through, words cannot
+describe the angry passions that raged in his breast. What! the
+schoolmaster's son, an usher, a curate _in futuro_, with perhaps 80_l._
+or 100_l._ a year to live upon! "What!" he thought, "give up my precious
+daughter to be a schoolmaster's wife, or rather drudge!--making rice
+puddings, mending stockings and shirts, and slaving for other people's
+children, and getting no thanks for it! Or perhaps in paltry comfortless
+apartments waiting upon her husband the curate, for whom she is often
+obliged to cook a dinner fit for him to eat, because the food obtained
+with such difficulty is spoiled by the lodging-house cooking. I've heard
+the misery of a curate's home described," continued the angry man, "less
+wages than a mechanic, and yet husband, wife, and children have to
+struggle to keep up appearances and to live in genteel poverty because
+the husband is a clergyman!"
+
+Mr. Armstrong drew his desk towards him, and dashed off a coarse
+insulting letter to the daring aspirant for his daughter's hand, and
+with the effort the fierceness of his anger evaporated, conscience made
+itself heard. "Why should you insult this young man for acting as you
+did yourself?" said the stern voice; "he is a well-born, well-bred,
+intelligent gentleman, which you were not when you married Maria St.
+Clair." "But I had money," replied self, "and he has by his own account
+nothing to call his own." "He or his father must have had money to pay
+for a university education," suggested conscience; "besides, half of the
+boasted fortune you talk of giving your daughter would establish these
+young people for life, and make them happy if they love each other."
+
+"I don't believe they do," was the next suggestion, "or at least there
+is no love on Mary's side. She is not one to give her affections so
+easily; the young man's letter proves that he is not sure of her, for he
+asks to be allowed to try and win her. Perhaps if the girl really loved
+him, I might be inclined to give up some of the fortune in store for her
+to make them happy. There's no harm done as yet on his own account, so
+I'll say nothing at home about his letter, but I wont send this," and he
+took up the sheet containing expressions of which in his cooler moments
+Mr. Armstrong felt thoroughly ashamed, and tore it into minute shreds;
+then lighting a taper, he reduced them to ashes in the fireplace. After
+this he seated himself and wrote as follows:--
+
+     "Dover Street, July 4th, 18--.
+
+     "SIR,--I have received your letter, and beg to thank you for
+     your kind and complimentary opinion of my daughter, but I
+     cannot favour your proposals. You are young to think of
+     marriage, especially as you have not yet completed the
+     profession which you intend to follow.
+
+     "I do not approve of long courtships, and therefore the idea of
+     waiting an indefinite number of years for a living is out of
+     the question. Added to these objections, I have other plans in
+     view for my daughter, which I cannot set aside.
+
+     "Thanking you for the honour you have done our family by your
+     proposal,
+
+     "I remain, Sir,
+
+     "Yours faithfully,
+
+     "EDWARD ARMSTRONG."
+
+Mr. Armstrong sealed and addressed this letter with great inward
+satisfaction. He had effectually put a stop to any farther trouble on
+the part of Mr. Halford, who, he felt assured, was too honourable to act
+in opposition to the wishes of Mary's father.
+
+Only one fear would at times during that day disturb Mr. Armstrong's
+equanimity: "Was he sure about the state of Mary's affections. They had
+been a week together at Oxford, had any unintentional word or look
+revealed the secret to each other?" He could not answer his own question
+satisfactorily, but he quieted his conscience by saying, "Ah, well, if
+there is a little passing fancy for this young man in Mary's heart, it
+will soon wear off; she has too much pride to encourage it when she
+finds he keeps away, as I know he will after my letter." Mr. Armstrong
+returned home in great good-humour, and made himself so agreeable that
+Mrs. Armstrong and Mary were quite ready to forget the roughness of the
+preceding evening.
+
+No reference of any kind was made to Mr. Henry Halford in Mary's
+presence, but when Mr. Armstrong and his wife were alone, he said
+quietly and gently, but with a firmness she well knew she could not
+gainsay--
+
+"Maria, my dear, I should like to send Freddy to school with his
+brothers next quarter; he is getting quite well and strong enough to be
+with older boys. I may as well tell you the truth," he added; "I don't
+wish him to continue at Dr. Halford's, for many reasons which I need not
+explain."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+HUSBAND AND WIFE.
+
+
+"Mamma, you will be better and more quiet here than in that noisy Bourke
+Street. I am so glad papa has taken such a pleasant house for us, and I
+know you will soon get well." And little Mabel as she spoke shook and
+arranged her mother's pillow and drew up the blind, that she might look
+out upon the pleasant view over the waters of the Yarra.
+
+Mr. Franklyn had taken a house in a suburb of Melbourne noted for its
+beautiful scenery and wild and picturesque landscapes.
+
+In this suburb at a walking distance, or reached easily by train from
+Melbourne, are situated the Botanical Gardens, laid out in park-like
+luxuriance. A beautiful stone bridge crosses the dark, deep waters of
+the Yarra, while painted skiffs and gaudy pleasure-boats skim over its
+smooth surface and add brightness to the scene.
+
+The country beyond resembles the south of France and the shores of the
+Mediterranean; vines trained on poles, grapes hanging from verandahs,
+the blue sky, the pure clear air, and the bright sunshine remind the
+traveller of beautiful Italy.
+
+Added to this, at the spot we describe, grow trees that retain their
+verdure during the whole year, white and green parrots and other birds
+of gaudy plumage flit from branch to branch. Sunrise also in Australia
+presents a sky of splendour never seen in England; even the colours of
+the sea-weed which the Yarra brings inland in its course are rich and
+varied.
+
+Not far from the window opening to the ground on a verandah, near to
+which Mrs. Franklyn's couch had been drawn, spread what appeared to be a
+large lake, nine miles in circumference, surrounded by pleasant walks
+and shady trees.
+
+To strangers it has the appearance of an artificial lake, and they are
+much surprised to hear that it is merely the reservoir from which the
+city of Melbourne and the surrounding neighbourhoods are supplied with
+water.
+
+Altogether this suburb of Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra is one of
+the most beautiful spots in Australia.
+
+To the pale invalid in her chair, however, all earthly spots had lost
+their charm, excepting one little island in the Atlantic, in which stood
+the home of her youth; and as she looked out on the beauty of an
+approaching Australian summer, and thought of the home she might never
+see again, she answered her little daughter's words with a sigh.
+
+"Are you unhappy here, mamma?" asked the child.
+
+"No, darling," she replied, "it was merely a longing for home that made
+me sigh. I know that heaven is the home on which my heart should rest,
+and yet I should like to see your uncle Henry and my dear parents once
+more."
+
+"Mamma," said the child, "I heard the doctor tell papa that if you got
+stronger in this beautiful place, he could take you to England in March,
+and then you would have no winter, for when we arrived in England it
+would be midsummer."
+
+Mrs. Franklyn smiled at the prospect described by her child. Her husband
+had mentioned this opinion of the doctor to her, and in his usual
+sanguine way he had promised to make early arrangements for them to
+leave in March. But she knew also that more than one of his speculations
+had failed, and therefore, unless "something would turn up," as he
+termed a successful speculation, he would be too much involved in debt
+to attempt to leave Melbourne.
+
+A feeling of resignation had at length been granted to Dr. Halford's
+daughter, only disturbed now and then by old memories which could not be
+quite overcome, more especially as now, when the beauty of Australian
+scenery was spoken of in her presence, her thoughts would revert to a
+lovely English landscape--hill and dale, field and meadow, flowers and
+foliage, which could be seen from the windows of her own dear home in
+England.
+
+But Fanny Franklyn, as she now lay helpless on the couch, knew well that
+for her was prepared a home in the skies, and that the dear friends for
+whose presence she longed could only expect to meet her there. She
+looked very lovely even now that Death had set his seal on those
+delicate features. The dark eyes, though sunken, were still large and
+bright; the pale face looked fairer by contrast to the dark pencilled
+eyebrows and eyelashes; and the hectic flush on the cheek would have
+reminded her brother Henry of some words of the great preacher Henry
+Melvill.
+
+He had heard him once when quite a youth preach a sermon at a church in
+London on behalf of the Brompton Hospital for diseases of the lungs, in
+which the preacher, during one of his eloquent bursts of oratory,
+exclaimed, "And consumption, that flings its brilliant mockery in the
+mother's eyes."
+
+Poor mother, she had indeed heard of her daughter's serious illness, and
+yearned with all a mother's love to be near her to tend to her slightest
+wish. But half the globe stretched between them, and Mrs. Halford
+consoled herself with the thought that Fanny had a kind husband and
+loving children, who must be able to supply the place of a mother. But
+Mrs. Halford did not know all. Fanny, while able to write, had concealed
+from her mother the real nature of the disease which left no hope of
+recovery. Yes, her husband was kind, gentle, loving, and earnest in his
+endeavours to provide for all her wants; yet, as we know, there was in
+his character a weakness of principle, and want of attention to
+steadiness of purpose, which made his position always precarious. At the
+birth of her youngest boy, eighteen months before the time of which we
+write, he had made a venture in the mercantile world which had failed,
+and for a time ruin stared them in the face.
+
+The anxiety Fanny suffered in her then delicate state of health, added
+to a cold which attacked her at the time, was too much for a frame
+already weakened by the relaxing climate of Melbourne. For with all its
+bright skies and its clear atmosphere, Australian air is not suited to
+those who require a bracing climate. It has its periods of scorching
+heat, and the fair faces of Australian girls lack the roses which adorn
+the cheeks of their sisters in England.
+
+Perhaps if Fanny Franklyn could have visited her home during the first
+appearance of failing health her life might have been spared, but this
+was not to be; and at last her husband had been aroused to the fact
+that, although he could not spare her to go alone to her home in
+England, he must spare her to God.
+
+Now that it was too late, Arthur Franklyn, acting as usual on impulse,
+expressed to the doctor his eager anxiety to take his dying wife to
+England.
+
+"Cannot I take her home before the autumn, doctor?" he said; "we should
+arrive in England about April or May, just as the summer is beginning. I
+could start next week even, if you think she is strong enough for the
+voyage."
+
+"Too soon, my dear sir; Mrs. Franklyn must not be in England before May
+at the earliest, and it is now the commencement of November. We must try
+and help her through the Australian summer if we can, and then if all is
+well you can start for England in February or March."
+
+But as the doctor left Mr. Franklyn, he said to himself, almost
+angrily--
+
+"What is the use of talking about going to England now? she'll never
+live to see March again, or even February, it's too late. What's the man
+been about not to see his wife's danger? I'm afraid he's got too many
+irons in the fire to do much good."
+
+And yet when he now entered the drawing-room, and with gentle step
+approached the couch, no voice could be more subdued, no words kinder.
+
+"I have been talking to Dr. Moore about taking you to England in the
+autumn, darling; he says we can leave here in February so as to arrive
+there about May. Does not the prospect make you feel better already?"
+
+Fanny raised her eyes to his and smiled, but she shook her head and said
+faintly--
+
+"I never expect to see England again."
+
+"Nonsense, dear! why, you are looking more like yourself to-day than I
+have seen you for weeks. You must not give up, and Dr. Moore seems to
+have greater hopes than ever. This is certainly a very pleasant spot,"
+he continued, turning to the window, quite unconscious that this sudden
+announcement respecting a visit to England had agitated his wife. Her
+thoughts went back to the old days at Kilburn, when, a bright and happy
+girl, she had been wooed and won by one of her father's old pupils.
+
+She glanced at him now as his tall figure stood out in full relief
+against the window, the strongly-marked profile clearly defined against
+the light. At three-and-forty Arthur Franklyn might still be spoken of
+as a handsome man; and although the light brown wavy hair had receded
+from the temples, there was not a line of grey visible. The blue eyes
+still twinkled with the humorous expression which spoke of
+light-heartedness and a keen sense of the ridiculous. In truth, he was
+one of those who are said to take things easy. Sanguine of success in
+everything he undertook, disappointment never troubled him for long. He
+could throw off the pressure of anxiety, and be as merry and
+light-hearted as if nothing had happened, while his poor wife was
+mourning in secret, or trembling for the consequences. She had quickly
+discovered the weak points in her husband's character, and felt that it
+could be said of him, "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel."
+
+The light-heartedness which made him a favourite in society caused him
+also to drive away all anticipation of trouble from his mind. "Never
+meet troubles half-way" was a proverb which he preached so unwisely,
+that he not only had to meet troubles when they came, but actually
+increased their magnitude by foolishly shutting his eyes to their
+approach.
+
+So had it been with his wife's illness; he saw her wasting away daily
+before his eyes, yet he closed them to the possibility that she might
+die. And now that he had finally decided to take her to England in
+February, her recovery seemed to him a certainty. He presently seated
+himself by her side, and spoke gently and kindly of the voyage, and
+recalled so many pleasant incidents of the old house at home, that in
+spite of herself Fanny felt cheered.
+
+"I shall look in at Bevans' this evening, love," he said as he rose to
+go out; "they know all about the English passenger ships, and I can get
+every information I require."
+
+After transacting a little business at his office, Arthur Franklyn
+walked on into Melbourne to call at his friends the Bevans, who were
+always pleased to see him, and showed their liking for his company in a
+manner most flattering to a man of his character.
+
+Hour after hour slipped away, and although a kind of uneasy feeling made
+him prepare more than once to say farewell, he allowed himself to be
+flattered into remaining to supper. His friends when inquiring for his
+wife had been told with animation that she was better, and that Dr.
+Moore had given his permission for her to go to England in February or
+March, there was therefore every excuse for so kindly pressing him to
+stay.
+
+The family of Mr. Bevan, a ship agent, consisted of himself, his wife,
+two sons in the business, and two daughters. They were in the midst of
+supper, and laughing heartily at one of Arthur Franklyn's jokes, when
+the door of the dining-room opened, and the servant entered, and
+advancing to Mr. Franklyn, offered him a missive not so well known then
+as now in either England or Australia--a telegraph message in its
+ominous-looking envelope. A sudden pause fell on those assembled round
+the table, as Arthur Franklyn opened and read aloud--
+
+"Clara Franklyn to Mr. A. Franklyn.--Come directly, mamma is dying!"
+
+He started up with impetuous haste, his face white even to the lips, and
+was quickly surrounded by the family hastening his departure, and trying
+to calm his agitation with words of hope. But like all those who are
+wilfully blind to the approach of danger, Arthur Franklyn became
+despairing and hopeless when it really arrived. Some one found a railway
+time-table.
+
+"You will catch the 10.5, Franklyn, if you are quick," said one of the
+young men, as, half bewildered, he turned to shake hands with his
+friends.
+
+"No, no, we'll dispense with that for once," said the old gentleman.
+"Good-by, keep up a good heart, it may not be so bad as you imagine;"
+and so they hurried him away, Mr. Bevan saying hastily to his eldest
+son, "Go with him to the station, Tom, he seems scarcely able to take
+care of himself."
+
+"I hope he'll reach home in time," said Mrs. Bevan; "these sudden
+messages are dreadfully alarming."
+
+While the train for which Arthur Franklyn was just in time is speeding
+on over the short distance to his home, we will precede him thither.
+
+Fanny Franklyn, when her husband kissed her on that evening before
+leaving home, although she felt that for her no journey to England would
+ever be realised, was still unwilling to damp his hopes by her own
+misgivings. The conversation had certainly excited her, but she did not
+seem weaker than usual when her eldest daughter appeared to attend her
+to bed. Clara Franklyn, during the decline of her mother's health, had
+become a clever little housekeeper, while Mabel installed herself as
+nurse. Fanny could not but feel a certain degree of comfort in Clara's
+cleverness, yet the child of thirteen was already too precocious in
+manners and character, and the position of housekeeper was calculated to
+increase these characteristics. The mother also mourned over her own
+inability to continue the education of her two girls, who had hitherto
+never had any governess but herself.
+
+Many changes had taken place in their style of living during the
+fourteen years of Fanny Franklyn's marriage. After a successful
+speculation, instead of carefully laying up a reserve in case of losses
+or disappointments, Arthur Franklyn not only lived to the full extent of
+his income, but actually to the full amount of the money he possessed.
+
+"I have plenty to last us for two or even three years," he would say,
+"and by that time I shall no doubt have another successful venture; so
+it's all right, Fanny, don't you worry yourself. I mean you to have a
+house and servants, and every appliance suitable to my means. There is
+no other sure way of getting into society nowadays, and the more money
+you appear to have, the more likely people are to help you in the
+furtherance of your plans."
+
+And Fanny, during the early years of her married life, though not
+convinced, submitted to be made a fine lady, to be waited upon by a
+lady's-maid, to have a first-rate cook, housemaids, a nurse, and a
+nursery-maid. They resided in a luxuriously furnished house, they gave
+dinner parties, and soon drew around them a host of acquaintances who
+were ready to become friends with the rising young colonist and his
+family in the days of their prosperity. But this could not last long. By
+an unfortunate venture they lost house, furniture, servants, and
+sunshine friends, except some few who liked the genial company of the
+thoughtless speculator, and respected his wife. One thing, however,
+Fanny was firm in, she would engage no expensive governess for her
+children, and from their earliest childhood she had taught them herself.
+
+After many ups and downs caused by her husband's reckless speculations,
+which are, after all, a species of gambling, we find them now in a small
+pleasant house, plainly furnished, with but two servants. One of them,
+whose attachment to Fanny and the children still kept her in the
+nursery, had, on the evening of which we write, assisted her dear
+mistress to undress.
+
+Something in the appearance of Mrs. Franklyn made the faithful woman
+call the two girls out of the room, and say--
+
+"Don't leave your mamma, Miss Clara, I am going to put little Albert to
+bed, and then I'll come and take your place."
+
+"I may stay too, nurse," said Mabel, "may I not? I've got an interesting
+book to read, and we wont talk."
+
+"I do not intend to read," said Clara, in a tone of womanly importance.
+"I have my work to do, and I can watch and attend to mamma at the same
+time."
+
+"Ah, well," said nurse to herself, as she left the room, "you're a
+sensible young lady after all, only a bit too precocious for your age,
+Miss Clara. Oh dear!" she sighed, "to think they're going to lose their
+mother, who has taught them to be so clever, and trained them in the
+right way! And then for the master to be so blind, and not to see that
+his wife is dying. Ugh! I don't like such light-hearted people; they
+shut their eyes to trouble till it's close upon them. He's gone out
+pleasuring to-night, and I don't like the looks of the dear mistress."
+
+And at this thought nurse hastened her steps to the nursery, for it was
+past baby's bedtime, and she had left him in the care of the other
+servant.
+
+Mrs. Franklyn watched her eldest daughter with a feeling of sadness, as
+she placed herself where she could see her mother's face, and near the
+window to obtain light for her work. The November evening of the
+Australian spring was as light as with us an evening in May; and
+although the sun was approaching the west, yet the venetian blind was
+lowered to keep out his rays.
+
+Mabel, who had seated herself out of sight of her mother, soon became
+absorbed in her book; and as the sisters did not speak, Mrs. Franklyn
+was quite unaware of her presence.
+
+The mind of the mother rested with anxiety on the future of her eldest
+girl. She knew too well that she must soon leave these dear ones to the
+mercy of the world, and a careless though loving father. Her husband was
+still in the prime of life, a man of personal and social attractions,
+likely to marry again, no doubt a rich woman, ostensibly to obtain a
+second mother for his children. James, a boy of eleven, now at school,
+and Mabel, could be easily managed; about her baby Albert she had
+written to her brother, Henry Halford, a letter, which in a great
+measure influenced him in his future conduct. But Clara--high-spirited,
+determined, self-sufficient, impatient of rebuke, and womanly beyond her
+age in both manners and appearance--what would she be without the
+loving, cautious guidance of her own mother?
+
+These painful reflections agitated the invalid. More than once a violent
+fit of coughing had brought Clara to her side with a remedy. After
+awhile she sunk into a kind of doze. Nurse came to summon Mabel to bed,
+but the mother seemed to be sleeping so peacefully that the little girl
+left the room without saying good night.
+
+Nearly an hour passed, and then the hall clock struck nine. Mrs.
+Franklyn started at the sound, although it seldom disturbed her at other
+times.
+
+"Clara," she said faintly.
+
+The child rushed to her bedside quickly.
+
+"What is it, mamma?" and the tones were loving and tender.
+
+"Is your father come home?"
+
+"No, mamma. Shall I send for him?"
+
+But instead of a reply a sudden and violent cough attacked the invalid.
+Clara, as she had often done, placed her arm under her mother's head and
+raised her gently.
+
+This time the movement hastened the catastrophe. In a moment the blood
+burst from the invalid's mouth, covering quilt, sheets, and her
+night-dress with its ghastly stains.
+
+Although ready to faint with terror, Clara laid her mother down gently
+on the pillow, and rushing to the bell pulled it so violently that both
+servants were in the room even before its tones had ceased vibrating.
+
+"Run for Dr. Moore, run for your life, Sarah," cried nurse, as she
+approached the bed, and leaning over her mistress wiped the life-blood
+from her pallid lips. The dark eyes opened and the lips parted with a
+faint smile.
+
+"Don't speak, dear mistress," she said softly; "Dr. Moore will soon be
+here."
+
+The reply was a gentle movement of the head, which nurse readily
+understood to mean "too late."
+
+Nurse looked round as the door softly opened, for Clara had disappeared,
+and saw Mabel in her dressing-gown hesitating to enter. She had been
+startled from sleep by the bell, and became wide awake when her sister
+entered with a candle, and opening her desk commenced writing on a
+half-sheet of paper.
+
+"Clara, what is the matter?" and the startled child sat up in bed with a
+terrified fear in her face.
+
+Clara turned her white face towards her. "Mamma is dying," she said, in
+a calm tone, that told of deep agitation under restraint; "I am sending
+a telegram to papa."
+
+Before Mabel could realise the words, her sister had left the room, and
+meeting Sarah, she exclaimed--
+
+"To Dr. Moore first, Sarah, and then to the railway station, and send
+this telegram. Say it is immediate, a case of life and death; anything
+to make them send it quickly."
+
+While she stood talking, Mabel in her dressing-gown and slippers flew
+past them in her way to her mother's room, and entered as we have seen.
+
+Quickly as Clara followed, she found Mabel already on the bed by her
+mother's side, holding her pale hand in hers, while nurse bathed the
+invalid's forehead with eau de Cologne, and wiped the pale lips from
+which the life-blood still oozed.
+
+A slight smile welcomed Clara, for Mrs. Franklyn's eyes were opened with
+the brightness of death, and wandered round the room as if in search of
+some one. Clara understood her.
+
+"Mamma darling, I have telegraphed for papa; he will soon be here." A
+look of thankfulness passed over the pale face, and the eyelids closed
+over the glistening eyes as if to wait in patience for her husband's
+arrival. For a time all was still. To aid the sufferer's breath nurse
+had left the door open, and the ticking of the hall clock could be heard
+distinctly. Clara, to conceal her agitated feelings, knelt by the bed
+and buried her face in the bedclothes. At length at the sound of the
+doctor's knock she started up and took her stand by her mother's pillow.
+Dr. Moore came prepared with stimulants. Sarah had told him what had
+happened, but he no sooner cast his eyes upon his patient than he knew
+her danger. No skill on earth could save her now. However, he
+administered a few teaspoonfuls of his remedy, which seemed to revive
+her as well as to stay the bleeding from the lungs. She seemed about to
+speak, when the doctor said--
+
+"Not a word, my dear lady, not a movement; there is nothing so important
+now as quietness and rest." He placed his fingers on her pulse as he
+spoke, and felt the feeble fluttering which so often betokens the
+approach of death. For some time no one spoke. The invalid lay with
+closed eyes almost motionless. Through the open window came the balmy
+freshness of a summer evening air, and the sound of the rippling of the
+waves, as the dark tide of the Yarra flowed onward towards the sea.
+
+Presently a loud, tremulous knock sounded through the hall, and in a few
+moments, pale and trembling with emotion, the husband and father entered
+the room. The state of the bed, the death-like face of his wife, and the
+silence overpowered him so completely, that but for the doctor's arm he
+would have fallen to the ground. "Is she dead?" he asked, for while in
+the train he had brought himself to believe that his daughter's telegram
+was merely caused by a child's fear and exaggeration; his wife's
+death-like appearance, therefore, was a shock for which he was quite
+unprepared.
+
+The invalid's eyes opened, and rested with loving pity on her husband.
+
+"I have lived to say good-by, darling," she said in a faint voice.
+"Thank God--I must speak, doctor," she continued--"I have been saving my
+strength for a few last words."
+
+"Fanny, my darling wife, I cannot lose you. Oh! I did not expect this,
+doctor. Can nothing be done?" Clara had moved to allow him to approach
+the pillow. He stooped and kissed the pale brow. Then seating himself on
+a chair by her side, he took her hand in his and buried his face in the
+pillow to conceal his agony.
+
+"Don't grieve, Arthur," said his wife, in whispered tones; "it has been
+hard to think of leaving you and the dear children, but I have learnt
+submission to our heavenly Father's will, and you must seek consolation
+from Him."
+
+Mabel had slidden from the bed when her father appeared, and the two
+girls now stood by him, as if by their presence they could console him
+and share his sorrow. For a few moments there was silence, while their
+mother lay with closed eyes. The sound of Mabel's hardly restrained sobs
+aroused her.
+
+"Do not weep, darling," she said; "you have both a father on earth to
+protect you, and a Father in heaven, more powerful than an earthly
+parent, to guide and comfort you. Never forget the lessons I have taught
+you of His love and tenderness to motherless children.--Arthur," she
+continued, "if you do not care to return to England again yourself, send
+my children to my home, will you?"
+
+"I promise you, darling, I will indeed," replied the stricken husband;
+"Australia will be a spot of desolation after you are gone."
+
+Again there was a silence. The doctor administered another stimulant,
+but no one spoke.
+
+Presently the nurse whispered, "Shall I take the young ladies away,
+doctor?"
+
+Dr. Moore glanced at them, but the white stern face of Clara Franklyn
+showed a power of endurance and strength to support her sister as well
+as herself through the last trying scene. He shook his head, but the
+invalid had heard the whisper. She opened her eyes and looked fondly at
+her girls.
+
+"Let them stay, nurse. Dear James, I wish he could have been sent for.
+Give him his mother's dying love, and----" But the voice failed.
+
+"Kiss me once more," she said, feebly, and the girls came near to kiss
+the pallid face which would soon be hidden from them for ever. Mabel,
+unable to bear the painful excitement, clung to nurse, who placed her
+arm round the child and drew her from the bed. Mrs. Franklyn glanced at
+her as she did so.
+
+"You will stay with my children, nurse, and take care of my little
+Albert."
+
+"Trust me, dear mistress," she replied; but she could not say what her
+heart dictated, that she would never leave them till they were grown to
+be men and women. Her opinion of Mr. Franklyn made that impossible.
+Clara, after giving her mother what she well knew was a farewell kiss,
+felt her firmness giving way, and she clung to her father's arm and
+leaned her head upon his shoulder to hide the tears.
+
+Dr. Moore was still unwilling to excite the invalid by sending the two
+girls away, yet he felt that the scene was becoming too painful for
+them. He stood at the foot of the bed, obedient to Mrs. Franklyn's
+gentle words--
+
+"Don't go, doctor."
+
+A long pause followed her words to the nurse, and for some moments it
+seemed as if the dying mother had ceased to breathe. Suddenly the dark
+eyes opened.
+
+"Raise me, Arthur," she said, faintly.
+
+With gentle hand he lifted her head and laid it on his breast.
+
+"Arthur, it has come. How dark it is! Dear husband, meet me in heaven,
+it is all light there."
+
+One sigh, then all was still.
+
+Dr. Moore approached. Arthur turned upon him a startled look.
+
+"Is she gone?" he exclaimed. "Oh, darling wife," he continued, kissing
+the pale face frantically, "oh, forgive me that I never loved you or
+valued you as I ought."
+
+Dr. Moore removed his arm from the helpless head, and whispering, "Be
+calm for the sake of your children," drew him gently from the bed.
+
+Arthur Franklyn glanced round the room. Nurse had led the weeping girls
+away, he was alone; and hastily leaving the bed of death, he rushed into
+the drawing-room, and, throwing himself on his knees, gave way to those
+bitter tears which shake manhood to its very centre. His unchastened
+spirit rebelled against God for depriving him of the wife of his youth
+in this unexpected manner, forgetting that his own blindness and
+thoughtless indifference had failed to discover what was plain to every
+one else. Alas! there is no feeling more painful than remorse for
+neglect or unkindness to those who are gone, because there can be no
+recompense made, or regret and sorrow expressed to them on this side the
+grave.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+MOTHER AND SON.
+
+
+There is something in the old Saxon word "mother" which seems to convey
+more of love and dignity, and to command a greater amount of respect,
+than any of its substitutes in other languages.
+
+Perhaps its constant use in the old Saxon translation of the Bible has
+thrown a halo of sanctity over the homely word, for no names in
+Scripture have been more honoured than those of the mothers of holy men.
+In our own biographies of great and good men, how often to the mother's
+influence over her boy, from even the days of infancy, can be traced the
+high principles, the noble character, and the great worth of the man!
+Most truly has it been said that the future of a child depends upon the
+training of the first five years of his life. It is therefore to mothers
+that this period of a boy's history is by Nature entrusted, and upon
+them chiefly rests the responsibility of laying the foundation of a
+high-principled, noble, and truthful character.
+
+Another saying, that mothers love their sons better than their
+daughters, is not always true, especially in such a case as Mrs.
+Halford's, when only one son and one daughter live to grow up.
+
+And yet it is doubtful whether she would have parted so easily with her
+son had he proposed to place half the globe between himself and his
+family, for very dear was her clever and talented son to the almost
+childless mother.
+
+The old adage--
+
+    "My son is my son till he gets him a wife,
+    My daughter's my daughter all the days of her life,"
+
+seemed reversed to Mrs. Halford, for Fanny had been completely lost to
+her mother since her marriage.
+
+She was also strongly impressed with the idea that Henry would continue
+to assist in carrying on the school, even after his ordination, and then
+marry some amiable girl who would live with them at Englefield Grange,
+and to be to her as a daughter in the place of Fanny.
+
+Such were some of Mrs. Halford's castles in the air, greatly augmented
+by observing with a mother's penetration that her son was admiring Miss
+Armstrong. Even while her own good sense told her that the daughter of
+Mr. Armstrong would never obtain her father's consent to a marriage with
+her son, still she had hope that in some way or other such a result was
+not impossible.
+
+August of the year which had already been so full of changes and events
+had arrived.
+
+The pupils were returning to Englefield Grange after the Midsummer
+vacation, and Mrs. Halford quickly noticed that little Freddy Armstrong
+was not amongst them.
+
+She waited a fortnight, and then one afternoon at the tea-table spoke to
+her husband on the subject.
+
+"Mr. Armstrong's little boy has not come back yet," she said, "had you
+not better send a note, James? They have perhaps forgotten the day on
+which the school reopened."
+
+"No, my dear, it is not necessary. I received a very polite note from
+Mr. Armstrong in the holidays, telling me that he intended to send the
+boy with his brothers this quarter, and enclosing a cheque for the
+Midsummer amount."
+
+"Why did you not mention it, James?" she asked.
+
+"I did not think it necessary, for I supposed you and Kate would hear of
+the new arrangement from Henry, as he is so friendly at Lime Grove."
+
+The mother glanced at her son. In spite of his utmost efforts he could
+not conceal his agitation, yet he did manage to say--
+
+"I have seen nothing of Mr. Armstrong's family for weeks, father."
+
+"No, Henry, I daresay not," said his mother, quickly, "you are studying
+too closely to have time to spare for visiting. Besides, the loss of one
+little pupil is not a matter of great importance to us."
+
+After a glance at Henry's pale face, Kate Marston took the first
+opportunity of turning the subject, and though by so doing she enabled
+her cousin to recover himself and join in the conversation, he very soon
+left the tea-table.
+
+Mrs. Halford heard the door of his little study close on her son, but
+that did not deter her from her purpose. As soon as the tea was removed
+she rose and left the room.
+
+Henry Halford, after leaving the tea-table and locking the door of his
+study, was for a few moments unable to touch a book. Resting his head on
+his hands, he gave himself up to reflection.
+
+He had made a venture and failed; and deeply as he felt the
+mortification caused by Mr. Armstrong's letter, yet in his cooler
+moments he could clearly see that, in a worldly point of view, his
+proposal would appear an act of presumption.
+
+He was still sitting in listless idleness, indulging in these painful
+thoughts, when a knock at the door startled him, and he impatiently
+exclaimed--
+
+"Who is there?"
+
+"I, your mother, Henry. I want to speak to you."
+
+Without a moment's delay the lock was drawn back, and mother and son
+stood together in the room.
+
+Mrs. Halford closed the door gently and locked it, and Henry, placing a
+chair near the table for his mother, seated himself and looked
+inquiringly at her.
+
+"Mother," he exclaimed, suddenly, "you have guessed my secret."
+
+"I know there must be something on your mind," she replied. "Close study
+has never before made you listless and unhappy."
+
+"I fly to books to drown thought, they are my only relief."
+
+"Would it not relieve you to confide in your mother, Henry?"
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"You used to tell me all your troubles when you were a child, and why
+not now?"
+
+He raised his head, and the words burst forth impulsively--
+
+"Mother, if I had told you weeks ago, instead of acting on impulse as I
+always do, I might have spared myself bitter mortification."
+
+"In what way, my son? Explain yourself."
+
+"You know I met Miss Armstrong at Oxford, mother, and on the evening
+before she left I said something to her under an impulse I could not
+resist, and now I regret it."
+
+"On what account?"
+
+"Because I have written to ask her father's consent to make her my wife,
+and he has refused me. Don't tell me I am a fool," he added, seeing her
+about to speak, "I know it now. What have I to offer as an equivalent to
+a young lady with such superior attractions and accomplishments as Mary
+Armstrong, setting aside the large fortune which her father can give
+her?"
+
+"Does he write kindly?" asked the mother, whose heart ached for her son.
+
+
+"Yes, and sensibly; here is the letter;" and he took Mr. Armstrong's
+letter from the desk and handed it to her.
+
+She read it and returned it to him in silence.
+
+"You will not allow this disappointment to interfere with your future
+intentions, Henry?"
+
+"No, indeed," he replied, "I am throwing off the memory of my folly by
+degrees, and I own I am relieved by telling you all about it. I am not
+vain enough to suppose that Miss Armstrong will be influenced by the
+impulsive, unmeaning words I said to her, so there is no harm done. I
+have no doubt little Freddy was removed to prevent the possibility of
+any further intercourse. So ends my first and last dream of love."
+
+"Better so, my son, better so, both for your sake and Miss Armstrong's.
+I quite agree with Mr. Armstrong about long courtship. You would not be
+in a position to marry for three or four years at the earliest, and not
+even then to such a girl as Miss Armstrong unless you had a living of
+some real value."
+
+For nearly an hour Mrs. Halford remained with her son, listening to his
+account of the pleasant days at Oxford, and their result, and when at
+last she rose to go, he said--
+
+"Please do not allow the subject to be spoken of by Kate, if you tell
+her, but I should like my father to know, and by-and-by I may be able to
+laugh over my folly as a thing of the past."
+
+"No reference shall be made, Henry, I promise you," said Mrs. Halford,
+as her son rose to open the door for her with the family courtesy now so
+seldom seen.
+
+He closed it after her, but without locking it. This little interview
+had done him good. A painful secret loses more than half its bitterness
+when it has been listened to with sympathising love by a true friend.
+And who such a true friend as a mother? She had purposely said very
+little to her son of her own opinion on the matter, but as she slowly
+ascended the stairs to be alone in her own room for a time, she said to
+herself--
+
+"I will pay Mrs. Armstrong and her daughter a visit some day. I should
+like to become acquainted with this girl who has so fascinated my son."
+
+And then, as she seated herself to reflect on what she had heard, her
+thoughts reverted to her own only daughter, whom she had not seen for
+nearly fifteen years. Mrs. Franklyn had written once only since the
+birth of little Albert, and although she spoke of being weaker than
+usual, and longing to visit England again and see them all, yet she was
+careful not to alarm her mother.
+
+This reticence on Fanny's part, and her husband's lively and sanguine
+letters, removed all fear of anything serious about the health of the
+dearly-loved daughter. And yet at this very moment a letter from Fanny
+was on its way to England, in which she touched gently on the
+possibility that she might not live to reach England in the following
+spring, and enclosing one to her brother to be opened in case of her
+death.
+
+This letter, however, which did not arrive till the end of October, was
+accompanied as usual by one from Arthur, written in good spirits, and
+attributing Fanny's illness and gloomy letters to nervousness.
+
+But we must not anticipate the sorrowful news contained in our last
+chapter, which will reach Englefield Grange all too soon, and be the
+more bitterly mourned because almost unexpected.
+
+At this particular time of which we write, Mrs. Halford could think of
+nothing but her son's disappointment, and the more she reflected on the
+subject the more indignant she felt.
+
+On what could Mr. Armstrong base his objections to her son beyond the
+fact that his daughter was rich and her son poor? After all, a
+schoolmaster in Dr. Halford's position was at least equal to a
+tradesman, as Mr. Armstrong undoubtedly was. And if his wife could lay
+claim to good birth, she had been told that Mr. Armstrong was only the
+son of a Hampshire farmer. Whereas her son, Henry Halford, could boast
+that the ancestors of both his parents were quite equal in position to
+those of Mrs. Armstrong. She had seen that lady, and could trace in her
+not one spark of upstart pride, but the thorough good-breeding of a
+well-born gentlewoman. Besides all this, would not her son in a few
+years be a clergyman, and as such, to the honour of England be it said,
+admissible, on account of his education and the sacredness of his
+office, to any society?
+
+What else then could influence Mr. Armstrong's refusal but a love of
+money and what it can buy? He had spoken in his letter of other plans in
+view for his daughter, and these no doubt were attempts on the father's
+part to purchase position for her, or to sacrifice her girlish
+affections for riches and a title.
+
+So reflected Mrs. Halford, and she was not far wrong.
+
+Like many men of strong prejudices, Mr. Armstrong had only overcome
+these prejudices to go into extremes.
+
+The peculiar ideas which influenced him during his early married life
+had all disappeared with the increase of wealth. No talk now of "aping
+the gentry." Money and education had raised him to their level, and
+therefore far above schoolmasters and curates, or any such
+poverty-stricken members of society.
+
+But Mrs. Halford's reflections were not made known to her son by even a
+hint. Had she been only a fond and foolish mother, she would have openly
+expressed her indignation at the treatment he had received, and aroused
+in him wounded pride and angry resentment, which would have unsettled
+his mind for his studies, and made him unfit to assist his father in the
+schoolroom.
+
+Instead of this, her calm and quiet acquiescence in Mr. Armstrong's
+letter strengthened the young man in his purpose of overcoming the past
+and looking forward to the future.
+
+Yet Mrs. Halford had not set aside the idea of paying Mrs. Armstrong a
+visit. For in her heart she did not despair of her son's ultimate
+success with Miss Armstrong. If that young lady deserved the opinion
+expressed of her by father and son, and was not quite indifferent
+towards the latter--well, it would certainly be difficult to make that
+discovery, however she would try.
+
+For some weeks nothing occurred to give Mrs. Halford the opportunity she
+wished for, but it presented itself at last in a most singular manner.
+She had been seeking a new under-housemaid, and one morning a girl
+called upon her, whose manner and appearance pleased her so much, that
+after a little talk with her she decided to call upon her late mistress
+respecting her character.
+
+What was that lady's surprise when the girl gave her the address of Mrs.
+Armstrong, Lime Grove!
+
+At once she saw the way open before her, and sent the young woman with a
+message to ask if between twelve and one the next day would be
+convenient for a visit respecting the character of a servant.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong had been very much interested in this young housemaid,
+who was not, however, sufficiently acquainted with her business, and on
+that account only she had parted with her.
+
+It so happened that when the girl brought the message Mrs. Armstrong was
+engaged, otherwise she would have questioned her kindly respecting her
+new situation.
+
+All, therefore, that could be done was to answer the message, which
+merely asked if Mrs. Armstrong could see _a lady_ about Jane's character
+at the time named.
+
+The reply in the affirmative gave Mrs. Halford the opportunity of paying
+an unexpected visit so far as her name went, but of this she was not
+aware when she presented herself next morning at the appointed time and
+sent in her card.
+
+Mary and her mother were seated in the library, the former at the easel,
+the latter at work, when the servant entered.
+
+"The lady about Jane's character, ma'am," she said, as she offered the
+card to her mistress.
+
+Without reading it, Mrs. Armstrong laid it on the table by her side.
+
+The next moment Mrs. Halford was ushered into the room.
+
+Two of the three who then met so unexpectedly never forgot that meeting.
+
+Although inwardly agitated, Mrs. Halford had self-possession enough to
+glance round the room as she entered. A young girl with bright golden
+hair, dressed in deep mourning, rose from her easel and bowed
+gracefully. She was about to reseat herself and resume her painting,
+when to her surprise she saw her mother advance towards the visitor,
+hold out her hand, and exclaim--
+
+"How are you, Mrs. Halford? I am most happy to see you. Pray take a
+chair. I was not prepared for this unexpected pleasure; my housemaid
+told me it was a lady for the character of a servant. My daughter Mary,"
+she added, seeing that young lady still standing by her easel, and Mrs.
+Halford looking earnestly at her.
+
+With outward ease Mary Armstrong advanced to shake hands with the
+visitor, while every nerve quivered with surprise and excitement.
+
+A sudden paleness was followed by a deep flush, which did not fade from
+her face while the interview lasted.
+
+All this passed in a very few seconds, and then Mrs. Halford seated
+herself and referred to the object of her visit.
+
+"I have come to inquire into the character of your late housemaid, Mrs.
+Armstrong, Jane Ford," she said. "I suppose she did not mention my name
+yesterday, when I sent her to ascertain if to-day at this hour would be
+convenient, but I sent in my card this morning."
+
+"I must really plead guilty to not having read it," replied Mrs.
+Armstrong, "but I shall be glad to tell you all I can in Jane's favour,
+perhaps with double pleasure now I know the lady by whom she is likely
+to be engaged."
+
+The ladies then entered at once into the various and usual inquiries
+made and replied to on such occasions. Well for Jane Ford that these two
+ladies did not belong to the class of mistresses who forget that young
+servants are human beings, endowed with the same feelings and tempers as
+themselves, that they also have likes and dislikes, affections and
+emotions, causes for joy or sorrow, all of which are apt to affect their
+natures more strongly, because in childhood they are often ill-trained,
+neglected, or exposed to bad example at home.
+
+At all events, what passed so influenced Mrs. Halford, that she decided
+at once to engage the young woman of whom Mrs. Armstrong spoke so
+kindly.
+
+During the conversation Mrs. Halford frequently allowed her eyes to
+wander towards the spot where Mary sat painting near the window, her
+beautiful profile defined in strong relief against the light.
+
+Conscious of the glances cast upon her, the colour on Mary's cheeks
+deepened, but when Mrs. Halford rose and approached her to crave
+permission to examine the drawing, there was no want of well-bred ease
+in her manner of replies.
+
+The conversation became general, and touched on other subjects, in which
+Mary joined readily; indeed, Mrs. Halford had introduced them to draw
+out this young girl whom her son so admired.
+
+Nearly an hour passed, and then Mrs. Halford was reminded that she would
+soon be wanted at home for the dinner-hour, by the pendule on the
+mantelpiece chiming one o'clock.
+
+As she rose in haste to take her leave, the door opened and Freddy
+entered. For a moment he did not recognise Mrs. Halford; but when she
+exclaimed--
+
+"Why is my little Freddy still at home?" he came forward at once, and
+placing his little hand in hers, said, with childlike candour--
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Halford, are you come to ask mamma to send me back to your
+school! I should like it so much! Dear Mary teaches me now," he added,
+with a look of affection at his sister, "but I've no boys to play with
+now. Edward and Arthur are gone back to school, and I don't care about
+playing alone."
+
+"I persuaded Mr. Armstrong to keep Freddy at home till Easter," said
+Mrs. Armstrong in explanation; "he is rather too young to be with boys
+so much older than himself, at least at boarding-school, and his papa
+has a great objection to day schools as a rule."
+
+"Many parents have that objection," was the gentle reply.
+
+Mrs. Halford quite understood the apology for the removal of her boy
+from Dr. Halford which the mother's words were intended to convey. But
+she also by other signs made a greater discovery. Neither mother nor
+daughter knew anything of Henry's letter or of its reception.
+
+"I hope Dr. Halford and your son are quite well. We have not seen Mr.
+Halford lately; I suppose he is constantly engaged in study, and has no
+time for visiting."
+
+Just as Mrs. Armstrong commenced this inquiry, Mrs. Halford had turned
+to wish Mary good-by. She felt the hand she held quiver as the mother
+spoke, and the telltale blush could not all be ascribed to the
+suddenness of rising from her chair. She pressed the young girl's hand,
+and then turned to the mother.
+
+"My husband and son are quite as well as usual, Mrs. Armstrong; and
+Henry is more wrapped up in his studies than ever. Thank you very much
+for so kindly inquiring for them, but Henry has given up all idea of
+visiting for the present."
+
+And so the ladies parted, Mrs. Halford charmed with the young girl who
+had won her son's heart; and Mary, after accompanying her visitor to the
+door and giving her a last bow and smile as she passed into the road,
+went to her room to prepare for lunch.
+
+Mechanically she made the necessary alterations, all her thoughts
+occupied with the tall, gentle lady, who in manner and words and face so
+strongly reminded her of her son, notwithstanding the silvery white hair
+and difference of years.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+PARK LANE IN JUNE.
+
+
+Nearly a year has passed since Mrs. Halford's visit, but no farther
+intercourse has taken place between the families at Englefield Grange
+and Lime Grove. Henry Halford had listened eagerly to his mother's
+description of that visit spoken of in a passing way at the tea-table in
+the evening, but only once did he venture a remark.
+
+"Mrs. Armstrong and her daughter were in deep mourning," his mother said
+in the course of conversation. "I was not aware they had lost a near
+relative."
+
+"They are in mourning for Mr. Armstrong's father," said Henry; "I saw
+his death in the _Times_ a few weeks ago, in his eighty-third year."
+
+This year of Mary's life had indeed been an eventful one. The first
+meeting with Henry Halford, the second at Mr. Drummond's, the visit to
+Meadow Farm, and the happy week with her dear old grandfather, that
+never-to-be-forgotten time at Oxford, her father's angry suspicions and
+threats, and a few weeks afterwards the hasty summons of his father's
+death-bed--all these events, following each other so rapidly, were to be
+also deeply impressed on Mary's memory by future results.
+
+To Englefield Grange in February of the following year came the
+overwhelming sorrow caused by the news of poor Fanny's death. So
+completely had Arthur Franklyn's light-hearted letters removed all
+anticipation of danger, that the shock was the more terrible, and poor
+Mrs. Halford's health for a time completely gave way.
+
+Mr. Armstrong's family also saw a notice of it in the
+
+_Times_ obituary, and Mary and her mother were both surprised when her
+father suggested that a message of condolence and kind inquiry should be
+sent to Englefield Grange. The messenger brought back a formal
+acknowledgment, and also the information that Mrs. Halford was
+dangerously ill.
+
+How Mary grieved over the conviction that she could not go and offer her
+services to soothe and tend the mother of Henry Halford in her terrible
+griefs! She had never heard of Kate Marston, Henry's cousin, who had for
+so many years supplied to him and his parents the place of sister and
+daughter. In spite of what appeared to Mary something like neglect and
+indifference on the part of the schoolmaster's son, she would have been
+glad to show him and his family that no proud or resentful feeling on
+her part could raise a barrier between them as neighbours and
+acquaintance.
+
+Mary Armstrong possessed a good share of what is called common sense.
+She had reflected deeply on the occurrences at Oxford, and she reasoned
+thus with herself:--
+
+"I daresay Mr. Henry Halford is sorry for what he said to me at Oxford,
+or perhaps he meant nothing but a compliment. He is sensible enough not
+to think of being married till he is ordained, and so perhaps he keeps
+away for fear I should learn to love him;" and the young girl blushed as
+this thought arose in her heart, even when alone. "And besides, after
+what papa said that night in his passion, I am very, very glad he has
+not paid us a visit. I could not marry any man without papa's consent,
+but I hope he wont ask me to marry any one else. I shall be twenty next
+July, but that doesn't matter; I should like to stay at home always, and
+there is nothing very dreadful to me in the prospect of being an old
+maid."
+
+And so the young girl schooled her heart to try to forget that she had
+met her _beau ideal_ of what a husband should be, and that her father
+had forbidden her to associate with him or to notice the family until
+their time of trouble called for neighbourly inquiries. How little poor
+Mary guessed that her father had effectually put a stop to any farther
+acquaintance, and that even this formal attention would have been
+withheld had he not supposed her to be quite indifferent to this
+schoolmaster's son who had presumed to ask him for the hand of his
+daughter! Perhaps Mr. Armstrong would have been very much surprised had
+he been told that another influence was at work in Mary's heart which
+would prevent her from disobeying her father by marrying against his
+wishes; an influence which had first made itself felt while listening to
+the teachings of her grandfather, and which would prove her support in
+the future through weary days of sorrow and trial.
+
+During this twelve months other changes had also taken place; Charles
+Herbert's regiment had been ordered to Canada, and his mother in her
+loneliness petitioned Mr. Armstrong for his daughter's company. Sir
+James and Lady Elston had given up their house in Portland Place, and
+were now residing in the south of France on account of the old admiral's
+health.
+
+"You see, Edward, I am quite alone now," said Mrs. Herbert when asking
+for Mary to be allowed to spend a month with them in Park Lane during
+the season; "and Mary has seen nothing of society yet, you have made her
+too much of a bookworm and a homebird."
+
+"Not a bit of it," cried the colonel; "and for my part I do not see the
+necessity for Mary to acquire a knowledge of London society; however, we
+shall be glad to have her with us, Armstrong, for a time, and I don't
+think there is any danger of Mary's head being turned; she's much too
+sensible."
+
+This conversation took place in Mr. Armstrong's office in Dover Street,
+and he was ready at once to accept the invitation, even before
+consulting the wishes of his wife and daughter. It was just what he
+wanted; the niece of Mrs. Herbert was sure to attract suitors at the
+house of Colonel Herbert, and soon put an end to this nonsense about the
+young parson. For in spite of his confidence in these young people he
+dreaded a chance meeting which might upset all his plans.
+
+A few days after this interview Mary Armstrong stood at the window of
+her uncle's house in Park Lane, looking out over the Park, now radiant
+in the glorious beauty of a June morning. There had been a strange
+contest in Mary's heart at the proposal to spend a month with her aunt
+in London. She was very fond of her aunt Helen, and ready to accept the
+invitation with great delight. The house, the arrangements, the varied
+appliances of taste and refinement which belong to society when composed
+of the well-bred as well as the rich, were all congenial to Mary. At
+home the influence of her father was still too strong to allow Mrs.
+Armstrong to carry out her own refined tastes even at the dinner-table.
+The early habits at a farm-house were not so easily overcome, and the
+exquisite and tasteful style of Mrs. Herbert's table was not yet
+tolerated at Lime Grove. Good, solid, and in profusion, but plain and
+homely, and without flowers or other ornaments, was considered more
+suitable for a dinner-table than what Mr. Armstrong called useless
+trumpery or expensive nicknacks.
+
+And yet, with all that could satisfy her most refined tastes, Mary
+Armstrong, as she stood at the open French window, sighed at the memory
+of home. The country lanes which still remained near Lime Grove, the
+broad high road which passed Englefield Grange as well as her father's
+house, and along which she and her little brother Freddy had walked to
+school on that cold morning that seemed now so long ago; the carriage
+drive home after that fascinating evening at Mr. Drummond's, even the
+meeting in the road when her father offered hospitality to Mr. Halford,
+which he was never to accept--all this was connected with the rural
+suburb surrounding her home. Still onward flew the rapid thoughts to a
+pleasant hotel at Oxford, and all the happy hours of that
+never-to-be-forgotten week, the strolls from college to college, from
+chapel to chapel, the soul-stirring music of the choirs, the boat
+excursions on the Thames beneath a June sky as bright as that now
+casting a radiant but somewhat misty glow upon the Park, and that last
+evening in Christ Church meadows beneath the moonlight, when those
+trivial words were uttered which had stirred in her girlish heart
+thoughts and feelings before unknown.
+
+Very lovely she looked as she stood in the reflected sunlight from the
+Park. The pretty lilac-sprigged muslin, finished at the throat and
+wrists with lace collar and wristlets, bows from the throat down the
+front of lilac ribbon, and one of the same colour in her hair, were
+truly becoming to the fair face and bright brown tresses. The only
+ornaments she wore consisted of a silver brooch and the chain belonging
+to her watch.
+
+So deeply were Mary's thoughts occupied, that her uncle and his friend
+had reached the centre of the room before she was aware of their
+presence. She started as her uncle said--
+
+"Why, Mary, my dear, what a reverie!"
+
+"I beg your pardon, uncle, I did not hear your approach. Good morning,
+Captain Fraser," she continued, turning to the visitor with a laugh, and
+holding out her hand. "I am not in general so easily alarmed; did you
+and uncle enter purposely on tiptoe?"
+
+The young officer cast upon the speaker a look of unmistakable
+admiration, which deepened the flush on her cheek, but he did not
+possess the tact with which to relieve the young lady and place her at
+her ease with a retort as playful as her own.
+
+Colonel Herbert was, however, more ready.
+
+"Well, upon my word, Mary, you must have a very vivid imagination to
+picture to yourself a stout old fellow like me tripping along the carpet
+on tiptoe;" and her uncle's merry laugh restored Mary's self-possession
+at once. "But now," he continued, "let me tell you the object which
+brought us here. Would you like to join us in a canter this morning in
+the Row? Captain Fraser and I have just been inspecting Daisy, she has
+quite recovered from the effects of her journey by train, and I have
+desired the groom to bring her round in half an hour; can you be ready?"
+
+"Oh yes, uncle, thank you, I shall be delighted, if aunt Helen
+approves."
+
+"Aunt Helen is here to speak for herself;" and Mrs Herbert entered the
+room as she thus announced her presence.
+
+"Of course I approve; go, darling, and dress quickly; an hour's ride
+will do you good after such a long practice."
+
+"Mary was not practising when we entered the room," said her uncle, "but
+lost in contemplation of our London landscape--quite a compliment to
+Hyde Park I consider it."
+
+"I am afraid I was making comparisons in my mind not very complimentary
+to the Park, uncle, but I shall enjoy my ride nevertheless." And the
+young girl ran gaily out of the room without waiting for a reply.
+
+During the time the gentlemen had been in the room Captain Fraser had
+not spoken; indeed, in reply to Mary he had only bowed a silent good
+morning. Now, however, he entered into conversation with Mrs. Herbert,
+showing that he could make himself in a certain sense agreeable as a
+companion.
+
+Mary had met him twice already during the few days she had been in Park
+Lane, but while the memory of a gentleman who could fascinate her with
+his conversation on intellectual and poetical subjects was still fresh,
+the style in which Captain Fraser made himself agreeable was not likely
+to attract Mary Armstrong.
+
+"I'm afraid--aw--we alarmed--aw--Miss Armstrong this morning," said the
+young man, pulling violently at his whiskers as he spoke.
+
+"My niece is not easily frightened, Captain Fraser."
+
+"No--aw--not exactly frightened, but startled I mean--aw--just for a
+minute, and she turned it off--aw--and laughed as she spoke in such a
+captivating manner that--aw--there was nothing left for a fellah to
+say."
+
+"But you should say something, and not allow young ladies to have it all
+their own way, Captain Fraser."
+
+"Oh dear me--aw--I couldn't possibly; besides--aw--Mrs. Herbert, I don't
+think--aw--I ever saw a handsomer girl in my life--aw--than Miss
+Armstrong; but now I don't mind telling you, she's so clever--aw--that
+I'm half afraid to speak to her."
+
+"Ah, well, you can get better acquainted with her this morning during
+your ride; she is perfectly at home on horseback, and a fearless rider."
+
+"I believe that Miss Armstrong is clever in everything that she does,"
+replied the young officer, with another firm tug at his whiskers.
+
+The appearance of the young lady in equestrian attire, and the
+announcement that the horses were at the door, aroused the young man to
+offer his assistance. He escorted Mary to the entrance, and was ready
+and eager to be allowed to mount her; but he got so confused, and
+appeared so awkward about the matter, that Mary felt afraid to place her
+foot in his hand, and said quickly, "Thank you very much, Captain
+Fraser, but I am so used to be mounted by my uncle, pray do not trouble
+yourself to help me."
+
+He drew back instantly to give place to Colonel Herbert, and looked so
+intensely miserable that Mary's kind heart pitied him, and she
+determined during her ride to endeavour by her attention to him to
+restore his self-appreciation.
+
+But Mary made very little progress towards the completion of her object.
+She addressed her conversation almost entirely to him while walking
+their horses; she tried various topics, but none proved of any interest
+until a friend whom they met admired Mary's beautiful grey mare, who
+pranced, and tossed her head, and curved her sleek neck as if she knew
+that she carried her young mistress, and considered herself and her
+rider the most attractive objects in the Park.
+
+This notice of Daisy by the colonel's friend loosened Captain Fraser's
+tongue, and for the remainder of the ride he entertained his companion
+with descriptions of the turf, and advice about the treatment of horses,
+which to Mary were as incomprehensible as if uttered in Sanscrit. But
+this subject, so familiar to the young officer, set him at his ease, and
+by the time he reached home the shy awkwardness of the morning had quite
+disappeared.
+
+When he joined them in the evening, Mary, whom he had taken down to
+dinner, found his loquacity almost as painful to endure as his shyness.
+The long drawn out words, the constant repetition of "aw, aw," and the
+affected lackadaisical style of manner and speech, annoyed Mary even
+while it amused her. Indeed, at last nothing but the recollection that
+he was her uncle's guest could influence her to endure his society.
+
+Gladly did she hail her aunt's signal to leave the dinner-table, and had
+she been alone would have openly expressed to Mrs. Herbert her opinion
+of their visitor. But quietly leaning back in her chair while the elder
+ladies talked, Mary Armstrong began to reflect. Had she any right to
+despise this young captain because he had peculiarities and foibles? She
+had heard her aunt say that Reginald Fraser had been motherless from his
+birth, and to his father's neglect might be attributed much that was
+disagreeable or affected in his manners, which in other respects she was
+obliged to acknowledge were those of a gentleman. "Would my dear
+grandfather have approved of my treating this young man with contempt?"
+she asked herself. "With all his plain country manners he was a true
+Christian gentleman, one of those who would not for the world say or do
+anything to pain or mortify another. Again, how would Henry Halford
+treat Reginald Fraser?" she asked herself. The answer was plain; she
+knew how he would have acted, for Mr. Henry Halford would not forget the
+advantages of his own happy home, and the careful training he had
+received from his own mother. Thus reasoning, Mary Armstrong decided
+that during her visit to Park Lane she would bear with this weak-minded
+young man, and treat him kindly in spite of his foibles.
+
+But too much crooked policy exists in the world for straightforward
+conduct and honest intentions to meet with a due reward.
+
+Mary's innocent, unsuspecting proceedings were mistaken by Captain
+Fraser for a growing attachment to himself.
+
+During the month of her stay in Park Lane she had been associated with
+many men and women belonging to the best society, and more than one of
+the former had been attracted by the colonel's niece, and were ready to
+offer her a position in society quite sufficient to satisfy her father's
+pride.
+
+But there was something in the manner of Mary Armstrong which repelled
+foolish flirtation, and completely prevented any attentions of a more
+honourable nature. These gentlemen were too greatly superior to Reginald
+Fraser for her to venture the kind of patronising notice she bestowed
+upon the tall, effeminate young soldier. And yet in her innocent
+ignorance of the world she was preparing for herself a bitter and
+unexpected trial.
+
+On Mary's last evening at Park Lane no other visitor had been admitted
+excepting Captain Fraser, and after playing and singing, _to him_ (as he
+thought), all the evening, she felt tired of his exclusive attention,
+and rose to retire, something in his manner of bidding her farewell made
+her say to herself as she ascended the stairs, "Well, I am glad that's
+over; I do not think I could endure Captain Fraser's society for another
+day; and then to think that he should have the impertinence to squeeze
+my hand! At all events, uncle and aunt can never accuse me of being rude
+to their visitor."
+
+Poor Mary! had she been able to hear the conversation that took place in
+the drawing-room on that evening, great would have been her surprise and
+regret. Captain Fraser only stayed a few moments after Mary had left the
+room, and when he was gone Colonel Herbert returned to his wife with a
+serious face, and said--
+
+"Well, Helen, what do you think Armstrong will say to this?"
+
+"Do you suppose the young man is in earnest, Charles?" was Mrs.
+Herbert's reply in the form of a question.
+
+"No doubt about it; why, after dinner he became quite eloquent, talked
+without any 'aw-aw,' and gave me quite a biography of himself and his
+family."
+
+"I don't think Mary cares for him in the least," said Mrs. Herbert; "I'm
+afraid that young man we met at Oxford is the favoured one; and
+certainly, so far as intellectual and manly qualities are concerned,
+Reginald Fraser is not to be compared with young Halford for a moment."
+
+"But, my dear Helen," replied her husband, "Charles told me before he
+left England that this Halford was a schoolmaster's son, and even after
+he has taken his degree can only hope to be a curate. Armstrong will
+never sanction such an intimacy."
+
+"No, I'm sure of that: indeed, Mary has told me quite enough on the
+subject of her father's opinion of schoolmasters and curates to prove
+that she would have to relinquish all hope of being better acquainted
+with the Halfords, whatever her own wishes might be. But my impression
+is that she has no thought of marriage yet."
+
+"Reginald seems to think she has encouraged his attentions, and is quite
+elated about it. Certainly, so far as money and position go, Armstrong
+could not hope for a better offer for his daughter. Why, the man has
+twelve thousand a year, and is the grand-nephew of a duke."
+
+"And what does he intend to do? has he said anything to Mary?"
+
+"No, I advised him not to do so until he had seen her father, and, poor
+fellow, he seemed glad enough of the respite. He's good and amiable, but
+not very wise, and he confessed to me that he dreaded popping the
+question more than undergoing a six hours' drill."
+
+"Poor Mary," said Mrs. Herbert, "what a prospect for such a bright,
+intelligent, sensible girl as she is! I'm afraid Armstrong will never be
+able to resist the temptation of such an offer for his daughter."
+
+"Not he, you may be sure; and Mary appears so completely under her
+father's control, that she will submit to his wishes without a word of
+complaint."
+
+"And be miserable for life in spite of the money," said her aunt, with a
+shrug of the shoulders expressive of pity. How little Mrs. Herbert
+understood the character of Mary Armstrong will be seen in the sequel.
+On the morning of the next day Mary rose with the feeling that an
+incubus had been removed from her shoulders. At last she was set free
+from the unpleasant necessity of listening to the frivolous conversation
+of Captain Fraser. "How thankful I am that it is over!" she said to
+herself, while busily engaged after breakfast in packing her boxes with
+the assistance of Annette, who was _desolee_ at the approaching
+departure of Mademoiselle Marie.
+
+Her task was scarcely finished when a message from her aunt summoned her
+to the drawing-room.
+
+"Should you like to ride Daisy home to-day, my dear?" said Mrs. Herbert;
+"your uncle has business at Harrow, and he can accompany you as far as
+the Limes."
+
+"Oh, indeed, aunt, it would be delightful; I shall enjoy it beyond
+everything. When does uncle propose to start?"
+
+"At about twelve o'clock."
+
+"I shall be ready, aunt dear; and will you send my boxes? Annette has
+been helping me to pack them. Oh, aunt Herbert," she continued, "you
+have been so kind, I shall never forget this pleasant visit."
+
+A few hours later Colonel Herbert parted from his niece at the Limes
+after a hasty lunch, the latter quite unprepared for the consequences of
+her kind and innocent attentions to Reginald Fraser.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A DISCOVERY AND ITS RESULT.
+
+
+Reginald Fraser left Park Lane after the last evening of Mary
+Armstrong's visit full of determination to call upon her father on the
+following day.
+
+In spite of the effeminate and _nil admirari_ style of the young
+officer, he had many amiable qualities, and was not quite deserving of
+the title of a "good-natured fool," which his brother officers applied
+to him.
+
+Motherless from his birth, an orphan before he had reached the age of
+four years, the almost neglected child was placed by his grandfather at
+a preparatory school for little boys. From this he passed to Eton, and
+after studying at the Woolwich Academy entered the Guards, and at the
+age of twenty-four obtained his company.
+
+At Woolwich he had formed an acquaintance with Charles Herbert, and this
+young officer before starting for Canada had said to his mother--
+
+"Mother, I wish you would look after that easy-going young fellow
+Fraser, he's got more money than he knows what to do with, and the
+sooner he finds a wife the better, or he'll get fleeced and no mistake."
+
+Mrs. Herbert remembered this request of her son's, and while in Park
+Lane she encouraged the young officer to make their house his home.
+
+This report of his wealth had already made him a welcome visitor at the
+houses of scheming mothers, and many well-born but worldly girls were
+ready to _fall in love_ with his money and his possessions, while
+secretly despising the owner for the shyness and indifference with which
+he treated their advances to a better acquaintance. He had, however,
+been introduced to very few families when Mary Armstrong made her
+appearance at the house of his oldest friends, the Herberts, and it soon
+became evident to every one but the young lady herself, that Reginald
+Fraser, when he had summoned courage enough to do so, would offer
+himself and his possessions to Mary Armstrong.
+
+Such indeed was his intention, or at least to make known his wishes to
+her father, when he left Park Lane on that July evening; but on reaching
+his quarters in St. James's Park, the official notice that his regiment
+was ordered to Windsor on the morrow upset all his plans.
+
+Strange to say, he felt relieved at the thought of a few days' delay; he
+dreaded the ordeal, although he had for hours been screwing up his
+courage to make the venture, so painful to his natural shyness and
+reserve. A few days would not matter; perhaps it was best to leave Miss
+Armstrong to prepare the way for his visit by mentioning his name, and
+so on.
+
+If Reginald Fraser could have foreseen what would happen during these
+few days he might have recalled the proverb, "Delays are dangerous," in
+time to escape a new and formidable difficulty.
+
+Mary Armstrong had arranged to return home in time for the commencement
+of her brother's holidays. Not all the pleasant attractions in Park Lane
+could have induced her to allow the anxiety and care which their
+presence would cause, to devolve upon her mother.
+
+For three days, however--days which afterwards were never forgotten,
+although their memory was rendered painful by contrast--Mary Armstrong
+enjoyed the loving society of her parents alone. After an early
+breakfast with her father, during the day till dinner she devoted
+herself entirely to her mother, relieving her as usual of all domestic
+supervision; sometimes walking with her, reading to her, or painting,
+while she worked and talked.
+
+And yet how dissimilar were the causes which made both parents receive
+their daughter on her return home with a proud affection which almost
+surprised her!
+
+Not perhaps exactly at the moment of her return, but after the first
+evening, when she described to them with sparkling eyes and eager
+delight the scenes she had witnessed, the places she had visited, and
+the company she had met.
+
+There was no reticence of manner now; persons and conversations were
+spoken of with ease; and among other names, that of Reginald Fraser,
+Charles Herbert's friend.
+
+"And what sort of a young man is Captain Fraser?" asked her mother.
+
+"Well, mamma, he is tall and rather handsome, but I am afraid not very
+wise: he was at uncle's house every day, but he had scarcely ever a word
+to say for himself, except once, when I happened to speak about horses,
+and then his talk was far beyond my comprehension. I used to avoid him
+at first, till aunt told me he had been motherless from his birth, and
+was an orphan with few acquaintances in London, so I tried to amuse him
+and make him talk because he was aunt Helen's guest, but I must confess
+it was not a very pleasant occupation."
+
+"But why did this task fall upon you, Mary?" asked her father; "were no
+other ladies present?"
+
+"Oh yes, often; but they soon appeared to get tired of his society. I
+believe Captain Fraser is very amiable and good-tempered, but he is the
+shyest man I ever met."
+
+"And who is this shy, reticent gentleman?" asked her father. "Is he
+worth all the trouble he gives to young ladies in society?"
+
+"I suppose he is, papa, for aunt told me his great-uncle is a duke, and
+his grandfather, who died about six months ago, left him a beautiful
+estate in Westmorland, and twelve thousand a year."
+
+After saying this in a tone of voice that showed how utterly indifferent
+she felt to the facts she had stated, Mary Armstrong without an effort
+turned the subject to one more pleasing to herself--the new music and
+songs she had brought home with her.
+
+While she sat at the piano playing and singing those on which she wished
+to have her mother's opinion, thoughts were passing through the minds of
+her parents of a very opposite character.
+
+"That young captain is no doubt the man I one day met riding with
+Herbert," said her father to himself, "a fine aristocratic-looking
+fellow. What a splendid match he would be for Mary! but I suppose it is
+too much to expect such a man as that to marry a corn merchant's
+daughter. How absurd all this nonsense is about high birth and good
+connexions! This sprig of nobility, who is lucky enough to possess
+riches in addition to his other attractions, will easily find a wife
+among the 'upper ten' in spite of not being very wise."
+
+How different from these were the thoughts of the gentle mother!
+
+"My Mary is not spoilt by this little peep into the world of fashion;
+and I doubt very much if even twenty thousand a year would tempt her to
+unite herself to a man who requires to be amused and has nothing to say
+for himself."
+
+And so for two days Mary had her mother's gentle love and her father's
+unusually kind attentions all to herself. He had reasoned himself into
+the conviction that the young officer had been attracted by his
+daughter, although she was evidently not aware of it.
+
+"I'll get Herbert to introduce me some day," he said to himself, "and
+then ask the captain down to dinner here. If such a position were
+offered to Mary, I do not suppose she would be fool enough to refuse,
+especially if supported by my authority. She seems to have forgotten
+that sentimental affair with the schoolmaster. I am very glad I settled
+him so completely in my reply to his letter. Maria tells me they have
+seen very little of the family since, excepting when the mother came for
+the character of a servant. And I can trust Mary; and--yes--well, the
+man himself; they are both above anything dishonourable."
+
+Some such thoughts as these occupied the mind of Mr. Armstrong as he
+mounted his horse and rode slowly to town on the second morning after
+Mary's return to Lime Grove. How little he guessed that before they met
+at dinner his power over his daughter would be weakened by a painful
+discovery!
+
+Mrs. Armstrong during the warm weather generally put off her walk till
+about four o'clock. The doctor had recommended walking exercise; and her
+husband to encourage this had delayed the purchase of an open carriage
+for his wife. The arrangement suited his purpose, and he was not far
+wrong in adhering to the old-fashioned opinion that walking is more
+truly conducive to health than driving.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong enjoyed the country walk with Mary on the afternoon of
+which we write. The July day had been hot and sultry; but as they turned
+their steps homeward a pleasant breeze sprung up which was very
+exhilarating, and seemed to give Mrs. Armstrong additional strength.
+
+As they passed Englefield Grange the schoolroom clock struck five, and
+almost at the same moment Mary saw coming towards them in an opposite
+direction an invalid chair, which she knew belonged to Mrs. Halford.
+More than once Mary and her mother had met the poor lady, now so
+completely a wreck of her former self, accompanied by Kate Marston, who
+in the midst of the tenderest care of her aunt could still manage to
+glance at the fair girl who had so fascinated her cousin Henry with
+genuine admiration.
+
+Hitherto a kind inquiry respecting Mrs. Halford's health had been
+replied to by Kate with distant politeness; but to-day both mother and
+daughter saw with troubled surprise, that instead of her usual
+lady-friend, Mrs. Halford was accompanied by her son. Mrs. Armstrong
+intended to bow and pass on, for she had not forgotten her husband's
+angry remarks respecting the young man, nor her daughter's acknowledged
+admiration of his acquirements and talents.
+
+To her astonishment, as they drew nearer, she saw the invalid lean
+forward and speak, and in a few moments the chair stopped, and Mrs.
+Halford held out her hand to Mrs. Armstrong, but her palsied head shook
+and her voice trembled as she said, "I am so glad to be able to speak to
+you again, Mrs. Armstrong; I am better, but I have been terribly shaken,
+as you can see."
+
+All other emotions were lost in regret and sympathy, as Mrs. Armstrong
+for the first time saw the painful change which illness had made in the
+mother of Henry Halford; she pressed the offered hand, and spoke her
+commiserations in a tearful voice. The invalid, while she retained Mrs.
+Armstrong's hand, described her sufferings and sorrows, and spoke of her
+daughter's death; and her listener noticed with pain that not only the
+physical but the mental powers of Mrs. Halford had received a shock from
+which it was scarcely possible they could ever recover. Presently, as
+Mrs. Armstrong withdrew her hand and moved to glance at her daughter,
+the invalid said--
+
+"I have my son with me now; he came home from Oxford last week. He looks
+pale, Mrs. Armstrong. Don't you think so?"
+
+Mrs. Armstrong turned and bowed to Henry Halford.
+
+She almost started at his white face and trembling lips as he raised his
+hat and said--
+
+"Good afternoon, Mrs. Armstrong."
+
+Then she turned and looked at her daughter. Never in her life had she
+seen her so pale.
+
+Quickly recovering herself for the sake of the young people, she said in
+a cheering tone--
+
+"Mr. Halford is perhaps studying too closely, so we must expect him to
+look pale and----"
+
+"Yes, yes," interrupted the invalid, "but that is not all; he has never
+been well since your husband's reply to his letter about your daughter."
+
+"Mother, mother, hush! you forget.--Forgive her, Mrs. Armstrong," he
+added, in a lower tone. "Her heart is broken about poor Fanny, she
+scarcely knows what she is talking about."
+
+"But have any letters passed between you and Mr. Armstrong?" she asked
+with painful eagerness.
+
+Mary had heard the invalid's words, and her pale cheeks flushed as she
+listened for Henry Halford's reply.
+
+"One only from me," he said, "and Mr. Armstrong's answer, in which he
+refuses----" he stopped abruptly, and then said hurriedly, "But it is
+all past now. Pray excuse us, Mrs. Armstrong, it is time my mother was
+at home."
+
+"Henry, I am very sorry, I did not mean it," exclaimed the poor
+broken-hearted mother, as she saw by her son's face and manner that he
+was painfully annoyed.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong saw it also. She took the trembling hand in hers and
+said--
+
+"Don't make yourself uneasy, my dear friend, it will all come right in
+time. We must trust and hope."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Armstrong," said Henry, "you have helped me to trust
+and hope. I will never forget those words."
+
+He took off his hat to the ladies as they turned to continue their walk,
+while the pallor which had so startled them had given place to the flush
+of hope which Mrs. Armstrong's words had excited.
+
+For some moments neither mother nor daughter spoke, both were reflecting
+anxiously on what they had just heard. Mrs. Armstrong, although at first
+taken by surprise, could quite understand her husband's wish to conceal
+even from her the correspondence between himself and Henry Halford.
+
+Her indignation at the evident pain it had caused to both mother and son
+made her utter those cheering words, which, however, she did not wish
+unsaid. She knew too well how bitterly her husband could write on a
+subject which irritated him, and she shrunk from the thought of what
+insults that letter might have contained.
+
+But the daughter's feelings on the matter were far more intense and
+painful, not because Henry Halford had offered and been refused, not
+from any fear of what her father's letter might have said to cause pain,
+but from surprise and distress at the concealment.
+
+Children whose parents are able to support parental authority have
+generally the greatest faith in their knowledge, their opinions, and
+their judgment.
+
+"My father says so," "My mamma knows best," are often uttered or thought
+by young people; and on this account children who live entirely at home
+grow up narrow-minded, and under the influence of certain opinions which
+they consider right in contradistinction from all others.
+
+Mary Armstrong had very narrowly escaped from such an influence, still
+her confidence in her father had been unbounded. He had taught her to be
+open, candid, straightforward, and truthful; and now she had found that
+while speaking of the schoolmaster as having forgotten the young lady to
+whom he had been so polite at Oxford, and now and then indulging in a
+joke about the impossibility of a student being able to love anything
+but his books, he had known of this young man's love for his daughter,
+and refused him without one word of reference to herself.
+
+She had yet to learn the hardening effects produced by a growing love of
+money and the acquirement of wealth.
+
+They had nearly reached the gate entrance to Lime Grove, when her mother
+said--
+
+"Mary dear, what passed between you and Mr. Halford, while I was talking
+to his mother?"
+
+"Only a few polite inquiries after my health, and remarks on the
+weather; indeed, I could scarcely make a commonplace reply, for his
+white face frightened me; but I understand it all now. Oh, mamma, I
+cannot tell you how distressed I feel at the discovery we have made,
+because it lowers my father in my estimation. Oh, if he had only told
+me!"
+
+Mrs. Armstrong sighed as they entered the gate; she had tried for years
+to believe that her husband was the soul of honour; and though she could
+account for the concealment of Mr. Halford's letter from his daughter,
+yet she knew too well that he was not the strictly honourable man in
+many matters which he wished to appear.
+
+Mother and daughter entered the dining-room on that memorable evening
+totally unprepared for the scene which was about to take place.
+
+Mr. Armstrong appeared in the most exuberant spirits; he joked with his
+daughter, complimented his wife, and during dinner made himself
+altogether so very agreeable, that Mary's anger against him was fast
+fading from her heart, in which filial love had so long found a place.
+
+The cloth had been removed, and the wine and dessert of summer fruit
+placed on the table in the style of olden times, before Mr. Armstrong
+ventured to refer to the subject which had so raised his spirits.
+
+"I had a visitor in Dover Street to-day, Maria," he said, addressing his
+wife, "and I have asked him to dine with us to-morrow."
+
+"Uncle Herbert, papa?" said Mary.
+
+"No, my dear, but a friend of his who inquired very kindly after you."
+
+"After me, papa? Who can it be? a lady or a gentleman?"
+
+"Is there any gentleman friend of your uncle's who you think would be
+likely to inquire after you?"
+
+"Well, papa, yes; several I met at Park Lane would ask for me, I
+daresay." Then suddenly she added, "Oh, perhaps it was Captain Fraser;
+he told me he should pay you a visit some day."
+
+"Why did you not mention, this, Mary?"
+
+"I forgot it, papa, till your remark reminded me of it. I never cared to
+remember Captain Fraser's sayings."
+
+"You are not kind then, Mary, for he speaks of you in the highest terms.
+He has not forgotten you, most certainly."
+
+"I am very sorry, papa," she replied, "but I cannot appreciate his
+praise as it deserves; he is so very effeminate and weak-minded, that
+had he not been the guest of uncle and aunt Herbert I should scarcely
+have been even civil to him."
+
+There was a bitterness in Mary's manner and speech, occasioned by the
+discovery of the afternoon; for while her father spoke she could not
+help comparing the two young men, with very great loss to the subject of
+their present conversation.
+
+All at once to Mary's memory arose the teachings of her dear
+grandfather. "I have no right to despise this young captain," she said
+to herself; "it is not his fault that he is so inferior to others in
+intellect;" and she was just about to speak kindly of his temper and
+disposition, when her father said, in a tone that startled her--
+
+"You will have to be more than civil to Captain Fraser to-morrow, Mary,
+for he has asked me for the hand of my daughter, and I expect you to
+accept him."
+
+"Father! What do you mean?"
+
+The tone of voice, the calm yet determined utterance, startled Mr.
+Armstrong, yet he said firmly--
+
+"I mean what I say, Mary. Here is a man connected with some of the
+highest of England's aristocracy, and in addition to personal advantages
+he possesses a noble estate and a rent-roll of 12,000_l._ a year. He
+comes forward honourably, and offers to marry my daughter, and make her
+mistress of all these honours and possessions, and she asks me what I
+mean!"
+
+Mary did not reply, but with a will unbending as her father's she
+resolved that nothing should induce her to marry Reginald Fraser.
+
+"Why do you not speak, Mary?" said her father at last, in a tone of
+voice that Mrs. Armstrong knew betokened an outburst of passion.
+
+"Do not oblige Mary to decide to-night, Edward," said the gentle voice
+of his wife; "give her a few hours to think over the advantages of such
+a marriage, and----"
+
+"No, mamma," interrupted Mary; and while she spoke her face was pale and
+her lips white, but her voice was clear and firm, "I do not require even
+a few minutes to decide. I have been associated with Captain Fraser
+daily for a month, and I could not marry him if he were fifty times more
+rich or more well connected than he is."
+
+Mr. Armstrong rose from his chair, his face livid with passion.
+
+"Do you dare to oppose my wishes? Am I to be defied by my own daughter?
+If you do not accept this gentleman who honours you by his preference, I
+swear----"
+
+"Stop! stop, Edward!" and his wife's hand was placed on his arm, "why
+should you wish to force your child in a matter so important as
+marriage? Do not say anything now that you may afterwards regret."
+
+The effort caused the gentle wife to sink back in her chair, faint with
+excitement.
+
+Mary flew to her mother, and standing by her, she turned to her father,
+who said in a slightly subdued tone--
+
+"I have a right to expect my own daughter to obey me when it is for her
+future good."
+
+"No, my father," said Mary, who though deathly white was still calm,
+"you have lost that right. If you had told me of Henry Halford's letter
+to you openly and candidly, instead of concealing it and sending a
+refusal without one word of reference to me, I would then have given way
+to your wishes without a murmur, but now you cannot expect me to do so."
+
+She assisted her mother to rise as she ceased speaking, and they left
+the room together in silence, Mr. Armstrong being too completely stunned
+by Mary's speech to utter a word in reply.
+
+Surprise, not only at Mary's manner, but also at the discovery that she
+had by some means heard of Mr. Henry Halford's letter respecting
+herself, subdued for a time his rising anger, and presently he threw
+himself into an easy-chair and began to reflect.
+
+Not for long, however, for Mary, after soothing her mother, and placing
+her on the sofa near the window, that the sweet calm of the summer
+evening might bring repose to her startled nerves, returned to the
+dining-room.
+
+Mr. Armstrong scarcely noticed her approach till she threw herself on
+her knees by his chair, and exclaimed--
+
+"Forgive me, my father, I forgot myself just now; I ought not to have
+spoken to you as I did; but why, oh! why did you not tell me of Mr.
+Henry Halford's letter?"
+
+The words, the pleading tones for pardon, softened for a time the
+violent passions of the father; he placed his arm round his daughter,
+and said--
+
+"My child, how could I consent to such a marriage for you, with nothing
+but poverty to look forward to, whether as the wife of a schoolmaster or
+a curate? The young man's letter proved that; and now you are mad enough
+to refuse an offer that even a duke's daughter might envy; why is this?"
+
+"Papa, I could not marry to be ashamed of my husband; how could I honour
+and respect him if I found him inferior in knowledge to myself? Papa, if
+you intended me to marry only for money and position, why did you give
+me such a superior education? How do you suppose I could be satisfied
+with a man less clever than my own father? I know," she continued,
+changing her tone, "that Captain Fraser is good, and gentle; and
+amiable, but if you have seen him, and talked with him, you must know
+how far inferior he is in every way mentally to Mr. Henry Halford."
+
+"And I suppose, then, you want me to consent to your marrying a man who
+expects me to advance sufficient money as your marriage portion to
+enable him to support his wife?"
+
+"No, my father, I will never marry without your consent, and I do not
+expect you to give that consent to a man whom you treat as you would a
+beggar; but I want you to understand how impossible it is for me to
+accept any one else, even if he were as rich as Croesus. Ah, papa,"
+she continued, clinging to his arm, "suppose mamma's relations had
+treated _you_ as you have treated Mr. Henry Halford!"
+
+"But I had money, child."
+
+"And can money make amends for the absence of everything else? are rich
+people always happy? Oh, papa," continued the young girl, who knew not
+with what a firm grasp the demon of gold had seized upon her father's
+heart, "you were not always like this; only promise me that I shall not
+be asked to marry a man just for money and position, and I shall not
+care about being married at all. I would rather live at home with you
+and dear mamma, for I am sure I shall never be happier anywhere else."
+
+The pleading voice, the consciousness that he had not acted rightly
+respecting Henry Halford's letter, and that in many points his
+daughter's remarks were correct, softened the father. He drew her
+closely to his heart, and said--
+
+"Mary, my child, although I cannot consent to your marriage with Mr.
+Henry Halford, yet I promise you that you shall not be troubled with any
+other suitors till you choose one for yourself of whom I can approve.
+And now," he continued, rising, "let us go to your mother."
+
+But at this kindness on her father's part Mary felt her firmness giving
+way. Hastily returning his proffered kiss, she rushed upstairs to her
+room, and gave vent to her long-controlled feelings in a burst of tears.
+
+Meanwhile Mr. Armstrong was cheering his wife's heart by relating what
+he had promised to Mary; and when she appeared on the announcement that
+tea was ready, there was a look of calm happiness on her face in spite
+of the reddened eyelids, which alone remained to bear testimony to the
+tears which had relieved her over-charged heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+NEW ARRIVALS.
+
+
+In a private room at an hotel near the London Bridge terminus of the
+South-Eastern Railway sat a party of five at breakfast.
+
+The lady is a stranger, but we have met Arthur Franklyn and his two
+daughters before. Clara and Mabel have grown since we last saw them
+watching by the dying bed of their dear mother; indeed, Clara at the age
+of fifteen has the appearance and manners of a woman.
+
+Between the sisters sits a boy of eleven, in whose dark eyes and
+delicate features can be traced a much stronger resemblance to those of
+his lost mother than in either of his sisters.
+
+Arthur Franklyn looks more aged during the two years that have elapsed
+since his wife's death than might have been expected, and his face has a
+careworn expression, which greatly changes his appearance.
+
+The door opens, and a respectable-looking woman enters the room, leading
+by the hand a beautiful little boy of about three years and a half old.
+The child runs towards his father, who lifting him on his knee,
+exclaimed--"What, come to have breakfast with papa, Ally?"
+
+"Yes, papa; may I?"
+
+"No, let him go to nurse, Arthur," said a fretful voice; "he's too young
+to breakfast with us after such a fatiguing journey. I wonder you wish
+me to be troubled with all the children at once."
+
+Arthur Franklyn looked annoyed.
+
+"Anything for peace," he said, as he placed the boy on the floor; and
+yet his heart misgave him as he saw the piteous look on the face of poor
+Fanny's youngest born, as the little one struggled to keep back the
+tears.
+
+"Ally shall have breakfast with Clara," said the young girl, rising from
+her chair and casting a look of defiance at her stepmother; then lifting
+the little boy in her arms, she added, "papa, please send my teacup and
+plate by nurse," and she turned from the room as she spoke, little
+Albert clinging to her neck, his bright curls mixing with her dark hair
+in pleasing contrast.
+
+"I'll fetch a tray, sir," said nurse, as she followed her young mistress
+to the stairs, and said--
+
+"Oh! Miss Clara, I'm so sorry you've left the table; it will only make
+matters worse, and cause unhappiness between your papa and Mrs.
+Franklyn."
+
+"I could not help it, nurse. Why should she interfere, and it vexes me
+so to see papa give way to her; he has a right to have his own children
+with him, I should think."
+
+Nurse sighed; she had not forgotten her promise to the dying mother,
+that she would take care of her little Albert, and Mr. Franklyn for once
+was firm in opposing his wife's wishes to leave the nurse behind in
+Australia.
+
+The first Mrs. Franklyn, soon after Clara's birth, had engaged as nurse
+Jane Simmons, an emigrant, who had been delighted to find in her young
+mistress the daughter of a gentleman who resided at Kilburn near her own
+native home. For nearly fifteen years, therefore, she had been the
+much-loved nurse of Mr. Franklyn's children, and during his widowhood
+they were almost entirely under her care.
+
+Jane knew her master's character well; she was not surprised, therefore,
+when he told her about twelve mouths after his first wife's death that
+he intended to marry a lady of large property, and begged her to prepare
+his girls for the change. It was not, however, a very easy matter;
+indeed, Clara expressed herself in strongly rebellious terms, and Mabel
+shed many bitter tears at the prospect of having a stepmother.
+
+A less sensible woman might have encouraged this rebellion, but Jane
+reminded them of what their mother would have said--not only that it was
+a duty they owed to their father to treat his wife with respect, but
+also for the memory of their mother to endeavour to increase his
+happiness.
+
+Under such influence the children of Fanny Franklyn were ready to
+receive their stepmother with respect and even affection. But the lady
+Arthur Franklyn had chosen to supply the place of his lost wife,
+possessed none of her qualities to endear her to his children.
+
+A native of Australia, a childless widow, who at the death of her
+husband became mistress of a large fortune, handsome, stylish, and
+accomplished, whatever could Arthur Franklyn wish for beyond this. So he
+thought with his usual impulsiveness, but he soon found his mistake.
+Mrs. Franklyn was very unfit to manage a high-spirited girl like Clara,
+and far too selfish and harsh in her treatment of the little gentle
+Mabel, whom her father often found in tears of real distress. Altogether
+Arthur Franklyn felt that he would have to pay dearly for the money
+brought him by his second wife.
+
+He was at last obliged to humble himself to his eldest daughter to
+obtain peace.
+
+"Clara," he said one day when he found her alone in the drawing-room,
+"you appear to resent my second marriage; do you know that anxiety for
+my children is the sole reason for my marrying again."
+
+"Oh! papa," said Clara, "how can that be? Mrs. Franklyn isn't in the
+least like our own dear mamma, and I shall never be able to love her."
+
+"Clara," he said, "when I married your stepmother I was on the brink of
+ruin; you and your brother and sister would have been turned out of
+doors homeless and penniless; by my second marriage I obtained property
+which has saved you all. Clara, cannot you love your father well enough
+to forgive him for placing another in the position of your dear mother
+for the sake of her children?"
+
+"Papa, O papa!" said Clara, "oh! I did not know all this;" and she threw
+her arms round his neck as she said, "you must forgive me, papa, and I
+will try to behave properly to my new mamma; I will indeed."
+
+"Thank you, my daughter," he replied, as he pressed her to his heart,
+and thought with pain of her dead mother; "but, Clara, you must not
+mention to any one what I have told you of my affairs."
+
+"Papa, I will not," she said, and Mr. Franklyn knew he could trust his
+eldest daughter.
+
+This appeal to Clara, although not quite truthful, for a time brought
+peace, but new troubles were arising to show her father that a deviation
+from a straightforward and honourable path is sure, sooner or later, to
+bring its own punishment.
+
+He had led the present Mrs. Franklyn to believe that his position was
+that of a man of independent means, and the ready cash she had at her
+bankers was given up to him with perfect confidence. But when he asked
+her to touch her capital on the plea of wishing to obtain a partnership
+in a lucrative business, difficulties arose which could only be overcome
+by a visit to England. Mrs. Franklyn had never yet drawn any but the
+interest of her money, and on examining her late husband's will it was
+found that to touch the capital without the consent of her trustees was
+out of her power.
+
+One of these trustees resided in England. Mrs. Franklyn would not allow
+her husband to go alone. Indeed it would have been useless for him to do
+so, but he was only too glad of an opportunity to take his children to
+England and leave them in the care of their grandfather and uncle.
+
+While they were discussing the matter came the news that Mrs. Halford,
+after several months of pain and suffering, had followed her daughter to
+the grave; yet this did not deter Arthur Franklyn from his purpose.
+
+"There is Kate Marston still at Englefield Grange," he said to himself;
+"and she is quite as clever a manager as poor Fanny's mother was. If I
+get Louisa's money into my own hands, as I hope to do, I can pay the old
+gentleman handsomely for my children; and they are better away from
+their stepmother. I don't quite like parting with my little Al, but I
+suppose I must," and the father sighed at the memory of early days at
+Englefield Grange.
+
+And now they are in England and at breakfast at the hotel, where Mrs.
+Franklyn's serenity has been disturbed by the appearance of little
+Albert.
+
+"Clara will entirely spoil that child if you allow her to indulge him in
+this manner, Arthur."
+
+"Never mind now, my dear," was the reply, "we have no time to discuss
+the subject. What do you wish me to do about a house or apartments? that
+is the first thing."
+
+"I thought you talked of taking a house furnished," she said. "I hope
+not in London, however, it appears so noisy and crowded, and almost
+sunless, even on a May morning."
+
+"There are some beautiful spots in the suburbs, Louisa, and I was going
+to propose that we have an open carriage, and drive down to Kilburn if
+you have no objection. We are sure to find furnished houses in that
+direction, and I should like to be near the children's relations. We can
+put off business till to-morrow."
+
+Mrs. Franklyn readily agreed to this arrangement. Certainly it was a
+drawback to have all those children with her in the carriage, but that
+would not be for long, and perhaps they would remain at Englefield
+Grange, at least until Arthur had chosen a house.
+
+After this, breakfast was quickly finished, a carriage ordered, and the
+young people, full of happiness, made hasty preparations for a
+delightful ride through wonderful London, of which they had heard so
+much.
+
+On entering the room with her little brother before starting, Clara
+advanced to Mrs. Franklyn and said,--"Mamma, I did not mean to be rude
+when I left the breakfast-table this morning, but I am so fond of my
+little brother Ally, please forgive me."
+
+"It is of no consequence, Clara, if you prefer to breakfast in the
+nursery you can always please yourself."
+
+Clara turned away without a reply. She had not lost her power of
+self-control, yet she had great difficulty in repressing the tears or an
+angry reply. A feeling of mortification that she had so humbled herself
+for nothing arose in her heart. The time came when she remembered having
+done so with thankfulness.
+
+What a delightful ride that was. Over London Bridge, with its crowds of
+vehicles, and its continued stream of passengers. Omnibuses, waggons,
+carts, carriages, every sort of conveyance delaying their progress
+through King William Street, Cheapside, Holborn, and Oxford Street, till
+they reached Hyde Park Corner, and turned up the Edgware Road.
+
+Yet the frequent delays had been an advantage to them, especially at the
+Mansion House, with the Royal Exchange and the Bank in sight. Again
+before entering Newgate Street, the view of St. Paul's and the Post
+Office, and afterwards the grim prison itself, from which the street is
+named.
+
+Arthur Franklyn could remember sufficient of London to enable him to
+point out objects of interest as they drove on, although the Holborn
+Viaduct and the Thames Embankment were not then in existence. But when
+they at last approached Kilburn, so many recollections crowded upon him
+that he became silent, scarcely replying to the eager inquiries of the
+children till the carriage stopped at the gate of Englefield Grange.
+
+"I will go in alone first, Louisa," he said hurriedly. "I must prepare
+my aged father-in-law for such a large party."
+
+He was gone before she could raise an objection, and in a few moments a
+strange servant opened the door, and, startled by his pale face, showed
+him into a small reception room, and went to call Mr. Henry.
+
+He stood listening to the old familiar sounds; the clock had just struck
+twelve, and the eager voices in the playground at the back brought to
+his memory the time when he had been as happy and as eager as those he
+now listened to, and a little dark-eyed girl would stand watching for
+him at the garden gate with a flower, or a bon-bon, or a something which
+she had brought for "dear Arty." So deep, so painful were these
+memories, that when the door opened, and he turned his white face to
+meet his brother-in-law, the family likeness was so strong that he could
+only hold out his hand and say, "Henry, I know it is Henry!" and then
+burst into a violent fit of sobbing.
+
+At first Henry Halford felt quite bewildered. He had not reached his
+eighth birthday when Arthur and Fanny sailed for Australia, yet a sudden
+flash of recognition, added to the letter received from Arthur that
+morning, recalled his brother-in-law to his memory.
+
+"It is Arthur Franklyn," he exclaimed; "my dear sister's husband," and
+for a few moments Henry Halford was himself too much overcome to speak,
+or do more than press the hand of his brother-in-law as he held it.
+
+"Everything here reminded me so strongly of _her_," said Arthur, at last
+rousing himself, and already ashamed of the impulse, which, like all his
+other impulses, was so evanescent. "My wife and the children are at the
+door," he added. "How is the dear old father? I came in alone to prepare
+him, and the old place and its memories knocked me over."
+
+"You need not fear bringing them in," said Henry, as Arthur rubbed at
+his face and tried to remove all traces of his emotion. "My father is in
+feeble health, but his mind and memory are clear. He will be overjoyed
+to see the children."
+
+A few minutes longer, and then the greyheaded old man had fondly
+welcomed his daughter's children, and kindly greeted her successor.
+
+Mrs. Franklyn showed herself at her best, and won the good opinion of
+both father and son.
+
+It was arranged that they should all stay and partake of the schoolroom
+dinner to give the horses a rest, and then Kate Marston made her
+appearance.
+
+She was not slow to recognise Arthur, who was a few years younger than
+herself. The sixteen years had changed them both, but Arthur more than
+Kate Marston.
+
+Old Dr. Halford was the first to remark this with the plain-speaking of
+age, which is almost childlike in its character.
+
+"You are as comely as ever, Arthur," said the old-fashioned gentleman,
+"but you have changed more in the sixteen years than Kate."
+
+"No wonder, uncle," exclaimed Kate, "only think of all he has gone
+through, besides having the care of these motherless children. I have
+nobody to be anxious for but myself; no husband for me, thank you." And
+while she spoke, with a deep blush on the still fresh complexion, and a
+bright smile, Arthur could not help owning to himself that Time had
+dealt very gently with Kate Marston.
+
+"She has been anxious enough about me and my dear lost wife," said the
+old gentleman, in a querulous voice, "so you must not listen to Kate
+when she lays claim to a selfishness she does not possess. But really,
+Arthur, you are not looking at all well. You must comfort him, my dear,"
+he added, addressing Mrs. Franklyn. "So much can be done by a second
+wife to soften down old memories in her husband's heart."
+
+"I hope I shall be able to do so," said the lady, in a gentle tone,
+which pleased the old man, and made Arthur say--
+
+"I am not afraid, father; Louisa has already proved herself a kind and
+affectionate wife."
+
+He longed to add, "and a mother to my children," but at this moment a
+summons to dinner made any further remark unnecessary.
+
+When they returned to the little breakfast parlour, in which the old
+gentleman had dined alone, Kate Marston said--
+
+"Arthur, if you and Mrs. Franklyn are going househunting, suppose you
+leave the children here for a few days, they would like it, I suppose."
+
+"Oh yes, indeed we should," exclaimed Clara, answering for the rest,
+whose bright faces confirmed what she said; "and I can take care of
+Albert, and dress and wash him if I may."
+
+"If you stay longer than another day I will send nurse with your
+clothes," said Arthur.
+
+"Oh, have you the same nurse here in England, of whom poor Fanny spoke
+so highly in her letter to me?" said Henry.
+
+"Did she speak of a nurse?" exclaimed Arthur, concealing his surprise
+that his brother-in-law should have had a letter about the boy; "then it
+must be the same, for she has been with us more than fourteen years."
+
+"Then send her down here as soon as you like, for if you can spare the
+children for a week we shall be glad to have them."
+
+To this Arthur readily acceded, and then, as the carriage was announced,
+he said to Dr. Halford: "This has been such a hurried visit, Doctor, and
+I have so much to hear and so much to tell; but we must come again as
+soon as we have fixed upon a house and spend a long day with you all.
+You have taken your degree at Oxford, Henry," he continued, turning to
+the window where the uncle was amusing the little nephew who had been
+left to his care by his dying sister; "and I suppose you are soon going
+up for ordination?"
+
+"Not till Trinity," he replied. "You know I am obliged to be here as
+much as possible now my father is disabled; I took up my Master's degree
+in June last year."
+
+There were quick farewells and fond embracing of the children as they
+rose to leave. "Good-by, papa--good-by, mamma," was echoed from one to
+the other as the carriage drove off; and then Louisa Franklyn turned to
+her husband and said, "Well, this is a comfort, Arthur: at last I shall
+have your society all to myself for a week without the constant trouble
+and anxiety of those children."
+
+But Arthur Franklyn's recollections of the past were too strong just
+then to make him thankful to get rid of his children. "I'm afraid I
+shall have to pay dearly for Louisa's fortune if I do get it," was his
+very uncomplimentary reflection.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+COUNTRY COUSINS.
+
+
+Mr. Armstrong was seated in his private room one afternoon two days
+after the arrival of Mr. Franklyn and his family at Englefield Grange.
+
+So deeply was he absorbed in calculating the profit and loss of some
+recent speculations that a knock at the door startled him, and he
+answered, in an impetuous tone, "Come in!"
+
+The young clerk who obeyed the impatient command could only falter out,
+"A lady wishes to see you, sir," and the very next moment a middle-aged
+lady, with a youth of sixteen entered the room and stood before its
+irritable occupant.
+
+Edward Armstrong rose from his chair too bewildered at first to
+recognise his visitor, whose attire, though good and expensive, could
+scarcely give her the right, in appearance to him at least, to be
+described as a lady.
+
+"Cousin Edward, how glad I am to find you here," and Mrs. John
+Armstrong, as she spoke, advanced and seized her relation's hand in the
+demonstrative style he had learnt to consider a breach of good manners.
+He flushed deeply, but in the midst of his false shame and proud
+annoyance, he had presence of mind to return the warm hand-shake, and
+lead his cousin to a chair.
+
+"I am very glad to see you, cousin Sarah. Sit down, my boy; why, is it
+really Jack? How you are grown, lad! When did you arrive in London?"
+
+"About an hour ago," replied cousin Sarah, who detected beneath all
+those courteous inquiries ill-concealed annoyance. "We have come to
+London very unexpectedly on business, and at the Waterloo Station I felt
+so lost and bewildered that I could only take a cab and ask the man to
+bring us here; but if you will tell us where to find lodgings the cab is
+still waiting and we can go directly."
+
+Now while cousin Sarah spoke there had been passing through Edward
+Armstrong's mind the memory of many happy days at his old home, in which
+the homely relative before him and her husband had loaded him with
+attentions and hospitalities. Could he hesitate to invite her and her
+son to his house at Kilburn? Had he any fear of the reception they would
+meet with from his wife and daughter?--No, not for a moment. Before the
+visitor had ceased speaking the foolish pride which exists so often in
+those who have risen from an inferior position was crushed down, and he
+said quickly and earnestly: "Sarah, what are you talking about? Do you
+think I should expect you to take lodgings? No, no, you must go down to
+Kilburn with me this afternoon, and then you can tell us the cause of
+this unexpected visit to London. I will have no refusal," he added,
+seeing her shake her head and attempt to speak. "Is your luggage in the
+cab? Stay, I'll send the man away, and manage all that for you." He
+sounded a gong as he spoke, and when one of the clerks appeared, he
+said, "Have this lady's boxes brought into the office, and pay the cab,
+Williams; it has come from the Waterloo Terminus."
+
+"There is one box and a carpet bag," exclaimed Mrs. John, rising in
+haste.
+
+"All right, Williams will manage. You'll remember, Williams, a box and a
+carpet bag," said Mr. Armstrong, as the young man turned away.
+
+"Yes, sir," was the reply; and then Mr. Armstrong, turning to his cousin
+with a smile said--
+
+"I'll find you apartments, Sarah, in my own house. What do you think
+Maria and Mary would say if I shut you up in dingy London lodgings after
+their pleasant visits at Meadow Farm? And now, tell me what has brought
+you to London so suddenly."
+
+"Well, we've heard of a situation for Jack," she replied; "but, Edward,
+do listen to me for a moment, I never meant to intrude upon your
+lady-wife and fine house. Jack and I are too countrified and homely, but
+it's very kind of you to ask us," and the tears stood in the eyes of the
+sensitive woman as she spoke.
+
+"Not another word, Sarah, I am sure of the warm welcome you will receive
+from my wife and Mary, and I should like to hear any one speak with
+disrespect of my father's relatives."
+
+There was pride in the remark still, but Cousin Sarah passed it over,
+and entered at once into the matter that had brought her and Jack to
+London.
+
+Mr. Armstrong listened with interest, and promised to make all necessary
+inquiries as to the standing and respectability of the firm in the house
+of business in which Jack had been offered an appointment.
+
+"So you do not wish to be a farmer, Jack," said Mr. Armstrong, noticing
+with pleasure the refined face and erect bearing of the dark-eyed youth.
+
+"No, sir," he replied, "I should prefer to be in a business."
+
+"He is fond of figures, and his master at school speaks of him as a
+first-rate arithmetician," said the proud mother, "besides, Tom is just
+the boy for a farm, and one son will be enough to help his father for
+years to come, if he lives. Tom is a strong sturdy boy, who cares very
+little for books. But I'm taking up your time, Edward," she exclaimed,
+suddenly, "do you go to Kilburn every day?"
+
+"Certainly I do," he replied laughing, "I generally leave here about
+five o'clock."
+
+"And you must have business matters to finish, and I've been hindering
+you all this time; but if you will tell me how to get to Kilburn
+by-and-by, I'll take Jack out in the meantime and show him a little of
+London and the parks."
+
+"I have very little more to attend to to-day," he replied, "but if you
+feel inclined to walk about for a while and return here by five o'clock,
+we can start together and reach home in time for dinner. If you lose
+yourselves call a cab and tell the man to bring you here."
+
+Mr. Armstrong accompanied his visitors to the street entrance, treating
+them before his clerks with the most deferential and yet familiar
+politeness. As he returned to his counting-house he called one of his
+porters and said--
+
+"Go to the livery stable, Milson, and tell them I shall leave Firefly
+till to-morrow, and order a carriage and pair to be here at five
+punctually, as I have friends who will accompany me to Kilburn this
+evening."
+
+There was in Mr. Armstrong's manner a mixture of ostentatious pride with
+a real anxiety to show his visitors every attention and set them at
+their case. Plain and homely as they might appear in the eyes of his
+clerks, his manner and actions were intended to show that he considered
+these country cousins worthy of respect and attention.
+
+Mary Armstrong stood at the window of her mother's dressing-room on the
+afternoon in which the arrival of visitors at Dover Street had caused
+such a commotion.
+
+Nearly a year had passed since she made the discovery that her father
+had refused one offer for her, and she had refused another. More than
+once since then had the hand of the accomplished daughter of Mr.
+Armstrong been sought by men of wealth and position, but while it pained
+Mary to refuse them, she still held firm to her purpose.
+
+Her father's displeasure was at times very hard to bear, but her patient
+and gentle endurance blunted the edge of his wrath, and often silenced
+him for very shame.
+
+"You expect to induce me to give way at last, I suppose," he said one
+day, angrily, "but I never will consent to your marrying that parson
+fellow; you will be of age in a few months, I know, and then may do as
+you like, but you will find your name erased from my will if you do."
+
+"Father, I will never marry without your consent, I have told you so
+often, and you cannot mistrust my word," was the gentle but firmly
+uttered reply, which silenced the angry father.
+
+With all these excitements and anxieties, we cannot wonder that the nine
+or ten months which have passed away since she stood at the window in
+Park Lane, have changed her appearance.
+
+Mary Armstrong, however, has lost nothing by this change. The face,
+though slightly thinner, still retains its delicate oval. The eyes are
+as large and bright, and the hair as glossy and luxuriant as ever. The
+rich colour on her check is softened down to the bloom of a peach, and
+the figure, though more fully developed, is still slender and graceful
+in every movement.
+
+Mary Armstrong was happy in having a mother as her confidential friend;
+she was not likely to
+
+    "Let concealment like a worm i' the bud,
+    Feed on her damask cheek;"
+
+and she possessed too much good sense to allow herself to become the
+victim of disappointed affection. She knew that the best remedy against
+such a disease was active employment of mind and body--consequently her
+books, her music, her studies were diligently followed, as well as more
+active domestic duties.
+
+No day passed without a quick walk alone or a quieter one with her
+mother. The books she read were principally those requiring deep
+thought, and the study of languages was varied by scientific subjects.
+Poetry for a time she set aside, it too often touched upon a tender
+string, which she felt must not be allowed to vibrate, even her
+favourite Milton lay unnoticed on the shelf, its pages awoke memories
+too painful to be encouraged. Sometimes she would bring out her
+"Algebra" or "Euclid," and induce her father to work a few sums or
+problems with her during the evening.
+
+There was a sad gratification when after one of these occasions, her
+father closed the book, and as she rose and wished him good night, he
+drew her towards him, and said--
+
+"Ah, if my daughter would only be guided by me in other matters, as she
+has been in her studies, I should have nothing left to wish for."
+
+Poor Mary, the kind and gently expressed words cost her sleepless hours
+of anxious thought while trying to satisfy her conscience that she was
+acting rightly towards her father. Only at last, when she answered the
+question, "Ought I to marry a man alone for the sake of money or
+position?" with an emphatic "No," could she close her eyes in sleep. She
+was ready to give up Henry Halford--her unselfish affection made her
+hope not only that he was learning to forget her, but also that he might
+soon meet with some one to supply the place of his dear mother in his
+heart, but to marry any one else herself, she felt to be an
+impossibility.
+
+More than once lately they had met and bowed to each other as mere
+passing acquaintances. Often on leaving church on a Sunday Mr. Armstrong
+had raised his hat to the amiable and stricken old man, who passed them
+leaning on the arm of his son, but farther approach to intimacy was felt
+to be impossible.
+
+And so the months had passed, and now the early summer was decking
+gardens, orchard, and meadow with its sweetest blossoms. Through the
+open window at which Mary stood on this May afternoon of which we write
+came the fragrant perfume of lilac and May blossom. The birds were
+tuning their little throats for a chorus of song, and a stillness in the
+soft air seemed to produce a feeling in the heart of Mary of calm
+submission to the will of "Him who orders all things in heaven and
+earth."
+
+Suddenly she started; a carriage was approaching, and instead of passing
+by as she expected, it drew up and stopped at the gate.
+
+"Mamma," she said, entering her mother's room from the dressing-room,
+"there is a carriage at the gate, whose can it be?"
+
+Mrs. Armstrong joined her daughter at the window. They saw with surprise
+Mr. Armstrong and a youth alight, and then turn to assist a lady.
+
+"Who can it be, Mary?"
+
+"Mamma! I can see her face, it is cousin Sarah; oh, how glad I am, shall
+we go down and receive her, mamma, and I suppose that is one of her
+sons."
+
+The ladies were in the hall to receive the guest, who forgot her
+surprise at the appearance and style of the house, in her pleasure at
+meeting Mrs. Armstrong and Mary.
+
+They both drew her into the drawing-room followed by Jack, who seemed
+more surprised at the cordial and even affectionate welcome his mother
+received from these elegant ladies than by the luxuriantly furnished
+room into which they had been taken. In fact poor Sarah was quite
+overcome by her reception, and when Mary offered to take her upstairs
+and to show Jack into her brother Edward's room, she said, "My dear, I
+never expected you would be so pleased to see such a homely old body as
+I am."
+
+"But we are pleased to see you, cousin Sarah, and I don't forget how
+very nice it is to be homely as you call yourself at Meadow Farm--and is
+it Jack you have brought with you?"
+
+"Yes, my dear, he has been offered a situation in London, and that is my
+reason for coming."
+
+"I am very glad something has brought you here at last, cousin Sarah,
+and I'm sure mamma is also, we so often talk about you; but you want
+your box, I daresay--Oh, here it is," continued Mary, opening the door
+in answer to a knock; "and now I'll leave you, and when dinner is nearly
+ready I'll come for you, it wants twenty minutes to six."
+
+Cousin Sarah, when left to herself, quietly opened her box, feeling glad
+that she had brought a best dress, in which she might venture to show
+herself amidst all this elegance. She glanced round the bedroom, so
+luxuriously furnished, with large Arabian bedstead and silken hangings,
+marble washstands, rich carpet, luxurious sofa, massive wardrobe and
+numerous mirrors, and said to herself, "all these are bought with
+Edward's money; but money does not bring happiness even to such a
+charming girl as Mary Armstrong. She is as beautiful as ever, I can see
+that, but there's a look in her sweet face that no young girl with all
+these comforts and luxuries around her ought to have; I'll find out what
+it means while I'm here, and see if I can't set matters straight."
+
+Cousin Sarah dressed quickly, and then found her way to her son's room.
+
+"I've put on my best suit, mother," he said; "why how rich cousin
+Armstrong must be; I never was in such a fine house in my life. I hope I
+shall behave properly at dinner."
+
+Cousin Sarah laughed, but finding her son ready she turned towards the
+stairs and met Mary coming to fetch them. Mary Armstrong saw at a glance
+that with all Mrs. John Armstrong's homeliness she had natural good
+taste in dress. Her grey silk dress, though not very fashionable, was
+well made, and of rich material; while the real lace of which cap,
+collar and sleeves were made, might have excited the envy of a duchess.
+
+Jack, too, in his new black suit, was a son of whom a mother might well
+feel proud, and Mary, passing by his mother, held out her hand, saying,
+pleasantly, "I must shake hands with you, cousin Jack; I have often
+heard cousin Sarah talk about you, but we never have met till to-day,
+and now I hope we shall be friends."
+
+"There is no doubt of that," said his mother, coming to the rescue, for
+Jack seemed unable to speak, such a fairy vision as cousin Mary, in her
+pale blue silk and lace, was something new to the youth of sixteen, and
+so different to the buxom damsels on his father's farm, that he was for
+a time struck dumb.
+
+Mr. Edward Armstrong led his father's niece into the dining-room with no
+little satisfaction at her appearance.
+
+Mary took the shy youth under her care so effectually, that in a very
+short time his shyness had vanished, and he could reply to the remarks
+addressed to him with intelligence and ease.
+
+She was amused to observe the strong likeness in the youth to her own
+father, and greatly interested in finding that he possessed the same
+mathematical and scientific tastes. This was discovered after dinner
+when Mr. Armstrong examined the boy, and delighted cousin Sarah by his
+commendations, not only of the correctness of his answers to various
+questions, but also for the intelligence and modesty with which they
+were given.
+
+Jack never forgot that happy evening, everything around him was new,
+strange, and delightful.
+
+The nicely furnished dining-room, the table glittering with plate and
+glass, the dinner itself, Mr. Armstrong's kind notice, the soft voice
+and manners of Mrs. Armstrong, of whom he felt a kind of awe, his
+fairy-like cousin, and last, but not least, the beautiful music and
+singing with which she entertained them, all combined to make this
+evening the happiest of the happy week he spent at Lime Grove.
+
+On Sunday cousin Sarah and her son accompanied the family to church, and
+circumstances occurred which gave her the opportunity she sought in her
+anxiety about Mary.
+
+Dr. Halford's boys occupied the two front seats in the gallery in front
+of the organ, and on each side the clock, for the church was very
+old-fashioned, Mr. Armstrong's family sat in a front seat of the side
+gallery, and under that gallery was the private pew of Dr. Halford's
+family.
+
+Henry generally sat with his father, the boys being always under the
+supervision of two of the masters, but now the pew was occupied by poor
+Fanny's children.
+
+On this Sunday, therefore, Mary saw with surprise and uneasiness, Mr.
+Henry Halford seated at the end of a pew occupied by the boys, and only
+one of the masters present.
+
+She could not avoid seeing him, and she knew that her parents must have
+noticed him also.
+
+The presence of two strangers in Mr. Armstrong's pew attracted for a few
+moments Henry Halford's looks towards them, to Mary's great
+discomposure; but when the service began these two young people seemed
+to remember that they were present to join in the sacred services of
+God's house, and not to look about them.
+
+There was something in the manner, not only of Mr. Armstrong, but also
+of Mary and her mother, which directed cousin Sarah's eyes more than
+once to the gentleman seated with those superior-looking schoolboys,
+many of whom appeared older than her son. Jack also seemed so fascinated
+to watch them, that more than one glance from his mother was necessary
+to remind him of the place and the hour.
+
+Altogether it was a most perplexing position, and Mary was glad to see
+her father rise quickly when the service ended, as if anxious to avoid a
+meeting with the schoolmaster and his son, but he failed in the attempt.
+
+Henry Halford, remembering that his nieces now required attention as
+well as his aged father, left the boys to be marshalled home by the
+assistant, and hastened to the lower door to meet them.
+
+Another surprise therefore awaited Mary. On reaching the church entrance
+they met face to face Old Doctor Halford, supported on one side by the
+arm of his son, and on the other by a tall handsome girl, apparently
+about eighteen years of age. Mary did not at first notice another
+younger girl, dressed in exactly the same manner, who walked behind Dr.
+Halford and his supporters, with a boy nearly as tall as herself.
+
+The usual formal courtesies passed between them as they met; but the
+sudden shock at seeing, as she thought, a strange young lady on such
+friendly terms with the doctor and his son, deprived Mary for a moment
+of self-possession. Recovering herself with an effort she returned the
+notice of the gentlemen, and hurried on to join her mother with an
+aching at her heart.
+
+Cousin Sarah had seen the fair face turn white even to the lips, and she
+drew Mr. Armstrong forward, leaving Mary with her mother and Jack.
+
+"Who is that very pleasing looking young man, Edward?" was her first
+question.
+
+"What young man?" was the half-irritated reply.
+
+"I am speaking of the gentleman we met just now, who was supporting, I
+suppose, his aged father; Edward, he reminded me of dear uncle."
+
+Edward Armstrong winced. The good and intelligent old yeoman, his own
+father, was in position and education far inferior to Dr. Halford, and
+yet he despised the latter because he was a schoolmaster and poor. He at
+last replied with an effort,--"Father and son are schoolmasters, and the
+son is going to be a parson."
+
+"But they are as much gentlemen as your wife is a lady, Edward; I can
+tell by your manner that you dislike them, but why?"
+
+"Why?" he asked impetuously, "because they are poor, and the son had the
+audacity to ask me for Mary."
+
+"And you refused him."
+
+"Of course I did; do you suppose I was fool enough to give up to him the
+money I have worked so hard for, as my daughter's marriage portion? and
+no doubt that was all he wanted."
+
+"Does Mary know of this?"
+
+"Unfortunately she does, although I kept it from her as long as I could;
+but it slipped out in some way."
+
+"Ah! then now I can understand what has changed her so much," said
+cousin Sarah, quietly.
+
+With a startled expression Mr. Armstrong turned and looked at the
+speaker.
+
+"What!" he exclaimed, but, before she could reply, Mrs. Armstrong, Mary,
+and Jack joined them. Cousin Sarah noticed at a glance that Mary had
+recovered her colour, but there was a quivering of the lip very painful
+to see.
+
+On reaching home Mary hastily escaped to her room. She stood for a
+moment, with her hands clasped and her eyes uplifted, asking for help
+and strength; realising Montgomery's description of prayer:--
+
+    "The upward glancing of the eye,
+    When none but God is near."
+
+"I must expect it," she said to herself; "I ought to have been prepared.
+How can I be so selfish--so dog in the manger like; I cannot be his wife
+myself, and ought I to object to his choosing any one else? But ah! it
+is very painful to think of," and then as she sunk into a chair the
+restrained tears burst forth unchecked.
+
+In a few minutes she remembered the visitors; the tears had relieved
+her, and hastily preparing for an early dinner she bathed her eyes,
+controlled her feelings, and joined the rest in the drawing-room. So
+like herself did she seem that no stranger would have discovered the
+traces of tears, but the keen anxious eyes of the mother and cousin
+Sarah were not to be deceived. Mrs. Armstrong, however, knew too well
+what had happened to distress her patient and much loved daughter, and
+for her sake made no remark on her looks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+AT THE STATION.
+
+
+The three years of Mr. Armstrong's residence at Kilburn had produced
+great changes in this suburb which bid fair after a time to destroy its
+rural aspect. The London and North-Western Company had opened a station,
+and around it a town of bricks and mortar had risen with almost as much
+rapidity as at Bayswater. Lime Grove and Englefield Grange, however,
+were at least a mile from the station, and for the present, therefore,
+safe from the invasion of the pickaxe and the hod.
+
+A few days after the arrival of cousin Sarah and her son at Kilburn, Mr.
+Armstrong proposed that they should accompany him to town to make the
+necessary arrangements for leaving Jack in London. Inquiries had been
+made, and interviews had taken place with the head of the firm, who had
+offered a situation to the youth, and his friends were as anxious to
+place him in such a respectable house as the firm were to receive him.
+
+"Mary, my dear," said her father while at breakfast one morning, "you
+can drive us to the station in the pony carriage if you like."
+
+"I should like to do so, papa;" she replied, and glancing at her mother
+she added, "the ponies will not be too tired for mamma's drive when they
+return, I suppose."
+
+Mr. Armstrong laughed. "Certainly not," he said, "after a mile to the
+station and back, unless you intend to take them a twenty miles'
+journey."
+
+"Twenty miles, papa! no, indeed, not more than four," she replied.
+
+"Six miles altogether; well, the sturdy little animals will manage that
+I daresay without very great fatigue or inconvenience; so ring at once,
+and order the pony carriage to be ready in half an hour."
+
+"I have not yet seen this pony carriage, Mary," said cousin Sarah.
+
+"No," she replied, "you have been such business people since you arrived
+in London, going off in the morning by the omnibus, and returning with
+papa in the evening, so I have had no opportunity to offer to drive you;
+and even this morning you are going on matters of business."
+
+"I shall enjoy the drive all the same," said cousin Sarah, "and so, I am
+sure, will Jack."
+
+"You can come and meet us at the station by the 5.20 train this
+afternoon, Mary," said her father, with a smile; "another two miles wont
+hurt the ponies. I have not yet ventured upon the expense of an open
+carriage," he continued, addressing cousin Sarah, "principally because
+the doctor advises walking exercise for Maria. Besides, till my elder
+boys are out in the world I am unwilling to increase my expenses. I must
+have a groom for the saddle horses, and Mary can drive a pony carriage
+without the expense of coachman and footman."
+
+"A very wise arrangement," replied cousin Sarah, "but," she added,
+rising, "I think it is time to get ready, if you will excuse us, Mrs.
+Armstrong." She had not yet been able to address her cousin Edward's
+lady-wife by her Christian name.
+
+Mrs. John Armstrong, while dressing for a drive on that pleasant May
+morning, recalled a statement made by Mary that her father had bought
+this pony carriage as a present to herself.
+
+"He is trying to bribe that dear girl into forgetting the superior young
+man we met on Sunday, but she never will," was cousin Sarah's
+reflection.
+
+The spirited white ponies and pretty low carriage attracted all eyes as
+they trotted along the Kilburn Road lashing their tails and shaking
+their fat sides as if eager to perform their work to the best of their
+ability. After setting down her companions at the door of the station
+Mr. Armstrong dismissed his daughter; and, although foolishly proud of
+the admiring gaze cast upon her by passengers, he more than once
+regretted not having listened to his wife's suggestion:--"Had you not
+better let the groom drive you, Edward? I do not like the idea of my
+daughter acting the part of coachman to a railway station; it is all
+very well in country roads."
+
+Mr. Armstrong laughed at his wife's scruples, but he afterwards saw the
+justice of her remark--at least in those days before young ladies had
+acquired the habits of independence which so distinguish them in the
+present day.
+
+One, however, of the party had greatly enjoyed his drive; Jack would
+have felt no surprise at any admiration his cousin Mary excited. He
+watched her as she skilfully turned her ponies out of the station-yard,
+and then, while following his mother and Mr. Armstrong into the station,
+he said to himself, "I don't believe there's another girl in London so
+clever and so pretty as cousin Mary."
+
+Mrs. Armstrong was ready to join her daughter in her morning excursion
+as she drove up to the gate, and when they were fairly off Mary said--
+
+"Why, mamma, I believe these little animals are enjoying their work as
+much as we shall our ride. I have to keep a tight rein to prevent them
+from going too fast. No fear of fatigue on their part, I can see."
+
+"I suppose you have perfect command over them, my dear," said Mrs.
+Armstrong, rather nervously.
+
+"Oh yes, mamma, I hope what I said in joke has not alarmed you; they are
+the most docile little creatures in the world." And to prove her words
+and calm her mother's fears she checked the rapid trot, and for some
+distance allowed them to go at an easy pace.
+
+When Mrs. Armstrong regained confidence in her daughter, Mary loosened
+her hold on the reins, to the great satisfaction of the spirited ponies,
+and when the groom took charge of them on their return to the Limes,
+they showed no signs of fatigue.
+
+It wanted a very few minutes to five when cousin Sarah and her son met
+Mr. Armstrong at the Euston terminus. They were walking up and down the
+platform waiting for the train, which was being shunted from a siding,
+when they saw a lady and gentleman come hastily from the booking office.
+
+"You have hurried me for nothing, Arthur," said the lady, almost gasping
+for breath, and yet angrily; "you see we are in plenty of time."
+
+"My watch must be fast," he replied, "and I knew how important it was
+for us to catch this train in order to meet Mr. Norton at the appointed
+time."
+
+"You might have waited till to-morrow," she said; "I cannot understand
+the motive for all this haste. But see, the passengers are taking their
+places; let us get into a carriage at once, for running so quickly has
+exhausted me."
+
+Arthur Franklyn--for it was he--hastily assisted his wife into a
+first-class carriage, already occupied by Mr. Armstrong, cousin Sarah,
+and her son. Arthur placed his wife in the centre seat, and seated
+himself next her, near the window, and opposite Jack. The other corner,
+facing Mr. Armstrong, was the only vacant seat, the two centre divisions
+being now occupied by Mrs. Franklyn and cousin Sarah.
+
+Kilburn was the first station at which this train usually stopped, and
+for some minutes after it started, no one spoke. Arthur almost turned
+his back on his wife, and looked out of the window with a very gloomy
+face. He was, in fact, brooding over her remark. "She thinks I have some
+motive for all this haste," he said to himself; "of course I have; does
+she suppose I should have chosen a woman so utterly selfish and proud,
+so unfit to be a mother to the children of my dear lost Fanny, if it had
+not been for her money? Of course I have a motive. I cannot tell her of
+my difficulties. And if I don't get a thousand pounds very quickly I
+shall be a ruined man."
+
+Mrs. Franklyn on entering the carriage had thrown herself into the seat
+and leaned back with closed eyes. Cousin Sarah was attracted to watch
+her. The evident want of cordiality in the manner of husband and wife
+towards each other, the pain the latter appeared to suffer from the
+effects of hurrying to the station, and her husband's apparent
+indifference, aroused the pity of the warm-hearted countrywoman. She was
+about to ask her if she felt ill, when a sudden pallor spread over her
+face, she stretched out her arms and exclaimed convulsively, "Arthur,
+Arthur, save me!"
+
+There was a sudden rush forward of both gentlemen, but cousin Sarah, had
+already caught the drooping figure in her arms as she exclaimed, "Open
+the windows, stop the train, she is dying!"
+
+In the confined space of a first-class carriage little could be done;
+Arthur, pale as death, offered to relieve Mrs. John Armstrong of the
+insensible form which she supported on her bosom, but she refused to do
+so.
+
+"Unfasten her dress," she exclaimed, "untie her bonnet." And while Arthur
+obeyed with trembling, almost useless fingers, he called upon his wife
+by name, lavishing upon her the most endearing terms in tones of the
+bitterest woe--how bitter none but himself knew. Was she dying? would
+she really die? Ah yes, Arthur Franklyn, less than five minutes have
+elapsed since you were disturbed from your gloomy reverie, and the woman
+whom you flattered into marriage for the sake of her money lies a
+lifeless corpse in the arms of a stranger!
+
+Mr. Armstrong, who has been in vain endeavouring to attract the notice
+of the guard, looks once more from the window, and exclaims, "Thank God
+we are slackening speed, we are nearing the station;" but even as he
+utters the comforting words to the apparently heart-stricken husband he
+knows it is too late.
+
+Presently the train enters the station. Again he looks out. A porter
+approaches running with the train. "A doctor! a medical man, quick!" he
+exclaimed; "a lady is ill, dying."
+
+The train has come almost to a standstill. Mr. Armstrong jumps out even
+at the risk of his life. There is a running to and fro of porters. A
+crowding of passengers to the carriage door, and a general commotion as
+the eager inquiries for a doctor are passed from lip to lip.
+
+"Go for Dr. White." "No, Dr. Harris is the nearest." But Mr. Armstrong
+had been already successful. Within a few steps of the carriage he left
+so hastily he came upon a gentleman alighting from the train, and
+looking with eager inquiry at the confusion on the platform.
+
+"Dr. West! thank God you are here; come quickly, a lady is dying or dead
+in our carriage."
+
+With hasty steps and a serious face the doctor followed Mr. Armstrong.
+Scarcely two minutes had elapsed, yet the porters were preparing to
+remove the lifeless burden from the arms of cousin Sarah, who still held
+her tenderly, for the train could no longer be delayed.
+
+Roused from the shock which had at first stunned him, Arthur Franklyn
+hastened to relieve Mrs. John Armstrong of his wife, and gently setting
+aside the porters, he and Mr. Armstrong lifted her from the carriage to
+the ladies' waiting-room, and laid her on one of the couches.
+
+The door was closed to all but the doctor and those who had been in the
+carriage with Arthur Franklyn and his wife, and then Dr. West prepared
+to examine the patient before uttering the so often dreaded words, "It
+is all over."
+
+He saw the agonised look in the husband's countenance as he covered the
+face and straightened the limbs of his dead wife, and placing his hand
+on his arm he said--
+
+"You are the husband of this lady, I presume?"
+
+Arthur could only silently assent.
+
+"My friend," he said gently, "nothing that I or any one else can do
+would avail now, your wife's sufferings are over in this world."
+
+"Sufferings!" exclaimed Arthur, "in what way, doctor?"
+
+"Has not this lady been afflicted for some time with disease of the
+heart?" asked Dr. West.
+
+"I don't know; she has never complained to me. I have only been married
+six months."
+
+"I fear there must be an inquest, then," replied the doctor; "where does
+your own medical man reside?"
+
+"In Melbourne," replied Arthur, in agitated tones; "we only arrived in
+England last week. Doctor, will you do all that is necessary for me in
+this terrible matter? here is my card; we were on our way to visit a
+relative in Kilburn; you will find me at Englefield Grange tomorrow."
+
+"Englefield Grange!" exclaimed Dr. West, "are you related to our good
+old friend Dr. Halford?"
+
+"He is the father of my first wife, and my children are with him now."
+
+"My dear sir," cried the doctor, "I will do my best for you in this sad
+affair, but we must secure the help of my friend Armstrong and this lady
+also," he added, turning to cousin Sarah, on whose cheeks tears of pity
+and sympathy were quietly stealing.
+
+At this moment Mr. Armstrong, who had been called from the room by the
+station-master, entered quickly, and advancing to Arthur he said
+gently--"I am sorry to pain you, but it will be necessary to remove the
+poor lady to the hotel before the arrival of the next train."
+
+"I must submit to whatever is necessary," he replied as the porters
+entered the room; "I feel too bewildered to act for myself."
+
+Meanwhile Mary Armstrong, in obedience to her father's request, had
+driven to the station, and drew up to the entrance three or four minutes
+before the train was due. She heard it arrive, and looked for her father
+and his companions among the numbers who passed out of the station much
+too anxiously to notice the glances of admiration cast upon herself; and
+yet the passengers seemed to linger, and some were conversing with great
+seriousness, to judge by their faces.
+
+At length two gentlemen paused at a little distance from the pony
+carriage, and Mary heard her mother's name mentioned, and then the
+ominous words, "Death in a railway carriage."
+
+Too startled at first to decide what to do, Mary allowed the speakers to
+move forward, so that the opportunity for questioning them was lost.
+Then she checked her fears; she had only heard detached sentences which
+might mean nothing; yet as the train moved out of the station, and a few
+straggling passengers made their appearance, a dread of she knew not
+what fell upon her.
+
+What could she do? To leave the ponies was impossible, and yet she must
+ascertain what had happened. So painful had the suspense become that she
+was about to send a boy for a railway porter, when she saw a gentleman
+enter the station yard and advance towards her.
+
+He started and flushed as he recognised Miss Armstrong, and was about to
+pass with the usual formal recognition, when, to his utter amazement,
+she exclaimed--
+
+"Oh, Mr. Halford, I am so glad to see you! there has been an accident or
+something; I heard the passengers speak of a death in one of the
+carriages. Papa and my cousins were to arrive by this train, and I have
+been waiting here for them more than twenty minutes."
+
+"What do you wish me to do, Miss Armstrong?" asked Henry Halford, who
+with the most intense pleasure at the prospect of doing anything for the
+girl still so truly loved, yet shrunk from encountering Mr. Armstrong.
+
+Mary understood his hesitation. "If you would kindly make inquiries for
+me, and if papa has arrived by this train, please tell him I am waiting.
+I should feel so much obliged if you will do this, Mr. Halford."
+
+The earnest, anxious tones and the pleading voice were too much for
+Henry Halford. Without another word he entered the station.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Meanwhile after starting the train the porters had obtained a covered
+litter on which the lifeless form of Louisa Franklyn was carried from
+the waiting-room, followed by Mr. Armstrong, cousin Sarah, Jack, and
+Arthur Franklyn.
+
+To avoid the stairs leading from the platform the men turned towards a
+side gate which opened nearer to the hotel. They had scarcely reached it
+when a gentleman, evidently in a state of excitement, approached the
+group and exclaimed--
+
+"Pardon me, Mr. Armstrong, your daughter who is waiting for you in the
+pony carriage has been alarmed by the remarks of passengers, and she is
+becoming anxious on account of the delay in your appearance."
+
+For a moment Mr. Armstrong had looked at the speaker with almost
+indignant surprise; but a flush of anxiety and shame spread over his
+face at the thought that he had literally forgotten his daughter, and
+allowed her to sit in her little carriage alone at a railway entrance.
+
+His hasty reply was cordial and polite.
+
+"Thank you very much, Mr. Halford; I am ashamed to say I had forgotten
+that my daughter was waiting for us."
+
+"Come, Sarah," he added, "I must hasten to relieve poor Mary's fears;
+this gentleman will excuse us, I know."
+
+"Oh, pray do not let me detain you," said Arthur, "but may I be allowed
+to call and thank you and this lady for your great help and sympathy?"
+
+"Most certainly; here is my card," said Mr. Armstrong, hastily placing
+in the hands of Henry Halford's brother-in-law the cardboard invitation
+to visit his house, for which Henry would have given half he possessed.
+
+He had drawn back in mute surprise during the conversation between Mr.
+Armstrong and Arthur, but no sooner had the movements of the former
+gentleman and his companions discovered Henry Halford to the stricken
+man than he started forward, and seizing his hand, told him what had
+happened, in a voice so choked with sobs and tears as to be scarcely
+audible.
+
+Henry led him away to the hotel, to which the body of his dead wife had
+been carried, and calming down his excitement encouraged him to relate
+all that had occurred.
+
+"And were Mr. Armstrong and his friends in the carriage with you?" asked
+Henry, in astonishment.
+
+"Yes, we occupied all the seats but one, and the lady held my poor wife
+in her arms with the greatest tenderness. Is she Mrs. Armstrong?"
+
+"No," exclaimed Henry, in a tone that savoured of indignation. "Mrs.
+Armstrong is a very different person. This lady to whom you refer is no
+doubt a relative from the country." He little thought that the relative
+of whom he spoke was his best friend.
+
+After a while Arthur Franklyn became calm enough to walk with his
+brother-in-law to Englefield Grange, dreading the ordeal in which a
+detail of what had happened would involve him. Of other and more painful
+consequences to him which would result from his wife's death he could
+speak to no one, although he knew they would cause him a sleepless
+night.
+
+Mr. Armstrong's first words as he and his two companions made their
+appearance relieved Mary of a certain dread. She could not control her
+fears that her father would be a little angry with her for sending a
+message by Mr. Henry Halford.
+
+"My darling," he said, "I am so sorry! I forgot I had asked you to come
+for us; have you been waiting long?"
+
+"Nearly half an hour; but, papa, what has happened?"
+
+"I will tell you presently, Mary; drive home quickly, your mother will
+be getting anxious."
+
+The sad story was soon told in a few words during the drive, and Mary
+became silent from awe and sympathy.
+
+Presently her father asked,--"What brought Mr. Halford to the station,
+Mary?"
+
+"I had not time to ask him," said Mary, gently, "neither had I any right
+to do so. The instant I saw him I begged him to go and find out what
+detained you."
+
+"No doubt he came to meet his brother-in-law," said cousin Sarah. "I
+heard the gentleman whose wife has died so sadly speak of his
+father-in-law as Dr. Halford of Englefield Grange."
+
+Mr. Armstrong did not notice this remark, and the silence at last became
+so painful to Mary, that she was about to break it by attracting notice
+to her ponies, who seemed by their rapid movements to look upon a
+journey of eight miles a day as merely an amusing pastime.
+
+Cousin Sarah diverted her from her purpose by a sudden remark.
+
+"Jack, my boy, you look pale; in the midst of the confusion and sorrow I
+almost forgot you were present."
+
+"Oh, I'm all right, mother," he replied, "but I own I did feel queer at
+the time."
+
+"Don't talk about the affair too strongly at home, Jack," said Mr.
+Armstrong, "at least not in the presence of Mrs. Armstrong."
+
+At this moment Mary drew up her ponies at the gate. Mr. Armstrong and
+his companions entered the house, the painful event of the last hour
+occupying every thought, more especially from its connexion with the
+residents at Englefield Grange.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+TEMPTED.
+
+
+"Man is the creature of circumstances," is a remark that few will deny.
+Those, however, who remember that "not a sparrow falls to the ground
+without our heavenly Father's knowledge" name these said circumstances
+"providences." If even a sparrow cannot fall unnoticed, will not the
+great Creator trouble Himself about the movements and actions of His
+creatures in a higher state of being, and for whom Christ died?
+
+It was a mysterious providence which in so sudden and painful a manner
+removed the second wife of Arthur Franklyn from the evil to come, but it
+led to important results, and influenced the future of more than one of
+the persons mentioned in our story.
+
+The _pendule_ on the mantelpiece of the drawing-room pointed to ten
+minutes to six on the day of this sad occurrence, and Mrs. Armstrong,
+who had still some misgivings about Mary and her pony carriage, began to
+feel very anxious. She rose and entered the dining-room, where the
+parlourmaid was laying the cloth. "Margaret," she said, "I fear
+something has happened to detain your master and Miss Mary. Where is
+Rowland? send him at once to the station; they ought to have been home
+half an hour ago."
+
+The girl turned to obey, but she had scarcely left the room, when Mrs.
+Armstrong saw the pony carriage drive to the gate, and hastened out to
+meet its occupants. "What has detained you? Oh, how glad I am to see you
+here safe and well!"
+
+"Of course we are all safe and well," said her husband, in a cheerful
+voice, as he led her to the drawing-room, "but the fact is, a lady was
+taken ill in our railway carriage, and this caused some delay; so make
+yourself comfortable, dearest, while we get ready for dinner; you shall
+hear all about it by-and-by."
+
+Jack had recovered himself during the drive home, but he hastened at
+once to his room, and remained there till he heard his mother go
+downstairs, for he feared being questioned by Mrs. Armstrong after her
+husband's caution to him.
+
+Although unaccustomed to give way to fine lady nervousness, Mr.
+Armstrong knew that his wife had not quite lost the natural timidity
+which once nearly cost Maria St. Clair her life.
+
+But Mary knew her mother best: after the rest had left the drawing-room
+she placed her arm tenderly round her neck, and said, "Mamma darling,
+you need not wait for 'by-and-by,' I will tell you the worst at once. A
+poor lady who sat opposite cousin Sarah in the railway carriage was
+taken ill on the journey and died before they arrived at the station."
+
+"Oh, how very shocking!" said Mrs. Armstrong. "Was she alone?"
+
+"No, her husband was with her, but he appeared too stunned to do
+anything, so cousin Sarah held the poor dying lady in her arms till the
+train stopped, and then papa went to find a doctor."
+
+"I am glad you have told me, my dear," said Mrs. Armstrong, "anything is
+better than suspense, and I should have pictured to myself all sorts of
+horrors."
+
+"Yes, mamma, I knew that, or I should not have told you, but I must go
+and prepare for dinner; I have only three minutes, so it is well I
+changed my dress before I started for the station."
+
+No one at the table noticed the effects on cousin Sarah of the shock she
+had received; yet she was a woman of warm deep feelings, railway
+travelling was a comparative novelty to her, and the terrible delay from
+the impossibility of stopping the train, added to the awe she felt when
+the poor woman died in her arms, had greatly shaken her nerves.
+
+Very little, however, was said on the subject during dinner, but in the
+evening, when Mrs. Armstrong listened with painful interest to her
+description of what had occurred, she could perceive how acutely cousin
+Sarah felt the effects of the scene she had witnessed.
+
+By degrees the conversation turned upon the persons mixed up with these
+sad circumstances, and then Mrs. Armstrong heard with surprise the name
+of the messenger Mary had sent to look for her father, and his close
+relationship to the husband of the lady so suddenly deprived of life.
+
+"Mr. Henry Halford had but one sister living when we first became
+acquainted with his family," remarked Mrs. Armstrong, "and she died in
+Australia two years ago."
+
+"This must be a second wife, then," said cousin Sarah, who had her own
+reasons for wishing to know all that could be learnt respecting Mr.
+Halford's family; "do you remember the name of Miss Halford's husband,
+Mary?"
+
+"Here is his card," said Mr. Armstrong, looking up from his newspaper
+and throwing the harmless missive on the table as he spoke; "you will
+receive a visit from him to-morrow, no doubt; he asked to be allowed to
+call and thank me for my kindness, and so forth; so you can accept these
+thanks, cousin Sarah, they belong to you by right."
+
+"Franklyn," said Mrs. Armstrong, taking up the card and reading it, "is
+that the name, Mary?"
+
+"Yes, mamma," she replied, in a quiet voice, for her father held his
+paper on one side to look at her while she spoke. "I read a notice of
+Mrs. Franklyn's death in the _Times_, and it also stated that she was
+the daughter of Dr. Halford of Englefield Grange."
+
+Mr. Armstrong then continued his reading. Cousin Sarah had noticed the
+look of fierce inquiry on his face as his daughter spoke, and recalling
+Mary's troubled countenance and her father's remarks about the Halfords,
+she felt more than ever determined to interfere.
+
+She made one remark, however, which brought a sudden flush to Mary's
+face--
+
+"This Mr. Franklyn told Dr. West in my presence that he and his wife had
+recently arrived in England from Melbourne, and that they were on their
+way to visit the father of his first wife, Dr. Halford, at Englefield
+Grange, with whom his children were now staying, so no doubt this
+gentleman was the husband of Dr. Halford's daughter, and the father of
+the young people we saw on Sunday."
+
+In spite of a look of disgust which passed over the countenance of Mr.
+Armstrong, his wife could not resist a few approving remarks about the
+young people referred to, till at length Mr. Armstrong exclaimed, "Come,
+Mary, give us a little music, we have heard quite enough of our
+unfortunate fellow-passenger and his antecedents; if he comes to-morrow
+you can treat him with politeness, and there the matter will end."
+
+Mary rose hastily to obey, she was glad to turn her back on those
+present, for the explanation respecting the young visitors at Englefield
+Grange had lifted a weight from her heart and made her eyes brighter,
+and the colour on her cheeks deeper than they had been for months. Yes,
+she could sing now; and as Jack listened, and remembered that this was
+his last evening at the Limes, he inwardly resolved that when he was old
+enough, and had made a fortune like Cousin Armstrong, he would marry a
+wife exactly like Cousin Mary.
+
+Altogether it had been a day of excitement; and when Mary entered her
+bedroom a feeling of hope--the foundation of which she could scarcely
+account for--seemed to fill her heart. She lay awake for some time,
+trying to realise certain causes from which this hope seemed to spring.
+Her meeting with Henry Halford at the station--the absence of
+displeasure in her father's manner, which she dreaded would follow her
+sudden impulse to send him as a messenger--above all, the discovery that
+she had mistaken one of Mr. Henry Halford's nieces for perhaps his
+intended wife--and last, but not least, an impression that Cousin Sarah
+was favourable to the Halfords, and in some way able to influence her
+father--these reflections, added to the certainty in her own mind that
+Henry Halford had taken his degree and would soon go up for ordination,
+seemed so full of hope that they acted with a soothing influence on the
+young girl's heart, till at length she slept.
+
+Very different from the innocent hopes of Mary Armstrong were the
+reflections that haunted the chamber of Arthur Franklyn that night at
+Englefield Grange. The painful event of his second wife's sudden death,
+and the necessity for an inquest, had spread consternation over the
+household, and excited great sympathy.
+
+To his surprise, no one sympathised with him more deeply than his eldest
+daughter, for he remembered how openly she had resented his second
+marriage. But to the memory of this resentment he now owed Clara's
+sympathy; remorse for having been at times rude and unkind to the woman
+who must have suffered so much to cause such a sudden death, filled the
+young girl's heart.
+
+But even her gentle cares and attentions could not soothe the father's
+sorrow till he observed that this apparently great grief for his second
+wife created some little surprise among the relatives of Fanny Halford,
+who was the mother of his children.
+
+On discovering this he roused himself, and as some excuse for his
+sorrow, acknowledged the fact of his having hurried her to the train.
+
+"I feel almost as if I were Louisa's murderer," he said "for I remember
+now how she gasped for breath when we reached the platform."
+
+"No, no, Arthur, do not think anything so painful," said Dr. Halford;
+"she had never spoken to you of her heart being diseased, or I am sure
+you would have been more careful, yet I can quite understand how the
+circumstance troubles you."
+
+Troubled him! Yes, we must do Arthur Franklyn the justice to own that
+the recollection pained him greatly, but what was that memory compared
+to the fact that his wife's death before signing certain documents would
+inevitably cause his utter ruin?
+
+He had that day obtained from his lawyer a document signed by the two
+trustees of his wife's property, authorizing her to draw out 2000_l._
+for her husband's use.
+
+On the strength of this he had taken furnished apartments for three
+months, and he and his wife were on their way to fetch the children from
+Englefield Grange on the day which had ended so fatally.
+
+The lawyer, Mr. Norton, to whom Henry had introduced his brother-in-law,
+resided at Kilburn, and an arrangement had been made for him to meet his
+clients at the Grange and for Henry to witness Mrs. Franklyn's
+signature.
+
+All this Arthur Franklyn remembered as he paced his bedroom long after
+midnight, and knew that the fortune, to obtain which he had married a
+second time, was lost to him for ever.
+
+Had he only secured for himself the 2000_l._ he might have been saved
+from ruin, but now even that was denied him--that which had already cost
+him so much. To obtain the consent of the trustees he had made false
+statements of his position in Melbourne, and of the merchants whom he
+affirmed were ready to receive him as a partner.
+
+Mrs. Franklyn had herself proved at first his greatest difficulty. She
+was a woman who thought only of self; she had been a widow for six
+years, and during that time had saved from her income several hundred
+pounds, which in the first happy days of her marriage she had made over
+to Arthur, and afterwards regretted the generous impulse. She had
+concealed from him the fact that her property was vested in the power of
+trustees, and when the hundreds in the Melbourne bank were being
+transferred to her husband's name she had said laughingly, "There is
+nothing to thank me for, Arthur, what is mine is yours now."
+
+Arthur Franklyn would never have made a good lawyer, even had he
+continued to follow his profession; but he knew well enough that his
+power over the property of his intended wife should have been secured
+before their marriage, and this he dared not attempt to do in an open
+and straightforward manner, because his own affairs were in a state of
+hopeless insolvency.
+
+Not only so, but he quickly discovered that he had a rival in the
+affections of the lady he wished to marry, and that rival was money. To
+ask her the question whether her property was at her own disposal was
+one he dared not venture upon. With his usual want of prudence,
+therefore, he determined to chance it, and trust to his own power of
+persuasion to obtain money when he wanted it, even should there be
+trustees looming in the distance.
+
+And now, just as all difficulties had been overcome, and his most
+sanguine hopes realised, comes this terrible destruction to all his
+schemes.
+
+"Had Louisa only lived another day," he said to himself, "all might have
+been well; but now--ruin, poverty, and disgrace are all that are left
+for me and my children." Yet even at this critical moment, had he been
+truthful and candid instead of trusting with his usual self-sufficiency
+that he should overcome this difficulty as he had done others
+before--had he made a confidant of his brother-in-law, and told him the
+whole truth, what a terrible amount of sorrow and remorse he might have
+been spared.
+
+But no, he could not so humiliate himself to his first wife's relations.
+What! own his real position, and ask for help and sympathy after
+boasting of the style in which he and Fanny had lived, and of the
+superior education he had given his children?
+
+No, never! Something he must do to prevent this, but what?
+
+Is there an evil spirit at hand ready to answer such a question from the
+man or woman who hesitates to follow the right path?
+
+Alas! too often yes. At least, it was so in the case of Arthur Franklyn;
+at this moment an evil suggestion arose in his mind from which he
+recoiled with a shudder. Ah! had he then fallen on his knees and prayed
+for power to resist the fearful temptation that now presented itself,
+that power would have been given him, and by peaceful sleep the nerves
+which were overwrought after the exciting events of the day would have
+been calmed and soothed.
+
+But Arthur Franklyn had yet to learn the weakness and treachery of his
+own heart, through a fiery ordeal which he was now about to prepare for
+himself.
+
+A gas burner projected from the wall on either side of the
+dressing-table; one of these only he had lighted on entering, and
+shrinking from the glare, he had lowered it nearly out while pacing the
+room in an agony of thought.
+
+Now he approached the dressing-table, turned the one gas burner on full,
+and lighted the other. Then he started back at the reflection of his own
+face in the glass; pale and haggard, eyes aflame with excitement, and
+lips reddened and parched with fever. For a moment fear made him
+pause--only for a moment. Flinging sober thought to the winds, he drew a
+chair to the table, pushed aside pincushion, toilet-cover, and
+ornaments, and took from his pocket a pencil and two letters.
+
+For at least an hour he continued to write on scraps of paper torn from
+his pocket-book.
+
+The dawn of a May morning was stealing through the staircase windows as
+Arthur Franklyn descended cautiously to the hall. On a table, near the
+entrance, as he well remembered, stood an inkstand and pens; these he
+carried upstairs and re-entered his room, in which the gas still burnt
+brightly, and closed the door carefully, to exclude the fast-increasing
+light of day. He was white now even to the lips as he again seated
+himself at the table, and drew from his breast coat pocket a document on
+which he signed, two names with different pens.
+
+Even in the midst of his evident excitement his hand was firm. Then he
+dashed down the pen, to the great detriment of the toilet-cover, turned
+off the gas, and threw himself on the bed dressed as he was, to try and
+lose in the sleep of forgetfulness for a time a memory of what he had
+done.
+
+The old school-bell for breakfast woke him next morning from a heavy
+sleep, and also awoke in him painful memories of olden times, when a
+happy innocent lad, he had so often answered its summons.
+
+He rose hastily, bathed his face, and battled for a time with the
+emotions that overpowered him. Strange to say, the memories of his
+youthful days strengthened, his determination to carry out what he had
+last night begun.
+
+"Could he allow the children of his lost Fanny to starve in poverty, or
+to feel that their father could support them no longer?"
+
+No! impossible! he must carry it through--she, his second wife, would
+have done it had she lived; no one would be injured, the money was his
+morally, and if not quite legally, that was of no consequence.
+
+This decision produced a kind of calm, like the effects of an opiate, so
+that when he appeared at breakfast the haggard look of excitement was
+gone; the pale, calm face created a feeling of sympathy, more especially
+in the warm heart of Kate Marston, whom Fanny's children had already
+learnt to love.
+
+During the day when he attended the inquest he listened with almost
+stoical indifference to a detail of the circumstances attending his
+wife's death. He answered the questions put to him by the coroner calmly
+and truthfully; not even the examination of the medical man, from whose
+evidence he learnt that a _post-mortem_ examination had taken place,
+could rouse in him the slightest interest.
+
+Yet the pale and sorrowful expression of his face excited the sympathy
+of those present, especially while being questioned by the coroner.
+
+"You were then not aware that your wife was suffering from disease of
+the heart, Mr. Franklyn?"
+
+"No," he replied, "not in the least; she never gave me reason to suppose
+that such was the case, even by a hint."
+
+"And I believe you hurried to the station on the day of the occurrence?"
+
+A kind of spasm passed over the face of Arthur Franklyn, and his lips
+quivered as he replied--
+
+"I have reason to remember that we did so, owing to my watch being five
+minutes too fast."
+
+"We will not pain you with any further questions, Mr. Franklyn," said
+the coroner; and Arthur bowed as he moved to give place to Mrs. John
+Armstrong, feeling conscious that he did not deserve the sympathy too
+evident in the looks of those around him.
+
+What did they know of the terrible results to him of that hurried run to
+the train? What could any one know of the one absorbing thought which
+seemed to banish all others from his mind, and make him speak and move
+like a man in a dream?
+
+Nothing, not a shadow of the truth; and yet, while conscious that, like
+the somnambulist, he was steadily making his way to certain destruction,
+all power to stop his downward progress seemed to have deserted him; he
+had taken the first false step, and the result appeared inevitable.
+
+During that sad week, in the darkened rooms, with the coffin containing
+the lifeless form of his second wife occupying the room which once
+belonged to Fanny Halford, he still wore that look of forced submission
+which is so much like despair.
+
+On the day of the funeral, when the playground voices at Englefield
+Grange were silent and subdued, when the children of his first wife shed
+tears of childish sorrow by the coffin of the second, when his
+father-in-law and Henry looked with pitying eyes for the last time at
+the shrouded form of Louisa Franklyn, still beautiful even in death,
+Arthur showed no sympathy, no change in face or manner; not even when he
+saw Kate Marston weeping over the little Albert, the motherless boy of
+her lost Fanny.
+
+Indeed, Mrs. Halford's death had been too recent for any in that house
+to look with indifference so soon after on the insignia and trappings of
+woe. Arthur alone seemed callous and indifferent, while all around were
+in tears. Yet although they pitied him, not one in that family circle
+could have guessed his secret.
+
+In the midst of all these exciting events and mournful surroundings
+Henry Halford did not forget that the appointed day for his ordination
+was drawing near. He avoided all reference to it, however, although
+Arthur Franklyn had more than once missed him, and knew that an
+efficient substitute had been provided to take his place in the
+schoolroom during his absence at the bishop's examination.
+
+A week's respite from school duties occurring at Whitsuntide, Henry had
+previously promised to spend that time with his friend Horace Wilton. He
+had hesitated, in consequence of recent events, to speak of leaving home
+till after the funeral, and still felt reluctant to desert Arthur while
+he remained at the Grange. From one of the children, however, the matter
+became known to Arthur on the Friday evening before Whit-Sunday. Henry
+had tempted his brother-in-law to a walk round the garden, and was
+speaking to him of his approaching ordination, and other matters
+connected with it, when they were joined by Mabel.
+
+The little girl had become very fond of her uncle, and as she clung to
+his arm while they slowly paced the garden walk she listened to the
+conversation between the gentlemen with great interest.
+
+Presently, in a pause, Mabel said--
+
+"Uncle Henry, are you not going to Oxford tomorrow?"
+
+"Well, my dear," he replied, "I have not quite made up my mind; the
+truth is, Arthur," he added, turning to his brother-in-law, "my friend
+Horace Wilton has invited me to spend a few days with him during
+Whitsuntide."
+
+"Then why not go?" said Arthur; "the change will be of benefit to you,
+and brace up your nerves for the ordeal on Sunday week."
+
+"It seems so ungracious to leave you in your trouble for the
+gratification of myself; perhaps, however, I may run down to Oxford
+to-morrow and return on Monday."
+
+"No, Henry, pray do not shorten your visit on my account; I shall very
+likely be in London nearly all next week--go in, Mabel," he added,
+observing his little daughter's earnest face; and as she obeyed, Henry
+replied earnestly to his remark: "Indeed, Arthur, you ought not to think
+of leaving us yet--you require a week or two longer of perfect rest
+before returning to business. I suppose there is nothing that requires
+immediate attention?" he asked, without a shadow of suspicion that the
+question would inflict a pang on the heart of his brother-in-law.
+
+Controlling himself, he replied, "Nothing more important than examining
+poor Louisa's papers. I have put off the ordeal for a week, I had not
+sufficient fortitude even to think of it. But it must be done very
+shortly, and her desk and other matters are at our apartments in London.
+I shall perhaps only stay a few days this time, but I must rouse myself
+soon and return to business for the sake of my children."
+
+"Then shall I find you at the Grange on my return?" said Henry.
+
+"I shall no doubt remain in town at least a week," replied Arthur,
+"therefore you need not put off your visit on my account; and there is
+the summons to tea," he exclaimed as Mabel reappeared. "Your uncle and I
+are coming presently, my dear; go in and tell Miss Marston," and then,
+in a low hurried voice as soon as they were alone, he said: "Henry, pray
+don't speak of my visit to London before your father or Kate; I could
+not endure to discuss the subject with them."
+
+Henry promised to be silent, yet wondering at the request. To him no
+relief could be greater than to unburden his heart to a true friend in
+any pressing anxiety. But Arthur's anxiety was not of a nature to be
+confided to another, and as they walked to the house he inwardly
+resolved that he would escape as quickly as possible from the scrutiny
+of the anxious eyes at the Grange, and from the memories which were
+revived by its associations, and rendered more painful by recent sad
+events.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+COUSIN SARAH.
+
+
+Arthur Franklyn had not been in a mood to call upon Mr. Armstrong during
+that sad week, nor, indeed, to pay visits anywhere. But he wrote an
+appropriate letter, saying all that was necessary of grateful thanks for
+the kindness and sympathy he had experienced, especially from Mrs. John
+Armstrong.
+
+Perhaps, on the whole, this was a more satisfactory proceeding in Mr.
+Armstrong's estimation, but Cousin Sarah was disappointed. She had been
+introduced to Mr. Henry Halford at the inquest, by his brother-in-law,
+and the half-hour during which she had conversed with him confirmed her
+good opinion of his manners and character.
+
+Cousin Sarah was a few years older than Edward Armstrong; they had known
+each other from children, and in spite of the pride which had grown out
+of his increased wealth and aristocratic connexions, he had still a
+great deference for cousin Sarah's opinions. She possessed that very
+rare quality, plain common sense, and notwithstanding her homeliness she
+had intellectual tastes sufficient to enable her to appreciate knowledge
+and learning in its higher developments, as seen in her cousin Edward
+and Henry Halford. That a man of such intellectual power as Edward
+Armstrong could prefer for his daughter's husband the weak-minded
+captain whose history had been told to her to the intellectual young
+schoolmaster, because the former was rich and the latter poor, was to
+her a mystery.
+
+Cousin Sarah, with all her good sense, had yet to learn the hardening,
+withering effects on the human heart which a love of gold produces.
+
+She was brave, however, and she determined before she left Kilburn to
+bring the matter face to face with Edward Armstrong, and plead the cause
+of the young girl whom she was convinced by various signs was really
+attached to the intellectual young schoolmaster.
+
+She had quickly discovered Mrs. Armstrong's opinion on the subject, and
+when she mentioned her wish to be alone with cousin Edward, she found in
+Mary's mother a strong ally. Soon after dinner, on this the last evening
+of her visit, cousin Sarah found herself alone in the drawing-room at
+Lime Grove, with a man who prided himself upon his indomitable will and
+unbending opinions.
+
+But she was not daunted. There were two strong points in her favour, and
+upon these she rested her hopes of success. One was Edward Armstrong's
+love for his daughter, and the other his often acknowledged confidence
+in cousin Sarah's judgment. She sat at work near the open window. May
+was passing into June, and the open country which still held sway near
+Lime Grove seemed redolent of summer. The sun, still high above the
+horizon, was tinting the fleecy clouds that softened his brightness with
+crimson and gold, and from myriads of little throats came the warbling
+songs of joyous birds waking the echoes with their sweet melody.
+
+"So you leave us to-morrow, cousin Sarah," said Mr. Armstrong, laying
+down his newspaper, and placing himself at the window near which she
+sat.
+
+"Yes," she said, "and I do so with great reluctance; it has been a most
+happy fortnight excepting that sad affair in the train, but I shall
+never forget your kindness and your wife's."
+
+"I don't forget your care and attention to my poor father," he replied,
+in a tone of deep emotion; "no kindness on our part can ever repay that,
+Sarah."
+
+There was silence for a few moments, and then Mr. Armstrong spoke
+again:--
+
+"I suppose you will leave Jack with perfect confidence?"
+
+"Yes, quite; he seems very happy, and I think he will try to do well and
+get on in his business. He is delighted at the prospect of spending his
+monthly holiday here as you have proposed."
+
+"Yes, poor fellow, it will be a change for him; I am glad Maria thought
+of it."
+
+With all cousin Sarah's bravery, she found some little difficulty in
+commencing the subject uppermost in her thoughts, but there occurred
+another pause, and then Edward Armstrong led the way to it himself.
+
+"Do you think Mary is looking well, Sarah?" he said, "you told me last
+Sunday week that she appeared changed, but I have not yet had an
+opportunity to ask you in what way."
+
+"I must tell you the truth, Edward; Mary is as pretty and graceful as
+ever, but there is a delicacy of complexion, and at times a sad look,
+which makes me fancy she is not quite happy."
+
+"They have been telling you a fine tale, I suppose, about my cruelty in
+not allowing my daughter to marry a man who has not a sixpence to call
+his own;" and as he spoke cousin Sarah could detect the old boyish
+temper, and the will that would brook no opposition. "I thought the girl
+had more sense," he went on; "why, she has refused offers that were
+unexceptionable, all because of that boy,--you have seen him, Sarah."
+
+"I do not consider Mr. Henry Halford a boy, Edward," she replied, for
+now the ice was broken the impetuous tone did not daunt her. "He told me
+on Wednesday that he was going up for ordination on Trinity Sunday, the
+rector of Kilburn having given him what he called a title to orders."
+
+"Yes, yes, I daresay; however, that is of little importance to me, but
+what has been told you, Sarah, about this matter?"
+
+"Mary has told me nothing, Edward; Mrs. Armstrong certainly described
+the splendid offers her daughter had refused, and acknowledged that her
+refusals were no doubt caused by her attachment to Henry Halford;" and
+cousin Sarah spoke in that calm, quiet manner which so often carries
+weight with it.
+
+"Absurd nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Armstrong; "I thought my daughter was
+above such lovesick foolery, to refuse a man with 12,000_l._ a year, and
+the nephew of a duke, for a penniless schoolmaster, descended from
+nobody knows who."
+
+"Have you no anxiety for your daughter's future happiness, Edward?"
+
+"Happiness! There's no happiness in the world without money."
+
+"Oh, Edward, how you are changed! money was not the source of your dear
+father's happiness, you never learnt that opinion from him; besides,
+your own wife was without fortune."
+
+"Ah yes, I had the money, and I chose Maria St. Clair for that sweet
+character which has never changed; besides, she was well born and well
+connected, which the Halfords are not."
+
+"Who gave you that information, Edward?"
+
+"Why, I formed the opinion from my own judgment. Who would be a
+schoolmaster if he could help it?"
+
+"At all events a schoolmaster is equal to a tradesman in position, and
+often far above one in education, but for once, cousin Edward, you have
+failed in your judgment. Henry Halford, you must own, is a gentleman,
+and a man of education, and I _know_ that both his parents are as well
+born and as well connected as your own wife."
+
+"I may ask _you_ now where you obtained that information?" said Mr.
+Armstrong, in a sneering tone.
+
+"You remember my father's farm, Edward?"
+
+"Of course I do," he replied wonderingly; "I am not likely to forget the
+pleasant old homestead where you and John and I spent so many happy days
+in our childhood."
+
+"And you remember Englefield, the beautiful estate of Lord Rivers, about
+two miles distant from Holmwood Farm, which my father tenanted from his
+lordship?"
+
+"You are bringing back childish memories, Sarah, that are painful yet
+pleasant, but what has all this to do with the Halfords?"
+
+"Dr. Halford was tutor to the present Lord Rivers in his young days, and
+from that circumstance he named his house at Kilburn, Englefield Grange.
+I had a long talk with young Mr. Halford on Wednesday, when we were
+waiting in the inquest-room at the hotel for you and the coroner. Mr.
+Franklyn introduced us. I was speaking of the beautiful scenery between
+Farnham and Basingstoke, and he asked me if I knew Englefield, and so
+one thing led to another----"
+
+"But this has nothing to do with Mr. Halford's birth or connexions."
+
+"Indirectly it has, for during our conversation I discovered that Dr.
+Halford's father was for many years and till his death a surgeon in
+Basingstoke, with a first-rate practice; his two sisters are well
+married, and his brother is an army surgeon in India."
+
+"You seem to have obtained from this young man the history of himself
+and his connexions, Sarah,"--was the scornful remark of Mr.
+Armstrong,--"rather an unusual topic for a gentleman to enter upon on a
+first introduction."
+
+"It arose entirely from my remark about the country round Basingstoke,
+but I will own that when he mentioned Englefield and Lord Rivers I drew
+from him other facts for the sake of our dear Mary. I tell you candidly,
+Edward Armstrong, that I admire your daughter's good sense in preferring
+such a man as young Mr. Halford to one of those who think they can
+purchase a wife with gold, feeling sure that she will be given up by her
+parents to the highest bidder, like the articles in an auction-room."
+
+Edward Armstrong felt rather startled by cousin Sarah's plain speaking,
+in which there was too much truth to be pleasant, yet he said in a kind
+of deprecatory tone--
+
+"I have promised Mary not to force her into the acceptance of any offer
+again, and if she is determined to marry no one but the schoolmaster,
+she must remain single all her life, for she has expressed her
+determination not to marry him without my consent, and that she will
+never have."
+
+"Mary possesses the real source of happiness," said cousin Sarah, "even
+if you continue to withhold that consent. My uncle's teachings during
+the week of her visit at Meadow Farm have not been thrown away."
+
+Again Edward Armstrong was startled. He had been surprised at the gentle
+submission of his high-spirited daughter, and the unaltered love and
+respect she had shown to the father, whose love of gold had blighted her
+youthful hopes; but now he understood the cause, and across his memory
+passed the words he had read at his father's knee long before the demon
+of gold had hardened his heart--
+
+    "Godliness with contentment is great gain."
+
+After a few moments' pause he said in a softened tone, "I should be
+glad, and so I know would Maria, to keep our only daughter at home with
+us always, but it seems an unusual fate for a beautiful and accomplished
+girl such as she is, and with 20,000_l._ which I could give her on her
+wedding-day--I am sure I have no wish but for her happiness."
+
+"Then consent to her marriage with Henry Halford; I could tell by
+certain signs when I mentioned her name that he still loves your
+daughter. Wait till after his ordination, and than give the young people
+10,000_l._ to enable them to live independently of the school till Mr.
+Halford obtains a living."
+
+"Not much chance of that, I expect."
+
+Cousin Sarah smiled.
+
+"I have one more little piece of information to give yon, Edward," she
+said; "when speaking of his ordination Mr. Halford told me that his
+father's old pupil, Lord Rivers, had promised that the first vacant
+living in his gift should be given to his tutor's son, if he took
+orders, after his ordination. The young man, however did not appear to
+put much faith in the promise, in consequence of the number of years
+that had elapsed since it was made, he the only surviving son, being his
+father's youngest child."
+
+The entrance of the tea-tray put a stop to the conversation, but Cousin
+Sarah could observe in the manner of Mr. Armstrong towards his daughter
+an unusual tenderness, and now and then a wistful look, as if conscience
+were upbraiding him as the cause of the sad expression which at times
+passed over her face.
+
+Mary Armstrong drove Cousin Sarah and her father to the station next
+morning, for the first time since the sad death of Louisa Franklyn.
+Warmhearted and loving farewells had taken place before leaving the
+house, for Cousin Sarah had endeared herself to every one of the family,
+servants included, by her gentle ways, and quiet yet unreserved manners.
+
+To Mrs. Armstrong she had become a true friend and comforter about Mary,
+although no opportunity occurred for her to hear what had passed between
+Cousin Sarah and her husband.
+
+A few words only on the morning she left, while dressing for her
+journey, gave the loving mother hope.
+
+"I repeated to Cousin Edward all I had heard of Mr. Halford, of his
+parents and connexions, and of his hopes about the Church, but I could
+obtain no promise that he would alter his mind on the subject. I think
+it would be unwise to say anything to Mary, and perhaps excite hopes
+only to be disappointed."
+
+To this advice Mrs. Armstrong readily agreed, and when the elegant and
+refined lady and her homely sensible cousin kissed each other with real
+undisguised affection the latter said--
+
+"We have done all we can, Cousin Maria, and we must leave the result to
+God, He will order all things for the best."
+
+No word passed respecting the conversation which had taken place between
+Cousin Sarah and Edward Armstrong. Not even to his wife could the
+money-loving husband confess how much that conversation had roused his
+conscience.
+
+And so the merry month of May gave place to leafy June, with its roses
+and lilies, its long days and short nights, and the perfume of new-mown
+hay.
+
+With the first Sunday in June came the Whit-Sunday which reminds us of
+the day when the converts of early Christian times wore white garments,
+after the first baptismal rite, as a token of purity--fit emblem of that
+pure and holy Spirit which descended upon the apostles on the day of
+Pentecost.
+
+The rector of Kilburn, whose long and faithful ministration had endeared
+him to his parishioners, was on that day assisted by a stranger. Henry
+Halford's place in the gallery with the boys being occupied by another
+of the masters.
+
+Both these circumstances Mary noticed, but no idea arose in her mind
+that they were connected with Mr. Henry Halford's movements. When they
+left the church, however, Mary saw the gentleman, whom she now knew to
+be Mr. Franklyn, supporting his aged father-in-law on one side, with
+Clara on the other, and followed by Kate Marston and three other
+children, the youngest a beautiful little boy nearly four years old.
+
+The dejected looks of the father, and the deep mourning worn by the
+children, brought tears to her eyes. For Mary, in her innocence, could
+only think of the second Mrs. Franklyn as a second mother to Fanny's
+children, and to her mind, therefore, they were doubly motherless.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong had remained at home on the Sunday morning, and as Mary
+walked towards the gate leaning on her father's arm, she was surprised
+to see him leave her, and advancing towards the group accept the offered
+hand of Mr. Franklyn.
+
+Not being aware of the slight acquaintance, Arthur turned to the old
+gentleman and introduced his father-in-law, Dr. Halford. Mary could not
+help noticing a certain dignity and reserve in his manner as he returned
+Mr. Armstrong's recognition. But Arthur was slow to observe these shades
+of manner, and quite ignorant of any motive for reserve, he introduced
+his children by name, as well as Kate Marston, without discovering in
+the least that he was making three of the party very uncomfortable.
+
+"We are walking too slowly for you and Miss Armstrong," said the old
+gentleman gently, "I trust Mrs. Armstrong is well."
+
+"Not quite well enough to attend church this morning on account of the
+heat, thank you," said Mr. Armstrong, glad of the opportunity to escape,
+"but not otherwise indisposed."
+
+And then after the usual polite salutations, Mr. Armstrong and his
+daughter left the mournfully attired group, and hastened towards home.
+
+"I must be polite to the people with whom I have been so unfortunately
+mixed up, Mary," said her father, "and I feel for the poor man, left
+with all those motherless children. I hear he is well off, besides
+inheriting his second wife's fortune; otherwise it would be a sad burden
+upon the poor old grandfather to have to support them upon school
+keeping."
+
+"The youngest is a beautiful little boy," said Mary, quite unable to
+reply to her father's speech.
+
+"Yes, I noticed a fat, rosy child, led by a lady in mourning; is she the
+wardrobe-keeper?"
+
+"No papa," said Mary, and with all her efforts she could not restrain a
+slight tone of indignation, "that lady is Mrs. Halford's niece."
+
+Mr. Armstrong would have questioned his daughter a week previously as to
+the source of her information, but a recollection of Cousin Sarah kept
+him silent.
+
+On the way home they overtook Mr. Drummond, and while he and her father
+talked, Mary walked by his side meditating with surprise on the events
+of the morning--the earnest looks of Mr. Franklyn's eldest girl, the
+evident restraint in the manner of Kate Marston and Dr. Halford, and,
+above all, the absence of Henry Halford.
+
+Suddenly a thought struck her--she knew he had taken his M. A. degree,
+she had seen his name in the _Times_--was he gone up for ordination, and
+where? All this was at present unknown to her, and she could only
+console herself with the recollection that the _Times_ would have every
+particular about the ordinations whenever they took place, and Henry
+Halford's name was sure to be mentioned if he were among the candidates.
+
+Mary told her mother of the encounter in the churchyard, and the absence
+of Henry Halford, without any comment.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong listened with interest to her description of the
+children, and especially about the little boy. She thought well of this
+meeting to a certain extent, but she said not a hopeful word to her
+daughter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+CONSCIENCE.
+
+
+"I must rouse myself to attend to business, doctor," said Arthur
+Franklyn, while at breakfast the morning after meeting Mr. Armstrong in
+the churchyard. "I may be absent a week or more, can I leave the
+children with you for that time? I shall feel such perfect comfort in
+the reflection that they are under your roof, and managed so kindly by
+Kate."
+
+"Of course they can stay, my dear Arthur," said the old gentleman
+tremulously, "it is a great comfort to me to have dear Fanny's children
+here. I have only one regret, that is, that her dear mother did not live
+to see her grandchildren. Clara reminds me greatly of her grandmother;"
+and he looked fondly at the young girl whose womanly appearance and
+manners had so startled Mary Armstrong.
+
+"Would you like to stay with us a little longer, my child?" continued
+the old man, laying his hand on Clara's shoulder as she sat in her usual
+place by his side.
+
+"Oh yes, grandpapa, I should indeed, we all should be glad to stay;" and
+she looked at her sisters and brothers as she spoke. Mabel assented
+timidly; the gentle little girl was becoming daily more dear to Kate
+Marston, who at the same time lavished upon her cousin Fanny's youngest
+child, Albert, the tenderest fondness.
+
+Albert seemed to consider himself required in some way to answer Clara's
+questioning look, so he said--
+
+"Me too, grandpa, me stay with you and Kate."
+
+"Papa, am I to go to school in England?" asked James.
+
+"Yes, my boy, certainly, and if grandpapa consents you shall stay and be
+a pupil at Englefield Grange."
+
+"Oh, jolly!" said the boy, "it's ever so much better being here than at
+my school in Melbourne. Oh! I shall be happy, especially when uncle
+Henry comes home."
+
+And so it was settled that during their father's absence his children
+should remain at Kilburn under their grandfather's roof.
+
+"I must make a home for them as soon as I can turn myself round," he
+said a few hours after, when talking the matter over with Kate Marston.
+"I have to settle the business which brought me to England, and to
+ascertain what claim I have on my wife's property."
+
+"What! did you not do so before you married her?" asked Kate, in
+astonishment.
+
+"No," he replied, "she was very reticent on the subject, and I did not
+like to question her, or indeed her friends--she appeared to have
+perfect control over her property. However, she may have left a will. At
+all events, I must go to the apartments I have taken for three months,
+and look over her papers. Unfortunately, her lawyer is in Australia, and
+he may have a will in his possession. But, dear Kate," he continued,
+with a shudder, "her death is so recent, and the money subject too
+painful to be talked about yet. I know you will take care of my
+children, and that is a great relief to my mind."
+
+"Indeed, indeed I will," she replied in a tone of sympathy; the paleness
+and the shudder had not escaped her. Had she known the pangs of
+conscience which caused that shudder, horror instead of sympathy would
+have filled her heart.
+
+And yet the conscience of Arthur Franklyn could only at times arouse him
+to doubt the rectitude of his own conduct. By fallacious arguments, and
+false reasoning with himself, he had acquired confused ideas of right
+and wrong. He had still at times the appearance of being under the
+effects of some powerful sedative; and at others the flashing eye and
+the flushed face would have denoted the presence of some strong
+stimulant to less unsuspecting people than the residents at the Grange.
+
+Arthur Franklyn with all his faults had never given way to intemperance,
+therefore the brandy flask which he now carried in his pocket or kept
+locked up in his bedroom was more potent in its effects, leaving behind
+it, after the first moments of excitement, an opiate-like stupor and
+stolidity of manner, very unlike that of the bright and fascinating
+Arthur Franklyn of former times.
+
+When he left the little breakfast-parlour, in which we first met three
+of the residents of Englefield Grange, Dr. Halford and Kate Marston were
+alone.
+
+"Uncle," said the latter, "Arthur is very much changed since the death
+of his second wife."
+
+"Well, my dear, perhaps he is, but it's very natural under the painful
+circumstances in which she died. I cannot be surprised at his marrying
+again; of course he wanted a companion, and a mother for his children.
+The lady he chose appeared to me very pleasing and agreeable, and
+perhaps her money was a great temptation, although I do not think a
+marriage for money alone can ever insure happiness."
+
+Kate said nothing; she had seen enough of the second Mrs. Franklyn to
+create a doubt respecting her suitableness to be a second mother to any
+children, especially to one so high-spirited as Clara, and she could not
+tell her uncle of the difficulties already in the way respecting Louisa
+Franklyn's fortune.
+
+Arthur came in presently with his carpet bag in his hand, to wish them
+farewell.
+
+"I have said good-by to the children, Kate; I am glad I sent nurse to
+you; they are with her now, and seem quite happy; you will find her very
+useful."
+
+"I have found her so already, Arthur," she replied, "and Clara manages
+her little brother famously, so make yourself quite comfortable about
+the children."
+
+"Arthur is going, uncle," she said gently, for the old gentleman sat
+dozing in his arm-chair.
+
+"Eh? what?" he said, "Arthur going? Good-by my son; God bless you and
+keep you in the right path."
+
+A few more hasty farewells, and then Arthur Franklyn started at a quick
+pace to catch the four o'clock train to London, with the last words of
+his poor Fanny's father--"Keep you in the right path"--ringing in his
+tars.
+
+The sad and sudden death and the inquest on Mrs. Franklyn had appeared
+in most of the daily and weekly papers, therefore when Arthur knocked at
+the door of the house in which he had taken apartments, the landlady met
+him with a doleful face.
+
+"Oh, sir, is it true? have you lost your dear lady as we read in the
+papers?"
+
+"I am sorry to say it is true," he replied as he entered, "and it will
+make a great change in my arrangements; however, you shall not be a
+loser, Mrs. Mills; and now if you will bring me some tea I shall be glad
+of a cup to refresh myself, I can't get over such a shock all at once."
+
+"No, sir, I should think not; and indeed you're not looking at all well,
+and no wonder. Yes, sir," she added quickly, seeing a look of impatience
+pass over his face, "I'll go at once and see about your tea, it will be
+ready in no time."
+
+Very glad indeed was Arthur Franklyn when, the tea being removed and his
+landlady's restless tongue banished from the room, he could feel himself
+alone. He first drew the table near the window, which he closed
+notwithstanding the heat; then he emptied his pockets of various
+letters, and at length drew forth an ominous-looking document tied with
+red tape, which he opened and spread on the table. Yes, there the name
+stood, clear and distinct, in his wife's handwriting, "LOUISA ELLEN
+FRANKLYN. Witness--HENRY HALFORD."
+
+For some minutes Arthur Franklyn seemed fascinated to the writing before
+him. He turned the leaf and read the legally worded document through.
+There was no hesitation necessary there, Louisa had intended him to have
+this two thousand pounds, her trustees had consented and signed. Morally
+it belonged to him if not quite legally; what moral law would be
+transgressed by claiming it? None. Then for the sake of his own credit,
+for the sake of his children, he was justified in this act. It would
+injure no one; the bulk of his wife's fortune might go to another, and
+virtually this two thousand pounds had been already taken from it and
+placed in the bank till the document before him should be properly
+signed. Yes, it was all right, and as he thus thought he folded it
+carefully, re-tied it and placed it in his pocket-book.
+
+On a table near stood Louisa's desk--her keys had been given into his
+hands, with her rings and jewels and a few other articles found in the
+pocket of the deceased lady. He took the small bunch of keys from his
+own pocket, but as he rose to fetch the desk, there flashed across his
+memory the words of the old doctor, "God bless you, my son, and keep you
+in the right path."
+
+Conscience awoke and made itself heard. "You are out of the right path
+already, Arthur Franklyn," said the small still voice. "All your false
+reasoning, all your absurd sophistry is vain; you have no right to that
+money, and if you claim it on the document in your possession, you know
+by what name the laws of your country will call you it you are found
+out; and even if you obtain the money undiscovered, you will never know
+another happy hour. Burn the paper, Arthur Franklyn, and throw off the
+power of the evil spirit that entices you."
+
+The conscience-stricken man staggered to his seat; he drew the paper
+from his pocket, and forgetting for a moment that it was summer-time, he
+turned towards the empty fireplace. Then an impulse came upon him to
+tear the document to atoms, and throw from his mind the fearful incubus;
+but his hand was arrested by a sudden memory of his debts in Australia,
+which if not paid must, he knew, end in the disgrace of bankruptcy.
+Again the tempter reminded him of his children, his eldest daughter
+growing into womanhood; poverty, disgrace for her portion. No, no, it
+could not be, he must risk all. There was nothing to fear. He would
+arrange all matters of business in England, a few days or a week would
+suffice for that, and then he would return to Melbourne. Where he was so
+well known he could easily get the papers cashed by paying a good amount
+of interest. His children were safe for the present. He should be able
+to send over payment for their board. Yes, this plan must be adopted, it
+was the best and the only one; and with this resolution strong in his
+mind conscience was crushed, its voice silenced for a time, and Arthur
+Franklyn left to follow the downward road on which he had made the first
+false step.
+
+He again rose to fetch Louisa's desk, and placing it on the table before
+him, eagerly examined its contents. Letters from friends, a banker's
+book, a cheque for seventy-four pounds which he had given her at the
+time of the transfer of her ready cash to his name, about fifty pounds
+in ready money, and at last a little packet of his own letters written
+before their marriage, carefully and neatly tied together, several
+little articles of jewellery, and others of no importance, but no will.
+
+Arthur Franklyn as he made this discovery knew that all hope of his late
+wife's fortune was lost to him, unless she had left a will with her
+lawyers in Melbourne, and this appeared another urgent reason why he
+should return thither.
+
+The money he had found, with the balance of a few hundreds still lying
+at the Australian bank in London, would pay his passage, and help him to
+carry out his plans. He replaced the various articles in the desk
+excepting the jewels and the money; her watch and chain he had left at
+his father-in-law's for Clara. But as he placed his hand on the packet
+of his own letters a pang of remorse shot through his heart, which
+almost threatened him with another attack of conscience. He hastily drew
+the flask from his pocket, and seizing a wineglass which stood on the
+sideboard filled it nearly to the brim with the so often fatal
+stimulant, and drank it off.
+
+For a time it produced a false courage which enabled him to finish his
+search of the desk; and after closing and locking it he remained at the
+table and proceeded to sketch out his future movements, made a list of
+the boxes to be sent next day to Kilburn, and also of the articles he
+wished to take with him on his voyage. By this time the twilight of a
+June evening was fading into night; Arthur looked at his watch and rang
+the bell, it was nearly half-past nine. The landlady herself appeared
+with what she termed a nice little supper, to tempt Mr. Franklyn's
+appetite. She lighted the gas and uncovered the tray for his inspection,
+but the supper failed to produce the result she expected. Mr. Franklyn
+could eat nothing but a biscuit, and she left the room in great distress
+of mind to expatiate in the kitchen on the dreadful event which had "so
+altered the gentleman upstairs and quite took away his appetite."
+
+Arthur Franklyn, totally unmindful of her sympathy, escaped to his
+bedroom soon after the clock struck ten. But there was no thought of Him
+on whom we are told to cast our burden. There arose in his heart no
+prayer for guidance in the right path. It might be said of him at this
+period of his life that "God was not in all his thoughts." To him in
+this hour of fierce temptation there was no solace but the fiery spirit,
+so valuable as a medicine, so dangerous as a stimulant. He took another
+supply before seeking his pillow, and sunk at once into an unhealthy
+sleep, from which he awoke in the morning unrefreshed and with a
+throbbing headache. During the next three days Arthur Franklyn, with a
+kind of unnatural energy, went through the tasks he had allotted to
+himself. From the lawyer to the banker's; from the West End to the City,
+in cabs and in omnibuses; to the shipping offices to secure a berth; to
+the railway station to send boxes to Kate Marston and his daughter, and
+to write letters in the evening--so passed the next three days.
+
+One discovery he made while at the lawyer's office. From a remark made
+by Mr. Norton, to whom Henry Halford had introduced him, he found that
+gentleman had made a mistake, and here he took the second step in the
+downward path.
+
+After expressing his regret and sympathy, Mr. Norton said--
+
+"You are fortunate in one thing, Mr. Franklyn; I hear that Mrs. Franklyn
+signed her name to the document on the morning before she died at her
+own lawyer's, so the two thousand pounds are yours to all intents and
+purposes."
+
+"It may be so," replied Arthur, languidly; "but I have been so upset and
+so full of business I have not had time to examine it."
+
+"Well, do so, my dear sir, when you get home; no doubt you will find it
+all right."
+
+This mistake of Mr. Norton's, which will be hereafter explained, sent
+Arthur from the lawyer's office in a tremble of excitement. He had
+nothing to fear now; all would end well, and he should overcome every
+difficulty.
+
+The fact that he had spoken falsely to Mr. Norton, and helped to mislead
+that gentleman, he entirely overlooked.
+
+And so the time passed on, and the morning of the Friday on which he was
+to sail for Melbourne rose in its summer brightness.
+
+But the excitement, the at times clamorous voice of conscience, and the
+unusual amount of stimulant he took, were together combining to produce
+fever of the blood and irritation of the brain in Arthur Franklyn.
+
+When he started in a cab from his lodgings his landlady remarked, "Well,
+if this rushing about every day don't soon kill that poor gentleman, he
+must be made of iron."
+
+No idea of the truth entered her mind. To conceal his intention of
+leaving England it had been necessary for him to invent and prevaricate
+and deceive in a way that twelve months before he would have shrunk from
+with shame and disgust. But principles of truth, honour, and rectitude,
+without the foundation of religion and the fear of God, are never to be
+relied on. In the hour of fierce temptation they had proved to Arthur
+Franklyn no stronger than a broken reed.
+
+He reached the landing-place just below London Bridge at about noon,
+wishing to get on board early, as the vessel was timed to sail at seven
+in the evening.
+
+He had been unable to resist another supply of the fiery fluid, early as
+it was, consoling himself with the reflection, "When I am on board I
+shall get over this unnatural craving for stimulants, and give up taking
+it."
+
+But he had taken it once too often. His boxes were all on board, and he
+carried in his hand a carpet bag, containing among other things the
+fatal document which had already worked him so much evil.
+
+He alighted from the cab, paid the driver, and proceeded towards the
+Australian packet, which lay alongside the wharf at a little distance
+from the shore. A plank stretched across from the gangway of the vessel
+rested on land, and men with boxes and other packages were passing to
+and fro upon it. Arthur Franklyn waited till the way was clear, then he
+placed his foot on the plank and approached the vessel. A very small
+portion of this frail bridge passed over water, the shore end resting on
+rising ground, and to a man with clear head and steady step there could
+be no possible danger.
+
+But Arthur Franklyn's head was not clear, neither was his step steady,
+and as he approached the middle of the plank many persons on the bridge
+and about the wharf saw him totter and turn pale.
+
+Speechless from alarm, and fearful of hastening a catastrophe by a
+warning word, no one moved or spoke as he raised his foot to go forward.
+The next moment, amidst the screams and shouts of the lookers-on, Arthur
+Franklyn lost his balance and fell with his carpet bag into the water,
+which closed over him pitilessly, as if in his helpless condition every
+effort to save him would be useless.
+
+There were running to and fro, cries for ropes, and many eager hands
+stretched out when he rose to the surface; but the drowning man had
+neither sense nor power to help himself or seize the offered aid.
+
+By this time more than one swimmer was in the water diving for the
+drowning man. Minutes which seemed hours passed, and then amidst the
+crowds of excited spectators Arthur Franklyn's apparently lifeless body
+was drawn from the water, hastily placed in a cab, and carried off
+across London Bridge to Guy's Hospital.
+
+But the carpet bag had sunk to the bottom, to be drawn up weeks after by
+the Thames' searchers; while in one corner, soaked into a pulp by the
+action of the water, lay the fatal document which had brought upon
+Arthur Franklyn such terrible results.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+UNCONSCIOUS RIVALS.
+
+
+June again at Oxford, and the year for grand Commemoration is again
+attracting numbers to the famous old city.
+
+Three years have passed since Charles Herbert walked down the High
+Street with his friend Horace Wilton on his way to the station to meet
+Mary Armstrong.
+
+The Fellow of Balliol is now wandering in Christ Church meadows with
+another very old friend, whom he is vainly trying to persuade to remain
+at Oxford till after Commemoration.
+
+"You have seen so little of the place, Reginald," said Horace; "and if
+you have decided to exchange into a regiment going to India, you should
+not miss being present for once on such an occasion."
+
+"It's no use, Horace," was the reply, free from the "aw-aw" so
+detrimental to Reginald Fraser's speech when addressing ladies, or
+suffering from nervousness. "It's no use; I couldn't remain now after
+all you told me last evening about Miss Armstrong's visit; perhaps she
+may be at Oxford again this year, and I wouldn't meet her for the world.
+How strange it seems that you should be acquainted with her."
+
+"It was scarcely a week's acquaintance," he replied; "and in all my
+visits since to the home of my friend Charles Herbert, in Park Lane, I
+have never met Miss Armstrong there, which is still more singular. But
+do you really consider your case hopeless?"
+
+"Indeed I do, although, as I told you, Mr. Armstrong gave me every
+encouragement."
+
+The young man paused, and then exclaimed, with a sudden effort--
+
+"Wilton, I'll tell you all about it. I wanted to do so last night, but I
+thought an old bachelor like you would not care to listen to a love
+story."
+
+Horace Wilton stifled a sigh. The man of thirty-five was generally
+supposed to be wedded to his books, and to avoid the society of women
+from choice.
+
+The youthful undergraduates of the University would have wondered
+greatly had they been told some little of the romantic history attached
+to the erudite student's early days. Only a very few of his most
+intimate friends, Charles Herbert amongst the number, knew any of the
+circumstances. Yet, while reticent respecting his own experiences, his
+manner with his friends excited confidence, and in none more readily
+than Reginald Fraser, whom Horace had known from a child.
+
+"I am quite ready to hear the whole story," he said, with a slight
+smile; "probably it will be a relief to you to confide in one upon whose
+silence you know you can safely rely."
+
+"Indeed it will," said the weak-minded but amiable young officer. "You
+know our fellows would chaff me awfully if I talked to them as I did to
+you last night. But you know I felt sure of winning any girl if I could
+only muster up courage enough to pop the question, because of my money
+and all that. And when I'd got over what I thought was the worst bother,
+it was hard to be refused."
+
+"And what was the worst bother?" asked his friend, with a smile.
+
+"Well, I hardly know, but I spoke to Mr. Armstrong first; he invited me
+to dinner, and made me believe it was all right, and the next morning
+came a letter from him, advising me to wait a few months, and then write
+to Miss Armstrong. Oh, I say, old fellow, writing that letter was the
+worst bother, and no mistake. I declare I'd rather face the enemy on the
+field of battle than write another."
+
+"Of course the young lady answered you?"
+
+"Oh, yes; but I almost wish she hadn't, for her letter made me more
+wretched than ever; I knew it was all over then. It is a kind letter,
+though, and she tells me how sorry she is, and all that. You may read it
+if you like, if only to show you how clever she is."
+
+And as he spoke he took the letter from his pocket-book.
+
+Horace Wilton would have refused to avail himself of similar confidence
+from most of his young men acquaintances, but Reginald Fraser was
+associated with many of his youthful memories, and he could not grieve
+him by refusing. He therefore held out his hand for the letter which had
+caused Mary Armstrong so much pain to write, as well as tears of regret.
+
+The character of the young girl with whom he had associated during that
+week at Oxford three years before presented itself clearly to his mind
+as he read--kind and regretful was the tone; yet the refusal, though
+couched in gentle and courteous words, was too plainly expressed and too
+decisive to admit of future change.
+
+"Well," said Horace, as he folded the letter and returned it to its
+owner, "nothing can more completely destroy all hope of winning Miss
+Armstrong than this letter, kindly as it is written. But, Reginald, take
+my advice--do not grieve over what is inevitable. You are still young,
+and the change you contemplate to a foreign land may eradicate a little
+of that _mauvaise honte_ which places you at such a disadvantage in
+society, in spite of your wealth and position. But come," he added,
+rising from the seat they had occupied in Christ Church meadows, and
+looking at his watch, "we had better wend our way homewards, it is
+nearly five o'clock."
+
+For some little distance the gentlemen were silent. Reginald spoke
+first.
+
+"Wilton, I'm so glad I've told you all; I feel more easy on the subject
+already, and I hope, as you say, that going abroad will drive the
+nervousness out of me. But please don't ask me to stay; I'm awfully
+afraid of meeting any one acquainted with Miss Armstrong, for if her
+name should be mentioned I am certain to betray myself."
+
+"You shall go to-morrow or the next day, if you wish, but on condition
+that you neither think nor speak of the subject again while you stay
+with me. When you were a little frightened boy at Eton, Reggie, you
+always did as I bid you!"
+
+"Ah! yes, no wonder," he replied. "I have not forgotten the great boy
+who pretended to make me his fag because the other fellows shouldn't
+ill-use me. You were my best friend then, Wilton, and so you are now,
+and I mean to take your advice."
+
+As the young man spoke Horace Wilton's memory flew back to the time when
+a small delicate boy of ten was committed to his care by one of the
+masters:--
+
+"Wilton, I wish you would look after this little chap; he is evidently a
+nervous, timid child, and much to be pitied. He has never known a
+mother's care, and his father died about three years ago. I fear he has
+been harshly treated and neglected at the house of his maternal
+grandfather, who has never forgiven his daughter for marrying against
+his wishes."
+
+The youth of seventeen had glanced at the fair, delicate child, who
+looked up at him with awe, not unmixed with alarm, and in his heart he
+formed a resolve that the boy thus placed in his care should be
+protected from the overbearing oppression to which a fag at a public
+school was in those days so frequently subjected.
+
+Perhaps the rougher discipline might have tended to harden and
+strengthen the character of Reginald Fraser, and yet the cold neglect
+and harsh treatment he received in the house where his mother had once
+been the only and cherished daughter had increased the natural timidity
+of the boy. The highly nervous temperament which he inherited from his
+mother had developed into mental weakness and painful reserve, which
+even the experiences of a public school could not eradicate.
+
+Some such reflections as these passed through the memory of Horace
+Wilton, and caused him to pause ere he replied--
+
+"I do not forget old days, Reginald, and I am glad we have had this
+opportunity of talking over matters, but you must learn to rely upon a
+higher strength than your own if you wish to gain the power of bearing
+earthly disappointments with patience and submission."
+
+Reginald Fraser, in his dread of meeting Mary Armstrong, or any one who
+knew her, evinced a nervous anxiety to leave Oxford by an early train
+the next day, but this very anxiety defeated his purpose.
+
+It was increased by a letter from Henry Halford, which Horace on that
+morning had received, stating that he hoped to reach Oxford by the train
+which arrived there at 2.15.
+
+Reginald had put off so many little matters to this last morning that he
+failed to be in time for the 12.30 express, and there was no other
+alternative than for him to remain with the new arrival till the
+evening, or leave by the 2.25. He chose the latter.
+
+A desire, for which he could not at first account, that the young men
+should remain strangers to each other haunted Horace Wilton on that
+Saturday morning.
+
+Suddenly, as the memory of a week so eventful to Mary Armstrong arose
+before him, a thought flashed across his mind that Henry Halford might
+be the successful rival who had unwittingly caused so much unhappiness
+to Reginald Fraser.
+
+On reflection, however, he dismissed from his mind any apprehension of
+awkwardness should the two gentlemen meet at the station, as each would
+be quite unconscious of the position in which they stood to each other,
+even if his own suspicions had any foundation.
+
+As they walked to the station Horace said--
+
+"I should like to introduce you to Mr. Halford if there is time,
+Reginald, but not against your wish."
+
+"I shall be glad to know any of your friends," replied the young man,
+who was quite unacquainted with the fact that this friend of Wilton's
+had been associated with Mary Armstrong during her visit to Oxford. "Is
+this Mr. Halford an Oxford man?"
+
+"Yes, he took his degree about a year ago, and is going up for
+ordination on Trinity Sunday. The rector of Kilburn had given him his
+title to orders."
+
+"Kilburn!" exclaimed Reginald; "why, that is where Mr. Armstrong
+resides. Is he acquainted with the family?"
+
+"I believe he has met some of them, but I do not imagine there is any
+great intimacy," replied Horace, inwardly blaming himself for having
+mentioned the name of Kilburn--"but here we are at the station."
+
+Only just in time, however, for as the two gentlemen reached the
+platform, the train by which Henry Halford travelled came slowly into
+the station.
+
+Amidst the numbers who alighted, Horace Wilton could not at first
+distinguish his friend; but Henry's quick eye singled him out almost
+immediately, and making his way through the crowd, he advanced towards
+him.
+
+"How kind of you to come and meet me!" he exclaimed, as they shook
+hands. "How could you relinquish your beloved books for such a purpose?"
+
+"I must not take more credit to myself than I deserve," he replied, with
+a laugh. "The truth is, I had to welcome the coming as well as speed the
+parting guest;" and as Wilton spoke he turned towards Reginald, who
+stood at a little distance, and said, "My friend, Captain Fraser,--Mr.
+Henry Halford."
+
+The former advanced and bowed, but Henry, while returning the
+salutation, held out his hand, saying--
+
+"I am sorry to hear you are a parting guest, Captain Fraser. I have
+heard of you so often from my friend Mr. Wilton, that I should have been
+glad of the opportunity to improve our acquaintance;" and while he spoke
+the unconscious rivals shook hands warmly with each other.
+
+As usual when introduced to a stranger Reginald Fraser, though attracted
+by the genial manner and pleasant smile of his new acquaintance,
+suffered from an attack of nervousness which was greatly increased by
+the sound of the five minutes bell announcing the approach of the train
+for London.
+
+"I--aw--am sorry--aw--I must--aw--leave you so soon," he stammered out,
+"but my train goes--aw--from the other side, and I--I have--aw--to cross
+the bridge."
+
+"Oh, pray excuse me for detaining you," said Henry; "Wilton, do not
+leave your friend on my account," he added; "I will wait here, or walk
+on slowly while you see him off."
+
+"No, no--aw--I could not--aw--allow you to do so," cried the young
+officer, with such painful nervousness that Henry Halford drew back in
+surprise, and Horace Wilton came to the rescue.
+
+"We will not detain you any longer, Reginald," he said; "you have only
+just time to cross the bridge. Good-by, good-by," he added, as they
+hurriedly shook hands, while Henry, who had been taken aback by the
+young officer's manner, merely raised his hat in token of farewell. The
+two gentlemen stood for a few moments watching his progress till he was
+lost to sight among the passengers on the opposite platform. Then Horace
+Wilton took the arm of his friend, and as they left the station together
+Henry remarked--
+
+"Your friend's manner is peculiar; does it arise from pride or
+nervousness?"
+
+"Pride!" exclaimed his companion, "what in poor nervous Reginald Fraser?
+no, indeed, yet to-day he appeared worse than usual; I cannot account
+for it."
+
+"This young officer, then, is identical with the timid child at Eton, of
+whom I have heard you speak," said Henry. "He has evidently not outgrown
+his nervous timidity. I hope I did not offend him by what I said."
+
+"No, indeed, he is as amiable as ever, and not easily offended. This
+nervousness is constitutional, and is always less under control in the
+presence of a stranger."
+
+"Will not this interfere with his duties as a soldier!"
+
+"I think not, for Reginald is far from deficient in physical courage. I
+have told you of the harsh treatment he received in early childhood: I
+wonder the boy was not made an idiot."
+
+"His grandfather intended to atone for this, I suppose, by leaving him
+all his wealth; I have been told he has done so; is this a fact?" asked
+Henry.
+
+"It is a fact which, after the early training of the boy, might have
+proved a curse to his manhood instead of a blessing," and then to the
+young officer's unconscious rival Horace Wilton detailed his history,
+his position, his wealth, and all the circumstances with which the
+reader is already acquainted, save and except his hopes and aspirations
+respecting Mary Armstrong.
+
+But while Horace Wilton carefully preserved from Henry Halford the
+secret which had been confided in him, he little imagined how much pain
+one incautious word of his had occasioned to his nervous friend Reginald
+Fraser.
+
+It is said with truth that one distinguishing mark between men and women
+is that the latter possess quicker perception, and the former clearer
+judgment. In the almost feminine character of Reginald Fraser existed a
+keenness of perception which resembled what is termed instinct; and this
+instinctive power often caused him great mental pain from his extreme
+sensitiveness, more especially so because he concealed his opinions from
+those with whom he associated, even while these opinions increased an
+outward display of nervousness.
+
+Something of all this occasioned the strange manner which had so
+surprised Henry Halford. The incautious mention of Kilburn by his friend
+had been like a stone cast into the water; it caused a tumult in the
+young man's mind which did not cease during the whole journey to London.
+
+The fact that Wilton's friend resided at Kilburn had aroused in his
+heart new ideas, which had scarcely time to form themselves into a
+tangible shape before he was introduced to Henry Halford. As he
+encountered that genial, easy manner and smiling intellectual face, at
+once like a lightning flash came the firm conviction that the man before
+him was the cause of Mary Armstrong's refusal to himself.
+
+He had therefore, as we know, met him with painful nervousness. Like one
+who walks in his sleep, he had crossed the bridge and waited for the
+train. Still absorbed with the same conviction he chose an empty
+first-class carriage, threw himself back on its cushions, and gave
+himself up to an hour of mental torture.
+
+Mortification, regret, and a depreciation of his own qualities when
+compared to Henry Halford agitated him much more strongly than a feeling
+of jealousy, although this for a time so powerfully affected him that
+even the tears rushed to his eyes.
+
+At length he regained control over himself. Other passengers entered the
+carriage, gentler thoughts arose in his heart--yes, he would give up all
+hope; if Mary Armstrong really loved another, could he not deny himself
+to secure her happiness?
+
+Perhaps this young clergyman would have only his stipend as a curate to
+live upon, and should he with all his wealth wish to deprive him, not
+only of such a wife as Mary Armstrong would make him, but also of the
+fortune which her father proposed to give her?
+
+No! The conflict was over, it had been a sharp discipline for the
+amiable but weak-minded young officer, but it was necessary; it had not
+only deepened the effect of Horace Wilton's advice, but when Reginald
+Fraser left the train at Paddington, he felt like one who has passed
+through a fierce conflict and gained strength by victory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+THE NEW CURATE.
+
+
+There is something in the calm of a Sunday evening in summer which seems
+to cast a halo over the worshippers in a country church. The gradual
+decline of daylight, the perfume of flowers which pervades the building
+through open doors and casements, the slanting beams of the setting sun
+shining through the western windows, radiant in crimson and gold, and
+the joyous song of the birds chanting their evening hymn of praise, all
+combine to impress the spirit with a sense of the presence of God, not
+only among those who do not neglect the assembling of themselves
+together to worship and to praise Him, but also in His "glorious works."
+
+On such an evening two days after the Friday which had been so fatal to
+Arthur Franklyn's schemes, Mr. Armstrong proposed to accompany his
+daughter to the old parish church at Kilburn, which was at that period
+merely a country village.
+
+It was not often that Mr. Armstrong attended the evening service,
+therefore excepting during her brother's holidays Mary was obliged to
+remain at home also, for she could not go to church alone. Most readily
+therefore she hailed the opportunity offered by her father, and hastily
+arrayed herself in walking costume, a process by no means so troublesome
+to a lady in summer as in winter.
+
+They had scarcely taken their usual places in their pew when the chimes
+ceased and the single five minutes bell began to toll.
+
+Mr. Armstrong's pew was in the north gallery; therefore when the organ
+pealed forth its introductory music, and the clergymen issued from the
+vestry, Mary could see that one of them entered the reading desk and the
+other within the communion rails, seating himself on the north side and
+therefore hidden from their pew by the pulpit.
+
+She paid but little attention to this circumstance, except to feel glad
+that the old rector would have help for this evening at least, the whole
+of the preceding Sunday services having been performed by him alone.
+
+The fact of it being the first Sunday after Trinity suggested to Mary
+Armstrong no cause for Henry Halford's absence from the boys' pew at
+church. With all her cleverness in other subjects, she had very little
+knowledge of clerical matters. The prayers used in what is called Ember
+Week she had noticed and understood, but of their connexion with certain
+Sundays in the year, among others Trinity Sunday, she knew nothing.
+
+Following the service as it proceeded with true devotional feeling,
+neither Mary Armstrong nor her father was prepared for the surprise that
+awaited them.
+
+During the singing of the hymn, and while standing in the pew, she could
+see that as the rector left the reading desk to proceed to the vestry,
+he was joined by a stranger; but only his white surplice was visible,
+the vestry being on the same side as the gallery on which she stood, and
+the entrance under it.
+
+Those were the days when clergymen changed the surplice for the black
+academical gown for preaching. Mary, quite engrossed with the music and
+the words of the last verse of the hymn, did not glance towards the
+pulpit till the preacher raised his head from his hands, and faced the
+congregation.
+
+He was very pale, this strange young clergyman, and as he laid his Bible
+on the desk his hand trembled perceptibly.
+
+He had seen at a glance as he entered the pulpit the figure in white
+standing by Mr. Armstrong in the gallery near him. The unexpected
+appearance at the evening service of any of the family took him by
+surprise, and it required all the self-control he possessed to bring
+himself to a proper frame of mind by the time the congregation were
+ready to listen to him.
+
+But the effort was successful, and as the full-toned young voice gave
+out the text his natural power of concentration resumed its sway, the
+glorious subject before him absorbed all his thoughts, and the natural
+fluency with which Henry Halford expressed his ideas did not forsake him
+now.
+
+He had determined, long before his ordination, that he would adopt
+extemporaneous preaching, and as the subject he had chosen fired the
+intellectual powers and Christian principles of the young clergyman, his
+hearers sat mute with surprise and admiration.
+
+The sermon might have been styled an exposition of the thirteenth
+chapter of the First of Corinthians, for not one of the attributes of
+charity did he omit to notice; but his text contained only these
+words--"The greatest of these is charity."
+
+For more than half an hour did the congregation sit in breathless
+attention to the sound reasoning, the clear explanations, and the bursts
+of eloquence which almost electrified them; and when they rose as he
+finished his sermon, there was not one who did not feel sorry it was
+over.
+
+But we are forgetting our friends in the front pew of the gallery. When
+Mary Armstrong bowed her head in the short prayer before the sermon, she
+had not particularly noticed the face of the new curate, as she supposed
+him to be. The voice, at first low and indistinct, presently sounded
+familiar. Yes, she had heard it before, but where? It ceased, and as she
+rose from her knees and directed her attention to the preacher, she
+recognised in the pale young clergyman before her, Henry Halford! One
+glance at her father, and she saw by his returned glance, that he also
+knew the name of the stranger who now as the servant of God stood forth
+fearlessly as the instructor of the man who loved his money better than
+his child's happiness.
+
+Mary in her startled surprise felt the colour forsaking cheek and lips,
+and a tendency to faint; but with a strong effort she roused herself. To
+be carried out of church fainting was an ordeal she dreaded, and
+therefore struggled against with all her strength.
+
+More than once Mr. Armstrong looked at her anxiously, but she did not
+flinch. No; she would stay and brave it all.
+
+The conduct of Henry Halford also tended to restore her self-possession,
+and before long she as well as her father became too deeply interested
+in the sermon and the subject to think much of their surprise at finding
+who was the preacher.
+
+The attentive congregation, the summer evening associations to which
+reference has been made, all had an influence upon the young girl's
+mind, and for years after she never attended a summer evening service in
+a country church without recalling this evening at Kilburn.
+
+But when they rose to leave the church, there was a dread at Mary's
+heart of what her father might say or suspect.
+
+Mr. Armstrong, as we know, had a foolish prejudice about clergymen, and
+although he attended church for the sake of appearances, and respected
+the old rector because he could not help it, still he did not cultivate
+his acquaintance, nor indeed the acquaintance of any families in
+Kilburn, except the Drummonds and one or two others.
+
+But for this exclusiveness he would have heard not only that the rector
+had parted with his late curate, but also that he had engaged another,
+and that other the son of his old friend Dr. Halford. More than this,
+had not the heat formed an excuse for Mr. Armstrong, and a reason for
+his wife to remain at home on that Sunday morning, they would have heard
+Henry Halford read the forms which are necessary at the introduction of
+a newly ordained curate, and also the prayers as his first clerical act.
+
+"Did you know young Halford was going to preach this evening, Mary?" was
+her father's first question as they proceeded homewards.
+
+"No, papa; I did not even know that Mr. Halford was ordained."
+
+Mr. Armstrong said no more, although while he asked the question he
+suddenly remembered Cousin Sarah's information, and knew that Mary was
+too truthful for him to doubt her assertion for an instant. The
+remainder of the walk was continued in silence, both father and daughter
+busied with their own reflections.
+
+"Cousin Sarah is right," said the money-loving father to himself; "there
+is great intellect, and a wonderful power of language and argument in
+that young schoolmaster, and he knows how to take up a text too, and
+interest his hearers. Once or twice in his definition of charity I
+fancied he was preaching _at_ me, and in truth his arguments were very
+strong, although rather Utopian in theory. What would become of trade,
+and commerce, and money-getting in England or elsewhere, if we were to
+possess the 'charity that seeketh not her own, that thinketh no evil, or
+that suffereth long and is kind?' Where are the men of business who seek
+not their own? What would be thought of the tradesman who trusted those
+with whom he dealt without suspicion of evil? How would such conduct
+agree with the maxim, that 'every man is a rogue till you have proved
+him honest?' Where is the man, even with thousands at his banker's, who
+'suffers long and is kind' to a debtor, before he punishes him with
+legal proceedings? And yet these are the words of the Bible, which we as
+Christians profess to believe. There must be something wrong at the root
+of _our_ Christianity, if it cannot carry out the precepts of its
+Founder." And then the memory of Edward Armstrong presented to him a
+real proof that the precepts he had that evening heard were not so
+directly opposed to the spirit and tenor of good business habits and
+conduct as he imagined. No example of the charity spoken of by St. Paul
+more truly existed with active business habits than in the character of
+his own father; and then by a common association of ideas he remembered
+that in a few weeks Mary would be of age, and entitled to receive the
+legacy of 1000_l._ left her by her grandfather. "Why, even that sum
+would help her and the young parson to marry in comfort," he reflected.
+"It would at least insure a partnership for him in his father's school,
+and I have made Mary domestic enough, even for a schoolmaster's wife;
+and after she is of age I shall have no right to interfere with her."
+Mr. Armstrong sighed as the approach to his own gates put a stop to
+these reflections, yet he could not help saying to himself, "It would be
+a terrible downfall to all my ambitious projects for my daughter; I do
+not think I can give my consent after all."
+
+The reader will understand what must have been the influence of Henry
+Halford's first sermon, to produce such reflections in the mind of
+Edward Armstrong.
+
+The secret thoughts of his daughter may be summed up in a few words.
+
+"Will my father change his mind now he sees how very clever Henry
+Halford is?" said the young girl to herself, in the pride and joy of her
+heart at his evident success in securing the attention of his hearers.
+"Can he ever expect I could give him up, even for a duke with 50,000_l._
+a year?"
+
+And then as she followed her father in, and listened with surprise as he
+described what had occurred to her mother, and even praised the subject
+and style of the sermon, a new feeling of hope arose in her heart which
+flushed her cheek and brightened her eye for the rest of the evening.
+Mrs. Armstrong noticed the look of happiness on her daughter's face, and
+when she wished her good night she whispered--
+
+"You must tell me all about the sermon to morrow, darling."
+
+But there were others in a quiet pew under the gallery at church who
+were really more personally interested in the first efforts of the young
+clergyman than even our friends at Lime Grove.
+
+Kate Marston, Clara, Mabel, and James Franklyn were delighted listeners
+to the sermon which had so roused Mr. Armstrong. But to the aged father
+of Henry Halford came the memory of his dear wife's words, when they had
+consulted on the means and advisability of educating him for the Church.
+"We may hope to live to see our son a useful minister in the church,"
+had been the mother's words, and that privilege had been denied her.
+Mrs. Halford had gone to her rest, and the old man's first words when he
+reached home and shook his son's hand warmly were, "In the midst of my
+gratification, Henry, I have only one cause for regret, and that is that
+your mother did not live to see this day."
+
+"Better perhaps as it is, father," he replied. "You would not wish my
+dear mother back, especially when such trouble has fallen upon Arthur."
+
+"No, no; ah, I forgot, you are right, it is all for the best, 'He doeth
+all things well.'"
+
+Kate Marston stood by with tears of joy in her eyes; a true daughter and
+sister was she in heart to the bereaved husband and only child of her
+dear aunt Clara.
+
+They had scarcely seated themselves at the supper-table, when a ring at
+the front gate startled every one, and presently the housemaid appeared
+with a pale face, and beckoned Henry Halford from the room.
+
+"Oh, please sir, it's a telegraph boy, and he's brought this and he's to
+wait for an answer."
+
+Henry closed the dining-room door as she spoke, and took the missive in
+his hand, feeling almost as alarmed as herself.
+
+It was still twilight out of doors, and the hall gas not being lit,
+Henry walked to the glass door entrance to read the telegram, dreading
+he scarcely knew what.
+
+He gave one hasty glance at the words, and read--
+
+     "Dr. Gordon, Guy's Hospital, to Mr. Henry Halford, Englefield
+     Grange.
+
+     "A gentleman, with the initials A. F. on his clothes, is here
+     dangerously ill; has asked for you. Come at once."
+
+In a kind of bewilderment he looked round the hall, and saw the boy who
+waited for the answer.
+
+"There is no answer necessary, my boy," he said, "you need not wait."
+
+Then as the telegraph messenger sallied out at the still open door,
+Henry Halford turned hastily to the housemaid:--
+
+"Go in quietly and tell Miss Marston she is wanted, Rebecca."
+
+The girl obeyed, and presently that lady appeared with a startled look
+on her face.
+
+"What is it, Henry?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Something that must not be mentioned suddenly before my father or
+Arthur's children," he replied; "read that, Kate."
+
+He placed the telegram in her hands, and lighted the gas that she might
+read it.
+
+"Rebecca," he said, as the girl passed from the dining-room, "I can
+trust to you, not to say one word to alarm any of the young people until
+Miss Marston has given a reason for my absence. I am going to London
+to-night; Mr. Franklyn is ill."
+
+"I wont say a word to any one, Mr. Henry, I promise you," she replied.
+
+"What can have happened?" said Kate Marston when they were again alone.
+
+"It is impossible to say," he replied, "but I must not delay a moment;
+break the news gently to my father and the children, while I put a few
+things together in a carpet bag."
+
+"But, Henry, you have had no supper, and after such a day of excitement
+too; oh! I am very sorry, let me bring you a glass of wine."
+
+"No, no," he said, going upstairs two steps at a time, "I can get
+something in London, but you may find Bradshaw if you will, Kate."
+
+Henry Halford was back again to the hall ready for his departure almost
+as quickly as Kate with the time-table.
+
+"You have plenty of time," she said, "there, is a train at 9.40, and if
+you miss that, another at 10.5."
+
+"Oh, thank you; all right, I can easily catch the 9.40. Good-by, Kate,
+make the best of it till you hear from me."
+
+And so ended at Kilburn the Sunday on which Henry Halford entered upon
+his duties as a clergyman.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+AT GUY'S HOSPITAL.
+
+
+While the train is speeding on with Henry Halford to the Euston Station,
+we will go back to the Friday afternoon when Arthur Franklyn was carried
+in an apparently lifeless state to Guy's.
+
+When dragged from the water many voices were raised in eager haste.
+"Send for a doctor!" "Carry him to the hotel!" "No use, the man is
+dead!" "Nonsense, he hasn't been five minutes in the water." This and
+other confusing advice was, however, set aside by the appearance of two
+policemen with a cab. Putting back the crowd, they lifted in the
+apparently drowned man, and bidding the driver make haste, jumped in
+with him.
+
+The rapid movement produced an unexpected effect. Before they were half
+over London Bridge the policeman who sat opposite to Arthur was startled
+at seeing the eyes of the supposed dead man open suddenly, and after a
+heavily drawn breath came the words, "My carpet bag! where is my carpet
+bag?" The wild eyes, the unexpected recovery, and the firmly uttered
+words took these officers of the law by surprise.
+
+"All right, sir, don't you go worritting yourself about carpet bags;
+yours is all safe, I daresay," was all one of them could reply in a
+soothing tone before the cab stopped at the hospital entrance, to the
+great satisfaction of Arthur Franklyn's companions.
+
+The medical officers were quickly in attendance, but the shock of the
+accident had so increased the feverish excitement of Arthur Franklyn,
+that on being taken out of the cab he struggled with those who held him,
+and exclaimed frantically, "I must go back! You shall not detain me!
+Where is my carpet bag?"
+
+Regardless of his almost frenzied manner, which they judged to arise
+from incipient disease, the attendants quickly relieved Arthur of his
+wet clothes; he was placed in bed, and the remedies against the
+consequences of a cold bath while in such a heated state vigorously
+applied.
+
+But there were other causes at work in that excited brain at present
+unknown to the hospital doctors, and before night the patient was
+tossing from side to side of the bed in the alternate delirium and
+stupor which attends brain fever. His clothes were eagerly searched to
+find a letter or address which might give some clue to his friends, for
+he was evidently a gentleman, but with no success.
+
+Arthur's great anxiety to conceal his name and his movements, now bid
+fair to elude all attempts to discover his relations. He had booked
+himself for the voyage under a false name, and the initials A. F. on his
+linen were of very little use.
+
+In the midst of his delirium his words were so incoherent that none
+could be distinguished but the constant cry for the "carpet bag." At
+last, during the afternoon of Sunday, although still insensible to
+surrounding objects, his muttered words became more distinct.
+
+Dr. Gordon was standing by his side listening anxiously to the wandering
+expressions of the patient, when Arthur Franklyn half-rose in the bed
+and exclaimed, "I must go to Kilburn! Ah! Henry Halford, what have I
+done! And you will tell Fanny." He sunk back exhausted as he uttered
+these words in a low piteous tone.
+
+But this was enough for Dr. Gordon. He went to the county directory and
+quickly finding the name of Halford and Englefeld Grange, sent the
+telegram at once.
+
+"I have telegraphed to the gentleman named by the patient," he said to
+the nurse; "he cannot be here before ten at the earliest, I will return
+by that time."
+
+It was within an hour after receiving the message that the cab taken by
+Henry Halford at Euston Square reached London Bridge and drove to Guy's
+Hospital.
+
+He was admitted at once to the presence of Dr. Gordon, who received the
+gentleman, whose clerical dress denoted his office, with great
+cordiality.
+
+"I presume this gentleman is my brother-in-law," was the young
+clergyman's first remark, "by the initials A. F.; if so, his name is
+Arthur Franklyn: is he too ill to recognise me?"
+
+"I fear so; he has been delirious ever since he was brought here, and
+until to-day he has not uttered a name with sufficient distinctness to
+be understood."
+
+"What is the nature of his complaint?" asked Henry.
+
+"Brain fever," replied the doctor; "and we have been obliged to have his
+head shaved, so that perhaps you may find a great difficulty in
+recognising him."
+
+"We have almost feared he would have some attack of this kind," said
+Henry; "he has had a great amount of excitement during the last
+fortnight, since the sudden death of his wife in a railway carriage."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Dr. Gordon, "are you referring to the case of Mrs.
+Franklyn? Of course, yes, that was the name. I read an account of it in
+the papers, and indeed such a painful occurrence was almost sufficient
+of itself to produce irritation of the brain, if this gentleman is Mr.
+Franklyn."
+
+"I have no doubt of it, doctor; but my brother-in-law had apartments in
+London at the West End--how came he here?"
+
+"I cannot ascertain the correct facts, but it appears that our patient
+was crossing a plank to go on board a steamer lying in the Thames at
+London Bridge, and fell into the river. He was recovered from the water
+quickly and brought to the hospital; a few minutes longer would have
+proved fatal to him. I have no doubt he lost his balance from giddiness,
+for this brain fever had been coming on for days."
+
+"I suppose we cannot remove Mr. Franklyn yet?" said Henry.
+
+"Remove him! my dear sir, no; impossible, till we can ascertain what
+turn the disorder takes; but you shall see him and judge for yourself."
+
+Henry Halford followed the surgeon up the stairs in silence. He had
+never before entered an hospital, and through the open doors of the
+different wards as he passed, he caught glimpses of sufferers in the
+various stages and forms of disease, which reminded him of Milton's
+lines--
+
+    Dire was the tossing, deep the groans; despair
+    Tended the sick, busied from couch to couch;
+    And over them triumphant death his dart
+    Shook, but delayed to strike.
+
+Yet the cleanliness and calm of the place made him thank God in his
+heart for these noble institutions, where the suffering poor can obtain
+every comfort and care in times of sickness, as well as the most skilful
+medical advice. On a bed separated by a screen from the other patients
+lay Arthur Franklyn, but so changed in appearance that for a moment
+Henry Halford could scarcely recognise him.
+
+The stricken man who lay tossing to and fro on the bed had nothing to
+remind us of Arthur Franklyn but his features, and even these were drawn
+and distorted. The shaven head, on which lay cloths steeped in vinegar;
+the flushed and heated face; the wild, dilated eyes, from which mind and
+soul had departed, leaving a blank look which seemed to mock their
+brilliance--all presented to the pitying eyes of the young clergyman a
+sight never to be forgotten.
+
+"It _is_ my brother-in-law, Dr. Gordon," he said at last; "but what a
+wreck of himself! He does not appear to know me in the least."
+
+"Try what your voice can do," replied the doctor; "speak to him, Mr.
+Halford."
+
+"Arthur! Arthur Franklyn!" he exclaimed, bending over the patient, "do
+you know me?"
+
+The eyes turned towards him with a vacant look, but no recognition; and
+presently the muttering of delirium again commenced, in which Henry
+could now and then distinguish his own name and his sister's, as well as
+those of his children and his second wife.
+
+"Is there any hope of his recovery, Dr. Gordon?" said Henry, almost in
+tears. "He has four motherless children."
+
+"Well, I cannot deny that there is hope," he said; "for Mr. Franklyn has
+a good constitution, and may perhaps battle with the disease, but his
+recovery will be followed by a period of painful exhaustion. There is
+evidently something on his mind in addition to the excitement caused by
+the death of Mrs. Franklyn. He seems also to be in great trouble about
+the loss of his carpet bag, which fell with him into the water, but has
+not yet been recovered."
+
+Dr. Gordon had spoken in a low tone, yet the ear of the sufferer caught
+the word. He started up in bed.
+
+"Where is Henry? Tell him to find the carpet bag. I'll tell him what is
+in it. They cannot touch me; there's nothing they can prove. Ah, let me
+go for it. I must save my children!" and he attempted to get out of bed,
+but fell back, too much exhausted to resist the doctor in his firm
+efforts to prevent him.
+
+"I can do no good by staying here, doctor," said Henry, after a pause;
+"but if you will kindly describe the spot where the accident took place,
+I can make inquiries about the carpet bag to-morrow. In the meantime, as
+Mr. Franklyn cannot be moved, I am sure we may leave him safely here,
+and pay whatever expenses are incurred for him while in the hospital."
+
+"If his friends wish to do so, it can be easily arranged," said Dr.
+Gordon, as he and Henry descended the stairs; "and you may depend upon
+having a telegram from me should a change for the worse take place."
+
+The two gentlemen parted at the door of the hospital, the one to wend
+his way homeward after his arduous duties, and the other to find himself
+in the streets of London on a Sunday night within half an hour of
+midnight.
+
+He had left his own carpet bag at an hotel near Guy's, and here, after a
+day of excitement and fatigue, he was at last able to take some slight
+refreshment. Although almost without appetite he felt it as a duty he
+owed himself to try to eat a little.
+
+"I must telegraph home and to the rectory in the morning," he said to
+himself as he sought this pillow; "if I stay in London till to-morrow I
+may perhaps hear something of this carpet bag which appears to disturb
+poor Arthur's mind so terribly."
+
+Early next morning Henry was down at the wharf described by Dr. Gordon,
+and, without acknowledging his relationship, questioned those on the
+spot about the gentleman who had fallen into the water on the previous
+Friday.
+
+Full particulars were soon obtained of the accident, and then his
+informant remarked--
+
+"I suppose you see'd an account of the haccident in the papers, master?"
+
+"No," he replied, almost with a start; "what paper is it in?"
+
+"Oh, pretty nigh all on 'em, for you see we thought for sure the
+gentleman were dead; but he frightened the two bobbies that went with
+him in the cab above a bit by jumping up and crying out about his carpet
+bag. I suppose there was some valuables in that 'ere bag, but the Thames
+searchers have been a-looking for it ever since, and they ain't seen
+nothing on it yet."
+
+Henry gave the man a gratuity, which made him touch the brim of his hat
+in token of approval.
+
+Henry turned again as he moved to go--"Do you know the men who are
+searchers of the Thames?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir, I knows 'em well."
+
+"Tell them, then, that if they find this bag, and will send it to the
+Terminus Hotel, London Bridge, I will take care they are paid well for
+their trouble."
+
+"I'll tell 'em, sir, all right," said the man.
+
+Henry Halford returned to the hotel, and made an arrangement with the
+waiter respecting the missing bag.
+
+"You can telegraph to me when it arrives," said Henry; "and if the men
+refuse to leave it, tell them to bring it again in a few hours and wait
+for me. Here is my card and address. You will be sure to attend to this,
+for it is very important."
+
+"You may depend upon me, sir," said the man.
+
+And then Henry turned his steps once more to Guy's Hospital.
+
+Dr. Gordon was absent, but the house surgeon sent for Mr. Halford to his
+private room.
+
+"I do not consider Mr. Franklyn worse or better," he said, in answer to
+Henry's inquiries. "He is quieter to-day, but with no lucid intervals. I
+think, however, that the disease is working itself out, and there is
+nothing for us but patience. Will you see him?"
+
+"No, thank you, I think not to-day; but you will let me know when a
+change takes place?"
+
+"Without fail, Mr. Halford, you may depend upon that."
+
+The gentlemen parted cordially, and Henry, calling a cab, was driven to
+the Euston Station, almost dreading the return home, where he should
+appear as the bearer of such painful tidings.
+
+While in the train Henry Halford reflected anxiously on what could be
+deposited in this carpet bag to cause his brother-in-law such painful
+anxiety. He had also not been able to discover to what steamer he was
+proceeding when attempting to cross the plank. All he could ascertain
+from the men about the wharf was that two or three steamers were moored
+alongside each other, one of them being a large Melbourne packet.
+
+"Arthur could not have intended to leave England, or his children," said
+Henry to himself, "without informing us of his intentions, or taking
+leave of them."
+
+This idea seemed so utterly improbable that Henry dismissed it from his
+mind as absurd.
+
+"I will say nothing to excite suspicion at home," he thought. "There is
+real trouble enough in his illness without adding to it by conjecture of
+evil. We must wait patiently, and hope and pray for the poor fellow's
+recovery."
+
+Henry Halford did not know that Arthur's boxes had been carried on shore
+from the Melbourne packet at Gravesend because the passenger whose name
+they bore was not on board when the ship arrived there. But the name on
+these boxes was not Franklyn.
+
+Henry's appearance at Englefield Grange was hailed with trembling
+anxiety.
+
+"Oh, uncle Henry," exclaimed Clara, with pale lips, "how is dear papa?
+We know all about the accident--it's in the _Times_."
+
+"Stay, Clara dear," said Kate Marston; "your uncle looks tired and
+anxious. Only tell us one thing, Henry: have you seen Arthur, and is he
+still living?"
+
+"Yes, Kate; he is in Guy's Hospital, and receiving every attention and
+kindness, but he is indeed most seriously ill. Don't grieve, my dear
+Clara," he continued, putting his arm round his niece as she burst into
+tears at his words, and leading her into the little breakfast parlour;
+"for grandpapa's sake, and your sister and brothers, keep up a brave
+spirit. Your dear father is in God's hands, and we must pray and hope."
+
+Clara dried her tears and listened with painful interest to her uncle
+Henry's description of her poor father's accident, and the illness from
+which he now suffered.
+
+But her uncle's words had aroused her usual calm self-possession, and
+she determined to subdue her own sorrow for the sake of those whom she
+loved so well.
+
+Henry Halford, during the first few days of this sad week, was making
+himself acquainted with his duties as a curate, and while thus engaged,
+or busy in the schoolroom, he could banish from his mind the vague
+suspicions about Arthur which still troubled him when unemployed.
+
+He was mourning over the impossibility of obtaining time to visit the
+hospital more frequently, when he was one morning surprised soon after
+breakfast by the appearance of Mr. Drummond and a gentleman whom he
+introduced as his nephew, George Longford.
+
+On entering the drawing-room, Mr. Drummond came forward with eager
+sympathy, and taking Henry's offered hand, he exclaimed--
+
+"My dear Henry, I am indeed grieved to hear of these overwhelming
+troubles which have fallen upon your family in such quick succession,
+and I and my nephew are come to offer our services if agreeable."
+
+"Pray be seated," said Henry, placing chairs for his visitors.
+
+"Thank you, no; we have only a few moments to stay, and our business is
+soon told. My nephew George, who is staying with us for a short time, is
+walking the hospitals. He will be at Guy's every day, and will gladly
+bring you news--good news, I hope--respecting Mr. Franklyn on his return
+each evening to my house."
+
+"It is indeed a very kind proposal," said Henry, "I shall be most
+grateful, for we have my brother-in-law's four children here, and the
+elder ones are of course very anxious about their father. Unfortunately,
+it is my first initiation into parish work this week, and as we are
+within a fortnight of the midsummer vacation my presence is required in
+the schoolroom almost constantly, and I cannot visit the hospital as
+often as I could wish."
+
+"I had some idea of all these difficulties," said Mr. Drummond, "but my
+nephew's reports will relieve you of this anxiety, so make yourself easy
+on the matter."
+
+"You may depend upon me," said George Longford, as the gentlemen hurried
+away after shaking hands warmly; "you shall have the latest information
+every evening. I will call here on my way home."
+
+Henry Halford parted from the gentlemen with cordial and earnest thanks.
+It would be a great mental relief to him as well as to Kate Marston to
+receive daily information respecting Arthur. They already began to feel
+the responsibility which the care of Arthur's children involved, not so
+much on account of the additional expense, but from their motherless
+condition.
+
+"I do hope poor Arthur wont die and leave these poor children fatherless
+as well as motherless," said Kate Marston on the day Mr. Drummond had
+called, "but I suppose there will be plenty of money to support them in
+case of such a sad event."
+
+"No matter if there is not, Kate; my father would never forsake dear
+Fanny's children. Neither would I, even if they were left penniless."
+
+"I know that well," she replied, her eyes filling with tears. "Uncle has
+been a second father to me for half my life--since I was left an
+orphan."
+
+"We must not anticipate evil, Kate," said her cousin. "I hope all will
+end well with poor Arthur, although it would grieve you painfully to see
+how he is changed. But where is the _Times_? I have not read the
+paragraph Clara spoke of yesterday."
+
+Kate fetched the paper, and pointing to the paragraph, placed it in his
+hands.
+
+Henry took it nervously. The mystery of the carpet bag still haunted
+him, and seemed ominous of evil. He glanced hurriedly over the account,
+which ran as follows:--
+
+"DANGEROUS ACCIDENT.--On Friday afternoon a gentleman, in attempting to
+cross a plank from the shore near London Bridge to reach a distant
+steamer, lost his footing and fell into the water. With great difficulty
+he was brought to land by the activity and energy of those around him.
+He was immediately taken in a cab to Guy's Hospital, but recovering
+animation before he reached there, he showed by evident signs that he
+must have been under the influence of incipient brain fever, for he
+called frantically for his carpet bag, which had fallen with him into
+the river. He is now lying in a very precarious state at the hospital.
+We understand from good authority that the gentleman who has had such a
+narrow escape from drowning is Mr. Arthur Franklyn, whose wife died
+suddenly in a railway carriage a few weeks since. His present state, and
+the accident that preceded it, may therefore be easily accounted for
+under such painful circumstances."
+
+"It is no more than I expected," said Kate, as her cousin threw down the
+paper. "Arthur has looked dreadfully ill since poor Louisa's death. Do
+you know, Henry, I fear he has no claim on her property after all."
+
+"What makes you think so?" asked Henry, in surprise.
+
+"Oh, the remark he made to me on the day he started for London after you
+left. I understood him to say that he had taken no steps to ascertain
+his position with regard to his wife's property before his marriage."
+
+"I had some suspicions that such was the case," replied Henry, "when he
+asked me to recommend him a lawyer; and I believe he had been with Mrs.
+Franklyn to call on Mr. Norton for the purpose of arranging for him to
+witness certain signatures on the day of her sudden death. It certainly
+will be a disappointment to Arthur if his second wife's property is all
+lost to him; but from his own account of his position and means I do not
+suppose he will feel it much--at all events we must hope so."
+
+Kate made no reply. She had seen more of Arthur Franklyn during his
+visit than her cousin, and she could not get rid of the idea that a
+great deal of the uneasy and perturbed state of mind so evident in his
+manner and appearance was caused by anxiety about money.
+
+George Longford, according to his promise, brought to Englefield Grange
+daily accounts of Arthur Franklyn's state--at times alarming, at others
+hopeful.
+
+More than once Henry visited the hospital to obtain personally the
+opinion of the surgeons, yet nearly a week passed before his
+brother-in-law was able in a lucid interval to recognise him.
+
+But this recognition was attended with painful results. For a few
+minutes the sick man spoke calmly to Henry, and listened to his kind and
+hopeful words. Suddenly, as if stung by some painful recollection, he
+exclaimed--
+
+"Go, go; you are come to reproach me! O Fanny, Fanny, what have I done!
+My children, my children! Don't revenge yourself on them, Henry, by
+letting them starve!"
+
+Poor Henry was hurried away, and returned home agonised by the thought,
+not only that his presence at the hospital might have hastened his
+brother-in-law's death, but also by the terrible fear which his words
+had suggested. What, oh! what had poor Arthur done?
+
+Nothing now remained but patience and hope, yet as week after week
+passed by all hope seemed to die in the hearts of his children and the
+loving friends in whose care they were placed.
+
+Not till the second week in July could Arthur Franklyn be pronounced out
+of danger; and in this hopeful condition we will leave him, to return to
+our friends at Kilburn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+CHARLES HERBERT GIVES HIS OPINION.
+
+
+Mrs. Armstrong had seen very little of her eldest sister for years, nor
+of Mrs. Herbert since Mary's visit to Park Lane. Sir James Elstone, the
+old admiral, still resided with his wife in the south of France. He was,
+as we know from Mrs. Lake's information to Edward Armstrong before his
+marriage, more than thirty years older than Louisa St. Clair, and was
+now eighty years of age. Louisa, although she bore the title of Lady
+Elstone, performed the office of a kind and faithful nurse to her aged
+husband, who was fast sinking into the grave.
+
+Her sister Helen, Mrs. Herbert, possessed the good health and sunny
+temper which made her society always welcome at the homes of her two
+sisters. Maria had a family to care for, and she was naturally a home
+bird; and besides, she had a sweet companion and comforter in her
+daughter Mary.
+
+Mrs. Herbert, while her son was away, had no home ties, and the colonel,
+who had spent more than half his life in India, preferred the beautiful
+climate of the Mediterranean to the fogs and uncertain weather of
+England. All these facts were turned into arguments in favour of her
+request by Lady Elstone when she wrote and asked her sister Helen and
+the colonel to join them at their _chateau_ on the shores of the
+Mediterranean. This invitation arrived soon after Mary's visit to Park
+Lane, and a year had elapsed since Mrs. Armstrong had seen her sister
+Helen, who, however, kept up a constant correspondence with Mary.
+
+On the Tuesday morning, at the time when Kate Franklyn placed Monday's
+_Times_ in the hands of her cousin, Henry Halford, Mary sat reading to
+her mother a letter of many pages from her favourite aunt. She had
+already on the previous day read and commented upon the paragraph
+referred to with earnest sympathy. Not even her mother could guess the
+longing in her daughter's heart to be able to show that sympathy to the
+children of the suffering father, and the nieces and nephews of Henry
+Halford. But another subject occupied her now. Charles Herbert's
+regiment was on its way to England from Canada, and Mrs. Herbert in her
+letter stated that they hoped to be in Park Lane to receive their son
+before the end of July, and that Mrs. Armstrong and her daughter were to
+expect a very speedy visit to Lime Grove after their arrival.
+
+"We were sorry to leave poor Aunt Louisa just at this time," wrote Mrs.
+Herbert, "for the old admiral cannot last long. However, your uncle has
+promised to go to her at a moment's notice, for at her husband's death
+there will be too much for a woman to manage, especially with lawyers."
+
+All Mary's pity for her aunt Louisa could not serve to control her
+pleasure at the prospect of seeing her aunt and uncle and cousin
+Charles.
+
+"O mamma!" she said, as she refolded the crinkly sheets of foreign
+paper, "is not this delightful news--at least all excepting that about
+poor Aunt and Uncle Elstone? but Aunt Louisa is a much greater stranger
+to me than Aunt Helen, she has lived abroad so long with uncle. But I
+shall count the days till Aunt Helen comes; are you not pleased, mamma?"
+
+"Indeed I am," said Mrs. Armstrong; "but, Mary, if you are invited again
+to Park Lane, are you prepared to accept the invitation?"
+
+"Not for longer than a day or two, mamma, and I don't think Aunt Helen
+will ask me; she was too much annoyed about the consequences of my visit
+last year; you remember what she said about it."
+
+"Yes, Mary; but, my child, you will be one-and-twenty next month; have
+you made up your mind to remain single all your life?"
+
+"Yes, mamma," said Mary, with a merry laugh; "_I_ mean to be a useful
+old maid, attending to my dear mother, and that 'blessing to mothers,' a
+kind maiden aunt to the children of my brothers when they are
+married----"
+
+"Unless----" said Mrs. Armstrong, with a smile.
+
+"Unless what, mamma? An impossibility?"
+
+"What is impossible, Mary?"
+
+"Why, for papa to change his mind. After he has once made a resolve he
+adheres to it, even when he has been convinced that he is in error."
+
+"He considers that adherence to his resolve is a manly firmness of
+purpose," said her mother.
+
+"Well, mamma, this firmness of purpose puzzles me sometimes, for a great
+writer has said that the man who changes an erroneous opinion after
+being convinced that it is wrong proves that he is wiser when he changes
+it than he was when he formed it."
+
+"A little bit of philosophy, Mary," said her mother, smiling; "and so I
+suppose you consider the _unless_ an impossibility?"
+
+"Indeed I do, mamma, so we will not talk about it;" and rising hastily
+as if to strengthen her determination, she seated herself at the piano,
+and commenced practising a somewhat difficult sonato of Beethoven's.
+
+The weeks passed away, and the morning of the 15th of July dawned in
+summer glory, giving a promise that for once St. Swithin would be
+propitious. There was a strange sense of happiness in Mary's heart as
+she entered the dining-room, and looked out upon the distant hills of
+Highgate and Harrow, which appeared almost transparent beneath the
+purple haze that rested upon them.
+
+The source of Mary's happiness was a slight one, it is true, but it
+augured better things, and was therefore tinted with the rainbow hues of
+hope. She had driven her puny carriage to the station the evening before
+to meet her father, who, having encountered Mr. Drummond on the
+platform, invited him to take a seat in the carriage as far as the
+Limes.
+
+The offer was accepted, and Mr. Drummond, quite unaware that he was
+touching on dangerous ground, remarked, as soon as the carriage
+started--
+
+"What a narrow escape from death that young man, Arthur Franklyn, has
+had! but he is so much better to-day, that they are going to remove him
+to the Isle of Wight on Tuesday or Wednesday. I am heartily glad of it,
+for the sake of those poor motherless children."
+
+"Yes, indeed, it would be a great burden and expense to their
+grandfather to have to provide for four children, which I suppose he can
+ill afford."
+
+"I don't know that, Armstrong, even if their father was not in a
+position to make provision for their maintenance. Of course it would add
+to his expenses, but not beyond his means. What made you think
+otherwise?"
+
+"Oh!" replied Mr. Armstrong, who already began to regret having offered
+his friend a lift, "well, schoolmasters are always poor as a rule, and
+in some cases half-educated; but," he continued hastily, "Dr. Halford is
+certainly an exception to the latter assumption."
+
+"Schoolmasters in provincial towns and villages are not as a rule men of
+education; it was especially so when we were boys," said Mr. Drummond,
+firing a shot at a venture, which made Mr. Armstrong wince; "but my
+friend Dr. Halford is also an exception to your first assertion. Why, he
+gave his daughter 1000_l._ on her wedding-day, and I know it has cost
+him nearly another thousand to educate his son for the Church."
+
+"Was not that a waste of money, if he intended him to be a schoolmaster
+as he now is?"
+
+"No, certainly not; with a university education, a man who has been
+accustomed from his boyhood to teaching and school routine is beyond all
+others most suitable to conduct a school. And besides," continued Mr.
+Drummond, "what are the head masters of Eton and Harrow, or Rugby, but
+schoolmasters and gentlemen? and how often have the masters of these
+schools been chosen for the office of bishop! and some eventually have
+attained to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury."
+
+"Well, I confess," said Mr. Armstrong, "I have been too much engrossed
+in business matters to acquire a knowledge of these particulars, and
+perhaps I have gained my ideas from my experience in youth, and from the
+general opinion of business men. The idea that a schoolmaster could give
+his daughter 1000_l._ on her wedding-day would have appeared to me years
+ago an impossibility."
+
+"There are hundreds of educated clever men who are as successful as Dr.
+Halford," replied Mr. Drummond, "and he only began with a small capital,
+left him at his father's death, and with the recommendation of the late
+Lord Rivers, father of his pupil, the present earl. He has good but not
+exorbitant terms, his boys are all of the better class, the family live
+in a comfortable but not extravagant style, and I know that the doctor's
+income, not net of course, has averaged from two to three thousand a
+year for many years."
+
+They were drawing near Lime Grove as Mr. Drummond spoke, and for a few
+moments silence ensued, then he remarked suddenly--
+
+"Setting aside the subject of schoolmasters, Armstrong, what do you
+think of our new curate?"
+
+In spite of the firmness with which Mary had restrained the inclination
+to glance at her father, who sat by her side during this conversation,
+she could not resist doing so now.
+
+The movement of the head was, however, unnoticed by her father, who,
+with all his foolish prejudices and stubborn will, had a keen sense of
+justice.
+
+His answer came, spontaneous and candid--
+
+"I consider Mr. Henry Halford a clever, intellectual, and gentlemanly
+young man, and one of the finest preachers and readers I ever heard in
+my life."
+
+"Well done, Armstrong, that is a testimony worth having, for you are a
+good judge, and so are the people of Kilburn, for the old church is
+filling tremendously; and now we are at your house. Thank you very much
+for this lift on the road."
+
+"Let Mary drive you home, Drummond," said her father as the gentleman
+alighted, "or Rowland can do so if you like," for Mary's old protector
+in childish rides is still Mr. Armstrong's groom.
+
+But Mr. Drummond refused. "No, no," he said, "I shall like the walk
+home, thank you, Miss Armstrong, all the same," for Mary sat still
+holding the reins, waiting for his decision.
+
+He assisted her to alight as he spoke, and then after a pleasant
+farewell Mr. Drummond turned towards home, and father and daughter
+entered the house.
+
+Mary went upstairs to her room to prepare for dinner, with sunshine at
+her heart. It had been pleasant to hear Mr. Drummond combat her father's
+opinions with so much energy, but what was that compared to his
+evidently truthful testimony respecting Henry Halford?
+
+How every word of that praise was echoed in her own heart! more
+especially because she knew that her father would not have uttered such
+an opinion in her presence had he not truly felt what he said.
+
+She had described the conversation and its delightful termination to her
+mother, who smiled, but said nothing either to damp her joy or encourage
+her hopes.
+
+But the word _unless_, and the remarks it occasioned, arose from what
+had passed between Mr. Drummond and her father on the preceding evening.
+
+On the morning of the day on which her uncle, aunt, and Cousin Herbert
+were expected, we left Mary standing at the window of the dining-room
+and looking out on the summer landscape, while waiting for the urn to
+make the tea and prepare breakfast as usual.
+
+During this meal the conversation naturally turned on their expected
+visitors, who had promised to remain till Monday or Tuesday.
+
+"They called at Dover Street yesterday," said Mr. Armstrong, "to give
+notice of their arrival, and to tell me not to expect them to-day till
+about four o'clock. They will drive down in the open carriage, for Helen
+says she means to explore the country with you, Maria; and the horses
+can travel farther than Mary's ponies."
+
+"Aunt Helen does not know the capabilities of my ponies," said Mary,
+laughing, "and three days will not give us time enough to do much. Poor
+old Boosey, he is quite discarded now; but he does not appear in the
+least jealous because the other horses work and he is allowed to be
+idle."
+
+"Very likely not," said Mr. Armstrong, laughing; "but he must expect to
+work all the harder when the boys come home."
+
+Mr. Armstrong rose at the sound of his horse's feet at the gate. He
+still at times rode Firefly to town; he could not part with the horse on
+which he had accompanied his daughter so often in her evening rides,
+although the railway, when Mary drove him to the station, was a great
+convenience.
+
+Mary's lively remarks about her ponies had produced a twinge of
+conscience in her father; her manner reminded him of olden times, before
+he had crushed her girlish hopes by refusing a young man of whom he knew
+nothing, and without any inquiries as to his family and position, also
+while under the influence of prejudices which Mr. Drummond had flung to
+the winds.
+
+These foolish prejudices had induced Mr. Armstrong to place his two
+elder boys at a public school, and Freddy with a lady who took little
+boys under ten. But Mr. Drummond's remarks had proved that there existed
+private schools, with masters equally clever and gentlemanly. He knew
+also that the bright looks and cheerful tones of his daughter arose from
+his clearly expressed opinion of Henry Halford the evening before.
+
+"I am afraid I shall have to give way at last," he said to himself as he
+rode slowly along the Kilburn Road; "but it will defeat all my schemes
+for my daughter's future. What a splendid match such a girl as she is
+might have made but for this unfortunate acquaintance with the son of a
+schoolmaster! However, the Herberts are coming by-and-by. I must get
+Helen to talk to Mary. Mrs. Herbert's mother was proud and ambitious
+enough about her daughters, and had I not had money"--and he paused as a
+memory arose, and then added, "and the love and gratitude of Maria St.
+Clair, I should have had but a poor chance."
+
+Such reflections as these always aroused conscience in Mr. Armstrong's
+heart. He loosened Firefly's bridle, and the spirited though
+well-trained animal started off at a trot towards town, scattering his
+rider's painful thoughts with every movement.
+
+But Mr. Armstrong's hopes of gaining allies in his wife's relations were
+very quickly crushed.
+
+When he returned home he found the colonel and his wife seated in the
+drawing-room with Mrs. Armstrong, and Mary walking round the garden with
+her cousin.
+
+"Come and show me the garden, Mary," had been the request of the captain
+after she had laughingly joked him on his large black whiskers and
+generally fierce appearance, and she had readily complied with his wish.
+
+"So you are not married yet, Mary," were his first words, as they stood
+for a moment on the steps leading into the garden to admire the
+prospect; "why, I heard such accounts from my mother of your conquests
+and splendid offers, that I almost expected to find my pretty cousin a
+duchess or at least a countess."
+
+"Oh, don't joke about these things, cousin Charles," she replied, with a
+flush on her face and a quivering lip, "you cannot think what pain it
+gave me to refuse these gentlemen who so kindly preferred me to others,
+but I could not have married any of them."
+
+Charles Herbert observed the flush and the trembling lip, and for a
+short distance they walked on in silence. "There is something hidden
+under all this," he said to himself; "my mother wont tell me anything,
+but I mean to find out."
+
+They continued their walk, now and then pausing to notice the beautiful
+flowers that bordered their path. Mary, who had quickly recovered
+herself, soon convinced her cousin that she knew more of botany than he
+did.
+
+They turned into a pleasant walk bordered with shrubs and overshadowed
+with trees, and reached the shrubbery.
+
+"Mary," said her cousin suddenly, "tell me the truth; I have a reason
+for asking; is Henry Halford at the bottom of all this indifference to
+wealth and position and that sort of thing?"
+
+Mary's eyes filled with tears; the presence of her cousin Charles had
+recalled to her memory the happy week at Oxford, and the reminiscences
+thus aroused were more than she could bear unmoved. She turned very
+pale, but she had no wish to disguise the truth from her cousin, the
+playmate of her childhood; and she said--
+
+"I will tell you the truth, Charles. Henry Halford wrote to papa, but I
+never saw the letter. Papa wrote a refusal without asking me, and I knew
+nothing of these letters till nearly a year afterwards."
+
+"Who told you then?"
+
+"Poor Mrs. Halford. She became paralysed and weak-minded after the death
+of her daughter, and used to be drawn about in an invalid-chair. One day
+when I was walking with mamma we met her, and then in some way she
+slipped it out. It was the very day that Captain Fraser called upon papa
+and asked him for me."
+
+"And was this the real cause of your refusing Captain Fraser?"
+
+"I could never have married him, Charlie," she said. "You know what he
+is; nor could I if he had been worth 50,000_l._ a year instead of
+twelve; so I should have refused him at all events; but hearing about
+Henry Halford's letter made me more decided. Oh, Charles, don't remind
+me of that time; I never saw papa so angry in my life, but I kept firm."
+
+"And this Mr. Halford--do you think he is still attached to you?"
+
+"I don't know; don't ask any more questions, Charlie. I'm sure I've told
+you quite enough." And Mary spoke with her usual vivacity: she had dried
+her tears and decked her face with smiles, but her cousin had touched
+upon too tender a string to be made the subject of cousinly
+conversation.
+
+The sound of the dinner-bell happened opportunely at this moment, and
+Charles entered the dining-room with his cousin on his arm, to receive a
+warm welcome from the uncle who had once saved him from a watery grave.
+
+The conversation at dinner turned upon Mrs. Herbert's recollections of
+her pleasant stay at Lady Elstone's on the shores of the Mediterranean,
+but she very quickly gave place to her son. Her recent visit to the
+Chateau de Lisle was not her first, but Charlie's description of Canada
+and its inhabitants had all the freshness of novelty, and was listened
+to with great interest.
+
+During dessert, however, as they sat trifling with the summer fruit, and
+enjoying the sweet evening breeze that fluttered the muslin window
+curtains, Charles made his first plunge.
+
+After what Mary had told him he had braced his nerves to expect an
+outburst of anger from his irascible uncle, but he knew Mary too well to
+fear a scene on her part.
+
+"So my friend Henry Halford is ordained, I hear," were the words that
+covered Mary's face with blushes, and threw a silence on every one
+present except Mr. Armstrong, who said with a flushed face and a look of
+contempt--
+
+"_Your_ friend, Charles? Ah, yes, I remember, I have been told you had
+that honour."
+
+"It has not been a constant or intimate friendship," he replied; "but I
+was a fellow-pupil with him at Dr. Mason's for two years while he was
+preparing for the university. I did not at first recognise him when we
+met at Oxford, but as the intimate associate of Horace Wilton I consider
+the friendship of such a man as Henry Halford a very high honour."
+
+There was a pause, during which Mrs. Armstrong would have given the
+signal for leaving the table, but she wished to hear what Charles had to
+say, and she did not fear an outbreak on the part of her husband in such
+company.
+
+"I have heard Charles speak of this young man while with Dr. Mason,"
+said the colonel; "he was then a youth of remarkable powers and
+intellectual tastes; his relations are neighbours of yours, Armstrong?"
+
+"Yes; father and son are schoolmasters," was the curt reply.
+
+Edward Armstrong, finding all his preconceived notions and objections
+slipping from under his feet, began to feel slightly irritable.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong saw it, and gave the signal, of which her sister and Mary
+very gladly availed themselves, leaving the three gentlemen alone.
+
+"There is nothing detrimental in a man of education filling the place of
+a schoolmaster," remarked the colonel, taking up the subject again after
+the ladies had left; "besides, this young man is now a clergyman, and
+admissible to the highest circles in the kingdom."
+
+"I've heard all that over and over again lately," replied Mr. Armstrong,
+quietly; the presence of his daughter had been the chief cause of his
+rising irritation. It appeared to him as if every one was endeavouring
+to counteract in her mind the mean opinion which he wished her to form
+of the man whom she placed in the way of her most brilliant offers.
+
+"The truth is, colonel," he continued, "I cannot deny the talents and
+other estimable qualities of this young parson; he is good-looking,
+gentlemanly, and a preacher of remarkable powers, but I cannot forgive
+him for aspiring to the hand of my daughter, and preventing her from
+marrying into a position which her talents, her education, and her
+personal attractions would obtain for her, independently of the
+15,000_l._ or 20,000_l._ I could give her as a marriage portion."
+
+"Well, if the young people like each other I'm very sorry for them,
+that's all I can say; however, you know your own affairs best,
+Armstrong, so we've nothing to object to on the matter."
+
+This acquiescence on the part of the straightforward old soldier did
+more to shake Mr. Armstrong's stubborn will than a large amount of
+opposition. The responsibility of securing his daughter's happiness or
+misery for life rested now on his own shoulders, and he shrunk from its
+weight; therefore when Charles ventured to say--
+
+"I suppose, uncle, you wont object to my going to church to-morrow to
+hear my friend preach?"
+
+"Of course not, my boy," was the reply, in a kind tone; "we attend the
+parish church regularly, where Mr. Halford is curate."
+
+"Not a very wise plan, I should imagine," said the colonel, "to allow a
+young girl to sit and listen to the eloquence of the man you wish her to
+despise and forsake, and to know also that crowds of hearers are brought
+to church to listen with breathless attention to the words of one who,
+because he is not rich, is to be set aside for those that are, however
+inferior in intellect or appearance."
+
+"I am inclined to think Mary has got over all her lovesick nonsense
+about this young man. I'm her father, and she has from a child been
+accustomed to give up her own wishes to mine; she has done so now, and
+therefore I have no hesitation in allowing her to attend the church,
+more especially as I know her religious feelings will enable her to
+forget the reader and preacher in his subject."
+
+The colonel changed the topic of conversation; these fallacious
+arguments of the self-willed, prejudiced man irritated him, and after a
+short time a summons to coffee took them into the drawing-room.
+
+Next day at church, after the morning service, Charles Herbert renewed
+his friendship with Henry Halford, the colonel and Mrs. Herbert also
+warmly recalling the pleasant visit at Oxford, and expressing their
+pleasure at meeting him again.
+
+Mr. Armstrong and Mary drew back after the distant bow which now formed
+their only recognition of Dr. Halford and his family, but Henry was only
+too glad to introduce his venerable father and his sister's children to
+his friend Charles Herbert and his parents.
+
+Mr. Armstrong led his daughter forward till they were joined by the
+colonel and his wife.
+
+"Charles is walking home with his friend," said Mrs. Herbert; "what a
+clever young man Mr. Halford is! I observed that he preaches
+extemporaneously."
+
+"There is no doubt of his cleverness," said Mr. Armstrong; and then they
+discussed the subject and manner of the discourse, as members of a
+congregation often do, without thinking of its application to
+themselves.
+
+Charles Herbert accompanied the family of Dr. Halford to Englefield
+Grange, and while talking to Henry about old days could not avoid a
+glance now and then at the tall, handsome, self-possessed girl who
+walked by her uncle's side.
+
+Henry pressed him to remain to an early dinner, but he excused himself
+on account of being a visitor at Lime Grove: however, he promised to
+call the next day, and after a friendly leave-taking turned away with
+rapid steps to join his relations, whom he overtook at a short distance
+from the garden entrance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+REPENTANCE.
+
+
+August at the seaside, its sultry sunbeams softened by a breeze from the
+ocean, bringing health and vigour to worn-out frames, calmness and
+relief to overworked brains, and rest to the toilers in the battlefield
+of life. There is peace in the movement of the rippling waves, peace
+even in the sound as they dash lazily on the shore, and a feeling of
+rest in the aspect of the calm, smooth water, when its flowing tide is
+scarcely perceptible, and boats with their white sails are mirrored in
+its depths.
+
+In the afternoon of a sultry day in August two gentlemen might be seen
+near the open window of a drawing-room in the Isle of Wight.
+
+One of them is lying on a couch drawn close to the window, his pale face
+and delicate features plainly denoting a state of convalescence after a
+severe attack of illness. The eyes are large and bright, and the hair
+after a growth of six weeks just covers the head. The hands are thin and
+delicate, and the whole appearance and attitude betoken great weakness.
+
+"Have you quite got over the fatigue of the journey, Arthur?" asks the
+other gentleman, in whom we recognise Henry Halford.
+
+"Yes, quite," was the reply; "I am not so weak as I appear, Henry; I
+walked on the beach for a long distance this morning, and that accounts
+for my languid condition now. How are the little ones?"
+
+"Quite well and happy, Arthur, and all send their love to papa and
+Clara. Where is she?"
+
+"I sent her out with the nurse, she is assiduous in her attentions to
+me, and I am obliged to enforce the necessity of a walk sometimes. Dear
+child, I used to fear she would grow up forward and pert as well as
+precocious. These troubles seem to have sobered her, yet it very much
+interferes with the formation of a girl's character when she looks so
+womanly at sixteen as Clara does."
+
+While Arthur Franklyn spoke, Henry could not avoid comparing the style
+of his present conversation to the light-hearted, jocular talk of olden
+times, proving that trouble had sobered the father as well as the
+daughter.
+
+"Shall I leave you to have a little nap before dinner, Arthur?" he said.
+
+"No, Henry, there are so many things on my mind that I wish to talk
+about, and you would answer no questions nor hear anything I had to say
+when we first arrived; but I have been here a week, and I feel so much
+stronger and better, there can be no possible objection now."
+
+"I am half-afraid to allow you to excite yourself, Arthur; would it not
+be wiser to wait another week?"
+
+"No, no, Henry, you cannot tell what a relief it will be to my mind to
+unburden my heart to you. We shall not be interrupted, for I desired
+nurse to keep Clara out till four o'clock; this anxiety retards my
+recovery."
+
+"Well, my dear fellow, if it will really help you to get well I am ready
+to listen and answer questions, but remember you are not to excite
+yourself;" and Henry Halford drew a chair near his brother-in-law's
+couch and seated himself to listen.
+
+"First then," said Arthur, "tell me one thing--did I rave about a carpet
+bag in my delirium?"
+
+"Well, yes," said Henry, wonderingly; "I suppose it must have fallen
+with you into the river."
+
+"Has it been found?"
+
+"It was not brought to Englefield Grange for weeks after your accident;
+the bag and its contents are in a terrible condition from the action of
+the water."
+
+"Were any papers amongst the _debris_?"
+
+"One, completely reduced to a pulp, the writing upon it scarcely
+legible; it appeared quite useless, so I burnt it!"
+
+"Thank God!" and Arthur as he spoke closed his eyes, and clasped his
+hands, showing that the words were not a mere commonplace expression,
+but came direct from the heart.
+
+Henry Halford looked at him in surprised silence. Presently Arthur
+startled him by rising suddenly and laying his hand on his brother's
+arm.
+
+"Henry," he said, "don't shrink from me with horror; on that paper which
+you have destroyed I had forged my dead wife's name after her death."
+
+"Arthur, my dear fellow," said Henry, "pray lie down and compose
+yourself; I feared you would get excited. If you will lie quiet for
+awhile we can talk about this paper by-and-by."
+
+"You think my brain is becoming disturbed again," said Arthur, lying
+back quietly at Henry's bidding, "but indeed I am telling you the truth.
+I have not yet dared to utter a word to anyone on the subject, and if
+you will not listen to me I must carry the burden with me to my grave."
+
+Quite convinced by the calm tones and the earnest words, Henry Halford
+placed his hand on the arm of his brother, and said, "Have you taken
+your burden to God, Arthur?"
+
+"Ah, that is what dear Fanny would have said; but how could I venture to
+take my trouble there, when it is caused by sin, and is therefore my
+just punishment?"
+
+"Arthur," said Henry, "while you were a boy at my father's school, did
+you not study your Bible sufficiently to know how ready God is to pardon
+and forgive?"
+
+"I have forgotten Him for years, Henry, and He left me to myself to
+fall. But let me tell you all the circumstances. That document in the
+carpet bag, if I had taken it to Australia and negotiated it there, as I
+quite intended to do, would have no doubt led to my conviction as a
+forger; I can see it now clearly, and I must have been mad at the time
+to suppose I could so act and escape. The truth is, I married my second
+wife under false pretences; she supposed I was well off, and yet I had
+no income, and my debts in Melbourne amounted to more than 1000_l._ I
+could not, therefore, make any inquiries about Louisa's power over her
+fortune, from a dread of questions from her friends about myself. After
+our marriage she gave into my hands a few hundred pounds which she had
+in the bank; but when I stated to her that I required more to obtain a
+partnership in a firm, I discovered that her property was invested in
+the power of trustees, one of whom resided in England. I gladly availed
+myself of the opportunity for bringing over my children to visit their
+mother's relations, and proposed that if Louisa would agree to advance
+me 2000_l._ we could obtain the signature of her trustee in Australia,
+and forward the document by mail to England, so as to be ready for
+completion when we arrived.
+
+"On the morning of poor Louisa's death all necessary arrangements had
+been made. Her trustee in England had signed the document, and her
+signature only in the presence of a witness was needed to complete it.
+Mr. Norton engaged to meet us at Englefield Grange on that evening to
+witness the signature, and you will remember he called, but I was unable
+even to speak to him."
+
+Henry silently assented, and Arthur went on. "I cannot describe to you
+the agonies of that night. The 2000_l._, part of which was to pay my
+debts, had slipped from my grasp; ruin to myself and my children stared
+me in the face. I had a little flask of brandy in my pocket, which we
+had brought with us on the journey. I am not accustomed to spirits, and
+the brandy I drank that night first exhilarated and then almost maddened
+me. In a kind of frenzy I sat for an hour imitating on scraps of paper
+Louisa's writing, and that of another, whose name I need not mention.
+And then, oh, Henry! I signed the two names on the document, and one of
+them was, to all appearance, the handwriting of the dead! During that
+dreadful week I kept up my courage with that fatal spirit. You all
+attributed my stupefied and callous manner to the shock of Louisa's
+death, and pitied and sympathised with me. I left you and came to
+London, with the determination to sail as quickly as possible to
+Australia, that I might obtain money on the deed, and turn it to account
+in some speculation which would enable me to refund the money and
+recover the document before it was sent to England. It was a wild
+scheme, such a one as Satan often uses to lead on his victims to their
+destruction. I can see that now; I was saved from farther sin by the
+accident, and painful as my punishment has been, I trust I am thankful
+for it."
+
+"But," said Henry, "why did you not carry the paper in your pocket
+book?"
+
+"Henry, I dared not risk it; I seemed to have the presentiment of an
+accident, and dreaded the discovery of the paper upon my person. When I
+found myself falling on that day of sorrows, and felt the carpet bag
+slip from my hand, I cannot describe my feelings; no wonder I raved
+about it in my delirium."
+
+"It is a most painful history," said Henry, after a pause, "and you may
+well be thankful for the accident which saved you from further sin, and
+perhaps disgrace. I need not ask whether you have repented, Arthur, for
+indeed your act was a breach of the laws both of God and man. It
+was----"
+
+"Don't hesitate, Henry, call it by its right name, 'forgery.' Truly,
+truly, have I repented in dust and ashes, and I can say like David, 'I
+abhor myself.'"
+
+"Dear Arthur," said the young clergyman, as he saw the tears of real
+contrition stealing down the cheeks of his brother-in-law, "if such is
+your repentance, you can continue to use David's words in the Psalm,
+'Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken
+may rejoice.'"
+
+Henry Halford rose as he spoke, and gave the invalid a portion of the
+mixture which stood on the table, and after awhile Arthur revived, and
+could listen calmly to another subject.
+
+"If you wish to relieve your mind still farther of all anxiety, Arthur,"
+said his brother-in-law presently, "I have some letters in my pocket
+addressed to you. Would you like to open them? they may contain good
+news."
+
+"Yes, oh yes; where are they?" he exclaimed eagerly.
+
+Henry drew from his pocket three letters, and placing one in Arthur's
+hand, said--
+
+"Suppose you begin with that, Arthur."
+
+The invalid took the letter and opened it, Henry watching his
+countenance half in fear as he saw the flush and look of astonishment,
+and the rapid glance over its contents; but then laying it down he
+closed his eyes, as if unable to understand what he had read.
+
+"Henry," he said presently, "read it to me; it is incomprehensible."
+
+"No, Arthur, not quite," he replied, as he took up the letter; "and
+perhaps I can enlighten you. Mr. Norton called upon me a few days ago,
+and stated that the trustees had come to a decision respecting the
+payment of some money which you would have received had your wife lived,
+and have only been waiting for the consent of all parties. Mr. Norton
+wished me to inform you of their intention, but I advised him to write
+to you on the subject. He has done so, and this is the letter.
+
+"Read it, Henry, read it; God has been too good to me in the midst of
+all my sinful conduct if the contents of that letter are true."
+
+"He is wont to give us more than even we desire or deserve," said Henry,
+as he opened the letter.
+
+     "Lincoln's Inn, Aug. 12th, 18--.
+
+     "MY DEAR SIR,--I am desired by the trustees of the late Mrs.
+     Louisa Franklyn's property to express their deep sympathy with
+     you in the great loss you have sustained by her death, and also
+     their hopes that you are recovering from the serious illness
+     which has followed your accident.
+
+     "With respect to a deed which was not completed by Mrs.
+     Franklyn at the time of her lamented death, I am directed to
+     state that, in consequence of a certain clause in the will of
+     the late Mr. Howard, your late wife's first husband, you are
+     not entitled to claim any of her property, the heir-at-law
+     being Mr. William Lynn Howard, the testator's nephew.
+
+     "In consideration of these circumstances the trustees of the
+     late Mrs. Franklyn are willing, with the consent of Mr. William
+     Lynn Howard, to make over to you the 2000_l._ which you could
+     have legally claimed had Mrs. Franklyn lived a few hours longer
+     to complete the legal document which only required her
+     witnessed signature.
+
+     "On receipt of your reply accepting this proposal, the
+     necessary papers will be forwarded for your signature.
+
+     "I remain, dear sir, faithfully yours,
+
+     "E. NORTON."
+
+For a time there was silence between the two men, each being too much
+overcome to speak. At length Arthur Franklyn exclaimed--
+
+"Oh, Henry, if I had only confided my circumstances to you, and waited
+and trusted, I might have been spared the recollection of this dreadful
+fall from rectitude and honour, which will leave a blot on my conscience
+to the end of my days."
+
+"Then it will serve as a beacon and a warning to you in your future
+career, Arthur; when tempted and tried you will remember what this
+downfall has cost you, and with less confidence in yourself you will
+have to look to the 'Strong for strength.'"
+
+"And yet, Henry, I would give worlds to recall the past two months. Oh,
+if I had only waited!"
+
+"There is nothing more trying to the Christian in his path through life
+than being required to wait. 'Stand still' was the command of God to the
+Israelites when the Red Sea stretched before them, the mountains on
+either side, and Pharaoh's host was behind them. And in one place the
+prophet exclaims, 'Our strength is to sit still.' We often forget the
+truth of the poet's words, 'They also serve who only stand and wait.'"
+
+"Henry," exclaimed Arthur presently, "mine has been a frivolous, useless
+life. I seem to have forgotten all the teachings of your dear mother in
+my boyhood, but they are coming back to me now. Is there not a verse in
+the Psalms about waiting? My dear lost Fanny would often remind me of
+it, when instead of waiting patiently for steady success in any
+undertaking, I put it aside and commenced something else. She would call
+it 'making haste to be rich.' O Henry, since my illness the memory of my
+carelessness about dear Fanny's health has caused me hours of bitter
+remorse."
+
+"You must not indulge any longer in self-reproach, Arthur; it can do no
+good to recall the past excepting as a warning for the future, and
+mental anxiety will retard your recovery. The last two months have been
+very dark, but we must remember the Indian proverb, 'The darkest part of
+the night is just before the dawn.'"
+
+"What is the text in the Psalms about waiting, Henry?"
+
+"It occurs in the thirty-seventh--'Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently
+for Him; He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.' And now you
+must try and sleep for a while till dinner is ready, and in the evening
+I will write a letter for you to Mr. Norton, and you can sign it."
+
+Arthur obeyed; the conversation and the letter had produced excitement,
+and great exhaustion was the result. Henry sat and watched him till he
+fell into a calm and peaceful sleep, to which he had for months been a
+stranger.
+
+A quiet step, a gentle movement, and as the door slowly opened Clara
+Franklyn appeared. Her uncle placed his finger on his lips and pointed
+to the couch. The womanly girl understood, and withdrew as noiselessly
+as she had entered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+A PANIC IN THE CITY.
+
+
+Autumn of the year which had proved so full of changes to Arthur
+Franklyn passed into winter, and frost and snow ushered in the time when
+the angels sang their holy song of "Peace and goodwill to all men."
+
+The red breast of the robin and the holly berries gleamed brighten the
+glistening snow, and the joyous notes of the sociable bird sounded clear
+and melodious through the keen frosty air, heralding the birth of
+another year. Winter gave place to the gentle and balmy air of spring,
+and April found Mary Armstrong revelling in the country delights at
+Meadow Farm, when the "sound of the singing of birds has come, and the
+voice of the turtle is heard in the land."
+
+With all the firm will and patient endurance of Mary's character she had
+not a constitution of iron. The alternation of hopes and fears, caused
+by the various opinions expressed by others in opposition to her father
+respecting Mr. Halford's family, were at last more than she could bear.
+
+Had the young people been entirely separated, Mary had strength of
+character sufficient to school her heart to forget Henry Halford. But
+Sunday after Sunday to have to recognise each other as mere distant
+acquaintance, and to be required to sit and listen to him with
+indifference, while others were never tired of showing or expressing
+their admiration of the talented young clergyman, was indeed an act of
+positive cruelty on the part of her father to which he seemed quite
+oblivious.
+
+Mary appeared as submissive now as to his wishes in the past. She was
+loving and attentive as usual to his requests and his comforts, at times
+even gay and cheerful, and always contented. She might be a little
+changed, as cousin Sarah said; but what of that? She was a woman now,
+and not a child. Why should he notice such whims and fancies? So
+reasoned Mr. Armstrong. But this strain on the nerves could not last.
+One evening during dessert she suddenly fell back in her chair and
+fainted away. Then Mr. Armstrong was aroused to a sense of danger. Dr.
+West's opinion carried the day.
+
+"Send your daughter into the country for a month, she wants change of
+air and scene; there is nothing the matter with her yet to cause alarm.
+Has she anything on her mind, friend Armstrong?" added the doctor,
+significantly.
+
+"Some silly love affair, I suppose you mean," was the reply; "my
+daughter, Dr. West, is above giving way to such nonsense."
+
+"Possibly so," said Dr. West; "I know Miss Armstrong well enough to
+understand that she possesses a strong amount of self-control; but, my
+dear sir, a young girl's nerves are not iron, so the sooner you send her
+into the country the better."
+
+The proposal that she should pay a visit to cousin Sarah was hailed with
+such delight by Mary, that her father could not help saying to himself--
+
+"I hope Sarah will not encourage any nonsensical talk about this young
+parson who seems to be turning the heads of all the young people in the
+parish, and the old ones too."
+
+But other circumstances were occurring at the time our chapter commences
+which drew Mr. Armstrong's thoughts from his daughter's health to
+matters, in his opinion, of equal importance.
+
+He had an office in the city now, as well as in Dover Street, and went
+more frequently to the former. One morning, when Mary had been absent a
+week, he was met on his arrival at the office by his head clerk with a
+very rueful face.
+
+"Have you heard, sir, what has happened?" he asked.
+
+"No," was the hasty reply; "I've not seen the _Times_ yet. Is there
+anything serious, Wilson?"
+
+"I'm afraid it is, sir; Overton and Boyd have stopped payment."
+
+Mr. Armstrong sank back into his chair as if a thunderbolt had fallen at
+his feet, while every vestige of colour forsook his cheeks.
+
+"I am sorry I told you so suddenly, sir," said Mr. Wilson; "will it
+affect you very greatly?"
+
+Mr. Armstrong, though for a moment surprised out of his usual
+self-possession, quickly recovered himself and said, "Not to cause me
+any serious injury; Wilson, but I have several thousands in the hands of
+these bankers, and that is too much to lose."
+
+"Indeed it is, sir; but perhaps the reports have been exaggerated, and
+there may be an official letter amongst your correspondence explaining
+matters more correctly."
+
+Mr. Armstrong turned to his letters.
+
+"All right, Wilson, I daresay there is; don't wait, I'll call you if I
+find that any letters require attention."
+
+Left to himself, Mr. Armstrong quickly opened letter after letter. Yes,
+there it was, from Overton and Boyd. Obliged from a sharp run on the
+bank to suspend payment; hoped to be able to recover themselves in a few
+days, and so on.
+
+Edward Armstrong laid the notice on one side, looked over his other
+letters, wrote a few particulars on each, then sounded the gong for Mr.
+Wilson, who quickly made his appearance.
+
+"Answer these letters, Wilson," he said; "two or three have evidently
+heard of this stoppage, and are alarmed for the safety of their money. I
+have written cheques to the amount of the debts of these parties, which
+you can enclose to them."
+
+The clerk took the letters and left the room, and then Mr. Armstrong put
+on his hat and went out to ascertain the effect of this stoppage of
+Overton and Boyd on the corn exchange and elsewhere.
+
+During the day many persons looked in at the office to ask the opinion
+of Mr. Armstrong, and to give him details of the present and probable
+consequences likely to result from this disastrous bank failure. Before
+the hour came for closing the office it was evident that a panic had
+arisen in the City, threatening destruction and ruin to more than one
+long-established house of business.
+
+Mr. Armstrong, as he entered his splendidly furnished house at Kilburn,
+felt thankful for the absence of his daughter. At the same time he
+hastened to his dressing-room, anxious to remove, if possible, the pale
+and haggard look of his face before meeting his wife at dinner.
+
+But the quick eye of affection was not to be deceived. Mrs. Armstrong
+waited till the dinner was removed, and the wine and dessert placed on
+the table.
+
+The April evenings were cold enough for a fire, and the wife, whose
+mental powers her husband considered so inferior, soon proved herself a
+true comforter.
+
+"Come and sit by the fire, Edward," she said, placing a tempting
+arm-chair near it; "you look anxious, dearest, has anything happened in
+the City to trouble you?"
+
+"I do not wish to annoy you with business matters, darling," was the
+reply; "go and make yourself comfortable in the drawing-room, I will
+come to you presently;" and her husband as he spoke placed his elbows on
+the table and rested his forehead on his hands.
+
+Mrs. Armstrong rose and advanced to where her husband sat; placing her
+arm across his shoulders she said--
+
+"Edward, I am sure there is something wrong. I know I am not clever
+enough to advise you in business matters, but if you will only tell me
+what grieves you it will lose half its bitterness and relieve your
+mind."
+
+"Maria my dearest wife," said Edward Armstrong, rising and throwing
+himself into the easy-chair she had placed for him, "my troubles are
+about money; do you care to hear about them?"
+
+"I care to hear anything," she said, "if telling me will relieve your
+mind."
+
+"Then I will tell you the worst at once. Overton and Boyd have stopped
+payment, and the 20,000_l._ which I placed with them was to have been
+Mary's marriage portion."
+
+"And will she lose it all?"
+
+"I fear so. The bank talk of recovering themselves, but I doubt if they
+will."
+
+"Do you think this will trouble Mary?"
+
+"I cannot say; at all events it will interfere with her future
+prospects. She will have nothing but the 1000_l._ left by her
+grandfather. What man worth anything would marry her with that paltry
+sum for a marriage portion?"
+
+"You married me with less, Edward, and Mary is quite as attractive as I
+was, and I know one to whom Mary's little dowry of a thousand pounds
+would be a fortune."
+
+Mr. Armstrong did not reply, and his wife, thinking she had said enough,
+rose and left him to himself.
+
+No greater trial could have happened to this man than the loss of money.
+Year after year his wealth had increased; loss, at least to any great
+amount, had been unknown to him. Arrogance, ambition, self-sufficiency,
+and pride had grown with his growing wealth. His ambitious schemes for
+his daughter had more of the ostentatious display of wealth than
+paternal love. And now--now when he had treated with scorn the offer of
+the young schoolmaster--now she had nothing for her dowry beyond a
+paltry 1000_l._;--he had no hope that Overton and Boyd would recover
+themselves. He could not, without some injury to his business, draw out
+another 20,000_l._ for his daughter's marriage portion; and was it
+likely, even if he gave his consent, that the young parson would be
+anxious to marry his daughter with not more for her dowry than the young
+man's sister had taken to her husband? No, it was out of the question.
+So admired, so flattered and sought after, as the young curate of
+Kilburn undoubtedly was, Mary with her paltry thousand pounds would
+stand a poor chance.
+
+So reasoned the money-getting man of the world, while the deepest
+mortification added poignancy to the loss he had sustained.
+
+"I can never give my consent now," he said to himself; "indeed, it will
+never be asked when the loss I have met with is known. So hard as I have
+worked all my life to enable me to purchase a position for my only
+daughter, and this is the end!"
+
+And yet this 20,000_l._ was to Edward Armstrong but as a mere bauble
+compared to the wealth which he really possessed. A love of money, a
+thirst for wealth, grows upon the man of riches, till like the
+horse-leech he cries "Give, give," and is never satisfied.
+
+The days of that anxious week passed away, but still the panic in the
+City gained ground. One firm after another sunk under the crash. Only
+men of ample means such as Mr. Armstrong could battle with the waves and
+weather the storm, but even he had great difficulty in doing so.
+
+Reports spread respecting his losses, which, however, in the City did
+not injure his credit. Westward their influence was felt with greater
+results.
+
+He usually rode Firefly when proceeding to his office in Dover Street,
+and on more than one occasion he had encountered those who had either
+asked him for the hand of his daughter or courted his acquaintance. Now
+they passed him by with scarcely a recognition. And so the time passed
+on, till one morning about a fortnight after the reports that Overton
+and Boyd had stopped payment.
+
+The affair had exceeded the time of the proverbial "nine days' wonder,"
+and it was only in the City or to those deeply interested that the good
+news became really known. Overton and Boyd had recovered from the shock,
+and were ready to meet all demands.
+
+Mary's fortune was safe, but the alarm and the changed manners of his
+sunshine friends had taught her father a deep lesson. When the notice
+arrived he was alone in the private room of his office in Dover Street.
+He had been schooling himself to endure the loss of money and friends
+patiently. More than once during that terrible fortnight the words he
+had heard read by his father sounded in his ears, "Riches make
+themselves wings; they fly away;" "The love of money is the root of all
+evil." And now the certainty that he had, after all, lost nothing,
+caused a revulsion of feeling scarcely endurable.
+
+He sat for some time resting his head on his hands, and his elbows on
+the table, absorbed in thought.
+
+"Those sunshine friends," he said to himself, "who turned their backs
+upon the corn merchant when they thought he was poor, shall never know
+that my position is unaltered. And these are the men to either of whom I
+would have given my cherished daughter! My losses are known at Kilburn,
+no doubt, and the schoolmaster and his son are of course congratulating
+themselves on the escape of the latter." And as Edward Armstrong thus
+thought there passed over his mind recollections of the holy truths, tho
+Christian principles, and the first sermon from 1st Cor. xiii. 13: "The
+greatest of these is charity," which he had heard from the lips of the
+schoolmaster's son.
+
+Was he different from these sunshine friends? could he possibly love his
+daughter still, when, as was supposed, not only her fortune, but great
+part of her father's wealth had disappeared with the commercial crash?
+
+It was impossible, he could not believe it. True, he had done so
+himself, but then it was under most peculiar circumstances. There was
+nothing of romance in the commencement of the acquaintance which had
+arisen between young Halford and his daughter. Should he try him? should
+he endeavour to find out whether it was money or Mary herself that he
+sought for? Yes, he would do it, and if he proved that the latter alone
+had actuated him to write that letter after Mary's visit to Oxford, then
+he should have the 20,000_l._ after all.
+
+"Poor darling," he said to himself, as he thought of her patient
+endurance and filial obedience, "she had nearly lost all I could give
+her. It is not too late to make amends, at least if the young parson is
+really worthy of such a superior and accomplished girl as my daughter.
+Better secure the 20,000_l._ to her at once than risk its loss
+by-and-by."
+
+Edward Armstrong had been roused from a false security in riches by a
+prospect of their loss. He felt that he had been like the man in the
+parable, who had said, "I will pull down my barns, and build
+greater;--soul take thine ease."
+
+But from this he had been painfully aroused; he would endeavour to
+discover whether the young people cared for each other still. The
+glamour which the acquisition of wealth had thrown around the man of
+business was removed. His ambition now appeared as mockery, his pride a
+disgrace, and his conduct to his daughter refined cruelty. Well may the
+awakening of the human heart from the influence of the god of this
+world, who blinds the eyes of his votaries, be called in the Bible,
+"arising from the dead."
+
+Time passed on, and Mrs. Armstrong received a letter from Mary
+expressing a wish to return home the following week. "Something must be
+done quickly if done at all," said Mr. Armstrong to himself as Rowland
+drove him to the station in Mary's pony carriage on that morning. Not
+even to Mrs. Armstrong had he given a hint of his intentions.
+
+During the day he received from the bank additional assurances that the
+money in their possession was safe. Owing to the delay in the settlement
+in some matter of business he left his office in the City rather later
+than usual, and arrived on the platform of the station at Euston Square
+just as the train was about to start. A porter rushed forward, opened a
+first-class carriage, and assisted him to enter, even as the guard's
+whistle sounded and the train moved.
+
+Mr. Armstrong, without noticing whether any other passengers were in the
+carriage, seated himself next the door, feeling rather disturbed and out
+of breath from his hasty movements. After wiping his face with his
+pocket-handkerchief, for the April day was rather warm, he raised his
+head and faced the only passenger in the carriage beside himself, who
+sat directly opposite to him.
+
+A sudden flush rose to his brow almost as vivid as that which had
+covered the face of his fellow-passenger at Mr. Armstrong's entrance.
+
+A bow of recognition was followed by a start of surprise, as Mr.
+Armstrong held out his hand and said, "Allow me to shake hands with you,
+Mr. Halford, once more, for the sake of old acquaintance." Henry became
+pale with surprise; what could it mean? It was a moral impossibility for
+him to resent the pride and neglect of the past three years in the
+father of Mary Armstrong, yet he was too completely puzzled to feel at
+his ease.
+
+Mr. Armstrong, however, asked so many questions respecting Arthur
+Franklyn and the young people his children, with such real interest and
+kindness, that he very soon found himself quite at home with a gentleman
+who could, if he liked, make himself so agreeable. This train started
+from Euston at the same hour as the one in which poor Mrs. Franklyn had
+travelled on that fatal afternoon, and did not stop till it reached
+Kilburn; Mr. Armstrong knew therefore that he and his companion would be
+alone the whole way. Still there was no time to lose, and yet Mr.
+Armstrong scarcely knew how to commence the subject for which there now
+seemed such an excellent opportunity. At last he said, "You have missed
+my daughter from church, Mr. Halford, I daresay?"
+
+"I have done so," he replied: "I hope Miss Armstrong is well;" and his
+companion detected a want of steadiness in the voice when he spoke, for
+in very truth Mary's non-appearance had made him anxious.
+
+"She was quite well when we heard from her last. She has been away for
+change of air, which Dr. West thought she required, at my old home in
+Hampshire with Mrs. John Armstrong, whom I think you met last summer."
+
+"I had great pleasure in making the acquaintance of that lady," said
+Henry; "she spoke of persons and places connected with my father's early
+days which greatly interested me."
+
+"Yes, so she told me;" and Mr. Armstrong glancing from the window saw
+that they were nearing the station.
+
+"Mr. Halford," he exclaimed suddenly, "forgive me for being so abrupt,
+but you once asked me for the hand of my daughter; are you still of the
+same mind on the subject?"
+
+Astonishment, perplexity, added to a thrill of hope, for a few moments
+deprived Henry Halford of the power of speech; at last he said in a tone
+of deep feeling--
+
+"Mr. Armstrong, nothing could ever change the love I bear for your
+daughter."
+
+"My dear young friend," said the father, who noticed the painful
+excitement under which he spoke, "believe me I do not ask from idle
+curiosity; if my daughter is willing to listen to your proposals now I
+will not say you nay, and you are at liberty to write and ask her. The
+address is Meadow Farm, near Basingstoke."
+
+"I know not how to reply to you, Mr. Armstrong," said Henry, "but will
+you allow me to say that in my regard for Miss Armstrong I am not
+influenced by hopes of obtaining her fortune, which I hear is
+considerable?"
+
+Mr. Armstrong placed his hand on the arm of the young clergyman, and
+said--
+
+"Have you heard the rumour of my great losses, Mr. Halford?"
+
+"I have heard something to that effect," he replied, "and I could almost
+wish to find it true, that I might prove my love for your daughter."
+
+"Well, well, these reports are not _all_ true; just write to Mary, and
+then we can talk about the other matter by-and-by. And here we are at
+the station; shall I offer you a seat in the pony carriage? it is no
+doubt waiting for me."
+
+But after this exciting interview Henry wanted to be alone; he
+accompanied Mr. Armstrong to the station entrance, and then after a warm
+hand-clasp the two whom money had hitherto separated, parted as close
+friends.
+
+That evening, when Mr. Armstrong joined his wife in the drawing-room, he
+seated himself in his easy-chair, took up the _Times_, and appeared for
+a few minutes deep in its columns.
+
+Presently he looked over the top of the paper and said, "I met young
+Halford in the railway carriage this afternoon, Maria, and I told him he
+might write to Mary if he liked."
+
+"Edward! is it possible?" was the astonished reply.
+
+"Is what possible?" he asked; "I suppose you thought it was impossible
+for me to change my opinion, but for once, dear wife, you are wrong; I
+have learnt the lesson lately that riches can take to themselves wings
+and fly away. In fact, I wanted an excuse to change my mind about that
+young parson long ago, but pride kept me back from doing him justice
+till now. I suppose there is no likelihood that Mary will refuse him
+after all, Maria? I should be sorry to expose the young man to such a
+result."
+
+"I do not think Mary is so likely to change her opinion as her father,"
+said Mrs. Armstrong, with a smile; "besides, she has right on her side."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+GIPSY DORA.
+
+
+At some little distance from Englefield, in a contrary direction to
+Meadow Farm, and closely bordering on Berkshire, can be seen from the
+railway a picturesque town situated on a hill, overlooking a river.
+
+This part of Hampshire, lying to the north-east, is more varied by hill
+and dale, wood and glen, than the low-lying ground near the Channel, and
+not far distant from the rich and picturesque country which surrounds
+Farnham, in Surrey. Odiham Castle stands on a hill in the neighbourhood,
+and at a little distance the ruins of an old keep, called King John's
+house. Odiham Castle was used as a prison in the time of Edward III.;
+and David of Scotland, who was taken prisoner by Queen Philippa at
+Neville's Cross, while Edward laid siege to Calais, was for eleven years
+imprisoned in this castle.
+
+The town of Briarsleigh overlooks from its high situation woods and
+meadows, and the extensively cultivated estates and parks of more than
+one nobleman's seat. It is built on a kind of high table-land, along
+which the old coach road runs for miles in both directions with only an
+occasional dip. At one end of the town, however, a steep winding lane
+leads down to the river.
+
+The town itself has nothing to boast of beyond the old-fashioned church,
+which once formed part of a priory, built in the time of Henry I. Its
+square tower surmounted by a small steeple and a vane, can be
+distinguished for miles. The town hall, the modern literary institution,
+one or two Dissenting chapels, and the High Street, with its principal
+shops, differ very little from those of other similar market towns.
+
+Its principal wealth arises from its agriculture, and the farms in the
+vicinity are remarkable for their rich pastures and produce. A stranger
+arriving at the entrance to Briarsleigh on a spring evening, with the
+sunset bathing the landscape in a golden misty sheen, would pause to
+gaze on a scene so fair; but on the evening of which we write, the
+bright landscape and the glowing sunset were unnoticed by the
+inhabitants of Briarsleigh Rectory. The lowered blinds, the stillness,
+and the absence of any living object near the picturesque building, told
+too plainly that it was the abode of death. Presently might be seen
+ascending the hilly lane towards the spot on which the church stood two
+men, evidently respectable farmers, who had stayed later than usual in
+the town on this the market day at Briarsleigh.
+
+As they approached the house, a glance at its quiet aspect and lowered
+blinds diverted the thoughts of one from money and the market, and he
+exclaimed--
+
+"So the old rector is gone at last, Martin."
+
+"Eh! is he? How do you know?"
+
+"Why, look, the blinds are down; besides I heard of his death two hours
+ago in the town."
+
+"Ah, well, it's what we must all come to one day, and rector has lived
+out his time; why he must have been fourscore at least."
+
+"Eighty-six, so they say," replied Martin, "and I believe it, too; for I
+can remember him all my life nearly, and that's forty year."
+
+"Has he been rector of Briarsleigh so long as that?" asked the other.
+
+"Ay, that he have, and a kind good parson he's been too. Lord Rivers
+gave him this living a'most the first thing he did when he come to the
+estate at the old lord's death, and that was afore I was born."
+
+"I'm afeard we shan't get such another as Parson Wentworth, whoever it
+may be."
+
+"Well, he wasn't much of a preacher in his best days," was the reply,
+"and the curate ain't much better, though he's a good young man, but his
+sermons send me to sleep. You know there's lots of us go to the Wesleyan
+chapel; you can hear sermons there that wake a man up, and no mistake,
+though I like the Church prayers best, I'll own that."
+
+"I've been to them Wesleyans once or twice, and what their parson said
+was very fine, but he made too much noise about it; and I don't like
+their ways and their singing nohow."
+
+"Well, I like Church ways best too, and I assure you, Martin, it's made
+me quite miserable lately when I've been at church to see such a lot of
+empty pews. Why, if it hadn't been for my lord's family, and the
+servants and labourers from Englefield, there wouldn't have been
+twenty-five people in the church."
+
+"Yes, I know, and that's why I sticks to it. I'm only one, but if I go,
+my wife and the children goes too, and so we make up half a dozen
+amongst us. Poor old parson, the poor'll miss him, sure enough."
+
+"Well, Martin," replied his companion, whose education as well as the
+number of his farm acres surpassed greatly those of his neighbour, "we
+must hope that if the new parson gets the people back to the church, he
+will be kind to his poor parishioners also."
+
+And then as farmer Martin turned into his own gate, his companion left
+him with a friendly farewell, and stepped on quickly towards his own
+home, which, though the neighbouring farm, was at least a quarter of a
+mile farther by the road.
+
+From the rectory of Briarsleigh with its shrouded windows, and the
+homely conversation of two of the parishioners, we must lead the reader
+to a far different scene.
+
+On the evening of the second day after the death of the rector of
+Briarsleigh, a family party were seated at dinner in the dining-room at
+Englefield, to which we have introduced the reader in a former chapter.
+
+Of the five persons then seated at breakfast, two only are present now,
+Lord Rivers and his youngest daughter, Lady Dora, now Lady Dora Lennard.
+Lady Mary Woodville, who has married a Scotch nobleman, inherits her
+mother's delicate constitution, and seldom visits Englefield. And that
+mother, Lady Rivers, whose gentle loving character had endeared her not
+only to her husband and children, but also to the lowliest worker on the
+estate, has passed away from earth. Even now, after ten years, the
+memory of the gentle lady lives in the hearts of those who could claim
+no nearer tie to her than that of friend or servant.
+
+Lord Woodville, the heir, is in London with his brother-in-law, Sir
+William Lennard, and thither his father and sister purpose following him
+on the morrow. A few intimate friends and relatives by marriage are
+present on this occasion, making a pleasant gathering of eight.
+
+Lady Dora is seated at the head of the table, opposite to the earl. She
+has the same bright dark eyes and brunette complexion which made her
+brother Robert once call her a gipsy. The face and form have a matronly
+dignity and appearance very different from the lively girl of seventeen
+who was so interested in the marriage of Fanny Franklyn; but the change
+is a decided improvement, and at thirty-three Lady Dora Lennard is a
+very handsome woman.
+
+And the earl has changed since he paid a congratulatory visit to his old
+tutor on the marriage of his daughter; his hair is white as snow, but
+his eyes have lost none of their dark lustre, and the finely cut
+features still preserve their delicate outline, and even at the age of
+sixty his form has lost none of its stately bearing.
+
+The dinner has been removed, and the dessert in its rich and delicate
+china of green and gold has been placed on the table. The wine-glasses,
+finger-glasses, and decanters; the silver knives and forks, the polished
+damask of the tablecloth, and the prisms of the chandelier drops above
+it, glitter and sparkle in the light of many wax tapers. In that sombre
+yet noble room, with its carved oak panellings, its many and richly
+draped windows, chairs of mahogany and ebony, and a thick handsome
+carpet, beyond the bordering of which appears the oaken floor; the
+dinner-table, the dresses of the ladies, and the men-servants in their
+gay livery, form a dazzling spot of brightness by contrast.
+
+It would seem as if nothing could enhance that brightness, yet a few
+moments proved the contrary. The door opened, and three children entered
+the room--a girl of twelve, a boy of ten, and a little one of six, who
+escaping from the hand of her nurse, and disregarding her elder sister's
+remonstrance, bounded across the room to the side of grandpapa.
+
+"Well, Gipsy," said the earl, as he lifted the little girl on his knee,
+"who sent for you?"
+
+"Mamma did," she replied; and then added quickly, "Grandpapa, I'm not a
+gipsy; I saw real gipsies to-day, and they are ugly; they wear red
+cloaks and old frocks, and the little girl gipsies have no shoes or
+stockings. I don't be dressed like that."
+
+A general laugh followed this speech; most certainly the little fairy in
+white lace, blue morocco shoes, and silk socks was very unlike the
+children she described, at least in dress. But well might she claim the
+pet title of "Gipsy Dora." The dark flashing eye, softened by its long
+eyelashes; the clear brunette complexion, through which the damask rose
+colour showed itself on the glowing cheek, and the long dark brown curls
+that fell round her dimpled shoulders, made her far more deserving of
+the name than her mother had ever been.
+
+The sisters were dressed alike, but May, the elder, differed greatly
+from Dora in appearance; tall and slight, with blue eyes and fair hair,
+her gentle manner and delicate face showed a striking resemblance to the
+late Lady Rivers. The boy, who stood by his mother, his blue velvet
+tunic contrasting with her light silk dress, appeared a manly, spirited
+little fellow, yet neither so gipsy-like as one sister nor so fair as
+the other. So far as the change of conversation is concerned, we need
+only have introduced Gipsy Dora, excepting to add brightness to the
+picture in the earl's noble dining-room, which children on such
+occasions so often do.
+
+"Papa," said Lady Dora, presently, "talking about gipsies reminds me of
+that morning so many years ago, when I read the notice of Miss Halford's
+marriage in the paper at Englefield Grange, and you gave me an imaginary
+cause for the origin of the word Englefield."
+
+Lord Rivers smiled, but he did not reply.
+
+"What was it, Rivers?" exclaimed an old squire, who with his wife and
+daughter were guests at the table. "I have often wondered myself at the
+singular title."
+
+"Most likely from Engle, or angle, a corner," said the earl, demurely,
+"the corner of a field being no doubt the earliest possession of my
+ancestors."
+
+"Papa, that is worse than your other definition," cried his daughter;
+and then with her usual vivacity she related the conversation in which
+Lord Rivers had suggested that his family were descended from the
+gipsies.
+
+"At all events, Mary and Willie are not gipsies," said the earl,
+quietly.
+
+He was thinking of the other subject referred to by his daughter--the
+marriage of Fanny Halford; and while those round the table were
+discussing the gipsy question with Lady Dora, his memory recalled the
+sad events that had occurred since that time in his own family, as well
+as in that of his old tutor. Many years had passed after the visit of
+congratulation which he had paid to the residents at Englefield Grange
+on the occasion of Fanny's marriage, before the earl visited Dr. Halford
+a second time. The health of Lady Rivers had rendered it necessary for
+her to reside in the south of France for years before her death, and on
+the return of Lord Rivers to England after that sad event he could not
+for a long period visit the friends of his youth who so well remembered
+the fair, gentle lady who became the earl's bride. He answered Dr.
+Halford's sympathising letter, but it was not till he read in the
+_Times_ the notice of Fanny Franklyn's death that he visited his old
+tutor again, and witnessed with sincere regret the effects of sorrow in
+the change and wreck of the friend of his boyhood, Clara Marston.
+
+Henry Halford was on this occasion absent at Oxford, and the earl
+renewed his promise that the first living in his gift that fell vacant
+should be his. Of Mrs. Halford's death he had been informed in a letter
+from the bereaved husband; since then, in the very midst of the
+excitement occasioned by the tragic end of the second Mrs. Franklyn, an
+account of which appeared in the papers, he had also read Henry
+Halford's name in the list of ordinations by the Bishop of London.
+Rapidly all these memories passed through his mind, and he started
+almost perceptibly when Squire Hartley exclaimed--
+
+"You've heard of Parson Wentworth's death, I suppose, Rivers?"
+
+Opposite to the squire sat another guest, a bluff old colonel, also a
+neighbour of the earl's, who exclaimed--
+
+"Heard of a living in his gift having become vacant, squire! What an
+unnecessary question! Why, man, the parson died on Sunday, and this is
+Wednesday! I for one shouldn't like to have to read all the letters on
+the subject, which Rivers has no doubt by this time received."
+
+The earl glanced at his daughter. Lady Dora rose, and, accompanied by
+the ladies and her children, left the three gentlemen to themselves.
+
+Then the squire made another attempt to introduce the subject so
+abruptly interrupted, by saying--
+
+"I suppose the living of Briarsleigh is not already given away?"
+
+"No indeed," was the reply, "although you are correct in your surmises,
+colonel, respecting the letters I have received; but I never decide
+hastily on such matters. Come, squire, help yourself, and pass the
+decanter," added the earl, in a tone far less serious; "and tell me how
+you have arranged about Henley's farm."
+
+This reference stirred up the squire to descant on a personal matter
+with great gusto, and changed the subject.
+
+The gentlemen did not delay to join the ladies in the drawing-room;
+indeed, very little time elapsed before the visitors had taken their
+departure. A drive of four or five miles is not very pleasant after ten
+o'clock on a cold spring night even in a close carriage. And yet how
+often is a visit of this kind followed by a drive home of even more than
+ten miles during a night in winter!
+
+Lady Dora had taken leave of her guests, and finding herself alone in
+the drawing-room with her father, she approached him as he stood with
+his back to the fire in true English fashion, and said--
+
+"Papa, I believe I understand why you dismissed me so suddenly from the
+table this evening."
+
+The earl smiled as he replied--
+
+"Well, my daughter, and what is it you understand?"
+
+"Your intentions, papa. You mean to give the living of Briarsleigh to
+the son of your old tutor."
+
+"I have some thoughts of doing so, Dora--at least of making him the
+offer, although I have had more than one letter on the subject."
+
+"Has Dr. Halford written to you?"
+
+"No, my dear, he is not a man likely to do so; yet I know the doctor's
+son is ordained. I saw his name in the list of ordinations. The old
+rector of Kilburn has given him a title."
+
+"Is this son the clever little boy you became acquainted with when you
+visited Dr. Halford after his daughter's marriage?"
+
+"Yes, his youngest and only surviving son, and I have no doubt clever
+and talented as a man."
+
+"Is the living of Briarsleigh a valuable one, papa?"
+
+Again the earl smiled.
+
+"Why, Dora, you are taking as much interest in this young clergyman as
+you did in the marriage of his sister so many years ago."
+
+Lady Dora did not blush as she had done when, at seventeen, her father
+had remarked her girlish interest in Fanny Halford's marriage, but she
+replied--
+
+"Papa, this is a very different matter. I have heard enough of late
+years to make me feel the greatest sympathy for curates. It seems quite
+shocking to think of a gentleman with refined manners and a university
+education being obliged to support himself and perhaps a wife and
+children on a less income than a mechanic, who has no appearance to keep
+up."
+
+"Too true, Dora; and if you were to read the letters I have received
+from friends on behalf of curates situated as you have described, you
+would understand the difficulties in which owners of Church livings are
+placed. These gentlemen are equally talented, and as truly well born and
+bred as Dr. Halford's son, but I cannot give the living to all of them,
+and my promise to my old tutor is binding. I must not go from my word. I
+hope to pay the family a visit next week, and make the young man an
+offer of the living personally. I do not suppose he will belie the
+promise of his boyhood. And perhaps I may contrive to hear him preach at
+Kilburn on Sunday."
+
+"I am very glad to hear your decision, papa," replied Lady Dora; "and at
+all events one curate will be saved from poverty and starvation."
+
+"Well," replied the earl, laughing, "that is scarcely true in Henry
+Halford's case: he could still follow the profession of a schoolmaster,
+and secure a good income; but I do not think a clergyman can
+conscientiously perform both duties well or with comfort to himself."
+
+"And what income will he have as rector of Briarsleigh?" she asked
+again.
+
+"Seven hundred a year, Dora. And now, my dear, as we have to travel
+to-morrow, perhaps we had better say 'Good night.'"
+
+And so, while Mr. Armstrong was mourning the loss of his daughter's
+marriage portion, the young "parson" he despised was about to obtain an
+income of his own. But of this good fortune neither he nor his young
+companion knew anything when they met in the train on its way to
+Kilburn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+AT MEADOW FARM.
+
+
+Clear and bright rose the sun on the morning of the earl's dinner-party,
+and Mary Armstrong, who stood at the window looking out over field and
+meadow, orchard and garden, belonging to Meadow Farm, was conscious of a
+sense of happiness to which for months she had been a stranger. There
+are few in this cold, dark world of ours who have not experienced at
+times such a feeling, although unable to account for it, and yet at no
+period is it more likely to occur than in the season of spring.
+
+As Mary Armstrong now gazed upon the scene before her, the dewdrops on
+field and meadow sparkling like diamonds in the sunshine, the delicate
+green foliage trembling in the morning breeze, orchard and garden
+fragrant and lovely with flowers, buds, and blossoms, the fleecy clouds
+streaking the pale blue of an April sky, and amid and around all, the
+song of joyous birds, the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, and
+other familiar sounds that betoken a farmyard; in the young girl's heart
+arose a calm feeling of happiness and trust, for she could say with the
+poet--
+
+    "My Father made them all."
+
+Presently she saw cousin Sarah making her way as usual to the farmyard,
+and although this locality had ceased to be a novelty, she hastily
+descended the stairs to join her.
+
+"Why, Mary dearest, you are looking quite blooming this morning. I shall
+be afraid to spare you next week for fear of a relapse."
+
+"Oh no, cousin Sarah, you need not fear; besides, I mean to come again
+very soon if you will have me."
+
+"That I will, dearest, whenever you like; but come, there is the bell
+for prayers, and you must want your breakfast."
+
+The morning of this day--to be so long remembered--passed away in
+watching, and sometimes helping cousin Sarah or the dairymaids in making
+butter or bread, pies or cakes, or in the garden till dinner.
+
+"You promised me one more walk to Englefield," said Mary, as they rose
+from the early dinner; "we could go this afternoon, the weather is so
+delightful, almost like summer--unless you are busy."
+
+"No, dear Mary, not too busy for a walk," she replied; "we can start at
+three o'clock if you like, and that will give us plenty of time to
+return before tea."
+
+The sun was still high in the heavens when cousin Sarah and her young
+companion left the farm, and took the pathway across the fields, with
+the intention of returning home by the road.
+
+Under the shadow of lofty trees in delicate spring verdure, which now
+and then separated other fields from the pastures of Meadow Farm,
+through narrow lanes bordered with hedges of budding May blossom to the
+boundary of Englefield Park, which joined more than one of the farm
+meadows, Mary and her cousin walked, talking pleasantly of past days.
+Not a word, however, nor a reference to cousin Sarah's interference with
+Mr. Armstrong on Mr. Henry Halford's behalf passed that lady's lips.
+
+Mary, also, was equally reticent; the subject was connected with too
+much pain to be spoken of lightly. In fact, she was endeavouring, with
+the calm determination of a strong will, to overcome the faintest signs
+of hope, and to banish for ever the memory which that hope kept alive in
+her heart.
+
+Just before crossing the stile which led to the old coach road, they
+came upon a break between the trees, through which could be seen the
+rising ground of the park, and on the hill at a distance the imposing
+facade of Englefield House. Mary Armstrong had seen it on many former
+occasions, but she did not the less feel inclined to stand still and
+gaze on its noble aspect and picturesque surroundings.
+
+"It is a lovely spot, cousin Sarah," she said, after a few moments'
+silence. "And is Lord Rivers still living? I remember meeting him on
+horseback once when I was walking with dear grandfather. He stopped to
+speak with him, and they talked so pleasantly for several minutes; and
+when he heard who I was he asked so kindly after mamma and papa! Oh,
+look, cousin Sarah! there are some ladies and children on the terrace."
+
+This terrace to which Mary directed her cousin's attention formed one of
+the modern additions to the right wing of the house. It was approached
+from the side windows of the drawing-room, and sheltered by a verandah,
+from the roof and supports of which hung a magnificent westeria, with
+its drooping flowers like bunches of grapes.
+
+It was too far distant to distinguish the faces of the children, but as
+the little ones flitted about on the terrace it could be seen that they
+were following the movements of a white shaggy dog, whose sharp, shrill
+bark of pleasure sounded faintly across the park.
+
+"They are the children of Lady Dora Lennard," said cousin Sarah, as they
+turned to continue their walk; "I heard that she was staying with the
+earl for a few days till they go to London for the season."
+
+"Then Lord Rivers, whom I met two years ago, is still living, and these
+are his grandchildren, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, the children of his youngest daughter, who married Sir William
+Lennard, and retains her own title of Lady Dora. Lord Rivers is still a
+fine old man at the age of sixty."
+
+"Is he so old as that, cousin Sarah? Why, he did not appear older than
+papa when I met him two years ago."
+
+"And yet, Mary, he has aged considerably since the death of Lady Rivers
+about ten years ago. I have heard uncle say that in his young days he
+was one of the finest men in the county."
+
+"He has a son to inherit the title and estates, I suppose?" said Mary.
+
+"Yes, Lord Woodville; and another daughter, who has been married several
+years to a Scotch nobleman. She inherits her mother's delicate health,
+and seldom visits Englefield."
+
+Thus talking the ladies walked on till they reached the stile, over
+which Mary stepped with the lightness and activity of youth, and then
+turned to assist her cousin; neither of them, however, was prepared for
+the surprise that awaited them.
+
+To explain this surprise we must carry our readers to the station at
+Basingstoke. The coach road, which has been continued on to that station
+for the convenience of passengers, passes round a hill rising just above
+the line. On this hill stands the ruins of an old abbey, forming a
+picturesque and attractive object to travellers by rail.
+
+One of these, a gentleman who had just left the station, paused for some
+moments to examine the singular appearance of the old ruins, and while
+thus engaged a voice at his elbow startled him.
+
+"Curious old place, sir."
+
+"Yes," was the reply; "what does it belong to?"
+
+"It be the remains of an old abbey, sir, as was built in the time of
+Henry VIII. It were partly destroyed by Cromwell's armies," continued
+the old man, who had a cottage near, and often picked up a gratuity for
+his information from passengers. "There's nought but the ruins of the
+chapel left, and they seem strong enough to stand again wind and weather
+for hundreds of years to come. Why, sir, I remembers that there arch
+with all the moss and ivy a-covering it when I was a boy, and I'm nearly
+fourscore now."
+
+"What was the name of the old abbey?" asked the gentleman.
+
+"I don't know, sir; but them ruins are part of the chapel called the
+Chapel of the Holy Ghost. It's a wonderful name."
+
+For nearly ten minutes the gentleman listened with great interest to the
+old countryman's account, then suddenly remembering the object of his
+visit in this part of the world, he looked at his watch, and exclaimed--
+
+"I fear I must be satisfied with what I have heard for the present, for
+I have still some distance to walk. Pray excuse my leaving you so
+suddenly," he added, as he placed a silver coin in the old man's hand,
+"and thank you very much for your information."
+
+The gentleman raised his hat to the homely countryman with such true
+politeness, that the old man stood with uncovered head for some moments
+while the wind scattered his white locks, watching the stranger's
+departure.
+
+"He be a true genelman, he be; us doan't get much o' they foine manners
+hereabouts, 'cepting wi' the reel gentry."
+
+At a turn of the ascent leading from the station to the coach road
+appeared a board fastened to a tree, and upon it the representation of a
+hand with the finger pointing, and the words "To Meadow Farm." This
+information was at the time of which we write very little needed to tell
+the residents in the locality the whereabouts of the old homestead, yet
+it still remained in its half-decayed state, fastened to the trunk of a
+tree.
+
+Decayed as it might be, it was very useful to the railway traveller,
+who, following its friendly finger, turned into the high road a few
+minutes after Mary and her cousin Sarah had entered it from the fields
+by climbing the stile.
+
+At a bend in the road the gentleman came suddenly in sight of the two
+ladies as they advanced towards him--not near enough, however, for him
+to discover whether they were strangers or acquaintances.
+
+Perhaps the change from winter to spring attire in Mary Armstrong's
+dress, and her unexpected appearance at such a distance from Meadow
+Farm, caused an impression that the younger lady was a stranger, and of
+the elder he had no recollection.
+
+Yet a something familiar in their appearance made him look at them
+earnestly, and as they drew nearer neither the plain cotton gown nor the
+coarse straw hat could disguise the graceful movements and dignified
+carriage of Mary Armstrong. It seemed as if the recognition was
+simultaneous, for at the moment the stranger made the discovery, Mary
+exclaimed, with a deep flush, "Cousin Sarah, there is a young clergyman
+coming towards us exactly like Mr. Henry Halford!" And the nas the flush
+faded to paleness, she added, in a suppressed voice, "Cousin Sarah, it
+_is_ Mr. Halford."
+
+Even as she spoke Henry advanced hastily to meet them--not, however,
+with his usual self-possession.
+
+"Mrs. John Armstrong," he exclaimed, as he held out his hand to that
+lady, and bowed nervously to Mary, "I am glad to have met you. I am on
+my way to pay a visit to Meadow Farm."
+
+"I am very happy to hear such good news, Mr. Halford; we will turn and
+walk back with you."
+
+"Oh, pray do not let me deprive you of your walk," he replied, glancing
+at Mary, who was too greatly surprised and mystified to speak.
+
+"We have had our walk," said cousin Sarah, "and were thinking of
+returning home by another road, which is longer than the way we came. It
+will be pleasanter for you than the dusty road, Mr. Halford, to return
+through the fields, and Mary is looking tired already."
+
+"Miss Armstrong appears to me much improved in health," he said, placing
+himself by cousin Sarah as they turned with him to retrace their steps,
+and looking inquiringly at Mary, as if asking her to confirm the truth
+of his remark.
+
+With an effort at self-control to steady her voice, she said with a
+smile, "Appearances are not fallacious in my case, Mr. Halford; my
+health is much better than when I left home."
+
+Yet the efforts of the young people to regain their accustomed ease
+signally failed. Mary was confused and agitated by Henry Halford's
+presence in that locality, and he from his eager anxiety to account for
+it.
+
+He turned to cousin Sarah, and plunged at once into the object of his
+visit.
+
+"When I had the pleasure of meeting you, Mrs. Armstrong, last summer,"
+he said, "you kindly expressed a hope that I would visit you at Meadow
+Farm. I travelled yesterday in the train with Mr. Armstrong, and as he
+entrusted me with a message for his daughter, I thought that instead of
+writing I would take advantage of your kind invitation, and bring the
+message myself."
+
+"We are most happy to see you, Mr. Halford," replied cousin Sarah, "and
+I hope you will be able to spend a few days or a week with us now you
+have found your way here."
+
+"I fear not," he replied, "but if the result of my message is
+favourable, I shall gladly remain with you till to-morrow."
+
+"Are they all well at home, Mr. Halford?" said Mary, in a constrained
+voice, and addressing him to conceal the emotion which his mysterious
+words excited.
+
+"I believe so, Miss Armstrong; from your papa's replies to my inquiries
+for his family, my impression is that Mrs. Armstrong and your brothers
+are quite well."
+
+Just at this moment the gable roofs of Meadow Farm appeared in sight in
+the distance, and cousin Sarah endeavoured to break through the
+restraint under which the young people were evidently trying to disguise
+their feelings, by calling their attention to surrounding objects.
+
+The attempt was successful, Mary's unnatural reserve vanished when in
+sight of the old farm. She could point out the varied features of the
+landscape, direct Henry Halford's attention to the fields and meadows
+surrounding the farm, now in their delicate spring verdure, and excite
+his interest by explaining that Meadow Farm obtained its name from these
+rich cornfields and pasture-lands through which they passed.
+
+Before they reached the pleasant homestead Mary had to a certain degree
+recovered her self-possession; while Henry, when shown to his room to
+refresh himself after his journey, felt his hopes of a favourable
+reception of his message raised to almost a certainty. Mary at once
+escaped to her room. Much as she loved her cousin Sarah, she could not
+open her heart to her as she did to her mother, and she longed to be
+alone.
+
+What could this visit mean? What message could her father possibly have
+to send to her by such a messenger?
+
+He and Mr. Halford must have been on very friendly terms in the railway
+carriage to talk about _her_, or even to talk on any subject. Could it
+be possible that her father had changed his mind respecting Mr. Halford?
+And at the thought, the blush that covered the young girl's face would
+have relieved that gentleman from any further anxiety, had he seen it,
+and known the emotions from which it arose.
+
+Cousin Sarah, although at first surprised at the appearance of the young
+clergyman on his way to the farm, had no such perplexing doubts. She
+recalled her conversation with Mr. Armstrong, and therefore readily
+accounted for this visit. "Mr. Halford can only have been sent for one
+purpose," she said to herself, "and I must contrive an opportunity for
+him to deliver his message to Mary before we meet at the tea-table;
+until that is done the young people will not be at ease in each other's
+society." Full of this determination, she hastily removed her walking
+dress and descended the stairs; yet with all her quickness Henry Halford
+had found his way down before her, and now stood looking out over garden
+and orchard to the distant prospect from the garden entrance.
+
+He turned quickly at the sound of footsteps, and as Mrs. John Armstrong
+advanced he said--
+
+"This is truly a country landscape, Mrs. Armstrong, and your gardens and
+orchards promise great things from their present appearance."
+
+"Are you too tired to walk through the garden?" she asked. "Our spring
+flowers are in great profusion this year."
+
+"No, indeed," he replied, "it will be a pleasure to do so."
+
+But as they passed down the steps cousin Sarah saw him cast a hasty
+glance behind him, as if hoping for and expecting another companion.
+
+She opened the gate for him to pass through, and then said--
+
+"Will you excuse me one moment, Mr. Halford? I can soon overtake you if
+you walk on slowly." The next moment he was alone. Hastily returning to
+the house, she ascended the stairs to Mary's bedroom. Her knock brought
+Mary to the door.
+
+"My dear," she said, "Mr. Halford is in the garden alone, pray do not
+allow him to feel himself neglected; will you join him while I tell
+cousin John and the boys that he is here, and get the tea ready."
+
+"Certainly I will, cousin Sarah," she replied, with a slight blush as
+she followed her cousin downstairs, feeling ill-concealed agitation at
+the prospect of being informed of her father's message. On entering the
+garden she saw the tall, manly figure, slowly pacing the centre path in
+front of her, as if in deep thought; yet the usually self-possessed Mary
+Armstrong had not the courage to hasten her steps.
+
+Presently, however, her dress was caught by a currant bush, and the
+rustling sound caused the gentleman to turn, expecting to see cousin
+Sarah. A few steps brought him to her side, and then Mary's natural ease
+came to her aid.
+
+"My cousin is detained by household duties, Mr. Halford; she has sent me
+to supply her place, and to show you the wonders of Meadow Farm."
+
+He greeted her with one of those smiles which so greatly improved his
+features as he replied--
+
+"I am glad of any circumstances which have obliged Mrs. Armstrong to
+send me such a substitute."
+
+For a few moments they moved on side by side in silence, each too
+agitated to speak. At length Henry Halford determined to plunge at once
+into the matter. Why should he hesitate? Was there a possibility that
+after all he might be mistaken? The thought gave him courage. If such a
+possibility existed, it must be discovered quickly, for to remain at
+Meadow Farm under the ban of a refusal was out of the question.
+
+"Miss Armstrong," he said, "do you remember the subjects we discussed
+when we met three years ago at Mr. Drummond's dinner-party?"
+
+He! Henry Halford remembered that day. How the heart of the patient,
+enduring, and obedient daughter bounded with joy at the thought! but she
+did not reply, for her companion gave her no opportunity, as he
+continued--
+
+"We have a very different and far more pleasant subject to discuss now,
+and we need not refer to the past. I am well aware that your father with
+his great wealth could reasonably expect a splendid settlement for his
+only daughter, and therefore I was not surprised when he refused the
+offer of a man in my position, and without even----"
+
+"Oh, pray do not go on, Mr. Halford," said Mary, interrupting him. "I
+cannot endure to think that----" She paused suddenly, and added,
+"Forgive me, I must not presume to pass judgment on the conduct of my
+own father."
+
+"I entreat you to excuse me for referring to it," he said; "not for
+worlds would I utter a word to pain you; and, indeed, Mr. Armstrong has
+made ample amends for any pain his refusal may have cost me; he
+yesterday gave me not only permission unasked to write to his daughter,
+but also promised to agree to whatever her decision might be. I could
+not wait for an answer to a letter, so I have come myself to plead my
+own cause."
+
+There was a pause, and the two walked on in silence for some moments.
+Although in a measure prepared for the object of Mr. Halford's visit,
+Mary Armstrong was taken by surprise at hearing of this wonderful change
+in her father. Henry Halford, in referring to his letter, and the
+refusal which followed, had touched upon a tender string. Shame, regret,
+and a loss of confidence in her father, had resulted from her discovery
+of the circumstances, and to hear it spoken of by Henry Halford caused
+her double pain. She was about to say, when she so abruptly paused, "I
+cannot bear to think that he has acted so cruelly to you," but the
+reflection that by so saying she should not only too openly show her
+interest in himself, but blame her father, made her conclude her reply
+as we have described.
+
+The contrast presented to her by Henry Halford's description of her
+father's behaviour to him now, also added to the confusion of her ideas,
+and she literally had not power to speak.
+
+"You are silent, Miss Armstrong," he said at last. "Do you remember what
+I once said to you in Christchurch Meadows at Oxford? Nearly three years
+have passed since then, and I am quite as ready now to devote my life to
+your future happiness as then. Only answer me one question: shall I go
+back to Kilburn at once, and tell Mr. Armstrong that I have asked his
+daughter to be my wife, and that her decision is 'No'?"
+
+"I am not prepared to decide yet, Mr. Halford," said Mary, with an
+effort controlling herself, "for after all my father's objections, this
+sudden change has taken me by surprise." Yet as she spoke, with the
+consciousness of those earnest eyes looking into her face, her voice
+faltered, and the changing colour and tightened breath too plainly
+evinced deep emotion. It gave the young man courage as he gazed, he
+raised her hand and placed it on his arm, saying with a smile and a
+gentle pressure of the captive hand--
+
+"And now Mr. Armstrong's objections are all removed, do any remain on
+the part of his daughter?"
+
+Another pause, and then the straightforward candid character of the
+young girl asserted itself. She glanced modestly in the face of her
+companion, and said with a smile--
+
+"I did not suppose you would think such a question necessary, Mr.
+Halford."
+
+A summons to tea interrupted the conversation, and as they turned to
+retrace their steps, he could only say as he pressed the hand that
+rested on his arm--"My darling, you have made me so happy."
+
+Cousin Sarah met them at the garden gate, and said--
+
+"We have made no stranger of you, Mr. Halford. Mary is always so happy
+in the portioned-off corner of our farm kitchen, that I think you also
+will prefer it to the best parlour."
+
+"Indeed I shall," was the reply.
+
+"Perhaps you will be as well pleased with this apartment as with the
+beauties of the gardens and orchards," she added, with a smile.
+
+"I fear I have monopolised Miss Armstrong's attention too much on
+another subject," he replied, smiling also, "but as I am about to accept
+your kind invitation to remain till to-morrow, I shall hope to become
+better acquainted with this pleasant spot before I leave."
+
+When Mary seated herself at the tea-table, cousin Sarah required no
+words to tell her what her father's message had been. It was not so much
+the brilliant colour in the young girl's cheeks, or the brightness of
+her eyes which attracted notice, as the expression of calm happiness
+which had replaced a sad, and at times a constrained look in her face,
+showing to those interested in her how firm a control she had exerted
+over herself.
+
+All this had disappeared, and yet the memory of the past increased
+Mary's happiness. She had submitted to her father's wishes, and subdued
+her own will to his. Neither by word or thought had she disobeyed him,
+except in refusing to marry those whom she could neither respect nor
+love. And now unasked he had given his consent from, as she fully
+believed, his own unbiassed opinion of Henry Halford's real character
+and real worth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+THE NEW RECTOR OF BRIARSLEIGH.
+
+
+The summer of the year which had brought such happiness to Mary
+Armstrong was fading into autumn. At the door of the parish church at
+Kilburn appeared a goodly array of carriages, the coachmen wearing white
+favours indicating a wedding, and attracting a crowd of lookers-on.
+
+A stranger passed, and observing the police endeavouring to force a
+passage though the crowd for the bride and bridegroom, whose carriage
+stood at the gates, also remained as a spectator, and inquired of those
+around him the name of the bridegroom.
+
+"It's our curate, sir," said a respectable woman who stood near;
+"leastways he was our curate, but he's got a church of his own now down
+in Hampshire; it's been given him by a great lord. And the lady, sir,
+she's the daughter of a rich gentleman as lives here at Kilburn, and
+he's given her I can't tell how many thousand pounds for her fortune,
+and here they come, sir," she added, as the bells rang out a merry peal,
+and the congregation, hastening from the church, increased the crowd
+outside.
+
+In a few minutes the bride appeared leaning on her husband's arm, the
+folds of her white satin dress swaying gracefully as she moved, and the
+bright hair glinting beneath the lace veil and orange blossoms, while
+the brilliant colour on her cheeks made more than one exclaim, "Doesn't
+she look beautiful!"
+
+Henry Halford's tall, manly figure, dignified carriage, dark hair, and
+full whiskers formed a pleasing contrast to his fair bride, heightened
+not a little by his pale face. In fact the young clergyman could not yet
+realise his happiness and good fortune, but felt as if in a dream from
+which he must shortly awaken to the realities of life.
+
+And yet the scene at the church was too real and too attractive in its
+surroundings to be mistaken for a vision by commonplace individuals who
+are not afflicted with vivid imaginations. Edward Armstrong could not
+conceal a feeling of exultation as he contemplated the brilliant company
+who had assembled to do honour to his daughter on her marriage.
+
+As carriage after carriage drives up to receive them we will point out
+those whose names appear in our story.
+
+Colonel Herbert and his son, their uniform contrasting with the
+bridesmaids' dresses of white and blue, while assisting them into the
+carriages form one great point of attraction to the crowd. Among the
+bridesmaids we can distinguish the womanly figure and handsome features
+of Clara Franklyn, to whom Charles Herbert is very attentive. She is
+accompanied by her sister Mabel, whose gentle and delicate features bear
+the same childlike expression, although she has reached her fifteenth
+year. Kate Marston and Arthur Franklyn are assisting the venerable Dr.
+Halford into another carriage. His health has, to a certain extent,
+improved since the happy results described in the last chapters have
+completed the happiness of his son, and placed him in a position even
+beyond his father's brightest hopes. He is now on his way to Lime Grove,
+to be present at the wedding breakfast, and with dear grandpapa and Kate
+Marston in the carriage are James and little Albert Franklyn, the
+latter, in his blue velvet dress and golden curls falling over the
+lace-collar, has attracted general admiration. James, a steady, quiet
+youth of thirteen, is looking forward to the time when he shall leave
+school, and become a clerk in his father's office. Quite as worthy of
+notice as any present are the two brothers of the bride, Edward and
+Arthur Armstrong--the former a manly youth of nineteen, whose dark eyes
+and hair and strongly marked features made his resemblance to his father
+very striking. In the latter, whose fair delicate face and tall slight
+figure prove that he is growing beyond his strength, can be too surely
+seen that a powerful intellect is chafing the slight frame which
+encloses it. The boy's studious habits had been encouraged by his father
+till he one day expressed a wish to enter the Church. Mr. Armstrong, at
+that time irritated with the discovery of his only daughter's
+predilection for a "parson," harshly forbade the boy to speak to him
+again on the subject.
+
+That objection had been during the last few months removed, but with the
+father's consent came the doctor's cautious prohibition--
+
+"Mr. Armstrong, your son's mind must lie fallow for a few years, till he
+has ceased growing and regained his strength. He is scarcely seventeen
+yet, time enough when he reaches twenty-one to send him to the
+university." And with a promise from his father that his wishes should
+then be gratified, Arthur was learning to wait patiently.
+
+These two were making themselves popular among the ladies by their
+active and polite attentions, yet not more so than the gentleman who now
+lifts his little Albert into the carriage and kisses him fondly.
+
+Arthur Franklyn, while escorting the various lady visitors through the
+crowd, has lost none of the pleasing, attractive manner which made him
+so courted and flattered in Melbourne. And yet those who knew him in his
+gay and thoughtless days, can detect a calm steadiness of purpose in the
+still handsome face indicating a change, not, however, to his
+disadvantage. Arthur Franklyn had risen from his bed of sickness humbled
+and subdued. By the advice of his first wife's friends he devoted a
+portion of the 2000_l._, which so unexpectedly became his legally after
+his wife's death, to the liquidation of his debts in Melbourne.
+
+Released from debt, and, above all, from the tortures of conscience and
+the consequences of his sin, he quickly recovered his health and
+spirits.
+
+The remainder of the 2000_l._ he invested in a partnership with a rising
+firm in the city, and so steadily and cleverly have his business habits
+and tact been carried out, that the prospects of the firm are brighter
+than ever.
+
+With relief from debt, that foe to peace of mind, a quiet conscience,
+and hopes of prosperity in business, his constitution, though greatly
+shaken, has recovered its elasticity, and the glow of health adds no
+little to the changed appearance of Arthur Franklyn.
+
+He and his children still reside at Kilburn, indeed, now that they are
+about to lose Henry, neither Kate Marston nor her uncle can endure the
+thought of parting with them, and the children cling to her as to a
+second mother. Kate is still supreme manager of the domestic
+arrangements, in which she is willingly assisted by Clara, when not
+occupied with her sisters at their usual studies. A graduate of the
+university has been engaged to supply the place of Henry Halford, and
+the old Grange will subside into its usual routine when the bustle
+caused by this wedding shall be over.
+
+Three carriages are still waiting for their occupants--Mr. Armstrong's
+and two others.
+
+One of them bears on its panels the coronet of an earl, and on another
+may be seen the mitre of a bishop.
+
+Mr. Armstrong's carriage is the first to draw up, and he himself appears
+in a vainly suppressed state of elation and excitement. His morning
+costume is faultless, and although a large sprinkling of white is
+observable in his dark hair, yet he bears his fifty-four years well. He
+had failed in his attempts to form an alliance with the aristocracy
+through his increasing wealth by the marriage of his daughter. Yet had
+he carried his point, such a marriage could scarcely have been attended
+with greater _eclat_ than on the present occasion. This Mr. Armstrong
+now understood and acknowledged to himself without reservation. The
+bishop who had just married his daughter to Henry Halford, had been
+vice-principal of the young man's college at Oxford; the nobleman who
+had presented the living to his son-in-law--were both to be his guests
+at the wedding breakfast.
+
+Lord Rivers had known the name of Armstrong from his boyhood. And the
+purse-proud merchant, who had been almost ashamed to acknowledge cousin
+Sarah before his clerks in Dover Street, stood back in surprise while
+the earl assisted that lady into his own carriage, where he had already
+placed Mrs. Armstrong. He then entered himself, and the carriage drove
+off on its way to Lime Grove.
+
+Mr. Armstrong's own carriage was quickly filled with a party of young
+people; two juvenile bridesmaids, with their aunt Edith Longford, soon
+to be Mrs. Maurice, and Arthur and Freddy Armstrong, now a merry
+laughter-loving boy of eleven. There remained now only three gentlemen
+to accompany the bishop in his drive to Lime Grove, the rector of
+Kilburn, Horace Wilton, Henry's best man, and Mr. Armstrong. Perhaps the
+latter's foolish prejudices about clergymen were never more completely
+shaken than when he found himself seated in the bishop's carriage with
+that high church dignitary and the two gentlemen we have named. In fact,
+he wondered at himself that he could feel proud of the position. And now
+what can be said of the wedding breakfast, laid out in Mr. Armstrong's
+splendidly furnished dining-room? For this occasion Mrs. Herbert had
+obtained _carte blanche_ from her sister to make any alterations she
+pleased, and the introduction of flowers and other ornaments, according
+to that lady's taste, had greatly improved the elegant appearance of the
+table and satisfied the hired waiters, who succumbed to that lady's
+superior knowledge at once and without a demur.
+
+And what shall we say of the numerous yet select party who assembled
+around that elegant table? It was like all other wedding breakfasts, a
+medley of smiles and tears, of joyful hopes and sad regrets, painful
+memories and bright prospects. And yet there was something in the
+gathering round Mr. Armstrong's table which made it differ from similar
+associations. The preponderance of the clerical element did not cast a
+damper on the young and buoyant spirits then present. The bishop's
+genial, yet dignified manner, resembled that of the lamented Dr.
+Wilberforce. The rector, an old man approaching his eightieth year,
+belonged to the class of polished and refined gentlemen of olden times,
+who would take off their hats to the meanest of their female
+parishioners, or enter bareheaded the humblest cottage in the parish.
+
+Horace Wilton, as we know, had not learned to regard with a cynical eye
+the happiness which he had himself so nearly grasped, and Frank Maurice
+found himself taking lessons in the present ordering of an event which
+was so soon to be realised in his own experience. As to the bridegroom,
+who, strange to say, is very often looked upon as the least important
+person present on such an occasion, an overflow of happiness kept him
+silent. It was not till called upon to return thanks in the name of his
+bride and himself, that the natural powers of eloquence and oratory
+possessed by Henry Halford astonished and delighted the wedding guests.
+
+The speech scarcely occupied five minutes. His words were well chosen,
+and to the point; his allusions pleasant and in good taste; his
+quotations, in one or two instances classical, were suitable and
+attractive; while through all could be detected the oratorical powers of
+the speaker, although subdued and restrained to suit the room and the
+occasion. When the clear young voice ceased there was a burst of
+applause, hushed, however, in a moment, as Lord Rivers rose and
+exclaimed--
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Henry Halford, for showing me that I have not made any
+mistake in my choice of a rector for Briarsleigh."
+
+But the wedding chapter is extending itself beyond the prescribed
+limits. We must pass over the speeches and the toasts which followed.
+We, who know the love of mother and daughter in that hour, now so joyous
+with the voices and symbols of happiness, can understand how both are
+dreading the hour of parting.
+
+It came at last; and when Mary, accompanied by her bridesmaids, hastened
+to the room to prepare for her journey, Mrs. Armstrong followed her
+upstairs, and seating herself in her own room waited nervously till her
+daughter was ready.
+
+She heard the door open, and the young voices in gay conversation as
+they approached. Then she rose and stood near the door, to be quickly
+observed by her daughter.
+
+"Mamma! oh, I'm so glad. Wait a few minutes, Kate and Clara." Then she
+turned, and throwing herself on her mother's bosom, she exclaimed,
+"Mother, dearest mother, how can I leave you? Who will take care of you
+when I am gone?"
+
+The mother's arms closed around her child, and for some moments neither
+spoke, but the tears were silently flowing from Mrs. Armstrong's eyes,
+as she listened to the scarcely restrained sobs of her daughter.
+
+A tear dropped on Mary's forehead; she raised her face quickly--
+
+"Mamma, I am causing you unnecessary pain; pray forgive me. I cannot
+help it; I shall miss you so much."
+
+"No, darling," said the mother, with a smile, as she wiped the tears
+which she tried to restrain; "you belong to your husband now; he will
+more than supply my place to you; besides, we shall not be so very far
+away from each other after all, and Martha will take care of me."
+
+"That I will Miss--Ma'am, I beg your pardon," and the faithful old
+servant entered hastily as she spoke; "They are calling out for you,
+Mrs. Halford; the carriage is waiting."
+
+"Once more, darling mother, good-by," said the young bride, who had
+started with a smile at the matronly title; and after one more kiss and
+fond embrace, the mother and daughter descended the stairs together.
+Mrs. Armstrong had nerved herself to witness her child's departure.
+
+One more ordeal awaited Mary.
+
+After kisses and farewells from the bridesmaids, and more formal adieus
+to the visitors, Mary turned to her father. Mr. Armstrong clasped his
+daughter to his heart, and as he fondly kissed her, whispered, "Forgive
+me, darling, for all the sorrow I have caused you." Controlling her
+emotion, she playfully placed her gloved hand on his lips, and
+exclaimed, "Hush, papa, it has made my happiness all the greater."
+
+In a few moments the lawn beneath the lime trees was glittering with
+tarlatan, lace, and ribbons, as the juvenile portion of the company
+followed Mary and her husband to the gate. At length, after one last
+kiss had been given to the bride, to be succeeded by another, the rector
+of Briarsleigh's carriage drove off amid a shower of old slippers, only
+one of which reached its destination.
+
+That evening, when alone, and reflecting on the events of the day,
+Edward Armstrong discovered that with all his self-confidence in his own
+superior judgment, he had during his life made more than one mistake.
+
+In all his successes he had forgotten God, and worshipped riches and
+position. He had despised those possessing high, noble, and intellectual
+qualities, because they lacked those advantages which he so highly
+valued.
+
+His prejudices and his pride had made him unkind to his only daughter,
+and only when at last alarmed by discovering that "riches can take to
+themselves wings," did he allow these foolish prejudices to be set
+aside. To his surprise he was now obliged to admit that the honours this
+day conferred upon him arose from his daughter's alliance with the
+family he had once despised for their profession and supposed poverty.
+To them he owed the presence of the bishop and the earl as his guests.
+While the family he had despised had been honouring God, he had been
+honouring gold; and as these facts became clear to his mind, the words
+of a text he had read when a child at his mother's knee came back on his
+memory with full force--"Them that honour Me I will honour, and they
+that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Englefield Grange, by H. B. Paull
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