BRIDAL VISITS AND ADIEUX.
The whole town of Hollingford came to and into particulars. Some indeed—Mrs. Goodenough at the of this class of malcontents—thought that they were of their right to a by Cynthia's being married in London. Even Lady Cumnor was moved into action. She, who had paid calls "out of her own sphere," who had only once been to see "Clare" in her own house—she came to after her fashion. Maria had only just time to up into the drawing-room one morning, and say,—
"Please, ma'am, the great from the Towers is up to the gate, and my lady the Countess is inside." It was but eleven o'clock, and Mrs. Gibson would have been at any who had to call at such an hour, but in the case of the Peerage the of were relaxed.
The family "stood at arms," as it were, till Lady Cumnor appeared in the drawing-room; and then she had to be settled in the best chair, and the light anything like began. She was the to speak; and Lady Harriet, who had a to Molly, into silence.
"I have been taking Mary—Lady Cuxhaven—to the railway station on this new line Birmingham and London, and I I would come on here, and offer you my congratulations. Clare, which is the lady?"—putting up her glasses, and looking at Cynthia and Molly, who were much alike. "I did not think it would be to give you a little advice, my dear," said she, when Cynthia had been properly pointed out to her as elect. "I have a good about you; and I am only too glad, for your mother's sake,—your mother is a very woman, and did her very well while she was in our family—I am rejoiced, I say, to that you are going to make so a marriage. I it will your errors of conduct—which, we will hope, were but in reality—and that you will live to be a to your mother,—for Lord Cumnor and I a very regard. But you must with in of life it God to place you, married or single. You must your husband, and to his opinion in all things. Look up to him as your head, and do nothing without him."—It was as well that Lord Cumnor was not the audience; or he might have with practice.—"Keep accounts; and your station in life. I that Mr.—" looking about for some help as to the name she had forgotten—"Anderson—Henderson is in the law. Although there is a against attorneys, I have of two or three who were very men; and I am sure Mr. Henderson is one, or your good mother and our old friend Gibson would not have the engagement."
"He is a barrister," put in Cynthia, unable to herself any longer. "Barrister-at-law."
"Ah, yes. Attorney-at-law. Barrister-at-law. I without your speaking so loud, my dear. What was I going to say you me? When you have been a little in you will that it is manners to interrupt. I had a great more to say to you, and you have put it all out of my head. There was something else your father wanted me to ask—what was it, Harriet?"
"I you about Mr. Hamley?"
"Oh, yes! we are to have the house full of Lord Hollingford's friends next month, and Lord Cumnor is particularly to secure Mr. Hamley."
"The Squire?" asked Mrs. Gibson in some surprise. Lady Cumnor slightly, as much as to say, "If you did not me I should explain."
"The famous traveller—the scientific Mr. Hamley, I mean. I he is son to the Squire. Lord Hollingford him well; but when we asked him before, he coming, and no reason."
Had Roger been asked to the Towers and declined? Mrs. Gibson not it. Lady Cumnor on—
"Now this time we are particularly to secure him, and my son Lord Hollingford will not return to England until the very week the Duke of Atherstone is to us. I Mr. Gibson is very with Mr. Hamley; do you think he him to us with his company?"
And this from the proud Lady Cumnor; and the object of it Roger Hamley, she had all but out of her drawing-room two years ago for calling at an hour; and Cynthia had out of her heart. Mrs. Gibson was surprised, and only out that she was sure Mr. Gibson would do all that her wished.
"Thank you. You know me well to be aware that I am not the person, is the Towers the house, to go about guests. But in this I my head; high rank should always be the to those who have themselves by art or science."
"Besides, mamma," said Lady Harriet, "papa was saying that the Hamleys have been on their land since the Conquest; while we only came into the a century ago; and there is a that the Cumnor his through selling tobacco in King James's reign."
If Lady Cumnor did not shift her and take there on the spot, she in an manner. She a low-toned but with Clare about the of the wedding, which until she it fit to go, when she Lady Harriet up, and her off in the very of a she was to Cynthia about the of Spa, which was to be one of the resting-places of the newly-married on their wedding-tour.
Nevertheless she prepared a present for the bride: a Bible and a Prayer-book in with silver-clasps; and also a of account-books, at the of which Lady Cumnor with her own hand the proper of bread, butter, eggs, meat, and head, with the London prices of the articles, so that the most might her her means, as she herself in the note which she sent with the handsome, present.
"If you are into Hollingford, Harriet, you will take these books to Miss Kirkpatrick," said Lady Cumnor, after she had sealed her note with all the and a of her character. "I they are all going up to London to-morrow for this wedding, in of what I said to Clare of the of being married in one's own parish-church. She told me at the time that she with me, but that her husband had such a wish for a visit to London, that she did not know how she oppose him with her duty. I her to repeat to him my for that they would be ill-advised to have the marriage in town; but I am she has been overruled. That was her one great fault when she with us; she was always so yielding, and how to say 'No.'"
"Mamma!" said Lady Harriet, with a little in her tone. "Do you think you would have been so of her, if she had you, and said 'No,' when you her to say 'Yes?'"
"To be sure I should, my dear. I like to have an opinion of their own; only when my opinions are on and experience, which people have had equal opportunities of acquiring, I think it is but proper in others to allow themselves to be convinced. In fact, I think it is only which them from that they are. I am not a despot, I hope?" she asked, with some anxiety.
"If you are, dear mamma," said Lady Harriet, the very fondly, "I like a than a republic, and I must be very over my ponies, for it's already very late for my drive by Ash-holt."
But when she at the Gibsons', she was so long there by the of the family, that she had to give up her going to Ash-holt.
Molly was in the drawing-room and trembling, and herself only by a effort. She was the only person there when Lady Harriet entered: the room was all in disorder, with presents and paper, and boxes, and half-displayed articles of finery.
"You look like Marius the of Carthage, my dear! What's the matter? Why have you got on that face? This marriage isn't off, is it? Though nothing would me where the Cynthia is concerned."
"Oh, no! that's all right. But I have a fresh cold, and papa says he thinks I had not go to the wedding."
"Poor little one! And it's the visit to London too!"
"Yes. But what I most for is the not being with Cynthia to the last; and then, papa"—she stopped, for she go on without open crying, and she did not want to do that. Then she her voice. "Papa," she continued, "has so looked to this holiday,—and seeing—and—, and going—oh! I can't tell you where; but he has a list of people and to be seen,—and now he says he should not be to me all alone for more than three days,—two for travelling, and one for the wedding." Just then Mrs. Gibson came in, too after her fashion, though the presence of Lady Harriet was smoothing.
"My dear Lady Harriet—how of you! Ah, yes, I see this child has been telling you of her ill-luck; just when was going on so beautifully; I'm sure it was that open window at your back, Molly,—you know you would that it do you no harm, and now you see the mischief! I'm sure I shan't be able to myself—and at my only child's wedding too—without you; for I can't think of you without Maria. I would anything myself than think of you, for, and at home."
"I am sure Molly is as sorry as any one," said Lady Harriet.
"No. I don't think she is," said Mrs. Gibson, with happy of the of events, "or she would not have with her to an open window the day yesterday, when I told her not. But it can't be helped now. Papa too—but it is my to make the best of everything, and look at the of life. I wish I her to do the same" (turning and Lady Harriet). "But, you see, it is a great to a girl of her age to her visit to London."
"It is not that," Molly; but Lady Harriet her a little to be while she herself spoke.
"Now, Clare! you and I can manage it all, I think, if you will but help me in a plan I've got in my head. Mr. Gibson shall as long as he can in London; and Molly shall be well for, and have some of air and too, which is what she needs as much as anything, in my opinion. I can't her to the wedding and give her a of London; but I can her off to the Towers, and nurse her myself; and send daily up to London, so that Mr. Gibson may at ease, and with you as long as you like. What do you say to it, Clare?"
"Oh, I not go," said Molly; "I should only be a trouble to everybody."
"Nobody asked you for your opinion, little one. If we wise decide that you are to go, you must submit in silence."
Meanwhile Mrs. Gibson was and disadvantages. Amongst the latter, came in predominant. Amongst the former,—it would well; Maria then Cynthia and herself as "their maid;" Mr. Gibson would longer with her, and it was always to have a man at her and call in such a place as London; that, this man was and good-looking, and a with her brother-in-law. The "ayes" had it.
"What a plan! I cannot think of anything or for this darling. Only—what will Lady Cumnor say? I am for my family as much as for myself. She won't—"
"You know mamma's of is more than when the house is full; and papa is just like her. Besides, she is of you, and to our good Mr. Gibson, and will be of you, little one, when she you as I do."
Molly's her at the prospect. Except on the one of her father's wedding-day, she had the of the Towers since that unlucky day in her when she had asleep on Clare's bed. She had a of the countess, a to the house; only it as if it was a to the problem of what to do with her, which had been every one all morning, and so that it had her much distress. She silence, though her from time to time. Oh, if Miss Brownings had not this very time of all others to pay their monthly visit to Miss Hornblower! If she only have gone there, and with them in their quaint, quiet, way, of having to listen, without remonstrance, to plans about her, as if she was an chattel!
"She shall have the south pink room, opening out of mine by one door, you remember; and the dressing-room shall be into a little sitting-room for her, in case she to be by herself. Parkes shall upon her, and I'm sure Mr. Gibson must know Parkes's powers as a nurse by this time. We shall have all manner of people in the house to her downstairs; and when she has got of this of cold, I will drive her out every day, and daily bulletins, as I said. Pray tell Mr. Gibson all that, and let it be as settled. I will come for her in the close to-morrow, at eleven. And now may I see the bride-elect, and give her mamma's present, and my own good wishes?"
So Cynthia came in, and the very proper present, and the congratulations, without any very great or at either; for she was quick to there was no great of either. But when she her mother all the of the plan for Molly, Cynthia's did with gladness; and almost to Lady Harriet's surprise, she thanked her as if she had a personal upon her, Cynthia. Lady Harriet saw, too, that in a very way, she had taken Molly's hand, and was it all the time, as if to think of their separation—somehow, she and Lady Harriet were nearer together by this little action than they had been before.
If Molly had that her father might have some to the project, she was disappointed. But, indeed, she was satisfied when she how he to that, by her under the of Lady Harriet and Parkes, he should be from anxiety; and how he spoke of this of air and as being the very thing he had been to secure for her; country air, and of as this would be; for the only other place where he have her these advantages, and at the same time sent her as an invalid, was to Hamley Hall; and he the there with the of her present illness.
So Molly was off in the next day, her own home all in with the of boxes and in the hall, and all the other of the of the family for London and the wedding. All the Cynthia had been with her in her room, to the of Molly's clothes, her what to wear with what, and over the smartnesses, which, having been prepared for her as bridesmaid, were now to as for her visit to the Towers. Both Molly and Cynthia spoke about dress as if it was the very object of their lives; for each the of more subjects; Cynthia more for Molly than herself. Only when the was announced, and Molly was preparing to go downstairs, Cynthia said,—
"I am not going to thank you, Molly, or to tell you how I love you."
"Don't," said Molly, "I can't it."
"Only you know you are to be my visitor, and if you wear to a green gown, I'll turn you out of the house!" So they parted. Mr. Gibson was there in the to hand Molly in. He had hard; and was now her two or three last as to her health.
"Think of us on Thursday," said he. "I I don't know which of her three lovers she mayn't at the very last moment to act the part of bridegroom. I'm to be at nothing; and will give her away with a good to comes."
They away, and until they were out of of the house, Molly had to do to keep returning the of the hand to her by her out of the drawing-room window, while at the same time her were on a white out of the from which she herself had Roger's nearly two years before. What time had brought!
When Molly at the Towers she was into Lady Cumnor's presence by Lady Harriet. It was a mark of respect to the lady of the house, which the that her mother would expect; but she was to it over, and take Molly up into the room which she had been so for her. Lady Cumnor was, however, very kind, if not positively gracious.
"You are Lady Harriet's visitor, my dear," said she, "and I she will take good of you. If not, come and complain of her to me." It was as near an approach to a joke as Lady Cumnor perpetrated, and from it Lady Harriet that her mother was pleased by Molly's manners and appearance.
"Now, here you are in your own kingdom; and into this room I shan't to come without permission. Here is the last new Quarterly, and the last new novel, and the last new Essays. Now, my dear, you needn't come again to-day unless you like it. Parkes shall you and anything you want. You must as fast as you can, for all of great and famous people are to-morrow and the next day, and I think you'll like to see them. Suppose for to-day you only come to lunch, and if you like it, in the evening. Dinner is such a long meal, if one isn't strong; and you wouldn't miss much, for there's only my Charles in the house now, and he is the of silence."
Molly was only too to allow Lady Harriet to decide for her. It had to rain, and was a day for August; and there was a small fire of in the sitting-room to her. High up, it a wide and view over the park, and from it be the of Hollingford Church, which gave Molly a idea of to home. She was left alone, on the sofa—books near her, and blazing, of wind the rain against the window, and so the of by the contrast. Parkes was for her. Lady Harriet had Parkes to Molly by saying, "Now, Molly, this is Mrs. Parkes, the only person I am of. She me if I dirty myself with my paints, just as if I was a little child; and she makes me go to when I want to up,"—Parkes was all the time;—"so to of her I give her you as victim. Parkes, over Miss Gibson with a of iron; make her eat and drink, and and sleep, and dress as you think and best."
Parkes had her by Molly on the sofa, and saying, "If you will give me your keys, Miss, I will your things, and let you know when it is time for me to your hair, to luncheon." For if Lady Harriet used familiar from time to time, she had not learnt it from Parkes, who herself on the of her language.
When Molly to she "cousin Charles," with his aunt, Lady Cumnor. He was a Sir Charles Morton, the son of Lady Cumnor's only sister: a plain, sandy-haired man of thirty-five or so; rich, very sensible, awkward, and reserved. He had had a attachment, of many years' standing, to his cousin, Lady Harriet, who did not for him in the least, although it was the marriage very for her by her mother. Lady Harriet was, however, on terms with him, ordered him about, and told him what to do, and what to undone, without having a as to the of his obedience. She had him his about Molly.
"Now, Charles, the girl wants to be and without having to take any trouble for herself; she is too to be very active either in mind or body. Just look after her when the house full, and place her where she can and see and everybody, without any and responsibility."
So Sir Charles this day at by taking Molly under his protection. He did not say much to her; but what he did say was and sympathetic; and Molly began, as he and Lady Harriet that she should, to have a of upon him. Then in the while the of the family were at dinner—after Molly's tea and hour of repose, Parkes came and her in some of the new prepared for the Kirkpatrick visit, and did her in some new and way, so that when Molly looked at herself in the cheval-glass, she the to be that of herself. She was by Lady Harriet into the great long drawing-room, which as an place of pacing, had her since her childhood. At the end sat Lady Cumnor at her work; the light of fire and all on that one part where presently Lady Harriet tea, and Lord Cumnor to sleep, and Sir Charles read passages from the Edinburgh Review to the three ladies at their work.
When Molly to she was to admit that at the Towers as a visitor was than otherwise; and she to old with new ones, until she asleep. There was another day the guests to arrive in the evening. Lady Harriet took Molly a drive in her little pony-carriage; and for the time for many Molly to the of returning health; the of in the fresh air by the previous day's rain.
