Entirely, thank you, for the last few weeks.
How is my mother?
Very well. She enjoyed the voyage extremely.
She wont concoct another Tour?
I dont think so, said John, gravely.
There has SHE, indicating his wife, been thinking it her duty to read the old Italian one, which I never opened in my life. I declare it would take a dictionary to understand a page. She is scared at the variety of tongues, and feels as if she was in Babel.
John was thinking that if he did not know this rattling talk to be a form of embarrassment, he should take it for effrontery.
Shall I go and see about the room? half-whispered Violet.
Yes, do; and he opened the door for her, exclaiming, almost before she was fairly gone, There! you want no more explanation.
She is very lovely! said John, in a tone full of cordial admiration.
Isnt she? continued Arthur, triumphantly. Such an out-of-the-way style;the dark eyes and hair, with that exquisite complexion, ivory fairness,the form of her face the perfect oval!what you so seldom seeand her figure, just the right height, tall and taper! I dont believe she could be awkward if she was to try. Shell beat every creature hollow, especially in a few years time when shes a little more formed.
She is very young?
Sixteen on our wedding-day. Thats the beauty of it. If she had been a day older it would have been a different thing. Not that they could have spoilt her,she is a thoroughbred by nature, and no mistake.
How did your acquaintance begin?
This way, said Arthur, leaning back, and twirling a chair on one of its legs for a pivot. Fitzhugh would have me come down for a fortnights fishing to Wrangerton. Theres but one inn there fit to put a dog to sleep in, and when we got there we found the house turned out of window for a ball, all the partitions down on the first floor, and we driven into holes to be regaled with distant fiddle-squeak. So Fitzhughs Irish blood was up for a dance, and I thought I might as well give in to it, for the floor shook so that there was no taking a cigar in peace. So you see the stars ordained it, and it is of no use making a row about ones destiny, concluded Arthur, in a sleepy voice, ceasing to spin the chair.
That was your first introduction?
Ay. After that, one was meeting the Mosses for ever; indeed, we had to call on the old fellow to get leave for fishing in that water of Lord St. Ermes. He has a very pretty sort of little place out of the town close to the park, andand somehow the weather was too bright for any sport, and the stream led by their garden.
I perceive, said John.
Well, I saw I was in for it, and had nothing for it but to go through with it. Anything for a quiet life.
A new mode of securing it, said John, indignant at his nonchalance.
There you dont display your wonted sagacity, returned Arthur coolly. You little know what I have gone through on your account. If you had been sound-winded, you would have saved me no end of persecution.
You have not avoided speculation as it is, John could not help saying.
I beg to observe that you are mistaken. Old Moss is as cunning a fox as ever lived; but I saw his game, and without my own good-will he might have whistled for me. I saw what he was up to, and let him know it, but as I was always determined that when I married it should be to please myself, not my aunt, I let things take their course and saved the row at home.
I am sure she knew nothing of this.
She? Bless you, poor child. She is as innocent as a lamb, and only thinks me all the heroes in the world.
She did not know my father was ignorant of it?
Not she. She does not know it to this day. John sat thinking; Arthur twirled the chair, then said, That is the fact. I suppose my aunt had a nice story for you.
It agreed in the main with yours.
I was unlucky, said Arthur, I meant to have brought her home before my aunt and Theodora had any news of it. I could have got round them that way, but somehow Theodora got scent of it, and wrote me a furious letter, full of denunciationtwo of themthey hunted me everywhere, so I saw it was no use going there.
She is much hurt at your letter. I can see that she is, though she tries to hide her feelings. She was looking quite pale when we came home, and I can hardly bear to see the struggle to look composed when you are mentioned.
This evidently produced some compunction, but Arthur tried to get rid of it. I am sure there was nothing to take to heart in itwas there, John?
I dont know. She had burnt it without letting any one see it; and it was only through my aunt that we learnt that she had received it.
Well! her temper is up, and I am sorry for it, said Arthur. I forget what I said. I dare say it was no more than she deserved. I got one of these remonstrances of hers at Wrangerton, on the day before, and another followed me a couple of days after to Matlock, so I could not have that going on for ever, and wrote off to put a stop to it. But what does his lordship say?
Do you wish him to forgive or not? said his brother, nearly out of patience.
Of courseI knew he would, he cant leave us with nothing to live on. Theres nothing to be done but to go through the forms, and I am quite ready. Come, whats the use of looking intensely disgusted? Now you have seen her, you dont expect me to profess that I am very sorry, and will never do so no more.
I say nothing against her, but the way of doing it.
So much trouble saved. Besides, I tell you I am ready to make whatever apology my father likes for a preliminary.
His brother looked vexed, and dropped the conversation, waiting to see more of the bride before he should form an opinion.
It was seeing rather than hearing, for she was in much awe of him, blushed more than she spoke, and seemed taken up by the fear of doing something inappropriate, constantly turning wistful inquiring looks towards her husband, to seek encouragement or direction, but it was a becoming confusion, and by no means lessened the favourable impression.
The next morning Arthur was engaged, and left her to be the guide to the cathedral, whereat she looked shy and frightened, but Mr. Martindale set himself to re-assure her, and the polished gentleness of his manner soon succeeded.
They stood on the hill, overlooking the town and the vale of Itchen, winding away till lost between the green downs that arose behind their crested neighbour, St. Catherines Hill, and in the valley beneath reposed the gray cathedrals lengthened nave and square tower, its lesser likeness, St. Cross, and the pinnacles of the College tower.
A very pretty view, said Mr. Martindale.
The old buildings are very fine, but it is not like our own hills.
No, it is hard on Hampshire downs to compare them to Cumberland mountains.
But it is so sunny and beautiful, said the bright young bride. See the sunshine on the green meadows, and the haymaking. Oh! I shall always love it. John heard a great deal of happiness in those words. I never saw a cathedral before, she added.
Have you been over this one?
Yes, but it will be such a treat to go again. One cant take a quarter of it in at once.
No, it takes half a lifetime to learn a cathedral properly.
It is a wonderful thing, she said, with the same serious face; then, changing her tone to one of eagerness, I want to find Bishop Foxs tomb, for he was a north-country bishop.
John smiled. You are perfect in the cathedral history.
I bought a little book about it.
Her knowledge was, he found, in a girlish state of keen interest, and not deficient, but what pleased him best was that, as they entered and stood at the west door, looking down the whole magnificent length of nave, choir, and chapel, the embowed roof high above, sustained on massive pillars, she uttered a low murmur of beautiful! and there was a heart-felt expression of awe and reverence on her face, a look as of rapt thought, chased away in a moment by his eye, and giving place to quiet pensiveness. After the service they went over the building; but though eager for information, the gravity did not leave her, nor did she speak at once when they emerged into the Close.
It is very impressive, said John.
I suppose you have seen a great many cathedrals?
Yes, many foreign ones, and a few English.
I wonder whether seeing many makes one feel the same as seeing one.
How do you mean?
I do not think I could ever care for another like this one.
As your first?
Yes; it has made me understand better what books say about churches, and their being like
Like?
She changed her sentence. It makes one think, and want to be good.
It is what all truly beautiful things should do said John.
Oh! I am glad you say so, exclaimed Violet. It is like what Annette and I have wondered aboutI mean why fine statues or pictures, or anything of that kind, should make one feel half sad and half thoughtful when one looks at them long.
Perhaps because it is a straining after the only true beauty.
I must tell Annette that. It was she that said it was so, said Violet; and we wondered Greek statues gave one that feeling, but I see it must be the reason.
What statues have you seen?
Those at Wrangerton House. Lord St. Erme is always sending cases home, and it is such a festival day to go up and see them unpacked, and Caroline and Annette go and take drawings, and I like to wander about the rooms, and look at everything, said Violet, growing talkative on the theme of home. There is one picture I like above all, but that is a sacred subject, so no wonder it should have that feeling in it.
What is it?
It is a Madonna, she said, lowering her voice. A stiff old-fashioned one, in beautiful, bright, clear colouring. The Child is reaching out to embrace a little cross, and his Mother holds him towards it with such a sad but such a holy face, as if she foreboded all, and was ready to bear it.
Ah! that Ghirlandajo?
That is the name! cried Violet, enchanted. Have you seen it?
I saw Lord St. Erme buy it.
Do you know Lord St. Erme? said Violet, rather awe-struck.
I used to meet him in Italy.
We wish so much that he would come home. We do so want to see a poet.
John smiled. Is he never at home?
O, no, he has never been at Wrangerton since his father died, twelve years ago. He does not like the place, so he only comes to London when he is in England, and papa goes up to meet him on business, but he is too poetical to attend to it.
I should guess that.
I have done wrong, said Violet, checking herself; I should not have said that. Mamma told us that we ought never to chatter about his concerns. Will you, please, not remember that I said it?
As far as the outer world is concerned, I certainly will not, said John kindly. You cannot too early learn discretion. So that picture is at Wrangerton?
I am so glad you liked it.
I liked it well enough to wish for a few spare hundreds, but it seems to have afforded no more pleasure to him than it has given to me. I am glad it is gone where there is some one who can appreciate it.
Oh, said Violet, Matilda knows all about the best pictures. We dont appreciate, you know, we only like.
And your chief liking is for that one?
It is more than liking, said Violet; I could call it loving. It is almost the same to me as Helvellyn. Annette and I went to the house for one look more my last evening at home. I must tell her that you have seen it! and the springing steps grew so rapid, that her companion had to say, Dont let me detain you, I am obliged to go gently up-hill. She checked her steps, abashed, and presently, with a shy but very pretty action, held out her arm, saying timidly, Would it help you to lean on me? I ought not to have brought you this steep way. Matilda says I skurry like a school-girl.
He saw it would console her to let her think herself of service and accepted of the slender prop for the few steps that remained. He then went up-stairs to write letters, but finding no ink, came to the drawing-room to ask her for some. She had only her own inkstand, which was supplying her letter to Annette, and he sat down at the opposite side of the table to share it. Her pen went much faster than his. Clifton Terrace, Winchester, and My dear fatherI came here yesterday, and was most agreeably surprised, was all that he had indited, when he paused to weigh what was his real view of the merits of the case, and ponder whether his present feeling was sober judgment, or the novelty of the bewitching prettiness of this innocent and gracious creature. There he rested, musing, while from her pen flowed a description of her walk and of Mr. Martindales brother. If they are all like him, I shall be perfectly happy, she wrote. I never saw any one so kind and considerate, and so gentle; only now and then he frightens me, with his politeness, or perhaps polish is the right word, it makes me feel myself rude and uncourteous and awkward. You said nothing gave you so much the notion of high-breeding as Mr. Martindales ease, especially when he pretended to be rough and talk slang, it was like playing at it. Now, his brother has the same, without the funny roughness, but the greatest gentleness, and a good deal of quiet sadness. I suppose it is from his health, though he is much better now: he still coughs, and he moves slowly and leans languidly, as if he was not strong. He is not so tall as his brother, and much slighter in make, and fairer complexioned, with gray eyes and brown hair, and he looks sallow and worn and thin, with such white long hands.
Here raising her eyes to verify her description, she encountered those of its subject, evidently taking a survey of her for the same purpose. He smiled, and she was thereby encouraged to break into a laugh, so girlish and light-hearted, so unconscious how much depended on his report, that he could not but feel compassionate.
Alarmed at the graver look, she crimsoned, exclaiming, O! I beg your pardon! It was very rude.
No, no, said John; it was absurd! and vexed at having checked her gladsomeness, he added, It is I rather who should ask your pardon, for looks that will not make a cheerful figure in your description.
Oh, no, cried Violet; mamma told me never to say anything against any of Mr. Martindales relations. What have I said?as he could not help laughingSomething I could not have meant.
Dont distress yourself, pray, said John, not at all in a bantering tone. I know what you meant; and it was very wise advice, such as you will be very glad to have followed.
With a renewed blush, an ingenuous look, and a hesitating effort, she said, INDEED, I have been telling them how very kind you are. Mamma will be so pleased to hear it.
She must have been very sorry to part with you, said he, looking at the fair girl sent so early into the world.