There was no sort of rivalry between the lovely girl and her beautiful stepmother. That there were already numerous aspirants to the hand of the wealthy young widow was certain; but it was equally certain she was in no haste to take another husband. She, therefore, felt no jealousy of Mildred, but was delighted to see her admired and sought after, and would willingly have promoted any advantageous match.
Mildred, however, made some objection or other to all who were recommended to her. Thus, when Mrs. Calverley praised young Mr. Capesthorne, and said he would have a fine old Elizabethan mansion, with a park attached to it, and asked if he wouldnt do, the young lady replied that she admired Mr. Capesthornes old house, but didnt care for him.
Again, when Colonel Blakemere, who was about to return to Madras, and wanted to take a wife with him, paid her marked attention, and got Mrs. Calverley to back his suit, Mildred settled the matter by declaring she would never go to India.
However, these were nothing as compared with what followed.
It never rains but it pours, and offers now came by the dozen.
Mrs. Calverley received a number of little notes, the writers whereof begged permission to wait upon her, intimating that they had an important matter to lay before her, and at the same time making some slight reference to Mildred, that left her no doubt as to their object.
Before replying to any of them, she consulted Mildred; and, having ascertained her sentiments, agreed to see a couple of them on a particular day, and within half an hour of each other.
On the appointed day she was alone in the drawing-room, seated in an easy-chair, and wondering who would appear first, when Mr. Vernon Brook was announced by Norris.
Mr. Vernon Brook belonged to a good old family, but was a younger son.
Dark, sallow-complexioned, and long-visaged, he piqued himself upon having a Vandyke face. To assist the expression, he scrupulously shaved his cheeks, and cultivated a pointed beard.
He had ridden over from his fathers place, which was about ten miles off, and arrived in very good spirits, deeming himself sure of success.
Mrs. Calverley received him very graciously, and begged him to be seated. After a few words had passed between them, he came to the point.
Ive a question to ask you, my dear Mrs. Calverley, which I hope you will be able to answer in the affirmative. Your daughter step-daughter, I ought to say is a very charming girl, and I want to know if I have your permission to pay my addresses to her?
He said this in a very easy manner, and as if quite certain the response would be favourable.
Mrs. Calverleys looks rather discouraged him.
I must be allowed to consider THe matter, Mr. Brook, she replied. My late husband entrusted his daughter entirely to my care, and I cannot allow an engagement to take place unless I feel sure it would conduce to her happiness.
But this would not amount to an engagement, my dear madam, though it might lead to one at least, I hope so.
It will be best to come to a clear understanding at first, Mr. Brook. I think it right to say that I see no objection to you. You have many agreeable personal qualities, and are unexceptionable in regard to family, but I am not exactly aware of your expectations.
Vernon Brooks dark cheek coloured, and he rather hesitated. He was not prepared for such a point-blank question.
I am a younger son, as you are aware, Mrs. Calverley, He said; and, like most younger sons, my expectations are not very great.
I may as well speak frankly, Mr. Brook, she rejoined. He who aspires to Miss Calverleys hand must bring a corresponding fortune. He must have a thousand a year, or a prospect of it.
I am sorry to say I have neither the one nor the other, but I hope my want of fortune may not be a bar. I think we could be very happy together.
Possibly; but the days of romantic marriages are over, and only exist in novels. I have dealt with you very fairly, Mr. Brook. Miss Calverley, as I have said, was left to my care by her father, and I shall act for her as he would have acted.
But I have reason to believe Mr. Calverley would not have made it a sine qua non that a suitor to his daughter should be a man of property.
You have been misinformed, Mr. Brook. No one can be so well acquainted as myself with my late husbands intentions.
Then I am not to hope?
It would be useless, sir.
Mr. Vernon Brook arose, and was reluctantly preparing to depart, when Norris announced Sir Bridgnorth Charlton.
Thereupon he hurriedly bade Mrs. Calverley adieu, bowed stiffly to the new-comer, and made his exit.
II. SIR BRIDGNORTH CHARLTON
Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, Baronet, of Charlton Hall, in. Staffordshire, a very fine place, was a person of considerable importance. He had been a member for the county, and was still a zealous politician. That he had not married earlier in life was owing to a disappointment he experienced, which had deeply affected him and caused him to remain a bachelor.
In age Sir Bridgnorth was not far from sixty, still handsome, though rather portly, and exceedingly gentlemanlike in manner. He had seen Mildred at a county ball, and, being much struck by her resemblance to his former love, the old flame was revived, and he determined to offer his hand.
Accordingly, he wrote to Mrs. Calverley, as we have explained.
Sir Bridgnorth had never been in Ouselcroft before, and after a few observations on the beauty of the grounds, he said:
You will, no doubt, have conjectured why I have done myself the honour of waiting upon you, maam?
Mrs. Calverley slightly moved.
You have a very lovely step-daughter. It is not necessary for me to launch into her praises; but I may say I have only seen one person in the course of my life who has charmed me so much. That person would have been my wife had she not jilted me and wedded another. Miss Calverley shall be Lady Charlton if she will accept me.
You do us great honour, Sir Bridgnorth! observed Mrs. Calverley.
I dont know whether I am right, maam, he pursued; but I prefer making this offer through you, instead of direct to the young lady, as you can put an end to the affair at once, if you think proper. I neednt enter into any particulars. You know my position; you know what sort of place I have got you know I can make a good settlement on my wife, as well as give her a title. The main question is will Miss Calverley have me? Is she wholly free? for I would not, for the world, interfere with any other engagement. I have suffered too much myself not to be careful. I am not foolish enough to persuade myself she can love me; but I believe I could make her a very good husband, and hope she would be happy. I am quite sure she would be indulged.
He said this with an honest, manly sincerity, that produced a strong effect upon Mrs. Calverley.
In a voice of some emotion, she remarked, My own husband, as I neednt tell you, Sir Bridgnorth, was considerably older than myself, and no one could be happier than I was with him.
You encourage me to hope, madam, that the disparity of years may not prove an objection. Supposing the young lady to be entirely disengaged, may I be permitted to see her?
Most certainly, Sir Bridgnorth! I would much rather she answered for herself than I should answer for her. Ah! I see her in the garden! If you will step out with me to the lawn I will present you to her!
Sir Bridgnorth willingly complied, though he felt some little internal trepidation. A variety of emotions agitated him.
Mildred was at the further end of the lawn, but she came to meet them, and he thought her even more charming in her simple morning costume than in evening dress.
I had the pleasure of seeing you at the ball at Stafford the other night, Miss Calverley, he said, after the presentation had taken place. You interested me exceedingly from the striking resemblance you bear to a young lady to whom I was tenderly attached in former days. I will tell you that little story some time or other should you desire to hear it. Meantime, it may suffice to say that I was actually engaged to her, but she threw me over for a better-looking man, and married him. It was a severe blow, and I did not recover it for a long time. I made up my mind never to marry, and for five-and-twenty years adhered to my determination. But see what our resolutions are worth! The sight of you dispelled mine in a moment! As I gazed at you, my youth seemed to return. I felt as much enamoured as I had done before, and it was with difficulty I could prevent myself from going up to you and saying, Behold your lover!
I am very glad you didnt, Sir Bridgnorth, said Mildred.
I knew you would think me a madman! he continued; and fearing I might be guilty of some indiscretion, I would not even be introduced to you. But I watched you throughout the evening, and your image has haunted me ever since. Feeling that my happiness is at stake, I have come here to plead my cause in person, and have just spoken to Mrs. Calverley. Now you know all.
Not quite all, my love, said Mrs. Calverley. I am bound to add, that, in making his proposal to you through me, Sir Bridgnorth has behaved in the handsomest manner.
I am convinced of it, said Mildred; but
Do not crush my hopes at once, cried Sir Bridgnorth, in alarm. Give me the chance of winning your affections. I dont desire an immediate answer.
But I am very fickle myself, Sir Bridgnorth, and extremely liable to change my mind. You shall have no reason to complain of me as you do of your former love.
I dont complain of her, he said, in a quiet tone.
Then you are extremely forgiving; for, in my opinion, she used you shamefully.
You must not say a word against her, exclaimed Sir Bridgnorth.
Why not? inquired Mildred, in surprise.
For an excellent reason, he replied. She was your own mother.
Mildred could scarcely repress a cry.
I thought as much, said Mrs. Calverley. Your fair inconstant was the beautiful Annabella Chetwynd, my husbands first wife.
Mildred could scarcely repress a cry.
I thought as much, said Mrs. Calverley. Your fair inconstant was the beautiful Annabella Chetwynd, my husbands first wife.
Exactly so, said Sir Bridgnorth. I never beheld her since her marriage, he added, to Mildred. No wonder, therefore, your appearance produced such an effect upon me. For a moment I thought she had come to life again. I shall always take an interest in you, and shall always be delighted to serve you. Since I cannot be your husband, you must allow me to be a friend.