I couldnt, said this naive young person. Besides, there is much more of a field for me here than at Dunstone since papas marriage.
Whatever Rosamond had on the tip of her tongue was averted by the entrance of the three younger brothers. Julius seated himself beside her in the cushioned fireside corner; and Cecil asked where Raymond was.
Just stepped in to see my mother, said Frank. This room opens into hers. Will you come to them?
Not yet, said Cecil. I want you to tell me about the neighbourhood.
Just what I want, said Rosamond. Whenever I ask, Julius always says theres Dr. Easterby.
Frank and Charlie burst out laughing.
Dr. Easterby is one of the greatest men in the English Church, said Julius.
Precisely! But what is the regiment at Backsworth? and as Charlie named it, Oh, what fun! Thats where Laurie Cookson exchanged. He will be sure to send us cards for everything.
At Dunstone we never used to go to garrison gaieties, said Cecil, gravely.
Oh! Im a military pariah, said Rosamond, hastily.
Who are the land-owners? continued Cecil. There was a place I saw from the line, but Raymond didnt hear when I asked whose it was. Close to the station, I mean.
That is Sirenwood, said Charles. Sir Harry Vivians. He is just come back there with his two daughters.
I thought Emily Vivian was dead, said Julius. You dont mean that women!
That woman? laughed his wife. What has she done to be a that woman?
Offended his Reverence, said Frank, in that sort of jocose tone which betrays annoyance.
A heartless mischievous woman! said Julius.
Rosamond cocked up her left eyebrow with an ineffably droll look, which encouraged Charlie to say, Such fierceness can only be prompted by personal experience. Look out, Rosamond!
Come fess, Julius, said she, merrily. Fess and make it up.
II have nothing to confess, said Julius, seriously.
Hasnt he indeed? said she, looking at the brothers.
Oh! dont ask us, said Charlie. His youthful indiscretions were over long before our eyes had risen above the horizon!
Do you mean that they have really come home to live here? demanded Julius, with singular indifference to the personal insinuations.
I am sorry it is so painful to you, said I Frank, somewhat ironically; but Sir Harry thinks it right to return and end his days among his own people.
Is he ill, then?
I cant gratify you so far, returned Frank; he is a fine old fellow of sixty-five. Just what humbugging papers call a regular specimen of an old English gentleman, he added to Cecil.
Humbugging indeed, I should hope, muttered Julius. The old English gentleman has reason to complain!
Theres the charity of the clergy! exclaimed Frank. No forgiveness for a man who has spent a little in his youth!
As an essential of the old English gentleman? asked Julius.
At any rate, the poor old fellow has been punished enough, said Charlie.
But what is it? Tell me all about it, said Cecil. I am sure my father would not wish me to associate with dissipated people.
Ah! Cecil, said Rosamond. Youll have to take refuge with the military, after all!
It is just this, said Charlie. Sir Harry and his only son were always extravagant, one as bad as the otherwerent they, Julius? Phil Bowater told me all about it, and how Tom Vivian lost fifteen thousand pounds one Derby Day, and was found dead in his chambers the next morning, they said from an over-dose of chloroform for neuralgia. Then the estate was so dipped that Sir Harry had to give up the estate to his creditors, and live on an allowance abroad or at watering-places till now, when he has managed to come home. That is to say, the house is really leased to Lady Tyrrell, and he is in a measure her guestvery queer it must be for him in his own house.
Is Lady Tyrrell that woman? asked Rosamond.
I conclude so, said Charlie. She was the eldest daughter, and married Lord Tyrrell, who died about two years ago. She has no children, so she has taken the family in charge, patches up Sir Harrys affairs with her jointure, and chaperons her sister.
What is she like?
Ask Frank, said Charlie, slyly.
No! said Frank, with dignity. I shall say no more, I only excite prejudice.
You are right, Frank, said Julius, who had evidently recovered from the shock. It is not fair to judge people now from what they were eleven years ago. They have had some terrible lessons, and may be much changed.
Ay, said Frank; and they have been living in an atmosphere congenial to you, at Rockpier, and are hand and glove with all the St. Chrysostom folk there. What do you say to that, Julius? I can tell you they are enchanted with your curate!
They are not in this parish.
No, but they turn up herethe ladies, at leastat all the services at odd times that Bindon has begun with.
Ah! by the bye, is Herbert Bowater come?
Yes, the whole family came over to his installation in Mrs. Hornblowers lodgings.
I saw him this morning, poor old Herbs, added Frank, looking uncommonly as if he felt himself in a strait waistcoat.
What, are there two curates? demanded Cecil, in a tone of reprobation.
Julius made a gesture of assent, with a certain humorous air of deprecation, which, however, was lost upon her.
We never let Mr. Venn have one, continued Cecil, except one winter when he was ill, and then not a young one. Papa says idle young clergymen are not to be encouraged.
I am entirely of Mr. Charnocks opinion. But if I have exceeded the Dunstone standard, it was not willingly. Herbert Bowater is the son of some old friends of my mothers, who wanted to keep their son near home, and made it their request that I would give him a title.
And the Bowaters are the great feature in the neighbourhood, added Frank. Herbert tells me there are wonderful designs for entertaining the brides.
What do they consist of? asked Rosamond.
All the component parts of a family, said Frank. The eldest daughter is a sort of sheet-anchor to my mother, as well as her own. The eldest son is at home now. He is in the army.
In the Light Dragoons? asked Rosamond. Oh! then I knew him at Edinburgh! A man with yellow whiskers, and the next thing to a stutter.
I declare, Julius, she is as good as any army list, exclaimed Charlie.
Theres praise! cried Frank. The army list is his one book! What a piece of luck to have you to coach him up in it!
I dare say Rosamond can tell me lots of wrinkles for my outfit, said Charles.
I should hope so, having rigged out Dick for the line, and Maurice for the artillery!
Charlie came and leant on the mantel-shelf, and commenced a conversation sotto voce on the subject nearest his heart; while Cecil continued her catechism.
Are the Bowaters intellectual?
Jenny is very well read, said Julius, a very sensible person.
Yes, said Frank; she was the only person here that so much as tried to read Browning. But if Cecil wants intellect, she had better take to the Duncombes, the queerest firm I ever fell in with. He makes the turf a regular profession, actually gets a livelihood out of his betting-book; and she is in the strong-minded linewomans rights, and all the rest of it.