She knows nothing of peoples ways, said Arthur. She knew you were all abroad, and her own family told her it was all right. Her father is a bit of a tyrant, and stopped the mothers mouth, I fancy, if she had any doubts. As to herself, it was much too pretty to see her so happy, to let her set up her little scruples. She did just as she was told, like a good child.
O Arthur! you have undertaken a great responsibility! exclaimed John.
But Arthur, without seeming to heed, continued, So you see she is quite clear; but Ill write, and you shall see if it is not enough to satisfy my father, before he sets us going respectably.
I cant answer for anything of that sort.
Something he must do, said Arthur, for my allowance is not enough to keep a cat; and as to the ninth part of old Mosss pickings and stealings, if I meant to dirty my fingers with it, it wont be to be come by till he is disposed of, and that wont be these thirty years.
Then, he let you marry without settling anything on her!
He was glad to have her off his hands on any terms. Besides, to tell you the truth, John, I am convinced he had no notion you would ever come home again. He knew I saw his game, and dreaded I should be off; so he and I were both of one mind, to have it over as soon as possible.
I only hope you will make her happy! said John, earnestly.
Happy! exclaimed Arthur, surprised, small doubt of that! What should prevent me?
I think you will find you must make some sacrifices.
It all depends on my father, said Arthur, a little crossly, and taking his writing-case from another table.
He was so well pleased with his performance that, as soon as he was alone with Violet, he began, There, Ive done it! John said it could not be better, and after the impression you have made, no fear but he will pacify the great folks.
She was perplexed. Who? said she; not Lord and Lady Martindale? Oh! surely I have not done anything to displease them.
You must have been ingenious if you had.
Pray, do tell me! Why are they to be pacified? What is the matter? Do they think they shant like me? Ought I to do anything?
My little bird, dont twitter so fast. You have asked a dozen questions in a breath.
I wish you would tell me what it means, said Violet, imploringly.
Well, I suppose you must know sooner or later. It only means that they are taken by surprise.
Violet gazed at him in perplexity, then, with a dawning perception, Oh! surely you dont mean they did not approve of it.
Nobody asked them, said Arthur, carelessly, then as she turned away, covering her face with her hands, But it is nothing to take to heart in that way. I am my own master, you know, you silly child, and you had plenty of consent, and all that sort of thing, to satisfy you, so you are quite out of the scrape.
She scarcely seemed to hear.
Come, come, Violet, this wont do, he continued, putting his arm round her, and turning her towards him, while he pulled down her hands. This is pretty usage. You cant help it now if you would.
Oh! Mr. Martindale!
Ah! you dont know what I have saved you. I was not going to see all that pink paint worn off those cheeks, nor your life and my own wasted in waiting for them to bring their minds to it. I have seen enough of that. Poor John there
How?what? said Violet, with alarmed curiosity.
She died, said Arthur.
How long ago? What was her name?
Helen Fotheringham. She was our old parsons daughter. They waited eight years, and she died last summer. I see he wears his mourning still.
Violet looked aghast, and spoke low. How very sad! Helen! That was the reason he looked up when he heard it was my name. Poor Mr. John Martindale! I saw the crape on his hat. Was that what made him so ill?
It nearly killed him last year, but he never had lungs good for anything. First, my aunt set my father against it, and when he gave in, she had a crabbed decrepit old grandfather, and between them they were the death of her, and almost of him. I never thought he would rally again.
Only last year? exclaimed Violet. O dear! and there have I been telling him all aboutabout this spring. I would not have done it, if I had known. I thought he looked melancholy sometimes. Oh! I wish I had not.
You did, did you? said Arthur, much amused. You chatterbox.
Oh! I am so sorry. I wish
No, no, he only liked you the better for it. I assure you, Violet, he almost said so. Then that was what made him lay such stress on your being an innocent little victim.
Would you be so kind as to explain it to me? said Violet, in such serious distress that he answered with less trifling than usual, There is nothing to tell. I knew how it would be if I asked leave, so I took it. Thats all.
Andand surely they didnt know this at home?
The less said about that the better, Violet, said Arthur. You are all right, you know, and in great favour with John. He can do anything with my father, and I have written. We shall be at home before the end of another month, and set going with a decent income in London. A housewhere shall it be? Let me see, he cant give me less than £1000 a year, perhaps £1600. I vow I dont see why it should not be £2000. John wants no more than he has got, and will never marry now, and there is only Theodora. I was always my aunts favourite, and if you mind what you are about we shall have our share of the old sugar-planters hoards, better than the Barbuda propertyall niggers and losses. I wash my hands of it, though by rights it should come to the second son.
Neither understanding nor heeding all this, Violet interrupted by gasping out, Oh! I am so grieved.
Grieved!say that again. Grieved to be Mrs. Arthur Martindale?
O no, no; but
Grieved to have found such a fool as to risk everything, and run counter to all his friends for the sake of that silly little ungrateful face?
She was coaxed out of vexation for the present; but she awoke the next morning with a feeling of culpability and dread of all the Martindale family.
John could not understand her altered manner and the timid bashfulness, greater than even at their first meeting. In fact, the history of his grief inspired her with a sort of reverential compassion for him, and the perception of the terms on which she stood, made her laugh of yesterday seem to her such unbecoming levity, that upon it she concentrated all her vague feelings of contrition.
When he came as before, to borrow some ink, as she gave it to him her hand shook, and her colour rose. After standing musing a little while, she said, mournfully, I am very sorry!
What is the matter? said he, kindly.
I am so vexed at what I did yesterday!
What do you mean?
For laughing, said she, in a tone of distress. Indeed, indeed, I did not know, and though she averted her face, he saw that the crimson had spread to her neck. He did not at once reply, and she went on incoherently. I did not knowI could not guess. Of courseI wondered at it all. I knew I was not fitbut they never told meO, I am so much grieved.
Most soothingly did John say, coming towards her, No, no, you need not distress yourself. No one can blame you.
But Lord Martindaleshe murmured.
He will look on you like a daughter. I know I may promise you that. Yes, indeed, I have no doubt of it, my dear little sister, he repeated, as she looked earnestly at him. I have told him how entirely you deserve his kindness and affection, and Arthur has written, such a letter as will be sure to bring his forgiveness.