Lady Anne Granard/Chapter 44
CHAPTER XLIV.
Lord Meersbrook had lingered longer than he intended, or even approved of in himself, to see this fancy fair, because he knew that the dear old baronet was waiting for him; but the very day following he presented himself at Meersbrook Park, willing to set off an hour after his arrival.
"No, no," said Mrs. Margaret; "evening travelling will not do for my brother. I will tell you how to manage him, dear Frederic; and you must not allow him, either from his fancied strength or his good-natured compliance, to mislead you—let him breakfast at eight, set out at nine, and not travel after five, and you will manage the hundred and twenty miles admirably—yes, admirably, in two days and a half."
To take such a time for such a purpose, appeared surprising to so young a man, though he was perfectly willing to obey the mandate, if necessary; and, looking at the aged traveller, he said: "Do you agree to this arrangement, dear grandfather?"
"Willingly, as I know my sister is quite right; for, in the course of my whole life, I have never known but one man that could travel fast after he was turned of eighty; that man was the Reverend John Wesley: he was, unquestionably, as much the remarkable, the unparalleled man of my early life, as the great duke is of my present period of existence. As they are both descended from one stock—for our great captain was a Wesley, and Lord Mornington, his father, was enriched by a legacy at one time designed for the father of methodism—I wonder it has never entered into the heads of people who write books to make a parallel between them: it might be done exceedingly well, in my opinion, and take Marquis Wellesley into the group."
"In what way, dear sir? you excite my curiosity much," *[1] said Lord Meersbrook, who ever listened with fond attention to the "old man garrulous" he honoured so entirely.
"Qualities and faculties, my dear Meersbrook, descend in races not less than features and stature, and what is most to the purpose, longevity both of mind and body. That the elder Wesleys, of whom I speak, were extraordinary men, no one now disputes. The labours of John as a preacher, writer, and traveller, may be compared with the man of a hundred battles, and thousands of letters, the deep thinker, the contriver, the consolidator. Lord Mornington was a musical composer of first-rate talent, and Charles Wesley's son, the musical genius of his day—Charles himself was both a lively and a devotional poet, and the Marquess of Wellesley is not only an elegant classical scholar, but a sweet poet, though the world does not know it; from thus looking over the family, Frederic, I infer that this country may be blessed by the wisdom and energies of the duke for many, many years, provided he takes proper care of himself, such care as you are willing to take of me."
"I should wish no better lot in life, than taking care of you both," said his lordship; but he felt, at the same moment, there was another and a very different person whom he should like to include in his circle. Although he had been very angry with Lady Anne Granard (of whose present situation he was ignorant), and therefore was still the same, so far as his dear brother was concerned, yet he was sensible of a certain tie to her which might, at a different period of society, have been imputed to witchcraft. He considered her a proud, insolent, and unfeeling woman, who deserved a thousand inflictions by way of punishment, but he could not himself bestow one of them; on the contrary, when he found she was distressed for money, he earnestly intreated Mr. Palmer to relieve her, and the plan of paying beforehand for the house was entirely of his suggestion. The few words of advice she gave him as to escaping political embarrassments, struck him as the acme of wisdom, and as indicating an interest in his well-being of the kindest description; and he was thence led to consider that "perhaps her own narrow income and pecuniary difficulties had alone induced her to fear such a fate for her daughter, and occasioned her refusal of Arthur, and that the reports which had been made about her seeking to marry Georgiana to the Marquess of Wentworthdale were mere idle fabrications."
Though taciturn, from partaking the manners of those with whom he had recently lived, and naturally too modest to do justice to his own conversational powers, yet, when he reached the dear home of his in fancy, he could talk freely of all that he had lately seen or even thought, and his representations of Lady Anne, to a considerable degree, ameliorated their feelings towards her, and they thought most probably she had changed her mind, and would not be long before she gave some farther intimation of it.
"I well remember when Lord Rotheles was a young man (and a very engaging one he was), that he was much given to running from one opinion or predilection to another. 'Unstable as water, thou shalt not profit,' says the wise man; and truly the sentence is full of truth: perhaps Lady Anne may resemble him; I know too little of her to judge. We should make allowance for this disposition, because our own failings lie the other way."
"Say rather our virtues, brother, for surely constancy is one?" said the old lady.
"Constancy in our affections is a good thing certainly, but constancy in our opinions is a different affair. A good man may change his sentiments, though he cannot change his principles."
"Well, all I think about is this:—Does the girl herself deserve dear Arthur? I wish of all things, that your brother could see her, and judge how far she resembles that vain peacock, her mother, or that shuttlecock, her uncle? I confess I never liked the first, but I did have a great regard for the last, when he was intimate with dear Frederic."
"Was Lord Rotheles intimate with my father?" said the son, earnestly.
"Oh, yes; they were college friends, and happy would it have been for him had his young mentor been near him; but your father went to India, came home, but for a short time; married, and went out again. In losing his friend, he might be said to lose himself; he has led a strange kind of life, more 'sinned against than sinning,' but certainly has not been a man with whom your father would have continued intimate. However, he is now sobered down into decency, at least—is an excellent landlord, a good husband and brother, and restored to the respect of his neighbours."
"I should like to know the man who knew my father!—knew him when he was young, and could tell me how he looked, and spoke—what were his tastes and sentiments in early life?" said Lord Meersbrook, warmly.
"As to his person, dear Frederic, you have nothing to do but sit down before the glass, and there you have it," said his great aunt.
"And his mind, you must know," added Sir Edward, "for he might be said to breathe it into you, my dear boy."
"Nevertheless, I should like to know this Lord Rotheles."
"And you shall know him, only let us set out, and the rest you may leave to me."
They did set out, and in the forenoon of the third day, Sir Edward arrived at his old tenant's, who was two years his senior, and received him with great pride and delight, presenting his married granddaughter and her two children. The poor woman, who was well aware with such incumbrances she could do nothing with visitors of their rank, eagerly presented a letter from the castle, which had been waiting almost a week, and their horses' heads were in a few minutes turned thitherward, a boy being dispatched from the farm by a near road, to announce their arrival.
Georgiana had heard nothing of this invitation, for, although determined once more to make it, Lord Rotheles could hardly hope it would be accepted after the conduct of his sister, unless that very conduct induced Sir Edward to say, by his manners, "I know you had nothing to do with it, my lord." As this was not unlikely, so far as he could judge of the worthy baronet, he determined to send his invitation in good time, and the acceptance gave him sincere delight; he hastened to inform his lady, and entreat her to do all honour to their expected guests, and then walked to wards the entrance of the Castle. Georgiana was returning from her ride, and jumped from her horse just as the carriage door was opened; and Lord Meersbrook sprung out. "What could bring him there? who was in the carriage besides?" were questions that suffused her cheek with crimson, and made her heart beat almost audibly. She stood as well as her trembling limbs permitted, but could neither move nor speak till she had seen the venerable baronet descend with his grandson's assistance, when she began to comprehend that they were visitants to her uncle, with whom she had nothing to do beyond exchanging the usual civilities.
Never had she seen Lord Rotheles so entirely discharge his usual nonchalance so rapidly, and receive his new guests with such graceful and animated welcome. On taking the hand of Lord Meersbrook, he pressed it between both his own, and whilst the tears welled up into his eyes, said, in a voice suppressed by emotion, "you are indeed the son of my early friend. Poor Frederic! he deserved to be the father of such a one."
Georgiana escaped to her own room, desirous of obtaining more composure before she went through the ordeal of presentation to the venerable man who would so kindly have received her portionless and unknown, and even generously endowed her; and she could so school her heart and command her nerves as to walk into the drawing-room with her usual ease, and receive the compliments of Lord Meersbrook with only the heightened colour natural to an agreeable surprise. When he led her up to the grandsire, of whom Arthur had talked so much, and had written so gratefully, that bloom receded and returned with such quick changes, that even the eye of age detected her confusion; and Sir Edward, rising, took her from Lord Meersbrook, and, with a tenderness beautiful in him, touched the pale cheek with his lips, and brought back not only roses but tears—"sweet, grateful, touching tears," which no one seemed to see, but were felt by every one.
As Sir Edward Hales had some business to transact every morning, and it was understood that he was not equal to large parties, Lord Rotheles busied himself, with Georgiana's assistance, in giving invitation both to near and distant neighbours to come in small parties, on different days, to dinner during the ensuing week; such parties including the young of both sexes, who were likely to render the visit more agreeable to Lord Meersbrook. Several sportsmen were amongst the number; and, as pheasant-shooting had commenced, these made their appearance early in the morning, and, of course, Lord Meersbrook accompanied them; but it was certain, though fond of field sports, he would rather have accompanied Georgians in her ride, for he had a great deal to tell her respecting the fancy fair, and a great many questions to ask, both direct and indirect, in which Helen was concerned.
On explaining to his grandfather his necessity for leaving him, in consequence of the earl's arrangement for his pleasure, the baronet replied, "Go, by all means, and prove yourself a good shot, for I taught you myself; yes, I took you on the moors when I was sixty-four, which is something to say, and very sharp you were, only too pitiful for a sportsman; but that was my sister's fault: women will spoil men, do what one will. However, I wish you would get Georgiana Granard to sit with me when the tenants come. I am getting too fond of that child, I can tell you; in fact. I am rather angry at myself, for I should like to give her to you, and that would be wrong, for I am sure Arthur must love such a sweet creature very dearly."
"Dear Grandfather" his lordship began with a very grave face, and was certainly on the point of making a confession, but his servant, entering with a variety of fowling-pieces, sent for his choice from my lord, together with a shot-bag, jacket, &c.; no more was said, and he joined the gentlemen, completely forgetting Georgiana, because his head was full of her sister. Sir Edward's wishes were not the less fulfilled.
"Georgiana, child!" said the earl, "you are the best secretary in the world, so I would have you offer your services to Sir Edward; it would be indelicate in me, whose lands adjoin this estate of his, to offer mine, or I would gladly do it; not that I am half so au fait as either you or your aunt, who has most kindly undertaken to read and answer all letters this busy, and, let me add, this happy week."
Georgiana, in a moment after, stood before the aged baronet, offering her services, saying, she should be most happy to assist him in any way she could; adding, with great modesty, "I can cast up a sum readily, and I write quickly and legibly."
"Great things in your favour, my dear, and more than your great grandmother possessed, I'll be bound, though she might know a little latin. For the present, since we are tête-à-tête, let us talk of Arthur, James Hales; I believe you know him."
"I do know him, certainly, Sir Edward."
"And you love him, Georgiana Granard?"
There was no reply, save on the speaking countenance.
"But are you quite, quite sure you prefer Arthur, the younger brother, to Frederic, Lord Meersbrook, the elder?"
The timid, trembling, blushing girl rose instantly to the decided and impassioned woman, as she replied,
"I believe Lord Meersbrook to be a most excellent man, and the very best of brothers—as such I honour him, and could, as a sister, love him; but he has never distinguished me as Arthur has. I owe him no gratitude, nor can I possibly feel the same kind of—of"
"Say love, my dear."
"Well, Sir Edward, to you (whom I love very, very dearly) I will say love; but I hope you believe I would not say so to himself."
"I'll be sworn you would not, my dear child, till the moment when you ought to do so; but since you confess your love to me, come and kiss me."
Georgiana did not hesitate a moment, for she generally kissed her uncle when she met him in the morning. Sir Edward, tenderly encircling her with his feeble arms, said, half playfully, half solemnly,
"With this kiss I thee wed, as the representative of my grandson, Arthur, in token whereof, I place on thy finger this ring, intreating thee never to look upon it without remembering that thou art united to him for better for worse, for richer or poorer; can you take it? think before you speak."
"I can take, and gladly will take, that plain gold ring upon your finger, as an emblem of my fidelity, but not the diamond ring; I have much love, but little ambition."
"My child, you must take that which I can give; my wedding ring must never leave my hand, but the other shall be yours. Our precious Arthur's profession places him always in peril, but come what will, this ring binds me to you; take it, I beseech you, as the promise of hope, the rainbow which succeeds the tempest."
And sweetly did the costly brilliant glitter on the soft white hand.
- ↑ |* In many of the portraits of Mr. Wesley, taken about 1790, or earlier, there is evidence of a decided family likeness to the duke, and though scarcely the height of his grace, there was great resemblance in the spareness of flesh, the perfection of muscle, the springiness of the step, the brilliance and comprehensive character of the eye, the commanding and distinct intonation of the voice, and a power of enduring fatigue and physical privations only paralleled by themselves. The mental properties of the parties still more resembled each other—high intellect, great penetration, perfect integrity and singleness of purpose—a resolution devoid of obstinacy and a fortitude admitting sensibility and cherishing affection, were alike the characteristics of the clergyman and the soldier. To this it may be added, that each party was endowed with a genius for governing men. The duke found his soldiery half disciplined, flagitious, disorderly and inefficient: he rendered them, in his own words, a "perfect organ." John Wesley went into the "highways and hedges" of society, to "seek and save that which was lost." With a personal courage never exceeded, and a patient endurance rarely equalled, he laboured amongst the ignorant and the wicked, until he had called order out of chaos, and gained the suffrages of the good, for his benefits to the bad. He not only purified the dregs of society, but reformed the church to which he belonged, whilst he built up another. At least a million of Christians are called by his name, and although the writer is herself episcopalian, she firmly believes his followers to be the most consistent body of religious persons in existence. The duke's army, when most perfect, of course, had some bad men in it, and there may be some blots in the Wesleyan government as conducted in America, notwithstanding which the Methodists are to the United States the "salt of the earth."
May the duke be enabled, like his prototype, to labour in behalf of his country as effectively as we are sure he will conscientiously and wisely, and when his latest hour arrives, may he also enjoy intellectual strength to the verge of existence, and "nobly" give, not yield, his soul to death," in "sure and certain hope!"—Ed. note.