Part 18 (1/2)
”I need hardly tell you, children, that the Riversleys were, or are, n.o.bodies of whom we know nothing--never can know anything.”
”Whatever,” a.s.sented Miss Isabella.
”To us they do not exist--neither will they for you, my dears. We believe that Mr Julian had a sister who married a Mr Huish; that is all we know.”
”All we know,” a.s.sented Miss Isabella.
”I will say nothing of the tax it has been upon us in connection with our limited income. A grateful country, recognising the services of papa, placed these apartments at our disposal. In consideration of the thoughtfulness of the offer, we accepted these apartments--thirty-five years ago, I think, Isabella?”
”Thirty-five years and a half, sister.”
”Exactly; and we have been here ever since, so that we have been spared the unpleasantry of paying a rent. But I need not continue that branch of my subject. What I wish to impress upon you, children, is the fact that in spite of your poor mamma's _mesalliance_, you are of the family of Dymcoques, and that it is your duty to endeavour to raise, and not degrade, our n.o.ble house. I think I am following out the proper line of argument, Isabella?”
”Most accurately, sister.”
”In the event, then, of either of you--at a future time, of course-- receiving a proposal of marriage--”
Miss Isabella reopened her fan, and began to use it in a quick, agitated manner.
”It would be your duty to study the interest of your family, children, and to endeavour to regain that which your poor mamma lost. To a lady, marriage--”
Miss Isabella's fan raised quite a draught in the chilly room, and the white tissue-paper chimney-ap.r.o.n rustled in the breeze.
”Marriage is the means by which we may recover the steps lost by those who have gone before; and I would have you to remember that our position, our family, our claims to a high descent, warrant our demanding as a right that we might mate with the n.o.blest of the land.”
For a moment a curious idea crossed Clotilde's brain--that her aunts had some thought of entering the married state; but it pa.s.sed away on the instant at the next words.
”Your aunt Isabella and myself might at various times have entered into alliance with others--”
Miss Isabella's fan went rather slowly now. ”But we knew what was due to our family, and we said 'No!' We sacrificed ourselves in the cause of duty, and we demand, children, in obedience to our teaching, that you do the same.”
”Yes, aunt,” said Clotilde demurely.
”An impecunious, poverty-stricken alliance,” continued Miss Philippa, ”is at best a crime, one of which no true woman would be guilty; while an alliance that brings to her family wealth _and_ position is one of which she might be proud. You understand, my children?”
”Yes, aunt,” in chorus.
”We--your aunt Isabella and I--of course care little for such things; but we consider that young people of birth and position should, as a matter of duty, look forward to having diamonds, a town house, carriages and servants, pin-money. These are social necessities, children.
Plebeians may perhaps consider that they are superfluities, but such democratic notions are the offspring of ignorance. Your grandfather devoted himself to the upholding of Church and State; he was considered worthy of the trust of the Premier of his day; and it is our duty, as his descendants, to hold his name in reverence, and to add to its l.u.s.tre.”
Marie, as her aunt stopped for breath, wondered in what way her grandfather had benefited his country, and could not help wis.h.i.+ng that he had done more to benefit his heirs. Then she half wondered that she had ventured to harbour such a thought, and just then Miss Philippa said blandly:
”I think that will do, Isabella?”
”Yes, I think that will do,” said that lady, dropping her fan.
”You may retire to the schoolroom, then, my dears,” continued Miss Philippa. ”Clotilde, come here.”
The dark girl, with an unusual flush beneath her creamy skin, crossed the room to her aunt, who laid her hands upon her shoulder, gazed wistfully in her eyes, and then kissed her upon either cheek.