Part 98 (1/2)

”If your lords.h.i.+p would only allow me to recall to your memory the circ.u.mstances of the case,--how you, yourself, allocated--”

Lord Stapledean turned suddenly at the bell-rope, and gave it a tremendous pull--then another--and then a third, harder than the others. Down came the rope about his ears, and the peal was heard ringing through the house.

”Thompson,” he said to the man, as he entered, ”show that lady the door.”

”Yes, my lord.”

”Show her the door immediately.”

”Yes, my lord,” said Thompson, standing irresolute. ”Now, ma'am; the post-chaise is waiting.”

Mrs. Wilkinson had still strength enough to prevent collapse, and to gather herself together with some little feminine dignity. ”I think I have been very badly treated,” she said, as she prepared to move.

”Thompson,” shrieked the marquis, in his pa.s.sion; ”show that lady the door.”

”Yes, my lord;” and Thompson gracefully waved his hand, pointing down the pa.s.sage. It was the only way in which he could show Mrs.

Wilkinson the way out.

And then, obedient to necessity, she walked forth. Never had she held her head so high, or tossed her bonnet with so proud a shake, as she did in getting into that post-chaise. Thompson held the handle of the carriage-door: he also offered her his arm, but she despised any such aid. She climbed in una.s.sisted; the post-boy mounted his jade; and so she was driven forth, not without t.i.tters from the woman at the lodge-gate. With heavy heart she reached the inn, and sat herself down to weep alone in her bedroom.

”So, you've come back?” said the landlady.

”Ugh!” exclaimed Mrs. Wilkinson.

We will not dwell long on her painful journey back to Hurst Staple; nor on the wretched reflections with which her mind was laden. She sent on a line by post to her eldest daughter, so that she was expected; and Dumpling and the phaeton and the stable-boy were there to meet her. She had feared that Arthur would come: but Arthur had dreaded the meeting also; and, having talked the matter over with his sisters, had remained at home. He was in the book-room, and hearing the wheels, as the carriage drew up to the door, he went out to greet his mother on the steps.

At the first moment of meeting there was nothing said, but she warmly pressed the hand which he held out to her.

”What sort of a journey have you had?” said Sophia.

”Oh, it is a dreadful place!” said Mrs. Wilkinson.

”It is not a nice country,” said Arthur.

By this time they were in the drawing-room, and the mother was seated on a sofa, with one of her girls on each side of her.

”Sophy,” she said, ”get up for a moment; I want Arthur to come here.”

So Sophy did get up, and her son immediately taking her place, put his arm round his mother's waist.

”Arthur,” she whispered to him, ”I fear I have been foolish about this.”

That was all that was ever said to him about the journey to Bowes.

He was not the man to triumph over his mother's failure. He merely kissed her when her little confession was made, and pressed her slightly with his arm. From that time it was understood that Adela was to be brought thither, as soon as might be, to reign the mistress of the vicarage; and that then, what further arrangements might be necessary, were to be made by them all at their perfect leisure. That question of the nursery might, at any rate, remain in abeyance for twelve months.

Soon after that, it was decided in full conclave, that if Adela would consent, the marriage should take place in the summer. Very frequent letters pa.s.sed between Hurst Staple and Littlebath, and Mrs. Wilkinson no longer alluded to them with severity, or even with dislike. Lord Stapledean had, at any rate, thoroughly convinced her that the vicarage-house belonged to the vicar--to the vicar male, and not to the vicar female; and now that her eyes had been opened on this point, she found herself obliged to confess that Adela Gauntlet would not make a bad wife.

”Of course we shall be poor, mother; but we expect that.”

”I hope you will, at least, be happy,” said Mrs. Wilkinson, not liking at present to dwell on the subject of their poverty, as her conscience began to admonish her with reference to the three hundred and fifty pounds per annum.