Midst Surrey Hills. A rural story

Front matter

MIDST SURREY HILLS H IRural Stor\?. BY A. C. BICKLEY. VOL. 111. gon &<m : WARD AND DOWNEY, 12 YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1890. CONTENTS. CHAP PAGE I. " WOE HAS COME ; OPEN THE GATES WIDE " 5 II. THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FUTURE . 20 III. THE SWEET SORROW OF PARTING . . 26 IV. FORGIVEN .... 39 V. "INTO THE LAND OF BONDAGE" . . 53 VI. NEMESIS . . . . 6l VII. THE VERMGERICHT . . .74 VIII. THE STEEL AND THE CORD . . 87 IX. FENTON HAS HIS WILL . . .99 X. A LETTER . . . . 119 XI. FOREBODING .... I28 XII. INTO THE HAVEN , . . 140 XIII. AN UNUTTERED LIE . . . 149 XIV. "BEHOLDING HEAVEN AND FEELING HELL " 165 XV. TO WED OR NOT TO WED . . . 180 XVI. THE DARKNESS OF SORROW . . 1 93 XVII. THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT . . . 205 XVIII. "JOY AND SORROW DEFTLY MIXT " . 2 16 XIX. THE LAST .....

Chapter I

" WOE HAS COME : OPEN THE GATES AVIDE." At length Mrs. Eager tasted the happiness of having a laudatory revieAV of her novel. True the pleasure was lessened by the fact that the paper containing it was one of which she had scarcely heard, and one not generally accepted by the literary Avorld as an authority, but Avhat the revieAV lacked in Aveight was more than compensated by the lavishness of the praises. While the other revieAvers had found nothing to commend, this one found nothing to con demn : plot, description, characters, reflections, all came in for unstinted applause, and the critic wound up with a few prophetic words anent the author's future career which raised Mrs. Eager to the seventh heaven. More experienced Avriters would have put the paper down in disgust, for unstinted praise is to the experienced as disagreeable as unmerited blame, and, as they are Avell aware, far more damaging, for while a really good book will eventually Avin its way in spite of adverse criticism extreme laudation will raise such expectations as even "Vanity Fair" Avould fail to satisfy, and the disappointed reader will remember this and avoid books by the same author in the future.

But the widow had, as we have seen, no mean opinion of the merits of her OAvn production, and, as the colour suited her, was not disposed to grumble because a palette-knife had been substituted for a brush. Although she handed the revieAV over to Fee with a little self-deprecatory remark in her heart she thought her critic the most discerning of mankind, and entirely agreed with his conclusions. Exultation took the place of despondency ; the doors of the temple of Fame seemed again open, and she alloAved herself to survey the world with the air of a person whose talents have received the hall-mark of universal acknowledgment. The writing materials, which had been placed in durance, were again brought out, and had it not been that the excitement of the brilliant prospect before her prevented settling down to Avork, she would have commenced another novel then and there.

Fee, too, Avas pleased, but for different reasons. In her heart the girl thought meanly of the novel, and, doubting her mother's literary ability, dreaded lest she should try another experiment which might end in more misery. Still, having simple faith in the power of a good review, she was thankful because it seemed to sIioav that her fears of bankruptcy were unfounded. By the time Fenton came the following day Mrs. Eager had sketched the outlines for a new novel. Yet she had found time to seriously reconsider her daughter's engagement. When her own prospects were gloomy Fenton had appeared a highly eligible " WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GATES WIDE." 7 son-in-law, but now he was clearly less desirable. An unmarried daughter, not old, ugly, or stupid, is ahvays a help to a mother desiring society, but one Avedded to a minister, and that a Nonconformist of Puritan type, is a decided hindrance.

The most Bohemian of journalists is better than the Avearer of black cloth ; and from a society point of view a second floor in the city of Prague is more respectable than the roomiest villa in Mildmay Park. Accordingly Mr. Fenton received a chilly Avelcome from his intended mother-in-law, and was treated to various hints regarding altered circumstances Avhich puzzled him not a little until he had read the criticism. When he laid it down with the remark that it was a very good notice, the widoAv Avas disappointed that he was so little impressed and put it doAvn to envy, Avhereas Mr. Fenton, though unversed in the art of log-rolling, rightly judged that the author had been inspired, or, in other words, that the publishers had an interest in the periodical. All the while he stayed Mrs. Eager discussed literary matters and much amused her guest by the authoritative tone she adopted, and Fee, feeling grateful for the good temper Avith which he bore the petty airs of superiority, tried hard to reward him by a hundred little attentions which gladdened his soul none the less in that they irritated her mother almost beyond bearing.

At length even Fenton's good humour could bear it no longer, and making excuse of business with some of the brethren, he Avent away. As soon as he was gone Mrs. Eager fell foul of her daughter for giving the young man unmaidenly encouragement, and Fee defending her self warmly, a quarrel would have ensued had not the girl avoided it by taking refuge in the garden until the storm should be blown away. Now there was an afternoon post at Marpledon and to-day there happened to be a letter for DoAvn Cottage, and much injured the " postee " felt, as it was the only one for that part of the village and truly it was a hard thing that the poor man should have to climb a steep hill for the sake of one solitary missive and that only bearing a penny stamp. Ann, too, who had to receive it, felt scarcely less in jured.

" Drat 'ee, Tom," she cried, " Avhaat do'ee mean a-coming at this 'un ? Here be I a-cleanin' myself, an' mun leave off a-puppose to attend to 'ee. If thou hadn'st bin a noodle 'ee'd a-left it till mornin'." " Think I wants to see 'ee ? You keep a civil tongue, missus, it be baad enough to come all this trapse Avithout being bully-ragged by 'ee." "Do'ee mean to say I ain't civil?" cried Ann. " You be off, or I'll fling a pail o' watter over 'ee." " Kep it for cleaning on thjsen, missus ; 'ee doee need it," replied Tom, and disappeared with much rapidity, not knoAving that the threat might not be accomplished. Considerably refreshed by her passage-at-arms Ann gave the letter to her mistress and retired to continue the avocations which its arrival had inter rupted, yet she had hardly reached her bediocm when a loud scream made her rush doAvnstairs again.

Her mistress was lying contracted and rigid " WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GATES WIDE." 9 on the sitting-room floor, holding the open letter clenched in her hand. Another moment and Fee, who had heard the cry, joined her. " Oh, Ann, is she dead ? " Ann bent down and felt the prostrate woman's heart. " No, Miss, it's a fit o' some kind. Lord, Avhat shall us do ? " " Go for the doctor at once, and send any one you meet for Mr. Fenton." And Ann, without a moment's delay, rushed awa}', leaving Fee alone Avith the senseless woman. The eyes, wide open but seeing nothing, told the girl it Avas no ordinary swoon, yet she tried one or tAvo remedies she had heard of, rubbing the forehead Avith eau-de-Cologne, and pouring a feAV drops of brandy into the open mouth. She tried, too, to raise her mother to a sitting posture but the con tracted limbs prevented it.

Then, having done all she could she sat and gazed at the terrible figure in mute despair. A step roused her. She looked up and saAv Canon Melcroft, all bloAvn with running, looking at her Avith infinite pit}'. Ann had met him, and he had come to see Avhat he could do. He went up to Fee and kissed her in a fatherly Avay. " You must be brave, my girl," he said, simply. " God has given your mother into your care now." The tender kiss released the girl from her strong despair, and her overcharged heart found relief in tears. Meanwhile the old man, who was strong as well as active, rightly judging that the sooner the body Avas in a bedroom the better, lifted the unconscious Avoman and carried her upstairs the letter still firmly clenched in her hand. Before he had completed his task Ann returned, speedily folloAved by the doctor, and the canon having done Avhat he could returned to try and comfort Fee.

The task was not an easy one, as, until the doctor had made his report, Mr. Melcroft Avas obliged to take refuge in intangible generalities, and he was not sorry Avhen Hugh Fenton arrived. " What does the doctor say ? " demanded that gentleman. " He is still with her," was the response. So Fenton, divesting himself of his boots, stole upstairs to make inquiries, and in a minute or two returned folloAved by Dr. Bates. " Oh, doctor, Avill she die ? " cried the girl, springing toAvards him. " No, no," said the doctor, soothingly, " not so bad as that. She has had a stroke, not a very serious one, I think, but at present I cannot say. She seems conscious, though she cannot speak. Go up to her, my dear, but be very quiet. I shall look in again this evening." Fee darted off, much relieved by the news, and then Dr. Bates turned to the tAvo men. > " Mrs. Eager's attack has been caused by a sudden shock," he said ; " perhaps if I kneAv what I might "WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GAI ES WIDE."

II be better able to treat it. You must try and find out. I observed she had a letter in her hand, possibly that is the cause." " Paralysis ? " inquired the canon. " Yes, but a comparatively slight stroke. She may recover entirely, but it will be a question of time. She is quite conscious, though possibly the brain is Aveakened, and, so far as I can judge, she has lost the power of speech. That may return but it won't be for a considerable time. AnyhoAV, for months she will be helpless to all intents and purposes — a heavy burden for that poor girl. It seems a cruel thing to say, but it might have been better if the shock had been more severe. Good-day, canon ; good-day, Mr. Fenton. I will send a nurse ; " and shaking hands with them Dr. Bates disappeared, being anxious to get to other patients at another part of his vast district.

" I am afraid I can do nothing, so I had better go," said Mr. Melcroft, seeing Fenton absorbed in thought. " No, no, don't," cried the minister eagerly. " I find Mrs. Eager has no friends in England, and, as you know, I am engaged to Fee, so I have a sort of right to interfere. Will you advise me Avhat to do about the miserable letter that has caused this stroke." Then, as briefly as he could, Fenton related all he knew of the history of " Not Loved but Lost," ending by putting the letter in the other's hands. It was a very brief letter, yet singular enough. Reminding the AvidoAV that the date for closing the publishing account fixed by the agreement had expired some days, the writers begged to forward her a detailed statement of expenses and receipts, and requested that the balance of £421 16s. 3-J-d. might be forwarded to them without delay.

Accom panying the letter was a balance-sheet setting down the various items in due order. Although drawn out Avith the utmost clearness, the latter document helped the tAvo gentlemen Avho pored over it no whit. On the one side Avere particulars of the cost of bringing out the novel, of how much the printer had received, the binder, and all the other tradesmen interested in its production ; there, too, was set down the number of copies sent out for review, and hoAv much had been expended on advertising and postage ; on the other the receipts for the few dozen copies which had been sold. " A novel seems a dreadfully expensive book to produce," said the canon at length. " I don't understand such matters, but to me the charges seem excessive. Surely the publishers ought to have knoAvn better than print fifteen hundred copies Avhen less than one hundred have been sold."

" One Avould think so ; but all depends on the agreement." " Unluckily Mrs. Eager never had a copy. What ever it was, she signed it of her OAvn free wi 1 1 after reading it and Ann Avitnessed her signature. I am afraid there is no hope in that quarter." " Then I suppose the only thing is to pay," said the canon. " WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GATES WIDE." 13 " I suppose so, but I shall see the agreement first. I fancy the publishers are a set of sharks, and if so, when they find they have a man to deal with will discover they have made a few mistakes in their OAvn favour." " I suppose everything will have to go ? " said Mr. Melcroft, looking sadly round him. " Everything; and even then I am afraid there will be a debt. Mr. Melcroft," he added, suddenly, " shall you be in London this Aveek ? " " I had no intention of going.

Why ? " " If you had been I would have asked you to go with me to see these people. They may scoff at a Methodist preacher, but they will respect a canon," and Fenton laughed consciously. It Avas a bitter thing to him to confess the inferiority of his position, but for Fee's sake he would endure more than this. The canon considered a moment. " If you think I can do any good I will go on purpose," he said. In his heart he doubted whether he could, but he Avas not going to let the man humiliate himself for nothing. " Let me know when will suit you," he said as he took his leave. But no sooner had the kind man got in the lane than a sudden thought struck him. " He will have to be here constantly," he muttered, " and it will only put the girl about to look after him; besides, he is a good fellow at bottom."

So he turned back, and would not leave till he had made Fenton promise to take all his meals at the rectory Avhen it was necessary for him to be at Marpledon. Fenton found it an easier task than he anticipated to explain the matter to his sweetheart. In the relief of knowing that there Avas no probability of losing her mother, the girl refused to be downcast at the thought of ruin, and would have had her lover write at once to the publishers to tell them that arrangements to sell the cottage should be made immediately. " Mother has kept me for tAventy years," she said, with pardonable exaggeration, " surely I can keep her now." " Don't you think we had better be married at once ? " suggested the minister. The girl shrank back; she did not dare to tell him Iioav repulsive the thought was. " You cannot marry till your three years are up, can you ?

" " I can, but I am not supposed to. It is against the rules." " But you promised," she urged " I suppose it amounted to that," he replied, gloomily." " Then," said the girl, " you knoAv you must keep your promise." Fenton said no more. In his heart he did not believe that a promise was so entirely binding as he had made out, and surely if there was any occasion on Avhich one might be broken it was the present ; yet he felt relieved at the view Fee had taken, and Avas not sorry to see hoAv sacred she thought a pledged Avord. Marriage, too, would have seriously injured his prospects in the ministry, and " WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GATES WIDE." 15 no man, hoAvever Avell off, cares to mar his future knoAvingly. The next few days were very trying to Fee. It was no light matter to face ruin Avith a helpless woman to support ; no easy task to anticipate the Avants of a semi-idiotic invalid.

Little by little Mrs. Eager's senses returned until she could understand all that Avas said to her and even mumble a few sounds Avhich Avould express ac quesience or dissent, but that Avas all. At the end of a week she Avas sufficiently recovered to be got out of bed and set by the windoAV, Avhere she Avould sit for hours motionless, yet seeming pleased Avhen her daughter Avas by and relishing the dainties sent daily from the rectory Avith childish greediness. Fenton and the canon consulted almost daily, firmly convinced that it Avas a necessity, yet arriving at nothing definite except that the publishers must be interviewed. As a matter of form, Fenton told the Avidow what they intended to do and, fancying he discerned consent in the lack-lustre eye, determined to risk telling the firm that he acted by her authority.

When he and the canon called at Covent Garden they were shoAvn into the room where both the publishers sat, and very lamely the visitors explained their errand — a difficult thing to do, as neither of them had any definite idea as to why they had come. The partners heard them Avith much patience and politely expressed regret at hearing of Mrs. Eager's illness; the junior adding that although they Avould promise not to press the ■ MIDST SURREY HILLS. matter unduly they hardly saw how it affected the business. " I thought you might be Avilling to come to some arrangement," suggested the minister. " Are you Mrs. Eager's accredited representa tives ? " asked Mr. Gray. Fenton explained how the matter stood. " It seems to us — I believe I express your opinion ? " he said, turning to his partner, who murmured " Exactly," and sank into silence, his understood role — " it seems to us that Ave should be justified in refusing to treat with you in the matter but, as Ave have nothing to conceal, tell us Avhat you Avish us to do."

" In the first place we wish to see the agreement and take a copy, and alloAv me to add that it seems an extraordinary thing that Mrs. Eager should not have been supplied with a copy," said the minister, getting angry. "She was offered one — Ave could do no more," and Mr. Gray producing the agreement handed it to Fenton. ' " I presume we may take a copy ? " asked the canon, when they had read it through and arrived at the conclusion that only a lawyer could make head or tail of it. " Certainly, if you care to do it on the premises, and under the supervision of one of the clerks. We distinctly refuse to part Avith it," and Mr. Gray looked at his partner, who replied "Just so," and relapsed into silence. " And, of course, you will let us inspect your books." " WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GATES WIDE." ly " Do you find any provision for that in the agreement, Canon — ah — Melcroft ?

" asked Mr. Gray, referring to the card. " No, I don't think so." " There is none. We most distinctly refuse to accede to what I can only characterize as a most extraordinary request." " Show our books ? Certainly not ! " echoed Mr. Trotman. " Then, gentleman, you surely cannot expect Mrs. Eager to pay your bill without any opportunity of ascertaining that the book has cost Avhat you profess ? " cried Fenton. " Don't we ? We do," laughed Mr. Gray. " We shall shoAv no vouchers — not even to Mrs. Eager herself — it is not our custom, and Ave most certainly shall not break through it." " Then we shall put the matter in the hands of a solicitor." " Pray do, only kindly pay him yourselves; it will be hard on the poor woman to run up a bill without her consent. Please give me the agreement." " Not till we have taken a copy."

" Very Avell, you can take one in the next room," and Mr. Gray led them back into the tiny Avaiting room, and calling a clerk bade him wait Avhile the gentlemen took the copy they required, and, if they wished, check it for them, and then bring the original back to him. It Avas very unpleasant being Avatched like two thieves, but there Avas no help for it, so Mr. Melcroft read out the jargon Avhilst Hugh Avrote as fast as he VOL. III. MIDST SURREY HILLS. 18 could, so that he might leave the den as soon as possible. When it was over they handed the agreement to the clerk, and leaving the place, drove to the canon's solicitor and laid the matter before him. "What had better be done?" asked Fenton breathlessly, after the man of law had perused the copy. " I am afraid there is nothing for it but to pay.

This agreement is very one-sided, certainly, but you say she signed it of her own free will, and that the servant heard it read before she witnessed the signature." " But tAvo ignorant women could not make head or tail of such a technical rigmarole." " Possibly not ; but that is no plea in law. If Mrs. Eager wished she could have got advice." " True, true." " It seems to me that she has got into a nest of sharpers : in fact, I have heard something of them before. Possibly a court might give her some relief, but I doubt it very much ; you see she has deliberately signed away all her rights, she covenants to pay their charges without stipulating for vouchers or any other proof that they are just. They are not. a firm who will be bullied ; this document was drawn up after advice and is a masterpiece.

Depend upon it they will fight." " Then your advice seems to be to pay." " Probably it will be the cheapest course in the end. Shall I take counsel's opinion on the matter ? " " Wait till you hear from us," interposed the " WOE HAS COME: OPEN THE GATES WIDE." 19 canon. " I have never found you wrong yet, and I don't see the use of thro.ving good money after bad." Fenton, being young and ardent, Avas for fighting, but on the journey back he yielded to Mr. Melcroft's arguments, and confessed that so far as he under stood the matter they had no chance of success, and could not but agree that it Avould be unwise to risk the little which might remain after the pub lishers' bill was settled, although he grudged quietly allowing men who had made no scruple of pro claiming themselves harpies to pocket the widow's little fortune.

Fee had formed her own opinion of the firm by that subtle instinct of judging from a single fact that some Avomen possess, and therefore, having hoped for nothing from their visit, was not disappointed ; all that troubled her now was the best way of earning a living for her mother and herself until such time as Fenton should claim her as his Avife, and could the girl but have hoped that this event might be postponed indefinitely she would have been quite cheerful. To a brave young spirit there is nothing very dreadful in poverty ; the doors of the Avorld may be hard to open, but they will yield at length to the feeblest if he but push long enough and is of good courage.

Chapter II. The Settlement Of The Future

The allied forces — that is to say, Fee, the canon, and Mr. Fenton, for the girl's trouble had made the two men, each estimable and different, almost friends —consulted gravely and often as to Avhat had best be done. One thing was certain, the publishers, like Shylock, would exact their pound of flesh, and the claim must be met as rapidly and inexpensively as possible. It is easy enough to dispose of the property of a dead man or of one legally non compos mentis, but when the OAvner is qualified to act for himself, only can neither speak nor write, the matter becomes somewhat complicated. Fenton would gladly have paid the bill himself but for the fact that all his money Avas invested in such a way that to get at it Avould involve longer than there Avas any probability of Messrs. Jones and Mellish being willing to Avait, and Mr. Melcroft, if Avilling, Avas too poor to be of much use.

Besides, Fenton knew that Fee would never consent to his act of sacrifice, and was delicate enough not to press it. So they decided to make a definite plan and lay THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FUTURE. 21 it before the widow, who, perchance, might be able to signify her acquiescence sufficiently clearly to justify their acting upon it. The house and the copyright of poor Mr. Eager's brains must be sold, and it would be well if Mrs. Eager's little pension had not to go as well. The brother — noAv in America — who had helped her from time to time was written to, but, being a man of small means, and, moreover, not on very good terms with his sister, his aid was not reckoned upon, which was as Avell, for a ten-pound note covered all he Avas able, or even cared, to do. Accordingly a plan Avas prepared and laid before the Avidow by Fenton.

Although it involved giving up her home, she mumbled something which he interpreted as acquiescence, and a faint light in the dulled eye seemed to say that she was pleased. A solicitor was called in, and the pantomine again gone through in his presence, and Mrs. Eager said " yes " so clearly that the lawyer felt justified in preparing the necessary deed to enable Fee and Hugh Fenton to act as they thought best. When this was done and the document read over to her, the Avidow made some erratic scratches at the foot supposed by courtesy to be her sign manual. No sooner Avas the property placed in the hands of an agent than a purchaser was found, and who should this be but George Overpast — a thing Avhich caused much sensation in the village, Avhere his credit did not stand very high and the landlord had qualms whenever his score ran above a feAV shillings.

True, George preferred his poverty as a plea for a MIDST SURREY HILLS. 22 reduction in the price, but the purchase did not increase his popularity in the parish, for if persons supposed to be paupers suddenly turned out able to buy houses and lands, Avhy, who was safe ? So the people deeming themselves humbugged resented it bitterly, and pressed Overpast for the payment of their bills till his life was miserable unto him. But there was another point which rendered him still more odious ; he covenanted for possession of the cottage within a month of the purchase, and insisted thereon, though tears stood in his eyes while he declared his heart wrung for the women he Avas turning out into the road. When remon strated with, he repeated that his heart was torn, but he continued inflexible, though what use he Avould make of the place no one could comprehend, until the truth came out — when he was punished accordingly.

But of this anon. Matters standing thus, Fee had no time to spare in deciding on her future method of life. One suggestion after another was put forward, but none combined all the necessary conditions. Fee Avas resolved not to part from her mother, and not to live on the bounty of friends. Fenton urged, and with much reason, that if she Avere married this latter difficulty Avould be solved, but the girl firmly refused to injure his standing among his clerical brethren, and declined the allo.vance he offered. Canon Melcroft suggested that she should make her home at the rectory, and take the cares of house keeping off the shoulders of its invalid mistress, pointing out that there Avere plenty of unused rooms THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FUTURE. 23 Avhere Mrs. Eager might recover at her leisure, but this, too, Fee declined ; in her heart she was anxious to get away from the place, now to her so full of painful memories.

Whatever her life was to be, she resolved that it should be one of activity, othenvise she would be a prey to her own thoughts, and at present she dared not think. She longed to plunge into the battle of life fiercely, and trusted that, amidst its toil and worry, she might forget herself. " Have you ever thought of keeping a lodging house ? " the canon asked one night when they were sitting discussing the weary question. "Often," said Fee; " indeed, it seems the only thing to do. There would be no difficulty about mother then ; only there is finding a suitable house." " That is the only thing in its favour," interposed Fenton, gruffly. " Because only to-day, for a fact, I have heard of one that might be Avorth looking after." "Where is it?" " It's not worth discussing," broke in the minister.