The Sisters of Sainthill

Chapter I

■"PHE first few weeks after our return home passed rapidly away. It soon became evident that Lady Somers did not care to gener herself Avith becoming too devoted a chaperone to her neAv daughters. She was still as caressing in her manner toAvards them, and as flattering in all she said in praise of Muriel's beauty ; but she made no effort to afford that beauty a wider field in which to display itself. Her own engagements, occupa tions, and amusements, Avere at that time the all engrossing objects of consideration both to herself and to her husband. To Muriel's extreme surprise, and even Avrathful indignation, she found soon after her return home that her father and step-mother VOL. II. 1! were preparing to pay a visit to one of the most recherche mansions in the neighbourhood, without any thought of herself or even Aga tha's being included in the party.

It Avas only the evening before the day appointed for their visit to Cliffe Castle, that Lady Somers casually mentioned her inten tions to her two step-daughters. " Ah ! did I tell you, dears, that papa and I are obliged to run away to-morrow for a week ? Lord and Lady Armitage are coming down, and they have begged us to meet a large party they have got together for the time, so Ave have settled to go." "Oh !" said Muriel, " I did not hear any thing about it — " Then after a pause — " does Agatha know it ? — is she going Avith you ?" " Oh, no ! the invitation is only to us. We met them at Rome last winter, and they have not been living at Cliffe Castle for some years — so I daresay they don't know that either of you are grown-up. No Avonder ! I am sure papa does not look like the father of grown-up daughters."

As Lady Somers said this she laughed very prettily, and seemed to give all her at tention to fixing the pattern of her broderie in its proper place, and appeared to consider the subject as quite at an end. Such an unmistakable cloud, however, hovered over Muriel's fair brow, as her step mother Avished her good-bye the following day, that she could not but observe it, and re marked lightly — " We must let all the good people know that you and Agatha are fully and fairly out, Muriel dear. I Avish you were going instead of me to Cliffe Castle ; but I knoAv it Avould be no use asking papa to take you in stead." "Indeed,no!"said poor Muriel, brightening. " I never dreamt of such a thing ; but I should like to go too." " Well, we will ask lots of people to stay B here presently, and then you will be invited everywhere."

There was no talk of London that year, and Muriel sighed over the recollections of the last. We were, in fact, left to ourselves much longer at that time than we had anticipated. I noAv saAv the Avhy and the wherefore I had been so cordially pressed to remain at the Ab bey in charge of its two neglected daughters. Sir Ralph and Lady Somers passed from that visit at Cliffe Castle to make several others. The beauty and the accomplishments of the lovely bride Avere, no doubt, duly ap preciated wherever she appeared — no Avonder she cared little for going into society as the chaperone of two girls who called her husband father ! It Avas almost a month before they returned from their tour of visits, and we had in the meantime gone back into the life Ave had formerly been accustomed to lead during the long absences of Sir Ralph.

No doubt the time seemed very dull to Muriel. She heard, however, from her aunt, Lady Linder, who Avas then staying at the Cedars, and who proposed a visit with her son, Lord Linder, as soon as Sir Ralph and his wife should return home. It was something for Muriel to look for- Avard to, and I saw plainly her consent now Avould not be hard to obtain Avere she asked to become the wife of her cousin Thornton. Since his change of prospects he had, however, made no future overtures — he seemed content to abide by her last implied refusal, all unde cided as it was and as at the time he had seemed to consider it. Muriel, in fact, just then took to thinking much about Lord Linder, till she succeeded in nursing the ex piring spark of regard into something resem bling a flame of affection. His very indiffer ence since his change of position appeared to strengthen his hold on her Avavering affection.

It was a critical time for the poor child, and I looked on with trembling. Hoav I longed then that she could have been taken out by some kind, judicious friend, and al lowed some power of choice, and her mind diverted from the vain object on which it Avas becoming fixed. Agatha, I began to hope, had happier prospects in view. We saw much of the Herberts at that time. The Rector and his eldest sister being alone, their house became far pleasanter both to themselves and their friends. George Herbert had grown less timid in his relations Avith Agatha, and she seemed to find a tranquil satisfaction in his society, that I hoped might ere long lead to a more decided preference on her part. We related the story of our meeting Avith Theresa, and both the brother and sister ex pressed some anxiety as to the sort of society into which she was likely to be introduced whilst under the chaperonage of her aunt, Mrs. Webster.

" At the same time," said George Herbert laughing, " I was possessed with a mercenary spirit on poor little Theresa's behalf ; and knowing her aunt was left a widow Avith a considerable fortune, I did not like to oppose her entreaties to be permitted to visit Mrs. Webster, for I thought it might be of after benefit to the poor child; and she is otherwise utterly penniless." . " Well, she seemed very happy with her, as far as Ave could judge," said Agatha cheerily. " Ah ! she must have been so happy in meeting you," replied Mr. ■ Herbert, con amore. " I do not think that had much to do Avith it," said Muriel, answering for her sister. " There was a young gentleman hovering about, who seemed to please Theresa much more than Ave could possibly be expected to do." The brother and sister exchanged a hasty glance at these careless Avords of Muriel's, and Mary said, "That accounts for certain mys terious hints that Theresa favours us Avith from time to time.

I can't help having some mis givings about her and this new acquaintance." " I should be very glad, if I were in your place," said Muriel laughing ; " for I really think to have Theresa fairly disposed of and settled, would be a great relief and blessing to you both." " Yes, if it could be done with advantage to her happiness — I do not deny it would," said Mr. Herbert candidly. " Well, we will hope for the best, then," said Muriel lightly ; and for that time the subject of Theresa and her supposed lover was dropped. We were, however, soon destined to hear far more of them than we expected. I saw that George Herbert, as well as some others, Avas naturally anxious to understand the sisters' feeling in respect to their new relation, and the new position in Avhich they found themselves in their father's house, but it was too delicate a point to be discussed with one so nearly involved as myself in all their proceedings.

But Captain Nettleby soon found occasion to let me know that the sisters of Sainthill had sunk many degrees in popular estimation by this marriage of their father's. " Why, madam," said he, " from being the greatest presumptive heiresses in the neighbourhood, they are only like the daughters of any ordinary baronet Avith a dozen sons and daughters." "At all events," said I tartly, "they are at present the only children of Sir Ralph Somers, and they may remain so. Neverthe less, I should be sorry to think such a consideration should have weight with any one who really cared for them." " Yes, you may be sorry, and so may I — and a great many people are sorry for what happens every day ; but you and I have lived long enough in this wicked Avorld to know what human nature is like — and I am sorry to say the Avorld in general prefers pretty young ladies with a large fortune, to equally pretty ones Avith little or nothing."

" Ah ! I am not thinking of the world in general, only of those Avho are worth some thing in it." " Such as our young parson there, for in stance," returned Captain Nettleby signifi cantly. " Well," continued he, " no doubt he entertains a fit and proper contempt for the pomps and vanities of this mortal state, and would rather he and his Avife kept clear of them. But trust me, men in general are not so disinterested. Young men may be so foolish sometimes as not to care for money, till they begin to feel the want of it, as I ex pect our young friend up there," nodding in the direction of the Grange, " will sooner or later be made to do — not that it is so much his fault this time, as that of others." " What do you mean ?" I asked eagerly ; " do you know anything about him ? Have you heard from Armar ? — he ought to have written to his grandfather."

" Who says he hasn't ?" demanded Captain Nettleby, regarding me fixedly. • "No one says he has not," I replied ; " but as I have never heard that he has, it is a rea sonable conclusion." "Ay, I daresay," he returned, "just as reasonable as Avomen's conclusions generally n are. " Do you mean, then, that Mr. Grimstone has heard from Armar ? It is very strange he never told any one a word about it." "Not at all strange when he behaved in the way he did to the poor lad. Yes, I al ways liked that boy, and I shall miss him in several Avays, and so will other people, more than they care to say." " Then Mr. Grimstone told you, I suppose ?" "I suppose he did, or I shouldn't have known any more about it than you seem to do. It was no great compliment his telling me, only because he supposed me to be such a one as himself, and he likes to have some one to talk his matters over with and to storm and rage to."

" Stop, Captain Nettleby — Mr. Grimstone has always been a good friend to you." " Well, madam, that is not the point Ave were discussing, and it never makes any dif ference in the expression of his sentiments towards others — and Ave all know Avhen the old Squire is once roused, he expresses himself rather forcibly." " Do tell me something about Armar." " Well, I haven't anything very pleasant to relate, but it is only justice to the young man to state that nothing could be Avritten in a better spirit than his letter to his grandfather. I saw the Squire Avas rather touched and mollified by it, but his conditions of peace were too hard for the youngster, and so they split again upon them." " Where was he Avhen he Avrote ?" I asked. " With his cousin Dick Helstone — had been Avith him ever since he left the Grange.

They have left this part of the Avorld noAv. The line here is quite finished, so they are off, goodness knoAvs Avhere, but Armar writes and says he has an opportunity opened out to him of earning an honourable independence, but before he goes, he Avishes to see his grand father again, and those he cares for here ; I cannot repeat all he said, but as you know the boy pretty well, you can imagine it all. Then his grandfather writes and says, he is welcome to come home again if he is returned to his sober senses, and he dashes the word sober, but it must be on condition that he bids a lasting farewell to this neAv-found cousin of his, and never alludes in the most distant way to any of the Ioav scenes he has passed through Avith him since he left the Grange." " Well, and what did Armar say to that?"

" That he'd be anything you please, before he'd act such an ungrateful part to his cou sin. He Avould give up his present prospects (grand concession that) if, upon mature con sideration, his grandfather desired it, as he OAved it to him, and to all his kindness and generosity to him, to submit to his wishes in such things as were right and honourable. So he would return home, and live at ease like a gentleman, instead of Avorking for his liveli hood, if the Squire desired it, but he should consider himself at liberty to visit and cor respond Avith his cousin at his own pleasure, when and where he liked. So upon that delicate point the young Squire fell out with the old one, and it has ended in an entire breach, and disinherited Master Armar is sure to be — sure as a gun ! " " I hope not, indeed," said I ; " Mr. Grim stone Avill think better of it in time, and I am glad to hear that Armar has made all fitting concession to his grandfather."

" Yes, but it is a pity the young man did not carry it a little further. It Avas all pig headed obstinacy on his part. What could he care really for that engineering cousin of his, whom he never saw, until he ran off with him like a flash of lightning ! Well, I am sorry for it, for I liked the lad, and I shall miss him, especially Avhen the shooting time comes — he always picked out the young birds he knew I liked, whilst that idiot Sparks, the head keeper, sends me all the old ones, and there is nothing I hate like an old bird. No, I always say that Armar had his good points." " That I am sure he had, and his grandfather will do him justice some day or other." " Not he, if he has made up his mind on the Helstone point. Well, it is an ill wind that bloAVS nobody good, so maybe one of your young ladies will be all the better for it.

We shall see Miss Agatha or Miss Muriel at the Grange yet !" " Not to the exclusion of the rightful heir, I hope." " Well, Ave need not distress ourselves about it at present, for the old Squire is a crotchety subject, and if either of them did not marry to his satisfaction, he might leave all the property miles away. Who knows, perhaps to you or me !" And with that bright suggestion my inter view with Captain Nettleby terminated. Lady Somers Avas as good as her word. After her return home from the visits already mentioned, she filled her house with a suc cession of gay guests. Sir Ralph Somers' two daughters were then fully introduced into society, and notwithstanding the altered as pect of affairs at the Abbey, they met with all the attention and admiration that Avas respectively their due.

The neAv lady of the mansion became very popular, far more so in general society than ever her retiring prede cessor had been. Sir Ralph was evidently deeply, though silently gratified with the homage paid to his beautiful and attractive wife. He certainly thought far more of her claims on society than of those of his tAvo motherless girls. He seemed satisfied to confide them more exclu sively to my care and chaperonage than to his charming Lina's. She Avas never expected to encounter the slightest fatigue in their service, and all her plans and amusements were made and pursued solely Avith reference to her OAvn individual pleasure. Sometimes she would satisfy her vague notions of responsibility towards her husband's daughters by saying carelessly to me, " I am compelled to go out with Lady Armitage and her party this morning.

We shall not return till dinner-time. The two c VOL. JI. girls are not going with us. Do not let Muriel flirt so with that young Comte l'Estrange, if you can help it, he would be a very mauvais parti for her, dear girl; but I knoAv they are safe with you." And then the bright lady of the mansion Avould smile her beAvitching little smile, and pass on her Avay, and forget all about her step-daughters till she next saw them. They continued very good friends, however, and Lady Somers appeared to think she fully performed all her duties towards them by providing them with society and the means of amusement. About that time Lord Linder joined the gay party at the Abbey. His mother being still in the first year of her widowhood, de ferred her visit till her brother's house should have subsided into its ordinary state of quietude ; but it was just then the breaking up of the London season, and many were the bright birds of passage that paused.

Sainthill lay conveniently in their route to other grand and gay houses to Avhich they Avere bound. When Lord Linder made his appearance amonst them, I Avatched Avith trembling anxiety to see what effect his coming would have on Muriel, and I was glad that there were so many persons and things be sides to occupy her volatile mind. Even the objectionable Comte l'Estrange (knoAving how harmless he really Avas) Avas welcome in my eyes, Avhen hovering about Muriel with his petits soins, hoping they might help to save her from feeling or shoAving any fancied preference to her cousin. Vain hope, alas ! I saAv that Lord Linder was again looking critically at his beautiful cousin, and the evident admiration she met with from those whose taste he admitted, only seemed to hasten the crisis I dreaded.

It appeared, at last, that he esteemed her worthy of becoming his wife, and the cousinly regard so long indulged in in other circumstances, C2 was noAv permitted to sheAv itself more de cidedly than had hitherto been the case. Lord Linder soon became openly devoted to Muriel. Sir Ralph and Lady Somers both seemed satisfied that it should be so, the former telling me his nephew had altered into a most unexceptionable person since he had succeeded to his present position, and the latter smilingly insinuating, she had kept Muriel from flirting with Monsieur l'Estrange, and had therefore been instrumental in bringing Lord Linder to Muriel's feet. Poor girl ! I saw she hardly knew her own mind — there was some lurking misgiving, I could not help suspecting. However, in due time, when Lord Linder seriously proposed, Muriel had not the courage to say " No." So the two cousins were openly engaged, and becom ingly congratulated on the happy occasion.

Chapter II

fFHUS Muriel's fate in life seemed fixed; and how would her mother have approved of it ? was often my troubled thought. I felt a a conviction that the two girls could not eventually be happy at home. There was no heart in it now — none at least for them — so it was better, perhaps, that they should each provide themselves with one of their own. Oh ! hoAv I prayed that Muriel's might be a a happy one, but my doubts were greater than my hopes. Lord Linder had formerly been the most selfish and thoughtless of men, and endued also Avith a pretty sprinkling of vices as well, handsome and agreeable as he certainly Avas, or could be. Was he less selfish noAv ? From all I heard I feared not. However, his mar riage with his cousin, whom he certainly loved and admired, might work a change in him ; and as the event was noAv irrevocably decided, I determined to anticipate the best for my dear child.

After it was all settled, Muriel became far quieter than I had ever known her, whilst her affection to her sister and myself seemed stronger than it had ever before been. It would, no doubt, have been the same towards her father, had he given her any scope for the display ; but after his consent Avas given, he seemed to make over his daughter, and all that concerned her, into the hands of her future husband and his family. Just then, too, his mind was occupied Avith a far more engrossing subject of interest than any that his daughter's prospects could afford. It Avas then announced that Lady Somers was likely to give an heir to her husband and his family ; and as her health became in consequence rather delicate, every care and every thought Avere henceforth centred on her, and all that might tend to promote her comfort and Avell-being.

Large and fatiguing parties were ordered to be avoided ; the interesting invalid Avas to be quietly amused, Avithout un necessary excitement. Thus it happened that after the large staying party at the Abbey dispersed, ordinary acquaintances and strangers were to be no more invited, and only select parties of quiet family friends entertained. It cannot be denied that Lina Somers looked very lovely lying on her invalid couch, and watched and waited on, and tended by her devoted hus band, Avhilst his daughters, with a few chosen guests, endeavoured to vary and enliven the monotonous hours to which her situation doomed her. Amongst these newly-arrived guests were Lady Linder and her daughter, and at the same time Lady Somers' eldest brother and V 24 THE SISTERS his wife Avere making their first visit to the Abbey.

Mr. Shirley was a remarkably handsome man, and it was very evident that Lady Marian Shirley hero-worshipped her husband, whilst she believed entirely and implicitly in the angelic natures of the four little children who accompanied their parents, and ranged from the ages of four years to two months old. Still Lady Marian did not confine her favourable judgments entirely to her own do mestic circle. She was naturally inclined to think and speak kindly of all Avith Avhom she was associated. She was a fair, delicate-looking, but not very pretty Avoman, with simple, sincere manners, quite unspoiled by the abun dance of good things which had fallen to her own share in the Avorld, and very ready to impart a portion of them to all Avho might be in need of the same. She seemed very happy in her relations with her husband's sister, and expressed herself quite delighted at finding her the mistress of so charming a place, and apparently so happily settled in life.

The fair Lina received her brother and his Avife Avith her most caressing Avelcomes, and admired and praised the little nepheAvs and nieces to their mamma's full contentment ; but it must be confessed that, previous to their arrival, Lady Somers had indulged in several little playful remarks on the folly of people bringing their whole nursery establish ment to their friends' houses, with many de bates Avhere she should find rooms for so large a one as Lady Marian's. I was at that time taken a good deal into confidence ; all .Lady Somers' early coolness and distance had van ished. She found, I believe, that I was very useful to her in her present incapacitated state ; and I had no objection to being made so, whilst under her roof. I had of late had a very kind proposal made to me for establishing myself elsewhere, whenever it might suit me to resign my present home.

Mr. Grimstone Avas returned to the Grange, and Avas anxious that I should take up my abode there, as a valued friend and relative, as well as companion to his sister, Avho was now losing much of her former activity of body and mind ; but Avhilst my dear girls required my presence at Sainthill, there was my place of preference. It seemed indeed my life was so ordered that it Avas to be spent in the service of others, so I could only promise that Avhen my two charges were happily married, and no longer wanted me, I Avould then, if required, devote myself to my old friends and connec tions. I promised it the more readily as I hoped such association might open out a way for pleading the cause of the absent and appar ently forgotten Armar. This proposal on the part of Mr. Grimstone, of which she was aware, made Lady Somers OF SAINTniLL. more desirous of retaining me at the Abbey, hut I had no intention of remaining there after my early friend's children had quitted it for homes of their own.

It was settled that Muriel's marriage should not take place till the early spring. She had set her heart on going abroad immediately after, and as Lord Linder was too much occupied at that time to leave home sooner, both he and his fiancee seemed perfectly contented to defer their union till that time. Lady Somers also expressed her desire that it might be after her confinement, as she should then be able to do full justice to the requirements of so important an occasion. Lady Linder, too, would then be present also, so the arrangement seemed to give universal satisfaction. Sir Ralph seemed rather glad that Muriel Avould remain at home a few months longer. I need not speak of the two sisters' satisfaction, at least of that of Agatha at this decision. My OAvn idea at that time was, that when Muriel Avas married, Agatha's own time for following her example might not be far distant.

At this quiet time we constantly saAv the Herberts, and Lady Somers was not sIoav to perceive Avhat Avas the attraction that dreAV their young Rector so frequently to the Abbey. She Avas pleased to like him as Avell as his sister Mary, Avhom she found a most gentle and untiring companion and assistant Avhen ever she Avas required. For Lina to show a liking for any one was to excite the warmest attachment in return. Both the Herberts became devoted to the fascinating and interesting invalid, and she was well pleased to have the monotony of her life of seclusion varied by their presence and evident devotion to her service in every possible way. " I am not blind though, my dear Mrs. Milly," she would say playfully to me; "I am very fond of George Herbert and his nice quiet sister, but I do not think they — or rather he would care to come day after day to tell me all the parish news, if there was not another listener too."

" You mean Agatha ? " I asked, longing to have some other opinion besides my own upon that very interesting subject. " Of course I do. I don't know how long the flirtation (if anything so quiet may be so called) has been going on, but it is very evident he has no eyes, nor ears, nor thoughts, whatever he may pretend, for anybody or anything but Agatha." I thought for a moment, and then I ventured to ask, " And if she returns his regard, what do you think her father would say to it ?" Lady Somers laughed, then said, " My dear Mrs. Milward, you ought to be able to ansAver that question as Avell as I. If you wish for my own opinion on the sub ject, I can truly say I wish the young man all the success he deserves, and I have no TUE SISTERS doubt he Avill meet with it, in due course of time." "Then you don't think that Agatha> cares for Mr. Herbert now ?"

Lady Somers laughed again, and replied, " Surely you are a better judge of the state of her affections — you who know her so Avell — than I, a comparative stranger, can be." " I don't know," I replied doubtfully. " I believe the most uninterested spectators often see more of Avhat is going on around them, than others more deeply concerned." " But I am concerned — and I am interested, my dear Mrs. Milward," said Lady Somers, with an assumption of great earnestness. " Agatha is a great favourite of mine — be tween ourselves, I love her the best of the tAvo sisters. She is not so self-engrossed as our beautiful Muriel — and I think Agatha would make a very charming clergyman's wife, and it would be very nice to have her always at hand, instead of one of your meddling, tiresome, fussy clergymen's wives, of whom I have heard it said thatthey preach all day in a black goAvn to their parishioners, and lecture their husbands all night in a white one !

No, Agatha is just Avhat she ought to be, in that capacity ; but she is too retiring and diffident ever to make such a good match as her sister, besides not having half her beauty, or possibly a quarter of her fortune." Those few last words enlightened me a good deal as to poor Agatha's future prospects. She Avould, it seemed then, only share alike with other younger members of the neAv family — whilst Muriel would still inherit the whole of her mother's fortune. It appeared hard to be thus doubly cut off from Avhat I considered her rightful due ; but it Avould, I felt sure, matter but little to her or to George Herbert — for no two people could be better fitted to dispense Avith many of the things that to others, brought up as they had been, would seem indispensable requisites. Lady Marian took a great fancy to Agatha — and she, on her part, sincerely liked the Avarm-hearted, unaffected gentle Avoman, Avho thought so little of herself, and so much of her husband and children.