Stella Rae: or, the Yoke of love, etc

Front matter

' ' I tell you, Bertha, I will not j)ass him on any account. " — p. 113. Stella R a e, OR, W^-bt of ~JSiabz, BV HARRIETTE E. BURGLE Author os1 'Count Benneberg's Treason," " Moggie Dawson," " Owen's Hobby,' etc.. etc. WITH SIX ILLUSTRATIONS. bonbon : Gall and Inglis, 2j Paternoster Square, AND EDINBURGH. dsonfenfs. CHAPTER PAGE I. THE TWO FRIENDS, ... ... ... ... 1 II. AAVEARY, 13 IU. A FAMILY PARTY, 10 IV. MR. GRANT'S STORY, 2S V. STELLA, 41 VI. GORELEY HALL, ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 VII. UP IN THE ATTICS, 65 VIII. NEAV RESOLA'ES, 79 IX. THE RETURN, 88 X. LIZZIE IN TROUBLE, 100 XI. MISS STOTT HAS A PRESENTIMEN'l, 107 XII. OLD JEWSON, 115 XIII. IN THE AVOOD, ... ... ... ... ... ... 125 XFV. ROSSO MAKES HIMSELF USEFUL, 131 XV. "THE PATRIARCH," ... ... ... ... ... ... 138 XVI. A SINISTER THREAT, Ill XVII.

ROSSO GOES OFF IN A HURRY, 150 XVIII. FRIENDLESS, 155 XIX. ROBERT CONCEIVES SOME BRILLIANT PROJECTS, ... ... 105 XX. MRS. ROSSER CONFIDES HER FEARS, 171 XXI. BERTHA MAKES UP HER MIND TO AVAIT, ... ... ... 181 XXII. TRUTH WILL OUT, ... ... ... ... .. ... WO CONTENTS. IV CHAPTER PAGE XXIII. STELLA TRIES TO CLIMB 201 XXIA-. AN UNLUCKY MEETING, 214 XXV. WILL THEY COME? 222 XXA'I. OVERTAKEN, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 229 XXVII. A TARDY CONFESSION 240 XXVIII. HEAD, HAND AND HEART, ... ... ... ... 250 XXIX. STELLA EXERCISES HER PATIENCE, 258 XXX. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY, 265 XXXI. THE LITTLE WANDERER, ... ..271 XXXII. JUMPER, ... 280 XXXIII. CONVALESCENT, ... ... ... ... ... ... 287 XXXIV. IN LONDON, 296 XXXV. THE TAVENTY-FIRST GUEST, ... ... ... ... STELLA EAE; OR, "Ehe gofce of ILofac."

Chapter I. The Tavo Friends

" It 's no' in books, it 's no' in lear, To make us truly blest ; If happiness has not her seat And centre in the breast, We may be wise, or rich, or great, But never can be blest." — Burns. £IP?S&HE January sun was streaming gaily through W the lace curtains of an elegant little boudoir in St. John's Wood. It was a pretty room, and everything from the fittings to the litter with which it was strewn bore witness to the taste of its occupant. The pale mist-like blue of the walls made doubly delicate by the bronze and old-gold dado, the rich tints of the carpet, the grey skin-rugs, the luxurious rocking-chair and other low seats designed expressly for the encouragement of indolence, the pictures, brackets, and endless bric-a-brac all showed plainly that its mistress was one of those petted children who have no other vocation in life than to bask in the smiles of their parents and friends, and devote all their energies to a vain, incessant search after happiness.

Bertha Maitland Avas sitting on the hearthrug in the most forlorn, dejected attitude imaginable. Both arms were resting on a footstool, her chin was on her hands, and her handsome broAvn hair hung in wavy, disordered masses over her shoulders. She was the daughter of a wealthy ship-broker, and had arrived at that ideal stage of existence when girls are supposed to be stocked Avith all the graces and accomplishments that modern superficial instruction can bestow. Up to the age of fourteen, she had been in a select college for young ladies at Brighton, since which the remainder of her school life had been passed at Brussels and Frankfort, where she had been perfecting her know ledge of French and German. When she was sixteen her parents grew impatient at her long absence, and enraptured by the gloAving accounts that came quarterly from her professors, determined to put an end to her exile.

Her education was therefore finished forthwith — an education as flimsy as brilliant — one, not unfrequently, alas ! acquired by girls from no better motive than a half-malicious feeling of emulation, or the mere Avish to shine so soon as their weary period of probation is over. Smatterings of two or three modern tongues, none of which they can ever read with any degree of facility, while as to writing them, they never attempt so manifest an impossibility. Small doses of science diluted to a safe strength ; music enough to flourish over the keys Avith more or less agility ; drawing, china-painting of about equal merit ; and all the numberless developments of Penelope's art ; such is the curriculum to which many young ladies are limited, and such was the education which Bertha Maitland had received.

It Avas now nearly a tAvelvemonth since her return, and she was in her eighteenth year. She Avas naturally quick, and tolerably thorough in her way. She had a good ear and a fine voice, and had Avon such encomiums from all her professors that her father and mother were enchanted beyond their most sanguine hopes. She was free to plunge into the vortex of pleasure and frivolity for Avhich she had been prepared. " Charming, charming ! " suddenly exclaimed some one. "What a pose ! Pray don't move. My dearest Bertha, Avhat Avere you thinking about ? " " Not of you assuredly, Stella ; " ansAvered Miss Maitland, starting up from her loAA-ly position. " Don't let me disturb you, love ; really I AA'ould Avillingly have stood at the door for another quarter of-an-hour gazing at you. What Avould that dear old drawing-master at Brussels have given for such a study !

I suppose it Avas my unfortunate exclamation that called you back to earth." Bertha meanAvhile had unrolled her slender figure, and noAV stood some tAvo inches taller than her visitor, Avhom she received with a Avarin embrace and every sign of delight. " I 'm so glad you 've come, Stella. When did you return ? " " Last night." " From Dover ? " " Yes, Ave crossed the day before. The Avater Avas aAvfully rough, and the steamer, — I beg its pardon, — I mean the passengers — there, Bertha, don't talk about it! The sight and sounds Avere on ne peut plus. I screAved myself away as far as I could in the bows, and kept my eyes fixed on the sea." " I 'm glad I Avas not there." " So am I, for your sake." " Not for your own too, Stella ? " You provoking analyst of perverse human nature ! There, doesn't that sound like our grim old Frau at Frankfort ?

You haven't forgotten her, Bertha ? Don't you see, love, had you been there, les convenances, Vamitie, and all those SAveet qualities Avhich lie au cœur of a true woman would have led me to fly to your side and share your " " My Avhat, Stella ? You at a loss for a word ! " " Dear, dear no, not at the end of my vocabulary yet. I learned too much at Brussels ; " said she, looking all the Avhile at an album that she had opened on a table close by. " What was it we had on the tapis ? Oh, I remember, I was going to say I should haATe felt it my duty to share your affliction wherever that might lead, and you know my horror of cabins and aU stuffy places. Who is this ?" Bertha glanced at the portrait. "The Rev. OusIoav Grant." " The reverend, indeed. I thought as much Have you had the pleasure of his acquaintance long ?

" " What makes you so curious, Stel ? " " Curious, Bertie ! Fie, my dear ! Curiosity is far too vulgar a failing to find a lodgment here," and she tapped her head significantly. " It happens, however, that the reverend gentleman crossed over from Calais Avith us ; and that will account for my surprise. Is he an old friend ? " " No ; on the contrary. I have never eveu seen him. Bob met him in the Righi last year. They have been fast friends ever since." " He is a queer friend for Bob ; an old man like him." " Not old, Stella, middle-aged. He lost his Avife under very trying circumstances, and had a long nervous illness from which it Avas feared he Avould never recover. The physicians recommended travelling, and I believe his health is noAV fairly re-estab lished. His influence has been very beneficial to Bob.

He is coming to stay with us soon, and I must confess I am looking forward Avith some impatience to the visit, for if all Bob says is true, he must be excellent company. He knoAvs almost everything. His adven tures would fill volumes." " Ah ; a good man, I daresay, but rather prosy by the sample I had of his company. By-the-by, Bertha, Avhat have you been doing since Ave parted ? Are you not glad to be free of that horrid old pension ? " " No, Stella, I can't exactly say that I am. Sometimes I would give a good deal to be back again at my desk with all the routine of school-work to fill up my days." Stella's dark eyes opened Avide in astonishment. " You don't mean that, Bertha ! " " I do indeed, dear. Since I have been at home I have literally nothing to do — nothing, I mean, of any use — and the time hangs very heavily on my hands."

" You discontented creature ! Why, Bertha, if papa will only consent to let me stay at home I shall esteem myself the happiest girl au monde. He has been threatening me with six months or so in Paris ; won't it be horrid to be there all by myself. It appears in old Lagrange's last report — you remember Avhat a fuss he ahvays made over my accent— well, he must needs write to the bon papa that ' Mademoiselle had not succeeded in acquiring un accent pars ait! Isn't it too bad of him. I 'm thoroughly tired of being away. I Avas nearly tAvo whole years in Germany ; you were only there one year, you knoAV, Bertha ; and I do get so home-sick, so awfully home-sick." Bertha had let her friend run on Avithout interrup tion, half amused at her chatter, half Avondering Avhether she Avould always say the same.

" After all," said she, as Stella paused to take breath, " Avhat is there to occupy ourselves Avith Avhen Ave leave school ? " " What is there ? " repeated Stella, Avith a merry laugh. " Why, all the world to choose from. London in the season, one of the loveliest parts of Hampshire in the early summer, for you ; all the watering-places round the United KinQ-dom to select from, Avith the Continent en reserve if you Aveary of the monotony of British soil." " Yes, Stella, it is easy to run over the seasons like that ; but Avhat can people find to employ themselves with for three hundred and sixty-five days every year, when they have absolutely nothing they are obliged to do ? " Stella burst into a fit of laughter, and throAving* herself into the rocking-chair, began to SAving briskly to and fro.

" What is the matter Avith you, Bertha ? You have got the blues most decidedly this morning." " I belieAre I have." " You're not like the same girl I kneAv at Brussels. Come and sit doAvn here at my feet, and tell me all you have been doing lately. Noav, confess that you have been pining for your little Stella." " I may as Avell plead guilty, dear." " There ! Am I not a good fairy to come Avith my Avand and dispel all the bad humours and evil influences that have gathered around you ? Well, now to pre scribe. You knoAV all doctors do that ; only, instead of physician in ordinary, you must please tack extra on to my name. You must, first of all, promise to carry out my commands to the letter." " What are they ? " inquired Bertha prudently. " Oh, you are not to be alloAA-ed to remain a moment quiescent. ' When taken, to be AveU shaken,' Avas the only direction on physic bottles that I ever appreciated.

I don't care hoAv much I shake them up — for other people, mind. I love froth and bubbles." " The same as ever," AA-hispered Bertha, beginning to laugh in spite of herself. " ' Ahvays the same to your old wife Joan,' " sang Stella ; " but pray be serious, miss ; yours is a very desperate case. I perceive that the settlingprocess (vide my last notes on geology, tumbled up someAvhere or other among my papers) has gone on quite long enough, and I propose to pursue the same plan Avith you as I do with the bottles — shake you up. What is your programme for to-day ? " " I generally go out driving Avith mamma till luncheon — sometimes afterwards as well— and the day goes by I can't tell how. I practise the piano and my singing, or read till it is time to dress for dinner ; and then, if Ave are at home, there is sure to be somebody here."

" And on days Avhen you are not at home ? do you go to parties, balls, concerts, the opera ? Do you mean to say you have given me a detailed account of your manner of life ? " " You provoking task-mistress, no. Perhaps I am unreasonable, Stella ; but I certainly do find the days pass very sloAvly. It is of no use in the world my trying to settle to anything." " Don't try, dear ; that is the very thing you are to avoid." Quizzing again, Stella ? I tell you, dear, I want something to interest me — something besides my own self to think of. It seems such an empty life to live." " Wait till I am emancipated ; Avon't I lead papa a fine dance ? Poor, incomprehensible Bertha, you want silly, addle-pated me to keep you alive and gi\*e some zest to the ' daily round, the common task.' I shall tell papa that you have decided the question of my exile in the negative.

My presence in England is posi tively indispensable to prevent the utter collapse of Miss Bertha Maitland — positively and indispensably necessary to save you, my love, from sinking into hope less melancholy. By-the-by, are you going to Madame Plaute's recitation musicale this evening ? " " Where ? I have not even heard of it." "At Hawkins & Perry's Music Warehouse, tickets to be had at Madame Louise's Fancy Repository. Will you go with us ? " " Yes, if papa has no objection." " Go and ask him, dear. I am to call there for mamma ; she will pick me up on her Avay home. I bargained for half-an-hour to pay my respects to you. Make haste, there 's a love, or I shall keep the carriage Avaiting. Dear me ! " exclaimed she, pulling out her watch, " how the time runs aAvay, the days are too short by half."

Mr. Maitland's permission was soon granted, and in a minute more Stella was tripping along to Madame Louise, confident that she would soon restore Bertha to her wonted spirits. Stella Rae Avas entirely unlike Bertha, both as regards personal appearance and disposition. She was a year younger, and much smaller, but far more self reliant — one of those happy, thoughtless creatures who seem born to go through life without a care. Nothing troubled her long — if anything vexed her she laughed at it the moment or so after — if one pleasure faded she took the next that offered — she was always bright, always good-tempered. In fine weather she was out in the sunshine dispensing and receiving nods and smiles ; if it was cloudy it mattered little to her, and on unpropi tious days, if no one Avas at home to help her while the hours aAvay, the carriage was at her beck to bear her whithersoever she would.

She was like a gay bird or a butterfly, flitting from flower to flower, gathering honey from all, and carrying cheerfulness and merriment wherever she went. Kind-hearted and generous, if giving bountifully from a well-filled purse constitutes generosity. A tale of poverty appealed instantly to her active benevolence, but she never sought the distressed. Out of sight was out of mind with her as she folloAved the one object of her life — pleasure. Bertha was of quite another mould. To all appear ances she was far less benevolent. Stella was the beggar's friend. If Bertha bestowed charity she did it liberally to some deserving object. Stella gave without inquiry into the merits of the case. Bertha scarcely ever relieved vagrants, but never passed a crossing-sweeper. "He is earning an honest living," thought she, and if she had no coppers she gave silver.

If one of their schoolfelloAvs had any trouble, Bertha's was the sympathetic ear into Avhich she poured it. Bertha, though not so universal a favourite, was the one to whom all came for help and counsel. Counsel, forsooth ! they might as well have gone to a cricket as to Stella — chirp, chirp, chirp, from morning till night, Avithout an atom of reflection in anything she said — the first words that came into her head ; and as for help, if it could be done on the spur of the moment she was willing enough, but for anything that required perse verance or punctuality one might as Avell trust to a broken reed — Stella Avas far too volatile to be depended on. It seems strange that so great a friendship should have sprung up betAveen such dissimilar characters. For though school -girl attachments are frequently only the passing fancy of a few terms, it Avas not so at least on Bertha's side.

Bertha, in spite of all the shortcom ings of her education, had a mind capable of higher things, she Avas fond of reading, she took a growing interest in chemistry and natural history, she Avas not without opinions of her own on serious subjects, and yet, of all the twenty-five or thirty boarders at her pension, she had singled out the gay, shalloAV-headed Stella for her bosom friend. Perhaps it was the inherent love of contrast which ruled her choice, or perhaps it AA'as that all things are ordered Avisely and Avell by the Great Searcher of hearts, that those who are yet afar off may be brought near to the riches of His grace. Let the story, however, speak for itself.

Chapter II. Aweary

"Art thou patiently toiling, Availing the Master's will, For a rest that never seems nearer, a hush that is far off still ? Does it seem that the noisy city never will let thee hear The sound of His gentle footsteps, drawing, it may be, near?" F. R. Havergal. THE next few weeks passed in such a whirl that Bertha had neither time to be dull nor to feel the absence of regular employment. Visitors in the house, the lively Stella fluttering in and out at all hours, and a constant succession of invitations gave her no time for thought. Dinner-parties, concerts, and dances folloAved so fast on each other's heels that she had literally not a moment to herself, and perpetual excitement grew irksome. The fatigues of the toilet, the ever-recurring question what she should Avear, the languor consequent on late hours and overheated rooms, and the necessity for rousing herself to meet the rush and rout of the morrow, made her long for a respite.

The sameness, the artificial tone of her surroundings. the small talk, and want of seriousness or earnest purpose in all those Avith whom she came in contact, became at length so Avearisome that it Avas Avith a feeling of AWEARY. 13 relief that she aAvoke one morning with a violent head ache. This would at least furnish her Avith an excuse for staying at home. She therefore sent her maid doAvn with a message requesting her mother not to Avait for her, as her head ached badly, and she would stay in doors and lie quietly on the sofa in her room. It Avas so unusual for her daughter to complain of illness that Mrs. Maitland determined to see for herself if there were any cause for alarm. She was, moreover, particularly anxious for Bertha to accompany her that evening. The eldest son of Dr. Thomson, a very old friend of Mr. Maitland's, had just attained his majority, and the joyful occasion was to be celebrated by a grand ball.

Many of the elite of the neighbourhood Avere invited, especially the young ; and the event Avas looked forward to with impatience by the favoured ones, and with great envy by those Avho had not received cards. Mrs. Maitland had spared neither trouble nor expense to provide Bertha Avith a dress that Avas certain to vie with any in elegance and taste, and counted on the admiration she fully expected it would call forth. It Avas therefore with a considerable amount of perturbation that she heard the message. All breakfast-time she Avas very much preoccupied, and no sooner was it over than she hurried up to Bertha's room. She found her on the sofa in her dressing-gown, her tea and toast untouched by her side. " What is the matter, my darling ? " asked she, lay inoher cool hand on her daughter's forehead. ° B " Only a headache, mamma.

I shall be better pre sently if I lie still." " Your head is very hot, my dear. You must have Ellis to bathe it with eau-de-Cologne, and I shall send for Dr. Squires to give you a tonic draught. Something must be done to set you up for the evening." " Don't talk about it, please, dear mamma. The very idea makes my head throb worse." " But, my love, you surely do not think of staying away ? " " I must, mamma." " You will be better by-and-by. Why, dear me : after all the trouble your dress has cost me. Oh, Bertha, you must go. I have set my heart on it." Bertha laid her head restlessly on a cool part of the pilloAv, and put her hand to her forehead. " You really must try to get over it, darling. You must exert yourself to please me. Ellis shall darken the room, and Avhen you have had a nice rest your head will be better."

" Let me stay at home this once, mamma, I am so tired of parties." " What nonsense ! Why, my dear child, what Avould your father say ? What Avould Dr. Thomson say, on such an occasion ? " " I can't bear my head from the piUoAV," moaned Bertha. " No, of course not just now, but you have the Avhole day before you. There, Ave will not talk about it any more, you are loAv-spirited and nervous, my love. AWEARY. 15 I shall call on Dr. Squires and ask him to look in." So saying Mrs. Maitland kissed her and left the room. Bertha tossed on her couch for a while, trying in vain to find ease for her throbbing temples, and finally fell into a dose. When about an hour later she Avas aroused by the arrival of Dr. Squires, she felt refreshed, and much more herself. The kind old gentleman gave her a draught, recommended quiet, and bidding her sleep for several hours, Avished her good-bye.

Like a good, obedient daughter she endeavoured to do as she had been told, but lie as still as she Avould, the busy thoughts kept chasing each other through her brain ; one by one the events of the last few days passed before her, and she found herself unconsciously sitting in judgment on her own actions. " What haA'e I been doing during the past months," thought she, "either for my own improvement or for the benefit of others ? Proper recreation is needful — intercourse Avith our friends is a duty we OAve to society ; but since I left school my whole life has been a waste, I have not said a single Avord or done one action Avorth remembering." By degrees as the aching of her head greAv less violent, she set to work to form plans for spending her time better, and began to look forward with delight to the spring, when they would leave London for their beautiful, quiet house in Hampshire.

" I shall be free there from all this din," said she to herself. The very thought of the country soothed her ; the green fields, the birds, the early floAvers, the mysterious charm of budding life, came vividly before her, she almost saw the brook sparkling over its pearly bed — heard the music of its ripple, and watched the martins circling before the sombre fir plantation that skirted the park. Some of the happiest days in her childhood had been spent there, and as the old recoUections came back one by one she fell into a delicious reverie — a reverie in which past and present were curiously blended. She was not asleep, she was faintly conscious of pain, for the throbbing of her temples had not quite ceased, but yet the soothing influence of so many cherished memories had lightened the burden that was weighing on her spirits, and in fancy she roamed the woods Avith her brother Robert, or cantered through the park Avith her father and watched the crimson cloud-masses saihng towards the dazzling radiance in which the sun was sinking behind the purple hills.

The sad sense of aimlessness in her life AA'hich of late had caused her so much trouble seemed to grow brighter as these scenes recurred to her mind, and like the grey vapour flashing into glorious light as it drew near to the golden west, so did her gloom and discon tent become radiant Avith hope. " Surely," thought she, " I may find something worth living for — something that I can look back upon and feel that my time has not all been lost — not all frittered aAvay in dress and frivohty. The day when Ave shall go doAvn to our beautiful home among the fields avUI soon be here, then Ave shall leave the noise and rout of AWEARY. 17 London, and breathe the pure fresh air once more. Oh, how I long to see the dear old lanes and ivy covered trees, to feel the soft moss beneath my feet, and hear the thrushes sing."

For the first time since her return from Germany she began to rejoice in the thought that now there would be no school duties to call her away just when summer Avas most prodigal of its bounties, and visions of fairy shadoAvs dancing on the pathways at her feet — of wood anemones, wild strawberries, flowers and ferns floated together in blissful confusion till she fell asleep.

Chapter III

A FAMILY PARTY. " Truth is the foundation of all knowledge, and the cement of all society." — Casaubon. BR. THOMSON'S ball passed off as brilliantly as his best friends could have wished. Even Mrs. Maitland had every reason to be content, for though Bertha was certainly not herself, Dr. Squire's prescription and some hours' rest had enabled her to accompany her mother. She had pleaded hard to be left at home ; but find ing how much Mrs. Maitland wished her to go, had resigned herself passively to her maid, and had stepped into the carriage, feeling as if in a moment the ground itself might sink away beneath her feet. Gradually, however, this dazed, giddy sensation wore off, and by a great deal of painful exertion she had managed to get through the evening ; the only satisfaction that she derived from it being the knowledge that she was pleasing her mother.

One afternoon about a week later, the Maitlands were assembled in the draAving-room. Robert had returned from Paris the preceding evening Avitb the Rev. Onslow Grant, who had come to spend a feAV days with his young friend, and they had gathered round the fire en famille to listen to the adventures of the two travellers. Miss Stott, Mrs. Maitland's aunt, who resided with her, completed the circle. She was nearly seventy, and had a great weakness for dogs, more especially poodles, and prided herself on the possession of a very valuable but ill-tempered ball of fur which Avas never out of her sight for a moment. To speak accurately, it was scarcely ever out of her arms. It dozed away the greater part of the day in her lap ; she took it out driving with her ; it slept on the foot of her bed ; it had its early dinner brought up with as much ceremony as if it had been a person of importance ; there Avas more fuss made over it than any other member of the household, and it rejoiced in the suggestive appellation of " Snap."

On the present occasion, after having almost exhausted his mistress by his malevolent designs against the legs of the Rev. Onslow Grant, the spiteful little " Snap " had subsided, and now lay sound asleep on her knee. Fully alive, hoAvever, to the unaccountable freaks which at any moment he might take, she had passed a blue ribbon through his silver collar, and of this ribbon she had fast hold. Robert Maitland was nearly twenty, — tall and slender. He Avas lounging in an easy-chair by his mother's side, too comfortably lazy to exert himself in any way except by interfering at intervals to supplement statements that Avere more conscientiously moder ate than the enlarged ideas that he desired to convey. These amendments only called forth a smile from Mr. Grant, or at the most a mild " Now, my dear boy, that is almost too much !