The curate of Overton

Chapter I

The roads should blossom, the roads should bloom, So fair a bride shall leave her home, Should blossom and bloom with garlands gay So fair a bride shall pass to-day. LONGFELLOW. The wind was blowing high, and a slight frost covered the ground, although it was the end of March, and it was altogether very cold and uncomfortable for walking ; but the sun shone brightly, and the sky was clear ; not a cloud intermingled with the deep azure blue, VOL. I. B and from above the heavens One was looking down with His eye of pity and love on the poor, fallen race of Adam, sending comfort to the mourner, help to the afflicted, and judg ment to the wicked, and gladdening many by granting them their hearts' desires. But now for my story. It certainly was very cold, as I before said, but it was very fine, and the party of children, crossing the church fields neither thought of the wind, which politely blew roses on their cheeks, nor of the frost, which, less gallant than old Boreas, pinched their fingers ; no, not even of the clear, blue sky, so intent were they on their conversation.

" Do be quick, Polly," said the foremost of the group to a tiny little creature, who was running by her side at a jog-trot pace, anxious not to be left behind. " Yes, do be quick," said another, " else we shall be too late for the marrying." " How merry the bells are ringing !" said a blowsy little maiden, with her bonnet hanging off her head ; " I am sure Miss Alice will look sweetly, and my sister Sarah, as is Miss Alice's maid, says the veil's splendacious !" " Why don't she wear a bonnet ?" said the first speaker. " Because it aint the fashion," was the reply. At that moment the bells struck up a louder peal than before, and the little prattlers hastened their steps, fearful of being too late, and so they would had they not hurried, for they scarcely reached the church in time to see the beautiful bride pass down the aisle, and kneel side by side with him she loved more than ought else on earth.

All must agree that Alice Duncan looked lovely, attired in a simple robe of white, her golden locks confined by a wreath of orange blossom and jasmine, and did not every one say she looked just as she ought, neither frightened, as though she already repented the choice she had made, nor unconcerned and careless, as if it were part of one's business to get married, and the sooner it was done the better. No, she behaved just as Edward Mordaunt wished, and knew she would, and when she promised, in her clear, silvery tones, to be his, he deter- B mined she should never by the slightest word or action, be made to repent having linked her fate in his. But see the bridal party are leaving the church, and Edward is handing his bride into the carriage, and now they have driven away and we must follow ; but is there not a figure passing out at the side door — surely it cannot be a mistake — there is a man with black, bushy hair and evil eyes, like dark deeds done in the night ; but he has disappeared, and before we join our new friends, I must beg your patience whilst we go back, for a short period, to their earlier days.

Alice Duncan was left an orphan at a tender age, and placed under the care of an aunt and uncle, who, not having any children of their own, were only too happy to receive their little niece, of whom they soon became doatingly fond, and lavished on her more than usual care and attention, carefully instilling into her youthful mind the love of all that is noble and virtuous, teaching her to deny herself for others, particularly for the poor, showing that it was not a merit to give away that which caused her no inconvenience to go without, also telling her that, " it is more blessed to give than to receive," and bringing forward examples from history, both sacred and profane. How the poor widow, in giving her mite, deprived herself of all she possessed, not reflecting how she should obtain more, and, therefore, that was true charity ; and showing her a great proof of love in Ruth, who refused to leave her mother-in-law and return to her own country, and they made Alice learn Ruth's beautiful words.

They also produced instances in later times, how the illustrious Joan of Arc felt herself called to leave her occupation as shepherdess, and fought courageously for her country and religion ; and how still later Mrs. Fry gave up her time and talents to visit in dark, gloomy prisons among those whom crime had condemned. To all this, Alice would listen with riveted attention, and exclaimed with childish energy : " Why may I not do the same ?" They would then show her how it is in the power of every one to do good in their own sphere, as the Catechism tells us, " In that state of life to which it has pleased God to call us ;" and that it is possible to be of the greatest benefit to those around us, without being either a Ruth, a Joan of Arc, or a Mrs. Fry. After these and similar conversations, Alice would try to put in practice what she had been taught, and was once found taking off her best bonnet to give to a little beggar girl who had none.

As she grew older, she made rapid progress in her studies, entering with great animation into the compositions of Beethoven, Mozart, and Thalberg, reading with much taste and feeling the plays of Schiller and Racine, and the beautiful " Gerusalemme Liberata " of Tasso, whose history and misfortunes called forth the warmest sympathy from their reader ; she also took great delight in copying the pictures of celebrated masters. With Alice's talents, amiability and beautv, it was not at all surprising that many an eye was fixed upon her with admiration, and many a heart longed to call her its own. At a little distance from the Elms, the residence of Mr. Duncan, stood a large, old fashioned mansion, very much shut in by trees, with a rookery at the back, from which the house took its name. The place looked gloomy and neglected, and the solitary peasant returning from his work hastened past with a kind of awe and dread, as though fearful of meeting a ghost or spectre.

Very little was known of the inhabitants, except that they were bigoted Romanists and had resided many years in Italy, whence, at the death of his wife, Mr. Evelyn had returned, bringing with him an only daughter, a girl about Alice's age, and leaving his son in the care of a priest, to be strictly brought up in the tenets of his own faith. After living for a few years the lonely life he so. much enjoyed, Mr. Evelyn was sud denly taken ill, and before his son, who travelled as quickly as possible to England, had reached the Rookery, his father had breathed his last. After the first flow of grief was over, and a sufficient time had elapsed, George Evelyn began to think of repairing and beautifying his newly acquired possessions, remodeling the old house, and erecting a handsome chapel in which to worship the faith of his fathers.

One day, while surveying his grounds, accompanied by an architect, and talking over his projected repairs, turning into a public path, he came suddenly upon Alice Duncan, returning home by a short cut from a visit she had been making in the next village. Meeting her face to face so abruptly, courtesy compelled him to lift his hat, which movement was acknowledged by a graceful bow. The lovely form that had accidentally flitted accross his path, haunted the young man, and he seized the first opportunity to enquire of the old gardener, the only Protestant domestic in his service, who she could be. " Why, Sir, not know that's Miss Duncan !" was the reply, " as good and as clever as she's beautiful." Hearing this, it was not surprising that he took an early opportunity of calling on the Duncans, alleging as an excuse for his father's want of sociability, his age and ill health, and adding, he hoped that a slight difference of religious opinion would not be the means of separating them now, but that Miss Duncan and his sister might often meet, and he had his wish, for they became intimate friends ; and scarcely a day passed in which Alice and Maude Evelyn did not meet, and difference of creed did not keep them apart, for they sang together, read and talked over their favourite authors, worked the same patterns, learned the same poetry, and cultivated the same flowers, in short, they were as proud of each other as two girls of such opposite temperaments could be ; for Maude was clever, but proud and vain of her talents, whilst her friend was so humble and unpretending, that a stranger might almost have imagined that the only attractions she possessed were an amiable temper and beautiful face.

Being so often in Alice's society, it was not at all strange that George Evelyn soon became sincerely attached to his sister's friend and B began seriously to think of declaring his attach ment, never for one moment imagining that difference of creed would in any way interfere with his acceptance ; self-conceit and pride lead ing him to conclude that no one could possibly object to be his bride, and mistress of the Rookery in its present beautiful state. Such a thought had never for an instant presented itself to Alice's imagination, nor did she ever think that the regard and esteem he always professed for her, at all exceeded that of a brother for a younger sister, but in that she was soon to be undeceived. One day, when visiting as usual her favourite Maude, Alice found her confined to her room by a severe cold, instead, therefore, of taking their accustomed walk, they employed the after noon in the perusal of a new and interesting novel, which Alice had that day received from London.

When reading an entertaining book time flies so quickly that we do not perceive the hours flitting by, and so it was with the two girls, their interest had been so much excited they declared every chapter should be the last, and that the rest should be saved for to-morrow, little imagining that when to morrow came they should be as much divided as though seas rolled between them. Of course, when Alice bid the invalid adieu, giving her many injunctions to be careful of her cold, and receiving her' promise of another visit, when that " dear, delicious " tale should be finished, George offered his services, as he said, " to conduct the lady fair to the sheltering nest of the parent birds," and Alice willingly accepted his escort. In going through the park they came out just where an elegant statue had been erected; they both stopped before it, and Alice warmly praised both the taste and elegance of the design, also complimenting Mr. Evelyn on the great improvements he had effected in so short a time, telling him " it seemed as if some good fairy had enchanted it from a castle of gloom to a palace of pleasure."

George felt flattered that those lips should pronounce such a favourable judgment on his taste, and asked, as she admired the " palace of pleasure," if she would not like to have it for her home. " Oh, no !".she warmly replied, " I like your house very much, and think it far grander than our's, but I love the Elms, my dear old home, and uncle and aunt, and my birds and flowers too much, to wish for anything more. Besides," she added, " I can always come here as often as I like, and see dear Maude, so you see I have two homes, am I not a rich girl, Mr. Evelyn ?" " But dear Miss Alice," replied her com panion, " your uncle and aunt cannot live for ever, and birds cease to sing, and flowers fade and die. Alice ! dear Alice !" he cried, seizing her hand and pressing it to his lips, " will you not share my home, will you not ? oh, do not say no ! will you not be mine for ever ?"

Surprised and astonished, it was some few minutes ere Alice could answer, or even with draw the hand Mr. Evelyn held in his, who thinking from her silence that she was not displeased, continued : " I knew, dearest, that you would never refuse me ; that you would come and share my home, and gladden all around by your sweet presence ; and, oh — " but here he stopped, for Alice quickly snatched away her hand from his, and hastily stepping back a few paces, said with energy : " Indeed, indeed, Mr. Evelyn, this should not have been, this ought never to have taken place between us ; I never thought — " " That I loved you, devotedly, truly," said her companion ; " oh, Alice ! could I see you day after day and not adore you ; not die to call you mine ; not — " " Mr. Evelyn," interrupted Alice, trembling, " it must not, it cannot be ; I can never be your's, and pray let us cease to speak on a subject that can only be painful to us both."

" Then I must not love you, who are dearer to me than life itself ?" he exclaimed ; " then I must see you become another's, and feel you forget me ? Alice, cruel Alice ! to trifle with me thus ; why not say that your heart was already given to some happier being ? why lead — " " Mr. Evelyn," sobbed Alice, " I have not, indeed, I have not trifled with you, I am not engaged to any one." " Then why not be mine ?" and then, as ir an idea suddenly struck him, he added : " difference of faith cannot separate us, my good, my gentle Alice would not be so bigoted, so cruel." Alice turned deadly pale, and making a violent effort replied : " I would not willingly hurt or offend you in any way, but I could not, indeed, I could not leave the religion in which I was brought up, and from which it was my parents' dying injunction I might never separate, neither could I join myself to one of — " " Then go, cruel girl !" burst forth her com panion, scornfully, " and tell your fellow-Pro testants that, after trifling with his feelings, receiving his hospitality, and encouraging his attentions, you despised the wicked Catholic, and spurned him from you !

Go, proud girl ! and beware how you again try such experiments !" With these words, Mr. Evelyn turned suddenly away, and disappeared down a side path. What were Alice's feelings I will not attempt to describe. Bewildered and annoyed, her first impulse was to go back, tell all to her beloved Maude, bid her make peace with her brother ; but offended pride and hurt dignity bid her pursue a different course, and quickening her steps, she returned home, and related what had passed to Mr. Duncan, who was so exceedingly indignant that, disregarding the entreaties of his niece, he sat down immediately, and wrote to Mr. Evelyn, charging him never again to ap proach his door, and adding that Miss Duncan should have no more intercouse with Miss Evelyn and the Rookery. Poor Alice ! she tried to restore harmony between them, but she could not succeed ; for the flowers she sent to Maude were returned, and the notes sent back unanswered ; and before a week had elapsed, the Evelyns quitted the neighbourhood, leaving the house in the care of Father Pietro, the confessor to the family.

For some time Alice gave herself up to melancholy ; but her thoughts were soon di verted into another and pleasanter channel. A stranger from Devonshire came to the North, on a visit to his cousin, the rector of Ashley, and that stranger was no other than our old acquaintance Edward Mordaunt, who, struck with the beauty, sweetness, and talents of Alice, soon persuaded her to promise, when spring arrived, to return with him to Overton Hall, and this was a very easy task, for Alice loved him with a love so true and ardent that manymight envy Edward in possessing. But whyshould she not ? for he was everything she could desire — frank, open-hearted, and affectionate, and withal extremely handsome in face and figure. What could she desire more ? and he only longed for the time when she might be his.

And spring did soon come with its birds and flowers ; and, as I before said, they were married, and passing over a few pages of their happy life, we will join them in the next chapter.

Chapter II

And both were young and one was beautiful, And both were young, yet not alike in youth ; As the sweet moon on the horizon's verge, The maid was on the eve of womanhood . BYRON. How often it is that great and momentous circumstances arise from causes so trivial that we never give them a second thought, and yet were we to trace the tide of events to their first sources, how frequently should we find that, as the majestic river first rises from a tiny spring, so small that it is scarcely perceptible, as it trickles over the pebbles, so the pleasures and vicissitudes that influence our future life, are the results of a word or action to which at the time we gave no heed, so insignificant and unimportant did we imagine them ; and so we shall see it to be the case as we go on in our story, from which we must digress no longer.

Autumn had robbed the trees of Overton Park of their leaves which the winds had scat tered on the ground; but busy hands had gathered them into a heap, which had already attained a great height, but seemed destined to mount still higher, ere it was completed. Many thoughts were directed towards that pile, and none more impatiently than those of little Reginald Mordaunt (Mrs. Mordaunt's youngest child and only son), who, mounted on a hassock in the great square pew of Overton Church, looking over his mother's book, I regret to say, thought more of the squibs and crackers, sky rockets and roman candles that were to be let off that evening, than of the service for the fifth of November, which Mr. Anley the rector was reading, and I really think was not sorry when the prayers were over ; and on reaching home, dear, kind mamma gave him permission to go and see how the preparations for the bonfire got on.

The happy child did not wait to be told twice, but away he bounded down the sloping walk, until he reached the spot where the bonfire was partly raised. No one was there, for the men had gone to get more wood, and little Reggy stood alone, not in silent contemplation — no, that would not be at all like him, for he must be always talking, and if he had not an audience, he must express his thoughts to himself aloud. " God save the Queen !" he cried at the highest pitch of his voice. " Down with the Pope ! Hurrah for the Queen I" and then continuing in his usual way of talking to himself, he said : "I hate the Catholics ! Don't I wish I had got them all here ! what a blaze I would have !" And then, as if a bright thought struck the child, he added, laughing, " I would leave the Pope for the last — he's so fat, he would burn well !

When I am a man, I shall be a soldier, and fight the Pope, and the Queen will be very glad, and so shall I ; and then perhaps I shall get a bright medal, like old John has from the battle of Waterloo. I should like to see the Queen," he continued. " Mamma says I shall when I go to London. I wonder if she will look at me ? I know what she is like from the picture by my bed. What a little thing she is ! But nurse says, little and good. But tall people must be good too, for papa is very tall. I wonder how it is ! I can't tell, but I suppose nurse knows best. And then I have got a like ness of that nice, pleasant-looking Prince Albert ; he's tall too !" and then tossing his cap in the air, his fair curls floating in the wind, the little man ran off in seach of James the gardener, to look at his pony.

Had the enthusiastic child looked round, he might have seen the same dark figure that we saw at his mother's wedding some years ago, pass across the foot-path and mutter something between his teeth about revenge and injuries, and then slink away. But he was far too happy to be disturbed by dark thoughts and meditated evil. That evening there was to be a large party of children and grown-up people at the Hall, from the neighbourhood for miles round, and the servants were occupied preparing ; and so was Florence, Mrs. Mordaunt's younger daughter, also busy in her way, superintending some little alteration her maid was making in the dress she was to wear that night ; for if we may call such a trifle, a sin, her besetting sin was a little love of dress. " I really think, Davis," she exclaimed, seating herself for at least the twelfth time by the fire, with her feet on the fender, " I do really think, Davis, I should look far better in my pink tarlatane, than in that dowdy affair ; but mamma is always so afraid of one taking cold."

" But then, Miss Florence," said the maid, persuasively, " if you go out to see the bonfire, you might get a cold like Miss Constance did last year, and be obliged to keep the house for the winter." " Nonsense, Davis !" said the lively girl. "As if I should get ill! What an idea! Why did I not get quite wet through that Sunday I would go to church in the rain ? and I am sure if I had wanted to catch cold, I might have done it long ago, when I fell into the pond at the Rectory, and Mr. Anley had to pull me out. What a plight I was in ! and how frightened they all were ! I thought I should never hear the end of that; but if water-daisies will grow out of one's reach, and just as one has nearly got them, great awkward dogs will come against one's feet, why then girls must fall into ponds, must not they, Princy-wTincy ?" she said, catching up her pet dog, which was enjoying a slumber on the hearth-rug, and jumping up, ran towards the door, upsetting poor Davis's working imple ments, which called forth a rather distressed " Bless me !" she sprang along the landing, down the staircase, nearly running into the arms of the astonished butler, who also ejaculated a surprised " Bless me !"

She rushed across the hall, the door of which standing open, without bonnet and shawl, and unmindful of thin shoes, she bounded down the lawn, and threw herself into a garden-chair, breathless from the exercise. "There Princy, pet! have we not had a run ?" she exclaimed, alternately caressing her favourite, and pushing back the clustering ringlets, which would come before her bright, violet eyes. " 1 don't see why we should not enjoy ourselves as well as the rest of the world ; and if we are not to wear pink tarlatane, why we must make ourselves happy in silk, that's all ! But I do declare there are papa and Con ! and they will wonder what their giddy Florence is doing here, without anything to shelter her dear, silly little head from the frolicsome wind that will blow her hair in her face.

Well, papa," she added, as they joined her, " what have you and Con been about ? letting off private squibs and crackers together, or setting fire to the Pope ? eh, papa ?" " May I return the question," replied her father, playfully patting her rosy cheeks, " and ask what my volatile daughter has been doing ?" " Oh ! nothing, papa, but plague Davis, and mourn over a certain pink dress which is very becoming ; and which is forbidden on pain and penalty of a cold, with a wish your little Flory could be as sedate as her grave sister, if it were only for an hour." " And why should you not be steady just for a few minutes, sister ? and not come out with out anything on in cold November weather?" said the soft voice of Constance. " Yes, really, thoughtless one," said Mr. Mordaunt, " we shall have you laid up with rheumatism or toothache, or some such malady, if you will be so imprudent."

" Well, cher pere, there is no damage done yet !" she cried, as with a spring she mounted the steps, and entered the conservatory through which they passed into the library where Mrs. Mordaunt was sitting ; the restless girl did not, however, stay there long, for her sister was tired, and went to her dressing-room to he down, and Florence would go and help her take off her things, and " tuck her up," as she said, and when she had seen her dear Con stance comfortably settled and well covered up, and had brought from the bed more pillows than were really necessary, she sat dowrn on a stool opposite the fire, after stirring it as if she owed it a grudge, and then said : " 1 say, Con, papa never said where you had been : you know I am a leetle bit curious, as that tiresome Mr. Alton used to say, and I am sure he never could rest till he knew everything, down to how many plums cook put in the pud ding, and how much my pony ate in a week.

But old Alton apart, where have you been since church ?" " Only to the Rectory," said Constance. " Oh ! to have a little chat with Mrs. Anley ; by the bye, Con, has Mr. Anley got a curate yet? and is he young and handsome, and all that ; and has he got a musical voice, and does he sing, and has he got a nice romantic name —eh, Conny?" " I never asked him, dear ;" said her gentle sister, smiling. " Oh ! then you have seen him. Oh ! do tell me what he is like?" said Florence, jumping up and sitting down on the arm of the sofa, and pouring more Eau de Cologne over her sister's forehead than was altogether agreeable ; VOL. 1. C " did he ask you if you had a merry looking sister with roguish eyes and a laughing face? did he, Con ?" " Really, Florence, you talk such nonsense, and so fast, that you make my poor head quite throb," said her sister.

" I did see the new curate, he had just arrived ; he is certainly nei ther young nor handsome, nor has he even a romantic name, for he was introduced to us as Mr. Picton ; and since he did not talk much, or sing me a song, by way of recommending him self, I cannot give you an opinion of his voice. But you may judge for yourself, for papa in vited him to come to-night, if he were not too tired with his journey." " Oh ! then I shall see him to-day ; but I am sorry he is not good looking, for I fully intend to marry a handsome curate ; but certaiidy not an old or ugly one, for then I should have all the charms on my side ; and it is better to be like papa and mamma, with the beauty on both sides, for it must be really very trying at least I should find it so, to have always a fright of a husband staring one in the face; and I dare say he would think it equally disagreeable to possess a wife he would be ashamed to show, for fear people should think him mad, when he chose her.

I hope, however, that this divine is not a Puseyite, or he will recommend con fession and convents, and Fast-days and Saints' days, and everything that is absurd and ridiculous; and I am sure if he does, he will not get me to follow him, for I am not going to be strict ; no not for any one. But I do declare there is the dinner bell ! We are going to dine early to-day, Con, because of the party, so good-bye," and the merry girl was out of the room before her sister had time to make any reply to her long speech. Florence was passionately fond of children, and looked forward with great pleasure to have as many to amuse that evening as was within her capabilities, and when the time arrived, she did entertain them capitally, arranging games not too romping for the muslins of the girls, or too slow and sedate for the boys.