Diana Barrington. A romance of Central India

Front matter

Neto Xobrls at tfje fLtbraros. LOVE'S LABOUR WON. By James Grant. 3 vols. MRS. RUMBOLD'S SECRET. By Mrs. Macquoid. i vol A WOMAN'S FACE. By Florence Warden. 3 vols. ROBERT HOLT'S ILLUSION. By M. Linskill. i vol. MISER FAREBROTHER. By B. L. Farjeon. 3 vols. IDLE TALES. By Mrs. Riddell. i vol. MIRACLE GOLD. By R. Dowling. 3>ols. WARD & DOWNEY, PUBLISHERS, LONDON. % Romance of €tntt&\ InUta. BY MRS. JOHN CROKER, AUTHOR OF "PROPER PRIDE," " PRETTY MISS NEVILLE," " SOME ONE ELSE," '* A BIRD OF PASSAGE," ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON : WARD AND DOWNEY, 12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 1 888. [All rights reserved.'] CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

" TEARS." "That it should come to this !" Hamlet. WHEN I had heard Mrs. Vavasour's light foot steps, hurrying quickly away, I went back to the drawing-room, and met Hugh — and I felt a miserable, guilty wretch. "Hullo! not gone to bed yet?" he ex claimed. "What on earth has kept you up so late ? Has Mrs. Gimlette been entertaining you ? Has she been holding an auction ? " " No," I answered, with a nervous laugh. " Had you a pleasant evening ? " " Pretty fair ! Some of The Clique were VOL. III. B there, and some rather rowdy fellows. I left them singing songs, and breaking up chairs. I've got a note to write to-night, and — I want a candle," he said, walking off to a large apartment, which was his dressing-room, and office combined. As I placed the lighted candle beside him, he glanced up at me, and exclaimed : " Ranee !

What on earth ails you ? You look like a ghost ! " "Nothing ails me," I answered. "I am only a little sleepy," and then I went away to the drawing-room, and stood in the dim light. I could not bear Pallia's chatter, just yet. I pressed my hands to my temples — how they throbbed ! Was / going mad, or was it all true ? It was true — yes — and here I got up, and began to pace about the room. Things came back to me now — father's silence, Peggy's silence, Colonel Hassard's silence, his evasive answers, and his averted eyes, when I questioned him ; his odd, inscrutable expression, when he asked me what I thought of Mrs. Vavasour ? I saw " TEARS." 3 it all — all. I rushed to the sofa, and threw myself down and wept. Oh, how I wept ! And why should I cry ? Should not I, so friendless, save for Hugh, be thankful to know that I had a mother living ?

No, in my heart I could not rejoice. Mrs. Vavasour, as my mother, was intolerable — far, far rather, would I believe her to be lying in her grave. " What is all this ? " said a voice that I easily recognised. I raised my head, and saw Hugh, candle in hand. " I thought I heard a noise in here, and I find it's you. What is the matter ? " • I was silent ; sobs were my only answer. Hugh was grieved — yes, and indignant — that I would not confide in him. No, I would not tell him anything, in spite of his most tender and anxious inquiries. " It must be something serious, Ranee. I've not seen you cry yourself into this state " And he stopped. He was going to say, "since your father died." What would have been his feelings, if I had told him that I was weeping ■because my mother was alive? B "Come, you know, I can't bear to see you shed a tear.

Have you been having a row with Mrs. Gimlette?" "No." "Nor Ada Mayne?" " How ridiculous ! No," I answered, now endeavouring to dry my eyes, and swallow down my sobs. " Well, I see you won't tell me what has worried you. I shall try and find out for myself." And he was quite as good as his word ; for when we met at tiffin next day, after his return from orderly-room, he first of all re galed me with little bits of news; then he told me a story, which made me laugh ; and then he said, in the most casual manner : " These nocturnal visits from Mrs. Vavasour do not agree with you, my dear ! I cannot have her coming here after eleven o'clock, making a sitting of two hours, and then leaving my wife to cry all night. I knew she was here, for Peter met her — and on foot ! She has been telling you, something unpleasant.

What was it ? " " TEARS." 5 I could not answer, and looked guiltily at my plate. " Well, she shan't have a chance of telling you anything more, for I have just told Runga sawmy" (our butler) " that in future, when Mrs. Vavasour calls, ' Missus can't see.' " " Oh, Hugh ! No — you haven't — no, surely you are joking," I remonstrated tremulously. " No, not this time ! I have my sus picions about that very captivating woman ; and, in future, to please me, Ranee, will you promise not to see her, or speak to her any more ? " In answer to this, I burst into tears, like the goose that I was, and thus evaded the necessity of making a direct reply. " I am sure you must have had enough of her last evening, to do for a lifetime," continued Hugh. " Come, dry your eyes, and put on your hat, and I'll take you for a drive, well out of the station.

You had better wear a veil, for if any one met us, they would swear we had been having our first quarrel." We had our first quarrel that evening, all the same — the first, and alas ! by no means our last. I went away to my room, to bathe my eyes, and scribble a note to Mrs. Vavasour. I could not call her mother, and commenced it as usual, and said : " Tuesday evening. " My husband says that I am not to receive you again. — He knows nothing. I send you a line to prepare you ; perhaps it would be better that we should not see each other, for some time. " Yours, " Diana Fitzroy." This note I hastily scrawled, and thrust into my blotter, not having time to address it, for Hugh was whistling and sounding the gong, and giving every sign of impatience. "You have been ages!" he said, as I came out into the verandah.

"Have you been im proving your complexion ? Let me see ! No, you are still ghastly ; the air will do you good. Peter is coming to dinner, and I've sent a line " TEARS." 7 over to Hassard — he is back from Bombay, and will tell you all the latest news, and cheer you up." This was indeed kind, and thoughtful, of Hugh, for I knew that in his heart of hearts he was not enthusiastic about my cousin, and looked down upon him as a " tame cat," and a milksop ! I was all the better for my long drive, and came home with bright eyes, a fresh colour, and a good appetite. Before I dressed for dinner, I folded, stamped, and addressed my note, and despatched it to the pillar-box by Pallia. Yes, I was already too cunning to send it by a messenger ! Then I attired myself carefully, and went into the drawing-room, to receive Colonel Hassard — an early arrival.

We had not met for a month, and when the first few questions were over, he said rather sud denly, eyeing me keenly as he spoke : " And how is your friend, Mrs. Vavasour ? Do you see much of her now ? " I became very red and confused, and stammered out " That I had seen her recently." Looking me full in the face, and holding my eyes as it were with his own, he said : " Have you ever heard who she was before she married Mr. Vavasour?" This question completely routed my self control, and for the second time that day, I burst into tears, and my tears in this instance, spoke volumes. " I see," he said in a low voice, " you knoiv. For my own part, I recognised her at once, and it gave me a strange sensation to see mother and daughter, so often side by side — and so entirely ignorant of the tie between them.

You are in a very unfortunate position — a terrible position — my poor little cousin, and I pity you, from the bottom of my heart." What bad luck it was for me, that just at this moment we were joined by Hugh ! He heard Colonel Hassard say sympathetically : " My poor little cousin, I pity you from the bottom of my heart," and he found me greatly agitated, and in tears. This curious incident, he could not fail to notice. Oh, why could he not have come sooner " TEARS." 9 or later ! No one would have guessed from his manner that he had heard anything out of the common. He acquitted himself as host so well, that I began to flatter myself, that my fears were groundless. He made Peter sing ; he played the violin in a manner that would have put Amphion to shame ; he fiddled away my fears ; he exorcised my low spirits, and laughed, and joked, and was the life of the little party.

In due time, our guests went away, and I was about to take myself off to bed, when Hugh called out, just as I reached the door : " Wait a moment, Ranee, I have something to say to you." I looked round. He was sitting in the same chair that she had occupied the previous night. — I began to imagine, that there was something fatal in that chair, to me ! " Come here," he said in a peremptory tone, to which I was unaccustomed. " I asked you to-day, most earnestly, to have nothing to do with Mrs. Vavasour ; arid you consented, at least, I took silence for con sent. Now I find, to my great concern, that you are not to be trusted. I met your ayah, with a letter in her hand, this evening, and as I was going to the mess, I took it from her and posted it myself. I did not look at the address from any motives of curiosity — you and I have had no secrets between us — God knows I have had none from you !— and when I glanced at the note, I saw that it was addressed to Mrs. Vavasour.

I posted it, but remember it is the last you will write to her. Do you hear me, Ranee ? " he added sternly. "Yes, I hear you; I am not deaf." " Do you heed me ? " " No. I shall probably write to Mrs. Vava sour again, and if I said I would not, I should be telling you an untruth." 'Then you defy me? 'Yes." " And disobey me ? " he asked, in a low, firm voice but with a latent storm in his eyes. " Only in this — yes." " Well, at any rate, you are candid. Do you think your candour will carry you so far, " TEARS." 11 as to tell me, what you were saying to Colonel Hassard this evening, in this very room ? Why were you weeping ? Why was he talking of a terrible position, and pitying his poor little cousin, from the bottom of his heart ? " Dead silence. "Diana — you must tell me — and I will know."

I raised my eyes, and looked at him. I tried to speak, but I knew not what to say. I was already suffering sorely for my promise ; I would have given all I possessed to retract — but my lips were sealed. " If this goes on, I shall go mad," I said, suddenly casting myself into an easy-chair. "And I also shall go mad if this goes on ?" echoed Hugh, with grim sarcasm. " My wife, who never had a secret from me, all of a sudden holds long interviews with two people — has some heavy burden on her mind ; sheds tears with Mrs. Vavasour, and shares her secret with her — sheds tears with Colonel Hassard, shares her secret with him, receives his sympathy, and / am left out in the cold. By Jove ! I think it's enough to drive me mad ! " And now he rose, and began to walk about the room. "If Ada Mayne had your confidence, I would not mind so much.

She is an honest, good little creature, for all her feather-head. I could even put up with Mrs. Gimlette ; but when I know that your secret is shared with Mrs. Vavasour — that arch-enchantress, and in triguer — I know that it must be BAD." "This I may tell you," I said, rising to my feet, " that it is not. It is perfectly harm less." " And yet it is connected with that woman ? " " It is." " And with you and Colonel Hassard ? " " Yes ! " " Ah ! " I could give no idea of the angry scorn that Hugh threw into that, "Ah!" It spoke volumes. " I can't wonder now that your father kept you so strictly secluded," continued Hugh pas sionately. " No doubt he had reason to believe '•' TEARS." 13 in your aptitude for getting into hot water, and for carrying on intrigues with wealthy men, and wicked women."

" Hugh," I interrupted, with a stamp of my feet, " how can you be so cruel ? — you are angry — you don't know what you say. How could I, a mere child, brought up in the wilds from infancy, never seeing a stranger till I met you, how can I possibly be what you say ? " " You may have lacked opportunity ! These tastes are hereditary ; doubtless the taint is in your blood. Your father was a good, honest gentleman ; but how do I know, what your mother was ? " "Oh, Hugh! dear Hugh!" I cried, clasping my hands. " Do not speak like this ! If you knew all, instead of reproaching me, you would pity me. Indeed you would ! " "Like Colonel Hassard," he sneered. " Yes, like Colonel Hassard," I answered, now in a towering passion. "He never would, or could, taunt me as you have done. He is a gentleman ! " "And I am not?

Thank you!" " Oh, Hugh ! " I exclaimed, dismayed at the growing gulf between us. " Have patience ! Do not goad me into saying things I do not mean ! You joked to-day about our first quarrel. Is not this it ? " "And whose fault is it, pray?" he inquired, with a bitter smile. "It lies entirely with you, to clear up the whole matter. I will humbly beg your pardon, Ranee, if I have misunder stood you — and I know that I have allowed my naturally hot temper to carry me too far. Only whisper two words in my ear, only make me — your husband — as wise as strangers; only tell me your secret ! " " I cannot ! " I answered, wringing my hands in distraction. " I thought not!" he rejoined fiercely. "There is the test." And then he went out of the room, and slammed the door after him, with a bang that shook the whole Bungalow.

After this, our first quarrel, Hugh did not speak to me — except at meals, and then only to ask me what I would take — for a whole " TEARS:' 15 week ; and I need not say that I was wretched. I lived, as it were, on the edge of a volcano. I had no taste for intrigues, or secrets, and Mrs. Vavasour seemed to relish both ; she de lighted, apparently, in snatching a few words at the band, or at a tennis party, or dance; in thrusting notes into my reluctant hand, and sending them inside books, flowers, and music. These notes made me miserable ; I dreaded them as I would a scorpion, for I never knew when one might drop out before Hugh ! There was never anything important in them, and surely they could not have been written out of a pure spirit of mischief, and love of danger? Danger, that could not touch her.

As for me, I lived, so to speak, in a powder-mill. One morning, about a week after our domestic battle, Hugh — who was now polite to me, and no more — said, as we sat at breakfast : " I met a man yesterday who told me all about your dear friend, Mrs. Vavasour. She is a divorced woman." My heart stood still, and I put down my cup, which rattled in the saucer. Divorced — yes ! And she was my mother, I became crimson. " Did you know that she ran away from an excellent husband, and forsook an infant in arms" (that was me), "and went off in a most cold-blooded manner with an old lover ? " " No," I answered, greatly disturbed, and secretly grasping the table to steady myself. " Since then, she has been an adventuress on the face of the globe, until good luck threw that old mole, Mr. Vavasour, in her way.

She married him, and turned over a new leaf. She has discovered that it pays to be good, and I certainly won't stand in her way ; her history shall go no further — and I asked the fellow who knows it, to keep it dark ; but I thought you ought to see her, in her true colours." " Did you hear her name ? " I asked, almost in a whisper. " No. And now, Diana, one word. — The General is taking me, as aide-de-camp, to the camp of exercise at Cheetapore. I tried to cry off, but it was no good. I don't want to leave you here with her alone ; promise me, that " TEARS." 17 you will not admit her in my absence. Promise me, that you will not write to her. I ask this pledge from you, in remembrance of old days by the Karrhan. — I say no more. Even if you don't mind me, think of your father. What would he have thought of Mrs. Vavasour?

What would he have said, had he known that you, in spite of me, insisted on having her for a bosom friend ? — What would he have said, I ask you ? " Of course I could not answer, and say he would have said : " She is the girl's mother," and I held my tongue. " Will you give me your promise," he urged, "and let me go off to my duty, with a light heart ? Come, Ranee ! " "When are you going?" " Immediately ! My traps are packed, my charger has gone to the station, the cart is waiting for me, and I am waiting for you." "Yes, Hugh, I'll promise," I faltered. " And you won't break your word, as you did before ? Mind, if you do, I'll never forgive you." VOL. III. c " Yes, you may depend on me this time, Hugh." " All right then, good-bye," seizing his hat. " Come back ! Come back ; you have for gotten something," I cried, running to the door.

"What is it?" impatiently " Why, to kiss me," I said, listing my face to his. " Oh, is that it ? Well, really you are so pretty, I cannot resist you," stooping down and kissing me twice. " Good-bye, Ranee ! Now, mind you are a good girl whilst I am from home." So saying, he got into the cart, and, with a farewell shake of his whip, drove rapidly away. Decidedly I was getting into his good graces once more (he called me "Ranee"). Oh, that I might remain there ! Oh, that fate and circumstances would leave me alone ! I passed the morning practising Hugh's ac companiments, embroidering him a smoking cap, and making stern resolutions with regard to Mrs. Vavasour — resolutions, alas ! that the " TEARS!' 19 first contest with her strong will, and invincible powers of persuasion, scattered to the four winds in three minutes' time. But how I succumbed, how I got into deeper trouble than ever, must be told on another occasion. c

Chapter II

"IT IS FOR YOU TO RANSOM ME." " And let me wring your heart, for so I shall, If it be made of penetrable stuff." Handel. The good resolutions that I made merely lasted till the first time I met Mrs. Vavasour, and this happened to be at a large "musical" afternoon tea, for which the General's wife had issued cards to all the elite of Sindi. " My dear," she whispered, hedging me into a corner with her fan, " I have a thousand things that I must say to you. Is it true that your husband is from home ? " " Yes," I faltered most reluctantly. " Joy ! What a piece of good luck ! Then I am coming to see you to-morrow night, without fail." " No, no," I protested imploringly. " I have promised Hugh that I will not enter your house, or receive you in mine." "Why?" she asked, with a flash of her expressive eyes.

"Because he — he has heard something. He knows She drew back a step, and laid her hand on the back of a chair near her, as if to steady herself. Her beautiful face looked haggard and livid, and in a husky, uncertain voice, she faltered : " What does he know?" "Not who you are, nor your former name; but— but " "Then I am ruined!" she exclaimed, in a hoarse whisper. " My story will be all over Sindi." "No; it is safe. The man he heard it from, was a stranger passing through. He knows little — no names?' "Ah!" and she made a hasty movement of satisfaction and relief, and passed her handker chief over her lips. "Diana, I must meet you somewhere to-morrow without fail." "No— no! Wait till Hugh comes back; and then I will " "I cannot," she interrupted brusquely, "my busi ness is far too urgent. I have not an hour to lose.

I want your help — your substantial help." "My help?" I echoed. " Yes — yours ! I have an idea ! You know the Temple Gardens, close to your Bungalow ? They are lovely ; but no one ever goes near them, because they are not the fashion ! You know the little Pagoda — by the band-stand — I shall meet you there at three o'clock to-morrow. Stay — no — I have an engagement. Let me see. I'll meet you there at eleven o'clock at night. Come on foot ; it's not more than five minutes' walk from you." " But I really dare not," I whispered. " Bah ! you little, trembling mouse ! Are you afraid to keep a tryst with your own mother ? Should you ever have a daughter of your own, how would you like her to shrink from you, as you do from me ? No tie in the world is so close, as that which binds us. Do you not owe duty and obedience to me, as well as to your husband ?

I will do you no harm with him. — What people never know cannot hurt them. — Remember, eleven o'clock without fail." And, as she uttered this command, she al lowed herself to be drawn back into the crowd, and a circle of friends instantly closed round her, whilst I stood alone, and aloof, in my secluded corner, and trembled, when I thought of the engagement to which I stood committed. After all, I would not go. This was my doughty determination, as I was discovered by some acquaintances, and asked in a cheery manner, "when Hugh was coming back?" and told that I was not looking at all up to the mark ; my pale face, and distrait air, being laughingly attributed to his absence. Little did they guess, to whom it was really due — that queenly lady in black lace, who was holding a kind of little court, upon a distant sofa.

I slept badly that night, and the ensuing day seemed endless; ten times an hour I resolved not to keep my appointment, ten times an hour I changed my mind, and of course in the end — I went. I was like a person mes merised, and altogether under the power of a stronger mind than my own. To a certain extent I was obliged to confide in Pallia — I could not shake her off; no, she evidently descried some secret from afar, and flatly refused to go to her rice — an unheard-of occur rence. At length, I boldly informed her that as the night was hot, I was going for a walk in the Temple Gardens. " Temple Gardens at this hour ? " she ex claimed, in a shrill voice. " Yes." "And alone?" " No ; with another lady." Pallia sniffed. Oh, the insolence, and in credulity of that sniff! Up to the very last moment I wavered — ay, up to five minutes to eleven — and then — I fled out of the compound, with a shawl over " IT IS FOR YOU TO RANSOM ME." 25 my head, and stole along the shady side of the moonlit high road.

It seemed to me that every native I passed, turned and looked after me, and how my heart beat ! No worse con spirator, or subject for secret meetings, existed than I — Diana Fitzroy. When I reached the great iron gates, and saw the long garden avenues stretching out before me in the moonlight, I ceased to skulk, and increased my pace to a rapid run ; I soon reached the centre of this lovely, select spot, a white Pagoda, with steps leading up to it, and pillars all round, and a few seats inside. Mrs. Vavasour was already there. " Good heavens ! " she exclaimed. " I wonder you did not have the police after you in full cry — running like that. You are ten minutes late, and I was just thinking of going to your house — for speak to you I must." " Why could you not speak to me yester day ? " I panted breathlessly.

" Because I have much to say — that must be said in private. This is a capital place — it has no walls, and no ears, and we can talk for an hour undisturbed. — At home, I have gone to bed with a bad headache. What have you done, dear ? " and she laughed softly. "Nothing. I dare say the servants think I am asleep, and I am sure I hope so ! " "Ah — you are a sweet, domestic little creature ; you will never be suspected. Now sit down on this bench, and take off your shawl." I removed the shawl, but did not sit ; I pre ferred to remain standing on the steps. " The reason I have summoned you," she continued, " is a potent one — I want money." " Money ! " I repeated. " And I have always thought you were immensely rich." " I wish I was. Lawrence has splendid pay ; but I am extravagant, and I am sure you would never suppose, that Lawrence was the most close-fisted man in Sindi.

He disburses all the money himself; I have not a farthing, except one hundred a year that he allows me for dress ; and I need not tell you, that a hundred a year is a mere drop in the ocean to a woman like me. Mr. Vavasour likes to hear me quoted, as ' the best dressed woman in the Presidency,' and knows that my clothes cost four times his pittance ; and yet he cruelly pretends not to see it — or affects to imagine that I have some private source of income, and laughs in my face, when I ask for an advance. He started me with some good lace and diamonds — that was for his own credit — more he will not do." I looked at her fixedly, but did not speak. " Now, my dear child, it has come to my ears, that you have twenty thousand pounds in the' five per cents, (a nice little fortune), and I am sure that you will not grudge some of it to me, will you, my pretty Diana?"

"How much do you require?" I asked, with my usual bluntness. " I must have four thousand pounds by this day week," she answered, with business-like promptitude. " Four thousand rupees, is it not ? " I faltered. " No — pounds. Four thousand pounds, or fifty thousand rupees." " Four thousand pounds ! " I echoed, rather blankly. " Four from twenty leaves sixteen ; a very comfortable little sum." "I cannot touch a penny of my capital. If it had been hundreds, I might help you ; thousands are beyond my power." " Is this really so ? " she asked, with a tight expression about her lips. " Is it all so strictly tied up ? " " Yes — till I come of age." " Then you can raise money from the sou cars," she said impatiently. " No, I could not, and would not, if I could." " What ! not to save your own mother from ruin ?