The Folks of Fernleigh. A country chronicle

Front matter

A COUNTRY CHRONICLE. BY EMILY FOSTER, AUTHOR OF "Victims to Custom," "From Generation to Generation," "The Squire of Oakburn," Etc. " We have no new experiences ; it is always the new people who go through the old ones." — Rahel. MANCHESTER: BROOK AND CHRVSTAL, n, MARKET STREET. LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO., STATIONERS' HALL COURT. 1890. [all rights reserved.] CONTENTS — o — Chapter. Page. I. — FERNLEIGH AND SOME OF ITS INHABITANTS 7 II.— GIRLS' GOSSIP - - - - - 19 III. — WEDDING BELLS - 33 IV. — SAMUEL BECKLEY 45 V. — THE NEW DOCTOR- - - 57 VI. — THE RIDE FROM AUSTENBURY 66 VII. "THE SHADES OF FORMER AND OF FUTURE YEARS "-"---- 75 VIII. — FERNLEIGH RUMOURS - - - - 87 IX. — MADELEINE ------ 04 X. — -A FRIEND IN TROUBLE - - - - 104 XI. MANŒUVRING - - - - - - II4 XII. — GONE FOR A GOVERNESS - - 125 XIII. — SAMUEL BECKLEY IS NOT TO BE PERSUADED T35 XIV. — A KIND PROPOSITION - - - 148 XV. — A RELUCTANT CONSENT - - - - 1 58 XVI. — A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION - - - 1 VI CONTENTS.

Chapter. Page. XVII. — TWO STRANGERS VISIT FERNLEIGH - - 182 XVIIL — ANOTHER STRANGER VISITS FERNLEIGH - 189 XIX. — LADY DASHWOOD - I*)6 XX. — THE NEW RECTOR 205 XXI. — WHO ARE THE STRANGERS? - - 217 XXII. — SECRET INTERVIEWS - 226 XXIII. — MISS EARDLEY IS GRATIFIED - - - 237 XXIV. — NAN FIELDER DIVULGES A SECRET - 246 XXV. — OUT OF THE WORLD - - - - 260 XXVI. — FACE TO FACE - - - - 270 XXVII. — A TERRIBLE POSITION - 280 XXVIII. — A DREADFUL SUSPICION - 289 XXIX. — THE FOLKS OF FERNLEIGH ARE STARTLED AND ASTONISHED - - - - 297 XXX. — SAD TIDINGS - - - - - 306 XXXI.— MUTUAL CONFIDENCE - - - - 314 XXXII. — THE REAL CULPRIT ----- 325 XXXIII. — THE FOLKS OF FERNLEIGH ARE AGAIN SURPRISED -----

Chapter I. Fernleigh And Some Of Its Inhabitants

" Parks with oak and chestnut shady, Parks and order'd gardens great, Ancient homes of lord and lady, Built for pleasure and for state." Tennyson. ■"ijj^M'ERXLEIGH, situated in one of the Midland I is^iaH' Counties of England, was not a pretty town, I gjL$j|i even those who liked it best were fain to confess 1 '"JU""**™^i it possessed no particular beauty, and visitors who read in the guide-book that Fernleigh was a quaint old town, possessing an ancient church, several modern public buildings, and that here was situated " Chessington Park," the seat of the Earl of Mount Chessington, and also "Beechgrove Hall," the residence of Mr. Stanley and family, were inclined to feel both surprised and disappointed when they discovered " the quaint old town " was only quaint on account of the extreme irregularity of its houses, and that it was only sufficiently old to be devoid of many modern improvements without possessing that antiquity which would have compensated for this deficiency.

The modern public buildings referred to consisted of a Town B Hall, a small Theatre, and a Literary Institution, none of which were in a very flourishing condition ; to which might be added a Dissenting Chapel recently built. The Church, although somewhat ancient, was an ugly building, with no spire, but a great square tower, with four turrets, that looked in the distance not unlike the old-fashioned link-extinguishers. Its interior was as ugly as the exterior, being both dirty and dilapidated, containing high-backed, and also many square pews — a worm-eaten oaken reading-desk, and pulpit with sounding-board, the Sunday-school children wondering in what manner the latter was upheld, while some of them would often speculate during divine service what would happen supposing it fell and shut the clergyman in.

In spite, however, of want of attractiveness a tolerable con gregation gathered every Sunday within its walls, for the folks of Fernleigh were as a rule church-going people. As to Chessington Park and Beechgrove Hall, the former was shut up, for the Earl had been long absent, while " The Hall," as it was always styled, was in want of much renova tion both as regarded house and grounds. Fernleigh, like most country towns, consisted of one long straggling street, which comprised both shops and private houses ; and as at most places, there was the rich end and the poor end. This latter part led to another small town or village named Longfield, which joined the large cathedral town of Austenbury, and strangers arriving at Fernleigh from that town generally stopped at " The King's Arms," much to the gratification of its host, John Brown, and greatly to the annoyance of his neighbour, James Fisher, who kept the " Saracen's Head," a short distance off.

In the centre of the town stood the church already described, and next to the church the rectory, inhabited by the Rev. Jeremy Littleton, Rector of Fernleigh, and honorary Canon of Austenbury Cathedral. A little further on, but the opposite side of the way, was situated the doctor's house, where resided an elderly man of the name of Bernard, who had for many years held most of the medical practice in the town of Fern leigh. Then came what were considered the best shops in the neighbourhood — Mr. Dent's, the chemist ; Mr. Howard's, the linen-draper, a fancy shop kept by two Quaker ladies of the name of Dunn ; Gregg's, the baker and confectioner ; Spalding's library, where books were lent as well as sold, stationery and many useful articles retailed, and where also the post-office was situated.

There was Mr. Watson's, the grocer's, and a butcher's, which many persons thought detracted from the gentility of the row, though nearly all liked pleasant, good-natured Mr. Day, who, having married a Miss Knight, often heard the old joke of having turned (K) night into Day. Two small cottages were next to the butcher's, in one of which lived William Simpson, the gardener, who worked at the Hall ; the other was occupied by a widow, named Jenkins, who formerly lived servant at Chessington Park, and her son, Thomas, who worked at a flour mill. Then came the chapel, and also the small, but neat dwelling, which formed the residence of the minister, the Rev. Nathaniel Spencer and his family. After passing the chapel there were only private houses of various dimen sions and styles of architecture, — -this being considered the aristocratic quarter of the town, and it was certainly the most pleasant, bordering as it did on the two pretty villages of Ashcombe and Heathdale, called by the country people Hethdale ; and having a view of the river Fern, which, after flowing past the end of Fernleigh town, wandered in a slant ing direction across a portion of Beechgrove Hall estate, and then on through pleasant meadows, for the country around Fernleigh was pretty though the town was not.

Beechgrove Hall, situated on a road to the right of the town, approaching from Longfield to Ashcombe, was a stately building of ancient date, being in fact older than the Earl's ■seat, Chessington Park, for it had been erected in the reign of Henry the Seventh, while Chessington House had only arisen in the time of Queen Elizabeth. During the period from the year of its erection up to the time of which we are speaking the Hall had never lacked a Stanley to dwell within its walls ; for no matter whether a Catholic or a Protestant sovereign reigned, royalty or commonwealth predominated, or whether Whigs or Tories held the sway, the Stanleys, like the 'Vicar of Bray,' were still the Stanleys of Beechgrove Hall. Events the most opposite might occur, the fortunes of the family rise or fall, but still they clung to the seat of their ancestors ; to the place which had in former times witnessed many stirring scenes, some sorrowful histories, — much revelry, and also periods of peace and happiness ; and although the present possessors might be considered as only" common-place people as compared with their predecessors,. still they were in their several ways quite as much attached to Beechgrove Hall.

Mr. Stanley, the present owner, was a man about six and forty years of age, good looking, and agreeable in manner, but possessed of little energy or determination of character. He allowed his wife to rule in everything, only offering an occasional feeble remonstrance ; and there seemed only one point in which Mrs. Stanley had failed to rule, and that was in accomplishing her desire her husband should be more energetic, and endeavour to improve the condition of his estate. But Mr. Stanley, who had a tolerable income, though his ancestors had run through fortunes, was content to dawdle away his time, and so long as he was comfortable appeared to care little that his fine old mansion and its beautiful grounds should become year by year more dilapidated and neglected. Mrs. Stanley was a great contrast to iler husband, for she seemed born to command, and indeed her sole desire was to rule everything and everybody, not harshly or unkindly, only she liked to govern, and to be appealed to even in trivial matters, and was not disposed tobe pleased with anyone who would not follow her advice : being a tall, handsome woman, and moreover mistress of Beechgrove Hall, there were only a few who ventured to ■contradict her.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley had three daughters; the eldest, Madeleine, most resembled her father, but although she inherited his quiet, almost languid manner, she had really more energy and strength of mind, and secretly deplored her father's apathy, yet always openly defended him. Madeleine, who was nearly twenty-one years of age, had already received more than one offer of marriage, for there were several in Fernleigh and its neighbourhood who would have welcomed a connection with the Stanleys, but Madeleine, who did not display any wish readily to quit the home of her childhood, gave a decided negative when asked to share the residence of another. Millicent, the second daughter, usually designated ' Milly,' was, on the contrary, engaged to be married, and had not even demurred on the score of age when Sir Henry Dash wood asked her to be his wife, although he was nearly as old as her father, and she was scarcely eighteen.

Being a good natured, lively girl, she took the jokes she received upon marrying so elderly a man in a merry, good-humoured way, and was looking forward with all the hopefulness of youth to a happy, perhaps splendid future. Rosamond, the youngest daughter, had just attained her sixteenth year, and in character much resembled her sister, Millicent, the only difference was that with all her gaiety she had more heart, warmer affections, greater sympathy with •others, and was more attached to her home. In personal appearance the sisters were much alike, all having regular features, blue eyes, and light brown hair; Madeleine was the tallest, while Rosamond gave promise of being the prettiest, though at the present time Millicent was ■decidedly the best looking. One of the most intimate friends of the Stanleys was a Miss Eardley, a maiden lady, who resided a short distance from Beechgrove Hall at a small but pretty dwelling called ' Crane Cottage.' Although Jane Eardley was not more than thirty-eight years of age, she was regarded in Fernleigh as a confirmed old maid.

The reason for this was partly that she lived in a house alone, with the exception of her old and trusted servant, Sarah Davis, and still more because it was generally known that Miss Eardley's affections were buried with one who, years ago, had been lost at sea while returning to claim her as his bride. Miss Eardley was a general favourite and a welcome visitor both at the houses of rich and poor. Although possessed of only a limited income, she had the entree of the best houses in Fernleigh, the reason assigned for this was that Jane Eardley's father had been a Colonel in the army, and that her mother came of a good family. This might partly have accounted for Miss Eardley being received into society that seemed above her ; but it was also because she was a good, sensible, well-informed woman, one who ever endeavoured to contribute to the happiness and well-being of those with whom she mingled ; for Jane Eardley, though devoted to a single life, had a loving heart and warm sympathies, and having no particular joys or sorrows of her own was enabled to take more interest in those of other people.

Yet serene as her life was now, she had in former years known many trials. Her father, Colonel Eardley, was a man of very irregular habits, and having viciously squandered his fortune, left his wife and family — for Jane had then two brothers and a sister — in very poor circumstances. Miss Eardley, then about eighteen, was compelled to seek a situation as governess, but after two or three years had to return home to nurse her mother, whose health was fast declining. Soon that mother died, and Jane was left alone in the world to struggle with poverty, having previously lost her brothers and sister. For several years she toiled for a livelihood. Then a distant relative died, and left Jane some property, and Miss Eardley, with sufficient to live comfortably, though not luxuriously, took up her abode at Fernleigh, accompanied by the old servant already mentioned, who had served the Eardleys in their wealthier days, but now, being a widow, had gladly taken service again with her former young mistress.

Crane Cottage was a small house covered with ivy, roses, and honeysuckle, and possessing a good garden — indeed some of its fruit and flowers were thought superior to those produced at 'The Park' or 'The Hall.' Crane Cottage was considered a pleasant place to visit, summer or winter, for in the warm weather it seemed so cool, shady, and peaceful ; and in the winter there was such an air of warmth and cosiness that those visiting there would often exclaim, " How pleasant it is here," or " how comfortable ; I quite hesitate at leaving," and Miss Eardley would smile and reply, " Yes, the lines had fallen to her now in pleasant places." Miss Eardley had been introduced to some of Fernleigh society by Samuel Beckley, the wealthy Quaker, and owner of the large flour mills situated at the extreme end of the town close to the river Fern.

He was considered a stern, hard man, and was in consequence feared rather than liked, but he and Miss Eardley seemed to be excellent friends. Notwithstanding he was a widower, and Jane Eardley a single woman, and not so old as to be wholly void of attraction, and although Fernleigh was not without the scandal and gossip usual to country towns, yet strange to say none were found to hint, even in jest, that Miss Eardley was " setting her cap " at the wealthy mill owner. As we shall speak more fully of him in a future chapter it will suffice to say here that he resided in the substantial, though somewhat prim looking house adjoining the mills, that his maiden sister, Ruth, a gentle, placid woman, acted as mistress, and that the greatest ornament of that house was the Quaker's daughter, the beautiful Anna, whom nature did not seem to have designed to belong to the "Society of Friends," and whose temperament and disposition secretly inclined her to dislike the forms and restrictions of that sect, although the necessity of complying with the wishes of her elders, and also habit, caused her to adopt the language, dress, and something of the manner of those who rigidly adhered to all the requirements of that society.

It had once been remarked by Kate Egerton, the banker's daughter, " that while Miss Eardley might be looked upon as the embodiment of peace, Anna might be taken as the portrayal of joy " ; therefore it was excusable if one with such a light-hearted, joyous nature as Anna Beckley was inclined to rebel when she found herself deprived of many an enjoyment, not because it was not perfectly innocent, but because it was not suited to one who was a "Friend." To Anna the introduction of Miss Eardley to Fernleigh had been a great blessing, for not only was she allowed to visit that lady whenever she pleased, but under her guardianship was permitted to make acquaintances, and sometimes to do things which none but Miss Eardley could persuade her father to allow. It was owing to that lady that Anna visited the Stanleys, and occasionally the Egertons, opposite as their ways and proceedings were to those practised in a Quaker household.

Mr. Egerton, the banker, had formerly resided at Austen bury, where the bank was situated, but for the last two years dwelt at Fernleigh, having purchased a handsome residence known as ' Ashfield Lodge,' facing Fernleigh Common, which was on the other side of the bridge crossing the Fern. This part of Fernleigh was described in the guide-book as ' North Fernleigh,' while the town portion was designated as ' South Fernleigh ' ; but to the inhabitants it was simply Fernleigh. On the Common, which was large, was situated the school house, and at the far end from Fernleigh stood a tumble down cottage, inhabited by a woman of gipsy descent, called Nan Fielder, a wild, gaunt, determined looking woman, who was the dread of the school-children, and often feared by their elders, who sometimes endeavoured to get rid of Nan and her rough, uncouth boy Ben, but without effect, for Nan defied both threats and persuasions and staid on in the old cottage on Fernleigh Common.

Ashfield Lodge was situated too far from Nan's tumble down dwelling for it to be an annoyance to Mr. Egerton ; yet he had been one of the most active in endeavouring to get rid of her from Fernleigh. Mr. Egerton was a widower, having lost his wife when his daughter Kate was quite young. He was considered to be a very rich man, and his house and ■everything belonging to him betokened great prosperity, and although Ashfield Lodge could not boast the historical interest that attached to Beechgrove Hall, the latter appeared but a shabby dwelling when compared with the luxury and ■even splendour that reigned at the Lodge ; and the Stanleys, particularly Mrs. Stanley, were inclined to envy the possessor, Mr. Egerton. That gentleman appeared to devote all his •energies to the bank at Austenbury, from whence the simple, country folks believed he derived all his wealth ; but it may well be supposed he had other speculations on hand for in creasing his fortune, and perhaps the failure, or possible failure of any of these caused him to look grave as he rolled along in his carriage to or from Fernleigh to Austenbury ; or it might be that sad memories, or secret cares and anxieties, from which no life is perfectly free, rendered him thoughtful when alone, for when with others Mr. Egerton appeared ever an agreeable and sometimes an amusing companion.

There were many who envied him besides the Stanleys, and it became quite a saying with the poor folks if anyone prospered, " That he would soon have as little to trouble him as Mr. Egerton," or, " that he would soon be as rich as the banker." It was somewhat singular that Kate Egerton, who had grown up in an atmosphere of luxury, possessed simple tastes and a capacity for enjoying the most innocent pleasures. She had received an excellent education, was really clever, and had an insight into character and a judgment beyond her years, which only numbered twenty ; she was often inclined to be sarcastic on the weaknesses and foibles of her neighbours, yet was ever ready to do them a good turn, being of a kindly, affectionate disposition. She visited most of the best people in Fernleigh, including the Stanleys, Miss Eardley, and occasionally, though at rare intervals, the Quakers, — ■ was regarded with favour by Ruth, and did not seem dis pleasing even to stern Samuel Beckley, who always appeared content if his daughter was with either Kate Egerton or Miss Eardley.

There was another house where Kate visited, where she did not find such congenial society as that obtain able even in the quiet Quaker household, and that was at a house called ' Linton Villa,' situated a short distance from Ashfield Lodge, where resided a Mrs. Longley, a widow, and her two daughters, Mary and Ada. Although the Longleys visited at Beechgrove Hall, where Kate frequently met them, it is doubtful whether she would have cultivated their acquaintance had it not been that her father had known Mrs. Longley for many years. It was whispered he had once made her an offer of marriage, but this is scarcely to be credited ; but he had known her during her husband's life time, when her circumstances were more prosperous than at present, though she still possessed a small independence, upon which she and her daughters might have lived com fortably and happily if they had not always been recurring to, and regretting the greater wealth of past days.

Mrs. Longley, in spite of all her pretensions to greatness, was inclined to be rather vulgar, and all her time was consumed in dressing, visiting, and gossiping with her neighbours, while her principal thought was how she could get her daughters well married. Notwithstanding her own and the young ladies' endeavours, they had arrived at the ages of twenty-six and twenty-three without receiving any offers of marriage, quite as much to their own regret as to their mother's. The eldest, Mary, would have been a tolerably pleasant girl if she had been more unaffected, while Ada would have proved a more agreeable companion if she had been less brusque, and not always said whatever came uppermost in her mind, no matter whether it was silly, or likely to hurt the feelings of others. Although the Miss Longleys differed much from the Stanleys, they found more congeniality in the atmosphere of Beechgrove Hall than at Ashfield Lodge.

Before closing this chapter it will be as well to revert again to Mount Chessington Park, the seat of the Earl of Mount Chessington. " The Park," as it was always styled, was situated in 'North Fernleigh,' yet the estate, which was extensive, stretched across to 'South Fernleigh in one direction, and to Ashcombe and Heathdale in another. The house was larger and more stately-looking than the Hall, and although not at present inhabited, save by a few domestics, was kept in thorough repair ; yet, owing to the Earl's absence, the interior exhibited that lack of an owner's presence which all houses, whether large or small, display when left wholly to the care of servants. The present Earl of Mount Chessington had, it was said, been a very wild young man and, having got into many scrapes, at length had some escapade at college, and to save him from its consequences his father induced him to go abroad.

This was when the Earl was twenty-two years of age, and fifteen before the opening of this story. From that time nothing was seen of him in Fernleigh ; not even when his father died did the young man return for the funeral, and this was taken as a sign "that he had a very bad heart."" Except that he was ' travelling in foreign parts,' none knew where the present Earl of Mount Chessington was, unless perhaps Anthony Redgrave, the old lawyer, who was a bachelor, and lived with his deaf old house-keeper at a red brick house near to Samuel Beckley's, and who, making it a rule never to discuss with his neighbours about his clients or their affairs, was not likely to make an exception in the ■case of the Earl of Mount Chessington. It was not even •known whether the lawyer ever personally corresponded with the Earl, but he managed the Mount Chessington estate, as indeed he had done for many years during the life-time of the Earl's father.

Often was it regretted " The Park " should be so long deprived of its owner, but there was not the slightest whisper or report that the Earl would return to Fernleigh, and many thought as he had lived so long abroad he would probably die in a foreign land, and then Mount Chessington Park would descend to one who was a stranger to the folks of Fernleigh.

CHAPTER I

I. GIRLS' GOSSIP. "A band of maidens gaily frolicking." Longfellow. EST was a Peasant afternoon in the early part f&^l s^f! °*~ March, and the bright spring sunshine caused Ea& SH' even *'*e unPrePossessmg town of Fernleigh to aah"""J^am IoqJj its best, while the surrounding country appeared very inviting; even Beechgrove Hall, notwithstanding its need of renovation, seemed almost picturesque under the influence of sunlight and shadow. It has been remarked the beauty of foreign, and the splendour of oriental towns is more owing to the brilliant sunshine prevailing there, than to the loveliness of the landscape, or the magnificence of the buildings, and probably there are spots in England which, viewed under the influence of a fine spring day, or a balmy summer one, would appear as fair to the eye as any country on this earth.

There was much bustle and activity going on at Beechgrove Hall at this particular period, for Millicent Stanley's wedding day was approaching, and the brightness out of doors was a fit emblem of the gaiety and light-hearted mirth which reigned, at least with the younger members of the household, at the Hall, for with two of the elder persons, one of whom was visiting there that day, the coming event roused sentiments either of gravity or anxiety. These two were Mrs. Stanley and her guest, Miss Eardley. Mrs. Stanley was anxious, not so much for her daughter Millicent's future welfare and happiness, for that she considered tolerably secure, but her mind was disturbed about the arrangements for the wedding, and above all how the extra expenditure, which she thought necessary on this occasion, was to be met by the Stanley resources.

To Miss Eardley the occurrence of a wedding always caused a grave, almost melancholy, feeling, not simply because her own love affair had received such a sad termi nation, but because she considered few out of the vast majority of marriages were really happy, and when she knew and liked anyone who was about to enter the matrimonial state, as in the case of Millicent Stanley, this feeling became stronger; besides, in this instance was added the grave doubt of the future happiness of a girl of eighteen allied to a man of forty-five, and Miss Eardley was expressing some of these sentiments as she sat with Mrs. Stanley in what was known as the " morning-room " at the Hall, a room which was the most comfortable of any there, for it possessed less of the dreary, by-gone splendour than any of the other apartments of that mansion ; this was, perhaps, owing to the fact of its having received some recent decora tion and being furnished with more modern furniture.

In an easy-chair by the fireside, where a fire burnt brightly, sat Mrs. Stanley, attired in a dark silk dress, decorated with some old point lace, and a head-dress of the latter material ; she would have appeared a young-looking woman for her years, which numbered nearly the same as her husband's, had it not been for the lines of care on her forehead and about the mouth, which latter feature betrayed too much determination, almost hardness, to be altogether agreeable. Miss Eardley, who was dressed in black silk, for she always wore black, sat opposite to Mrs. Stanley; she was •serene as usual, though her serenity was marked with a thoughtfulness and gravity which were not so common with her, for notwithstanding the trials she had passed through she was generally cheerful. Miss Eardley was now saying, "I cannot help thinking you have allowed Millicent to marry Sir Henry Dashwood after a very short acquaintance."

" Short ! " returned Mrs. Stanley in a surprised tone, " why they have known each other nearly six months, and during that time Sir Henry has been here frequently." "Very probably, yet neither may have had opportunities of studying the other's character, and so discovering whether they are mutually suited." " Indeed, Miss Eardley, if I did not think this marriage would be for my daughter's happiness I should be the last person to wish it — I hope you believe that," said Mrs. Stanley with some slight irritation of manner. "I believe you are willing to do anything you imagine will promote your children's happiness," replied Miss Eardley a little evasively, and then continued — " Only, my dear Mrs. Stanley, perhaps you and I, viewing things from opposite points, may have different ideas as to what constitutes happiness."

" If you mean, as regards matrimonial felicity, ' love in a cottage,' and all that sort of nonsense," returned that lady somewhat contemptuously, " then I consider my ideas on the subject are at all events the most practical." " I do not know that I particularly care whether love is in a cottage or in a mansion, provided it is there," said Miss Eardley, smiling, " only I think for a marriage to be happy there should be community of affection, hopes, and feelings." " Community of affection, hope, feeling ! — Fiddlestick ! Why, my good Miss Eardley, I should have thought you had arrived at sufficient years of discretion to have seen the folly of all that love nonsense, and to have discovered it only exists in fiction." Miss Eardley only smiled, perhaps this time a little sadly, for she felt, so long as she lived, she could never regard love as nonsense, or true affection as folly.