Blanche's Wanderings, or the Guiding Hand

Front matter

OK THE GUIDING HAND. Olt THE GUIDING HAND. 1ST MARY STUART HALL LONDON: J. C. BROWN AND CO., AVE-MARIA LANE. M.DCCC.LVII. LONDON: F. PlCKTON, PrINTKR, Pkrry's Place, 29, Oxford Stkket. To SIR EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, THIS VOLUME 18 INSCRIBED, WITH PERMISSION, II Y THE AUTHOR. TO MY READERS. In presenting to you my first Work, I would most earnestly say, think as kindly of its many errors as you can ; and I shall be well contented if here and there a character or a thought makes a favourable impression. I would fain my tale should dwell in your memory, if only for a little time, so that, as far as we journey on together, you may not find my pen-sketches wearisome companions. One word I would say in reference to the Scottish names, which I have so freely dealt with. It is, that I could not write of Scottish life without naming the noblest of its fami lies, any more than I could faithfully depict its wild scenery, and leave unwritten its giant mountains and solemn lochs.

The incidents have no more to do with the Douglas and Murray of the present day, than any other of the same vin names I might take from that bulky volume, the Post-office Directory. My Scottish readers will, I hope, accept this apology, and believe that these noble names are as dear to me as to them : Scotland being very near to my heart, through the closest of all associations. And now I commend to your gentleness, " Blanche's Wanderings," with all the hopes and fears that are the natural attendants of a first work. M. S. H.

Chapter I

It was summer, beautiful summer ! — and as the soft shades of twilight fell holily down on the broad brows of the Scottish mountains, and kissed into a softer colouring the folding flowers in glen and moor, a youth suddenly made his appearance in the noble park surrounding the ancestral mansion of the Earl of Douglas. He might have numbered between seventeen and eighteen summers, and stood above the middle height ; his frame was well knit, while the broad chest thrown out, the foot which firmly pressed the elastic turf, the cheek on which the colouring of health blended richly with the hue the sun had printed there, together with the eye that gleamed brightly as an eagle's from 'neath the cap of Douglas' plaid he wore, all proclaimed that the danger of the mountain pass, and the steep precipice's brink, were to him familiar companions.

The rod he bore in his hand showed that he was a disciple of good old Izaak Walton ; and the basket borne by an attendant a few steps behind, seemed laden with the finny spoil. He took off his cap, in which was fastened with a silver thistle, a feather of the heron, and raised it in salutation to a gentle man who was approaching : nor did he immediately replace B it. And now was shown the forehead high and broad, the full and finely curved lips, and, looking on the face, we saw self-control and firm determination : kind and gentle it might be, but still determination in whatever he considered to be right and just. The nose was aquiline ; the eyes, bright as an eagle's, were hazel-coloured ; while over his forehead fell in thick clusters, masses of bright chestnut hair. As he met the gentleman he held out his hand, and addressed him in that tone and deferential air of courtesy, which is so becoming in youth ; but which, alas ! even in this age of boasted enlight enment, is so rarely seen.

" How do you do, my dear sir ?" said our young friend, as he grasped the hand of the gentleman, whom we now intro duce to our readers as the Rev. Dr. Gordon. " I have just done myself the pleasure of leaving at the manse, a trophy of to-day's success," and he laughingly touched his rod as he spoke. " Well," said the reverend gentleman, as he courteously returned the passing salutation of the servant, "you are very kind, my dear Henry; my table often bears most pleasant testimony to your love for the 'gentle sport,' as old Izaak calls it ; but we shall soon lose you," he added; " your father, the earl, left pleasant memories behind him when he left the college, which will now soon be your abiding-place for a time. My son and I have a fond hope, my lord, that you will follow in his steps." The young lord bowed and said, " I know not how long it may be before I leave, but very soon, I believe," and he looked round as he spoke, on the beauties which had so long been familiar to his eye.

"Ah, Henry! it will be a different scene, another phase, quite an epoch in your life, and one on' which men often look back as it heaves up from the past tinged with the shadow or the sunbeam. But this is no time for moralising ; you should have an appetite to meet the dinner-hour ; you have at least earned one, and it is cruel to keep you. Remember me to the earl." The young lord again cordially shook hands with the gentleman, and then hurried across the park. Henry Lord Monteith was the only child of the Earl of Douglas — a name dear through long generations to Scottish hearts. In giving birth to him, his mother died; and those who have lost a loved one, bound to their souls with a two fold cord — the friend, the wife — can best imagine the intense agony of the noble husband and father, on losing her at such a moment, when the joys of maternity rose up within her woman's soul, only to gleam in evanescent brightness.

At that period Lord Douglas was not the firm Christian he was at the time we write ; he could not look up then and kiss the chastening rod, but fell bent with a brain that seemed para lysed, as it were, beneath the blow he had received. A long illness followed, and it was mercifully blessed to him : for he rose from his bed chastened and humbled ; but there was still some joy for him in her child, her precious legacy ; and he determined to devote himself to the education of his little one, to live in seclusion, and dedicate his energies to the great work. The earl wisely considered it to be a great work in the framing of the mind, the bringing into play the embryo talent, fostering the genius, inspiring the imagination — inspiring and yet controlling it, lest it soar too high ; soar only to fall with broken and drooping wing.

The fundamental principles he laid were healthy, and the healthiest, for they were taken from the pages of Holy Writ : in the sacred volume, was our young friend well grounded, but never as a task. The book was made delightful to his young mind, for he was not accustomed to hear it read in a cold stiff manner, and on the Sabbath only, as is too often the case; thus making religion from the very first, irksome and unpalatable. On a bright sunny day, the earl would lead out Ms son into the soft balmy air, the joyous air, full of life and melody ; and as the bee swept past them with merry hum, or rested a moment, now on one blossom, then on another, or the lark rose from his daisied bed, and darted up mid heaven's deep blue, until it became a tiny speck in the illimitable space, the father would speak of Him, the Creator of all, who provideth for the bee and the bird.

The earl spoke of the eagle in his eyry on the dizzy mountain top, in his solitary grandeur, with eye proudly unveded to the burning sun; and of the tiniest insect, that loves to flit out on the sunbeam, or slumber in the flower. Then on the soft green mossy bank they would seat themselves, and he would open the sacred pages at the wondrous history of the Creation — the grand architecture of the world; and as the earl read on, the chdd would close his eyes, and try to picture out that mighty verse : " And the earth was without form and void," whde his young heart joyously beat at the glorious words that fodow : " And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters." There was even then a strange blending of emotions in that little soul, as with closed eyes the boy pondered over the sentence, so brief, yet into which he now flung such im measurable grandeur; and he would look up with a flood of joy in his hazel eyes, on ad the beauties around him, as the glorious words fell on his ear: "And God said, Let there be light," and gaze around him on ad which in that hour had been created, and at His bidding had sprung into bein .

The boy would gaze on the giant-like trees that flung their foliage proudly on high, and on the tiny golden cups that nestled at their base ; on the fair blue sky above, in which the lark swept gracefudy on untired wing; and on the winding waters near, in which the stately swans were mirrored. Looking thus, he felt the love within him of the chdd for the father, and the adoration of the created for the Creator; and thus, whde his imagination soared, its outspread wing was sustained. Thus the chdd took the sweet tales of God's Book to heart upon the sunny bank, where, day by day through the week, time was set apart for these readings ; and every day the sweet lore grew dearer to his heart, as he read of the boy who was sold to the Egyptians ; of the chdd caUed by God in the still watches of the night; of the shepherd lad going forth. alone to meet the tall champion of the Philistines; of the wisdom of Solomon, and the patience of Job.

And ad these were chronicled in his young memory; and thus, having laid down the foundation-stone, his mind was led through the portals of History : first of his own country, and the sister lands ; then Rome, Greece, and aU those old classic realms; for earnestly and untiringly the father taught; and graspingly, retainingly, the chdd went on gathering virtue and knowledge as he grew.

Chapter II

Returning to the first introduction of our young friend : he is now on the eve of entering one of the universities of Edin burgh, and that, too, with a mind strengthened and prepared for the intedectual conflict. His uncle on the maternal side, the Earl of Murray, has an only chdd, a son, a student of the coUege our friend is shortly to become a member of; but we leave further mention of Lord Hubert GlenaUan until a more fitting opportunity. The countess, his mother, is of a very delicate constitution, consumption it was feared ; and she has very rarely, for some few years past, visited the se cluded and favourite residence of the Douglas, as her phy sicians consider the air too bleak; neither has there been much intercourse between the male part of the famdy. Not that this was attributable to any want of friendly esteem on either side ; but on the Earl of Murray's part, it was chiefly owing to the cause we have mentioned, namely, the deUcate health ofthe countess.

On the Earl of Douglas' side this lack of intercourse arose partly from his habits of seclusion, and also from the objec tion he had to Henry's mingling for any length of time in society, untd years had given soUdity to his mind ; nor did he wish him to mix even with his cousin at too early an age. He saw with a parent's eye, and, scanning the growing merit of Hubert with a power of observation rendered keener by a parent's love, felt he was acting wisely in not aUowing his son to mingle too closely with his young relative. But now it was arranged that Henry should enter upon a coUegiate Use in the same university at which his cousin was a student ; and the earl intended to accompany him to his brother-in-law's country seat, which was situate some mdes south of Edinburgh, and to remain there untd the winter, when he intended once more to inhabit his residence in that city.

Our young friend springs over a " ha ha," and makes his way with a rapid step to the private grounds, where a gentle man glances up from the paper he is reading, and, as he sees Lord Henry walk across the lawn, he opens the French window and steps out to meet him. He is tad, and, like the youth whose coming he is about to welcome, firmly budt too : his hair is slightly sprinkled with grey, but of a much darker shade than Lord Henry's ; but the contour of his face greatly resembles our young friend's, though his eyes are grey, and the sober reaUties of Use have greatly subdued the fire we have seen in Lord Monteith's. With a stdl quickened step the youth advanced to meet him, saying, whde he is a few feet distant — " Oh, my dear father, I 've had glorious sport ! " " I am glad to hear it, my boy," said the earl, as he Unked his arm within his son's, and retraced his steps; " I have heard from Edinburgh this morning, Henry."

" And what does my uncle say, sir ? — is the time fixed for our departure ? " The earl smded and said, " Come, and see for yourself ; " and, so saying, they entered the library, which his lordship had just quitted. Upon an open desk lay a letter bearing the noble crest of the House of Murray, which the earl placed in his son's hand to read. It announced Hubert's return from Argyleshire, and pressed the earl and his son to come as soon as they could, after the receipt of the letter, as the writer wished the young gentlemen to know a Uttle more of each other than they already did, and was, throughout, warm, pressing, and friendly, and spoke of their own old coUege days. As the young lord refolded the letter he looked up into his father's face with a smUe that said, plainly as words could breathe, " This inteUectual conflict at college, how I long for it !

" and answering to this smde were the rapid pulsations of the young heart, and the short quick breathings. The father smded again, and then said, in answer to a remark from his son, " Yes, my dear boy, it is a very kind letter; but I trust excitement has not robbed my hardy mountaineer of the appetite that is his lawful due ; and, as it wants but a few minutes to the dinner hour, I wdl defer teUing you the arrangements I have made tiU then. Though one of Scotland's "belted earls," the frugal meal was soon despatched ; for the Douglas looked on temperance as one of the great Christian virtues. After dinner the earl and his son were seated in the drawing-room, engaged in earnest conversation, Lord Mon teith bending forward, resting his forehead on his hand, and looking up with respectful attention to his father's words.

The earl, replying to some remark his son had just made, said — " The knowledge that my efforts to render your home as happy as our seclusion would adow, have been crowned with success, has never been more gratifying to my feelings than at the present moment, when you are about leaving it. God grant, my boy, that this fond memory of home may ever reign in your heart ! It will have a haUowing influence. Our Father has lovingly ordained that the remembrance of the scenes among which chddhood has been passed, and the me mories that have haUowed those familiar spots, have been often as golden wings on which man has been borne from many a dark temptation. As your uncle has observed, many and various wdl be the dispositions of those with whom you will be brought in contact ; and, whde I feel it wid be needless to enjoin you to be courteous to aU, yet, on the other hand, I warn you to be truly careful whom you admit into the bonds of intimate communion.

It is a pleasant truth, my son, that a firm and weU-chosen friendship is often a bright guiding-star in man's existence ; yet it is no less a truism, that any connection with a base mind must, however ghttering and lustrous it may seem to a young observer to be, prove too often an ignis fatuus, luring on to destruction. Above aU, shun him who would seek to implant doubts of the being of the Omnipotent. Never be tempted to read any books he may offer in support of his arguments : they are subtle and wdy as the brain of him who inspired the author. Show, by your actions through your dady Use, your firm and steady beUef in Him who, though unseen, reigns in the hearts of His chddren, and is ever the Rewarder of those who ddigently seek Him, and you wdl be far more able to convince than by engaging in what you may consider the clearest arguments."

" Let me assure you, my dear father," said Lord Henry, " how I shaU treasure in my heart of hearts the wishes you have this evening expressed, and the truly valuable advice you have given me . BeUeve me, my deaf father, I will, with God's help, avoid the path your foot hath shunned, and strive to keep the road that you have trod and are stiU treading in. As for companionship, my lord, you, as in all other things, shall in this be my model. When I can find one that possesses the virtues of my father, him wiU I admit to my heart." The father smded, and shook his head deprecatingly. " I could wish to find," he said, " at least a friend, in my cousin Hubert." He paused a moment, and then added, the thought deepening on his brow, " I know so Uttle of him." " And I but Uttle too, Henry," repUed the earl.

" I cannot therefore assist you. He is a year or two your senior, has n""xed a great deal in society, and I have sometimes feared, my good brother, when Hubert was younger, has mistaken in dulgence for kindness. I say this with all respect for your uncle. We have both brought up our chddren in the way we each deemed right. God grant a blessing on you both ! One word more. My boy, I would say, let the Holy Book be your guide and your compass ; with that, not only in your hand but in your heart, the doctrines of latitudinarianism, and the fearful sin of man denying his Creator, will have no power over your soul."

Chapter III

Lord Henry, ever ready to throw off his adegiance to the drowsy god, and had the brighter sway of the fair Queen Aurora, entered the breakfast-room at an early hour on the succeeding morning. It was, as yet, untenanted ; and, as the sun looked brightly in at the open window, it seemed to speak temptingly of the scenes its golden beams were haUowing. The next moment our young friend passed out, and entered the castle garden, that lay outspread before the windows in its sweet inviting beauty. The spot had been dear to him from early chddhood, — dearer yet in this morning hour it seemed, with its deep glen-like windings, and old nooks and corners overhung by feathery pines and stalwart oaks, fitting spots for the meditative man or the gentle whisperings of loving hearts. Above the velvet turf rose beds of flowers.

Here the amethyst-hued heUotrope blent in royal harmony its tints with those of the orange salvia; there, verbenas, of many contrasting hues, pink and white, deep violet and glowing rose-colour, grew in their trailing starry-shaped beauty, with many another blossom of deUcate colouring and grateful perfume. But the flower of the garden, in old Donald's eye, was a deep crimson moss-rose, which he had planted on the birth of his young lord, and from which he gathered, every natal day of Lord Henry, a lovely bouquet for the hand of the " braw chield," as the old man loved to cad him among his feUow-servants. Lord Monteith turned aside from the flowers, and entered one of the old winding walks ; while a faint shadow rested on his brow, as he seated himself in a rustic summer-house, and looked out, as he had so often done before, upon the clustering blossoms.

Many thoughts came and weut as he sat there gazing on the flowers. " No," he said to himself, " it would not be right or just ; it was a wish natural enough, per haps, but not right. I must wait, and in the meantime rest content with taking dear Lina into my confidence." His reverie was disturbed by a footstep, and, rising from his seat, he quitted the summer-house, and, seeing the old gar dener, accosted him with "Good morning, Donald. Do you know the day is fixed for our departure ? We leave the day after to-morrow?" The old man rested his sun-embrowned hand among the clustering blossoms of a standard rose he was trimming, and, shaking his head sorrowfuUy, said, " Yes, my lord, the house keeper just told me. I knew it must come to this, yet it seems to make my old heart heavy." He turned his eyes to the rose, as if looking into its leaves attentively.

Poor old man ! it was to hide the rising tears. Lord Henry took the sunburnt hand in his own, and said, " Come, Donald, I am not going for ever, you know ; a coUege is not a monastery." The old man shook his head. " No, my lord ; but when once they get a sight of your bonny face, and hear your heart in your voice, they won't easdy part with you again." "Nonsense, good Donald, you imagine every body wdl think as weU of me as you do, who have known me from in fancy. But, come, look not so sad, old friend ; I promise to write to you now and then, and teU you how I Uke coUege Use, and aU the rest of it ; and in return you must let me know how you get on, and what new flowers you have ; for I shaU be right glad to hear from you occasionaUy." " Oh, my dear lord !" and the old man's voice quivered, and the old sunburnt hand trembled.

"Yes," his young lord added, "write of your chddren, as you cad your flowers ; there will never be any blossoms so dear to me as these. My heart wdl often turn back to them, to you, and to aU. There is not a nook or corner, in castle or garden, I shad not feel some sorrow for at parting. I can un derstand his feeUngs weU," he said, "who wrote that he never bade adieu to ' things famiUar,' but his heart shrank with a feeling of pain. But come, Donald, I intend to rob you of some of your fair blossoms, for after breakfast I mean riding over to Castle Malcolm, and you know I must have one of the most beautiful bouquets the garden wdl produce to take with me." It was a labour of love for Donald to gather his choicest flowers for his beloved young lord.

Chapter IV

Castle Malcolm stands on the brow of a hid, from which it looks over leagues of forest and moorland, meadow and lake, and is the residence of Lord Roger Hamdton, his daugh ter the Lady Blanche, and Lina his orphan niece, who was the daughter of his youngest brother, an officer in the navy ; he, dying, bequeathed her to the care and affection of his brother ; and religiously did he fulfil his trust, never for one instant adowing her to feel that she was the portionless daughter of a younger brother. Earnestly, too, did the Lady Blanche vie with her noble father, in showering on her gentle cousin aU the attentions her enthusiastic nature could possibly suggest. Let us enter the room in which, on this fair summer morning, the ladies were assembled. The Lady Blanche was seated at the piano, striking its notes to some wdd fitful cadence : there was a queenUke beauty about the maiden that arrested the most unimpassioned.

Her eyes were black, lustrous, ever changing in their expression — now flashing proudly, now gleaming restlessly, anon softly glancing from 'neath the long sweeping lashes ; the white brow was high and slightly prominent, differing from the other features of her face, which were cast in the Grecian mould ; the straight, perfectly chisel led nose, and the mouth Uke a rosebud ; the lips were sUghtly parted now, as she swept the notes to a wdd harmony, looking in their young beauty like that sweet flower in the morning dew. Her hair, which was swept back from her face in heavy and classicaUy arranged braids, was black, but bearing in its wavy richness a peculiarly beautiful purple bloom. She was little more than seventeen, and in height far above the middle standard. Her form was faultless in its rounded symmetry, in the low faU of the shoulders, and the long waist, which was not so smaU as some think consistent with beauty, but just slender enough to be in harmony with her fine rounded bust : the exquisitely formed arm was seen through the misty fall of muslin.

Lady Blanche was indeed very beautiful ; and her mind did not shame her loveUness, but " Each gave to each a double charm, Like pearls upon an Ethiop'e arm." And Lina ! Little Lina ! Gentle Lina ! — for by aU these endearing titles was she known to her friends — was seated on a low-cushioned seat near to her queen-like cousin's side. You might read her credentials on the sweet Ups, and the calm happy light of her blue eye, and on the smooth forehead, over which feU in thick clusters her hair of rich sunny chestnut brown. Gentle Lina, is her most fitting appeUation ; and under it we introduce her to our readers. There was a striking yet beautiful contrast between those two cousins : the one with a touch of orientaUsm in her exquisite face and queenly bearing ; the other, gentle as a fawn, with a fairy-like grace in her every movement : and their minds too were contrasted in many points.

In this gentle girl there was talent, for she could appreciate the minds of the great ones ; but then the world, except indeed her most intimate friends, would not discover this in its every-day intercourse. Where, in her cousin's case, one would write down self-reUance — pride ; here, he would find gentleness, humility, distrust of self. There was a third person in the room, of whom we must make mention : Mrs. Malcolm, a widow lady, who was a friend of the late Lady Hamdton. The latter lady died when Blanche was about five years of age ; and since that event the widow had been located in the castle. She was a highly educated lady, and it had been a source of much pleasure to her to superintend the education of the cousins. Of her it may be written — not in the common parlance of the day, but in the true meaning of the words — " she was a Christian ;" and one who endeavoured, by precept and example, to do her duty to those committed to her charge.

She had an embroidery frame before her ; but the sdken thread remained motionless in her hand, whde her gaze was fixed on the cousins. And now the wdd fitful cadence ceased ; for Blanche swept her fingers carelessly along the notes, then rose from her seat, exclaiming, " Why, Lina, darUng ! you look as calm and as happy as if there were no momentous question at issue. ' To be, or not to be ?' dear Mrs. Malcolm, can you not imagine which way it wdl be decided !" That lady smded, and Blanche went on. " It is positively too great a trial for poor human nature to bear, at least for mine. Then, the letter bag arrives, papa goes slowly through ad his business epistles, and just as he has opened dear Mrs. Colonel Tracy's letter, and said, ' Here is a pressing invitation for us to Devonshire,' the steward comes, and particularly wishes to see him ; and off he goes, never saying a word as to the invite. 'Tis so pro voking !

How can you be so quiet about the matter, Lina ?" Lina smded, and said, " WeU, dear, we shaU very soon see dear uncle." " Oh, the time he has been closeted with that abominable talking steward!" continued Blanche. " I shall dislike Mr. Glendinning from henceforth ; but, dear Mrs. Malcolm, do you think papa wdl say yea or nay to Mrs. Tracy's invitation ? " " Well, Blanche, I think it very probable he wdl accept it." " How glad I am to hear you say so ! Is it not delightful, eh, Lina?" and, seating herself by her cousin, she threw her arm around her Uttle waist, and drew her towards her, till the little head rested on her shoulder, and the sunny curls feU in rich clusters on her white muslin robe. " It is very kind of Mrs. Tracy — very kind indeed, dear Blanche." " Oh Lina, you don't anticipate it as I do ; I verily believe you would rather remain here, content to pass your life among these mountains, see the same faces, year after year, satisfied with being the idol of the vdlage school-children, and receiving the approbation of our good Dr. Gordon.