Aunt Margaret's Visit; or the false and the real

Front matter

■ ■ ■ ■ I ■ ■ ■ ■ I ■ ■ I ■ I I AUNT MARGARET'S VISIT; OR, _fjj iFalse attb tfje _eal. FRONTISPIECE, OR, STIje jTalse antj tlje _ieal. JANE M. KIPPEN, AUTHOR OF 'BESSIE BROWN'S FIRST SERVICE,' 'AYRSHIRE EMBROIDERER,' ETC. Edinburgh : JOHNSTONE, HUNTER, & CO. LONDON : HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO. CONTENTS. chap. page I. OLD ASSOCIATIONS, .... 9 II. THE MARCH OF MODERN LUXURY, . . 20 m. A FAMILY RE-UNION, .... 34 TV. MODERN NOTIONS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, 47 V. A SABBATH AT WOODLANDS, . . 62 VI. A NEW ACQUAINTANCE, . . . 75 VH. MORE OF ELLINOR, . . . .89 VHI. THE ARTIST'S WIDOW, . . . 100 IX. THE KENNEDYS, . . . .115 X. A HAPPY CHANGE FOR ANOTHER OF THE FAMILY AT WOODLANDS, . .130 XI. A SURPRISE AND ITS RESULTS, . . 143 XH. BAD COUNSELS FOR JOHN KENNEDY, . 155 XHI. THE WAY OF TRANSGRESSORS IS HARD, . 165 XIV.

A MIDNIGHT FLIGHT, . . . .174 CONTENTS. CRAWFORD AND M C ABE, PRINTEES, QCEEN STREET, EDINBURGH. CHAP. PAGE XV. THE SETONS AT HOME, . . . 185 XVI. PROGRESS IN EXTRAVAGANCE, . . 197 XVII. A WARNING, . . . . .208 XVIII. A CRISIS, . . . . .219 XIX. CHANGES, ..... 229 XX. A DEATH-BED, . . . . .239 XXI. BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS — AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, .... 254 xxn. mrs Kennedy's story, . , . 266 XXIH. CONCLUSION, on, _6e JFalse an* tfje Eeal.

Chapter I. Old Associations

HE brilliant sun of a lovely June day was at its meridian height, and a soft breeze was crisping the waters of one of the most beautiful estuaries in Scotland, when a lady, accompanied by a porter carrying a travelling-bag, stood on the pier of a certain seaport town, awaiting the arrival of a steamer, which was to take her to her destination on the opposite shore. There was something extremely interesting in B the appearance of the traveller. For, though con siderably past middle age, her tall slender figure retained much of the easy grace and elasticity of youth, and only a few faint lines of silver were visible in the dark glossy hair that shaded her brow. But though the features were regular, and there was a delicate bloom on the cheek, rendering the face still beautiful, its chief charm lay in the mild pensive expression of the soft dark eyes, in which might be traced a more than ordinary depth of^ thought and feeling.

And now those eyes were dimmed with tears, drawn forth by the mingled associations and recol lections which passed through the mind of that lonely woman, on finding herself, for the first time during a period of more than twenty years, in a place once familiar and loved as that of her birth and earliest recollections. Few persons of sensitive mind can revisit the scenes of their youth, especially after a long absence, without experiencing some such feelings ; but there were other considerations besides early associations, and the changes visible on all around, to call them up in Margaret Hamilton's case. For she now felt herself unknown and a stranger in a scene connected with the tender memories of a cheerful and happy home — affectionate parents — long since laid in the dust, and a lovely group of brothers and sisters — all gone, with the exception of the brother she was on her way to visit — some having been cut off in childhood, others having lived, to go abroad into different parts of the world, where they had severally died ; and now — 'Their graves were scattered far and wide, By desert, shore, and sea.' Our readers, then, may imagine the nature of her feelings, as she gazed around her with anxious, tearful glance, to see if, among the numerous passers-by who thronged the busy pier, she could recognise even one familiar face.

But all, apparently, were strangers. And even the well known scene seemed so strange too, that she found it difficult to identify it with her early recollections of what it once had been, or at least seemed. Not that there was any apparent improvement. For, in the narrow, shabby street through which she had passed from the railway to the quay ; in the dingy looking custom-house, with its dusty windows and unwashed steps leading up to the porticos, which she had once looked upon as the very acmi of archi tectural elegance ; in the pier itself, with its range of low sheds, and its rows of porters' barrows ; even in the shipping hi the docks, and the old houses, crowded on each other beyond them, she had some difficulty in recognising the same distinctive seatures which, in her youthful eyes, had invested her native town with claims to be reckoned one of the handsomest that could be seen anywhere.

Chilled and saddened by the contemplation, she turned from these objects to gaze upon the beauties of the natural scenery, which had ever possessed charms of no ordinary kind for her. And here she experienced no disappointment : all was unchanged and attractive as when her heart had received its earliest impressions of its beauty and grandeur. The broad bosom of the ample firth, studded with vessels of different form and size, presented a scene of life, animation, and beauty ; while the opposite shores, varied by wide spreading woods and fertile fields, gentlemen's seats and flourishing villages, seemed to have changed only for the better, in in creased cultivation and other signs of wealth and enterprise. And, far in the distance, a range of lofty mountains, their rugged outlines clearly de fined against the blue sky, while a few soft fleecy clouds rested on their summits, formed a magnificent framework to the landscape.

The strong emotion of Margaret Hamilton's feelings gradually subsided as she contemplated these wonderful works of God's hand, immutable apparently, as His nature and attributes. 4 And yet,' she murmured to herself, as she sur veyed the enchanting scene, ' These mountains, " everlasting," as they are termed, shall depart, and these hills be removed. But what infinite comfort is there in the thought, that, though " they perish," their Creator " shall endure ;" though " they shall all wax old as a garment, He still remaineth the same ;" and that we have His own gracious assurance, that " His loving-kindness shall not depart, neither shall the covenant of His peace be removed from those who love and trust Him." ' And though it was some time before she could suppress the natural emotions the scene had awak ened; yet, with a mind calmed and elevated by the recollection of this sublime promise, she at length succeeded in stilling the tumult of her agitated feelings, and regaining the composure habitual to her, as one who, though subdued and chastened by the sorrows of earth, was yet cheered by the hopes and consolations of the Christian.

Her reflections were interrupted by the porter who carried her travelling-bag, addressing her : — ' I'm afraid, ma'am, ye'll weary standing on the quay till the boat comes. Would ye not sit down for a little in the waiting-room?' On Miss Hamilton's agreeing to his proposal, the man conducted her to a commodious apartment, fitted up with sofas and benches, in which she found a number of ladies, nurse-maids, and children as sembled. ' You'll be more comfortable here, ma'am,' said her conductor ; and if ye'll allow me, I'll leave your bag, and come back and let ye knoAv whenever the boat is in sight?' The lady assented. And having deposited the bag on one of the benches, he touched his cap, and departed accordingly. Thus left alone amid a company of strangers, Miss Hamilton again experienced the strange, un wonted sensation, attendant on finding herself in such a position in the place of her birth ; and she glanced eagerly round the assembled group to see if she could discover one familiar face among them all.

But there was not one present whose features she could recognise, though that was not surprising, as all might be mere passengers like herself, from other parts of the country. Still, this idea did not immediately occur to her, all others being absorbed in the chilling reflection that in her native town she should find herself as much a stranger — as actually alone and desolate — as she could have done in the deserts of Arabia ! And again, a natural feeling of extreme sadness so completely overcame her, that she turned to the window to hide her starting tears. At length, beginning to wonder that her porter did not return, it occurred to her to ask one of the company, ' If she was going by the same boat as herself?' When she ventured to do so, she fancied that her voice sounded strange and hollow, pro bably owing to the state of her feelings, and the person applied to answered, that she was waiting, as she supposed all her companions were, for a boat which was to sail down the coast to a town she named, adding, that she rather thought the one that should cross to Allonby — for so we shall desig nate the place of Miss Hamilton's destination — must be away, as it was now past the hour it should be due.

Somewhat startled at hearing this conjecture, Miss Hamilton consulted her watch, and finding it already ten minutes past the time he had specified, she started up to go in search of her porter. Just as she reached the door she saw him approach in great haste, and found, as she had con jectured, that his absence, owing to the offer of ' another job ' in the meanwhile, had been the cause of her missing her boat. While expressing much regret at her disappointment, he assured her, ' It would make little odds, as another would cross in a quarter of an hour at farthest.' Though rather annoyed at the delay occasioned by the man's carelessness, particularly as her brother's carriage was to be waiting the arrival of the one o'clock boat at the opposite side, Miss Hamilton, trusting to his assurances that she should not have long to wait, accepted his offer of bringing a newspaper, and, glad to occupy her time and thoughts in any way, sat down to peruse it.

While she is so employed, we shall give the reader some informa tion regarding her previous history, and the object of her present journey. Margaret Hamilton was the daughter of a merchant belonging to the town in which she is now waiting, and the youngest of a large and once happy family. And, when all of them had died or left the paternal roof, while yet in the bloom of youth and beauty, she had remained to be the comfort and support of her parents in their declining years, and to attend them on their death-beds. After both were taken from her, and she found herself alone in the home of her childhood, she had gladly accepted the invitation of an aunt, the widow of a clergyman in a distant part of the country, to take up her abode with her, as she had no family of her own. And an infinite comfort had they been to each other ; for their tastes and feelings were congenial ; and both being of amiable loving dispositions, they had spent twenty years of almost uninterrupted happiness together ; — Margaret devoting herself to study the comfort of her aunt, in every possible manner that her warm affectionate heart suggested, and the latter proving herself a second mother to her.

It was accordingly a crushing blow to poor Margaret, when, about twelve months before our story opens, the shadow of death had darkened that happy home, again leaving her heart so desolate in the removal of her beloved aunt, that but for the consolations of religion, to which she had long been accustomed to look for support ' in times of trouble,' she would have sunk under this new bereavement. Living as she did, however, in almost total seclu sion — for her aunt's abode was in a retired village, where the society was extremely limited — she had often, after her death, experienced an almost oppres sive degree of sadness and depression. She was accordingly easily persuaded to let her cottage for the summer, and to spend it with her only brother, who had some years previously purchased a villa on the shores of one of these beautiful lochs for which the West of Scotland is celebrated, for his annual residence during that season when the inhabitants of Glasgow — where he carried on business — are glad to exchange its smoky atmosphere for the healthful breezes of the coast or country.

William Hamilton had been a very fortunate man; for though he had commenced business with a small capital, being steady, indefatigable, and painstaking, everything he had tried had prospered with him, and he was now reputed extremely wealthy. He had married a lady who brought him a considerable fortune; and his family, now consisting of two c sons and two daughters, were all grown up to man and womanhood. With these nephews and nieces, and even with her sister-in-law, Margaret had till now had but little opportunity of becoming acquainted. For, owing to the delicacy of her aunt's health, and the great distance between her place of residence and that of her brother, their intercourse had been limited to one or two hurried visits on her part, the last of which she had paid to his house in Glasgow, some eight years previously.

And as now she might be said to be entering on an untried scene, as almost a total stranger to the nearest relatives remaining to her, many anxious thoughts occupied her mind regarding them, and various conjectures were formed as to whether or not she should find herself comfortable in sojourning for a time amongst them. Meanwhile, she had boarded her old domestic, who had been the faithful attendant of her aunt through all the years of her married life, and had descended as a sort of legacy — and no inconsider able one — for who can be more valuable than an attached servant to a lonely woman ? — along with her cottage, behig all the property she had to be queath to her niece ; for except the slender provision from the clergymen's widows' fund, all her income had been a small annuity, which, at her death, had reverted to some distant relatives of her husband.

We need only add, that Miss Hamilton had been spending a few days with an old friend some miles distant from her native place. And having sent forward the rest of her luggage previously, she was now at length deposited with her travelling-bag on board the second steamer, which did not make its appearance for fully an hour after the one she had missed. And as, while we have been making this short retrospect, it has been cutting its way through the blue waters of the firth, and is speedily approach ing the opposite shore, we shall see, at the opening of another chapter, what occurred on her landing.

Chapter II. The March Of Modern Luxury, Hen

Miss Hamilton reached Allonby, she looked eagerly towards some carriages waiting on the shore, to try and dis cover her brother's. But among the ladies who occupied some of them, she saw no one resembling her sister-in-law ; and her nieces, considering the number of years that had passed since she had met them, she could hardly expect to recognise. Besides, remembering that if it were there, the footman would immediately have been sent to in quire if she was among the passengers, the unpleasant conviction was forced upon her, that, concluding from her non-appearance by the first steamer, that she had changed her purpose of coming that day, the carriage had been ordered home again, and she would now be obliged to seek a conveyance for herself. In case, however, of any mistake, she inquired at the pier-keeper if Mr Hamilton's carriage was, or had been there ?

To the last of these questions he replied in the affirmative; with such additional information as confirmed her conjecture. 'But perhaps you could get a cab, ma'am, at the hotel there,' he added, see ing Miss Hamilton's look of disappointment ; and he pointed to one on the opposite side of the way. Margaret immediately directed her steps thither. But she found that all the carriages belonging to it were out or engaged ; and seeing that there was now nothing for her but to walk to her brother's house, she next inquired how far it was distant? 'Just about a mile-and-a-half, ma'am;' was the reply. This answer determined her to pursue her way on foot. And chilling as it was to have met with such a reception, she could not blame her friends for forming the conclusion they had evidently done ; and as, from the breeze having freshened, she had no dread of being incommoded by the heat, after obtaining particular directions where to go, she left her bag in charge of the innkeeper, and set forth on her walk.

As she proceeded, her momentary feeling of disappointment was soon forgotten in the interest and curiosity awakened by the scene, owing to the vast improvements which had taken place in the locality since she had last visited it. So marvellous were these changes, she could hardly persuade herself that the place she had for merly known as a mere fishing village, containing a few plain old-fashioned houses to let as sea-bath ing quarters, some mean cottages, and little shabby shops, could be identified with the flourishing town that had sprung up in its stead. For its various neat, and even elegant churches, its handsome shops — displaying glittering wares of all descrip tions, and — as she reached the suburbs — its numer ous pretty tasteful cottages and villas, with their gardens, shrubberies, and pleasure grounds, seemed like the work of magic. ' As wonderful indica tions of the increased wealth and resources of the country,' thought Miss Hamilton, ' surely every true patriot ought to rejoice in such changes.' And yet there came along with this reflection a latent feel ing of dread lest the spirit of enterprise should, in some instances, have been carried too far ; for she could not help wondering where tenants wealthy enough to occupy all those pretty cottages and elegant villas were to be found.

Even the recol lection that, as Allonby was a watering-place, most of them had probably been erected for the accommo dation of summer visitors, did not solve the enigma when she remembered the very inferior quarters esteemed amply sufficient for that purpose in her own younger days. ' Surely,' thought she, ' I must be much behind the times in my notions on such points ; or else, those good people who expend so much money on sea-coast lodgings, must be greatly in advance of them ! ' For, with her simple, unsophisticated no tions, coming as she did from a long residence in a quiet country village, all the show and ostentation displayed around her — to the effect of which a number of dashing equipages which passed her at intervals, considerably added — struck her as very much out of place. How little did she guess to what extent her wonder was to be farther excited by the exhibition of modern luxury and splendour yet awaiting her !

These reflections were meanwhile interrupted by a very unexpected occurrence. The clouds, which for some time had been gathering, had suddenly collected into one dense mass, which, before Miss Hamilton could have believed it so near, began to discharge itself in a heavy shower. As she had no protection from the risk of a wetting but a hght shawl and a very insufficient parasol, she quickened her pace, and looked around her in search of some place of shelter. And she had not far to look ; for a sudden turn of the road brought her within sight of a small cottage, at the door of which stood a very nice-looking and smartly dressed young woman, holding an infant of a year old in her arms ; a boy of three clung to her gown, while the mother was endeavouring to attract the attention of a girl a little older, who was playing in a patch of ground at the side of the house, to whom she was calling to 'come in, and not get herself wet.' Miss Hamilton stopped to inquire if she had yet far to go to reach her destination?

And the young woman after answering that 'Woodlands was fully half-a-mile distant,' observing that the in quirer had no umbrella, courteously invited her to step in and rest for a httle; adding, that if she was going to Mr Hamilton's house she could not fail to get herself wet before she reached it. Miss Hamilton gratefully accepted the invitation. And her hostess stepping into the passage, and flinging wide a door at its extremity, ushered her into an apartment furnished in a style for which the somewhat mean appearance of the exterior of the cottage had certaiidy not prepared her. Though the room was very confined and the ceiling low, it was literally crammed with furniture of a showy and even handsome description, which looked consider' ably out of keeping with such an apartment. The stuff-bottomed chairs, round centre-table, and chif fionier were all of mahogany, French-polished, and of the most modern fashion, the latter being filled with gaily bound books, while others were placed at right angles on the crimson table cloth.

The carpet was new and bright ; white muslin curtains shaded the windows ; and on the showily papered walls hung several engravings in handsome frames. Stuffed birds, a timepiece,' workboxes, and shells, completed the adornment of an apartment which was altogether unlike what one would expect in a third-rate lodging-house — for such Miss Hamilton concluded the cottage to be — but by no means beyond what the very genteel appearance of the young hostess seemed to warrant. Indeed, but that she seemed to be carrying her own child, and that her manners, though civil, were not at all refined, the visitor might have taken her for a lady ; .and she complied with her invitation to be seated, wondering at the seeming incongruities of all she saw around her. The first answer she got to a question she put by way of a little conversation, certainly did not tend to lessen her wonder.

On asking the young woman if she knew Mr Hamilton's family? the reply was : ' Oh, yes, ma'am, I know them very well ; my sister has been housemaid there for the last three years.' ' The sister of a housemaid ! ' thought Miss Hamilton. ' How unlike the same class of persons in my young days ! ' And as she looked at the smart flounced gown, the nicely dressed D hair, the sewed collar, and showy brooch of the speaker, and from her person to her house, she could not help recalling the clean striped short gown and petticoat, the muslin cap, the sanded floor, the deal table and wooden chair — dusted with the apron before a visitor was asked to sit down — with which her early recollections of the persons and houses of that class were associated. 'But there must be something in all this,' she thought ; ' probably the family have been reduced, and the sister has been obliged to go out to service ; for surely that young woman must be in a station quite above the common.' The appearance of the children too, seemed to confirm, her supposition.

For, the little boy's tunic was of finer materials than is usual among work ing people ; and the girl, who had at length obeyed her mother's summons, was dressed in a pink muslin frock, with white trousers trimmed with open-work, and her long flaxen curls had evidently been arranged with a care which the poor seldom bestow on such matters. 'Yes, ma'am,' — continued the young woman, while those thoughts were rapidly passing through Miss Hamilton's mind, — ' Mr Hamilton's family are well known and much respected in this neighbour hood, and my sister is very fortunate in having got such a place. They are an uncommonly nice family. A better master than Mr Hamilton, she says, no one could have ; and Mrs Hamilton is very quiet and easy. And as for the young ladies — there are not the like of them on all the loch side, so handsome and beautiful !

Miss Hamilton, in par ticular, is much admired, and it is said she is to be married to ' ' I shall hear all about that presently,' interrupted Miss Hamilton, — thinking it better to check at once an evident disposition to gossip, by announcing her relationship to the parties — ' as I am their aunt, and am now on my way to visit them.' ' Indeed, ma'am ! ' replied the woman, with evi dent surprise, ' I had no idea of that, I knew a sister of Mr Hamilton's was expected to-day from ; but as I saw the carriage drive past at twelve o'clock, and return about an hour ago, I supposed they had taken you up at the boat.' Miss Hamilton briefly explained the cause of her detention ; and then began to take notice of the children, whose natural shyness she soon overcame, for she was endowed with that winning gentleness of manner which never fails to engage the confidence of the young and innocent.

After spending a few minutes with them, the sun shining in at the window, told her that the shower had passed away. And rising, she thanked their mother for her civility ; and declining her courteous offer of ' sending httle Jessie along with her to show her the house,' as, on being told it was the third gate beyond the turnpike, she was sure she would easily find it — she took her leave. The clouds had disappeared, the sky was again fair and serene, the bright sunshine was sparkling in the blue waters of the loch, along the shores of which the road now began to wind — for it there forms a junction with the firth, — and the wooded promontories and verdant slopes of the opposite peninsula lay before her bathed in freshened loveli ness. Soon afterwards she came in sight of several handsome villas rising from among the plantations that skh -ted the road, sheltered behind by a range of finely wooded hills, above which appeared rugged blue mountains in the distance.

She stopped, as directed, at the third gate, and passing a handsome lodge, she began to ascend the smooth white gravelled avenue bordered with ever greens, that led up to her brother's house, when a scene of unusual beauty and splendour presently burst upon her view. The extensive lawn was dotted over and bor dered with evergreens of the most luxuriant growth, their bright glossy leaves, wet with the recent shower, glittering in the sunlight ; while the flower beds, cut in the verdant turf, were filled with flowers of every variety of hue, and the soft summer air was fragrant with their perfume, and vocal with the melody of birds singing hi the trees that sheltered and surrounded the grounds. The house stood on a gentle eminence, and was so elegant and tasteful in its appearance, that at first sight it struck Miss Hamilton as a residence fitter for a nobleman than for a merchant.

It was built of the purest white stone, and in a fanciful style, somewhat between that of the English manor-house and French chateau, having numerous large windows filled with plate-glass, and shaded with green Venetian blinds. A verandah ran round the south side of the house, adding to its light and elegant appearance ; and a broad flight of steps, with balustrades adorned with stone flower-pots, led up to a Gothic door, which stood open, displaying an inner one of beautiful stained glass, giving access to the hall. Miss Hamilton stood still on the broad gravel walk in front of the house, at once to compose her agitated feelings and to admire the lovely view it commanded. The beautiful loch lay before her in almost its whole extent, its waters crisping and sparkling beneath the rays of the sun ; while the gentle rippling sound of its waves, as they broke on the pebbly beach, mingling with the soft sighing of the breeze and the warbling of the birds, the verdant beauty of the opposite shores, contrasting with the majestic mountains on the right, and the extensive prospect of the firth stretching away to the left, with the vessels in the offing — combined to render the whole scene one of almost perfect enchantment.

And she could not help feeling, that if the characters of her relatives at all corresponded with the beauty of their abode, they must enjoy an amount of happiness rarely experienced here below; for of them it might well be said, that, ' Truly the lines had fallen to them in pleasant places,' and their ' heritage ' was ' a goodly ' one ! But mingled with this reflection came a misgiving as to the propriety of her brother — wealthy man as she believed him to be — indulging his family in an amount of luxury and magnificence to which she could hardly think his means entitled them. If such were her feelings on a view of the out side of the mansion, they underwent no alteration at sight of its interior. For, as the footman who answered the door-bell, after telling her that the ladies had not yet returned from then; drive, ushered her across a spacious stone hall fitted up in the most tasteful manner, into a magnificent drawing room with three large windows opening upon the lawn, she was left to contemplate a display of splendour such as she had never before beheld.