The See-Saw of Life; or, misfortune no disgrace

Front matter

OR, MISFORTUNE NO DISGRACE. K\ WM. A. MORLEY. EvdaipLOvrja^t 7rav9' u Kaprepeiv naHojf. LONDON : ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 1894. [All rights reserved <Eo .MY DEAR FRIEND, DOUGLAS REYNELL, IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OK MUCH SYMPATHY AND AFFECTION SHOWN IN THE HARK DAYS OF ADVERSITY, THE FOLLOWING I'AGES ARE INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. THE OAKLANDS FAMILY - - I II. ENGAGEMENT AND POSTPONEMENT - 1 4 III. LANGLANDS VICARAGE - - 29 IV. AUNT I.ETTY'S TROUBLE, AND OTHER PEOPLE'S 5 1 V. BEGUILED INTO DISLOYALTY - - 65 VI. DEATH, DISASTER, AND DISTRESS - - 78 VII. ANXIETY ABOUT LOST LADIES - 94 VIII. 'MARRY IN HASTE AND REPENT AT LEISURE' I09 IX. MRS. DOWNING SUCCEEDS IN HER QUEST - 120 X. A CHILD MAY WIN A WIFE - - 136 XI. THE RECOVERED VALUE OF OLD STOCKS - 146 XII. HOME AGAIN AND LOVE AGAIN - - 1 THE SEE-SA TV OF LIFE. '■?y.'

Chapter I. The Oaklands Family

The Fernery was the name of one of the pleasantest country residences in Bankshire. A carriage drive across a meadow, nearly a mile from Langlands village, brought the visitor to the entrance gates. The farm-land was only some ten acres, but the house and garden grounds occupied fully five more. The house had been built in simple villa style, and a veranda ran along the front, which looked over a delightful stretch of country, the sunk fence at the end of the flower garden allowing an uninterrupted view. The charm of the house was the morning room, which looked eastward, and opened I into a lovely old-fashioned garden, which ended in a dell filled with ferns, that were encouraged to otoav in all their natural Avildness. Tavo honeysuckles, skilfully trained over umbrella-shaped frames, grew on either side of the path, just where the garden passed into the fernery, and made a great show of blossom, and wafted the sweetest perfumes into the morningroom.

The house had taken its name from this fernery, to the perfecting of which the first owner had devoted both skill and good taste. Of the delightful grassy walk between the high yew hedges, our readers may hear later on in our story. This charming residence had been for some time in the possession of a retired city merchant of the name of Oaklands, and it Avas now occupied by that gentleman, his youngest sister, and his only child Violet, a young lady of seventeen summers. James Oaklands was the youngest son of a well-to-do merchant of the middle class Avho had resided in Liverpool. He had been able to give his children a most liberal education, of which his youngest son in particular had taken every advantage. Young James, therefore, had entered on commercial life with a good store of know ledge and a Avell-balanced mind, and, as he was of a thoroughly practical nature, he had made the best use of his opportunities.

His father very Avisely insisted that his sons who Avent to commercial pursuits should begin at the bottom of the ladder, and rely for success on their own industry and per severance ; and his youngest son cheerfully entered into his father's plans for him. ' My dear boy,' said Mr. Oaklands on his son's leaving home, ' I am willing to help you in every possible way that I can, but you must depend on your own exertions for ultimate success ; be careful in little things, and remember the old proverb, " What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well ;" always be punctual in your attendance at the office ; rather be five minutes too early than half a minute too late ; be strictly careful with any funds which, from time to time, may be put into your hands ; and never spend a shilling without due thought ; above all, never lend or borrow money, as many young fellows are in the habit of doing at the present day, and thus they sow the seeds of extravagance that may one day ruin them.

In due time honesty of purpose, patience, and perseverance will reap their own reward, and you will have the imvard satisfaction of feeling that you have done your duty.' It was not likely that such a well-disposed young man would ever forget this good and wholesome advice ; and James Oaklands, to his credit be it said, acted throughout his commercial life on the lines of his good father's counsel, and in consequence he had been enabled to retire from business with a very fair competence earlier in life than most men can do. At the age of twenty-six he had married a young lady who was highly connected, though without any dowry, but it was a marriage of genuine affection on both sides. Mrs. James Oaklands was a most refined and intelligent woman, and of an extremely rare beauty ; but her loveliness of features Avas excelled by the SAveetness of her disposition and the purity of her spirit.

The young couple had looked forward to a life of great happiness together, and of useful service to others. Such perfect union of hearts, however, was not to last very long. After some fourteen years of inexpressible bliss, Mr. Oaklands lost his beautiful wife, whom he may be truly said to have idolized. Being quite broken down Avith grief, he had asked his youngest sister, Avho was commonly known as ' Aunt Letty,' to come and keep his house for him and look after Violet, his only child, Avho was at that time a little girl just entering her ' teens.' The invitation Avas cordially accepted by Aunt Letty because her brother James had always been somewhat of a hero in her eyes, and, besides this, she was passionately attached to her little niece, Avho very lovingly returned her aunt's affection ; and Aunt Letty could the more readily accept the invitation as she had at this time no home of her own.

The Oaklands family were noted for their very pleasing features — and Miss Letitia Oaklands was no exception to the rule ; she was also of a mild and gentle disposition, and had always been the darling of her father's house. Some seven years younger The See- Saw of Life. than her brother James, she had been the baby when most of her brothers and sisters were almost grown up, but James and the little sister had always been all in all to one another, each giving the other, as they greAV up, their respective confidences ; and it was to James only that she had related the Avhole of the matters that were connected with the great disappointment of her life, of which we shall hear later on. The Oaklands Avere not a long-lived race, and when our story commences James and Letty were the only survivors of a large and respected family.

From the first Letty and her sister-in-laAv, Mrs. James Oaklands, had been the best of friends. They appeared to have had very similar natural dispositions, and to have been moulded under much the same influences ; their tastes were alike, and each thought the other was as nearly per fection as she could be. Consequently the birth of Violet Avas a cause of the greatest rejoicings to the aunt as well as to the mother. What Mrs. Oaklands' early death was to Aunt Letty can be better imagined than described. To comfort her brother under the dis tressing circumstances, and take the re sponsibility of looking after, and helping to bring up, her dear little niece, were her chief thoughts ; her own sorrow at the loss, like that of her previous one, of Avhich we are to hear, must be kept entirely to herself.

And nobly did the good lady succeed in her labour of love. She could not, however, help seeing, as time went on, that the loss of his partner in life had a most prejudicial effect on the health of her brother, who had never been, at the best, a very strong man ; and her conviction of this considerably increased her many anxieties. Mr. Oaklands was at this time hardly in the prime of life, and had been a remarkably successful young man, owing to his unceasing attention to business, but he had determined not to remain a London merchant for any longer time than was absolutely necessary. He used to say that great alterations had taken place in the spirit and methods of commercial life since he started in business, and it was his opinion that the alteration was not altogether for the better. The more he saw of so-called ' commercial morality,' the more it disgusted him, and he resolved to give it a wide berth as soon as he possibly could.

Being fond of all kinds of sports, and also a great reader, he had determined to seek a convenient place in the country where, with his devoted wife and his little girl, he could folloAv pursuits more congenial to his dis position than that of money-grubbing. Accordingly, he looked out for a house suited to his requirements, and, having seen The Fernery, purchased it in due course. Thither he had brought his wife and child with every prospect of his health, which had been somewhat failing of late, greatly improving, and anticipating much future happiness for them all. ' Man proposes, but God disposes,' and a year or so after taking possession of their country house, Mrs. Oaklands, who, by her beauty and nobility of character, had won all hearts from the highest to the lowest, had, one \*ery cold winter's evening, on returning with her husband from a dinner-party some distance from home, taken a severe chill.

At first but little was thought of it, but disease suddenly appeared in the lungs, and in the course of a week poor Mrs. Oaklands breathed her last. The sudden blow was more than her husband could bear, and a serious illness followed. Aunt Letty came directly she heard the sad news, and was her brother's devoted nurse, winning golden opinions from the doctors in attendance, who said it was owing to her good nursing that their patient had pulled through. This illness, however, not only greatly reduced Mr. Oaklands' strength, but left a decided weakness of the heart, and he had been advised by his medical men to take great care of himself for the future. One morning, during the breakfast hour at The Fernery, the post-bag Avas brought in and handed to Mr. Oaklands. There were some letters on that occasion which, to two members of the party, proved of great importance, though in very different ways.

Aunt Letty noticed that her brother's face wore a very anxious expression while he was reading his correspondence, whereas that of his daughter expressed the greatest delight. ' Oh, papa dear !' said Violet, ' I have had a letter from Bertie, and he wants to know whether it will be convenient for you to receive him on a short visit. He tells me he has some important communications to make which he prefers to give in person, but he adds that it is news that will give us all a good deal of pleasure.' 'Well, my dear,' replied her father, 'we shall be very pleased to see him, and to hear his good news. When does he propose coming ?' 'As soon as he receives my reply,' said Violet. ' Then you had better write immediately after breakfast,' answered her father. ' I dare say you and aunty can arrange matters satisfactorily.' ' Certainly,' said Aunt Letty ; ' there will be no difficulty* about that matter, as Bertie's room is always ready for him.' ' I hope Sir Henry and Lady Melville are well, Violet ?' asked her father. ' Oh yes, papa ; Bertie gives a A*ery good account of them, and they desired him to send their kind remembrances to aunty and yourself.' When breakfast was over, Mr. Oaklands told Violet to run away and write her letter, as he Avanted to have a little conversation with her aunt.

As soon as Violet had left the room, Mr. Oaklands said to his sister : * Letty dear, my correspondence gives me a good deal of anxiety. I fear another financial panic is not far distant.' ' I thought,' replied his sister, ' that you had received some unwelcome news. What is really the trouble ?' ' Why, you knoAV that I invested a large amount of capital, including your own money, in first-class securities, as I thought them to be, and still believe that they are ; but for some time past their value has been falling very rapidly in the market, and should a panic take place, it will have a very serious effect upon securities of all kinds, and ours will be sure to suffer in the depression. I have, as you know, from long experience felt that speculation Avas a mistake, and therefore The See- Saw of Life. 12 made my investments very cautiously ; I know* they are thoroughly good, but should this panic come, it will be some time before they can right themselves, and unfortunately I have but very little cash invested in Government stocks.' Aunt Letty was one who always would persist in looking on the bright side of things, and though she could not help feeling very anxious, she knew it would not do, in her brother's state of health, to let him think she was, so she merely replied : ' Weil, you have done your best, so you need not vex yourself about the matter ; should things take a turn for the worse, as you imagine, you could always raise a mortgage upon this property, which would keep you going until the aspect of affairs was someAvhat brighter.' ' My dear Letty, you have greatly relieved my mind.

Yes, that could be done, though I did not wish to touch the property, as I Avanted to leave it intact for our darling Violet.' * Yes, I know,' replied Aunt Letty ; ' but I am quite sure that Violet would sacrifice everything in the future rather than see you worried or distressed ; and so far as I am concerned, all mine is yours, as I told you long ago.' Mr. Oaklands was greatly touched, and for a second or so was silent, and then said : ' I trust you, Letty, not to say a word about our conversation to Violet. I do not want her young life to be spoilt by anxious thoughts, so Ave will receive Bertie as if nothing had happened, and no doubt everything will come right in time. Thank you very much ; you have been in this case, as you always are, a real comfort to us all.' But who was Bertie ?

Chapter II. Engagement And Postponement

Melville Hall was the country seat of Sir Henry and Lady Melville. It was situated in one of the Ridings of Yorkshire, and it was noted for the magnificent scenery which surrounded the beautiful old-fashioned mansion. The site for the erection of this noble edifice had been admirably selected, for no matter in Avhat direction the eye might travel, it was met at all points by a grandeur and variety of scenery unequalled in the county. The original part of the building was of very ancient date, but the various alterations and additions that from time to time had been made by its respective owners were in thorough keeping with the original architecture, and thus the mansion might well be called baronial in its aspect. The Hall from its elevated position could be seen for miles around, and it was approached, on passing the massive gates, by a circuitous route which wound its way for more than a mile through the well-timbered park, in which herds of deer were always to be seen.

The drive up to the grand entrance of the baronet's home Avas exceedingly picturesque. The visitor on alighting passed up a broad and handsome flight of steps, at the summit of which he entered a spacious hall, in which the most exquisite statuary had been placed regardless of cost. The grand marble stair case at the extreme end of the hall was, how ever, its great feature, though the armoury, banqueting-hall, library, music-room, ball room, and billiard-rooms would furnish a volume in description. This, then, was the home of the Melville family. The estates had been for generations in their hands, and up to the present date they had descended regularly in due course from father to son. The present occupants were the baronet, his lady, and their only child and heir, who bore the name of Albert.

The Sec-Sazo of Life. Sir Henry was a fine specimen of the English aristocrat ; a tall, handsome man, of rather over middle age, but who looked considerably younger than his years. Pos sessed of a large fortune, and having an easy-going temperament, his youthful appearance was not to be wondered at. The family was much beloved in the neighbourhood, for both Sir Henry and Lady Melville were large-hearted people, and gave liberally to those who were in need of assistance of any kind. There could be no doubt that the baronet Avas a proud man, for he showed it in his face ; and it was not unnatural that he should be so, considering his county position, and the length of his lineal descent. Strictly honourable, sensitive to a degree in anything in which his honour or that of his family might be concerned, there need be no hesita tion in saying that Sir Henry looked upon a man who could deliberately tell a lie as tarnishing his reputation, and considered untruthfulness as an almost unpardonable sin.

Lady Melville was the youngest daughter of an earl — a lady of fine presence, passionately devoted to her husband and son, and, unlike most women of her rank, preferring the peace and quietness of her country home to the bustle and gaiety of a London season. Consequently Sir Henry and his wife only visited their town mansion when business of some kind required the baronet's personal attention. Lady Melville was not without faults ; although a most thoroughly amiable, well intentioned woman, she was decidedly am bitious, which, considering her rank and the beautiful home to which after her marriage her husband had brought her, was not very surprising. Doubtless her surroundings had a great influence upon her mind and actions, for she had determined that their only child, and the heir to these vast estates, should unite himself to the noblest and wealthiest in the land.

On this point the baronet heartily concurred with her, though he hardly thought her wise in so constantly encouraging their boy to think about his handsome presence, and the exalted position which he would one day hold. Men are proverbially vain ; they The Sec-Saw of Life. 18 must all plead guilty to that indictment, and require but little teaching on that point ; and thus Lady Melville, by* frequently taking opportunities to feed her son's vanity, laid the seeds of a sorrow Avhich will reveal itself in the course of this story. However, Avith the exception of this failing, Albert Melville was a son that any parents might have been proud of; he was of good stature, handsome features, and of an open and frank disposition. He appeared to inherit all the good qualities of both parents, and though he had a great affection for his father, it was his mother to Avhom he had ahvays given his confidence.

A good athlete, both at school and college, he had won the admiration of all his colleagues, and also the respect of his tutors at the University, where he had taken a very fair degree. A good-tempered, genial fellow, it Avas no Avonder that the tenants on the estate felt that, when in due time he should come into the property, he would make as good a landlord as his father, and that was saying a very great deal in young Albert's favour. Now, it happened that Sir Henry had made but few friends Avhen he was himself at Oxford, his manner having been at that time somewhat haughty ; but there was one man who had succeeded in breaking down this barrier, and ever since their college days together they had been bosom friends. Both were large landed proprietors, but the father of Sir Henry's friend was a self-made man.

Having amassed great wealth, he was enabled to give his son a first-class education, and at his death he left him a magnificent estate. The son thus became the squire in the neighbourhood of Langlands, and had only recently been raised to the peerage as a reward of long service to his party both in and out of the House of Commons. The squire, or, as we shall now call him under his new title, Baron Altontowers, was very fond of his friend's son, and Bertie Melville be came a constant visitor at Lord Altontowers* country seat at Langlands. In this way it came to pass that, on a certain occasion when Lord Altontowers gave a ball to which all the best families round the neighbourhood were invited, Violet Oaklands, who Avas an immense The See-Saw of Life. 20 favourite of his lordship's, was introduced to Bertie Melville.

Little did the good baron think, when he saw* his two proteges waltzing round the room, how terribly he had upset all Lady Melville's long-cherished plans of making a splendid matrimonial alliance for her only child. It was, however, not very* astonishing that a day or so after the ball Bertie should call to see if Miss Oaklands had got over the fatigue of the evening, and that, having been introduced to Violet's father and aunt, he should repeat his visit very soon afterwards. As Bertie was remaining for some time on a visit to Lord Altontowers, the two young people met very frequently, and the result Avas, as might have been foreseen, that Bertie made Violet an offer of his hand and heart, and Avas duly accepted ; but the course of true love was not, in this case, to run smoothly. When Bertie went to Mr. Oaklands for his consent to the engagement, he Avas met by the kindly-hearted gentleman with the remark that, while he had no objections Engagement aud Postponement. 21 whatever to offer, he still could not sanction a definite understanding between them, unless Sir Henry and Lady Melville entirely agreed to it ; and Bertie, though perfectly sanguine of gaining his parents' consent, knew, from what his mother frequently said to him, that his presentengagement would be a terrible dis appointment to both his parents, but specially to his mother.

However, he could only hope for the best, so wrote home announcing the news ; and Lord Altontowers, delighted at the result of his introduction, promised Bertie to write to his father by the same post, and back him up in his request. We will take a peep over the shoulders of Lady Melville whilst she reads her boy's letter. ' Now, Harry, this is too bad of Bertie ; he has quite upset all my plans for him by pro posing to the first country girl he comes across. Really, you must positively forbid it ; no doubt it is some foolish fancy that he will soon forget, but it is the more tiresome since I have so frequently told him what our wishes were in this matter.' ' Well, my dear,' said Sir Henry, ' I must own to being very* much disappointed, in The Sec-Saw of Life. 22 spite of Altontowers' letter.

The young lady appears to be a great favourite of his, and I will read you what he says about her.' ' " I dare say your boy's letter will some what surprise you, but I have known Violet Oaklands since childhood. Her mother was highly connected, was one of the most lovely women, both in mind and person, that it has been my privilege to meet, and Violet in herits all her mother's beauty. Mr. Oak lands is a gentleman of thorough refinement, although I know Lady Melville will strongly dislike the idea of his having made his money in the City. Miss Oaklands, the aunt, is a most ladylike creature, beloved by all around Langlands. As regards making money in trade so called, I think noble lords who go to their stockbrokers and buy and sell shares for speculative purposes are more to be looked down upon than Avell-educated gentlemen making their money in their legitimate mode of business.

Of course you Avill say I am prejudiced, on account of having been personally connected with trade for so many years of my life. Be it so. I can only add that I am not by any means ashamed of having done so, for I owe all my present position to what I learnt when in business. Violet will make Bertie an excellent Avife ; and when you have the pleasure of knowing my favourite, you will thank me for throwingthem too-ether."' O O ' Well, she is evidently respectable,' said Lady Melville, ' and a great favourite of your friend ; but I feel terribly disappointed, for, with all his chances, Bertie could have done so much better for himself.' ' What do you propose that we should do ?' asked her husband. ' I cannot make up my mind,' replied Lady Melville ; ' I feel too much upset by the news. To think he should treat his mother like this, after all the careful training that I have given him !

I hardly like to thwart Bertie ; but if Ave consent to his wishes, it must be understood that the engagement lasts at least tAvelve months, when I hope something may happen to break it off.' ' I hardly like to think that,' said Sir Henry, ' for I could not encourage Bertie in anything which was not perfectly honourable and sincere.' ' Of course not,' answered his wife ; ' but, after all, Harry, engagements are sometimes broken off Avith the consent of both parties.' Sir Henry knit his brows. He did not like the turn the conversation was taking, so merely replied : ' Then, you had better write to Bertie, and I will write to Altontowers and Mr. Oak lands.' And thus the matter was settled. In due course of time Violet was invited to Melville Hall to make the acquaintance of her future relations, and Sir Henry was more than pleased with her.

She also succeeded in winning Lady Melville, only that lady never quite appeared to forget how much better, as far as regards position, her son might have done. If only Violet had even been an ' honourable,' it would at least have been something. HoAvever, she very wisely kept her thoughts to herself, and the visit Avas, on the whole, a successful one. Violet had returned from the Hall some few months, Avhen a letter was received by the baronet Avhich was to cause sad distress in the lives of these two young people. ' Who is your correspondent at New Zealand, Harry ?' said Lady Melville. ' This letter, my dear, is from the agent of the estates of a cousin of mine. I do not think I ever told you about him, for he went out many years ago to Wellington, and I have not heard anything of him till this communication.

The agent is a solicitor, and writes me to say that my cousin has left all his large landed property to my eldest son, and that it will be necessary for that gentleman to leave England as soon as possible, so that he may take legal possession of his property.' ' And does he say what the value of the property may be ?' asked Lady Melville. ' Yes ; he says, at a rough estimate, it will bring in about ,-£3,000 a year.' 'Well, Harry dear, I am very pleased for our son. What a surprise it will be to him ! But he will have to go to Wellington as speedily as possible.' ' No doubt about that,' rejoined her husband ; ' and I see a great difficulty. I do not think Mr. Oaklands would quite approve of a hurried wedding, as it would have to be if Bertie takes his Avife Avith him.' ' Taking his wife with him is quite out of the question,' said her ladyship. ' He must go at once, and go alone.

It would never do for him to be saddled with a wife under the circumstances ; besides, he would not be so very long away, and, after all, it will prove the affection of both the young people.' Lady Melville, as we know, had never got over her disappointment at her son's engagement, and though she was too good a diplomatist to say what she really hoped, she quite thought that separating the young people for some months might lead to the engagement being sooner or later broken off. ' We shall have some trouble with Bertie, I fear,' said Sir Henry ; ' but I quite agree with you, my dear, that the sooner he leaves the better, and then his return may be all the quicker.' ' I am delighted that we are of one mind upon the matter, and we will consult with Bertie directly he comes down.' At that moment the young gentleman himself appeared, and Avas told the good news ; but on hearing that he must leave England very speedily, he could not be induced for a long time to go without Violet, and only yielded after a long and wearisome conversation, because he saw it was the express wish of both his parents.