A Matrimonial Freak: a novel

Chapter I

The little village of Crowdy was some twenty or thirty miles from London on the South-Western Railway ; a pretty, old-fashioned spot, not spoilt by modern buildings. The green, which was extensive, was surrounded by fine oak trees ; the parish church stood at one corner, and the village inn at another. Down the road, about a quarter of a mile past the picturesque thatched inn, stood a modest old red brick building called ' The Cottage.' It was the property of the Vicar, and was rented from him by a lady named Weeks. She was an elderly widow of retiring habits and rather slender means. To the latter she considerably added through the guardian of a little orphan girl, who had placed his ward in the care of Mrs Weeks when she was only a few years old. Therefore A it was not wonderful that that lady felt a motherly interest in her young charge, although no one would have called her an affectionate or demonstrative woman.

She did her duty as she believed by this young child, Margaret Crosbie, who was not by any means one of the easiest to manage, being a healthy, high-spirited and rather wilful miss ; and, as she spent most of her holidays with an aunt and uncle who had an only son, spoilt by his mother and worshipped by Margaret, it is not surprising that the cousinly influence made a great feature in the girl's life. Margaret Crosbie, under her mother's will, was to receive the interest on five thousand pounds, and to be her own mistress at the early age of seventeen. It was now April, and Margaret would be free to live where she chose next month. To this time she looked forward with an intense longing, having a naturally independent spirit. Her cousin, Jack Blennahassett, was her senior by six years and her bosom friend, and it was quite understood between them that as soon as she was old enough they would go through the marriage ceremony, and thus be bound to one another for life, their one idea of bliss being to spend their days together.

Margaret, who was a very beautiful girl, all freshness and innocence in a marked degree, did not realise that there could be any impropriety in her great intimacy with her cousin Jack. Had they not had everything in common as children ? being more like two boys than girl and boy ; and now they were chums, lovers, all in all to each other. Margaret had another admirer, one Sidney James, who was a frequent visitor at her Aunt Blennahassett's, and so saw a good deal of her. He had been at the same college at Oxford as Jack, but was now called to the Bar ; a clever and promising man, plain to a degree unusual, but there was a curious fascination about his plain face. He had a fine, tall figure, which, like his character, was very straight and upright. Un fortunately, one could not say the same of his rival, Jack Blennahassett, who was as handsome a dare-devil as ever lived, and was sowing his wild oats at Oxford with a vengeance.

As for study, he reserved that for the time he was down, when he devoted part of his days to work with a tutor, and the other part to Margaret and amuse ment ; but Dame Nature had made him clever, therefore greater was the pity that he did not work at the proper time and place. Major Blennahassett, Jack's father, a man of good family and some note, was rich, and hoped that this his only son would distinguish himself in Parliament, as he had property and influence. But Jack had made up his mind to do nothing of the sort. He hated ' The People,' and said he would never raise a finger to help their condition, although his father was crazy about it. Jack had managed to get through all his ex aminations fairly well, and it now only remained for him to take his degree. He preferred college to home life, and as he belonged to a very fast set, who played cards for high stakes and went in for everything of an extravagant kind, it is not a wonder that Mr Jack got into a mess and had to apply to the hook-nosed fraternity to help him out of it.

Of course, his parents never dreamt of what was going on. Mrs Blennahassett believed implicitly in her son. In her eyes he was the handsomest and most gifted young man she knew, and she did not believe it possible that her Jack, her darling, could do anything that was not perfect.

Chapter II

On this April morning when the village green of Crowdy looked so sunny and bright, Miss Margaret Crosbie was late for breakfast. As soon as she arrived in the dining-room she could see by the table that Mrs Weeks had partaken of her morning meal, and gone, as was her custom, into the garden. Margaret, humming a new tune in a soft voice, helped herself to coffee and other good things, then betook herself to her usual seat. Beside her serviette lay two letters, at which she gazed for a short time with her head on one side, then she lifted the one in a lady's handwriting, tore open the envelope and read aloud : — ' Portland Place, • April 261k. ' Dear Margaret, — Your uncle and I wish you to come to town and stay with us. ' I am sure you will want to do some shopping and see what is going on, and I shall be very glad to see your dear bright face here again. ' Your uncle joins with me in love. — Your fond aunt.

Jane Blennahassett.' When Margaret took up the second letter, her cheeks were rosy and a fire burnt in her eyes. She cut this envelope very carefully with a knife, then devoured the contents. It was from Jack, and ran as follows : — Pembroke College, Oxford, ' April 26th. 'My own Darling, — I am dying to see you, and have arranged everything, and the sooner you come the better. I cannot live any longer without knowing that you belong to me, and I do know that when you take the vow you will keep your promise ; but, I am awfully jealous of Sidney James, and won't have him hanging about you. He is the most hungry-looking hound I ever saw. I feel quite murderous when I see him look at you in that greedy way of his out of those great brown eyes. Ugh ! ! ! ' He actually asked me to-day (for he is down here) if we were engaged.

The beast came into my rooms just when I was writing to you, and I feel sure he read every word that he could see, which, after all, wasn't much, so I snatched up the letter and tore it to pieces. ' Wifie mine, we shall have to throw dust in his eyes, or he may be a nuisance. You will have a letter from the mater, if you have not already received one. Go up to Portland Place at once, stay there for a day or two, then tell mother you are going to spend a night with your friends the Blakes at Kensington ; she is such a dear old soft she will quite believe it. Drive in a cab to Paddington and come down here ; but before you take the train send a telegram to the Mitre Hotel, Oxford, to engage a bedroom, or you may find there is no where to rest your pretty head on the eventful night ; besides, it looks better.

You must choose an early train ; wire to me just before you leave, and I will meet you with the dog-cart at the station. ' I am in a fever of excitement, my darling little girl ; the ring is in my waistcoat pocket now. There must be no flirting after we are married, or I shall lock you up. ' Don't forget any of my instructions. — Your devoted lord and master, Jack.' Margaret buried her blushing face in her hands for a few minutes, then taking up her lover's letter she pressed it to her lips, as she murmured, ' Dear old boy, of course I shall do everything you wish.' When she had finished her breakfast, which she ate hungrily, as a fine healthy girl should, she went to a small davenport which was placed in front of the window, sat down in front of it, took out her writing materials and wrote : — The Cottage, Crowdy, ' April 27th. ' Dearest Auntie, — I will come up to-morrow by the ten train.

Do not trouble to send the carriage to meet me, as I have some shopping to do on my way to Portland Place, and I will take a cab. I must get a new hat, as I am hardly pre sentable in my shabby winter one. I hope to be with you to lunch. ' With love to uncle and yourself. — Your affectionate niece, Margaret Crosbie.' After reading over the letter and addressing it to her Aunt Blennahassett, she wrote again : — ' The Cottage, Crowdy, ' April 27th. ' Mv darling OLD Boy,— Of course I shall do what you wish. I received an invitation from auntie by the same post that brought your welcome letter, and I am going to Portland Place to-morrow. I shall buy your ring on my way at Parker's, as I have quite decided that you must also wear a wedding ring. ' I shall be able to come to Oxford on Friday the first, so shall have that date put in the ring. ' Dearest old Jack, somehow I don't know why, having no reason for it, but when I think of our tying ourselves up I feel a secret alarm and a vague presentiment that something will go wrong. ' You will be true, won't you, Jack, darling ?

I have loved you all my life, and it would be so awful to find you could be false, or deceive. ' No ! I won't think about such things ; it's all just because I'm nervous, and you know I trust you entirely. ' I can fancy I hear you say, " How like a girl," with such contempt in your voice. Good-bye darling. I do long for Friday. ' It is exquisitely wicked to get married on the sly. ' One big kiss on your tobacco-scented lips, from your own wifie, Margaret.' When Margaret had addressed and sealed this document, she took it with the other into the hall, and covering her waving golden hair with a large brown straw hat, went out at the front door, which stood wide open, for the morning was warm although April. She sauntered down the path, out at the gate and across the road to a letter-box fixed in the wall surrounding grounds which belonged to the Vicarage.

Having dropped her letters into the box, she looked up and down the quite empty road and returned to the garden, sought and found Mrs Weeks, and told her that her Aunt Blenna hassett wished her to go to town on the morrow. ' I am always sorry to part with you, Margaret,' said Mrs Weeks, 'especially as next month will give you your liberty ; and then perhaps you will wish to leave your old friend for good.' ' Oh, no ! ' the girl exclaimed, ' I shall always wish to visit you from time to time. Is not this my home? and I know too you will always wel come my return ; but I have, as I have often told you, a great desire to go abroad and see what people are like in Germany and other places, and perhaps some day you will be induced to join me.' ' Ah ! my dear, you are sure to marry, and will not want an old woman hanging to your skirts.' Margaret quite agreed with her, although she said nothing ; for was not she going to marry Jack in a day or two, and he certainly would not care to have Mrs Weeks always about, especially as he made game of her and tried all he knew to shock her sense of propriety.

She was a very meek and modest woman, and had done her best to bring up her young charge in utter ignorance and innocence of men and their ways. Margaret did what little packing was necessary, was particularly lively all day, amused and shocked Mrs Weeks by turns all the evening, singing comic songs and now and then whistling to her own piano accompaniment. She had a fine full voice, quite a gift — music of all sorts was her greatest charm. Jack had taught her to play the banjo, and this she did to perfection. Poor Mrs Weeks, being old-fashioned, was dreadfully shocked, and wondered how Mrs Blennahassett could allow it. ' Really,' she said, ' I should not be surprised to hear that you smoked cigarettes.' Margaret evidently enjoyed her discomforture, as she laughed gaily, saying, ' I have tried that too, as Jack says, " Every woman who is worth her salt ought to know how to smoke ; " but he won't allow me to have a cigarette if anyone else is present, for he was frightfully angry because Sidney James saw me smoking.

We all know that old Sidney is rather proper and likes to keep all that sort of thing for himself and his men friends ; he can't endure what he calls " manly women." ' ' And what did Sidney say when he saw you smoking ? ' asked Mrs Weeks. ' Oh ! of course he flew at Jack, and said, " You ought not to allow your cousin to smoke ; it is not nice for a girl to smell of tobacco," to which Jack answered, " It's like your infernal cheek, you're not going to smell or kiss Margaret, so it really cannot matter to you, you blooming old maid. You ought to have a cap with ribbons, and wear petticoats. By Jove, what a fright you'd look ! " and that wicked boy screamed with laughter ; and poor Sidney got crimson and would not speak to him for some time.' ' Well, my dear, I think your cousin Jack a very fast and dangerous young man, although I must own that he is generally polite to me, still there are times when he shocks me terribly.

He asked me the last time I saw him if I ever swore at the servants, and when I, with horror, denied such things, he said, " Oh ! now, now, Mrs Weeks, that's all very well, but you know you do it in your mind, as I know my mother does. Why not have a good swear aloud ? It's a great relief to the feelings, I assure you." ' ' Jack only said that to tease you, Mrs Weeks ; he did not mean it. So few people understand him as I do.' Margaret, who was very sleepy, took her candle and said ' Good-night ' to Mrs Weeks, fearing all the time she would say something more in disparage ment of her darling Jack.

Chapter III

Tuesday morning was fine and warm, and ten o'clock struck from the clock in the tower of the old church while Margaret paced up and down the station platform, waiting for the London train. At last it came, and she was soon on her way, enjoying the contents of a new novel, which was so interesting that she was quite astonished when she heard men shouting, ' All change here.' It was Waterloo Station indeed, and Margaret got into a hansom and drove to Parker's in Regent Street. She was some time there, as she had several ornaments to be repaired and Jack's ring to choose. Having settled about the inscription, and ordered the things to be sent to her at Portland Place on Thursday without fail, she then left the shop, and in doing so almost fell over Sidney James, who was passing very near the door.

He was very much astonished, and exclaimed, — ' Why, Margaret, this is a surprise ! I fancied you miles away.' ' Oh, Sidney, is that you ? I beg your pardon. I think I trod on your foot ? ' and she suddenly remembered to hold out her hand towards his, which in her bewilderment she had forgotten. How fortunate, she thought to herself, that I did not meet him half-an-hour ago instead. I could not possibly have ordered Jack's ring with him listening to every word. It was bad enough to have the eyes of the shopman upon me all the time. I'm sure he guessed that it was a wedding ring. Sidney James quietly ignored the question, and said, ' I presume you are on your way to Portland Place.' ' Yes ; and that is my cab.' ' May I come with you ? ' he asked. ' Oh, yes ! but I must go to Smith's in Oxford Street first to get a hat.' Sidney smiled as he seated himself beside her in the hansom.

How glad he was that chance had thrown him across her path. He did so love her, and his plain face beamed with the pleasure he felt. They chatted together on all sorts of subjects, for Margaret was always bright and lively. After they had driven away from the bonnet shop, Sidney said suddenly, — ' Margaret, your aunt told me a few days ago that next month you will be your own mistress. It was a curious proviso in your mother's will that you should be quite free and independent at the early age of seventeen. It is fortunate that you will not be very rich, or some fortune-hunter might make love to you.' His hand stole to hers and pressed it, as he continued, ' Dear little Margaret, I wish you cared for me. I would do all in my power to make you happy. I'm not rich now, but I have prospects and can work ; and everything would seem so easy if you would consent to marry me.

I cannot endure to think of your being thrown on the world to do as you choose when you are so young and so innocent and inexperienced.' Poor Margaret did not dream that Sidney James would propose to her so suddenly ; indeed, she had never thought about it at all. He was always kind and nice to her, and Jack was jealous about him, but she thought that Jack fancied Sidney cared for her. Gently moving her hand and looking up into her companion's face, she said, ' Oh, Sidney ! I'm verj' sorry, but I never thought about you at all. It's very tiresome of you to care for me, as I'm not in love in the least with you ; Jack is the only man I care about.' ' I feared as much,' sighed Sidney. ' It's always Jack; will it be so in the future, I wonder. He took her hand again, and this time as he pressed it in his own, said, ' Forgive me, little girl, and forget what I've said.

Let us always be friends, you and I : some day, perhaps, you will need the old friend, and be sure he will always watch over your welfare.' As the cab drew up at Major Blennahassett's, Margaret gave Sidney's hand a hasty pressure in token of friendship, gratitude and forgiveness, then she jumped out and ran into the house, glad to get away from this very embarrassing interview. Sidney James did not follow her, but returned to the vehicle and was driven to his chambers, feeling somewhat sad and depressed. During the evening, Margaret told her aunt that she had promised to go and see a friend on Friday until Saturday, and that on tlie Monday she would have to return to Crowdy. 'You are going to pay me a very short visit this time,' said Mrs Blennahassett, ' but I will not E grumble as Jack will be down soon, and next month you will have to decide what you are going to do.

Have you really made up your mind about going abroad ? ' 'Yes, auntie, I think so, especially if Jack is likely to go when he leaves college.' ' Ah ! but, my dear child, you can't go every where Jack goes, you know, or people will begin to talk.' ' I don't see that it matters in the least what people say ; besides, what can they say ? We have always been about together and shall continue to do so, I hope.' When the last post came in, Mrs Blennahassett was surprised at receiving a letter from Sidney James, and quietly retired with it to her boudoir, where she read the contents. ' Temple Chambers. ' Dear Mrs Blennahassett, — You will have wondered why I did not come in to see you this morning when I brought Margaret to your house. I met her outside a shop in Regent Street, and while we were being driven to Portland Place I asked her to be my wife, and she refused ; there fore I felt obliged to go to my chambers and digest it as quietly as I could.

You are aware how great is my affection for her, and the blow, although I expected it, quite upset me. ' I trust you will pardon my non-appearance until she has left town, as I do not wish to annoy her with my presence. — With kindest regards, faith fully yours, Sidney James.' Mrs Blennahassett read this epistle several times, and smiled to herself; folded it into a long strip and lighted it at the gas, letting it burn slowly until there was scarcely any paper to hold, then she threw it in the empty grate where it soon burnt out. She had made up her mind to keep her own counsel, and never breathed a word about it to anyone, as she had her opinions about things, and although she was a weak, silly woman, she sometimes did a wise thing, and she argued with herself, ' If Margaret thinks we wish her to marry Sidney James she will never do it, girls are so perverse.'

Chapter IV

Wednesday and Thursday were cold and showery, and Margaret feared that Friday would be the same and spoil half the fun. She had never been to Oxford, and wanted, therefore, to see something of the town with its fine buildings, to say nothing of the country drive she and Jack had planned. When Friday the first of May arrived, it was a lovely spring morning, and Margaret Crosbie left Portland Place directly after the eight-thirty breakfast. No questions were asked, as it was supposed by the aunt that her niece was going to spend the day and night with some of her very numerous friends. Arrived at Paddington Station, Margaret telegraphed to Jack and to the manager of the Mitre Hotel, then took a third-class ticket to Oxford, and got into the train which was waiting in the station. The only companion she had on the journey was a very doubtful looking man who, when they were fairly started annoyed her very much, first by talking about the weather and Mr Gladstone, then seating himself beside her, requested in the most fulsome language to be allowed to read her palm, as he understood palmistry and could tell her of coming as well as past events.

However, a few short answers to his impertinent questions soon silenced this commercial traveller, who left the train at Reading. Margaret breathed more freely when she had the carriage to herself, but she could not help thinking that perhaps she looked too smart to be travelling alone in a third-class compartment to Oxford, the town of men as she considered it. As the train lumbered into Oxford Station her eyes searched the platform for Jack, but he was not there, so she took her bag and left the carriage, just as a porter came up to her, and, touch ing his cap, said, — ' Please, miss, are you the young lady Mr Blennahassett is waiting for ? ' ' Of course,' she assented, and giving the man her bag, followed him out of the station, where a smart dog-cart, with a very restive horse, was standing.

Jack Blennahassett was seated in the cart, and a fine specimen of manhood he looked, with his broad shoulders, wavy brown hair, dark eyes and straight, aristocratic nose, the wicked mouth almost concealed by a large, loose mous tache. He stood six feet two in his socks, and had a powerful muscular frame. Two young men were lolling in the station doorway as Margaret walked up to the dog-cart, and they took in the whole situation. Margaret jumped up beside her cousin Jack, while the porter stowed the bag away behind. ' I could not leave this restless beast,' apolo gised he, ' or I should have been on the platform to meet you.' ' Never mind, Jack, I'm with you now, and so glad. I was afraid something might prevent my coming.' ' Did the governor ask any questions ? ' inquired Jack. ' No ; I told them I should return some time on Saturday, but could not say quite when.' ' We must push on now, darling.

When we are about a mile from the town the leader will be put on. I told my man to meet us and to wait if we were not in time. You do look nice, Margaret — Why, that's a new dress and hat, I shall have all the fellows about dying to be introduced. I hope you did not see any men in the station ? ' There were two rude creatures who stared very hard, but they can't know me, so it doesn't matter,' said Margaret. They drove on very fast, then presently came a quiet part of the road. Jack looked back for a minute, then put his arm round Margaret's neck and lifted her face to his and kissed her lips — and she, poor girl, although she could not have said why, except that it was excitement, began to cry. Jack pulled up the horse, and after looking about for the second time kissed his pretty cousin again and again until the tears had ceased to run down her cheeks. ' What makes you sad, darling ?

You don't regret the step you have taken ? ' ' Oh, no, Jack dearest ! I think I am too happy ; and yet I feel afraid of you to-day, you kiss me so hard, and somehow you are different.' ' My darling girl, I love you more than ever,' and he kissed her again, whipped up the horse, and a minute later the man with the leader came in sight. It was soon hooked on, and away they went like the wind. After going at this smart pace for a long time, through ugly flat lanes and roads, they arrived at Witney, and leaving the dog-cart at the principal inn in this neat, but ugly, town, they walked to the church, an interesting and picturesque building ; but these two young people were thinking of other things, and had no eyes for buildings. There had evidently been a service that morning, for although no one was about, the gate into the graveyard stood open, as did the church door.

Jack had quite expected to have trouble with some old woman, a ' she sexton ' as he put it, but there was not a sign of a creature anywhere, so they walked in and shut the door after them. ' I say, Margaret, there has been a wedding already this morning, look ! — ' and he lifted a prayer-book which was lying open at the marriage service from the cushion at the altar rails. ' I think we had better begin,' said Jack, ' or some one may come and disturb us.' So, holding the said prayer-book between Margaret and himself, he commenced to read the necessary, or what he deemed necessary, part aloud. On arriving at the word ring, he pro duced a wide band of gold from his waistcoat pocket, and after showing her the inscription, 'J. and M., ist May,' which had been engraved inside it, he slipped it on her wedding finger, saying the solemn words, — 'With this ring I thee wed.

With my body I thee worship. With all my worldly goods I thee endow. Amen.' Before this Margaret had taken a plain gold ring from a small case and laid it on the book which Jack had replaced on the altar steps, then she lifted it up, showing him the inscription, ' M. and J., mar. 1st May 18 — .' She kissed it and placed it on the little finger of his left hand, for it was too small for the third. He finished reading the service, and very lovingly and gently embraced her, drew her hand through his arm in the usual way of bridegrooms, and they walked together into the vestry. There lay the register wide open, on a table under the window where the names of the couple who had been married that morning were written. Jack laughed as he saw this, and dipped the dirty-looking pen into some thick ink, and wrote his name at the top of the next page, then he handed the pen to Margaret for her to sign her name, which she did without a scruple as to its being right, and so she bound herself, as she believed, to Jack Blennahassett for life.