The Pink Tulip. A novel of to-day

Front matter

THE PINK TULIP. THE PINK TULIP. A NOVEL OF TO-DAY. i;v CAROLINE STANLEY. THE ROXBURGHE PRESS, FIFTEEN, VICTORIA STREET, WESTMINSTER. THIS WORK, AND ALL THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE ROXIIUROHE PRESS, ARE SUPPLIED TO THE TRADE HY MESSRS. S1MPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT _t COMPANY, LIMITED, AND CAN B_t OH TAINED THROUGH ANY BOOKSELLER. CONTENTS. Chapter. page I. Lady Kynaston's Decision - - - 7 II. Colonel Grey Holds Forth .... 12 III. Madame Meinhardt gives a Concert for her Pupils 19 IV. Vivian visits Miss Farquharson - - 26 V. Clara at School 40 VI. The Expedition to Richmond - - - 46 VII. Sir Charles visits the Greys - - - 59 VIII. Proposal — Acceptance — Marriage - 72 IX. Separation ! 85 X. Vivian goes to the Abbey .... 104 XI. Clara spends her Holidays at Rome - 116 XII. Clara's Admirers 133 XIII.

Vivian Breaks Down 148 XIV. St. Maur visits the Abbey - - - - 159 XV. The Kynastons come for Christmas - VI CONTENTS— Continued. Chapter. Page. XVI. A Portrait of a Spanish Girl - - - 189 XVII. Lady Scathless's Dinner .... 201 XVIII. Cyril in Great Danger 216 XIX. Tragedy 223 XX. Grave Doubts 230 XXI. Colonel Grey Consults the Kynastons 245 XXII. News from Eastlake 252 XXIII. Sir Charles' Early Life and Adventures 256 XXIV. All is not Gold that Glitters ... 279 XXV. A Parent's Death-bed 285 XXVI. \Yho?e Sin? 299 XXYII. The Death-bed Marriage .... 309 XXVIII. Virtue's Reward

Chapter I. Lady Kynaston's Decision

"Oh! mother," exclaimed Vivian one morning, "how I should love to go to Germany to school for a year or two ; it would do me no end of good. I have learned pretty well all that Miss Prudence can teach me ; she is a nice, good creature, but I want to study with someone who has a larger and more expansive mind, one who does not mould every pupil in the same groove." The speaker was Vivian Grey, a remarkably clever, deep-thinking girl of sixteen ; endowed with talents of masculine power, and altogether free from that littleness of mind so common among girls of the present age. She was an animated and tender little thing, with light wavy hair and large brown eyes, and a complexion exquisitely fair. Full of life always, she was never frivolous, never indeed having associated with other girls. The deep glances she sometimes gave revealed the student within her, (this a paternal heritage), as well as a serious soul, S Lady Kynaston's Decision. which as we shall see was by no means her father's gift.

" My child," said Mrs. Grey, "you know we are very poor with your father's debts always hampering us. How can we afford it when there is so little to keep you all with ?" Vivian reflected awhile ; then answered, " But mother, if I could go without being any burden or ex pense to you surely you would not refuse me. It is such an advantage to a girl to finish abroad." Mrs. Grey hesitated; and then promised to think the matter over. This lady had married for love, a very handsome, dashing Irishman, talented, but in ordinately vain, selfish and ambitious. Her idol, nevertheless, it was years before she would confess, even to herself, that he came a trifle short of perfection. Vivian, inheriting her father's intellect with the soft, loving nature of her mother, was the darling of both her parents.

Mrs. Grey had but two daughters. The second one, Clara, presented a great contrast to her sister. Considered ugly, she was awkard and shy, and her father disliked her, as he did everything ill-favoured. Clara was always hidden away, and Vivian, from a baby, had been taken about as a little wonder. And Lady Kynaston's Decision. 9 such indeed she was; so beautiful, gifted and vivacious, without the smallest knowledge of her own attractions. When a mere child of seven she had constantly played the violin at large "At Homes," to the delight of applauding audiences : she looked like a little fairy, standing on a large book in order to be better seen by her crowd of admirers ; her long golden hair nearly concealing her white frock and pink sash. The mother might well be proud. Little Vivian took pleasure in giving these per formances while childhood lasted, but as she grew older, and saw how the turning of night into day interfered with her studies, she used to beg to be allowed to stay at home.

But no, Aunt Kynaston's parties would not be so attractive without the music of this little "child artist" as she was called; and go she must, whether it were good for her or not. Her playing, for a child, was certainly phenomenal and everyone prophesied great things for her if she would take up music as a profession. Lady Kynaston lived in one of the largest houses of Belgrave Square, and entertained on a magnificent scale. Her one ambition was to see at her dinner table as many titles, and as few specimens of plain Mr. and Mrs., as possible. She was the most wordly Lady Kynaston's Decision. 10 of women. Her husband had been created baronet in a very accidental way, owing to some trifling service rendered to one of the Royal family ; but from the moment that she became " My Lady" she regarded everyone without a title as despicable and plebeian ; unless they were rolling, not to say flounder ing in wealth.

"Sister" said Mrs. Grey one day to her ladyship, "I wish to consult you about dear Vivian. She is, you know, devoted to study and she is most anxious to go to Germany, to study music and learn the language thoroughly. I do not think it would be unwise, for who knows with her father's extravagant ways, what may be in store for her. She may have to turn her talents to account." " Nina," answered her proud sister, " how can you speak of such a thing ? Send that pretty, charming little creature abroad to ruin her health and looks ! No! I would never consent to it." " I was afraid you would not approve," feebly murmured the mother, glad in her heart of an excuse for refusing to send her child so far away. After a few moments reflection Lady Kynaston suddenly exclaimed, "An idea has struck me ; why not send Clara, ' the ugly duckling ' as her father has always called her, there would be much more sense Lady Kynaston's Decision. 11 in that ; for you say she is idle and will not learn at home."

" I never thought of Clara," replied Mrs. Grey, " for as you know, she has hardly ever been outside the garden, I mean she has seen nothing of the world." "Well, my dear, the sooner she begins to see a bit of it and learn something, the better; she is so plain that she will never marry well; so it would only be discreet to give her a good education, under existing circumstances. Vivian ought to make a grand match but the other has'nt a chance. No, Vivian must remain at my side and be educated by society, as she has from her cradle. She will soon be old enough to be presented, and after that she must take the first good offer she gets and then provide for the unfortunate Clara, if necessary. Meanwhile, leave everything to me; you in your position can do nothing. But the horses will be catching cold, and Sir Drummond will be furious, so I must hurry off.

Remember! not another word will I hear of this project of sending Vivian abroad." Thus concluding, her ladyship sailed majestically out of the room, leaving her mute little sister to ponder over their recent discussion.

Chapter II. Colonel Grey Holds Forth

"Vivian darling, Aunt Kynaston will not hear of your going to school. She is to have a very gay season this year and will require you to help her and your cousin ; and of course, dear, it is very kind of your aunt to have you there ; and we must not offend her." "Oh mother! mother! I had set my heart on going. Everything is arranged; and I could perfect myself in so many branches of my education. Father has often told us we shall some day have to fall back on our talents if we don't marry. Can you not let me go ; and then make it all right after I have started?" " My child, you know that I dare not oppose your aunt ; so there is nothing to do but to submit with a good grace." " Yes, I thought you wouldn't be allowed to go" cried Clara, "what willFraulein Schneider say, now all the arrangements are made?

" "Well your aunt suggests" replied Mrs. Grey, "that you should be sent in Vivian's place. I do not myself think that this plan would answer, but I will mention it to your father when he returns from Mrs. Topland's 'At Home.'" "Oh! how jolly! Shouldn't I like to go just," shouted Clara, this wild untamed school girl. The idea once in her head grew there ; transportation to Germany, each time she thought of it that day, seemed more and more delightful. "I don't suppose I should learn much if I went," she reflected, " but what awful fun it would be. Be sides no one wants me here. I never go anywhere, or see anything; and travelling about in a foreign country, would be charming. Why I have scarcely ever been in Regent Street, and Bond Street or the Row, I have never set eyes on. I shan't much regret leaving home for they will none of them miss me except Viv., and father will be glad to get rid of me."

Colonel Grey with his fine, handsome exterior was an admired figure in society, but his own household had to put up with his selfishness, extravagance, and sometimes even brutality. He would repeatedly tell his wife that he had made a great mistake in marrying for love; that she was a drag upon him, and deprived him of every earthly enjoyment. "Nina," he said one evening "I have been thinking over your idea of sending Clara abroad, it seems to me the only sensible one you ever had in your life, I hate anything ugly about me, and that girl has always been a thorn in my side." "Oh my dear, don't speak so of your child! If she is not as lovely as Vivian, Heaven, which gave her a plain face, must have made her beautiful in some other way. Poor darling, how sorry I shall be to send her away." " How can you maunder on in that ridiculous style?

Instead of thinking how you can push me forward in the world you are always talking senti mental nonsense. If I had only married a clever woman, with my talents and personal advantages, I should have been a great man by now. I was not born to sit opposite a whining, milk-and-water sort of person whose only virtue seems to be in perpetually playing the martyr, or darning the children's stockings ! A nice sort of companion you are, for a highly educated, literary man, who might have made the House of Commons ring with his eloquence and learning. Such however is Fate — confound it ! " Mrs Grey was a pretty little woman with plenty of common sense, but she was no book-worm and had neither time nor taste for literary pursuits. She was only a sweet, gentle, loving wife with the most forbearing temper, and fortitude enough to bear the heaviest of her trials without a murmur.

Even her hard selfish husband sometimes, forgetting himself, could not help admiring her. She was one of those beautiful natures, whom everyone is willing and anxious to help and sympathise with, and this annoyed the Colonel extremely, for the sympathy she received seemed like a reflection on himself. Why did she dare to look sad or ill? Her husband frequently protested against it in a torrent of abuse. Her life was indeed wretched enough. No ray of sunshine ever penetrated it; she went on hoping that the cloud above her head had a silver lining, but a glimpse of it never came. No, it is not for women like her to look for recompense here ; though theirs will be the supremest happiness hereafter, and it is because heaven whispers to them to look on and upwards, that they can drag out this wretched life, and even smile with a load of sorrow at their hearts.

Happy are those in such a case, for no affliction can entirely crush them. We must now return to Vivian and Clara sitting in a scantily furnished boudoir at the top of the house, where no sound of violin scales could travel down to exasperate the sensitive ear of Colonel Grey. "Oh! Vivian! aren't you disappointed you can't go? I am sorry for you dear, but awfully glad for myself. Oh! how jolly it will be to get away from this place and to travel; and, between ourselves, I mean really to try and work. I know I've behaved awfully badly to Miss What's-her-name, our governess, so much the worse for me, because I feel such a big dunce, and goodness knows how I am going to teach a lot of foreign creatures." (For it had been arranged that Clara, to diminish the expense, should give English lessons in one of the junior classes.)

" Oh ! Clara dear, don't talk like that ; you know they scold you for not being lady-like and still you must use that boarding-school slang." " Well, Viv., I will turn over a new leaf; only let me have a mad fit every now and then, otherwise I should go off like a rocket. But you are a darling so I don't mind what you say, unless it is that awful threat 'I'll tell papa! ' That makes me furious." So spake Clara, who was the essence of good nature but possessed the wildest of spirits. "Now Vivian," she continued, "while I am away you will be meeting a Lord, or someone of that sort, and when I come back you'll be driving about in your carriage. Then I am going to live with you and enjoy myself. You know how father hates me ; and I hope I shall never come back again. Shall you miss me a little, Viv.?

Mother will, when she has time to think about it, I know, but she is so taken up with Father she hasn't much time to spare for us." " I shall miss you enormously, darling ; though you are such a naughty girl at times, interrupting my practise with the horrid noise you make. But school will do you a lot of good." "Only fancy this great change was all planned and settled, as far as we could without his sanction, before the pater knew anything about it. Little did we think when we answered Fraulein's, advertisement for a ' governess pupil,' that anything would come of it. But it did ; and now it seems very funny. I am dancing off to the centre of Rhineland to put on a solemn face when I get there, and teach a parcel of girls three hours a day." "It is funny certainly. What a tom-boyyou are! But when you have turned over your new leaf no one will know the wild Irish girl.

But I must leave this cosy fire and go and practise my ' trio ' for Madame Meinhardt's concert. I have only ten more days, and it is so difficult." Colonel Grey Holds Forth. "And I must be turning my wardrobe inside out," said Clara, " in order to let mother know what I shall want for my travels. I wonder whether she will cry when she leaves me at the station. I hope not, for I shan't want a pocket-handkerchief myself. I wonder she's not frightened to send me all that way alone! My French won't help me a little bit, for my accent is so abominable: however, I must shift the best way I can ; though I must say this German place is a beastly long way off." The days seemed to fly, when once the date for Clara's departure was fixed upon; and now she began to prize the home she was leaving dearly enough. Everyone in the house was fond of Clara except her father ; for she was the life of the place.

Chapter III. Madame Meinhardt Gives

A CONCERT FOR HER PUPILS. The day for the concert at which Vivian was to perform drew near; and Clara was even more excited about it, than the performer herself. She was so proud of her sister's talent, and so jealous lest anyone should outshine her. At last the auspicious day arrived and Clara, Miss Prudence declared, was more inattentive than ever at her lessons. She could speak of nothing but Viv.'s music, Viv.'s dress, and Viv.'s triumph. "Dear child, do moderate your excitement or you will be worn out before night; and try also to assume a little more of that repose which marks a well-bred lady." "Ohl Miss Prudence, don't please talk of repose or any such bosh to-day, or I shall go quite mad ; you don't know what it is to be excited; it is not a feeling one can control." "Well, dear, we will leave this treatise on natural history till another time : for you seem to be quite B incapable of concentrating your attention on your work to-day.

I trust you will both enjoy your evening and that you Clara, will remember to enter the room sedately and in an elegant manner." With this parting injunction Miss Prudence took leave of her pupils for the day. This erudite lady was the perfection of a governess; she was tall, thin, and very pale, with dark hair, and a passion for precise behaviour, and painfully faultless grammer. Had she not been so prim, you would have called her an elegant woman. She was only thirty-two, but of course her pupils considered her quite an antiquity. The evening arrived. The two sisters, arrayed in the new white muslins which proceeded from the bounty of Lady Kynaston, were, after their toilettes had been maternally inspected by Mrs. Grey, taken to Madame Meinhardt's residence in Manchester Square. Here they found themselves in a brilliantly lighted drawing-room, where were assembled over a hundred people.

There was a small raised platform, on which a magnificent Erard, a harp, and several music stands, had been arranged for the performers, and as soon as they were all comfortably seated, Herr Meinhardt led forward a pretty, timid girl, who was to open the concert with a piano solo, which she got through fairly well. Various other pieces followed till at last Madame Meinhardt smilingly approached the party, with which we are concerned, and taking her favourite pupil, Vivian, by the hand led her to the dais. Clara felt almost dizzy with excitement, and only recovered in time to hear, what seemed to her, thunders of applause. Vivian did, indeed, receive an ovation, and every one remarked that if she went in for the profession she would take high rank. Clara felt so happy that she almost cried for joy; and the poor little sad-faced mother for once looked really radiant.

A few more pieces brought the concert to a close, and after light refreshments, the Grey party drove home in that depressing vehicle, the cab. Ere long the girls were once more in their little bed-room at home, merrily discussing the concert. " Oh dear ! how I wish they would let me be an artist," said Vivian, " I feel I should succeed, for I simply worship music; and as we are so dreadfully poor why should I not try to do something? Oh ! Pride, pride ! how much better that would be, than marrying me to someone for his money as I am sure they will do; this is what worries me, Clara dear, day and night. If they would only consent to my working, instead of wishing to sell me to the highest bidder, I would be so happy." "Sell you Vivian, the pet, the idol? What do you mean dear?" inquired the younger sister, who did not understand the meaning of a matrimonial auction.

" It is as well you don't know, for you are too young, and I, though I am hardly sixteen, yet feel thirty ; for I have never been a child." Time flew. The day for Clara's departure arrived, her mother and Vivian were to see her off. "I wonder if father will say good-bye," thought Clara, " he has not kissed me for years and he could not simply shake hands as I am going away for so long." Her conjectures where interrupted by a harsh voice calling, " Clara, Clara, fetch my card-case down at once, and be quick; I am in a hurry." The child ran to give her father what he had demanded. Just afterwards she heard the front door bang and he was gone. " There will be no more surmises on that point at any rate," she reflected, " the Pater does not mean to be sentimental! After all, he is right. What is the use?

But dear mother will be sorry to part with her ugly awkward girl, I know it, for I saw tears in her eyes this morning when she was sewing the notes in the corner of my pocket, so that I should not be robbed on the journey." Quickly the hours hurried by, and downstairs at last came the boxes with their neat covers, things only used by the uninitiated travelling abroad; their many strings and buttons causing exasperating trouble at the custom house. The trio soon arrived at the station, the sweet mother had tried to talk all the way, in a cheerful tone, to keep up Clara's spirits. The }'outhful traveller was put under the charge of some English people who were going as far as Paris. There was barely time for a hurried embrace before the whistle sounded and the train moved off. Clara settled herself in a corner of the carriage and spoke but little to her new friends until arriving at Newhaven, from whence they were to proceed by boat to Dieppe.

What a lonely little girl she felt, as she sat gazing at the star-lit sky; for it was midnight when they crossed. Clara felt very sad at the prospect of the unknown which lay before her, and wondered when she might see England again, she had however set out on life's journey, and had determined not to look back. At 8 o'clock next morning they arrived in Paris, and after parting with her friends there, Clara continued on her way alone. She was to travel all day, and would reach her destination late the same night. Clara's uncle had taken a great deal of trouble in writing out every direction he thought she could possibly want from the time she started, till her arrival at N , and Sir Drummond was so experienced a traveller that every little direction proved to be exact. The shadows of evening were falling as Clara's train drew up at the little station where she was to take the diligence, which was to drop her at Fraulein Schneider's door.

After an hour's drive the vehicle stopped at a long, pretty house with rows of those green shutters which are so familiar on the continent. Clara was conducted to the drawing room where she was received by a bright little woman, who, after a few inquiries about the journey, sent for a young English mistress to talk to her. The poor girl felt very strange and dull at first, but presently her good spirits returned. It was not long before she began to discover the deceits that were practised in this establishment. First of all, their English mistress was put into Clara's room to spy upon her and report to the head mistress. Never having been at school before and knowing nothing of these scholastic practices, Clara, with her candid and straightforward disposition, said many things to her English friend, which did not tend to improve her position with the old lady when privately reported.

Fraulein Schneider, was a small, spare woman, with minute features, pale yellow eyes, and thin drab-coloured hair. In her time she had had various suitors. She had been engaged many years to a gentleman in the medical profession, but, unfortunately, he departed this life before the marriage took place, leaving his fiancee, by will, a prescription for pills, an act of generosity much regretted by the pupils, who, subsequently had to swallow them. This lady now placed Clara at the head of the first class, not from any merit, but so that the little old creature might keep an eye on her. Thus well looked after, we must now leave the girl, return to London, and see what the fair Vivian is doing.

Chapter IV. Vivian Visits Miss Farquharson

Wretched indeed did Vivian feel when she and Mrs. Grey returned home after seeing Clara off — the wild, wilful child, who used to make this other wise dreary home, ring with merry laughter, cheered her mother and brought a smile to her sad face, when the poor heart within her was almost breaking. Vivian still continued to work hard at her fiddle, hoping against hope, that she would be allowed to enter the profession. But this was not to be ; proud as Colonel Grey was of his golden-haired darling, he preferred to raise money upon her in the matrimonial market ; in fact he was so head over ears in debt, that a crisis was looming. After Clara's departure Vivian missed her so much that she became quite depressed and ill, and it was thought expedient to send her to an uncle, who was a canon in a quiet cathedral city.

She enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of this house where everyone petted the clever, beautiful girl. She, however, was not suffered long to remain in this retreat. One dull, wet afternoon, as the colonel and his wife were just about to commence their compulsorily frugal tea, a visitor was announced. It proved to be Miss Farquharson, the daughter of a colonial bishop, who had died some years before, leaving her in straightened circumstances, which compelled her to open a small school for girls, somewhere in the suburbs. This undertaking, however, failed, and in despair she turned to one of the few friends of her poverty, and kind little Mrs. Grey had taken her in. But after a few months she was enabled, under the will of a distant relative, to assume her natural position in society. Colonel Grey, who had hitherto never been very demonstrative in his attentions to Miss Farquharson, warmed in his manner towards her as soon as he became assured of her brilliant prospects ; the house in Park Lane, and the moor in Scotland, being by no means among the least of the attractions which caused a flood of interest to surround her, and to make her almost lovely in the Colonel's eyes.

This old lady, unlike the rest of the world, wished to make some return for Mrs. Grey's kindness, so had come to ask Vivian to stay with her at her new home. " Welcome as the flowers in May," said Colonel Grey, with his most fascinating smile as the visitor entered, "what a stranger you are !" "Well you see there has been so much to arrange. The lawyers have kept me hard at work, but now I am thankful to say it is nearly over, and I am fairly settled. I have come to ask if you will allow dear Vivian to spend a few days with me. I want to introduce her to a friend of mine, Sir Charles Eastlake ; he and I have talked so much about her, that he is on the tip-toe of expectation and most anxious to make her acquaintance." Mrs. Grey looked at the Colonel to sec what answer she was to give. " It is very kind of Miss Farquharson ; what do you think about it dear ?"

" In what better hands could Vivian be, Nina, than our kind friend's here. She has my free consent." Thus the matter was settled, and Vivian was recalled from the quaint old Rectory to prepare for the visit. She had been very happy at her uncle's ; he was a widower with one grown-up daughter ; a good, though severe, Christian, he talked a great deal to Vivian about the life which was led at Aunt Kynaston's ; she thought much over the kind, edifying advice he gave her and felt that there was truth in his words. She was of an impressionable age, and when she returned home, her father perceived a change in his little daughter. If this hard man had a warm spot in his heart it was for his first-born child. They had much in common, and her love for literature was a special link between them. Great preparations were being made for the visit to Park Lane, the Colonel even contributing some pretty boots and shoes, from the Burlington Arcade : Mrs. Grey was told to get what was requisite, at some drapers, where long credit was given.

Poor confiding shop-keepers ! It would indeed be long, as Colonel Grey never paid a farthing if he could possibly help it. The frocks came home and all was in readiness. Miss Farquharson had promised to send the brougham, at four o'clock to fetch Vivian. Punctually it came, and little Vivian went off in good spirits, for she was very fond of Miss Farquharson, and delighted at the projected visit. On her arrival at Park Lane, Miss Farquharson who was waiting in the drawing-room, came out to meet her young friend. Vivian -visits Miss l'arquharson. 30 " I am so glad to sec you, dear, and welcome you to my own house, for I shall never forget how kind you all were to me in the old days. But come and have some tea ; the cakes will be cooling while I am indulging in sentiment. And how did you enjoy your visit to Canon Somerston ? he is such a sweet, saintly man."