Emmeline Latimer: a novel

Chapter I

TnE time now dreAV near for the departure of the Latimers from Harefield, to take possession of their neAv home, and Emmeline did not look forward to it with the sorrow she formerly anti cipated. A gloom had fallen on their little circle since the departure of Arthur, — he had given so much life and interest to every plan, every pursuit, — that his absence caused a blank which could not be filled up. The Colonel was out of spirits; grieved for his grandson's suffering; lamenting himself the cir cumstances Avhich forbade an union at which he would have so cordially rejoiced had it been in VOL. II. B accordance with his strict sense of honour and right. Mrs. Latimer was not easy about her daughter, Avhose spirits were fitful and uncertain. Isabel Avas even more quiet than usual ; and though Gerald and Georgina were tolerably proof against the general depression, yet amidst their OAvn gay converse Gerald's eyes might often have been seen resting anxiously on the thoughtful countenance of the beautiful Isabel, as she sat at work, her fingers moving, but her thoughts evidently far othenvise occupied.

" Let us go over to Farmer Beatscn's to-day," cried Georgina, tAvo mornings before the day fixed for Mrs. Latimer's departure; "he Avas so very anxious Emmeline should see his poultry yard, for he Avants her to choose some turkeys and chickens, and I know not what, for her oavu especial pets at Holmfirth. It is only a walk this beautiful morning." " I will amend your proposition, Georgy," said her grandmother, "by suggesting that Dugald should drive some of you over in the pony chaise, and then tAvo of you can Avalk there and the others back, and you will not be knocked up as you Avere yesterday, after your stroll through the woods." This proposition was at once adopted, and Isabel and Emmeline were decided on as the first occupants of the car, as they would then have time to choose the farmyard favourites Avhich the farmer Avished to transfer to his young lady's care, ere the arrival of the others.

Mrs. Latimer had paid more than one visit to the Avorthy man, and had been sensibly touched by his zeal in her cause, and the warm attach ment he evinced both for her husband's memory and for herself and her children. He had spoken to her of the conversation re ported by Jenny, who was still servant at Elm- Avood ; but, with a shreAvdness and sense beyond his station, fully comprehended the uselessness of moving in the matter at all ; but he frankly told her that he had had much difficulty in per suading his Avife to similar prudence. " She is a good soul, hoAvever," he added, "and as she has promised me to be silent, I am quite certain she Avill do so, till I give her leave to speak; but it is hard to convince any one against their Avill, and she cannot understand Iioav a thing that seems so clear should not be sufficient in laAV."

" I would rather suffer myself, and even allow my children to suffer any injustice, than bring scandal on the name my husband bore, Avithout clear proof," said Mrs. Latimer; "and, indeed, my good Beatson, I have long dismissed the sub ject from my mind. It is certainly possible that some unexpected circumstance may confirm our suspicions and give us some further ground of action : but after so long a lapse of years I con sider it pretty certain either that AA'e are mis taken, and that Sir Philip, avIio had an undoubted right to dispose of his property as he pleased, thought that my brother-in-laAv had a prior claim to a child like Gerald, or else that proof to the contrary will never be obtained." " ' Murder will out,' madam, is an old pro verb," said Beatson, " and I Avon't give the matter up, even noAv."

And Mrs. Latimer, sadly smiling at the sturdy farmer's adherence to his OAvn opinion, turned away to admire his rosy children and well managed house. In spite of her own good sense and judgment, however, Evelyn felt that the tranquillity she had obtained during her absence from the places and persons who recalled to her the past, was disturbed by the neighbourhood of well-remembered scenes; and the doubts, and hopes, and fears, reneAved by Beatson's memories of the past and pertinacious confidence for the future, and she determined to avoid any further reference to the subject, Avhich irritated and opened the but imperfectly-healed Avound. She, therefore, declined accompanying the young party, in spite of Gerald's entreaties that she Avould pay her protege's a farewell visit, on the plea of a headache, and they set off in the order originally arranged.

Isabel and Emmeline were more silent than usual during the commencement of their drive; both seemed in a someAvhat sad and reflective B mood, and neither cared to disturb the other's reverie. Emmeline Avas the first to break the silence. "Do you believe in presentiments, Isabel?" she asked. " If you mean by presentiments, an apprehen sion of some positive evil about to happen, certainly not," replied Isabel; "but I do think there are times in our lives Avhen we feel, Avith out any apparent reason, that we are on the eve of some change, and that one period of our his tory is about to close. I believe it is in that case an insensible preparation of the mind for the fresh circumstances in which it is about to be placed." " That is just what I feel just noAv," replied Emmeline, " and you will say it is easily ac counted for by the fact that Ave are about to settle in a new home and country; but it is not only that.

Mamma's life and mine Avould be little different from Avhat it has been, except that Gerald will often be away from us, and yet I feel as if I was about to undergo a complete change, and to go through very different scenes from the happy, peaceful ones I have known. Isabel, shall I be equal to the trial ? If, indeed, my fancies are correct, I sometimes distrust my own strength to endure, and courage to act, as may be required of me." Isabel Avas struck by the tone of the young girl, who, though scarcely younger than herself, had yet appeared iu manner and feeling so much less formed and matured that she almost looked on her as a child. There was a depth, almost solemnity, in the look and voice which accompanied the words, which many would have thought mere romantic aud superstitious fancies, and Isabel felt more impressed than she liked to confess, by Emmeline's evident apprehensions.

"I trust you are wrong, dearest," she said, " and that there are no such trials for you as you apprehend; but even if your powers and strength should be thus tested, I do not fear for you. A loving heart and trusting faith will support under every trial, and give energy and courage to the most timid. But what is it that you fear?" '• I hardly knoAV," replied Emmeline, " except perhaps that I am a little anxious about Gerald in his neAv life. He is so impetuous, and his spirits so gay and buoyant, that he may get into trouble from pure thoughtlessness, and it would break mamma's heart if he were to do anything of which she disapproved. She Avas so fond of him, and so proud of him; her very life seems bound up in his well doing." A deep flush overspread Isabel's countenance, as she ansAvered : " I cannot believe that your brother could ever do anything Avhich Avould pain Mrs. Latimer, or discredit his father's name.

Surely you are unjust to him, Emmeline." "Not unjust, Isabel, do not say that; no one knoAvs Gerald's noble qualities so Avell as I do, unless, indeed, it is Georgy, who seems quite to understand and appreciate them," she said, smiling, and looking round in her companion's face, which Avas, hoAvever turned aAvay from her, in earnest contemplation of the village church, which they Avere just then passing. " And then," she added more gravely, "there is a mystery over our early days; the disposition of ElaiAvood, — so different, I knoAv, from Avhat grandpapa, as Ave used to call him, intended ; my uncle and aunt's evident estrangement from us, which Avill of course be more visible noAv that Ave have returned to England, — all seems to throw a cloud over us, and I am certain mamma feels it also.

Isabel, I should think no sacrifice too great to place Gerald in his proper place at Elm- Avood; my OAvn happiness should gladly be sacri ficed if I could but accomplish that cherished wish of poor Mamma's heart." " Hush, hush, dearest," returned Isabel, half frightened at her enthusiasm; "no wish of hers could be gratified, if you were to be in any Avay injured in accomplishing it. Nor do I see hoAv you can by any exertion or sacrifice alter a state of things Avhich has existed so long, and Avhich grandpapa and Mr. Talbot Avould, I knoAv, have resisted had it been possible. I understand your feelings, Emmy, and love you the better for them ; but depend upon it, a Avoman's safest, if most difficult duty, is to endure quietly and to wait. And now, dismiss your forebodings, and gladden Mrs Beatson's heart by sacking her poultry yard, for we are just at Maydbrook, I see."

Emmeline mused herself from the sadness she had so uuaccou__ii>u 4 felt all the morning, to meet Avith cheerfulness the greeting of the good farmer and his wife, and was soon engrossed in a discussion of the comparative merits of Dorking and Cochin-China fowls and Muscovy ducks, with difficulty preventing her humble friends from robbing themselves of their choicest speci mens in her favour. Gerald and Georgina noAv arrived, and while they were examining the gifts Avhich had been pressed on Emmeline's acceptance, Mr. Beatson told the latter that he should like to show her a pony that would suit her exactly, and Avhich he wished really to get rid of, if she liked it. She readily accompanied him to the field Avhere it Avas feeding, and, as they walked through the orchard Avhich divided it from the farm-yard, the farmer said : " Miss Emmeline, I kneAv your father when he Avas a boy, and I have had you and your bro ther in my arms many a time, and you will, therefore, excuse me if I take the liberty of giving you one piece of advice.

I hear Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Latimer are j ust about to return to ElmAvood ; persuade your mamma to meet any advances they may make to her, and if they in vite you to their house, be sure you do not refuse to go, Avhether Mrs. Latimer accompanies you or not." Emmeline looked surprised. " I am sure you mean kindly, and have reason for Avhat you say," she replied, "but tell rae, why should you Avish me to influence mamma, who must knoAv all the circumstances better than I do, which should guide our conduct toAvards my uncle Frederic." " I c.mnot tell you more, Miss Emmeline/' he said, " Avithout breaking my Avord ; but if you love your mother and brother, take my advice; and be certain of one thing. — I have no liking for Mr. Frederic or his wife, and I Avould never ask you to do anything contrary to your honored mother's judgment, Avithout very good reason for it.

But I see Mr. Gerald is coming to look at Selim, and a beautiful little creature he Avill think him, I am sure." Selim Avas, indeed, the very pearl of lady's horses, and the price named by Farmer Beatson Avas so low, that Gerald at once closed Avith the offer, as he kneAv his mother Avas anxious for Emmeline to continue the horse exercise she had lately begun; and the party soon after took leave, Georgina insisting on walking back Avith Emmeline, as she Avas an excellent pedestrian; and Isabel looked pale and languid from the heat or the slight headache she pleaded as an excuse for her look and evident langour. The tAvo girls Avalked gaily home, and Emme line Avas half staggered in her ideas of the attachment she had fancied to exist betAveen the bright little creature at her side, and her darling brother.

Georgina talked so easily and merrily of his suture career, and the freshman's ordeal he Avas about to pass through, of Avhich she had heard so much from her brother, that Emmeline began to think either that she was mistaken or that love Avas a very different thing ■ from what she fancied it. She did not even to her own heart Avhisper that she might soon have added, " what she herself felt" had Arthur Fitzmaurice been much longer at her side. But then Georgina was still almost a child, and so gay in her nature; everything she felt seemed tinged Avith sunshine; and so it might be in the present case, at least she hoped so for Gerald's sake, Avho so evidently had lost his heart to the little fairy.

Chapter II

The draAving-room at Harefield opened on to the lawn Avith French windoAvs; and the girls fre quently entered the house by that Avay instead of going round to the hall-door, and Emmeline and Georgina had, according to custom, crossed the terrace and passed through the glass door, before they Avere aware that a stranger was with Mrs. Fitzmaurice and Mrs. Latimer. He Avas a young man of some five and tAventy years, decidedly handsome, but, as Emmeline soon said to herself, Avanting in the noble, open expression, remarkable both in Gerald and in Arthur Fitzmaurice. The features were fine ; the large eyes dark and Avell shaped, but a slight contraction of the broAv and somewhat heavy eyebroAVs gave a sinister expression to the upper part of the face; and though the mouth frequently relaxed into bland and cheerful smiles, it was firmly compressed Avhen in repose, Avith an unmistakeable indica tion of an unconquerable Avill.

These observations Avere, however, not made by Emmeline at her first surprised glance at the stranger, for, before she had time to do more than check the quick step Avith Avhich she was hurrying to her mother, she Avas struck dumb by the introduction of their guest as "Your cousin, Mr. Philip Latimer, my dear Emmeline; Mr. Latimer, this is my daughter." The young man rose Avith graceful empresse ment to meet his fair cousin, and Emmeline could not refuse his proffered hand, though her OAvn acknowledgment of the introduction Avould certainly have been less cousinly, in spite of Beatson's late admonitions. " I am indeed indebted to my good father's invalid habits and fears for once," he said, after shaking hands with Georgina. "He was so afraid that the housekeeper should not carry out all my mother's directions about airing rooms, &c, that he dispatched me as an avant courier to ensure their fulfilment.

And this, I under stand, Miss Latimer, has ensured my meeting relatives whom I have ahvays been so anxious to knoAv, some time earlier than I might have other wise had the good fortune to do." Emmeline boAved, and Mrs. Latimer, seeing her embarrassment, asked Avhere the rest of the party had lingered. " Oh, they of course are longer," said Georgina her merry eyes dancing with their OAvn bright fancies, " as they are in the car, it is very natu ral they should be the last. Dugald drives sloAvly, and Gerald will not be so cruel as to hasten poor Jessie's usual pace." Again Emmeline felt puzzled at Georgy's arch glance and meaning tone, but her attention was too much engrossed by their guest to bestoAv on it more than a passing thought. " I am quite impatient to claim Gerald's acquaintance," said Philip, " I Avonder Avhether he remembers our boyish disputes as well as I do.

I am afraid I was rather a tyrant; presuming on my eldership most uiiAvarrantably. I think I should have knoAvn my cousin Emmeline," he added, turning to Mrs. Latimer. " I have a vivid remembrance of her as a child, strengthened certainly by a portrait of her in my mother's dressing-room, and she is rather ma tured than altered, — happily for the Avorld," he added, in a voice only meant for Emmeline's ears. The complimentary look and tone Avas, Iioav ever, lost upon her, for at the moment Gerald and Isabel entered the room ; and she was struck by the flush on the latter's usually pale cheek, and the brightness in her deep large eyes, which had been heavy and languid Avhen they parted an hour or two before. Gerald met his cousin's cordial greeting with a coolness, which quickly thaAved under the in fluence of his frank and fascinating manner, and the Avarm offers of introduction at Oxford, Avhich he had only left himself a term before; and regrets that he should not have his society in the shooting season now just begining.

Philip Latimer Avas unquestionably gifted Avith the art of pleasing, and adapting himself to those with Avhom he Avas conversing. His gentle, respectful tone to Mrs. Latimer, deepened into absolute deference when he ad dressed his venerable host and hostess; while the cordial frankness Avith Avhich he adopted Gerald as a friend and cousin, was softened by a high-bred courtesy towards Emmeline and her fair companions, though he evidently claimed the privilege of relationship in his manner to wards the former. Colonel Fitzmaurice felt that he could not avoid pressing him to stay and dine with them, rather than return to his bachelor's home; and he laughingly declared he had either so much or so little vanity to dispense for once (Avith the ladies' permission) Avith an evening toilette, and preferred appearing to disadvantage in their eyes, to losing an evening in their society. so Emmeline had the vexation of spend ing the dinner-hour, Avhich Arthur's converse had often made so pleasant at Harefield, in the neighbourhood of her newly-found cousin, and replying to the observations he addressed to her, whenever he could Avith propriety turn from the older members of the party.

Emmeline believed howeA'er, that she was wrong and unjust in the feeling of suspicion and distrust Avith Avhich she regarded her handsome, agreeable cousin ; and in the minutes devoted to her dinner toilette, took herself to task, for at tributing to him as a fault, the fact of his inno cently standing in the place which ought to have been Gerald's. She therefore so far conquered her repugnance as to reply with her usual graceful gentleness to his remarks, though she certainly did not prolong any conversation he commenced, and joyfully obeyed Mrs. Fitzmaurice's signal to leave the dining room ; and taking Isabel's arm, proposed a stroll in the grounds. " But you must be tired, Emmy love," she ob served, " you seemed grave and languid at dinner, looked as pale as you charged me Avith being this morning."

" I am not tired indeed," said Emmeline, " and I am too restless I believe to sit in the draAving room, and work at crochet, or propriety and politeness ; do come, dear, and defer the ne cessity of either effort for a little time, at any rate." Isabel saw that her friend Avas in truth weary in mind rather than body, and silently complied Avith her request. They wandered on till they came to a favourite spot of Emmeline's, a shaded terrace Avalk, at the bottom of the extensive grounds; overlooking a beautiful vieAv of hill, dale, and Avater, where many a time since her stay at Harefield, she had Avatched the glowing summer sunsets from the rustic arbour erected at the girls' especial desire. Here the tAvo companions seated themselves, and Emmeline's spirits rose with the peaceful re pose and beauty of the scene.

The loveliness, the soothing calm of a summer sunset in the country has so often been descanted on, that avc almost fear to d.Avell on its effect, in the present instance on our young heroine. And yet, Avhy should its repetition on paper be -more trite and commonplace than on canvass: and avIio wearies of the " sunsets" and " evenings" of our annual Exhibitions. In truth nature — Avhether in the physical or moral and mental Avorld, is never wearisome, never trite and tho' the general feeling produced by similar causes, may be almost universal in sameness, yet each individual mind, especially if finely constructed, is Avidely different. And as our two fair wanderers gazed on that still peaceful scene in silent admiration, the thoughts of both were yet very different. Isabel admired, as she had done a thousand times before, the rich glow on the distant hills, the glory of the heavens, the still beauty of Avoods and Avater, in Avhich her deep thoughtful nature Avas particularly alive.

But to Emmeline, the same spoke yet deeper holier lessons. It told of peace, of the repose which aAvaits the evening of a life of duty and self sacrifice; it spoke of the love VOL. II. C Avisdom of the Bein"; who lavished such beauty on this Avorld; such keen poAvers of enjoy ment and admiration on its tenants; and AA'ho still ruled the stormy passions and the strong will of man, as He gave that still sweet repose to nature, after the " heat and burden of the day." And the cares, and hopes, and fears of life, seemed to lose half their terrors, or their engrossing poAver, in the contemplation of those unmistakeable types of the peace, the repose which is in store for those avIio had discovered the true object of their being; not to enjoy, to be happy, as an end, but the high and lofty purpose of living for the improvement of every faculty, every gift hestoAved on them, and especially for that noblest most blessed poAver, of making the happiness of others.

And a calm and devotion seemed to come over the vexed and depressed spirits of Emme line Latimer as she sat; Avhich the same hour and scene had never brought before; but the morning's sadness, and the evening's annoyance, had prepared her heart for the thoughts and lessons suggested by that SAveet yet glorious sunset; and it might be, that the strength she had so felt to need, Avas thus given to her faith and patience. The woman's only true and feminine heroism of endurance and self sacrifice. " What an exquisite evening," she exclaimed at last, " confess, Isabel, I was right not to let it be Avasted on a close draAving room, and Mr. Philip Latimer." " What an uncharitable speech," laughed Isabel, " I thought you someAvhat, ungracious to your handsome cousin at dinner, Emmy ; Avhy have you taken such a sudden dislike to a relative, avIio seems so very anxious to gain the good will of all of you."

Emmeline looked half ashamed, half amused, as she replied j ''• You have unluckily never lived either in Italy or Scotland, Isabel; and therefore Avill hardly understand Avhat I mean by the evil eye, or nial occhio,i\s the Italians call what my good old Janette first taught me to believe in." C " Which said evil eye," replied Isabel, " simply amounts, dear Emmy, to the instinctive distrust which some persons inspire us Avith; is it not so?" "I hardly knoAV," replied Emmeline. "I was brought up in the land of romance, you must remember, and have heard too many tales of these strange influences and of mysterious feel ings of dread, too avcII justified by after results, not to have more secret belief in them than my judgment would tell me Avas reasonable. And I honestly confess, Isabel, that my handsome cousin as you call him, has cast over me one of these strange spells.

I distrust and fear him, and I knoAv not Avhy ; and then it is so singular that Ave should find him here after our coin'ersation, and my apparently causeless apprehensions this morning." " Say rather, dear girl, that your nervous de pression has made you someAvhat fanciful and unjust to poor Philip Latimer, albeit he is no great favourite of mine. Still he has ahvays borne a good character in the neighbourhood, never got into half the scrapes that his brother did, either as a boy or at Oxford. It is very natural, too, that you should feel some little prejudice against one, standing, as he does, in Sir Gerald's place; but do not let that make you give Avay to such tormenting fancies, dearest." Emmeline Avas silenced, and her better judg ment convinced by Isabel's arguments, but she could not shake off the strong impression which had thus laid hold of her, and involuntarily dreAV closer to her companion, as approaching footsteps told them that some others of the party Avere in search of the tenants.

It Avas Gerald and Philip avIio approached, Avith playful complaints of the absconding of the fair friends from their circle. " Miss Georgina Fitzmaurice told us Avhere to find you," said Philip Latimer, " but Avas too tired to accompany us in our search; and Ave come armed with authority from your lawful guardians, young ladies, to take you back out of danger of evening chills and romantic reveries." He offered his arm to Emmeline as he spoke; she fancied there Avas meaning in his pene trating though momentary glance as he did so. " The dangers of Avhich you speak are about equal to-night," she said, coldly, " a Avarm summer's evening is as unlikely to give cold as the contemplation of such a scene as this to give aught but pure and happy thoughts. I pity any Avho may be too sick in body or mind to be afraid of either danger."

" Nay, fair cousin, you take my idle Avords too seriously," said Philip. " I hope to prove to you in a spot more beautiful even than this — at any rate dearer to me, and I Avould hope, to you also — that I am not insensible to beauty of nature, or of any other description," he added in a Ioav tone, as if speaking to himself rather than his companion. " I have already told Mrs. Latimer of my mother's anxious Avish to have you at ElniAvood, and though she very naturally shrinks from going herself at present, to a place so connected Avith sad memories, I must hope that you, Avho have not the same feelings connected with it, will not refuse to gratify us." Beatson's Avords, " do not refuse to go to Elm wood," rose to Emmeline's mind, and arrested the half-formed negative on her lips, and she replied, "I remember ElinAvood av i th singular vividness, considering Iioav mere a child I Avas Avhen I left it; and I should like certainly to test the truth of my recollections; but it would be impossible for me to leave mamma while Gerald is aAvay; she Avill miss him very much, even Avhile I am Avith her, and she must not be left alone."

" It Avill be quite a neAv life for your brother at Oxford," remarked Philip, " I only Avish I had been there to initiate him a little, but I knoAV Vernon and Manning, my old chums there and at Eton, Avill do everything they can to make it agreeable to him, and save him from a freshman's scrapes." " You are very kind," said Emmeline disen gaging her arm, as they ascended the steps lead ing to the draAving room, " but Mr. Arthur Fitzmaurice will be in the same college with my brother; so that I hope it will be unnecessary to trouble your friends." A dark look passed over the young man's face, but ere Emmeline could notice it, he had re covered himself, and replied av i tli a slightly pained assent — " I ought perhaps to apo'ogisefor my officious ness, but I at least cannot forget our near relationship, nor the claims my uncle's son has on my father's. And I knoAV rather more of Oxford ancl its habits than you or Gerald can possibly do, and can assure yon, that it is bad for a man on first going up, to have just one friend, on whom he becomes a sort of hanger on, adopted by his set; not because he is Gerald Latimer, but because he is ' Fitzmaurice's friend ;' to whom it is only right to be civil, and his habits, and tone of thought, and even study r.re thus at once fixed and limited.

No ! give a man plenty of introductions, just to save him from blunders, and the seeling of isolation on first going up; and he has then the chance of taking his own stand, and making his oavu set, free from the bonds of dependance and satellitism?' Emmeline felt ashamed of her OAvn ungracious coldness, and replied more cordially, "I am quite sure you mean kindly, and understand these things far better than Ave possibly can do; but Avhat I meant Avas that Gerald will, I hope, read hard while at college, as Mr. Arthur Fitz maurice, I knoAv feels obliged to do ; and I there fore thought the same habits, and class of friends Avould be fitted for both." A smile, half . arch, half sad, illumined Philip Latimer's handsoms features. "I thank you for the implied compliment, fair cousin. Hoav shall I satisfy you, without ruin ing my character for modesty in your eyes, for ever, that I really did pursue the laudable career in Avhich you intend the lucky Fitzmaurice to be my cousin's guide; and had the undeserved good fortune to take a first class, on leaving my indulgent alma mater last year, a distinction not usually accorded to a simple examination in boat ing and tandem driving."