A glimpse of the world

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Chapter II

* Tl AITH has brought the tonic, Doctor ; do n't you J- think you had better take it at once ? And here is a biscuit all ready.'

The speaker was an elderly lady with a very clear complexion, and rather a bright colour, quiet blue eyes, and grey hair dressed in large curls. She wore a dark puce-coloured silk dress, by no means expansive, and rather short ; so short, indeed, as to exhibit a pair of square-toed shoes, made very high in the instep, and, if one might judge from the loud footstep, very heavy-soled. Her voice was rather hard, her utterance rapid, only the pure accent told of the refinement of good society.

The Doctor was an old gentleman with stronglymarked features, which in youth might have been called handsome. The brown wig, pushed rather to one side, gave them an incongruous expression now. It cut off a portion of his forehead, and tended to exaggerate the length of his nose— a very remarkable nose, long, rounded, and cogitative, in which the chief expression of the face was concentrated. Without it the mouth might have been almost weakly benevolent, whilst the eyes were decidedly irascible.

* A quarter of an hour before your time, Patty,' was his reply to the medicinal offer which had been made him. The grey eyes, twinkling through spectacles, were still kept fixed upon the folio open before him, and he turned a page with one hand, whilst motioning away the intruders with the other.

*I am going out. Doctor, and you will forget. Faith, pour out the medicine.'

Faith, a diminutive counterpart of her mistress, having attained that singular family resemblance which is often to be remarked in servants who have lived long in one household, came forward with a tray, a bottle of brown liquid, a wine glass, and a plate containing one small biscuit.

' It will do you good, sir ; you have been much better since you took it. Has n't he now, Mrs. Patty '

' Of course he has. The notion of those pins' heads doing anyone good I But Miss Medley is out of her mind, poor thing ; there is no doubt of that. I hope it is not wrong to say so. I hope not. Now, Doctor, dear ! '

The affectionate epithet did its work. The Doctor gave a slight sigh as he made a memorandum on a sheet of paper which lay on his desk, and then confronted his medical advisers.

* It is n't so very bad, after all,' said Faith, looking at Mrs. Patty; 'not half so bad as the black doses my grandmother gave me when I was a child.'

* I wish. Faith, your grandmother was here to give you this, then,' said the Doctor. * Patty, what have you done with my globules ? '

* Locked them up. Doctor. They are a temptation to you. Do n't think about them now.' She put the glass into his hand.

* Only one biscuit ! ' exclaimed the Doctor. There was an evident hesitation for a moment; then the nauseous mixture was swallowed, and the empty glass laid upon the tray, with a look which Faith seemed instantly to understand, and answered by conveying the obnoxious objects as quickly as possible from his sight, whilst Mrs. Patty handed him the solitary biscuit, saying, as she saw him glance at the empty plate, *Two would spoil your appetite.'

* Patty, I shall keep the globules myself,' was the Doctor's rejoinder; *mind you let me have them.'

* We will see. Doctor, dear ; do n't think anything more about it ; there is some nice porridge for dinner. Shall you want anything more before I go out?'

'Nothing,' was the irritable reply; but the very next moment the old man looked up and repeated gently,* * Nothing, thank you, Patty; only, if you meet Mr. Baines, tell him I should be glad to see him.'

'Mr. Baines dines with the Camerons to-day, so I hear,' said Mrs. Patty; *I don't see clearly what makes him like to go there so often.'

*He is dull, and there are young people there,' replied the Doctor, abstractedly; and he turned to resume his studies with an eagerness which seemed to show that he trusted to St. Augustine to help him to forget the nauseous flavour that still lingered in his mouth.

Mrs. Patty stood for a moment in thought, and then trotted rather than walked out of the room, muttering to herself, *I dare say she is very good ; I ought not to say a word ; no, I ought not ; and perhaps he never thinks about her, only it might be

A GUMPSE OF THE WORLD. 13

better for him not to be always laaghing and talking with her.'

Mrs. Patty Kingsbaiy followed Faith into the kitchen, a pleasant-looking room, bright with wellkept pewter covers, and a dinner-set of real china of the old-fashioned willow pattern. The lattice windows were open npon a back court, kept in perfect order, and made reallj prettj bj a few pet plants. An arm-chair stood bj the window, and Mrs. Pattj seated herself in it, and summoned Betsey, the cook, to a consultation with herself and Faith.

* Yonr master won't take kindlj to the porridge mach longer, Betsej; yon must think of something else for him.'

'He has had it but three dajs^ ma'am, and mj father took it for a fortnight.'

*Dr. Kingsbury is of a different constitution to your father,' observed Mrs. Patty, with a slight tone of offended dignity. 'Mr. Harrison says his case is peculiar. You know, Faith, he objects to gruel also.'

'Quite, ma'am,' replied Faith, shaking her head. ' He objects to everything now, except the pins' heads. To think of Miss Medley's deluding him so! But hell give in, ma^am; don't take on so, pray now do n't. He took down the draught quite good, like a baby, Betsey ; he did indeed.'

'He did indeed,' repeated Mrs. Patty; 'but, Betsey, I think I should have a mutton-chop ready, in case the porridge does not suit. They are very good— lie men — very good indeed ; you know, Bets^, we ought to look up to them, and we do ; but thej like their own way in eating and drinking, and very natural.'

'You mustn't let master be asked out yet, Mrs. Patty; if you 11 forgive my boldness for saying so,' said Betsey. * There 's been Colonel Verney's man down, since breakfast, and he says they are likely to have a gay time there before long, for the Colonel's nephew is expected back from India, and there will be dinner-parties for him.'

'Your master requires no check but a sense of duty,' was Mrs. Patty's reply; whilst Faith added quickly :

' One would think, Betsey, that master ate and drank like a tiger ; but he has no more appetite than a chick just out of its shell.'

* May be,' replied Betsey ; * but if 't was a saint, I wouldn't put him down to gruel at one end and turtle soup at the other. Those grand dinners at the Colonel's are a perfect sight. How do you wish the mutton-chop dressed, Mrs. Patty?'

' Quite plain, Betsey ; it can't be too plain. Did the butler say when Mr. Charles Verney was expected ? '

* The day after to-morrow, ma'am ; and Conyers, at Mrs. Cameron's, says that her mistress and Miss Rosamond are asked there for next week. She does not quite know what day.'

' Miss Myra must be getting nearly old enough to go out now, surely,' said Faith. ' I wonder nobody ever asks her.'

* Such a wee whimpering child as that! ' exclaimed Betsey; *why, if anything went wrong she would burst out storming in the middle of dinner. I never did see anyone so queer, for her age — no, never.'

* Yet there 's something good about her too/ said Faith. 'There is not one of the young ladies as pays master half the respect Miss Myra does.'

Mrs. Fatty had been sitting with rather an absent air during this short colloquy between her servants, but the last sentence caught her attention. Perhaps the discussion struck her as somewhat unfitting, for she rose up and said gravely, ' Mutton-chop, then-*- quite plain — at four o'clock.'

A burst of laughter was heard at the open window.

'Faith, is that you? — do come here, please do, Faith.' The voice was Juliet Cameron's ; her round merry face appeared at the lattice ; she evidently did not see Mrs. Patty. *Myra has slipped down the bank into the pond ; she is not hurt, she is only wet, and a little frightened ; and she wants to know if Betsey will let her come and dry herself at the kitchen fire.'

* Myra can come into the parlour, my dear,' said Mrs. Patty, advancing.

* Oh, Mrs. Patty, I beg your pardon. I did n't know you were here. Myra told me not to go to the front-door, because of the Doctor's being unwell; and she said it would be making a fuss. There is nothing the matter. Catharine Yemey is there — that is Mrs. Vemey's niece, you know ; and she and Myra were talking, and not looking where they went» and Myra fell and rolled over, that was all.

It was 80 very odd to see her ; she went down the bank like a ball : you can't think how droll it was.' ' Young ladies should learn to walk straight/ observed Faith, before Mrs. Patty could reply. *l8 Miss Myra very wet?'

* Faith, if you please to fetch my garden-bonnet, I shall go and see about it,' said Mrs. Patty. ^ It may be better that Myra should go home.' .

' Myra won't do that till she is dry, if she should have to stay in the sun all the afternoon,' said Juliet, her laughter breaking forth again. ' Mamma would scold her. You know, Mrs. Patty, she always says Myra is no better than a child of five years old ; and she did roll over just like one.'

Faith brought the bonnet, a very remarkable one — a deep curtain behind, a kind of pent-house before — at the far end of which Mrs. Patty's face appeared somewhat like the sun in a mist.

* We will go and see, my dear,' was her reply to Juliet's remark. 'Betsey, remember the mutton-chop; and, Faith, if I am not back to take the Clothing Club pence, when the women come at two o'clock, you must begin.'

' So like her, that is — ^looking after things so long beforehand,' observed Betsey to Faith, as Mrs. Patty joined Juliet in the court; ' why, she may walk to Marston and back before two o'clock comes.'

' It is because she would n't run the chance of neglecting,' was Faith's reply.

Mrs. Patty did not encourage Juliet's communicativeness. She walked on at a steady quick pace, to which Juliet found it somewhat difficult to accommodate herself. The Rectory stood on a rising ground) with a smooth piece of sloping lawn in front. At the foot of the lawn was a little wooded dell crossed bj a rustic bridge, and rising from the other side of the dell were the gardens and fields attached to Yare Hall, a moderate-sized, square, redbrick Elizabethan house, with stone mullions and facings to the windows, and a thick shrubbery round it. Mrs. Fatty crossed the lawn and the bridge, and then turned into a gravel path which skirted the dell. Presently she paused.

* The large pond, I suppose, my dear ?'

* Yes, Mrs. Patty ; they were walking along the terrace at the top.'

* Very good. Bun on, my dear, and tell them I am coming.'

' But, Mrs. Patty, Myra never thought of troubling you ; she will be wS vexed.'

* Bun on, my dear ; you can go quicker than I can.' And Mrs. Patty nodded her head good-naturedly, but moved for Juliet to pass her in a way which showed that she had no intention of having her will disputed. Juliet was out of sight almost immediately. Mrs. Patty followed at the same pace as before — ^not at all hurried, only determined. Three minutes more brought her in sight of the pond. It was, in fact, a pretty piece of water ; the banks were clothed with birch and elms. To the right was an extensive wood ; to the left, the village and the church. The three girls were grouped picturesquely upon the turf ; and the glancing sunlight which fell upon them made the whole a picture for an artist But Mrs.

C

18 A GLIMPSB OP THE WORLD.

Pattj was not artistic ; she walked straight up to Mjra, placing her foot fearlessly as she went upon bramble and stinging nettle, and said :

* My dear, home is best for you ; you will go back to the Hall with me.'

Myra started up, exhibiting, as she rose, a dress covered with mud, and still dripping with water.

' Oh! no, Mrs. Patty ; no, indeed I can't. Please, you must let me co^le to the Rectory. But it was so ill-natured of Juliet. I told her not to make a fuss. I begged her to go to the back-door. I can't go home. It is impossible.'

Myra's face, usually pale and woe-begone, became crimson with excitement. Juliet looked at Catharine Vemey, and laughed. Catharine shrugged her shoulders, and cast up her eyes ; and Myra caught the expression of surprise, and was upon the point of storming again, when Mrs. Patty quietly drew her arm within hers, and said :

* We will come, my dean You two girls, go to the Eectory, and tell Faith not to trouble herself, for Myra is going home to change her clothes.'

* We must go, I suppose,' whispered Catharine to Juliet.

' Yes, I suppose so ; but poor Myra is in for a scolding.'

< Never mind the scolding, my dear,' said Mrs. Patty, overhearing them. < Run off as fast as you can, and then come up to the Hall ; and Juliet, you may tell Faith I shall certainly try and be back in time for the Clothing Club.'

Myra walked by Mrs. Patty's side silently. It would have been difficult to say whether she was most cowed, frightened, or ashamed. For a girl of her age it certainly was rather humiliating to be taken home with a wet dress, after having tumbled into a pond. As they drew near the house she sidled a little away from Mrs. Patty, with the evident intention of making her way into the house by a back entrance, while she said apologetically, * There may be company in the drawing-room. I know there is some one. Mrs. Verney is there. Mamma would rather not see me.'

*Your mamma had better see you, my dear; then she will know what to do for you. You are wet through, and I should make you go to bed.'

*What! in the middle of the day? For punishment— ^like a baby? Mrs. Patty, I won't; I never heard anything *

Mrs. Patty gently tapped her on the arm. * A warm bed, and a little ,hot wine and water^ will keep you from taking cold, my dear. I always send the Doctor to bed when I think he is likely to take cold, and he says he quite enjoys it; only he can't go on with St. Augustine's Commentary. So now we will just rap at the drawing-room door, and tell your mamma all about it.'

* There is Annette in the drawing-room; I can't go in, Mrs. Patty, indeed I can't.* Myra slunk away, and nearly burst into tears.

*Well, then, I will, my dear; wait here for a moment, and I dare say your mamma will come out to you.'

c 2

As the drawing-room door was opened bj Mrs. Pattj, Myra stole to one side so as not to be seen ; and the moment it was closed again, she rushed up the stairs, and bolted herself into her own room.

CHAPTER in.

FAITH and Mrs. Patty were singularly alike in outward form, but there were great divergences in their minds, greater than Faith would have been willing to allow. Faith knew nothing of such profound reverence as Mrs. Patty felt for the Doctor; perhaps for that reason she required more sympathy from other persons. She liked a little gossip, and was not fastidious as to the quarter from whence it came. Great as was her virtuous horjror of homoeopathic globules, she did not deem it at all necessary to shrink from communication with the one inhabitant of Yare who had been guilty of introducing them into the village ; and even the startling fact that her master had been cajoled into the use of them was not sufficient to make her dread any similar influence upon herself. Strong in her own convictions, she often made an excuse, when sent on an errand into the village, to pay a few moments' visit to Miss Medley, just for the pleasure of triumphing over her, by informing her how * Mrs. Patty had persuaded the Doctor to try a tonic, or a cup of coffee, or even, sometimes, a little brandy, which had done him a world of good ; and how he had had quite a sweet nap afterwards in his arm-chair, and woke up as fresh as a bird, and no pain.' The triumph was increased by the fact that Miss Medley's father had been a physician — by some called a quack, because he had late in life adopted the new system of medicine; anyhow, he was a gentleman, and Faith, never forgetting that Miss Medley was bom a lady, was all the more happy in her self-gratulation, when she could, as she thought, prove, to the confounding of all gainsayers, that port wine, or water gruel, as the case might be, would be found to be worth all the whimsies which clever gentlemen or clever ladies had ever invented or encouraged.

* You don't happen to be wanting anything I can get for you at the grocer's, ma'am ?' was her enquiry, as she knocked at, and then immediately opened, the door of Miss Medley's little parlour. *I have been at the Hall, on a message from Mrs. Patty, and now I am just going on a step farther down the village.'

* I don't want anything that I know of, Faith, thank you; but don't stand in the draught of the passage.*

Faith willingly obeyed, though draught there was none from the passage, for a very good reason, that no passage existed. The little steep staircase went up directly from the street-door. The landlady, Mrs. Haynes, had the parlour to the right ; Miss Medley herself the parlour to the left, with the bedroom above. It was a comfortable little lodging upon the whole, and tolerably well furnished. There was a dark puce-colour leathern ^rm-chair, a sofa with a chintz covering, a chiffiohier and some bookshelves, a mahogany slab and a little writing-table; not to mention a rosewood cabinet piano, which Miss Medley's friends TOted a great encumbrance, but which Miss Medley herself looked upon as the one only important piece of furniture in her possession, since on it she diligently played chants and psalm tunes on Sunday evening, singing at the same time with a cracked, though originally good voice, to the great edification of Mr., Mrs., and Miss Haynes, who, besides listening and approving, were not unfrequently summoned to join.

* Anything the matter at the Hall, Faith ? * asked Miss Medley. She was a brisk little woman, and her bright black eyes twinkled and glittered incessantly. They made her look quite young at a distance, especially when it was not seen that her brown curls had no natural and necessary connection with her head.

*I can't say, ma'am. I wouldn't undertake to say. Mrs. Patty recommended that Mr. Harrison should be sent for ; but Mrs. Cameron — I do n't mean any disrespect — but she is very slow ; and fever is sometimes fearful rapid.'

* Fever ! infectious ? scarlet ? typhus ? gastric ? ' Miss Medley stretched out her hand to a large green book which always lay on her table.

* Dear heart! no, ma'am. How can one say ? fevers are like babbies; there's no knowing them apart when they are born. And who can tell what this will turn to ? or it might not turn at all. But anyhow, they have some common sense up at the Hall, and will know what to do. I said so to Mrs. Fatty, and great comfort it was to her to think of it*

Common sense could not mean globules ! Miss Medley was quite sure of that fact ; but under what nauseous form it would be likely to exhibit itself, in the emergency so vaguely hinted at by Faith, she did not stop to enquire. ' Mrs. Cameron has fever, then — low fever, I suppose ? It is going about a good deal;

^ Mrs. Cameron, ma'am ! No, surely. I did n't speak of her, did I ? If I did, I was wrong. Mr. Cameron must be home by this time, and he may know better what to do. Miss Myra is greatly in fear of her papa, they say; and well she may be, for his one word goes further than other people^s dozens.'

' His word, and his wish, and his will, of course ! ' observed Miss Medley ; and her thin lips cuded satirically. * When was there ever a man that had not his will ? But what about Miss Myra ? *

* Why, that she is likely to die of fever, if she does not get better soon, ma'am,' replied Faith ; ' and it is her own doing too ; a wilful young lady she was always.'

* Aconite I aconite ! ' murmured Miss Medley. * Three globules every hour ! it would quite save her.' She gave a deep sigh, and for a moment she seemed lost in some sorrowful meditation. ^But, Faith,' and she looked up as briskly as ever, ' what is the cause ? '

*A child's folly, ma'am,' replied Faith, * which never would have been if her papa had been at home. She tumbled into the pond, and got wet through, and when she went home locked herself up

A GUMFSE OF THE WOBLD. 25

in her room, and would not let anyone in ; and there they stayed outside, begging and begging, and she inside, in her wet things, for nearly an hour. So of coarse there is a cold and fever; that is all. Miss Medley. But Mr. Cameron will be home by-and-by, and then there will be some one to manage her.'

'I don't see what good a man is to do in a sick-room, unless he is a physician,' observed Miss Medley. ^ As a race, Faith, men are noisy.'

* Very true, ma'am.' ' And impatient.'

* Yes, I suppose so, ma'am.'

' You need not suppose it. Faith, it is a fac); ; they are awkward, also.'

* Well ! yes, perhaps.' Faith thought for a second, and added, * Master is not.'

* Noisy, impatient, awkward — and selfish. Faith ; selfish — do n't think of denying it ! they are selfish ; and what good can they do in illness ? '

* They can have things their own way, ma'am, replied Faith bluntly ; ^ and I take it that is what is wanted in all households. And if you will forgive me for saying it, you would think the same if you had heard Mrs. Patty's account of what went on at the Hall this afternoon.'

* If Mrs. Patty had done right,' replied Miss Medley, * she would have taken the responsibility upon herself, and not have waited for Mr. Cameron. It has been my rule through life. Faith. I have never hesitated to accept any responsibility. I should have given aconite directly, and Myra Cameron's life would have been saved.'

* Please, ma'am, she is not dead yet,' observed Faith.

' But she is going to die— there can be no hope,' exclaimed Miss Medley, impatiently. *I am half

inclined But Mr. Cameron is not a man to

listen.'

* To listen, but not to answer, ma'am,' replied Faith : * and if you are thinking of the pins' heads in the little bottles, you might as well talk to a stone wall as to him about them. I heard him say one day myself, when he was dining at the Rectory,

and I was waiting at table, that it was 1

forget the word — but it was something very unpleasant.'

* Humbug ! It is his favourite word. You need not be afraid to repeat it. Faith. I know Mr. Cameron well.'

' If you do, ma'am, it is more than anyone else does,' answered Faith. * An oyster in his shell isn't more close.'

* I know him. Faith, as I know all men. Two or three general principles are all which is required to enable one to find the key to their characters. If one does not fit, another will. But you cannot understand that.'

' I do n't know about keys and principles, ma'am. I dare say they might be useful, if one had to live with Mr. Cameron ; but master, you see, is different.'

*Dr. Kingsbury is a remarkable — not exception — he has the faults of his sex : but, upon the whole, he is enabled to rise superior to them. But Dr. Kingsbury is being spoilt ; and Mrs. Patty will live to repent it. However, we will avoid unpleasant subjects. Miss Myra Cameron, you say, is dying?'

Faith pretended not to hear ; she was searching in the corner of the room for her umbrella.

* Will it be many hours, do you think ? ' continued Miss Medley, adopting the sorrowful and sympathetic tone.

Faith, leaning with both hands upon the umbrella, confronted Miss Medley with open eyes.

* Many hours or few. Faith ? '

* Just as many, or as few, as is willed above, ma'am. And as far as I can tell. Miss Myra is as yet no nearer dying than you — nor so near, if I may make bold to say it,* she added, glancing at the green book ; ^ and so, if you please, I wish you good evening.'

Chapter IV

FAITH was not quite correct in her assertion. Mjra Cameron was nearer dying at that moment than Miss Medley — at least, according to human calculation. An hour and a half in wet clothes would alone have been sufficient to give her cold ; when passion and excitement were added, no one could be surprised that she was seriously ill. Myra had locked herself into her room, and resisted both commands and entreaties to open her door. If Mrs. Patty had been there, she might, perhaps, have been more easily persuaded ; but Mrs. Patty had no idea of neglecting her own duty for the sake of attending to that of others. She was wanted at home for the Clothing Club, and it was Mrs. Cameron's business to attend to her child ; so Mrs. Patty went back to the Rectory, somewhat vexed at Myra's wilfulness, but never supposing for an instant that she would hold out her citadel against the attacks of the besiegers for any length of time. Great was her surprise then to learn, when in the course of the afternoon she called at the Hall again, that Myra had carried on her resistance for nearly an hour, and had only yielded at* last upon being told that, if she did not, the door would be broken open.

A GLIMPSE OF THE WOELD. 29

* I think, Miss Greaves, I should have broken it open at once,' was Mrs. Patty's observation to the daily governess, whom she found watching in Myra's room : and the timid young lady whom she addressed ventured to add :

* I said so once to Mrs. Cameron, but she was too nervous to answer me.'

And thus, between nervousness and timidity, Myra had been given up to her own will. Now she had no will except to be quiet, and have the room dark. Her head throbbed with excruciating pain, her lips were dry, her tongue parched, her hands burning. She had decided fever ; not as yet infectious or dan* gerous, but in a degree which might soon become so.

It was nine o'clock, and Mrs. Patty was again at the Hall, though not in the capacity of head nurse, for she was conscious of being near-sighted, and what is termed unhandy, and Conyers, the lady's maid, was fully able to do what might be required. Neither did she consider her society any particular advantage to Juliet and Annette. They were suitable companions to each other, and did not need her; whilst Rosamond was, or ought to be, a comfort to Mrs. Cameron. It was nothing but sympathy and anxiety which made Mrs. Patty linger in the library, keeping out of the way, and rather avoiding than offering help. She had walked up from the Eectory at eight o'clock, after her brother's tea ; and when she had settled him comfortably in his arm-chair, with a lamp and a book of travels by his side, and hearing from the servant that the doctor was to see Miss Myra at ten o'clock, and that Mr. Cameron was expected home every minute, she sent a message to Mrs. Cameron, saying that she was there, but did not wish to disturb anyone, and then waited to hear the last report. Most persons would have occupied themselves with reading under such circumstances. Mrs. Patty took some knitting from her pocket, and her fingers worked as busily as her thoughts, though, happily for the result, more connectedly. Fifteen years had passed since she first knew the Camerons. Such was the commencement of her meditations. Myra was a baby when Dr. Kingsbury became Rector of Tare. Mrs. Cameron was very pretty then, very sweet and amiable; everyone liked her, and thought she would make such a good wife.