Lena Cameron 1848

CHAPTER I. " Mtrriage it * nuttier of mora worth

TL*n lo be deaJt with by auomcythip."

Jiearir Yl

Mrs. General Cameron was the mother of four daughters, of whom the eldest, Lena, was just eighteen. The preceding winter Lena had " come out, ' as the phrase goes, under the patronage of the Duchess of Stiatheden, an old school rii;i<«' of her mother, and now a leader of ton in London, Lena had been much admired, and might have made a conquest of Lord Sheldon, had not she cared more to talk to Frederick Sackville, a poor cadet of the house of Strathadefl. But Sackville did net daw to aspire to her hand ; and so, at the etia of the season, Lena went home lo Beechy Park, where her parenls were residing, " unsought and u it won." In her secret heart she cherished the poor cadet's image; but she did not venture to acknowledge this, even lo herself.

Mrs. General Cameron was, on the whole, an amiable woman ; but she had ono weakness — she desired to see her daughters well established. Lena was the first who had come out, and the mother's disappointment at the result of the London season could not be cone Luckily, when Lena had been ftboul two months at Beachy Park, a Mr. Beauchamp appeared in the neighbourhood, on a visit lo a brother, the rector of a neighbouring parish. He met, and fell in love with Lena, He was rich, and of an old family — all that the mother desired, When, therefore, he proposed to hor daughter, the fact that he waa a peculiar man, and entirely under the influence of his mother, a still more peculiar woman, weighed nothing with Mrs, Cameron. Lena, mild and ductile in disposition, and ashamed of her unre turned affection for Sack v ille, waa easily induced to accept him, The agreeable news was immediately transmitted lo the General, who was in London on business' and he hastened to como down, attended by his eldest son, Gerald, a gay, frank young man.

.

"Well, mother!" the latter laughingly 1 exclaimed, when they had alighted from the carriage and entered the sitting-room, ! " yau have actually found Leua a husband v>

" Yes, Gerald, is it not charming V And Mrs. Cameron looked at her husband, expecting from him similar congratulations; but she was disappointed by seeing his countenance only expressive of anxious gravity.

" My dear Laura/' he said, "pray let me hear more of this business of Lena* — 1 started as soon as possible after receiving your letter, although forced to leave some affairs unsettled. It has gone no further, I trust?"

"No further ihan what, Alick?" exclaimed Mrs. Cameron. " Mr.Beauchamp. ail 1 told you, proposed the day before yesterday, and this morning Lena saw and accepted him. Really you look," she continued, laughing, " as if this was th<« most fatal, instead of the most fortunate occurrence — as if dear Lena had accepted a warn pish young Ensign with next lo nothing, rather than the most respectable and estimable Mr. Beauchamp with twenty thousand a-year."

; I wonder," the General replied very gravely, and wilh a shade of displeasure on his brow, " that you did not wait till 1 could be on the spot, before you allowed any step so decisive to take place. 1 know very little personally of ihe man,'' General Cameron continued with sonic warmth, " and do not care a straw about his twenty thousand a-year, or anything else, until I have ascertained that 1 shall approve of him as a husband for Lena in other respects. Besides, the girl herself — I cannot believe that she cares a 6g about him ; she is too young to lake a fancy in such a hurry."

" My dear A lick, this is too absurd; and why should you fancy Lena does not care for Mr. Beauchamp? I can assure

{ou her acceptance of him was entirely or own act. I did not even give my opinion on ihe subject, after first laying the proposal before nor, for consideration.-" fL Well, really, if she like him/' chimed

B

LENA CAMERON; OB, THE FOUR SISTERS.

in Gerald. " it would certainly be a capital thing. Such a rich fellow ! upon my word it would be advantageous to us all. '

Until very lata that night Mrs, Cameron continual to descant w) ably on the merits of the subject, that the General, who was but too apt to be easily worked npoa by the eloquence of his wife — whom he considered perfection in every way — was persuaded to look more brighdy and contentedly on the business.

Hie mind, however, could not be quite at ease until he had ascertained, as he expected to do, by a single glance at Lena's countenance, her sentiments on the subject. When, therefore, on rising the next rooming, and being acquainted with the arrival of her father, bis young daughter, with conscious, trembling haste, flew to meet him. the General, after tenderly embracing her, held her from him, and gazing in her face, inquired with a fond, earnest smile —

'•' Why, Lena, %vhat is all this I hear about you?'' and as she again hid her face, covered with conscious blushes, on his bosom, he said in an anxious tone—

u Do you really wish it, Lena— do yon really love him, child? Remember it is not loo late — tell me the truth — exactly what you feel upon the subject"

" What — is your father persuading you to give up Mr.'Heauchamp, Lena?" interrupted Mrs. Cameron, who entered at that moment.

"Does not papa wish me to marry Mr, Beauchamp?" asked Lena, hastily looking up with an expression which might have passed either for pleasure or alarm.

" I wish you to do exactly what you think will contribute to your happiness, my dear child. If you think that a marriage with Mr. Beauchamp will accomplish such a desirable end, it would, indeed, be selfish in me to oppose a measure which is so truly advantageous; but it seems to me that it has all been settled with rather too much precipitation. Perhaps," he continued, looking affectionately at his wife, " 1 might have imagined that the very natural wishes of your dear mother might have in some degree influ"* eneed a good and dutiful daughter."

" Your father thinks, Lena, that it was by my persuasion that you accepted Mr. Beauchamp,'' Mrs. Cameron exclaimed in a slightly injured tone.

u Mamma persuade me — oh, papa!" said Lena, looking up with a sweet expression of reproachful surprise, "she would never persuade me to take any step important to my future happiness against my inclination. No, it was entirely of my own free will that I accepted Mr. Beauchamp, » she added with a slight sigh.

"And you do not repent having done so; you feel no wish to draw back now V anxiously inquired the General.

Lena paused for a moment in breathless thought, then with a sort of nervous haste murmured " No. no !" and her father saw da reason remaining, why he should not be perfectly satisfied on the subject.

Men are much more easily deceived on such points than women. Little practised themselves in doing violence to their own feelings or inclinations, they trust more to the statements of the lips upon such matters, and are slow to question the cheerful readiness with which women often sacrifice the dearest hopes and feelings of theii hearts. When, fherefore,"Mr. Beauchamp visited Beechy Place that day, he found, most unexpectedly, his future father-in-law there to receive him.

When pecuniary matters came under discussion, all went, coulcur de rose, for from that most ordeal Mr. Beauchamp passed with* flying colours, proving himself to the General's fastidious ideas—, a perfect gentleman — neither vulgarly bombastic, nor niggardly cautious— with cheerful unconcern laying before him his liberal proposition on the score of settlements which his means made so feasible.

The General also, after beholding the engaged couple together, had little cause for disquiet or doubt. Lena's gentle nature could scarcely be expected to compete with her lover's fervour and absorption, and his conduct was certainly ;-.n extreme with which thero was no finding fault.

That poor Lena was overpowered at limes by* the devotion of the exigeant lover, who for the first week of their engagement was almost continually parsing his days at Beechy Place, was but too evident ; for though she seemed passively — nay, even cheerfully, to devote to him her time and attention — his departure generally left her pale and wearied.

Sometimes she might be seen hastening, as from some overpowering task, to the refreshing diversion of her Tittle brother and sisters' innocent affection and caresses, from which in her lover's presence she seemed strictly divided, and once when alone with them on a similar occasion, she had wept passionately, as if her heart would break.

But she ever received Mr. Beauchamp with a smiling countenance, or if less cheerful in his presence than her wont, a remark from him to that effect, would immediately rouse her to exertion.

At the close of that week a letter arrived from Lady Rachel, Mr. Benuchamp's mother, on the subject of her son's marriage. Considering the character of ihe wnter, it was tolerably gracious and complimentary—speaking in polite terms of her approval of her son's choice, and ex-

LENA CAMERON; OR, THE FOUR SISTERS.

pressing a hope that a speedy opportunity might be allordad to her, of an introduction to her future daughter-in-law.

This hope drew forth an invitation from the Camerons that Lady Rachel should vbit them at Beechy Place, and Mr, Beau- <-hamp was the bearer of the letter to his mother, it being necessary that he should repair to Beauchamp Towers previous to proceeding to London on necessary business relative to the coming event.

For a fortnight, therefore, with the exception of the daily letters exacted by her lover, ori their parting, Lena was left at liberty, to be once more the happy, disen-

i --.I daughter and sister.

CHAPTER II. Nothing now llicro need*

But ij, lie day, and draw the marriage dnruV"

ilVTI,

A mo host the friends and relatives to be apprised of tho event in prospect, the Duchess of Stratheden was of course one of tho first in the list, and of the congratulations in return, none proved so sincerely and warmly sympathizing as were her Grace's expression s of joy upon the occasion. She knew so well now anxious Mrs. Cameron was on the subject of her daughters, and truly it was of the utmost importance that girls so slenderly provided for, should marry well. As General Cairn ron was soon to be ordered to Ireland, and as Beechy Place had been lent to him by the Duke for the summer, the Duchess mentioned her intention of shortly joining the party at the Place, while the Duke insisted upon the Came ro jib continuing it as their residence till the time of their departure for Ireland, which was to be immediately after the celebration of the marriage, Her Grace also begged that they would not scruple if desirable to invite Lady Rachel, and to assure her ladyship of the pleasure the Duke and herself would feel in making the acquaintance of herself and son beneath their own roof. This polite message was duly conveyed to Lady Rachel, but she — either ico scrupulous or too proud to accept an invitation on such terms, declined it — informing her future connexions of her intentions of soon al fording herself an opportunity of meeting them, by visiting her younger son at his parsonage.

At the end of a fortnight therefore tho Cameron* were apprised of tho intend ml arrival of Mr. Beauchamp, and the very next morning, when they only expected a visit from the former, a carriage with post horses drove up to the house. Never purhaps did visiters create more nervous Jismay than that which overpowered the whole party when it was ascertained that it was the formidable Lady Rachel, who had thus taken them by surprise.

Poor Lena shook like an aspen leaf — and Mrs. Cameron judged it expedient to send her from the room to recover herself, previous to appearing before her formidable future mother-in-law. The general hastened to receive Lady Rachel, who entered, followed by her son and eldest daughter. Cold and stately as ever was her bearing — however, with tolerable graciousneas she apologized for the breach of etiquette which brought her thus unexpectedly before them, and -which she added must be attributed to her son 'a great empresscment to present Miss Cameron to her in tho present position of his affianced bride. She keenly glanced around the room as if to express Tier #x-

gictation of Lena-s presence, whilst Mr, eauchaiiip immediately inquired in a tone of surprise, whether she were not acquainted with their arrival ; and when Mrs. Cameron excused herself to Lad) Rachel for going in person to seek her daughter, on the plea of the timidity which might require some cue ou rage niei..: on her j>arl, to prepare her for this tniei-

E acted meeting — Mr. Beauchamp followed er from the room, and requested that he might see Lena before she appeared before his mother. Pale and trembling, therefore, the young girl was soon conducted by Mrs. Cameron to the apartment into which her lover had been ahow n

Poor Lena 1 . — the interval that had passed since the departure of Mr. Beauchamp, had been a period, during which, the congratulations pouring in on every side — the exhilaration of her own family — the praises ever sounded in her presence, upon her intended, and above ah, the tender kindly intercourse kept up between them by fetter — while at the &ani<' time she was exempt from the eiigeame thraldom which his society ever entailed, had given lone to her spirits and had enabled her to look upon her position, in tile bright light in whicli others viewed it — she had even brought herself to contemplate with some feeling of pleasure hi'r intended's return ; and even now, no doubt, attempted to interpret her want of any such symptoms, to the counteracting arrival of his mother.

But Mr. Beauchamp required this assurance to be guarantied by her own explanation of the nervous and little joyous demeanour with which she appearud before him-

Li Lena l'* he said, gazing keenly r.d > her face, as her pale lips strove to falter her greeting in return for the tender meeting on hie part, " you look more frightened than overjoyed at seeing me again."

"Oh! no ; I am very glad to see you

LENA CAMERON; OR,. THE FOUR SISTERS.

again, but I own I am rather nervous at the thoughts of meeting Lady Rachel."

"But why 1" Mr. Beauchamp inquired. ■ : Have they described my mother to you, as ao very terrible and disagreeable !' he. added in an offended tone, and then again proceeded gently but gravely. —

"I assure you she is very kindly disposed towards you, Lena — and you need not fear her — nay [ it is very necessary that you, who are to live with her henceforth as a daughter, should love her as your mother ; will you try to do so, Lena V*

" I will try to love her as yowr mother," said Lena, in a quick and rather mop '■■ided manner than was her wont. "I tan never," she added, the colour rising vividly to her cheeks, "love arty one as my own dear mother.'

"Mr. Beauchamp looked slightly surprised on hearing this first assumption of self-will on the part of his gentle love, but he only said, " When a woman leaves hiT paternal home, she must learn not unty to love her husband, but to cleave also to her husband's relatives." Then assuming a more gallant tone and character, he continued, pressing her hand affectionately — t: But I am keeping my mother waiting to behold you, and am all impatience myself — now that I have had the pleasure of seeing you for a few moments alone — to present my dearest Lena to her. I have also a sister here, with whom you must renew your acquaintance."

And drawing Lena's arm within his, he '•end lie. led her to the drawing-room. Lady Rachel, as soon as she heard the dofcr open, turned her quick sharp eyes towards it — and when Lena appeared leaning on her son's arm, her glance, like lightning, ilashed over her with its scrutinizing penetration. But so young and gentle in appearance wub the fair girl — that cold and utterly impenetrable indeed would have been the heart, which had not softened towards the young creature.

Even Lady Rachel's austere countenance gradually assumed an expression of satisfaction and approval, when, having risen and stretched forth her hand with gracious condescension, Lena received it with a submissive tearful smile, and a glance almost expressive of supplication towards one whom she might — poor irir! ! have indeed felt was from henceforth to hold such influence over her destiny and happiness.

"Miss Cameron," said her Ladyship, "I am happy to make your acquaintance — so young as you were when I last saw yon, I may call this my first introduction — I must at the same time congratulate you on your prospect of happiness, which — though his mother — I venture to say my son is calculated to confer upon his wile — It may be too premature to express, from personal knowledge, my approval of his choice, but with the exterior I can have no fault to find."

And asrain her eyes travelled over Lena from head to foot.

"And from report," she continued, "I have been led to believe, that the mental qualities are accordant," and Lady Rachel stooped and kissed the fair meek brow. "Miss Beauchamp, " she then exclaimed, ail the natural severity and domination ot her nature returning to her tone and manner — "Come and embrace your, future sister-in-law, whom I shall expect to see treated by every member of our family with the respect and consideration due to her position, as your brother's affianced wife."

Miss Beauchamp, who on her mother's rising, had done the same, now came forward and embraced her lovely sister-in-law elect, with more signs of feeling than might have been expected from her constrained or sullen appearance.

Mies Beauchamp was a tall — somewhat handsome girl, had it not been for the unnatural restraint which characterized the expression of her countenance.

Lena returned this sisterly embrace in a manner which spoke gratitude for its warmth, and the girls' hands remained within each other's till Lady Rachel coldly invited Lena to sit down by her side: Miss Beauchamp returned to her seat and resumed her impenetrable manner. The conversation then became more general, and lasted till luncheon was announced, at which as usual the younger members of the family joined the party.

The conversation was strictly confined to the three elders; Mr. Beauchamp devoting himself entirely to Lena, and the chicken and jelly, of which they partook side by side. But Gerald, with boylike malice, speedily made an attempt to break the spell of awe which first seemed to bind the spirits of the young party— and soon, by his exertion, some lively sallies began to be exchanged between him and Annie, his second sister, and a little chattering and laughing to be ventured upon by the Httle ones ; which once begun, and encouraged by their father's playful participation, were scarcely to be retained by the scandalized glances of cold astonishment which Lady Rachel launched from one to the other of the offenders.

But whatever general impression this conduct might have given her, of the family with which she was about to connect herself, concerning that member towards whom her most favourable opinion was most important, her sentiments were thus expressed during their drive homer

" Lionel, I am pleased with Miss Cameron — with her gentle, modest demeanour — how she has escaped the influence of

LENA CAMERON; OR, THE FOUR SISTERS.

the ill-judged system of education, by which total freedom from subordination and proper constraint has been bnt too evidently engendered in her brothers and sisters, is a miracle ! — But, as far as I can judge — and I am not often wrong in the opinions which I form — Miss Cameron is eaiculated not ordy to make you the obe- ,unt and dutiful wife you have a right to expect, but is one whom I can also admit into familiar intercourse with my daughlerp — without fear of those principles of perfect submission being undermined, which I have and ever will maintain, as king as they remain under my authority ; may she prove to them a pattern and example of meekness and propriety of conduct."

CHAPTER 111

My soul aches, To know, when tw^ nulhuriliea arr; up, Neither supreme, how mum iHUifuisicm May enter Mwixt the gap of bulla, ami Uiku The one by the other.

SSASOTURB'tt Corioianus.

" Well, Lena, Lady Rachel seemed very much pleased with tier daughter-in-law \ how very affectionate and gracious she was in her manner to you, my dearest 1 remarked Mrs. Cameron, after her guests had departed.

'■' I should hope so, indeed,'' said the General j "do you think I would allow Lena to marry any man, whose mother presumed to be anything but kind and gracious to her?"

•' But, dear Lena," her mother continued, "you must not be too timid and submissive before Lady Rachel — you must remember that when you are Mrs. Heauchamp, you must assert your own dignity and rights as a married woman, ant! particularly will this be requisite if Lady Rachel live with you, as she is at first to do. Her Ladyship will take advantage — as in such cases mothers-in-law are apt too willingly to do — of any want of energy, or spirit, and self-assumption in their son's wife, to maintain the authority and precedency they have before exercised in that son's establishment — nay, their influence even over the hatband himself,"

Poor Lena! her mind glanced hopelessly over such a prospect — sAe, endeavouring 10 strive successfully, under such circumt'laaoea. with a Lady Rachel ! — and the General remarked —

•' Oh, of course there will be some definite arrangement made, as to the rqepeei ive situations Lena and Lady Rachel are to hold, if a united establishment continue to be the plan." Lady Rachel remained about a week in the neighbourhood, during which time daily visits were exchanged between the two parties. Lena frequently passed hours alone at the Parsonage, ami was even taken by her Lad v ship tittatite drives, when Mibs Beauchamp was

permitted to ride out with her brother. During these excursions, Lady Rachel ever treated her with the most gracious kindness. She might almost have seemed desirous of obtaining an influence over her daughter-in-law's affections.

And this would have been fettering Id Lena's feelings, had it not been at the expense of another's, and as she sometimes feared, at the risk of drawing upon her the dislike of her future sister-in-law, by the praises and invidious comparisons of which she was made- the object. And Lena, whiwould fain have become better acquainted with Miss Beauchamp, was surprised at discovering how completely Lady Ha seemed to discountenance any attempts at greater intimacy and confidence tween them.

To Lena's parents, her Ladyship was civility itself. Indeed, towards the General she even seemed inclined to betid into something like friendly and easy intercourse. Between the two ladies, there might have been discerned more of mistrust and constraint.

It could not escape Mrs. Cameron's perception that she was looked upon with no great cordiality by Lady Rachel. But this did not so much trouble her, as something she discovered in the demeanour ol her future son-in-law — a cold keeping back as it were, in his manner towards In i, which caused her to draw in a little from those frank, familiar terms she had at first attempted to establish between them for Lena's sake ; for she was as independent in spirit as her husband.

Poor MrB. Cameron ! she was beginning to think that after all, it was not quite such unmixed happiness, marrying a daughter. The event which she had so long antic i- ! with such delight, was now within her grasp, and how did she feel? Often very much inclined to repent having so warmly forwarded the suit of a man she began to dislike. But then, again, she brought the bright side of the picture before her mind — she looked upon the splendour and advantage of the match— Ire land and banishment wern words ever repeated to spur her on — her beautiful child buried alive, and wasting all her first bloom — and then the constant refrain, that it it was so very desirable that she should marry her daughters!

It was a comfort to Mrs. Cameron to be able to pour forth herdoubts and misgh into the friendly ear of the Duchess of Sural heden, who arrived at Beechy Place a day or two previous to the departure of Lady Rachel, and in the bitterness of her spirit, she even felicitated her friend on having no daughters.

Mr. Beauchamp remained at die Rectory after his mothers departure, for the day oi the marriage was yet to be iixod. It was to b» as early a "one as the lawyers would permit, for no longer than another month could the General be spared irom his post in Ireland. Therefore on Mr. Beauchamp presenting himself at Beeehy Mace, one morning, and during a private interview with the General on other matters of business, begging to be told the ,iay on which he might be permilted to olaim the hand of his affianced, the General, in a tone of sadness, and with a sigh which could not he repressed, answered — ■ 1 think, then, that about the last day Of the approaching month — October — must be the latest time to which the event ean be postponed, as 1 must then start lor Atblone. But, my dear Beauchamp, there is still one point on which Mrs. Cameron and myself have decided on the expediency of speaking to you. It would have been better, perhaps, to have done so before, for it is a subject of some delicacy: but you must forgive us, in consideration of our great anxiety for ourcltild's happiness."

•• My dear sir," exclaimed Mr. Beauchamp, " pray explain yourself — I should have imagined that you had been already well assured of my ardent desire to do ev«ry thing to contribute to the felicity of )our daughter."

■It is on the subject of the intended plan of Lady Rachel's c ou slant residence with you alter your marriage that I wish to speak," General Cameron continued. Mr. Beauchamp looked up quickly. -' Now, to speak plainly,"' continued the < Jeueral, ;f I have from experience remarked, that arrangements of that description never perfectly answer. With the best intentions and the most favourable dispositions tor such a union of into rests. perfect domestic happiness and unanimity *re seldom found to be the consequence. However, in the present itfstance, with go perfectly amiable and yielding adisposition an Lena's, I fear nut lor any breach of amity between the parties ; but that she might be Likely to allow herself too easily to sink into a more passive abjugalion of positive importance, than is right or proper for one in her position. "

•' Js it then your desire, General Cameron, that this arnui foment, of which, from the dial, you were informed, should be broken through? I think, indeed," Mr. Beauchamp added, with somewhat of haughtiness, ''that tin* point should have been before discussed* 5 '

• Ttou misunderstand us," interposed Mrs. Cameron; - we only wish, for our own satisfaction, to understand exactly every point which concerns our child, and 1 am sure you will find it add much to your own future comfort, if some definite conditions ate drawn out, as to the manner in which your joint establishment is to be regulated. Wliether it be into the hauds'of your wife, or your mother you purpose to commit the chief reins of government?" Mrs. Cameron continued with a Rmile, wishing, if possible, to place the discussion on an amiable and playful, rather than a business-like and serious

fooling. ' | ' '

■ I should have imagined,' Mr, Beauchamp answered coldly, "that was a point which might have been easily and sufficiently settled hereafter between the parties whom it concerned; but I shall be happy, as it seems necessary to explain myself furl her on the subject, and first premise, that my mother — having been in a most nnaoeountable manner, left by my Gather, unprovided with the usual Dower House, and with a jointure, which, though ample, was far from sufficient for the separate maintenance of herself and family, in the style and comfort to which she had ever been accustomed through life — in consequence of these circumstances, I, as it was only proper in a son, pressed on her my home — offered that she should make it hers as long as it pleased her to retain it — certainly neglecting to provide for any such contingency as the present, or rather forgetting that any might possibly arise — not imagining that a wife might bring forward objections to Guch an arrangemeut — or the friends of a wife, I ought to say. For Miss Cameron," he continued with a softened lone and expression, which rather smoothed the feelings* which Mr. Beauchamp's rising haughtiness of manner was beginning to kindle within the General's breast^—" as for Miss Came ron. by her, I am tempted to believe, such objection will be interposed."