Married and single

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CHAPTER I. When all the world is young, lad

And all the trees are green ; And every goose a swan, lad,

And every lass a queen ; Then hey for boot and horse, lad,

And round the world away ; Young blood must have its course, lad,

And every dog his day.

KlNGSLEY.

" Well caught ! No ; he's missed it."

" That is three for them at least ; they will beat us yet if we don't take care."

" I never saw Veryan in better form; there is no playing against him ; besides, his team is an unusually good one."

Such remarks might be heard from time to time from various groups of people, assembled in the beautiful grounds of Endellion Castle, the property of Lord Veryan, to watch the closing cricket-match of the season — that of Married v. Single. The play in itself was nothing remarkable, for the cricketers consisted almost entirely of villagers, with the exception of one or two friends brought by the Captain of each side-r-the Honourable Audley

A

Veryan being the head of the Single, while Captain Markham, the agent to the estate, superintended the Married. This match, however, had long been considered the great event of the year at Endellion, it having been instituted when Audley Veryan first entered the Eton Eleven. Lord Veryan threw open his house and grounds for the day, while many from the surrounding neighbourhood came to wander over the beautiful gardens, and to see the collection of valuable pictures and other works of art contained in the Castle.

The poor were also gladly welcomed, and as they appeared on the cricket-ground they were greeted cordially by Lord and Lady Veryan and their daughter, Lady Irene, who moved from group to group, recognising many old friends, and inquiring kindly for the absent.

A broad river ran through the park, on which might be seen little boats with gaily covered awnings, provided for the amusement of those who did not care to watch the cricket. Several tents were scattered here and there, with flags flying from them, while the cheerful strains of a military band added to the enjoyment of the spectators.

The " married" cricketers were distinguished by crimson caps, while those of the "single" were of pale blue, a custom which, by the wish of Audley Veryan, was followed as closely as possible in the costume of the spectators of the fair sex. Many were the pleasantries exchanged between the belles of the village and their admirers upon the prospect of "changing colour" before the next year's match, and the well-known fact that many proposals had taken place on this opportune occasion rendered this match an unusually popular one.

"I never wish to see no better play than what I've seen to-day," remarked one old man to another who was watching the game with keen interest; "why, it's my belief our young master* could beat all the players in London, and off his own bat too."

" His batting's good enough," replied the other, " but to my mind his fielding 's the best. It's the finest thing I ever see to watch him a-running after the ball ; he do go so quick and so nimble-like, there's none about here can come up to him."

"And for all that he's no conceit about him, that's what I like," added a younger man who joined them.

" When we was practising last night, c George/ says he to me, he says, ' I wish I could bowl as well as you' (not but what he makes a very good offer at bowling himself). He's the sor.t of gentleman I like, he's ready to say a kind word to one just as if he wasn't the son of a Lord."

" Ah I" said the first speaker, shaking his head solemnly, "I only wish there was more like him, I do. There's that Mr. Eobson, who has just taken Park House, and who's so taken up with those 'orses of his. My son works in the stables, and he tells me his master speaks to him just as if he was the dirt under his feet. They all hate him, I know, and he's nothing so grand either, for I've heerd as how his father kept a shop in London."

In another part of the ground was seated Mrs. Markham, the pretty little wife of Captain Markham, dressed

4 MABRIED AND SINGLE.

in white, with crimson ribbons, and a crimson rose fastened in front of her dress. She was surrounded by a group of the lesser magnates of the neighbourhood, Mrs. Oldman, the doctor's wife, Mrs. Mayhew, a widow, living in the village of Endellion,and others, who took a lively interest in their neighbours' concerns, and were anxious to glean from her what tidings they could of the sayings and doings of " the aristocracy," as they always called the Veryans.

" I fear this will be an anxious moment for you, Mrs. Markham," remarked Lord Veryan, as he approached the group. " I see your husband has just ' gone in/ but we may expect him to distinguish himself, as he always does."

"I am sure I hope he will, my Lord," replied Mrs. Markham ; " but don't you agree with me that cricket is a very unfair and one-sided gamel We have just been saying that it does not seem right for only two men to be playing on one side and eleven others all against them. I think that ought to be altered," she continued, with a little laugh, glancing at Lord Veryan, as if he could not fail to be struck with her remark. To her disappointment, however, he merely smiled, saying, " I do not quite know what your husband would say to such a proposal," and passed on. A few moments after, loud clapping and cheers from the ranks of the " single" signified that some event had taken place.

Captain Markham, the best player of the "married," had been bowled the first ball, and soon after walked disconsolately towards the place where his wife and her friend were sitting.

" Poor Charlie," she exclaimed, " I am so sorry for you ; but never mind, dear, I am sure your turn will come soon again, if you only wait for it."

" My turn I" answered her husband, " why, don't you know that this is the second innings)"

" I am afraid I do not know what the * second innings ' means," replied Mrs. Markham innocently.

" My dear Violet, how can you be so foolish, after all the trouble I have taken to initiate you into the mysteries of cricket 1 Why, have I not taken you to all the best matches at Lords and Princes, and yet you seem to know as little about it as ever."

" But, Charlie, dear, I think it would be a great pity to waste one's time watching the cricket at Lords. I always give myself up to enjoying the society of my friends, and to studying the marvellous costumes to be seen there ; one never has such an opportunity elsewhere."

Her husband, however, was too absorbed in watching the game to notice her remarks. Presently Audley Veryan approached them. He was tall and fair, with a light active figure, large grey eyes, and a pleasant smile. His genial manners made him universally popular, and he excelled in all manly sports, cricket, hunting, and lawn tennis, though he cared little for the admiration he received, and remained utterly unspoiled by it. He stood leaning on the railing that fenced off the ground, while another of the opposite side was preparing to go to the wicket.

"Allow me to congratulate you on your good play,

Mr. Veryan," said Mrs. Markham ; " I hear you have been doing great things to-day."

" Thank you," he replied, taking off his cap ; " but I shall not be satisfied until I can play as well as your husband ; he made some splendid catches, and, as you know, I missed a very easy one."

"I am sure my wife knew nothing about it until you mentioned it," replied Captain Markham. " I cannot succeed in making her understand the game at all."

"You are not like my sister Irene," remarked Mr. Veryan ; " she delights in cricket, and knows the place of every one in the field as well as the captain of an eleven. She used to be a capital player, in my schoolboy days, and she always comes down upon me if I do not distinguish myself to her satisfaction."

" How proud he is of his sister," said Mrs. Oldman, as he walked away; "how he will miss her when she marries."

"Yes," replied Mrs. Markham, "they are devoted to each other, and the separation will be still greater, for I hear Captain Leighton's regiment is ordered to India."

" I am sorry to hear that," remarked Mrs. Mayhew, " for she is a nice creature, and we shall all miss her. Indeed I think, considering their rank, that the whole family are very affable. I am sure you agree with me, Mrs. Oldman."

"Yes I do, Mrs. Mayhew, and I think we are very fortunate to have such members of the aristocracy resident amongst us. As for Lady Irene, when she comes down after the London season, she always calls to tell me all about it, and what she has been doing, and brings my invalid daughter, Mabel, the pattern of some new work, or something to interest her, and she always asks how Johnnie and Harry are getting on at school"

"Lady Katherine is very different," said Mrs. Markham; " she is so brusque and off-hand, and has not the charming manners of her sister, but I hear she gets on very well in Ireland, and is much liked there."

" I daresay she suits those wild Irish people," replied Mrs. Oldman ; " I have never been in that country myself, nor do I ever wish to go, for I 'd be shot from behind a hedge to a dead certainty. But Lady Katherine seems to like it, and she only laughed when I asked her if she was not afraid of her tenants murdering her."

" My mother has sent me to ask if you will not come into the tent for some tea," said Lady Irene, who approached the group at that moment, and thus put an end to all further discussion.

Chapter II

Better to hunt in fields for health unbought, Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. The wise, for cure, on exercise depend, God never made His work for man to mend.

Drtden.

The family at Endellion Castle consisted of the Earl and Countess of Veryan and their four children, two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Lord Harcourt, was in the diplomatic service, and now held an appointment at St. Petersburg. Lady Katherine, the eldest daughter, had married some years previously Sir Percival Fitzgerald, the owner of a large property in Ireland, and she, with her husband and their little daughter Dorothy, were now on a visit at Endellion. Audley Veryan, the second son, we have already described ; Lady Irene, the youngest, was tall and slight, and much resembled her brother Audley. She had a graceful figure, beautiful golden hair, and regular features, with an expression of quiet, calm happiness in her large grey eyes.

The morning after the cricket-match the party at the Castle were engaged in talking over the events of the preceding day.

" How well Captain Markham played in the first innings," said Lady Irene ; " I was afraid there was no chance for our side when I saw his score ; I felt very sorry for him, however, when he went out first ball, nothing is so aggravating."

" What a little fool his wife is," remarked Lord Veryan; " why, she made such ridiculous remarks to me about the game yesterday, that I really had no patience with her. I wonder Markham does not either try to teach her something about it, or make her hold her tongue."

"I wish women were not always saying such silly things," replied his son, " and then expecting us to laugh as if they had said something very amusing. For my part, I never speak to Mrs. Markham if I can possibly help it, for though she is pretty enough she always bores me. I am sorry for it too, for Markham is a first-rate fellow."

" She appears more silly than she really is," said Lady Irene; "I think she has been brought up in rather a second-rate set, among people who consider it clever to laugh at everything, but often when I am alone with her she is sensible enough."

" I see Irene has not lost her old habit of white-washing people," remarked her brother-in-law ; " if she wishes to be eccentric, and as unlike the rest of the world as possible, she had better stick to it."

" My dear Percy," she replied, laughing, " I really cannot allow you to be so cynical. I have a much better opinion of the world than you have. I think it a delightful place. People are so pleasant and friendly, and always seem glad to see one ; I have never found them as disagreeable as you imagine, and I am sure very few are capable of all the faults you constantly attribute to human nature."

"One expects optimism at twenty-one," replied her brother-in-law, "especially in an Earl's daughter accustomed to admiration from her cradle, and now engaged to such a piece of perfection as Captain Leighton ; but wait a few years, Irene, and see if your creed has not somewhat changed."

Irene was about to reply, but her sister interrupted her.

" Never mind what Percy says, Irene ; I never think of attending to him when he makes such remarks ; it is only * papa's way/ as Dorothy says, whenever he does anything that important little personage happens to disapprove of."

The conversation then turned upon various autumn plans, Lady Veryan having decided that it was necessary for herself and her husband to visit Homburg and drink the waters, though they were both in excellent health. She was accustomed to regard everything and every one from a medical point of view, and was never happier than when some of her melancholy predictions concerning the health of her friends were fulfilled.

"Ah!" she would say, "poor dear Mary! I saw it coming on long ago, and I remember saying to Irene at the time that I thought her far from strong ; if she had only consulted Dr. Parsons, as I advised her, it might never have come to this. I always think ' a stitch in time saves nine/ and that * prevention is better than cure/ If more people would follow my example of having their

MARRIEB AND SINGLE. 1 1

family doctor to call in every morning before he goes his rounds, I feel sure much illness might be prevented."

" I am afraid, dear Audley," she remarked to her son on the morning of which we are speaking, " that you are over-tired with your exertions yesterday. I am sure you are doing too much. I wish you would give up cricket, and take to some quieter amusement/'

" Give it up, mother ! when I am to play for the county to-morrow, and for the ' Zingari* next week, and my eleven is the best in the neighbourhood ! I should be very sorry indeed to give it up ; besides, plenty of exercise does one more good than harm."

"Yes, Audley, exercise in moderation, a quiet ride or walk, or an occasional game of lawn tennis, if you do not get over-heated; but to run about all day under a hot sun, as you do at cricket, and never to sit down or rest when you are tired, cannot be good for any one. Doctor Oldman told me only yesterday that he had known many young men's constitutions ruined for life by over-exertion in athletic sports, so you cannot wonder that I feel anxious when you persist in playing so much."

"Why, mother," exclaimed her son, laughing, "you agree with the immortal poet in thinking that

' All the world's a hospital, And all the men and women merely patients ; '

but I promise you not to bring myself to an early grave

or, what would be far worse, to fall into Doctor Oldman's

hands through my devotion to the noble game of cricket.*'

Lady Veryan smiled, but added in a warning voice —

" Indeed it is no laughing matter, Audley ; I only wish I could persuade you to be more careful."

"I will come to the rescue, mother," said Lady Katherine, "and carry him off from the dangers that await him. I want to persuade him and Irene to return with us to Ireland, for there will be capital shooting, and I will tell Percy to see that he does not walk too far, and that he sits down when he is tired. I think you can trust him to us."

" All right, Kitty," replied her brother, " we will come and explore the wilds of Oriel Court, but Irene must come too. I decline to be separated from her during the short space of time she still belongs to me."

Chapter III

A lovely valley beneath her lay, And that land had glens and mountains grey, And that land had valleys and hoary piles, And merled seas, and a thousand isles : The fields were speckled, its forests green, And its lakes were all of the dazzling sheen, Like magic mirrors, where slumbering lay The sun, and the sky, and the cloudlet grey.

Kilmbny.

Sir Percy Fitzgerald's property was situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland, on the shores of a lough, stretching for twenty miles inland. In some parts it was several miles wide, but in others scarcely a mile across. The country on each side was beautifully wooded, the trees reaching down to the water's edge, while little islands covered its surface, some large enough to be inhabited. The inhabitants living on the shores of the lough were accustomed to an almost aquatic existence, the poorer class being composed chiefly of fishermen and boatmen, who conveyed passengers and goods from the islands to the mainland. Their richer neighbours possessed yachts, and sailing and rowing boats of various kinds, and Lady Katherine Fitzgerald declared she had no longer any use for horses and carriages, as every one seemed to live on the water.

Oriel Court, the Fitzgeralds* place, was situated on a hill overlooking the lough, a fine deer-park, broken here and there with picturesque stretches of gorse and bracken, extended for some distance along the shores of the lough, while the broad terrace-walk in front of the house commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding country, including the sea in the distance, and a long line of deep blue mountains, whose summits were generally concealed by clouds or mist.

" Really, Percy, this is a lovely place," exclaimed Lady Irene to her brother-in-law, a few days after her arrival in Ireland. " I admire it more and more each time I come here, and I think Katherine is very fortunate in having such a beautiful home."

" I am very glad you like it," he replied. " You don't belong to the usual class of nil admirari English people, who, when they come to this country, spend their time in comparing it with their own, and telling us how far we are behind them in civilisation. Perhaps if England had gone through as many wars and disturbances she would not have been so civilised after all."

" Now, Percy," said his wife, laughing, " that is a dangerous subject. When once you begin upon the wrongs of Ireland I never know when you will stop ! But, really, I am as glad as you can be that Irene appreciates this country. She is delighted with our people, and is thinking of giving a practical refutation to the old appendix to English advertisements, ' No Irish need apply.' "

"Yes," answered Irene; "I have thoughts of taking your pretty Bridget back with me as my maid, if she will come, and I hear she would like to go to England. I wish," she continued, " that our country people were as easy to get on with and as friendly as yours ; why, every time Katherine speaks to them they say something amusing. There is old Mrs. Peters, who is as good as Mrs. Malaprop, she told us yesterday she knew 'the family* had returned, for 'she had seen the carriage carousing about the country.' "

Sir Percival laughed, saying, " Yes, but you should ask her to tell you of her expedition to Ballykillen to be photographed, and how a man looked at her through ' a chimera 1 till she felt quite frightened."

At this moment Audley Veryan entered the room asking his brother-in-law if he were ready to start on the shooting expedition that had been planned, and saying he thought there was no time to lose, as he saw clouds gathering over Sleive Knock, which was by no means a good omen for the weather.

" That learned gamekeeper of yours," he continued, " has just informed me that he thinks 'Jupiter Pluvius will be at it again/ if we don't make haste."

" I see you have already become acquainted with some of Macpherson's classical allusions, Audley," replied Sir Percival ; " he often alarms my friends with his questions, and his display of knowledge. Like many Scotchmen, he has received an excellent education, and is not backward in showing it."

After the shooters had started, Lady Katherine proposed t it M A UKI ED AND SINGLE.

to her winter to j»ay some visits in the afternoon to some tVioiuU who lived further down the lough.

"It In a long way round by land," she said, "so if jon do not mind, Irene, wo might sail there, fori think the tide will suit both for going and returning, and we have not boon on tho water since wo came home."

Accordingly « Tho White Swan/ a pretty little sailing boat, was ordered to be ready directly after luncheon, when they started, attended by two sailors, Lady Katherine steering.

"Is it safe, Kitty, to trust yourself to steer, without Percy or some one to help you!" asked Irene, timidly.

" Safe enough, my lady," answered Pat Murphy, one of the sailors, before Lady Katherine had time to reply ; "why, her ladyship knows every rock and tide and current in this lough, just as well as any of us. 'Deed, and if you *d seen her steer this same ' White Swan ' at the Bally killen Regatta, and bring her in first into the bargain, you'd not be afeerd to trust yourself with her ; would she now, Tom?"

" Sure and she wouldn't, now," replied the other sailor.

At this reliable testimony Irene was obliged to feel reassured, or rather to conceal her secret fears, for she was not as intrepid as her sister, nor as fond of the sea, and, in spite of her endeavours to the contrary, all kinds of stories of shipwrecks, and of pleasure-boats capsized in sudden squalls, came unbidden to her mind.

Away they went, however, the boat dancing merrily over the waves, with the spray dashing in their faces, while every now and then a fresh breeze would spring up, and the side on which Irene sat would come rather nearer to the edge of the water than she liked.

"How delightful!" exclaimed Lady Katherine; "this is a thousand times pleasanter than crawling along a dusty road, behind two lazy old carriage horses. But you look very pale, Irene."

" I shall be rather glad when we land, and still more glad when we are safely at home again, for it seems to me very rough."

" Dear Irene, I am so sorry you do not like it ; we will not sail again if you would rather not ; but indeed it is not rough, there is only just enough wind to fill the sails, and we are almost at our destination."

A short time after, much to Irene's relief, the boat entered a little harbour, where they landed, and walked towards a large house at a little distance.

" I think you have never been at Faynetower before," said Lady Katherine ; " Sir Michael could not afford to live here, so he has only lately returned to the neighbourhood. An old aunt left him a little money, which he will probably spend as rapidly as he spent his own fortune, and yet have nothing more to show for it. You know the family consists of Sir Michael and Lady Fayne, neither of whom I care for, and an only child, Beatrix, a beauty, and a great flirt, whom I rather like ; let us hope she will be at home, and not her mother."

On ringing the bell, however, they received the unwelcome intelligence that Lady Fayne was at home. Through

B a large hall, whose chief decoration consisted of huntingwhips, with an occasional fox's brush and a few sporting pictures, they were conducted into a long, low library, where Lady Fayne generally sat. The room was wainscotted with old oak, and contained cabinets of valuable china, while portraits of various ancestors appeared on the walls. The chairs looked more antique than safe, the old Turkey carpet was worn threadbare, the table seemed in a state of confusion, covered with letters, bills, a torn Gopy of Handley Cross and the last new novel, while amidst all lay a formidable-looking copy of Bridge's Expositions, with a broad blue ribbon marker.

After waiting for nearly a quarter of an hour, Lady Fayne appeared, apologising for her delay, saying —

"I was at the school superintending the religious instruction, for I cannot say I approve of that given by Mr. Everard. His views upon baptismal regeneration are wholly erroneous, and what a sad thing it would be if error was to creep into those young minds unawares ! "

" I have always liked Mr. Everard's sermons," replied Lady Katherine, " and so has Sir Percival ; but I am sorry to hear you consider his teaching unsafe."

"Ah, Lady Katherine, you are no judge; you were brought up in England, probably under some ritualistic clergyman. I hope, my dear, you are sound V she continued, turning to Irene.

The latter blushed at being so suddenly addressed, and never having heard the expression applied except to a horse, replied simply, " Yes, thank you, I am quite well."

" J am glad to hear it, my dear, I am glad to hear it ; but that is not what I meant ; it is your soul, and not your body, I was inquiring after. In these days young people are exposed to so many dangerous High Church tendencies, that I think it my duty to warn them whenever I can." •

Irene was at a loss for an answer, but fortunately she was saved the trouble of replying by the entrance of a tall, very handsome girl, dressed in a riding habit, with her whip and gloves in her hand. Beatrix Fayne's appearance was by no means easy to describe. Those who knew her best said she never looked the same for two minutes together. She was considerably above middle height, and her expression varied with every thought that flitted through her mind, while it was impossible to foretell what she might do or say next. She was a brunette, with masses of black hair coiled round and round the back of her head, her features were irregular, and the chief beauty of her face lay in her large dark eyes, which could assume instantly every expression from a glance of mischievous fun to one of melting tenderness. " Unconventional," " unlike other girls," " quite eccentric," were the epithets applied to her by the mothers and daughters of the neighbourhood, though all their male relations were her devoted admirers ; — beauty formed an excuse with them for conduct they would never have tolerated from any one else.

"Beatrix Fayne is an example of the old Spanish proverb, ' One man may steal a horse out of a field while another mayn't look at it over the fence/ " remarked a neighbouring squire shrewdly, when Beatrix's vagaries were under discussion.

On entering the room she listened rather scornfully to Lady Fayne's last remark, and then proceeded to greet Lady Katherine warmly.

" I 'm uncommonly glad you 've come back," she said, "for it has been duller than ever while you have been away ; I have had no one to race with, and it is stupid work going out to sail by one's-self. I have hardly been once in the ' Di Vernon ' since you left, so I had to take to riding instead, but one does not care much for that either till the hunting begins."

" Where have you ridden to this afternoon 1 " inquired her mother. " I hope not far, as you would insist on going all alone."