L I b R.ARY OF THE UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS 85.3 V.l Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/roseaylmershomei01lond ROSE AYLMER'S HOME VOL. I. ROSE AYLMER'S HOME. " Die Franzoseu hassen eine Tragodie ohne Liebe ; wir jetzigen Deutschen etne Liebe ohne Tragodie."— >Je ax Palt-. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 13, GEEAT MAELBOROUGH STEEET. 1865. Thi- right of Translation is reserved L0>fI)ON; TRINTED BY MACDONALD AND TDGNNTXL, BLENHEIM H0U8B, BLKNUKIM STREET, OXFORD STREET. fz3 R7Z5' CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. CHAPTER I. Madame Eucrinaz and Rose peer into the Future 1 II. Broad's Cottage 17 III. The First Vacation 29 -^' lY. The Secrets of the Mine . 54 V. The First Rumblings of the Thunder . 83 ■5 VI. Sunshine and Shade .... 100 ■W vn. The Hour of Temptation . 122 i VIII. The Daily Round .... 137 ^ i IX. A Midsummer Night in London 155 X. A MiDsmiMER Night on the Moors . . 173 XI. Treasure Hidden in the Depths . 19(i ^ XII. Sowing to the AVind . . . • . 21G 1 XIII. A Father's Counsel .... . 232 4 VI CONTENTS. niAPTBK XIV. The Colonkl declines " Carpetus XV. Shooter's Sunday. XVI. The Twelfth of August . XVII. The Miner lays the Train XVIII. The Alarm is given . PAGE 245 257 273 291 308 CHAPTER I. MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE PEER INTQ THE FUTURE. Our pathway leads but to a precipice, And all must follow, fearful as it is t From the first step 'tis known ; but — No delay ! On — 'tis decreed. We tremble and obey, A thousand ills beset us as we go. Rogers. A CAB stood at the garden-gate of a fashion- able London school, as a young man of light figure and easy manner was ushered into the presence of the mistress of the establishment. A smile relaxed her usually compressed lips, and her whole bearing assumed it? frankest expression, as she advanced to meet him. VOL. I. B 2 ROSE AYLMER S HOME. " You are punctual, Mr. Aylmer," she said ; '^ a rare virtue in the present day. I wish your sister would take pattern of you!" '^ I hold punctuality to be a sacred duty, Madame," replied Herbert Aylraer ; '^ a duty absolutely enjoined by the golden rule ; be assured I shall use my influence with Eose to press its necessity upon her." As he spoke his countenance beamed with high purpose, and his smile was full of sweet- ness ; he was as wholly unaware as Madame Eucrinaz, that, in his daily practice, punctu- ality Avas rather the exception than the rule, and was only acted out when, as in the present instance, no temptation whatever occurred to its infringement. " I hope you have been satisfied Avith my sister's conduct and progress of late?" he asked, with a truly paternal air. MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. 6 " With her conduct, no ; with her progress, yes," replied the gouvernante. " Look you," she continued, knitting her brows, and fixing her dark eyes as if she would penetrate the inmost depths of her subject, ^^ I do love the little Eose dearly, and value some of her qualities much. She is brilliant, affectionate, true-hearted ; but she wants stability, she is lured aside by the pleasure of the moment, and the reason is that she is wanting in faith." As Madame Eucrinaz spoke, young Aylmer's eyes had darted quick glances upon every- thing in the room, and every article was pho- tographed in his mind ; his were remarkable eyes, blue and transparent, full of a womanly tenderness, but glancing hither and thither restlessly, darting a piercing look into every subject, and guaging its depths with marvel- lous rapidity. As Madame Eucrinaz paused, B 2 4 ROSE aylmer's home. his glance rested on her for a moment, and he replied in musical accents — '* Ah ! yes, there you have it ! Dear Rose's heart is unrenewed, and how can she parry the assaults of the Evil One without the shield of faith r '' Pardon me, sir," replied Madame ; *' I do not speak of decided religious faith, but of the faith natural in many characters." Here a deprecating motion of Herbert's long thin hands interrupted her; but she only knitted her black brows more closely, and fixed a more concentrated attention upon him, which had the efiect of making him more and more restless, so that not only his eyes wandered rapidly from object to object, but his fingers interlaced and re-interlaced each other, and, if you had watched his boots, you might have seen that his very toes were in motion. MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. 5 ^^ I speak," continued the lady, ^^ of the faith natural in some characters. I watch my pupils closely, I give them my commands — some obey them blindly — that is not Rose — some obey when they know and trust their ruler — that is not Kose, again — she only obeys on her own conviction — in fact, she obeys her own reason, and has faith in no other. Do you comprehend me, sir?" ^^ Perfectly, Madame ; but I feel sure that it is true conversion that Eose wants, and that alone." " I differ from you. Converted or uncon- verted, her faith will be weak — it will be the feeble point in her character. But for gifts — ah ! the little Rose has talent ! How she speaks French and German ! — how she brings out the tones of the piano ! — how she dances !" " A dangerous gift that, Madame. I would 6 ROSE aylmer's home. that in one so frail of purpose as Eose it had not been cultivated." Again the dark brows lowered over the darker eyes, and the close scrutiny recom- menced, which threatened to induce an attack of St. Vitus's dance in Herbert Aylmer's sus- ceptible nerves. *' My penetration is greatly at fault," she exclaimed, ^^ if you do not dance admirably yourself !" Herbert smiled in accepting the compliment to his grace. " Yes, I can dance, and should have greatly enjoyed it, had I not early seen its danger to others — it is no longer dangerous to myself. I have taken my stand for ever, and the frivolous allurements of the world have no charm for me." He might have continued his confidence, the subject seemed so congenial to him ; but MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. 7 at this moment Eose entered the room, and dancing round him gleefully, finally threw herself into his arms, exclaiming, '^Herbert, you beauty ! you get handsomer every six months. It is too bad you should be going away so soon after I come home — I should have liked to keep you to make love to 1" " Are you going out into the world ?" asked Madame Eucrinaz. " I am going to college, Madame. I should have gone two years ago, but for family reasons, the most imperative of which was my father's protracted suffering in the eyes. I staid as a lay curate, visited the sick, trained the choir, and read the lessons for him. I have continued my studies at the same time, and as my father took a first-class in his day, I could not have had a better tutor. College work Avill now be mere child's play !" 8 ROSE aylmer's home. "It is rare to find musical talent in a man united with the deep intellectual power neces- sary to master classical and mathematical difficulties," said Madame. " Yes !" exclaimed Rose ; " but you have no idea how clever Herbert is, Madame. He is awfully learned in the deep books he reads with papa, and could pass an examination for holy orders already, papa says ; and besides that, he plays the piano, and organ, and flute, and paints such beautiful pictures ! — and he is good, too," added the girl in a graver tone ; "if you had had him for a pupil, he would not have given you a quarter the trouble I have done ! Dear Herbert !" she exclaimed, her eyes full of affectionate admi- ration, " you will teach me to be good at last, won't you ?" " If you will learn humbly and earnestly," he said, stroking her cheek. " But now we MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. 9 must say good-bye to Madame Eucrinaz, or we shall miss the train." Kose threw her arms round her governess. '* Good-bye, Madame ; I am not glad to leave you, only you know I can't help being glad to go home, and be done with lessons. I have been very rebellious and troublesome to you, and now I wish I had been good — please forgive me, for I truly love you ; and please let me come to see you sometimes ?" Rose spoke rapidly, and as rapidly rushed to the cab, and Herbert followed her, having pressed Madame Eucrinaz's hand, and thanked her for all the care she had taken of his sister. As the cab drove off, Madame still gazed from the window, her brows contracted, her lips compressed. " My experience is wasted," she soliloquised at length, " if that young man pass through college unscathed. Better that he should not. 10 ROSE AYLMER's home. Better that a speedy fall should strike a first blow at his self-confidence. He goes forth to meet Goliath clad in unproved armour, de- spising the familiar sling and stone ! Rose, with her warm afiection, too truthful to make an insincere profession, is nearer heaven than you, young man, with all your gifts and graces." The soliloquy might have lasted long, but for the arrival of the music-master, and Ma- dame bustled away to attend to her many responsibilities. Meantime the travellers exchanged the cab for a railway carriage, and were borne away westwards as fast as an express train could carry them. There were few stoppages, and when they did alight from the train it was at the town of Trowbury, in Wiltshire, where a bay pony and well-used phaeton were awaiting them. MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. 11 Herbert took the reins from the servant's hand, and would have driven rapidly through the town, but for Eose's entreaty. " Do stop at the grocer's, darling Herbert ! I have saved some of my week's money, and I want to get a little tea for Betty Gal- loway, and a trifle for my old pet Mercy Broad." *^ Get the tea, by all means, my love," re- joined her brother, as he drew the reins ; ^' but don't buy any sweets or ribbons for Mercy. She is a promising girl, but I sadly fear her pretty face will make her vain. Buy her a new prayer-book or hymn-book at the Christian Knowledge Repository." Rose made a wry face, darted into the grocer's and bought her tea ; but instead of proceeding to the book-shop, she plunged into a draper's, and reappeared in a few minutes with a small parcel. 12 ROSE aylmer's home. Herbert drove on rapidly, and in silence. When they were free from the town, he put his arm round Eose, and said gently — *^ My little disobedient sister has bought finery after all." Kose opened her parcel, rapidly displaying a length of blue ribbon. She playfully re- moved her brother's hat, twined the ribbon among the silky locks of his fair hair, and, clapping her hands joyously, exclaimed — '^Well, Herbert, I never saw anything so becoming ! You are handsome and refined as a man, but you would make a lovely woman ; and the blue ribbon heightens the beauty of your complexion, while it matches your eyes. It is well that I am your sister, for I should otherwise be certain to fall in love with you ; and you could never take up with a madcap like me. You must take Mercy's portrait with this ribbon in her hair, and you can call MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. 13 her Jael, or Jephthah's daughter, or the Virgin Mary." Herbert smiled benevolently. His sister's merry flattery had removed all objections to the ribbon ; and when she entreated permis- sion to alight at Betty's cottage, he at once yielded to her wish. In leaving the cottage slie met the girl in question, who had seemed a child a year ago, but had suddenly shot up into a slender and lovely woman. In the extremity of her pleasure in the beautiful, Eose bent from the carriage, and threw her arms round Mercy's neck, imprinting a kiss on her glowing cheek. Surprise and emotion painted the village beauty with two-fold loveliness ; her soft, grey eyes beamed dove-like tenderness, and the rosy lips quivered too much to be able to reply. Herbert admired her as much at this 14 ROSE aylmer's home. minute as his sister Kose did, but he checked all expression of feeling, only saying, " God bless you, Mercy," as he drove on. Rose had quite forgotten to give the ribbon ; but calling to her as the pony trotted forward, she tossed the parcel playfully to her, cry- ing— "A Christmas-box that I have brought you, Mercy." On the slope of the Down, but nearer the valley than the summit, the village church and Rectory nestled among a grove of fir and elm trees. The Rectory was a long, low house, covered with thatch, China roses, and jas- mine climbing to the eaves. There was a sloping lawn in front, and beautiful shrubs in tasteful groups, and one gay flower-bed near the drawing-room window for Mrs. Aylmer's amusement, who was entirely confined to the sofa, and had been for several years. MADAME EUCRINAZ AND ROSE. lo Mr. Aylmer met his son and daughter at the garden-gate. His appearance assured you at once that he was a scion of a gentle if not a noble house ; and he never needed the pres- tige of " my brother the baronet," to secure for him his rightful place in society. He was poor, as many younger sons are, especially where the head of the house is not rich ; but he only regretted his want of means, because it curtailed the advantages he could give his children. Isabel was the next to appear. In her calm expression and staid manner you saw more of the typical child of the Kectory than in her brother or sister, but you had need to judge thus, for you might live years with her without hearing aught of her character or aspirations from herself. She was essentially practical and earnest, and, if she spoke, it was to direct or to sympathise, not to draw upon 16 ROSE aylmer's home. herself the attention for which she had no desire. A happier family party seldom drew round a Christmas hearth than that which was as- sembled in Upper Clialkley Rectory that 24th of December. Eose was certainly the fi^ayest member, and so she prattled on, " Well may I be the merriest, for I have come back to my home for ever ! Poor Herbert must not be sad, for though he is soon going away, it will only be to return laden with honours, and to make our Christmas gather- ing more gladsome next year than ever.'' And Rose's eyes sparkled in viewing the gay picture her imagination had drawn, and she felt more certain of her insight into the future than did Madame Eucrinaz. 17 CHAPTER 11. broad's cottage. It chanced upon the merry merry Christmas eve, I went sighing past the church across tlje moorland dreary ; " Oh never sin, and want, and woe, this earth will leave, And the bells but mock the waiHng round, they ring so cheery. How long, O Lord, how long before Thou come again, Still in cellar, and in garret, and on the moorland dreary, The orphans moan, and widows weep, and poor men toil in vain, And earth is sick with hope deferred, though Christmas bells be cheery." Charles Kingsley. It was the 24th of December, and active pre- parations were being made in the village of Upper Chalkley for the celebration of Christ- VOL. I.' c 18 ROSE aylmer's home. mas Eve. Bright fires burned at the Hall and at the Kectory, but in the low thatched house, high up upon the down, where Broad, and his family lived, it was but a feeble glow that proceeded from the grate, and the on( cake in course of baking ran a great risk of being spoiled by the insufficient heat of the oven. Very near to the fire sat a short, square- built man, heavy-featured, and with lowering brows ; he was i^eading a chartist newspaper, and a large-limbed son was similarly em- ployed, while a younger boy, whose bodily and mental capacity would have made him a treasure in a rising colony, was exhausting his ingenuity in tormenting a half-starved bird. The cottage was the perfection of dis- comfort; the window, though stufied with rags where the glass was wanting, ill sufficed to keep out the blast sweeping mercilessly across broad's cottage. 19 the Downs ; the door hung so loose on its hinges that it gave free access to the ele- ments, and the only corner out of the draught both of door and window was taken up by a huge boiler, very useful, doubtless, on a washing day, or when Farmer Hamlyn be- stowed a gift of waste potatoes on the pig, but very much in the way on all other occa- sions. Martha Broad, the mother of the family, looked, and was, to all intents and purposes, a drudge. Her soiled and scanty garments, her unkempt locks, and the hope- less expression in her dull face, were all in unison; and as she deluged with water the uneven brick floor of the chilly house, she seemed to feel labour and discomfort as her native elements. Suddenly the latch was lifted. Broad pocketed his newspaper, the young man thrust his pamphlet under the big Bible, the c 2 20 ROSE aylmer's home. lad turned a tin mug over the wretched bird, and Martha leaned upon her mop. A young woman entered, neat, and well dressed, carry- ing a basket in her hand ; but as the eye passed from the neatly clad though stunted ^^ figure to the face, it turned away disap- pointed, for the small grey eyes looked past you the thick lips wore an unmistakably sulky expression, and the whole aspect of the large heavy face was forbidding in the ex- treme. " Oh ! it's thee, Mahla, is it ? '' grumbled Broad. '' Thee's maybe come to keep Kissa- mus Eve with us — us shall have a rare feast, lass !" " Missis sends you a bit o' beef for dinner to-morrow," replied the girl, whose godfathers and godmothers had named her Mahala, and whose blood relations mercilessly docked her name of a syllable ; and as she spoke she took broad's cottage. 21 a goodly piece of beef from her basket. Broad's countenance relaxed, the brothers uttered an exclamation of joy, and Martha drew near to feast her eyes on the dainty morsel. '^ Us'll have a feast for once," she said. *^ It's middling beef," rejoined Mahala, grudgingly, ^4or sixpence a pound. We give tenpence for our own beef ; but the mas- ter agreed with the butcher for five stone o' meat at sixpence, for poor folks — this isn't one o' the nicest pieces neither." Broad struck his hand on the table, and the dark cloud contracted his brow again. "Just like the beggarly gentry !" he ex- claimed ; "a curse on their proud charity ; they do feed we for the sake of doing good works, and keeping their own account straight with heaven, not that they have any pity on we ! Who knows but that the beast did die 22 ROSE aylmer's home. o' fever, and the meat be poisoned ! Take it back to t' Kector, lass, and tell he, us have no need o' his offal." '^ Be quiet, Sam, will 'ee !" cried Martha, in a shrill tone ; ^^ hold your peace, man. Us have sore need o' a bellyfull once in the year ; don't turn good food, and well-in- tentioned, from the door. Mahala, thee should know better than to put such thoughts in thy father's head. Surely that's a new gown thee's got on, my maid ?" ^^ Yes, it's a cast one o' Miss Isabel's ; but I don't like it. I shall sell it to Polly Cruse, and get myself a shawl. Or maybe missis will give me a charity tippet, like the Sunday scholars." "What like's a charity tippit?" asked Broad ; and Martha gave her daughter a warning look, lest she should again irritate her father. broad's cottage. 23 "Ah! you'll see Mercy's soon enough," replied Mahala. " Her's to have the biggest, 'cause her's t' oldest scholar. They are made o' t' list off t' charity petticoats, such as mother has for garters." " And do missis expect that my bonny Mercy is to wear such rubbish as that ! I'll break it all in bits first !" " And why hadn't Mercy ought to wear such like ?" asked Mahala, spitefully. " You did think any rag good enough for I, when I was Mercy's age, and you did hold missis up in making me go about in a bonnet without ribbing on it, to keep my pride down ; but Mercy's made o' different flesh and blood, 'cause she's got blue eyes and red cheeks !" Scarcely had she finished these words, when the person in question bounded into the house, her cheeks glowing, her eyes sparkling with animation. She wore an old green dress, and 24 ROSE aylmer's home. a black beaver bonnet, quite guiltless of any remnant of nap, and, lastly, a grey tippet, that looked like squirrel fur at a short dis- tance, but, on nearer inspection, proved to be formed of tiers of grey flannel, laid over one another like a coachman's cape. Mercy was the head taller than her sister, and as pretty as Mahala was plain. Her sparkling eyes and winsome smile shed sunshine around her, and were net the less admired by her father and brothers because they expressed cheer- fulness and docility rather than strength. *' Oh ! mother," she exclaimed, dancing, and clapping her hands, '' I'm so happy ! Miss Eose has come home, and she's beau- tifuller than ever, and I met her in the lane, and her did kiss I, and Mr. Herbert did look smiling on I, and did say, ' God bless you, Mercy;' and Miss Rose did give I the grandest ribbing that you did ever see, for a Kissamus broad's cottage. 25 box like. But that's not all, mother, just feel how warm my new tippit is — you shall wear it sometimes, mother ; you hadn't ought to be cold when I be warm — and, and, oh ! mother, missis do say she'll let me try to be her housemaid — only to think, to wait on master and missis and Miss Isabel, and dear Miss Rose and Mr. Herbert." The mother drew a long breath and grasped the girl's hand for support. " God be thanked!" she ejaculated; "thee'U never want good food, my maiden. Missis be a real good mistrees ; her's allays behaved handsome to Mahla, and her'll be the same to thee." '^ Missis have gived I what I earned," said Mahala sulkily; "if you do call that handsome, mother. I've been with her ten years, and had hard to work ; I was a deal younger than Mercy when I went to be nurse to Miss 26 ROSE aylmer's home. Eose, and her was the aggravatingest child that ever hroke her clothes. If I crossed her will she'd call me a pig, or a dog, and say I was as ugly as sin — Fm sure no dog ever was so insulted !'' " If I hear of any one speaking so to Mercy, it shall be the last word as their evil tongues shall say,'' growled Broad. ^^ Oh ! of course they'll mind their manners with Mercy," hissed the elder sister; '^Miss Kose '11 be a-kissing of her, and perhaps Mr. Herbert too !" Mercy's eyes flashed indignation. ^^ Hold yer tongue, Mahla, and don't speak that way o' Mr. Herbert," she said ; *' him's as quiet and godly as the rector, and you're only going on to set father's temper up !" *" Ha' done, both o' ye, my maids," pleaded the mother ; ^* it's a fine opening for Mercy ; and thank the Lord for remembering we in broad's cottage. 27 our time o' trouble. See what a small spice loaf us have got, and it's all the cheer us are like to have this Kissamus, except for the fine beef that the Rector has sent. Let us be peaceable and thankful for once in our lives." "Thankful!" ejaculated Broad, scornfully; *^ when the malice of the churchwarden has thrown I and my lads out of work, and us have a bit o' bread with a pen'orth o' spice and a pound or two o' coarse beef, while other men bring good wages home and make big fires for Kissamus eve ; us could eat all that's in the house to-night, only if us did us must starve to-morrow. When Farmer Hamlyn's ricks are blazing, him'll know him's been a fool !" Martha and Mercy trembled at the threaten- ing words and manner of the speaker, and even Mahala's dusky cheek flushed at the anger her insinuations had evoked, and she 28 ROSE aylmer's home. hastened to empty her basket that she might return home. ^' There's a bit o' tea for you, mother, and some plums and sugar and suet for a pudding for the childer, and Mr. Herbert's sent father some baccy." Broad looked somewhat ashamed, and re- lieved his conscience by a reproof to his daugh- ter. ^* Look thee, Mahla, keep a civil tongue in thee head when thee arm does carry thee master's favours. Whether I have need to be thankful or not is no matter to thou, but thee had ought to be respectful to they who have fed and clothed thee these ten year." Mahala walked out of the house in high dudgeon. "It's always so," she soliloquised ; "every- body goes against me, but I'll let them know who ought to be minded one day." 29 CHAPTER III. THE FIRST VACATION. And bland in words was wily Ludovick, Much did he promise, nought did he fulfil ; The Trickster Fortune loves the hands that trick, And smiled approving on her conjuror's skill. Sir E. Bulwer Lttton, The blooms on the Lent lilies had all faded away, and Pasque flowers and marigolds were mingled in the wreaths that Isabel and Rose were weaving for the decoration of the church on Easter day. From time immemorial the church had been adorned at this season, but the introduction of flowers among the ever- greens was an infringement made by Rose, 30 ROSE aylmer's home. whose taste had been charmed by their effect in the London church she had attended. Mr. Aylmer was never wont to attach importance to mere external trifles, and Isabel was of his mind ; but Mrs. Aylmer had at first opposed the encroachment, feeling sure that it would vex Herbert. He, however, expressed more than neutrality on his return from Oxford ; he asserted an actual preference for the flowers ; so the wreathing went on with spirit. " Dear Herbert," said Rose, as her nimble fingers entwined leaves and flowers, '^ I hope you mean to be in an extra good humour on Monday. You and I are going alone to a croquet party at Oak Park, for Isabel has to help papa with the school prizes. It is very jolly there, if only nobody gets sticky." *^ If by getting ^ sticky ' you mean to ex- press a fear that I shall attempt to dictate to Sir Henry Maitland what guests he is to THE FIRST VACATION. 31 entertain, or what amusements he is to enter- tain them with, you may set your fears at rest. 1 have learnt to mind my own business at Oxford, if I have learnt nothing else ; and the light of reason is alone enough to teach a man of family to let others' business alone." Isabel fixed a searching glance on her brother ; but Rose exclaimed eagerly — '^ If you have learnt nothing else ! Why, you dear, clever thing, didn't you get an exhibition first go ofi", and have you not been working yourself quite to a skeleton ever since ! Everybody knows you are to have a first-class and a fellowship, and to be a bishop some day " Herbert laughed a low, musical laugh, and slightly shrugged his shoulders, then glanced searchingly at his two sisters, and turned away impatiently after his scrutiny of Isabel. 32 ROSE aylmer's home. The Monday to which Eose looked forward with so much pleasure dawned brightly ; and the fete arranged at Oak Park was a perfect success. The croquet players quickly ar- ranged themselves in two parties, and Rose felt a little disappointed that Herbert was not on her side. A Miss Vavasour was there — a fast girl, who had had the advantage of les- sons in slang from her brother at Oxford, and with this girl Herbert made a close alliance. She was greatly older than her brother, but dressed in the most juvenile style. It was the crisis of the game. The balls belonging to Eose, Herbert, and Miss Vava- sour, were within one stroke of the winning point, and it was Herbert^s turn. " Hit your little sister hard !" exclaimed the lady in question, *^ and drive her into the middle of next week ; then rush to my assist- ance, and send me to take vengeance on Mr. THE FIRST VACATION. 33 Maitland ! Do this, and I am your devoted slave for ever !'^ Herbert gave her a look of melting tender- ness, placed his hand on his heart, and was lifting his mallet for the blow, when Kose in- terrupted him, saying gently — '' Yours is not a very sure stroke, Herbert, and my ball is some distance from yours, you may fail in hitting it ; so you had better pur- sue your own game, for I have no intention of croqueting either you or Miss Vavasour. I want to be a rover, and help Charlie." '' Oh ! greens !'^ exclaimed Miss Vavasour. ^' I suppose ' Charlie ' is sweet upon you, and you want the game for his side ! ^ Dear Herbert ' will play as his leader dictates. So save your advice for Je-hosh-a-phat !" Rose coloured deeply. She was pained at the coarse allusion to her childish friendship for Charlie Maitland ; her whole womanhood VOL. I. D 34 ROSE AYLMER'S HOME. recoiled from the style of address, and she glanced at Herbert, expecting that his fasti- dious taste would be even more wounded than her own ; but she intercepted an expressive look which he was telegraphing to Miss Vava- sour, the freedom of which astonished and pained her more than all the giddy words of the stranger. Down came the mallet ; the ball sped truly, and hit Eose's so hard that both rolled to- gether for some distance. ^^ Kill her now !" cried Miss Vavasour, with exaggerated excitement. '' Don't let her live to help Charlie ! All my hope is in you, ^ Dear Herbert ! ' Squash the foe, beat him to a jelly, and conquer for your leader's sake !" Again the free telegraphic look, and Rose's ball was driven against the winning-post. " There," said Herbert, in a low tone, ^' I THE FIRST VACATION. 35 can't but regret that you are incapable of helping Charlie." Charlie had joined the trio. ^' Never mind, Eose," he said cheerily. *^ It will be my turn next, and I may be able to avenge your wrongs both on Miss Vavasour and Herbert. You have one more hit, sir ; strike, and don't waste time." Herbert struck his ball again, and though it sped in the direction of Miss Vavasour's, it did not hit it, and the lady uttered a ciy of despair, and broke out into loud lamentations. But she cut these short as Charlie promptly raised his mallet for the next blow. " Missed !" she cried, as he struck, and the start made the stroke swerve, so that the ball did not go near Miss Vavasour's. In all haste she played again, struck Charlie's ball away to an immense distance, then flew to where some lagging members of D 2 36 ROSE aylmer's home. the antagonistic party were lingering, and sent them to places from whence they could never hope to reach the winning-post, and finally, by a long stroke, she came within a few inches of it herself. The other members of the party were also near the goal, but none were yet close to it, nor did their next strokes bring them there, so the game looked much the same when Herbert's next turn came to play. ^^ Now touch me and kill me," gasped Miss Vavasour. ^' Death from you will be sweet, as I could not bear to die by another hand !" Again the telegraphic look, and Herbert struck her ball against the stick, as he had struck Rose's. A few more strokes, and his party Avon the game. After the croquet came a champagne lun- cheon, and the laughter then became louder, THE FIRST VACATION. 37 and the mirth less carefully guarded. A dance was proposed, and Eose glanced timidly at her brother, fearing opposition from him ; but she was surprised to hear him second the proposal, and ask Miss Vavasour's hand for the first polka. Rose was very happy. Charlie Mait- land had played on her side, and now he was her partner in the dance ; it was a little tire- some that he was always wanting to take her hand ; it would seem so foolish to any chance passer-by — but could that be Herbert walking under the trees in the lime avenue with Miss Vavasour, and — yes, surely, his arm was round her waist 1 Rose asked Charlie to take her back to his mother, and she left the ball-room no more till Herbert came to tell her all the guests were leaving, and he must take her home. Mahala wore her sulkiest expression as she opened the door to their summons at 3 o'clock 38 ROSE aylmer's home. in the morning, but Herbert smoothed her down by pleasant words. " It's a great treat to me, Mahala, to see an old friend's face instead of a stranger's when I return home at night. I hope I shall find yours here until you get a good home of your own, not that that will be long to wait.'' Mahala's brown cheeks turned brick red, and her thick lips relaxed into a smile, but the eyes did not participate in the smile — their leaden gaze seemed fixed on the opposite wall. On the morrow Herbert joined the break- fast party in good time, and, bending over his mother's couch, inquired after her health with more than usual solicitude " We Avere bad children last night," he said, ^' and staid rather late at the park. I sadly feared we should disturb you." THE FIRST VACATION. 39 " No, you did not disturb us. Mahala is very quiet in opening the door ; she is so con- siderate for me. I must have been awake when you came in, for I did not sleep till it had struck twelve, and Mahala says you were not at all late. I fancy your college notions about hours are stricter than ours." Herbert shrugged his shoulders with a de- precating air, which might be interpreted, " We are indeed strict," or ^^ I am glad you so far believe in us," or, *^ That's all you know about the matter." Loving Mrs. Ayl- mer attached the first meaning to the sign, and stroked her son's face, noAV adorned with a free growth of silky hair, and was satisfied. Presently Eose entered, and was agreeably surprised to receive no reproof. ^^ Did you enjoy the croquet, love ?" asked Mr. Aylmer. '' Oh, so much, papa ! And th(^ dinner 40 ROSE aylmer's home. was so beautiful ; the dessert on the table from the first — all exquisitely dressed, and the ugly meats and things were handed round. And then the champagne was so good, and made us all feel in such good spirits. Herbert's eyes sparkled so afterwards, and he looked so handsome. And then the dance — oh ! it was ecstatic ! I danced nearly every time, and you can't imagine how my ankles ache this morning !" The girl would have run on another half- hour, had not an ominous silence prevailed ; and she turned suddenly to her father, and asked — *' Have I said anything that has vexed you, papa ?" Mr. Aylmer hesitated. " You know, darling, your mother never likes you to dance ; and when we trusted you with Herbert, we fully expected that you THE FIRST V^ACATION. 41 would attend to his wishes as to ours. I am pained that you should thus have preferred pleasure to duty.'^ Rose looked earnestly at her brother, ex- pecting him to explain that she had been guiltless of opposing his desire, as he had not expressed any ; but he spoke not. He looked pained and amazed, but remained silent. Eose was hurt and puzzled, and burst into tears. All seemed uncomfortable, and the break- fast hour passed without any further attempt at conversation. When the party broke up, Herbert sauntered out into the garden, and Eose followed him thither. " My dear Eose !" he exclaimed, ^^how could you be so inconsiderate as to worry our mo- ther with exaggerated accounts of the dance last night !'' ** Inconsiderate ! Why, Herbert, I should 42 ROSE aylmer's home. have thought it in the highest degree deceit- ful to have remained silent about it." ** Should you? Well, take your own course. You know our estimable mother has strong prejudices ; and if you insist on running counter to them, either you will be in per- petual hot water, or they will make you into a lay nun like Isabel. But it is your affair, and not mine. I shall take good care that you have no power to expose my doings. Henceforth I shall be as careful of my every word and look in your presence as in our mother's.'' " But, Herbert, it was all sure to come out sooner or later. Mahala would have told, or Sir Henry, or some one." " Oh ! there, we are on the prudential side, and have left the conscientious. Depend upon it, Mahala will not tell if we speak her fair. She has enormous vanitv, and love of THE FIRST VACATION. 43 approbation, and if you treat her as a very important person, and Mercy as a mere child, she would rather have her tongue cut out than tell of you. Besides, if you make good use of your eyes, you may find out a thing or two about a certain butcher, which would give you absolute power over Mahala. As for Sir Henry, or his guests, such people have always too much sympathy for strictly-kept young persons to breathe a word of their merry- makings to their parents." *^ Herbert, you amaze me. I believe you are right about the people whom we visit — but Mahala, you don't mean to say that that handsome young Crompton is making love to her ! Such a very plain, unattractive girl ! And he is not a good young man, papa says. I really think you ought to tell papa what you have found out." " There you go ! Truly the spirit of gossip 44 ROSE aylmer's home. seems to be dominant not only in woman's taste and imagination, but also in her con- science. I have not said that I know any- thing, I only hinted that if you watched you might see something, and you have jumped to a conclusion, and are ready to inform our father that Mahala is going to marry Cromp- ton, and carry our silver tea-pot as her wedding portion. Seriously, Rose, you should keep a stronger guard over your tongue, or it will do infinite harm some day." Rose looked perplexed and distressed. " Well, Herbert, I would really rather never dance than have the burden of con- cealment ; I shall do so no more.'^ ^'I fully approve your resolution, Rose. I danced last night wholly to please you — I shall be spared the trouble of doing so again. Dismiss from your mind at once the silly hints I gave about Mahala, I was merely putting a THE FIRST VACATION. 45 supposititious case. Kiss me, my pretty Rose; we may be quite as loving to each other, though we do not agree in our opinion as to the best way of keeping the family peace." He re-entered the house, and Rose wandered away along a shady path, till she came out upon the Down ; there she sat thinking over all that her brother had said, and trying to get rid of an indefinite sense of pain concern- ing him. She tried to persuade herself that all the speciousness of his reasoning arose from a delicate fear of giving pain to any ; and she so far succeeded, that when next she saw him alone, she volunteered a solemn pro- mise to keep absolute silence on all matters in which she herself was not an actor. She yearned to be his confidante, and ventured to ask slily, " Shall you go to see Miss Vavasour to- day !" 46 ROSE aylmer's home. *^ Oh ! dear no. I shall not care to see her till Commemoration, when she will come to Oxford ; nor then, even, if accident should prevent it. She is not at all a woman to my taste.'' ** I thought you were quite in love with her !" ^' In love ! Good gracious, Rose, your childlike simplicity amounts to absolute folly. Any girl who has not been brought up in a bottle would know that when a man uses that free chaffing tone, he means less than nothing." " Oh I Herbert, it was surely cruel to her ; you must have led her to believe " ^^Not that I was in love, Rose. She knows better than that. Bless you, my dear little child, women of that sort never entertain serious intentions, except towards a good parti \ and as I am not a bishop yet. Miss THE FIRST VACATION. 47 Vavasour would never think of marrying me though she might do a little love-making in her downright style for the fun of the thing. I should have been a thorough muff if I had not folloxved her lead ! But it is time for our mother to come out into the sunshine — go and get her bonnet and shawl, and I will go in for her." '' I will tell Mahala you are ready ; but as to getting the things, I dare not think of it. Mahala would burn my boiled milk for a fortnight if I entrenched on her prerogative of waiting on mamma." Herbert laughed, and Eose went into the kitchen. Mahala's hands were covered with flour, but she held a letter gingerly by one corner, and was examining its address at- tentively ; she thrust it into her pocket as Eose entered, and looked at her more sulkily than usual as she gave Herbert's message. 48 ROSE aylmer's home. " Was that a letter for the post ?" she asked. ^* I am going down the village, and will post it for you if you like." ^^ It's a letter that came to me by this morning's post, and is no business of nobody's. Mercy have went down the village "with a letter of missis's a few minutes ago," was the surly reply ; and Rose began to think her tongue must be an umisually mischievous one, as all her proposals seemed so unacceptable. When Mahala had done her devoir as waiting woman, Herbert supported his mother tenderly to an easy-chair, which he had placed for her in the sunshine, and reclining on the grass beside her, he proceeded to efface any unsatisfactory impression which the breakfast scene might have left on her mind. "My sweet mother," he said, '^it will be better that I should not have the charge of Rose. I cannot resist the pleading look THE FIRST VACATION. 49 in her dark eyes, I cannot check the happi- ness of that butterfiy-like creature. It may be — it is weakness, but it is a weakness which it will require longer experience and maturer age to overcome.^' **My darling boy,'^ replied the confiding mother, " I cannot contradict your confession, or deny that there is an element of weakness in this extreme indulgence of yours, but neither can I condemn the tenderness of heart from which it takes its rise. Oh ! that Ebse had, like you, come early under the power of religion ; hers would be a very fine character if wholly submitted to God. But you have told me nothing of your college interests, my dear; do you find you* have much influence with your fellow-gownsmen ?" Herbert coloured slightly, and said, with some hesitation : " Some influence, mother, but not much. VOL. I. E 50 ROSE aylmer's home. I have been keenly disappointed ; at first I was able to lead young Hilary to united prayer and reading of the Scriptures, but in an evil moment he got to owe me money, and he has basely avoided me since." *' Alas! for the depravity of human nature ! It was sadly imprudent of you, my dear boy, with your small allowance, to venture to lend. Pray has he paid you back ?" "Not in whole, mother. I have written again to demand it, and received no answer. He should have replied this morning. Poor George Hilary ! he has a frank face and open-hearted manner, but he is devoted to pleasure, and I sadly fear is going fast to the bad." Mrs. Aylmer looked horrified. "My dear Herbert, you have surely in- fluence to arrest his downward progress ! Can't you persuade him to let you manage THE FIRST VACATION. 51 his affairs ; he might put his allowance into your hands, and let you pay yourself by in- stalments, as he could spare it ? Surely he could be reclaimed, unless — unless he gambles ?" *^ Which I fear he does," rejoined Herbert solemnly. ^* Oh ! my son ! I entreat you to cut off* all intercourse with him. If his debt is not a very large one, perhaps I could give it to you, then you must write to him and forbid him ever seeking you again. Promise me this, Herbert ?" " My own mother, I promise to break off" all connection with him.'^ So Mrs. Aylmer set her mind to raise fifty pounds, and wrote a touching appeal to her merchant brother for aid, and her hopeful son shrugged his shoulders slightly, as he solilo- quised : E 2 ..WE..iTV OF »i-UN*^a 52 ROSE aylmer's home. " George is more than likely to cast me off after my last letter — if he does not, it will be more than ray weak tenderness can do to break with him. But he is a blackguard not to have sent the fifty pounds !" Had Herbert been able to watch Mahala in the kitchen, a light would have shone in upon him, wonderfully clearing his friend's character. On leaving Mrs. Aylmer, she put the kettle on the fire, then shut the kitchen door, and leaned a tray against it. When the steam issued from the kettle's spout, she held a letter over it till it was sufficiently moistened to enable her gently to raise the flap of the envelope. She then took out the note-sheet and an enclosure^ and read : " Dear Aylmer, — I send a cheque for the fifty pounds. God save you from the humiha- tion and anguish the raising of this money THE FIRST VACATION. 53 has cost me. My noble sister has given me all her jewels. If this were my only debt, I would solemnly swear never to touch dice again, but you know I am past hope. " Yours, '^ George Hilary." A malicious grin overspread Mahala's evil face. *^ Queer doings," she soliloquised ; " maybe you'll find it as well not to watch Crompton so closely, Mr. Herbert." Among the letters next morning was the identical one that Mahala had just read, and no one for a moment suspected that she could play any tricks with anything. 54 CHAPTER IV. THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. She had Indeed locks bright enough to make me mad ; And they were simply gordianed up and braided, Leaving, in naked comeliness, unshaded, Her pearl round ears, white neck, and veiled brow ; The which were blended in, I know not how, With such a paradise of lips and eyes, Blush-tinted cheeks, half smiles, and faintest sighs, That while I think thereon my spirit cUngs, And plays about its fancy. Keats. '' How far is it to the Smelt Mill?" asked an aged gentleman, as he mounted a stout pony, "lean hardly imagine the distance short enough for Miss Hilary to walk." THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 55 ^^ Bless you, sir," replied the old woman to whom the question was addressed, ^' it is nobbut a step. Ye mun gang doon to t'beck, and up thro' t'wood, and t'paster, and then right ower the moor; in this fine air Miss Hilary will reckon nowt on't." " Is it above two miles ?" " Well, now, I can't be sartin, but I think it'll be about that. It's a real fine morning, and t'air '11 do ye both a heap o' good." " Come along then, Elsie, you have rambled about a little, and I shall look to you to guide me." The girl accepted the responsibility with cheerful readiness, and, turning from the dingy mansion, she walked with a rapid step down a grass-grown drive, until she reached a broken gate leading into a wood. She held the gate open for her father's pony to pass, and then preceded him down a steep rocky 5Q ROSE aylmer's home. path to the bed of a brawling stream. They crossed the brook, or ^^ beck," as it was called in that northern district, she spring- ing from stone to stone, and the pony picking out the pebbly places. The May sun flooded the little valley with his beams, and the young foliage of the birch and larch trees sent forth their spicy perfume, while wood-anemonies and forget-me-nots spangled the sward. Alice gathered some of the blossoms, placing forget- me-nots in her father's coat, and reaching a branch of cherry-blossom to put in her own hat ; then she adorned the black pony with a bunch of larch tassels, and, leaning on its neck, exclaimed — ^' Dear papa, is not this a charming place ? — are you not glad we have left London?'' Colonel Hilary laid his hand tenderly on his daughter's shoulder, and looked earnestly in her face. Hers was a countenance to have THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 57 shed brightness and beauty in the gloomiest region, and now it was the loveliest of spring's treasures. Fair as the lilies of the field, the boasted ^^ fine air " had painted her cheek with the fresh tint of the monthly rose, and her chiselled lips with a fuller hue. The deli- cately formed nose expressed great refinement, while in the still depths of her rich hazel eyes passion and self-devotion lay at anchor. Her forehead was broad and well developed, the eyebrows clearly pencilled, and the long dark lashes curling at the point, while massive coils of light nut-brown hair protruded from under her hat, and reflected the sunshine, as if every turn in the cable was tipped with gold. About the middle height, her figure was at once slender and rounded, and in her movements the suppleness of childhood blended with the self-possession of woman- hood. 58 ROSE aylmer's home. The father's features were cast in a sterner mould, yet even a casual observer would have seen that they were the source of the daugh- ter's. His complexion, naturally pale, was rendered pallid by suffering and confinement. His hair was white as silver, and the contrast of his dark, flashing eyes and colourless face and hair was very striking. He was tall, and his air was at once soldierly and aristocratic. Alas ! he had one hand only at his command, the other arm lay in a sling, disabled by an unhealable wound received in the Crimea. For awhile he regarded his daughter with sad earnestness, then replied slowly to her question. " I am glad to be here, Elsie, but I miss our smooth lawn, and well-rolled garden, and shrubbery walks. But my regrets do not hover over my London home, but over the home of my ancestors, the noble property they THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 59 left to my keeping. Self-interest and cunning on the one side, and reckless extravagance on the other, have brought me to ruin, and left you all but portionless. The farm of Beech - wood, this wood, and the few adjoining acres, are all that remains of my fine estates, except a dozen miles of bare moorland, and the mine we are going to. I have been cheated on every side, and of course these Yorkshiremen will cheat me. God knows what the end will be!" Elsie drew nearer her father. " Better days will come, dear papa ; our fortunes will rise again." She hesitated for a moment, and then added timidly — " George's last letter to me was couched in such softened words that I believe he will yet reform, and be a real comfort to you in your old age." 60 ROSE aylmer's home. A spasm, expressive of some keen mental or physical pain, convulsed the features of the old man. He pushed his daughter from him as he said sternly — "No more, Alice. His is an evil nature; and I could better believe that this suffering limb would become strong and healthy again, than that my depraved son would reform. Why did you not show me that wonderful letter, if its tones were so promising ?" It was Elsie's turn to change her position ; and she did so that her heightened colour might escape her father's piercing gaze. She answered softly — " I feared you might not see its meaning with my eyes." " With your eyes ! No, child, not at all likely. I should doubtless have discerned the cloven foot in every line. Look up, Elsie, and think of the flowers and sunshine again. THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 61 You have already suffered far too much for your brother's sake — dismiss him now from your mind." The girl passed her arm round the old man, and, pressing her lips on the hand that had returned to its rest on her shoulder, she whispered — ''If you could once say you forgave him, then perhaps I might forget." The soldier shook the bridle impatiently, and as the pony bore him up the winding path and along the breezy pasture beyond, his form was as erect, and his eye as stern, as if he were riding forth to reconnoitre an abhorred enemy. The moor once gained, it required all Elsie's elasticity to keep up with the pony's pace. The heather stretched for miles on every side, the table-land broken by narrow valleys and their brooks, and the prevailing 62 ROSE aylmer's home. brown, varied by oasis-like patches of verdure, where swampy ground encouraged the growth of reeds and mosses. As they proceeded, they lost sight of trees and dwellings ; and nothing but interminable moors met their view, with grey hills in a distance, where higher ground enabled them to look back towards Botcher- dale. They traversed a longer distance than old Barbara had prepared them for ere they saw a chimney on the crown of a hill, and, rounding a brow, they came in sight of a group of grey buildings half a mile from the chimney, and quite at the hill foot, and from them straight lines seemed to diverge at dif- ferent angles. " There is the smelting house at last !" ex- claimed the old man. ^^ It is much further than we expected, and the walk will be too much for you. You had better rest on this knoll until I return." THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 63 *^ Oh ! no, dear father, please let me go on with you. It is all down-hill now, and I can rest while you inspect the works." She spoke rather sadly, for she was, in truth, weary ; and her father's stern voice and look since she had broached that forbidden subject had been sadly discouraging. He did not reply, but neither did he again propose her staying, and they proceeded to- gether. Down along the steep road, under crags and by heaps of rubbish, down to the beck, where the water was liquid mud, laden with the earth washed from the ore ; on to the grey stone buildings, where human beings were busily engaged, some carrying barrows of peat, some conducting waggons along the tram- ways, some shooting loads of wet ore into stalls prepared outside for its reception, some feeding two huge wheels with lead-stone. 64 ROSE aylmer's home. which the wheels crushed and poured into a trough in the form of rough gravel. Women were there, too, and girls, and boys ; but they were all pumping, each holding what seemed to be a high pump handle ; but all, waggoners, porters, grinders, and washers, men, women, and children, all were stained the same light shade of mud colour. The colonel looked sternly on ; all these people were in his employment, yet neither curtsey nor bow was made. The pumpers stared at him without discontinuing their work, but the men seemed free even from curiosity regarding him. A rumbling sound was heard, and from a low archway in the hill opposite a horse appeared, drawing a line of waggons, the first occupied by a boy, who was driving, and a tall, grave man, of aspect greatly superior to the others they had seen ; a dozen waggons, laden with wet ore, com- pleted the train. THE SECRETS OF THE MIXE. Q5 On seeing the colonel and his daughter, the tall man stepped lightly from the waggon, and springing across the stream, there dammed into a narrow space, he rapidly approached them, bowing to the colonel, and instinctively removing his cap as his eye rested on Alice. ^^ You are the overlooker here, I suppose?" asked the colonel. "Yes, sir. My name is Richard Iveson. You will dismount, and see the works, I hope. We have a stable here, where your horse can be accommodated. Perhaps the lady will rest in the counting-house ?" " Perhaps she will, or perhaps she will want to see the works," replied Colonel Hilary, with some irritation in his tone ; for civil as were Iveson's words, there was an easy tone of independence in his manner, which galled the old aristocrat. He threw the reins to him and dismounted, VOL. I. F 66 ROSE aylmer's home. leaving him to lead the horse to the stable. A momentary quiver passed over the over- looker's lips, a momentary flash of indignation shot from his eyes, as he glanced at the old officer ; hut as his gaze passed on to the light figure and fair face of Alice, its expression changed to one of tender homage, and, with a dozen long steps, he reached the stable. Emerging from thence, he proceeded to exhibit the machinery to the owner, explain- ing every process to which the ore was sub- jected, from its being taken out of the mine, to its perfect form as pig-lead, speaking in a rich musical voice and well-chosen words. When they reached the smelting-house, the heat, the glowing furnaces, the half-dressed men, and the silver streams of ore, all seemed to partake of the terrible, and Elsie crept closer to her father. Iveson noticed her action with a quiet smile, bade the men stir THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 67 the furnaces, that she might see the glowing fuel and ore tossed about as a woman would stir a pan upon a fire, and then, fearing the heat would overpow^er her, he led the way to the counting-house. " Those men seem half savages, Mr. Ive- son ; do you not fear their becoming violent?" she said, when seated. *^ Not in the least, I assure you. They are steady, kindly-natured men, and on their return to their homes this afternoon, you may see each taking his tea with his youngest child in his lap." ^' Their manners are rude and boorish in the extreme," rejoined the colonel. "Not one of those men had the good breeding to salute his master, and many w^ere lounging about in shameful idleness, and did not the least change their manner w^hen they saw my eye upon them." Y 2 68 ROSE AYLMEPt's HOME. " I see you do not yet understand the character of the Botcherdale people/' replied the overlooker, checking his rising annoyance. " They are an independent race, honest and faithful, and capable of very strong attach- ment, if well treated ; but defiant, and even malicious, when they feel they are illused. They have a strong sense of justice, and seldom take offence without full cause ; but once offended, they shut their eyes to reason." " I should never attempt to reason with them — they should do ray bidding, or march. I will dismiss those three idle fellows smoking on the bank yonder before I leave the place." Iveson could no longer conceal his annoy- ance. ^' Those are the most valuable w^orkmen about the place," he said. ^' Their time is their own; they do not work for you to receive wages by the day, but they are paid so much THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 69 a bing on the ore they bring out of the mine. The vein is very poor at present, and instead of the sixty miners which we feel belong to us, there is only work for about ten. They settle which are to work, and for how long, themselves, and do the best they can on their small earnings." " I disapprove the system in toto ; they shall work by day, and receive fair wages. Fifty of them had better decamp at once, and leave the ten for whom there is employment." " My dear sir, the Botcherdale men would as soon sell themselves to a Spanish merchant as slaves, as they would work for you in the mine for daily wages. In a hard time they would go out as ' datlemen/ or day labourers in the land, or they would work as * dead men,' Avhen a fresh level was needed ; but I assure you the payment by piece is a custom handed down to them by their forefathers. 70 ROSE aylmer's home. My father, who was overlooker here before me, always said this rule among miners was productive of the best possible results." '^ The results may be satisfactory for the men, sir, and are doubtless so for yourself, as there seems to be an understanding between you ; but I cannot see that it can be good for the proprietor to have sixty men to pay where ten would suffice. I don't understand your jargon of ' datlemen,' and ^ dead men,' nor do I attach implicit faith to your assertion about the poverty of the mine ; but I clearly see my way to dismissing the majority of these faithful and independent fellow-citizens." ^^As you please, sir," replied Iveson, with an unconcealed tone of hauteur. " As you have thrown a doubt upon my word concern- ing the state of the mine, I must require you to enter and examine it for yourself." The colonel drew himself up proudly, and THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 71 regarded the overlooker with a steady gaze ; but Iveson's eye met his without flinching, and in his rugged features there was as indomit- able a resolution as in those of the highborn gentleman. In height he slightly overtopped the colonel, for he measured six feet without his boots, and the colonel only reached that stature in his ; he was two inches wider across the chest, and had only numbered half his years. But Colonel Hilary, though narrow-minded on conservative questions, and irritable from pain and sorrow, was a true-hearted man, and as he gazed on the manly form and expression of Kichard Iveson, a certain sympathy for him rose in his mind, despite the independent tone which so chafed him. ^* Yes, Iveson," he said, after a long pause. *^ You have a right to require me to go into the mine. My perusal of your face prompts 72 ROSE aylmer's home. me to withdraw the doubt before entering, but I will go in for your satisfaction and for my own." " Thank you, sir," replied Iveson, and hastened away to prepare a waggon. Elsie stole her arm within her father's, and looked pleadingly in his face. " I shall dismiss forty or fifty of the men," he said, in answer to her mute petition. ** But not to-day ? You will take time to think of it?" ^^ Oh ! yes. I never said I Avould do it to- day. Except, indeed, those three smoking fellows." He turned to look for the men in question, but they were no longer idling. One was rubbing the inside of a waggon with a stiff bunch of ling, the second tilted it suddenly, so as to throw forth the heap of dried mud which the scrubbing had detached, and the THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 73 third lined the cleansed waggon with bunches of tender young heather. ^^ The waggon is ready, sir/' said Iveson, approaching. ^^Jif Coates will go with us, he understands the mine better than the lad.'' The colonel and Elsie got into one waggon. It was small and deep like a long bath, and they could only just pack themselves within its space. The archway was very low, and the whole length of the level, fully two miles, averaged the same pitch, so the colonel had to recline in the waggon, lest his head should strike the roof. As the little train proceeded along the dark aisle, Elsie could see by the rushlight, which her father carried, and by the one in the other w^aggon, the countenance of her father, and that of Eichard Iveson. The former was stern, the latter varying strangely from grave, 74 ROSE aylmer's home. almost sad earnestness to wondrous gentle- ness. His life had passed among stern tempera- ments and hard realities. Old Iveson had early lost his wife, and no mother's tender- ness had shone on the childhood of Richard. The father's affection had found its chief ex- pression in affording his son a far superior education to that he himself had enjoyed. He had boarded him with a relative in Glas- gow, where he had been able to attend classes, and achieve learning according to his taste. And Eichard was eager for the food thus placed within his reach, and worked indefatig- ably at lore, ancient and modern. So, while the oatmeal diet expanded his well-knit frame, sound learning developed his mind; and he returned to his Yorkshire home to pursue his father's mining trade, keep his accounts, and take his recreation in farming a few acres of freehold. From that time he worked without THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 75 ever looking back. At his father's death he stepped into his situation, and during the pre- scribed hours kept his mind close to his busi- ness ; but in the early mornings and late even- ings he read law, physic, and theology, history, philosophy, and science ; the materials for such reading being supplied partly from the library of Lord Draycott, whose manorial residence was situated upon a delta of level ground at the juncture of Botcherdale and Garthdale, and partly by Scotch friends, who were ever ready to lend their treasures to the kindred spirit. The waggons rolled on with a noise like thunder, water splashing against their wheels, and not unfrequently dropping from the low roof on the heads of the visitors, imminently endangering the life of the rushlights. Pre- sently they reached a kind of chamber, and here Iveson informed the colonel they must leave 76 ROSE aylmer's home. the waggons. He assisted the soldier cour- teously, and the lame arm disabling the father from such a task, he proceeded to lift Elsie lightly from the deep vehicle ; then taking one rushlight, and giving the other to Jif Coates, he led the way along a passage similar to the one they had left, but in a rougher state, which terminated in a deep hole. Here there was neither silence nor darkness — ten rush- lights flared from the rocky sides of the chasm, and ten mattocks plied in hacking away the stone. From the top of the opening to the deepest point in the excavation a narrow vein of silver ran, in some places an inch in breadth, and in some only about a quarter of an inch. "There," said Iveson, ''you see the length and breadth of the vein. It is not the main vein, that we have lost years ago, but by the dip of this, and its relation to the fault. Jif THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 77 and I are both certain we are within fifty fathoms of it. If you would give me autho- rity to set four dead men on, I would engage to find plenty of ore in three weeks." *' I don't take your meaning." " I mean four men at dead work. We call it dead work when, in making a new level, wages go out weekly, and no lead comes in. That is the owner's responsibility. But I have no doubt of an ample supply, which would be largely remunerative to you." " In the meanwhile it would cost me £20 or £30?" " Inevitably." " I will think of it ; but what proof have you that the main vein is so near." '^ Strong scientific proof, sir. You see that the rocks lean at an angle of, say, twenty-five degrees ; moreover, you see that they are dis- placed all along the valley, so that the stratum 73 ROSE aylmer's home. that lies at the bottom here is near the top on the Beechwood side. Now the main vein runs with the displacement, and all the veins keep the direction of the dip ; this one that they are working diverges to the east, and cannot fail soon to join the main artery." ^' You may be right, but it seems very speculative to me." "It's as sartain as deeth," growled Jif. " Oh ! of course you want dead work, now that work of any kind is so scarce." " I don't want nowt," the man replied, surlily. " Me and another lad's boon to cut it all. Some o' our lads has gaed to Petter- dale mines, and they write great cracks o't brass to be addled there. We'se want a spree at midsummer, and so we reckon on to tak a spell where metal's plentiful, and pay not begrudged. Jim Pedley says he could make a tidy fortin in Middleton mine if he could THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 79 get nobbut sixpence a bing, and novvt hinders our ganging there either." ^^ If you can better yourselves so much, I cannot sufficiently admire your disinterested devotion in staying in my mine so long," said the colonel, with bitter sarcasm. " Oh ! you can't, can't you ?" exclaimed Jif, no way soothed by his tone. ''Maybe you don't know what it is to have a wife and bairns, and a bit o' a homestead, and a decent field, and a cow one likes ? Maybe you don't know how it hurts to leave the dwelling where yer fathers and mothers lived and died? Oh! no, ye don't ken, how suld ye. Sike grand folks as ye hasn't common fathers and mothers, or their love Avould ha' taen the pride out a bit. Folks as all t' world bows down to get fair to stink o' pride, it's purer coming nighhand a middin than biding by them !" 80 ROSE aylmer's home. Having thus delivered himself, Jif stalked away, and the distant echoes informed the visitors of the by no means pleasing fact that he was riding the horse out of the mine. Iveson begged them to wait and he would fetch it back again ; and spreading some hay on a stone heap, he threw his coat over it, and thus left them to an unquiet repose. On emerging from the mine, Elsie saw at a glance that her father was suffering and exhausted, and she inquired of the overlooker as to the possibility of getting wine for him. '^ I keep brandy in the counting-house, in case of accidents," he said ; '^ I will get him some immediately." The air seemed quite warm in that sheltered valley, though the wind blew keenly enough on the moors around. Iveson made a snug couch of ling, with a bank to lean against, and brought them brandy and water, oat-cake THE SECRETS OF THE MINE. 81 and cheese. He was concerned for the suffer- ing old man, and waited on him with cordial good-will. But as he fetched water from the spring, and handed the glass and the cake to Elsie, his hand trembled painfully, and the bashfulness of his address made him awkward. She exclaimed at the beauty of the violet patches of milkwort studding the bank, and the bright yellow mountain-pansies clustering beside them, to set him at ease, concluding with the regret that, "Loving flowers so much, she had no garden, nor even a wild flower about the neglected purlieus of Thorny Hall." But it was very evident to Richard Iveson that the daughter was fully as much fatigued as the father. He dreaded the returning walk for her, and turned over in his mind how to make his pony serviceable. Alas ! he had nothing but a round saddle, but he would lead the pony every step of the way. The VOL. I. G 82 ROSE aylmer's home. colonel, only now observing the pallor that had crept over his daughter's sunny face, was glad to accept his proposal, and the trio set out. Their guide introduced them to the cries of the grouse, plover, and other moor- birds, and entertained them with endless inci- dents of the neighbourhood ; but the contra- diction between his manner and actions to- wards herself struck Elsie painfully. While speaking to the colonel his voice was rich and full, his language fluent and scholarly, but when he addressed her his tones were uncer- tain, and he stammered like a school-boy. Yet all the way he turned aside her pony from every rough stone, and never did a gay floweret bloom in the path but he gathered it for her. When he had lifted her from the pony, she looked in his face, and lo ! it was suffused with crimson, and he took leave without again meeting her eye. 83 CHAPTEK y. THE FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THE THUNDER. Around him, still and ever, hung an air Born of the fields, and plough, and cart, and scythe ; A kind of clumsy grace, in which gay girls Saw but the clumsiness ; while those with light, Instead of glitter in their quiet eyes. Saw the grace too ; yea, sometimes, when he talked, Saw the grace only, and began, at last, As he sought none, to seek him in the crowd, (After a maiden fashion), that they might Hear him dress thought, not pay poor compliments. Mac Donald. But a few days had passed since the expedi- tion to the mine, and the question of the *' dead work " was still undecided, when the colonel, becoming impatient for the arrival of g2 84 ROSE aylmer's home. the post-bag, sallied forth to meet the tardy messenger, whose daily duty it was to bring it from the village. As Elsie saw him pass through the moss-grown court, she hastily snatched her garden-hat, and followed him, urged to do so, not only by her ordinary solicitude about him, but also by a vague pre- sentiment of coming evil. Together they entered the field-path, and had traversed it as far as the first stile, when the errand-boy met them, and the old man sat down on the low wall to open the bag. One or two newspapers he thrust into his pocket, then the bag seemed empty ; but no, there was one thin letter, and it was addressed to Elsie. "Another letter from George. Open it, my child, and tell me the contents," said the colonel, authoritatively. Elsie burst open the envelope hastily, but FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 85 as she glanced over it, previous to reading aloud, as desired, her cheek became deathly pale, and her hand trembled violently. The old man saw this, and asked no question, but quietly took the letter from her, and read it himself. And now his cheek blanches to a more life- less colour than ever, and his hand trembles. Elsie throws her arms round him to keep him in his seat, and his head droops despairingly on her shoulder. The letter falls to the ground, and lies with its few blurred lines staring upward at the clear sky. "I am a wretch ! I have yielded to temptation, and played desperately. I have lost, and unless I can pay five hundred pounds this day week I am a disgraced man. I ask no help — let me suffer, I richly deserve it !'' For some time father and daughter sat speechless ; then Elsie ventured to lead him 86 ROSE aylmer's home. home, and they retraced their steps in silence. On reaching the house she brought him sal- volatile, and persuaded him to lie down and rest. He remained quiet for a long time, and then said slowly : " He bears my name, and that of my fathers ; he must not be outlawed, but I will never look upon his face again. Send for Iveson." Elsie had some difficulty in finding a messenger, for the maid she had brought from London had an uncontrollable horror of the moors; and old Barbara, who knew every path and turning, from long experience of the neighbourhood, could not walk so far as the mine. The day was by this time far advanced, and the short working hours which the scarcity of ore necessitated, were over, and just as Elsie was preparing to set forth on the mission herself, the stalwart form of Richard Iveson FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 87 was seen entering the moss-grown gateway. Elsie watched him as he advanced, his free step denoting full physical power, his form not bending in the smallest degree under the weight of a large pannier slung over his shoulders ; he stopped once and again to note a sunny corner, now^ desolate as the rest of the pleasure-grounds of Thorny Hall, but with good capabilities for a snug garden; and as he looked and reflected, a smile of wondrous sweetness stole over his rugged countenance, transforming it to sudden beauty, as the rosy tints of sunset endue the rugged snowy Alps with a hue of warmth and softness. But when ushered into the presence of the colonel and his daughter, the ease of his bear- ing was no more. He bowed stiflfly, fumbled with the buckle which secured the basket, and, failing to unfasten it, pushed the strap over his head, tearing his hair with the half- 88 ROSE aylmer's home. open buckle, and finally letting the pannier fall to the ground. Pitying his mauvaise honte, which he at- tributed to his seclusion from good society, and consequent awe of himself, the colonel hastened to introduce the business in hand. " Mr. Iveson, L was just goinp^ to send for you. I want your advice and assistance." ** I shall be proud to serve you, sir. Is it about the ^ dead work ' that you would speak ?" ^' No. On further reflection I have decided to leave the mine as it is at present. My immediate object is to realise five hundred pounds, which might best be done by the sale of the Beechwood Farm." Iveson started, turned pale, then red, re- flected a moment, and then ventured a re- monstrance. ^'Sir, I would entreat you not to sell FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 89 Beech wood. You will thereby ruin your property in this district. Do be advised in this, and raise the money on your Surrey estates. Five hundred pounds laid out here would bring you an interest of cent, per cent, in two years ; but if you do not choose to improve the property, I beseech you not to depauperize it." '^ Forgive me, Mr. Iveson, if, in this matter, I presume to believe that I know my own business best," was the colonel's stiff reply. ^' I beg you to forgive my presumption, sir. I should not have obtruded an opinion but for your flattering statement that you wished for my advice and assistance." " Perhaps I should have spoken more truly if I had omitted the word ^ advice,' Iveson," replied the colonel, with a conciliating smile. "You will, however, believe that I respect your judgment when I ask you to become my 90 ROSE aylmer's home. agent for the whole of my property here, as well as the mine.'' Iveson looked gratified. ^' Then you have dismissed Stubbs ?" '* I have. Will you accept his position ?" *^ Gladly, sir. But it is rather hard that the first use I have to make of my new re- sponsibility is to sell the most promising part of the property." The colonel looked fretted. *^ Can you raise five hundred pounds else- where on this property?" he asked, petu- lantly. " Not at once, certainly," replied Iveson, after a moment's thought. ^^At any rate," he added, ** you will reserve the minerals ?" " Will the farm fetch five hundred pounds and costs, with that reserve ?" " I doubt it. Land does not sell w^ell here. Beechwood is only valuable as accommodation FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 91 land to yourself, or to Smith, or to me." ^^ Ah ! it joins your farm !" " It does. There are fourteen acres, but the land is bad, and the present tenant has had hard work to pay twenty pounds rent. You see a purchaser looks rather at the inte- rest for his money than at the acreage, so I fear five hundred pounds is the utmost you can expect." "It is naught ! it is naught ! saith the buyer !" muttered Colonel Hilary, with a sarcastic quiver of his upper lip. Eichard Iveson flushed crimson, and met the coloneFs eye with a stern glance. " Sir," he said, " if I am to serve you, you must trust me. Anything that seems strange to you I will at once explain, fully and re- peatedly, until your judgment is satisfied. But I cannot act under constant suspicion, and unless you can really put trust in me. 92 ROSE aylmer's home. and dismiss from your mind the supposition that I am constantly speaking from interested motives, I would rather you sought another man both as agent and overlooker." The colonel looked annoyed. " You are unnecessarily peppery, Iveson. I don't mean any insult to you in my remarks, but when you have gone about in the world as long as I have, you will see self-interest is the ruling principle in men, and will feel no pain at being suspected of it. Be so good as to tell me now why you are so reluctant to sell Beechwood, and yet depreciate its value ?" *^ I am reluctant to sell it because I have strong reasons for believing that the main vein comes very near the surface in some parts of the higher field. I dwell on the poverty of the land, and the lowness of the rent, because I do not wish you to be disappointed in the sale.'' FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 93 ^' Humph ! My final decision is to sell the land by auction on the earliest possible day." Iveson bowed, his cheeks flushed again, but he uttered no word. Elsie glided from the room. '^ I will post up notices of the sale imme- diately. What is to be the reserve price ?" " There is to be no reserve price. The land is to be sold for what it will fetch.'' Iveson rose, swung his pannier lightly over his shoulder, replacing it with an ease and grace strangely in contrast with his awkward handling of it before. ^' I will call upon you again in a few days, Colonel Hilary/' he said in a decided tone ; '' by that time you will have been able to take counsel with yourself whether you can trust me wholly or dispense with my services altogether.'' " Don't bully me, Iveson," replied the 94 ROSE aylmer's home. colonel in a tremulous tone. " Can't you see that the battle of life has gone sorely against me, and that only a forlorn hope can save me ? Your high tone would be manly with the world in general, but it is cruel to me. Ask my daughter if it is not so ?'' He looked so ill and suffering, so dead beat in what he called the battle of life, that Ive- son's heart yearned over him, and his voice and expression became at once gentle and tender. ^* Forgive me, colonel. I am a rough man, and little tenderness has shone upon me fi'om childhood. You shall not have to complain of me again." The old man smiled, and gave his new agent his hand ; and as Iveson left the room he trod as softly, and closed the door as gently, as if he feared to awake a sleeping child. In the hall he encountered Elsie. FIRST RUiMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 95 " I waited for you here, Mr. Iveson, to tell you that it is not mere obstinacy in papa that makes him insist on selling Beechwood. We have urgent need of £500. I cannot tell you why — though I may do so some other time," she added, her confidence seemed so strongly invited by the look at once so frank and sympa- thetic now bent upon her. ^' You wished us to raise the money elsewhere, and poor papa's pride could not bear to give you the reason why he could not do so. Mr. Iveson, we have no estates but these — this ruined old house, these barren moors, and the poor little farm in question ; yet our honour requires that we should have £500 in a week." While she was speaking he had had leisure to observe how pale her face was, and how full of care was its expression. Now he replied — his voice as tender as when he soothed the father, but his manner quite robbed of its ease : 9G ROSE aylmer's home. ^* I thank you for your confidence, Miss Hilary. Be assured the money shall be forthcoming. In the meanwhile, do take care of yourself. I mean use yourself as well as circumstances permit. You should have a garden. I have ventured to bring you some flowers off the moor." He began a fresh conflict with the pannier, which refused to come off at all for some time. When it did, it rolled down, knocking his hat out of his hand, and shooting into it four speckled trout, which had been carefully laid among wet grass ; while a couple of snipes fell in another direction, and received the whole weight of some large sods of wild thyme and starry landwort upon their well- arranged plumage. Elsie could have laughed, but for the evi- dent pain the upset gave to the kind-hearted man. She helped to pick up the things, and FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 97 assured him that Barbara would not mind the deposit of loose earth in the hall. Eager to re-assure him, she accepted his offer of sending her ornamental stones from the mine for a rockery, and working for her sometimes when he had an hour to spare. He hurried away, not noticing her half-extended hand, eager to escape from the presence which so unnerved him, yet shuddering to find all the light and warmth had vanished from his life when the heavy old door shut him from her. Elsie laid the trout and birds in a garden basket, then stole softly to the kitchen and possessed herself of Barbara's broom, with which she swept the scattered earth out of the doorway. Then she returned to her father, and found him almost fainting ; she persuaded him to go to bed, and proceeded to assist him upstairs. He seemed more broken than he VOL. I. H 98 ROSE aylmer's home. had been before, and clung to her as a child might do to its mother. It was an hour in advance of their regular tea-time, but Elsie saw that her father was faint for want of food, having eaten nothing for many hours. She went to the kitchen to c-oax Barbara to broil one of Iveson's fish, but the kitchen was empty. Alas ! it was '^ meeting " night, and the independent old woman had gone off, and taken the maid with her, without the compliment of referring the matter to her young mistress. But though Mrs. Hilary had fully believed her daughter would be the heiress of a large for- tune, she had had her carefully instructed in all the mysteries of cooking and house- keeping, so the only inconvenience of Barbara's absence was that it took Elsie some time to collect her tools and materials. Her quick eye soon detected the frying-pan, and though FIRST RUMBLINGS OF THUNDER. 99 she sought longer for the butter, eggs, and bread, yet but a little time elapsed before the trout were hissing in the pan, together with the parsley so thoughtfully placed along with them in the unfortunate pannier. As Elsie watched her father taking his meal with real appetite, she felt her heart lightened of half its care, and another portion vanished as she won a smile from him by a humorous description of the upset in the hall. ^^ That man is made up of strong contrasts," said the colonel ; ^^ I shall study him as De Chaillu would the gorilla. He has a woman's consideration and delicacy, with a ploughboy's blundering awkwardness ; and just when you are marvelling at his ignorance and gaucherie, he changes form again, and you behold a well-mannered gentleman and a scholar !" h2 100 CHAPTER VL SUNSHINE AND SHADE. There's no dearth of kindness In this world of ours ; Only in our blindness We gather thorns for flowers ! Outward we are spurning, TrampHng one another, While we are inly yearning At the name of brother ! Gerald Masset. ^' Well, this is kind. My sister-in-law has more regard for us all than I gave her credit for !" exclaimed Mrs. Aylmer, as she perused a letter which Mahala had brought in at breakfast-time. SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 101 Rose sprang to her mother's side, and lean- ing over her, tried to read the letter along with her ; but Mrs. Aylmer folded it away, saying in a decided tone to Rose, ^' No, my dear, your papa and I must talk this over before we lay it all open to you." Rose gave her shoulders a petted shrug, and returned to her breakfast. Mr. Aylmer had finished his, so his wife asked him to help her to the garden seat. Isabel folded a shawl round her mother's shoulders, and then resumed her place, only waiting till the door should close to launch a reproof at her sister. *' Really, Rose, you should have more deli- cacy. If I had laid myself open by my own obtrusiveness to such a reproof from our mother, it would have made me miserable for the day." ^' Fortunately for me, I am not so easily made miserable. I wonder what her lady- 102 ROSE aylmer's home. ship's letter is about ! Perhaps it is some- thing she offers for Herbert. I know that she and uncle are going abroad. I'll tell you Tvhat it is. — She offers to take Herbert a tour during the long vacation. Mamma has doubt- less been fretting to her about the state of his health, and his severe study, and she so meets the difficulty. What a cruel bore it will be when the only pleasure we had to look for- ward to was his summer sojourn with us !" " Was his Easter sojourn such a happiness to you?" "Now, Isabel, I do not believe there is another girl in England who has such a talent for bringing back disagreeable reminiscences as you have. You know very well that I was not happy with Herbert at Easter, but you might as well let me forget it.'' " No, dear Eosie. We bring half our dis- appointments on ourselves by indulging in SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 103 groundless hopes. Herbert is safe when fully occupied, but leisure and change are danger- ous to his fickle mind. I shall be very thank- ful if my aunt does take him abroad, and keep an eye on him during the long vacation. '^ At this moment her father's voice made it- self heard, calling them to the garden. Eose flew on the wings of curiosity, and Isabel followed quickly. " My dears," said Mr. Aylmer, '^ your aunt proposes a great treat for you. She is going to spend the summer in Switzerland, and she invites you both to accompany her. Herbert is to join you sometime during the vacation, if he can be induced to remit his hard reading for a few weeks." Kose bounded into the air like an antelope. Then she performed an airy dance round each bush, or group of bushes, on the lawn ; pirou- etting back to the covered seat where her 104 ROSE aylmer's home. parents sat. By this process she had so far relieved her exuberant joy, that she was able to speak like other people, and she exclaimed, ^^ I believe I am the happiest girl in the three kingdoms !" Mr. Aylmer had not failed to note the girl's mad joy ; but he had been more closely re- garding the countenance of his elder daughter. A flush of unmingled pleasure first appeared on her face, then one of disappointment, then a mental conflict cast its shadows on her countenance ; but now it was all clear again, and she spoke for the first time. " The plan is delightful for Eose and for Herbert; but I would rather remain at home." '^ But I would much rather you should go !'' exclaimed her mother, eagerly. " You are getting peculiar, Isabel ; it makes me very anxious to see a girl of your age lead such a SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 105 life of regular duty as you do. It is very ungirlish to be so calm — never speaking ■without due consideration — never acting but on fixed principles. I value religion, and all that — no one more, as you are fully aware ; but I like it to be full of feeling and heart — not stiff and stern, as you make it. I did not bring you up, taking such pains to keep your back straight and your complexion un- freckled, and to give you graceful manners, for you to become a Sister of Mercy, or a she- curate to your father. I destine you as a wife to a good gentlemanlike man, and hope to see you the mother of children as bonny as you once were yourself." Isabel's cheek flushed deeply, as she bent her tall form to kiss her mother. " I assure you, dear mother,'^ she said, ^'that I am anything but unwilling to realize the picture you have sketched, only I do not 106 ROSE aylmer's home. feel the means to do so are in my hands. If God sends such gifts, I will take them thank- fully ; but in the meantime, all that is in my power is to do His will, so far as I can see it. And I do not feel that it can be His will that you should be left so long alone, while we are only seeking pleasure." " It is undoubtedly God's will that you should obey your parents," said her father, gently laying his hand on the girl's shoulder. ^^ I quite understand and value your unselfish- ness, Isabel ; but your mother and I liave fully considered all the objections that your sense of duty can urge, and we feel that they ought not for a moment to outweigh the ad- vantages which the plan offers. You will be thrown into the society of your equals, your minds will be opened and developed by memories of the past, works of art, and varia- tions in national and individual character ; SUNSHINE AND SHADE. ]()7 and even if the tour should lead to no such restful bourne as your mother has depicted, it will yet do much to prepare you both for future life. We do not give you the choice, my children, we lay our commands upon you." Isabel attempted no further opposition, but entered at once with her mother into the intricacies of the outfit, the result being that the pony was ordered for a trip to the town, where they should purchase needful things and secure the services of the dressmaker. Rose, in the meanwhile, danced into the kitchen, startling Mahala with a small jewel- box in her hand. She blushed the kind of lurid crimson-colour which was always the mark of her deepest annoyance, and ex- claimed — *^ Miss Rose, you do run so terrible light, you do startle I out of my wits." 108 ROSE aylmer's home. ^' Is that your brooch?" asked Rose, once more led astray by her thoughtless curiosity. ^^Yes it be, Miss Rose," replied Mahala, doggedly. " Do you go for to think that because a girl is poor and ugly her hasn^t no respect showed her ! You be mistaken, Miss Rose. A servant as does her duty, and keeps herself respectable, and saves up her wages, and gives her cast clothes to her mother, has plenty to look at her, as many, maybe, as pretty young ladies who can't do nothing." *^Now, Mahala, don't be cross. I know you have a lover, and a very handsome one. Show me the brooch he gave you, and Til wish you health to wear it ?" Mahala's countenance became more amiable, aud she exhibited a pebble brooch big enough for a breast-plate, set in a rim like a gilt picture-frame. Rose took the brooch, glided SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 109 across the kitchen to where a small mirror was suspended from a nail ; there she fitted the brooch against her own slender throat, the breadth of which it entirely covered. ** A sweet thing in brooches !" she exclaimed, then returned it to its proud owner, saying, " I wish you — Health to wear it, Strength to tear it, And money to buy a new one ! Mahala, Isabel and I are going abroad V* ^' Where is that, miss ?'' " Over the sea. To France and Switzer- land, where nobody speaks English, and all the ways of the people are different to ours." " And what for be you going to such out- o'-the-way places, miss T' " Sir Robert and Lady Aylmer are going, and have invited us to accompany them. We 1 10 ROSE AYLMER's home. shall be away all summer, and have such fun!" " Will Mr. Herbert be going ?" *^ Yes. He will come home for a little time to cheer papa and mamma up, and then he will join us." ^' And when will you be going?" '' This day week." ^^ Oh !" Mahala had entirely satisfied her curiosity, and wished no more of Rose's society, so she got her broom and began to sweep, kicking up such a dust that Rose was glad to beat her retreat. She ran up stairs, en- countering Mercy with her housemaid's im- plements in the lobby. ^* Mercy, Miss Isabel and I are going abroad." The rosy hue faded out of Mercy's cheek as she gasped — ^^ Surely not to forrin parts, beyond the cruel sea, miss ?" SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 1 1 1 ^^ Yes, all that way, Mercy ! And we shall be away all summer." Mercy burst into tears. " Oh ! Mercy, don't cry ! I'll bring you back pictures, and a brooch as big as Mahala's, and I'll write you letters. And Mr. Herbert will be at home part of the time — and — oh ! cheer up, Mercy. I can't bear you to be unhappy." Mercy continued to sob, but was presently so far relieved as to be able to give utterance to her fears. '^ Mahla be so cross, her do nag at I, till I be fair mazed. Her be so terrible fond of that butcher, that her be jealous if I do look into the kitchen, for fear him should chance to see I, and like I better than she." ** Oh ! Mercy, Mercy, where is the use of my teaching you grammar, if you will go on hashing your pronouns thus ?" 112 ROSE aylmer's home. " Please, miss, I be too grieved to mind the grammar, but Til take pains again when I be out o' trouble." " Now, Mercy, I'll tell you what you shall do : you shall write me letters. I'll give you some paper and envelopes, and you shall write me all the news, and I'll write to you. Won't that be nice ?" Mercy smiled through her tears, but soon the cloud returned. ^' Mahla won't let I fetch the letters, her do insist on going for them herself; but, maybe, they won't come of an afternoon, and then the postman will bring them, and I can meet him and see my own letter first." Mercy was now comforted, and Kose hast- ened to prepare for her excursion to the town. When the girls and Mr. Aylmer had driven off, Mahala presented herself before her mis- tress. SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 113 ^' You do look terrible tired, ma'am. Please to let me carry you to your room, you'll get no sleep unless you let me shut you in and pull down the blinds ?" Mrs. Aylmer thankfully accepted the girFs offer, and the broad set maiden carried her tall mistress with wondrous ease to her secluded chamber. She darkened the room, administered camphor julep, placed the smel- ling-bottle and bell-rope on the coverlet, and stole noiselessly away. Meeting Mercy, she regarded her sternly. " Have you mended that carpefe in Miss Rose's room?" she asked. Of course Mercy had not mended it. " Then get the worsted bag and darn it this minute," continued the elder sister ; ^Mf I do come up stairs in an hour's time and it isn't done, I'll carry it straight to missis." Mercy hastened to perform her task ; and VOL. I. 1 114 ROSE AYLMEIi's HOME. Maliala glided out of the back door and along the lane to the village, where she knew the carrier who brought the afternoon letters would have recently arrived. There Avere four for the Eectory, all of w^hich Mahala put in her pocket. She glided back as quietly as she had come, then shut herself into the pantry to examine the letters, soliloquizing as she did so, ^'^Miss Eose Aylmer,' — that is from Madame Eucrinaz. How pale those forriners do write ! There'll be nothing but good advice in that. * Rev. H. Aylmer,' and ' Society for Propagation of the Gospel ' on the seal. That's a printed thing, and doesn't matter. ' Mrs. Aylmer.' That's from the old governess, wanting to come here for a visit — I'll look to that presently. ' H. Aylmer, Esq.,' and Oxford post-mark — why, what can this mean ?" Here the abigail abruptly concluded her SUNSHINE AND SHADE. 115 soliloquy, acting on the stirring motto, *^ Deeds not words," for she hastened to the kitchen, tore off the lid of the kettle, and held a thin old knife in the boiling Avater. '^ It's so ill-conyenient of folks sealing their letters," she said ; ^^ it do give double trouble, and ain't no peertection after all." When the thin blade was thoroughly heated, she dexterously cut off the entire top of the seal ; then holding the back of the letter in the steam of the boiling kettle, the adhesion of the envelope soon gave way ; she then withdrew the letter, and read as follows : ^^ Dear Aylmer, '^ My father has sent me five hundred pounds to pay Dungarret, and my honour is saved once more. But I am broken-hearted. He forbids me ever to come into his presence again. What are you doing ? It is a first 1 2 116 ROSE aylmer's home. offence with you, and though your debts are heavy, you have wealthy friends. I hope you have returned home. I am sure, if my father were as merciful as yours, I should have done so. Merciful, did I say ? My poor old father — true man and brave soldier, I have ruined him ! — how dare I look for mercy from him now? Aylmer, you are younger than I, be warned by me, and own all to your father. This is the last letter you will get from me. Neither you nor any other whom I have known will see me again, unless in a debtor's prison. ^^ Yours, ^' George Hilary." ^' There ain't no manner o' use in missis gettin' this letter," said Mahala, resuming her soliloquy. ^* Mr. Herbert has been up to some pretty pranks, that's plain enough ; an