CHAPTER IX.
THE WEAKER VESSEL.
They came up the steps with their arms about each other. Mrs. Masonstood there, Annis clinging to her skirt, Patricia and Varina lookingon in curious expectancy. Louis ventured out of his retreat.
"We don't want papa changed any, do we?" placing her other arm over hermother's shoulder, and glancing fondly into her eyes.
"I wouldn't live with grandpapa for all the world!" began Patricia.
"There, children!" exclaimed their father; "we will not discuss thematter. Mr. Floyd feels sure he is right, and I am very sorry it shouldhave happened, though I can't see that any of you were out of theway----"
"I knew Ralston cared a great deal for Marian," said Louis, "and Inever imagined that old Mr. Greaves would stand in the way. Do yousuppose he would if he knew it? And I admire Ralston bearding the lionin his den. It's a shame that poor Polly should have to suffer, but Ihope she will be spunky and not give in."
"Do you mean to make us marry whoever you like?" Patty edged up to herfather and raised a saucy face with laughing eyes.
"You will find me terrible when you reach that period," declared theirfather. "At present there are enough things for you to consider andlearn about without taking up marriage."
"Do you suppose grandpapa is in real earnest? He looked very resolute,didn't he? I've seen him angry with the slaves, and I shouldn't like tobelong to him, I really shouldn't. And do you think he actually doesn'twant any of us to come up----"
"Not at present. I trust the matter will blow over. Marian will givein after a while and, no doubt, be very comfortable. Ask your mother ifshe is sorry. I know little Annis wants to go back to Kentucky," and hepinched the child's cheek.
"You'll have to go alone," declared Louis.
"But I can't go alone; I should get lost. And I don't want to go awayfrom you all."
Mrs. Mason flushed and smiled at the raillery.
"But, you see, we are old enough to appreciate mamma," began Jaqueline."And those Greaves children are all little, and they are very plaintoo. One of the boys has a squint eye. It looks so queer, as if healways saw two ways. And poor Marian will have to settle to playingwhist, and she does love so to dance. She had such a good time here,and in Washington with Jane."
Dixon, the overseer, came up the path. Mr. Mason was wanted to settlesome matter. Patty and Jaqueline sat down on the step by their motherand Annis leaned against her knee, while Varina hung over Patty'sshoulder, rather to her sister's discomfort. And, in spite of theirfather's request, they went on talking of Marian. Their mother saidthey were too young to know what was really best in such matters; butthey thought they did, and she could not lead them to other subjects.They were very happy, and not difficult to get along with, if theywere rather lawless. To be sure, Jaqueline did evince a tendency toadmiration, and often gave dangerous glances out of eyes that couldlook languishing as well as laughing.
Louis did not hesitate to express his indignation to both of hissisters.
"Grandpapa is an old tyrant!" he declared; "and I dare say we'll neverhear. It's like someone taking off your book when you are at the mostinteresting part."
"Do you suppose we'll be asked to the wedding?" wondered Patty; "andwhat a farce congratulations would be? 'I hope you will be very happy.''I wish you much joy.'"
Patty pirouetted round, shaking an imaginary hand and using a mostaffected tone, at which they all laughed.
But Marian surprised them all with a letter, written the day herparents were away. How she sent it was a mystery. It excited them allbeyond measure.
"It was dreadful," she wrote. "Oh, Jaqueline! if I could have knownLieutenant Ralston was there I should have rushed into the room andtold him that I loved him, and that I should never, never marry anyoneelse, if father shut me up in a dungeon and kept me on bread and water!But I did not know until he was sent away, and I can't know all thatfather said to him, but I do know he was very fierce and unreasonable.And I was so frightened when father went at me that I had to confessabout those two delicious days. He was sure it was a plot on your part,and he taxed me with having known all about it. I didn't dream of sucha thing at first, but I am afraid it was so.
"I never saw anyone so angry. At first I was dreadfully frightened. Butwhen he accused me of duplicity and forwardness, and said I had runafter Mr. Ralston, it roused me, and I said I loved him and I neverwould marry anyone else. I know he would wait years for me. And whenMr. Greaves asks me I shall tell him plain out how I feel about it,and I am quite sure he will not want to marry me. I hate the prosy oldfellow! I wish Mr. Ralston could know how much I care for him. I expectyou are having a terrible time to-day with father. Oh, I wish he couldbe like brother Randolph! Oh, Jaqueline, do you know how delightfulit is! And your mother is so sweet, just like another girl. Such oldpeople as father and mother forget they ever were young."
There was much more youthful and romantic protest and resolve.
"I really didn't think Marian had so much force of character," saidLouis. "I do wonder if it would be wrong to give Ralston an inkling ofhow the case stands? It seems as if she almost expected us to do it."
"I think papa ought to see the letter," returned Jaqueline soberly."And I almost know he will not want us to stir further in the matter.Marian must have someone she can trust, or she would not have dared towrite the letter. Oh, I hope she will be true and brave, and some timeit may come out right!"
"Mis' Jettson's come," said Julia. "And your pa and ma have gone overto Middle Creek."
"Oh, Jane!" They all made a rush to the great front piazza, Jaquelinewith her letter in hand.
"Oh, girls!" cried Jane, "did you have a dreadful time when fatherwas down here? He wrote me a letter. But Lieutenant Ralston had beenin, and he told me of his call at the Pineries. You see, he thoughtthey were as good as engaged; only he meant to begin honorably, andask father's sanction to his addresses. But father was--yes, reallyoutrageous--if he is my father! I've always felt he would be agentleman under any circumstances, but this was insulting, abusive;and Lieutenant Ralston is well bred and well connected, and is in theway of getting a fine position. And, in any event, there was nothingderogatory to Marian in his falling in love with her. Why, he isinvited almost everywhere, and the girls are pulling straws for him.Then father writes me a very cross and irritating note, and says forthe present Marian is to hold no communication with me--my own sister,too!--and that I am not to mention nor in any way refer to Mr. Ralston,but that any letter of mine will be read by him first. Why, we might aswell go back to the Dark Ages, or be Puritans at once! I believe thoseold Puritan fathers compelled their daughters to marry to their liking.If I _could_ only know how Marian feels! Why do you all look so queer?Jaqueline, who is your letter from?"
"From Marian," said the girl, with rising color.
"Oh, I _must_ see it." She took it from Jaqueline's hand. "Oh, poor,dear Marian! If she loves him it will be all right. And she does. Ithink father won't have such an easy time persuading her to marry Mr.Greaves. Why, he could have been her father; he's old enough! And noneof us can write to her. It is too cruel! Now tell me what was said theday they were down here."
The scene lost nothing by repetition. They all agreed about theinjustice. Then Jane decided she would return at once. The baby wasteething and rather fretful. They were to go to Bladensburg for afortnight.
"And, Jaqueline, I wish you could come. It is really quite gay there,and the water is said to be so good. Arthur is too busy to leave, andoften has to spend his evenings drafting and making plans. Patty mightcome too, if she liked."
So the word of encouragement went its way to the lover, and was a greatcomfort and delight.
"I hope you will all respect grandfather's wishes," said Mr. Mason,when he read his young sister's letter. "I shall trust you not to holdany communication with Marian."
"But if Jane does?" commented Louis.
"That is not strictly our affair. And, Louis, do not be too ready togive young Ralsto
n the encouragement of this letter, even. Mr. Floyd isvery tenacious and----"
"Oh, you might as well call it obstinate," laughed Louis. "PerhapsMarian may inherit some of the same characteristics, when it comes tothe point. And I fancy we are all on her side. It is as you once said,Jack, we _do_ have to take sides!"
"And I'm going to be on Marian's side," said Varina proudly. "I don'tlike grandpapa very much. Annis, what will you do?"
"I like Marian," she replied a little timidly.
"Now we must go and see what side Charles will take. The old knightsfought for the ladies."
"I see you are all arrayed in rebellion," and the squire shook hishead. "I am afraid I have not brought you up properly."
Jaqueline and Patty went to Bladensburg, which was quite a resort.Louis joined a party who were going down the Chesapeake in a sailingvessel, and the three young ones played and disputed and made upfriends. The elders essayed several duty visits to the Pineries, butthey saw the girls only in the presence of their parents, so Marianhad no opportunity of explaining how matters were going with her; butshe was thinner and heavy-eyed, and had lost her spirits. Mr. and Mrs.Floyd held their heads high and were rather captious.
What had happened when Mr. Greaves' year of mourning had expired wasthat he went over to the Pineries one afternoon dressed in a new suitand gotten up quite in the style of the day. After Marian entered theroom he made a formal proposal for her hand and asked her father'sconsent.
"You have mine, most cordially," said Mr. Floyd in his grandestmanner. "It is my wish that my daughter should accept you as her futurehusband. It is natural and womanly that she should have some misgivingson the subject, as it is a grave one and full of responsibility. But wehave reared her to do her duty in that state of life to which it shallplease God to call her. And her mother and I hope to see her fill thisplace in your home and your affections, and become a happy wife at theproper time. We are in no hurry to part with her, but until that timeyou will be a most welcome guest."
Marian shivered, but her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth whenshe would have spoken. It seemed to her as if she should scream ifhe touched her hand, but he contented himself with making a ratherelaborate speech to her mother, and pressing the elder's hand to hislips. There was some wine and cake brought in, and healths were drunk.After some desultory conversation supper was announced, a very high teabefitting a festive occasion. There was the inevitable game of whistafterward. This was Thursday, and Sunday Mr. Greaves walked over tothe Floyds' pew, and down the aisle with Miss Marian, Mrs. Floyd havingtaken Dolly under her wing. And the matter seemed to be settled withoutany voice from Marian either way.
"But it is dreadful! I never, never will marry him!" sobbed the girl onDolly's neck in the quiet of their own chamber. "If I _could_ run away!And if I only knew about Mr. Ralston!"
"If we could only hear from Jane! You will have to let things go on andhope for some way out of it. I wonder who will come along for me? Andwe might be having such a delightful time with Jane! I sometimes wishMr. Ralston had not come to hand and spoiled it all."
"But you can't think, Dolly, how deliciously sweet those two days were!A whole lifetime of that!" sighingly.
"But men only love that way a little while. Then it gets to be an oldstory and is merely respect," returned the wise younger sister.
"I am sure Arthur is fond of Jane and proud enough of her too, and lookat brother Randolph! Oh, I just envy Jaqueline! What a nice time shewill have!"
Dolly had said so many times, "It's just awful, Marian," that shehad nothing more left to say. Then, it was hard to be watched andquestioned and not allowed any liberty on Marian's account. She didn'tsee how Marian could run away, for she was never trusted to go anywherealone. And no well-bred girl would throw herself at her lover withouta very urgent invitation.
The clergyman and his wife came in to tea, and found Mr. Greaves there,and congratulated them both. Then the neighbors took it up as a settledthing, and poor Marian felt the net closing about her. There had beena vague half-expectation that Lieutenant Ralston would make some effortto assure her of his constancy. Or if some word could come from Jane!
Louis went back to Williamsburg, and Patricia was sent for someeducational advantages. There was a new little girl at the Jettsons',and Jaqueline was to be one of the godmothers. Afterward Jane pleadedso hard for her to remain. She could go on with her French and hersinging, as she had a very pretty voice and singing was one of theaccomplishments of the day. Then, too, the Carringtons were very gladto have her. Indeed, Jaqueline was a great favorite for her vivacityand her charming manner, which was so pretty and deferential to herelders, so bright and winsome to her compeers.
Mrs. Mason took up the education of the two little girls with Charles'help. He went over to the house of the clergyman every morning, whowas a graduate of Oxford and quite ready to piece out his salarywith a class of five small boys in the neighborhood. Charles was aborn student, delighted with all kinds of knowledge. Annis was alwaysinterested as well.
"You will make the child a regular bookworm," declared the squire. Andthen he would take her and Varina off for a canter over the hills.
"I don't see why girls and women shouldn't love to learn," Charles saidto his mother.
"But they can't be doctors, nor ministers, nor judges, norpoliticians," smilingly.
"They could help their husbands if they knew how."
"But they help them by keeping the house in good order, and watchingthe servants, and sewing, and making their husbands comfortable andhappy."
"I want Annis to learn a great many other things, for you know I am tomarry her when we are grown up," said the little boy gravely.
Mrs. Mason smiled at his earnestness.
A messenger had been sent down from the Pineries early in December toinvite all the family to a Christmas dinner. Mrs. Floyd had not beenin her usual health for some weeks back, and now that the cause ofdisagreement had been removed she was anxious to receive all the familythat could come together. She had hoped to have Mr. and Mrs. Conway,but he could not leave his parish at such an important time. So, ifthey would waive their own family gathering and join her she wouldbe most grateful. She realized that she and Mr. Floyd were getting tobe old people, and they could not tell how much longer they might bespared.
"Then it is all settled that Marian will marry Mr. Greaves," said Mr.Mason.
His wife gave a little sigh.
Jaqueline came home to hear the verdict and vent her indignation.Jane had received a letter from her father announcing that Marianhad accepted the husband selected for her and given up her rebelliousattitude. So the family, he hoped, would meet in amity once more. Mrs.Floyd had not been well of late, and was desirous of seeing her newlittle granddaughter.
"Marian can't have given up so easily! And all this time Mr. Ralstonhas been so confident! What an awful disappointment it will be to him!He has gone up to Philadelphia to consult with some engineers. Oh,papa, can't something be done? Jane is almost wild about it."
"My dear girl, if Marian is satisfied----"
"But I cannot think she is. She did love Mr. Ralston so!"
"A girl's fancy. How many lovers have you had? See how indulgent I amto trust you to Jane, who really hasn't much more sense than you."
"Why, I haven't any real lover. And I do not want one for ever solong." Yet she flushed and dropped her eyes.
Perhaps he would not have trusted his daughter in the giddy whirl ofsociety if he had not known of someone every way worthy and acceptable,who was watching her and waiting for the right moment to speak. Whenshe had taken her fling of gayety, she would be the more ready tolisten. And he would not mar what he really desired by seeming to biasher inclinations. She was not a girl to be forced into a step or haveher patience worn out, as he suspected was the case with his youngsister Marian.
"Of course Jane means to join the family party?"
"Oh, yes. Jane has been almost heartbroken over the matter. She isvery fond of
Marian and Dolly. Oh, papa, I hope you won't get cross andqueer as you grow older!"
He laughed and patted her shoulder. "Grandfather thinks you will allcome to grief from over-indulgence."
"We are all going to come out magnificently in the end, just to provehim a false prophet and you the very dearest of fathers."
"You are a sad flatterer, Jack. I'm afraid you learn too much ofit in the gay circles. But you must be on your best behavior at thePineries, and not stir up any disaffection. Family differences arevery disagreeable things; and, after all, age is entitled to a certainindulgence and respect. I shouldn't wonder if you were a queer,arbitrary old lady yourself."
"Oh, papa!" reproachfully.
Patricia thought it very hard that she could not come home forChristmas, which was the great holiday of all the year. But Louis wasnot coming; he had some arrears to make up, and was also very muchinterested in one of a certain household of girls, and was to attendtheir Christmas-Eve ball. Patty grumbled a good deal. Aunt Catharinetreated her like one of the children. She was not allowed to go toparties, and she had to learn all kinds of fancywork and cooking, andmaking sauces and everything. "And I've made up my mind if keepinga house is so much work I shall never get married," declared themuch-tried girl. "And I think aunt was much nicer as an old maid than amarried woman. Though she's a great personage now, and everybody comesto her for advice and patterns and stitches in lace-making and recipesfor everything. If I ever did marry, I wouldn't be a clergyman's wife."
Mrs. Conway wrote a rather stilted, but very affectionate, letterto her mother and Marian. She congratulated the latter warmly. GrayCourt was certainly a fine old place. Four children were a greatresponsibility; she found her three a continual care, but Mr. Conwaywas so devoted to his study, his classes, and his sermons she couldhave no help from him. As they wanted certainly to come to the marriagein the spring, it was better to wait until then, as it was quiteimpossible to get away now. She sent Marian a piece of fine old lacethat she had bought from a parishioner in very reduced circumstances,and who was the last of her line.
The Pineries wore a welcome aspect for the guests. Great fires werekept blazing in the wide chimneys, and the Franklin stove in the hallsent out pleasant cheer. Brandon the son, his wife, and three childrenwere among the first guests. The Masons added six, and Mrs. Jettsoncame with her three babies, but her husband was not to join them untilChristmas morning, on account of some engagements.
There was staying at the house a young Mr. Floyd, a distant relativefrom South Carolina. It was plain to be seen that he was very sweet onDolly, and grandfather was highly elated.
Mr. Greaves had certainly thawed a little. He was quite lover-likein a courtly and formal fashion, and made himself very much a son ofthe house. In arranging for the guests Mrs. Floyd had brought her twodaughters next to her own room so there should be no chance for nightlygossips or confidences over dressing. Marian had begun to think a homeof her own desirable. With the unreason of womankind she felt that Mr.Ralston ought to make some effort to learn her true sentiments. As hehad not, as also her mother persisted that young society men of thatclass thought it entertainment to make love to every woman they met,she had yielded reluctantly.
Then, too, Gray Court was a fine old place. It had not suffered muchduring the Revolution, though the treasures of plate and fine china hadbeen buried out of harm's way. Marian found that she was the envy ofthe elder spinsters, and even the younger girls thought her lucky. Soshe had given in on condition that the marriage should not take placeuntil May.
"Honey, dat's an awful onlucky month!" said her old nurse.
"Then it shall be June," returned the prospective bride.
"And suppose I should be married at the same time! This is PrestonFloyd's second visit, and he and father hit off wonderfully well. Theyagree in politics, and I wonder why it is such a pleasure to have thecountry go to ruin. However, I don't think it will; it has stood manystorms. And Charleston must be an agreeable city to live in, if all betrue that is said about it. I would like Philadelphia or New York, butI see no prospect of getting there. So if Preston asks me to marry himI shall accept. I don't suppose father would ever trust us to visitJane again. And when you are gone it will be dismal. Marriage seems theright and proper thing. I wonder if Jaqueline has a lover!"
A modern girl would have complained that Jaqueline made "big eyes" atPreston Floyd. Before she had been an hour in the house there was adifferent atmosphere. She was not aggressive, and her rather hoydenishways were toned down to a certain fearless elegance. She was bright andvivacious and had bits of merry wit at her tongue's end, yet it was notso much what she said as her manner of saying it.
"I can't get a word alone with Marian," complained Jane to the younggirl. "But I must say that Mr. Greaves acquitted himself wonderfullywell last evening. Only Mr. Ralston is so sure Marian will be faithfulthrough everything. He gave me so many messages for her, and mothermakes a great point of not mentioning his name. What shall I do?"
"It's horrid! I do believe Marian has ceased to care for him. And nowthat everything is settled it would seem dreadful to stir it all upagain. Papa insisted that I should let the matter entirely alone."
"But Mr. Ralston will be so dreadfully disappointed. He was soproud of his new position for her sake. And Marian really puzzlesme. She _seems_ content. Oh, did you see that exquisite lace AuntCatharine sent her? Of course it _is_ all settled, and if Marian issatisfied--oh, Jaqueline, I hope you will really fall in love! I adorelovers, even if I am the mother of three children. I mean that mylittle girl shall have a delightful time when she is grown up."
The children were having a gay time. Varina was the leader, and Annis,with her soft ways, the peacemaker, when anything went wrong. Thetwo Jettson boys adored her. Charles roamed over the old house, andpleased grandfather by his interest in family legends and the historyof various articles of furniture and plate. It was grandfather's boastthat there wasn't a stick of Yankee furniture in the house. Charleslonged to have Annis with him, but though grandfather said "she was anice little thing," he did not take very fervently to little girls, andhad more than once regretted that Jane and Marian had not been boys.
"I don't see what you find interesting about those babies," Charlessaid rather disdainfully. "They're always wanting to tumble overyou and make a noise, and they're never as funny as the little slavechildren, who _can_ amuse you if you want that sort of fun. I wishyou'd come and hear grandfather talk about the Indians and when thesettlers first came to Virginia."
"I don't think he quite likes me," Annis said hesitatingly, with anervous little laugh.
"As well as he likes any child girls. I think he likes them better whenthey are big enough to play whist. But you could listen, all the same."
"I get tired of just listening. I like the children because they arealive and can laugh and talk. The other people who have been dead solong----"
"But you liked Captain John Smith, and the Froissart men who were sobrave. And King Arthur----"
"But Grandfather Floyd said there never was any such King Arthur, norMerlin, nor ever so many other people."
"Grandfather is wrong about some things. And it isn't polite tocontradict him, because he is an old man. Oh, do come!"
"Annis! Annis!" called two or three eager baby voices.
"Oh, yes, I would rather be with them. And when we get home youmay tell me all these things. They'll sound so much better than ingrandpapa's voice. It sometimes gets shaky and seems cold, while yoursis soft and sweet and fine when you come to the grand places."
That mollified the boy, who certainly had become grandfather'sfavorite, and was pronounced sensible.