Chapter Sixth.
"O'er the glad water of the dark, blue sea." Byron.
It was Mildred's first sight of the ocean. The November air was chillbut the sun shone brightly, and well wrapped up, she found the decknot an uncomfortable place; so kept her station there all throughthe passage down the river and bay; though Mrs. Dinsmore very soonretreated, shivering, to the cabin, and called in nurses and children;with exception of Adelaide, who insisted upon remaining with her fatherand cousin, and was, as usual, allowed to have her own way.
"There, we have a full view of old ocean," Mr. Dinsmore said, as theysteamed out of the bay. "You never saw anything like that before,Mildred?"
"Yes; the great lakes look very similar," she answered, gazing awayover the restless waters, her eyes kindling with enthusiasm. "Howgrandly beautiful it is! I think I should never weary of the sight andshould like to live where I could watch it day by day in all its moods."
"Roselands is not so very far off from the coast," said Adelaide. "Aride of a few miles in one direction gives us a distant view."
"Oh, I am glad of that!" Mildred exclaimed.
"And we will place a pony and servant at your command, so that you canride in that direction whenever you will," added Mr. Dinsmore.
Mildred took her eyes from the sea long enough to give him a look ofdelight that fully repaid him; nor did she spare words, but told him hewas wonderfully kind to her.
"Tell about being on the lakes, cousin," pleaded Adelaide. "When was itand who was with you?"
There had been a little homesickness tugging at Mildred's heartstrings,and that last question brought the tears to her eyes and a tremble toher lips. She had a short struggle with herself before she could socommand her voice as to speak quite steadily.
But when she had once begun it was not difficult to go on and give acircumstantial account of their journey to Indiana: especially asAdelaide proved a delighted and deeply interested listener.
"Thank you," she said, when the story had come to an end. "But do tellme more about your brothers and sisters--everything you can think of.What a lot of them there is! I think Cyril and Don must be comicallittle fellows."
"Yes; and very provokingly mischievous at times," Mildred said,laughing at the recollection of some of their pranks, which she went onto describe for Adelaide's entertainment.
But the sun had set and the air was so cold that they were compelled toseek the shelter of the cabin.
They found warmth and brightness there. Mrs. Dinsmore was halfreclining on a sofa, her husband reading the evening paper by her side.
"Well, I'm glad you've come in at last," she said, with a reproachfullook directed at Mildred. "It was really very thoughtless to keepAdelaide out so late."
"She didn't keep me, mamma," answered the child with spirit. "I couldhave come in any minute if I had chosen. I was not even asked to stay."
"Don't be pert, Adelaide," said her mother. "Dear me, how the vesselbegins to rock! I shall be deathly sick before morning."
"That would have been less likely to happen if you had followedMildred's example in staying on deck as long as possible," remarked herhusband, turning his paper and beginning another article.
"I should have caught my death of cold," she retorted snappishly,"but perhaps you wouldn't have cared if I had. And I think it's quiteinsulting to have a chit of a girl like that held up to me as anexample."
Mildred had walked away and did not hear this last remark. Adelaide hadslipped her hand into Mildred's, and was saying, "I like you, cousin.We'll be good friends, shan't we?"
"It shall not be my fault if we're not," Mildred said, forcing a smile;for Mrs. Dinsmore's fault-finding had hurt her feelings and caused adecided increase of the homesickness. But determined to overcome it shegathered the children about her at a safe distance from their mother,and told them stories till interrupted by the summons to the tea table.
They had a rather rough sea that night and the next day, causing agood deal of sickness among the passengers. Mildred, taught by pastexperience, fought bravely against it seeking the deck soon aftersunrise and spending almost the whole day there in company with heruncle.
The second day she experienced no difficulty and was joined by hercousins; but Mrs. Dinsmore kept her berth to the end of the voyage, andwhen the vessel arrived in port, came from her stateroom pale, weak anddisconsolate.
The last stage of the journey was made in carriages.
They reached Roselands just as the sun was setting amid a mass ofcrimson, gold and amber-colored clouds forming a gorgeous background toa landscape of more than ordinary beauty.
"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Mildred, as her uncle handed her from thecarriage. "I was prepared to be charmed with the place, but it exceedsmy expectations."
"Let me bid you welcome and hope that first impressions may provelasting, your stay here most enjoyable," he said, with a gratifiedsmile.
But now Mildred's attention was taken up by the reception that had beenprepared for them:--just such an one as she had often heard describedby her mother.
The plantation was large; the dwelling also; and a dozen or more ofhouse servants headed by the housekeeper, who was a very respectablewhite woman, had ranged themselves in a double row across the veranda,and down the wide entrance hall.
Their faces were full of delight, their hands held out in joyousgreeting, glad words of welcome on every tongue, as master, mistress,guest, and children, with their attendants, passed slowly between theranks, shaking hands and making kind inquiries right and left.
Some of the older ones remembered Mildred's mother, and our heroine'sheart warmed toward them as they sounded "Miss Marcia's" praises, andaverred that her daughter bore a striking resemblance to her in looks.
"Mrs. Brown, this young lady is my niece," said Mr. Dinsmore, laying ahand on Mildred's shoulder, and addressing himself to the housekeeper,"and I commend her to your special care. Please see that she is wellwaited upon, and wants for nothing that house or plantation can supply.Here, Rachel," to a young mulatto girl, "I appoint you Miss Mildred'swaiting maid; you are to be always at her call, and do whatever shedirects."
"Yes, massa," the girl answered, dropping a deep courtesy first tohim, then to Mildred whom she regarded with a look of smiling approval,"dis chile berry glad ob de chance. Shall I show de way to yo' room,now, miss?" Mildred gave a smiling assent, and was immediatelyconducted to a spacious, elegantly furnished apartment, where an openwood fire blazed and crackled, sending around a ruddy light thatrendered that of the wax candles in the heavy, highly polished silvercandlesticks on the mantel, almost a superfluity.
Mildred sent a very satisfied, appreciative glance about her, thenturning to her young handmaiden, who stood quietly awaiting her orders,asked if there were time to change her dress before tea.
"Yes, Miss, plenty time. Whar yo' trunks, Miss? Oh! heyah dey come,"slipping out of the way of two of the men servants as they entered withMildred's luggage.
Mrs. Brown followed close in their rear, bade them unstrap the trunksbefore leaving, inquired of Mildred if there were anything more shecould do for her, and said she hoped she would be very comfortable.
"Rachel is young and has not had much experience in the duties ofladies' maid," she added, "but I think you will find her trusty andwilling. Would you not like to have her unpack your things and arrangethem in the bureau and wardrobe? Then the trunks can be put away out ofsight till they are wanted again."
"Yes, that will be very nice," said Mildred, producing the keys. "Butwill there be time before tea?"
"Hardly, I'm afraid, Miss Keith, if you have any change to make in yourdress; but later in the evening, if that will answer?"
"Oh, yes, quite as well."
Mrs. Brown took her departure, Mr. Dinsmore looked in for a momentto see that his young guest had not been neglected, and how she waspleased with her new quarters; then Mildred, left alone with her maid,opened a trunk, laid out the dress and
ornaments she wished to wear,and proceeded with Rachel's assistance, to make a somewhat hurriedtoilet.
The tea-bell rang, and Adelaide's bright face peeped in at the door.
"Ready, cousin? I'll show you the way."
They entered the supper-room looking fresh and blooming as two roses.
Mr. Dinsmore assigned Mildred the seat of honor at his right hand, andcomplimented her on the becomingness of her attire.
She was the only guest, the children were all allowed to come to thetable, and they were a merry family party, everybody rejoicing in beingat home again after an absence of several months.
The table was loaded with delicacies, skillfully prepared; for oldPhebe, the cook, was a real genius in the culinary art--the cloth wasof finest damask, the service of rare china and costly silverware, andthe attendance all that could be desired.
Pleading excessive fatigue, Mrs. Dinsmore retired to her own apartmentsimmediately upon the conclusion of the meal.
"You look quite too fresh and bright to be thinking of bed yet,"Mr. Dinsmore remarked, laying his hand affectionately on Mildred'sshoulder; "will you come to the library with me?"
She gave a pleased assent and they were soon cosily seated on eitherside of the fire there, a table covered with books, papers andperiodicals drawn up between them.
"How do you like this room?" Mr. Dinsmore asked.
"Oh, very much!" Mildred answered, sending a sweeping glance from sideto side, noting all the attractions of the place, from the rich Turkeycarpet, handsome rugs, comfortable chairs, couches and tables, to thelong lines of well filled book shelves, statues, statuettes and busts,and two or three fine paintings on the walls.
"That is right," he said with a pleased smile. "I want you to feelperfectly at home here; coming in whenever you please and staying justas long as you like, reading, writing, studying or lounging; helpingyourself with perfect freedom to books and writing materials; forwhatever is in the room is entirely at your service."
Mildred was beginning to thank him, but he cut her short with, "Nevermind that. Here's better occupation for you," handing her a package ofletters as he spoke.
She took it with a joyful exclamation. "Letters from home! oh, I havebeen so hungry for them."
"Yes," he said, enjoying her delight, "but don't run away," for she hadrisen to her feet, evidently with that intention; "perhaps there may bea bit here and there that you'd like to read to me. And if they bringtears to your eyes, I'll not think the worse of you. Besides I shall betoo busy with my own correspondence to take notice."
So she sat down again and presently forgot his presence in the interestof those written pages which seemed almost to transport her into thevery midst of the dear home circle.
It was a family letter, every one, from her father down to Annis,contributing something; the little ones having each dictated a messageto "Sister Milly;" but the greater part was from her mother, givingin pleasing detail the doings, sayings and plannings in their littleworld, the small successes and failures, the apparently trivialoccurrences, the little joys and sorrows, little trials and vexationsand little pleasures that make or mar the happiness of daily home life.
The mother's sweet, loving, trustful spirit breathed through it all.There were little jests that brought the smile to Mildred's lips ormade her laugh outright--and these she read aloud to her uncle:--therewere words of faith and patience that filled her eyes with tears; thenat the last wise, tender, motherly counsels that stirred her heart toits inmost depths.
She would have given a great deal at that moment to be at home again,within sound of that beloved voice, looking into the dear eyes, feelingthe gentle touch of the soft caressing hand. Oh, could she stay awayfor months?
The tears would come. She rose, crossed the room and stood before apainting, with her back to her uncle, who at that instant seemed whollyabsorbed in a business letter which he held in his hand.
Recovering herself, she came back to the table.
Mr. Dinsmore looked up.
"I think we must have a ride to-morrow morning, Milly, you and Adelaideand I, shall it be at nine o'clock?"
Her eyes grew bright and her cheeks flushed with pleasure. She was veryfond of riding on horseback.
"I shall be delighted to go, uncle," she said, "and can be ready at anyhour that may suit you best."
He considered a moment.
"I should not be surprised if you and Adie find yourselves inclinedto take a long morning nap after your journey," he said. "We will saydirectly after breakfast, which will not be earlier than nine. Now Isee you are wanting to retire; so bid me good night and away with youto slumbers sweet," and with a fatherly kiss he dismissed her.
Mildred's room was bright, warm and cheery as she had left it. Rachelwas not there; and the trunks had vanished also, but the opening ofwardrobe doors and bureau drawers showed their contents neatly bestowedtherein.
An easy chair stood invitingly before the fire and dropping into itMildred gave her letter a second perusal, mingling laughter and tearsover it as before.
She sighed softly to herself as she folded it up, then glancing aboutthe spacious, handsomely appointed room, smiled at thought of thecontrast between her present circumstances and surroundings and thoseof a few weeks ago, when she was occupying a small, very plainlyfurnished room, and instead of having a maid at her beck and call, wasconstantly waiting upon and working for others.
The rest and ease of the present were certainly very enjoyable, yet shehad no desire that the change should become a permanent one; home withall its toils and cares was still the sweetest, dearest place on earth.
Rachel came in to replenish the fire and ask if there was anything moreshe could do for the young lady's comfort.
"No, thank you, my wants are fully supplied," Mildred said with asmile. "I think I shall get ready for bed now."
"Den missy want her slippers and night clo's," remarked the girlhastening to bring them. "Shall dis chile' take down yo' hair and brushum out?"
"Yes," Mildred said; "when I have put on my dressing gown; and I'llread to you while you do it."
"Tank you, missy, dis child be berry glad to hear readin'," the girlanswered with a look of pleasure, "can't read none herself and neberexpects to know how. Dat's for white folks."
"Then I'll read the Bible to you every night and morning while you doup my hair," Mildred said. "It is God's word, Rachel; his letter totell us the way to heaven and we need to know what it says."
"Spect we does, miss," responded the girl, with wide open, wonderingeyes fixed on Mildred's face. "But nobody neber tole me dat befo'."
"Then here is work for me to do for the Master," thought Mildred, andsent up a silent petition, "Lord, teach me how to lead her to thee."