The Manoeuvring Mother (Vol. 1-3). Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury
tones, echoing through the hall, at this moment reached Tom Pynsent's ears. He became alarmed and nervous.
"I wish it was over, Sir John. I could wish to see Miss Julia now, and hear my fate at once. A man gets very awkward and nervous in this situation, I declare!" and Tom Pynsent's red face became ashy pale.
Lady Wetheral undertook to make his burthen an easy one. She even ventured to answer for Julia's affection—this was going too far. Julia had never confided her feelings to her mother upon any subject, and Lady Wetheral's anxiety to secure Tom Pynsent led her into the commission of much injustice. She had sacrificed Anna Maria's peace by thoughtless manœuvring, and now she was creating false hopes in the heart of Tom Pynsent. His situation at this moment was pitiable, and Sir John at once decided upon the necessity of an immediate conference with Julia. Poor Julia obeyed the summons conveyed through Thompson, and appeared in the study brilliant in smiles, and glowing with her recent exercise. She was not surprised at seeing Tom Pynsent, though she did not expect him so early. Julia was never off her guard. No girl in existence possessed her perfect command of feelings, and her self-possessed manner which never deserted her under any circumstance. She was quite prepared for a scene with Tom Pynsent and her mother.
"My dear Julia," said her father, taking her hand, and seating her between Tom Pynsent and himself, "Mr. Pynsent has been here some little time, and he has been speaking on a subject which you alone can dispose of."
"Oh, papa, I will dispose of it in one word," replied Julia, in her gayest manner. "What is it about?"
Tom Pynsent took up the matter as appertaining to himself, exclusively.
"Miss Julia, I have spoken to Sir John upon the subject of last night."
"Well, Mr. Pynsent."
"And, Sir John gives his consent, Miss Julia, if——."
"But I do not give mine, Mr. Pynsent."
Lady Wetheral sat rooted upon her chair; the fountain of her speech was dried up. Tom Pynsent coloured.
"You laughed at my remarks, Miss Julia, at the time, and that was not discouraging, I thought."
"There is no sentiment in a laugh, Mr. Pynsent, but I am sorry you misunderstood my manner. Excuse me, but I never can like you in any light but that of a pleasant acquaintance, and I hope you will not renew the subject. I laughed at your odd way of broaching your subject last night, but I am sure I could not encourage you, for I left you, if you remember."
"You were very abrupt with me, Miss Julia, but I fancied you were only angry because I squeezed your hand."
Tom Pynsent turned scarlet as he spoke.
"Well, Mr. Pynsent, don't let us say another word on the subject, and pray don't worry me with complaints, for I am speaking my unchangeable sentiments when I say, any expostulation on your part will only make me dislike you; and I really like you very much as only Tom Pynsent, our pleasant neighbour."
"Why, there's only a right and wrong way of doing things," replied Tom Pynsent, rising; "and I have no idea of teazing a woman as if I was digging out a fox, to make her dread the sound of my voice. I wish you well, Miss Julia, and as you will never hear me complain of a woman who tells me plump she does not like me, you need not be afraid of meeting me sometimes. I like every body to be above-board, and say what they mean. I am very sorry to appear rude, Sir John, but you will excuse my taking leave. I came upon a business which is settled, you know, so I had better take myself off."
Tom Pynsent bowed, and turned towards Lady Wetheral, whose lips were white and compressed.
"I must not take a lady's word for her daughter in future, but you did all you could to give me hope, for which I am obliged to you, Lady Wetheral. Good morning to you."
He passed Julia in silence, but she held out her hand.
"Say we are friends, Mr. Pynsent."
This little circumstance apparently overpowered poor Tom Pynsent, for he made no reply. He held the offered hand to his lips for some time, and, relinquishing it gently, he quitted the room like a man who had suffered disappointment, but who was prepared to bear his trial without flinching. Even Julia felt admiration at her lover's manly exit.
Lady Wetheral was some minutes before she spoke, though her lips had moved without the power of conveying sounds. She was stupified at the conversation which had taken place before her, and Tom Pynsent was gone without her having the ability of tongue or hand to detain him! Julia had unequivocally refused Tom Pynsent, Hatton, and a settlement! These things were too powerful to bear. At length she gained her voice, but it came hollow and slowly from her parched lips.
"Julia!"
"Well, mamma, what have you to say to me? Do not you think I made a quick affair of my proposal?"
"Do you know what you have done?" said her mother, in the same dreadful tone.
"To be sure, mamma, I do. I have refused great, broad-faced, but honest Tom Pynsent; but now I have something to tell you."
Lady Wetheral waved her hand.
"Do not speak to me, Julia; and never let my eyes behold you. I cannot help being your mother, but you are no longer my daughter in feeling, and I command you to remain in your own apartments for ever. You have given me the bitterest sorrow a mother can experience."
Sir John quitted the room.
"You have brought me in sorrow to the grave, for I shall never outlive this disgrace!"
"Oh yes, you will, mamma: you must live to dance at my wedding."
"I detest the sound!" she exclaimed—"your wedding! You have refused the first match in the two counties, and you will be disgraced and dishonoured among the wise, while I am pitied and despised by all my friends! Send Thompson to me."
Her ladyship became hysterical, and Julia became serious.
"I tell you, mamma, you will live to dance at my wedding, if you could only keep off those hysterics. Would you have me accept two men at once? How can I take poor Tom Pynsent when I am engaged to another!"
"Engaged to another, without asking my advice! Send instantly for Thompson: I am very ill." Her ladyship rang the bell violently. "You have killed me, and disgraced my reputation, Julia—you have trifled with my kindness and affection—you have killed your mother!"
The servant appeared, and Julia summoned the redoubted Thompson, who hurried to the scene of action. She beheld her lady in her usual state of agitation, when any thing disagreeable occurred. Julia was seated calmly by her side.
Thompson applied her usual remedies, and entreated to hear what had distressed her lady's nerves. Every family affair was confided to the lady's-maid.
"Your mistress, Thompson, is discomposed at the idea of my engagement to Lord Ennismore," replied Julia. "You know mamma has fits now, upon every fresh occurrence."
Julia's words fell upon her mother's heart like the
"Sweet south upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour."
She raised her head, and held out her hand to Julia.
"My dear child, you have given me excessive pain most uselessly. Thompson, I am better; you always stifle me with those salts; take them away. Your obstinacy in refusing Mr. Pynsent and Hatton almost broke my heart. How could I be aware that you had secured Lord Ennismore, Julia? I never saw the least attention on his part, and I had arranged he was to propose hereafter to Clara. Well, I am much relieved. I really fancied you engaged to some horrid creature, like Leslie."
"If you had listened to me, mamma, when I told you I had something to say, all this would have been spared."
"My dear, how can people listen when they are in terror? I saw you parading before me as the wife of some common creature, and all my friends laughing at me—what horrid visions!—but now you will be a peeress, with the glory of having refused the first commoner in the county! My dear Julia, you have done