CHAPTER XIV.
Need it be told how, on the following morning, as soon after breakfastas convenient, our artist--and now rich land-proprietor--beckoned to ourhost of the "Headless Lady," and with trembling lips and palpitatingheart seized him by the arm, and walked with him for a good pace downthe long, straight road leading up to the door of the inn? Or how themembers of the club, who happened to be looking through thediamond-shaped panes of the old-fashioned bow window in that direction,remarked one to the other how mighty intimate our hero had suddenlybecome with his landlord, and their wonderments as to what he could findto talk to him about so confidentially?
Suddenly our host was observed to start, slap his thigh, then, with ahand upon each bent knee, he peers steadily into the face of hisinterlocutor, who is placing a hand upon his shoulder. Our host, nowchanging his position, extends a broad, fleshy palm towards hiscustomer, which our artist clasps in his long, slender fingers with amore than usual hearty shake.
"Why, if they are not patting each other on the back, and laughing,"exclaimed Parnassus. "What _can_ be up?"
"Well, that's queer," observed the Professor. "Um--m--m--m?"
* * * * *
Whilst this dumb show was being enacted Dame Hearty entered herdaughter's bedroom to announce to her that she had Dr. Bleedem's fullpermission to get up and dress herself; which permission, we may easilyguess, was promptly taken advantage of. So jumping suddenly out of bedwith the agility of youth, she quickly set about her toilet andablutions.
"There is one thing," began her parent, "I wish to speak to you about."
"Yes, mother," responded Helen, absently, brushing out her curls beforethe glass with unusual despatch, and without turning towards her parent.
"Nay, hear me, girl," continued Dame Hearty; "it is seriously I wouldspeak."
"Say on, then, madam; I am listening."
"I am aware--ahem!--I have long taken note," continued her mother, "of agrowing intimacy--a friendship, I may say, and perhaps somethingmore--between you and this Mr. McGuilp, our guest. I know that he hasdone us all a great service--a service that none of us can ever forget,and you in particular, since he saved your life. It is therefore onlynatural and proper that you should feel grateful towards him, andregard him in the light of a friend, and as a friend, I hope, we shallever esteem him; but listen, now, my girl, to what I say. A _too_intimate friendship between a young couple, out of different stations inlife, such as in the case of yourself, who are only the daughter of acountry inn-keeper, and a gentleman born and educated like Mr. McGuilp,who is, besides, enormously rich, having inherited all his uncle'sfortune and estates, and consequently moves in the very best society.Such intimacies are dangerous, and may lead on to trouble before you areaware."
"How, mother?"
"Bless the child!" answered her mother, impatiently, "must I tell youeverything? Must I make you as wise as myself? No; there are things Ican't discuss with you. What I want of you is to be patient, and obey."
"You--all of you--treat me like a child," broke in Helen, reproachfully.
"And so you are," retorted her mother; "therefore take advice. Thefeeling that the world calls _love_--love, I say, that speaks not ofmarriage is denounced as _sin_ by the laws of God and man."
"Well, that's strange," mused Helen. "Then, one may not love a friend, aparent, a child, without marrying them?"
"I have no time to quibble," replied her mother, with some asperity,"but would simply remark that whatever your feelings may be towards Mr.McGuilp, or his towards _you_, nothing but harm and unhappiness can bethe lot of you both--without marriage. Now, you can't well expect a richgentleman like Mr. McGuilp to displease all his friends by marrying apenniless girl like yourself--country bred, without education, who knowsnothing of the world and society, when he could marry some high-bornlady out of his own class--some rich heiress, educated and accomplished,who would grace the society to which he belongs. He might be a great manin the county, and enter Parliament, with such a wife, while you wouldonly drag him down to your level."
Helen had already hidden her face in her hands, and her bare shouldersheaved convulsively, while the hot tears trickled through her fingers.
"Cease, mother! Oh! cease, in pity!" she cried. "I cannot bear it."
Her anguish would have wrung the heart of a stone, and her parent beinga really tender-hearted woman, deeply sympathised with her daughter,though she felt it her duty to be firm, "For what could it all end in?"she argued.
At this juncture, the voice of our host was heard at the bottom of thestaircase calling out, "Molly, my dear! Mr. McGuilp wants to speak toyou."
"In one moment, Jack," answered his spouse. Then to her daughter, "Dryyour eyes, my girl. Bathe your face and follow me. Mr. McGuilp doubtlesswants to see you. You have much to thank him for, and do it with grace,but mind what I have said."
With this parting admonition she left the room and hurried downstairs,whilst Helen deftly finished her toilet, and with one last look at theglass to ascertain that her eyes bore no traces of weeping, she waspreparing to descend the stairs, when her attention was attracted bysounds from below that she was at a loss to account for. There was ajumble of human voices, but above them all was the voice of her mother,now screaming, now half laughing and half crying, whilst that of Dr.Bleedem was heard giving orders to her father, and all seemed bustle andconfusion. Dame Hearty was in hysterics.
* * * * *
"And you really do mean it, Mr. McGuilp?" asked, in a sweet voice, abright-faced country girl of eighteen summers of a slim young man in thegarb of a gentleman, who followed her through the narrow mossy pathwayof a wood adjacent to the inn at the cross roads.
"Mean it, my angel! Why, of course I do, and feel proud at the verythought of you being all my own. Only don't call me any more 'Mr.McGuilp,' or 'Sir.' It hurts my feelings. Call me 'Van'--just 'Van' asmy friends and relatives have ever called me."
"Van, let it be then," quoth the maiden, "_dear_ Van, my own sweet lovefor ever and ever! Oh! Van, you _have_ made me so happy! And my parents,how you must have surprised them when you told them! Poor mother! Nowonder she went into highstrikes!"
"Hysterics," corrected her lover.
"Well, that's what they call them here," answered the girl; "but youwill correct me every time I make a mistake, won't you Van?"
"With pleasure, dearest," replied her suitor.
"And nothing can ever come between us now? Nothing can part us?"
"Nothing but death," was the reply.
A shade of sadness passed momentarily over the girl's features as sheasked, "Must it all end with that?"
"Death ends everything," replied the young man: "that is to say,everything earthly."
"Then is there _no_ love beyond the grave?" asked Helen.
"Oh! let us hope so," responded our artist. "I, for one, have the verystrongest persuasion that there is. Love such as ours is not merely ofearth."
"Dear, _dear_ Van!" cried the maiden, in ecstasy, "I will believe allyou tell me. _I_ know nothing, but I _feel_ you are right. Yes, we shallstill continue to love even beyond the grave. Oh! Van, how have Ideserved all this happiness?"
"Your sweetness, your goodness, your beauty, your love, amplycounterpoise anything _I_ can give you, my angel," said her lover.
"How kind you are to talk like that Van! How you _must_ love me to goagainst the wishes of your friends and leave everything and everybodyfor me!" exclaimed the girl. Then added, "You are _quite_ sure that youwon't be ashamed of me before all the grand people you will meet? Thatyou will be able to pardon any little slip of the tongue, my countrymanners, and everything else?"
"Everything, everything, dear. Besides, your education will begin fromto-day. You will improve yourself in the arts of reading and writing.Learn grammar, history, geography, and other things. I will have youwell taught at once, whilst I am away in town to make preparations forour wedding. I must go about the licence, and thr
ough other formalities;buy the wedding-ring; your dress--for, of course, as _my_ wife, you mustnow dress as beseems a lady, and leave off this simple garb; and yet itseems a pity, for I have always known you thus. Still, for the sake ofpublic opinion--to avoid misunderstanding----"
"I care nothing about all that," broke in Helen.
"No, my darling; not yet. You do not understand. But in time you willfind that you have to."
"Well, I will do anything to please you, Van."
"My own darling!" said her lover, encircling his arm around her waist.
Well, my readers, and if their lips _did_ meet; what of it? It is a waythat lips have under the circumstances.
* * * * *
"And now, gentlemen, and members of the Wonder Club, let me introduceyou to the future Mrs. Vandyke McGuilp," said our artist, on his returnfrom his walk, as he entered the club room, leading his fiancee by thehand.
Taken completely by surprise, each member rose from his chair, bowed,smiled, and offered his congratulations. Mr. Oldstone was particularlymoist on this occasion.
"Oh! my dear boy, how I congratulate you; and you too, my pretty child!Bless you, my children, both!"
Then he took out his handkerchief and mopped his eyes.
"Dear me, what an old fool I am!" he muttered, in parenthesis.
Chairs were immediately placed for the engaged couple, amid boisterouscheering and banter from all the members of the club at once, whilst thebride elect laughed, blushed, and looked very happy. The father andmother of the bride next entered, and joined in the general hubbub.
Of course, this was too great an event not to be celebrated with all duehonours. Therefore Mr. Oldstone proposed that they should all meet onceagain that evening round the steaming punch-bowl; Helen and her parentsbeing also of the company.
"Just to drink to the health of the bride elect," explained Mr. Oldstonewith an appealing look towards Dr. Bleedem. And it was so.
That the bride's health was drunk that evening with a "Hip, hip,hurrah!" goes without saying. How Mr. McGuilp started on the morrow fortown on business connected with his approaching marriage; his return;his sojourn at the "Headless Lady" until the grand event came off; howhe occupied his spare time partly in painting a portrait of his friendMr. Oldstone, which was followed in due time by portraits of his futurefather and mother-in-law, and in imparting instruction to his fairbride; likewise, how, when unavoidably absent on business, Mr. Oldstonewould enact the role of instructor to the fair bride of his protege, sothat no time should be lost in fitting her for her exalted station; howHelen improved daily in intelligence and knowledge under such carefultuition, are matters of history.
All unpleasant experiences of the past had been forgotten in the joyattending the great approaching event.
Coffins had been made for the bodies of the two malefactors. The corpseof Lord Scampford had been placed in his lordship's carriage and drivenby his coachman (whose shoulder blade was now quite well), andaccompanied by his footman to London, where it was consigned to thefamily vault of the Scampfords, while that of his partner in crimefilled a nameless grave in a corner of the old churchyard atLittleboro'.
Some procrastination and unexpected delays _would_ occur, however, inspite of all our hero could do to hurry on the event, for we know that"the course of true love never _did_ run smooth," but at length thehappy day arrived. How merrily pealed the bells from the ruined towerof the picturesque old parish church of Littleboro' on that sunny morn!How gay the peasantry looked in their holiday attire! Proud, indeed,were our host and hostess as a splendid equipage with coachman andfootman, each adorned with a huge nosegay, drove up to the door of the"Headless Lady" to convey the fair bride, who was attired in the mostapproved fashion of the period, and accompanied by her father andmother, both clad in gala, to the church.
How the yokels did gape as they recognised in the magnificently attiredbride poor Nell Hearty, maid of the inn at the cross roads, whom theyhad seen full oft to feed the pigs, milk the cows, scrub the steps, washand hang out the clothes, and who had served them with many a pint ofher father's home brewed ale. It was a thing not well understood--had noright to be, doubtless they thought. The little church was crammed.Needless to say that every member of the Wonder Club was present, and,lo, here comes the vicar of Littleboro', that aged and somewhat infirmcleric of benevolent aspect, and all the aristocracy of the place.
The service begins. Mr. Parnassus has been chosen as best man, and hascomposed an ode for the occasion. Mr. Oldstone has begged the honour ofgiving away the bride, which duty he performs with great dignity. A deadsilence reigns as the bridegroom places the ring on the chubby finger ofhis bride. The benediction is given, the register is signed, _et c'estune affaire fini_. The bridal pair march out of church to the joyousstrains of the organ, treading beneath their feet along the aisle theflowers that friendly rustics have strewn across their path. Bride andbridegroom then step into their carriage and drive back to the house ofthe bride, where a sumptuous wedding breakfast awaits them. Nor were thewedding presents wanting. The members of the club had subscribed, andpresented the pair with a handsome punch-bowl and silver ladle with theusual golden guinea inlaid in the scoop. The parents of the bridepresented their daughter with a handsome piece of carved oak furniturecalled a "brideswain," dating back as far as the commonwealth, whichcontained linen, goblets, and other useful articles.
The old broadbacked farmer, the bride's godfather, who was present, andwhom our readers will recollect was the innocent cause of the disastersthat followed, in that, in his simplicity, he had put Lord Scampford'sbully into possession of the secret of Helen's address, that day at theRoyal Academy; well, the bride's godfather and his spouse between thempresented the couple with a metal dish and cover, besides a casecontaining a carving knife, fork, and steel. The bride's aunt, whom wehave mentioned as an invalid, sent an expensive old-fashioned china teaservice and sundry chimney ornaments, while her friends in humblercircumstances each contributed their little mite.
The breakfast went off merrily. The speeches and the toasts, who shalldescribe?
At length the hour of parting arrived. The carriage drove up, and thebridal pair entered amid showers of rice and old slippers. Our hero andheroine were about to set out on a continental tour for their honeymoon,and intended visiting the eternal city.
Perhaps the most touching incident of all occurred at the last moment,just as the happy pair were entering their carriage.
Mr. Oldstone, who had been very moist on the occasion, drew off hisantique ring, of which we have heard so much, from his forefinger andplaced it on that of his protege, saying with much emotion: "Take it, myson; take it with an old man's blessing. Preserve it as an heirloom, forI shall never wear it more."
* * * * *
"Poor old man!" said our artist with some emotion, when they had leftthe home of the bride a mile behind. "To think that he should make _me_this valuable present, and that I hadn't time to thank him at the last.I must write to him on the very first opportunity. Why, Helen, can youguess the value of this gem? I would sooner possess this ring than allthe money he has in the world. I never thought he would give it away toanyone during his lifetime. Did you ever hear the legend attached toit?"
"Well, yes; I think I _was_ present when Mr. Oldstone told his story,"said Helen; "but I am sure I don't recollect anything about it now. Youshall tell it to me over again some other time, darling."
"With pleasure, dearest," replied her husband. "It is a long story, andat present we have so many other things to think of, haven't we, love?"
"Yes, dear," was the reply.
"And you think you will continue to love me as much as you did at first,darling?" demanded the newly married man of his young wife.
"Oh! Van; how can you ask such a question?" exclaimed the bride. "Why, Ilove you more and more every minute."
"Then give hubby a pretty kiss," was the rejoinder.
Two po
uting rosebuds were thrust upwards into the husband's face, uponwhich he settled like a bee upon a flower extracting nectar andambrosia; and thus we will leave them.
Tales of the Wonder Club, Volume III Page 14