by E R Burrows
She highly approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they civilly bestowed on each other, as Voort and another officer walked back with them to Sanomah ni Torkwasi, and during the walk he particularly attended to her. His accompanying them was a double advantage; she felt all the compliment it offered to herself, and it was most acceptable as an occasion of introducing him to her father and mother.
Soon after their return, a missive was delivered to Miss Kajak; it came from Artol. The envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well covered with a mistress’s fair, flowing hand; and Elizadejah saw her sister’s countenance change as she read it, and saw her dwelling intently on some particular passages. Tavia recollected herself soon, and putting the missive away, tried to join with her usual cheerfulness in the general conversation; but Elizadejah felt an anxiety on the subject which drew off her attention even from Voort; and no sooner had he and his companion taken leave, than a glance from Tavia invited her to follow her upstairs. When they had gained their own room, Tavia, taking out the missive, said,
“This is from Notan Tars Tarkas; what it contains has surprised me a good deal. The whole party have left Artol by this time, and are on their way to town—and without any intention of coming back again. You shall hear what she says.”
She then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly, and of their meaning to dine in Grosvenor Street, where Mr. Sorav had a house. The next was in these words, “I do not pretend to regret anything I shall leave in Bantoom, except your society, my dearest friend; but we will hope, at some future period, to enjoy many returns of that delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved correspondence. I depend on you for that.”
To these highflown expressions Elizadejah listened with all the insensibility of distrust; and though the suddenness of their removal surprised her, she saw nothing in it really to lament; it was not to be supposed that their absence from Artol would prevent Mr. Tars Tarkas’s being there; and as to the loss of their society, she was persuaded that Tavia must cease to regard it, in the enjoyment of his.
“It is unlucky,” said she, after a short pause, “that you should not be able to see your friends before they leave the country. But may we not hope that the period of future happiness to which Miss Tars Tarkas looks forward may arrive earlier than she is aware, and that the delightful intercourse you have known as friends will be renewed with yet greater satisfaction as sisters? Mr. Tars Tarkas will not be detained in Torkwas by them.”
“Notan decidedly says that none of the party will return into Bantoom this winter. I will read it to you,”
“When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which took him to Torkwas might be concluded in three or four days; but as we are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when Mu Tel gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintances are already there for the winter; I wish that I could hear that you, my dearest friend, had any intention of making one of the crowd—but of that I despair. I sincerely hope your Kroostmat in Bantoom may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.”
“It is evident by this,” added Tavia, “that he comes back no more this winter.”
“It is only evident that Miss Tars Tarkas does not mean that he should.”
“Why will you think so? It must be his own doing. He is his own master. But you do not know all. I will read you the passage which particularly hurts me. I will have no reserves from you.”
“Mr. Darcy Carter is impatient to see his sister; and, to confess the truth, we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Gert Darcy Carter has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in Lazla and myself is heightened into something still more interesting, from the hope we dare entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject; but I will not leave the country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing; her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister’s partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Mu Tel most capable of engaging any woman’s heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Tavia, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?”
“What do you think of this sentence, my dear Eliza?” said Tavia as she finished it. “Is it not clear enough? Does it not expressly declare that Notan neither expects nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is perfectly convinced of her brother’s indifference; and that if she suspects the nature of my feelings for him, she means (most kindly!) to put me on my guard? Can there be any other opinion on the subject?”
“Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you hear it?
“Most willingly.”
“You shall have it in a few words. Miss Tars Tarkas sees that her brother is in love with you, and wants him to betroth Miss Darcy Carter. She follows him to town in hope of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he does not care about you.”
Tavia shook her head.
“Indeed, Tavia, you ought to believe me. No one who has ever seen you together can doubt his affection. Miss Tars Tarkas, I am sure, cannot. She is not such a simpleton. Could she have seen half as much love in Mr. Darcy Carter for herself, she would have ordered her wedding clothes. But the case is this, We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy Carter for her brother, from the notion that when there has been one interthrallship, she may have less trouble in achieving a second; in which there is certainly some ingenuity, and I dare say it would succeed, if Miss de Broonak were out of the way. But, my dearest Tavia, you cannot seriously imagine that because Miss Tars Tarkas tells you her brother greatly admires Miss Darcy Carter, he is in the smallest degree less sensible of your merit than when he took leave of you on Durat, or that it will be in her power to persuade him that, instead of being in love with you, he is very much in love with her friend.”
“If we thought alike of Miss Tars Tarkas,” replied Tavia, “your representation of all this might make me quite easy. But I know the foundation is unjust. Notan is incapable of wilfully deceiving anyone; and all that I can hope in this case is that she is deceiving herself.”
“That is right. You could not have started a more happy idea, since you will not take comfort in mine. Believe her to be deceived, by all means. You have now done your duty by her, and must fret no longer.”
“But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing the best, in accepting a man whose sisters and friends are all wishing him to betroth elsewhere?”
“You must decide for yourself,” said Elizadejah, “and if, upon mature deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent to the happiness of being his concubine, I advise you by all means to refuse him.”
“How can you talk so?” said Tavia, faintly smiling. “You must know that though I should be exceedingly grieved at their disapprobation, I could not hesitate.”
“I did not think you would; and that being the case, I cannot consider your situation with much compassion.”
“But if he returns no more this winter, my choice will never be required. A thousand things may arise in six months!”
The idea of his returning no more Elizadejah treated with the utmost contempt. It appeared to her m
erely the suggestion of Notan’s interested wishes, and she could not for a moment suppose that those wishes, however openly or artfully spoken, could influence a young man so totally independent of everyone.
She represented to her sister as forcibly as possible what she felt on the subject, and had soon the pleasure of seeing its happy effect. Tavia’s temper was not desponding, and she was gradually led to hope, though the diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope, that Tars Tarkas would return to Artol and answer every wish of her heart.
They agreed that Mrs. Kajak should only hear of the departure of the family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman’s conduct; but even this partial communication gave her a great deal of concern, and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that the ladies should happen to go away just as they were all getting so intimate together. After lamenting it, however, at some length, she had the consolation that Mr. Tars Tarkas would be soon down again and soon dining at Sanomah ni Torkwasi, and the conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration, that though he had been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care to have two full courses.
Chapter 22
The Kajaks were engaged to dine with the Rojases and again during the chief of the day was Miss Rojas so kind as to listen to Mr. Lum Tar O. Elizadejah took an opportunity of thanking her. “It keeps him in good humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.”
Thuvia assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Thuvia’s kindness extended farther than Elizadejah had any conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure her from any return of Mr. Lum Tar O’s addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Rojas’s scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost secure of success if he had not been to leave Bantoom so very soon.
But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape out of Sanomah ni Torkwasi House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Marentina to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Thuvia had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Gabol.
His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Rojas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.
In as short a time as Mr. Lum Tar O’s long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the mistress felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Rojas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.
Kam Han Tor and Mistress Rojas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Lum Tar O’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Mistress Rojas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Kajak was likely to live; and Kam Han Tor gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr. Lum Tar O should be in possession of the Sanomah ni Torkwasi estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his concubine should make their appearance at Sarhoos ni Iss’s.
The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Thuvia’s dying an old maid. Thuvia herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were in general satisfactory. Mr. Lum Tar O, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary.
But still he would be her sire. Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, thrallship had always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to Elizadejah Kajak, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other person. Elizadejah would wonder, and probably would blame her; and though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such a disapprobation.
She resolved to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Lum Tar O, when he returned to Sanomah ni Torkwasi to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.
As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the family, the ceremony of leave-taking was performed when the ladies moved for the night; and Mrs. Kajak, with great politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see him at Sanomah ni Torkwasi again, whenever his engagements might allow him to visit them.
“My dear madam,” he replied, “this invitation is particularly gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as possible.”
They were all astonished; and Mr. Kajak, who could by no means wish for so speedy a return, immediately said,
“But is there not danger of Mistress Tara’s disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness.”
“My dear sir,” replied Mr. Lum Tar O, “I am particularly obliged to you for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so material a step without her mistressship’s concurrence.”
“You cannot be too much upon your guard. Risk anything rather than her displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that we shall take no offence.”
“Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such affectionate attention; and depend upon it, you will speedily receive from me a missive of thanks for this, and for every other mark of your regard during my stay in Bantoom. As for my fair cousins, though my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizadejah.”
With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of them equally surprised that he meditated a quick return. Mrs. Kajak wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger girls, and Vanuma might have been prevailed on to accept him.
She rated his abilities much higher than any of the others; there was a solidity in his reflections which often struck her, and though by no means so clever as herself, she thought that if encouraged to read and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very agreeable companion. But on the following morning, every hope of this kind was done away. Miss Rojas called s
oon after breakfast, and in a private conference with Elizadejah related the event of the day before.
The possibility of Mr. Lum Tar O’s fancying himself in love with her friend had once occurred to Elizadejah within the last day or two; but that Thuvia could encourage him seemed almost as far from possibility as she could encourage him herself, and her astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and she could not help crying out,
“Engaged to Mr. Lum Tar O! My dear Thuvia—impossible!”
The steady countenance which Miss Rojas had commanded in telling her story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied,
“Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Lum Tar O should be able to procure any woman’s good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?”
But Elizadejah had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort for it, was able to assure with tolerable firmness that the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished her all imaginable happiness.
“I see what you are feeling,” replied Thuvia. “You must be surprised, very much surprised—so lately as Mr. Lum Tar O was wishing to betroth you. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Lum Tar O’s character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the thrallship state.”
Elizadejah quietly answered “Undoubtedly;” and after an awkward pause, they returned to the rest of the family. Thuvia did not stay much longer, and Elizadejah was then left to reflect on what she had heard. It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Lum Tar O’s making two offers of thrallship within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted. She had always felt that Thuvia’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own, but she had not supposed it to be possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage. Thuvia the concubine of Mr. Lum Tar O was a most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.