Маргарет Олифант
Merkland: or, Self Sacrifice
“All in good time,” said Mrs. Coulter, “he is but a young man yet.”
“How old would you say?” inquired Mrs. Bairnsfather.
“Oh! one or two and thirty perhaps – not more.”
“Not more!” Mrs. Bairnsfather had a vindictive recollection of sundry invasions of her husband’s parish. “I’ll warrant him a good five years older than that.”
“Well, well,” said the good-humored agriculturist. “He is not too old to be married yet, that is a consolation.”
“What would you say to Miss Ada Mina!” continued Mrs. Bairnsfather. “Miss Jeanie, I suppose, I must not speak of now.”
Ada Coulter shook her curls indignantly. She, full sixteen, and receiving the homage of an Honorable Giles, to be “scorned” with a minister of five and thirty!
“Or Miss Ross?” said the mischief-making Mrs. Bairnsfather. – ”They would make an excellent couple, I am sure.”
“I won’t have that,” said Lewis. “I have engaged Anne, Mrs. Bairnsfather; if she does not take my man, I’ll disown her.”
“Anne, I want you,” said Marjory Falconer: “come here.”
“Or Miss Falconer herself?” said the indefatigable Mrs. Bairnsfather turning sharp round, and directing the attention of all and sundry to Marjory’s face, perfectly scorching as it was, with one of her overwhelming, passionate blushes, “and that would secure the contrast which people say is best for peace and happiness.”
Miss Falconer tried to laugh – the emphasis on the word peace had not escaped her; she slid her arm through Anne’s and left the room. The dark figure behind the curtain, followed her with his eye; laughed within himself a mighty secret laugh, and came out of his concealment, to the immense discomfiture of Mrs. Bairnsfather, and the great mirth of Giles and Ada.
“That abominable woman!” exclaimed Marjory, as they went down stairs.
“Hush,” said Anne, “she is the minister’s wife.”
“The minister’s wife! there is never any peace where she is. – She is a pretty person to think she can understand – ”
“Who, Marjory?”
“Oh,” said Marjory, with a less vehement blush, “it’s because John Lumsden is so popular in Strathoran – you know that. – Come, let us go and see Kenneth Macalpine.”
They did go; poor Kenneth was feverish and unable for any further excitement, so they spoke a few kindly encouraging words to his mother, and left the room. Mrs. Euphan Morison had retreated to her own apartment, and sat there by the fire sulky and dignified – the doctor had absolutely forbidden her administering to the invalid a favorite preparation of her own which she was sure would cure him.
Marjory and Anne turned to the great, warm, shining kitchen. The patriarch of Oranmore was dozing in a chair by the fire – the old man’s mind was unsettled; he had returned to his native Gaelic, and had been speaking in wandering and incoherent sentences of the church-yard, and the right they had to the graves of their fathers. An aged woman, the grand-aunt of Duncan Roy and Flora, who had brought up the orphans, sat opposite to him, muttering and wringing her withered hands in pain. She had been long afflicted with rheumatism, and the exposure made her aged limbs entirely useless. She had to be lifted into her chair – and aggravating her bodily pain was the anguish of her mind: “The bairns – the bairns! what will become of the bairns?”
The other Macalpine was a feeble woman, widowed and childless, to whom her honorable and kindly kindred had made up, so far as temporal matters went, the loss of husband and of children. She was rocking herself to and fro, and uttering now and then a low unconscious cry, as she brooded over the ruin of her friends, and her own helpless beggary. The firmament was utterly black, for her – she had no strength, no hope.
Marjory and Anne lingered for some time, endeavoring to cheer and comfort these two helpless women. Mrs. Catherine’s maids, carefully superintended by Jacky, had done everything they could to make them comfortable; and before the young ladies left the kitchen, Flora Macalpine had entered, and was at her aunt’s side, telling of the reception Duncan and herself had met with at Woodsmuir, and how Mrs. Ferguson had half promised to take her into the nursery to be “bairn’s-maid” to the little Fergusons. The old woman was a little comforted – very little; for if Flora was away in service, who could take care of her painful, declining years?
Jacky followed Anne and Marjory out of the kitchen. They were absorbed with this matter of the ejectment, and so did not observe her. Marjory drew her companion to the library.
“Do come in here, Anne. I don’t want to go up stairs yet.”
They went in, Jacky following – she seemed determined not to lose the opportunity.
“If ye please, Miss Anne – ”
“Well, Jacky?”
Jacky hesitated – she did not know how to go on, so she repeated: “If ye please, Miss Anne – ” and stopped again.
“What is it, Jacky?” said Anne, “tell me.”
“If ye please, will ye let me go with ye, Miss Anne?” said Jacky, in a burst. “I ken how to – to behave mysel, and to attend to a lady, and I’ll never give ye ony trouble, and I’ll do whatever I’m bidden. Oh, Miss Anne, will ye let me go?”
“What has put that into your head, Jacky?” exclaimed Anne.
Jacky could not tell what had put it into her head, inasmuch as any explanation might have shown Anne that the singular elf before her had, by some intuition peculiar to herself, made very tolerable progress in the study of those important matters which of late had occupied so much of their thoughts, and hopes, and consultations in Merkland and the Tower: so she merely repeated:
“Oh, if ye please, Miss Anne, will ye let me go?”
Anne was somewhat puzzled.
“You are too young to be my maid, Jacky,” she said.
“Oh, if ye please, Miss Anne, I ken how to do – and I’m no idle when there’s ony purpose for’t – and I aye do what I’m bidden, except – ” Jacky hung her head, “except whiles.”
“But Anne wants a great big woman, like me, Jacky,” said Marjory Falconer, laughing, “an old woman perhaps.”
“But if ye please, Miss Falconer,” said Jacky, seriously, “an old woman wouldna do – an old woman wouldna be so faithful and – and – ” Jacky paused, her conscience smiting her: was not the Squire of the redoubtable Britomart an old woman? Whereupon there ensued in Jacky’s mind a metaphysical discussion as to whether Glauce or Mrs. Elspat Henderson was the best type of the class of ancient serving-women – remaining undecided upon which point, she had nothing for it but to repeat the prayer of her petition: “Oh, Miss Anne, will you let me go?”
“Do you intend to take a maid with you, Anne?” asked Marjory.
“Yes.”
“Then you should take Jacky by all means.”
Anne hesitated.
“You forget, Jacky, that it is not I, but Mrs. Catherine, who must decide this.”
“Oh, if ye please, Mrs. Catherine will let me go, Miss Anne, if you’re wanting me.”
“And your mother, Jacky?”
“My mother’s no needing me, Miss Anne.”
“Well, we will see about it,” said Anne, smiling; “as you seem to have quite made up your mind, and decided on the matter. I will speak to Mrs. Catherine, Jacky. We shall see.”
Jacky made an uncouth courtesy and vanished.
“Is it Edinburgh you are going to, Anne?” said Marjory, shooting a keen glance upon her friend’s face.
“I shall be in Edinburgh,” said Anne, evasively.
“Why, Anne!” exclaimed Marjory, “must one not even know where you are going? What is this secret journey of yours?”
“It is no secret journey, Marjory. I am going farther east than Edinburgh – to the sea-side.”
“To the sea-side!” Marjory looked amazed. “You are not delicate, Anne Ross. What are you going to do at the sea-side?”
“Nothing,” said Anne.
“Nothing! You have not any friends there – you are going away quite by yourself! Is anything the matter, Anne? Tell me what you are going to do.”
“I would tell you very gladly, Marjory, if I could. My errand is quite a private one: when it is accomplished, you shall hear it all.”
The blood rushed in torrents to Marjory Falconer’s face.
“You cannot trust me!” she exclaimed. “Anne, I do not care for Mrs. Bairnsfather’s petty insults. I have been too careless of forms, perhaps – perhaps I have made people think me rude and wild, when I was only striving to reach a better atmosphere than they had placed me in – but you, Anne Ross – you to think me unworthy of confidence!”
“Hush – hush, Marjory,” said Anne. “Pray do not begin to be suspicious – it does not become you at all. I had a brother once, Marjory – as people say, a most generous, kind, good brother – whose name lies under the blot of a great crime. He was innocent – but the world believed him guilty. I am going to try – by what quiet and humble means are in my power – to remove this undeserved stain. If I succeed, I shall have a very moving story to tell you: if I do not succeed, let us never speak of it again. In any case, I know you will keep my secret.”
Marjory pressed her friend’s hand, and did not speak. She remembered dimly having heard of some great sorrow connected with Mr. Ross’s (of Merkland) death, and was ashamed and grieved now, that she had pressed her inquiries so far. Marjory Falconer, like Lewis Ross, was learning lessons: the rapidly developing womanhood, which sent those vehement flushes to her cheek, and overpowered her sometimes with agonies of shame, was day by day asserting itself more completely. A few more paroxysms, and it would have gained the victory.
CHAPTER XXI
BY the beginning of April, the Macalpines were finally settled; the majority of them being employed as laborers on Mr. Ferguson’s farms of Loelyin and Lochend. Roderick and his family occupied a cottage in the vicinity of the Tower. He was engaged as ploughman by Mrs. Catherine Douglas. Big Duncan remained with his people – their houses were now far apart – they were restless and ill at ease, feeling their dispersion as the Jews of old felt their captivity. These clinging local attachments are comparatively little known to people confined within the limits of cities, and living in the hired houses, which any caprice or revolution of fortune may make them change. It is not so with the “dwellers of the hills,” the whole circuit of whose simple lives for generations have passed under one roof; to whom the sun has risen and set behind the same majestic hills in daily glory, and whose native streamlet has a house-hold tongue, as familiar as the more articulate one of nearest kindred. A hope had sprung up in the breast of the Macalpines – a hope to which their yearning home-love gave vivid strength and power. Their chief would return: he would come back in renewed wealth and prosperity: he would lead them back to their own homes in triumph. This anticipation enlivened the sad pilgrimages, which the banished hillfolk made on those dewy spring evenings to their beloved glen. It needed some such hope to stifle the indignant grief and anger, which might have else blazed up in illegal vehemence, when the ejected Macalpines, in little parties of two and three, returned to Oranmore, to look upon their former homes, now desolate and blackened, with grass springing up on each household floor, and waving already from the broken walls – but they looked away, where, far over the wide-spreading low-country, there shone in the distance, the glimmer of the great sea; and prayed, in the fervor of their hope and yearning, for the home-coming of their chief. God speed the adventurer, landing even now on the sunny shores of the new world! How many hearts beat high with prayers and hopes for his return!
The sick lad, Kenneth, did not die: he lived to hold the name of the youthful Giles Sympelton in dearest honor and reverence, and to do him leal service in an after-time. Giles, with some reluctance, left the Tower, after a week’s residence there, to join his father – leaving Ada Coulter with the first sadness upon her, which she had experienced since her happy release from school.
In the middle of April, Anne set out upon her journey. With Mrs. Catherine’s full consent, Jacky was to accompany her. Anne’s departure excited some attention. There seemed to be a vague conception among the neighbors, that something of moment was concealed under this quiet visit to the south, of the very quiet Miss Ross, of Merkland. Jeanie Coulter wondered if she was going to be married. Mrs. Coulter endeavored to recollect if she had ever heard of the Rosses having relations in that quarter. Mr. Foreman said nothing, but, with that keen lawyer eye of his, darted into the secret errand at once, and already sympathized with the failure and disappointment, which he felt sure would follow.
Anne’s farewells were over – all but one – the day before leaving Merkland, she went up to the mill to say good-by to little Lilie. She found Mrs. Melder in ecstasies of wonder and admiration, holding up her hands, and crying, “Bless me!” as she unfolded one by one the contents of a box which stood upon the table. They consisted of little garments beautifully made – a profusion of them. Lilie herself was luxuriating over a splendid picture-book, after viewing with a burst of childish delight the pretty little silk frock which Mrs. Melder, in the pride of her heart, was already thinking would make so great a sensation when it appeared first in their seat in the front gallery (alias the mid loft) of Portoran kirk. Nothing less than a mother’s hand could have packed that wonderful box; its gay little muslin frocks, which Mrs. Melder “had never seen the like of, for fineness,” its inner garments of beautiful linen, its bright silken sashes, its story books, resplendent in their gilded bindings, its parcels of sweetmeats and toys. Mrs. Melder was overwhelmed – the grandeur and wealth of her little charge fairly took away her breath.
“And now when she’s won to an easier speech, Miss Anne,” said the good woman aside. “She calls me nurse – what think ye! it’s a wonderful bairn – and ye’ll hear her say lang words sometimes, that I’m sure she never learned frae me; it’s my thought, Miss Anne, that the bairn kent the English tongue afore she came here, and had either forgotten’t, or – atweel ane disna ken what to think; but this while she’s ta’en to speaking about her mamma. It’s a wonder to me that ony mother could hae the heart to part wi’ her.”
“See,” cried Lilie, springing to Anne’s side, “look what bonnie things,” and she precipitated a shoal of little books upon Anne’s knee.
“They are very pretty, Lilie,” said Anne. “Who sent you all these?”
The child looked at her gravely. “It would be mamma – it was sure to be mamma.”
“Where is mamma?” asked Anne.
“Far away yonder – over the big water – but she aye minds Lilie.”
“And why did you come away from mamma, Lilie?” said Anne.
The child began to cry. “Lilie ill, ill – like to die. Oh! if you had seen my mamma greeting.” And throwing herself down on the ground, Lilie fell into one of her passionate bursts of grief.
“But yon wasna your mamma that brought ye here, my lamb?” said Mrs. Melder.
Lilie continued to weep – too bitterly to give any answer.
Anne turned over the books – in the blank leaf of one of them a name was written in a boyish hand – ”Lilia Santa Clara.” By-and-by the child’s grief moderated, and, taking up her books again, she ran to the mill to show them to Robert.
“Lilia Santa Clara,” it gave no clue to the child’s origin.
“Haill three names!” said Mrs. Melder, “if ane only kent what her father’s name was; the leddy that brought her here said only ‘Lilias,’ and I dinna mind if I askit the last ane in my flutter – and bonnie outlandish names they are; ‘Lilia Santa Clara’ – to think of a wean wi’ a’ thae grand names putting Melder at the hinder end! – it’s out of the question.”
“Santa Clara may be the surname, Mrs. Melder,” said Anne, smiling at the conjunction.
“Eh! think ye so, Miss Anne? I never heard of folk having first names for their surname; though to be sure they do ca’ the English flunky that has the confectionary shop in Portoran, Thomas. Well, it may be sae.”
“Does she call herself by this name?” asked Anne.
“Ay, I have heard the words mony a time; and sae far as I can guess, Miss Anne, she maun hae been sent to yon lady frae some foreign pairt. Eh, bless me! there maun be some shame and reproach past the common, afore they sent away a bairn like yon.”
Jacky Morison was in a state of intense and still excitement – the fire had reached a white heat before they left Merkland. Barbara Genty, Mrs. Ross’s favored maid, cast envious looks at her as she sat perched in the back seat of the gig, which was to convey them to Portoran. Old Esther Fleming, who stood without the gate to watch Miss Anne’s departure, regarded Jacky dubiously, as if doubting her fitness for her important post. Jacky rose heroically to the emergency. Her faithfulness, her discretion, her true and loyal service, should be beyond all question when they returned.
From her earliest recollection, Anne Ross had been Jacky’s pattern and presiding excellence, less awful and nearer herself than Mrs. Catherine – and of all kinds of disinterested and unselfish devotion, there are few so chivalrous as the enthusiastic and loving service of a girl, to the grown woman who condescends to notice and protect her.
When the coach arrived in Edinburgh, Anne saw from its window little Alice Aytoun’s fair face looking for her anxiously. James and Alice were waiting to take her home. Anne had purposed spending the short time she should remain in Edinburgh, in the house of an old companion and former schoolfellow; but Alice clung and pleaded, there was no denying her – so Anne suffered herself to be guided to Mrs. Aytoun’s quiet little house.
Mrs. Aytoun received her with grave kindness; the affectionate dependence which Alice had upon the stronger character of Anne, the good report which James had given of her, and even her present undertaking, out of the way and unusual though it was, had prepossessed Mrs. Aytoun in her favor. And Norman – the neglected wife remembered him too, so delicately kind, so generous, so reverent of her weakness long ago, when her husband and he were friends; and though she delivered no judgment in his favor, her heart yet went forth in full sympathy with the brave sister, who was so resolute in her belief of his innocence, so eager to labor for its proof. Mrs. Aytoun’s God-speed was music to the heart of Anne.
And Alice, very tremulously joyful, clung about her all night long – now sitting on the stool at her feet, her fair curls drooping on Anne’s knee – now leaning on her chair – now seated by her side, clasping her hand. James, too, with brotherly confidence and kindness, advised with her about her plans and future proceedings. Anne felt the atmosphere brighten. Surely these were good omens.
In the meantime, Jacky, we regret to say, had been suffering a good deal from disappointment; it was not from her first glimpse of Edinburgh, but it was from the house in Edinburgh, which was specially honored as being the dwelling of “Miss Alice.” Jacky had been struck with awe and admiration as she glanced at it from without. The great “land” looked very stately, and spacious, and commanding, though it did immediately front a street, and had neither grounds nor trees surrounding it – but when the immense house dwindled into a single flat, of which she could count all the rooms at a glance, Jacky felt the disappointment sadly. Then she was taken into the small bright kitchen, where Mrs. Aytoun’s stout woman-servant, the only domestic of the household, was preparing tea for the travellers. Jacky was scarcely prepared for this. It might have been difficult, we fancy, for many persons more experienced than Jacky, to ascertain what claim to respect or honor, a young Scottish lawyer, with very little practice as yet, whose house consisted of one flat only, and the wants of whose establishment one woman-servant could supply – could possibly have.
But James Aytoun had not only an excellent claim to respect and honor, but actually received it. It was not any empty pride either which led him to sign himself James Aytoun, of Aytoun. Had it not been for the reckless and extravagant father, whose debts had so hopelessly entangled his inheritance, the territorial designation would have represented many fair acres – a long-descended patrimony. As it was, with only a desolate mansion-house, in a southern county, and some bleak lands about it, James Aytoun, of Aytoun, was still received and honored as a gentleman of good family and blood – neither by descent, education, nor breeding beneath any family in Scotland.
It is but a narrow spirit which endeavors to sneer at a distinction like this, and call it the pride of poverty. James Aytoun belonged to that well-nurtured, manly class, whose hereditary honor and good fame belong to the nation, and whose frank dignity of mind and tone are as far removed as mental loftiness can be from that vulgar and arrogant thing, which mean men call pride.
Jacky was reconciling herself to the little Edinburgh kitchen, and had already entered into conversation with Tibbie, when little Bessie arrived from her mother’s humble house in an adjacent back street, to renew her acquaintance with her Strathoran friend. – Jacky had many messages to deliver from Johnnie Halflin, which Bessie received with a due amount of blushing laughter.
“And, Oh, Jacky! how will they ever do wanting you at the Tower?”
Jacky did not apprehend the covert wit – did not even perceive that the rosy little Edinburgh-bred girl, was about to condescend to, and patronise, the awkward rustic one.
“They’ll only miss me, for a while, at first – and then maybe, we’ll no be long.”
“Is’t Miss Ross that’s with you?” asked Bessie.
“I’m with Miss Ross,” said Jacky, quickly “Miss Anne chose me of her own will – after I askit her – and so did Miss Falconer.”
“Eh! isna she an awfu’ funny lady, yon Miss Falconer?”
“Funny!” Jacky was indignantly astonished. “I dinna ken what ye ca’ funny, Bessie. She’s like – ”
“She’s no like ither folk,” said Bessie.
“It’s you that doesna ken. She’s like – ”
“Wha is she like, Jacky?”
“She’s like Belphœbe,” muttered Jacky, hastily. “But ye dinna ken wha she was – and she’s a lady, for a’ that she does strange thing whiles.”
“Is that the lady that throosh the gentleman that was gaun to be uncivil to our Miss Alice?” interposed Tibbie.
“Yes,” said Bessie laughing. Little Bessie was not above the vanity of being thought to know these north country magnates. – ”And on New-year’s night, when all the ladies were at the Tower, (ye mind, Jacky?) Miss Falconer gied me a shilling a’ to mysel, for bringing her napkin to her, that she had left in Miss Alice’s dressing-room – and nippit my lug, and tell’t me to take care o’ Miss Alice – she ca’ed her my little mistress. Isna she an awful height herself?”
“She’s no so tall as Mrs. Catherine,” said Jacky.
“Eh, Jacky! Miss Alice didna come up to her shouther, and she’s a haill head higher than Miss Ross.”
Jacky did not choose to answer: though why there should seem any slight to Marjory, in an exaggeration of her stature, we cannot tell. Without doubt, Belphœbe was to the full as tall as she.
“Do you ken that Merkland’s been in Edinburgh?” asked Bessie. In Strathoran she had called Lewis, Mr. Ross; now she was bent on impressing Tibbie with a deep sense of her own familiarity with these great people. “Eh, Jacky, do you mind what Johnnie Halflin used to say about Merkland?”
Jacky had a high sense of honor. She made an elfin face at her talkative companion, and remained prudently silent.
“What did he say?” asked Tibbie.
“Ou naithing. Jacky and me kens.”
“An he said onything ill, I redd him to keep out o’ the power o’ my ten talents. He’s a young blackguard, like maist feck of his kind, I’ll warrant – idle serving callants, wi’ nought to do in this world, but claver about their betters, wi’ light-headed gilpies, like yoursel. I wad just like to ken what he said!”
“It was naething ill,” said Jacky.
“Oh, he’ll be a lad to some o’ ye, nae doubt – set ye up! But I can tell ye, he had better no come here to say an ill word o’ young Mr. Ross.”
“Miss Anne’s Mr. Lewis’s sister,” said Jacky, decisively. – ”Johnnie dauredna say a word ill o’ him – only that he was – ”
Bessie laughed —she had no honorable scruples, but maliciously refrained from helping Jacky out.
“Only about Miss Alice and him.”
“Weel ye’re a queer lassie,” said Mrs. Aytoun’s maid. “Could ye no have tell’t me that at first?”
Bessie laughed again.
“And, Jacky, is the wee fairy lady aye at the Mill yet?”
“Wha’s that?” cried the curious Tibbie.
“Oh, it’s a wee bairn that the fairies sent to Strathoran. She was a’ dressed in green silk, and had wings like Miss Alice’s white veil, and was riding on a pony as white as snaw; and the miller’s wife took her in, and her wings took lowe at the fire, and she would have been a’ burned, if Miss Ross hadna saved her – and Johnnie Halflin saw her wi’ his ain e’en – and they say she’s some kin to Jacky.”
Jacky repelled the insult with immense disdain.
“If I had Johnnie Halflin here, I would douk him in the Oran.”
“Ye might douk him in the water o’ Leith, Jacky,” said Bessie, laughing; “but the Oran’s no here, mind.”
Jacky was indignantly silent.
“And wha is she?” inquired Tibbie.
“She’s a little girl,” said Jacky, with some dignity, “a very bonnie wee foreign lady; and Mrs. Melder keeps her at the Mill, and she speaks in a strange tongue, and sings sangs – low, sweet, floating sangs – ye never heard the like of them, and her name is Lilie.”
“Lilie what?”
“I dinna ken. She says her name is Lilia Santa Clara, but neabody kens whether that’s her last name or no.”
“Losh!” exclaimed Tibbie, “will she be canny, after a’?”
“Canny! – you should look nearer yoursel,” said Bessie, with laughing malice.
“Never heed her,” said Tibbie. “Sit into the table, and take your tea. She’s a light-headed fuil – and ye can tell Johnnie Halflin that frae me.”
“Is Miss Anne gaun to bide in Edinburgh?” inquired Bessie, as they seated themselves at Tibbie’s clean, small table.
“No – she’s gaun to the sea-side.”
“Eh, Jacky, where? we’ll come out and see ye.”
“I dinna mind the name of the place,” said Jacky, “but it’s on the sea-side.”
“And what’s Miss Anne gaun to do?”
Jacky paused to deliberate. “She’s no gaun to do onything. – She’s just gaun to please hersel.”
“Ay,” said the inquisitive Bessie, “but what is’t for?”
“It’s maybe for something good,” said Jacky, quickly, “for that’s aye Miss Anne’s way; but she wasna gaun to tell me.”
“But what do you think it is, Jacky?” persisted Bessie, “ane can aye gie a guess – is she gaun to be married?”
“No!” exclaimed Jacky indignantly, “Married! It’s because ye dinna ken Miss Anne.”
“Miss Anne’s just like ither folk,” was the laughing response; “and there’s nae ill in being married.”
“Lassie, there’ll be news o’ you, if you’re no a’ the better hadden in,” cried Tibbie. “Set ye up wi’ your lads and your marryings! Maybe the young lady’s delicate, or she’ll hae friends at the sea-side.”
To which more delicate fishing interrogatories, Jacky, who knew that Anne was neither delicate nor had any friend at the sea-side, prudently refrained from making any answer.
The next day, Anne, accompanied by Mrs. Aytoun and Alice, set out for Aberford on a search for lodgings. Mrs. Aytoun had a friend, a regular frequenter of all places of general resort, whose list of sea-bathing quarters was almost a perfect one, and fortified by the results of her experience, they departed upon their quest, leaving Jacky in Bessie’s care behind them, to dream at her leisure over that wonderful Edinburgh, whose stately olden beauty the strange girl, after her own fashion, could appreciate so well.
Anne observed, with regret and sympathy, the gloom of silence that fell over the kind mother by her side, as they approached their destination. She observed the long, sad glances thrown through the windows of the coach at the country road, known long ago, when Mrs. Aytoun was not a widow. There were no other passengers to restrain their conversation, and when they were very near the village, Mrs. Aytoun pointed to a house, surrounded with wood, and standing at a considerable distance from the road. “Yonder, Alice, look – you were born there.”
Alice looked eagerly out. “You liked this place better than Aytoun, mother? Aytoun must have been very gloomy always.”
“Aytoun was a larger house than we needed, Alice – you have heard me say so – and I was in very delicate health then. I was never well while – ” your father lived, Mrs. Aytoun was about to say, but she checked herself hurriedly; not even in so slight a way would she reproach the dead.
The coach stopped – they were in the dull main street of the village. Mrs. Aytoun took out her list – at the head of the column stood “Mrs. Yammer” – the sea-bathing friend had particularly recommended the house, whose mistress bore so distressful a name. It was a short way out of the village, close upon the sea-side; they turned to seek it.
The magnificent Firth lay bright before them, its islands standing out darkly from its bosom, and its sunny glories bounded by the fertile shores and distant hills of the ancient kingdom of Fife. The exuberant wealth of these rich Lothian lands was bursting out around into Spring’s blythest green – a sunny April sky overhead, and April air waving in its golden breadths about them everywhere – it was impossible to think of sadness there. The shadow of her old woe floated away from Mrs. Aytoun’s unselfish spirit – Alice was so gay, Anne so pleasantly exhilarated, that she could not refuse to rejoice with them.
Mrs. Yammer’s house promised well. It was seated upon a gentle elevation – its front, at least, for the elevation made a very abrupt descent, and so procured that the rooms which were on the ground-floor before, should be the second story behind. In front ran the road leading to the country town, beyond there were some brief intervening fields, and then the sands. It was not above ten minutes walk from the immediate shore. At some little distance further on, there stood a house close to the water, standing up, gaunt and tall, from among a few trees. In the bright, living spring-day, it had a spectral, desolate look about it. Anne remarked it with some curiosity as she glanced round; but Mrs. Aytoun had already knocked, and she had not time to look again.
