IT had been easy for Aylmer to find out that Mr. Torrance had left the train at Earlsford Junction1, and Kenneth with him. The ex-captain was too well-known through the county for any mistake in identity to be possible. Besides, the carrying off of the child had been a sudden inspiration, not the result of a carefully laid plan, and Mr. Torrance had only counted that it would be needful to detain him for a night in some place unknown to his mother, to ensure her complete subjugation3.
At Earlsford, he had hired a conveyance4 and driven away with the child, then returned alone, and taken train to another station thirty miles distant, whence he would return to Hollingsby.
Aylmer discovered the driver employed by Mr. Torrance without any trouble, and the man was willing to give any information, as Mr. Matheson was no stranger to him.
"It was a new thing for the captain to be in charge of the little man," he said. "But he was in rare spirits, as if he were up to some trick. Little master cried when his father left him, but Mrs. Munslow will take good care of him. She was nurse at Monk's How once, and afterwards she married a widower6 with two children, but comfortably off. She has one of her own now, so little master won't be short of a playfellow," said the man.
Aylmer knew that Ralph's nurse, Sarah Swain, was married, but neither remembered her present name nor her exact address—only that her home was a couple of miles from Earlsford Junction. The idea that Mr. Torrance would take the boy to Sarah had flashed across his mind, and sent him in the right direction instead of to town. He accordingly engaged the driver to convey him to her house. Under Sarah's charge he found little Kenneth, making himself very much at home in the society of the smallest Munslow.
Sarah beamed with delight at the sight of Mr. Matheson, and frankly7 owned that she thought her old master was up to some trick to plague his lady.
"I wouldn't have let him leave the child, sir," she said, "only I know Captain Torrance, and I thought he might be left in worse hands, if I refused. I knew I could make him comfortable, bless him! Isn't he like his beautiful mother? He has her eyes to a bit."
Mr. Matheson assented9, and replied, "I am very glad you did take the poor child in. I can trust you to help me in restoring him to his mother."
He did not hesitate to trust Sarah in more than this, for he knew how grateful the woman had been to Kathleen, the Ellicotts, and himself, on Ralph's account.
"I always knew what would come of that marriage, sir," said Mrs. Munslow. "My old master might put on new ways for a bit, to get his own way; but he'll never change, and be a real, new man. If anybody could have altered him, Master Ralph's mother would have been the one, for Mr. Torrance cared more for her than for any human being but himself."
"Poor Miss Kathleen! She was good to my nursling, and to me. My master couldn't help being taken up with her beautiful face and pretty ways, but what he wanted was the money. He hasn't had sense to keep it, more's the pity. Eh dear! Miss Kathleen thought she could turn him round her little finger, he was so meek10 for a while and when he was in her sight, but out of it—"
Sarah shook her head to express what she did not put into words. In a regretful way she added, "The master was wonderfully fine-looking. No wonder a young lady thought such a handsome shell must cover a good kernel11. But he is different now—so coarsened, as one may say."
Aylmer could only assent8. The stamp of an evil life was only too visible, and Mr. Torrance's face to-day was in painful contrast to that of the handsome cavalier who had so captivated Kathleen's girlish fancy on the day of the meet a few years ago.
Mr. Matheson purposed taking the child back with him to Earlsford Station, but Sarah's womanly wit suggested a better plan.
"Pay off the man, sir, and say you will not go back to the station, but bid me good day before he starts, and set off walking to the station further on. When he is well out of sight, come back. We have a nice covered trap and a good horse here. Munslow can drive you to Hollingsby by a shorter road than the train takes, and you can send a message to Mountain from a post-office on the way. You will get nicely home when it is dusk."
This plan was adopted. Kenneth, weary with so much journeying, slept on the road, and was given into Geraldine's arms, too drowsy13 to be roused, so was put to bed at Monk's How.
Mr. Torrance had never doubted that Kathleen would be like wax in his hands, and said to himself, "I shall settle the business easily enough over the breakfast-table. My lady may think she will beat me, but when she has slept upon the matter she will listen to reason. When I have secured the cash, the boy shall come back, and she will be so delighted to have him that she will forget all else, as she has done many a time before, after our quarrels were over."
Mr. Torrance had reached his dressing-room when he came to this mental conclusion. He was feeling wretchedly ill, and unfit for anything but rest. He caught sight of his face in the glass, and was startled by its colour. He walked unsteadily across the floor, and was fain to sit down before undressing.
"This dizziness again. The old doctor's warning will come true, if I go on in the way I have done lately. I must turn over a fresh leaf, or—"
A servant passing the door heard a fall, and listened. There was no further movement, but a sound of heavy, unnatural14 breathing reached her, and she ran hastily downstairs to call for help. She met her mistress at the foot of the stairs, and told her that she was afraid Mr. Torrance must be ill.
Kathleen told the girl to follow her, hastened to the dressing-room, and found her husband lying senseless and motionless on the floor. The only sign of life was the stertorous15 breathing which had attracted the girl's attention, and caused her to give the alarm.
The doctor was soon on the spot, and confirmed the fear which had taken possession of Kathleen.
"Yes, it is apoplexy," he said. "Mr. Torrance's father died of it, but later in life. He was careful of himself, and lived by strict rules, which I could not induce your husband to do, though it was his only chance, and he knew it."
Kathleen's distress16 can be better imagined than described. Trouble is always intensified17 at such times by the knowledge that we have parted on other than kindly18 terms with the one who now lies stricken and helpless. If the sufferer ever held the dearest place in our hearts, our own wrongs seem to vanish, and through the mist of past years of trial we see him, not as the author of our sorrows, but as he was when he won our girlish love. So it was with Kathleen, and sad indeed were the few days which followed her husband's seizure19. She was ever praying for, and longing20 to see a look of recognition, to hear him whisper her name, or give signs of possible restoration.
Only once came a gleam of consciousness, and the sufferer's eyes wandered, as if in search of something. Kathleen bent21 over him, and whispered, "Do you know me, John?—Kathleen." A slight murmur22, and she caught one word, "Adela." It was a last effort. Mr. Torrance relapsed into unconsciousness, and a few hours later Kathleen was a widow. The only thought of which he had been capable was not given to her who had given him all, or to their child. It had gone back to his first love—the only real affection of his life, and that a sadly selfish one.
"He never truly loved me," thought Kathleen. "He married my fortune, and I married and almost worshipped an ideal being, the creature of my own imagination, until the scales fell from my eyes, and I knew. Yet how happy we might have been, with so many blessings24 to make life and home bright and free from the anxious cares which spoil so many wedded25 lives!"
Many particulars of her husband's past were mercifully hidden from Kathleen, but his embarrassments26 could not be concealed27. All the ready money was gone, and ten thousand pounds obtained by mortgaging the estates had followed, and arrangements were in progress for a similar advance. The fact that some difficulty had occurred to retard28 their completion had moved Mr. Torrance to try and extort29 from Kathleen the sum saved for her boy. As her former guardian30, Aylmer Matheson was the fittest person to act on her behalf, and as far as possible he saved her trouble and anxiety in business matters. Ralph also proved a comfort in the first period of her sorrow. He was full of loving thought, and all that was best in his character showed itself towards her and the brother, of whom he had formerly31 been unreasonably32 jealous.
Kathleen's goodness to the once lonely boy bore fruit after many days, and gave her a dutiful son in the manly12 youth, outwardly so like his father, but happily unlike him in other respects. Ralph was now nearly eighteen, and for several years past had improved greatly both in character and appearance. That he grieved deeply for the loss of his father goes without saying.
Mr. Torrance had left no valid33 will. One had been prepared by his instructions in an hour of compunction, or, perhaps, when the doctor's warnings, and the memory of Kathleen's unbounded trust, had moved him to do what conscience told him was only just. But it had never been signed. A superstitious34 feeling, a change of mood, or the determination to hold his power as a sort of weapon over his wife's head, had kept Mr. Torrance from completing his will, which, without his signature, was only so much waste paper.
Ralph did not at first realize his position.
"Shall you stay at the Hall, mother?" he asked. "It will seem large and lonely for you, and, from what Mr. Matheson says, the income will be too small to keep the same establishment. Still, it has always been your home."
"You forget, Ralph dear. It is not mine now, it is yours. The property was not settled on me. It became your father's absolutely, by my deed of conveyance, and you, his elder son, are his heir."
"You cannot be in earnest, mother. It would be horribly wicked in me to allow it. I shall give it straight back to you, and after you it ought to go to Kenneth, that is, if you wished him to have it, for the property is yours, first of all, to keep or to give. I am sorry, so sorry, mother dear, that it is sadly lessened35, and you can only live very plainly here."
"I should not wish to live here in any case, Ralph. I could not if I would. And you, dear boy, have no power, however much you may wish it, to give my old home back to me. You are barely eighteen, and until you are of age you can do nothing. Three years hence—"
"I shall be of age, and I will do what is right by you and my brother," interposed Ralph, quickly.
He kissed her tenderly, and Kathleen smiled through glad tears, and returned the caress36. She would not say anything to cast a doubt on his sincerity37. Indeed, she fully2 believed in it; but who could tell whether he would feel the same when the power to make restitution38 was really in his hands?
"If I were to die in the meanwhile," said Ralph, after a pause, "I suppose the property would come to Kenneth, as my heir?"
"I have never thought of such a possibility, and with all my heart I pray that God will spare both my dear sons to be my comfort. I shall hope for more than one staff for my old age. In the meanwhile, I am thankful that matters have been so arranged that Mr. Matheson and I will be joint39 guardians40 of you two infants. Your father had appointed us in that unsigned will, and his wish has been carried out in this respect by consent of the court."
When Kathleen used the word "infants" she stretched herself on tiptoe, and smiled up in Ralph's face, for, though she was considerably41 above middle height, she was much below that of her tall stepson.
"One of your infants looks down on you in stature42, mother," said Ralph; "but in all else he looks up to his guardian. How glad I am that you and Mr. Matheson should be joined in this trust! With neither mother nor father of my very own, I yet have both in you and him."
After Ralph's departure, Kathleen left the Hall with her little son. It cost her something to turn her back on the home of a lifetime, but so many sorrowful memories were now associated with it, that even had she been able to remain, she would not have done so. She had arranged to make her home with her aunt and Geraldine at Monk's How. Mrs. Ellicott was in failing health, the house was large enough, little Kenneth would help to brighten the place, and the elders would be mutually sources of comfort to each other.
Kathleen's income would suffice for the modest wants of herself and her boy. A tenant43 had offered to take the Hall furnished, on a three years' lease, and was willing to engage such of the servants as chose to stay, except the coachman.
"He needn't say, 'except the coachman,'" remarked Mountain. "I am too old to begin under another master. I serve Miss Kathleen as was, or I retire into private life, with a cottage and a cow or two. But, seeing that Mrs. Ellicott's man is leaving to go to a livelier place, she has offered me his, and I mean to take it. It's likely enough I shall drive my own young lady as long as I can hold the reins44, for, though I shall be coachman to the old one, it's all in the family."
By some mysterious arrangement, the particulars of which no one seemed to know, Polly was transferred to Monk's How along with Mountain. Kathleen asked no curious questions, but as she patted the glossy45 coat of her old favourite, she was contented46 to owe this pleasure to the kind thought of a friend. She was not likely to mount the pretty creature, but, as every one said, "Polly was equally good to ride or drive, and looked just perfect always."
Kathleen was only twenty-nine when she took up her abode47 with the Ellicotts, but a silver thread might be seen here and there, amidst the soft masses of her abundant hair. She smiled as she called attention to them.
"I have been growing old fast of late, aunty," she said to Mrs. Ellicott. "Ger does not change a bit, unless it is to look younger and fairer. I feel so staid and middle-aged48 beside her."
The trembling lip and a suspicious moisture in her eyes told that Kathleen was looking back on the saddest period of her life.
"You will grow younger again here, Kitty," replied Ger. "In this quiet home you will begin a new life, and in time it will be a bright and happy one."
But the cloud did not soon pass away from Kathleen's spirit. She seldom spoke49 of her husband, and her friends felt it to be the truest kindness to allude50 to the past as little as possible. They knew that, far and beyond all other causes of sorrow, the thought of Mr. Torrance's condition when the last dread51 summons came was the most terrible of all.
In time, however, the widowed Mrs. Torrance became more like the Kathleen Mountford of old, but there was no trace of the girlish self-will that had led her astray. The lessons she had learned through suffering had produced blessed and enduring results, which each day made more manifest. Mrs. Ellicott only lived a year after Mr. Torrance, and her gentle presence was greatly missed by all who knew her, especially by her daughter and niece.
During the three years of Ralph's minority, the Hollingsby Hall estates were well managed, and though not free from encumbrance53 when he came of age, all debts and a portion of the mortgage had been paid off. There were no special festivities on Ralph's twenty-first birthday, as every one—none more than himself—felt that such would have been out of place. Kathleen, however, laid aside her widow's dress, and wore a rich black silk with soft white lace at the wrists and throat, in honour of the occasion.
"Mother, how beautiful you look!" said Ralph, as he held her at arm's length, and surveyed her from head to foot. "You have really grown young again. I am so glad you have changed your style of dress."
"I did so in compliment to the heir's birthday," she replied. Then clasping her arms round him she kissed him tenderly and said, "I pray that God may abundantly bless you, my dear boy, and make you a useful, happy man. A true soldier and follower54 of Christ."
"That is just what I want to be, mother dear," said Ralph, after returning the embrace, and whilst still holding her in his strong arms. "You know that I promised to tell you to-day what profession I meant to follow, for I should dread the thought of an idle life. I used to talk of being a soldier, and then I gave up the idea. I still wish to be one, but to fight under the greatest of all Captains, and not with weapons forged by the hands of men. Do you know what I mean?"
"I think I do, dear. You wish to be a true soldier of Christ, and you think you can best serve Him by dedicating your life to the ministry55."
"Yes. I have talked everything over with Mr. Matheson, and he approves, and says he believes I have made a right choice. You, too, will ask God's blessing23 upon it, I know."
Kathleen was delighted. She knew that Aylmer would not approve unless fully convinced of Ralph's sincerity and fitness for such a vocation56.
The two were interrupted at the moment by the entrance of little Kenneth, who rushed to his brother, exclaiming, "See, Ralph. This is my birthday present, and I wish you many happy returns."
It was a simple little gift, but it had cost the child some self-denial, and Ralph praised and valued it accordingly, to the great satisfaction of the donor57.
"Now, Kenneth," he said, "you shall take a present that I have got here and give it to mother."
"It's not mother's birthday," said the boy, taking the offered packet. "It is tied up, so p'r'aps you want her to keep it till her birthday comes."
"No, my boy. Mother must have it just now, and from your small hands. After all, it is not a gift. It is something of mother's very own which some one has taken care of, ready to be given back to her."
Kathleen guessed what the packet contained. It was a deed by which she would be restored to full possession of the Hall and the estates that had been her own before her marriage.
"I will not refuse your gift, Ralph," she said, "for a gift it is, inasmuch as the law gave it absolutely to you. But I know your nature too well to think that you could ever be happy if you kept it. You know also that I can experience no greater pleasure than in using all I have for the benefit of both my boys."
There was a little dinner-party at Mr. Matheson's that evening, that the day might not pass quite unmarked by any social gathering58, but the guests were few. Amongst them, however, were two who were specially52 welcome, namely, the new Dean of Woldcaster and his bride, formerly Hetty Stapleton.
Hetty, staunch, generous and helpful always, and particularly where the welfare of her own sex was involved, had spoken with equal plainness and good sense at the meeting of a society formed to improve the condition of working girls. The Very Rev59. the Dean of Woldcaster had been present on that occasion. He was a bachelor of forty-five, and a friend of Aylmer Matheson. He had just decided60 that his handsome residence, in the Close at Woldcaster, needed a fitting mistress, and before long he came to the further conclusion that Miss Stapleton would be the very person to fill that position, if she would accept it.
There was another good reason for the proposal, which followed after a short interval61. The dean was thoroughly62 in love, for the first time in his life. He confessed to Hetty that such was the case with a sort of apology, as if it were a thing to be ashamed of.
"The fact is," he exclaimed, "I have always lived such a busy life, and I have had younger brothers and sisters to look after and help on in the world, so that I have never had time until now."
Whereupon Hetty, with a laugh and a blush which became her exceedingly well, owned that she was very glad to hear it.
After this all was smooth sailing, and as the dean's bride Hetty was an important guest at Ralph's birthday dinner.
They made, all together, a very happy party, and every one rejoiced to see the joyous63 light in Kathleen's eyes, and to hear something of the old ring in her voice, which had been long missing.
The dean took a friend's privilege, and rallied his host on his bachelor establishment, vaunted his own happily changed condition, and advised Aylmer to follow his example. He was thinking how well that nice Miss Ellicott would suit Matheson in every way.
His wife was a little uneasy, for she knew of the old wound, and could gauge64 the faithfulness of the true heart that would never find room for a second love. Only Kathleen could fill the void.
The party broke up fairly early, for the dean and his wife had a long drive before them.
Aylmer walked back to Monk's How with Kathleen, for the night was lovely, and the distance not great. Ralph was in advance of them with Ger. Kathleen's hand rested on Aylmer's arm, and they walked some little way without speaking. Then she broke the silence by saying, "How well Ralph is turning out, and it is all through you. No words can tell what a blessed influence you have exerted over his life, and mine too. To think of the dear boy's choice, and his making over everything to me again as soon as possible."
"That was only just and honest. As a true man, Ralph could have done nothing else, and we can rejoice in the knowledge that he has a horror of everything that is not true and upright."
"I seem to be always accepting benefits. Every one has been so good to me, since—"
Kathleen paused. She could not bear to say what was in her mind, but Aylmer knew that she would be thinking of Mr. Torrance's death.
"Better not to look back, dear Kathleen," he said. "The prospect65 ahead is bright now, for you and yours, at any rate."
Kathleen noticed the sigh which followed.
"I must look back a long way, Aylmer, even to my childish days, and to the time when you took such a thankless office as that of guardian to so self-willed a girl as I was. On your part, I can see nothing but patience, kindness, unselfishness, generosity66 and affection, to which I was never worthy67. You have always been giving, and I receiving, and I suppose it will be the same to the end. Even now, I am a petitioner68, and must ask yet more at your hands. With the restoration of the property, new responsibilities rest upon me. I long to do right, but I mistrust my own judgment69. I want my old guardian's help more than ever, for my boys as well as myself. I cannot stand alone."
"You know, dear Kathleen, there is nothing you can ask that I shall be unwilling70 to give or to do," replied Aylmer.
"I knew you would say so. You are always the same. How I wish I could do something for you, or give you, in ever so little a way, a proof that I am grateful for your goodness and—sorry for the past!"
"You can, dearest Kathleen, if you will. There is only one gift that would make me rich indeed, and you know what it is. I asked for it once before, but then—"
"I was blind and could not discern the difference. But I will not talk of the past, Aylmer. If you can really care for such a gift, it is yours, my good, faithful love. I only wish I were more worthy of you."
There was no mistaking Kathleen's sincerity, and as Aylmer drew her towards him, he knew that he at last possessed71 the whole heart of the only woman he had ever loved. She did not withdraw from his encircling arm, but lifted her face to his, that he might seal the compact with his lips.
It would be easy to draw a fair picture of after years, for these events happened long ago. The child Kenneth is growing up to stalwart manhood, and Ralph's name is known and honoured as that of a true servant of Christ.
Kathleen's hair has more than mere72 silver threads in it now, though many—her husband included—think her handsomer than ever. But the story shall end here, for it only professed73 to be that of A Wilful74 Ward5, and the title no longer applies to Mrs. Matheson, wife of the senior Member for Woldshire.
THE END
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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subjugation
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| n.镇压，平息，征服 | |
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conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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widower
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| n.鳏夫 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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kernel
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| n.(果实的)核，仁；(问题)的中心，核心 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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stertorous
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| adj.打鼾的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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kindly
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seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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longing
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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embarrassments
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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extort
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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unreasonably
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valid
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| adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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lessened
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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gauge
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| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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petitioner
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| n.请愿人 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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