Chapter 13

Causing happiness to Lilian and regret to Mr Barnes, Mr George Chester was not joined by his brother; he came only with his father, who was eager to leave the three in the company of each other. Lady Elizabeth could not display her feelings of despise towards her nephew because of the brotherly affection for the eldest Mr Chester. Lilian was much inclined to do so, when her cousin was absent, in the presence of Mr Barnes. He thought her opinion of him very amusing, but acted very unaffectedly when he was present. Their visit was short and lasted a week. It was shortened by an event that occurred on the sixth day of their stay, which was witnessed by Mr Barnes and was a source of strong embarrassment to Lilian.

In the morning, her parents and the elder Mr Chester went to pay a visit to the Holmes sisters, who had returned from London; therefore, Lilian, Mr Barnes and Mr Chester remained on their own. The two gentlemen discussed very dull matters and stood silent after realizing that nothing could be talked of. Lilian, who had been pretending to read, closed the book and put it aside. She rose and went to the window, and was immediately followed by her cousin. Noticing his approach, she turned her gaze upon the fields, but was soon distracted by the message that Mr Chester whispered.

"Mr Chester, what is the meaning of this proposal?!", she instantly shouted.

"I only wanted to know if you would do me the favor of being my lifelong companion, Lilian," he answered, seeming disturbed at her response.

"I cannot comprehend the reasons for your asking me this," she said, as she left the room. She went outside and gave no importance to the sentiments her cousin felt at that moment. "How disagreeable and ill-natured he is! I shiver only when I think of being his wife! How can he even think of a positive answer? Why is he even in my home? I shall not talk to him ever again! And only think of Mr Barnes! He has heard it all, and perhaps he is now hearing explanations from - oh, how I dread that creature!," she thought. Her meditations should have continued, but she noticed that the others were returning; the Holmes sisters were coming, too. They all went indoors and Lilian noticed that Mr Barnes was alone in the sitting-room. She had imagined that he should look at her with terror, but his face only expressed an understanding smile. Lilian was suddenly at ease and the evening passed pleasantly, and the following day all the more, for their leaving was announced and the two Mr Chesters took their leave before lunch.

"Lilian," her mother said to her, "I have noticed that Mr Chester gazed upon you very strangely - do you know anything of the matter?"

"If I could only tell you, maman - " she replied, "but it is of least importance."

Lilian had fancied that Mr Barnes should talk of this matter as soon as they were left alone, but he acted differently. It was first spoken of a week after the incident, and only accidentally. They were walking along the shelves in the library, when he exclaimed:

"I cannot understand why these novels," pointing at three different volumes, "give the idea of women refusing men so often that they should not be ever proposed to."

"It is not just the authors' imagination that points it; you have witnessed a situation of the kind not so long ago."

"Miss Barton, I was exceedingly startled at his conduct, and I cannot doubt you were as well."

"As you noticed, I did not give the matter second thoughts, for it was too exaggerated to think of it. But I must ask, what did my cousin do after it?"

"He laughed. He only said that he had not proposed properly, and wanted to go to you and excuse himself, but I prevented him from doing it."

Lilian felt so warm a feeling for Mr Barnes at hearing it, that she no longer doubted her affection for him.

"Thank you, Mr Barnes. You have spared me so much unwanted ill-disposition."

After two months of absence from Barton Hall, Mr and Mrs Holmes returned, very joyous and happy. Lilian found in this an occasion to let Emily know of her being proposed by her cousin.

"What, my sister has refused my cousin?! How can it be? Lilian, you have mistaken his manners; perhaps he was so nervous whenever you were present that his conduct was altered. You cannot be thinking the same now, just think of his regret and pain!"

"Emily, I can see how London has affected you. Not only that you have forgotten how poor his manners were, but you seem to think well of everyone."

"Was it not my goal that I would stop looking at everything with bad eyes?"

"It was, Emily, but not in this way; this is needed only when a stranger is involved. I am afraid that our cousin is not a stranger at all, and even if he was, I would still have seen that he was not amiable or worth being acquainted. Besides, there is still one matter that has prevented me from accepting."

"Pray, tell me!"

"Mr Barnes was there, and my reaction really surprised him. I was excessively startled at Mr Chester's behaviour and even Mr Barnes' being there could not make me remain silent."

"Mr Barnes, of course! Lilian, what did he do afterwards?"

"He noticed that Mr Chester was determined to follow me, and he prevented him from doing it, can you believe this?"

"Why should I not? It is of little consequence, I believe. Mr Barnes is too much of a gentleman to let our cousin repeat his proposal."

Emily and Mr Holmes left as unexpectedly as they had come, and Lady Elizabeth was quite obliged to receive Emily's invitation to spend the rest of the month in London. Emily asked Lilian whether she desired to go to, and her sister accepted, knowing that this would mean an undefined separation from Mr Barnes, whom she so dearly had been seeing every day. He was not surprised at hearing their leaving, and agreed that his visit had been far too long. "Mr Barnes, I am sure that Emily will not disagree with your coming as well," Lilian's mother said, noticing that his countenance had changed and he seemed very sorry to leave.

"I have been a companion to you for too long, and Miss Barton is very happy to get rid of me, I am sure," he said, smiling and regretting at the same time.

"If you could only now, my dearest Mr Barnes," she thought, only smiling back.