Chapter 15

Lilian did not have the opportunity of seeing her nephew, but received a delightful account of him from her mother. Lady Elizabeth, after a stay of three weeks in London, had returned, and did not talk of anything but little Joseph. "My dear Lilian, have I told you that he has the most wonderful blue eyes in the world?"

"Maman, I have heard this before; please, for the past three days you have said nothing but how lively Emily's son is. You cannot forget that he is only a month old; tell me, how was Emily?"

"Emily was well indeed, very good-spirited, yet she seemed a little pale. Her liveliness shall be restored soon, and nothing shall be changed. Did I tell you that Mr Holmes has bought him the most adorable clothing? He is very handsome in it - "

"Who, Mr Holmes?!" "No, how can you say that? I was of course referring to Joseph."

 "Maman, please!" Lady Elizabeth's talking did not stop, however, even when Mr Barnes himself appeared, excusing himself for the unanticipated call; Lilian hoped that, besides his missed company, her mother would stop talking about little Joseph. She did not.

"Mr Barnes, you must know about my nephew's being the most adorable being on earth! Of course, he is too little to give any signs of a particular brilliance - Lilian has told me too many times - but I am sure that Joseph is to become an outstandingly young man! Emily promised me that the best education will be offered; so pleasing prospects!"

"Maman, Mr Barnes has of course called on us to tell us something," Lilian said, looking at Mr Barnes significantly.

"Yes, yes, of course; I have made of you too dear a company as to stay away from you for so long a time, and I have returned unexpectedly -"

"And the surprise has been well received. Mr Barnes, pray tell me, have you ever encountered one-month child that could hold one of your fingers as tight as a grown-up would?"

"No, I have not, Lady Elizabeth. Does your nephew reach this performance?" "He does indeed! Oh, and so many other performances he reaches, Mr Barnes; I am afraid that your stay here shall be too short for me to tell you everything about him."

"I have been thinking of it, maman; perhaps we should change subjects if we want to lengthen Mr Barnes' visit. How have you been all this time, Mr Barnes?"

"Very well, thank you. I mostly remained at home and sent a short note to Barton Hall, then, as I had received no answer, I set off one day especially to meet you all; I only found the two Miss Holmeses at home, and they told me that you were all gone to London."

"Yes, they have told me of the encounter; the eldest sister guessed that you had left for London, had you?"

"No, I returned home; then, I received my two cousins, Mrs Downey and Miss Welfield, who were accompanied by the former's husband; did you know, Miss Barton, that my cousin had married?"

"What, am I to understand that Mrs Downey is the former Miss Barnes?"

"Indeed she is." This news surprised Lilian very much, for she had thought that Mr Barnes was to marry Miss Barnes one day.

"This is very delightful to hear, since she was, as you have told me, very eager to find a companion. How is Mr Downey?"

"I am afraid that he is less than I have expected. He has not so large a fortune, but it is enough to live on, and his spirits are not very amiable. His wife seemed however to enjoy his presence, and therefore there was nothing to object."

"Indeed; how old is he, may I ask?"

"He is thirty-five or thirty-six years old, but he does not look of his age, due to the time spent on ships. He is Captain Downey, a very well known captain in Richmond."

"What a big difference of age! It is far too much for my taste, but I cannot deny that my own husband is fifteen years older than myself; yet I have always supposed that younger couples should dispose of a very small age gap."

"Maman, perhaps you did not know; Mrs Downey is almost twenty-six."

"Yes, and the age does not make any difference in their happiness," Mr Barnes added.

"Yes, yes, it is true. Excuse me for any offences that I may have caused you. Lilian, why do not you two go for a walk? I am afraid that the weather will not stay too much in this state. It is getting colder and colder!"

"Very well, maman. Will you come, Mr Barnes?"

"Of course," he said, rising and giving Lilian his arm. Lady Elizabeth remained at the window, watching the two walking and suddenly a vague idea came to her. "What if Lilian is truly attached to Mr Barnes?"

While her mother was thus occupied, Lilian was herself very eager to place Mr Barnes questions of all kinds of natures. "How come that your cousin did not want to marry you?"

"It is not that she did not want. I gave her no signs of an inclination and therefore she turned her attention from me," he said without giving importance to the anxious inquiries of his companion. "After all, I can feel no remorse to her abandon. I have never thought of this match as possible."

"Is your other cousin well too?"

"Miss Welfield is very fine, though she is inclined to believe that I am her rightful property, now that Miss Barnes has become Mrs Downey."

"Do not tell me that she wants to marry you too! This is so strange and exaggerated, even to me! How amusing that you have been and are the interest of two young ladies at a time! Well, there must be another young lady, of whom the Holmes sisters have talked."

"What did they tell you?"

"They told me about your being attached to a very amiable young lady of large fortune, and that she must be one of their very acquaintances. Is it true, Mr Barnes?"

"Yes. I do not know how distorted the truth is in their eyes, but I am truly attached to that young lady, but that shall make no further subject of our conversation, for I am surely inclined to give a name."

Lilian felt a strange disappointment in his words. He spoke them so seriously, with such different manners than before, that she doubted his having ever been in love with her. Her hopes were restored when he added, "but I cannot say whether she feels the same, for, even though I have spent many days in her company, I could not determine a sign of affection."

Lilian spoke no more; she was convinced that something had to be said by him, and continued silently. He did say at last that they should return, but no further intimate conversation took place.

The following day Sir William went hunting with Mr Barnes, therefore Lilian and Lady Elizabeth were left by themselves, this being the perfect occasion for the eldest to speak up her thoughts:

"Lilian, I have noticed that from a time you and Mr Barnes seem to be very close. Now that my youngest daughter is married, I am very focused on your marrying as well. Tell me, has he shown any signs of inclination towards you?"

"Maman, those signs are obvious but not quite decisive. He is indeed very delighted with my company, but this is only because I am the only one of his age, of course, excepting the Holmes sisters. I am afraid that this will not lead to any proposal -"

"Lilian, do not think so; when I saw how well Emily liked London and its people, I was sure that she would bring home a gentleman from there. Yet she married one that had lived next door!"

"Do not compare my situation to Emily's. I am much more thoughtful than her and Mr Barnes is much more sensible than Mr Holmes. I do not mean to say that neither Emily and Mr Holmes are thoughtful or sensible, but it is a difference."

"If you say so, Lilian; but I shall continue in my belief."

Mr Barnes spoke unaffectedly his leaving two days later, and Lady Elizabeth was more than determined to seek his further continuance at Barton Hall.

"Mr Barnes, you cannot leave already! Four days are indeed a short stay! Please, remain at us at least a fortnight, for I am afraid that your leaving will do Lilian no good."

"Maman, you cannot make him stay; do as you please, Mr Barnes, my state is of no consequence," her daughter said.

"I am afraid that I cannot fulfill both requests at once, but since there is no need to go back home, I shall spare a few more days." He then looked at Lilian with the most sincere smile.

"How happy I am to hear it, Mr Barnes! Oh, Lilian, someone has sent a letter today; I think it is from your friend in London, Mrs Ford."

"Mrs Ford! How surprising! She must have got back to London; how is she, maman?"

"I did not read it, Lilian, for she clearly stated from the beginning that the letter was for you. I cannot understand why she has not sent it to you directly."

"That is of no importance now. Where is the letter?" While Lilian was gone to get the letter, Lady Elizabeth told Mr Barnes everything about Mrs Ford, as far as her personal knowledge would go.

"...And she is very quick of mind - the perfect companion for Lilian, though she is more to be thought of as one of my friends; we are very close of age."

 "Maman, she does not say anything important," Lilian stated after reading the letter, "she is in good health and misses my company. Should I answer it?"

"Is there any doubt? Of course you should! You can even invite her to Barton Hall, however I do not know how amiable she shall be to you, Mr Barnes."

"It is of no consequence."