Chapter 7

Miss Barnes and Miss Welfield's stay was short and lasted only three days. They were to visit some other relatives and could not stay longer. The first thing Lilian asked Mr Barnes was:

"I shall ignore the reason you have given me and I shall ask you once more: what do you find so unpleasant in your cousins' manners that you cannot consider marriage being possible?"

"Miss Barton, am I to understand by your question that you are curious to find out the mysteries of our family?"

"You have used rough words, but I shall agree."

"As you have noticed, my cousins belong to the upper half of society. There could be no objections, and nor me, nor my cousins come from poor families. My father's death can be considered, though inappropriately, an advantage in the match. I am stubborn, but I have been brought up to do what I consider to be proper. I have seen large families that, were they mine, would persuade me to marry one of them. But they are not, and I shall not marry my cousins. I am free to make a choice of my own; were I extremely poor, I would still believe as I do now. I hope I have satisfied your question."

"I do not understand how people can think of others as part of a play. Do not doubt my sincerity now; Barnes, you say you will not marry any of the cousins. But I have noticed that Miss Barnes has a much sharpened sense of humour, and that Miss Welfield is very keen on history. I suppose that you consider marrying them as having a wife that is amusing and keen on history. I always tell myself that I cannot choose the both sides of a matter."

"That is the main reason I do not want to marry either of them, Holmes. Since they cannot unite and form a perfect being, I will wait until I meet one."

"How is your sister, Miss Barton?" the other asked.

"She is very well, thank you. In her last letter - which I received just the other day - she said that her acquaintance had largely improved. She had met a lot of officers - but she has told me so many times that she finds no interest in this kind of people, for their low situations and expectations - that I anticipate nothing to happen."

"And your parents?", Mr Barnes asked her.

"They haven't written, though I believe they are somewhere near Sheffield; I think they are wandering in the countryside, which must be really exciting."

"And who else is with them, dare I ask?"

"My mother's brother is with them, Mr Chester, and his two sons, Mr Charles and Mr George. I had known nothing of their existence until my mother told me, in her last letter."

"Have they left a good impression?", Mr Holmes asked.

"No, not at all. My mother was very delighted that an attachment could be formed," she said, quickly glancing at Mr Barnes, "but their conduct was too poor as to leave my mother satisfied. She mentioned their good looks, but that is far from enough. She also told me how rich they were, of course, thanks to my uncle, but that is more of a bad aspect, for they are proud, as my mother names it."

The two gentlemen stood silent, then a letter was brought to Mr Holmes.

"It is from Catherine! I hope nothing bad has happened." He quickly skimmed the letter and smiled. "Yes, indeed, she has bought herself an elegant muslin and wanted to know my opinion upon the colour. These are nothing more than trifles."

"Mr Holmes, I hope you are not going to tell her how stupid you think of her to send you such a letter," Mr Barnes told him, smiling.

"Not at all. I am the most agreeable person she knows. She will never find out."

Lilian laughed heartily at Mr Holmes' remark and they continued their conversation about Catherine's former adventures of the kind. Then tea was brought into the room and they kept talking until Mr Barnes expressed his wish to play a duet with Miss Barton. She gladly accepted and both her and Mr Holmes were amazed by Mr Barnes' skills.

Lilian soon wanted to wander in the park, and Mr Barnes excused himself of being unable to join them, for he had some urgent matters to resolve. They consequently went by themselves, this being an occasion for Lilian to clarify a few things:

"Mr Holmes," she said, as soon as they were at a considerable distance from the house, "pray tell me, what is Mr Barnes' age?"

"How curious you are, Miss Barton! Why, he is a little older than me - he is seven-and-twenty years old, I believe. May I ask the cause of your asking me?"

"Female curiosity, that is."

"You have not given me a definite answer, for it may be interpreted in several ways."

"You have proved yourself to be very quick of mind; I shall let you have this opportunity of using your capacity," she added, with a very natural countenance. "Do tell me, have your sisters known Mr Barnes before?"

"No, they have not, but I am quite sure that they are both eager to. Miss Barton, may I ask you if you are enjoying yourself at present?"

"Yes, that is to be sure! I have never seen such views; they would be very beautifully transposed on a canvas. I intend to ask Mr Barnes the permission of painting one of these excellent landscapes."

"Do not bother asking him; I am sure he would do anything for one of his companions."

"One can never now!" she said, looking away. "What do you think of the two young ladies we recently met?"

"They haven't startled me much. They are, however, lady-like and my sisters would make no objection to having them as their intimate friends."

"I share the same belief."

After they went on a few more steps, Mr Holmes suddenly stopped. He turned to Lilian and asked her, in a serious manner:

"How is your sister doing?"

Lilian looked with wonder at this unexpected question and answered very simply.

"Very well, thank you."

"You did not understand. How is your sister doing towards myself?"

Lilian watched him as he spoke with infinite amazement. She asked herself whether he knew about Emily's being attached to him. "I am sorry, I did not understand the question."

"Miss Barton, is your sister Emily still in love with me?"

"I do not recall any times when she was; what are you trying to say?"

"Do not pretend you know not. Your sister has told my sister, Cassandra, and I am convinced that her own sister must be informed, too. Do answer my question."

"Mr Holmes, that is not a matter that I am allowed to speak of. Do not bring the subject up in the future, if you would be so kind." She turned, but she was stopped by Mr Holmes:

"Miss Barton?"

Lilian turned nervously, with a mild doubt; would she tell him the answer to that unforeseen question? After a few moments of distant thinking, she answered:

"Very much, sir."

She went into the house and was confronted with Mr Barnes, who seemed to have wanted to join the two outside.

"Did you not like the walk, Miss Barton?"

"The sky was blackening. I did not stay. Excuse me." She quickly bowed and went to her sleeping chamber, where she thought about Mr Holmes' conduct. Thoughts overwhelmed her and Lilian felt as if Mr Holmes had proposed and she had refused him; she felt ashamed and her eyes soon soaked in tears. When she managed to dry them, she immediately decided to write to Emily. Yet she did not know how to begin. Lilian put the pen aside and opened a book. After five pages, she declared her inability to concentrate properly and, taking a deep breath, quickly went downstairs to tell Mr Holmes her apologies. She surprisingly found him preparing to leave, and, seeing that no one was around, she said:

"Mr Holmes, I have reviewed my behaviour and I am exceedingly ashamed of it. Please believe my sincere apologies for what I have said; that must have affected you much."

Mr Holmes' expression was very serious; he answered, however:

"I hope I shall see you again soon in good health."

"Must you leave? Whereto?"

"London awaits me; my sisters have asked for my immediate assistance. It appears that Mrs Redford is very ill. Miss Barton, good-bye."

"Good-bye, Mr Holmes," she said, still confused by this unanticipated turn of events.

Returning in the sitting-room, she was surprised at Mr Barnes' joyful countenance.

"How convenient an excuse he has found! Miss Barton, I hope you do not believe this one. There is little truth in it; his aunt is very healthy and his sisters have sent no letter. The reason for his leaving is of a different kind."

"Are you convinced of what you are saying?"

"Absolutely. But I cannot make out his sudden want to leave."

"I believe I know it, though it has disturbed me too much as to be able to tell you. Please excuse my silence."