Chapter 9

Miss Catherine Holmes was extremely pleased with Mr Barnes. She developed though stronger feelings, which in some cases would have been considered love, yet she denied willingly to be attached to the one referred as 'Miss Barton's friend'. He was indeed Miss Barton's friend, for Mr Holmes was always in town on serious businesses. The Barton sisters pretended to believe Miss Catherine's weak pretence, but whenever they happened to be alone, they commented on her behaviour.

Miss Catherine's inclination for Mr Barnes was not doubted, but Emily pointed out Mr Barnes' conduct, unaware of Lilian's want to deny everything related to her inexistent attachment. Mr Barnes was very gentle and keen on everything, and Lilian knew immediately that it would be very hard to differentiate a friend or a lover's countenance in Mr Barnes'.

Mr Barnes left them very puzzled when he announced his leave. Lilian found it very hard to say good-bye with no promise of seeing each other again. She expressed this feeling to Emily and her sister told her, with the air of only reminding, that Lilian had to be in love. Lilian strongly denied this thought, but Emily mentioned Miss Catherine's denial and Lilian was persuaded to trust her feeling.

"My dearest Lilian, that month you spent at his estate, and these two weeks he spent here must have left you with a feeling of affection! Lilian, how happy I am to see you in this state!"

Lilian was very confused, and Emily only reminded her of it. After a while, she resigned herself with her sentiment and turned her attention to her sister and Mr Holmes. Nothing was changed, however, but Mr Holmes' eyes gleamed in a different manner when he spoke to Emily and they were seen often walking. Lilian, constantly remembering the question Mr Holmes had placed her, asked Emily if any events of a more intimate nature had occured between them. Emily joyfully answered that no occurence of the kind had passed.

As weeks passed, however, Emily and Mr Holmes became very close. Lilian had come to doubt her sister's sincerity, and watched them carefully. This became difficult when a tea party was arranged and Mr Holmes and his sisters where not the only invited; Lilian's eldest cousin, Mr George Chester and his father were to come, too. Emily had grown very attached to the Holmeses and was very distracted whenever Lilian required her attention. Therefore, Lilian confronted the guests in an extremely miserable state. Lady Elizabeth had promised of its being only a short gathering, just to share recent accounts of their mutual acquaintances. It proved itself to be a picnic, since the Mr Chesters brought plenty of food, simply stating their unawareness of the kind of invitation. Lilian was thus forced to endure five long hours of outdoor entertainment, while Emily and Mr Holmes chose not to sit by the party and wander around.

At a certain moment, Lilian's attention was distracted from surrounding discussions by her mother's saying, that a guest which should please her very much was expected.

"Maman, you have not invited Mr Barnes, have you?" she said, trembling at the thought.

"Lilian, you are so quick of mind! Yes, I have. Are you not satisfied, my dear?" her mother replied; the smile on her face partly faded.

She hardly knew what to say, but her mother turned and joined Miss Cassandra and Mr George's conversation, in which Lilian could find no interest. She decided to take a short walk and excused herself; during her wandering, she found her sister and Mr Holmes in deep conversation.

"Lilian, has someone sent for us?" Emily said, after noticing her sister's presence.

"Not at all, I was just taking a stroll to unwind - I am sorry to have interrupted you."

"Miss Barton, we were just thinking of you, please join us, we have nothing to discuss," Mr Holmes added.

Lilian, seeing herself without a choice, was seated near them and thought about this lack of discussion subjects, which awakened her curiosity. She soon told her sister:

"Emily, maman has not told us a single word, but she has invited Mr Barnes to the tea party!"

"My dear Lilian, how did she not tell you? Why, she has told me the day he invited him! Poor Lilian, can you imagine it, Mr Holmes?"

"It is very amusing, but it is obviously of great consequence to Miss Barton, to be the last person to know."

"But how - I cannot believe it! And how foolish of me to - what was maman thinking? It is indeed unbelievable -"

"Lilian," her sister said, almost laughing, "you cannot be angry with maman. Of course there was a reason for her silence; do not you think, Mr Holmes?"

"Perhaps it was a serious one; Miss Barton, you should not be thus alarmed, it is of little importance."

"Excuse me - I shall continue my walk."

Lilian rose and quickly retired, and when a distance had been reached, and she was protected by the shadow of some tall oaks, she burst into tears, but with no resentment to the news itself; she was more surprised and startled at their silence and felt angry with her sister and her mother. The thought of their thinking of her as incapable of understanding the matter, which, as Lilian realized, was not serious at all, soon persuaded her to think of others with strong hatred and despise.

This was somehow left aside when her cousin appeared and, drying her eyes, she rose and bowed, whispering a short "Mr Chester".

"Lilian, what are you doing here?" he asked, seeming to believe that nothing had passed.

"Mr Chester, I do not find it the proper moment to call me by my last name. Please excuse my absence from the party, but I was in need of refreshment."

"Very well, Miss Barton, I shall fulfill your wish - but I am afraid that your presence is needed, for a gentleman has arrived and has questioned your absence."

"Thank you for telling me - I shall come as soon as I finish my walk."

"I hoped that you would join me back, but may it be as you like. Excuse me." He went back and Lilian soon followed him, hoping that meeting Mr Barnes would be pleasing. It proved itself to be so, and Lilian found a relief in telling Mr Barnes how vexed she was. He received her complaint with kindness and seemed to be of the same opinion. Miss Barton was pleased in her fancy with this privilege of being listened to. Mr Barnes' stay was short, however, once again, and was determined to leave before seven in the evening. Therefore, Lilian had to bear Mr Holmes' repeated glances and Emily's sweet apologies. Lilian was, however, steady in her belief and locked herself in her chamber as soon as the guests were gone. However, she heard a knock shortly after and opened the door, and seeing Emily, she burst into tears. She was persuaded by Emily that no upsetting thing had been thought of and their mother only had thought better if Lilian had not known. The matter was soon forgotten and Mr Holmes tried to rise Lilian's spirits whenever he thought necessary.