Chapter 16

Mrs Ford received the letter, but replied that she could not engage herself to come to Barton Hall, for her situation was unstable at the time, due to some relatives that could not decide whether to invite her or not to spend some time at them. The party remained therefore the same, with some interferences from Misses Cassandra and Catherine Holmes, who were, apparently, very pleased with Mr Barnes' company. Noticing this, Lilian wrote to her sister an account of the conduct of the two, but only received a letter in which her sister stated that little Joseph was very lovely and that she should not think of Mr Barnes as her property. "If Emily herself thinks only of her son, what will I do from now on? I cannot stay silent for too long, nor can I tell the two; revealing the truth to Mr Barnes is not even thought of - perhaps I have to try my nerves and I shall not say a word to anyone."

From a time, only Catherine Holmes, the youngest sister, called on them, for her elder sister was visiting some cousins in Bath. Catherine was very distant towards Lilian, and the latter was convinced that she knew the reason; Mr Barnes showed himself very pleasant and friendly, which increased Catherine's hopes of his developing affection for herself. Lilian did not know what to believe, and therefore she promised herself to wait until the day that Mr Barnes proposes either to her or to Catherine Holmes. This did not happen, however, and Lilian's thoughts were left aside when Miss Cassandra Holmes, very delighted with her previous visit, returned home talking only of a certain Mr Taylor. When she, her sister and Lilian were left alone, Miss Cassandra expressed how delighted with Mr Taylor she was. Not only that he was young, very handsome and rich, but he also seemed to be just what he ought to be: very amiable and quick of mind.

Lilian was happy for her to have found such a man, but she was more inclined to spend every second with Mr Barnes, because she felt that his stay was not going to be long. Mr Barnes was however sent away every time Miss Cassandra needed to talk about her affection for Mr Taylor, and Lilian would have rather joined Mr Barnes in his walks than listen to the repeated accounts of this gentleman. Yet she could not, for each time she wished to go with him, Miss Cassandra found another great virtue of Mr Taylor.

Arriving home from the Holmeses, Lilian told her mother, "I cannot bear one more second in the presence of Miss Cassandra! She is always saying how many novels Mr Taylor has read, how many carriages he keeps, how much time he spends on conversing with others, tell me, mother, do I ever do that?"

"Why, I cannot tell, for you do not recognize someone as being this accomplished."

"Maman, you have quite spotted him and I am afraid that you have known before myself that my every thought is and refers to Mr Barnes. I never act like she does and I cannot even say anything concerning him -"

"Lilian, as soon as he is gone, you shall be talking of him a great deal, I do not doubt it."

The conversation was shortened by the entrance of Mr Barnes, who immediately said:

"I have been informed of Miss Holmes' acquaintance of Charles Taylor, an old friend of Mr Holmes and mine. She must have told you of his countless accomplishments, has she not?"

"I can hardly bear one more thing about him, I dare say," Lilian said.

"I am very surprised to hear that, for he has bewitched every young lady that ever stood in his way. Of course, you have not yet met him, therefore your opinion shall change."

"No, I do not think so, for Miss Holmes has spoken so much of him, that I shall find his very presence hard to stand."

"But what is it, Mr Barnes? You seem to dislike this old friend," Lady Elizabeth added, after a strange silence.

"I simply do not like to be around him. I think he is very disagreeable, although I have not come to express my own opinion of him, but to announce his coming at Ellsworth Manor."

"What, is he coming already? But it has been only one week since Miss Holmes returned!"

"I was as surprised as you both, yet it would not do. He is coming during the following month."

"This is so unsual! Well, if we do not enjoy his company, we shall have yours which is excessively pleasant," Lady Elizabeth said.

"I am afraid you will not, for I am needed at Wharton Park, and I must leave as soon as possible."

At this Lilian responded with a very confused look. He looked indeed disturbed by something beyond her awareness and asked him, as calmly as she could:

"Mr Barnes, you must tell me if I am wrong when I say that something has urged you to leave. It may be your being needed in Richmond, yet I cannot help feeling that it is me you need to get rid of."

At her words, Mr Barnes spoke with great compassion and sincerity, "Miss Barton, you have been and still are a very amiable person, and not even once have I wished to get rid of you. I must excuse for my leading you to believe so, but I am truly obliged to be in Richmond, and I am afraid mostly that my repeated stays at Barton Hall have caused you boredom."

"Mr Barnes, it is very upsetting to know that you are thinking in this manner," Lady Elizabeth said. "You are a great companion to my daughter, in these days of solitude, and we never get bored in your presence."

"This is very pleasing, but I am still needed at Wharton Park. This shall lead to another separation, and I cannot make a future engagement as to see you."

Lady Elizabeth was struck by an outstanding idea. "Mr Barnes," she then exclaimed, "what if you take Lilian with you? Since she shall be bored in your absence, and you are needed in another place, will it not be most pleasant for both of you to spend more time in the company of each other?"

"Maman, how can you ask Mr Barnes such a thing? I am sure that he is very anxious to get rid of me himself; why should you lengthen this anxiety?!"

"Miss Barton, there is no objection as far as I am concerned. You must remember that your mother only wants your own comfort and happiness. I cannot disagree with any of her inquiries and demands. It is however your opinion that weights the most."

"I believe that I am soon to become dreadful to bear, depend upon it, Mr Barnes, during this year, you have spent more than five months in my company!"

"And does this represent a problem for you, Miss Barton?"

"I am worried about your state, for I think of myself to be very boring."

"Lilian, you cannot think of yourself this way!" her mother cried.

"Maman, I am sure that Mr Barnes thinks the same, and a separation is truly needed."

At this remark, Mr Barnes only smiled and this assured Lilian of his feeling the same. The following morning, he set off, after hearing many complaints about his sudden leaving from Lady Elizabeth, and Lilian, from that day, did not go outdoors at all, for she feared that she would meet the Holmes sisters, who would ask her strange questions; this fear was hardly justified, and Lady Elizabeth tried to explain her, but in vain. Occasionally, a letter was sent to London, but no answer made her happy enough.