Quickly embracing
the welcoming air of Wharton Park, Lilian hurried to meet its owner. She found
him in that particular sitting-room in which they had met so long a time ago.
"Miss Barton!", he exclaimed, immediately noticing her arrival. "How was your journey? I hope the wind has not affected your health for I can see that it is blowing -"
"Yes, it is very windy outside, but I assure you that I have not been affected by this aspect."
The following days they renewed their usual habits, and nothing seemed to make Lilian regret her coming.
One day, after a long walk in the park, Mr Barnes told her:
"Would you mind if my cousin, Miss Welfield, came here too? She has been pressing me to invite her to Wharton Park; it is your opinion that weighs the most for me, my dear Miss Barton."
"Why should she be a burden to me? It is your estate and not mine, and I am sure that her company will be very pleasing."
Gazing in her blue eyes, he replied, "Then I shall write her immediately and tell her that I am at last free of my duties."
"Mr Barnes, how are your cousins?"
"I have not heard from them; I assume they are travelling," he replied, saying no more.
"Was Mrs Downey well when you last saw her?", Lilian added, just to prevent the eventual silence.
"Yes, she looked very well, thank you. Miss Barton, I believe tea time is approaching. Let us go to the sitting-room."
"Mr Barnes, I cannot but remark how punctual and loyal your servants are! Especially that old woman -" she said in a lowered voice, pointing at the servant that was laying the tea things, "- I would love to have someone like her at Barton Hall. Maman always says that our servants cannot be replaced, that they possess the finest qualities decent servants can have; but our servants - Anne, especially, the one I am the closest to - often consider themselves masters of the place."
"It is indeed interesting; I agree that a servant like Jane, over there, is very hard to find. She has been in this house for more than fifty years."
As they were seated at the table, Lilian exclaimed, "What, fifty years! I assume she was born here, was she not?"
"Yes - her whole family belongs here. Not that it is very large, however; her two sons attend my carriage and my horses, and her daughter is one of the chambermaids. I have heard Jane once," he whispered as the servant left the room, "saying that I am a better master than my father was. He always treated servants as if they were nothing more than ordinary animals. I could not ask anything of him while he lived, but now that - well, now that I am the only master, I intend to behave kindly towards the servants."
"How kind of you, Mr Barnes! I have heard of so many families that show no compassion towards their own servants."
"Miss Barton, how are your agreeable cousins?," he asked suddenly, sensing a change in her countenance and barely refraining from laughing, he looked at Lilian while she answered:
"Why should I know anything of them? Since that particular day, not a word has been exchanged between their party and mine."
A pause was made, while they laughed at the memory of that strange day. "Not a word, I am sure," she added.
Later that evening, Mr Barnes wrote to his cousin; Miss Welfield was expected to be at Wharton Park within the following week. Lilian was at first undisturbed by her coming; but from a time, she began to feel a sentiment that had been never encountered by her heart. Viewing the relationship between her friend and his cousin, she finally recognized a possible attachment. But Mr Barnes' own words came back to her; she heard him once again saying that he would never marry any of his cousins. Doubt had barely overcome Lilian, when Miss Welfield's carriage was seen approaching.
"Miss Barton, it is an exquisite pleasure to meet you again!," she exclaimed, without noticing her own cousin's presence.
"Miss Welfield! There is not a single company through my acquaintance that is dearer to me than yours and your cousin's. How was your journey?"
"Not so pleasant, I am afraid. It was a little draughty today, the carriage advanced harder. Edward, my dear cousin, I barely noticed you were here!" she said, turning to him. "But you should not mind it, for I know you are in knowledge of the reason. Miss Barton almost gleams with beauty. One cannot enter a room without noticing her; especially when she is smiling."
"Do not say so, Miss Welfield; to be honest, there is little in my countenance that awakens admiration.
"How can you be so sure of this?" Then, returning to the formal inquiries, she added, "I do hope your family is well; perhaps you could tell me about your nephew?"
"Why, yes; little Joseph is very well, although he is excessively loved and looked after."
"Why do you find it unlikely? Your sister must be very happy; so must Mr Holmes."
"I quite forgot to say that Mr Holmes seems very indifferent to his son's accomplishments and Emily does not by any means exaggerate in her conduct. It is my mother that looks upon little Joseph with limitless admiration."
"Your mother?! I guess she is very fond of him, is she not?"
"Extremely fond of him, I dare say."
Miss Welfield's stay continued with pleasing conversation, Lilian beginning to doubt her attachment to Mr Barnes. Seldom did Mr Barnes stay with them, for he was constantly needed in Richmond, though none of the two young ladies knew on what purpose. Therefore, Miss Welfield proved herself to be rather eager to describe Mr Barnes' personality to Lilian, emphasizing his virtues. One morning, while Mr Barnes was in town, Miss Welfield told Lilian:
"Miss Barton, have you seen the portraits of Edward's parents?"
"I have not, I am afraid."
"Well, it is clear that Edward has forgotten for he is always showing them to his guests. Do join me, Miss Barton." As they were passing the hallway, she added, "You are amazed at my familiarity towards this place, are you not, Miss Barton? You should not be; My mother is Edward's aunt; she is, apart from me and Mrs Downey, the single relative alive of Edward's. I am afraid that she is very sick and must stay at home. That is perhaps the reason that, during my childhood, I spent more than half of my time here. Edward's father had promised my mother to take care of me; now, as you know, I need to take care of her. Fortunately I can leave my duties for some time, for my father's sister has come to look after her. Oh, look, we are already here!" She said, after entering a very large room. Lilian had thought hitherto that this room served as Mr Barnes'.
"But it is, my dear Miss Barton; though he does not admit it. He is especially attached to this room, for here are hung his parents' portraits. Are they not beautifully painted?"At seeing the two portraits, Lilian could not say a word. The one on the left was Mrs Barnes'. She had been a tall, dark-haired woman with a pleasant complexion. The relation between her and Mr Barnes was evident; their eyes were of the same kind of warmth. His father looked much less pleasing; the portrait almost frowned, and he looked altogether strange. The paintings were indeed very beautifully made and those portrayed seemed almost real.
"These two portraits are indeed very fine, Miss Welfield." She added however, "I cannot yet understand why he has never shown them to me."
"Only he can give you an answer. Wait, what do I hear? It must be him - let us return!"
At hearing a horse running, they immediately hurried to the sitting-room. Mr Barnes found them engaged in a joyous conversation about muslins.
"Lilian!", he exclaimed, barely having entered the room. The familiarity of his calling her so hardly surprised her, as he continued breathlessly,"I have an urgent note from your mother." She immediately arose and took the note. It was announcing that little Joseph was terribly ill and that several doctors had been called to diagnose him, but no answer was given; she collapsed on a chair, and the other two that had seen her change color hurried by her side.
"What is it, Lilian?", Miss Welfield inquired, wiping her face with a wet handkerchief. Mr Barnes said no more, warmly looking at Lilian; the latter was almost crying. He then arose and read that note, and after calling Jane, his loyal servant, and ordering to prepare Miss Barton's luggage for the journey, heard Lilian whisper through tears:
"Miss Welfield - Jane -", taking a breath she continued, "I need to go home, to Joseph - poor little thing; I am guilty for his illness - I have never shown him that exaggerate affection that he needed - the fault is mine, I doubt it not," and as she arose, said, "Mr Barnes, I am urgently needed at home - please excuse my sudden leaving."
With these words, she left, leaving the two in great compassion.
"Miss Barton!", he exclaimed, immediately noticing her arrival. "How was your journey? I hope the wind has not affected your health for I can see that it is blowing -"
"Yes, it is very windy outside, but I assure you that I have not been affected by this aspect."
The following days they renewed their usual habits, and nothing seemed to make Lilian regret her coming.
One day, after a long walk in the park, Mr Barnes told her:
"Would you mind if my cousin, Miss Welfield, came here too? She has been pressing me to invite her to Wharton Park; it is your opinion that weighs the most for me, my dear Miss Barton."
"Why should she be a burden to me? It is your estate and not mine, and I am sure that her company will be very pleasing."
Gazing in her blue eyes, he replied, "Then I shall write her immediately and tell her that I am at last free of my duties."
"Mr Barnes, how are your cousins?"
"I have not heard from them; I assume they are travelling," he replied, saying no more.
"Was Mrs Downey well when you last saw her?", Lilian added, just to prevent the eventual silence.
"Yes, she looked very well, thank you. Miss Barton, I believe tea time is approaching. Let us go to the sitting-room."
"Mr Barnes, I cannot but remark how punctual and loyal your servants are! Especially that old woman -" she said in a lowered voice, pointing at the servant that was laying the tea things, "- I would love to have someone like her at Barton Hall. Maman always says that our servants cannot be replaced, that they possess the finest qualities decent servants can have; but our servants - Anne, especially, the one I am the closest to - often consider themselves masters of the place."
"It is indeed interesting; I agree that a servant like Jane, over there, is very hard to find. She has been in this house for more than fifty years."
As they were seated at the table, Lilian exclaimed, "What, fifty years! I assume she was born here, was she not?"
"Yes - her whole family belongs here. Not that it is very large, however; her two sons attend my carriage and my horses, and her daughter is one of the chambermaids. I have heard Jane once," he whispered as the servant left the room, "saying that I am a better master than my father was. He always treated servants as if they were nothing more than ordinary animals. I could not ask anything of him while he lived, but now that - well, now that I am the only master, I intend to behave kindly towards the servants."
"How kind of you, Mr Barnes! I have heard of so many families that show no compassion towards their own servants."
"Miss Barton, how are your agreeable cousins?," he asked suddenly, sensing a change in her countenance and barely refraining from laughing, he looked at Lilian while she answered:
"Why should I know anything of them? Since that particular day, not a word has been exchanged between their party and mine."
A pause was made, while they laughed at the memory of that strange day. "Not a word, I am sure," she added.
Later that evening, Mr Barnes wrote to his cousin; Miss Welfield was expected to be at Wharton Park within the following week. Lilian was at first undisturbed by her coming; but from a time, she began to feel a sentiment that had been never encountered by her heart. Viewing the relationship between her friend and his cousin, she finally recognized a possible attachment. But Mr Barnes' own words came back to her; she heard him once again saying that he would never marry any of his cousins. Doubt had barely overcome Lilian, when Miss Welfield's carriage was seen approaching.
"Miss Barton, it is an exquisite pleasure to meet you again!," she exclaimed, without noticing her own cousin's presence.
"Miss Welfield! There is not a single company through my acquaintance that is dearer to me than yours and your cousin's. How was your journey?"
"Not so pleasant, I am afraid. It was a little draughty today, the carriage advanced harder. Edward, my dear cousin, I barely noticed you were here!" she said, turning to him. "But you should not mind it, for I know you are in knowledge of the reason. Miss Barton almost gleams with beauty. One cannot enter a room without noticing her; especially when she is smiling."
"Do not say so, Miss Welfield; to be honest, there is little in my countenance that awakens admiration.
"How can you be so sure of this?" Then, returning to the formal inquiries, she added, "I do hope your family is well; perhaps you could tell me about your nephew?"
"Why, yes; little Joseph is very well, although he is excessively loved and looked after."
"Why do you find it unlikely? Your sister must be very happy; so must Mr Holmes."
"I quite forgot to say that Mr Holmes seems very indifferent to his son's accomplishments and Emily does not by any means exaggerate in her conduct. It is my mother that looks upon little Joseph with limitless admiration."
"Your mother?! I guess she is very fond of him, is she not?"
"Extremely fond of him, I dare say."
Miss Welfield's stay continued with pleasing conversation, Lilian beginning to doubt her attachment to Mr Barnes. Seldom did Mr Barnes stay with them, for he was constantly needed in Richmond, though none of the two young ladies knew on what purpose. Therefore, Miss Welfield proved herself to be rather eager to describe Mr Barnes' personality to Lilian, emphasizing his virtues. One morning, while Mr Barnes was in town, Miss Welfield told Lilian:
"Miss Barton, have you seen the portraits of Edward's parents?"
"I have not, I am afraid."
"Well, it is clear that Edward has forgotten for he is always showing them to his guests. Do join me, Miss Barton." As they were passing the hallway, she added, "You are amazed at my familiarity towards this place, are you not, Miss Barton? You should not be; My mother is Edward's aunt; she is, apart from me and Mrs Downey, the single relative alive of Edward's. I am afraid that she is very sick and must stay at home. That is perhaps the reason that, during my childhood, I spent more than half of my time here. Edward's father had promised my mother to take care of me; now, as you know, I need to take care of her. Fortunately I can leave my duties for some time, for my father's sister has come to look after her. Oh, look, we are already here!" She said, after entering a very large room. Lilian had thought hitherto that this room served as Mr Barnes'.
"But it is, my dear Miss Barton; though he does not admit it. He is especially attached to this room, for here are hung his parents' portraits. Are they not beautifully painted?"At seeing the two portraits, Lilian could not say a word. The one on the left was Mrs Barnes'. She had been a tall, dark-haired woman with a pleasant complexion. The relation between her and Mr Barnes was evident; their eyes were of the same kind of warmth. His father looked much less pleasing; the portrait almost frowned, and he looked altogether strange. The paintings were indeed very beautifully made and those portrayed seemed almost real.
"These two portraits are indeed very fine, Miss Welfield." She added however, "I cannot yet understand why he has never shown them to me."
"Only he can give you an answer. Wait, what do I hear? It must be him - let us return!"
At hearing a horse running, they immediately hurried to the sitting-room. Mr Barnes found them engaged in a joyous conversation about muslins.
"Lilian!", he exclaimed, barely having entered the room. The familiarity of his calling her so hardly surprised her, as he continued breathlessly,"I have an urgent note from your mother." She immediately arose and took the note. It was announcing that little Joseph was terribly ill and that several doctors had been called to diagnose him, but no answer was given; she collapsed on a chair, and the other two that had seen her change color hurried by her side.
"What is it, Lilian?", Miss Welfield inquired, wiping her face with a wet handkerchief. Mr Barnes said no more, warmly looking at Lilian; the latter was almost crying. He then arose and read that note, and after calling Jane, his loyal servant, and ordering to prepare Miss Barton's luggage for the journey, heard Lilian whisper through tears:
"Miss Welfield - Jane -", taking a breath she continued, "I need to go home, to Joseph - poor little thing; I am guilty for his illness - I have never shown him that exaggerate affection that he needed - the fault is mine, I doubt it not," and as she arose, said, "Mr Barnes, I am urgently needed at home - please excuse my sudden leaving."
With these words, she left, leaving the two in great compassion.
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