Chapter 19

Little Joseph's illness proved itself by no means dangerous. Lady Elizabeth, when writing to Lilian, considered the five distinct doctors' opinions to be too varying to matter; therefore, she pretended there had been none. Lilian, arriving filled with negative thoughts, was startled at her mother's behaviour.

"Maman, why did you avoid letting me know the real cause of his sickness?", she scolded Lady Elizabeth immediately after her return.
"My dear - oh, Lilian - forgive me for hiding the truth, and let me tell you the actual reason for my calling you home. You see," she then said, "Mr Taylor arrived last week and we found him very agreeable; his manners were exceedingly good and a very smart young man he was; it was enough to persuade us to believe that nothing could make us dislike him. Indeed, he is a great gentleman; very well, Lilian, I shall tell you - on the eve of the day I wrote you the letter - that is three days ago - he came smiling and suddenly, who knows his reasons, he began talking about you. He knew far more than I had expected, but what can I say, the Holmes sisters had used to be your intimate friends before you left; alas, I heard him saying that it was a great pity that he had not come before your leaving -"
"Why is that, maman? I cannot yet explain his conduct; I already consider him excessively unpleasant for thinking himself," Lilian answered with a shocked air, "well, worthy of an intimate knowledge of myself."
"Dear, he only knew that you enjoyed reading and painting - that is all, I guess."
 "It is however true that I have never given further details to the sisters," she mumbled to herself, waiting for her mother's continuance.
"Well, he then explained how he had come to warn me upon Mr Barnes. You must know, Lilian, that Mr Barnes has a very strange past and-"
"Maman, I shall not bear you to talk of him like that. I assure you that Mr Barnes' past is if not bright, at least ordinary and flawless."
 "My dear, did you know, since you state you're fully aware of his character, that a particular young lady's father had once asked him to propose her? Mr Barnes had refused, and that poor young woman had to endure shame and disappointment."
"I can relate this incident to his sayings; that lady is surely his married cousin, Mrs Downey, and her father did not - at least in my knowledge of the matter - persuade him to marry her. Mr Barnes clearly told me that he would never marry one of his cousins."

 "You cannot be that sure; think only, Lilian, that Mr Barnes turns eight-and-twenty this year; his cousin is a little younger than him, and was she not married, I believe they would have been a great match."

 "Mother, his cousin is now married to a respectable man in Richmond; I doubt her being still attached to Mr Barnes."

 With this she ended the conversation, leaving her mother reflecting upon her own beliefs.

 Lilian was heading outside when her sister came to her; Emily was in high-spirits but the conversation turned to an unpleasant subject.

 "I hope that Mr Taylor calls on us before we leave, Lilian. You shall find him outstandingly agreeable."

 "I most sincerely doubt it. In my eyes, he should leave and never come back again."

 "How disappointingly you esteem him! You have not met him yet, I truly believe you will change your mind concerning him."

 "Nevertheless, Emily, he has quite neglected my good opinion - not a move has he done to win it. Presuming Mr Barnes' character is, well, very foolish of him. Mr Barnes has a heart of gold and such kindness is rarely encountered. Nothing shall change this."

 "When he came that day I was just exiting the room. I barely heard something of what he said, but I quite remember him saying that you should not have gone to Wharton Park."

 "What manners and well-breeding he proves to have! How can he come to us and advice mother in such a concern?!", Lilian added, clearly disturbed of his impertinence.

 "You must forgive him, dear sister; look there, Lilian, I think I can see him coming," Emily pointed as a man was approaching.

 "Mrs Holmes, it is such a delight to meet you," he said in a deep voice.

 "Mr Taylor, let me introduce my sister, Lilian."

 At this Lilian looked meaningfully at her sister, as if she was embarrassed to meet his acquaintance. "Miss Barton," he then said, bowing; her reply was almost cold and she could only hope that his 'most agreeable manners' should prove themselves just as she thought of them - incredibly affected, with no sign of true emotion, in an obvious contrast with the artless conduct of her dear Mr Barnes.

 Mr Taylor's behaviour could betray nothing of his lying, yet Lilian was determined to act like she was not pleased with his presence. No once could then understand her, for both her mother and her sister were engaged in a lively conversation with him about nothing else than - well, Miss Cassandra's presents from Mr Taylor. Forgetting to save her nerves for more important affairs, Lilian began repeating to herself, "Mr Taylor, Mr Taylor, Mr Taylor, Miss Cassandra - how pleasant, agreeable, charming and amiable they both are! Why do not they marry and set off for a living in, oh, in the farthest corner of the kingdom! Yes, this should be very pleasing for us all; no, I believe maman and Emily should be very vexed at their living. I already hear them saying, "pray, Mr Taylor, spend at least the following fortnight at Barton Hall! We shall all be excessively pleased; I wonder how I can still bear my own situation." While caught between these thoughts, an idea struck her. "Why do not excuse myself and leave this miserable view and write a letter to Mr Barnes? I have almost forgotten that he knows nothing of what happens here. Yes, this is the best way to get rid of Mr Taylor and his accomplishments."

 "Maman, I forgot to tell you that Mr Barnes had asked me to write him immediately and offer him an account of little Joseph's state. Pray excuse me -"

 And as she was rising, her mother declared, "I cannot find a reason why you would not do this later, Lilian. I am sure that Mr Taylor's accounts of his estate will intrigue you."

 "I am afraid that I have to fulfil my engagement as soon as possible. Pray excuse me."

 With this she felt a feeling of great relief - Mr Taylor was indeed far too amiable; this made him, as Lilian considered, extremely repellent. She wondered how her sister and her mother found him charming. Almost entering her chamber, her mind turned to Mr Holmes. She doubted not that he was in the same situation; being held against his own inclination by Mr Taylor, wrapped in despise towards him, disliking him every moment passed - yes, Mr Holmes surely would agree with her. He was found strolling around the house with little Joseph thinking deeply upon something that Lilian was eager to know.

 "Mr Holmes, I assumed you were walking outside, for the weather is just fine for it; but," adding a little humour and sarcasm to her tone, "I cannot quite understand why you are not inside, deeply engaged in conversation with the most charming Mr Taylor."

 Catching the true sense of her remark, he replied joyously, "Well, Miss Barton, it is of little importance. Mr Taylor would rather converse with a dozen of ladies than with a single gentleman. He is by no means one of the sportsmen I hold so dear. He talks nothing but books, ladies wear, furniture and tea sorts. I wonder how he is so successful at charming young women."

 "Mr Holmes, I have always found a true friend in you! You cannot possibly understand the pleasure you cause me by saying this. I have dreaded this man since the first time your sister Cassandra spoke of him. Such an unpleasant man! If only he had read the specific kind of poetry I like, that would have made a tolerable subject. But in this state, I cannot quite determine whether to go back to Wharton Park or run away from home."

 "I have always considered you a more suitable wife for me than your sister," and seeing her change of colour continued, "do not be surprised, Miss Lilian; you know that I constantly say outrageous things and I cannot be cured. How is our mutual friend, Mr Barnes?"

 "He could not be better, although I left quite in a hurry and left him and his cousin in wonder. I was just heading to my chamber when I remembered that you were here too. How is little Joseph?"

 "Far too healthy for the doctors' diagnostics; I believe he has never been ill at all, but what is it compared to an affectionate grandmother and a teasing mother like Emily?"

 "Quite true, Mr Holmes. Well, I shall leave you for I need to write the letter to our friends," and saying this, she left.