Chapter 20

As Lilian laid the words on the paper, her mind was somehow distracted from it; it was clearly a mistake that she was at home. Hitherto her education had not let her wish to be anywhere else; yet now, reviewing her state, she wished she had never left Wharton Park and its inhabitant. "There is nothing to change, I am afraid;" this thought haunted her as she wrote the account of the passed events, not forgetting to mention how unwelcome Mr Taylor was in her eyes.

I hope I did not cause you too much distress; I am rather useless at home, and would rather spend the rest of my whole life travelling than knowing that at home there are strangers that might bring me vexation.

 This was her last phrase; she sealed the letter and then wondered what she could possibly do. Taylor's presence in her home forbade her to perform anything usual. The pianoforte was placed in the sitting-room where he was seated; her drawings were somewhere there as well; she left her books when she arrived in the library, which could only be entered by passing the sitting-room. The single distraction appeared to be walking, yet she was not eager enough to head outdoors. 

 And then she remembered her friend, Mrs Ford. 

 Dear Mrs Ford, Lilian began therefore, sinking in her thoughts.

 That evening and the following days passed however without her knowing, and overhearing a conversation between Miss Cassandra and Emily some time later, there appeared a reason for Lilian to be joyous again. She was just entering the sitting-room to get a book she had left in the library when Cassandra's exclamation was heard.

 "Did you know," she began her account, "that Mr Taylor is to leave by Saturday? I was so convinced that he would stay with us at least a month! Now that he has to leave, I cannot see how I will bear to be without his dear, dear company."

 "You must not be alarmed, for Mr Barnes is to come next week to take his place; he announced Joseph in a letter that he was determined to call on us. I wonder if Lilian knows," Emily added.

 Although Lilian was positively surprised at the leaving of the one and the coming of the other, she was however struck by Emily's easiness at saying simply 'that Mr Barnes is to come, but I doubt Lilian's knowledge of it.' It was clearly a vexing trouble to Lilian, but as she heard her sister continue in a good-humoured manner that she thought Mr Barnes had considered one letter to be enough to cause happiness to the party, Lilian's spirits rejoiced.

 Mr Barnes was indeed expected at Barton Hall by almost every soul that walked its floor. The two exceptions were surprisingly very varying in reasons. The first being little Joseph, whose acquaintance of Mr Barnes could hardly be called real, and - being very unexpectedly eager to seek his absence - Mr Taylor, who gave but little signs of despise towards the approaching guest. Lilian's sharp eye noticed though a change of colour on his complexion when hearing of his coming and became then sure that the arrival of the latter should bring her as much happiness as it brought misery to the 'dear, astonishing Mr Taylor.'

"Mr Barnes!, you are here at last!," Lady Elizabeth cried when seeing him at Barton Hall. "We all have been looking forward to welcoming you, and I assure you," she then approached in a whisper, "that my eldest daughter has longed to see you most; never have I seen her so low-spirited, you must be her only salvation. Mr Taylor is a great companion, but apparently it has not made Lilian very lively." Then turning and seeing her daughter blush, she said in a calm tone, "Lilian, look who has arrived!"

 "Miss Barton," he then said, "our last meeting ended rather unpleasantly; my cousin and I were very puzzled, but after receiving your letter I realized how amusing this affair actually was."

 "How is your cousin?", she added, seeing that her mother would not go and leave them.

 "She is well, I guess; after your leaving she departed as well." Then, at noticing that Lady Elizabeth had left, he added, "You must have observed that I cannot stay too long by myself."

 "I have not, I am afraid; but now that you have mentioned it, I shall never doubt it."

 The encounter had been too pleasant to Mr Barnes, therefore it had to be somehow spoiled; he found no pleasure in meeting Mr Taylor, though he expressed in a cold manner a great delight to meet him again. They were both seated and the party therefore consisted of Lady Elizabeth, Sir William, Mr and Mrs Holmes, the Holmes sisters, Mr Taylor, Lilian and Mr Barnes. The awkward silence had lasted for some time until Emily, in her great spirits as usual, considered Mr Taylor to be very quiet and asked him whether it was because of the size of the party.

 "I am not sure, Mrs Holmes. I was quite enjoying my time here when the respectable Mr Barnes came in." Mr Barnes, smiling significantly at Lilian, replied in spite of the utter amazement of the others:

 "Be a gentleman, Taylor; you cannot be that vexed at my coming. I forgot long ago how pleasing your manners are, and that is perhaps why I came; do not disappoint me."

 "How chosen your words are," the other replied, a strange anger appearing in his eye, "I assume you had them prepared for our meeting."

 The conversation proved itself to be unpleasant for the rest of the party, and that is why Emily suddenly stated, "I do not know how we can all stay indoors when the weather promises well; you must all join me, I beg!" Then, looking at her husband, she added, "You must, indeed." Therefore, the party rose; Lilian remained one of the last to leave the house, for she wished to walk by Mr Barnes' side and ask him for an explanation.

 Seeing this in her eyes, he lengthened the silence no longer by saying, "Miss Barton, I apologize for startling you and your family. I doubt you have ever hated anyone; disliked, yes, I am sure. But hate is different and I am afraid there are no words to describe it. I can barely do it justice when saying it is incontrolable and with little chance of being cured."

 "That is what keeps you distant towards Mr Taylor?"

 "Distant?", he laughed, "it is in my opinion much more than an attitude of restrain. But why should that bother you?", and then seeing her broad smile continued, "I have noticed how great a companion he is to you. Why should I be the one to change this fantastic opinion?"

 She approached and said with a significant tone - a tone full of sarcasm and cynicism, imitating the affected voice of Mr Taylor - "indeed, Mr Barnes; you have spoiled my pleasure too many times; I cannot think of the countless times you have prevented me from enjoying my conversations with the agreeable Mr Taylor."

 This speech surprised him positively, determining him to laugh heartily while Lilian gazed into his eyes finding in them compassion and understanding.