CHAPTER XLV.
The scene of courtship and union we have described was broken in upon by farmers and their sons, eager to pay their homage to a landlord they honoured, to talk over the situation of their crops, protest against the weather, which never does right, sue for favours, deplore difficulties, and trust that the next possessor would be just like the last. Some brought their rents, others only the arrears of rent, and asked more time; and at Sir Edward's request, Georgiana made minutes of all that passed, writing receipts for the baronet to sign, and memoranda on which he meant to take counsel with his heir, or his neighbour. When Georgiana perceived that he was fatigued, she gave prompt orders that no more should be admitted that day, and having persuaded him to take some light refreshment, and lie down on the sofa, she arranged his cushions, and left him to repose, with a heart so full of joy, she thought it scarcely possible that she could be more happy.
"I have finished for Sir Edward, can I do any thing for you, ma'am?" said she to the Countess, who was apparently busy with her pen.
"Not to-day; I have been writing myself, in answer to a distressing letter, which you shall know more of in time; but pray ask me no questions, for I cannot bear to damp your uncle's happiness."
As Georgiana left the library, she met Lord Rotheles, who praised her for having sent away Sir Edward's visitors till the morrow. "You have been a good secretary, I doubt not, and it appears to me that you have taken a retaining fee. I am sure your mamma never gave you that ring, and, what is more, she will not allow you to keep it; it was Sir Edward’s gift."
"It was, my lord, and given in a very solemn manner; he said it bound him to me for life."
"I hope it binds you to him and his, much longer than we can hope to keep him below; but it is a family jewel of especial value, wear it here constantly, for I hold it as a great compliment; but when you go to London, get Louisa or your good neighbour to keep it for you; mind my words."
Three succeeding days showed Georgiana in the same amiable point of view to the baronet; and Lord Meersbrook declared he was positively jealous of her, and should report her to his aunt; nevertheless, he contrived to get a ride with her every morning, when he constantly inquired if she had any letters from Mrs. Penrhyn or Miss Helen, to which a shake of the head was the only reply, on which both parties would observe, "it was strange," but they did not the less make them the subject of conversation, except when Arthur and his letters were the theme. Georgiana had blushed so terribly when his brother was named, that Meersbrook had in pure pity forborne to speak of him in the house, but he found he could do it when on horseback, and that she obtained the power of reply, which was, probably, a consequence of her belief that he was not looking at her; at all events, she drank in with eager ear, and admiring mind, anecdote and history of all those excellent traits of disposition, and nobleness of conduct, which made him the idol of his describer, and gave her a knowledge of his temper and character, and the manner in which his boyhood and youth had passed, which she could never have gained by any other medium, and which it was unquestionably right she should know. Previously, she had felt as if she had tied herself irrevocably to one she could love, but of whom, in point of fact, she knew much too little, and often contrasted herself with Isabella, who loved Mr. Glentworth for his goodness; but now, her esteem justified her to herself, and permitted her to revel unreproved, in the entire devotedness of her innocent affections.
Sir Edward could not help feeling extremely gratified by the considerate courteousness of Lord and Lady Rotheles, who assembled round him the small party that amused without fatiguing him, and whose regard for his person, or respect for his high character, was grateful to his feelings; for age, conscious of its declining power to captivate or command, rejoices in that silent homage which is tendered freely; he always retired very early, taking the arm of his grandson to his chamber door, when he was consigned to his servant, and the young nobleman dismissed with a fervent blessing. Often were the bright eyes of him who returned to join the quadrille Georgiana was arranging, or take part in a duet, suffused with the drops that would, perforce, arise, on remembering that that pale, sweet countenance must soon cease to smile upon him, and that faltering voice to pray that God would bless him.
On the last evening of their stay, a gentleman urged his two daughters to return at an hour so very early, and they were evidently so unwilling to go, that Lord Rotheles expostulated, saying, "the moon was near the full, the road excellent, and the distance nothing, and he surely might allow the young people one more dance."
"Well, my lord, they shall have it; but, as I must leave home at four, you will allow it is right I should he there by twelve. I have had the misfortune to have a letter delayed two days, being only given to me on my road hither, and I must therefore catch the mail, which you know passes my lodge at four, in order to obviate the inconveniences which may arise from apparent inattention to a dear, perhaps a dying friend. I said nothing to the girls, for I don't like to trouble young people more than I can help."
Lord Rotheles allowed it was a very sufficient cause for returning soon, and reprobated all delays of letters, though he confessed to being a very idle correspondent; but his lady became exceedingly agitated, saying, "she must plead guilty to having kept back information of a very painful nature, ever since the arrival of Sir Edward Hales, because she could not bear to damp her dear lord's pleasure in the society of his venerable guest."
"What can you possibly mean?—have you letters from Italy?"
"No; but letters from an Italian gentleman, telling me Lady Anne is very ill, at Brighton; and, to-day, a short one from Mrs. Penrhyn, saying, 'her fever is somewhat abated, and they hope for a considerable change to-morrow;' so that, I trust, by this time danger is over."
"In that case, you have saved me from a great deal, and I ought to thank you; but, give me the letters; I must judge for myself—perhaps I, too, may have to travel in haste."
"No, Rotheles! not for the world would I hear of it—the complaint is infectious, which was an additional reason for withholding the information."
Lord Rotheles retired—this neighbour and others went home—and the Countess, after an assurance to Georgiana that her letter of that morning was favourable, proceeded to say, "that her mother had been taken very ill the day after the fancy fair, and that both her sisters had gone down from London, and were then with her."
The poor girl was exceedingly struck and grieved. She felt as if the happiness she had experienced in the late week had been a positive sin, and she could never sufficiently blame herself for not having inquired concerning the painful news to which Lady Rotheles had alluded—"she ought to have known it belonged to some one in her own family, as being her uncle's only near relations; she ought to have remembered that mamma had fainted, which she never did before"—and she inquired eagerly of Lord Meersbrook, "if he had seen any thing particular in Lady Anne's looks, the evening he passed in her company?"
"There is no company in a great crowd," said he, in reply. "I believe I spoke to Lady Anne only once en passant; and merely remember that she was splendidly dressed, and I thought herself and her companion, Count Riccardini, the handsomest people in the room. I came away early, but think she went away before me—at six, next morning, I set out for Kent."
"Who is this Riccardini?" said Lord Rotheles, who had returned into the room whilst Lord Meersbrook was speaking.
"I understood him to be the brother-in-law of Lady Anne Granard, and the particular friend of her son-in-law, Mr. Glentworth. He only arrived the first day of the fancy fair, but he made an impression that might be considered universal, and Lady Anne seemed to rejoice exceedingly in his arrival."
"It can be no other than poor Manuello, who married Margaret Granard; he was known to be a man of family, and Granard was always attached to him; but my sister resented the marriage excessively, forbidding even the names of the parties to be mentioned in her presence—did you, Georgiana, ever hear of them?"
"Only from Isabella, who calls him her uncle Riccardini, and says, he is the kindest and best of friends, and, having no relations of his own, adopts my fathers family as such—she says his seat, Castello Riccardini, is one of the most beautiful places in the kingdom of Naples, but he prefers England to his own country."
When the first letter arrived respecting Lady Anne's illness, the Countess firmly believed it to be a feint to move her brother's compassion and get money out of him for the expences she must have incurred at Brighton; not doubting that, as her fainting from the heat had been mentioned in the papers, it formed a good groundwork for the getting up a little domestic interlude of the pathetic kind, likely to affect her lord. She had, therefore, great pleasure, in the first instance, in the power of defeating it; but, on re-reading the letter, and finding the sufferer's daughters were there, she addressed a very kind letter to Mrs. Penrhyn, intreating to hear every day, and lamenting the distance between them. The second letter received was from the Count, who thereby showed he thought it necessary they should hear; and the one which followed distinctly proved the patient in great danger, though it spoke of a promising turn being expected. The Countess had begun to find herself much puzzled how to proceed when this denouément took place; for she well knew that, however angry Lord Rotheles might be with his sister, that her danger and suffering would alike banish anger and restore affection.
"Situated as we are," said Lord Rotheles, "with our venerable guest, I think, my dear Meersbrook, it will be better that not a single word be said of this trouble in the hearing of Sir Edward, but, when you have set out, Georgiana and I will set out also; we shall have received a letter most probably in the mean time, which may be a great comfort. You must not cry thus, my good girl, but try to sleep, that you may be able to travel."
The plan Lord Rotheles suggested was evidently good, and his advice was equally so; but that which he gave he could not take, for he pressed a sleepless pillow. As Georgiana causelessly blamed herself for being happy when her mamma was suffering, so did he (with as little cause) condemn himself for allowing one unkind word to have escaped him towards his widowed sister. It was his only consolation that Christmas was not yet come, that his threatened reduction of income had not taken place, that it was still in his power to render her mind easy, and he had full reliance on the unceasing attentions of her daughters:—"but would they procure the best medical help? would they have an experienced nurse? if they relied on themselves, she might be lost, for their love could not supply skill."
The turmoil of thought continued for several hours, throwing him back on many a heart-rending scene of death and sorrow—of remorse, penitence, and tenderness, producing bitter grief, and burning fever, which towards morning resolved itself into an attack of gout so violent, that every one was aroused save the aged visitant, and fears for the distant merged in alarm for the present sufferer.
Medical aid was speedily procured, and one who well understood the constitution of the earl took up his abode in the sick chamber, anxious to fix the invading enemy in the limbs, which was now threatening the stomach. In the general confusion, no one thought of the letters, save Georgiana, who dearly loved her uncle, and was tremblingly alive to his situation, but at the same time extremely anxious on her mother's account. She was not disappointed; a short letter from Helen informed her that the doctor said the dangerous part of her mamma's disorder was, assuredly, subsiding, but that her pain seemed to increase, or at least she complained of it more. She mentioned having an excellent nurse, and two medical men of the highest reputation.
When the cessation of severe suffering allowed this letter to be read to Lord Rotheles, it evidently relieved his mind exceedingly, and the same influence which had placed him on the rack contributed to save him from the danger threatened by driving the gout to his foot, but there it became stationary, and Georgiana, as the kindest of nurses with the lightest of hands, became not less so.
The following day the visiters set out, which they could not whilst the Earl was placed in such an alarming position. Lord Meersbrook promised Georgiana that as soon as he was able he would go to Brighton, and endeavour to be of use to her sisters, for which she warmly thanked him, but added especial entreaties, that "his highest cares, his unceasing attention, should be paid to that 'beloved angel' of a man, Sir Edward."
"You are so nervous and excited, Georgiana, that I dare not allow you to bid my grandfather farewell, on the point of what is to him a long journey; it would not do to move his feelings; I know he could not bear your tears. Indeed, you must grow firmer, or you will never do for a sailor's wife."
"I cannot wonder that you are afraid of me; but, indeed, I will be very good; only let me look at him once more, and hear his voice."
"Well, then, come to us at the very last, when he is in the carriage. I will let you know the proper moment."
And thankfully did Georgiana embrace it; controlling her feelings, and springing into the carriage, she gave and received an embrace truly paternal, but a kind and brotherly hand hurried her out, and, before it seemed possible, she found herself alone—half her world seemed taken from her, and the remainder to be full of trouble and terror; but she remembered Lord Meersbrook's words, she felt the necessity of exerting herself, and was perfectly aware that her lot was light in comparison of what her sisters' must be, as attendants on her mother.
"It is well," said she, "that Louisa is there, but her babe is with her, and she can be little with mamma; but you, dear patient gentle Helen, you must do every thing, for the nurse will seldom be allowed to touch her. Poor mamma! I would do any thing in the world to help you, and to save Helen at the same time. I am thankful that dear Mary is in Italy, for all this trouble would kill her; none of them have so much to comfort their hearts with as I—at least, not the unmarried ones. I will do my very, very best."
Georgiana kissed her ring, and flew to the bedside of her uncle.
And there for nearly a month did she "rock the cradle" of disease, by a thousand gentle attentions, preventing the unexpressed wish by accomplishing its object, diverting the fears which anticipated pain, and on its arrival soothing it as best she might, and at the same time teaching her own mind lessons of fortitude and wisdom. She was not, however, the unregarded and unrewarded slave that poor Helen was, as well she knew; for, let his state be what it might, never did the Earl allow her to miss her ride in the morning, and her short walk in the garden three hours afterwards; and the Countess, thankful that she could do so much, was always ready to further every means of adding to her relief, and of restoring or preserving her strength. Gouty patients are generally acute in their senses, and possess their mental faculties in perfection; in their intervals of pain they listen with avidity to a well read book, enjoy a game of chess, and have no objection to a political argument, either read or spoken. They, therefore, cannot be well attended, i. e., satisfactorily attended, by servants alone. This was particularly the case with the Earl, who had been his whole life in the society of ladies, and required such to be about him, since to them he loved to be indebted for kindness, and was not fearful of displaying weakness. It appears to us that this disposition is inherent in the stronger sex, for all can complain to woman in their day of infirmity, and, therefore, do; otherwise, in how many respects would one of their own sex be the more efficient attendant?