SIGNS OF CHANGE.
Mr. Gray, though he had not remarked any change that was prejudicial to his daughter Mattie, was quick enough to detect the new difference in her manner. He knew then that she had not been "her old self," as Ann Packet had termed it, by the old manner which was now subst.i.tuted. She was more gentle, less distracted, kinder in her way altogether, more thoughtful of what his requirements consisted, and which was the best way to expedite them. If she smiled with an effort still, _that_ he did not remark; he felt the benefit of the change and was content with it; he knew no reason why there should be any effort in her looks.
He expected to hear all on the first day that Mattie had received good news of Sidney Hinchford; that he was quite well perhaps, and coming back to his old home for a while--coming back to settle _that_ engagement. He did not suggest the name however; he waited for suggestions. Mattie had shown that she was tenacious on that question of engagement, and far from disposed to state her ultimate intentions. He could afford to wait, knowing that all was well!
In the evening his forbearance was rewarded by Mattie speaking of Sidney. She knew that to hold that name for ever in the background was unnatural. She was anxious to keep it a well known name, and not shrink at an allusion to it, as though she feared to think of Sid, or would consign him for ever to oblivion.
"It"s almost time we heard how Sidney was, father," she said.
"Ah! it is. His cousin said that we should see him very shortly."
"It depends upon the doctor, I suppose," said Mattie; "he has promised to obey Doctor Bario implicitly."
"That"s the reason, doubtless," said Mr. Gray; "well, I shall be glad to hear from him--a long silence between friends is always unsatisfactory, and often leads to unsatisfactory results. We shall hear from him very shortly, I feel certain. That young man, his cousin, might have called--I have much to tell him about his future course in life, if he will only listen to me. I mark progress in him, and he must not falter in the narrow way."
Mattie thought that Maurice Hinchford might have called more frequently if it had not been for the good advice that lay in wait for him, but she did not tell her father so. Her father meant well, and she seldom attacked his "best intentions." He was a man who had done much good--chiefly in a darker sphere than his own, where hard words are wanted for hard hearts--and she respected his opinions. She had not understood him very quickly--such men are always hard to understand--but she knew his genuineness, and it was not difficult to love him.
"What should I have done without him in this strait?" she often thought; and for his presence there--showing that there was some one to love, and some one who loved her--she was deeply grateful.
"Every day I expect visitors now," continued Mr. Gray, "and think it very singular that no one calls. You will be glad to see Sidney, Mattie?"
"Very glad."
That same evening a letter arrived for Mr. Gray, informing him that the elders of his chapel would be very glad to see him on the following afternoon--a letter that turned the subject of discourse for that day, and took Mr. Gray away upon the next. During his absence the first visitor arrived.
Mattie was in the shop, when Maurice Hinchford entered, walked at once to his high chair, and a.s.sumed his customary position there. Remembering what had happened since then, Mattie winced somewhat.
"Good afternoon, Miss Gray," he said, shaking hands with her. "Given up for lost, and considered the most ungrateful of human kind, I am sure?"
"No, sir."
"To tell you the truth, we have had a bother with that cousin of mine.
He"s so horribly obstinate, we don"t exactly know what to do with him."
"He"s no worse?" asked Mattie, eagerly.
"Worse!--he"s so much better that we cannot keep him quiet. We locked him up a week in the dark, and then gave him light in h.o.m.oeopathic doses--globules of light, in fact--and so brought him round to a natural state of things. He is told to be cautious, and we catch him writing a letter to you, and we foil the attempt, and get sauced at for our pains.
Then he wants to come back here directly, on business, he says; and we take him _nolens volens_ to Red-Hill, and lock him up in our rooms there, with my sisters to see after him during our absence, and at length he is pacified a bit, and resigned to country air."
"Have you come at his request, sir?" asked Mattie.
"Yes. I promised faithfully to call to-day, and a.s.sure you that he is nearly well, and will shortly surprise you by a visit. He is very, very anxious to see old friends. That"s my commission; and now, Miss Gray, about this conspiracy of ours--will it succeed?"
Mattie drew a long breath, and then prepared herself. She knew where his interest lay, and how unconscious he was whither her thoughts had drifted once, but she was prepared to meet all now. It was for every one"s content, save hers. Only herself shut out from the general rejoicing in the cold ante-room wherein no warmth could steal!
"It will succeed, I think--I hope."
"Yes, but how are we to begin?"
"Harriet Wesden and Sidney must meet and explain all that they have thought concerning each other--that"s all."
"Ah! that"s all! Quite enough, considering how difficult it is to bring them together. Difficult, but not impossible, Miss Gray; we shall skim round to the proper method in due course. Harriet Wesden"s appearance roused him, did it not?"
"I think so. Has--has he ever spoken of it since?"
"A very little--he"s plaguey quiet on matters in that quarter. He was very anxious to know what he said when he saw her, what she said, and you said; and after he had got all that _he_ wanted, you might as well have tried to elicit confidence from an oyster. I try every day to bring the topic round, but he dances away from it, or curtly tells me to shut up. And now, may I ask a question?"
"If you will," said Mattie, a little nervously.
"What does Miss Wesden think?--you have seen her very frequently since the meeting at Doctor Bario"s?"
"On the contrary, I have not seen her at all."
"Miss Gray! Miss Gray!" he said, reproachfully, "you are not working heart and soul with me! Here are two human beings who love each other, and will never be happy without each other, and we are letting time go by and harden them."
"I thought that Miss Wesden would have called here, and that we might have proceeded on _our_ plan with less formality. But if she do not come shortly, I must visit her."
"Thank you--just sound her, if you can. She"s a girl that will not be ashamed to own what impression the meeting with Sidney has made upon her; and after that, we"ll set to work in earnest."
"I will write to her this evening, asking her to spend an hour with me."
"Ah! that"s a good plan--looks better than calling. Now I will just tell you how we might manage to bring Sidney and her together--you"re not busy?"
"No."
"Nor I. I have given myself the whole day to mature this plan, and if you consider it feasible, why we will carry it out, and chance the _denouement_."
He tilted his chair on to its front legs, and leaned across the counter to more closely impress Mattie with his logic; at the same instant the door opened, and Mr. Gray entered and gave him good day.
"Pleased to see you, Mr. Hinchford; you bring good news, I hope, of my absent partner?"
"The best of news, sir," answered Maurice; "your daughter will tell you how well he is progressing, and whither we have taken him. You are at home for the day, I suppose, sir?"
"Yes--will you step into the parlour, and take a quiet cup of tea with us. We shall be proud of your company, and I shall be glad to have a little talk with you afterwards."
"Thank you, I have not dined yet, and--and I am very much pressed for time to-day, or nothing would have given me greater pleasure. Some other time, I hope, I shall be more fortunate. Please excuse this hasty visit, but business must be attended to--good-bye, sir--good-bye, Miss Gray--how late it is, to be sure!"
And backing and bowing politely, Maurice Hinchford reached the shop-door, darted through it, and dashed away from his tormentor.
"That young man is always in a terrible hurry," said Mr. Gray; "a good man of business, with a knowledge of the value of time, I daresay. Still he should not give up serious thoughts for thoughts of money-making entirely. I hope to find him more at his leisure shortly."
But Mr. Gray never did. Maurice Hinchford reformed, but it was after his own method, not Mr. Gray"s; and being a fair repentance, we need not cavil at it. He was ever truly sorry for that past, and all the wrong that he had done in it; he sobered down, fell in love once more, and in "real earnest;" married well, and made the best of husbands and fathers.
The reader, who will meet with him no more on this little stage, whereon our characters are preparing to make their final bows, will I trust be glad to hear of Maurice Hinchford"s better life, and to forgive him all his past iniquities. He has been the villain of our story; bad enough for real life, but in these latter days scarcely villain enough for the pages of a novel. Let us take him for what he is worth, and so dismiss him from our pages.
Father and daughter went into the parlour.
"Now let us hear all about Sidney," Mr. Gray said in the first place.