Chetwynd Calverley

“ Walter Liddel—or rather I ought to say Mr. Chetwynd Calverley!” she exclaimed, very nearly letting the candle drop in her surprise. “Who would have thought of seeing you here to-night, sir?”
“I've just come to town, Mrs. Hartley,” he replied, “and I couldn't help calling to inquire how you all are. How is your worthy husband?—and how is Rose?”
“Both are well, sir,” she replied, in a tone that did not sound very cheerful, “But pray come in, sir,” she added, leading him to the little parlour, with which he was so familiar. ”

“ I am weary of life; sick of the hollowness, the ingratitude, the perfidy of the world! Timon of Athens did not hate mankind more bitterly than I do. I would consent to live if I felt certain of revenge on some of those who have wronged me; but on no other condition. This is not likely to happen; so it is best I should go!”
“Alas, poor Chetwynd!” exclaimed Mildred. “His fancied wrongs have driven him to the verge of madness!”
“He seems extraordinarily sensitive, and to feel most acutely the slights shown him by his ungrateful associates,” said Emmeline. ”

“ There is but one person I could choose, and he is not very far off.”
“Chetwynd?” cried Mrs. Calverley.
“Yes.”
“And you have accepted him?”
Again the answer was in the affirmative. “He is indeed most fortunate?” exclaimed Mrs. Calverley. “One question more and I have done.”
“I know what you would ask,” replied Emmeline. “Mamma has given her consent. But the marriage will not take place for some months.”
“Oh, how delighted I am!” cried Mrs. Calverley, with difficulty refraining from embracing her.
At this juncture Chetwynd arose. ”

“ Calverley looked aghast, and as if ready to drop.
“I did not understand he had destroyed himself,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “When did this sad event occur? Can you give me any particulars?”
“I can only state that he contemplated suicide,” replied Mildred. “This letter is a last farewell to me.”
“Ah! then we need not despair of beholding him again,” said Sir Bridgnorth, with a sensation of relief. “Many a man, now alive, has threatened to put an end to his existence. I hope it may turn out to be so in Chetwynd's case.”
“I sincerely hope so!” said Mrs. Calverley. ”

“ Calverley, who said, in a kindly tone:
“I hope you mean to make Ouselcroft your home, Chetwynd?”
“I shall be delighted to do so, since you are kind enough to ask me, madam,” he replied. “I shall not give you much trouble, for I propose to live very quietly.”
“Don't mistake me,” she rejoined. “The house will be as much your own as during your father's lifetime. Come and go as you please. Your friends will always be welcome. In a word, do just as you like, and don't imagine I shall be any restraint upon you.” ”

“ Calverley soon learnt what had happened from Mildred; but, feeling sure he could set matters right, he sent for his son, and insisted on his marrying Miss Mildmay, on pain of his severest displeasure.
Chetwynd refused point blank.
“You won't?” cried the old gentleman, ready to explode.
“I have already given you an answer, sir,” rejoined his son. “I adhere to my determination! Pray don't put yourself in a passion. It won't have any effect upon me!”
“Very well,” said Mr. Calverley, with difficulty controlling his rage. “Since you decline to fulfil your engagement, I'll marry her myself!” ”

“ Chetwynd Calverley. Who is he?”
“The son of a rich gentleman who lived at Ouselcroft, in Cheshire. He was ruined on the turf, and disinherited by his father, and his stepmother has got the entire property. These circumstances happened about a year ago, and were the talk of the county at the time, so perhaps you may have heard of them.”
“No; they're news to me,” replied Tankard. “I never was in Cheshire—never heard of Ouselcroft, or the Calverleys. But the case is not very extraordinary. We do hear occasionally of youngsters getting ruined on the turf, and being disinherited in consequence. ”

“ Chetwynd's sister, miss? Well, I don't see any great resemblance.”
“I never was considered very much like my brother,” observed Mildred, smiling.
“Ah, you might be proud of resembling him, miss; for he's a very fine young gentleman. Don't you agree with me, miss?” she added, turning to Emmeline.
“Yes; he is generally considered very good-looking,” replied the young lady, slightly blushing—a circumstance that Mrs. Hartley did not fail to remark, “Whoever gets Mr. Chetwynd for a husband will do well,” she said. ”

“ No one is in the dining-room. Please to go in there. I want to have a few words with you—to reason with you.”
And he tried to draw him towards the room in question; but Chetwynd resisted.
“Reason with me!” he exclaimed. “I know what you'll say, Norris. You'll advise me to make it up with my father, and bow the knee to my stepmother; but I'll die rather!”
“Mr. Chetwynd, it's a chance if your father is alive to-morrow morning. Think of that, and what your feelings will be when he's gone. You'll reproach yourself then, sir, for I know you've a good heart. ”

“ And he moved to a little distance with Rose.
“What would you with me, dearest sister?” asked Chetwynd, “Any injunctions you may give me shall be strictly fulfilled.”
“I wish to see Mrs. Calverley,” she said.
“Better not,” he replied.
“I think so, too,” added Emmeline. “Her presence will only disturb you.”
“I must see her before I die,” said Mildred. “Bring her to me, if you can. She is in her own room.”
Chetwynd made no further remonstrance, but proceeding to Mrs. Calverley's chamber, which was on the same floor, and at no great distance, tapped at the dressing-room door. ”

“ Chetwynd Calverley has behaved in the most honourable manner, and has concealed nothing from me. I will also tell my proud cousin, and he may make what use he pleases of the information, that I have engaged myself to as good a gentleman as himself, and that nothing that he or any one else can say will induce me to break my promise. ”

“ But it never does to be dependent upon an imperious woman like Mrs. Calverley. So he is quite right, in my opinion, to beat a retreat while there is yet time.”
Lady Thicknesse seemed to take a different view of the matter.
“Pm sorry he has thrown away such a chance,” she remarked. “Has she a large income?”
“Four or five thousand a year, Charley tells me. Old Calverley was very rich, as you must be aware, and she has got all his money.”
“Not all, surely? Chetwynd and Mildred must have some of it.” ”

“ By-the-by, Charles has been very much in love with Miss Calverley; but, I believe, all that is at an end.”
“And Chetwynd Calverley is not a suitor to Miss Barfleur?” asked Lord Courland.
“That would never be heard of for a moment,” rejoined Scrope. “He has run through all his property; and, as far as I can understand, is entirely dependent upon his step-mother.”
“He may desire to repair his fallen fortunes.”
“He won't repair them by a marriage with Miss Barfleur,” said Scrope, in a decided tone. “But see! they are evidently going away. Shall we join them?” ”

“ You have great personal advantages, Liddel, and they count for much in a footman. I will say this for you, and you may take it as a high compliment, I have never before seen our livery look so well.”
“I am much gratified,” replied Walter, again bowing.
“A single question, and I have done,” said Higgins. “Do you happen to know Sir Bridgnorth Charlton?”
“I am aware there is such a person,” replied Walter, rather embarrassed.
“I've also a question to ask you, Liddel,” remarked Tankard. “Did you ever hear of Mr. Chetwynd Calverley?” ”

“ I am also permitted to mention a circumstance that will prevent any discussion on the subject.”
“You are not about to tell me she is engaged, I hope, Sir Bridgnorth?” said her ladyship, manifesting fresh alarm.
“Such is the fact,” he replied, quietly. “It is desirable you should know the truth.”
“It is proper I should know the whole truth, Sir Bridgnorth,” she rejoined. “To whom is my niece engaged? Speak frankly.”
“To Chetwynd Calverley,” he replied without hesitation.
Lady Thicknesse did not seem much surprised, for she expected the answer ”

“ Intoxicated by the power and wealth I had acquired, I contrived to stifle remorse. I kept Mildred constantly with me. Her presence seemed to shield me, and I sought to make some amends by befriending Chetwynd.
“But vengeance was pursuing me, though with slow feet. My punishment was accomplished in an unforeseen manner. Hitherto my heart had never known love, and I thought myself proof against the tender passion. But it was not so. I met Lord Courland at the house of Lady Thicknesse in London, and he at once won my affections and offered me his hand. ”

“ Mildred could scarcely repress a cry.
“I thought as much,” said Mrs. Calverley. “Your fair inconstant was the beautiful Annabella Chetwynd, my husband's first wife.”
“Exactly so,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “I never beheld her since her marriage,” he added, to Mildred. “No wonder, therefore, your appearance produced such an effect upon me. For a moment I thought she had come to life again. I shall always take an interest in you, and shall always be delighted to serve you. Since I cannot be your husband, you must allow me to be a friend.” ”

“ To whom do you suppose she is attached?—to Chetwynd?”
“No; it is only surmise on my part. But still I think I am right.”
“If she won't accept Lord Courland, it will be monstrously provoking after all my trouble. He has met her every day for nearly a fortnight, and the affair has not advanced a single step. She seems to like his society, but nothing more, and he appears just as much pleased with Mildred as he is with her.”
“Have you tried to bring him to the point? Have you spoken to him?”
“No; my nephew, Scrope Danvers, is strangely averse to such a course.” ”

“ At this instant Chetwynd and Mildred returned from the further end of the garden, and joined the party on the lawn.
Captain Danvers thought Mildred's manner colder to him than it had been before, but he soon received an explanation of the change from Chetwynd, who took him aside and said:
“I have had some conversation about you with my sister, and have ascertained her sentiments. It will be useless to propose to her. You will be refused.” ”

“ Calverley. “But it is rather unlucky that Mildred should have been taken ill this morning, and Rose is obliged to be in attendance upon her.”
“She is not seriously ill, I trust?” inquired Chetwynd, anxiously.
“No; and Emmeline can stay with her, while Rose leaves her for a time,” said Mrs. Calverley.
“Nothing more will be needful,” said Chetwynd.
Then turning to Netterville, and pointing to the writing materials on the table, he added, “Sit down and prepare a note to Rose, and I will send it off a once by a groom to Brackley, together with another letter from myself.” ”

“ It may be no easy task to change one's nature, to curb a hasty temper, and check a propensity to folly and extravagance; but I have promised to do it, and I will keep my word at any cost.”
“I am sure you will,” said Emmeline, “and the cost will be far less than you expect.”
“But you must begin to reform at once,” said Mildred.
“I have already begun,” said Chetwynd. “Had I not done so, I should not be here. This is my first step, and it will lead to all the rest.”
“But why should coming here be part of your probation?” asked Emmeline. ”

“ Come to me at Charlton.”
“I cannot promise to visit you immediately, Sir Bridgnorth,” replied the young man.
“Why not?” inquired Mildred.
“Do not ask me to explain,” he rejoined. “I am scarcely my own master, and where I to make a promise, I might not be able to fulfil it. I must now begone.”
“Stay!” cried Sir Bridgnorth; “can I not bring about a reconciliation between you and Mrs. Calveriey? I think I could accomplish it, if you will consent to some arrangement.”
“Never,” replied Chetwynd. “And I beg that my visit and its object may not be mentioned to her.” ”

“ I suppose he wants to see whether the place will suit him?”
“Being engaged, he must take it whether it suits him or not,” observed Laura.
“Ah, you are a wit, Miss Laura!” said the butler. “Well, the description you give of Lord Courland is satisfactory. But I shall be sorry to see my old master's property pass into other hands. Have you any idea what Mr. Chetwynd thinks of the match?”
“Not the slightest,” replied Laura; “except that I feel certain it can't be satisfactory to him or his sister.”
“Impossible—quite impossible!” cried Norris. ”

“ She is a very clever woman, and can take care of herself. I should not have thought her capable of making such a sacrifice as this for any man. But she seems to be really in love with Lord Courland; or, perhaps, she is resolved at whatever cost to make an important match. At any rate, her scheme must not be thwarted.”
“Not unless it should turn out to be mischievous,” observed Chetwynd.
“It cannot be mischievous to Mildred,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “Lord Courland, probably, will be disappointed when he finds the property pass away from him; but that will be the worst that can happen. ”

“ Emmeline looked blooming and full of spirits, but Mildred complained of slight indisposition, and, in fact, did not seem very well.
Mrs. Calverley noticed these symptoms with secret satisfaction. They favoured her dark design.
“You seem rather poorly this morning, my love,” she said.
“I am a little out of sorts,” replied Mildred. “I think I caught cold on the journey. But I shall soon be better.”
“Better when a certain person arrives,” whispered Emmeline. “Well, he will be here this evening, or to-morrow at latest. Don't fall ill before he comes!” ”