Lord Canning

“ Lord Canning regarded his host reflectively. "You begin early to make a rough road for the girl's future husband, don't you?"
"Oh, no! Our people understand that every man is under the thumb of his wife, and is proud of it."
This assertion sounded astounding to the listener. Before, however, he could grasp its full value, he caught sight of Indiana's white dress among the pines. As he watched her coming toward them, her head making a light advancing spot among the dark trees, Stillwater's friendly warning faded from his mind as completely as though it had never been given. ”

“ Lord Canning folded his arms and gazed down into the impenetrable depths. "There was once a weaver. He wove a dull, gray woof—always the same gray woof. Sometimes, he would look up at the rich blue of the morning sky, then go on weaving his gray web. Sometimes, he would glance at the sunset, and marvel at the gorgeous hues of the clouds—but there was never a gleam of color in the web, that he wove—it was always the same, dull gray. ”

“ As they made their way to the wagon, Lord Canning read an indescribable expression on his uncle's face, which amused him greatly.
"Thurston never went on like this at the country houses we visited in England," reflected Lord Stafford, on the homeward drive. "It seems that people act differently abroad from their manner at home."
"Don't take the old road home, Indiana!" cried Mrs. Bunker as they started. "It's too long."
"The sun is sinking," observed Lord Canning, "but all we know of it here in the woods is this soft, golden haze. This is the most beautiful time to drive. ”

“ It's always cool here."
"Who is 'we'—may I ask?"
"Glen and I."
"Glen again," thought Lord Canning. "I have an absurd feeling against another having been here with her—another, who is only twenty-four and handsome as a picture—"
Indiana commenced to row.
"Going? Perhaps you are right—this is a dangerous spot."
"People are not so carried away with the Adirondacks at first," ventured Indiana. "But they grow on them after a while."
"Yes," said Lord Canning, studying her attentively. "I find a great many things grow on me in this part of the world. Why do you laugh, Miss Stillwater? ”

“ Bunker, who looked wonderfully well pleased considering her impatience.
"That is something new for you, Thurston. You always used to be quite punctilious in the matter of meals."
"Indeed, Uncle Nelson!"
"Lord Canning has lost his memory for the time being," explained Indiana. "He is just a trifle demented—by his own confession."
"Don't be alarmed, good people!" said Lord Canning, with a far-away look. "I belong to the harmless variety. Miss Stillwater, who is my keeper for the present, can testify to that."
"Oh yes, quite harmless! He has only one delusion. ”

“ It was due also to Frere that the unreasonable unpopularity of Lord Canning was greatly abated. He was able to enter into explanations on points of Lord Canning's administration impossible for Canning himself, and his genial hospitality to Europeans and natives served to break down prejudices and restore confidence in a way that no official acts or complacence could ever have done. ”

“ The evening was still and gray, the air soft and balmy, without a tinge of frost. Through the trees that fringed the trail, they caught glimpses of the glassy lake mirroring the gray floating clouds, and great masses of autumn color, with sometimes the intervening dark shadow of a group of pines.
"Men to you are like a large correspondence, which is read carelessly, 'answered' scribbled on the envelopes, then piled into pigeon holes—forgotten."
"I always throw old letters away," said Indiana, sweetly. "I never accumulate rubbish."
"Oh!" said Lord Canning. ”

“ He drank his tea with a pleasurable sense of lassitude, and, his eyes fixed on Indiana swinging in the hammock, replied rather absently to Lord Canning's questions regarding the ascent.
Lord Canning rose, closing his Tennyson. "I think I'll stroll down to the lake, Miss Stillwater, if you don't mind." He smiled at Glen, with a feeling of generosity.
Indiana looked after him thoughtfully as he strolled down through the trees.
"He's a thorough gentleman—so unobtrusive. He never asks prying questions—and he's never in the way." ”

“ You don't know how long you are going to live."
"Mrs. Bunker, one never knows what you are going to say next."
"The lake has a ruby necklace," remarked Lord Canning, looking up from his note-book, in which he had been writing while Indiana rested in the hammock. The deep red coloring of the bank mirrored along the shore as far as one could see. "Ah, there is Mr. Masters going out in a canoe!" He watched Glen's well-knit figure as he paddled with swift, unerring strokes, clearing a perfectly straight line down the centre of the lake. "A very fine specimen of young manhood," he thought. ”

“ Coming out of the darkness and the wind, into the brilliant hall, he was a little dazzled, and for the moment was at a loss for something to say to Indiana. He stared at the brilliant little figure standing near the fire, the flames reflecting red lights from her dress on her laughing face and her yellow hair, with the Persian rug for a background. "An Arabian night's vision," he thought.
"It's a tedious trip," said Indiana. "You must be starved to death."
"I am so interested in my surroundings, that I can plead no sense of fatigue," answered Lord Canning. ”

“ Bunker. Under certain circumstances, I might consider it advisable to prolong my trip. And I must say the prospect of remaining in America is delightful to me—most delightful."
"The fact is, Lord Canning," continued Stillwater, "we spoil our children. We know it, but we can't help it. The girls, mind you—the boys are easy enough thrown on the world—but the girls," he smiled fondly, "the pretty, little, delicate girls—how can you help spoiling them? You should have seen Indy—" Lord Canning's face assumed an expression of deep interest. "A doll—you could have put her in a quart pitcher. ”

“ Lady Canning turned, with an expression of smiling satisfaction.
"In my time, dear, as soon as a girl married, she wore a bonnet with strings. That's always the sign of a matron in England. You know there must be something to distinguish the married from the single woman."
"Yes, certainly, I approve of it," said Indiana. "Then there can be no fear of any mistakes being made by strangers." She heaved a deep sigh of conscious virtue. Lord Stafford dropped his monocle and fell into a chair, laughing unrestrainedly. ”

“ Bunker, in a soothing voice. Men, to her, were like big children—to be humored.
They had moved gradually toward the fire. "These logs," continued Lord Canning, "are a magnet towards which my eyes have been drawn every night since I came. If you knew what I see in them—such a sweet domestic picture, a vision of true happiness!"
"Well, don't depend too much on Indiana's domesticity," said Mrs. Bunker.
"We generally gauge a daughter by her mother, in England," stated Lord Canning.
"Well, it's different over here. The young generation are so precocious—so far ahead of the mothers." ”

“ I'm rarely left alone with her long enough for a proper interchange of ideas. There are always so many plans and excursions on foot."
"By George, you're off with her all the time, somewhere!"
"Not for long," said Lord Canning, gloomily. "Before one is aware, it's lunch or dinner—meals are so interfering! What's that?" Lord Stafford peered out of the window. They were sitting in his room, which was flooded with moonlight.
"It's that Masters fellow. He's playing his mandolin on the lake. ”

“ We all deserve to rest one day in a spot like this, deeply shaded and carpeted with moss, within sound of the Magic Falls. Here the world stops, for once,—the world, with all its pros and cons, its clear and valuable logic, of which one grows very weary. The world itself must tire sometime of its plentiful stock of common sense. Then, I christen this The World's Rest."
CHAPTER IX.
In an Orchard of the Memory
When Lord Canning and Indiana finally rejoined the others, they were made the subject of much reproval and interrogation.
"Blame me, Mrs. Bunker!" said Lord Canning. ”

“ All who had the pleasure of knowing Lord Canning, the Postmaster-General of the day, must be aware that he was not a man likely to act upon advice in great matters without being first convinced of its soundness ”

“ We all have that 'must-be-up-and-doing' kind of spirit. You call it 'nervous activity.' The Southern girl is neutrally active; the Eastern girl aggressively active."
"The Western girl—" suggested Lord Canning.
"Judge for yourself." She stood before him, her hands clasped behind her. "Physically light weight, but strong. I can climb a tree, vault a fence, ride a horse bareback, straddle and side-saddle. Mentally light-weight, but bright, with an enormous faculty for devouring literature, good, bad and indifferent. I love good music, and the impressionist school of painting. ”

“ I won't have another for a long time—I hope never." She peeped slyly under her eyelashes at Thurston. "A bad spell is good for something—it makes me realize how much everybody loves me, and how much I love everybody—and I do love you, dear Lady Canning."
"Darling!" murmured Lady Canning, quite overcome, pressing Indiana's head to her breast.
"There now, who can resist Indiana," said Mrs. Stillwater. "Darling, your husband says you are going to Paris with us."
"Am I?" asked Indiana, in a surprised voice. She turned to Lady Canning. "I want you to scold Thurston, dear. He's too good. ”

“ When Lord Canning had been political head of the Post Office for some months, he one day said to my father: “Mr Hill, I think it right to let you know that you have enemies in high places who run you down behind your back. ”

“ The Canning mansion, in common with other old London homes, had been fitted up with every modern improvement, including electric lights; but Lady Canning, when she was alone, still clung to the old-fashioned candle-light, claiming it was softer, more agreeable for her eyes. Jennings was still allowed to perform the function of many years, much to his delight. He had a deep-rooted hatred of all innovations.
"This suspense is quite natural," thought Lady Canning, "in spite of my confidence in Thurston. I am a mother. A mother fears everything—and hopes everything." ”

“ The entire affair was a huge joke to him, irrespective of the fact that his sister failed to perceive the humor of his communication.
"What an undignified proceeding!" said Lady Canning, in shocked tones. "Her grandmother, too!" Lord Stafford went off into another paroxysm of mirth. "Why, the highest respect is due to their age in the way of preparation."
"In America there's nothing gives so much pleasure as springing things on a person. The surprise party is a national institution."
Lady Canning rose to her feet, perceptibly agitated. "My dear brother, think of the shock to Indiana. ”

“ His nephew drank the toast, feeling a sense of guilt that he was destined so shortly to ruffle the calm sea of Stillwater's domestic horizon.
"My distinguished guests have announced their intention of returning to England"—holding Indiana against his breast. "May they find their dear ones well and happy, and Godspeed to them!"
"Godspeed to them!" echoed Glen. "And a quick leave-taking!" he thought grimly.
Mrs. Bunker's happy philosophy was colored for the moment with a tinge of pessimism. "What a blind game it is," she whispered to Lord Canning. ”

“ Bunker. "Never trust a woman with a soft cooing voice."
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! Quite so, Mrs. Bunker."
"What a sudden change," remarked Lord Canning, "from a fairy pastoral to this mysterious wilderness. Are these sudden changes common to the country?"
"Common to the country—and the women," replied Indiana, laughing.
"Quite so, Miss Stillwater," said Lord Stafford. "You know Pope's familiar couplet—
Women like variegated tulips show,
'Tis to their changes, half their charms they owe.'"
"Do you echo that sentiment, Lord Stafford," asked Mrs. Bunker, archly. ”

“ Bunker. "Lord Stafford, I'm sure you'll be charmed with it. We must start immediately after lunch—it's a long drive."
"And if Miss Stillwater is to drive, I'm afraid she will be taxing herself too much, after rowing the greater part of the morning."
"Oh, Indiana likes to be always on the go," said Mrs. Stillwater. "I'm afraid she'll wear herself out some day."
"Nonsense, Mary," exclaimed Mrs. Bunker, sharply, "she's as strong as a horse."
"Your granddaughter is athletic," said Lord Canning, "but of a very slender build. It is her nervous activity that keeps her up, rather than strength. ”

“ What one king had gained from a clique another gave up to the nation. Once more, on Lord Liverpool’s death in 1827, the same question was tried with the same result. The king not only disliked Canning personally, but he was opposed to Canning’s policy. Yet after some hesitation he accepted Canning as prime minister; and when, after Canning’s death and the short ministry of Lord Goderich, the king in 1828 authorized the duke of Wellington to form a ministry, he was content to lay down the principle that the members of it were not expected to be unanimous on the Catholic question. ”

“ Stillwater. "We'll run over to breakfast or supper, just as the spirit moves us. We'll take possession while we're here."
"You will always be very welcome whenever you care to come," answered Lady Canning. "But we are not used to being taken unawares." She bowed with a set smile, as she left the room leaning on her brother's arm. But her presence was still felt by a perceptible chill in the atmosphere. Thurston, however, soon dispelled the restraint. ”