CHAPTER XXVII
After the plain speaking which had passed between Richard Meadowes and his son, a readjustment of their relationships seemed necessary. It was not possible for them to keep up the former pretence of amity, yet Meadowes was anxious that no hint of their differences should reach the outside world. He called Philip to him one day and explained the case to him.
‘I would not have all the world know how it fares betwixt us, Phil,’ he said. ‘I had rather keep that bitter knowledge to myself; but things being as they are, ’twill be better for us now to live apart,—the one at Fairmeadowes, the other in town. I purpose after this date giving over the house in St. James’ Square to you, while I reside myself at Fairmeadowes. I care no longer for the amusements of the town.’
Phil objected at first to this arrangement as too generous. ‘You will tire of a rural existence, sir,’ he said, ‘ere six months are gone, and then—supposing me to have married in the meantime—I and my wife will have to rearrange our establishment once more. ’Twould be better for you to keep the house in town, and let me have another and smaller one.’
But Meadowes would not hear of this.
‘I cannot tell you, Phil, how it is with me,’ he said, leaning his head on his hand as he spoke. ‘And—may you never understand—a great weariness hath fallen over me, that is of the mind, not of the body. I care for nothing; the game is played out. So make no further parley over this; take what I offer and welcome: as you pointed out to me ’tis but your due, in a sense.’
‘Then you fully understand, sir, that I bring Carrie Shepley to live in your house?’
‘Bring her and welcome—ah, you think that will bring you happiness, Phil, but you are mistaken. Happiness is a creature of the fancy, she is never caught and held; always flits ahead. You’ll not find her in Carrie Shepley—no, nor in aught in this world.’
‘My dear sir, I fear you will be turning monk, when I hear you despise the good things of this world, as you do just now,’ said Phil. He laid his hand on his father’s shoulder with the caressing way he had to every one. Meadowes smiled.
‘I know better than to think happiness lies there either,’ he said.—‘But to return to business: you mean to marry this girl as soon as may be?’
‘So soon as she will have me, sir.’
‘I shall make you an allowance then, Phil, and the house in St. James’ Square; and you understand that the outer world still considers us as a devoted father and son.’
‘They will be right to name you a generous father at least, sir,’ said Phil, and he held out his hand suddenly to his father as he spoke. ‘Don’t name me ungrateful, sir,’ he added; ‘I see all you have done for me.’
It was a very painful moment to them both, for each understood how one spontaneous expression of affection on Phil’s part would have taken away all difficulty from the situation; and yet the possibility of giving it was not there. Gratitude, however sincere it may be, if unwarmed by love, is cold as icicles.
Now that his affairs were arranged in this unsatisfactory fashion, Phil lost no time in presenting himself at Jermyn Street, to ask for the hand of Miss Caroline Shepley in marriage.
Carrie stood at the window that evening looking out into the dusty little street, when all at once she saw Phil come up the steps and heard his knock at the door. Her father sat by the fire reading, unsuspicious of the blow that was about to fall. Carrie turned away from the window and came towards him.
‘Father,’ she said, in a very tense voice, then waited for a moment, not knowing what to say; and Phil, who was very impatient that night, knocked again more loudly than before. ‘I am sure my heart makes as much noise as the knocker!’ thought Carrie, as she listened. Sebastian looked up—
‘Well? what is it, my daughter?’
‘Philip,’ said Carrie.
Then as in a dream she heard Patty’s familiar voice announce her lover’s name, and a moment later saw her dear Phil stand beside her.
‘How are you, Carrie?’ he said, as if they had never been parted, and then he held out his hand to Sebastian.
‘I fear I come as an unwelcome guest, sir,’ he said.
‘I cannot welcome you,’ said Sebastian shortly; but he motioned to Phil to take a seat.
‘I need not tell you why I am come, sir,’ pursued Phil, who wasted no time upon preliminaries.
‘I have given Carrie her choice betwixt you and me; ’tis for her to speak,’ said Sebastian for answer.
Carrie had been standing behind her father during this conversation; she came now and sat on the arm of his chair, bent down, and whispered a few words in his ear. He rose, and taking her hand in his held it for a moment and then laid it in Phil’s.
‘She belongs to you now, Philip Meadowes,’ he said.
‘Oh, dada dear, love him too!’ pleaded Carrie, and the tears gathered in her blue eyes at the cold sound of her father’s voice.
‘You ask the impossible, Carrie,’ said he.
‘Perhaps, sir, time may soften the prejudice you entertain for me,’ said Phil. ‘Indeed I shall do my utmost to make Carrie a good husband.’
‘Do not misunderstand me, Meadowes,’ said Sebastian. ‘The feeling I have against you is quite impersonal, else I had not given you Carrie’s hand in marriage. I think you will make her happy; but for all that I cannot be your friend, I cannot bear to look upon your face!’ He rose at the last words and left the room, and Carrie and Phil looked at each in perplexity.
‘Ah, Phil, ’tis terrible,’ said Carrie, ‘and I so happy! my dearest father——’
Phil refused to look upon the tragic side of the case, however. He was far too pleased to think anything very far wrong.
‘Dear heart, you must not grieve; Dr. Shepley will forget after a time; the best you can do is to marry me at once. When that is done he will forgive you. He thinks now to prevent the wedding by his displeasure, but when he sees that impossible his resentment will die out. Come, Carrie, the sooner you arrange for our marriage the better ’twill be for all concerned.’
Perhaps Carrie did not need very much persuasion. Two years of waiting had been quite long enough.
‘I shall see my aunt, Lady Mallow, and she will decide the date for us,’ she said, and then, as Phil prepared to go, she whispered, ‘I shall make her arrange it soon.’