CHAPTER XLIX. THE CARPENTER'S SHED. "Steadily, steadily, Urge on thy way." "Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée." ANON. FROM this time, Albert Snapson's visits to the cottage were of constant recurrence, and Herbert grew at length so accustomed to them, that he was quite astonished and perplexed if a day passed by without his having seen anything of him; and would watch for his appearance with a degree of interest which he sought neither to suppress nor disguise. Albert was often accompanied by Henry; but with the other members of the Snapson family Herbert held little intercourse, as he made a point of civilly declining the various invitations he received to their gay parties; inclination and duty alike disposing him to shrink from unnecessarily close intimacy with those whose tastes and practices and principles were so totally opposed to his own. Mrs. Snapson was first amazed, then piqued, at his neglecting to avail himself of her proffered hospitality, though the gentleness and cordiality of his manner towards herself, whenever she happened to meet him, and the decided pleasure he manifested in the society of her sons, prevented her from resenting his (in her opinion) unaccountable conduct to the same extent as she would otherwise have done. It seemed, indeed, that the very fact of there being obstacles in the way rendered her less willing to succumb; for, instead of relinquishing the attempt, she became the more earnest in her endeavour to overcome her objections, and persuade him to accede to her wishes. Accordingly, she waylaid him one morning, when he chanced to be walking through their grounds with Albert (who had begged him to look at a pretty pony equipage which Mr. Snapson had lately purchased for his sole use, and after playfully chiding him for refusing her repeated invitations, etc., she pressed him so warmly to waive ceremony, and dine with them that evening, en famille, that he at length consented to her proposal. There was a little gleam of triumph in the lady's eye as she sat at the head of her well-appointed table, loaded with costly plate and glittering crystal, and saw Herbert on her right hand, bearing testimony to her superior skill in diplomacy, and Mr. Snapson looking gratified, but hardly able to conceal his surprise, at the unexpected addition to the family circle. She spared no pains to render the evening an agreeable one to her guest; and when he left them, he was strongly urged to repeat his visit. The more Mrs. Snapson saw of him, the more she professed to be delighted with his manner and conversation; but she still remained in ignorance of much which she felt curious to know regarding him; not all her delicate insinuations, or skilfully contrived questions, elicited any satisfactory information as to his reason for choosing Herbert Cottage, in perference to Mertonsville Park, as his place of residence. For a while, she puzzled her brain to discover what he could possibly find to occupy his time. Gradually, however, her eyes were opened to the nature of some of his employments. It was growing dusk one afternoon, when Henry and his brother, on returning from a long ride, drew up their horses near the stables. and, giving them in charge of a groom, proceeded on foot to the house, Before they advanced more than a few steps, they were overtaken by the coachman (now quite recovered from his accident), who, respect fully touching his hat, inquired whether the ladies would be requiring the carriage. "I haven't the least idea," said Henry; "but we can ask, and let you know." "I "There is no use in asking," exclaimed Albert, confidently. heard mamma say, at dinner, that she intended to remain at home this evening." "Thank you, sir," replied the coachman, apparently relieved; "I should not have troubled you, only I thought I would go and hear Mr. Seymour preach, unless my mistress 66 What is that you say?" cried Albert, excitedly; "Mr. who preach?" "Mr. Seymour, sir; I fancied you knew." "Fancied I knew what?" demanded the lad, impatiently, opening his light-blue eyes to their fullest extent. "Do speak out, Grainger." "Well, sir, I quite considered that, as you are so intimate with the gentleman, you must be aware that he preaches twice a week at Colton, and holds constant cottage meetings at the other villages, besides numerous Bible classes, temperance classes, and various kinds, of which I know nothing." "Henry! do you hear this?" asked Albert, wondering incredulity depicted upon his speaking countenance. Henry nodded assent, but made no verbal answer. "Have you heard him yourself?" questioned the boy, turning again to Grainger. "No, sir; but you may be sure what I say is true, for I am acquainted with many who regularly attend his meetings." "Why, there is no church at Colton," returned Albert, musingly. "At present he preaches in a large carpenter's shed." "A shed!" repeated Albert, too bewildered even to smile. "A shed!" echoed Henry, whistling softly. "Did you ever know of any one preaching in such place?" continued Albert, with the utmost seriousness. Henry shrugged his shoulders-a very frequent custom of his. "Is Mr. Seymour a clergyman then?" was Albert's next inquiry. "I couldn't exactly say, sir, whether he would call himself one," rejoined Grainger, rubbing his chin reflectively; "I rather think not. Anyhow," he added briskly, "my wife declares that he does far more good than the generality of clergymen-and gets no remuneration for it either." Henry laughed at the man's half-muttered aside; but Albert remained silent for a short time, evidently revolving the words in his mind. Presently he remarked abruptly, "And so he is to preach at Colton this very evening?" The coachman assented. "Well, Grainger"-with rather a patronising nod-"I am glad you told us. The best thing we can do is to go and hear him for ourselves don't you think so, Henry?" Henry started perceptibly: "I fear" he said dubiously. "I assure you there is nothing to be afraid of," hastily interjected the boy. When does the service begin, Grainger? "At half-past seven, sir, but "Then we need not detain you longer: perhaps you will tell Webster to bring up our horses at the proper time;" and with an air of dignity he was moving away, when Grainger said, "If I might be so bold, sir, I would advise you to be there at least half an hour earlier." "What for?" laughed Albert. "Because the shed is always crammed, and every seat occupied, long before the commencement of the service." 66 Oh, in that case, we must make haste," rejoined Albert, drawing out an elegant little watch. "Come along, Henry, let us run and tell mamma where we are going." Henry went through the form of offering a few objections to the plan, but he knew that it would be of little use, as his brother seemed bent on carrying it into execution, and was scarcley able to restrain his impatience while listening to him. On reaching the house, Albert burst into the drawing-room, flushed and out of breath. Mrs. Snapson-who was seated at her writing-table, assisting Arabella to fill up some invitation cards which lay before them-looked up, and asked, with a smile, "Is anything the matter, my love?" "No, mamma; but don't wait tea for Henry and me: we are going to Colton, to hear Mr. Seymour preach in a carpenter's shed, and may not be home until late." The pen dropped from the lady's hand; and at the same instant Mr. Snapson laid down the newspaper he had been reading, and gazed around him in blank bewilderment. Pray explain yourself, my dear," said Mrs. Snapson, recovering her equability. Explain myself, mamma?" in excessive surprise; "why, there is nothing to explain; I have told you where we are going, and for what purpose, and that is all I know." But, Albert, are you really serious?" asked Arabella, gazing keenly at him; "do you mean to say that Mr. Seymour preachesand in a shed, too? It's impossible!" "We shall soon see about that," replied Albert, laughing. "Goodbye, papa," he cried, as he passed Mr. Snapson's chair; "I can't wait, because Grainger says, unless we set out early, we shall find every seat occupied; and, on the whole, I perfer sitting to standing!" Thus saying, he made his exit in the same boisterous fashion as he had entered, and went immediately in search of Henry, who, dread ing a scene, and being by no means anxious to have the vials of Mr. Snapson's wrath poured upon himself, had prudently forborne to accompany Albert to his step-father's presence. "There is something positively ridiculous in that boy's infatuation regarding Mr. Seymour," observed the gentleman, peevishly, directly the door closed upon his young heir. "This is certainly a most extraordinary crotchet," answered his wife, adroitly; "still, one scarcely likes thwarting him, in his delicate state of health." "Thwarting him!" exclaimed Mr. Snapson, hastily. "Of course not-he only requires management, and that of the gentlest kind." "Very true, my dear," was the quiet response; and the lady once more took up her pen, and bent over her writing. "I think it very probable," continued Mr. Snapson, angrily (rising suddenly from his seat, and beginning to perambulate the apartment), "I think it very probable that Henry is at the bottom of it 66 Always Henry!" mumbled Arabella, in an exceedingly discontented tone. "Did you speak?" sternly inquired her step-father. "She had no intention of disturbing you," remarked Mrs. Snapson, excusingly—darting, nevertheless, a reproachful glance at the rashly disposed girl; "it is only an address I wish her to copy, which she finds some difficulty in deciphering." Arabella turned her head aside, lest the scorn she could not help feeling should be expressed in her countenance; and Mr. Snapson, apparently satisfied with the alleged reason for the interruption pursued, in a voice that spoke of annoyance and chagrin, "It is most unfortunate that the foolish lad should be so easily induced to agree to whatever absurd scheme Henry may suggest; I have noticed it in a thousand instances, and have often warned Albert against it." The colour rushed over Arabella's cheek, and her eyes flashed fire. Indignant words, too, were on the point of bursting from her lips; but no sooner did Mrs. Snapson's observant eye detect indications of the coming storm, than with her usual shrewdness and tact she hastened to avert the consequences by leaning across the table, and exclaiming with great suavity, though the look she fastened on her was anything but indulgent, "I want you to take these to Thornton, my love," putting a bundle of notes into her hand; "tell him to see that they are sent to their proper addresses without delay. And when you have done this," she continued, as the young lady rose (in no very amiable mood) to obey her, "perhaps you will pay a visit to the nursery; I shall join you there presently, as I am beginning to feel uneasy about Beatrice." "Arabella seems to be growing more and more irritable," was Mr. Snapson's first complimentary observation after her departure. He took it for granted that her dissatisfaction entirely arose from a disinclination to carry out her mother's wishes, or he might probably have expressed himself in stronger language. "Just now she is rather nervous," replied his wife, quickly. "Nervous!" with an ironical smile. "Dear little Beatrice is not quite well to-day," she explained, ignoring his implied doubt of the accuracy of her opinion; "and Arabella being, as you must have noticed, dotingly fond of her, cannot divest herself of the idea that she is going to be seriously ill." "Indeed," returned her husband, coldly; “I should never have given Arabella credit for any such feeling." Seeing that he appeared in a determined humour for finding fault, Mrs. Snapson took no further pains to conciliate him for a while; but on hearing him recommence a series of complaints against Henry's defects and misdeeds, she suddenly closed the book she had been attempting to read, and, leaning back in her chair, said, slowly and decidedly, "It strikes me, my dear, that you are in the habit,-quite unintentionally, of course,-of strangely misjudging Henry's character." "How so?" exclaimed the gentleman, angrily, knitting his brows. "You forget the numerous admirable traits in his dispositionhis quietness and amiability-the little trouble he has ever given you; and, I may add, the very moderate amount you are obliged to expend on him." "He has all he requires, and more!" muttered Mr. Snapson. Yes, because he is happily blessed with a contented spirit: but if you will compare him to some young men whom I could mention,-look at my relatives, for instance; the sons of Lord L "Their position is a very different one from Henry's.” "True," rejoined the lady; "their father is not half as wealthy as yourself." "Pshaw! I did not mean that," said Mr. Snapson, in a less harsh tone; he rather liked this comparison. "Then, again, as regards Henry's love for Albert; you surely would not wish it otherwise!" insinuated his wife, who was quick in following up the advantage she had gained. "How different it might have been!" she added pathetically; "he might have felt jealous of Albert's expectations and possessions, and hated him (or at least disliked him) for being so much better off than himself; as it is, he would, I believe, lay down his life for him!" "Well, well, I don't deny that he may be fond of the lad," remarked Mr. Snapson, greatly pacified. What annoys me is But Mrs. Snapson, having no desire to listen to a recapitulation of the young man's offences, all at once bethought herself of the promise she had made Arabella, and, with a half-uttered word of apology, she left him to his own reflections. |