The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  CHAPTER XLI.

  MILDRED CONSENTS TO RIDE OUT WITH LADY TALMASH AND ROSE.

  AFTER breakfast Mildred hastened to Sister Aline’s room, as she wished to offer some explanation of her conduct, feeling certain her friend would be greatly surprised, and perhaps hurt, that she had not been consulted about the propriety of the morning ride, after her own repeated declaration that she would never be seen on horseback again.

  She found Sister Aline with a book of devotions before her, and received the customary affectionate greeting. She then sat down beside her.

  “I find you have been riding out with your husband this morning,” said the Sister, somewhat reproachfully. “I am rather surprised you did not mention your design to me.”

  “I was afraid you might seek to dissuade me from it,” replied Mildred.

  “Certainly not, if you had given your husband a promise, as I presume you had. I see no harm whatever in your going out on horseback with him. My fear has been lest you should become as passionately fond of riding as formerly, and I counselled you to leave it off altogether. As you seemed entirely to agree with me, I have said nothing more on the subject, of late, considering there was no danger. Nor am I; in the slightest degree, uneasy now, provided you will promise only to accompany your husband.”

  “I will readily give that promise,” replied Mildred, “I have no desire to ride with any one else. But even while acting thus carefully, I feel there is a certain risk, and I am bound to mention it to you. If I ride much, I may be led to commit some of my former follies. Certain feelings once ruled in my breast, and might acquire the mastery again. Were I to yield to the wild excitement of the chase I should inevitably be carried away by it. I must leave all behind me. I must be first.”

  “I can quite understand the feeling,” replied the other. “But it is dangerous, and must be overcome.”

  “Once fairly roused it cannot be overcome,” rejoined Mildred. “It must be gratified by triumph.”

  “Then you are right not to expose yourself to temptation. Rather than do so, give up all equestrian exercise.”

  “O, yes. I cannot tell where I shall stop. I had resolved — I will not say vowed — never to ride again — and I refused even my father, who has been dying to see me in the saddle once more. But I yielded to my husband’s entreaties, and went out with him this morning, as you know. Nothing could have gone off better. No contretemps of any kind occurred. I enjoyed it in moderation. But should I be able to do so a second time? Should I have myself under equal control?”

  “Wherefore not?” asked Sister Aline, regarding her steadfastly. “What do you really fear?”

  “A sudden impulse,’ which might prompt me to commit some act of folly that I might ever afterwards regret I had some symptoms that I did not like this morning, and I am certain if a pack of hounds and their followers had passed us I should have joined them.”

  “Have you not acquired greater self-control?” asked the Sister.

  “I think not,” replied Mildred. “I did not express my fears to Stanley, and he would have laughed at them, had I done so. He does not believe in my weakness.”

  “I do not wonder at it. It seems quite inconsistent with your present character, and no one would suspect you of yielding to such a feeling, but you are evidently as impressionable as ever. My advice to you is this: — Decline to ride out again for the present, but do not refuse altogether, or some disagreeable consequence may ensue, which had better be avoided. Your husband may insist upon compliance with his wishes, and will probably be supported by your father.”

  “I think this will be the most prudent course,” said Mildred. “I will offer no explanation.”

  The decision was just taken in time, for at the moment the door opened, and Stanley entered the room.

  Respectfully saluting Sister Aline, who bowed in return, he said to her: —

  “Of course you have heard what a pleasant ride Mildred and I had before breakfast this morning? We must have another to-morrow morning.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you,” replied his wife, “but it cannot be.”

  “Nonsense!” he cried. “You must go. Lady Talmash and Rose will accompany us.”

  Mildred shook her head.

  “I really can’t go,” she said.

  Stanley seemed annoyed by the refusal, and looked from one to the other for an explanation.

  “What’s the difficulty?” he asked.

  “I never meant to ride out every day,” replied Mildred. “Besides, I told you we must always be alone.”

  “But you can’t possibly object to the two ladies I have mentioned.”

  “On the contrary, I should prefer them to any other persons — if I cared for society — but as you know I wish to be alone. No, they must be good enough to dispense with my company to-morrow.”

  “May I name any other morning?”

  “No, not at present I may not be in the mood.”

  Stanley appeared annoyed and looked sharply at Sister Aline, as if he thought she had been interfering with his plans.

  “I alone am responsible,” said Mildred.

  “Then pray do try to make yourself agreeable,” he rejoined. “Everybody wishes to ride out with you and yet you refuse to join them, although there are plenty of horses in the stables and you have no excuse to offer for declining.”

  “I throw myself on your good nature to excuse me,” said Mildred. “Horse exercise has lost its attraction for me.”

  “I thought you enjoyed the ride this morning?” he remarked.

  “So I did,” she rejoined. “I enjoyed it very much. But I broke a resolution in taking it, and that spoiled the pleasure. No, I must have a little time for reflection before I go out again.”

  “I must talk to the Squire, and act on his advice,” said Stanley, as he quitted the room.

  “You will have both husband and father against you,” said Sister Aline.

  “Yes, but I won’t yield,” replied Mildred. “If I once join these riding parties I must go on.”

  Shortly afterwards the door partly opened, and the Squire popping in his head, asked, “May I come in?”

  “Certainly,” replied Sister Aline, rising to give him welcome.

  “You guess what brings me here, no doubt?” he said to Mildred. “Stanley wished me to use all my influence to induce you to continue your morning rides with him and the two ladies. I sincerely hope you will.”

  “Dear Papa, I am sorry I cannot,” she replied. “I gave Stanley my reasons for declining, and they seemed sufficient.”

  “To me they seemed the mere result of caprice,” replied the Squire. “You have changed your mind, that’s all. You saw how delighted I was to welcome you on your return this morning. I declare positively that nothing of late has afforded me so much gratification as to see you on horseback again. That ought to have some weight with you.”

  “It has great weight, dearest Papa. I am more anxious to please you and Stanley than anyone else.”

  “I am really afraid of myself.”

  “Absurd!” exclaimed her father.

  “Mildred has fully explained her feelings to me,” said Sister Aline, “and I cannot but approve of the constraint she puts upon herself. She enjoys horse exercise as much as ever, but she dare not indulge in it lest she should be led into temptation.”

  “Temptation to what?” asked the Squire.

  “To vanity and folly, as before,” replied Mildred. “Under certain circumstances I cannot trust myself.”

  “Always be on your guard,” said Sister Aline. “The Tempter may assail you in some new form, and you may not have strength to resist. Be on your guard, I repeat.”

  “There is no danger now that I can discern,” said the Squire, “and if there were I firmly believe you have strength to resist it. But it is best to be on the safe side, and since you attribute your former follies to the excitement of the chase, do not indulge in it again, lest like results should follow. But I repeat there is n
o danger in my opinion.”

  Mildred’s firmness was put to another proof, for the door again opened and Lady Talmash and Rose came in, and immediately rushed up to her.

  “Have we unintentionally offended you in any way?” cried Lady Talmash.

  “I always persuaded myself you liked me,” added Rose.

  “So I do,” replied Mildred. “I am excessively fond of you.”

  “Then prove your regard by riding out with us tomorrow morning. We are come to ask you in person, and shall be mortified beyond measure if you refuse.”

  “We’ll take the greatest possible care of you,” said Lady Talmash. “No harm shall happen. That I engage.”

  “I’m quite sure of it,” said Mildred.

  “Then what do you fear?” cried Rose. “You trust yourself to Stanley, who isn’t half so careful as we are. I appeal to Mr. Warburton if such is not the fact Would you not confide your daughter to us, sir?”

  “Most certainly, without the slightest misgiving,” he replied.

  “After such an assurance I cannot hesitate,” said Mildred. “I shall be delighted to ride with you tomorrow morning. But my present consent is not to bind me to any other day.”

  “We hope it will!” cried Rose. “But do just as you please.”

  The laughter that followed this unlooked for, but satisfactory, arrangement seemed to have summoned Stanley, for he once again entered the room, and, marching up to his wife, took her hand, and said to her, “You have acted exactly as I could have wished.”

  “I have really tried to please you,” said Mildred.

  “And you have perfectly succeeded,” he replied.

  “May I be allowed to form one of the party?” said the Squire.

  “Certainly, dearest Papa,” replied Mildred. “I was just going to ask you.”

  CHAPTER XLII.

  A DANGEROUS FALL.

  BEFORE morning two other persons were added to the party. These were the Comte de Clairvaux and Sir Randal. On hearing of the plan these gentlemen were determined not to be left out, and made an appeal to Mildred, to which she at once acceded.

  “I told you how it would be,” she said to Stanley “Unless we kept the thing exclusively to ourselves, we must take everybody.”

  “Yes, you were quite right,” he replied; “but I’m sure we shall have a pleasant party.”

  “Oh, I’m quite reconciled to the present plan,” she rejoined; “only it’s not my plan.”

  Next morning she came down rather before the appointed time, attired for the ride, and attended by Georgette, and waited in the hall till the gentlemen assembled.

  Already, Tom, the groom, had been sent over to Brereton with a couple of steeds for the other ladies; and now the rest of the horses were brought round. Presently all the gentlemen made their appearance, looking in very good spirits, and as if the early hour suited them.

  The Squire was in high good humour, and had something cheery to say to everybody. With his daughter he was extremely well pleased, and took care to let her know it. Moreover, the morning was very fine, and that was a great point.

  “Last night I was very much afraid of wet,” he said, “in which case our excursion must have been postponed. But we are highly favoured.”

  “Indeed we are,” replied Mildred; “we shall have a charming ride.”

  In a few minutes all had mounted, and the little troop, headed by Mildred and Stanley, was proceeding along the drive to Brereton.

  “Well, I hope you don’t regret complying with my request,” said Stanley to his wife. “We have really a finer day than yesterday, and I don’t think I ever saw the park look more charming.”

  “I am greatly tempted to take a gallop,” she replied; “but I think I had better restrain myself.”

  “I’ll ensure you against a fall,” he rejoined, laughing. “On with you.”

  Mildred, however, did not act upon the suggestion, but held back her steed.

  “I’m frightened,” she said.

  “Frightened of what?” he asked, regarding her in astonishment.

  “I don’t know,” she replied. “But I fancy if I let the horse go he will run away with me.”

  “Ridiculous! dismiss all fear and send him on?” he cried. “I’ll keep near you.”

  “What are you talking about?” said the Squire, who was close behind.

  “Mildred wants to have a gallop,” replied Stanley, “but is afraid of a fall.”

  “Then don’t let her take it,” replied the Squire.

  “Much as I should like to see a good gallop, I shouldn’t like to see it finish in that way.”

  “I’ll act on your advice, dearest Papa,” she rejoined.

  But her spirited courser did not seem satisfied with the arrangement, and began to pull very hard at the bridle.

  “You’ll be obliged to let him go,” said Stanley. “Whatever the Squire may say, I think a gallop will do you good. Don’t be afraid.”

  “I shan’t be able to check this mad horse much longer if he pulls so hard,” she exclaimed.

  And as the words were uttered the excited animal broke away, and went off at full speed.

  Finding she had lost all control of him, Mildred looked seriously alarmed.

  Stanley kept as near her as he could, and tried to catch hold of the bridle, but his efforts seemed still further to excite the ungovernable steed. All those behind began to be alarmed, and the Squire exclaimed, “I’m afraid we shall have an accident.”

  It was now quite clear that Mildred’s steed was no longer under control, nor could Stanley keep up with his wife.

  The two grooms who were following in the rear would have pressed forward, but the Squire felt they would do more harm than good, and kept them back.

  Had Mildred possessed her former strength of nerve there would have been no cause whatever for apprehension, but it was clear she did not, and Stanley soon became as much alarmed as the Squire.

  The occurrence took place in the drive leading to the mansion, and fortunately there was nothing whatever in the way. The only possibility that occurred to Stanley and the Squire, was that the two ladies might come from Brereton Hall to meet them, and this actually occurred. As Mildred’s steed was galloping furiously on, every instant gaining upon Stanley, Lady Talmash and Rose appeared in sight.

  They were nearly a mile off, and coming along very slowly, followed by Tom, who soon perceived what was the matter, and told them he feared his young mistress’s horse had run away with her.

  At first they could scarcely believe it, but they soon became satisfied that the information was correct “I’m afraid you are right, Tom,” cried Lady Talmash. “What ought we to do under the circumstances?”

  “Shall we go on?” asked Rose.

  “No, turn round and ride slowly back,” replied Tom. “Unless the horse is stopped before, I’ll see what I can do when it comes up.”

  Utterly unable to control her steed, Mildred was obliged to let him dash on. He had now become quite infuriated, and it seemed almost certain an accident would occur.

  Stanley shouted to Tom, and the latter replied — though not knowing what to do. At this crisis, as may be imagined, the greatest consternation prevailed on all sides, and Tom, driven almost to his wit’s end, resolved to make a desperate effort to stop the horse.

  Accordingly, he waited till the runaway steed and its fair rider drew near, and then made a bold attempt to catch the bridle, but failed.

  Taunted by his ill success, neither of the two ladies came to Mildred’s aid, but they remarked that she firmly maintained her seat, and hoped, therefore, that she might escape a fall.

  About a hundred yards further on there was a gate on the right communicating with the park, which Mildred had often cleared, and she now managed to direct her steed towards it, fancying she should do better on the greensward than in the road.

  The horse made the spring, but his foot struck on the topmost rail, and he fell very unpleasantly, throwing his fair rider over hi
s head.

  The accident, which was witnessed by everybody caused a shout of terror from the beholders.

  In another instant, Stanley, who was not far behind, came up, and would have leaped the gate at once, but seeing Mildred on the ground, and fearing he might do mischief he got over cautiously, and went to her assistance.

  He found her in a state of insensibility, but could not judge from her appearance whether she was much hurt, or merely suffering from the effect of fright.

  Hoping it might only prove the latter, he knelt down by her on the ground, and slightly raising her head supported it on his knee.

  Presently she opened her eyes and seemed to recognise him, but the next instant she again became quite insensible.

  The accident, as we have stated, was witnessed with general alarm, and several persons hastened to the spot. All of them left their horses at the gate with the grooms.

  Like Stanley her father knelt down beside her, and taking her hand, tried to restore her to consciousness, but without effect He then directed Tom to ride back as fast as he could to Beaucliffe House and send the carriage, which done he must procure medical assistance.

  All these directions were promptly attended to, and such expedition used that almost before it seemed possible the carriage made its appearance, and Mildred, who still remained in a state of insensibility, was placed in it under the care of Lady Talmash and Rose.

  Nor was it long before Tom came back with Mr. Newton, the surgeon, who on seeing Mildred declared she had met with a most dangerous fall, and he feared had sustained some very severe internal injury.

  On arriving at Beaucliffe she was still partially insensible, and being taken at once to her room, was attended by Sister Aline and Georgette, both of whom were dreadfully distressed by the accident that had befallen her.

  CHAPTER XLIII.

  MILDRED’S LAST INJUNCTION TO ROSE.

  SOME little time elapsed before Mildred opened her eyes, and at first it was evident she did not comprehend what had happened. She had been placed on a couch, and Sister Aline and Georgette were standing on either side, and signed to her to remain quiet.