CHAPTER IV.
Venetia was now once more alone with her mother; it was as in oldtimes. Their life was the same as before the visit of Plantagenetprevious to his going to Cambridge, except indeed that they had nolonger a friend at Marringhurst. They missed the Sabbath visits ofthat good man; for, though his successor performed the duties of theday, which had been a condition when he was presented to the living,the friend who knew all the secrets of their hearts was absent.Venetia continued to bear herself with great equanimity, and theanxiety which she observed instantly impressed on her mother'scountenance, the moment she fancied there was unusual gloom on thebrow of her child, impelled Venetia doubly to exert herself to appearresigned. And in truth, when Lady Annabel revolved in her mind themournful past, and meditated over her early and unceasing effortsto secure the happiness of her daughter, and then contrasted heraspirations with the result, she could not acquit herself of havingbeen too often unconsciously instrumental in forwarding a verydifferent conclusion than that for which she had laboured. Thisconviction preyed upon the mother, and the slightest evidence ofreaction in Venetia's tranquilised demeanour occasioned her the utmostremorse and grief. The absence of George made both Lady Annabel andVenetia still more finely appreciate the solace of his society. Leftto themselves, they felt how much they had depended on his vigilantand considerate attention, and how much his sweet temper and hisunfailing sympathy had contributed to their consolation. He wrote,however, to Venetia by every post, and his letters, if possible,endeared him still more to their hearts. Unwilling to dwell upontheir mutual sorrows, yet always expressing sufficient to prove thatdistance and absence had not impaired his sympathy, he contrived, withinfinite delicacy, even to amuse their solitude with the adventures ofhis life of bustle. The arrival of the post was the incident of theday; and not merely letters arrived; one day brought books, anothermusic; continually some fresh token of his thought and affectionreached them. He was, however, only a fortnight absent; but when hereturned, it was to Cadurcis. He called upon them the next day, andindeed every morning found him at Cherbury; but he returned to hishome at night; and so, without an effort, from their guest he hadbecome their neighbour.
Plantagenet had left the whole of his property to his cousin: hismother's fortune, which, as an accessory fund, was not inconsiderable,besides the estate. And George intended to devote a portion of this tothe restoration of the abbey. Venetia was to be his counsellor in thisoperation, and therefore there were ample sources of amusement for theremainder of the year. On a high ridge, which was one of the beaconsof the county, and which, moreover, marked the junction of the domainsof Cherbury and Cadurcis, it was his intention to raise a monument tothe united memories of Marmion Herbert and Plantagenet Lord Cadurcis.He brought down a design with him from London, and this was theproject which he had previously whispered to Venetia. With George forher companion, too, Venetia was induced to resume her rides. It washer part to make him acquainted with the county in which he was soimportant a resident. Time therefore, at Cherbury, on the whole,flowed on in a tide of tranquil pleasure; and Lady Annabel observed,with interest and fondness, the continual presence beneath her roofof one who, from the first day she had met him, had engaged her kindfeelings, and had since become intimately endeared to her.
The end of November was, however, now approaching, and Parliamentwas about to reassemble. Masham had written more than once to LordCadurcis, impressing upon him the propriety and expediency of takinghis seat. He had shown these letters, as he showed everything, toVenetia, who was his counsellor on all subjects, and Venetia agreedwith their friend.
'It is right,' said Venetia; 'you have a duty to perform, and you mustperform it. Besides, I do not wish the name of Cadurcis to sink againinto obscurity. I shall look forward with interest to Lord Cadurcistaking the oaths and his seat. It will please me; it will indeed.'
'But Venetia,' said George, 'I do not like to leave this place. I amhappy, if we may be happy. This life suits me. I am a quiet man. Idislike London. I feel alone there.'
'You can write to us; you will have a great deal to say. And I shallhave something to say to you now. I must give you a continual reporthow they go on at the abbey. I will be your steward, and superintendeverything.'
'Ah!' said George, 'what shall I do in London without you, withoutyour advice? There will be something occurring every day, and I shallhave no one to consult. Indeed I shall feel quite miserable; I shallindeed.'
'It is quite impossible that, with your station, and at your time oflife, you should bury yourself in the country,' said Venetia. 'Youhave the whole world before you, and you must enjoy it. It is verywell for mamma and myself to lead this life. I look upon ourselves astwo nuns. If Cadurcis is an abbey, Cherbury is now a convent.'
'How can a man wish to be more than happy? I am quite content here,'said George, 'What is London to me?'
'It may be a great deal to you, more than you think,' said Venetia. 'Agreat deal awaits you yet. However, there can be no doubt you shouldtake your seat. You can always return, if you wish. But take yourseat, and cultivate dear Masham. I have the utmost confidence in hiswisdom and goodness. You cannot have a friend more respectable. Nowmind my advice, George.'
'I always do, Venetia.'