Inchbracken: The Story of a Fama Clamosa

  CHAPTER VI.

  _SOPHIA_.

  Three weeks later, Mrs. Sangster entertained friends. Dinner atAuchlippie took place earlier than at Inchbracken--finished theafternoon rather than began the evening. At its conclusion the masterwithdrew, to make the round of his stables and cattle sheds, and seethat the stock was fitly provided and bestowed for the night. His son,Mr. Peter Sangster of Manchester and his friend Mr. Wallowby, likewiseof Manchester, and now in Scotland for a short vacation, also withdrewand lighting their cigars sauntered down the avenue. Only the Rev. Mr.Dowlas was left within doors in company with Mrs. Sangster and herdaughter. The latter sought her embroidery frame in a distant baywindow, and soon became engrossed in counting the squares of herBerlin wool work.

  The elder lady was left alone to converse with her ghostly friend, andthe pair selecting the two easiest and roomiest chairs they couldfind, drew a long breath and settled themselves for along andconfidential 'crack.' There was much to tell and to hear about thefortunes of the 'cause' throughout the several parishes of theirpresbytery, in which Mr. Dowlas was a guiding spirit; but at lengththey came round to the lady's own parish of Kilrundle, which she, asruling lady of the ruling elder and chief adherent, considered as herown in a more especial sense than did any other of the parishioners.

  'And I think,' she said, 'Mr. Dowlas, that we here in Kilrundle, havefought the good fight as well as any of you. They tell me there werenot two dozen residuaries in Kilrundle Church on Sunday, though theInchbracken family are far more particular about their servantsattending ordinances now than they used to be. And Lady Caroline goestwice every Sunday herself. You know there was many and many a Sabbathday in the old time, that she never darkened the kirk door at all, butnow she goes to countenance that sticket dominie that fills good oldDoctor Brown's pulpit. Well! poor misguided woman, let us hope she mayperhaps get some small enlightenment to her darkened mind! Though, Ifear, the motive which draws her to the sanctuary, being only thesupport of high handed error and worldliness, is one not likely tobring a blessing. It seems _doubtful_ to me too if we have any rightto consider the churches of the Establishment as sanctuaries at all.Just hot-beds of soul-deadening Moderatism and Erastianism, where theword of God is only permitted, in so far as it can be made to squarewith Lord Aberdeen's Bill.'

  'Well ma'am! they _do_ say that that sinful Act of Parliament is laidon the table of the residuary presbyteries side by side with the wordof God! But I would fain hope that that is an exaggeration. I hear youare having very full meetings at the Muir Foot; times of refreshing, Ihope, and sincere milk of the word.'

  'We've much to be thankful for. On fine days when the heather's dry,far more turn out than ever I saw in Old Kilrundle Kirk in its bestdays; and even when it rains, you'd be surprised to see how many sitout the discourse under their plaids and umbrellas. I hope the heartsof the persecutors may be turned before long, however, and that we mayget a stanse for a church, before the rough weather sets in. There's avery suitable stanse, just opposite Inchbracken Gates, and in fullview of the Old Kirk. That would suit us finely and be a standingtestimony against the backslidings in high places, and I want Mr.Sangster to head a deputation and wait on the General, poorthoughtless worldling, and lay our case before him, simply butfaithfully; but I cannot prevail on him to undertake the duty, for Ithink it is a duty. He says he cannot afford to quarrel with GeneralDrysdale, who has always been a good neighbour, though I cannot say itmyself. I have found Lady Caroline always very high with me. I fear,poor woman, she wants some grievous affliction to bring her to a duesense of her unworthiness, and that she'll get it. However, widowForester has a small free-hold down Glen Effick, and the Deacons'Court are considering about buying a corner fronting on the high road.She wants a big price for it though, and they cannot get her to movefrom her terms. She says the bit of land is all she has in the world,and she must do the best she can with it.'

  'Ah!' sighed the minister, 'filthy lucre!' It is strange, people willset so much store by things which perish in the using, notwithstandingthe noble example of the widow in the gospel, who cast into thetreasury all her living!'

  'Yes, it is indeed sad to see such worldly-mindedness; and you seewe've a poor congregation, and whatever money is spent on the ground,there will be just so much less to lay out on the building, and wewill end with having some poor draughty little place, with narrowbenches and straight backs, enough to give one the fidgets in a longservice, or an attack of rheumatism. We have subscribed twenty poundsourselves to the church building fund, and it seems very hard that somuch of the money should just be going into widow Forester's pocket;I cannot think that a person like that can be in a proper frame ofmind. Indeed, I called on her myself, and strove to place the matterbefore her in all love and faithfulness. I earnestly besought her toleave all care and anxiety for her poor perishing body in higherhands,--and, what do you think? Mr. Dowlas, she had the assurance totell me that we had better give them a site for church, manse andschool, up here at Auchlippie! The impertinent beasom! I just gave herone look, and I walked out of her house--and I will never speak tothat woman again!'

  There came a twinkle into the minister's eye. He was by no meansdevoid of the sense of humour, and perhaps that trait in himself,which led the 'unregenerate' to think they detected in him aconsiderable vein of pawkie selfishness, led him more keenly to enjoyhis friend's unconscious display of a similar propensity. He soon,however, solemnized his features and voice with the regulationecclesiastical sigh.

  'The flesh is weak! my dear friend,' he said in time, 'and we mustbear with one another's infirmities! The strong especially must bearwith the weak.'

  'Yes,' retorted the lady, whose meekness was generally absent on thefaintest hint of reproof, 'but the weak are required to look up to thestrong for guidance as well as protection; for the powers that be areordained of God. And I consider that the like of Widow Forester wasvery far out of her duty to speak back to _me_. The Shorter Catechismis most precise about superiors, inferiors, and equals.'

  'Ah yes!' said the minister, with his twinkle of eye, and more unctionof voice. He was too sensible a man to embroil himself with an angrywoman and a hospitable hostess. 'It is a wonderful compendium of soundand wholesome doctrine, the Shorter Catechism. I hope our young friendMr. Brown sees that the lambs of the flock are well grounded in itshallowed teachings.'

  'Oh he does, and I am very particular myself that my young women'sclass have all the scripture proofs to each question at their fingerends. I would like you to examine them, Mr. Dowlas, to-morrowafternoon. You see Mr. Brown is but young yet, though he is a mostexcellent lad, and I feel to him almost like a mother, and try toadvise him as an older head sometimes can. But he's rather fractiousat times to the voice of instruction. Young folk, you see, will beyoung folk!'

  'Yes ma'am,' said Mr. Dowlas, who, whatever his faults, was alwaysloyal to his cloth, and would permit no one but himself to sayanything against a cleric in his presence, 'I look on you people ofKilrundle as most fortunate in your minister. He is one of theexcellent of the earth, and has few equals in the presbytery eitherfor piety or learning, or I think talent. If he lives he will take ahigh place in the church, and then his zeal and his sacrifices for thecause are something to make many an older member blush. You see, tohim Erastianism showed itself in its most enticing aspect, for hisfather, we must all admit, was a worthy man, though moderate.'

  'Ah yes!' broke in the lady; 'there's where it is! In this life he hadhis good things, and was thought a worthy man; but he would not joinat the Disruption. The pleasures of sin for a season were too much forhim, and now he is gone to his account! It's a solemn thought, Mr.Dowlas, to think where that poor old man may be now!' Here she becameejaculatory. 'Without are dogs--and moderates.'

  The minister here broke in to prevent worse, 'As the tree falleth,dear lady, so shall it lie. Old Doctor Brown led a godly life, and itis not permitted to pry into the mysteries beyond the veil
. Hebelonged to an earlier generation, and was so bound up in the work ofhis parish that I do not think he gave much thought to what wastranspiring in the church at large. We may judge from the training hegave his son, that his heart was in the right place, and from thecourse his son has taken since he was brought face to face with thequestions of the day, we may guess how the father would have acted ifhe had been similarly placed. Just see how young Roderick, though notyet ordained, has brought out the whole of his large parish with him.It is a great achievement! When do Mr. Sangster and the Session intendto moderate the call, and get him ordained and settled among you?'

  'Well! to tell you the truth, Mr. Dowlas, I have been rather delayingand keeping back Mr. Sangster (so far as a wife may) from pressingthat matter forward too precipitately. It seems to me that, with theyoung man's talents, it is like hiding gospel light under a bushel, tokeep him in this poor neighbourhood. If he had only a chance now topreach in Edinburgh or Glasgow, or even Aberdeen, who knows but hemight get a call to a city church? While if he is once ordained andsettled here, he may be twenty years before he gets out of it. Betweenourselves--you see, there has been a very considerable intimacybetween him and our Sophia, for years and years back. I cannot saythat anything has ever been said--I will not say that anything wantsto be said--but a mother's heart, Mr. Dowlas, will ponder and beanxious. Before the Disruption, when there was every prospect of hisbecoming assistant and successor to his father, such an arrangementmight have been feasible enough--not that it could be said to be muchof a match for our daughter--but when there is true love and truereligion, and a very good position in the county--for the Brownsalways visited with the best, and the money the uncle that died inIndia left them--. I fear I am a wee bit romantic, Mr. Dowlas, but Ithink if matters had arranged themselves in that way, and Sophiahad wished, I could have given my consent. But the Disruption haschanged all that! Still, with a city charge, and a nice congregationable to support a minister, like St. George's, Edinburgh, we willsay,--perhaps we might have thought of it yet. But if he settled downhere in Kilrundle, without either church or manse, it would be a cleartempting of Providence to entrust him with the happiness of ourSophia. I think of her that we have reared with such care, and giventhe most expensive education to!--potichomania, even, and the use ofthe globes!--to be living about among the cottars in Glen Effick. Itwould never do! The clay floors would bring on a galloping consumptionin six month's time!'

  'Mr. Guthrie, ma'am, of Edinburgh, will remedy all that before long.Have you not heard of the wonderful success that is attending hisscheme? which is, to build a manse for every minister in the Church? Ihear he is carrying everything before him, and I am not surprised.Such energy and such powers of persuasion could not possibly fail.'

  'I hope it may be so, for the Church's sake. But as regards Mr. Brown,he would still be in but a small way to take a wife. Not that I wouldhave you for a moment to imagine that we are looking for a proposalfrom him. I have great confidence in Sophia's sound Christianprinciples. I do not think she would ever bring herself to do anythingrashly or unadvisedly--she has great prudence and sound sense. Did youobserve Mr. Wallowby at dinner, and the very marked attention he paidher? I believe he is interested in her already! and no wonder, forthere are few like her, either for good looks or solid sense. Mr.Wallowby is very wealthy, and perhaps Sophia might see it her duty toaccept, if he were to propose. Great wealth opens such a door forextended usefulness! That would relieve my mind greatly as to RoddieBrown, poor man, and his prospects. But as I said before, Sophia hasnever opened her mind to me, nor, I believe, has either admirer spokento her. Roddie would speak fast enough, I am sure, if he either sawhis way to keep a wife, or got encouragement from us; but we must seeour way better before doing that. As for Mr. Wallowby, he only arrivedyesterday, but I think so soon as he knows his own mind, he will letus know it too.'

  'It is an anxious time for a mother, when a beloved daughter'ssettlement comes to be decided. But here come our young friends Mr.and Miss Brown!'

  In fact the Sangster dog-cart here drove past the window, and set downthe young preacher and his sister at the door. Thereupon supervenedconsiderable noise of voices in the hall, for Peter Sangster and hisfriend had been smoking through the bars of the lodge gate when thedog-cart came in sight, and Mr. Wallowby had been so taken with whathe was pleased to call the trim clipper-like cut of Mary Brown, thathe had persuaded Peter to dismiss the groom driving, and get inthemselves to accompany the new comers to the house. Peter being anold acquaintance and admirer of Mary's was not averse, and when hefound her seated at his side, he wished the avenue had been of greaterlength.

  Sophia left her embroidery frame to meet Mary as she alighted, andcarry her off to her chamber, while Roderick entered the presence ofthe Lady of Auchlippie.

  Mr. Dowlas hailed the arrival with sincere satisfaction, for hishostess' postprandial confidences had been a little irksome. She hadbeen loquacious and exciting, when, if the unvarnished truth may betold, he would fain have been silent, still, tranquil, somnolent andperhaps even asleep; for he had dined copiously. At any time it isunpleasant to hear one's sincerely cherished sentiments caricatured,or made ridiculous by being introduced in a discordant connection, butit is aggravating when the exhibition is obtruded on a mind renderedreposeful by the sense of physical repletion. The lady's jumble ofgenuine selfish worldliness and artificial pietism had been very farfrom soothing. He could not but admit in his heart, that he haddetected something like the same stirring of mixed motives in himself;but then, even to himself, they had taken a more seemly guise. Here intheir grosser manifestation they shocked him greatly. It seemed likelooking in a distorting mirror, when the gazer cannot withdraw hiseyes from the hideous image, which he still perceives to be his own,although so different and deformed.

  Mr. Dowlas rose, and said he would take a short stroll in the gardenbefore tea. Mrs. Sangster re-seated herself with Roderick, andproceeded to make herself busy with the worldly affairs and spiritualstate of many members of his flock, giving much valuable advice, as ofa mother in Israel to her youngest son. Her eye, however, rested noton his comely face, but peered over his shoulder to see how it spedwith Sophia and Mr. Wallowby, for she was resolved that no detrimentalinfluence should come between that wealthy man of Manchester and herdaughter's charms, if perchance she might find favour in his eyes.

  Alas! the rich man's eyes were fixed on Mary Brown, whose lively talkengaged both himself and Peter, while Sophia, resplendent embodimentof repose and still life, completed the group, but contributed nothingto the conversation. Mrs. Sangster grew restless as she watched, lostthe thread of her discourse more than once, resumed in the wrongplace, and wondering what her interlocutor would think, grew more andmore confused. Had she looked in his face instead of past him, shewould have been reassured. He had moved his chair a little so as tosee, by turning his eye, in the same direction to which her looks weredirected, and he sat regarding her with a smile of reposeful content.He probably knew nothing of what she was saying, and in truth hebestowed only so much attention as enabled him to smile or bow when apause in the current of words seemed to call for a sign of assent. Theyoung man's soul was steeped in tranquil satisfaction. He breathed thesame air, he occupied the same room with Sophia,--the Sophia everpresent in his thoughts by day and his dreams by night, and when heraised his eyes they rested on her form.

  Sophia Sangster--the name is prosaic enough. Not Romeo himself couldhave taught the nightingales to warble it. But there are nonightingales in the North, and the name of the girl he loved best hadnever struck Roderick as wanting in melody. She was about the same ageas his sister, but taller and larger in every way. Indeed, she was onas large a scale as a woman can well be, without disturbing the senseof fitness and harmony; but the proportion was so fine, that unlesswhen some one was near with whom to compare her, she would have passedfor the medium height. Perfectly modelled, and in the finest health,she lent to each movement a rhythmical repose, while rest was in herthe suspen
ded action we see in a marble statue, all free from the limpflaccidity of lolling sloth. Her abundant hair was coiled innumberless braids about her head, whose low forehead reminded one ofancient sculpture. So also did the straight nose, full lips, and chin.The rich currents of exuberant health lent brilliant carnation tintsto a soft and delicate skin, and nourished the cool shining of thelarge brown eyes beneath the shadow of their curving lids and longdark lashes-eyes into which poor Roderick had gazed with reverentwonder since long ago.

  He saw in this maiden of the admirable physique, and the transparentwell-coloured eyes, all that was responsive to his enthusiastic andimaginative nature. Another Pygmalion, he had breathed into her clay alife derived from his own, and now, heathen-like, he worshipped andrejoiced in the work of his own hands, and basked in the light ofperfections which existed only in his fanciful desires. With her fineperson and her talent for silence and repose, she was like a handsomewall, on which the magic lantern of his thoughts could disport itselfin the gayest hues of imagination, and, for the present, with far morecomfort and delight than had the Sophia of his worship been a realperson, liable to be found wanting, and falling short of expectation.Being an ideal creature altogether, it wanted but a little moremake-believe in a new place to fit her exactly to each varying mood.

  A young child finds greater and more lasting amusement in the rough,coarse cuts to be found in a backstreet picture book, than in thedaintiest illustrations of Caldecott or Kate Greenaway; and thereason, no doubt is, that art having realized less, there is morescope for imagination--more field for the young idea to play in. Sotoo in heathendom, the worship of Isis continued a living cult longafter that of the Latin gods had become merely a state ceremonial. Theblank impersonal carving of the Egyptian idol left unlimitedpossibilities to the devout imagination, which each worshipper couldwork out according to his own needs, while the fully realizedconceptions of Grecian art showed more to the worshipper than perhapshe could take in, and the bodily perfection displayed recalled ratherthe victor in some circus contest than suggested the mysteries of theunseen.

  But while we have been talking of her daughter, Mrs. Sangster and herguests have gone to tea. Tea was a meal forty years ago. The companysat round the table, which was set out with plates of bread andbutter, various kinds of cake, and sundry varieties of preserves, thework of Sophia all, and works whose excellence warranted the pride shetook in them; for before all else Sophia was a notable housekeeper.

  After tea there was music, but it being Saturday night, Sophiarefrained from performing her last-learned polka, seeing it was anelder's house and two ministers were present; not that she feared toseduce these grave gentlemen into the levity of a dance, but that itwas not consonant with the Sabbath exercises of the coming morrow.Mary therefore was called on to sing for them 'Angels ever bright andfair,' and such other morsels of Handel as she could recall withouther music. After that, Mr. Sangster called for his favourite Psalmtunes, in which he and Mr. Dowlas joined with immense relish, and nosmall volume of sound. Mary's voice was completely overborne in thedin, and Mr. Wallowby added a new experience in sacred song to his notvery complimentary catalogue of the transgressions and shortcomings ofthe Scotch as measured by the standard of Manchester.