CHAPTER XI.
On the following midsummer vacation, Mrs. Harewood complied with the wishesof her young family, by consenting to give a ball to their young friends;and as she disapproved very much of late hours, the whole party wereinvited to dinner, in order that the dance might commence early.
The day previous to this entertainment was a very busy one, as the youngpeople were permitted to display their taste by arranging the ball-room,and ornamenting it in the best manner they were able with flowers, underthe inspection and with the assistance of Miss Campbell. The boys, attendedby the footman, went out into the country, and returned laden withbeautiful spoils from the hedges and copses, consisting of branches oftrees, brushwood, and maythorn, together with those green plants which atthis season of the year are found in abundance, such as clivers, coltswort,and the various mallows. When these were brought home, the young ladiestied gay flowers, made of various-coloured paper, upon them, at distances,with green worsted; and when these ornaments were finished, the branchesthemselves were tied together with strong cord, which was hidden by thefoliage. By this means they were made into long wreaths, which were hung infestoons all round the room, and had an exceedingly beautiful effect, whileover the doors and windows arches were formed of the same materials; butwhen the greens were brought nearer to the eye, natural flowers were used,which, being cut very short in the stem, preserved themselves fresh andbeautiful, and perfumed the place with the most delightful odours.
Though this employment was charming, yet it was necessarily fatiguing, andthe children went to bed at an early hour. Not long after they had retired,Mr. and Mrs. Harewood heard a carriage, and while they were conjecturingwho it might be, to their great surprise, the long-expected stranger, Mrs.Hanson, was announced.
They were truly rejoiced to see her; for, although personally unknown tothem, they were much disposed to esteem and love her, both from the styleof her letters, and the many traits of her conduct and character given byZebby, who was an able eulogist, since she ever spoke from the heart, andalthough ignorant, was by nature acute and penetrating.
The anxious mother, sensible that forms were not necessary to be attendedto, in addressing the worthy couple to whom she came a welcome, thoughunknown guest, first inquired after her only child. When told that she wasin bed, and fast asleep, having been much fatigued when she retired, sheimmediately declared that she would not have Matilda awoke for her owngratification--a declaration which confirmed the good opinion the familyalready entertained of her. She could not, however, resist the very naturaldesire she felt of beholding that dear object of her solicitude, from whomshe had been so long parted; and she therefore visited her room, and,softly kissing her forehead, observed, to the great satisfaction of Mrs.Harewood, that she had never seen her look so well before, which wascertainly the fact, though her weariness had induced some degree ofpaleness.
Tears rose to the eyes of the fond mother, and often, often were theyturned to the bed which contained all her earthly treasure, ere she couldtear herself away; and Mrs. Harewood felt aware that silent prayersoccupied her heart for the future welfare and progressive virtue of abeing naturally so very dear, and whose bad passions, at the time of theirparting, had given so little rational hope of future felicity, either toherself or her widowed parent. Sympathizing truly with her feelings, andaware of the extreme delicacy of the subject, especially to one of whosepeculiar feelings she knew so little, Mrs. Harewood left it to time toshow the change in Matilda.
Mrs. Hanson was recalled from the fond reverie the sight of her daughterhad involved her in, by the voice of Zebby, who had only just learned thearrival of that dear mistress she had ever so justly estimated. The twoladies descended, and found the happy negro weeping for joy, and runningabout the breakfast-parlour and dining-room, seeking for her lady, whom,when she beheld, she danced about like a wild woman; one moment beingready to cast herself at her feet, and the next longing to embrace her.
"I am very glad to see you, Zebby," said Mrs. Hanson, "and very happy tofind you still my daughter's servant, as I know you will suit her muchbetter in many respects than any Englishwoman possibly could."
"Me love Missy ver much, madam, but me no Missy maid now; me housemaid formadam Harewood now; me makee de bed, sweepy de stair, do all sort ting; menever wait on Missy, no, never."
Mrs. Hanson gave a deep sigh, and said to Mrs. Harewood--"I fear you havehad some trouble in procuring a maid for my daughter, ma'am?"
"When your daughter came to us, you may remember, my good madam, that weundertook to treat her in every respect as if she were our own; we _have_done it, and you will be able to judge to-morrow how far your dear girlis benefited or injured by sharing the attentions of Ellen's nursemaid,Ellen's governess, and Ellen's mother."
Mrs. Hanson felt that she was much indebted to the kindness evidentlyintended by this arrangement, especially as it was a plain case, thatZebby had been retained in the family for her accommodation; yet she couldnot help thinking that the contrast between Matilda's past and presentsituation was too great: although she had a thousand times desired thatsome great change might be adopted in her education, yet her heart shrunkat the idea of the discipline which she had so long felt to be necessary.She was afraid that the terrible passions her child had manifested, hadrendered terrible changes necessary, and a train of inflictions andprivations arose to her view, which maternal tenderness was unequal tocontemplate unmoved; she therefore apologized to her friends, and retiredto her room, but her pillow was strewed with those thorns which solicitudehad planted there.