ZAIDEE: A ROMANCE.-PART VII. sister Burtonshaw," said Mr. Cumberland. |ples for a kreutzer; and by a passing cart-a "They call them fasts-nonsense! they are only triangular trough of wood-which a patient cow standing testimonials to the truth of my prin- was dragging meekly towards the Platz. And ciples. Wise men these old Romans, Sylvo; there with some little houses-houses that they knew man was not made a carnivorous looked so dwarfish beside its great proportions animal, and they did what they could to loose-clinging on like mosses to the basement of its the shackles of custom-but did not go far wall-this stately pile of building erected its enough, sir-did not go far enough. That's lofty roof, and threw up its delicate shafts towards the sky. why they failed." Mary Cumberland would have thought it During this conversation Mary Cumberland sat by, looking on, with a sparkle of derision in very grand if her mother had not been in ecstaher well-opened blue eyes, and her mind on the sies; but Zaidee, who had no such consideration alert and watching for a blunder. Not a to deter her, looked up at it in perfect silence, crotchet of her father, nor a piece of extrava- straining her wistful eyes, but saying not a "If she goes into raptures, I will have gance from her mother's lips, escaped the notice word. or the criticism of Mary. The justest senti- no more to do with her," said Mary to herself; ment in the world would have presented a ludi- and Mary watched her with a suspicious eye, crous phase to her as she sat thus, waiting to and the look of a cynic. To be only fifteen, yet or to dread "humbug" everywhere, is a great hear what mamma would say next,' Zaidee, on misfortune. The young lady eyed Zaidee curi"what papa had in his head now." the contrary, who did not know these kind peo- ously with her half-derisive eyes. But Zaidee only drew a long breath and ple, turned her eyes from one to another with devout attention. Mary Cumberland did not gazed again. This great tower of the Cathebelieve in her father and her mother-it was dral of Ulm should have been a heaven-piercing the misfortune of her life; but Zaidee Vivian, spire, they say, and is not half completed; but with her simple sincerity and her child's heart, chance has been kinder than intention, and believed in every one whose words had the sanc- given a picturesque effect to the abrupt little tion of age; and had a natural veneration for roof and pinnacle, which perhaps might have the natural orders and classifications of life. failed in a work of finished regularity. The While the one sat on the watch to find some- stone is red, but greyed or greened all over thing which might be openly laughed at, the with the faintest universal tinge of moss. Was it ever built, do you think?" said other turned from speaker to speaker with genuine respect; and Mary was disposed to pity Zaidee, turning round upon her companion the poor child who listened so devoutly to mam- rapidly. If she had made a thrust at her with ma's enthusiasm and papa's philosophy. She the dangling weapon of this passing soldier, herself had a great contempt for both of these. she could not have taken her critic more comShe concluded that Zaidee must be a great deal pletely by surprise. Mary's eyes, with all lower than herself in what she called intelli- their incipient satire and watchfulness, fell in a moment before the simple sincerity of her gence and spirit. 64 "Yes, you will show Miss Francis the cathe- companion. Zaidee meant what she said; and dral and the town. Do, my love," said Mrs. if some one had been by with a tale of miracle, Burtonshaw; ** and I shall have my news, you and vouched for it, that this complete and perknow-all my budget from home-ready when fect edifice was found one morning in the old Well, dear, she is not equal to you years of fable, by some devout and pious burghyou return. perhaps, but she is a good girl for all that-and er, standing firm as it does now, without a left so much to herself. Do go with her, Mary, stone laid or a pillar raised by mortal hands, this visionary girl would have believed it. But my darling; the walk will do you good. the unfortunate education of Mary Cumberland Mary shrugged her shoulders and went. With the sore contempt of one They had a very silent walk for some time, made imagination either "humbug " or " diseach of them busy with an examination of the play" to her. other, which soon, however, merged with Zaidee who is subject to daily humiliation from false "You should say that into entire occupation with what she saw. exhibitions of sentiment, this poor girl scouted Yonder again was that great tower raising it- and scorned the true. self so loftily, with such a grand simple grace to mamma," said Mary, with a little laugh: over all those burgher houses-over the half- but not the less was Mary struck with wonder ruined fortifications and swift-flowing river. and curiosity, scarcely less than Zaidee's own. Mr. Cumberland's house was just without the "What does she mean, I wonder-what can walls; and before they had reached the square she mean?" inquired Mary of herself. She in front of the great church, Mary had perused was of a truthful nature, and fact was familiar her new companion all over, from her brown to her, but she did not comprehend at all how face-which Mary, in opposition to ordinary it was, that Zaidee's mind, in its fresh and predications, concluded would be handsome open usefulness, full of belief and marvelling some day-to the feet which went so quickly admiration, could really mean only what she and so silently over the rugged narrow pave- said in asking such a question. The young ment. There is little traffic in the city of Ulm. lady was armed at all points against enthusiThe broad sunshine fell over this great square, asm; But not for all this little Wirtemburg uninterrupted save by the linen awning of one could Mary Cumberland have told you what small fruit-merchant, who sold two winter ap- Zaidee Vivian could mean. They went on again after that to the other too, I suppose? And now come and tell me lions of the quaint little ancient town, and to what you like and what you don't like, and the Dannbe flowing full and strong under its all that you think about. I shall call you walls. They went in silence, not knowing Lizzy. I like that best for a name, because what to say to each other; and Mary could not there is nothing fine about it. Do you like record a single "beautiful," or "grand," or Ulm now that you have seen it? Do you think "sublime;" or indeed an exclamation of any it is a grand church that? and is'nt it funny sort from her companion's lips. "Are you to see these poor cows instead of horses, and not pleased? would you rather go home!" the country people with their red handkerasked Mary at last, weary of puzzling and be- chiefs, and their brown faces? They don't ing disappointed. "Do you think Ulm is not think of their complexion in Wirtemberg; a fine town after those you have seen?" they have no time for that. Were you ever ill? I was once since we came here; and it was so strange to lie and listen to the river and to the great chimes in the Dom. I should have died I think, but for aunt Elizabeth. Was she very good to you? Do you like her very much? Every one ought, I think, for she is always so kind." "I have never seen anything like that," said Zaidee, pointing to the tower, which was always visible, rising through the clear blue frosty air, at every turn they took. "Do you think it is beautiful? do you think it is grand?" said Zaidee's tempter. But Zaidee looked uneasy, was slow to answer, and would not be beguiled into trans- Coming to a pause less from want of matter ports, of which her companion could be com- than from want of breath, Mary pulled her fortably contemptuous. "I do not know what friends sleeve, and looked into her face. "Are names to call it,' said Zaidee; I think it you asleep, or why don't you speak to me?" looks as if it lived and had been here for all cried Mary. " Why did you come to Ulm ? Now these long, long hundreds of years. Did you tell me quick, for I don't like solemn people. ever see a great mountain? is it like that What made you come here?" tower?" 'Did you ever see one ?" asked Mary in re turn. "It was as good as dying" said Zaidee in her low voice; it is so far away." "As good as dying!" Mary was struck I only know a little hill at home," said with horror. Why, what put dying in your Zaidee with becoming humility. "It is not head I should like to know? Is the house so high, but there is nothing higher between it dull, do you think. I don't like dull houses and heaven; and you can look far away to the myself, nor a great many heavy trees; but sea, and the wind rushes round you, all mamma thinks it romantic, interesting! One round, without any shelter. I think, though can't help what one's mamma thinks-people it is low and little, the mountains themselves must submit to that" said Mary shrugging must be like that hill; that is all I know of her shoulders; but I am sorry if the house them." looks so dismal to you." "If we go to Switzerland, you will see "I do not think the house is dismal. That enough of mountains," said Mary. "Do you little room is like a little room at home," said like to travel? Tell me what you like best Zaidee; "and I like to be here; I was very glad I like the valleys and the quiet coun- to come. Do you know any stories of the time try. I do not care for anything grand. I like when that tower was made? I think it must to see the farm houses, and the people going be a very long time ago." to see. home at night; and poor little cottages and "Do you like old stories?" said Mary, at brown little children on the way. What is present, bent, with true girlish earnestness, on your name? I don't like to call you Miss Fran- a minute comparison of experiences and opincis," cried Mary suddenly plunging into the ions. "I like stories of common people, and frankest unreserve; "and tell me what you the present time; I don't care about antilike best to see quity. Mamma says I have such bad taste, and This sudde ap from suspicious restraint am so prosaic. I like to-day a great deal better into the ex rant friendship of a school-girl, than yesterday; so I am not like you." puzzled za.dee almost as much as Zaidee had I like to-morrow,' " said Zaidee her dark puzzled her new friend. But the surprise was face brightening, "where I can make stories a pleasant one; and the two girls proceeded on for myself, and they may all come true. Have their way arm in arm, comparing likings and you bad taste, and are you prosaic ? I should experiences. The stranger had made a con- not like that." quest already. This honest, ill-nurtured improvable Mary, was Zaidee's fast friend. CHAPTER XXII.-FRIENDSHIP. "Mamma says so," said Mary, with the unfailing shrug. "Oh yes, I suppose I am. We are not interesting, nor romantic nor poetical; we are only common people, aunt Burtonshaw and I." "What does common people mean?” asked Zaidee. "Aunt Burtonshaw said I wanted a companion; I never thought so I am sure. But now I see aunt Burtonshaw was right" con- But Mary could not very well answer the fessed Mary Cumberland. "I never had a question. Mary had no recollection at the friend before, had you? And I want to un- moment, of the pride that apes humility; she derstand you. You want to understand me only knew that she was opposed, with all her ZAIDEE: A ROMANCE.-PART VII. might, to the sentimentality of mamma, and eyes from the sky where they had travelled 44 "Then I wish most of all I had died then," "I mean just like every body else-I mean -why, just common people to be sure," said said Zaidee; "that would have been best." "I cannot tell how it could be best to die." "Now, what I "It is all very well Mary eluding the difficulty. should like best when I am grown up would said Mary Cumberland. be a great house in the country, like that to say such a thing; but no one means it, I beautiful place papa was so foolish as to sell; am sure. Why, if it was only for other people, with a village at the park gates, and London would you like to make some one grieve for I should not, though I am not sentinot very far off. I should like to live a pleas- you? ant neighborly life, and visit the other people mental. I should not like to think of any one about, and go to town sometimes. I should weeping and mourning for me.' "No, if you brought harm to them," said like to have a great many dresses and jewels, but if you only died! We and everything handsome about me; and to Zaidee quickly; choose my own friends, and have things like all loved my uncle Percy when he was living, what other people have. I should like to have but so dearly, so dearly when they carried him a cheerful house, and everybody saying what away! I could bear them to grieve for me; I they thought. That is what I should choose." could bear to see them weeping if I died: but "Zaidee made no answer; she was looking not to vex them, and bring them trouble, and but out from the window, where, beyond that live through it all. They would know me then, great tower, the clouds were troublous and No one would think of harm or sorrow, broken like the stormy Cheshire skies; and only of love, if God would let me die!" "Who are they?-and who is your uncle?Zaidee's tangled thoughts were flying hither and thither like so many birds of passage, and what do you mean ?" cried Mary CumberYou are a strange girl. I do not between the Grange of Briarford, and Ulm on land. understand you. What do you mean?" the Danube-this far away foreign town. 64 Why will you not speak?" asked Mary. "I tell you what I am thinking, but you never Tell me, what should say any thing to me. you like best?" The next words that Zaidee addressed to her, convinced Mary that anything like a "rational answer" was not to be expected from her new companion. "I hear the Danube," said Zaidee. "Is it far till you come to the rocks and castles? for I see none here." For Zaidee made a long pause of consideration, as her companion thought. "I would like to be "What has the Danube to do with it, then?" "I like to the youngest child, and always to live at home, like to know what I am and never bring harm or sorrow," cried Zai- cried Mary, with some petulance. dee in her low and rapid voice-and Zaidee speak rationally. in her imagination, saw a hundred crowding talking of. I cannot leap about like this. There pictures of the blessedness of the youngest are no rocks nor castles for a long way. child, whom no one could ever think of leaving fortunes or estates to-the little one, everybody's servant, whom everybody loved," said Zaidee. And Mary could by no means understand the passion of restrained and eager longing, which sounded in Zaidee's cry. my part, I do not care for them; but I like very well in summer to hear the water rushing along by the old walls. The river never makes one dreary; it is not like the sea." "Did you ever see the sun set on the sea?" said Zaidee, whose imagination at the moment Are you afraid of having a fortune left was suddenly emblazoned with all the stormy you," asked Mary; and it was a very legiti-glories of the Cheshire sunset-a daily marvel ever threaten such as Mary Cumberland knew not of. mate question. "Did any one "Oh yes, I have seen the sun set on the sea, to leave you a fortune ?" continued the young lady, roused into something of her former and mamma said it was heavenly; and papa "I should not wondered whether we might not pierce down criticism and suspiciousness. have run away, If I had been you. I should through the earth with a tube, and get to the like to have a fortune left me myself. I am antipodes before him" said Mary, with an afraid we are not much like each other, after uneasy ridicule and impatience. Do you know all, for I am not above being rich, or for- there is one thing in the world I should like above all other things, and I will never get tunate, or happy." But if this sidelong shaft was intended to it; I should like to have wise friends." From this exclamation, uttered with a little wound Zaidee, it proved a signal failure, for Zaidee's thoughts had already struck aside on haste and heat, Zaidee instinctively retreated. different ground. Do you think little chil Zaidee had an intuitive perception that howdren when they die are always sure to go to ever true Mary's observations might be, she heaven?" asked the dreamer, withdrawing her was the last person in the world who ought to have made them. Poor Mary Cumberland! | tell you what is my idea of the first thing needall the tenderest and fairest of human emo- ful to a proper education. It is to teach your tions, had been made suspicious things to her young minds to think, my loves. Mary, What clear and homely understanding. No admira- were you thinking of just now!" tion at all was better than wordy raptures Mary, though not much given to diffidence, over everything; and Mary was disposed to blushed scarlet at this address, and hung her defy and cherish a resentment against that head. Her thought, if she had reported it, Beauty at whose shrine her mother was a weak would not have been much to her own credit, worshipper, and to hold Nature and Art, those or to the satisfaction of her mother. oft-quoted potencies, as twin-supporters of a "You cannot tell? Fie, child, how thoughtfictitious system, all false pretension and van-less," said Mrs. Cumberland. "And you Miss ity."Humbug," said Sylvester Burtonshaw, Francis, what was in your mind?" who was no great example of good sense, But Zaidee, too, faltered. There were so though on a different model from his aunt and many things in her mind, she could not withuncle Cumberland; and the word was very draw one separate fancy from the stream, and much in his young cousin's thoughts. She sat present it as an individual thought; for they at table like Mr. Burchell, and said "fudge!" were all fancies, and the number of them was the only concession that she made to her pa- infinite; these irregular battalions never rents being that she said it within herself. marched in single file. Now Zaidee Vivian was quite unlearned in Mrs. Cumberland shook her head, and tapped fudge and humbug. When Mary's eyes were them playfully over the fingers with the papersparkling, half with angry shame, and half knife she held in her hand. "Yet I daresay with derision, Zaidee listened with involuntary you both believed you were thinking, though respect; for Zaidee, who was almost destitute neither of you can tell what it was," said their of the ordinary forms of politeness, had much instructress. "Now, education enables you of its essence at heart, and a great reverence to think, and makes you masters of your for all whom she believed her superiors, a class thoughts. I will give you a subject. Here is which included her whole acquaintance over a book upon the table-it is Macaulay's His twenty years old. But it happened well that tory of England. Let me know what you think Zaidee's respectful listening, did not lead her of it, and of English History in general. Take to adopt Mrs. Cumberland's enthusiasms or ten minutes and form a just opinion, my Mr. Cumberland's philosophies. Not Mary dears." Cumberland's unbelieving disrespect was more Mrs. Cumberland looked at her watch with a proof against conviction than her companion's complacent smile, and took up the book she had attention, for Zaidee had a strange inalienable been reading, as she left her astonished pupils independence in that wild visionary mind of to their first exercise. They were all seated in hers. Her thoughts were communicated to no the Salle, the general sitting-room of the famione, but ran on in a perennial stream. She ly, at the comfortable English end of it, looking was quite invincible to rational argument, this down upon the long avenue of grey matting, of poor child, and far less in danger of change marble tables and gilded chairs standing than was Mary with her logical and reason- against the wall. February days are cold on able understanding; for Zaidee Vivian rea- the banks of the Danube; and once more there soned only through her heart. CHAP. XXIII.-EDUCATION. "Now, Mary, my darling-it is what I have often longed for-you have a companion with you, and I shall have the great delight of instructing you myself. You are very intelligent, I know, my dear Mary. What do you think most necessary for a proper education?" glowed a litle furnace of intense red within the open door of the stove. Mrs. Cumberland in a dress fitting close to her thin figure, with her braids of hair smothed down upon her thin cheek, sat upon a sofa turned towards the light. Her sister, wrapt in a cosy shawl, with a cosy cap, enclosing her pleasant face in its frame of lace and ribbons, bloomed like a winter rose beside the frosty lily at her right hand. Mrs. Burtonshaw had her back to the light, and was "I cannot tell, indeed, mamma, Everything, painfully endeavoring to whisper some original I suppose," said Mary, with her customary suggestion on this great subject to help the shrug. cogitations of her niece. " My dear Elizabeth!" That is true! cried Mrs. Burtonshaw, exclaimed Mrs. Cumberland. Mrs. Burtonshaw shaking her head solemnly. The masters fell back upon her knitting like a culprit, and we had, Maria Anna! But Mary knows so only tried to telegraph with her eyes. A much already-more, I do believe, than I do solemn silence followed. One could see by the now." dancing fun in Mary Cumberland's eye that it was very near being disturbed by a burst of laughter; but prudence prevailed; and amid the deepest stillness, and with all the help which could be afforded to them by aunt Burtonshaw's telegraphing, Mrs. Cumberland's pupils pondered their theme. She has had many advantages," said Mrs. Cumberland; but, my dear Elizabeth, I must beg you not to interrupt the lesson. There is much truth in what you say, Mary;-Miss Francis, my love, what is your opinion?" "I only can read-and write a little," said Zaidee, with great humility, shrinking from what was to follow. Macaulay's History of England, and English history in general-the subject was a suffi"Very well, my dear children. Now I will ciently great one, and deserved rather more than ten minutes' consideration, and graver back with the humility of a penitent crimierities than girls of fifteen. The mind of Zai- nal, Zaidee waited to hear her ignorance condee Vivian, to whom the fascinating volume on demned. the table was unknown, was cast afloat in an "Really I do not make a very promising beinstant upon the chronicle of Froissart in the ginning," said Mrs. Cumberland. "Never read Grange library, and upon the infallible records it? Do you know nothing of history, then, my of one Shakspeare, an authority greater than poor child? Is that what you mean to say?" history. Zaidee did not make much progress "Only Shakspeare and Froissart," said Zaiin thinking, though she tried conscientiously. dee slowly, hanging her head, and feeling herThese wayward fancies of hers carried her off self a very culprit. Mrs. Cumberland brightto the courtly assembly before Harfleurs-to ened again. Faulconbridge sparring at Austria with his That is very well, my love," said this enwicked wit-to poor, proud, frantic Constance, couraging preceptress; "and I only want to and the cruel councils of King John; and sent hear your opinion of them to be quite satisfied her away down the stream in the most mag- with you." nanimous impartiality, to sake side with every But, alas! Zaidee could give no opinionunfortunate. Bolingbroke first, and then King neither on the abstract question, nor the parRichard; poor old York, with his pretty Rut- ticular one. She only sat very still, in a state land; and saintly Henry, with his haughty of overpowering self-reproach and humbleness. queen. Zaidee's meditations would only have She could not comfort herself by reflecting how ended with the extent of her knowledge and rec- ridiculous mamma was, as Mary did. Zaidee ollection, had she been left to herself, when lo! could find nothing to complain of but herself. there broke upon their maze the rustle of Mrs. Whole ten minutes to think in, and not a morCumberland's sudden movement, and her sharp sel of thought to come out of it! She was not and high-pitched voice, as she consulted her bold enough to look up to meet her questioner's watch once more, "Ten minutes-have you eye. finished thinking, young ladies? Now, Mary, what have you to say?" "Well, Macaulay's History is a very pleasant book to read, mamma," said Mary. "We will change the subject. I see it is too much for you, my dear children," said Mrs. Cumberland," and the exercise is new and unusual. You were visiting the Cathedral yesterday-there is a delightful theme!-the Cathedral of Ulm, and architecture in general. Let me hear your thoughts upon these. Mrs. Cumberland nodded her assent. "And English history is "--But here Mary, whose voice had an unmistakable quaver of laughter in it, stopped short, and bit her lips But Zaidee! Zaidee! The good lady never to keep it down. English history is--" meant your wayward fancies to climb up and "A very great subject, Mary my darling," build nests for themselves like so many birds broke in poor Mrs. Burtonshaw, whose tele- in the fretted niches of yonder noble tower. graphed and perfectly unintelligible communi- While Mary wonders vainly what style this cations had become every moment more vehe- Ulm Cathedral is of, and tries to recollect, but ment. Mrs. Burtonshaw was much alarmed, doubts if she ever heard its date and builders, lest her favourite should come off second best. Zaidee makes a bewildered flight from the little "Elizabeth, I must have silence!" cried Mrs. Cumberland. "English history is-Mary, pray go on." 46 church at Briarford to the stately German Dom, and links together in a hasty procession all the other great buildings she is aware of having English history is a very great subject, seen, from that pepperboxed and genteel erecmamma, as aunt Burtonshaw says," said Mary. tion, rich with the characteristic graces of the very demurely, and with a little courtesy, for eighteenth century, where Mrs. Disbrowe and Mary had risen with wicked formality to be her household go to church every Sunday, to examined. other foreign cathedrals of which the travellers "And that is the sum of your reflections on had a hasty view on their journey here. Zaisach a glorious theme!" cried Mrs. Cumber- dee is in great haste, terrified lest the ten miland, elevating her hands. Well, the first nutes should expire before she has reviewed her duty of an instructress is patience. Sit down, subject; but alas! when the ten minutes have and I do not wish you to rise when I question expired, it appears again only too evident that you; we will do better next time, I trust. Zaidee's troublesome ideas will not march in Now, Miss Francis, tell me your thoughts on rank and file. this subject my dear." 66 Undiscouraged by her failure, Mrs. CumberBut Miss Francis, worse than Mary, could land perseveres, proposing subject after subject not answer at all. A flood of thoughts came as various and diverse as the topics of a popupouring into Zaidee's mind: her brown cheek lar course of lectures. But so far as to-day's flushed, and her pulse beat high; but alas! experience goes, this system for encouraging they would not be brought to the bar, these thought is not a remarkably successful one, and rebellious imaginations; they would not stand Mrs. Cumberland dismisses her pupils, of whom up and answer to their names, and give due the one is full of mirth and mischief, and the description of themselves. Zaidee faltered, other greatly humiliated and self-condemning, looked up, and looked down, and could not tell with a long-drawn sigh. Another time we At last, as her eye caught the will do better, let us hope," says this patient book upon the table, she made shift to answer. teacher; you are sad thoughtless children; "Indeed, I never read it ;" and, shrinking education has everything to do for you." what to say. 46 |