Legends of the Family

CHAPTER VII.

Mr. Driver's anxiety to return to London Evelyn's dislike to him and to his Control - Conquers herself Mrs. Desmond's Influence - Evelyn grateful to her.

CONTRARY to Evelyn's expectations, the evening was not tiresome. Mrs. Desmond's manners were gentle and engaging, and her conversation lively and so full of amusing anecdote, that Evelyn forgot her imaginary prejudices, and readily joined in it.

Mr. Driver, who thought only of business, would fain have taken that opportunity to discuss the household arrangements for Evelyn, and the restrictions which he was determined to make in regard to her expenditure; but her father interposed, and, by imperceptibly leading to other subjects, saved Mrs. Desmond from Mr. Driver's continually applying for her opinion about minute arrangements. He thus prevented the irritation which he saw would be excited in his daughter's mind by any injudicious attempts to exercise over her proud spirit the authority which, though possessed by her guardians, ought, he thought, to be more gently urged on one so long accustomed to indulgence, and who now, full of her young importance, was determined against control. Evelyn shrank from interference as from something noxious; the haughty desire to rule, and the natural childishness of her mind, producing sometimes a laughable and contradictory effect upon her manners.

Mr. Desmond, who was better acquainted than its little mistress with the treasures of the old library, produced some admirable engravings, and also a collection of curious family records, from which he selected a few for the amusement of Mr. Stanley. The subject of the greater part of these legends and memoirs were only family feuds and wars between the petty kingdoms of Ireland; but Mr. Desmond,

who had studied and translated many of them, knew where to find those which related noble and generous actions, or displayed the bravery of many native chieftains who had distinguished themselves in the defence of their country.

Evelyn had often heard her grandfather detail some of those remarkable narratives, but she had listened as a child does to a tale—without feeling any personal interest in them. Now, however, she heard them with altered feelings: she was the representative of that ancient house, and she felt that its honours and its fame centred in her-it seemed as if she herself shared in its glory.

The antiquity of the manuscripts from which Mr. Desmond selected the annals that he read increased Mr. Stanley's interest about Ireland, and made him wish to know more of the former history of such a nation, and, above all things, to be made acquainted with its antiquities. Mr. Driver, on the contrary, wondered how any one could derive pleasure from hearing barbarous histories of people with barbarous names; and once or twice he could not refrain from saying that their time might be much better employed in considering the arrangements for Miss O'Brien, which only could have induced him to risk his life by coming to such a country.

The ancient buildings of Ireland having become the subject of conversation, many fine remains in the very county where Cromdarragh Castle stood were mentioned; and in turning over the pages of Grose's Antiquities, Mr. Stanley chanced to find a pencil sketch of a ruined abbey, the beauty of which pleased him so much that he declared he would stay an additional day on purpose to see it, if at all within his reach.

"I hope you will let us settle all our business first," said Mr. Driver. "I have an appointment in London on Tuesday next, and it is impossible for me to waste my time here listening to these traditions and examining ruined castles; indeed, I might get away to-morrow morning if Miss O'Brien had thought proper to listen to me when I wished to speak to her on business, and to direct her in regard to the allowance which we think it will be proper to appoint for her maintenance."

"I am sorry I have detained you," said Evelyn, colour

ing from a mixed feeling of vexation at his mode of speaking, and of delight at the thoughts of his departure. “I am ready to listen to you now if you like; but I hope, Mr. Stanley, you are not obliged to travel with Mr. Driver: I hope you will stay a long time, that papa and I may show you all the venerable antiquities of our dear green isle.”

"I fear that I can command but very few days now," replied Mr. Stanley; "but it will be my duty, as well as my wish, to visit you again; and then I shall hope that you and Mr. and Mrs. Desmond will assist me to see everything really that is, with the eyes of an inquiring observer, not those of the fashionably rapid travellers who, as Mr. Desmond says, hurry from place to place, and then imagine they know the character of the inhabitants; I assure you I shall not be contented to travel so. In the mean time we must, as Mr. Driver judiciously remarks, bring our business to a close. Business before pleasure' ought always to be our motto, my dear Miss O'Brien; and when our business is completed, perhaps a letter may come, which will, I hope, give me time to visit that beautiful abbey."

The next morning Evelyn came down determined to give her attention patiently to all Mr. Driver's tiresome details. When they began, soon after breakfast, to discuss these arrangements, she summoned her father to join them; but, to her vexation, Mrs. Desmond came with him, and, though Mr. Stanley immediately expressed his great satisfaction at having her assistance, Evelyn mentally resolved she would not submit to be dictated to by her, and that she should have no part in the management of her affairs.

How fortunate that we do not live in the Palais de la Vérité! Open war, or reproach, or remonstrance and accusation would occupy half our time, and we should never practise that self-restraint which at once preserves domestic peace, and gives us opportunities of becoming acquainted with the real worth of those whom at first, from some slight cause, we are inclined to dislike. The rising feelings of discontent and anger are more easily repressed in silence than when embodied in words; and the habit of polite consideration which we acquire in good society for those around

us overcomes in a great degree the natural selfishness of our nature, which would otherwise dispose us to think only of our immediate gratification.

Evelyn, prepared to be dissatisfied with all that was to be settled, prudently determined to listen in silence, and then to make her objections. To her great surprise, however, it was speedily agreed that she should have at her own disposal an income fully adequate to her present situation.

Mr. Driver had yielded to Mr. Stanley's arguments. His proposal that the income should be under the control of Mrs. Manvers, and the management of the house confided to her, was also set aside in this morning's discussion by Mrs. Desmond, to whom both he and Mr. Stanley appealed. It was her opinion that Evelyn, though so young, was perfectly capable of overcoming all the mysteries and difficulties of managing her establishment; and that, housekeeping and account-keeping being feminine accomplishments which must be acquired at some time of a lady's life, it was desirable for her to begin immediately to learn the value of money and to distinguish between real and unreal wants-between the expenses which would be suitable to her position in society and those which would be idle or extravagant. However little inclined to be pleased with Mrs. Desmond, Evelyn was now charmed by her opinion, though surprised, for she little expected that any interference on her part would have been in favour of her wishes. Aware of Mr. Driver's narrow views, she had prepared herself for a determined opposition; but happily no opposition, no remonstrance was necessary, for Mrs. Desmond's calm judgment had influenced even Mr. Driver, and Evelyn found that, notwithstanding her resolution to allow of no interference from her stepmother, it was, in fact, to her decision that she owed the gratification of her wishes. Pride might perhaps have prevented any immediate acknowledgment of her influence had Mr. Driver allowed an opportunity, but he was so persevering in his calculations, and so anxious to keep Mr. Stanley's mind intent on business-a difficult thing in his opinion that Evelyn could only just look at all the statements he gave her, half listening to his explanations, and to his oft-repeated advice

to be economical, and to be cautious how she trusted the people about her. At length they were summoned to luncheon, and, to her great satisfaction, Mr. Driver departed soon afterwards, giving her the assurance, however, that he would duly return for the rent-day in the November following.

“How glad I am," exclaimed Evelyn, as he drove away, "that that man is gone, and that we have conquered him! I should not like, indeed, to obey his orders, and about my own money, too."

"Let your prudence, then, my dear Miss O'Brien," said Mr. Stanley, "show that you are capable of managing your own money' without our interference, for you must still consider yourself as responsible to us, though in some degree mistress of it; that is to say, as far as the annual income allowed to you extends. I am afraid you will find yourself unequal to all you have undertaken, and that from your inexperience you will sometimes feel the want of advice."

"Yes, it is natural that I should; but then I know now where to find a friend who will assist and counsel me, I am sure," said she, taking Mrs. Desmond's hand; and, looking kindly at her, she added, a friend to whose influence I already owe my thanks.'

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Mr. Desmond had observed the struggle between the coldness of pride and the natural warmth of a grateful heart— between prejudice and truth: he was delighted to see that Evelyn's heart was sensible to kindness, and that her good and generous feelings were thus awakened by justice to one whom she had previously resolved to dislike.

The remainder of the day was devoted to examining the gardens and grounds again, and in planning some improvements, in which Evelyn joined with good humour, showing much good taste, but total ignorance of the expense of alterations, and indifference to that part of the subject.

The evening passed agreeably. Evelyn was pleased at the victory she had gained, not only over Mr. Driver, but over herself, and was therefore willing to be pleased with every one.