Trial and Triumph CHAPTER 7.
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The unwavering purpose of Mary to accept the offer of Mrs. Barker, met with the strongest opposition from her mother, which was continued up to the very moment of her leaving their humble place of abode to enter upon her new home. In the hope of influencing her daughter, Mrs. Lynn resorted to language of a most heartless character, and used some words that stung the poor girl cruelly.
With her mind, from this cause, in a state of agitation, Mary went forth to lead her new path of duty, feeling sad, even to wretchedness. If there had been but a single cheerful, encouraging word from her mother — how bravely and even happily would she have entered upon this new and toilsome path in life! But all was opposition, harshness, and smarting condemnation.
With a heart laboring heavily under its burden of painful feeling, Mary went forth from the cheerless home of her mother, and took her way toward the residence of Mrs. Barker. She did not observe, as she drew near the house, that a young man was just in advance of her, and that he stopped at the door to which she was going; for her eyes were upon the ground, and her thoughts were not cognizant of anything passing around her.
No wonder that she startled, nor that a crimson flush mounted to her face, as she set her foot upon the step in front of Mr. Barker's house, and, looking up, met the eye of Philip Emerson. The young man was as much surprised at this unexpected meeting, as herself. But not the slightest sign of recognition appeared in his countenance. For a moment, he looked coldly upon her, and then turned, as a servant opened the door, and passed in.
Mary followed, asking, as she did so, to see Mrs. Barker.
Caroline Barker met Philip Emerson in the front parlor, where they entered into conversation in a low tone of voice, while Mary sat, in view of them, in the back parlor, trembling in every nerve from the excitement created by the unexpected meeting with her former lover.
Several minutes elapsed before a servant came in and desired Mary to walk up into the sitting room, where Mrs. Barker wished to see her. The moment Mary came into the lady's presence, she perceived a change in her manner from what it was at the previous interview. She did not smile, but received her with a grave formality which instantly chilled the feelings of the unhappy girl.
"I have come, as I promised, madam," said Mary, so soon as she had taken the seat offered to her.
Mrs. Barker slightly inclined her head, and looked still more serious. A servant was in the room, and seemed disposed to linger.
"You can go up and see to the children," said Mrs. Barker to the servant, who, after lingering a short time longer, left the room.
The heart of Mary was beating, by this time, with a heavy, oppressive motion, that was actually painful. A few moments of silence ensued, which Mary broke, by saying —
"If you have seen reason to change your mind towards me, do not hesitate about the matter."
Mrs. Barker did not hesitate to comply with this invitation to speak out plainly — and she said —
"I have seen reason to change my first intention in regard to you, and frankly own that I have well grounded doubts as to the propriety of introducing you into my family. Forgive this plainness of speech, but plain speech, in these cases, is always best."
At these words, the face of Mary Lynn became very pale, and for a moment or two, she seemed to gasp for breath. Recovering herself quickly, she said, in a husky voice —
"Then your objection lies against something in my character?"
"It does," replied Mrs. Barker, with a severity of tone that, while it stung Mary, aroused in her mind a sense of virtuous indignation.
"Of course," said she, speaking with more self-possession, "you have received information against me, since I was here a few days ago. Then, all your feelings seemed to be in my favor."
"True; such is the case," said Mrs. Barker.
"May I ask the source of this information, and the nature of the allegations made?"
Mrs. Barker drew from her pocket a letter, and placed it in the young girl's hands.
Opening it, Mary read as follows:
"To Mrs. Barker. Madam: Having learned, accidentally, that a certain young personage is about applying to you for the situation of governess, I feel it to be my duty to caution you against her, as one whose introduction into your family may give trouble. There are many things about her conduct which do not look well, and among them is the fact that she receives sums of money from a former lover, who is about uniting himself in marriage with the daughter of one of our most respectable citizens. I will not mention her name; but you will know her by this description. She is a fair-faced, light-haired girl, slender, a little above the medium height, and rather pretty. Her mother is a widow, who lost all her property by the failure of the United States Bank. Be warned against her! A true, but unknown friend."
For a short time after reading this, Mary sat immovable. Then starting up, suddenly, she ran swiftly downstairs, with the open letter in her hand. Surprised at this sudden movement, and wishing to regain possession of the letter, Mrs. Barker followed the retreating girl, who, to her still greater surprise, entered the parlor, where sat her daughter and Philip Emerson, and advancing toward the latter, held the letter before his eyes, and said, in a quick, imperative voice —
"Did you write this?"
"Who are you? What do you mean?" exclaimed Emerson, starting to his feet, and contracting his brows angrily. He did not pretend astonishment; he really felt it.
"My name is Mary Lynn," was answered. "Do you know me now?"
"I never saw you nor heard of you before," said Emerson. "The girl is mad."
Mary crushed the letter in her hands as she clasped her temples; stood for a moment, looking wildly upon the young man, and then, with a gesture of agony, turned away, and without a word more, left the house.
"Who is she?" asked Emerson, his face red to the forehead. "What did she mean by my writing a letter? I never saw her before."
"I presume not," replied Mrs. Barker, with considerable agitation in her manner. "The girl, as you say, is mad!"
And without further remark, Mrs. Barker left the room.
As Mary Lynn retired from the house, she met at the door a young man, the son of Mr. Barker, who, struck with her appearance, and the strange agitation of her manner, stood looking after her as she went hurrying away.
"What does this mean?" said he, half aloud, as he turned, and entered the house.
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