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Innovative Research in Attention Modeling and
Computer Vision Applications 1st Edition Rajarshi Pal
Digital Instant Download
Author(s): Rajarshi Pal
ISBN(s): 9781466687233, 1466687231
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Innovative Research
in Attention Modeling
and Computer Vision
Applications

Rajarshi Pal
Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, India

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Table of Contents

Preface................................................................................................................................................... xv

Section 1
Visual Attention Modeling and Applications

Chapter 1
2D and 3D Visual Attention for Computer Vision: Concepts, Measurement, and Modeling................. 1
Vincent Ricordel, University of Nantes, France
Junle Wang, University of Nantes, France
Matthieu Perreira Da Silva, University of Nantes, France
Patrick Le Callet, University of Nantes, France

Chapter 2
Applications of Visual Attention in Image Processing, Computer Vision, and Graphics..................... 45
Rajarshi Pal, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT)
Hyderabad, India

Chapter 3
Biologically-Inspired Models for Attentive Robot Vision: A Review................................................... 69
Amirhossein Jamalian, Technical University of Chemnitz, Germany
Fred H. Hamker, Technical University of Chemnitz, Germany

Chapter 4
Visual Attention Guided Object Detection and Tracking...................................................................... 99
Debi Prosad Dogra, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, India

Chapter 5
Content-Aware Image Retargeting: A Survey...................................................................................... 115
Rajarshi Pal, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, India
Prasun Chandra Tripathi, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology,
India & University of Hyderabad, India


 

Chapter 6
Video Saliency Detection for Visual Cryptography-Based Watermarking......................................... 132
Adrita Barari, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, India
Sunita V. Dhavale, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, India

Chapter 7
Study of Loss of Alertness and Driver Fatigue Using Visibility Graph Synchronization................... 171
Anwesha Sengupta, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
Sibsambhu Kar, Samsung India Software Operations, India
Aurobinda Routray, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

Section 2
Other Computer Vision Applications

Chapter 8
A Generic Design for Implementing Intersection between Triangles in Computer Vision and
Spatial Reasoning................................................................................................................................. 195
Chaman L. Sabharwal, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA
Jennifer L. Leopold, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA

Chapter 9
Multiple Object Tracking by Scale Space Representation of Objects, Method of Linear
Assignment, and Kalman Filter........................................................................................................... 236
Kumar S. Ray, Indian Statistical Institute, India
Soma Ghosh, Indian Statistical Institute, India
Kingshuk Chatterjee, Indian Statistical Institute, India
Debayan Ganguly, Indian Statistical Institute, India

Chapter 10
Digital Forensics: State-of-the-Art and Open Problems...................................................................... 260
Ruchira Naskar, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
Pankaj Malviya, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
Rajat Subhra Chakraborty, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

Chapter 11
Passive Video Tampering Detection Using Noise Features................................................................. 279
Ramesh Chand Pandey, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
K. K. Shukla, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India

Chapter 12
A Survey on Palmprint-Based Biometric Recognition System........................................................... 304
Y. L. Malathi Latha, Swami Vivekananda Institute of Technology (SVIT), India
Munaga V. N. K. Prasad, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology,
India


Chapter 13
Emotion Recognition Using Facial Expression................................................................................... 327
Santosh Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Shubam Jaiswal, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Rahul Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India

Chapter 14
Facial Expression Analysis Using 3D Range Images.......................................................................... 346
Parama Bagchi, RCC Institute of Information Technology, India
Debotosh Bhattacharjee, Jadavpur University, India
Mita Nasipuri, Jadavpur University, India

Chapter 15
Scalable Video Watermarking: A Survey............................................................................................ 365
Nilkanta Sahu, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India
Arijit Sur, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India

Chapter 16
Digital Image Watermarking Based on Fractal Image Coding............................................................ 388
Channapragada R. S. G. Rao, CMR Institute of Technology, India
Munaga V. N. K. Prasad, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology,
India

Compilation of References................................................................................................................ 400

About the Contributors..................................................................................................................... 446

Index.................................................................................................................................................... 454
Detailed Table of Contents

Preface................................................................................................................................................... xv

Section 1
Visual Attention Modeling and Applications

Chapter 1
2D and 3D Visual Attention for Computer Vision: Concepts, Measurement, and Modeling................. 1
Vincent Ricordel, University of Nantes, France
Junle Wang, University of Nantes, France
Matthieu Perreira Da Silva, University of Nantes, France
Patrick Le Callet, University of Nantes, France

Visual attention is one of the most important mechanisms deployed in the human visual system (HVS)
to reduce the amount of information that our brain needs to process. An increasing amount of efforts has
been dedicated to the study of visual attention, and this chapter proposes to clarify the advances achieved
in computational modeling of visual attention. First the concepts of visual attention, including the links
between visual salience and visual importance, are detailed. The main characteristics of the HVS involved
in the process of visual perception are also explained. Next we focus on eye-tracking, because of its role
in the evaluation of the performance of the models. A complete state of the art in computational modeling
of visual attention is then presented. The research works that extend some visual attention models to 3D
by taking into account of the impact of depth perception are finally explained and compared.

Chapter 2
Applications of Visual Attention in Image Processing, Computer Vision, and Graphics..................... 45
Rajarshi Pal, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT)
Hyderabad, India

Selective visual attention is an amazing capability of primate visual system to restrict the focus to few
interesting objects (or portions) in a scene. Thus, primates are able to pay attention to the required
visual content amidst myriads of other visual information. It enables them to interact with the external
environment in real time through reduction of computational load in their brain. This inspires image and
computer vision scientists to derive computational models of visual attention and to use them in varieties
of applications in real-life, mainly to speed up the processing through reduction of computational burden
which often characterizes image processing and vision tasks. This chapter discusses a wide variety of
such applications of visual attention models in image processing, computer vision and graphics.





Chapter 3
Biologically-Inspired Models for Attentive Robot Vision: A Review................................................... 69
Amirhossein Jamalian, Technical University of Chemnitz, Germany
Fred H. Hamker, Technical University of Chemnitz, Germany

A rich stream of visual data enters the cameras of a typical artificial vision system (e.g., a robot) and
considering the fact that processing this volume of data in real-rime is almost impossible, a clever mechanism
is required to reduce the amount of trivial visual data. Visual Attention might be the solution. The idea
is to control the information flow and thus to improve vision by focusing the resources merely on some
special aspects instead of the whole visual scene. However, does attention only speed-up processing or
can the understanding of human visual attention provide additional guidance for robot vision research? In
this chapter, first, some basic concepts of the primate visual system and visual attention are introduced.
Afterward, a new taxonomy of biologically-inspired models of attention, particularly those that are used
in robotics applications (e.g., in object detection and recognition) is given and finally, future research
trends in modelling of visual attention and its applications are highlighted.

Chapter 4
Visual Attention Guided Object Detection and Tracking...................................................................... 99
Debi Prosad Dogra, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, India

Scene understanding and object recognition heavily depend on the success of visual attention guided
salient region detection in images and videos. Therefore, summarizing computer vision techniques that
take the help of visual attention models to accomplish video object recognition and tracking, can be helpful
to the researchers of computer vision community. In this chapter, it is aimed to present a philosophical
overview of the possible applications of visual attention models in the context of object recognition and
tracking. At the beginning of this chapter, a brief introduction to various visual saliency models suitable
for object recognition is presented, that is followed by discussions on possible applications of attention
models on video object tracking. The chapter also provides a commentary on the existing techniques
available on this domain and discusses some of their possible extensions. It is believed that, prospective
readers will benefit since the chapter comprehensively guides a reader to understand the pros and cons
of this particular topic.

Chapter 5
Content-Aware Image Retargeting: A Survey...................................................................................... 115
Rajarshi Pal, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, India
Prasun Chandra Tripathi, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology,
India & University of Hyderabad, India

Displaying a large image in a small screen of a handheld gadget is a challenging task. Simple down-
scaling of the image may reduce some objects too small to be perceptible. This gives rise to content-aware
retargeting of the image. Important contents are allotted more screen space as compared to relatively
less important contents of the image. Various types of content-aware image retargeting approaches have
been proposed in a span of just over a decade. Another challenging area is to estimate importance of
importance of the contents. Lot of researches has been carried out in this direction too to identify the
important contents in the context of image retargeting. Equally important aspect is evaluation of these
retargeting methods. This article contains a brief survey of related research in all of these aspects.
 

Chapter 6
Video Saliency Detection for Visual Cryptography-Based Watermarking......................................... 132
Adrita Barari, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, India
Sunita V. Dhavale, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, India

The aim of this chapter is to review the application of the technique of Visual cryptography in non-
intrusive video watermarking. The power of saliency feature extraction is also highlighted in the context
of Visual Cryptography based watermarking systems for videos. All schemes in literature related to Visual
cryptography based video watermarking, have been brought together with special attention on the role
of saliency feature extraction in each of these schemes. Further a novel approach for VC based video
watermarking using motion vectors (MVP Algorithm) as a salient feature is suggested. Experimental
results show the robustness of proposed MVP Algorithm against various video processing attacks. Also,
compression scale invariance is achieved.

Chapter 7
Study of Loss of Alertness and Driver Fatigue Using Visibility Graph Synchronization................... 171
Anwesha Sengupta, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
Sibsambhu Kar, Samsung India Software Operations, India
Aurobinda Routray, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is widely used to predict performance degradation of human subjects

due to mental or physical fatigue. Lack of sleep or insufficient quality or quantity of sleep is one of the
major reasons of fatigue. Analysis of fatigue due to sleep deprivation using EEG synchronization is a
promising field of research. The present chapter analyses advancing levels of fatigue in human drivers in
a sleep-deprivation experiment by studying the synchronization between EEG data. A Visibility Graph
Similarity-based method has been employed to quantify the synchronization, which has been formulated
in terms of a complex network. The change in the parameters of the network has been analyzed to find
the variation of connectivity between brain areas and hence to trace the increase in fatigue levels of the
subjects. The parameters of the brain network have been compared with those of a complex network with
a random degree of connectivity to establish the small-world nature of the brain network.

Section 2
Other Computer Vision Applications

Chapter 8
A Generic Design for Implementing Intersection between Triangles in Computer Vision and
Spatial Reasoning................................................................................................................................. 195
Chaman L. Sabharwal, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA
Jennifer L. Leopold, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA

The intersection between 3D objects plays a prominent role in spatial reasoning, and computer vision.
Detection of intersection between objects can be based on the triangulated boundaries of the objects,
leading to computing triangle-triangle intersection. Traditionally there are separate algorithms for cross
and coplanar intersection. For qualitative reasoning, intersection detection is sufficient, actual intersection
is not necessary; in contrast, the precise intersection is required for geometric modeling. Herein we
present a complete design and implementation of a single integrated algorithm independent of the type
of intersection. Additionally, this algorithm first detects, then intersects and classifies the intersections


using barycentric coordinates. This work is directly applicable to: (1) VRCC-3D+, which uses intersection
detection between 3D objects as well as their 2D projections essential for occlusion detection; and (2)
CAD/CAM geometric modeling where curves of intersection between a pair of surfaces are required for
numerical control machines. Experimental results are provided.

Chapter 9
Multiple Object Tracking by Scale Space Representation of Objects, Method of Linear
Assignment, and Kalman Filter........................................................................................................... 236
Kumar S. Ray, Indian Statistical Institute, India
Soma Ghosh, Indian Statistical Institute, India
Kingshuk Chatterjee, Indian Statistical Institute, India
Debayan Ganguly, Indian Statistical Institute, India

This chapter presents a multi-object tracking system using scale space representation of objects, the
method of linear assignment and Kalman filter. In this chapter basically two very prominent problems
of multi object tracking have been resolved; the two prominent problems are (i) irrespective of the size
of the objects, tracking all the moving objects simultaneously and (ii) tracking of objects under partial
and/or complete occlusion. The primary task of tracking multiple objects is performed by the method
of linear assignment for which few cost parameters are computed depending upon the extracted features
of moving objects in video scene. In the feature extraction phase scale space representation of objects
have been used. Tracking of occluded objects is performed by Kalman filter.

Chapter 10
Digital Forensics: State-of-the-Art and Open Problems...................................................................... 260
Ruchira Naskar, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
Pankaj Malviya, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
Rajat Subhra Chakraborty, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

Digital forensics deal with cyber crime detection from digital multimedia data. In the present day,
multimedia data such as images and videos are major sources of evidence in the courts of law worldwide.
However, the immense proliferation and easy availability of low-cost or free, user-friendly and powerful
image and video processing software, poses as the largest threat to today’s digital world as well as the legal
industry. This is due to the fact that such software allow efficient image and video editing, manipulation
and synthesis, with a few mouse clicks even by a novice user. Such software also enable formation realistic
of computer-generated images. In this chapter, we discuss different types of digital image forgeries and
state-of-the-art digital forensic techniques to detect them. Through these discussions, we also give an
idea of the challenges and open problems in the field of digital forensics.

Chapter 11
Passive Video Tampering Detection Using Noise Features................................................................. 279
Ramesh Chand Pandey, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
K. K. Shukla, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India

With increasing availability of low-cost video editing softwares and tools, the authenticity of digital video
can no longer be trusted. Active video tampering detection technique utilize digital signature or digital
watermark for the video tampering detection, but when the videos do not include such signature then it
 

is very challenging to detect tampering in such video. To detect tampering in such video, passive video
tampering detection techniques are required. In this chapter we have explained passive video tampering
detection by using noise features. When video is captured with camera it passes through a Camera
processing pipeline and this introduces noise in the video. Noise changes abruptly from authentic to
forged frame blocks and provides a clue for video tampering detection. For extracting the noise we have
considered different techniques like denoising algorithms, wavelet based denoising filter, and neighbor
prediction.

Chapter 12
A Survey on Palmprint-Based Biometric Recognition System........................................................... 304
Y. L. Malathi Latha, Swami Vivekananda Institute of Technology (SVIT), India
Munaga V. N. K. Prasad, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology,
India

The automatic use of physiological or behavioral characteristics to determine or verify identity of

individual’s is regarded as biometrics. Fingerprints, Iris, Voice, Face, and palmprints are considered as
physiological biometrics whereas voice and signature are behavioral biometrics. Palmprint recognition
is one of the popular methods which have been investigated over last fifteen years. Palmprint have very
large internal surface and contain several unique stable characteristic features used to identify individuals.
Several palmprint recognition methods have been extensively studied. This chapter is an attempt to review
current palmprint research, describing image acquisition, preprocessing palmprint feature extraction and
matching, palmprint related fusion and techniques used for real time palmprint identification in large
databases. Various palmprint recognition methods are compared.

Chapter 13
Emotion Recognition Using Facial Expression................................................................................... 327
Santosh Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Shubam Jaiswal, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Rahul Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India

Recognition of facial expression is a challenging problem for machine in comparison to human and
it has encouraged numerous advanced machine learning algorithms. It is one of the methods for
emotion recognition as the emotion of a particular person can be found out by studying his or her facial
expressions. In this paper, we proposes a generic algorithms for recognition of emotions and illustrates
a fundamental steps of the four algorithms such as Eigenfaces (Principal Component Analysis [PCA]),
Fisherfaces, Local Binary Pattern Histogram (LBP) and SURF with FLANN over two databases Cohn-
kanade database and IIT BHU student face images as benchmark database.The objective of this book
chapter is to recognize the emotions from facial images of individuals and compare the performances
of holistic algorithms like Eigenfaces, Fisherfaces, and texture based recognition algorithms LBPH,
hybrid algorithm SURF and FLANN. Matching efficiency of individual emotions from facial expression
databases are labeled for training and testing phases. The set of features is extracted from labeled dataset
for training purpose and test images are matched with discriminative set of feature points. Based on
that comparison, we conclude that Eigenfaces and Fisherfaces yields good recognition accuracy on the
benchmark database than others and the efficiency of SURF with FLANN algorithm can be enhanced
significantly by changing the parameters.


Chapter 14
Facial Expression Analysis Using 3D Range Images.......................................................................... 346
Parama Bagchi, RCC Institute of Information Technology, India
Debotosh Bhattacharjee, Jadavpur University, India
Mita Nasipuri, Jadavpur University, India

This proposed work deals with the uses and techniques of 3D range images for facial expression recognition.
A 3D range image is basically a depth image (also called a 2.5D image), which contains depth information
at each (x, y) pixel of the image. In the future, computer vision will become a part of our everyday life
because of all of its extensive applications. Hence, the interactions between users and computers need to
be more natural, and emphasizing as well as enumerating human-to-human communication to a larger
extent. That is the reason why facial expressions find importance. Facial expression is an important
factor of communication, and they reveal unknown facts about a person’s feelings and emotions. There
comes the need of a real facial expression detection system. Also, changes in expression are of great
importance for the interpretation of human facial behavior as well as face recognition.

Chapter 15
Scalable Video Watermarking: A Survey............................................................................................ 365
Nilkanta Sahu, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India
Arijit Sur, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India

In recent times, enormous advancement in communication as well as hardware technologies makes the
video communication very popular. With the increasing diversity among the end using media players and
its associated network bandwidth, the requirement of video streams with respect to quality, resolution,
frame rate becomes more heterogeneous. This increasing heterogeneity make the scalable adaptation of
the video stream in the receiver end, a real problem. Scalable video coding (SVC) has been introduced as
a countermeasure of this practical problem where the main video stream is designed in such a hierarchical
fashion that a set of independent bit streams can be produced as per requirement of different end using
devices. SVC becomes very popular in recent time and consequently, efficient and secure transmission
of scalable video stream becomes a requirement. Watermarking is being considered as an efficient DRM
tool for almost a decade. Although video watermarking is regarded as a well focused research domain,
a very less attention has been paid on the scalable watermarking in recent times. In this book chapter,
a comprehensive survey on the scalable video watermarking has been done. The main objective of this
survey work is to analyse the robustness of the different existing video watermarking scheme against
scalable video adaptation and try to define the research problems for the same. Firstly, few existing scalable
image watermarking schemes are discussed to understand the advantages and limitations of the direct
extension of such scheme for frame by frame video watermarking. Similarly few video watermarking and
some recent scalable video watermarking are also narrated by specifying their pros and cons. Finally, a
summary of this survey is presented by pointing out the possible countermeasure of the existing problems.
 

Chapter 16
Digital Image Watermarking Based on Fractal Image Coding............................................................ 388
Channapragada R. S. G. Rao, CMR Institute of Technology, India
Munaga V. N. K. Prasad, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology,
India

This chapter proposes a watermarking technique using Ridgelet and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT)
techniques. A wavelet transform is the wavelet function representation. A wavelet is a mathematical
function which divides a continuous time signal into different scale components, where each scale
components is assigned with a frequency range. Wavelets represent objects with point singularities, while
ridgelets represents objects with line singularities. The Ridgelet transform Technique is a multi-scale
representation for functions on continuous spaces that are smooth away from discontinuities along lines.
The proposed technique applies Ridgelet transform on the cover image to obtain ridgelet coefficients.
These coefficients are transformed by using 2-level DWT to get low frequency sub-bands – LL1 and LL2.
The mutual similarities between LL1 and LL2 sub-bands are considered for embedding watermark. The
obtained watermarked image has better quality when compared to a few exiting methods.

Compilation of References................................................................................................................ 400

About the Contributors..................................................................................................................... 446

Index.................................................................................................................................................... 454
Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
guess you are down in the mouth, Pen). I think I like it best as it
now stands. Spottiswoode, Tyndal, give me your opinion."
The gentlemen were soon engaged in disputing the propriety of
planting, or not planting a fine swell in the park, each arguing upon
their opinions, enabling Miss Wycherly to recover some degree of
composure; and, when her well-appointed equipage drove to the
door, she was able to perform her adieus with tolerable calmness.
Tom Pynsent offered his arm to Lady Spottiswoode.
"Now, my lady, three gentlemen can't cut themselves down into two,
so I shall take charge of you, while they fight for your daughter and
Pen."
Mr. Spottiswoode stood irresolute for an instant, but the Mr. Tyndals
took possession of Miss Spottiswoode; neither of those gentlemen
approached Miss Wycherly. Mr. Spottiswoode was, of course, under
the necessity of leading her to the carriage, but it took place in
profound silence. Tom Pynsent, now awake to his cousin's state of
mind, managed every thing for her.
"There, ladies, you are comfortable. Pen, let me place you
comfortably upon your throne."
Mrs. Pynsent screamed from the drawing-room window, "I say, Tom,
put Pen inside!"
Tom Pynsent, however, seated his cousin safely on the "throne," as
she had always designated the coach-box, and Mr. Spottiswoode
took his seat by her side; the Mr. Tyndals also mounted their horses,
and rode away.
Mr. Spottiswoode paused to admit of Tom Pynsent's careful
arrangement of his cousin's box-cloak, but Mrs. Pynsent again
screamed from the window:—
"I say, Tom, you'll be too late for Wetheral!"
Tom Pynsent noticed his mother's exclamations by a sharp
movement of the elbow, and remained till he had adjusted every
thing with precision. He then shook his cousin's hand forcibly, and
descended upon the steps of the door. "All's right, Spottiswoode."
The carriage was soon lost behind the knoll, which had been the
subject of dispute.
The Mr. Tyndals appeared no more by the side of the carriage, and a
long silence was broken by a remark from Mr. Spottiswoode.
"I wonder we see nothing of the Tyndals."
Miss Wycherly answered, half hesitating, "I believe I have offended
Mr. Henry Tyndal."
"That is to be regretted," was Mr. Spottiswoode's reply, and a second
silence ensued; the remainder of the drive was passed without a
word on either side. Lady Spottiswoode urged Miss Wycherly to
remain with them and dine; but Penelope's heart was too ill at ease
to accept her hospitality. Her pallid countenance and hurried voice
pleading excuses, spoke more powerfully than words could do, and
her friends forbore to press her compliance. Mr. Spottiswoode still
held the reins, and evinced no intention to quit the box. Miss
Wycherly dared not meet his eye, as she thanked him for the trouble
he had taken.
"You must not return thanks yet, for my task is not ended," replied
Mr. Spottiswoode, "I shall drive you safely to Lidham."
"Pray—not for the world!" exclaimed Miss Wycherly, fixing her eyes
upon her companion, in the energy of speaking; Mr. Spottiswoode's
face wore a mild expression, and a smile quivered on his lip, but it
fled at her exclamation, and his manner resumed its reserve. She
remembered Julia's charge to be gentle; she remembered her
cousin's charge to "pitch it in smoothly;" she saw also Mr. Henry
Tyndal walking his horse in the distance.
"Yes, yes, Charles Spottiswoode, drive on, and drive fast—don't wait
for any one!"
"Not for Tyndal?" asked Mr. Spottiswoode, provokingly.
"Not for a human being—drive on, I beseech you!"
Mr. Spottiswoode obeyed, and the carriage proceeded with rapidity
in the direction of Lidham.
Three miles were traversed, and Lidham rose among its woods in
grandeur, ere Miss Wycherly attempted to speak; she had taxed her
memory to bring forward some topic of conversation, but it played
her false; she had awaited a remark from her companion, upon
which to ground her intended kindness, and it had not reached her
ear—her heart now pined to recover its former ease and happiness,
yet no opportunity offered to attempt the resumption. To begin the
subject voluntarily, was a thought which fled at its very birth. What!
own herself in the wrong, and apologize for having given pain to a
worthy heart? Ask for pardon, when she had insulted a human being
in the dearest feelings? and, when her spirit longed to be at peace
with her lover, full of its own injustice and wrong? forbid it, womanly
dignity!
Mr. Spottiswoode passed through the lodge at Lidham, and yet Miss
Wycherly persevered in her silence; no matter, Mr. Wycherly was in
sight, and the hour was past for repentance; she must henceforth
submit to bear a gnawing and unpitied remorse for her levity of
conduct, and for the knowledge that she had thrown away the very
opportunity she had coveted, to try her power upon her lover's
forgiveness. To her "dignity" she must sacrifice an ingenuous
confession of sorrow for an error, heartless as it was uncalled for;
and the demands of "dignity" superseded the claim of right. So do
women often create their own misery, by daring to offend, yet
quailing under the degradation of revoking an ungenerous speech.
Mr. Wycherly returned to the house, and was ready to receive his
daughter and Mr. Spottiswoode when they drove up in his usual way.
It never occurred to him that the somewhat long absence of the
latter from Lidham was a sure prognostic of a misunderstanding
between the parties most interested in the visits.
"Why, Spottiswoode, you are a truant, but Pen has caught you at
last, I see. She and I thought you were gone for ever, but I'm glad
to see you, however." Mr. Wycherly handed his daughter from the
barouche-box. "Well, now, come down, for dinner has been ready
this half-hour; down with you, my good fellow."
Mr. Spottiswoode declined staying dinner; he would take his own
horse, and return to Shrewsbury.
"My good fellow, what's the matter with you? you won't think of
losing your dinner? Nonsense, my dear sir; stay and take your
dinner, and go home afterwards, if you like. Here, Pen, try your
eloquence."
But Miss Wycherly had flown in sorrow and anger to her own room.
Mr. Spottiswoode perceived her departure, and it decided his own;
he could not be prevailed upon to defer his ride home till the
evening. It was evident Miss Wycherly got out of his way, and her
manner towards him was offensive; he could not think of remaining
at Lidham, to subject himself to repeated annoyances; Mr. Wycherly
pressed in vain.
"Well, Spottiswoode, you are determined, so I can't help it; but I
think there is something in the wind."
"I am returning to my mother's house," replied Mr. Spottiswoode, as
he shook hands.
"Give my compliments," said Mr. Wycherly, "and tell her I say you
are an obstinate mule."
 CHAPTER IX.

Miss Wycherly began to lose all hope of recovering her position in

Mr. Spottiswoode's heart, unless she could prevail upon herself to
make the amende honorable; and to that wretched alternative her
mind would not bend. Rather would she endure the horrible idea of
losing him; rather would she suffer the pangs of jealousy to distract
her heart, than "bow down" before him she had offended, or say
one word which could lead him to suppose she retracted her
offensive coquetry. For some days her spirit chafed in solitude and in
silence, and Julia received the following note, a week subsequent to
their meeting at Hatton.

"For Heaven's sake, Julia, come to me for one hour, and

leave Lord Ennismore behind! Don't bring him to Lidham,
for I hate the sight and sound of lovers; come alone, and
listen to the woes of poor
"Penelope Wycherly."

Julia attended her summons, but Lord Ennismore did not remain
behind; he attended his mother and his intended bride in the
carriage, and Lady Ennismore deposited Julia at Lidham, promising
to call for her on their return from Shrewsbury. Julia found her friend
pale and ill with watching and fretting; Miss Wycherly received her
with open arms.
"Oh, Julia, if you knew what I have suffered since we met last, you
would pity me! I am so glad you are come to me without your
overseers!"
"Who are my overseers?" asked Julia, laughing at the term.
"You know I must mean the Ennismores, Julia: you are never to be
seen without mother and son. Sit down, my dear, and hear my
complaint."
Miss Wycherly gave Julia an exact and long statement of all that had
taken place since they had met at Hatton, and her voice became
agitated as she dwelt upon Mr. Spottiswoode's silence during the
drive, and his apparent determination not to give her an opportunity
to express her feelings. "This, Julia, was the most cruel part of his
conduct," she continued. "How can a woman advocate her cause,
when a man is resolved to be silent? I may have acted wrong in the
beginning, but the blame rests with him now. I have only to be
wretched all my life, and shut myself up at Lidham."
Tears rushed to her eyes, but she struggled to subdue all
appearance of emotion. Julia was preparing to speak, but a wave of
the hand deterred her.
"Let me say all I have to say, Julia, and then applaud or blame me
as you please. If I was foolish to show caprice and folly at that
critical moment, Spottiswoode has exhibited cruelty and ill-temper
ever since. He knew I meant to accept him some time or other, and
he was needlessly hasty in acting so violently and promptly upon a
nonsensical speech of mine. Suppose every man was to fly away at
a woman's playfulness? I assure you, Julia, I was very ill when I
came from Hatton; and yet the ill-natured creature has not inquired
after me. I think you cannot uphold such a display of temper."
"I uphold Mr. Spottiswoode," replied Julia, "upon many points, and I
cannot flatter you, Penelope, by saying you have done right in one
particular."
"Julia!" exclaimed Miss Wycherly, "never desert a friend in distress,
or take a man's part against her!"
"I am giving you my opinion, Penelope, and Mr. Spottiswoode will
never hear the substance of our conversation from myself. You have
vexed and offended him; you have flirted very publicly with Henry
Tyndal; and you have allowed Mr. Spottiswoode to imagine you have
refused himself, after allowing his attentions for years—oh,
Penelope, from your very childhood."
Miss Wycherly coloured, and her tears began to flow, but she made
no reply. Her friend continued:—
"A woman may teaze a man who is comparatively a stranger to her,
and she may believe herself making trial of his temper and affection;
but Mr. Spottiswoode has been born and educated amongst us, and
his attachment has been too well known to the neighbourhood, and
to yourself, to doubt its truth. Do you doubt his affection, Penelope?"
Miss Wycherly shook her head, but she did not trust herself to
speak.
"Then why treat him with levity, and throw him into Lady Anna
Herbert's power?"
"Good heavens, Julia!" shrieked Miss Wycherly, as she started up
from her seat, "do you know that for a certainty? Is he positively
thinking of Lady Anna; positively leaving me for ever? Oh! don't in
mercy tell me so!"
"I do not think it, Penelope, because I know he has loved you too
long to care for another; but you have been very unkind, and it has
broken the bond of esteem between you. Take care how you draw
the reins too tightly, and lose him past all recovery."
"Oh, if you are my friend, Julia," cried Miss Wycherly, kneeling before
her in agony—"if you have any love for your playfellow in youth, and
your friend since we grew up together, act for me in this strait, and
return me Spottiswoode's love."
"Then dismiss Henry Tyndal from your constant society, Penelope."
"Too happy to do so, Julia!"
"Let Mr. Spottiswoode see by your conduct and manners, that you
regret having pained him, Penelope."
"Alas! he will never give me an opportunity, Julia."
"Then make one, Penelope. If you love him as truly as you say you
do, he is worth the sacrifice of an ill-judged pride. You have
offended him; express your regrets courageously, and recover his
esteem."
"I should die before the words could be spoken, Julia," said her
friend, rising from her attitude of humility, and reseating herself.—"I
should die while I was confessing my sorrow. Don't ask me to
acknowledge error; it would be a bitter task, and I never can sue for
a husband—no, that I never, never can do."
"My dear Penelope...."
"Think of any other way, Julia, but not that dreadfully degrading task
of imploring pardon—of bowing down before an offended lover! I
should never again be able to assert my power!"
"We see things very differently, Penelope. Remember the extremely
keen feelings of Mr. Spottiswoode, and the pain he has suffered in
your flirtation with Henry Tyndal!"
"He has brought it upon himself."
"And you are content to resign Mr. Spottiswoode for the indulgence
of false pride, Penelope—to lose the affection of a kind, constant
lover, because you cannot condescend to say you were wrong! Then
Lady Anna will be a happy woman if she can succeed you."
"You drive me wild with naming Lady Anna!" cried Miss Wycherly.
"No one shall succeed me in Charles Spottiswoode's heart, or I'll not
stay at Lidham to see it. I believe I am proud, Julia, too proud for
my peace of mind, but I shall never conquer it; it will drive me to my
grave."
"Struggle against such an ignoble passion, Penelope."
Mr. Wycherly's voice resounded through the hall, calling for his
daughter. "I say Pen!—here! halloo, Pen!"
"I cannot meet him with these red eyes," hastily observed Miss
Wycherly. "My dear dear Julia, do speak for me!"
Julia joined Mr. Wycherly in the hall, who politely apologised for his
vociferation; he was not aware of her presence at Lidham; he was
only calling on Pen, to order some bread and cheese for
Spottiswoode, and one or two hungry dogs, who would not
dismount; but the servants were gone for the refreshments, and he
would not detain her, or tease Pen, who was any thing but well.
"If Mr. Spottiswoode is at the hall-door, I should like much to see him
for a few moments," was Julia's observation.
"He is here, and Tyndal, father and son. I can't get any of them to
dismount; when they see you, Miss Julia, one or two may change
their mind, and prefer eating in-doors. I'll tell Spottiswoode you are
here; or if you take my arm and show yourself, the effect will be
greater."
Julia accompanied Mr. Wycherly to the door, and, after a few general
compliments had passed, she addressed herself particularly to Mr.
Spottiswoode, in a low voice.
"Mr. Spottiswoode, I wish to speak with you; can you leave your
party?"
"Certainly; I shall feel honoured by any command from you." Mr.
Spottiswoode dismounted, and gave his horse to one of the Lidham
grooms.
"There!" cried Mr. Wycherly. "I told you so, Miss Julia, I told you
what would happen, didn't I? Tyndal is good for nothing, but his son
will follow the lead."
It was Mr. John Tyndal who accompanied his father, and they were
not able to accept the tempting invitation—"they would just take a
hurried snack upon their horses, and proceed; would Wycherly join
them?"
"And leave Spottiswoode to the ladies' care?"
"To be sure; Spottiswoode was a lady's man, and they were always
petted animals."
"Well, Miss Julia," said Mr. Wycherly, "I give Spottiswoode into your
hands, and you are responsible for consequences. Pen and you will
entertain him as long as he behaves well."
Julia promised to be his guardian angel, and she proceeded with Mr.
Spottiswoode to the sitting-room, where Miss Wycherly was lying
extended upon the sofa, thoughtful and hopeless of ever seeing
happy days again, if they were to be purchased by her own
submission. She rose slowly as the door opened.
"What a time you have been flirting with papa, Julia!" she exclaimed,
reproachfully. At that moment she perceived Mr. Spottiswoode, and a
cry of surprise burst from her lips, but she did not advance to
receive him. Mr. Spottiswoode stood near the door, and, resenting
the coldness of his reception, he spoke only to Julia.
"Miss Wetheral, you wished to speak with me; may I beg the favour
of your communication?"
"It is comprised in few words, Mr. Spottiswoode. My friend Penelope
is distressed and grieved at having given you unprovoked offence,
and she pines to recover your esteem."
"No—no—it is not true!" shrieked Miss Wycherly, hiding her face
among the sofa pillows.
"Mr. Spottiswoode," continued Julia, "you are both unhappy, and this
misunderstanding will never end without the assistance of a mutual
friend. I now tell you, Penelope regrets her error, but fears to lessen
herself in your opinion, by doing justice to herself and you. She is
miserable at having quarrelled, and why should you not know it, and
be friends?"
"By my soul, Penelope, I forgive the pain you have caused me," said
Mr. Spottiswoode, approaching her, "if I may indeed believe you
repent your unkind treatment."
Miss Wycherly shrunk from his touch as her lover offered to take her
hand.
"I do not repent—I regret nothing—oh, Julia! was this kind to betray
me! I will never believe you could love me, and yet have done this!"
She rose to fly from the room, but Mr. Spottiswoode's arm, gently
wound round her waist, arrested her flight.
"Stay, Penelope, and tell me why you avoid a man who loves you,
and has borne what I have done for you? Tell me why you fear to
say a kind thing, when it may balance a thousand harsh ones? Why
must you distress a heart which never gave you uneasiness?"
"You have made me uneasy enough with your attention to Lady
Anna," replied Miss Wycherly, earnestly, yet not attempting to
disengage herself.
"Do you seriously mean that, Penelope?" said Mr. Spottiswoode,
looking inquiringly into her face.
"Yes, I do: your flirtation there was worse than mine with Henry
Tyndal; every body knew he was not cared for, but you were
abominable."
"Look me in the face, Penelope, and say that again if you dare."
Miss Wycherly did not repeat the accusation: how could she? Her
lover held her to his heart, and every disquieting thought was stilled.
She turned to Julia, and held out her hand.
"Julia, I will never forget that you brought about this reconciliation. I
was too proud to own myself in fault, and had you not interfered, we
should never have met again in harmony. I was agonised at first
with anger, but it is past now; and, for Heaven's sake, don't let us
quarrel again, Charles Spottiswoode!"
"Then you will have me without another interview with Captain
Jekyl, Penelope?"
"Don't remember all that nonsense."
"I will not. Miss Wetheral, I am deeply obliged to you for your
spirited and friendly conduct to us both. Had it not been for your
intervention, I should not have entered Lidham again. Our mutual
obligations, Penelope, are great to this excellent friend."
"When Julia wants a home or a friend, she will remember Lidham,
Charles."
"Thank you," said Julia, smiling; "should such a time ever arrive, I
will appear before you, to seek my home of rest."
Lady Ennismore's carriage was announced, and Julia rose to depart.
"I have done an action which will always give me pleasure to
contemplate," she said, as she shook hands with the reconciled pair.
"I have linked the chain round my two friends, and it shall not break
again. Penelope, I bespeak you upon a certain occasion; you must
follow me to the altar when my hour comes."
"I will follow you to the death, my dear," replied her friend, "to the
altar, to wealth, to misery, or the grave."
"Nay, only to the altar, Penelope; I will give you due notice."
Mr. Spottiswoode led her to the carriage, and repeated his
acknowledgments. Lord Ennismore received her, and Julia left
Lidham again, in company with those whom Miss Wycherly termed
her overseers.
Wetheral Castle was now the scene of considerable bustle and
gaiety. Lady Wetheral was destined, apparently, to succeed in every
wish of her heart, for she had arranged and contrived to execute her
plan of marrying both daughters on the same day. The Boscawens
were invited to attend their nuptials; and Lady Ennismore, Mrs.
Pynsent, and Lady Wetheral, united in wishing the day to be an early
one. Lady Ennismore spoke in terms of elegant compliment, and
expressed her maternal anxiety to see her son happily settled ere
she retired to her seat in Lincolnshire; but Mrs. Pynsent did not
attempt to press flowers of eloquence into her oratory.
"Here, let's have no dawdling, but let Tom get married; what's the
use of kicking our heels here doing nothing? I'm for setting smartly
to work, and naming a day. Come, this day three weeks I'll say, and
Tom will back me."
Lady Wetheral saw every thing could safely be left to Mrs. Pynsent's
care, as far as the time was concerned; she, therefore, gave her
attention to ornamental attire, and complimented Mrs. Pynsent by
placing the day at her disposal. Mrs. Pynsent decided at once.
"Well then, I say this day three weeks, and no putting off."
From that hour, all was movement and consultation: Lady Ennismore
and her son returned to Bedinfield to prepare for the bride's
reception, and they were to reappear at Wetheral the week of the
nuptials. Every body was to be congregated at Wetheral on the
Monday preceding the ceremony, but the Boscawens were to spend
a fortnight there, as Isabel would enjoy the sight of bridal finery.
Lady Wetheral received Isabel with all the honours due to her
position in society. Anna Maria and Julia's future exaltation must
place them beyond Isabel in pomp and circumstance; but still Mrs.
Boscawen held a decided station, and she was mistress of Brierly.
Mrs. Boscawen was therefore received at Wetheral with much
ceremony and polite welcome. Isabel, however, returned to her early
home a changed being: the light-hearted girl who had quitted
Wetheral scarcely a twelvemonth, in smiles and joyous anticipations,
returned a matron in appearance, grave and subdued in manner, and
apparently frightened into stillness by her husband's stern
observation. She was no longer the sprightly, happy, madcap Isabel
Wetheral; her laugh had fled, and even the smiles which used to
pass in rapid succession over her bright face, stole now upon her lips
slow and seldom. Her mother complimented Isabel upon the change
so rapid and so complete.
"I am never weary admiring you, my dear Mrs. Boscawen; and I
little imagined my romping daughter would be so soon transferred
into an elegant, quiet matron. Your manners are quite perfect, my
love."
A placid smile curled the lip of Isabel at this compliment.
"I am very quiet now, I believe; Mr. Boscawen dislikes laughing."
"It is not an accomplishment," said Lady Wetheral; "every common
creature can laugh. I believe the loudest laughter is considered the
pleasantest person among the commonality. I detest a laugher."
"I enjoyed laughing extremely," replied Isabel, with a sigh. "I should
like to laugh again, but there is nothing laughable at Brierly. Mr.
Boscawen does not like young people staying in the house, and I
have mixed entirely among old people since I married."
"Your situation, my love! Mr. Boscawen is anxious to keep you quiet,
I dare say."
"I should prefer having a friend or two with me to enliven Brierly,"
returned Isabel, gravely. "Mr. Boscawen liked to see me merry before
we married, but now he says it is wrong. I think my sisters are
foolish to marry. Anna Maria, you had better remain single, for Mr.
Boscawen says young married women should not appear lively and
ready to chat with gentlemen, and you know we chatted away here."
"Mr. Boscawen is elderly, my love; elderly gentlemen are very
particular," observed Lady Wetheral, soothingly.
"Old or young, they are much the same, I believe; my jokes amused
Mr. Boscawen extremely till I married. Papa always liked to see me
happy, too; Mr. Boscawen's sister, Tabitha, reads such lectures if I
laugh! I don't like her at all."
"I think you look extremely handsome and well, Mrs. Boscawen.
Matrimony has improved you—confinement in two months time, you
say? I wish I could offer you my assistance, my love; but you know
what a poor nervous creature I am."
"Mr. Boscawen says I am only to have his sister Tabitha with me."
"An excellent arrangement, my love. Miss Tabitha will not have the
anxiety which would make me worse than useless. I dare say she is
a steady sort of person."
"I don't like her at all, mamma; I would rather have you at Brierly."
"Me, my love! Oh, no! I am too nervous, not half so fitted for the
department of nurse as good Miss Tabitha. Those old maids, you
know, are calm and useful in their ignorance. I should be nervous,
and make you so; Boscawen has arranged very prudently."
Isabel privately confessed to her sisters that if she had only
suspected what her matrimony was to end in, nothing should have
induced her to marry. That beautiful cloak with the leopard's claw
had been of no use; not once had she occasion to wear it. Boscawen
made her read history for some hours every day, which she forgot as
soon as she closed the books; then Boscawen worried her with
lessons of geography, and expected her to understand accounts, and
comprehend housekeeping—a thing she detested; perhaps when she
became a mother, she might have more power, but at present she
was neither more nor less than a girl at school.
Isabel took great notice of Christobelle; and while her elder sisters
were absorbed in preparation for their approaching nuptials, she was
her companion at all hours; and she loved to have her youngest
sister constantly at her side. Mr. Boscawen freely indulged his lady in
her love for Christobelle's society, and expressed himself pleased by
her selection.
"I can have no objection, Isabel, to your youngest sister being with
you, and if you can obtain your father's consent, you can take her to
Brierly. I like her turn for reading; you can read together. I do not
wish you to be mixed up with the foolish preparations going on
among your sisters and mother—jewels and dresses, all nonsense. I
wish you to attend particularly to history, that you may not be
wanting in necessary information; and I expect your mornings will
be devoted to study, as usual. Your youngest sister can be with you,
and your studies may proceed together."
"I thought this fortnight was to be a holiday, Mr. Boscawen," said
Isabel, mournfully.
"My dear Isabel, you have much to make up, and at your age much
is acquired. I was distressed at hearing you assert to my sister a
short time since, that you could reach France by land."
"Well, Mr. Boscawen, I did not know to the contrary."
"But you ought to know, my dear Isabel; an ignorant woman at the
head of a man's table is terrible. I am continually watching to repair
your blunders."
"I made no blunders before I married, Mr. Boscawen."
Mr. Boscawen gave a grim smile at Isabel's assertion, and patted her
shoulder with kind feeling.
"Yes, you did, and those blunders amused me; but, my dear Isabel,
a lover is charmed with faults and blunders, which make a husband
miserable, so read and improve yourself in knowledge. Chrystal is
the best companion for you at Wetheral." In consequence of Mr.
Boscawen's wish, Isabel and Christobelle studied together, and the
child of ten years of age was even better acquainted with the
elements of knowledge than the woman of eighteen. Isabel had an
insuperable objection to study of any kind, and when Mr. Boscawen
left the sisters together for an hour, Isabel quitted her dull history to
seize upon Christobelle's little collection of story-books, or else she
vented her disappointed feelings in warning her never to marry at
all, but particularly an old man. It was all vanity and vexation of
spirit; she had never seen company at Brierly; and Mr. Boscawen
determined to receive none till she could conduct her own
establishment; that time would never arrive, for she never could
order any thing but mutton-chops and mashed potatoes. And Miss
Tabitha scolded and lectured in vain. However, Mr. Boscawen said
she might have Christobelle with her, and that was a blessing; for
when she came, she might get out a little more.
Such was Isabel's course of life, after marrying precisely to have
uncontrolled liberty, to ride all day in the gig, and fill Brierly as full as
it could hold.
Tom Pynsent was very indignant at Isabel's mode of life. "What the
devil did a man marry for, if a wife was only to be turned into a
daughter? and what was a woman the better for having her head
crammed with knowledge. For his part, he hoped Anna Maria could
not tell great A from a bull's foot, and she would get no teaching at
Hatton."
Mr. Boscawen persevered in his system, and only smiled grimly at
the observations which were showered in his presence. No sort of
excuse, no little morning gaiety, was allowed to prevail with him in
liberating his wife from her course of study. Till four in the
afternoon, Isabel was toiling at the arts and sciences; and at that
hour her husband took her an airing in the carriage which had so
delighted her sight on her wedding-day:—she called it now her
prison-house.
Mr. Boscawen's system of education, however unpalatable it proved
to Isabel's taste, was one of gentleness, and of great importance to
her mind. He was never harsh in his observations, and he bore with
great patience his young wife's disinclination to improve her
resources. Nothing could be more agreeably explained than Mr.
Boscawen's views upon every subject. He imparted instruction so
mildly, and varied his course of studies so insinuatingly, that the
mornings flew past in really instructive yet pleasing pursuits.
At Christobelle's young age, she delighted in Mr. Boscawen's gentle
administration, and no one ever before had power to withdraw her
from her father's study. During Isabel's visit, Christobelle lived in her
dressing-room; and when Mr. Boscawen walked out, Christobelle
hovered round him, and listened to his kindly-expressed sentiments
upon every trifle which she offered to his notice. Mr. Boscawen
possessed but two failings; he had a most repulsive expression of
countenance; and he married a young, laughing girl, hardly out of
the nursery, who could not appreciate his extensive knowledge, and
who could never prove the companion his intellectual taste coveted.
Caught by the vivacity and beauty of a sprightly girl, he had vainly
promised himself pleasure in superintending her education, and in
leading her talents towards the stores which learning could bestow:
mortification was the result of his anxiety.
Mr. Boscawen was not the first wise man who fell in love, and
fancied he could make a young creature happy, by endeavouring to
raise her capacity to his own level. Many have tried the experiment
and failed, because they would not believe the sparkling eye could
emanate from gay spirits unconnected with scope of intellect, and
because they expected that age and gravity could assimilate with
youthful feelings and youthful views. Isabel was not adapted to the
sameness of her life at Brierly: had she married a man more suited
to her time of life, her joyous spirit would have met the cares of this
world with light-heartedness and in smiles; but the awful
countenance of her husband ever resting upon her—his perpetual
anxiety respecting her manners—his remarks, so gentle yet so
sternly spoken—all pressed upon her mind, and weighed down her
spirits.
Whenever Isabel spoke, her eye rested with alarm upon Mr.
Boscawen; and it was evident she had been tutored into some
degree of caution, by the unwearied lectures of Miss Tabitha
Boscawen, upon the necessity of married ladies thinking before they
spoke upon any subject. Lady Wetheral was enthusiastic in her
praise of Isabel's improved appearance and manner, but her sisters
and Miss Wycherly mourned over the change which had taken place.
Miss Wycherly spoke openly her opinion.
"I declare, and I always did declare, it was a sinful act to give Isabel
to that lanky, dark, awful Mr. Boscawen. The poor thing was not able
to judge for herself, and she fancied every elderly man was like her
father. I think such very unnatural matches should be prevented by
act of parliament."
Isabel one morning stole away from her heavy volume of Rapin, to
look over the wardrobe of the two brides, which had arrived from
town, and were hung in magnificent array in their apartments. Miss
Wycherly and Miss Spottiswoode were also sitting in judgment upon
their beauty of make and material, and the whole female population
of Wetheral were admitted to admire and wonder over the costly
arrangement. Isabel's eyes sparkled at the sight, and, with true
girlish delight, she examined and applauded each article as it
attracted her notice.
"Oh, Julia, this satin is yours, I am sure! Yes, that is Lady Ennismore
at a first glance; how very beautiful! Ah, Julia! I hope you will wear
it oftener than I have worn my pretty blue silk: I shall wear it on
your wedding-day, and that will be only the second time of its
appearance upon any stage. I dare say it will look old-fashioned now
compared to yours. One small flounce, you see—how pretty! my
blue silk has no flounce." She passed on to the case which contained
the jewels presented to Julia by Lady Ennismore.
"Well, Julia, this is a sight! how very sparkling and brilliant! I wonder
how often you will wear them? Mr. Boscawen does not like me to
wear the beautiful brooch papa gave me; he says it is attending to
the outside of the platter instead of the inside, and then he said
something in Greek or French, I don't know which; but my poor
ornament was laid up in silver paper again. I hope Lord Ennismore
will let you dress handsomely, Julia."
"I never cared much about dress, Isabel," said Julia; "if dear
Augustus dislikes dress, I shall renounce it very willingly."
"Would you, indeed? Ah! but you are very fond of Lord Ennismore,
and he likes every thing you do and say: so did Mr. Boscawen once.
Oh, Anna Maria, this muslin dress, worked so divinely! One comfort
is, Tom Pynsent will let you wear muslin and satin by day and by
night, if you choose to do so. Lord Ennismore I know nothing about,
but I do know my old partner Tom's good-nature. How I wish Mr.
Boscawen was like Tom Pynsent! Mr. Boscawen is very kind, though:
I am sure he never contradicts me in any thing, but he talks me into
his measures, which is just the same thing. I never could argue; and
if I did, Mr. Boscawen talks so many languages, I could never argue
against them all. How I have been talking!—I could almost fancy
myself unmarried. What was that?—a bell? I must run away, or Mr.
Boscawen will find me a truant when he returns."
"See here, Isabel," exclaimed Miss Wycherly—"here is a poplin
sweetly trimmed; don't run away!"
"My dear, I must; don't tempt me; I am sure that was Mr.
Boscawen's bell, to ask where I was. It is airing time, and I dare say
my prison-house is at the door."
Away flew Isabel, in alarm, lest her husband should have perceived
her flight from the dressing-room.
"Delightful specimen of matrimony!" observed Miss Spottiswoode.
"It is not a comfortable view of the state," replied Miss Wycherly;
"but Isabel and Mr. Boscawen were never intended to become man
and wife. It has been one of those unaccountable proceedings which
do sometimes occur, and which causes misery to two very excellent
people. Either would have been happy in a different connexion: I
think Isabel ought to have married John Tyndal."
"And why John Tyndal?" asked Miss Spottiswoode, hastily.
Miss Wycherly smiled. "Only, if it had so happened, Sophy, John
Tyndal's good-nature would have given way to Isabel's tastes."
"He is the soul of good-nature and kindness," replied Miss
Spottiswoode, "yet he might not have been happy with Isabel."
"Perhaps not, if he liked another lady better; but don't blush, Sophy.
I have offended his brother for ever; Henry Tyndal meets me now,
and will not see me, or bow as we pass."
"Because you behaved very ill to him, and Charles too, Penelope."
"Well, now, Sophy, that is past and forgiven, so let us think of the
girls' wedding-clothes, and all the bustle of this day week."
The ladies again proceeded to comment upon the beauty of the
dresses, and all subjects gave way to the engrossing topic of dress
and jewels.
Tom Pynsent was firmly decided not to accept his father's
resignation of Hatton upon his marriage; and Sir John Wetheral
upheld him in his resolution. Lady Wetheral lost all patience with
such determinations.
"I am sure, Sir John, the Pynsents are anxious to leave Hatton, and
relinquish the trouble of superintending such large property. How
much happier old Mr. Pynsent will be in some quiet nook, enjoying
himself, if you did not fancy such foolish schemes, and innoculate
Tom with the disease! I wonder, my dear Mr. Boscawen, you do not
urge Sir John to allow Mr. Pynsent his own way in this matter."
"Aparte mala cum est mulier, tum damum est bona," said Mr.
Boscawen.
"You agree with me? Is that your meaning when translated?"
"I do not," replied Mr. Boscawen, mildly; "I give my judgment
entirely in favour of Tom Pynsent."
"You have not given the subject your best consideration, my love,"
observed her husband.
"The thing requires no consideration, Sir John: you are traversing Mr.
Pynsent in his wishes, and preparing severe pain for me. I always
hoped and believed Anna Maria would be near me, and you are
endeavouring to banish her the county. I confess I am ill prepared
for this blow, Sir John Wetheral, and I hope I shall not be extremely
ill from the shock."
Sir John endeavoured to explain away his lady's objections to the
present arrangement; but her mind was totally overpowered by the
reflection that Hatton must not yet shelter his daughter.
"I don't understand you, Sir John. Nothing can explain away my
distress at perceiving you determined to expel my daughter from
Hatton, and I can only appeal to Tom Pynsent from your harsh
resolution. I shall implore him to let my daughter be near her
mother."
Tom Pynsent's mind was composed of kindly materials, but his
perceptions of right were always clear, and his conduct did credit to
those perceptions, by resisting, formidably and pertinaciously, every
attempt to attract him from the path chalked out by his
straightforward, well-judging principles. Lady Wetheral's eloquent
and parental complainings roused his best feelings, but Tom Pynsent
was at this moment, as he ever had been, perfectly blind to all hints
and concealed purposes. He read her ladyship's meaning, simply as
a parent mourning her separation from a loved and gentle daughter,
and his excellent heart prompted every means of consolation.
"God bless my soul, Lady Wetheral, I feel quite a brute in taking
Anna Maria out of the neighbourhood, while you suffer so much—I
am sure I am willing to do any thing to lessen your regret! Anna
Maria, my dear little duck, what shall we do for Lady Wetheral?"
"To be separated from two daughters at once," remarked Lady
Wetheral, despairingly—"to lose two children at once is a serious
misery. Julia must live in Staffordshire—she must, and, of course,
ought, to settle upon her husband's property: but my dearest Anna
Maria need not surely desert us!"
"I'll tell you what I'll decide upon at once," cried Tom Pynsent.
Her ladyship listened with intense eagerness.
"I'll decide at once, and accept my father's offer to live——"
Lady Wetheral seized Tom Pynsent's large red hand. "You have given
peace to my heart, Tom, to a mother's deep disquietude—I
understand you—my Anna Maria will live near me. You will be
brilliant, as I anticipated, my dear girl!"
"I'll do what I never thought I could do," continued Tom Pynsent;
"but I am sure I'll not separate you from your daughter, if you love
her as well as I do. Come, then, I'll accept my father's offer of a
large house in Dog Pole; and though I never lived in a town, I'll do it
to quiet your heart, Lady Wetheral."
Her ladyship sunk into a chair—she could only articulate, faintly, "Oh
—no, no!"
"Yes, but I will, though, Lady Wetheral. I'll remove the kennel to
Coleham, and then I can hunt; I'll amuse myself on Sundays with
shewing my wife the hounds, and I must patronise the poor devils of
players in an evening, to amuse my little woman here. I will do it,
upon my soul: I'm not joking, Lady Wetheral."
"No, it cannot be—I see it is wrong—no, you shall not live in
Shrewsbury to please me," said her ladyship, writhing in horror; "my
daughter would become ill in a close atmosphere. You would
become disgusted too. I see very clearly my mistake—no, that must
not be. A little effort will shake off maternal regrets." Lady Wetheral
trembled with the remembrance even of Tom Pynsent's offer. Her
daughter living in Dog Pole, and going to the play like a mechanic's
wife!—oh, let her die first! She was obliged to have recourse to her
salts.
Anna Maria was surprised at the strong emotion which seized upon
her mother. She offered consolation in her own way.
"But, mamma, if you are so distressed at our leaving you, I beseech
you to postpone my marriage for a short time, till the remembrance
of Julia has subsided. I cannot bear to see you suffer, mamma. Let
my marriage be suspended a fortnight—I know Tom will accede for
my sake, won't you, dear Tom?"
"I would rather live in Dog Pole than postpone my marriage,"
answered Tom Pynsent, sturdily.
"Neither, neither," said Lady Wetheral, rising; "I will not hear of any
change. I am foolish in my fondness, but I must have fortitude, like
other mothers. I must remember I have Clara and poor little Chrystal
to comfort me. Decide upon your place of residence, and so it is not
a town or a village, I shall be satisfied."
Lady Wetheral quitted the room in a state of mind most pitiable; she
had been foiled in her wish to see Anna Maria placed immediately at
the head of the Hatton establishment, and, this one wish
disappointed, she felt as though every other gratified vision of
grandeur sank into nothingness; one defeat obliterated a thousand
victories; such is the nature of a mind unaccustomed to meet
impediments in its rapid course.
"Tom!" said his fair fiancée, as the door closed upon them, "I am
going to wish a wish."
"You wished a pretty wish, just now, you little rascal, didn't you?"
answered her lover, throwing his arm round Anna Maria, and
squeezing her till she exclaimed:—
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, Tom! your arm is like a steam-engine in full
play!"
"I'm afraid I am rough," said Tom, anxiously rubbing the arm which
had been pinioned to her side by his embrace, "but I am an
awkward dog by nature. Come, what is your wish, and you shall
have it; but, no more putting off the wedding-day, mind."
"I should like, Tom, to go to Paris."
"By Jove!" ejaculated Tom Pynsent, in extremity of astonishment,
"by all the saints and holy women, what are we to do at Paris, my
darling girl?"
"Just to see Paris, my dear Tom, and pass a few weeks there."
"I think I see myself in Paris, d—n me!" cried her lover, excited
something beyond his usual subdued language in Anna Maria's
presence: "the Frenchmen will hoot me through the streets; why, we
can't manage a sentence in French between us!"
"We can hire somebody to speak for us, dear Tom, and every one
speaks French now, except ourselves. I want to see Paris, and
Blucher, and, what can it signify, whether we speak English or
French?"
"How shall we eat their infernal frogs and garlic, Anna Maria?" asked
Tom Pynsent, with a shudder, "and, what shall we do in a great city,
without knowing their jargon? My dear girl, we shall be like the
babes in the wood!"
"No, no, Tom, we shall get on like other people, and Sir John
Spottiswoode delights in Paris; he wishes his mother and sister to
join him, Penelope says. We shall find him out; and, then if you
dislike Paris, we can return home, you know."
"I never was at sea in my life, Anna Maria; I never was even upon
the Severn. Deuce take it, I shall be like the hounds at fault, and
you, my poor girl, will want to get back to Shropshire."
"No, I shall not," said Miss Wetheral; "say, Tom, you will take me to
Paris!"
"I'll take you to the world's end, my darling, if you fancy it; how is
this little arm? I'm not fit to take charge of a creature like you, with
my rough ways, but you shall have all your little whims gratified."
Thus, then, was a visit to Paris decided upon; and Tom Pynsent
renouncing his country, and truly English tastes, gave way at once to
Anna Maria's wishes, and commenced preparations for a foreign
expedition. Certainly no character possessed more real kindness,
than the unselfish and affectionate Tom Pynsent, for, of all men upon
earth, he was the least calculated, in taste and habits, to relish even
a temporary banishment from his native land.
 CHAPTER X.

There was wassail in Wetheral Castle previous to the nuptials; a

scene of gaiety repugnant to Sir John's ideas of propriety, but which
was not checked by the simple expression of his wishes. In vain he
remonstrated against the levity which surrounded him; in vain he
disapproved of the course of dinner-parties which preceded so
immediately an event of deep importance to the happiness of two
children. His lady protested the "proprieties" were not infringed by a
house full of company.
"If, Sir John, your daughters were on the eve of marriage with
plebeian men of wealth, or had they chosen to select professional
men, or even men of inferior weight in their respective counties, I
grant you it would be an unnecessary display; in the present case,
the neighbourhood expect a gaiety, which throws a sort of halo
round the approaching event. One daughter, love, becomes a
countess on Thursday next, and one daughter weds the finest
property in Shropshire. I wonder you do not exult with me! I have
been complimented with burning hearts, I am sure, by all my
married friends, and, as Lady Farnborough said yesterday very truly,
I have monopolized the first matches in the counties of Salop and
Staffordshire. I am aware I have done so; I am aware I have taken
great pains to promote my children's welfare. I may say, too, Julia's
match was exclusively my own, in its invention and maturity."
"My dear Gertrude," replied Sir John, calmly, "I am satisfied if my
girls are marrying according to their own satisfaction, as far as
regards themselves; but I cannot exult in losing two members of my
family, when I strongly doubt the happiness of one of them."
"My dear love! you have the oddest notions! but you were always
unaccountable. I am proud to receive the congratulations of my
friends. I wish Anna Maria had persuaded Tom to remain at Hatton,
when it was first named, for old Pynsent may live these twenty
years! However, since Hatton is out of the question, I am glad they
are going abroad. I should not like Anna Maria placed in any
situation less magnificent than Hatton, and people of distinction
crowd to Paris now, to see the allied sovereigns. Tom has bought a
very handsome travelling chariot; his appointments will be perfect."
"I should think, Gertrude, less bustle would be more agreeable to
you, on the eve of parting with your daughter for twelve months."
Lady Wetheral sighed. "A little amusement, perhaps, is useful in
softening my regrets, and Mrs. Boscawen, poor child, is so delighted
with the entertainments! How Mr. Boscawen has managed, I cannot
imagine; I never could silence Isabel, but he has succeeded; and
Isabel is really a little star now in society. I had quite given her up.
Mrs. Boscawen, poor child, was in ecstacies over her sisters'
wardrobes. They have jewels which a crowned head might prize,
certainly; whereas, Boscawen gave Isabel nothing. I confess I do
sometimes feel indignant that the Lady of Brierly is so very simply
dressed, but I never liked Boscawen's temper."
"He considers Isabel too young to indulge in folly, my dear
Gertrude."
"Temper, all temper," returned her ladyship; "an old man marrying a
young wife, should consider her tastes and her wishes. What did
Isabel become Mrs. Boscawen for, but to command advantages, and
surround herself with comforts?"
"Then Isabel must learn by experience the wickedness of sacrificing
herself to mercenary views. Chrystal," continued Sir John,
addressing himself to his youngest child, with earnestness of voice
and manner, "your education was made over to my care. Never let
your mind rest upon the follies which women delight to enjoy at the
expense of happiness and respectability. Let your wishes, my child,
rest upon better and nobler views; and advise your elder sisters,
when they perceive the fallacy of hunting after useless pleasures, to
turn aside from ambition, and think what a bitter draught has been
presented to their lips."
"My dear love, a perfect homily!" exclaimed his lady, smiling, "and
my youngest daughter's very unpronounceable name will be less
disagreeable than her temper, if she is to preach to her family upon
your recommendation. I am quite amused by your humility,
considering the splendid matches your daughters have made. I am
not so gifted with humble feelings; I am silly enough to rejoice in
their welfare. The Kerrisons, my love, dine with us to-day. Sir Foster
and myself are almost lovers; I am delighted with his sentiments—
most excellent man! I told him he must allow us to run away with
his pretty daughter for a few weeks, after my dear girls are gone to
their new homes. Clara and you, Chrystal, will miss your sisters. I
shall be very low myself. Dear girls! I told Sir Foster, Miss Kerrison's
lively spirits would be of so much benefit to us! He seemed flattered,
I thought, by my remark, and gave such a polite bow of
acquiescence! Sir Foster is really a gentleman of the old school; a
picture quite."
Lady Wetheral became loquacious in praise of Sir Foster; and in her
fulness of commendation, the purpose of her heart betrayed itself.
"I am so provoked when I hear people repeating all the idle reports
which emanate from discharged grooms, and low servants. Just the
very class of society who deal so largely in ungrateful abuse. I can
gather from Sir Foster's sentiments, how gentle his nature must be,
and his large family, I am sure, are excellently managed. Such order
and economy in every department! I judge, of course, from
fountainhead particulars, for Sir Foster and myself talked a great
deal upon the subject at Hatton yesterday, I told him his daughter
would improve my Clara in matters of economy; her ideas, I said,
were at present crude and undigested upon the subject, but I knew
her tastes pointed that way."
"So Clara and Kerrison are to marry, are they?"
"You may truly appeal to me, my love, for, indeed, you have little
part in your children's prospects. Yes, I have decided upon Kerrison
and Clara. No alliance can compete with those which will be
celebrated on Thursday, but I bear in mind the old proverb, 'marry
your sons when you will, but marry your daughters when you can.'
Ripley is the next eligible situation in Shropshire, now Hatton is
secured. If Clara will only check her temper! I am sure I have
lectured enough upon the subject, and I tell her four or five weeks
of gentleness is all I ask at her hands."
"Gertrude, you are wrong, you are wicked," exclaimed Sir John, for
once rousing himself into determination, and rising from his chair, "I
have been weak and wicked myself in allowing you such
uncontrolled liberty over my children's minds, and, God help me, I
shall have reason to repent it too soon. I tell you Clara shall not
marry Kerrison. I tell you, Gertrude, I will not have her sacrificed to
that violent and coarse fellow at Ripley, to drive a woman into
misery or sin, because your ambition will be ministered to!"
Her husband's sudden energy was wholly unexpected, its effect was
powerful; her ladyship sank into the seat he had just quitted.
"Really, Sir John, your violence kills my poor nerves. I am not equal
to contend against such dreadful exhibitions of temper. My poor
constitution requires perfect tranquillity, almost amounting to total
silence, and these explosions of passion do me a great deal of harm.
Indeed, Sir John, you have overpowered a poor nervous creature."
His lady's hands trembled as she spoke, her voice faltered, and the
tears coursed down her cheeks.
Did Sir John Wetheral ever resist his lady's pleading when it took the
form of suffering, and spoke in the silent eloquence of grief? When
did he ever create a sorrow, or cause a heartfelt reproach, without
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