The Martins Of Cro' Martin Volume I Part 55

"Faix! the only one of them worth a groat was Miss Mary, and I suppose they did n't leave her the means to do much now."

"'Tis she must have the heavy heart to-day," sighed Mrs. Nelligan.

"And it is only fair and reasonable she should have her share of troubles, like the rest of us," replied Mrs. Clinch. "When Clinch was removed from Macroon, we had to sell off every stick and stone we had; and as the neighbors knew we must go, we didn't get five shillings in the pound by the sale."

"That's mighty grand,--that is really a fine place!" exclaimed Bodkin, as by a sudden turn of the road they came directly in front of the house; and the whole party sat in silent admiration of the magnificent edifice before them.

"It is a royal palace,--no less," said Nelligan, at last; "and that's exactly what no country gentleman wants. Sure we know well there's no fortune equal to such a residence. To keep up that house, as it ought to be, a man should have thirty thousand a year."

"Give me fifteen, Dan, and you'll see if I don't make it comfortable,", said Bodkin.

"What's this barrier here,--can't we go any further?" exclaimed Nelligan, as he perceived a strong paling across the avenue.

"We 're to go round by the stables, it seems," said Bodkin; "the hall entrance is not to be invaded by such vulgar visitors. This is our road, here."

"Well, if I ever!" exclaimed Mrs. Clinch, whose feelings really overpowered utterance.

"I don't see any great hardship in this after all, ma'am," said Nelligan; "for we know if the family were at home we couldn't even be here. Drive on, Tim."

A short circuit through a very thickly wooded tract brought them at length to a large and ma.s.sive gateway, over which the Martins' arms were sculptured in stone; pa.s.sing through which they entered a great courtyard, three sides of which were occupied by stables, the fourth presenting a range of coach-houses filled with carriages of every description.

A large tent was erected in the midst of the court for the convenience of the sale, in front of which were pens for the cattle, and a s.p.a.ce railed off, wherein the horses were to be viewed and examined.

"This is all mighty well arranged," said Bodkin, as he gave his horse to a groom, who, in the undress livery of Cro' Martin, came respectfully to his aid as he got down.

"The sale will begin in about an hour, sir," said the man, in answer to a question. "Mr. Scanlan is now in the house with Mr. Gibbs, the auctioneer."

Vast crowds of people of every cla.s.s, from the small squire to the Oughterard shopkeeper and country farmer, now came pouring in, all eager in their curiosity, but somehow all subdued into a kind of reverence for a spot from which they had been so rigidly excluded, and the very aspect of which so far transcended expectations. Everything, indeed, was an object of wonderment. The ornamental tanks for watering the horses, supplied by beautifully designed fountains; the sculptured medallions along the walls, emblematizing the chase or the road; the bright mahogany part.i.tions of the stalls, even to the little channels lined with shining copper, all demanded notice and comment; and many were the wise reflections uttered with regard to those who thus squandered away their wealth. The sight of the cattle, however, which occupied this luxurious abode, went far to disarm this criticism, since certainly none ever seemed more worthy of the state and splendor that surrounded them.

For these the admiration was hearty and sincere, and the farmers went along the stalls amazed and wonderstruck at the size and symmetry of the n.o.ble animals that filled them.

"To be sold at Tattersall's, sir, on the 4th of next month," said a groom, whose English accent imparted an almost sneer to the supposition that such a stud should meet purchasers in Ireland. "They 're all advertised in 'Bell's Life.'"

"What becomes of the hounds?" asked Bodkin.

"Lord Cromore takes them, sir; they're to hunt in Dorsetshire."

"And the sow?" asked old Hayes, with eagerness; "she isn't to go to England, is she?"

"Can't say, sir. We don't look arter no sows here," replied the fellow, as he turned away in evident disgust at his questioner.

A certain stir and bustle in the court without gave token that the sale was about to begin; and Scanlan's voice, in its most authoritative tone, was heard issuing orders and directions on all sides, while servants went hither and thither distributing catalogues, and securing accommodation for the visitors with a degree of deference and attention most remarkable.

"I suppose we're to pa.s.s the day in the stables or the cowhouses, ma'am?" said Mrs. Clinch, as with a look of indignation she gazed at the range of seats now being hastily occupied by a miscellaneous company.

"If we could only get into the gardens," said Mrs. Nelligan, timidly.

"I'm sure if I saw Barnes he'd let us in." And she slipped rapidly from her friend's arm, and hastily crossing the court, went in search of her only acquaintance in the household. "Did you see Barnes? Where could I find Barnes?" asked she of almost every one she met. And following the complicated directions she received, she wandered onward, through a kitchen-garden, and into a small nursery beyond it. Bewildered as she receded beyond the sounds of the mult.i.tude, she turned into a little path which, traversing a shrubbery, opened upon a beautifully cultivated "parterre," whose close-shaven sward and flowery beds flanked a long range of windows opening to the ground, and which, to her no small horror, she perceived to form one wing of the mansion. While in her distraction to think what course was best to take, she saw a groom standing at the head of a small pony, harnessed to a diminutive carriage, and hastily approached him. Before, however, she had attained within speaking distance, the man motioned to her, by a gesture, to retire. Her embarra.s.sment gave her, if not courage, something of resolution, and she advanced.

"Go back!" cried he, in a smothered voice; "there 's no one admitted here."

"But I 've lost my way. I was looking for Barnes--"

"He's not here. Go back, I say," reiterated the man, in the same stealthy voice.

But poor Mrs. Nelligan, came on, confusion rendering her indifferent to all reproof, and in spite of gestures and admonitions to retire, steadily advanced towards the door. As she pa.s.sed one of the open windows, her glance caught something within; she stopped suddenly, and, in seeming shame at her intrusion, turned to go back. A muttered malediction from the servant increased her terror, and she uttered a faint cry. In an instant the object at which she had been gazing arose, and Mary Martin, her face traced with recent tears, started up and approached her. Mrs. Nelligan felt a sense of sickly faintness come over her, and had to grasp the window for support.

"Oh, my dear young lady!" she muttered, "I did n't mean to do this--I strayed here by accident--I didn't know where I was going--"

"My dear Mrs. Nelligan, there is no need of these excuses," said Mary, taking her hand cordially, and leading her to a seat. "It is a great pleasure to me to see a friendly face, and I am grateful for the chance that sent you here."

Mrs. Nelligan, once relieved of her first embarra.s.sment, poured forth with volubility the explanation of her presence; and Mary heard her to the end with patient politeness.

"And you were going away somewhere," resumed she, "when I stopped you.

I see your pony-chaise there at the door waiting for you, and you're off to the quarries or Kilkieran, I 'll be bound; or maybe it's only going away you are, to be out of this for a day or two. G.o.d knows, I don't wonder at it! It is a trying scene for you, and a great shock to your feelings, to see the place dismantled, and everything sold off!"

"It is sad enough," said Mary, smiling through her tears.

"Not to say that you're left here all alone, just as if you were n't one of the family at all; that 's what I think most of. And where were you going, dear?"

"I was going to pa.s.s a few days at the cottage,--the Swiss cottage.

Catty Broon, my old nurse, has gone over there to get it in readiness for me, and I shall probably stay there till all this confusion be over."

"To be sure, dear. What's more natural than that you'd like to spare your feelings, seeing all carried away just as if it was bankrupts you were. Indeed, Dan said to me the things wouldn't bring more than at a sheriff's sale, because of the hurry you were in to sell them off."

"My uncle's orders were positive on that subject," said Mary, calmly.

"Yes, dear, of course he knows best," said she, with a shake of the head not exactly corroborating her own speech. "And how are you to live here by yourself, dear?" resumed she; "sure you 'll die of the loneliness!"

"I don't think so: I shall have plenty to occupy me,--more, indeed, than I shall be equal to."

"Ay, in the daytime; but the long evenings--think of the long evenings, dear! G.o.d knows, I find them very often dreary enough, even though I have a home and Dan."

"I 'm not afraid of the long evenings, my dear Mrs. Nelligan. It is the only time I can spare for reading; they will be my hours of recreation and amus.e.m.e.nt."

"Well, well, I hope so, with all my heart," said she, doubtingly. "You know yourself best, and maybe you'd be happier that way, than if you had somebody to talk to and keep you company."

"I didn't say that," said Mary, smiling. "I never implied that a visit from some kind friend--Mrs. Nelligan, for instance--would not be a very pleasant event in my solitude."

"To come and see you,--to come to Cro' Martin!" exclaimed Mrs. Nelligan, as though trying to reconcile her mind to the bare possibility of such a circ.u.mstance.

"If you would not think it too far, or too much trouble--"

"Oh dear, oh dear, but it's too much honor it would be; and Dan--no matter what he 'd say to the contrary--would feel it so, in his own heart. Sure I know well how he felt about Joe being asked here to dinner; and he 'd never have taken a part against your uncle in the election if it was n't that he thought Joe was slighted some way--"

"But nothing of the kind ever occurred. Mr..Joseph Nelligan met from us all the respect that his character and his talents ent.i.tled him to."

"Don't get warm about it, or I 'll forget everything that's in my head!"

exclaimed Mrs. Nelligan, in terror at the eagerness of Mary's manner.

"Maybe it was Joe's fault--maybe it was young Ma.s.singbred's--maybe it was--"