Girlhood and Womanhood | Page 9

as Tom would say. Conny
consents, Joanna may sulk as she pleases."
"I won't sulk, Mrs. Maxwell; I'll go off by myself, and leave you
Constantia, since she wishes it."
"To hear of such a thing! You girls won't allow it. It is very shabby,
Susan, Lilias, Miss Musgrave, that Joanna should not have a little

amusement with the rest."
"I'm sure we won't prevent it, Mrs. Maxwell, we don't stand in the
way," said Lilias stiffly; "Joanna is free to remain or return as she
chooses. Joanna, you had better stay, or there will be a scene, and the
whole house will hear of it."
"Keep her, Mrs. Maxwell, please," cried Miss Polly mischievously;
"my cousin Joan is so scarce of her countenance, that I want to know
how she can behave in company."
"Very well, I assure you," avouched Mrs. Maxwell zealously; then she
began to remember, and start, and flounder--"only she is so modest.
Joanna, my dear, you cannot be so stupid as to hesitate from a certain
reason?"
"Oh, no. You can send back Sandy, Mrs. Maxwell, since you are so
good. Mamma knows what we will require; or I will write a little note."
Joanna could have borne any encounter rather than a discussion of the
obstacle with Mrs. Maxwell--a discussion which might be gone over
again any day to anybody.
But Joanna was terribly vexed and provoked that she had exposed
herself to this infliction, though she was fain to comfort herself with the
argument that it would make no difference to papa's feelings; and she
trusted that she and Conny would slip into the drawing-room when the
guests were occupied, and subside into corners, and escape attention.
Joanna was established in her recess, nearly confident that she was not
conspicuous, and considerably interested in watching Harry Jardine.
Mrs. Jardine's intentions had been in a great measure fulfilled. The
young Laird of Whitethorn had grown up at his English school and
German university without the cloud which rested on his father's end
descending on his spirit. He was as strong and pleasant and blithe as his
father, with the self-possession which a life amongst strangers, and the
available wallet of a traveller's information, could graft upon his gentle

birth and early manhood. At the same time, there was no deception
about Harry Jardine. While he was gay and good-humoured, he had an
air of vigour and action, and even a dash of temper lurking about his
black curls and bright eyes, which prepared one for hearing that he had
not only hobnobbed with the Göttingen students, but had also won their
prizes, and thrashed them when they aspired to English sports; and had
travelled four nights without sleep, under stress of weather, to reach
Whitethorn on the day he had fixed to his mother. He had brought a
steady character along with him, too; they said that he had been a good
son, and had remembered that his mother was a widow, and had
endured enough grief to last her all her days. Mrs. Jardine, who was not
a flatterer, declared that Harry had not cost her a care which she needed
to grudge. There is enough temptation, and to spare, for men like Harry
Jardine, but it is not in such that early self-indulgence and lamentable
weakness may be feared.
Harry Jardine was the style of man fitted to command the admiration of
Joanna Crawfurd. Contemplative girls love men of experience. Staid
girls love men with a dash--a dash of bravery, self-reliance, or even of
recklessness. Harry Jardine's gladness to be at home; his interest in
everything and everybody; the pleasant tone in which he referred to his
mother; the genuine fun of which he gave a glimpse; the ring of his
laugh, were all set store upon by Joanna with a sober satisfaction.
Harry had not been so agreeable, or felt the world so pleasant, two
hours before. It was impossible to escape memories or to hide wincing;
but he had said to himself that these associations ought to have been
worn threadbare by familiarity, or to have been approached gradually,
and he could not conquer his awkwardness or crush his susceptibility.
But youth is pliable and versatile, and Harry Jardine was determined to
evince no dislike, and make no marked distinction. Very soon the Miss
Crawfurds and their cousin blended with the other young ladies in his
view,--nay, he discovered that he had come across a cousin of theirs
settled abroad, and was qualified to afford them information of his
prospects and pursuits handsomely.
So far Joanna's penalty had been moderate, until, towards the close of

the evening, when most of the young people had gone into the library
to get some refreshments, she found herself left in her corner almost
alone, with Mr.