Chapter II: Denesfield and Its Owner

AS we drove through the beautiful park and wide grounds, I was full of wonder that my aunt could have left such a lovely spot for so many years. I used to visit all the country gentry round Welland; but how modest all their homes seemed in comparison with Denesfield! And my aunt, with her tall, graceful figure and stately carriage looked fit to be the mistress of such a home.

We had not much talk that night. My aunt asked questions about my parents and sisters; but beyond telling her of them, and delivering the loving messages with which I was charged, there was little time for conversation. It was evening when I arrived, so Aunt Milly kindly insisted that I should go to bed early.

"I want you to be quite rested after your long journey, dear," she said, "so as to be ready to make acquaintance with all the ins and outs of Denesfield."

"Indeed, aunt," I replied, "I am not at all weary. It is very nice to travel when one leaves home so seldom."

"True, my child. At sixteen, we know little of weariness; but when you rise, feeling fresh and looking bright in the morning, you will thank me for having given you a long night in bed."

At breakfast we had much pleasant talk. Aunt Milly seemed anxious to hear as much as possible about those I had left behind. Nothing was uninteresting that related to my home. To me, the subject was a very delightful one. I have said before, that the members of our family realised the blessedness of dwelling "together in unity." So it was very sweet for me to be led on to speak of all its branches, and to picture our daily home-life to my aunt.

"I have never yet seen Welland," Aunt Milly remarked; "but I hope to do so. Your father and mother went there just before I left England. I shall want to be really amongst you all in your own home, before I can know you properly. That cannot be just yet, so I must have the family piecemeal, at Denesfield, first."

My aunt rose from the table as she spoke, and added, "I dare say you will like to go over the house and grounds, first of all."

"I should like that better than anything, aunt, if you will go too."

"Certainly, dear. You and I will be companions for a time, at any rate. Soon we shall have more of our neighbours about us; for some have called already, and you will find acquaintances nearer your own age."

"I shall not care about them, aunt. I could not enjoy being with them more than with you."

Aunt Milly smiled, and kissed my forehead. "I shall be glad to have you, Mildred; but I am not so selfish as to expect that you should give yourself wholly to me. Now, put on your hat, dear, and let us enjoy the fresh morning air."

My aunt spent some time in showing me her lovely home and its surroundings. After rambling till we were tired, we sat down to rest, and I said:

"Oh, Aunt Milly, this place is a perfect Paradise! What could any one desire that cannot be found at Denesfield!"

"Once I should have said the same, Mildred," replied my aunt; "but for a long time past, Denesfield is the place I have least wished to see. You know why—I lost my dear husband; and then, though so much was left me, I closed my eyes to the light, and selfishly shut myself up with my great sorrow. But now, Mildred, I am able to look back, and thank God for the past happy years. I have been awakened from my selfish dreams to see that there is yet something left for me to do in the world, and that I have lost many an opportunity of comforting others during the years given up to nursing my own sorrow."

I hardly knew what to say, except that we were all so glad at home to think of having Aunt Milly back in England again, and how we all hoped she would have many happy years.

"You must be my helper, Mildred. My desire is that we may together find a welcome, not only in rich homes, but in those of the poor whom I have neglected too long."

"I have been used to such work, aunt," I said. "As papa is a clergyman, he has found us plenty of visiting; so I will either be your companion or messenger."

Then Aunt Milly told me of plans she had formed for the good of those around her, and of her anxiety to consult my father, whose experience was so much greater than her own.

"I wanted him to come here at once; but that cannot be, it seems. I do hope that Christmas will bring not only him, but your mother and sisters to Denesfield. With the whole family gathered round my fireside, Mildred, I should feel as though I belonged to somebody."

My father was always busy amongst his people at Christmas time, contriving comforts for the old, and pleasures for the young; yet all the while striving to link the present with that far past, when Jesus, the long-promised Messiah, was first revealed in the flesh—expected as a king, given as a helpless babe, and cradled in a manger in Bethlehem.

I told my aunt that I doubted whether my father could be spared. Welland people would hardly think it could be a merry Christmas, scarcely a happy one, if the vicar were away; though to me the prospect of seeing all the members of our dear family circle collected together at such a season in my aunt's beautiful home was the most delightful thing possible.

It was only the beginning of October when I arrived at Denesfield, so there was plenty of time to plan, hope, and prepare. More voices to sound in those noble rooms, more feet to awaken the echoes in the long corridors, more happy faces round hearth and table—these were, to my mind, the only things needed to complete the charms of Denesfield.

When I expressed my doubts as to whether papa could come at Christmas, Aunt Milly would not hear me.

"They must come, Mildred," was her answer. "They must teach me how to work and use my talents for God's glory. I have been so long out of the way, and I want a guide. Do you suppose your father's people would keep him away? Why, he has spent the best years of his life in teaching them to be unselfish. Nonsense, child! His precepts and example cannot have been thrown away."

Aunt Milly spoke and looked as though she should be quite certain to have her own way in the matter; and while I feared, I wished she might prove to be right.