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THE WAYS OF THE HOUR
the robust and solid, than one meets with in the other hemisphere.
It is not easy to tell how we acquire those in – and – in
habits, which get to be a sort of second nature, and almost bestow on us new instincts. It is by these secret sympathies, these
tastes that pervade the moral, as the nerves form a natural
telegraph through the physical, system, that one feels rather
than sees, when he is in the company of persons in his own
class in life. Dress will not afford an infallible test, on such an
occasion, though the daw is instantly seen not to be the peacock; neither will address, for the distinctive qualities lie much
deeper than the surface. But so it is; a gentleman can hardly
be brought into the company of man or woman, without his
at once perceiving whether he or she belong to his own social
caste or not. What is more, if a man of the world, he detects
almost instinctively the degrees of caste, as well as the greater subdivisions, and knows whether his strange companions
have seen much, or little; whether their gentility is merely the
result of the great accident, with its customary advantages,
or has been smoothed over by a liberal intercourse with the
better classes of a general society. Most of all, may a travelled
person be known and that more especially in a provincial
country, like our own from one that has not travelled; though
the company kept in other lands necessarily draws an obvious distinction between the last. Now, John Wilmeter, always
mingling with the best society of his own country, had also
been abroad, and had obtained that “second sight” which so
insensibly, but certainly, increases the vision of all Americans
who enjoy the advantage of acquiring it. What is more, though
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
his years and the plans of his uncle for his future welfare, had
prevented his staying in Europe long enough to receive all the
benefit such a tour can bestow, he had remained long enough
to pass beyond the study of merely physical things; and had
made certain acquisitions in other matters, more essential to
tastes, if not to character. When an American returns from an
excursion into the old world, with “I come back better satisfied
than ever with my own country,” it is an infallible sign that he
did not stay long enough abroad; and when he returns only
to find fault, it is equally proof that he has stayed too long.
There is a happy medium which teaches something near the
truth, and that would tell us that there are a thousand things
to be amended and improved at home, while there are almost
as many enjoyed, that the oldest and most polished people on
earth might envy. John Wilmeter had not reached the point
that enabled him to make the nicest distinctions, but he was
sufficiently advanced to have detected what he conceived to
be signs that this singular young creature, unknown, unsupported by any who appeared to take an interest in her, besides
himself and the accidental acquaintances formed under the
most painful circumstances, had been abroad; perhaps, had
been educated there. The regulated tones of one of the sweetest voices he had ever heard, the distinctness and precision of
her utterance, as far as possible removed from mouthing and
stiffness, but markedly quiet and even, with a total absence
of all the affectations of boarding – school grammar, were so
many proofs of even a European education, as he fancied; and
before that week was terminated, John had fully made up his
mind that Mary Monson though an American by birth, about
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THE WAYS OF THE HOUR
which there could be no dispute had been well taught in some
of the schools of the old world.
This was a conclusion not reached immediately. He had
to be favoured with several interviews, and to worm himself
gradually into the confidence of his uncle’s client, ere he could
be permitted to see enough of the subject of his studies to form
an opinion so abstruse and ingenious.
When Mary Monson caught a glimpse of John Wilmeter’s
head at her gratewhere he stood respectfully uncovered, as in
a lady’s presence a slight flush passed over her face; but expecting him, as she did, she could not well be surprised.
“This bears some resemblance, Mr. Wilmeter, to an inter-
view in a convent,” she then said, with a slight smile, but with
perfect composure of manner. “I am the novice and novice am
I, indeed, to scenes like this you, the excluded friend, who is
compelled to pay his visit through a grate! I must apologize for
all the trouble I am giving you.”
“Do not name it I cannot be better employed than in your
behalf. I am rejoiced that you sustain yourself so well against
what must be a most unheard – of calamity, for one like yourself, and cannot but admire the admirable equanimity with
which you bear your cruel fortune.”
“Equanimity!” repeated Mary with emphasis, and a slight
display of intense feeling, powerfully controlled; “if it be so,
Mr. Wilmeter, it must be from the sense of security that I feel.
Yes; for the first time in months, I do feel myself safesecure.”
“Safe! Secure! What, in a gaol?”
“Certainly; gaols are intended for places of security, are they
not?” answered Mary, smiling, but faintly and with a gleam of
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
sadness on her face. “This may appear wonderful to you, but I
do tell no more than sober truth, in repeating that, for the first
time in months, I have now a sense of security. I am what you
call in the hands of the law, and one there must be safe from
everything but what the law can do to her. Of that I have no
serious apprehensions, and I feel happy.”
“Happy!”
“Yes; by comparison, happy. I tell you this the more willing-
ly, for I plainly see you feel a generous interest in my welfare
an interest which exceeds that of the counsel in his client”
“A thousand times exceeds it, Miss Monson! Nay is not to
be named with it!”
“I thank you, Mr. Wilmeter from my heart I thank you,”
returned the prisoner, a slight flush passing over her features,
while her eyes were cast towards the floor. “I believe you are
one of strong feelings and quick impulses, and am grateful that
these have been in my favour, under circumstances that might
well have excused you for thinking the worst. From the hints
of this kind woman, Mrs. Gott, I am afraid that the opinion of
Biberry is less consoling?”
“You must know how it is in country villages, Miss Monson,
every one has something to say, and every one brings all things
down to the level of his own knowledge and understanding.”
Mary Monson smiled, again; this time more naturally, and
without any painful expression to lessen the bright influence
that lighting up of her features gave to a countenance so remarkable for its appearance of illumination from within.
“Is not such the case in towns, as well as in villages, Mr.
Wilmeter?” she asked.
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THE WAYS OF THE HOUR
“Perhaps it is but I mean that the circle of knowledge is
more confined in a place like this, than in a large town, and
that the people here could not well go beyond it.”
“Biberry is so near New York, that I should think, taking
class against class, no great difference can be found in their inhabitants. That which the good folk of Biberry think of my case,
I am afraid will be thought of it by those of your own town.”
“My own town? and are you not really from New York,
Miss Monson?”
“In no manner,” answered Mary, once more smiling; this
time, however, because she understood how modestly and
readily her companion was opening a door by which she might
let a secret she had declined to reveal to his uncle, escape. “I
am not what you call a Manhattanese, in either descent, birth,
or residence; in no sense, whatever.”
“But, surely, you have never been educated in the country?
You must belong to some large town your manners show that
I mean that you”
“Do not belong to Biberry. In that you are quite right, sir.
I had never seen Biberry three months since; but, as for New
York, I have not passed a month there, in my whole life. The
longest visit I ever paid you, was one of ten days, when I landed, coming from Havre, about eighteen months since”
“From Havre! Surely, you are an American, Miss Monson
our own countrywoman?”
“Your own countrywoman, Mr. Wilmeter, by birth, descent,
and feelings. But an American female may visit Europe.”
“Certainly; and be educated there, as I had already suspect-
ed was your case.”
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
“In part it was, and in part it was not.” Here Mary paused,
looked a little arch, seemed to hesitate, and to have some doubts
whether she ought to proceed, or not; but finally added”You
have been abroad, yourself?”
“I have. I was nearly three years in Europe; and have not
been home yet, quite a twelvemonth.”
“You went into the east, I believe, after passing a few
months in the Pyrenees?” continued the prisoner, carelessly.
“You are quite right; we travelled as far as Jerusalem. The journey has got to be so common, that it is no longer
dangerous. Even ladies make it, now, without any appre-
hension.” “I am aware of that, having made it myself”
“You, Miss Monson! You been at Jerusalem!”
“Why not, Mr. Wilmeter? You say, yourself, that females
constantly make the journey; why not I, as well as another?”
“I scarce know, myself; but it is so strange all about you is
so very extraordinary”
“You think it extraordinary that one of my sex, who has
been partly educated in Europe, and who has travelled in the
Holy Land, should be shut up in this gaol in Biberryis it not
so?”
“That is one view of the matter, I will confess; but it was
scarcely less strange, that such a person should be dwelling
in a garret – room of a cottage, like that of these unfortunate
Goodwins.”
“That touches on my secret, sir; and no more need be said.
You may judge how important I consider that secret, when I
know its preservation subjects me to the most cruel distrust;
and that, too, in the minds of those with whom I would so
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THE WAYS OF THE HOUR
gladly stand fair. Your excellent uncle, for instance, andyourself.”
“I should be much flattered, could I think the last I who
have scarcely the claim of an acquaintance.”
“You forget the situation in which your respectable and
most worthy uncle has left you here, Mr. Wilmeter; which, of
itself, gives you higher claims to my thanks and confidence
than any that mere acquaintance could bestow. Besides, we are
not” another arch, but scarcely perceptible, smile again illuminated that remarkable countenance “the absolute strangers to
each other, that you seem to think us.”
“Not strangers? You amaze me! If I have ever had the hon-
our”
“Honour!” interrupted Mary, a little bitterly. “It is truly a
great honour to know one in my situation!”
“I esteem it an honour; and no one has a right to call in
question my sincerity. If we have ever met before, I will frankly
own that I am ignorant of both the time and place.”
“This does not surprise me, in the least. The time is long,
for persons as young as ourselves, and the place was far away.
Ah! those were happy days for me, and most gladly would I
return to them! But we have talked enough on this subject. I
have declined telling my tale to your most excellent and very
respectable uncle; you will, therefore, the more easily excuse
me, if I decline telling it to you.”
“Who am not `most excellent and very respectable,’ to rec-
ommend me.”
“Who are too near my own age, to make you a proper con-
fidant, were there no other objection. The character that I
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
learned of you, when we met before, Mr. Wilmeter, was, however, one of which you have no reason to be ashamed.”
This was said gently, but earnestly; was accompanied by a
most winning smile, and was instantly succeeded by a slight
blush. John Wilmeter rubbed his forehead, sooth to say, in a
somewhat stupid manner, as if expecting to brighten his powers of recollection by friction. A sudden change was given to
the conversation, however, by the fair prisoner herself, who
quietly resumed
“We will defer this part of the subject to another time. I did
not presume to send for you, Mr. Wilmeter, without an object,
having your uncle’s authority for giving you all this trouble”
“And my own earnest request to be permitted to serve you,
in any way I could.”
“I have not forgotten that offer, nor shall I ever. The man
who is willing to serve a woman, whom all around her frown
on, has a fair claim to be remembered. Good Mrs. Gott and
yourself are the only two friends I have in Biberry. Even your
companion, Mr. Millington, is a little disposed to judge me
harshly.”
John started; the movement was so natural, that his honest
countenance would have betrayed him, had he been disposed
to deny the imputation.
“That Millington has fallen into the popular notion about
here, I must allow, Miss Monson; but he is an excellent fellow
at the bottom, and will hear reason. Prejudices that are beyond
reason are detestable, and I generally avoid those whose characters manifest this weakness; but Mike will always listen to
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THE WAYS OF THE HOUR
what he calls `law and facts,’ and so we get along very well
together.”
“It is fortunate; since you are about to be so nearly con-
nected” “Connected! Is it possible that you know this circumstance?”
“You will find in the end, Mr. Wilmeter,” returned the
prisoner, smilingthis time, naturally, as one manifests satisfaction without pain of any sort “that I know more of your private
affairs than you had supposed. But let me come to business, if
you please, sir; I have great occasion here for a maid – servant.
Do you not think that Miss Wilmeter might send me one from
town?”
“A servant! I know the very woman that will suit you. A
perfect jewel, in her way!”
“That is a very housekeeper sort of a character,” rejoined
Mary, absolutely laughing, in spite of her prison walls, and all
the terrible charges that had brought her within them; “just
such a character as I might have expected from Dr. McBrain’s
intended, Mrs. Updyke”
“And you know it, too! Why will you not tell us more, since
you tell us so much?”
“In good time, I suppose all will come out. Well, I endeav-
our to submit to my fate; or to the will of God!” There was no
longer anything merry, in voice, face, or manner, but a simple,
natural pathos was singularly mixed in the tones with which
these few words were uttered. Then rousing herself, she gravely
resumed the subject which had induced her to send for John.
“You will pardon me, if I say that I would prefer a woman
chosen and recommended by your sister, Mr. Wilmeter, than
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JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
one chosen and recommended by yourself,” said Mary. “When
I shall have occasion for a footman, I will take your advice. It
is very important that I should engage a respectable, discreet
woman; and I will venture to write a line, myself, to Miss Wilmeter, if you will be so kind as to send it. I know this is not
the duty of a counsel; but you see my situation. Mrs. Gott has
offered to procure a girl for me, it is true; but the prejudice is
so strong against me in Biberry, that I doubt if the proper sort
of person could be obtained. At any rate, I should be receiving
a spy into my little household, instead of a domestic, in whom
I could place confidence.”
“Sarah would join me in recommending Marie, who has
been with herself more than two years, and only left her to
take care of her father, in his last illness. Another, equally excellent, has been taken in her place; and now, that she wishes
to return to my sister’s service, there is no opening for her.
Mike Millington is dying to return to town, and will gladly
go over this evening. By breakfast – time to – morrow, the
woman might be here, if”
“She will consent to serve a mistress in my cruel situation. I
feel the full weight of the objection, and know how difficult it
will be to get a female, who values her character as a servant, to
enter on such an engagement. You called this woman Marie;
by that, I take it she is a foreigner?”
“A Swiss her parents emigrated; but I knew her in the ser-
vice of an American family, abroad, and got her for Sarah. She
is the best creature in the world if she can be persuaded to
come.”
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