After the service we stood outside the church for a while and I was introduced to certain people of the village. I said I wanted to look round the graveyard. Graveyards always interested me. I liked to read the inscriptions on the tombstones and imagine what the people lying under the ground had been like when they were alive. Old people … young cut off in their youth … and babies. I liked to be alone on these occasions so that I could absorb the silence of the graveyard, the stillness of the air. It seemed to bring back the past and I could feel I was back hundreds of years.
I had wandered a little away from the others who were standing outside the church and as I strolled round to the back of the building I found myself face to face with the vicar, who had just come out of a side door. He was still wearing his surplice.
He smiled at me and said: “You are with the Cresswell party, I believe.”
“Yes,” I replied. “I was looking at the churchyard. The inscriptions on the gravestones inspire my imagination.”
He nodded.
“You are here for the week-end, I suppose.”
“Yes.”
“People come down often to stay with the family. It is a great pleasure to see them all in church. We owe a lot to the Cresswells in this village.”
“They must have been here for generations.”
“There have always been Cresswells here … for four hundred years, I reckon. They were always good to the people, but the present Mr. Cresswell surpasses them all to my mind. We’re very proud of him in the village. He’s a rising politician. They’ll tell you here that he ought to be Prime Minister. There are many who think he would make a better job of it than Lord Melbourne.”
“I can see he has many local supporters.”
“It’ll come. He’ll get the honours he deserves. There is a chairmanship coming up.”
“Yes. I have heard of that.”
“When he gets that it will be a big stepping-stone. It is important that we get the right men governing us. We want our rulers to be clever and shrewd but at the same time with a sense of morality. Unfortunately most of them seem to be lacking in the latter.”
“I am sure you are right.”
“Here I am running on. My wife says that given half a chance I’ll start to preach a sermon. It has been pleasant talking to you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay with us.”
“Thank you,” I said.
I heard Joe calling and I went round to the front of the church to meet him. Then we all went back to the house.
At luncheon everyone talked a great deal. We sat long over the table unable to tear ourselves away. In the afternoon we went for a walk—Joe and I with Peterkin, Helena and John Milward. I was delighted to see Helena so happy; she sparkled and was quite talkative and even a little witty. How love could change a person!
The evening was very much like the previous one except that there was no dancing, this being Sunday. Joe and I played duets and the company sang hymns and ballads, both sentimental and humorous.
When we retired that night Helena was radiant.
She said nothing until we were in our beds. Then she whispered: “Annora?”
“Yes?”
“Are you awake?”
“No,” I said. “Asleep.”
She laughed as though that was hilariously funny.
“Come on,” I said. “Tell me all about it.”
“You guessed.”
“I guessed something had happened. You look as though you have just kissed the frog who has turned into a prince.”
“He’s asked me, Annora.”
“You’re engaged.”
“That’s right.”
I leaped out of bed and jumped on to hers, hugging her.
“Oh, Helena, I’m so pleased.”
“It was while we were out walking this afternoon. He asked me to marry him … just like that.”
“Oh, Helena, I’m so pleased.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Everyone else will. They only have to see you two together to guess what is in the wind.”
“Was it so obvious?”
“As clear as daylight.” I kissed her and went back to my bed.
“Does his family know?”
“Well, not yet. And we’re going to wait until they do before we announce anything.”
“Is he afraid they won’t approve?”
“John doesn’t think there’ll be any trouble. But they are such a proud family … one of the oldest dukedoms. You know what people are like. Of course, they are not very well off. …”
“Your father will be pleased.”
“I think so. There’ll be no difficulty there. He’s been hoping for something like this ever since I was ‘out.’ He spent a lot on my presentation and it seemed as though it was all wasted. Now I’m exonerated.”
“You make it sound like a business transaction.”
“Coming out is … in a way. But when people fall in love …”
“Ah, that is different. They’re outside the transaction but it still exists for the fond parents. Did your father say he was disappointed in your performance?”
“Not in words. But I guessed. I felt he despised me.”
“Well, he will have to change his mind now. The great Milwards, eh?”
“A younger son,” she said with a giggle and added fervently: “Thank goodness.”
“I’ll be all right. I daresay it would have been different with the heir, but a younger son has more freedom to fall in love.”
“Oh, Annora, isn’t it wonderful! But not a word yet. You won’t tell, will you?”
“You can rely on me. But it will come out soon. I have a very reliable set of bones and I can feel it in them.”
“Oh, Annora, I’m so glad you stayed with us. I hope you won’t go yet.”
“So do I,” I assured her.
We lay awake for some time talking.
That was a wonderful week-end. I was sorry that we had to leave next morning.
Nothing was said about Helena’s engagement. John Milward was evidently waiting for the right moment to approach his father. I had always felt he was a rather nervous young man.
I wondered if Aunt Amaryllis guessed.
Perhaps not, for there was a great deal of excitement everywhere about the Queen’s coronation. It was exhilarating to be in London at this time.
The streets were full of people from all over the country. A few days before the event was due to take place they were making beds on the pavements and camping out all night, so determined were they to get a good view of the procession.
Uncle Peter was very busy. He was on several committees and we hardly saw him during those days. He would be very occupied on the great day.
The Cresswells had a town house in St. James’s Street through which the procession would be passing and I, with Helena and Peterkin, were invited to join a party which would be watching from the windows.
What an impressive sight! The bells were ringing all over London. I was deeply moved as I watched the procession. So many foreign dignitaries had come to take part in it and prominent among them were the Queen’s German relations. Oddly enough, Marshal Soult, our enemy of not long ago, represented France. I was amazed at what a tumultuous welcome the people gave him. But most moving of all was the sight of the little Queen looking so young—almost a child—in her robes of crimson velvet and gold lace, with a diamond circlet on her head.
I did not see her return from the Abbey but I could picture her riding back through the streets to Buckingham Palace in the robes of state, carrying the orb and sceptre.
After the ceremony we went back to the house in the square accompanied by Joe. There was a cold supper and after that several of us went to watch the fireworks in the Park.
It was a day of great rejoicing.
I was so glad that I had remained in London for such an occasion and was sorry that my parents had missed it. When they came it would mean that we should be leaving soon for Cornwall; and that was something I was not really looking forward to for I had become so caught up in Helena’s affairs. I wanted to see her officially engaged; moreover I was interested in the Cresswell family—especially Joe. My friendship for him was growing fast.