A RECONSTRUCTED MARRIAGE
by
AMELIA E. BARR
Frontispiece by Z. P. Nikolaki
New York Dodd, Mead and Company 1910
Copyright, 1910, by Dodd, Mead and Company
Published, October, 1910
The Quinn & Boden Co. Press Rahway, N.J.
TO MY DEAR FRIEND MRS. HARRY LEE THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
CONTENTS
I A PROSPECTIVE MOTHER-IN-LAW
II PREPARING FOR THE BRIDE
III THE BRIDE'S HOMECOMING
IV FOES IN THE HOUSEHOLD
V BAD AT BEST
VI THE NAMING OF THE CHILD
VII THE NEW CHRISTINA
VIII A RUNAWAY BRIDE
IX THE LAST STRAW
X THEODORA MAKES A NEW LIFE
XI CHRISTINA AND ISABEL
XII ROBERT CAMPBELL GOES WOOING
XIII THE RECONSTRUCTED MARRIAGE
A RECONSTRUCTED MARRIAGE
CHAPTER I
A PROSPECTIVE MOTHER-IN-LAW
As it was Saturday morning, Mrs. Traquair Campbell was examining her weekly accounts and clearing off her week's correspondence; for she found it necessary to her enjoyment of the Sabbath Day that her mind should be free from all worldly obligations. This was one of the inviolable laws of Traquair House, enunciated so frequently and so positively by its mistress, that it was seldom violated in any way.
It was therefore with fear and uncertainty that Miss Campbell ventured to break this rule, and to open softly the door of her mother's room. No notice was taken of the intruder for a few moments, but her presence proving disastrous to the total of a line of figures which Mrs. Campbell was adding, she looked up with visible annoyance and asked:
"What do you want, Isabel? You are disturbing me very much, and you know it."
"I beg pardon, mother, but I think the occasion will excuse me."
"What is the occasion?"
"There is something in my brother's room that I feel sure you ought to see."
"Could you not have waited until I had finished my work here?"
"No, mother. It is Saturday, and Robert may be home by an early train. I think he will, for he is apparently going to England."
"Going to England, so near the Sabbath? Impossible! What set your thoughts on that track?"
"His valise is packed, and directed to Sheffield; but I think he will stop at a town called Kendal. He may go to Sheffield afterwards, of course."
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Reconstructed Marriage by Barr
- 2: There were never any Theodoras among the Traquairs
- 3: And Christina said in an imperative voice
- 4: Things are going to be very different in Traquair House
- 5: Are things going to be different in Traquair House
- 6: Robert often goes to Motherwell
- 7: Campbell said I suppose you are going to Sheffield
- 8: Robert Campbell is a very suspicious man
- 9: And Isabel looked at Christina
- 10: Christina said At eight o'clock to night
- 11: In a green croft surrounded by poplar trees
- 12: The influence of the pulpit depends on the preacher
- 13: Theodora answered it with a shy but loving honesty
- 14: And answered I consider collops
- 15: And Arminians I hold in utter abomination
- 16: Theodora is no housekeeper and does not pretend to be
- 17: Robert laughed and answered Well
- 18: Half of Traquair House redecorated and refurnished
- 19: That it was to Christina flagrantly funny
- 20: As Christina Campbell ought to do
- 21: Christina and I hate Campbelton
- 22: The last time we were in Campbelton
- 23: We shall have to go to Campbelton
- 24: It takes a Scotchwoman to match a Scotchwoman
- 25: Christina will enjoy the opportunities
- 26: A tiny marmoset monkey given her by a third cousin
- 27: Theodora may not like the perfumes
- 28: I have just returned from Kendal
- 29: Scotland is a bleak place for a honeymoon
- 30: Traquair Campbell is in all her silk and lace and jewelry
- 31: But Isabel and Christina were not of their mother's mind
- 32: She was met by Jepson with obsequious attentions
- 33: In half an hour she called Ducie
- 34: Theodora is too long a name for conversation
- 35: Christina always interferes at the wrong moment
- 36: Theodora felt them in her case to be altogether unkind
- 37: But people who open locked trunks
- 38: But I cannot do without clean linen
- 39: Ducie entered the rooms with her arms full of clean linen
- 40: If it is scandalous to entertain your kindred
- 41: The Crawfords and Lairds are blood kin
- 42: Easier than an infringement of their rights
- 43: We have boiled salt herring every morning
- 44: She says the shopmen are not civil to her
- 45: It matters little what the Traquair Campbells think
- 46: He found Theodora in the mood he expected
- 47: Robert and Christina are both laughing
- 48: Christina threw down a pack of cards
- 49: And I'll just remind you that my name is Mistress McNab
- 50: And every one went to church except Theodora
- 51: And no one but McNab can cook collops to suit Mrs
- 52: And Robert said My dear Dora
- 53: God and Theodora are a multitude
- 54: Robertson to be refused in our parlor
- 55: She would scorn your humble embraces
- 56: Robertson called on Theodora and they went out together
- 57: She wished Theodora had been present
- 58: And Theodora smiled and answered
- 59: Dora ought to send for me when she has company
- 60: This was not a happy life for Theodora
- 61: Robertson called to see Theodora
- 62: Theodora was sitting with her elbows on the small table
- 63: Then Ducie screamed for McNab and Jepson
- 64: I fear there is a slight concussion of the brain
- 65: Then Ducie told him everything
- 66: Isabel and Christina know Excuse me
- 67: Margaret Campbell is needing ye
- 68: Theodora will sing at this morning's service
- 69: And become the firstfruits of them that slept
- 70: Simple manner O the springtime
- 71: Then Robert went back to Glasgow and business
- 72: Traquair Campbell should be here
- 73: To all excepting his mother and McNab
- 74: Traquair is a good family name
- 75: Mother has set her mind on Traquair
- 76: And Theodora took him in her arms and said Ducie
- 77: Theodora was subjected to an unwearying hostility
- 78: From her first interview with Theodora
- 79: You're meaning Sir Thomas Wynton
- 80: And Wynton is sure to be there
- 81: And finally induced Sir Thomas Wynton and her brother
- 82: Sir Thomas Wynton had formally asked Mrs
- 83: Then she laughed and said When I am Lady Wynton
- 84: The Campbelton people will come to the marriage
- 85: I do not blame Christina at all
- 86: And Christina will not be here
- 87: And felt well repaid when Christina
- 88: He has gone to Edinburgh for the Wynton diamonds
- 89: And Jepson was bringing in the broth
- 90: Theodora did not say she was glad
- 91: Dora makes Robert ill tempered
- 92: One of the Brodie servant lasses
- 93: But Christina was not among them
- 94: Jepson thought you had a letter from Christina
- 95: You wanted to go to Campbelton
- 96: And Isabel was terrified by her mother's face
- 97: Without Wynton siller to help them
- 98: If there isna a place called Uz
- 99: Isabel was ready to weep with him
- 100: I had to borrow a sovereign from Ducie
- 101: Ducie is everything to David and myself
- 102: He looked longingly at Theodora
- 103: But said only one word Theodora
- 104: Or an easy deshabille mair than you do
- 105: Your mother willna see you wronged
- 106: Ducie is the backer up against you
- 107: Then turning to Ducie she asked
- 108: Theodora could not resist them
- 109: That McNab had a son come home from foreign parts
- 110: In a few minutes Ducie appeared
- 111: When she ordered Ducie to leave
- 112: Coming from her acceptance of destiny
- 113: But uncertainty did not dash McNab
- 114: It related to Sir Thomas Wynton
- 115: Meantime Theodora watched her friend away
- 116: It will probably ploughshare and harrow your heart
- 117: McNab entered the room in her church bonnet
- 118: Then why do you meddle with McNab
- 119: I was fighting croup from midnight until dawn
- 120: Then he looked at Theodora and lifted his valise
- 121: She hoped to escape the presence of Jepson
- 122: At Greenock she found the prepared room in the Tontine
- 123: Theodora awoke in the morning full of hope
- 124: Dora can always be depended on
- 125: As he came out of the dining room McNab walked up to him
- 126: Then what for are you sobbing and crying
- 127: He was not raving when McNab looked at him in passing
- 128: The late amiable Traquair Campbell
- 129: There is no trouble about Dora
- 130: The next day the Crawfords came
- 131: And did not deliver the gracious message
- 132: Nearly as long since Theodora and David disappeared
- 133: Have you ever regretted your treatment of Sir Thomas Wynton
- 134: The wide stairways and corridors of Traquair House
- 135: And Jepson coming in at that moment
- 136: I only met Christina yesterday
- 137: I noticed that you always wore pretty lace
- 138: I will make you Lady Wynton to morrow
- 139: And all were given to Christina
- 140: And Lady Wynton had a full leisurely look at them
- 141: And towards one of these Theodora drove her carriage
- 142: Theodora insisted on this point
- 143: And when Theodora had made her last adieu
- 144: He knew also that it would contain an invitation to Wynton
- 145: Why should he change it for Theodora
- 146: About the black a visored dandy
- 147: And asked if Theodora had gone away with him
- 148: It is Campbell of the Campbell Iron Works near Glasgow
- 149: But Theodora told me all about her visit
- 150: And it was the Oliphants who told you all her complainings
- 151: But you advised Theodora to leave me
- 152: Perishing Theodora he had last seen
- 153: In the way Theodora was treated
- 154: Here is your Uncle Robert Campbell
- 155: Jude's must be an example to the Robertson Kirk
- 156: Since she was promoted to a residence in Wynton Castle
- 157: I think constantly of Theodora
- 158: Then he said softly Poor Theodora
- 159: Suppose Theodora went back to Glasgow with you
- 160: Then there is their grandchild
- 161: So Saki will drive you to the city
- 162: He resolved to get off at Denver with him
- 163: Which connect man with the unseen world
- 164: You will assist Theodora in furnishing it just as she wishes
- 165: McNab answered curtly No wonder
- 166: If I could surrender more for Theodora
- 167: To think o' Flora McNab making a mock o' me
- 168: And Christina is aye sniffling and worrying about her bairns
- 169: That Mercedes and Theodora love each other dearly
- 170: And Robert and Theodora stood before him