As to my
mother, her attachment to my father knew no bounds, and her grief at
her bereavement knew none.
A day or two before the funeral my uncle Aylwin of Alvanley arrived,
and his presence was a great comfort to her. Owing to my father's
position in the county a great deal of funereal state was considered
necessary, and there was much hurry and bustle.
My uncle having known Wynne when quite a young man, before
intemperance had degraded him, took an interest in him still. He had
called at the cottage as he passed along Wilderness Road towards
Raxton, and the result of this was that the organist came to speak to
him at our house upon some matter in connection with the funeral
service. My mother was greatly vexed at this. Her conduct on the
occasion alarmed me. Ever since Frank's death had made it evident not
only that I should succeed to all the property of my uncle Aylwin of
Alvanley, but that I might even succeed to something greater, to the
earldom which was the glory and pride of the Aylwins, my mother had
kept a jealous and watchful eye upon me, being, as I afterwards
learned, not unmindful of the early child-loves of Winifred and
myself; and the advent to Raxton of Winifred, as a beautiful tall
girl, had aroused her fears as well as her wrath.
Pages:
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170