CHAPTER XXIX
The elopement took place, with the unconscious Mrs. Ferrars and the deeply interested Mrs. Brandon as chaperones. It was, of course, a very romantic affair.
The journey through England was as delightful as such a journey must be. It was leisurely, and if Mrs. Dashwood had wished to stop them she could very easily have done so. Thirty-six hours were spent in Bath, and at each stopping-place they arrived in time for dinner and did not proceed till the next day. Commander Pennington had no idea of keeping out of sight, and Mrs. Ferrars’s anger steadily grew, while her curiosity was not aroused. When they reached the Border the wedding ceremony was short and to the point. Marianne returned to the carriage without her sister, and stated that she would not accompany them farther as she was now married. The effect of this news on Mrs. Ferrars was all that Marianne had desired. It was even greater than she had expected, and she was not at all sorry to part from her when they came to the meeting-place at which Colonel Brandon had been charged to appear.
He was there, somewhat bewildered at his wife’s unlooked-for decision to follow him, and not less so when he heard a part of the romantic adventure which had just been achieved.
If Marianne supposed that an elopement would give people less to talk about than an ordinary wedding she was mistaken, but if, after hearing what Colonel Brandon had to say to her, she was afraid that she had hurried her young sister into an imprudent marriage, she was again mistaken, for the marriage proved a very happy one. It was founded, not on long friendship, careful choice, the wishes of true friends, similarity of tastes or equality of fortune, not in fact on any of those circumstances which bring about successful unions, but on that which happens to some few fortunate mortals and is called “Love at first sight.”
Mrs. Dashwood was easily placated. She had never been very angry, though she would have counselled delay if she had been given the opportunity to offer advice. Nothing was left for her to do but to be kind and welcoming, and nothing was so easy. Richard Pennington was soon as well-beloved as her other sons-in-law, and not far behind them in the affection he returned.
The life of a naval officer’s wife, though not so full of hardships as Mrs. Palmer had predicted, was not easy. It was long before Commander Pennington attained post-rank. He was employed on a guardship off Malta for some years, and Margaret had her wish of travelling, but not in circumstances of great wealth.
When William IV came to the throne he took care of the navy, and a great many officers who had fancied themselves forgotten got a pleasant surprise. Richard was among them, and became Captain Pennington. He got no further promotion, but was contented with this step in rank. They had but one son, and their income was sufficient for their needs.
If Margaret had less of some things than her sisters she had more of others. Marianne was right in saying that Margaret’s marriage was romantic for she had that kind of happiness which is not deserved because no one can deserve it, and Richard Pennington shared that happiness because he made it.
But happiness should result from well-doing. It must be as distressing to the reader as it is to the writer to notice that if Commander Pennington’s manners had been better he would have allowed Margaret to go home without attempting to make her acquaintance on High-church down; and if she had had more discretion she would have withdrawn after a proper acknowledgment of his politeness, returned home, and no doubt become Lady Carey in due course. She might have been almost as happy in that case, and would certainly have been richer and more comfortable, but there is no doubt that Richard’s happiness resulted from his lapse in manners, and Margaret’s inattention to decorum.
THE END