A Reconstructed Marriage

It takes a Scotchwoman to match a Scotchwoman. Her husband was a useless body, but she managed him fine, and was one o' those women that are a crown to their husbands. The first speaker laughed peculiarly. The women who are a crown to a poor man are generally a crown o' thorns, I'm thinking. But no doubts or fears troubled Robert Campbell. He thought only of his marvellous fortune in winning a woman so lovely and so good. He was not unmindful of either her intellect or her education, but he did not talk of these excellencies, even to his chief friend Archie St.

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He had a feeling that intellect and learning were masculine attributes, and he preferred to dwell entirely on the sweet feminine virtues of his beloved. But this, or that, there was no other woman in the world but Theodora to Robert Campbell, for lovers are selfish creatures, and Lord Beaconsfield says truly: So the days and the weeks went happily past, in preparing a home for Theodora.

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He went over and over very frequently the last few words—"a home for Theodora! Twice he took a trip to Campbelton, and found all to his satisfaction. His mother was surrounded by her kindred, a situation a Scotch man or woman tolerates with an equanimity that is astonishing; and Isabel and Christina wore their usual air of placid indifference to everything. They were all desirous to know what had been done in the house, but he refused to enter into explanations.

Theodora is fond of company and entertainments, and she will wish you to share them with us, and that will add to my pleasure also. Then Christina laughed a little, and Isabel looked at her mother's dour, scornful face and copied it. Robert noticed the expression, and he asked pleasantly: Sometimes the minister called, and talked in an exciting manner about Calvinism, and the smallpox; and we have been surrounded by a crowd of relatives. Mother has enjoyed them very much; she had not seen some of her fourth and fifth cousins for nearly seven years; they had increased in number considerably during that interval, and their names, and dispositions, the sicknesses they had been through, the various talents they showed, have all been to talk over a great many times.

Oh, mother has enjoyed it much!

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It makes no matter about Christina and myself. This coming winter I intend to see you go out as much as you desire. Christina will enjoy the opportunities. I have outlived the desire for amusements. I would rather travel, and see places and famous things. People no longer interest me.

I am so happy, Isabel, I wish every one else to be happy.

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She looked at her brother wonderingly, and at night as the sisters sat doing their hair in Christina's room she said: The man has been in a sense converted—he has found grace, whether it be the grace of God, or the grace of Love, I know not, no, nor anybody else just yet. If you ask for explanations about things, all the wonder and the beauty goes out of them. When I was at school, and had to pull a rose to pieces and write down all the Latin names of its structure, its beauty was gone. The rose was explained to us, but it wasn't a rose any longer.

We will thank St. John for telling us that beautiful truth, but we will not ask for explanations. Maybe you may find out some day all that Love means. You are not too old, and would be handsome if you were dressed becomingly, and were happy. Happiness makes people beautiful. He was rather good-looking before he was in love, he is now a very handsome man. Theodora has worked wonders in his appearance. Properly dressed you would not look over twenty-two years old. We have suffered a great deal together.

I do not mean afflictions and big troubles, but a lifelong, never-lifted repression and depression, and a perfect starvation of heart and soul. We could always go to the Kirk, and we had our Bible and good books, and the like. Girls have begun to do so now. Three weeks after this conversation, Robert came to Campbelton for his mother and sisters. He was in the same glad mood, and what was still more remarkable, patient and cheerful with all the small worries and explanations and contradictory directions of Mrs.

She was carrying back to Glasgow two Skye terriers, a tortoise-shell cat, presents of kippered herring and cheeses, and, above all, a tiny marmoset monkey given her by a third cousin, who was master of a sailing vessel trading to South American ports. She was immoderately fond and proud of this gift, and no one but Robert was allowed to carry the basket in which it was cradled in soft wool.

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But encumbered on every hand and charged continually about this, that, and the other, Robert kept his temper better than his sisters; and at length, with the help of two or three vehicles, brought all safely to Traquair House. Campbell had thus loaded and impeded herself and her whole family for the very purpose of making their entry into the renovated home a scene of confusion, in which it was impossible to observe things, she could not have succeeded better. Christina, indeed, uttered an exclamation of delight, but the great interest of all parties was to get rid of their various impediments.

Each of the girls had a Skye terrier, Mrs. Campbell had the cat, Robert the marmoset, and there were bundles, bonnet boxes, parcels, umbrellas, parasols, rugs, etc. Campbell's list of her belongings. But in an hour the confusion had settled, and by the time the travellers had removed their hats and wraps and washed and dressed, a good dinner was on the table. It put every one in a more agreeable temper, and when they had eaten it, there was still light enough to examine the changes that had been made.

Campbell declared she was tired, but she could not resist the offer of Robert's arm and the way in which he said: The compliment won her. She rose instantly, and leaning on her son's arm passed into the hall. It had been dark and gloomy, though fairly handsome. It was now finished in the palest shades, was light and airy and looked much larger. Where the cases of impaled beetles and crucified butterflies had stood, there were pots of ferns and flowers, and the special furniture necessary was of light woods and modern designs.

All the rooms leading from this hall were richly and elegantly furnished; the same idea of lightness and gracefulness being admirably carried out. Nothing had been forgotten, even the most trivial toilet articles were present in their most beautiful form. Isabel lifted some of these, and asked: Theodora may not like the perfumes; indeed, I do not think she uses perfume of any kind, but they can be sent back, or changed. Campbell, when all apartments had been examined, "these rooms are fit for a queen, and many a poor queen never had anything half so splendid and comfortable.

Theodora will be confounded by their richness and beauty. I should say she never saw anything like them. I met her first at John Priestley's, Member of Parliament for Sheffield, where she was the guest of his daughter, and in their mansion the rooms are much handsomer than anything we have here. Theodora has been a guest in some of the finest manor houses in England. These rooms are quite modest compared with some she has occupied. But Robert, I can not, and I will not, change my ways at my time of life.

I may be plain and common—perhaps—I may be vulgar in Theodora's eyes, but——". You represent the finest ladies of your generation. Theodora is the fruit and flower of a later one, different, but no better than your own. You are everything I want. I would not have you changed in any respect. Such appreciative words as these were most unusual, and Mrs. Campbell felt them thrill her heart with pleasure.

She even half-resolved to try to like Robert's wife, and spoke enthusiastically about the taste her son had displayed. In the morning she was still more delighted, for then she discovered that her own drawing-room had been redecorated, a new light carpet laid, and many beautiful pieces of furniture added to brighten its usual gloom. Nor had Isabel's and Christina's rooms been forgotten; in many ways they had been beautified, and only the family dining-room had been left in the gloom of its dark, though handsome furniture. But Robert hoped by the following summer his mother would be willing to have it totally changed, for he remembered hearing Theodora say that the room in which people eat ought to be, above all other rooms in the house, bright, and light, and cheerful.

Indeed, she thought it a matter of well-being to eat under the happiest circumstances possible. In the height of the women's delight and gratitude, Robert set off on his wedding journey. His joy infected the whole house. Even the cross McNab and the mournful Jepson were heard laughing, and Christina spoke of this as among the wonderfuls of her existence. Perhaps the one most pleased was Mrs. She had been surrounded by the same depressing furniture and upholstery for thirty-seven years, and she had almost a childish pleasure in the new white lace curtains which had been hung in her rooms. They gave her a sense of youth, of something unusually happy and hopeful.

Many times in a day, she went, unknown to any one, into the drawing-room and took the fine lace drapery in her fingers, to examine and admire its beauty. The girls also were more cheerful. Indeed, the tone of the house had been uplifted and changed, and all through the influence of more light, some graceful modern furniture, and a little—alas, that it was so little! Claire called one evening upon his family. You were none of you there. Robert has found a jewel. White satin and lace, of course, but what I liked was the simplicity of the gown. I heard some one call it a Princess shape.

It fit her beautiful form without a crease, and fell in long soft folds to her white shoes. She looked like an angel. She wore no jewels, and she carried instead of flowers a small Bible bound in purple velvet and gold. The Blue Coat Boys—a large old school in Kendal—scattered flowers before her as she walked from the church gates to the altar; and the old rector who had married her father and mother was quite affected by the ceremony. He kissed and blessed her at the altar-rail, after it was over.

It was a solemn and affecting sight. And the sweet old bells chimed so joyously, I can never forget them. I have brought you some bride cake," and he took from a box in his hand three smaller white boxes, tied with white ribbon, and presented them. Campbell laid hers unopened on the table without a word of thanks or courtesy, and Isabel and Christina followed her example. Claire, "and the Blue Coat Boys met the bride singing a wedding-hymn. Robert gave them a noble check for their school. They had intended going through the Fife towns, and by old St.

A Reconstructed Marriage

Andrews to Wick, and so to the Orkneys and Shetlands. But it was late in the season for this trip, so they went to Paris and the Mediterranean. I think they were right. A honeymoon is a sort of transcendental existence, and a man naturally wants to spend it as nearly in Paradise as possible. There's no place like the Mediterranean for sunshine, and it is poetical and picturesque, and just the place for lovers. Failing, with all his willing good nature, to rouse any apparent interest in a subject he considered highly interesting, he felt a little offended, and rose to depart.

But ere he reached the parlor door he turned and said: Newton—by-the-by, wonderfully beautiful spots, nothing like them in Scotland—and one day while waiting in his study, I picked up a book. Imagine my astonishment, when I saw it had been written by the bride. At this information Mrs. Campbell threw up her hands with a laugh that terminated in something like a shriek. Isabel laid her hand on her mother's arm, and asked: I need not have been. Every girl scribbles a little now. It gave the Latin and Saxon names of our own old cities, and all the historical and biographical incidents connected with them.

It treated the names in the Bible and ancient history in the same way. The preacher was very modest about it, but said it was now in all the best schools, and that his daughter had quite a good income from the royalty on its sale. Claire, we can stand no more revelations concerning the bride's perfections! Robert Campbell is only a master of iron workers and coal miners, and I fear he will feel painfully his inferiority to such a marvellously beautiful and intellectual woman.

Childhood Sexual Abuse , Family , Marriage. Anger and Rage , Long-term Effects , Marriage. Childhood Sexual Abuse , Forgiveness , Marriage. Childhood Sexual Abuse , Marriage. Childhood Sexual Abuse , Family , Holidays. Childhood Sexual Abuse , Marriage , Trauma. Childhood Sexual Abuse , Faith , Trauma. Childhood Sexual Abuse , Faith , Self-care.

Childhood Sexual Abuse , Self-care. Wow - Thanks again for the blog. Might have to bookmark this one for the times when my emotions just make me want to quit.

Going back and forth on this path does get exhausting. It is amazing how God works through all things like He promises. Though I would not wish this on another soul, I can honestly say I am a better man for the path I am traveling. For me lately the struggle is showing closeness when she doesn't want closeness.

It is the line between respect for what my wife is going through and our human need for togetherness. That is why I am looking forward to the next blog. Click here for more endorsements. Home About Why Reconstruction? Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. A Reconstructed Marriage by Amelia E. This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic, timeless works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

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A Reconstructed Marriage by Amelia E. Barr

Be the first to ask a question about A Reconstructed Marriage. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Feb 01, Joanna Chaplin rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm glad I'm not a married woman in Scottland in That being said, it's funny to see a "woman leaves the man who done her wrong" story set so long ago. Maybe that is older than I thought it was. May 03, Karla Goforth Abreu rated it liked it.