avid reader. He was a keen fisherman and an excellent sportsman. Academic and non-academic he seemed excellent and enthusiastic at everything.
Elinor and Mr. Hugo had acquired a mutual dislike in a matter of seconds that showed clearly to the other guests watching in awe at the battle of wits that was taking place before them. Mr Hugo found Elinor’s need to be free most annoying and Elinor found Mr Hugo always able to have the freedom most irritating.
Then there was a sudden noise from above which made everyone stop and look towards the stairs, that Elinor found looking upon them like this made them seem even more ill-fated than she thought possible.
In a state of confusion, but blinded with happiness, Mr. Clark maneuvered down the poorly-made stairs to find his favorite people-his son and daughter. Elinor had gathered from the way he held himself that his night sleep had not been one that he would wish to replay. He had however quickly heightened his spirits and countenance for the unexpected guests. He was overjoyed and Elinor believed that this was exactly the sort of remedy he needed. They hugged and sat down, Mr. Clark elated with the coming of the guests.
His posture had grown from last night and the atmosphere had become high spirited, even Elinor had a smile painted on her face due to the excitement of her father and his immediate happiness.
“Ah so nice to see you son with your beautiful wife! Oh this must be Mr. Hugo of Wentworth in Scotland, Son of Sir and Lady Hugo and soon to be a baronet I believe, an honor Sir.”
Elinor stared in disbelief, if only she knew the extent of his class and situation, she would have behaved and kept her tongue to herself. She had no idea even when they were younger that he was so high up. Her eyes were forced to meet the ground in utter amazement.
“Yes Mr. Clark nice to make your acquaintance, I have just been having a rather interesting chat with your daughter.” Mr. Hugo replied as he turned to Eleanor.
“Oh yes indeed my daughters conversation never fails to excite! Oh this is wonderful!” Mr Clark replied, laughing and smiling, shaking hands and giving out hugs.
“It’s so good to see you father,” Henry said, a lot has happened since I have been home.
“Oh I would like to know every detail and all the gossip,” Mr Clark excitedly replied.
Mr Hugo smirked and smiled at Elinor for a while after she had sat down.
Elinor slightly ashamed, sat upon her desk and smiled and laughed on queue as to keep the spirits high; she tried as little as possible not to make eye contact with Mr. Hugo, blaming the streaming light, coming through her window.
Mr. Hugo proved himself to be a cheerful young man who lacked little and who possessed a pleasant countenance which everyone seemed well pleased with. He seemed open yet had an air of mystery about him, he delighted everyone with his knowledge of the world and his opinions on literature and music. His conduct towards people of the lower class was most agreeable and he treated them with the upmost pleasant manners in which he would have treated everyone, even more in fact as he knew that they had been through more than all of his acquaintances had ever dreamt of. His eyes were a sparkling blue and seemed to see right through you, piercing you through the mind, the one reason why Elinor kept her head turned away. She did however find him the same person which she had met all those years ago and hardly a little changed except of course for his appearance and intelligence.
Chapter 3
Elinor had met Mr Hugo at least ten years ago. It had been an eventful meeting, Elinor of the age of thirteen and William of the age of sixteen, both old enough to know their own minds and use them to their advantage. This proved to be a certain difficulty in their first meeting as Elinor had discovered an instant dislike of her new acquaintance and at the discovery of her likes and dislikes this was vital evidence.
As the day of their meeting occurred Elinor had started the day by attending an opening of wheel Buckett mine situated near the Southgate area of Redruth, beside the Redruth to Helston road. The mine had closed in 1853 however after being brought by another company had once again opened on this particular day of the 2nd of January 1873. The town had been in utter excitement at the opening and it seemed the whole town was attending. Elinor had made the miners each a Cornish pasty, waking early enough in order to cook them, as the miners felt it was a nutritious yet portable meal to last them through the day.
The weather had been fine for such an event to take place- not too hot, not too cold. Expressions of happiness were painted on the sea of families, men and children, each benefitting in some way or another from the opening. Cornwall at the time was in considerable danger of losing its heritage, as copper prices were low and investors were few, which meant that mines were closing at a considerable number every week. Miners of the village, with no work, were left to partake in a crime of sorts, whether poaching, stealing or smuggling. This meant that they were either transported to Australia or set to Bodmin jail after trials in Truro, leaving their families lost and destitute.
Elinor had engaged herself into a conversation with a group of miners, eager to support them and the work they were about to endeavor upon.
“I understand that you used to be a sailor, Mr James,” Elinor stated.
“Yes indeed ma’am and enjoyed it immensely however I am glad to be on safe land after spending many years on the ocean,” Mr James replied.
Elinor laughed,” Yes I bet you have seen many storms through many nights during your time on the ocean.”
“Oh yes ma’am a great many indeed you can imagine, enough for a lifetime,” he said. He was then called by a group of his fellow miners and turned to their direction then back at Elinor. He said good day to Elinor and walked of in their direction as he was being beckoned eagerly.
The wind had started to blow and Elinor breathed in the goodness, closing her eyes as she did so. Many of the most beautiful things in life are seen with your eyes closed. The crowd of people had started to gather in the middle of the grassland in front of Wheal Buckett, whose giant brick walls protruded upwards, looking down upon the waiting faces, standing as proud and as excited as those below. The atmosphere seemed to go on a journey of suspense and excitement; each evenly distributed across the vast stretch, which on many other days ,would be deserted of any people, only the few taking an afternoon stroll or bird watching, however this was not just a normal day.
The morning had advanced. The air had grew quite easily hotter in a matter of a few hours as if from some enormous furnace from which it could draw at will, depending on what mood it seemed to ascertain-cold or hot. The children chattered loudly but ceased once told by their mothers. As to the mothers, they were huddled together as though a group of penguins or a secret group confirming and planning their plot and hence forth into battle. Elinor was sure she could spy a bubble of excitement and gossip levitating above their heads just waiting to be taken on its cycle.
Elinor watched as the crowd started to cheer and thought how wonderful it was that the new owner was giving these people a fresh and hopeful new beginning; a stable and worthwhile life. She clapped along with them as the owner stood up in front of them, his back towards his mine. He thanked everyone for their support and wished them all good luck in the future. Then with a pair of scissors he cut the red ribbon which was wrapped around Wheal Buckett and the whole entire town screamed and cheered. Elinor was sure they could be heard across the English Channel to France.
From a distance Elinor spied her brother, Henry, taking long strides as though a military officer towards her. From the expression on his face and the pace at which he was walking Elinor could tell
