Barford Abbey Part 8

When I went to Mr. Jenkings's to dress for dinner, Lord Darcey attended me, as usual:--the coach was to fetch us.--I thought I never saw his Lordship in such high good humour; what I mean is, I never saw him in such spirits.--To speak the truth, his temper always appears unruffled;--sometimes a little gloomy; but I suppose he is not exempted from the common ills of life.--He entertained me on the way with a description of the company expected, interlarding his conversation with observations tending to raise my vanity. Notwithstanding his seeming sincerity, I was proof against such insinuations.--If he had stopp'd _there_,--well, if he had stop'd _there_;--what then?--Why then, perhaps, I should not have betray'd the weakness of my heart.--But I hope thy confusion pa.s.s'd un.o.bserv'd;--I hope it was not seen before I could draw my handkerchief from my pocket: if it should, heavens! the very thought has dyed me scarlet.

I am running on as though your Ladyship had been present in Mr.

Jenkings's parlour,--in the coach,--and at table, whither I must conduct you, my dear Lady, if your patience will bear a minute _recital_.--First, then, to our conference in the parlour, after I was dress'd.

My coming down interrupted a _tete-a-tete_ between his Lordship and Edmund. The latter withdrew soon after I entered;--_it look'd some-how as if designed;--it vexed me_;--mean it how he would, _it much_ disconcerted me:--I _hate_, I _despise_ the least appearance of design.--In vain did I attempt to bring him back; he only answer'd he would be with us instantly.

I was no sooner seated, than his Lordship placed himself by me; and fetching a deep sigh, said, I wish it was in my power to oblige Miss Warley as much as it is in hers to oblige me.--

My Lord, I cannot conceive how I have it in my power to oblige you. He took my hand,--Yes, Madam, to make _me_ happy,--for ever happy,--to make _Sir James_ and _Lady Powis happy_, you have only to determine not to quit your native country.

Stop! my Lord, if you mean my going to _Montpellier_, I am determin'd.--And are you _really_ determin'd, Miss Warley?--his face overspread with a dreadful paleness.

I am, my Lord,

But what are you determin'd? Are you determined to distress your friends?

I wish not to distress my friends: nothing would give me so much pain; but I _must_ go;--indeed I _must_.

He rose up;--walk'd about the room,--came back to his seat again, looking quite frantic,--Good G.o.d! why should that s.e.x practise so many arts? He pray'd,--intreated,--left no argument untried.

I cannot picture his countenance, when I declared myself resolved.--He caught both my hands, fixed his eyes stedfastly upon me.

Then you are inflexible, Madam?--Nothing can move you to pity the most wretched of his s.e.x.--Know you the person living that could prevail?--If you do,--say so;--I will bring him instantly on his knees.

There is not in the world, my Lord, one who could prevent me from paying my _duty_, my _affection_, my _obedience_, to Lady Mary Sutton: if due to a parent, how much more from me to _Lady Mary_;--a poor orphan, who have experienced from her the most maternal fondness? The word _orphan_ struck him; he reeled from me and flung himself into a chair opposite, leaning his head on a table which stood near.

I declare he distress'd me greatly;--I know not what my thoughts were at that moment;--I rose to quit the room; he started up.

Don't leave me, Miss Warley;--don't leave me. I _will_ keep you no longer in the dark: I _must_ not suffer in your opinion,--be the consequence--

Here we were interrupted by Edmund.--I was sorry he just then entered;--I would have given the world to know what his Lordship was about to say.

When we were in the coach, instead of explaining himself, he a.s.sumed rather a chearful air; and asked, if my time was fix'd for going to France?

Not absolutely fix'd, my Lord; a month or two hence, perhaps. This I said, that he might not know exactly the time when I shall set out.

_A month_ or _two!_ O! that will be just the thing, just as I could wish it.--

What does your Lordship mean?

Only that I intend spending part of the winter in Paris; and if I should not be deemed an _intruder_, perhaps the same yacht may carry us over.

I was never more at a loss for a reply.

Going to France, my Lord! in a hesitating voice.--I never heard,--I never dreamt,--your Lordship had such an intention.

Well, you do not forbid it, Miss Warley? I shall certainty be of your party:

_I forbid it_, my Lord! _I forbid it!_ What right have _I_ to controul your Lordship's actions? Besides, we should travel so short a way together, it would be very immaterial.

Give me Leave, Madam, in this respect to be the judge; perhaps every one is not bless'd with that _happy_ indifference.--What may be very _immaterial_ to _one_,--may be matter of the _highest_ importance to _another_.

He p.r.o.nounced the word _immaterial_, with some marks of displeasure. I was greatly embarra.s.s'd: I thought our conversation would soon become too interesting.

I knew not what to do.--I attempted to give it a different turn; yet it engrossed all my attention.--At length I succeeded by introducing my comical adventure at the inn, in our way to Oxfordshire: but the officer's name had escaped my memory, though I since recollect it to be Risby.

This subject engaged us till we came within sight of the drawing-room windows.--There are the visitors, as I live! said I. Your Lordship not being dress'd, will, I suppose, order the coach to the other door.--To be plain, I was glad of any excuse that would prevent my getting out before them.--Not _I_, indeed, Miss Warley, reply'd he:--Dress is never of consequence enough to draw me two steps out of my way.--If the spectators yonder will fix their eyes on an old coat rather than a fine young Lady, _why_ they have it for their pains.

By this time the door was open'd, and Sir James appearing, led me, with his usual politeness, to the company. I was placed by her Ladyship next Miss Winter, whose person I cannot say prejudiced me in her favour, being entirely dispossessed of that winning grace which attracts strangers at a first glance.

After measuring me with her eye from head to toe, she sent my dimensions in a kind of half smile across the room to Lord Baily; then vouchsafed to ask, how long I had been in this part of the world? which question was followed by fifty others, that shewed she laboured under the violent thirst of curiosity; a thirst never to be conquered; for, like dropsical people, the more they drink in, the more it rages.

My answers were such as I always return to the inquisitive.--Yes, Madam;--No, Madam;--very well;--very good;--not certain;--quite undetermin'd.--Finding herself unsuccessful with _me_, she apply'd to _Lady Powis_; but alas! poor maiden, she could drain nothing from that fountain; the streams would not flow;--they were driven back, by endeavouring to force them into a wrong channel.

These were not certainly her first defeats, by the clever way of hiding her chagrin:--it is gone whilst she adjusts the flower in her bosom,--or opens and shuts her fan twice.--How can _she_ be mortified by trifles,--when the _Lord_ of _her heart_,--the sweet, simpering, fair-faced, Lord Baily keeps his eyes incessantly fixed on her, like centinels on guard?--They cannot speak, _indeed they cannot_, or I should expect them to call out every half hour, "All is well."

I admire Lord and Lady Allen. I say, I admire them: their manners are full of easy freedom, pleasing vivacity.--I cannot admire all the world; I wish I could.--Mr. and Mrs. Winter happen not to suit my taste;--they are a kind of people who look down on every one of middle fortune;--seem to despise ancestry,--yet are always fond of mixing with the great.--Their rise was too sudden;--they jump'd into life all at once.--Such quick transitions require great equality of mind;--the blaze of splendor was too much for their _weak_ eyes;--the _flare_ of surprise is still visible.

It was some time before the conversation became general.--First, and ever to have precedence,--the weather;--next, roads;--then houses,--plantations,--fashions,--dress,--equipage;--and last of all, politics in a thread-bare coat.

About ten minutes before dinner, Lord Darcey joined us, dress'd most magnificently in a suit of olive velvet, embroider'd with gold;--his hair without powder, which became him infinitely.--He certainly appear'd to great advantage:--how could it be otherwise, when in company with that tawdry, gilded piece of clay?--And to sit by him, of all things!--One would really think it had been designed:--_some_ exulted, _some_ look'd mortified at the contrast.--Poor Miss Winter's seat began to grow very uneasy;--she tried every corner, yet could not vary the light in which she saw the _two opposites_.--Why did she frown on _me?_--why cast such contemptuous glances every time I turn'd my eye towards her?--Did _I_ recommend the daubed c.o.xcomb;--or represent that her future joys depended on t.i.tle?--No! it was vanity, the love of grandeur,--that could make her give up fine sense, fine accomplishments, a princely address, and all the n.o.ble requisites:--yes, my Lady, such a one, Lord Darcey tells me, she has refused.--Refused, for what? For folly, a total ignorance in the polite arts, and a meaness of manners not to be express'd: yet, I dare say, she thinks, the sweet sounds of _my Lady_, and _your Ladyship_ is _cheaply_ purchased by such a sacrifice.

When we moved to go into the dining-parlour, Miss Winter bow'd for me to follow Lady Allen and her mother; which after I had declined, Lady Powis took me by the hand, and said, smiling, No, Madam, Miss Warley is one of us.--If _so_, my Lady--and she swam out of the room with an air I shall never forget.

Lord Darcey took his place at table, next Lord Allen;--I sat opposite, with Miss Winter on my right, and Lord Baily on my left.--Sorry I was, to step between the Lovers; but ceremony required it; so I hope they do not hate me on that account.--Lord Allen has a good deal of archness in his countenance, though not of the ill-natur'd kind.--I don't know how, but every time he look'd across the table I trembled; it seem'd a foreboding of what was to follow.

He admired the venison;--said it was the best he had ever tasted from Sir James's park;--but declared he would challenge him next Monday, if all present would favour him with their company.--Lady Allen seconded the request so warmly, that it was immediately a.s.sented to.--

What think you, said his Lordship it is to the _young_ folks that I address myself, of seeing before you a couple who that day has been married twenty years, and never frown'd on one another?

Think! said Lord Darcey, it is very possible.

_Possible_ it certainly is, reply'd Lady Powis; but very few instances, I believe--

What say you, Miss Warley? ask'd his Lordship: you find Lord Darcey supposes it very possible.--Good G.o.d! I thought I should have sunk: it was not so much the question, as the manner he express'd it in. I felt as if my face was stuck full of needles: however, I stifled my confusion, and reply'd, I was quite of Lady Powis's opinion.

Well, what say you, Miss Winter?

How I rejoiced! I declare I could hardly contain my joy, when he address'd himself to her.

What say I, my Lord? return'd she; why, _truly_, I think it must be your own faults, if you are not treated _civilly_.--The Devil! cry'd he.

O fie! O fie! my Lord, squeaked my left hand neighbour.--And why O fie!

retorted his Lordship: Is _civility_ all we have to expect?

We can _claim_ nothing else said the squeaker.--If the dear creatures condescend to _esteem_ us, we ought to consider it a particular indulgence.

And so, Miss Warley, cry'd Lord Allen, we are only to be _esteemed_ now-a-days. I thank G.o.d my good woman has imbibed none of those modern notions. Her actions have convinced the world of that long ago.