Major Frank Part 11

"Oh, from that woman you might expect anything!"

To me this account was as a ray of light. Aunt had changed her will, after this incident, in favour of Francis, and not, it was clear, for purposes of revenge. Now I felt more bound than ever to win the love of Francis, and to marry her; and I confess my inclinations were tending in that direction. Her straightforward, upright character, her original and piquant style of beauty, were already beginning to act like a charm upon me; still it would be well not to precipitate matters, and I controlled a desire which came over me to demand her hand on the spot. There were also mysterious events in her past life which required clearing up. Besides, I had to consider how it would be possible to change her aversion from marriage, the male s.e.x, and social life in general. And I was convinced if she once p.r.o.nounced the fatal word "No," my suit was hopeless.

CHAPTER XV.

Fritz, who came up at a trot, after the usual military salute to Francis, interrupted our further conversation. He addressed her in the following words--

"Freule, the Captain sends to inquire if you have thought of the sauce for the pudding, and if you will let him have the key to the pantry?"

Turning to me she said--

"Excuse me, Leo--duty first and pleasure afterwards; my worthy adjutant reminds me I have duties in the kitchen."

In a moment she had tripped away out of sight, and the General, rising, said--

"I must also go and dress, for I never dine in my dressing-gown." Then calling to Fritz, he said, "Show the Jonker to his room, if it is ready."

"Certainly, General; I have taken up his bag."

"So you have brought a travelling-bag?" asked the General, with a smile, and giving me an inquiring look.

"What shall I say, uncle; did I take too great a liberty in reckoning on an invitation for a few days?"

"Certainly not, my boy!" he replied frankly; "a change is very welcome to me--only try to make it all right with Francis."

Fritz led the way up a broad oaken staircase to the first floor of the left wing, the very one which had struck me as the least habitable. I was shown into a large room that had once been well furnished, but which now appeared rather sombre, as all the shutters were closed except one, and this was only left ajar. I asked Fritz to open them, telling him I was fond of plenty of light.

"Sir, Freule gave me orders to keep the shutters closed, otherwise there would be too much light, for there are no blinds."

"Never mind, man; open them for me."

"Yes, but there will be a draught; we never have guests, and therefore the broken window-panes have been neglected, and there is no glazier in the village."

I dismissed the good fellow, whose fidelity to his mistress was evinced by his reticence.

When I had opened one shutter entirely so as to obtain sufficient light, I found the room contained a large old-fashioned bedstead, with red silk hangings; a splendid couch, the covering of which was torn in several places and the horse-hair peeping out--then, even worse, I found it had lost a leg; moreover, there was not a chair in the room I dared seat myself on without the fear of coming to grief.

In the middle of the room was a marble-topped table, standing on its three gilt bear-paws; but it was cracked in several places, and the mosaic star in the centre had almost disappeared piece by piece. A simple modern washstand, of grey painted wood with light green borders, had been placed just under an oval rococo mirror, and formed a striking contrast to these neglected antiquities.

From my window I was enjoying a view of the beautiful country of Guelderland, and forming plans for the renovation and embellishment of the fallen greatness around--always provided Francis consented--when I heard the second dinner-bell, and hastened downstairs, having been warned that the General still kept up his military habits of punctuality.

I was very curious to see whether Francis had dressed for dinner, how she looked, &c. But, alas! my hopes were disappointed. Her beautiful hair was loosely confined in a silk net, which seemed scarcely capable of sustaining its weight. She had not changed her dress, and had only thrown over her shoulders a small faded shawl, which served to hide the white and slender form of her neck. She perceived my disappointment; in fact, her beautiful eyes regarded me with an air that seemed to say--

"Make up your mind that I am totally indifferent as to the impression I may produce on you."

Otherwise she performed her part as hostess with exemplary zeal and great ability. She served the soup, carved the meat, and even changed the plates herself--as Fritz seemed to consider his duty done when he had placed the things on the sideboard. To my great surprise, the dinner was abundant and even recherche.

After the soup, which was excellent, roast beef with choice preserved vegetables was served up--"surrogate of the primeurs," as the General expressed himself; then partridges in aspic and a poulet au riz, followed by young cabbages with baked eels, which, the Captain said playfully, had only gone into his net for my sake. As plat doux, we had a pudding with the wonderful sauce Francis had been called into the kitchen to make; and to wind up, a complete dessert. It was difficult for me to reconcile all this with the idea of people living in straitened circ.u.mstances.

The different kinds of wine, furnished in over-great abundance and variety by the Captain, who acted as butler, completed the luxuries of the table. The wines were of the best brands, and my host and his aide-de-camp took care to call my attention to them. My habits of abstinence obliged me to exercise great moderation, and I could plainly see that they were disappointed at my want of enthusiasm.

Neither the crockery nor the table-linen was in keeping with the luxury of the courses. The former was French china, dating from the same period as the furniture and the golden leather tapestries, and had evidently suffered a good deal from rough usage and servants. It was cracked, riveted, incomplete; and modern blue ware had been purchased to supply deficiencies, thus enhancing its splendour and emphasizing the contrast. The large damask tablecloth, that represented the marriage of a Spanish Infanta, had certainly done duty when Aunt Sophia ruled as mistress of the establishment. It was exceedingly fine but worn, and the rents had not always been neatly darned. As for the silver, the speed with which Francis sent the forks and spoons to the kitchen and ordered them back, proved to me that the dozens were not complete. On the other hand, there was an abundance of cut gla.s.s, to which the Captain directed my attention lest I should overlook it, adding, however--

"I do not attach much value to such things. Many a time during the campaign I have drunk beer out of a milk-pail, and champagne out of teacups; and I did not enjoy it the less for that."

"Provided the cups were not too small," interrupted Francis.

"But the General," continued Rolf, without noticing the remark, "the General would rather go without Yquem than drink it out of a common gla.s.s; and as our Major (I mean Freule, the commander-in-chief) always manifests the greatest indifference in this respect, I have charged myself with the care of the General's wine-cellar."

I neither liked nor approved the tone of the Captain's observations; but Von Zwenken said nothing. Francis did not, however, fail to retaliate in her vehement way.

"Fie, Captain!" she interrupted. "Are you afraid Jonker van Zonshoven will not observe how great your merits as quartermaster are? If every one in this house would follow my regime, and drink clear spring-water, your zeal and care for the wine-cellar would be superfluous."

I had already noticed that she drank nothing but water. The General now came to the Captain's aid with a French expression: "Le luxe, c'est le necessaire."

He had drunk a good deal, and his pale cheeks were growing rosy. Francis rang for Fritz to hand round cigars to the gentlemen, and then retired to the drawing-room in spite of the furious looks of her grandfather. As the door was open, I could follow her movements in the large mirror which faced me. I saw her throw herself on the sofa, wring her hands, and bite her lips as if to suppress her sobs. The General soon dozed off, and the Captain applied himself to the cognac bottle, as he said it was necessary to warm up his stomach after eating cold fruit; so I walked over towards the drawing-room, trying to hide my cigar. Francis was disconcerted at being surprised in her disconsolate mood; but she composed herself, and said, with an attempt at a smile--

"You may smoke here, cousin, if you wish to have a talk with me."

CHAPTER XVI.

"I am not in the habit of smoking in the presence of----" (I had almost said ladies).

"Nonsense! I am not so fastidious; and you know that quite well. Shall I make you some coffee? The gentlemen yonder do not take any; they smoke and drink till----"

I interrupted her with--

"I want nothing but to talk confidentially with you for a quarter of an hour. Will you grant me that favour?"

"Certainly; take the easy-chair and sit down opposite; that is the best position for a talk."

I obeyed, and she began--

"Tell me, first of all, do you now understand why I do not like receiving company?"