Roland Cashel Volume I Part 20

"It will be something like three thousand seven hundred and--"

"Well, say three thousand seven hundred, it is mine."

"These ice-pails are not included, sir."

"Well, send them also, and let me know the price. How handsome that brooch is! Let me see it on your velvet dress, Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k. Yes, that really looks well. Pray let it remain there."

"Oh, I could not think of such a thing! It is far too costly. It is the most splendid--"

"You 'll not refuse me, I hope, a first request, madam," said he, with a half-offended air.

Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k, really overwhelmed by the splendor of the gift, complied with a reluctant shame.

"These are the diamonds that were ordered for the bride," said Leonard, opening a jewel-casket, and exhibiting a most magnificent suite.

"Oh, how sorry she must be!" cried Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, as she surveyed the glittering ma.s.s.

"If she loved him," murmured Olivia, in a low whisper, as if to herself, but overheard by Cashel, who kept his eyes towards her with an expression of deep interest.

"If the gentleman stood in need of such a set," said Leonard, "I am empowered to dispose of them at the actual cost. It is old Mr. Fenchurch who suffers all the loss, and he can very well afford it. As a wedding present, sir--"

"But I am not going to be married, that I know of," said Cashel, smiling.

"Perhaps not this week, sir, or the next," rejoined the self-sufficient jeweller; "but, of course, that time will come. Two thousand pounds for such a suite is positively getting them a present, to break them up and reset them."

"How shocking!" cried Miss Kennyf.e.c.k.

"Yes, madam; but what is to be done? They only suit large fortunes in their present form; these, unfortunately, are very rare with us."

"A quarter past three!" exclaimed Cashel; "we shall be too late."

"And the diamonds, sir?" said Leonard, following him downstairs.

"Do _you_ think them so handsome?" said Cashel to Olivia, as she walked at his side.

"Oh, they are most beautiful," replied she, with a bashful falling of her eyelids.

"I 'll take them also," whispered Cashel to Leonard, who, for perhaps the only time for years past, accompanied the party, bareheaded, to their carriage, and continued bowing till they drove away.

"Dycer's," said Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k; "and as fast as you can."

With all their speed they came too late. The beautiful equipage had been already disposed of, and was driving from the gate as they drew up.

"How provoking!--how terribly provoking!" exclaimed Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k.

"I declare, I think them handsomer than ever," said Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, as she surveyed the two well-matched and highly-bred ponies.

"Who bought them?" asked Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k.

"I am the fortunate individual, or rather the unhappy one, who excites such warm regrets," said Mr Linton, as he lounged on the door of the carriage. "I would I were Rothschild, or his son, or his G.o.dson, to beg your acceptance of them."

"What did you give for them, Mr. Linton?" asked Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k.

"How unfair to ask; and you, too, who understand these things so well."

"I want to purchase them," said she, laughing; "that was my reason."

"To you, then, the price is what I have just paid,--a hundred and fifty."

"How cheap!"

"Absolutely for nothing. I bought them on no other account. I really do not want such an equipage."

"To be serious, then," resumed Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k, "we came here with Mr.

Cashel to purchase them, and just arrived a few minutes too late."

"Quite early enough to allow of my being able to render you a slight service; without, however, the satisfaction of its having demanded any effort from me. Will you present me to Mr. Cashel?" The gentlemen bowed and smiled, and Linton resumed: "If you care for the ponies, Mr. Cashel, I am delighted to say they are at your service. I really bought them, as I say, because they were going for nothing." Cashel did not know how to return the generosity, but accepted the offer, trusting that time would open an occasion to repay the favor.

"Shall I send them home to you, or will you drive them?"

"Will you venture to accompany me?" said Cashel, turning to Olivia Kennyf.e.c.k; who, seeing at once the impropriety of a proposal which Roland's ignorance of the world alone could have committed, was silent and confused.

"Are you afraid, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k, to show that all other objections might be waived.

"Oh no, mamma, if you are not."

"The ponies are perfectly quiet," said Linton.

"I 'm certain nothing will happen," said Miss Kennyf.e.c.k, with a most significant glance at her sister.

"Take care of her, Mr. Cashel," said the mamma, as Roland handed the blushing girl to her place. "I have never trusted her in any one's charge before; and if I had not such implicit confidence--" Before the sentence was finished, the ponies sprang forward in a trot, the equipage in a moment fled and disappeared from view.

"A fine young fellow he seems to be," said Linton, as he raised his hat in adieu; "and so frank, too!" There was a something in his smile that looked too intelligent, but Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k affected not to notice it, as she said "Good-bye."

CHAPTER XII. THE GREAT KENNYf.e.c.k DINNER.

There were lords and ladies,--I saw myself,-- A duke with his Garter, a knight with his Gaelph.

"Orders"--as bright as the eye could see, The "Golden Fleece," and the "Saint Esprit;"

Black Eagles, and Lions, and even a Lamb, Such an odd-looking thing--from the great "Nizam;"

Shamrocks and Thistles there were in a heap, And the Legion of Honor from "Louis Philippe,"

So I asked myself--Does it not seem queer, What can bring this goodly company here?

Mrs. Thorpe's Fete at Twickenham

Although Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k's company were invited for seven o'clock, it was already something more than half-past ere the first guest made his appearance, and he found himself alone in the drawing-room; Mrs.