Roland Cashel Volume Ii Part 28

"When did this news come?" said Lord Kilgoff, sitting down and wiping his forehead, on which the perspiration now stood, from agitation.

"Yesterday. Blackwell sent a cabinet messenger to me, but with the strictest injunctions to secrecy. In fact, the rumor would call so many suitors in the field, that the Foreign Office would be besieged."

"You can rely upon it, however?"

"Unquestionably. Blackwell writes me that the thing is done. You will receive the offer immediately after the recess."

"You acted very properly, I must say,--very properly, indeed, in giving me this early notice of his Majesty's gracious intentions with regard to me; the more, as I shall have time to consider how far my views upon questions of foreign politics are in agreement with those of the Government."

"Upon that point your Lordship's mind may be at rest. I gather from Blackwell that you will receive the widest discretion. The Secretary of State has named you as _the_ man; of course interference is out of the question."

"Of course it would be, sir, were I to accept the mission. Dollington's house, I conclude, is a suitable one, and we 'll think of it; and as to yourself, Linton, I really am at a loss what to say. Lady Kilgoff--it is best to be candid--is prejudiced against you. She thinks you satirical and sarcastic, as if,"--and here he raised his head, and threw forward his chin with most imposing dignity,--"as if the person who bore _my_ name need fear such qualities anywhere; but besides this, it appears to _me_ that your abilities are not diplomatic. You have neither that natural reserve nor that suave impressiveness 'the line' requires. You are a Club man,-and will probably make a very good House of Commons man; but diplomacy, Mr. Linton,--diplomacy is a high, I had almost said a sacred vocation! To all the _prestige_ of family and ancient lineage must be added the most insinuating graces of manner. Personal advantages should be combined with a high cultivation, so that the Envoy may worthily mirror forth the Majesty he represents. It would be an inestimable benefit if the Eastern principle of 'caste' were observed in diplomacy, and the office of Amba.s.sador be limited to certain families!

Believe me, sir, you may say of such, '_Nascitur non fit._'"

As he spoke, his eyes flashed, and his cheek became flushed; the flutter of self-importance gave a fresh impulse to his circulation, and he walked back and forward in a perfect ecstasy of delight.

"Alas, my Lord! you have made me feel too deeply the presumption of my request. I confess, till I had listened to your eloquent exposition, I had formed other and very erroneous ideas upon this subject. I see, now, that I am quite unsuited to the career. The very fact that it becomes your Lordship is evidence enough how unfitted it would prove to me."

"I will not say, that in Greece, or perhaps with some republican government, you might not be very eligible. We'll consider about it."

"No, no, my Lord; I'll content myself with more humble fortunes. I suppose there is always a place for every capacity; and now, to a matter purely personal to myself, and in which, I hope, I may count upon your kind co-operation. I have thoughts of marriage, my Lord, and as I am a stranger in this country, unconnected with it by kindred or connection, I would ask of you to give me that sanction and currency which the honor of your Lordship's friendship confers. The lady upon whom I have fixed my choice is without fortune, but of a family which traces back to royalty, I fancy. This Irish pride of lineage, then, requires that I, upon my side, should not be deficient in such pretensions."

"I am not a Clarencieux, nor Norroy, sir, to make out your genealogy,"

said the old peer, with ineffable disdain.

Linton had more difficulty to control his laughter than his anger at this impertinent absurdity. "I was not thinking of 'the tree,' my Lord, but its last and most insignificant twig, myself; and, remembering how many kindnesses I owed you, how uniformly your patronage had befriended me through life, I still reckon upon the feeling to serve me once more."

"Be explicit. What do you ask?" said he, leaning back and looking like a monarch whose will was half omnipotence.

"What I should like, my Lord, is this,--that you would permit me to drive you over some morning to the gentleman's house, where, presenting the family to your Lordship, I might, while enjoying the sanction of your intimacy and friendship, also obtain your opinion upon the merits of one with whom I would link my humble destinies. I have said that the lady has no fortune; but your Lordship has shown the n.o.ble example of selecting for far higher and more enn.o.bling qualities than wealth." This was said with a spice of that subdued raillery of which Linton was a master; and he saw, with delight, how the old peer winced under it.

"Very true, sir; your remark is just, except that the disparity between our conditions does not give the instance the force of example; nor am I certain the experiment will be always successful!" The irritation under which the last words were uttered spread a triumphant joy through Linton's heart, nor dare he trust himself to speak, lest he should reveal it!

"Perhaps a letter, Mr. Linton, would answer your object. It appears to _me_ that the condescension of a visit is a step too far in advance.

You are aware that, in a day or two, as his Majesty's representative, etiquette would require that I should never make the initiative in acquaintance."

"Pardon my interrupting, my Lord; but that rule will only apply to you at the seat of your mission. Here, you have no other distinction than of being the well-known leader of the Irish peerage,--the great head of an ill.u.s.trious body, who look up to you for guidance and direction."

"You are right, perhaps, sir,--my station is what you have described it. I trust you have not mentioned to Lady Kilgoff anything of your Foreign-Office news?"

"Of course not, my Lord. It will always remain with your discretion when and how to make the communication."

"It appears to me, sir, that her Ladyship has admitted many of the inmates here to a degree of intimacy quite inconsistent with their relative stations."

"Her Ladyship's youth and amiability of manner offer great temptations to the inroads of obtrusiveness," said Linton, with the air of one thinking aloud.

"I disagree with you, sir, entirely. I was young myself, sir, and, I am told, not quite dest.i.tute of those attractions you speak of; but I am not aware that any one ever took a liberty with _me!_ This must be looked to. And now, your affair? When is it to come off? Your marriage, I mean?"

"That is by no means so certain, my Lord," said Linton, who smiled in spite of himself at the careless tone in which his Lordship treated so very humble an event. "I may reckon on your Lordship's a.s.sistance, however?"

Lord Kilgoff waved his hand in token of acquiescence, and Linton took a formal leave, almost bursting with laughter at the ridiculous conceit he had himself contributed to create.

"Ay," muttered he, as he descended the stairs, "as a democrat, an out-and-out democrat, I say, 'Long live' an Hereditary Peerage! 'I know nothing can equal it, in making the unt.i.tled cla.s.ses the rulers."

CHAPTER XVI. A WET DAT--THE FALSE SIGNAL

So cunning, like the doubling of the hare, Oft turns upon itself.

Bell.

It was a rainy day,--one of those downright pelting, pouring, swooping wet days which Ireland is accustomed to, for nearly one half of every year. All out-of-door occupation was impossible; the most fidgety could only get as far as the stables, to smoke a cigar and "chaff" horse-talk with the grooms; while the more resigned wandered from room to room, and place to place, in that restlessness that defies common philosophy to subdue.

A wet day in a country house is always a severe trial. Sociability will not be coerced, and the greater the necessity for mutual a.s.sistance, the less is the disposition to render it; besides, they who habitually contribute least to the enjoyment of their fellows have always great resources of annoyance at such periods,--as the most insignificant instrument in the orchestra can at any moment destroy the harmony of the band.

Scarcely was breakfast over in Tubbermore than the guests were scattered in various directions, it was difficult to say where. Now and then, some one would peep into the drawing-room or the library, and, as if not seeing "the right man," shut the door noiselessly, and depart. Of the younger men, many were sleeping off the debauch of the previous evening.

Downie Meek, who had a theory upon the subject, always kept his bed while it rained. Sir Andrew had, unfortunately, mistaken a lotion containing laudanum for some concoction of bitters, and was obliged to be kept eternally walking up and down stairs, along corridors and pa.s.sages, lest he should drop asleep; his man, Flint, accompanying him with "the wakeful announcement" of "Hae a care, Sir Andrew; here 's my leddy,"--an antidote to the narcotic worth all the Pharmacopoeia contained.

Lady Janet was meanwhile deep in the formation of a stomachic, which, judging from the maid's face as she tasted it, must needs have been of the pungent order. Mrs. White was letter-writing. Howie was sketching heads of the company, under the t.i.tle of "Beauties of Ireland," for a weekly newspaper. Frobisher was instructing Miss Meek in the science of making knee-caps for one of his horses; and so with the remainder, a few only were to be seen below stairs; of these the "Chief" was fast asleep with the "Quarterly" on his knee, and a stray subaltern or two sat conning over the "Army List," and gazing in stupid wonder at their own names in print! And now we come to the Kennyf.e.c.ks, at whose door a servant stands knocking for the second or third time. "Come in" is heard, and he enters.

The blinds are drawn, which, adding to the gloom of the day, the vast apartment is in semi-darkness, and it is some time before you can descry the figures. On a sofa sits Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k in a kind of travelling-dress, with her bonnet beside her; fragments of ribbons and stray articles of dress litter the sofa and the table, several trunks are strewn about, and a maid and a man are performing a _pas de deux_ on an "imperial," which, in its efforts to close at the lock, is giving way simultaneously at the hinges. Miss Kennyf.e.c.k stands at the chimney burning notes and letters, of which, as she glances from time to time, her features betray the tenor; and, lastly, Olivia is lying on a sofa, her face concealed between her hands, and only the quick palpitation of her bosom showing that her agitation is not lulled in slumber.

"What does he say? I can't hear him with all that stamping," said Mrs.

Kennyf.e.c.k; and her voice was not of the dulcet order.

"He says the post-horses have come, mamma, and wishes to know when he's to come round with the carriage."

"When I give orders for it; not till then," said she, imperiously; and the man, abashed in such a presence, departed.

"There, Pea.r.s.e, leave it so; I cannot bear that noise any longer.

Frances, you need n't wait; I 'll send for you if I want you;" and the servants withdrew.

"He's at least two hours away, now," said she, addressing her eldest daughter.

"Very nearly. It wanted only a few minutes to eleven when Mr. Cashel sent for him."

"I hope, Caroline, that he will remember what is due, not to himself,--I cannot say that,--but to me, on this occasion. It is impossible that Cashel can avoid the acknowledgment of his attentions; nothing but your father's incompetence could permit of his escape."

"It's too late, mamma,--altogether too late. When Aunt f.a.n.n.y--"

"Don't speak of her; don't even mention her name in my presence," cried Mrs. Kennyf.e.c.k, with an accent of bitter anguish.

"I was merely going to observe, mamma, that her conduct has involved us in such ridicule, that reparation of the mischief is out of the question."

"I wish we were away; I cannot bear to stay another day here," said Olivia, with a deep sigh.