A Princess Bride of Mars

by E R Burrows

  Elizadejah excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked him better when they had met in Kant than before, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning.

  “But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities,” replied her uncle. “Your great men often are; and therefore I shall not take him at his word, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his grounds.”

  Elizadejah felt that they had entirely misunderstood his character, but said nothing.

  “From what we have seen of him,” continued Mrs. Gahdinah, “I really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by anybody as he has done by poor Voort. He has not an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance that would not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But, to be sure, the good mistress who showed us his house did give him a most flaming character! I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal master, I suppose, and that in the eye of a servant comprehends every virtue.”

  Elizadejah here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of his behaviour to Voort; and therefore gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations in Kant, his actions were capable of a very different construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor Voort’s so amiable, as they had been considered in Bantoom. In confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming her authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on.

  Mrs. Gahdinah was surprised and concerned; but as they were now approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out to her sire all the interesting spots in its environs to think of anything else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning’s walk they had no sooner dined than she set off again in quest of her former acquaintance, and the evening was spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many years’ discontinuance.

  The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Elizadejah much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy Carter’s civility, and, above all, of his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.

  Chapter 44

  Elizadejah had settled it that Mr. Darcy Carter would bring his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching Thark; and was consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their arrival at Qu’ton, these visitors came. They had been walking about the place with some of their new friends, and were just returning to the inn to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a cloud flier drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and a mistress in a curricle driving up the street.

  Elizadejah immediately recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they felt that there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizadejah’s feelings was at every moment increasing. She was quite amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favour; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.

  She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse.

  Miss Darcy Carter and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place. With astonishment did Elizadejah see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Qu’ton, she had heard that Miss Darcy Carter was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.

  Miss Darcy Carter was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizadejah; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother; but there was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizadejah, who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy Carter had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings.

  They had not long been together before Mr. Darcy Carter told her that Tars Tarkas was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time to express her satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when Tars Tarkas’s quick step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. All Elizadejah’s anger against him had been long done away; but had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.

  To Mr. and Mrs. Gahdinah he was scarcely a less interesting personage than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The whole party before them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy Carter and their niece directed their observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry; and they soon drew from those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of the mistress’s sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough.

  Elizadejah, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Tars Tarkas was ready, Gert was eager, and Darcy Carter determined, to be pleased.

  In seeing Tars Tarkas, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and, oh! How ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But, though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy Carter, who had been set up as a rival to Tavia. No look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a recollection of Tavia not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He observed to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and in a tone which had something of real regret, that it “was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her;” and, before she could reply, he added, “It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of No’vimbak, when we were all dancing together at Artol.”

  Elizadejah was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether all her sisters were at Sanomah ni Torkwasi. There was not much in the question, nor in the preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner which gave them meaning.

  It was not often that sh
e could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy Carter himself; but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said she heard an accent so removed from hauteur or disdain of his companions, as convinced her that the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed however temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one day. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace—when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene in Zagdi Pradeer—the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Artol, or his dignified relations at Roosins, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Artol and Roosins.

  Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour; and when they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy Carter called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gahdinah, and Miss Kajak, to dinner at Thark, before they left the country. Miss Darcy Carter, though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gahdinah looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how she, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizadejah had turned away her head. Presuming however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her sire, who was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.

  Tars Tarkas expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizadejah again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many inquiries to make after all their Bantoom friends. Elizadejah, construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased, and on this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their visitors left them, capable of considering the last half-hour with some satisfaction, though while it was passing, the enjoyment of it had been little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Tars Tarkas, and then hurried away to dress.

  But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gahdinah’s curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy Carter than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.

  Of Mr. Darcy Carter it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant’s report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in Bantoom to which he was known would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy Carter. There was now an interest, however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of their Qu’ton friends that could materially lessen its weight. They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.

  With respect to Voort, the travellers soon found that he was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well-known fact that, on his quitting U-Gor, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy Carter afterwards discharged.

  As for Elizadejah, her thoughts were at Thark this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feeling; and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of goodwill which could not be overlooked.

  It was gratitude; gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister.

  Such a change in a man of so much pride exciting not only astonishment but gratitude—for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on her the renewal of his addresses.

  It had been settled in the evening between the aunt and the niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy Carter’s in coming to see them on the very day of her arrival at Thark, for she had reached it only to a late breakfast, ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled, by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Thark the following morning. They were, therefore, to go. Elizadejah was pleased; though when she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.

  Mr. Gahdinah left them soon after breakfast. The fooshing scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Thark before noon.

  Chapter 45

  Convinced as Elizadejah now was that Miss Tars Tarkas’s dislike of her had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how unwelcome her appearance at Thark must be to her, and was curious to know with how much civility on that mistress’s side the acquaintance would now be renewed.

  On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oorks and Srivak chestnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.

  In this house they were received by Miss Darcy Carter, who was sitting there with Mrs. Sorav and Miss Tars Tarkas, and the mistress with whom she lived in Torkwas. Gert’s reception of them was very civil, but attended with all the embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gahdinah and her niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her.

  By Mrs. Sorav and Miss Tars Tarkas they were noticed only by a curtsey; and, on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, suc
ceeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gahdinah, with occasional help from Elizadejah, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy Carter looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a short sentence when there was least danger of its being heard.

  Elizadejah soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Tars Tarkas, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy Carter, without calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity of saying much. Her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing Miss Tars Tarkas’s voice, Elizadejah was roused by receiving from her a cold inquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal indifference and brevity, and the other said no more.

  The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the finest fruits in season; but this did not take place till after many a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy Carter had been given, to remind her of her post. There was now employment for the whole party—for though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon collected them round the table.