"I was not aware that you were acquainted with Lord George, my dear?" Judith said, a question in her voice.
"Oh!" faltered Lucy. "We met once - at a ball!"
"If that is all, it is no wonder that you were forgotten, Lord George!" Judith said.
"All! No such thing! Miss Devenish, can you look me in the face and say we met only once, at a ball?"
She did look him in the face, but with such an expression of reproach in her eyes as must have abashed any but an Alastair. She replied in a low voice, and with a good deal of dignity: "It is true that we have several times met: I do not forget it."
She got up as she spoke, and with a slight inclination of her head moved away to where her aunt was seated.Lord George looked after her for a moment, and then turned to his hostess, saying briskly: "Where's Bab? Inanother salon? I'll go and find her. Now, don't bother your head about me, Lady Worth, I beg! I shall do very well."
She was perfectly willing to let him go, and with a nod and a smile he was off, making his way across the crowded room through the double doors leading into the farther salon. These had been thrown open, and as he approached them George saw his brother Harry standing between them in conversation with Lord Hay. He waved casually, but Harry, as soon as he caught sight of him, left Hay and surged forward.
"Hallo, George! When did you arrive? Where are you quartered? I am devilish glad to see you!"
George answered these questions rather in a manner of a man receiving a welcome of a boisterous puppy; twitted Harry on the glory of his brand-new regimentals; and demanded: "Where's Bab?"
"Oh, with Audley somewhere, I daresay! But what a hand you are, not to have written to tell us you were coming!"
"Who's Audley?" interrupted George, looking over the heads of several people in an attempt to see his sister.
"Why, Worth's brother, to be sure! Lord, don't you know? Bab's going to marry him - or so she says."
This piece of intelligence seemed to amuse George. "Poor devil! No, I didn't know. New, is it?"
"Oh, they've been engaged for a fortnight or more! Look, there they both are!"
A moment later Barbara was startled by an arm being put familiarly round her waist. "Hallo, Bab, my girl!" said his lordship.
She turned quickly in his embrace, an exclamation on her lips. "George! You wretch, to creep up behind me like that!"
He kissed her cheek, and continued to hold her round the waist. "What's all this I hear about your engagement?" He glanced at Colonel Audley, and held out his free hand. "You're Audley, aren't you? How d'ye do? Think we've met before, but can't recall where. What the devil do you mean by getting engaged to my sister? You'll regret it, you know!"
"But you must see that I can't, in honour, draw back now," returned the Colonel, shaking hands. "When did you arrive? At Liedekerke, aren't you? We're deuced glad to see you fellows, I can tell. How strong are you?"
"Two squadrons. What are these Dutchmen like,hey? Saw some of them on our way up from Ostend. They're not so badly mounted, but they can't ride."
"That's the trouble," admitted the Colonel. "A great many of them are shocking bad riders.You know we are not getting Combermere to command the cavalry after all. The Horse Guards are sending Lord Uxbridge out to us."
"Oh, he's a good fellow! You'll like him. But you've served under him, of course. You were with Moore, weren't you? I say, Audley, you Peninsular fellows have the advantage of us - and by Jove, don't you mean to let us know it! A damned rifleman I met tonight called my lot Hyde Park soldiers!"
"So you knocked him down, and poor Vidal will be faced with another scandal!" remarked Barbara.
"No, I didn't. Fellow was my host. But when it comes to fighting we'll show you what Hyde Park soldiers can do!"
Barbara, who was tired of a purely military conversation, changed the subject by asking him how her grandfather did. He confessed that he had not seen that irascible gentleman quite lately, but thought - from the energetic tone of his correspondence - that he was enjoying his customary vigorous health.
"In debt again?" asked Barbara. "Would he not come to the rescue?"
"Oh lord, no! Wrote that he'd see me to the devil first!" replied George. "But I daresay if I come out of this little war alive he'll pay up."
"Return of a hero?" enquired the Colonel. "You'd better get wounded."
"Devilish good notion," agreed his lordship. "Of course if I'm killed it won't matter to me how many debts I've got. Either way I'm bound to win. What are the Prussians like, Audley?"
"I haven't seen much of them, so far. Old Blucher has arrived at Liege, and says he can put 80,000 men in the field. Some of them pretty raw, of course - like our own."
"Queer old boy, Blucher," remarked George. "Saw him last year, when he was in London with the Emperors and all that crowd. Seemed to take very well - people used to cheer him whenever he showed his face out of doors."
Lady Barbara moved away; Lord George wandered off, and presently discovered Miss Devenish again. He apparently prevailed upon her to present him to her aunt, for when Judith caught sight of him an hour later he was sitting beside Mrs Fisher, making himself agreeable. Judith could see that Mrs Fisher was pleased with him, and hoped that she would not allow herself to be carried away by a title and a handsome face. She had little dependence, however, on that amiable lady's judgment, and was not much surprised to see her beckon to her niece to come and join in her chat with Lord George. Miss Devenish obeyed the summons, but reluctantly. Lord George jumped up as she approached, and in a few minutes succeeded in detaching her from her aunt and bearing her off in the direction of the parlour, where the refreshments were laid out.
It was not until the end of the evening, when her guests were beginning to disperse, that Judith found an opportunity to speak to Lucy. She said then: "I hope Lord George did not tease you? He is rather a bold young man, I am afraid."
Lucy coloured, but replied quietly: "Oh no! I knew him before, in England."
"Yes, so you told me. I was surprised: I don't think you ever mentioned the circumstance to me?"
There was a little hesitation, a faltering for words. "I daresay I might not. The occasion did not arise, our acquaintance was not of such a nature -"
"My dear, why should you? I implied no blame! But I was sorry to see him single you out with such particularity. I could see you were a little discomposed, and did not wonder at it. His manners are a great deal too familiar."
Miss Devenish opened and shut her fan once or twice, and replied: "I was discomposed, I own. The surprise of seeing him here - and his singling me out, as you describe, put me out of countenance."
"The attentions of men of his type are apt to be very disagreeable," said Judith. "Happily, the violent fancies they take do not last long. I believe Lord George to be a shocking flirt. You, however, have too much common sense to take him seriously."
"Oh yes! That is, I know what people say of him. Forgive me, but there are circumstances which make it painful for me to discuss - but it is not in my power to explain."
"Why, Lucy, what is this?" Judith exclaimed. "I had not thought your acquaintance to be more than a chance meeting at a ball!"
"It was a little more than that. I became acquainted with him when I was staying in Brighton with my cousins last year. There was a degree of intimacy which - which I could not avoid."
Her voice failed. Judith suspected that the attentions of a dashing young officer had not been wholly unwelcome. She had no doubt that Lord George had speedily overstepped the bounds of propriety, and understood, with ready sympathy, Lucy's feelings upon being confronted with him again. She said kindly: "I perfectly understand, and beg you won't think yourself bound to confide in me. There is not the least necessity!"
She was obliged to turn away directly after, to shake hands with a departing guest. Lucy rejoined her aunt, who was making signs to her that it was time to go, and no further talk was held on the subject. Lord George, who was engaged with a dazzling brunette, did no
t observe her departure. Judith, who knew that at least two other ladies had been the objects of his gallantry that evening, was encouraged to hope that his persecution of Lucy had been nothing more than a piece of Alastair devilry, designed merely to make the poor child uncomfortable.
He soon came up to take his leave. He was escorting his sister, whose head just topped his broad shoulder. In spite of the difference in colouring there was a remarkable likeness between them. Spiritually, too, they seemed to be akin; they delighted in the same mischief, used the same careless, engaging manners, shocked the world like children anxious to attract attention to themselves. Judith, confronting them, admitted their charm, and looked indulgently on such a handsome couple.
"I have spent a capital evening, Lady Worth," said George. "When you give your next party I hope you may send me a card. I shall certainly come."
"Of course," she replied. "I am glad you took your ourage in your hands and came tonight. It would have been a sad thing not to have seen your sister after riding it that way for the purpose."
"Did he tell you he had come expressly to see me?" said Barbara. "George, what a liar you are! Depend upon it, Lady Worth, he had quite another quarry in mind. Shall I see you at the Review tomorrow?"
"At Nivelles? Oh no! It is too far - and only a review of Belgian troops. I shall wait to see our own troops reviewed, I believe."
"Then we shall not meet. But you will be at the Duke's party, I daresay, on Friday. "Oh, where is Charles? He must procure an invitation for George!"
She drew her hand from her brother's arm as she spoke, and darted off to find the Colonel. She soon came back with him; he promised that a card should be sent to George, and accompanied them both to the door of the carriage. George shook hands at parting, and said warmly: "You're a good fellow: I wish you happy - though I don't above half like to find Bab engaged to a damned staff officer, I can tell you!"
"We all have our crosses!" retorted the Colonel. "Mine is to be saddled with a Hyde Park soldier for a brother-in-law."
"Oh, the devil! You know, you're so puffed up, you Peninsular men, that there's no bearing with you! Goodnight: I shall see you on Friday, I suppose?"
He got into the carriage beside his sister and settled himself in one corner. "Well, that makes the tenth since Childe died," he remarked.
"No! I was only once engaged before!"
"Twice."
"Oh, you are thinking of Ralph Dashwood! That was never announced, and can't signify. I am serious now."
He gave a hoot of laughter. "Until the next man drifts by! Has he any money?"
"I suppose him to have a younger son's portion. He is not rich."
"Well, what the devil made you choose him?" demanded George. "I see no sense in it!"
"I don't care for money," she replied pettishly.
"More fool you, then. I never knew you when you weren't dipped. Besides, this fellow Audley: I like him, he's a good man - but he ain't your sort, Bab."
"True, but I loved him from the first. I don't know how it came about. Isn't it odd that one should keep one's heart intact so many years, only to have it crack for a man no more handsome or wealthy than a hundred others? I can find no reason for it, unless it be the trick his eyes have of smiling while his mouth is grave - and that's nonsensical."
He said rather gloomily: "I know what you mean. Take it from me, it's the devil."
"It is the devil. I wish to be good, to behave as I should - and yet I don't! If I had never been married to Childe it would be so different! Damnable to have done that to me! I believe it ruined me."
He yawned. "Where's the use in worrying? You were willing, weren't you?"
"At eighteen, and the hoyden that I was! What could I know of the matter? Papa made the match; I married to oblige my family, and wretched work I made of it!'Jasper - oh, don't let us talk of him: how I grew to loathe him! I was never more glad of anything than his death, and I swore then that no one - no one should ever possess me again! Even though I love Charles, even when I desire most earnestly to please him, there is something in me that revolts - yes, revolts, George! drives me to commit such acts of folly! I use him damnably, I suppose, and shall end by making us both wretched."
"Shouldn't be surprised," said George, with brotherly unconcern. "I know I wouldn't be in his shoes for a thousand pounds."
She underwent one of her lightning changes of mood, breaking into a gurgle of laughter. "You, without a feather to fly with! You'd sell your soul for half the sum!"
Chapter Eleven
The review of the Dutch - Belgian Army at Nivelles, by King William and the Duke of Wellington, passed off creditably. The Duke found the Nassau troops excellent; the Dutch Militia good, but young; and the Cavalry, though bad riders, remarkably well-mounted. Prince Frederick impressed him as being a fine lad, and he wrote as much to Earl Bathurst, in a private letter.
The pity was that his lordship was not similarly pleased with Prince Frederick's father. He was the most difficult person to deal with his lordship had ever met.
With professions in his mouth of a desire to do verything I can suggest, he objects to everything I propose; it then comes to be a matter of negotiation for a week, and at last is settled by my desiring him to arrange it as he pleases, and telling him that I will have nothing to say to him."
Bathurst, who was well acquainted with the Duke's temper, might smile a little over this letter, but there was no doubt that his lordship was being harassed on all sides. He was hampered by possessing no command over the King's Army; and he was receiving complaints at the conduct of his engineers at Ypres, who were accused of cutting his Majesty's timber for palisades.
He believed the complaints to be groundless, and was not quite pleased with the way in which they were made.
But the jealousies of the Dutch and the Belgians were small matters compared with the behaviour of the Horse Guards in London. He was accustomed to meet with annoying hindrances in foreign countries, and could deal with them. The powers at the Horse Guards were irritating him far more, with their mania for sending him out bevies of ineligible young gentlemen to fill staff posts. No sooner had he turned off eight officers from the adjutant-general's staff than he received an official letter from Sir Henry Torrens appointing eight others. He had written pretty sharply to Sir Henry on the subject. They talked glibly at the Horse Guards of all such appointments resting at his nomination, but, in actual fact, this was far from being true. His lordship complained of being wholly without power to name any of the officers recommended by his generals, because every place was filled from London. "Of the list you and Colonel Shawe have sent, there are only three who have any experience at all," wrote his lordship acidly. "Of those there are two, Colonel Elley and Lord Greenock, who are most fit for their situations, and I am most happy they are selected… As for the others, if they had been proposed to me I should have rejected them all."
The very same day he was sending off another despatch to Torrens, begging him to let him see more troops before sending any more general officers. "I have no objection; on the contrary, I wish for Cole and Picton to command divisions," wrote his lordship, with every intention of seeming gracious. "I shall be very happy to have Kempt and Pack, and will do the best I can for them…" Quite an affable despatch, this one, much more conciliatory than the one that was on its way to Lord Bathurst. His lordship was not getting the artillery he had demanded; instead of 150 pieces he was to have only eighty-four, including German artillery. He considered his demand to have been excessively small, and he told Bathurst so. "You will see by reference to Prince Hardenberg's return of the Prussian Army that they take into the field nearly 80 batteries, manned by 10,000 artillery. Their batteries are of eight guns each, so that they will have 600 pieces. They do not take this number for show or amusement," continued his lordship sardonically, "and although it is impossible to grant my demand, I hope it will be admitted to be small."
But in spite of the querulous tone of his despatches to Lond
on he was not so ill-pleased, after all. He might complain that in England they were doing nothing, and where unable to send him anything, but before April was out he was writing quite cheerfully to Hardinge, English Commissioner to the Prussians, that he was getting on in strength, and had now 60,000 men in their shoes, of whom at least 10,000 were cavalry.
He was glad when Prince Blucher arrived at the Prussian Headquarters. He liked old Marshal "Forwards", but he wished he would not write to him in German.
But Blucher, with his dozen words of English, and his execrable French, was a better man to deal with than his chief-of-staff. A jealous fellow, Gneisenau. always making difficulties and suspecting him of duplicity.
However, that was a minor annoyance; on the whole, his lordship was satisfied with his Prussian allies. though the circumstance of their being continually at loggerheads with King William gave him a good deal of trouble. Poor old Blucher was quite lacking in polish: nor could he be made to realise the value of tact in dealing with a fellow like King William. He was for ever omitting to make just those courteous gestures which would have cost him so little and soothed the King's dignity so much. Rather a difficult yoke-fellow, Blucher, apt to get the bit between his teeth, and, unfortunately, imbued with such a dislike of the French that he could not be brought to tolerate even the Royalists among them. But he was not afraid of meeting Bonaparte in the field, and he was a likeable old man, with his fierce, rosy face and fine white whiskers, his spluttering enthusiasm, and his beaming smile.
His lordship was much more comfortable at Headquarters now, for he had got his military secretary back, and Sir Colin Campbell too. His lordship was fond of Lord Fitzroy Somerset, who had lately married his niece, and had so become his nephew by marriage. Lord Fitzroy exactly suited him; for he did what he was told, never committing the appalling offence of setting up ideas of his own and acting on them. His lordship detested independently-minded subordinates. It was not the business of his officers to think for themselves. "Have my orders for whatever you do!" he said. It was an inflexible rule; nothing made him angrier than to have it broken.
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