'Don't say so. I am so much obliged to you for letting me try. It is more like being at home with you,' murmured Violet, turning away; but her voice as well as the glass betrayed her tearful eyes, and Theodora's sensation was a reward for her pride having slumbered and allowed her to accept a service.
Mr. Fotheringham came to dinner that he might go with them to the party. As they were drinking coffee before setting out, Mrs. Finch's invitation was mentioned.
'You had better leave your card for her, Percy,' said Theodora. He made no answer.
'Will you dine with us first and go?' said Violet.
Thank you; I do not mean to visit them.'
'No!' exclaimed Theodora. 'They are connections!'
'The more cause for avoiding them.'
'I have promised to introduce you.'
'I am afraid you reckoned without your host.'
'Ha!' cried Arthur, 'the lion is grown coquettish with fine feeding. He is not easy of leading.'
'She is my greatest friend,' said Theodora, as if it was conclusive; but Percy only answered, I should be very sorry to believe so,' set down his cup, and began to read the paper. She was the more irritated. 'Percy,' she said, 'do you really not intend to go to the party!'
'Certainly not.'
'Not to visit a relation of your own, and my most intimate friend, when it is my especial desire?'
'You do not know what you are talking of,' he answered, without raising his eyes.
'Percy!' exclaimed Theodora, her pride and affection so mortified that she forgot that Arthur was looking on with mischievous glee, 'have you any reason for this neglect?'
'Of course I have,' said he, reading on.
'Then let me hear it.'
'You force it from me, Theodora,' said Percy, laying down the paper: 'it is because I will not enter into any intercourse I can avoid with persons whose conduct I disapprove.'
Violet coloured and shrank closer to her husband. Theodora's face and neck turned almost crimson, and her eyes sparkled, but her voice only showed unmoved disdain. 'Remember, she is my FRIEND.'
'You do not know her history, or you would not call her so.'
'I do. What is there to be ashamed of?'
'I see, you know nothing of the prior attachment,' said Percy, not without anger at her pertinacity.
'A boy and girl liking that had been long past.'
'O it had, had it?' said Percy, ironically. 'So you approve her marrying an old rogue and miser, who had heaped up his hoards by extortion of wretched Indians and Spaniards, the very scum of Mammon, coming to the top like everything detestable?'
'I never heard his money was ill-gotten.'
'Those who spend don't ask whence gold comes. And you justify her keeping the old love, this cousin, dangling about her house all the winter till she is the talk of Paris!'
'I don't believe gossip.'
'Can you deny that he is in London in her train?'
'He has come into some property, and means to turn over a new leaf.'
'Ay, and a worse leaf than before.'
'How can you judge of his resolutions?'
Arthur laughed, saying, 'I'd not bet much on Mark Gardner's.'
Much to Violet's relief, the carriage was announced; the gentlemen walked, and Theodora talked of indifferent matters fast and gaily. Percy handed Mrs. Martindale out, and gave her his arm, leaving Theodora to her brother.
It was a small select party, almost every one known to Theodora; and she was soon in eager conversation at some distance from Violet, who was sorry for Percy, as he stood in silence beside her own chair, vexation apparent on his honest face.
'Who is that talking to Theodora?' he presently asked. It was a small light-complexioned gentleman, whose head and face, and the whole style of his dress and person, might have made him appear a boy of seventeen, but for a pale moustache and tuft on the chin. Theodora looked very animated, and his face was glowing with the pleasure of her notice.
'I cannot tell,' said Violet; 'there is Arthur, ask him.'
Percy was moving towards Arthur, when he was caught by the master of the house, and set to talk to the Oriental in his own language. Violet had never been so impressed by his talents as while listening to his fluent conversation in the foreign tongue, making the stranger look delighted and amused, and giving the English audience lively interpretations, which put them into ready communication with the wonder at whom they had hitherto looked in awkwardness. Theodora did not come near the group, nor seem to perceive Violet's entreating glances; and when the Eastern prince departed, Percy had also disappeared. Violet was gratified by the ladies around her descanting on his book and his Syriac, and wished Theodora could hear them.
At that moment she found Theodora close to her, presenting Lord St. Erme to Mrs. Arthur Martindale! After so much dislike to that little insignificant light man for being the means of vexing Percy, to find him the poet hero, the feudal vision of nobility, the Lord of Wrangerton! What an adventure for her mother to hear of!
It was a pleasant and rather pretty face when seen near, with very good blue eyes, and an air of great taste and refinement, and the voice was very agreeable, as he asked some question about the Eastern prince. Violet hardly knew what she answered.
'I met him yesterday, but it was flat,' he said. 'They had a man there whose Syriac was only learnt from books, and who could not understand him. The interpreter to-night was far more au-fait--very clever he seemed. Who was he?'
'Mr. Fotheringham,' said Theodora.
'The Crusader? Was it, indeed?' said Lord St. Erme, eagerly. 'Is he here? I wish particularly to make his acquaintance.'
'I believe he is gone,' said Violet, pitying the unconscious victim, and at once amused, provoked, and embarrassed.
'You know him?'
Violet marvelled at the composure of Theodora's reply. 'Yes, my eldest brother was his travelling companion.'
'Is it possible? Your brother the "M" of the book?' exclaimed the young Earl, with enthusiastic delight and interest. 'I never guessed it! I must read it again for the sake of meeting him.'
'You often do meet him there,' said Theodora, 'as my sister can testify. She was helping him to revise it last summer at Ventnor.'
'I envy you!' cried Lord St. Erme; 'to go through such a book with such a companion was honour indeed!'
'It was delightful,' said Violet.
'Those are such delicious descriptions,' proceeded he. 'Do you remember the scene where he describes the crusading camp at Constantinople? It is the perfection of language--places the whole before you--carries you into the spirit of the time. It is a Tasso unconscious of his powers, borne along by his innate poetry;' then pausing, 'surely yon admire it, Miss Martindale?'
'O, yes,' said Theodora, annoyed at feeling a blush arising. The Earl seemed sensible of a check, and changed his tone to a sober and rather timid one, as he inquired after Mr. Martindale. The reply was left to Violet.
'He has never been so well in his life. He is extremely busy, and much enjoys the beauty of the place.'
'I suppose it is very pretty,' said Lord St. Erme.
'Nothing can be more lovely than the colour of the sea, and the wonderful foliage, and the clearness. He says all lovers of fine scenery ought to come there.'
'Scenery can hardly charm unless it has a past,' he replied.
'I can controvert that,' said Theodora.
With much diffidence he replied: 'I speak only of my own feeling. To me, a fine landscape without associations has no soul. It is like an unintellectual beauty.'
'There are associations in the West Indies,' said Theodora.
'Not the most agreeable,' said Lord St. Erme.
'There is the thought of Columbus,' said Violet, 'his whole character, and his delight as each island surpassed the last.'
'Now, I have a fellow-feeling for the buccaneers,' said Theodora. 'Bertram Risingham was always a hero of mine. I believe it is an ancestral respect, probably we are their descendants.'
> Violet wondered if she said so to frighten him.
'"Rokeby" has given a glory to buccaneering,' he replied. 'It is the office of poetry to gild nature by breathing a soul into her. It is what the Americans are trying to do for their new world, still turning to England as their Greece.'
'I meant no past associations,' said Theodora, bluntly. 'John carries his own with him.'
'Yes; all may bear the colour of the imagination within.'
'And of the purpose,' said Theodora. 'It is work in earnest, no matter where, that gives outward things their interest. Dreaming will never do it. Working will.'
Their conversation here closed; but Theodora said as they went home: 'What did you think of him, Violet?'
'He looks younger than I expected.'
'He would be good for something if he could be made to work. I long to give him a pickaxe, and set him on upon the roads. Then he would see the beauty of them! I hate to hear him maunder on about imagination, while he leaves his tenantry to take their chance. HE knows what eyes Percy and John see things with!'
'I am glad to have seen him,' said Violet, reassured.
'He desired to be introduced to you.'
'I wonder--do you think--do you suppose he remembers--?'
'I don't suppose he thinks anything about it,' said Theodora, shortly.
CHAPTER 14
I am not yet of Earl Percy's mind.--King Henry IV
'Violet,' said Theodora, the next morning, 'I want to know if Percy said more to Arthur than to us?'
She spoke with deepening colour, and Violet's glowed still more, as she answered: 'Arthur asked him, and he said he would not BEGIN an acquaintance, but that there was no occasion to break off the ordinary civilities of society. He accused her of no more than levity. Yes, those were Arthur's words.'
'I am going to get to the bottom of it,' said Theodora; 'and give Georgina a thorough lecture.'
She departed; and Violet sat down to her letters, with little Johnnie crawling at her feet; but in a few minutes she was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Fotheringham, asking for Theodora.
'She is gone out. She could not rest without an explanation from Mrs. Finch.'
'A proper farrago she will hear,' said Percy. 'I found I could settle to nothing, so I thought it best to come and have it out.'
'I hope she will soon come in.'
'Don't let me interrupt you. Go on with your letters.--Ha! little master!'
In his present temper, play with the baby was the most congenial occupation, and he made the little fellow very happy till he was carried off for his midday sleep. Then he tried to read, but seemed so uneasy, that Violet wondered if it would be intermeddling to hint at Theodora's real views. At last, as if he could bear it no longer, he abruptly said, 'Mrs. Martindale, do you know anything of these people?'
'Very little,' she answered. 'Theodora was telling me about them yesterday, before you came. I believe she only likes them for old acquaintance' sake.'
'Is it true that she used to go out with them last year?'
'I believe that she did sometimes.'
'At least, I hope that will not happen again.'
'No, I should not think it would. I am sure Theodora does not entirely approve of Mrs. Finch.'
'She defended her through thick and thin.'
'You shocked her with the suddenness of what you said. She cannot forget the having been happy together as children; but she thinks as you do, and disliked the marriage very much. Before you came, she had been lamenting over Mrs. Finch.'
'Then, it was pure perverseness!'
'If I said so, I wonder what you would answer,' said Violet, with a bright, arch look.
'I should hear reason,' said Percy, roughly, as if to repel the sweetness; yet it had a mollifying effect, and he presently spoke with less irritation and more regret.
'She suspects no evil, and cannot understand any imputation on her friend. She fancies I speak from report, but I have known this fellow, Mark, all my life. His mother is a sister of my Aunt Fotheringham. They wanted me to hunt up an appointment to get him out of the young lady's way.'
'Before her marriage?'
'Ay. When I was last in England, there was a great to-do at the discovery of an engagement between this youth and Miss Georgina. I suppose, considering her bringing-up, she was not much to be blamed. I remember my aunt thought the poor girl harshly dealt with.'
'O, that must have been the cause of the nervous fever Theodora mentioned. She said she knew no particulars.'
'She has not been openly dealt with,' said Percy. 'They do not dare to let her see their doings.'
'So the poor thing was tormented into this marriage?'
'No torment needed. The elder sister did try to warn her that it could not turn out well. I should think the old rogue had found his punishment for his extortions. Fine stories I could tell you of him in South America. Now, am I not justified in keeping clear of them? Let Theodora say what she will, it does not make it right for me to put myself in the way of those great extravagant dinners and parties of theirs, where they want me for nothing but a show-off.'
'I am sure Theodora will think with you, when she is cooler, and not taken by surprise.'
The clock struck.
'There, I have an appointment!'
'I wish you could wait for luncheon. She must come then.'
'What are you going to do this evening?'
'I am sorry to say that we dine out; but to-morrow is Sunday, and you will be sure to find us at home.'
He went, and one o'clock came, but no Theodora. Violet had waited ten minutes for luncheon before she returned.
'I did not know how late it was,' said she. 'I wish you had begun without me.'
Then, throwing her bonnet into a chair, and cutting some cake, she proceeded: 'Such hours as they keep! No one but Jane was up when I came, so I went to her room, and told her I would hear the rights of it.'
'Were you satisfied?'
'Georgina has been foolish and unguarded, and the world is very ill- natured. I hate it altogether, from beginning to end,' said Theodora, with an impatient gesture. 'Most decidedly,' she added, 'Georgina never ought to have married. I forced it from Jane that she had never cared for any one but this Mark. The discovery of his extravagance and misconduct was the real overthrow of my poor Georgina. It was that which brought on her illness; the family were very unkind; and at last weakness and persecution broke down her spirit, and she was ready to do anything to escape.'
'Poor thing! poor thing!'
'She had nothing to fall back upon. Oh, if I had but been there! If I had but known it at the time!'
'Well, and now?' said Violet, anxiously.
'The having Mr. Gardner there now? Really, I don't think she deserves all this abuse. The other matter is entirely passed away. Mr. Finch likes him, and they understand each other fully. Coming to them detaches him from his former habits, and gives him the best chance. His mother is so relieved to know he is with them. If Jane saw anything in the least amiss, she says she would be the first to take alarm, and I do trust her for that, for the sake of appearances.'
'I suppose it is a question of appearances,' said Violet, with the diffident blushes of her eighteen years.
'Is she to throw away the hope of rescuing her cousin, to save herself from spiteful tongues?' cried Theodora. 'Not that I suppose Lady Fotheringham means to be spiteful, but Percy hears it all from her, and we know very well that good ladies in the country have a tendency to think every one good-for-nothing that lives in London or Paris, especially their relations. That is all nonsense. If Percy goes by gossip, I don't. I go by my own observation, and I see there is nothing at which to take exception. I watched her and Mr. Gardner together, and I do declare there was nothing but ease and frankness. I am sure he was more inclined to pay that sort of attention to me. He really is very entertaining. I must tell you some of his stories.'
'Percy has been here,' said Violet.
'Has he?'
&n
bsp; 'He waited till twelve, and then was obliged to go.'
Theodora kept silence for some minutes, then said: 'If he thinks to make me give my friends up, he is much mistaken! You know I had written to Georgina last night. Well, she thought I had come to be congratulated; and if you had but seen the greeting--the whole manner--when she met me! Oh! you would know how impossible it is not to feel for her, with all one's heart!'
'Yes, yes. I suppose you could not say anything about this to her. No, of course not.'
'Not of course at all, if I could have had her alone, but Jane was there all the time. It was a pleasure to see the contrast between her manner and Jane's. There was soul in her, real hopes I should be happy, while Jane seemed only to think it tolerable, because I might end in being an ambassadress. I will see her again before the party, and draw my own conclusions.'
'Does she know that Percy will not go?'
'I know no such thing.'
She was too proud to ask what had passed in Violet's interview with him, and indeed was ready to take fire at the idea of their affairs having been discussed with her.
She strove to believe herself the offended party, but her conscience was not easily appeased, though she tried to set it at rest by affectionate care of Violet, and was much gratified by Arthur's stopping her after Violet had gone up-stairs at night, to beg her to stay, while he was at Windsor with his regiment.
'Thank you, for making me of use,' she said.
'I shall come backwards and forwards continually,' said Arthur, 'but she must not be alone; I shall be very glad if you can stay, or I shall be driven to have one of the Mosses here.'
'Oh, no, no! I shall be most happy to stay. I will take every care of her.'
'Thank you, Theodora; good night. You have got to know her better now,' he continued, lingering as on that first night to gain some word of commendation of her.
'Much better,' said Theodora cordially. 'One cannot help growing fond of her--so gentle and engaging.'
She was pleased with his satisfaction; and while she owned Violet's sincerity and sweetness, considered her one of those soft dependent beings formed to call forth tenderness from strong and superior spirits, and gloried in being necessary to her: it almost restored her balance of complacency.
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