At the entrance, Lady Brabazon and her daughter were joined by Beau Villiers, Sir Bulkeley Price, and Firebras, Sir Singleton Spinke having disappeared. Randulph had already been more than once at Ranelagh, but it was only to attend the ordinary concerts, and never having seen a masquerade, he was extraordinarily struck with the spectacle presented to him. Most of the characters were grotesquely dressed, as was the taste of the time, for it was not a period when the niceties of costume were understood or regarded; still, the general effect was admirable. A May-pole, surmounted by a crown, with long ribands dangling from it, was planted in front of the conservatory, and several dancers were chasing each other round it, while lively strains were played by a band of musicians beside them. Other and less melodious sounds were heard. Now a drummer would go by, beating a rub-a-dub enough to deafen every listener. Then came the vile scraping of a fiddle, or the shrill notes of a fife. The shouts, the laughter, the cries of all kinds baffled description, and equally vain would it be to attempt any delineation of the motley assemblage. It consisted of persons of all countries, all periods, and all ranks, for the most part oddly enough jumbled together. A pope in his tiara would be conversing with a Jew; a grave lawyer in his gown and wig had a milk girl under his arm; a highland chief in his full equipments escorted a nun; a doge in his splendid habiliments was jesting with a common sailor with a thick stick under his arm. But frolic and fun everywhere prevailed: and to judge from the noise, everybody seemed to be merry. No one could escape from the tricks and jests of the buffoons with whom the crowd abounded. The humour of the last century was eminently practical; cuffs and kicks were liberally dealt around, and returned in kind; and whenever a sounding blow was heard, it elicited shouts of laughter like those that are heard at the feigned knocks in a pantomime. The clowns, Punches, Pierrots, doctors, and harlequins, of whom there were several, besides our friend Mr. Cripps, were the chief creators in this kind of merriment.
While Randulph, greatly diverted by all he saw, was gazing around, a few words pronounced by a voice whose tones thrilled to his heart caught his ear. He turned, and saw close behind him, attended by a tall personage, whose stiffness left no doubt as to its being Sir Norfolk Salusbury, a beautiful female mask, whose snowy skin, and dark streaming ringlets, would have told him, if his heart had not informed him of the fact that it was Hilda, but before he could summon resolution to address her, she had passed by; and Lady Brabazon, who had likewise heard the voice and recognised the speaker, dragged him in the opposite direction towards the Maypole. He looked eagerly backwards, but the fair mask was lost amid the throng, nor could he even discern the tall figure of Sir Norfolk.
A merry scene was before him, but he heeded it not. The chief dancers round the May-pole were Mr. Cripps and his party. To these were added, Sir Singleton Spinke, who had attached himself to the fair Thomasine, to the no small annoyance of Peter Pokerich, and a fat quack doctor and his attendant, the latter having a fools-cap on his head. Round and round went the dancers, Mr. Cripps footing it with remarkable agility, and Peter vainly emulating his capers, when some confusion was created by Sir Singleton attempting to overtake the fair Thomasine, and possess himself of her hand. No more perfect pantaloon can be imagined than the old beau represented, and his gesticulations and grimaces called forth the laughter of all the spectators, which broke into shouts as, at the conclusion of the dance, Mr. Cripps gave him a sounding smack on his lean shanks, with his wand, while the jealous barber lent him a box over the ear. But this did not quench his ardour, and a gesture from the coquettish columbine, who seemed determined not to lose him, drew him after her, as she tripped along the right hand alley near the canal with the rest of her gamesome party.
Randulph would willingly have disengaged himself from Lady Brabazon, but he could not do so without positive rudeness; and what made it worse was, that he was now left alone with her, for the rest of the party had disappeared, and he could not help fearing Beau Villiers might have discovered Hilda, and have gone in pursuit of her.
“Come, Randulph,” said her ladyship, rallying him; “you seem to have lost your spirits at the very time they ought to be at the highest. Refreshments are given in the Chinese fishing temple. Let us go there, and try whether a glass of champagne will enliven you.”
Randulph suffered himself to be led in the direction mentioned, and if he had been able to enjoy it, the scene offered to his gaze must have amused him, for it was extremely lively and diverting. The Chinese temple had been newly gilt and decorated, and its burnished pinnacles were reflected in the waters of the canal. It was filled with company, most of whom were partaking of refreshments, while an excellent band stationed in the midst of it played the liveliest airs, to which several parties on the banks of the canal were dancing. Amongst others were Mr. Cripps and his two columbines, who frolicked along the alley on the right, followed by the barber, the old beau, and Rathbone, attracting general attention. Mr. Cripps was so agile, danced so well, and leaped so wonderfully, that it was generally supposed he was Mr. Yates, the celebrated harlequin of Drury Lane, while if the fair Thomasine had not been so pretty, she would have been taken for Mrs. Mann, the favourite columbine of the same house. As it was, she was allowed on all hands to be the best dancer in the garden; and her glances were so bewitching, that many other persons fell in love with her besides Sir Singleton Spinke. One person, in especial, who displayed the most undisguised admiration of her, and who kept as near as he could, was a tall young man, with thin, sharp features, which Mr. Cripps, after puzzling his brains to recollect them, at last called to mind as belonging to the companion of Kitty Conway, at the Folly on the Thames. This young man, who wore a long black silk gown, a velvet cap of the same colour, and a flowing black wig, and intended to represent an Italian doctor, it is perhaps, almost needless to say, was Philip Frewin. Another admirer was a person habited as a pope, who kept constantly in their train, but whose robe and large mask precluded all.
Neither Mr. Cripps nor his pretty columbine were displeased by the attention they attracted, and the latter returned the amorous glances cast at her by Philip, and the passionate gestures of the pope, in a manner that drove the little barber almost distracted. As to Mr. Cripps, he threw somersets over the clipped hedge, vaulted over Mr. Rathbone’s hump, slapped the pope on the back, clapped the old beau on the shoulder, twirled round his head, and performed a hundred other pantomime antics, to the infinite diversion of the beholders. When arrived near the extremity of the walk, he called out to the musicians in the Chinese temple to strike up the tune, “Hey, boys, up we go!” and immediately commenced a lively dance to it with his two columbines, in which they were presently joined by Rathbone, Sir Singleton, and the barber.
Having crossed the bridge leading to the Chinese temple, Lady Brabazon stopped, and setting Randulph at liberty, leaned against the rail at the entrance, to survey the gay crowd around. While she was thus engaged, Beau Villiers, followed by an attendant with a bottle of champagne on a silver waiter, approached her, and pressing her to take a glass, looked significantly at her, as if he had something to communicate.
Taking advantage of this fortunate interruption, Randulph sprang into a Chinese-fashioned boat lying near the bridge, and seizing the oars, rowed off towards the canal, keeping near its sides, the better to view the company. Failing, however, in discovering the object of his search, he was returning towards the bridge, where Lady Brabazon was still standing in conversation with the beau, when a roar of laughter from the dancers in the alley on the farther side of the clipped hedge attracted his attention.
This, it appeared, was occasioned by a misadventure that had just occurred to the old beau, who having been carried away by his enthusiasm at the fair Thomasine’s dancing, had rushed forward with the intention of snatching a kiss from her ruby lips, when the jealous little barber, divining his intention, threw himself in his way and tripped up his heels. In this posture he presented a tempting mark for Mr. Cripps, whose wand resounded in a rapid successi
on of strokes upon his withered limbs.
Randulph, who had raised himself in the boat to see what was going forward, now sat down, and had just resumed the oars, when Clementina Brabazon, and another masked dame who had been conversing with Trussell and Firebras, approached the edge of the canal, and called to him.
“I know who you are searching for, Mr. Crew,” cried Clementina; “and could help you to find the person if I chose.”
“Then you will choose, I am sure,” replied Randulph, pulling hastily towards her. “Where is she?”
“Well, I’ll be good-natured,” she answered. “Look behind you.”
Randulph instantly turned in the direction indicated, and beheld Hilda seated at one end of the temple. Behind her stood Sir Norfolk Salusbury, while Sir Bulkeley Price was handing her a glass of champagne. But Hilda was so much occupied by what was passing on the canal, that she was not aware of the knight’s attention.
As Randulph regarded her, however, she arose, and declining Sir Bulkeley’s offer, took Sir Norfolk’s arm, and left the temple. Heedless of Clementina’s laughter, Randulph, without losing sight of Hilda, pushed the boat towards the bank, and leaping out, was about to follow her, when he was arrested by a heavy hand laid on his arm, and looking up, he beheld Cordwell Firebras.
“You are on a vain quest, young man,” said Firebras, in an undertone. “You will never obtain a word with Hilda Scarve unless by my mediation.”
Randulph made a movement of impatience. “Be not rash,” pursued Firebras, still detaining him. “I tell you, you will totally fail in your object, and will only involve yourself in a quarrel with Sir Norfolk Salusbury.”
“I care not,” replied Randulph. “Let me go. By heaven! I shall lose her.”
“That you most assuredly will, if you follow her now,” rejoined Firebras calmly. “Be ruled by me. I will introduce you to her, but it cannot be in your own character, for Sir Norfolk has been requested by her father not to permit your approach. And I shall, therefore, have to pass you off to him as someone else.”
“And you attach no condition to the obligation?” cried Randulph,— “none at least that I cannot honourably comply with.”
“I may, perhaps, remind you of it at some future time, that is all,” rejoined Firebras.
“Enough!” cried Randulph. “Take me to her at once.”
“Impossible!” exclaimed Firebras. “I must prepare Sir Norfolk, and give Hilda a hint of my intention, lest she should prevent it, for I perceived just now that she discovered you. Rejoin your party, and avoid exciting the suspicions of Lady Brabazon and Beau Villiers, or they may mar all. I may not, perhaps, be able to accomplish the object you desire till the evening, so curb your impatience.”
With this, he moved off, and mingled with the crowd, while Randulph joined Lady Brabazon. Her ladyship made many sarcastic remarks upon his display upon the water, and complimented him, ironically, upon his skill as a rower. Randulph was in no mood for such raillery, and might have made some angry retort, but at that moment, there was a great stir in the walk near the bridge, occasioned by the approach of the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by a large retinue. The royal party entered the temple, and remained there more than half an hour conversing with those around them. Randulph had the honour of a presentation to the prince, by Mr. Villiers; and while engaged in conversation with that illustrious personage, he perceived Cordwell Firebras among the by-standers; but he could not, without a breach of etiquette, withdraw to speak to him, and when the royal party quitted the temple, he was gone. He was about to search for him, when Beau Villiers, who had followed the Prince of Wales, hastily returned, and said, with an expression of malicious satisfaction that he had his Royal Highness’s commands to him to join his train. Randulph had no alternative but compliance, and to his own chagrin, and his uncle Trussell’s delight, he mingled with the royal attendants, and proceeded with them in their promenade through the gardens.
In the course of this ramble, he perceived Firebras standing with Hilda and Sir Norfolk; and though he was greatly annoyed not to be able to join them, it was some satisfaction to him to observe that his present position seemed to operate to his advantage with the lady. The performances of Mr. Cripps’s party diverted both the royal personages during their stroll, and they laughed heartily at a comic dance executed by them.
Some hours passed on in this way, and Randulph was still held in bondage. At length, the rotunda was opened. Of course, the royal party was ceremoniously ushered in, in the first place; but immediately afterwards, crowds poured in, and the whole area of the amphitheatre, together with the boxes, and gallery above, were filled with company. What with the innumerable lights, and the extraordinary variety of dresses, the whole scene had a most brilliant effect. There was an excellent band in the orchestra, and a concert was commenced, but little attention was paid to it by the assemblage, who continued promenading round and round the amphitheatre — laughing and talking loudly with each other. As soon as the concert was over, the loud blowing of a horn attracted general observation to a platform near the central column, on which the quack doctor and his attendant were stationed — the latter of whom began dispensing his medicines, and vaunting their efficacy, in a highly ludicrous manner.
This and other entertainments consumed the time till ten o’clock; before which, however, a magnificent supper was served to the royal party in a private refreshment room. A bell was then rung, to announce that a grand display of fireworks was about to take place, and the company hurried to the outer galleries and to the gardens to witness the exhibition. Much confusion ensued, and amidst it, the fair Thomasine, somehow or other, got separated from her party.
The little barber was almost frantic. He rushed hither and thither among the crowd, calling for her by name, and exciting general ridicule. At last, in an agony of despair, he stationed himself near the scaffold where the fireworks were placed; and when the first signal-rocket ascended, he perceived her pretty face turned upwards at a little distance from him. She was standing near the trees with the old beau, whose transports at his enviable situation were somewhat disturbed by the descent of the heavy rocket-stick on his head. At this juncture, the little barber reached his truant mistress, and forcing her from Sir Singleton, placed her rounded arm under his own, and held it fast.
“Oh dear, how glad I am to see you!” said the naughty little Thomasine, for ‘fair’ she does not deserve to be called; “we’ve been looking for you everywhere,” — (here she told a sad story.)— “That odious old fellow has been trying to persuade me to run away with him. He offers to settle — I don’t know what — upon me, and to make me Lady Singleton.”
“And why don’t you accept his offer?” said the barber, in an ecstasy of jealous rage.
“Because I’m engaged, and engagements with me are sacred things,” replied the fair Thomasine, theatrically, yet tenderly. “But do look at that beautiful wheel!”
The fireworks were really splendid. Flights of rockets soared into the skies; magnificent wheels performed their mutations; star-pieces poured forth their radiant glories; maroon batteries resounded; Chinese fountains filled the air with glittering showers; pots des aigrettes, pots des brins, and pots des saucissons, discharged their stars, serpents, and crackers; yew-trees burnt with brilliant fire; water rockets turned the canal to flame; fire balloons ascended; and a grand car with flaming wheels, drawn by sea-horses snorting fire, and containing a figure of Neptune, which traversed the whole length of the canal, and encircled the Chinese temple — the bridge being removed to make way for it — and finally exploded, scattering serpents and crackers in every direction, concluded the exhibition, amid the general plaudits of the assemblage.
Darkness for a few minutes enveloped the crowd, during which a few cries were heard in timid female tones, but the lamps were as soon as possible lighted, and the majority of the assemblage returned to the rotunda, where they repaired to the alcoves, and many a bowl of punch was emptied, many a bottle of cham
pagne quaffed, after which dancing was resumed with greater spirit than ever. Mr. Rathbone gave a capital supper to his party, in which the old beau contrived to get himself included. He contrived also to sit next the fair Thomasine, and pledged her so often and so deeply that he fell beneath the table. Here he was left by the others, and a minuet being struck up, Mr. Cripps offered his hand to the widow, and led her forth to dance, while Mr. Rathbone, greatly exhilarated by the punch he had drunk, stood by laughing at them ready to split his sides, and the little barber took the opportunity of their being left alone together, to reprove the fair Thomasine for her improper conduct towards the old beau during supper.
Liberated by the departure of the Prince of Wales, who quitted the gardens on the conclusion of the fireworks, Randulph immediately returned to the rotunda, in the hope of finding Hilda still there. He had scarcely entered it when he perceived Firebras at supper by himself in one of the alcoves, and instantly joined him.
“She is still here,” said Firebras, “and as soon as I have finished my supper I will take you to her. There would be no use in going now, for Sir Norfolk has only just ordered supper, and I can merely introduce you as a partner for a dance. Sit down, and take a glass of champagne.”
Randulph declined the latter offer, and was obliged to control his impatience until Firebras thought fit to rise. Crossing the amphitheatre, they proceeded to an alcove, in which Sir Norfolk and Hilda were seated, and Firebras, bowing to the old knight, said, “Sir Norfolk, permit me to have the honour of presenting the friend I mentioned some hours ago to your fair charge? Miss Scarve,” he added, after a significant look at Hilda, “this gentleman wishes to have the honour of dancing a minuet with you. I am sorry there is not time for a more ceremonious introduction to yourself, Sir Norfolk, but the musicians are striking up the dance.”
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 311