|Captain Danvers had never before been to Ouselcroft, and was charmed
with the place.
The house was admirably kept up, and the garden in beautiful order. Mrs.
Calverley had received him in the most flattering manner; and he had
found Mildred there, and his cousin Emmeline. Chetwynd had promised him
a pleasant visit, and he felt sure it would turn out so. What can offer
greater attractions than an agreeable country house, with two or three
lovely inmates?
Captain Danvers had not quite made up his mind whether he preferred the
wealthy young widow or her pretty step-daughter.
There were reasons that inclined him to turn his thoughts exclusively to
Mrs. Calverley, but Mildred's image would not be dismissed. He fancied
he should be able to decide during his stay at Ouselcroft; but it was
not an easy matter, as he found out.
Possibly in accordance with some plan he had formed, Captain Danvers
devoted himself on the day of his arrival to Mrs. Calverley.
Next day, he seemed inclined to go over to Mildred, but she did not give
him so much encouragement as she had done at Brackley; and piqued by
her indifference, he sought by every means to regain the ground he had
apparently lost, and succeeded.
But Mrs. Calverley resented the neglect, and treated him coldly in her
turn. He seemed, therefore, in danger of losing the grand prize. Though
he found it next to impossible to go on with both, he was unwilling to
give up either.
He then put the momentous question to himself--to which of the two
should he propose?
Clearly Mrs. Calverley would be by far the most advantageous match, in
a pecuniary point of view; and being greatly governed by selfish
considerations, he inclined towards her.
Still, he was really in love with Mildred, and the thought of losing her
was more than he could bear.
On reflection, he found he had put a question to himself that he could
not answer.
That very morning an opportunity offered for saying a tender word to
Mildred; but his courage failed him. Loving her as he did, and feeling
sure she loved him in return, he hesitated to commit himself.
They were walking in the garden, and the animated conversation with
which they had commenced had gradually died away, and was succeeded by a
silence that was almost embarrassing.
Clearly the moment had arrived. What could he do?--what say? He took her
hand. She did not withdraw it, and he pressed it to his lips; but, oh,
disgrace to manhood! no word was uttered. He heaved a deep sigh--that
was all.
It was almost a relief to him when Mrs. Calverley and Emmeline were seen
approaching.
“How provoking!” exclaimed the captain, who, however, was secretly
pleased by the interruption.
Had he thought proper, he might have moved on; but instead of doing so,
he turned round and met those who were coming towards them.
Mrs. Calverley, who had very quick sight, had seen what took place,
but did not of course make the slightest remark until she found herself
shortly afterwards _tête-à-tête_ with the captain, the others having
walked on.
“I think I explained to you, Captain Danvers, what my intentions are in
regard to Mildred?” she said.
“Yes, I perfectly recollect,” he replied. “You said you meant to give
her a marriage portion of thirty thousand pounds; and I thought it
exceedingly handsome.”
“But you did not quite understand me, I fancy,” said Mrs Calverley,
regarding him steadfastly. “I ought to have added that she will have
this sum on her marriage, provided I approve of her choice.”
“Ah! that proviso makes all the difference!” exclaimed the captain. “The
money may not be given, after all.”
“I shall never withhold it unless I see some decided objection to the
match,” she rejoined. “Think over what I have told you.”
No more was said; but the caution thus given him produced the effect
intended on Captain Danvers. He saw that Mildred was completely in her
step-mother's power, and that the latter would do nothing if offended.
He now rejoiced that he had not made a positive proposal, as he would
then have been compelled to take the fair girl without a portion, and he
was not disinterested enough to do that.
However, he put the best face he could on the matter, and said:
“I am obliged to you for the information you have given me. Had I meant
to propose to Miss Calverley, it would not have deterred me; but I have
no such intention.”
“And you expect me to believe this after what I beheld just now?” said
Mrs. Calverley, incredulously.
“I expect you to believe what I tell you,” rejoined the captain rather
haughtily. “And I again assert that I have _not_ proposed to her.”
“I am glad to hear it. It would have pained me to do a disagreeable
thing.”
“But you would have done it?”
“Undoubtedly. However, since you give me this assurance, I need say no
more.”
Later on in the day, Chetwynd and Captain Danvers were smoking a cigar
in the dressing-room of the former, when the captain broached a subject
on which he had been ruminating.
“Chetwynd, old boy,” he said, “I want to ask you a question. Don't think
me impertinent; but I should like to know whether it is true that Mrs.
Calverley has the entire control of your sister's fortune?”
“I'll answer the question frankly,” replied Chetwynd. “She has. My
father, as you may be aware, made an extraordinary will, and it was
the strange disposition of his property that caused the quarrel between
myself and my step-mother. You talk of my sister's fortune. Properly
speaking, she has none. She has a handsome allowance from Mrs.
Calverley, who always declares she will give her a portion of thirty
thousand pounds on her marriage.”
“Provided she approves of her choice--is not that a condition?” said the
captain.
“Yes; but it means nothing.”
“Pardon me. I think it means a great deal. It might cause a match to be
broken off.”
“It might, certainly, if acted upon. But Mrs. Calverley is very much
attached to my sister, and will never oppose her choice. At least I
fancy not.”
“I have reason to believe otherwise, my dear Chetwynd. She has already
given me a pretty strong hint!”
“Have you said anything to her about Mildred?”
“_No_; but she has spoken to me, and has clearly intimated that I am not
the man of _her_ choice. Were I to be accepted, depend upon it, Mildred
would have no portion.”
“You think so?”
“I'm sure of it. Can you help me?”
“I don't see how. I have no influence over Mrs. Calverley, and am
determined not to meddle in any family matters. Besides, I should do no
good. But I don't think there is any real ground for apprehension. As
I have just said, she is extremely fond of Mildred, and if she felt
my sister's happiness were at stake, she wouldn't interfere with any
engagement she might form. I am certain of that. Though I cannot
aid you, I will tell you who can, and most efficiently--your cousin,
Emmeline Barfleur. I wonder she has not occurred to you.”
“My dear fellow, I have had no time for consideration,” rejoined
the captain. “I have only just received this obliging hint from Mrs.
Calverley. But I entirely agree with you. Emmeline is the person of all
others who can aid me. Let us go and look for her at once. Most likely
we shall find her in the garden, for they are not driving out this
afternoon.”
Chetwynd assented; so they flung away their cigars, and went downstairs.