|Two days after the incident just related, the party at Lady
Thicknesse's house in Belgrave Square was increased by the arrival of
her nephew, Captain Danvers, whom she had invited to spend a week with
her.
By this time, Mildred's resentment had, in some degree, abated, though
she still treated him with coldness. But the captain looked so unhappy,
that her heart was touched with compassion, and she soon showed a
disposition to relent.
One morning on coming down to breakfast, he found her and Emmeline in
the dining-room, and the latter perceiving she was rather in the way
good-naturedly left them together.
The captain immediately took advantage of the opportunity.
“Mildred,” he said, in his softest tone, “will you allow me to offer an
explanation?”
“I do not want any explanation, Captain Danvers,” she replied. “I have
ceased to take any interest in you.”
“I hope not,” he replied; “I trust I may be able to exculpate myself!”
“You will find that rather difficult!” she said.
“Yet hear me, I implore you!” he entreated in such moving accents, that
she could not refuse.
“First, let me inquire whether Mrs Calverley has sent you any special
information?” he said.
“I have not heard from her for nearly a week,” she replied. “Indeed, I
have not written to her.”
“Then you are not aware that all is at an end between us?”
“Your brother, Scrope, told me that the engagement was broken off.”
“Did he tell you it was broken off by me?”
“He did,” she replied, colouring slightly.
“Mildred, I could not have married her. For a short space she seemed to
cast a spell over me; but I soon recovered from it, and found that you
alone are mistress of my heart, and that I could not live without you.
But I had lost you--I had forfeited your regard, and could never hope to
regain it.”
“You judged correctly,” said Mildred. But her looks rather belied her
words.
“Though justly punished, I was resolved not to unite myself to a woman I
cannot love, and who, I believe, is equally indifferent to me. A pretext
for breaking off the engagement was easily found--nay, presented itself.
Certain she would refuse, I required a handsome settlement to be made
upon me. Her answer, as I anticipated, set me free; and now, dearest
Mildred,” he added, venturing to take her hand which she did not
withdraw, “you have heard my explanation, can you forgive me?”
“You do not deserve forgiveness!” she replied in a voice that showed she
relented.
“I know it,” he said, raising her hand to his lips. “But I feel that I
am forgiven.”
Further discourse was interrupted by the entrance of Lady Thicknesse and
Emmeline, both of whom had witnessed the tender incident just described,
and understood that a reconciliation had taken place, but neither made a
remark.
“I've an agreeable surprise for you,” said Lady Thicknesse. “Who do you
think is coming to me tomorrow? You'll never guess; so I may as well
tell you--Mrs. Calverley.”
Exclamations of surprise rose from all; but no one seemed particularly
pleased.
“I was not aware you knew her, aunt,” remarked Captain Danvers, who did
not care to conceal his vexation.
“I have never seen her,” replied Lady Thicknesse. “But I wrote to say
I should be delighted to make her acquaintance, and hoped she might be
induced to spend a week with me while Mildred and Emmeline are in town.
She has just answered that she accepts my invitation with the greatest
pleasure, and I may expect her to-morrow. She will make a delightful
addition to our little party.”
“I am not so sure of that,” muttered Captain Danvers.
“What put it into your head to ask her, dear aunt?” said Emmeline.
“A conversation I had with Scrope. He extolled her so much, that I
longed to see her.”
“I wish he had held his tongue,” mentally ejaculated the captain.
Just then Higgins and a footman brought in breakfast, and an end was put
to the conversation.
Later on, when she had an opportunity of saying a word to Lady
Thicknesse privately, Emmeline observed:
“I think, aunt, you'll regret asking Mrs. Calverley. Though very
handsome, very clever, and very agreeable, she's extremely mischievous.
Everybody has been trying to get out of her way, and now we shall have
her in our midst again. I shall be very much surprised if she doesn't
cause some unpleasantness.”
“Don't be afraid of that, my dear,” said Lady Thicknesse, laughing. “I
expect she'll be very useful.”
“Useful in what way, aunt?”
“I can't explain, but such is my opinion.”
“I advise you to take care of her, aunt. Depend upon it, she's a very
designing woman.”