|Next day, Mrs. Calverley arrived in plenty of time for dinner.
She looked extremely well, and produced a most favourable impression
upon Lady Thicknesse, who thought her one of the handsomest and best
bred woman she had ever seen, and would not believe a word that had been
said against her.
The meeting with Mildred was not very cordial; but Mrs. Calverley, who
was a most accomplished actress, contrived to make it appear that there
was no want of affection on her part, and completely imposed upon Lady
Thicknesse.
With Emmeline it was the same thing. Whatever feelings she secretly
entertained for that young lady, she professed the greatest regard for
her.
Nor did she exhibit any coldness or resentment towards Captain Danvers,
of whose conduct she had just reason to complain. No one could have
guessed that they had recently quarrelled.
In short, Lady Thicknesse could see nothing in her but what was
charming, and congratulated herself upon having invited her.
A splendid chamber was assigned her, with an adjoining room for her
lady's-maid, Laura.
As usual, there was a small dinner-party on that day, consisting of
Lord Courland, Sir Bridgnorth Charlton, Scrope, Captain Danvers, and
Chetwynd.
Mrs. Calverley had a little talk with Chetwynd in the drawing-room, and
they appeared on the most friendly terms; but their conversation was
interrupted by the entrance of Lord Courland, who was presented to the
beautiful widow, and claimed her attention.
Evidently the young lord was very much struck with her, and, seeing the
effect she had produced, she exerted herself to the utmost, and before
the end of the evening had completely enthralled her new admirer.
To Scrope, who knew his friend well, it seemed almost certain Mrs.
Calverley would eclipse Emmeline. Hitherto, as we have shown, Lord
Courland had divided his attentions between the two girls; but on this
occasion he was engrossed by the fascinating widow, and had eyes for no
one else.
Sir Bridgnorth came to the same conclusion as Scrope; and as he had
taken Mrs. Calverley down to dinner, and found himself rather _de trop_,
he was able to judge.
Even Lady Thicknesse began to see the error she had committed in
introducing so dangerous a rival. Mrs. Calverley was far more to be
feared than Mildred, and might carry off the prize.
However, the beautiful widow acted with great discretion. Apparently,
she attached no importance to the conquest she had made. When rallied
on the subject next morning by Lady Thicknesse, she owned that she had
flirted a little with Lord Courland, but had not for a moment regarded
his attentions seriously.
“I am glad to hear you say so,” replied her ladyship. “Had it been
otherwise, you would have run counter to a plan of mine. To tell you
the truth, I rather wish to bring about a match between his lordship and
Emmeline.”
“Nothing could be better!” said Mrs. Calverley. “I wouldn't interfere
with it for the world. But I fear there is a little difficulty that you
may not be aware of. I suspect Emmeline has an attachment.”
“The same notion has occurred to me; but I have never questioned
her, and she has said nothing to me. To whom do you suppose she is
attached?--to Chetwynd?”
“No; it is only surmise on my part. But still I think I am right.”
“If she won't accept Lord Courland, it will be monstrously provoking
after all my trouble. He has met her every day for nearly a fortnight,
and the affair has not advanced a single step. She seems to like his
society, but nothing more, and he appears just as much pleased with
Mildred as he is with her.”
“Have you tried to bring him to the point? Have you spoken to him?”
“No; my nephew, Scrope Danvers, is strangely averse to such a course.”
“He is wrong. Pardon me if I say you ought to come to an immediate
understanding.”
“But Scrope advises me to proceed very cautiously.”
“There may be excess of caution as well as too little. Something must be
done. I will speak to his lordship if you like.”
“I shall feel immensely obliged if you will. I should like to place the
affair in your hands. I am confident you will manage it better than I
can.”
“I shall be able to put questions to him that your ladyship could not.
Is he coming here to-day, may I ask?”
“I am not quite sure. But he will dine here tomorrow.”