|Lord Courland did not call on that morning; but Scrope did, and had a
private conference with Lady Thicknesse in her boudoir.
He looked very grave as he addressed her.
“Your matrimonial scheme is at an end, my dear aunt,” he said. “Courland
has fallen desperately in love with Mrs. Calverley.”
Her ladyship uttered a cry of astonishment.
“He declares she is the most charming woman he ever met. I feel certain
he will propose to her. Now what is to be done?”
“It seems embarrassing, certainly. But you need have no uneasiness. I
have just been talking to her. He won't be accepted.”
“Don't delude yourself, my dear aunt,” he cried. “Mrs. Calverley would
like very much to be Lady Courland, I feel quite sure. She may tell you
otherwise. But it is so. She is an ambitious woman.”
“What is to be done?” exclaimed Lady Thicknesse, in consternation.
“We must gain time. I have prevented him from calling here to-day.”
“How did you manage that?”
“By telling him I wanted to ask Charles a few questions. Meantime, you
must speak to Emmeline.”
“But I very much fear she won't mind me,” said Lady Thicknesse. “I'll
get Sir Bridgnorth to do it.”
“He's the very man for the purpose; and, fortunately, he's in the house.
I left him just now with the ladies.”
“Then beg him to come to me,” said Lady Thicknesse.
Scrope needed no second bidding, but immediately quitted the boudoir,
and reappeared a few minutes afterwards with the good-natured baronet.
“I won't interrupt the _tête-à-tête_ which her ladyship wishes to have
with you, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Scrope as he left them together.
“Pray be seated, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Lady Thicknesse. “I want your
advice and assistance.”
“Both are at your ladyship's service,” he replied.
“I expected nothing less from you. You are a real friend. It is a very
delicate matter on which I desire to consult you.”
And she paused.
“Does it relate to a matrimonial alliance between Lord Courland and your
niece, Miss Barfleur?”
“You have guessed right,” replied Lady Thicknesse. “You can assist me
most materially in the affair, if you will. Emmeline, I know, has a very
great regard, I may almost say affection, for you, and might possibly
speak more freely to you than she would to me. Will you ascertain what
her sentiments are respecting Lord Courland?”
“I can give your ladyship the information you desire at once,” replied
Sir Bridgnorth, “and shall really be glad to do so. Indeed, I have
thought of speaking to you on the subject, but feared you might deem me
impertinent. Any expectations your ladyship may have formed of such an
alliance must be dismissed. It will never take place.”
“You think so, Sir Bridgnorth?” said her ladyship, looking dreadfully
chagrined.
“I am quite sure of it,” he replied. “Miss Barfleur will never accept
him.”
“You would not make this assertion so positively without good reason, I
am certain, Sir Bridgnorth,” said Lady Thicknesse.
“I had the declaration from Miss Barfleur's own lips,” he replied, “and
was requested to repeat it to your ladyship. I am also permitted to
mention a circumstance that will prevent any discussion on the subject.”
“You are not about to tell me she is engaged, I hope, Sir Bridgnorth?”
said her ladyship, manifesting fresh alarm.
“Such is the fact,” he replied, quietly. “It is desirable you should
know the truth.”
“It is proper I should know the _whole_ truth, Sir Bridgnorth,” she
rejoined. “To whom is my niece engaged? Speak frankly.”
“To Chetwynd Calverley,” he replied without hesitation.
Lady Thicknesse did not seem much surprised, for she expected the
answer; but she said, in a haughty, decided tone:
“That union can never take place!”
A slight smile played on Sir Bridgnorth's kindly countenance.
“I do not see how it can be prevented,” he said. “She is an heiress, and
Lady Barfleur's consent has been obtained.”
Lady Thicknesse looked thunderstruck, and remained silent for a few
moments, and then said:
“Why have I been kept in ignorance of this engagement? I suppose
Emmeline felt I should disapprove of it, as I do most decidedly!”
“I certainly think the matter ought to have been communicated to
your ladyship,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “But since the marriage, in all
probability, will not take place for some time, I suppose it was not
deemed necessary to mention it at present.”
“That explanation does not satisfy me, Sir Bridgnorth! I feel highly
offended. I suppose Mrs. Calverley has been in the dark as well as
myself?”
“She has,” replied Sir Bridgnorth. “And in her case, I think the caution
was judicious. She is not to be trusted with any secrets but her own,
and those she can keep. I shouldn't wonder if she wins the prize that
has been offered to Miss Barfleur.”
“It seems likely,” said her ladyship. “There is one consolatory
circumstance in this disagreeable affair; the marriage will not take
place for some time. I trust it may be indefinitely postponed!”
Thinking the interview had lasted long, Sir Bridgnorth arose; but her
ladyship would not let him depart thus, and said:
“Pray come and dine with me as usual. I shall expect you at eight. By
that time, I hope I shall have got over my vexation. Don't imagine
I shall make a scene! I never do make scenes. I shall say nothing to
Emmeline till to-morrow. _Au revoir!_”
And she extended her hand to him.
As Sir Bridgnorth took the delicately white fingers, he felt inclined to
raise them to his lips; but he didn't, and withdrew.