|On that morning, as previously intimated, Sir Bridgnorth Charlton had
offered to drive Lady Thicknesse to Brackley Hall; and as Mrs. Calverley
did not make her appearance, and no other arrangements were made,
in consequence of Mildred's illness, she accepted the proposal with
delight, secretly hoping that a proposal of another kind might follow.
Her ostensible purpose was to spend the day with her sister, Lady
Barfleur, and return to dinner.
Everything promised well. The weather was propitious, and as Sir
Bridgnorth assisted her to her place in front of his well-appointed and
well-horsed mail-phaeton, he squeezed her hand in a manner that seemed
to proclaim his intentions.
But his deportment and discourse when they had started on the drive left
her in no doubt. He lowered his voice, and bent down his head when he
addressed her, so that what he said could not be overheard by the two
grooms behind.
For an elderly gentleman, he acted the part of a suitor very creditably.
If his looks were not impassioned, his manner was devoted. Lady
Thick-nesse was pleased, and with good reason, for the match, if it took
place, would be satisfactory in all inspects.
A better _parti_ than Sir Bridgnorth could not be found. He had the
recommendation of an excellent social position, rank, and wealth.
Moreover, he was extremely good tempered.
Though somewhat of an invalid, Lady Thicknesse was a most charming
companion, and a great deal more amiable than so-called charming
people usually are. Besides being very rich, very well bred, and very
agreeable, she had a special recommendation to Sir Bridgnorth--she had
no family. He had resolved never to marry a widow with incumbrances.
Lady Thicknesse looked remarkably well that morning. Her pale and
delicate complexion was a little warmer than usual, and her eyes rather
brighter; but she was not in high spirits. Indeed, she never was in high
spirits; her manner being always subdued. She questioned Sir Bridgnorth
about Charlton, and seemed delighted with his description of the place.
“I hope you will see it ere long,” he said, with a peculiar smile, that
made her heart flutter, and caused her to cast down her eyes.
Now seemed Sir Bridgnorth's opportunity.
After clearing his throat he remarked:
“It appears to me that such a residence as Charlton, with a large park
attached to it, and a house in Belgrave-square, would form a remarkably
nice combination of town and country. What does your ladyship think?”
“As a rule I am not very fond of the country,” she replied. “But I fancy
I could be happy anywhere, under certain circumstances.”
“Under what circumstances?” he asked, bending down his head.
“Don't ask,” she replied, avoiding his ardent gaze. “But I am
particularly anxious to know,” he said, “my own happiness being
dependent upon the answer. Could you contrive to spend six months at
such a dull place as Charlton?”
“Yes, very well,” she replied, raising her eyes, and looking him full
in the face, “provided you will agree to pass the other six months in
Belgrave Square.”
Sir Bridgnorth could scarcely believe what he heard.
“Is that a bargain?” he exclaimed joyously. “If so, let us conclude it
at once.”
“With all my heart,” she replied. “I am quite satisfied with the
arrangement.”
“And I ought to be, and am,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “I am sure I have got
the best of it.”
“You say so now,” she rejoined with a smile. “But you may alter your
opinion after six months' experience of Belgrave Square.”
“Never!” he exclaimed. “My only fear is that your ladyship may get tired
of Charlton!”
“Then dismiss that apprehension,” she rejoined. “I cannot feel _ennui_
if you are there.”
Just then the clatter of hoofs was heard behind them, and the baronet's
spirited horses, startled by the sound, set off at a pace that gave her
ladyship a momentary fright.
But the runaways were quickly checked, and Sir Bridgnorth looking round,
saw that Lord Courland and Scrope Danvers were galloping after them.
“What the deuce is the matter?” he shouted.
“Nothing,” replied Scrope.
“Then take it quietly,” said the baronet. “My horses won't stand that
noise.”
Thereupon, the pace was slackened on both sides, and Lady Thicknesse
asked Lord Courland if he was going to Brackley.
“I hope you are,” she added. “My sister, Lady Barfleur, will be charmed
to see your lordship!”
“I want to consult your ladyship,” he replied, bringing his horse as
close to her as he could, and speaking in a low voice.
“I hope nothing has gone wrong?” she inquired, rendered rather uneasy by
his looks.
“I'm very much afraid the match won't come off,” he replied; “unless
your ladyship will kindly act for me.”
“I will do anything you desire,” she rejoined earnestly. “It would
grieve me beyond measure if any _contretemps_ occurred.”
“I cannot explain matters fully at this moment,” he said. “But it is
certain I am entirely to blame.”
“Since your lordship so frankly makes that admission,” she rejoined,
“there can be no difficulty in arranging the quarrel--for quarrel I
suppose it is.”
“I will tell you all when we get to Brackley,” he said. “But meantime,
I may mention a circumstance of which I am quite sure neither your
ladyship nor Sir Bridgworth are aware.”
“Your lordship must speak in a lower tone, if you would not have me hear
all you say,” remarked the baronet.
“But I do wish you to hear this,” rejoined Lord Courland. “Mrs.
Calverley has only just discovered that if she marries again, the whole
of her property goes to Chetwynd and Mildred.”
“You amaze me!” cried Sir Bridgnorth.
“When this piece of information was first communicated to me by
Carteret,” continued his lordship, “I yielded to an impulse of anger for
which I now reproach myself, and declared I would break off the match.”
“I don't wonder at it,” said the baronet.
“But when I subsequently had an interview with Mrs. Calverley herself,
my purpose changed. I found my affections were so strongly fixed, I
could not execute my threat.”
“I am delighted to hear it,” said Lady Thick-nesse. “Such disinterested
conduct does your lordship the greatest credit. Then I presume all will
go on as before?”
“I hope so,” he replied. “But I am in doubt. Mrs. Calverley seems quite
firm in her determination to break off the engagement.”
“But she has nothing to complain of,” remarked Sir Bridgnorth. “On
the contrary, she is the sole cause of the misunderstanding. I take a
totally different view of the matter from your lordship, and I suspect I
am much nearer the truth. If she is now resolved to break off the match,
it is because she is unwilling to lose her property.”
“Oh, pray don't put that unfair construction on her conduct!” exclaimed
Lady Thicknesse.
“It seems to me quite natural,” said Sir Bridgnorth; “quite consistent
with her character,” he added, in a whisper, to Lady Thicknesse.
“She seems very greatly troubled,” observed Lord Courland; “and if
anything occurs in consequence, I shall never forgive myself.”
“Your lordship alarms yourself without reason, I think,” said Lady
Thicknesse.
“You have not seen her this morning, I suppose?”
“I have not,” she replied.
“Then you don't know how ill she looks.”
“I am very sorry to hear it,” replied Lady Thicknesse. “But she will
soon get well again if the matter is settled, as I am persuaded it will
be.”
“I ought to tell you she has bidden me farewell,” said his lordship.
“Don't despair,” rejoined Lady Thicknesse. “I'll undertake to bring you
together again. I'm sorry you didn't call me in at the time; but it's
not too late now.”
“Your ladyship gives me hopes,” said Lord Courland retiring.
“If she marries, as I trust she may,” observed Sir Bridgnorth, as soon
as his lordship was out of hearing, “it will be an immense thing for
Chetwynd and Mildred. But I doubt whether she will make such a sacrifice
for Lord Courland.”
“I believe she is very much in love with him,” remarked Lady Thicknesse.
“Possibly,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “But this is too much to pay. As to her
being in ignorance of the contents of her late husband's will, I never
can credit that. Yet it puzzles me to conceive what she meant to do.
Somehow or other, her plan has failed. Your ladyship thinks the matter
will be easily settled. I am not of that opinion.”
“To tell you the truth, dear Sir Bridgnorth,” said Lady Thicknesse, “I
do feel rather uneasy about Mrs. Calverley.”
“If your ladyship knew her as well as I do,” he replied, in an
indifferent tone, “you wouldn't feel uneasy at all. My firm conviction
is that she won't marry Lord Courland.”
“If she doesn't, I shall alter my opinion of her,” said her ladyship.
Sir Bridgnorth smiled, and giving his horses a slight touch with the
whip, he quickened their pace, and the newly engaged pair soon arrived
at Brackley.