_The Mysterious Stranger_
IT WAS even upon as ignoble an animal as a Barbary ass, goaded by a
dusky little islander almost in a state of nudity, that, an hour before
sunset on the day of his arrival, the English traveller approached the
casino of the Consul’s daughter, for there a note from Major Ponsonby
had invited him to repair, to be introduced to his daughter, and to
taste his oranges. The servant who received him led Mr. Ferrers to a
very fine plane-tree, under whose spreading branches was arranged a
banquet of fruit and flowers, coffee in cups of oriental filigree, and
wines of the Levant, cooled in snow. The worthy Consul was smoking his
chibouque, and his daughter, as she rose to greet their guest, let her
guitar fall upon the turf. The original of the portrait proved that the
painter had no need to flatter; and the dignified, yet cordial manner,
the radiant smile, and the sweet and thrilling voice with which she
welcomed her countryman would have completed the spell, had, indeed, the
wanderer been one prepared, or capable of being enchanted. As it was,
Mr. Ferrers, while he returned his welcome, with becoming complaisance,
exhibited the breeding of a man accustomed to sights of strangeness
and of beauty; and, while he expressed his sense of the courtesy of his
companions, admired their garden, and extolled the loveliness of the
prospect, he did not depart for a moment from that subdued, and even
sedate manner, which indicates, the individual whom the world has little
left to astonish, and less to enrapture, although, perhaps, much to
please. Yet he was fluent in conversation, sensible and polished, and
very agreeable. It appeared that he had travelled much, though he was
far from boasting of his exploits. He had been long absent from England,
had visited Egypt and Arabia, and had sojourned at Damascus. While he
refused the pipe, he proved, by his observations on its use, that he was
learned in its practice; and he declined his host’s offer of a file of
English journals, as he was not interested in their contents. His host
was too polished to originate any inquiry which might throw light upon
the connections or quality of his guest, and his guest imitated his
example. Nothing could be more perfectly well-bred than his whole
demeanour--he listened to the major with deference, and he never paid
Miss Ponsonby a single compliment: he never even asked her to sing;
but the fond father did not omit this attention. Henrietta, in the most
unaffected manner, complied with his request, because, as she was in the
habit of singing every evening to her father, she saw no reason why he
should, on this occasion, be deprived of an amusement to which he was
accustomed. As the welcome sea-breeze rose and stirred the flowers and
branches, her voice blended with its fresh and fragrant breath. It was
a beautiful voice; and the wild and plaintive air in which she indulged,
indigenous to their isle, harmonised alike with the picturesque scene
and the serene hour. Mr. Ferrers listened with attention, and thanked
her for her courtesy. Before they withdrew to the casino he even
requested the favour of her repeating the gratification, but in so quiet
a manner that most young ladies would have neglected to comply with a
wish expressed with so little fervour.
The principal chamber of the casino was adorned with drawings by the
Consul’s daughter: they depicted the surrounding scenery, and were
executed by the hand of a master. Mr. Ferrers examined them with
interest--his observations proved his knowledge, and made them more than
suspect his skill. He admitted that he had some slight practice in the
fine arts, and offered to lend his portfolio to Miss Ponsonby, if she
thought it would amuse her. Upon the subject of scenery he spoke with
more animation than on any other topic: his conversation, indeed, teemed
with the observations of a fine eye and cultivated taste.
At length he departed, leaving behind him a very favourable impression.
Henrietta and her father agreed that he was a most gentlemanlike
personage-that he was very clever and very agreeable; and they were glad
to know him. The major detailed all the families and all the persons of
the name of Ferrers Of whom he had ever heard, and with whom he had been
acquainted; and, before he slept, wondered, for the fiftieth time, what
Ferrers he was.