The time was rapidly drawing nigh when the ambitious scheme of the
Custos Vaughan was either to be crowned with success, or end in failure.
Of the latter he had little apprehension. Though Smythje, having lost
the opportunity of the eclipse, had not yet declared himself, Mr
Vaughan knew it was his intention to do so on an early occasion.
Indeed, the declaration was only postponed by the advice of the Custos
himself, whose counsel had been sought by his intended son-in-law.
Not that Mr Vaughan had any fear of Kate's giving a negative answer.
The stern father knew that he had his daughter too well in hand for
that. His wish would be her will--on that point was he determined; and
it was less the fear of a refusal than some other circumstances that had
hindered him from bringing the matter earlier to a crisis.
As for Smythje, he never dreamt of a rejection. Kate's behaviour at the
ball had confirmed him in the belief that she was entirely his own; and
that without him her future existence would be one of misery. Her pale
cheek, and sad, thoughtful air, as she appeared next morning at the
breakfast-table, told him too plainly that she would never be happy
under any other name than that of Mrs Smythje.
Again, upon that morning, it occurred to him that the proposal should be
made. It would be an appropriate _finale_ to the _fete_ of the
preceding night.
His brow still glowing with the laurels that had bedecked it, like a
second Antony he would approach his Cleopatra, triumphantly
irresistible.
After breakfast, Mr Smythje drew the Custos into a corner, and once
more expressed his solicitude to become his son-in-law.
Whether, because Kate's behaviour at the ball had also impressed Mr
Vaughan with the appropriateness of the time, or for some other reason,
Smythje found him agreeable. Only first, the father desired to have a
few words with his daughter, in order to prepare her for the
distinguished honour of which she was so soon to be the recipient.
Kate had gone out into the kiosk. There Mr Vaughan sought her, to
bring about the proposed preliminary interview. Smythje also stepped
into the garden; but, instead of going near the summer-house, he
sauntered along the walks at a distance, occasionally plucking a flower,
or chasing the butterflies, bright and gay as his own thoughts.
Kate's countenance still preserved the air of melancholy that had
clouded it all the morning; and the approach of the Custos did nothing
to dissipate it. On the contrary, its shadows became deeper, as if the
ponderous presence of her father, coming between her and the sun, was
about to shut out the little light left shining in her heart.
From what she had heard that morning, she presumed that the time had
arrived when she must either submit to the wishes of her father, and
resign herself to an unhappy fate; or, by disobedience, brave his anger,
and perhaps--she knew not what.
She only knew that she did not like Mr Smythje, and never could. She
did not hate the man--she did not detest him. Her feeling towards him
was that of indifference, slightly tinctured with contempt. Harmless
she deemed him; and, no doubt, a harmless husband he would make; but
that was not the sort to suit the taste of the young Creole. Far
different was the hero of her heart.
Neither the lover nor his prospective father-in-law could have chosen a
time more opportune for making their approaches. Although at that time
Kate Vaughan felt towards Smythje more indifference--perhaps more
contempt--than she had ever done, at that very hour was she wavering in
the intention, hitherto cherished, of refusing him.
Though both lover and father had erroneously interpreted her air of
dejection, it was nevertheless in their favour. It was not love for
Smythje under which she was suffering; but despair of this passion for
another; and in that despair lay the hope--the only hope--of the lord of
Montagu Castle.
It was a despair not unmingled with pique--with anger; that proud rage,
which painfully wringing the heart, prompts it to desperate resolves:
even to the utter annihilation of all future hope--as if happiness could
be obtained by destroying the happiness of the one only being who could
give it!
Yes, the heart of Kate Vaughan had reached, or almost reached, that
fearful phase of our moral nature, when love, convinced of its
unrequital, seeks solace in revenge!
The Smythje ball, which had crowned the hopes of him to whom the
compliment was given, had been fatal to those of Kate Vaughan.
Certain it was that she had conceived hopes that pointed to Herbert
Vaughan. Love could scarce have been kindled without them. They were
founded upon those fond words spoken at their first parting. Slight as
was the foundation, up to that night had they endured: for she had
treasured and cherished them in spite of absence, and calumny, and false
report.
True, as time passed they had waxed fainter, with longer intervals of
doubt, until the day in which had occurred the unexpected incident of
their meeting upon the Jumbe Rock.
Then they had become revived, and since then they had lived with more or
less intermission until that fatal night--the night of the Smythje
ball--when they were doomed to utter extinction.
All night long he had come but once near her--only that once by the mere
chance of changing positions. And that bow--that single salutation,
friendly as it might have been deemed, she could only remember as being
cold--almost cynical!
She did not think how cold and distant had been her own--at least, how
much so it must have appeared to him. Though her eyes had often sought
him in the crowd, and often found him, she did not know that his were
equally following her, and equally as often fixed upon her. Both were
ignorant of this mutual espionage: for each had studiously declined
responding to the glance of the other.
Never more that night had he come near--never again had he shown a
desire or made an attempt to address her; though opportunities there
were--many--when no paternal eye was upon her to prevent an interview.
All night long had his attentions been occupied by another--apparently
engrossed--and that other, a bold, beautiful woman--just such an one as
Herbert might love.
"He loves her! I am sure he loves her!" was the reflection that passed
often and painfully through the thoughts of Kate Vaughan, as she swept
her eye across that crowded ball-room.
And then came the climax--that half-whispered gossip that reached her
ear, falling upon it like a knell of death. They were to be married:
they were already betrothed!
It needed no more. In that moment the hopes of the young creole were
crushed--so cruelly, so completely, that, in the dark future before her,
no gleam of light arose to resuscitate them.
No wonder the morning sun shone upon a pale cheek--no wonder that an air
of deep dejection sate upon the countenance of Kate Vaughan.
In this melancholy mood did the father find his daughter on entering the
kiosk.
She made no attempt to conceal it--not even with a counterfeit of a
smile. Rather with a frown did she receive him; and in her eyes might
have been detected the slightest scintillation of anger, whether or not
he was its object.
It is possible that just then the thought was passing through her mind
that but for him her destiny might have been different; but for him,
Herbert Vaughan, not Montagu Smythje, might have been on the eve of
offering for her hand, which would then have gone with her heart. Now,
in the contingency of her consenting to the proposal she expected, would
she and Herbert be separated, and for ever!
Never more was she to experience that supreme happiness--the supremest
known upon earth, and perhaps, equalling the joys of heaven itself--
never more could she indulge in that sweet delicious dream--a virgin's
love--with the hope of its being returned. Her love might remain like a
flower that had lost its perfume, only to shed it on the solitary air;
no more a sweet passion, but a barren, bitter thought, without hope to
cheer it till the end of time.
Ah, Custos Vaughan! proud, foolish parent! Could you have known how you
were aiding to destroy the happiness of your child--how you were
contributing to crush that young heart--you would have approached less
cheerfully to complete the ceremony of its sacrifice!
Volume Two, Chapter XVIII.