THE WEIGHT OF HONOURS
The next was a fortnight of strange and new experiences. Lord Northmoor
spent most of his days over the papers in the office, so much his usual
self, that Mr. Burford generally forgot, and called to him as 'Morton' so
naturally that after the first the other clerks left off sniggering.
There Sir Edward called on him, and in an interview in his sitting-room
at the office asked him to a quiet dinner, together with the solicitor;
but this was hardly a success, for Mr. Burford, being at home with the
family, did all the talking, and Frank could not but feel in the presence
of his master, and had not a word to say for himself, especially as
George and Freda looked critical, and as if 'That stick' was in their
minds, if not on their lips. The only time when he approached a thaw was
when in the hot summer evening Lady Kenton made him her companion in a
twilight stroll on the terraces, when he looked at the roses with
delight, and volunteered a question about the best sorts, saying that the
garden at Northmoor had been much neglected, and he wanted to have it in
good order, 'that is'--blushing and correcting himself--'if we can live
there.'
Lady Kenton noted the 'we' and was sorry to be here interrupted. 'We
shall do nothing with him till we get him alone,' she said. 'We must
have him apart from Mr. Burford.'
Before this, however, they had to meet him at a very splendid party,
given with all the resources of the Burford family at their villa, when
the county folks, who had no small curiosity to see the new peer, were
invited in full force, and the poor peer felt capable of fewer words than
ever to throw at them.
Lady Kenton ventured on asking Mrs. Burford to introduce her to Miss
Marshall, taking such presence for granted.
'Oh, Lady Kenton, really now I did not think that foolish affair should
be encouraged. It is such an unfortunate thing for him; and as Miss Lang
and I agreed, it would be so much better for both of them if it were
given up.'
'Is there anything against her?'
'Oh no, not at all; only that, poor thing, she is quite unfitted for the
position, and between ourselves, in the condition of the property, it is
really incumbent on his Lordship to marry a lady of fortune. At his age
he cannot afford romance,' she added with a laugh, being in fact rather
inferior to her husband in tone, or perhaps in manners. Indeed, she was
of all others the person who most shrivelled up the man whom she had
always treated like a poor dependent, till her politeness became still
more embarrassing. Among all the party, Sir Edward and Lady Kenton were
those with whom he was most nearly at ease, for they had nothing to
revoke in their manners towards him, and could, without any change, treat
him as an equal whom they respected; nor did they try to force him
forward into general conversation--as did his host--with the best
intentions.
Lady Kenton, under cover of Miss Burford's piano, asked him whether she
might call on Miss Marshall, and saw him flush with gratitude and
pleasure, as he answered, 'It will be very kind in you.'
Lady Kenton knew enough of the ways of the school to understand when to
make her visit, so as to have a previous conversation with Miss Lang,
whom of course she already knew. That lady received her in one of the
drawing-rooms, the folding doors into the other were shut.
'I have told Miss Marshall,' said Miss Lang, 'that the room is always at
her service to receive Lord Northmoor, though, in fact, he never comes
till after business hours.'
'He is behaving very well.'
'Very honourably indeed; but poor Miss Marshall is in a very distressing
position.'
'Indeed! Is she not very happy in his constancy?'
'She is in great doubt and difficulty,' said Miss Lang, 'and we really
hardly know how to advise her. She seems sure of his affection, but she
shrinks from entering on a position for which she is so unfit.'
'Is she really unfit?'
Miss Lang hesitated. 'She is a complete lady, and as good and
conscientious a creature as ever existed; but you see, Lady Kenton, her
whole life has been spent here, ever since she was sixteen, she has known
nothing beyond the schoolroom, and how she is ever to fulfil the duties
of a peeress, and the head of a large establishment, I really cannot see.
It might be just misery to her, and to him, too.'
'Has she good sense?'
'Yes, very fair sense. We can trust to her judgment implicitly in
dealing with the girls, and she teaches well, but she is not at all
clever, and could never shine.'
'Perhaps a person who wanted to shine might be embarrassing,' said Lady
Kenton, rather amused.
'Well, it might be so. The poor man is certainly no star himself, but
surely he needs some one who would draw him out, and push him forward,
make a way in society, in fact.'
'That might not be for his domestic happiness.'
'Perhaps not, but your Ladyship has not seen what a poor little
insignificant creature she is--though, indeed, we are both very fond of
her, and should be very much relieved not to think we ought to strengthen
her scruples. For, indeed,' and tears actually came into the good lady's
eyes, 'I am sure that though she would release him for his good, that it
would break her heart. Shall I call her? Ah!' as a voice began to
become very audible on the other side of the doors, 'she has a visitor.'
'Not Lord Northmoor. It is a woman's voice, and a loud one.'
Presently, indeed, there was a tone that made Lady Kenton say, 'People do
scent things very fast. It must be some one wanting to apply for
patronage.'
'I am a little afraid it is that sister-in-law of his,' said Miss Lang,
lowering her voice. 'I saw her once at the choral festival--and--and I
wasn't delighted.'
'Perhaps I had better come another day,' said Lady Kenton. 'We seem to
be almost listening.'
Even as the lady was taking her leave, the words were plainly heard--
'Artful, mean-spirited, time-serving viper as you are, bent on dragging
him down to destruction!'