THE MANOEUVRING MOTHER.
"We come in sight of Seville, the high tower of the Giralda, cutting
against the blue of the sky, first won my attention; then a portion of
the old city came in view, backed by one of the finest cathedrals in the
world.
"It was just before holy week; the steamboat brought many passengers
from Cadiz, who had come to witness the ceremonies in this the second
city of Spain.
"Many persons, mostly ladies, were on the shore when our boat came up to
its landing place. Dressed in their light flowing muslins and lace
mantillas, they had a picturesque appearance quite in harmony with the
place. The moment we came in sight, a hundred pretty hands gave out
signals of welcome from the twinkle of their delicate fingers. There was
no bustle, no confusion, but a world of welcoming smiles, and soft
murmuring words, which would have filled me with a sense of loneliness,
had not all that I loved been close by. How could I miss those wreathing
welcomes, when the wealth of my whole existence went with me?
"'You are pleased. You like Seville. I can read it in your face.'
"He had not spoken to me during the last ten minutes, and I started from
the dreaming observation into which I had fallen, to answer him.
"'I was wondering if all the world could produce another spot more
lovely.'
"'And I was thinking pretty much the same thing. In a scene like this
the hard cares of life seem impossible. It is a place to live, love, and
die in.'
"I could not answer him. Indeed, his words were spoken so dreamily that
they required no response.
"We were on shore then, waiting for General and Mrs. Harrington. The
Eatons joined us, full of some important intelligence, which I saw the
elder lady was dying to communicate.
"'I told you so--never was mistaken in my life,' she whispered. 'The
captain speaks French almost as well as I do.'
"To have saved my life I could not have helped smiling. The woman had
given me a specimen of her French that day, and I could imagine how
perfect any information must be conveyed to her in that language.
"'I asked him who the gentleman was, and he told me he was the greatest
man in Seville, just then. No wonder I admired him--all the ladies did,
not excepting the Infanta herself, who would present him with a golden
key next week, in token of her high appreciation! She must be some
member of the royal family--master of the wardrobe, I suppose, by the
key. They never give such offices to anything less than a duke, you
know.'
"The little woman was all in a flutter of excitement. Again she made a
motion that I should bend my head to listen.
"'Would I oblige her and ride or walk with Mr. James. She would rather
that the duke should not see Lucy with him just now. He might understand
an engagement, and the Spaniards were so proud and particular. That was
a good soul! She could trust me with all her little secrets.'
"The silly thing did not dream how willing I was to oblige her, but
General Harrington broke up our plans. He had engaged a carriage, and
called on me to get in with Mrs. Harrington. My maid was already seated
there, so James walked to the shore alone. The Eatons had their way, for
he did not offer to go with them. They lingered at the landing till the
duke drove off. Mrs. Eaton told me that he had absolutely waved a kiss
to Lucy from his carriage window. Of course it was not returned, 'but
straws show where the wind lies,' she said. 'So many people told us
before we came away, that we ought to look higher for a girl like our
Lucy. I wonder if a duke would meet the ideas of our friends.'
"The woman's fussy vanity wearied me--so puerile, so ridiculous, yet
there was a sting in it. Look higher for their daughter! Higher than
whom? But why should I let the talk of this silly woman annoy me? The
daughter is wonderfully beautiful, but what of that? Still I have heard
it said that the most brilliant men often choose such women for their
wives. There is repose in this companionship it is said, and so it may
be for a time, but men do not live for repose. When a man wants rest for
his intellect, let him sleep, not marry a pretty idiot.
"Dear, dear! how bitter I am becoming! How unhappy I am! What possesses
me to think of this poor girl as an enemy? Is it because he took her to
the cathedral yesterday and left me to General Harrington.
"We went to the cathedral again this morning. I saw General Harrington
talking earnestly with James just before we started. He seemed a little
angry. I could not hear a word, but they both looked towards me, and I
saw the blood rush into James' face when he saw that I was regarding
them. He hesitated a moment after the General left him, and advanced a
step towards me, then wheeled suddenly and went away. A few minutes
after I saw him walking towards the cathedral with Lucy Eaton. We
followed them after a little, General Harrington observing, with a
laugh, that we must give the young people their chances."