Unweariedly concerting means of detection relative to the stranger,
which no failure of success could discourage, Mrs Ireton and Mrs Maple
sate whispering upon the same sofa in the drawing-room; while Selina and
Miss Arramede were tittering at a window.
'How do you do, ladies?' cried Miss Bydel. 'In close chat, I see.
However, I don't want to know what it's about. I'm only come to speak a
word about this poor thing here, for fear you should think she has been
all this time gossipping about her own affairs; which, I assure you, Mrs
Ireton, I can bear witness for her i'n't the case.'
The supercilious silence of Mrs Ireton to this address, would have
authorised the immediate retreat of Juliet, but that Ireton maliciously
placed himself against the door, and impeded its being opened; while
Lord Melbury and Harleigh were obliged to approach the sofa, to pay
their compliments to the lady of the mansion; who, giving them her whole
attention, left Miss Bydel to finish her harangue to Mrs Maple.
'Right! True!' cried Mr Giles, eager to abet what he thought the good
nature of Miss Bydel. 'What you say is just and fair, Mrs Bydel; for
this pretty young lady here wanted to go from these two gentlemen the
minute we came up to her; only Mrs Bydel's arm being rather, I conceive,
heavy, she could not so soon break away. But I did not catch one of her
pretty dimples all the time. So pray, Mrs Ireton, don't be angry with
her; and the less because she's so sweet tempered, that, if you are, she
won't complain; for she never did of Mrs Maple.'
'I hope this is curious enough!' cried Mrs Maple. 'A body to come and
live upon me, for months together, upon charity, and then not to
complain of me! I think if this is not enough to cure people of charity,
I wonder what is! For my part, I am heartily sick of it, for the rest of
my life.'
Juliet having again, but vainly, tried to pass by Ireton, retired to an
unoccupied window. Harleigh, though engaged in discourse with Mrs
Ireton, reddened indignantly; and Lord Melbury nearly mashed the nails
of his fingers between his teeth; while Mr Giles, staring, demanded,
'Why what can there be, Ma'am, in charity, to turn you so sick? A poor
helpless young creature, like that, can't make you her toad-eater.'
Alarmed at an address which she looked upon as a prognostic to an
exhortation, of which she dreaded, from experience, the plainness and
severity, Mrs Maple hastily changed her place: while Mrs Ireton,
startled, also, by the word toad-eater, unremittingly continued speaking
to the two gentlemen; whose attention, nevertheless, she could not for a
moment engage, though their looks and persons were her prisoners.
'I don't know why you ladies who are so rich and gay,' continued Mr
Giles, composedly, and, to the great annoyance of Mrs Ireton, taking
possession of the seat which Mrs Maple had abdicated; 'should not try to
make yourselves pleasant to those who are poor and sad. You, that have
got every thing you can wish for, should take as much pains not to be
distasteful, as a poor young thing like that, who has got nothing but
what she works for, should take pains not to be starved.'
Mrs Ireton, extremely incensed, though affecting to be unconcerned,
haughtily summoned Ellis.
Ellis, forced to obey, went to the back of the sofa, to avoid standing
by the side of the two gentlemen; and determined to make use of this
opportunity for announcing her project of retreat.
'Pray, Ma'am,' Mrs Ireton cried, 'permit me to enquire--' her eye
angrily, yet cautiously, glancing at Mr Giles, 'to what extraordinary
circumstance I am indebted, for having the honour of receiving your
visitors? Not that I am insensible to such a distinction; you won't
imagine me such an Hottentot, I hope, as to be insensible to so
honourable a distinction! Nevertheless, you'll pardon me, I trust, if I
take the liberty to intimate, that, for the future, when any of your
friends are to be indulged in waiting upon you, you will have the
goodness to receive them in your own apartments. You'll excuse the hint,
I flatter myself!'
'I shall intrude no apologies upon your time, Madam,' said Ellis,
calmly, 'for relinquishing a situation in which I have acquitted myself
so little to your satisfaction: to-morrow, therefore--'
Anticipating, and eager to convert a resignation which she regarded as a
disgrace, into a dismission which she considered as a triumph, Mrs
Ireton impatiently interrupted her, crying, 'To-morrow? And why are we
to wait for to-morrow? What has to-day done? Permit me to ask that. And
pray don't take it ill. Pray don't let me offend you: only--what has
poor to-day done, that to-morrow must have such a preference?'
Juliet, frightened at the idea of being reduced to pass a night alone at
an inn, now hesitated; and Mrs Ireton, smiling complacently around her,
went on.
'Suffer me, I beg, to speak a little word for poor, neglected to-day!
Have we not long enough been slaves to to-morrow? Let the pleasures of
dear expectation be superseded, this once, for those of actual
enjoyment. Not but 'twill be very severe upon me to lose you. I don't
dissemble that. So gay a companion! I shall certainly expire an
hypochondriac upon first missing your amusing sallies. I can never
survive such a deprivation. No! It's all over with me! You pity me, I am
sure, my good friends?'
She now looked around, with an expression of ineffable satisfaction at
her own wit: but it met no applause, save in the ever ready giggles of
Selina, and the broad admiration of the round-eyed Miss Bydel.
Juliet silently courtsied, with a gravity that implied a leave-taking,
and, approaching the door, desired that Ireton would let her pass.
Ireton, laughing, declared that he should not suffer her to decamp, till
she gave him a direction where he could find her the next day.
Offended, she returned again to her window.
'O, now, pray, Mrs Ireton,' cried Miss Bydel, 'don't turn her away, poor
thing! don't turn her away, Ma'am, for such a mere little fault. I dare
say she'll do her best to please you, if you'll only try her again.
Besides, if she's turned off in this manner, just as young Lord Melbury
is here, he may try to make her his kept mistress again. At least
naughty people will say so.'
'Who will say so, Ma'am?' cried Lord Melbury, starting up, in a rage to
which he was happy to find so laudable a vent: 'Who will dare say so?
Name me a single human being!'
'Lord, my lord,' answered Miss Bydel, a little frightened; 'nobody, very
likely! only it's best to be upon one's guard against evil speakers; for
young lords at your time of life, a'n't apt to be quite so good as they
are when they are more stricken in years. That's all I mean, my lord;
for I don't mean to affront your lordship, I'm sure.'
Mrs Ireton, again beckoning to Ellis, said, 'Pray, Mrs Thing-a-mi, have
you done me so much honour as to make out your bill?' And,
ostentatiously, she produced her purse. 'What is the amount, Ma'am, of
my debt?'
Juliet paused a moment, and then answered, ''Tis an amount, Madam, much
too difficult and complicate for me, just now, to calculate!'
Mr Giles, alertly rising, cried, 'Let me help you, then, my pretty lady,
to cast it up. What have you given her upon account, Mrs Ireton?'
'I am not her book-keeper, Sir!' returned Mrs Ireton, extremely nettled.
'I don't pretend to the honour of acting as her steward! But I trust she
will be good enough to take what is her due. 'Tis very much beneath her,
I own; extremely beneath her, I confess; yet I hope, this once, she will
let herself down so far.' And, ten guineas, which she had held in her
hand, were augmented to twenty, which she paradingly flung upon the
table.
Mrs Maple and Miss Bydel poured forth the warmest exclamations of
admiration at this magnificence; but Juliet, quietly saying, 'Let me
hope, Madam, that my successor may merit your generosity,' again
courtsied, and was going: when Mr Giles, eagerly picking up the money,
and following her with it, spread upon his open hand, said, 'What do you
go without your cash for, my pretty lady? Why don't you take your
guineas?'
'Excuse, excuse me, Sir!' cried Juliet, hastily, and trying to be gone.
'And why?' cried he, a little angrily. 'Are they not your own? What have
you been singing for, and playing, and reading, and walking? and
humouring the little naughty boy? and coddling the cross little dog?
Take your guineas, I say. Would you be so proud as to leave the
obligation all on the side of Mrs Ireton?'
A smile at this statement, in defiance of her distress, irresistibly
stole its way upon the features of Juliet; while Mrs Ireton, stung to
the quick, though forcing a contemptuous laugh, exclaimed, 'This is
really the height of the marvellous! It transcends all my poor ideas! I
own that! I can't deny that! However, I must drop my acquaintance
entirely with Miss Arbe, if it is to subject me to intrusions of every
sort, on pretence of visiting that Miss what's her name! I have had
quite enough of all this! I really desire no more.'
Harleigh, to hide his acute interest in the situation of Juliet,
pretended to be examining a portrait that was hung over the
chimney-piece; but Lord Melbury, less capable of self-restraint,
applaudingly seized the hand of Mr Giles, and grasping it warmly,
cried, 'Where may I have the pleasure of waiting upon you, Sir? I desire
infinitely to cultivate your acquaintance.'
'And I shall like it too, my good young nobleman,' said Mr Giles, with a
look of great satisfaction; and was beginning, at very full length, to
give his direction, when Selina called out from the window, as a
carriage drove up to the door, 'Mrs Ireton, it's Lord Denmeath's
livery.'
Lord Melbury, abruptly breaking from Mr Giles, hurried out of the room;
which alone prevented the same action from Juliet, whose face suddenly
exhibited horrour rather than affright. But she felt that to fly the
uncle, at a moment when she might seem to pursue the nephew, might be
big with suspicious mischief; and, though shaking with terrour, she
placed herself as if she were examining a small landscape, behind an
immense screen, which in summer, as well as in winter, nearly surrounded
the sofa of Mrs Ireton. And hence she hoped, when his lordship should be
entered, to steal unnoticed from the room.
'This is a stroke that surpasses all the rest!' faintly cried Mrs
Ireton; 'that Lord Denmeath, whom I have not seen these seven ages,
should renew his acquaintence at an epoch of such strange disorder in my
house! He will never believe this apartment to be mine! it will not be
possible for him to believe it. He'll conclude me in some lodging. He'll
imagine me the victim of some dreadful reverse of fortune. He is so
little accustomed to see me in any motley group! He can so little figure
me to himself as a person in a general herd!'
'Well, I, for one, am here by mere accident, to be sure,' said Miss
Bydel; 'but, however, I did not come in from mere curiosity, I assure
you, Mrs Ireton; for I knew nothing of Lord Denmeath's being to come.
However, as I happen to be here, I sha'n't be sorry to see his lordship,
if I sha'n't be in anybody's way, for I never happened to be where he
was before. Only I can't think what Lord Melbury went off so quick for;
unless it was to shew his uncle the way up stairs. And if it was for
that, it was pretty enough of him.'
'No, no, you'll be in nobody's way, Mrs Bydel,' said Mr Giles; 'don't be
afraid of that. Here's abundance of room for us all. The apartment's a
very good apartment for that.'
Mrs Ireton now, impatiently ringing the bell, demanded, of a servant,
what he had done with Lord Denmeath; adding, 'I should be glad, Sir, to
be informed! very glad, I must confess; for, perhaps, as you have been
so good as to shew a visitor of one of my people into the drawing-room,
you may have thought proper to usher a visitor of mine into the
kitchen?'
His lordship, the servant answered, had been met by Lord Melbury, upon
alighting from the coach, and had stept with him into the
dining-parlour.
Mrs Maple exulted that she could now, at last, have an opportunity to
clear herself of his lordship, about the many odd appearances which had
so long stood against her: while Ireton, who had espied the effort of
Juliet to escape notice, called out, 'I don't know where the devil I
have put my hat;' and suddenly pushing towards her, with a blustrous
appearance of search, gave her a mischievous nod, as she started back
from his bold approach, and encircled her completely within the broad
leaves of the screen.
She suffered this malicious sport in preference to attempting any
resistance; though vexed at the noise which she must now unavoidably
make in removing.
She was scarcely thus enclosed, when Lord Denmeath was announced.
Her heart now beat so violently with terrour, that her shaking hand
could scarcely grasp a leaf of the screen, as she tried to make an
opening for letting herself out, while his lordship was returning a
reception of fawning courtesy, by some embarrassed and ambiguous
apologies, relative to the motives of his visit. And when, at length,
she succeeded, she was deterred from endeavouring to abscond, by seeing
Harleigh, with his hand upon the door, making his bow.
Mrs Maple, interfering, would not permit him to depart; clamorously
declaring, that he was the properest person to give an account to his
lordship of this adventurer, as he must best know why he had forced them
to take such a body into their boat.
With deep agitation, and blushing anxiety, Juliet now unavoidably heard
Harleigh answer, 'I can but repeat to his lordship what I have a
thousand times assured these ladies, that I have not the smallest
knowledge whence this young lady comes, nor whom she may be. I can only,
therefore, reply to these enquiries from my mental perceptions. These
convince me, through progressive observations, that she is a person of
honour, well educated, accustomed to good society, highly principled,
and noble minded. You smile, my lord! But those only who judge without
conversing with her, or converse without drawing forth her sentiments,
can annex any disparaging doubt to the mystery of her situation. Her
conduct has rather been exemplary than irreproachable from the moment
that she has been cast upon our knowledge; though she has suffered,
during that short interval, distress of almost every description. Her
language is always that of polished life; her manners, even when her
occupations are nearly servile, are invariably of distinguished
elegance; yet, with all their softness, all their gentleness, she has a
courage that, upon the most trying occasions, is superiour to
difficulty; and a soul that, even in the midst of injury and misfortune,
depends upon itself, and is above complaint. Such, my lord, I think her!
not, indeed, from any certain documents; but from a self-conviction,
founded, I repeat, upon progressive observations; which have the weight
with me, now, of mathematical demonstration.'
Tears resistless, yet benign, flowed down the cheeks of Juliet in
listening to this defence; and, while she endeavoured to disperse them,
before she ventured from her retreat, Lord Denmeath began an enquiry,
whether this young person had regularly refused to say who she was; or
whether she had occasionally made any partial communication; or given
any hints relative to her family or connexions.
Juliet was now in an agony of mind indescribable. She had hoped to glide
away with the general party unobserved; but Harleigh had kept constantly
at the door till he made his exit; which, now, was so crowdingly
followed by that of every one, except Mrs Ireton and his lordship, that
the delay ended in making her, individually, more conspicuous. Yet, to
overhear, unsuspectedly, a conversation believed to be private, even
though she knew herself to be its subject, was dishonour: hastily,
therefore, though shaking in every limb, she forced herself from without
the screen.
Mrs Ireton shrieked and sunk back upon the sofa, crying out, 'Oh, my
lord, she's here!--Concealed to listen to us!--What a shock!--I shall
feel it these three years!'
Juliet fleetly crossed the drawing-room, without daring to raise her
head; but Lord Denmeath, passing quickly before her, as if intending to
open the door, held the handle of the lock, while, steadily examining
her as he spoke, he said, 'Will you give me leave, Ma'am, to see you for
a few minutes to-morrow?'
Juliet made not, nor even attempted to make any answer: terrour was
painted in every line of her face, and she trembled so violently, that
she was forced to catch by the back of a chair, to save herself from
falling.
'I hope, Ma'am,' said Lord Denmeath, 'you are not ill?' and,
approaching her with a look of compassion, added, in a whisper, 'I know
you!--but be not frightened. I will not hurt you. I will speak to you
to-morrow alone, and arrange something to your advantage.'
Juliet seemed utterly overcome, and remained motionless.
'Compose yourself,' continued Lord Denmeath, speaking louder, and
turning towards the wondering Mrs Ireton; 'I will see you when and where
you please to-morrow.'
Mrs Ireton, whose own curiosity knew not how to brook any delay, now
recovered sufficient strength to rise; and, begging that his lordship
would not postpone his business, she passed into her boudoir; the door
of which, however, Lord Denmeath failed not to remark, was shut without
much vigour.
Lowering, therefore, his tone till, even to Juliet, it was scarcely
audible, 'We cannot,' he said, 'converse here with any openness; but, if
you are not your own enemy, you may make me your friend; though I cannot
but take ill your coming over against my advice and injunctions, and
thus insidiously introducing yourself to my nephew and niece.'
Juliet here looked up, with an air of self-vindication; but Lord
Denmeath steadily went on.
'I have for some time suspected who you were, though but vaguely; yet,
attributing your voyage to the officious counsel of the Bishop, I
contented myself, for the moment, with putting a stop to your
intercourse with my credulous young relations. But other information has
reached me; and reached me at the very moment when Mrs Howel,--when,
indeed, my nephew and niece themselves had acquainted me with the
meeting at Arundel Castle. I will talk upon all these matters in detail
to-morrow morning. I have only to demand, in the interval, that you will
neither speak nor write to Lord Melbury. I have already obtained his
promise to be quiet till our conference is over. But I know that there
are ways and means to induce a young man to forget his engagements. I
hope you will try none such. Where can we have our conversation?'
'No where, my lord!' to the utter astonishment of Lord Denmeath, and
even to her own, Juliet now, with sudden spirit, answered: but the
courage which had been subdued by apprehension, was revived, during the
preceding harangue, by strong glowing indignation.
'What is it,' when amazement would give him leave to speak, 'what is
it,' Lord Denmeath said, 'that you mean?'
'That I will not trouble your lordship to offer me directions that I
may not be at liberty to follow. I have already, my lord, a guide; and
one to whose judgment I shall submit implicitly. That Bishop, whom your
lordship is pleased to call officious, is my first, best, and nearly
only friend; and if ever again I should be so blest as to meet with him,
his opinion shall be my law,--as his benediction will be my happiness!'
In great emotion, yet with unappalled dignity, she was departing; but
Lord Denmeath, with an air of surprize, stopping her, said, 'You are
then a Papist?'
'No, my lord, I am firmly a Protestant! But, as such, I am a Christian;
so, and most piously, yet not illiberally, is the Bishop.'
'What is it,--tell me, if you please, that this Bishop purposes? To
renew those old claims so long ago vainly canvassed? Can he imagine he
will now have more influence than when possessed of his episcopal rank
and fortune? Set him right in that point. You will do him a friendly
turn. And permit me to do a similar one by yourself. I know the whole of
your situation!'
Juliet started.
'I have just had information which I meant to communicate to you,
accompanied with offers of mediation and assistance; but you are
sufficient to yourself! or your champion, the Bishop, makes all other
aid superfluous! Suffer me, nevertheless, to intimate to you, that you
will do well to return, quietly and expeditiously, to the spot whence
you came. You may else make the voyage less pleasantly!'
The colour which resentment and exertion had just raised in the cheeks
of Juliet, now faded away, and left them nearly as white as snow. Lord
Denmeath, softening his voice and manner, and changing the haughty air
of his countenance into something that approached to kindness, went on
more gently.
'I did not mean to alarm, but to befriend you. I allow not only for your
youth and inexperience, but for the false ideas with which you have been
brought up. If it had not pleased the Bishop to interfere, all would
have been amicably arranged from the first. Take, however, a little time
for reflection. Think upon the enormous risk which you run!--a fine
young woman, like you,--and you are, indeed, a very fine young woman;
flying from her house and home--'
Juliet, shaking, shuddering, hid her face, and burst into tears.
'I see that it is not impossible to work upon you,' he continued; 'I
will beg Mrs Ireton, therefore, to let us converse to-morrow where we
may canvass the matter at leisure. The road is still open for you to
affluence and credit. It will make me very happy to be your conductor.
You will find I am authorized so to be. Make yourself, therefore, as
easy as you can, and depend upon my best offices. We will certainly meet
to-morrow morning.'
He then bowed to her, and moved towards the boudoir; which Mrs Ireton,
appearing accidentally to open the door that had never been shut,
quitted, to receive him; while Juliet, in speechless disorder, retired.