THE CONVERSATION.
The parlour which that lovely and mysterious creature--who now seemed a
youth of about twenty--entered upon the ground floor, was furnished with
taste and elegance. Everything was light, airy, and graceful. The
windows were crowded with flowers that imparted a delicious perfume to
the atmosphere, and afforded a picture upon which the eye rested with
pleasure.
A recess was fitted up with book-shelves, which were supplied with the
productions of the best poets and novelists of England and France.
Around the walls were suspended several paintings--chiefly consisting of
sporting subjects. Over the mantel, however, were two miniatures,
executed in water-colours in the first style of the art, and
representing the one a lovely youth of sixteen, the other a beautiful
girl of twenty.
And never was resemblance more striking. The same soft and intelligent
hazel eyes--the same light hair, luxuriant, silky, and shining--the some
straight nose--the same vermilion lips, and well-turned chin. At a
glance it was easy to perceive that they were brother and sister; and as
the countenance of the former was remarkably feminine and delicate, the
likeness between them was the more striking.
Beneath the miniature of the brother, in small gilt letters upon the
enamelled frame, was the word WALTER: under the portrait of the sister
was the name of ELIZA.
Attired as she now was, the mysterious being whom we have introduced to
our readers, perfectly resembled the portrait of _Walter_: attired as
she ought to have been, consistently with her sex, she would have been
the living original of the portrait of _Eliza_.
Upon a sofa in the parlour, some of the leading features of which we
have just described, a man, dressed with great neatness, but no
ostentatious display, was lounging.
He was in reality not more than three or four and thirty years of age;
although a seriousness of countenance--either admirably studied, or else
occasioned by habits of business and mental combination--made him appear
ten years older. He was handsome, well-formed, and excessively courteous
and fascinating in his manners: but, when he was alone, or not engaged
in conversation, he seemed plunged in deep thought, as if his brain were
working upon numerous plans and schemes of mighty and vital import.
The moment the heroine of the boudoir entered the parlour, Mr.
Stephens--for he was the individual whom we have just described--rose
and accosted her in a manner expressive of kindness, respect, and
patronage.
"My dear Walter," he exclaimed, "it is really an age since I have seen
you. Six weeks have elapsed, and I have not been near you. But you
received my letter, stating that I was compelled to proceed to Paris
upon most particular business?"
"Yes, my dear sir," answered the lady,--or in order that some name may
in future characterise her, we will call her Walter, or Mr. Walter
Sydney, for that was indeed the appellation by which she was
known,--"yes, my dear sir, I received your letter, and the handsome
presents and remittances accompanying it. For each and all I return you
my sincere thanks: but really, with regard to money, you are far too
lavish towards me. Remember that I scarcely have any opportunity of
being extravagant," added Walter, with a smile; "for I scarcely ever
stir abroad, save to take my daily rides; and you know that I never
receive company, that my acquaintances are limited, so limited----"
"I know, my dear Walter, that you follow my advice as closely as can be
expected," said Mr. Stephens. "Three short months more and my object
will be achieved. We shall then be both of us above the reach of
Fortune's caprices and vicissitudes. Oh! how glorious--how grand will be
this achievement! how well worth all the sacrifices that I have required
you to make."
"Ah! my dear sir," observed Walter, somewhat reproachfully, "you must
remember that you are now talking enigmas to me; that I am at present
only a blind instrument in your hands--a mere machine--an automaton----"
"Do not press me upon this head, Walter," interrupted Mr. Stephens,
hastily. "You must not as yet be led to comprehend the magnitude of my
views: you must have patience. Surely I have given you ample proofs of
my good feeling and my honourable views towards yourself. Only conceive
what would be your present position without me; not a relation, not a
friend in the wide world to aid or protect you! I do not say this to
vaunt my own conduct: I am merely advancing arguments to prove how
confident I am in the success of my plans, and how sincere I am in my
friendship towards you. For, remember, Walter--I always forget your sex:
I only look upon you as a mere boy--a nephew, or a son, whom I love.
Such is my feeling: I am more than a friend; for, I repeat, I feel a
paternal attachment towards you!"
"And I entertain feelings of deep--yes, of the deepest gratitude towards
you," said Walter. "But the motive of my constant intercession to be
admitted more into your confidence, is to be convinced--by my own
knowledge--that my present conduct tends to facilitate no dishonest, no
dangerous views. Oh! you will pardon me when I say this; for there are
times when I am a prey to the most horrible alarms--when fears of an
indescribable nature haunt me for hours together--and when I seem to be
walking blindfold upon the brink of an abyss!"
"Walter, I am surprised that you should thus give way to suspicions most
injurious to my honour," said Mr. Stephens, whose countenance remained
perfectly collected and unchanged; "for the hundredth time do I assure
you that you have nothing to fear."
"Then wherefore this disguise? why this constant cheat relative to my
sex? why this permanent deception?" demanded Walter, in an impassioned
tone.
"Cannot the most rigorous honesty be connected with the most profound
prudence--the most delicate caution?" said Mr. Stephens, adopting an
attitude and manner of persuasion. "Do not judge of motives by their
mere superficial aspect: strange devices--but not the less honourable
for being singular--are frequently required in the world to defeat
designs of infamy and baseness."
"Pardon my scepticism," said Walter, apparently convinced by this
reasoning; "I was wrong, very wrong to suspect you. I will not again
urge my anxiety to penetrate your secrets. I feel persuaded that you
conceal the means by which our mutual prosperity is to be effected,
simply for my good."
"Now you speak rationally, my dear, my faithful and confiding Walter,"
exclaimed Mr. Stephens. "It was just in this vein that I was anxious to
find you; for I have an important communication to make this morning."
"Speak: I am ready to follow your instructions or advice."
"I must inform you, Walter, that in order effectually to work out my
plans--in order that there should not exist the slightest chance of
failure--a third person is required. It will be necessary that he should
be conversant with our secret: he must know all; and, of course, he must
be taken care of hereafter. To be brief, I have already fallen in with
the very individual who will suit me; and I have acquainted him with the
entire matter. You will not object to receive him occasionally as a
guest?"
"My dear sir, how can I object? Is not this your house? and am not I in
your hands? You know that you can command me in all respects."
"I thought that you would meet my views with this readiness and good
will," said Mr. Stephens. "To tell you the real truth, then--I have
taken the liberty of inviting him to dine with us here this day."
"To-day!"
"Yes. Are you annoyed?"
"Oh! not at all: only, the preparations----"
"Do not alarm yourself. While you were occupied with your toilet, I gave
the necessary instructions to the cook. The old woman is almost blind
and deaf, still she knows full well how to serve up a tempting repast;
and as I am believed by your three servants to be your guardian, my
interference in this respect will not have appeared strange."
"How could they think otherwise?" ejaculated Walter. "Did not you
provide those dependants who surround me? Do they not look upon you as
their master as well as myself? Are they not aware that the villa is
your own property? And have they not been led to believe--with the
exception of Louisa, who alone of the three knows the secret--that the
state of my health compelled you to place me here for the benefit of a
purer air than that which your residence in the city affords?"
"Well, since my arrangements meet with your satisfaction," said Mr.
Stephens, smiling, "I am satisfied. But I should tell you that I invited
my friend hither not only to dine, but also to pass the day, that we
might have an opportunity of conversing together at our leisure.
Indeed," added Mr. Stephens, looking at his watch, "I expect him here
every moment."
Scarcely were the words uttered when a loud knock at the front door
echoed through the house.
In a few minutes Louisa appeared, and introduced "Mr. Montague."