"Begone my cares; I give you to the winds."--ROWE.
In the drawing-room were already assembled the marquis, marchioness,
Lady Euphrasia, Miss Malcolm, and Freelove. Lady Araminta perceived in
the hesitating voice of Amanda the emotions which agitated her, and
which were not diminished when Lord Cherbury, taking her trembling hand,
said--
"Mortimer, I presume you have already seen Miss Fitzalan in Ireland?"
"I have, my lord," replied Mortimer, bowing, and at the same time
approaching to pay his compliments.
Every eye in the room, except Lord Cherbury's and Freelove's, was now
turned upon his lordship and Amanda, and thought, in the expressive
countenances of both, enough could be read to confirm their suspicions
of a mutual attachment subsisting between them.
Amanda, when seated, endeavored to recover from her confusion. Miss
Malcolm, to prevent Lord Mortimer's taking a seat by her, which she
thought she perceived him inclined to do, beckoned him to her, and
contrived to engage him in trifling chat, till they were summoned to
dinner. On receiving his hand, which he could not avoid offering, to
lead her to the parlor, she cast a look of exultation at Amanda. Lady
Araminta, perceiving all the gentlemen engaged, good-humoredly put her
arm within Amanda's, and said she would be her chaperon on the present
occasion. Lord Mortimer quitted Miss Malcolm the moment he had procured
her a seat, though she desired him to take one between her and Lady
Euphrasia, and, passing to the other side, placed himself by Amanda.
This action pleased her as much as it mortified them. It embarrassed
her, however, a little; but perceiving the scrutinizing earnestness with
which the marchioness and Lady Euphrasia regarded her, she exerted her
spirits, and was soon able to join in the general conversation which
Lord Mortimer promoted.
The unexpected arrival of Amanda in London astonished, and,
notwithstanding his resentment, delighted him. His sister, when they
were alone in the morning, had mentioned her with all the fervency of
praise. Her plaudits gave to him a sensation of satisfied pride, which
convinced him he was not less than ever interested about Amanda. Since
his return from Ireland, he had been distracted by incertitude and
anxiety about her. The innocence, the purity, the tenderness she had
displayed, were perpetually recurring to his memory. It was impossible,
he thought, they could be feigned, and he began to think the apparent
mystery of her conduct she could have satisfactorily explained--that
designedly she had not avoided him--and that, but for the impetuosity of
his own passions, which had induced his precipitate departure, he might,
ere this, have had all his doubts removed. Tortured with incessant
regret for this departure, he would have returned immediately to
Ireland, but at this period found it impossible to do so, without
exciting inquiries from Lord Cherbury, which, at present, he did not
choose to answer. He had planned an excursion thither the ensuing summer
with Lady Araminta, determined no longer to endure his suspense. He now
almost believed the peculiar interposition of Providence had brought
Amanda to town, thus affording him another opportunity of having his
anxiety relieved, and the chief obstacle, perhaps to his, and he
flattered himself also, to her happiness, removed; for, if assured her
precipitate journey from Wales was occasioned by no motive she need
blush to avow, he felt he should be better enabled to combat the
difficulties he was convinced his father would throw in the way of their
union. Notwithstanding Lady Araminta's endeavors to gain his implicit
confidence, he resolved to withhold it from her, lest she should incur
even the temporary displeasure of Lord Cherbury, by the warm interest he
knew she would take in his affairs, if once informed of them.
Amanda looked thinner and paler than when he had seen her in
Ireland--yet, if possible, more interesting from these circumstances;
and, from the soft glance she had involuntarily directed towards him at
her entrance, he was tempted to think he had, in some degree,
contributed to rob her lovely cheek of its bloom; and this idea rendered
her dearer than ever to him. Scarcely could he restrain the rapture he
felt on seeing her within the necessary bounds; scarcely could he
believe the scene which had given rise to his happiness real. His heart,
at the moment melting with tenderness, sighed for the period of
explanation, which he trusted, which he hoped, would also be the period
of reconciliation.
The gentlemen joined the ladies about teatime, and as no additional
company was expected, Lady Euphrasia proposed a party to the Pantheon.
This was at once agreed to. Amanda was delighted at the proposal, as it
not only promised to gratify her curiosity, but to give Lord Mortimer an
opportunity of addressing her, as she saw he wished, but vainly
attempted, at home. The marquis and Lord Cherbury declined going. Lady
Greystock, who had not ordered her carriage till a much later hour,
accepted a place in the marchioness's.
Neither Lady Euphrasia nor Miss Malcolm could bear the idea of Lord
Mortimer and Amanda going in the same carriage, as the presence of Lady
Araminta, they were convinced, would not prevent their using an
opportunity so propitious for conversing as they wished. Lady Euphrasia,
therefore, with sudden eagerness, declared she and Miss Malcolm would
resign their seats in the marchioness's carriage to Miss Fitzalan and
Freelove for the pleasure of accompanying Lady Araminta in hers. The
marchioness, who conjectured her daughter's motive for this new
arrangement, seconded it, to the secret regret of Amanda, and the
visible chagrin of Lord Mortimer. Amanda, however, consoled herself for
this disappointment, by reflecting on the pleasure she should enjoy in a
few minutes, when freed from the disagreeable observation of the
marchioness and Lady Euphrasia; her reflections were not in the least
interrupted by any conversation being addressed to her. The marchioness
and Lady Greystock chatted together, and Freelove amused himself humming
a song, as if for the purpose of mortifying Amanda by his inattention.
When the carriage stopped, he assisted the former ladies out; but as if
forgetting such a being existed as Amanda, he went on with them. She was
descending the steps when Lord Mortimer pressed forward, and snatching
her hand, softly exclaimed: "We have met again, and neither envy nor
malice shall again separate us." A beautiful glow overspread the
countenance of Amanda: her hand trembled in his, and she felt, in that
moment, recompensed for her former disappointment, and elevated above
the little insolence of Freelove. Lord Mortimer handed her to his
sister, who was waiting to receive her, and they proceeded to the room.
Lady Euphrasia entered it with a temper unfitted for enjoyment. She was
convinced the whole soul of Mortimer was devoted to Amanda, and she
trembled from the violent and malignant feelings that conviction
excited. From the moment he entered the carriage till he quitted it he
had remained silent, notwithstanding all her efforts and Miss Malcolm's
to force him into conversation. He left them as soon as they reached the
Pantheon to watch the marchioness's carriage, which followed theirs, and
on rejoining Amanda he attached himself entirely to her, without any
longer appearing anxious to conceal his predilection for her. He had,
indeed, forgotten the necessity there was for concealing it; all his
feelings, all his ideas, were engrossed by ecstasy and tenderness. The
novelty, the brilliancy of the scene, excited surprise and pleasure in
Amanda, and he was delighted with the animated description she gave of
the effect it produced upon her mind. In her he found united, exalted
sense, lively fancy, and an uncorrupted taste: he forgot that the eyes
of jealousy and malevolence were on them; he forgot every object but
herself.
But, alas! poor Amanda was doomed to disappointment this evening. Lady
Greystock, according to a hint she had received, after a few rounds,
stepped up to her, and declared she must accompany her to a seat, as she
was convinced her health was yet too weak to bear much fatigue. Amanda
assured her she was not in the least fatigued, and that she would prefer
walking; besides, she had half-promised Lord Mortimer to dance with him.
This Lady Greystock absolutely declared she would not consent to, though
Lady Araminta, on whose arm Amanda leaned, pleaded for her friend,
assuring her ladyship "she would take care Miss Fitzalan should not
injure herself."
"Ah, you young people," said Lady Greystock, "are so carried away with
spirits, you never reflect on consequences; but I declare, as she is
intrusted to my care, I could not answer it to my conscience to let her
run into any kind of danger."
Lady Araminta remonstrated with her ladyship, and Amanda would have
joined, but that she feared her real motive for doing so would have been
discovered. She perceived the party were detained from proceeding on her
account, and immediately offered her arm to Lady Greystock, and
accompanied her and the marchioness to a seat. Lady Euphrasia, catching
hold of Lady Araminta's arm, hurried her, at the same instant, into the
crowd; and Miss Malcolm, as if by chance, laid her hand on Lord
Mortimer, and thus compelled him to attend her party. She saw him,
however, in the course of the round, prepared to fly off; but when they
had completed it, to her inexpressible joy, the situation of Amanda made
him relinquish his intention, as to converse with her was utterly
impossible; for the marchioness had placed her between Lady Greystock
and herself, and, under the pretence of frequently addressing her
ladyship, was continually leaning across Amanda, so as to exclude her
almost from observation, thus rendering her situation, exclusive of the
regret at being separated from Lord Mortimer and Lady Araminta, highly
disagreeable. The marchioness enjoyed a malicious joy in the uneasiness
she saw she gave Amanda. She deemed it but a slight retaliation for the
uneasiness she had given Lady Euphrasia--a trifling punishment for the
admiration she had excited.
Amanda, indeed, whilst surveying the scene around her with wonder and
delight, had herself been an object of critical attention and inquiry.
She was followed, universally admired, and allowed to be the finest girl
that had appeared for a long season.
Relieved of her presence, Lady Euphrasia's spirits began to revive, and
her good-humor to return. She laughed maliciously with Miss Malcolm at
the disappointment of Lord Mortimer and Amanda. After a few rounds, Sir
Charles Bingley, in company with another gentleman, passed them. He was,
to use Miss Malcolm's own phrase, "an immense favorite with her," and
she had long meditated and attempted the conquest of his heart. The
attention which politeness obliged him to show, and the compliments she
sometimes compelled him to pay, she flattered herself, were intimations
of the success of her scheme. Lady Euphrasia, notwithstanding her
intentions relative to Lord Mortimer, and her professed friendship for
Miss Malcolm, felt an ardent desire to have Sir Charles enrolled in the
list of her admirers, and both ladies determined he should not again
pass without noticing them. They accordingly watched his approach, and
when they again met addressed him in a manner that, to a man at all
interested about either, would have been truly flattering. As this,
however, was not the young baronet's case, after paying his compliments
in a general way to the whole party, he was making his parting bow, when
his companion, pulling him by the sleeve, bid him observe a beautiful
girl sitting opposite to them. They had stopped near the marchioness's
seat, and it was to Amanda Sir Charles's eyes were directed.
"Gracious heaven!" cried he, starting, while his cheek was suffused with
a glow of pleasure; "can this be possible? Can this in reality,"
advancing to her seat, "be Miss Fitzalan? This surely," continued he,
"is a meeting as fortunate as unexpected. But for it, I should have been
posting back to Ireland in a day or two."
Amanda blushed deeply at his thus publicly declaring her power of
regulating his actions. Her confusion restored that recollection his
joyful surprise had deprived him of, and he addressed the marchioness
and Lady Greystock. The former haughtily bowed, without speaking; and
the latter, laughing significantly, said, "she really imagined ecstasy
on Miss Fitzalan's account had made him forget any one else was
present." The situation of Amanda was tantalizing in an extreme degree
to Sir Charles. It precluded all conversation, and frequently hid her
from his view, as the marchioness and Lady Greystock still continued
their pretended whispers. Sir Charles had some knowledge of the
marchioness's disposition, and quickly perceived the motive of her
present conduct.
"Your ladyship is kind," said he, "in trying to hide Miss Fitzalan, as
no doubt you are conscious 'tis not a slight heartache she would give to
some of the belles present this evening. But why," continued he, turning
to Amanda, "do you prefer sitting to walking?"
Amanda made no answer; but a glance from her expressive eyes to the
ladies informed him of the reason.
Lady Euphrasia and Miss Malcolm, provoked at the abrupt departure of Sir
Charles, had hurried on; but scarcely had they proceeded a few yards ere
envy and curiosity induced them to turn back. Lady Araminta perceived
their chagrin, and secretly enjoyed it. Sir Charles, who had been
looking impatiently for their approach, the moment he perceived them,
entreated Amanda to join them.
"Let me," cried he, presenting his hand, "be your knight on the present
occasion, and deliver you from what may be called absolute captivity."
She hesitated not to accept his offer. The continual buzz in the room,
with the passing and repassing of the company, had made her head giddy.
She deemed no apology requisite to her companions; and, quitting her
seat, hastened forward to Lady Araminta, who had stopped for her. A
crowd at that moment, intervening between them, retarded her progress.
Sir Charles, pressing her hand with fervor, availed himself of this
opportunity to express his pleasure at their unexpected meeting.
"Ah! how little," cried he, "did I imagine there was such happiness in
store for me this evening."
"Sir Charles," said Amanda, endeavoring, though in vain, to withdraw her
hand, "you have learned the art of flattering since your return to
England."
"I wish," cried he, "I had learned the art of expressing, as I wish, the
sentiments I feel."
Lord Mortimer, who had made way through the crowd for the ladies, at
this instant appeared. He seemed to recoil at the situation of Amanda,
whose hand was yet detained in Sir Charles's, while the soft glow and
confusion of her face gave at least a suspicion of the language she was
listening to.
On rejoining the party she hoped again to have been joined by Lord
Mortimer; but, even if inclined for this, Sir Charles totally prevented
him. His lordship deserted them, yet almost continually contrived to
intercept the party, and his eyes were always turned on Amanda and Sir
Charles. He was really displeased with her. He thought she might as well
have left her seat before as after Sir Charles's appearance, and he
resolved to watch her closely. She was asked to dance by Sir Charles,
and several other gentlemen, but refused, and Lady Araminta, on her
account, followed her example. Lady Euphrasia and Miss Malcolm either
were too much discomposed, or not asked by gentlemen they liked, to join
the festive group.
Amanda, from being disappointed, soon grew languid, and endeavored to
check, with more than usual seriousness, the ardent expressions of Sir
Charles, who repeatedly declared, "he had hurried over the affairs which
brought him to England entirely on her account, as he thought every day
an age until they again met."
She was rejoiced when Lady Araminta proposed returning home. Lady
Euphrasia and Miss Malcolm had no longer a desire to accompany her
ladyship, as they believed Lord Mortimer already gone, and she and
Amanda therefore returned alone. Sir Charles was invited to supper, an
invitation he joyfully accepted, and promised to follow her ladyship as
soon as he had apprised the party he came with of his intention.
Lady Araminta and Amanda arrived some time before the rest of the party.
Her ladyship said, "that her leaving town was to attend the nuptials of
a particular friend," and was expressing her hopes, that on her return,
she should often be favored with the company of Amanda, when the door
suddenly opened and Lord Mortimer entered. He looked pleased and
surprised, and taking a seat on the sofa between them, exclaimed, as he
regarded them with unutterable tenderness, "surely one moment like this
is worth whole hours such as we have lately spent. May I," looking at
Amanda, "say that chance is now as propitious to me as it was some time
ago to Sir Charles Bingley? Tell me," continued he, "were you not
agreeably surprised to-night?"
"By the Pantheon, undoubtedly, my lord."
"And by Sir Charles Bingley?"
"No. He is too slight an acquaintance either to give pleasure by his
presence or pain by his absence."
This was just what Lord Mortimer wanted to hear. The looks of Amanda,
and, above all, the manner in which she had received the attentions of
Sir Charles, evinced her sincerity. The shadow of jealousy removed, Lord
Mortimer recovered all his animation. Never does the mind feel so light,
so truly happy, as when a painful doubt is banished from it.
"Miss Fitzalan," said Lady Araminta, recurring to what Amanda had just
said, "can see few beings, like herself, capable of exciting immediate
esteem. For my own part, I cannot persuade myself that she is an
acquaintance of but two days, I feel such an interest in her welfare,
such a sisterly regard." She paused, and looked expressively on her
brother and Amanda. His fine eyes beamed the liveliest pleasure.
"Oh, my sister," cried he, "encourage that sisterly affection. Who so
worthy of possessing it as Miss Fitzalan? and who but Amanda," continued
he, passing his arm round her waist, and softly whispering to her,
"shall have a right to claim it?"
The stopping of the carriages now announced the return of the party, and
terminated a scene, which, if much longer protracted, might, by
increasing their agitation, have produced a full discovery of their
feelings. The ladies were attended by Sir Charles and Freelove. The
marquis and Lord Cherbury had been out, but returned about this time;
and soon after supper the company departed--Lady Araminta tenderly
bidding Amanda farewell.
The cares which had so long pressed upon the heart of Amanda, and
disturbed its peace, were now vanished. The whisper of Lord Mortimer had
assured her that she was not only the object of his tenderest affection,
but most serious attention. The regard of Lady Araminta flattered her
pride, as it implied a tacit approbation of her brother's choice.
The next morning, immediately after breakfast, Lady Greystock went out
to her lawyer, and Amanda was sitting at work in the dressing-room, when
Sir Charles Bingley was announced. He now expressed, if possible, more
pleasure at seeing her than he had done the preceding night;
congratulated himself at finding her alone, and repeatedly declared,
from their first interview, her image had never been absent from his
mind. The particularity and ardor of his expressions Amanda wished, and
endeavored, to repress. She had not the ridiculous and unfeeling vanity
to be delighted with an attachment she could not return; besides his
attentions were unpleasing, as she believed they gave uneasiness to
Lord Mortimer. She therefore answered him with cold and studied caution,
which, to his impetuous feelings, was insupportable. Half resenting,
half rallying it, he snatched her hand, in spite of her efforts to
prevent him, and was declaring he could not bear it, when the door
opened and Lord Mortimer appeared. Had Amanda been encouraging the
regard of Sir Charles, she could not have betrayed more confusion. Lord
Mortimer retreated a few steps, in evident embarrassment; then bowing
coolly, again advanced and took a seat. Sir Charles started up, with a
look which seemed to say he had been most unpleasantly interrupted, and
walked about the room. Amanda was the first who broke silence. She
asked, in a hesitating voice, "Whether Lady Araminta was yet gone?"
"No," his lordship gravely replied; "but in a few minutes she proposed
setting out, and he meant to accompany her part of the way." "So, till
her ladyship was ready," cried Sir Charles, with quickness, "that no
time might be lost, you come to Miss Fitzalan?"
Lord Mortimer made no reply. He frowned, and rising directly, slightly
saluted Amanda, and retired.
Convinced, as she was, that Lord Mortimer had made the visit for the
purpose of speaking more explicitly than he had yet done, she could not
entirely conceal her chagrin, or regard Sir Charles without some
displeasure. It had not, however, the effect of making him shorten his
visit. He continued with her till Lady Greystock's return, to whom he
proposed a party that evening for the opera, and obtained permission to
wait upon her ladyship at tea, with tickets, notwithstanding Amanda
declared her disinclination to going. She wished to avoid the public, as
well as private, attentions of Sir Charles; but both she found
impossible to do. The impression which the charms of her mind and form
had made on him was of too ardent, too permanent a nature, to be erased
by her coldness. Generous and exalted in his notions, affluent and
independent in his fortune, he neither required any addition of wealth,
nor was under any control which could prevent his following his
inclinations. His heart was bent on a union with Amanda. Though hurt by
her indifference, he would not allow himself to be discouraged by it.
Time and perseverance, he trusted and believed, would conquer it.
Unaccustomed to disappointment, he could not, in an affair which so
materially concerned his happiness, bear the idea of proving
unsuccessful. Had Amanda's heart been disengaged, he would probably have
succeeded as he wished; for he was calculated to please, to inspire
admiration and esteem; and Amanda felt a real friendship for him, and
sincerely grieved that his ardent regard could not be reduced to as
temperate a medium as hers.
Lady Greystock had a numerous and brilliant acquaintance in London,
amongst whom she was continually engaged. Sir Charles was well known to
them, and therefore almost constantly attended Amanda wherever she went.
His unremitted and particular attention excited universal observation;
and he was publicly declared the professed admirer of Lady Greystock's
beautiful companion. The appellation was generally bestowed on her by
the gentlemen; as many of Lady Greystock's female intimates declared,
from the appearance of the girl, as well as her distressed situation,
they wondered Sir Charles Bingley could ever think about her, for her
ladyship had represented her as a person in the most indigent
circumstances, on which account she had taken her under her protection.
All that envy, hatred, and malice could suggest against her, Miss
Malcolm said. The marchioness and Lady Euphrasia, judging of her by
themselves, supposed that as she was not sure of Lord Mortimer she would
accept of Sir Charles; and though this measure would remove all
apprehensions relative to Lord Mortimer, yet the idea of the wealth and
consequence she would derive from it, almost distracted them. Thus does
envy sting the bosoms which harbor it.
Lord Mortimer again resumed his reserve. He was frequently in company
with Amanda, but never even attempted to pay her any attention; yet his
eyes, which she often caught riveted on her, though the moment she
perceived them they were withdrawn, seemed to say that the alteration in
his manner was not produced by any diminution of tenderness. He was,
indeed, determined to regulate his conduct by hers to Sir Charles.
Though pained and irritated by his assiduities, he had too much pride to
declare a prior claim to her regard--a woman who could waver between two
objects, he deemed unworthy of either. He therefore resolved to leave
Amanda free to act, and put her constancy to a kind of test. Yet,
notwithstanding all his pride, we believe, if not pretty well convinced
that this test would have proved a source of triumph to himself, he
never would have submitted to it. The period for Lady Araminta's return
was now arrived, and Amanda was anxiously expecting her, when she heard
from Lady Euphrasia that her ladyship had been ill in the country, and
would not therefore leave it for some time. This was a severe
disappointment to Amanda, who had hoped, by her ladyship's means, to
have seen less of Sir Charles and more of Lord Mortimer.