Ma pur mostrava anchor grand' arroganza,
Tanto superbo havea l'aspetto fiero,
E qualunche il mirasse in su Bajardo,
Direbbe, quest'è 'l fior d'ogni gagliardo.
BOIARDO.
A few minutes before Margaret was setting out for Chirke Weston, Mr.
Grey called her into the library, where he was standing at one of the
windows, with a letter in his hand.
Margaret threaded her way through the heavy carved oak furniture, and
joined her uncle. A groom was leading a beautiful bay horse slowly to
and fro before the windows.
"Oh, uncle! is it really--I can hardly believe that beautiful creature
is actually for me."
"Yes, my child, if he suits, which I feel no doubt of--for Claude is
very careful, and he writes me word that the horse was the property of a
lady. You will meet him at the Gages, and he comes on here after the
ball. You may tell him, I take it very kind that he bore in mind that I
was looking out for a horse, and that I feel sure I shall buy him."
Margaret much as she felt obliged to Mr. Haveloc for having found her a
horse, had no intention of giving him Mr. Grey's message. It was an
exertion to which she could not feel equal, unless he should introduce
the subject.
She arrived at Chirke Weston about an hour before dinner, and having
made her toilet, came down to the drawing-room with some trepidation;
for Miss Gage had told her that there was a large party expected.
Sir Evan and Lady Conway were already in the room with their two
daughters. The girls were tall, bright-eyed, dark, dashing, and
well-dressed: they were practising the Mazourka, which was then just
beginning to turn people's heads, and looked so formidable to poor
Margaret, that she involuntarily shrank closer to the side of her friend
Elizabeth. They left off their dancing to be introduced to Margaret, and
stood clustered round the fire, talking with more ease and friendliness
than she would have imagined from their appearance. She rose a step in
Miss Conway's opinion, when she said she knew the Mazourka, and another
step or two when she avowed that she liked it very much.
Harriet, the younger sister, fixed her immense dark eyes upon her, and
then said, laughing, "You are too young to be stared at--but it is a
great temptation."
Margaret felt glad that she had come to that determination, but she
liked the appearance of Miss Harriet more than that of her sister.
She appeared to be in very ill-health; her hair had been cut off in an
illness, and was now beginning to grow in tendrils all round her small
head. She was very thin and pale, and her dress was made high, and
finished with costly lace. And whenever a person ventures upon such a
toilet, it gives an air of 'retenue' to the figure, which might almost
point out to other women, that there is a little want of refinement in
the wanton exposure with which they too often favour the public.
Nothing, on that score, however, could be urged against Elizabeth and
Margaret, who though they conformed to fashion, were careful to mark a
distinction in their dress between a gentlewoman and an opera-dancer.
Mrs. Somerton and her daughter now made their appearance; then some
people who were entire strangers to Margaret; then Mr. Conway with his
glass in his eye; and after him Hubert Gage and Mr. Haveloc.
These last both made their way to Margaret at the same time. Mr.
Haveloc merely made the usual enquiries about herself and her uncle, and
then leaned against the mantle-piece in perfect silence. Hubert Gage had
more to say. He had to describe his passage and his visit to Ireland,
and all the things which happened on his return. He had to invent a
storm, which made Margaret turn pale; and a variety of dialogues between
the passengers upon their supposed danger, which set her laughing
merrily.
Blanche Somerton, who was sitting near, did not quite like this
prolonged conversation. She turned round and summoned him to her side.
"I am so sorry to trouble you, Mr. Hubert," she said, "but do look at my
bouquet. I came away in such a hurry--see, it will not fit my
bouquetière; the stalks are too long."
"That is a difficulty very easy to remedy," said Hubert, taking the
bouquet from her. "Now I wish young ladies were always as modest in
their demands; they do ask one such impossible things sometimes."
"No, but what sort of things?" asked Blanche. "Do tell me, I so long to
know. I really believe that you are very severe upon women."
"By no means. I am too sincere an admirer of the fair sex to be
exacting. Stay, this is not quite right yet--let me shorten these stalks
again."
"You will spoil that nice penknife, I am afraid."
"That is not of the slightest consequence," said he laughing,
"particularly as it is not my property."
"Then you mean to say that if it was yours--"
"I should feel double pleasure in sacrificing it of course. Dinner
already! Now you must take my arm, you see. I have not quite finished
the arrangement of your flowers. It is certainly a beautiful bouquet. I
hardly know which to admire most, the flowers or the bouquetière. Quite
new this sort of thing--is it not?"
Every body was rising and pairing off--Hubert Gage, with Blanche on his
arm, sauntered past Margaret, arranging the bouquet as he walked along.
Margaret looked after him with some surprise; his attendance had been a
thing that she was so certain of late to meet with, that she could
scarcely comprehend his transferring it to somebody else. There was a
little mortification in her mind for a minute, for no one likes to be
robbed of an admirer, however willing she may be to give him up. But she
understood it in a moment. Love hangs on such a slender thread with
every one, that she could never, and did never regard Hubert Gage with a
warmer interest than what might belong to a pleasant acquaintance. She
was too romantic, too exacting in her ideas of love to suppose, for a
moment, that a man who once entertained a serious thought of her could
be engrossed in her presence by another woman.
Mr. Haveloc was at her side almost as soon as Hubert passed, and she
felt grateful for the attention. It prevented the awkwardness of seeming
to wait till some one was desired to take her in to dinner.
Just as all the company were arranging themselves round the table,
George Gage clattered into the room exactly as he came off his journey,
not appearing to have thought it worth while to undergo the trouble of
dressing for dinner. He noticed two or three people at table, found a
vacant chair just opposite to Margaret, and seeing a new and beautiful
face, glared at her over his soup-plate without remorse.
Certainly there was a great contrast between the two brothers. Whereas
Hubert endeavoured, for no earthly motive, to efface all traces of his
profession from his dress and language, George Gage, with as little show
of reason, seemed never for a moment to forget his calling.
He stalked about as if the world was made for his sole benefit and
pleasure, and contrived to make such a great jingling when he walked,
that Margaret seriously thought, the first time she heard him cross the
marble hall, that a dray-horse had broken loose and was making his way
to the drawing-room. This was the more strange as he did not dress in
chain armour, but in a costume, something between a farmer and a baker's
apprentice. He flourished his walking-stick as if he were leading a
charge of cavalry; or held it in the pocket of his coat, which seemed an
equally odd way of disposing of it. He was very arrogant in his manner
to every body, except the few ladies who were deemed by him of
sufficient birth and beauty to be honoured by his notice, and to them
his manner assumed a softness and an assiduity which rather puzzled
Margaret, who was edified by his laconic replies to the country
gentlemen, and his haughty mode of speaking to the servants. But, as she
was one of the chosen few to whom he condescended, she at least had no
reason to complain.
He was attached to his father; though, (and this was a heavy
objection,) he did not like the fashion of his cravats, and respected
him too, without being quite satisfied with his choice of a boot-maker.
This was an instance of filial virtue which would hardly have been
believed by his companions, but which was true notwithstanding.
These several traits, however, did not flash upon Margaret all at once,
but became evident in the course of her acquaintance with him. At
present she was merely aware that his great blue eyes were perusing her
with an expression to which she was not accustomed, and to which no
modest woman can ever become accustomed--the critical and scrutinising
expression of a Turk in a Slave Market.
It was a relief to her to turn to Mr. Haveloc, who was rendering her the
common courtesies of the table, with an earnestness which formed a
sufficient contrast to the laughing manner of Hubert Gage. It seemed
almost as if meeting at a strange house put them more at ease with each
other.
"You remain here some days, do you not?" asked Mr. Haveloc.
"Yes, until after the races and the ball, and the early flower show at
S----."
"You mean to see a great deal of the world then before you come back to
Ashdale."
"Yes," said Margaret, "I shall have so much to tell my uncle about."
Mr. Haveloc gave her one of those softened smiles, which changed so
entirely the expression of his features.
"You look forward with pleasure," he said, "to giving Mr. Grey an
account of your adventures."
"I do indeed," said Margaret.
"And so do I."
"You, Mr. Haveloc!"
"Yes, I shall come in for the narrative. Perhaps you do not know that I
shall return to Ashdale before you do."
"Yes, my uncle told me so," said Margaret, with something like a sigh.
Now, nothing in general so much offends a man as not appearing
extremely delighted with his society; but Mr. Haveloc, perhaps from the
novelty of the thing, seemed rather pleased than otherwise.
"You don't look so glad as you ought," he said, with a smile, "which is
rather ungrateful on your part; for to me Ashdale would lose very much
of its attraction if you were absent."
It was enough to make her blush, such a marked compliment, and from such
a person; and, to heighten her confusion, there was George Gage still
staring at her on the other side of the table, as only a military man
can stare.
"I suppose," said Mr. Haveloc, "the truth is, that you think you cannot
tell Mr. Grey your little secrets when I am present; that is why you
wish me away."
Margaret had not said she wished him away, but she did not contradict
him.
"Of course I should not tell my uncle many things before you," she said,
"because little circumstances, which are new to me and strange to him,
now that he never goes out, would seem very trifling to a third person."
"Don't you know," said Mr. Haveloc, "that first impressions are always
interesting? You must not therefore prevent my hearing yours."
Miss Gage was rising at this moment, and Margaret availed herself of the
move to avoid giving a reply.
When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, they gathered round the
fire, and began to discuss the amusements of the next day. Margaret, who
was standing by Elizabeth Gage, looked earnestly in her face to see
whether she could really enter into conversation of so trifling a nature
as that which was going on among the ladies.
Yes,--Elizabeth patiently heard Miss Lawson Smith's complaints of her
crape ball dress, which had not been trimmed with roses of the proper
tint, and gave as much comfort as she could under the circumstances;
and she endeavoured to decide upon a bonnet for Miss Conway, when that
young lady professed to be unable to bring the matter to a conclusion
for herself.
"Recollect, my dear Lucy," said she, "that if the Fates grant us a fine
day to-morrow, it will be made up of a bright sun and a keen north wind;
the only advantage of an airy toilet, is to make you look blue upon the
course, and send you home with a severe cold."
The prospect of a cold did not seem to frighten Lucy, but she was keenly
alive to the disadvantages of looking blue.
Harriet Conway looking up from the footstool upon which she was seated
close to the fire, remarked that, "her costume gave her no sort of
trouble, as she was to ride on horseback to the races."
Margaret looked at her with some surprise and no little envy, thinking
what a bold, accomplished horsewoman she must be.
"How do you feel to-night, darling?" asked her mother.
"Oh! very comfortable," said Harriet, leaning her head on her mother's
lap, as Lady Conway took the arm-chair beside her; "quite well as long
as I have nothing to do that I don't like."
"How I wish that you could go to the ball to-morrow, dearest," said her
mother.
"Thank you," said Harriet, "but that is one of the things I don't like;
besides, after being on horseback all the morning, I shall be glad to go
to bed as soon as I have seen you all off in your finery."
"Such a pity, so well as you dance the Mazourka," said Lucy Conway, "for
one meets such nice people at this ball. I really think if you took
proper care--"
"Oh! we will run no risks," said Lady Conway, anxiously, "you coughed at
dinner, I observed."
"It was the pepper, _mamma mia_," said Harriet; "but I have no intention
of going to the ball. Bessy! send me over that pretty little thing by
your side. I have a mind to talk to her."
"What say you," asked Elizabeth smiling, "will you venture?"
Margaret complied with a little timidity in her manner.
"Why, you don't mean to say you are afraid of me," said Harriet taking
Margaret's hand in her long, slender fingers, "I would excuse you, if I
were a man. Well now, are you fond of riding?"
"I am just going to learn," said Margaret "it is the thing of all others
I wish for."
"You ought to have begun younger," said Harriet, "but we will see what
we can make of you. What is the colour of your riding-habit?"
"Blue," replied Margaret.
"True blue," said Harriet looking intently into the fire; "how do you
like Hubert Gage?"
"I don't see how that follows," said Margaret smiling; "but I like him
very well."
"Good," said Harriet; "I see it is not a tender subject. You know the
Gages are relations of ours. Are you not, Bessy?"
"Connexions, my dear Harriet; but I am quite ready to acknowledge the
relationship."
"And is this your first ball?" said Harriet, turning again to Margaret.
"Yes."
"Don't you feel very nervous, and pleased, and frightened, and
impatient?"
"Not very," said Margaret. "I wish very much to go, and I know Bessy
and--and--two or three people."
"Are you engaged yet?"
"No. But if I do not dance, I shall be so amused with looking on, that
it will be no disappointment to me."
"Very modest on your part; but I hear the gentlemen coming, so I must
leave this charming footstool, or I shall be accused of fifty things.
Here in this corner is room for two, so let us continue our
conversation."
"Everything is so new to me," said Margaret, as she surveyed the room
lit up with clusters of lamps, the heavy crimson curtains, the splendid
gilt furniture, and the groups of gentlemen standing about the lady's
chairs, drinking coffee, "this seems to me a very grand party; but
perhaps it appears to you nothing."
"An ordinary dinner party," said Harriet; "perhaps they run rather large
at this house. Uncle Gage, have you quite made up your book? Because I
shall be happy to offer you odds upon Rory O'More."
Captain Gage who was passing with Sir Evan Conway, stopped short before
the two girls.
"I will have nothing to do with you," he said to Harriet, "you are far
too deep for me. I believe you are hand in glove with Lord Raymond's
groom."
Sir Evan and Captain Gage both laughed very much at this charge.
Harriet with a deepened colour protested against having ever seen the
groom, or the horse.
Captain Gage turned to Margaret, and asked if she had been taking
lessons in the science of book-making; adding, "that as she must be a
novice as yet, he was willing to risk a pair of gloves with her."
Margaret said "she was not going to bet at all; that Bessy had advised
her not."
"Bessy is a prude," said Captain Gage, looking much pleased, "you should
never mind anything she says to you."
Margaret laughed, and shook her head, and the gentlemen passed on.
Then Hubert Gage made his way to the sofa, and began to rally Harriet
and Margaret upon the retired spot they had chosen, admired Margaret's
fan, and Harriet's gloves, and in fact went on as young men generally do
when they wish to render themselves agreeable; in the midst of which
discourse, Mr. Haveloc walked straight up to Margaret, and without any
prologue, begged to have the honour of dancing the first quadrille with
her the next evening.
Margaret blushed and consented, and Mr. Haveloc bowed and walked away,
while Hubert Gage drawing a chair close to the sofa, dropped into it and
laughed immoderately.
"I never knew such a fellow," he exclaimed, "just at the moment that I
was gaining courage to make such a request, he must needs step forwards
and cut me out. It is too bad--don't you pity me? The second quadrille
then, if you have any compassion."
"Mr. Hubert," said Blanche Somerton coming up, "we want your help so
very much in this glee of Gödbe's. Will you take the tenor part?"
"Oh! if I am wanted," said Hubert, rising. "Miss Capel, I do not mean to
stir without your answer."
"The second quadrille?" said Margaret.
"Exactly; unless you prefer the first Mazourka."
"Oh! but you do not know the Mazourka."
"No; but you can teach me so nicely in the morning."
"I will not undertake you," said Margaret laughing.
"Then I fall back upon the quadrille. Miss Somerton I am at your
service."
Mr. George Gage now loitered up the room very slowly, and planted
himself against the wall, close to Margaret. He first took her cup out
of her hand and set it down, and then after a very careful survey of her
from head to foot, he "hoped he should be so fortunate as to secure her
hand for the first waltz. He confessed that he never danced
quadrilles."
Margaret hesitated; she did not at all like the prospect of such a
partner, but as she had no wish to sit still thenceforward, she
accepted.
Mr. Gage set down her embarrassment to his own infinite attractions, and
was satisfied. He then made a few ordinary remarks to her about the
neighbourhood; but although he did not address a word to Harriet Conway,
Margaret who was very quick-sighted, observed that they bestowed upon
each other, from time to time, glances which seemed to express dislike,
almost defiance. At length, after one of these singular looks, Harriet
said, with her peculiarly clear intonation, "I do not offer you a seat,
Mr. Gage."
"I should be sorry to disturb you," he replied coldly; and removed to a
little distance as he spoke.
Margaret made up a little romance in her mind directly; in which Harriet
figured as an obdurate lady, and Mr. Gage as a desponding lover. She had
leisure for these fancies, for Harriet became silent, and George Gage,
though standing near, did not renew his conversation. Some of the older
people were playing at cards; Lucy Conway was at the harp, Hubert almost
held prisoner by Blanche Somerton, and Elizabeth was moving about among
the guests with all the dignity and grace of a young Queen.
"My dear Harriet," said Lady Conway coming up to her, "it is very late,
and you are looking fagged. Do recollect what is before you to-morrow;
and slip out of the room without the ceremony of a good night."
"I cannot very well," replied Harriet, "for I must ring for a shawl. I
dare not leave this hot room without one."
Margaret offered to fetch Miss Conway a shawl of her own.
"No, not for worlds you kind little creature," said Harriet laying her
hand on Margaret's arm, "it will do me no harm in the world to sit
quietly here until the good people choose to separate."
While this was going on, Mr. Gage went up to Elizabeth, and said
something to her; she fetched a shawl from one of the sofas, and he
crossed over to Miss Harriet, and begged to have the honour of putting
it on.
Harriet opened wide her large transparent eyes, with the crimson spot
deepening on her cheek; thanked him, regretted to have given him the
trouble; and then wrapping the large Cachemere completely round her,
walked out of the room. George Gage stood with folded arms looking after
her for some moments, and then threw himself on the sofa by the side of
Margaret. She was not disposed to be pleased with him; but she could not
deny that his manner possessed a certain charm, when he chose to exert
it. It was true that he said nothing either witty or profound, but his
language was easy and well chosen; and the softness of his tone,
together with the exceeding interest he pretended to feel for the
replies of his companion, could scarcely fail of making a favourable
impression. The great drawback to his demeanour, was his remorseless and
unceasing stare. Sometimes Margaret thought that something must be the
matter with her sleeve, sometimes that her hair was coming unfastened
at the back, sometimes she wondered what there was peculiar in her shoe,
and again she supposed that the fashion of her bracelet was unusual.
With this exception, he rendered himself an amusing companion, and if
Margaret had been more conversant with military men, she would have been
willing to allow that in tact and information, he was very superior to
the average of those gentlemen, who to serve Her Majesty, and their own
convenience, are content to wear a certain disguise for a given period
of time.
The evening passed quickly enough. Some young ladies sang, some played.
George Gage remained lounging on the sofa by her side. Hubert was in
great request at the piano, for he sang very well, and read music easily
at sight. Mr. Gage asked Margaret if she exhibited, as he called
it--thanked Heaven, with praiseworthy fervour, that he was not guilty of
such a failing himself, and advised her to let him drive her to the
course in his phaeton the next day. Margaret gave no definite answer to
this proposal. The party was dispersing, and when she reached her room,
she was so heartily tired, that she could do no more than return
Elizabeth's embrace, and consign herself to the care of Miss Mason, who
with all her dispatch, could hardly get her to bed before she was
asleep.