The cast and other particulars will be duly announced in
small bills. Places will be reserved on application to Mr.
Clangham, High Street, Markton, where a plan of the room may be seen.
N.B--The Castle is about twenty minutes’ drive from Markton
Station, to which there are numerous convenient trains from all parts
of the county.
In a profound study Somerset turned and re-entered the ball-room, where
he remained gloomily standing here and there for about five minutes,
at the end of which he observed Captain De Stancy, who had returned
punctually to his word, crossing the hall in his direction.
The gallant officer darted glances of lively search over every group of
dancers and sitters; and then with rather a blank look in his face, he
came on to Somerset. Replying to the latter’s inquiry for his sister
that she had nearly recovered, he said, ‘I don’t see my father’s
neighbours anywhere.’
‘They have gone home,’ replied Somerset, a trifle drily. ‘They asked
me to make their apologies to you for leading you to expect they would
remain. Miss Power was too anxious about Miss De Stancy to care to stay
longer.’
The eyes of De Stancy and the speaker met for an instant. That curious
guarded understanding, or inimical confederacy, which arises at moments
between two men in love with the same woman, was present here; and in
their mutual glances each said as plainly as by words that her departure
had ruined his evening’s hope.
They were now about as much in one mood as it was possible for two such
differing natures to be. Neither cared further for elaborating giddy
curves on that town-hall floor. They stood talking languidly about this
and that local topic, till De Stancy turned aside for a short time to
speak to a dapper little lady who had beckoned to him. In a few minutes
he came back to Somerset.
‘Mrs. Camperton, the wife of Major Camperton of my battery, would very
much like me to introduce you to her. She is an old friend of your
father’s, and has wanted to know you for a long time.’
De Stancy and Somerset crossed over to the lady, and in a few minutes,
thanks to her flow of spirits, she and Somerset were chatting with
remarkable freedom.
‘It is a happy coincidence,’ continued Mrs. Camperton, ‘that I should
have met you here, immediately after receiving a letter from your
father: indeed it reached me only this morning. He has been so kind!
We are getting up some theatricals, as you know, I suppose, to help the
funds of the County Hospital, which is in debt.’
‘I have just seen the announcement--nothing more.’
‘Yes, such an estimable purpose; and as we wished to do it thoroughly
well, I asked Mr. Somerset to design us the costumes, and he has now
sent me the sketches. It is quite a secret at present, but we are going
to play Shakespeare’s romantic drama, ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost,’ and we
hope to get Miss Power to take the leading part. You see, being such a
handsome girl, and so wealthy, and rather an undiscovered novelty in the
county as yet, she would draw a crowded room, and greatly benefit the
funds.’
‘Miss Power going to play herself?--I am rather surprised,’ said
Somerset. ‘Whose idea is all this?’
‘O, Captain De Stancy’s--he’s the originator entirely. You see he is so
interested in the neighbourhood, his family having been connected with
it for so many centuries, that naturally a charitable object of this
local nature appeals to his feelings.’
‘Naturally!’ her listener laconically repeated. ‘And have you settled
who is to play the junior gentleman’s part, leading lover, hero, or
whatever he is called?’
‘Not absolutely; though I think Captain De Stancy will not refuse it;
and he is a very good figure. At present it lies between him and Mr.
Mild, one of our young lieutenants. My husband, of course, takes the
heavy line; and I am to be the second lady, though I am rather too old
for the part really. If we can only secure Miss Power for heroine the
cast will be excellent.’
‘Excellent!’ said Somerset, with a spectral smile.