“You must know, Mr. Grey, that this is my favourite walk, and I
therefore expect that it will be yours.”
“It cannot indeed fail to be such, the favourite as it alike is of
nature and Mrs. Felix Lorraine.”
“On my word, a very pretty sentence! And who taught you, young sir, to
bandy words so fairly?”
“I never can open my mouth, except in the presence of a woman,” observed
Vivian, with impudent mendacity; and he looked interesting and innocent.
“Indeed! And what do you know about such wicked work as talking to
women?” and here Mrs. Felix Lorraine imitated Vivian’s sentimental
voice. “Do you know,” she continued, “I feel quite happy that you have
come down here; I begin to think that we shall be great friends.”
“Nothing appears to me more evident,” said Vivian.
“How delicious is friendship!” exclaimed Mrs. Felix Lorraine;
“delightful sentiment, that prevents life from being a curse! Have you a
friend, Mr. Vivian Grey?”
“Before I answer that question, I should like to know what meaning Mrs.
Felix Lorraine attaches to that important monosyllable, friend.”
“Oh, you want a definition. I hate definitions; and of all the
definitions in the world, the one I have been most unfortunate in has
been a definition of friendship; I might say” (and here her voice sunk),
“I might say of all the sentiments in the world, friendship is the one
which has been must fatal to me; but I must not inoculate you with my
bad spirits, bad spirits are not for young blood like yours, leave them
to old persons like myself.”
“Old!” said Vivian, in a proper tone of surprise.
“Old! ay old; how old do you think I am?”
“You may have seen twenty summers,” gallantly conjectured Vivian.
The lady looked pleased, and almost insinuated that she had seen one or
two more.
“A clever woman,” thought Vivian, “but vain; I hardly know what to think
of her.”
“Mr. Grey, I fear you find me in bad spirits to-day; but alas! I--I have
cause. Although we see each other to-day for the first time, yet there
is something in your manner, something in the expression of your eyes,
that make me believe my happiness is not altogether a matter of
indifference to you.” These words, uttered in one of the sweetest voices
by which ever human being was fascinated, were slowly and deliberately
spoken, as if it were intended that they should rest on the ear of the
object to whom they were addressed.
“My dearest madam! it is impossible that I can have but one sentiment
with regard to you, that of--”
“Of what, Mr. Grey?”
“Of solicitude for your welfare.”
The lady gently took the arm of the young man, and then with an agitated
voice, and a troubled spirit, dwelt upon the unhappiness of her lot, and
the cruelty of her fortunes. Her husband’s indifference was the
sorrowful theme of her lamentations; and she ended by asking Mr. Vivian
Grey’s advice, as to the line of conduct which she should pursue with
regard to him; first duly informing Vivian that this was the only time
and he the only person to whom this subject had been ever mentioned.
“And why should I mention it here, and to whom? The Marquess is the best
of men, but--” and here she looked up in Vivian’s face, and spoke
volumes; “and the Marchioness is the most amiable of women: at least, I
suppose her lap-dog thinks so.”
The advice of Vivian was concise. He sent the husband to the devil in
two seconds, and insisted upon the wife’s not thinking of him for
another moment; and then the lady dried her eyes, and promised to do
her best.
“And now,” said Mrs. Felix Lorraine, “I must talk about your own
affairs. I think your plan excellent.”
“Plan, madam!”
“Yes, plan, sir! the Marquess has told me all. I have no head for
politics, Mr. Grey; but if I cannot assist you in managing the nation, I
perhaps may in managing the family, and my services are at your command.
Believe me, you will have enough to do: there, I pledge you my troth. Do
you think it a pretty hand?”
Vivian did think it a very pretty hand, and he performed due courtesies
in a becoming style.
“And now, good even to you,” said the lady; “this little gate leads to
my apartments. You will have no difficulty in finding your way back.” So
saying, she disappeared.