Lady Anne Granard/Chapter 21
CHAPTER XXI.
Whatever might have been the wishes or intentions of Lady Anne, they were cut short by a remonstrance from Lord Rotheles, which, although mildly couched, was very effective; especially as it was accompanied by a sneering reproach from his countess, "that she had kept the information from them of her having attained some acquisition of fortune in which they would have rejoiced sincerely, and which could alone account for the magnificent entertainment she had been giving."
"Magnificent!" exclaimed poor Lady Anne, as she put her aunt's note into Helen's hand; "did you ever hear any thing so malignant? More than one half of the things we had for refreshment were given, and all we had for show was lent."
"It is the newspapers which have done the mischief, mamma, extolling things so much above the truth; can we not put in a paragraph to contradict them?"
"Certainly not; the world should never know you are low in it, though it may occasionally answer to complain to a friend who happens to be rich. It is better to be envied than pitied, whatever be the home struggle. Although this letter is vexatious, I must not forget that my little entertainment has brought me a visiter in the Marquess of Wentworthdale, on an errand of no small moment, as the Countess of Rotheles may soon learn, to her surprise, for I shall, probably, see him at the Opera to-night."
The girls remarked that their mamma was smarter, and, indeed, looked better than they had ever seen her; and Georgiana observed, "I wonder what mamma could mean about the marquess? he is a very nice old man. I am sure if he were going to marry her, I should like him very much, and I think it would be a very suitable thing."
"So it would, but I think there is no likelihood of it; I am afraid he is more likely to think of you or me."
Conjecture on this or any other topic was ended by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Penrhyn, with a whole packet of letters from the absent sisters, which were read with the most heartfelt delight, especially as there was, from each writer, an assurance that Mary had benefitted greatly. Isabella did not write exactly as might have been expected—playfully, or even contentedly; she appeared so anxiously endeavouring to improve her mind, in order to render herself worthy of the husband she passionately admired, that she was losing her youth, in its best season, for enjoyment; and her sisters all exclaimed against knowledge so dearly purchased.
They had travelled by sea, because the voyage was recommended to Mary, so that there was little to relate beyond sufferings, in the first place, and the mishaps common to the case, and which Mr. Glentworth exceedingly lamented, on his young wife's behalf, in a letter addressed to Mr. Penrhyn. Having arrived at Marseilles before the heats were excessive, he spoke in favourable terms of the health of all, and said that, as in all, and said that, as in all probability, his affairs would be soon arranged, it was his full intention to take the ladies into Italy, as they had a great desire to see Rome and Florence; beyond that he thought they would not wish to go; and, being completely sick of the sea, would return through France, and, probably, stop a few weeks at Paris, where, perhaps, Lady Anne and her two youngest daughters would meet them. Helen was in absolute transports at the thoughts of a trip to Paris, but Georgiana seemed to think little of it. She talked very learnedly of the blue depths of the Mediterranean, the grandeur of the vast Atlantic, and surprised her sisters exceedingly by the passion she evinced, all at once, for the sea, which she was wont to dislike at Brighton; they did not, in the slightest degree, suppose that she might, in truth, have exclaimed with the beloved of Oronooka:—
"The little spot of ground he stands upon
Is more to me than the extended plains
Of earth's most mighty empire!"
And, alas! the emphatic he would soon be again upon that element for which she had taken such an especial fancy.
But he was not yet gone; and when the good news and the letters, also, were next day taken to Mrs. Palmer, there sat the two brothers, and most happy did they appear to be made by their presence, entering warmly into their feelings of satisfaction respecting their distant sisters, and mentioning many things connected with their present situation, which had for them considerable interest, as all things have connected with the dear, who are the distant also. There was evidently a sympathy in the nature of the four young persons which went beyond the sense of admiration, the beauty or agreeableness either party inspired; the fraternal tie was so strong and so sweetly exercised in both, that it bound them in a manner to each other in the "smothered flame," which soon became "avowed and bold;" and, like a sailor, Arthur would soon have told his love, if Lord Meersbrook had not earnestly entreated him to delay it until they should together have visited their grandfather, Sir Edward Hales, at Meersbrook, in Kent.
He only stayed a few days in London, to take the oaths and his seat in the House of Lords, a ceremony that was to take place on the morrow, and he held himself much indebted to the circumstance of spending his first evening at Lady Anne's, because the marquis of Wentworthdale had, with the utmost urbanity, offered to accompany him on that somewhat trying occasion, and he felt the value of his kindness not less than the courtesy evinced by a man of his rank and importance in the court and the House of Lords. After he had expressed this feeling, adding that he wished to see Lady Anne, if she were really at home, Mr. Palmer said, "She is so now we know, and I will step over with you this moment."
"And do ask her to dine with us to-morrow, to meet these young friends, who leave town the next morning. We can only offer them a family-dinner, of course; but the business of the House will be soon over, and it may happen that they will like to go to the Opera afterwards. Lady Anne goes often for her own pleasure, and I think she might chaperon these dear girls, who only have been once the whole season."
"Thank you, thank you! dear Mrs. Palmer," said Arthur, warmly, "you are still, what Frederic always said you were, the kindest woman in the world."
"Well, sit you down, there is no need for you to go with Lord Meersbrook."
"I am very glad of it," said the young man, resuming his seat, and looking at Georgiana with eyes that said very plainly, "I had much rather stay with you," and her "eloquent blood" replied, "I am glad of it," though her tongue was more silent than usual.
Mrs. Palmer had already learned from the open-hearted sailor how matters stood with both; but, confident that Lady Anne would never consent to give her daughter to an unprovided or poorly provided younger brother, she would not for a moment have allowed them the means of confirming their passion for each other, if she had not been already in the secret of the elder brother. This was his intention to persuade their aged grandfather to transfer his own heirship to Arthur, which he considered it a fortunate circumstance was in his power, with the exception of a very small estate, tied inalienably to the heir of that ancient and distinguished family. He knew that his mother's large fortune was not more than sufficient to maintain the dignities his father's admirable diplomacy had achieved, since he had maintained the honour of his country by expending the full amount of his income, save a very few thousands bequeathed to his younger son, whom he also considered (and very justly if he did his duty) as a charge on his country. At this time there was no reason to doubt that a young man so courageous, clever, and active, would get forward; but, since the country was at peace, and the late transaction had called up the warmest feelings of a most affectionate brother, who, having lost a father he idolized, a mother scarcely remembered yet sincerely lamented, and a sister fondly beloved and still regretted, felt as if he could never sufficiently evince the affection he felt for the only tie of his existence—the brave and noble boy, who from his cradle had held him inestimable, judging of his brother's nature by his own generous, unselfish spirit. Whilst a boy, Lord Meersbrook had been under the care of his grandfather, who was exceedingly attached to him, and had written to Arthur (whilst they were in the Isle of Wight) expressive of his warm admiration, and thankfulness for his preservation of one inestimably dear to him; and on this letter Frederic founded his hopes, that a request would be complied with which he considered likely to make all happy.
Lady Anne readily promised that herself and daughters would accept the invitation of their neighbours; and so much was she pleased with the person and manners of the young nobleman—so well did she remember all the particulars of his mother's dowry, and the estates of his grandfather, that she generously determined to give him every chance of obtaining Georgiana, in the hope that the Marquis of Wentworthdale might turn his attention to Helen, who, as being the elder, was the more suitable. "I cannot," said she, internally, "see that it makes any difference to him which of my daughters he takes, if, as he says, it is my admirable mode of bringing them up which has put matrimony into his head, for it is certain I have brought them up impartially. I have had different views and expectations, but I never indulged any one of them. It would be very desirable he should take Ellen before she is of age, or she may do as Louisa has done: besides, he has no time to lose! he keeps talking of Glentworth, and his happiness in being attached to a young lady, whose good sense overlooked the disparity in their years, never remembering that he is a good seven years the older, and that the peerage tells every body (more the pity) exact truth! besides, the difference in their style of person, which is by no means in his lordship's favour! However, it is my part to extol his person, and to prove that time makes no difference in men, though ruinous to women!"
Lady Anne's wishes respecting the marquis were borne out the following day at Mr. Palmer's very efficiently, for Lord Meersbrook was full of his praise, reverting to the value of his own introduction as contrasted with that of Lord Byron, whom, he modestly observed, had deserved the honour so much better. "That remains to be seen in one sense, my lord; for, although one cannot hope to see you so great a poet as Lord Byron, and therefore not claiming the distinction which he ought to have received on the occasion alluded to, yet I think you will be a better man, a better husband, a"
"Pardon me, I don't think I shall be a husband soon. I admire English young ladies, but English wives are my horror!"
"Dear me! you know nothing about them—how should you?"
"I will appeal to Lady Anne Granard, at whose house I formed my judgment whether two ladies of rank and beauty did not conduct themselves in a most indecorous manner?"
"I think with you, my lord, exactly. But surely you will not say that every pretty married woman indulged in flirtation?"
"Certainly the pretty bride did not: but her example was disregarded. Had I been the husband of either Lady Penrhyn or Lady Allerton, I would"
"What would you have done, most worshipful follower of Mahomed?" said Arthur, laughing.
"I would have compelled them to remain closely veiled in the harem for many months, and fed them on bread and water!"
This was spoken with so much earnestness and simplicity, that every one laughed except Lady Anne, who warmly applauded the sentence, made many inquiries respecting the habits of women in the East, and greatly approved of all those circumstances, in conduct and education, which indicated obedience on the part of females. She knew "such doctrines were out of date, but she had strictly adhered to them in her plan of education, and the husbands of her daughters would reap the benefit of it. She had been herself an obedient wife (this required a great gulp on the part of her neighbours), and she trusted they would follow her example. She had, in fact, no patience with such women as Lady Penrhyn and Lady Allerton; but, as the first was the sister of her new son, and the second the niece of Countess Rotheles, her brother's wife, she was under the necessity of inviting them."
Amiable and condescending as Lady Anne chose to appear on this occasion, she had yet great difficulty even in looking towards the proscribed younger brother, handsome and elegant as he really was, until she saw how positively he was the idol of Lord Meersbrook, when she found it convenient to talk of the sea, and have an enthusiastic admiration for naval heroes. Unfortunately, in addressing these observations to Arthur, she became aware of certain glances directed to Georgiana, which were answered with blushes, on which anger, amounting to rage, rose in her heart, and the poor forsaken minstrel who exclaimed—
"And have I burnt my harp for thee?"
felt not more indignation than Lady Anne, as the thought passed her mind, "Have I played amiable for a lieutenant in the navy? have I a daughter who might be a marchioness, and can stoop to love in a cabin?"
But she had learned to "smooth her horrent brow" under similar times of trial, and not one of the gentlemen present were aware of the slightest change in her feelings. There was but little time for the drawing-room, as their carriages were soon announced; and, as the brothers went in a hired one, Mr. Palmer said they had better go the first, and then they would be ready to take charge of the ladies on their arrival, to which they immediately assented.
The moment they were gone, Lady Anne expressed great pain at leaving dear Mrs. Palmer, adding, "I would stay with you myself, but am under the necessity of playing chaperon to Helen. Georgiana will, however, have that pleasure."
The start of recoil given by the poor girl, and the way in which all colour fled her cheeks, shewed the unpitying mother that the case was worse than she had apprehended; and, the more Mrs. Palmer remonstrated by saying the young ladies had never been the whole season, that places were secured and tickets paid for, the more determined was Lady Anne that Mrs. Palmer must have the benefit of Georgiana's company.
"I beg you to keep her, my dear madam," she said, at length, "in pity to herself, for she is evidently unwell; you see how pale she looks—something, I fear, in your excellent cuisine has been too much for her stomach. I commend her to your skill and kindness; it will not be the first time she has benefitted by them."
So saying, away sailed the woman of quality, seizing the arm of Helen, who, in her surprise and sorrow, looked really as ill as her mortified sister, whilst Mr. Palmer inwardly swore that his "excellent cuisine" should never more be tried by that cruel, conceited old woman, if she were his neighbour for a century. He did not say a single word during their drive; and, on arriving at the Opera House, told his servants merely to drive round, as he should not remain more than half an hour.
The dismay which overspread Arthur's face when he found that Georgiana was left behind assured Lady Anne that she had been perfectly right in her proceedings, since, by quashing all idle hopes, both parties would see the necessity of conquering their foolish passion. In the mean time, she had a something not very unlike pleasure in the pain she was inflicting, for she felt that both parties merited punishment—Arthur for daring to suppose a man in his situation could love and marry, as his brother might do; and Georgiana for being such an idiot as to think of him after her warning. She must positively break with the Palmers; there was nothing else for it—they were so ignorant, and had such strange notions.
But, although Mr. Palmer gave her the opportunity, for he was certainly in high dudgeon, and accounted for the absence of Georgiana as arising from "the whim of her mother, since Mrs. Palmer herself had planned the party, and was the last woman living to deprive the young of any rational pleasures," still her ladyship took no steps towards a quarrel. She had the consolation of knowing that any offence given to her dignity could be avenged on the delinquent who caused it, an act of justice which could not fail to be consolatory, since every one of her daughters had at times stood in stead of "guid King James's whipping-boy," when circumstances arose to disturb the equanimity of Lady Anne's imperious and irascible temper.
The house was crowded, the entertainment exquisite, and, to the brothers, it was so absolute a novelty, that, despite of the disappointment one experienced and the other resented, both became absorbed and delighted with music and spectacle so enchanting. The more Helen was pleased, the more was she grieved that her sister did not share that pleasure; and her artless expressions on this subject, together with her observations on the performance, pleased Lord Meersbrook very much, and he began to think her actually prettier than either of her sisters, though the dazzling brilliancy of complexion possessed both by Louisa and Georgiana flung all others into the shade. The circumstance which pleased him the most in her, was the evidently repelling coldness with which she received a gentleman whom he had seen her dance with more than once on the evening of her mother's party, and who accosted her with the air of a man evidently well with himself, and presuming he was so with her.
This was Sir Harry Calthorpe, who had indeed paid her much attention at that time, and appeared studiously to avoid both her sisters, a circumstance that might arise either from delicacy or pique. She, however, well remembered what Louisa had said of him; and, although without any idea of attracting attention from Lord Meersbrook, and at the risk of offending her mother, she evidently shrunk from him with the feeling that might be supposed to influence the sensitive plant on the approach of an injurious touch. There was enough of the fashionable rouè in the look and manner of the rich baronet to assure Lord Meersbrook that Helen, modest and artless as she was, properly estimated his character, and wisely repelled his attentions, whatever might be his rank and pretensions, and he gave her credit for more of the virtues in her sex necessary for his own standard of female excellence than any person he had seen. He was by the same rule more charitably inclined to Lady Anne than either his brother or Mr. Palmer, concluding that some indiscretion on Georgiana's part was the true cause of the mother's conduct; and though he could certainly forgive any thing arising from love of Arthur, yet a prudent duenna might not; the customs of the people amongst whom he had resided so long necessarily remained impressed upon him as proper, but he already saw the value of intelligence in companionship, which could only be the gift of education and freedom, and was certain that a short time would reconcile him to European life in all things save the flirtations of married women.
Mr. Palmer kept his word: he told Lady Anne that his carriage would be found waiting her pleasure at twelve; and then, shaking hands with Lord Meersbrook and the honourable lieutenant, departed. Lady Anne almost thought his going was a ruse, as the latter left the box soon afterwards; but his place was soon occupied by the Marquis of Wentworthdale, who so pathetically lamented the absence of Georgiana, which was attributed to indisposition, that the wily mother now saw clearly for which daughter the honour of his hand was designed. His admiration of Louisa had led him to fix on the sister who most resembled her, and whose scarcely developed form certainly promised the same splendid beauty so striking in Mrs. Penrhyn—"Mistress, plain, unadorned Mis tress Penrhyn," thought Lady Anne, and her aristocratic lip curled with contempt and vexation.
"Alas! there was no chance of release for Louisa. Charles Penrhyn would live for ages; otherwise, how magnificent would her beauty have appeared in black; and how certainly, in a few years, would she have acquired the understanding necessary for using it to advantage—it was no use to think; that case was a lost one, but Georgiana's was in her hands; she was her mistress, to all intents and purposes, for the next three years, and much less time than that would serve to mould her to her mother's wishes." For a moment Lady Anne lingered on the possibility that she might marry the sailor, secure his little fortune (for surely he had something), and a pension from his early death, by which time she would unquestionably be much handsomer, as well as much wiser—but no! even five years, in which all this might take place comfortably, could not be allowed on the Marquis's account—she stole a glance at him; he was absorbed, enchanted, by the prima donna, and really looked very interesting, as most people do in a state of excitement; but Lady Anne could not be deceived—in five years' time he would become dyspeptic, be surrounded by physicians, consigned to all the Badens in Germany, and think much more of a renovating draught than a beautiful young wife.
"Marrying will make a new man of him; the mixture of care and comfort, of pride in his children and fear for his wife, will keep him out of the hands of the faculty—it will be her health that will sink, not his. But should she die?—how much better to yield her breath Marchioness of Wentworthdale, Viscountess Conisburgh, Baroness of Horton Roberts, &c. &c. &c, than as the wife of—pshaw! I have no patience to think of a fellow poorer than even Charles Penrhyn!
"But were she his wife, she would not die—she would be healthy and happy, like Louisa—how shocking!—a living disgrace is worse than a dead one, for the dead are soon forgotten and constantly forgiven."
At the moment when Lady Anne's soliloquy had reached this consolatory conclusion, the Marquess very affectionately wished her good-night, adding, "that, on the morrow, he should call to inquire after the fair Georgiana." Lady Anne was perfectly aware that he left her at the moment when his services might have been useful, but she thought his conduct perfectly natural, for the house was hot and the evening cold. Lord Meersbrook was kind and attentive, and, as they left the box, to her great relief, her whom she designated "the sailor" appeared and offered her his arm; for, angry as he had been, "she was the mother of that angel of a girl;" and with so much kindness did he guard her from all inconveniences, accommodate himself to all movements, that she could not forbear lamenting that he had not stepped into his brother's shoes. She was, however, recalled to her more angry feelings by finding that both himself and brother had entered into the roomy vehicle of Mr. Palmer, and were accompanying them to Welbeck Street; on which she determined to be set down at her own house, and immediately dispatch Fanchette for Georgiana. Scarcely had she come to this determination, which included more self-denial than she was disposed to make, than she found that the coachman drew up, of his own accord, to her door, which was immediately opened.
"I did not tell you to set me down here," said Lady Anne, "did I?" for her late intentions bewildered her a little.
"No, my lady, your ladyship didn't say nothink to me, but master told me as how I must take you home; our family are all in bed, hours ago—Miss Georgina went home afore eleven."
The latter part of the sentence made amends for the former; as it was so late, Lady Anne could not think of inviting the gentlemen, especially as she knew Lord Meersbrook was setting out for Kent the day following. After exchanging a sentence with Fanchette, which related to provision for her own comfort, she turned to them and observed, she was happy to learn "Georgiana was better since she had been in bed," and bade goodnight, to the evident discomfort of Arthur, who yet could not forbear laughing at the way "in which the old cat had choused them."
"She will not do so when you come back, Arthur, depend upon it—the ban will soon be taken off, I trust."
Arthur did not understand what his brother meant, nor, at the moment, care to inquire; for, a light appearing in an upper room, he was content to gaze upon it, and, like Lorenzo,
"sigh his soul towards the place
Where Jesse lay that night."