In the meantime Tancred was launched, almost unconsciously, into the great world. The name of the Marquess of Montacute was foremost in those delicate lists by which an eager and admiring public is apprised6 who, among their aristocracy, eat, drink, dance, and sometimes pray. From the saloons of Bel-grave and Grosvenor Square to the sacred recesses7 of the Chapel8 Royal, the movements of Lord Montacute were tracked and registered, and were devoured9 every morning, oftener with a keener relish10 than the matin meal of which they formed a regular portion. England is the only country which enjoys the unspeakable advantage of being thus regularly, promptly11, and accurately12 furnished with catalogues of those favoured beings who are deemed qualified13 to enter the houses of the great. What condescension14 in those who impart the information! What indubitable evidence of true nobility! What superiority to all petty vanity! And in those who receive it, what freedom from all little feelings! No arrogance15 on one side; on the other, no envy. It is only countries blessed with a free press that can be thus favoured. Even a free press is not alone sufficient. Besides a free press, you must have a servile public.
After all, let us be just. The uninitiated world is apt to believe that there is sometimes, in the outskirts16 of fashion, an eagerness, scarcely consistent with self-respect, to enter the mansions17 of the great. Not at all: few people really want to go to their grand parties. It is not the charms of conversation, the flash of wit or the blaze of beauty, the influential18 presence of the powerful and celebrated19, all the splendour and refinement20, which, combined, offer in a polished saloon so much to charm the taste and satisfy the intellect, that the mass of social partisans21 care anything about. What they want is, not so much to be in her ladyship’s house as in her ladyship’s list. After the party at Coningsby Castle, our friend, Mrs. Guy Flouncey, at length succeeded in being asked to one of Lady St. Julians’ assemblies. It was a great triumph, and Mrs. Guy Flouncey determined22 to make the most of it. She was worthy23 of the occasion. But alas24! next morning, though admitted to the rout25, Mrs. Guy Flouncey was left out of the list! It was a severe blow! But Mrs. Guy Flouncey is in every list now, and even strikes out names herself. But there never was a woman who advanced with such dexterity26.
Lord Montacute was much shocked, when, one morning, taking up a journal, he first saw his name in print. He was alone, and he blushed; felt, indeed, extremely distressed27, when he found that the English people were formally made acquainted with the fact that he had dined on the previous Saturday with the Earl and Countess of St. Julians; ‘a grand banquet,’ of which he was quite unconscious until he read it; and that he was afterwards ‘observed’ at the Opera.
He found that he had become a public character, and he was not by any means conscious of meriting celebrity28. To be pointed29 at as he walked the streets, were he a hero, or had done, said, or written anything that anybody remembered, though at first painful and embarrassing, for he was shy, he could conceive ultimately becoming endurable, and not without a degree of excitement, for he was ambitious; but to be looked at because he was a young lord, and that this should be the only reason why the public should be informed where he dined, or where he amused himself, seemed to him not only vexatious but degrading. When he arrived, however, at a bulletin of his devotions, he posted off immediately to the Surrey Canal to look at a yacht there, and resolved not to lose unnecessarily one moment in setting off for Jerusalem.
He had from the first busied himself about the preparations for his voyage with all the ardour of youth; that is, with all the energy of inexperience, and all the vigour30 of simplicity31. As everything seemed to depend upon his obtaining a suitable vessel32, he trusted to no third person; had visited Cowes several times; advertised in every paper; and had already met with more than one yacht which at least deserved consideration. The duchess was quite frightened at his progress. ‘I am afraid he has found one,’ she said to Lord Eskdale; ‘he will be off directly.’
Lord Eskdale shook his head. ‘There are always things of this sort in the market. He will inquire before he purchases, and he will find that he has got hold of a slow coach.’
‘A slow coach!’ said the duchess, looking inquiringly. ‘What is that?’
‘A tub that sails like a collier, and which, instead of taking him to Jerusalem, will hardly take him to Newcastle.’
Lord Eskdale was right. Notwithstanding all his ardour, all his inquiries33, visits to Cowes and the Surrey Canal, advertisements and answers to advertisements, time flew on, and Tancred was still without a yacht.
In this unsettled state, Tancred found himself one evening at Deloraine House. It was not a ball, it was only a dance, brilliant and select; but, all the same, it seemed to Tancred that the rooms could not be much more crowded. The name of the Marquess of Montacute, as it was sent along by the servants, attracted attention. Tancred had scarcely entered the world, his appearance had made a sensation, everybody talked of him, many had not yet seen him.
‘Oh! that is Lord Montacute,’ said a great lady, looking through her glass; ‘very distinguished34!’
‘I tell you what,’ whispered Mr. Ormsby to Lord Valentine, ‘you young men had better look sharp; Lord Montacute will cut you all out!’
‘Oh! he is going to Jerusalem,’ said Lord Valentine.
‘Jerusalem!’ said Mr. Ormsby, shrugging his shoulders. ‘What can he find to do at Jerusalem?’
‘What, indeed,’ said Lord Milford. ‘My brother was there in ‘39; he got leave after the bombardment of Acre, and he says there is absolutely no sport of any kind.’
‘There used to be partridges in the time of Jeremiah,’ said Mr. Ormsby; ‘at least they told us so at the Chapel Royal last Sunday, where, by-the-bye, I saw Lord Montacute for the first time; and a deuced good-looking fellow he is,’ he added, musingly35.
‘Well, there is not a bird in the whole country now,’ said Lord Milford.
‘Montacute does not care for sport,’ said Lord Valentine.
‘What does he care for?’ asked Lord Milford. ‘Because, if he wants any horses, I can let him have some.’
‘He wants to buy a yacht,’ said Lord Valentine; ‘and that reminds me that I heard today Exmouth wanted to get rid of “The Flower of Yarrow,” and I think it would suit my cousin. I’ll tell him of it.’ And he followed Tancred.
‘You and Valentine must rub up your harness, Milford,‘said Mr. Ormsby; ‘there is a new champion in the field. We are talking of Lord Montacute,’ continued Mr. Ormsby, addressing himself to Mr. Melton, who joined them; ‘I tell Milford he will cut you all out.’
‘Well,’ said Mr. Melton, ‘for my part I have had so much success, that I have no objection, by way of change, to be for once eclipsed.’
‘Well done, Jemmy,’ said Lord Milford.
‘I see, Melton,’ said Mr. Ormsby, ‘you are reconciled to your fate like a philosopher.’
‘Well, Montacute,’ said Lord St. Patrick, a good-tempered, witty36 Milesian, with a laughing eye, ‘when are you going to Jericho?’
‘Tell me,’ said Tancred, in reply, and rather earnestly, ‘who is that?’ And he directed the attention of Lord St. Patrick to a young lady, rather tall, a brilliant complexion37, classic features, a profusion38 of light brown hair, a face of intelligence, and a figure rich and yet graceful39.
‘That is Lady Constance Rawleigh; if you like, I will introduce you to her. She is my cousin, and deuced clever. Come along!’
In the meantime, in the room leading to the sculpture gallery where they are dancing, the throng40 is even excessive. As the two great divisions, those who would enter the gallery and those who are quitting it, encounter each other, they exchange flying phrases as they pass.
‘They told me you had gone to Paris! I have just returned. Dear me, how time flies! Pretty dance, is it not? Very. Do you know whether the Madlethorpes mean to come up this year? I hardly know; their little girl is very ill. Ah! so I hear; what a pity, and such a fortune! Such a pity with such a fortune! How d’ye do? Mr. Coningsby here? No; he’s at the House. They say he is a very close attendant. It interests him. Well, Lady Florentina, you never sent me the dances. Pardon, but you will find them when you return. I lent them to Augusta, and she would copy them. Is it true that I am to congratulate you? Why? Lady Blanche? Oh! that is a romance of Easter week. Well, I am really delighted; I think such an excellent match for both; exactly suited to each other. They think so. Well, that is one point. How well Lady Everingham is looking! She is quite herself again. Quite. Tell me, have you seen M. de Talleyrand here? I spoke41 to him but this moment. Shall you be at Lady Blair’s tomorrow? No; I have promised to go to Mrs. Guy Flouncey’s. She has taken Craven Cottage, and is to be at home every Saturday. Well, if you are going, I think I shall. I would; everybody will be there.’
Lord Montacute had conversed42 some time with Lady Constance; then he had danced with her; he had hovered43 about her during the evening. It was observed, particularly by some of the most experienced mothers. Lady Constance was a distinguished beauty of two seasons; fresh, but adroit44. It was understood that she had refused offers of a high calibre; but the rejected still sighed about her, and it was therefore supposed that, though decided45, she had the art of not rendering46 them desperate. One at least of them was of a rank equal to that of Tancred. She had the reputation of being very clever, and of being able, if it pleased her, to breathe scorpions47 as well as brilliants and roses. It had got about that she admired intellect, and, though she claimed the highest social position, that a booby would not content her, even if his ears were covered with strawberry leaves.
In the cloak-room, Tancred was still at her side, and was presented to her mother, Lady Charmouth.
‘I am sorry to separate,’ said Tancred.
‘And so am I,’ said Lady Constance, smiling; ‘but one advantage of this life is, we meet our friends every day.’
‘I am not going anywhere tomorrow, where I shall meet you,’ said Tancred, ‘unless you chance to dine at the Archbishop of York’s.’
‘I am not going to dine with the Archbishop of York,’ said Lady Constance, ‘but I am going, where everybody else is going, to breakfast with Mrs. Guy Flouncey, at Craven Cottage. Why, will not you be there?’
‘I have not the honour of knowing her,’ said Tancred.
‘That is not of the slightest consequence; she will be very happy to have the honour of knowing you. I saw her in the dancing-room, but it is not worth while waiting to speak to her now. You shall receive an invitation the moment you are awake.’
‘But tomorrow I have an engagement. I have to look at a yacht.’
‘But that you can look at on Monday; besides, if you wish to know anything about yachts, you had better speak to my brother, Fitz–Heron, who has built more than any man alive.’
‘Perhaps he has one that he wishes to part with?’ said Tancred.
‘I have no doubt of it. You can ask him tomorrow at Mrs. Guy Flouncey’s.’
‘I will. Lady Charmouth’s carriage is called. May I have the honour?’ said Tancred, offering his arm.
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1
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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3
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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5
acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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6
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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7
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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10
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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11
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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13
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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24
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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25
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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26
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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31
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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32
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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33
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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34
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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36
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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37
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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38
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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39
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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40
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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41
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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42
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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43
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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44
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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45
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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46
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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47
scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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