It should be said on his behalf that he attributed to himself no preponderance of excellence5, either on the score of his money or his rank. He was able so to honour the girl as to think of her that such things would go for nothing with her. It was not that he had put his coronet at her feet, but his heart. It was of that he thought when he reminded himself of all that he had done for her, and told himself angrily that she should not have tormented him. He was as arrogant6 and impatient of disappointment as any young lord of them all,—but it was not, however, because he was a lord that he thought that Marion's heart was due to him.
"I have been over to Holloway," he said to his sister, almost as soon as he had returned.
Out of the full heart the mouth speaks. "Have you seen George?" asked Lady Frances.
"No; I did not go to see him. He, of course, would be at his office during the day. I went about my own business."
"You need not be so savage7 with me, John. What was your own business at Holloway?"
"I went to ask Marion Fay to be my wife."
"You did?"
"Yes; I did. Why should I not? It seems the fashion for us all now to marry just those we fancy best."
"And why not? Have I gainsaid8 you? If this Quaker's daughter be good and honest, and fair to look at—"
"That she is fair to look at I can say certainly. That she is good I believe thoroughly9. That she is honest, at any rate to me, I cannot say as yet."
"Not honest?"
"She will not steal or pick a pocket, if you mean that."
"What is it, John? Why do you speak of her in this way?"
"Because I have chosen to tell you. Having made up my mind to do this thing, I would not keep it secret as though I were ashamed of it. How can I say that she is honest till she has answered me honestly?"
"What answer has she made you?" she asked.
"None;—as yet! She has told me to come again another day."
"I like her better for that."
"Why should you like her better? Just because you're a woman, and think that shilly-shallying and pretending not to know your own mind, and keeping a fellow in suspense10, is becoming. I am not going to change my mind about Marion; but I do think that mock hesitation11 is unnecessary, and in some degree dishonest."
"Must it necessarily be mock hesitation? Ought she not to be sure of herself that she can love you?"
"Certainly; or that she should not love me. I am not such a puppy as to suppose that she is to throw herself into my arms just because I ask her. But I think that she must have known something of herself so as to have been able to tell me either to hope or not to hope. She was as calm as a Minister in the House of Commons answering a question; and she told me to wait till Friday just as those fellows do when they have to find out from the clerks in the office what it is they ought to say."
"You will go again on Friday?" she asked.
"Of course I must. It is not likely that she should come to me. And then if she says that she'd rather not, I must come home once more with my tail between my legs."
"I do not think she will say that."
"How can you tell?"
"It is the nature of a girl, I think," said Lady Frances, "to doubt a little when she thinks that she can love, but not to doubt at all when she feels that she cannot. She may be persuaded afterwards to change her mind, but at first she is certain enough."
"I call that shilly-shally."
"Not at all. The girl I'm speaking of is honest throughout. And Miss Fay will have been honest should she accept you now. It is not often that such a one as you, John, can ask a girl in vain."
"That is mean," he said, angrily. "That is imputing12 falseness, and greed, and dishonour13 to the girl I love. If she has liked some fellow clerk in her father's office better than she likes me, shall she accept me merely because I am my father's son?"
"It was not that of which I was thinking. A man may have personal gifts which will certainly prevail with a girl young and unsullied by the world, as I suppose is your Marion Fay."
"Bosh," he said, laughing. "As far as personal gifts are concerned, one fellow is pretty nearly the same as another. A girl has to be good-looking. A man has got to have something to buy bread and cheese with. After that it is all a mere14 matter of liking15 and disliking—unless, indeed, people are dishonest, which they very often are."
Up to this period of his life Lord Hampstead had never met any girl whom he had thought it desirable to make his wife. It was now two years since the present Marchioness had endeavoured to arrange an alliance between him and her own niece, Lady Amaldina Hauteville. This, though but two years had passed since, seemed to him to have occurred at a distant period of his life. Very much had occurred to him during those two years. His political creed17 had been strengthened by the convictions of others, especially by those of George Roden, till it had included those advanced opinions which have been described. He had annoyed, and then dismayed, his father by his continued refusal to go into Parliament. He had taken to himself ways of living of his own, which gave to him the manners and appearance of more advanced age. At that period, two years since, his stepmother still conceived high hopes of him, even though he would occasionally utter in her presence opinions which seemed to be terrible. He was then not of age, and there would be time enough for a woman of her tact18 and intellect to cure all those follies19. The best way of curing them, she thought, would be by arranging a marriage between the heir to the Marquisate and the daughter of so distinguished20 a conservative Peer as her brother-in-law, Lord Persiflage22. Having this high object in view, she opened the matter with diplomatic caution to her sister. Lady Persiflage had at that moment begun to regard Lord Llwddythlw as a possible son-in-law, but was alive to the fact that Lord Hampstead possessed23 some superior advantages. It was possible that her girl should really love such a one as Lord Hampstead,—hardly possible that there should be anything romantic in a marriage with the heir of the Duke of Merioneth. As far as wealth and rank went there was enough in both competitors. She whispered therefore to her girl the name of the younger aspirant,—aspirant as he might be hoped to be,—and the girl was not opposed to the idea. Only let there be no falling to the ground between two stools; no starving for want of fodder24 between two bundles of hay! Lord Llwddythlw had already begun to give symptoms. No doubt he was bald; no doubt he was pre-occupied with Parliament and the county. There was no doubt that his wife would have to encounter that touch of ridicule25 which a young girl incurs26 when she marries a man altogether removed beyond the world of romance. But dukes are scarce, and the man of business was known to be a man of high honour. There would be no gambling27, no difficulties, no possible question of a want of money. And then his politics were the grandest known in England,—those of an old Tory willing always to work for his party without desiring any of those rewards which the "party" wishes to divide among as select a number as possible. What Lord Hampstead might turn out to be, there was as yet no knowing. He had already declared himself to be a Radical28. He was fond of hunting, and it was quite on the cards that he should take to Newmarket. Then, too, his father might live for five-and-twenty years, whereas the Duke of Merioneth was already nearly eighty. But Hampstead was as beautiful as a young Ph?bus, and the pair would instantly become famous if only from their good looks alone. The chance was given to Lady Amaldina, but only given on the understanding that she must make very quick work of her time.
Hampstead was coaxed30 down to Castle Hautboy for a month in September, with an idea that the young lovers might be as romantic as they pleased among the Lakes. Some little romance there was; but at the end of the first week Amaldina wisely told her mother that the thing wouldn't do. She would always be glad to regard Lord Hampstead as a cousin, but as to anything else, there must be an end of it. "I shall some day give up my title and abandon the property to Freddy. I shall then go to the United States, and do the best I can there to earn my own bread." This little speech, made by the proposed lover to the girl he was expected to marry, opened Lady Amaldina's eyes to the danger of her situation. Lord Llwddythlw was induced to spend two days in the following month at Castle Hautboy, and then the arrangements for the Welsh alliance were completed.
From that time forth31 a feeling of ill-will on the part of Lady Kingsbury towards her stepson had grown and become strong from month to month. She had not at first conceived any idea that her Lord Frederic ought to come to the throne. That had come gradually when she perceived, or thought that she perceived, that Hampstead would hardly make a marriage properly aristocratic. Hitherto no tidings of any proposed marriage had reached her ears. She lived at last in daily fear, as any marriage would be the almost sure forerunner32 of a little Lord Highgate. If something might happen,—something which she had taught herself to regard as beneficent and fitting rather than fatal,—something which might ensure to her little Lord Frederic those prospects33 which he had almost a right to expect, then in spite of all her sufferings Heaven would have done something for her for which she might be thankful. "What will her ladyship say when she hears of my maid Marion?" said Hampstead to his sister on the Christmas Day before his further visit to Holloway.
"Will it matter much?" asked Lady Frances.
"I think my feelings towards her are softer than yours. She is silly, arrogant, harsh, and insolent34 to my father, and altogether unprincipled in her expectations and ambitions."
"What a character you give her," said his sister.
"But nevertheless I feel for her to such an extent that I almost think I ought to abolish myself."
"I cannot say that I feel for her."
"It is all for her son that she wants it; and I agree with her in thinking that Freddy will be better fitted than I am for the position in question. I am determined35 to marry Marion if I can get her; but all the Traffords, unless it be yourself, will be broken-hearted at such a marriage. If once I have a son of my own the matter will be hopeless. If I were to call myself Snooks, and refused to take a shilling from the property, I should do them no good. Marion's boy would be just as much in their way as I am."
"What a way of looking at it."
"How my stepmother will hate her! A Quaker's daughter! A clerk at Pogson and Littlebird's! Living at Paradise Row! Can't you see her! Is it not hard upon her that we should both go to Paradise Row?" Lady Frances could not keep herself from laughing. "You can't do her any permanent injury, because you are only a girl; but I think she will poison me. It will end in her getting Mr. Greenwood to give me some broth21."
"John, you are too terrible."
"If I could be on the jury afterwards, I would certainly acquit36 them both on the ground of extreme provocation37."
Early on the following morning he was in a fidget, having fixed38 no hour for his visit to Holloway. It was not likely that she should be out or engaged, but he determined not to go till after lunch. All employment was out of the question, and he was rather a trouble to his sister; but in the course of the morning there came a letter which did for a while occupy his thoughts. The envelope was addressed in a hand he did not know, and was absurdly addressed to the
"Right Honourable39,
The Lord Hampstead."
"I wonder who this ass16 is," said he, tearing it open. The ass was Samuel Crocker, and the letter was as follows;—
Heathcote Street,
Mecklenburg Square,
Christmas Day, 18—.
My dear Lord Hampstead,
I hope I may be excused for addressing your lordship in this familiar manner. I take occasion of this happy day to write to your lordship on a message of peace. Since I had the honour of meeting you at your noble uncle's mansion40, Castle Hautboy, I have considered it one of the greatest delights of my life to be able to boast of your acquaintance. You will not, I am sure, forget that we have been fellow sportsmen, and that we rode together on that celebrated41 run when we killed our fox in the field just over Airey Force. I shall never forget the occasion, or how well your lordship went over our rough country. To my mind there is no bond of union so strong as that of sport.
"Up strikes little Davy with his musical horn."
I am sure you will remember that, my lord, and the beautiful song to which it belongs. I remember, too, how, as we were riding home after the run, your lordship was talking all the way about our mutual42 friend, George Roden.
He is a man for whom I have a most sincere regard, both as being an excellent public servant, and as a friend of your lordship's. It is quite a pleasure to see the way in which he devotes himself to the service,—as I do also. When you have taken the Queen's shilling you ought to earn it. Those are my principles, my lord. We have a couple of young fellows there whose only object it is to get through the day and eat their lunches. I always tell them that official hours ain't their own. I suppose they'll understand me some day.
But as I was saying to your lordship about George Roden, there has something come up which I don't quite understand, which seems to have turned him against me. Nothing has ever given me so much pleasure as when I heard of his prospects as to a certain matter—which your lordship will know what I mean. Nothing could be more flattering than the way I've wished him joy ever so many times. So I do also your lordship and her ladyship, because he is a most respectable young man, though his station in life isn't so high as some people's. But a clerk in H. M. S. has always been taken for a gentleman which I am proud to think is my position as well as his.
But, as I was saying to your lordship, something seems to have gone against him as to our mutual friendship. He sits there opposite and won't speak a word to me, except just to answer a question, and that hardly civil. He is as sweet as sugar to those fellows who ain't at the same desk with him as I am,—or I should think it was his future prospects were making him upsetting. Couldn't your lordship do something to make things up between us again,—especially on this festive43 occasion? I'm sure your lordship will remember how pleasant we were together at Castle Hautboy, and at the hunt, and especially as we were riding home together on that day. I did take the liberty of calling at Hendon Hall, when her ladyship was kind enough to see me. Of course there was a delicacy44 in speaking to her ladyship about Mr. Roden, which nobody could understand better than I do; but I think she made me something of a promise that she would say a word when a proper time might come.
It could only have been a joke of mine; and I do joke sometimes, as your lordship may have observed. But I shouldn't think Roden would be the man to be mortally offended by anything of that sort. Anyway, I will leave the matter in your lordship's hands, merely remarking that,—as your lordship may remember,—"Blessed are the peace-makers, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
I have the honour to be,
My dear Lord Hampstead,
Your lordship's most obedient,
Very humble45 servant,
Samuel Crocker.
Fretful and impatient as he was on that morning, it was impossible for Hampstead not to laugh at this letter. He showed it to his sister, who, in spite of her annoyance46, was constrained47 to laugh also. "I shall tell George to take him to his bosom48 at once," said he.
"Why should George be bothered with him?"
"Because George can't help himself. They sit at the same desk together, as Crocker has not forgotten to tell me a dozen times. When a man perseveres49 in this way, and is thick-skinned enough to bear all rebuffs, there is nothing he will not accomplish. I have no doubt he will be riding my horses in Leicestershire before the season is over." An answer, however, was written to him in the following words;—
Dear Mr. Crocker,
I am afraid I cannot interfere50 with Mr. Roden, who doesn't like to be dictated51 to in such matters.
Yours truly,
Hampstead.
"There," said he; "I do not think he can take that letter as a mark of friendship."
In this way the morning was passed till the time came for the start to Holloway. Lady Frances, standing29 at the hall door as he got into his trap, saw that the fashion of his face was unusually serious.
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1
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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gainsaid
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| v.否认，反驳( gainsay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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12
imputing
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的现在分词 ) | |
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13
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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14
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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persiflage
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| n.戏弄；挖苦 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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incurs
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的第三人称单数 ) | |
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gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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29
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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30
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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forerunner
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| n.前身，先驱（者），预兆，祖先 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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34
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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acquit
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| vt.宣判无罪；(oneself)使(自己)表现出 | |
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provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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38
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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39
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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40
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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41
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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42
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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43
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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44
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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45
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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46
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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48
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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49
perseveres
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的第三人称单数 ) | |
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50
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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51
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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