That, however, he must do in a moment. A groom7 of the chambers8 indicates the way to him, as he proceeds with a hesitating yet hurried step through several ante-chambers and drawing-rooms; then doors are suddenly thrown open, and he is ushered9 into the largest and most sumptuous10 saloon that he had ever entered. It was full of ladies and gentlemen. Coningsby for the first time in his life was at a great party. His immediate11 emotion was to sink into the earth; but perceiving that no one even noticed him, and that not an eye had been attracted to his entrance, he regained12 his breath and in some degree his composure, and standing13 aside, endeavoured to make himself, as well as he could, master of the land.
Not a human being that he had ever seen before! The circumstance of not being noticed, which a few minutes since he had felt as a relief, became now a cause of annoyance14. It seemed that he was the only person standing alone whom no one was addressing. He felt renewed and aggravated15 embarrassment16, and fancied, perhaps was conscious, that he was blushing. At length his ear caught the voice of Mr. Rigby. The speaker was not visible; he was at a distance surrounded by a wondering group, whom he was severally and collectively contradicting, but Coningsby could not mistake those harsh, arrogant17 tones. He was not sorry indeed that Mr. Rigby did not observe him. Coningsby never loved him particularly, which was rather ungrateful, for he was a person who had been kind, and, on the whole, serviceable to him; but Coningsby writhed18, especially as he grew older, under Mr. Rigby’s patronising air and paternal19 tone. Even in old days, though attentive20, Coningsby had never found him affectionate. Mr. Rigby would tell him what to do and see, but never asked him what he wished to do and see. It seemed to Coningsby that it was always contrived21 that he should appear the protégé, or poor relation, of a dependent of his family. These feelings, which the thought of Mr. Rigby had revived, caused our young friend, by an inevitable22 association of ideas, to remember that, unknown and unnoticed as he might be, he was the only Coningsby in that proud Castle, except the Lord of the Castle himself; and he began to be rather ashamed of permitting a sense of his inexperience in the mere23 forms and fashions of society so to oppress him, and deprive him, as it were, of the spirit and carriage which became alike his character and his position. Emboldened24 and greatly restored to himself, Coningsby advanced into the body of the saloon.
On his legs, wearing his blue ribbon and bending his head frequently to a lady who was seated on a sofa, and continually addressed him, Coningsby recognised his grandfather. Lord Monmouth was somewhat balder than four years ago, when he had come down to Montem, and a little more portly perhaps; but otherwise unchanged. Lord Monmouth never condescended25 to the artifices26 of the toilet, and, indeed, notwithstanding his life of excess, had little need of them. Nature had done much for him, and the slow progress of decay was carried off by his consummate27 bearing. He looked, indeed, the chieftain of a house of whom a cadet might be proud.
For Coningsby, not only the chief of his house, but his host too. In either capacity he ought to address Lord Monmouth. To sit down to dinner without having previously28 paid his respects to his grandfather, to whom he was so much indebted, and whom he had not seen for so many years, struck him not only as uncourtly, but as unkind and ungrateful, and, indeed, in the highest degree absurd. But how was he to do it? Lord Monmouth seemed deeply engaged, and apparently29 with some very great lady. And if Coningsby advanced and bowed, in all probability he would only get a bow in return. He remembered the bow of his first interview. It had made a lasting30 impression on his mind. For it was more than likely Lord Monmouth would not recognise him. Four years had not sensibly altered Lord Monmouth, but four years had changed Harry31 Coningsby from a schoolboy into a man. Then how was he to make himself known to his grandfather? To announce himself as Coningsby, as his Lordship’s grandson, seemed somewhat ridiculous: to address his grandfather as Lord Monmouth would serve no purpose: to style Lord Monmouth ‘grandfather’ would make every one laugh, and seem stiff and unnatural32. What was he to do? To fall into an attitude and exclaim, ‘Behold your grandchild!’ or, ‘Have you forgotten your Harry?’
Even to catch Lord Monmouth’s glance was not an easy affair; he was much occupied on one side by the great lady, on the other were several gentlemen who occasionally joined in the conversation. But something must be done.
There ran through Coningsby’s character, as we have before mentioned, a vein33 of simplicity34 which was not its least charm. It resulted, no doubt, in a great degree from the earnestness of his nature. There never was a boy so totally devoid35 of affectation, which was remarkable36, for he had a brilliant imagination, a quality that, from its fantasies, and the vague and indefinite desires it engenders37, generally makes those whose characters are not formed, affected38. The Duchess, who was a fine judge of character, and who greatly regarded Coningsby, often mentioned this trait as one which, combined with his great abilities and acquirements so unusual at his age, rendered him very interesting. In the present instance it happened that, while Coningsby was watching his grandfather, he observed a gentleman advance, make his bow, say and receive a few words and retire. This little incident, however, made a momentary39 diversion in the immediate circle of Lord Monmouth, and before they could all resume their former talk and fall into their previous positions, an impulse sent forth40 Coningsby, who walked up to Lord Monmouth, and standing before him, said,
‘How do you do, grandpapa?’
Lord Monmouth beheld41 his grandson. His comprehensive and penetrating42 glance took in every point with a flash. There stood before him one of the handsomest youths he had ever seen, with a mien43 as graceful44 as his countenance45 was captivating; and his whole air breathing that freshness and ingenuousness46 which none so much appreciates as the used man of the world. And this was his child; the only one of his blood to whom he had been kind. It would be exaggeration to say that Lord Monmouth’s heart was touched; but his goodnature effervesced47, and his fine taste was deeply gratified. He perceived in an instant such a relation might be a valuable adherent48; an irresistible49 candidate for future elections: a brilliant tool to work out the Dukedom. All these impressions and ideas, and many more, passed through the quick brain of Lord Monmouth ere the sound of Coningsby’s words had seemed to cease, and long before the surrounding guests had recovered from the surprise which they had occasioned them, and which did not diminish, when Lord Monmouth, advancing, placed his arms round Coningsby with a dignity of affection that would have become Louis XIV., and then, in the high manner of the old Court, kissed him on each cheek.
‘Welcome to your home,’ said Lord Monmouth. ‘You have grown a great deal.’
Then Lord Monmouth led the agitated50 Coningsby to the great lady, who was a Princess and an Ambassadress, and then, placing his arm gracefully51 in that of his grandson, he led him across the room, and presented him in due form to some royal blood that was his guest, in the shape of a Russian Grand-duke. His Imperial Highness received our hero as graciously as the grandson of Lord Monmouth might expect; but no greeting can be imagined warmer than the one he received from the lady with whom the Grand-duke was conversing52. She was a dame53 whose beauty was mature, but still radiant. Her figure was superb; her dark hair crowned with a tiara of curious workmanship. Her rounded arm was covered with costly54 bracelets55, but not a jewel on her finely formed bust2, and the least possible rouge56 on her still oval cheek. Madame Colonna retained her charms.
The party, though so considerable, principally consisted of the guests at the Castle. The suite57 of the Grand-duke included several counts and generals; then there were the Russian Ambassador and his lady; and a Russian Prince and Princess, their relations. The Prince and Princess Colonna and the Princess Lucretia were also paying a visit to the Marquess; and the frequency of these visits made some straight-laced magnificoes mysteriously declare it was impossible to go to Coningsby; but as they were not asked, it did not much signify. The Marquess knew a great many very agreeable people of the highest ton, who took a more liberal view of human conduct, and always made it a rule to presume the best motives58 instead of imputing59 the worst. There was Lady St. Julians, for example, whose position was of the highest; no one more sought; she made it a rule to go everywhere and visit everybody, provided they had power, wealth, and fashion. She knew no crime except a woman not living with her husband; that was past pardon. So long as his presence sanctioned her conduct, however shameless, it did not signify; but if the husband were a brute60, neglected his wife first, and then deserted61 her; then, if a breath but sullies her name she must be crushed; unless, indeed, her own family were very powerful, which makes a difference, and sometimes softens62 immorality63 into indiscretion.
Lord and Lady Gaverstock were also there, who never said an unkind thing of anybody; her ladyship was pure as snow; but her mother having been divorced, she ever fancied she was paying a kind of homage64 to her parent, by visiting those who might some day be in the same predicament. There were other lords and ladies of high degree; and some who, though neither lords nor ladies, were charming people, which Lord Monmouth chiefly cared about; troops of fine gentlemen who came and went; and some who were neither fine nor gentlemen, but who were very amusing or very obliging, as circumstances required, and made life easy and pleasant to others and themselves.
A new scene this for Coningsby, who watched with interest all that passed before him. The dinner was announced as served; an affectionate arm guides him at a moment of some perplexity.
‘When did you arrive, Harry? We shall sit together. How is the Duchess?’ inquired Mr. Rigby, who spoke65 as if he had seen Coningsby for the first time; but who indeed had, with that eye which nothing could escape, observed his reception by his grandfather, marked it well, and inwardly digested it.
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1
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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boundlessly
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| adv.无穷地，无限地 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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8
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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13
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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14
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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15
aggravated
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| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
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16
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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18
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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21
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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22
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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23
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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24
emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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26
artifices
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| n.灵巧( artifice的名词复数 )；诡计；巧妙办法；虚伪行为 | |
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27
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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28
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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29
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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30
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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31
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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32
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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33
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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34
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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36
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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37
engenders
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的第三人称单数 ) | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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40
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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41
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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42
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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43
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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44
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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45
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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46
ingenuousness
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| n.率直；正直；老实 | |
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47
effervesced
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| v.冒气泡，起泡沫( effervesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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49
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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50
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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51
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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52
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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53
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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54
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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55
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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56
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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57
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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58
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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59
imputing
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的现在分词 ) | |
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60
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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61
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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62
softens
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| （使）变软( soften的第三人称单数 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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63
immorality
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| n. 不道德, 无道义 | |
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64
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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65
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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