And two copies of the Christian Year, said Lady Western, suddenly. Oh, thank you so much! but I know they are all on the side-table, and I shall go and look at them. Not the very smallest copy, Mr. Masters, and not that solemn one with the red edges; something pretty, with a little ornament and gilding: they are for two little protegées of mine. Oh, here is exactly what I want! another one like this, please. How very obliging all your people are, said her ladyship, benignly, as the nearest man dashed off headlong to bring what she wanted but I think it is universal in Carlingford; and indeed the manners of our country people in general have improved very much of late. Dont you think so? oh, there cant be a question about it!
I beg your ladyships pardon, I am sure; but perhaps, my lady, it is not safe to judge the general question from your ladyships point of view, said the polite bookseller, with a bow.
Oh, pray dont say so; I should be wretched if I thought you took more trouble for me than for other people, said the young Dowager, with a sweetness which filled Vincents heart with jealous pangs. She was close by his side so close that those sacred robes rustled in his very ear, and her shawl brushed his sleeve. The poor young man took off his hat in a kind of ecstasy. If she did not notice him, what did it matter? silent adoration, speechless homage, could not affront a queen.
And it was happily very far from affronting
Lady Western. She turned round with a little curiosity, and looked up in his face. Oh, Mr. Mr. Vincent, cried the beautiful creature, brightening in recognition. How do you do? I suppose you are a resident in Carlingford now, are not you? Pardon me, that I did not see you when I came in. How very, very good it is of you to go and see my my friend! Did you ever see anything so dreadful as the place where she lives? and isnt she an extraordinary creature? Thank you, Mr. Masters; thats exactly what I want. I do believe she might have been Lord Chancellor, or something, if she had not been a woman, said the enchantress, once more lifting her lovely eyes with an expression of awe to Vincents face.
She seems a very remarkable person, said Vincent. To see her where she is, makes one feel how insignificant are the circumstances of life.
Really! now, how do you make out that? said Lady Western; for, to tell the truth, I think, when I see her, oh, how important they are! and that Id a great deal rather die than live so. But you clever people take such strange views of things. Now tell me how you make that out?
Nay, said Vincent, lowering his voice with a delicious sense of having a subject to be confidential upon, you know what conditions of existence all her surroundings imply; yet the most ignorant could not doubt for a moment her perfect superiority to them a superiority so perfect, he added, with a sudden insight which puzzled even himself, that it is not necessary to assert it.
Oh, to be sure, said Lady Western, colouring a little, and with a momentary hauteur, of course a Russell I mean a gentlewoman must always look the same to a certain extent; but, alas! I am only a very commonplace little woman, continued the beauty, brightening into those smiles which perhaps might be distributed too liberally, but which intoxicated for the moment every man on whom they fell. I think those circumstances which you speak of so disrespectfully are everything! I have not a great soul to triumph over them. I should break down, or they would overcome me oh, you need not shake your head! I know I am right so far as I myself am concerned.
Indeed I cannot think so, said the intoxicated young man; you would make any circumstances
What?
But the bewildered youth made no direct reply. He only gazed at her, grew very red, and said, suddenly, I beg your pardon, stepping back in confusion, like the guilty man he was. The lady blushed, too, as her inquiring eyes met that unexpected response. Used as she was to adoration, she felt the silent force of the compliment withheld it was a thousand times sweeter in its delicate suggestiveness and reserve of incense than any effusion of words. They were both a little confused for the moment, poor Vincents momentary betrayal of himself having somehow suddenly dissipated the array of circumstances which surrounded and separated two persons so far apart from each other in every conventional aspect. The first to regain her place and composure was of course Lady Western, who made him a pretty playful curtsy, and broke into a low, sweet ring of laughter.
Now I shall never know whether you meant to be complimentary or contemptuous, cried the young Dowager, which is hard upon a creature with such a love of approbation as our friend says I have. However, I forgive you, if you meant to be very cutting, for her sake. It is so very kind of you to go to see her, and I am sure she enjoys your visits. Thank you, Mr. Masters, that is all. Have you got the two copies of the Christian Year? Put them into the carriage, please. Mr. Vincent, I am going to have the last of my summer-parties next Thursday twelve oclock; will you come? only a cup of coffee, you know, or tea if you prefer it, and talk au discretion . I shall be happy to see you, and I have some nice friends, and one or two good pictures; so there you have an account of all the attractions my house can boast of. Do come: it will be my last party this season, and I rather want it to be a great success, said the syren, looking up with her sweet eyes.