Meanwhile, Violet sat formal and forlorn in the drawing-room, and Lady Martindale tried to make conversation. Did she play, or draw? Matilda played, Caroline drew, she had been learning; and in horror of a request for music, she turned her eyes from the grand piano. Was she fond of flowers? O, yes! Of botany? Caroline was. A beautifully illustrated magazine of horticulture was laid before her, and somewhat relieved her, whilst the elder ladies talked about their fernery, in scientific terms, that sounded like an unknown tongue.
Perceiving that a book was wanted, she sprang up, begging to be told where to find it; but the answer made her fear she had been officious. No, my dear, thank you, do not trouble yourself.
The bell was rung, and a message sent to ask Miss Piper for the book. A small, pale, meek lady glided in, found the place, and departed; while Violet felt more discomposed than ever, under the sense of being a conceited little upstart, sitting among the grand ladies, while such a person was ordered about.
Ease seemed to come back with the gentlemen. Lord Martindale took her into the great drawing-room, to show her Arthurs portrait, and the show of the houseLady Martindales likeness, in the character of Lalla Rookhand John began to turn over prints for her, while Arthur devoted himself to his aunt, talking in the way that, in his schoolboy days, would have beguiled from her sovereigns and bank-notes. However, his civilities were less amiably received, and he met with nothing but hits in return. He hoped that her winter had not been dull.
Not with a person of so much resource as his sister. Solitude with her was a pleasureit showed the value of a cultivated mind.
She never used to be famous for that sort of thing, said Arthur.
Not as a child, but the best years for study come later. Education is scarcely begun at seventeen.
Young ladies would not thank you for that maxim.
Experience confirms me in it. A woman is nothing without a few years of grown-up girlhood before her marriage; and, what is more, no one can judge of her when she is fresh from the school-room. Raw material!
Arthur laughed uneasily.
There is Mrs. Hitchcockyou know her?
What, the lady that goes out with the hounds, and rides steeple-chases? I saw her ride through Whitford to-day, and she stared so hard into the carriage, that poor Violet pulled down her veil till we were out of the town.
Well, she was married out of a boarding-school, came here the meekest, shyest, little shrinking creature, always keeping her eyelids cast down, and colouring at a word.
Arthur thought there was a vicious look at his brides bending head, but he endured by the help of twisting the tassel of the sofa cushion, and with another laugh observed, that all the ladys shyness had been used up before he knew her.
Then there was Lord George Wilmot, who ran away with a farmers daughter. She made quite a sensation; she was quite presentable, and very pretty and well-manneredbut such a temper! They used to be called George and the Dragon. Poor man! he had the most subdued air
There was a son of his in the Light Dragoons began Arthur, hoping to lead away the conversation, a great heavy fellow.
Exactly so; it was the case with all of them. The Yorkshire farmer showed in all their ways, and poor Lord George was so ashamed of it, that it was positively painful to see him in company with his daughters. And yet the mother was thought ladylike.
Arthur made a sudden observation on Johns improved looks.
Yes. Now that unhappy affair is over, we shall see him begin life afresh, and form new attachments. It is peculiarly important that he should be well married. Indeed, we see every reason to hope that And she looked significant and triumphant.
Much obliged! thought Arthur. Well! theres no use in letting oneself be a target for her, while she is in this temper. Ill go and see what I can make of her ladyship. What new scheme have they for John? Rickworth, eh?
He was soon at his mothers side, congratulating her on Johns recovery, and her looks were of real satisfaction. I am glad you think him better! He is much stronger, and we hope this may be the period when there is a change of constitution, and that we may yet see him a healthy man.
Has he been going out, or seeing more people of late?
Nostill keeping in his rooms all the morning. He did drive one day to Rickworth with your father, otherwise he has been nowhere, only taking his solitary ride.
I never was more surprised than to see him at Winchester!
It was entirely his own proposal. You could not be more surprised than we were; but it has been of much benefit to him by giving his thoughts a new channel.
He likes her, too, said Arthur.
I assure you he speaks most favourably of her.
What did he say? cried Arthur, eagerly.
He said she was a lady in mind and manners, and of excellent principles, but he declared he would not tell us all he thought of her, lest we should be disappointed.
Are you? said Arthur, with a bright, confident smile.
By no means. He had not prepared me for so much beauty, and such peculiarly graceful movements. My drawing days are nearly past, or I should be making a study of her.
Thats right, mother! cried Arthur. What a picture she would make. Look at her now! The worst of it is, she has so many pretty ways, one does not know which to catch her in!
Perhaps Lady Martindale caught her aunts eye, for she began to qualify her praise. But, Arthur, excuse me, if I tell you all. There is nothing amiss in her manners, but they are quite unformed, and I should dread any contact with her family.
I never mean her to come near them, said Arthur. Though, after all, they are better than you suppose. She has nothing to unlearn, and will pick up tone and ease fast enough.
And for education? Is she cultivated, accomplished?
Every man to his taste. You never could get learning to stick on me, and I did not look for it. She knows what other folks do, and likes nothing better than a book. She is good enough for me; and you must take to her, mother, even if she is not quite up to your mark in the ologies. Wont you? Indeed, she is a good little Violet!
Arthur had never spoken so warmly to his mother, and the calm, inanimate dignity of her face relaxed into a kind response, something was faltered of every wish to show kindness; and he had risen to lead his wife to her side, when he perceived his aunts bead-like eyes fixed on them, and she called out to ask Lady Martindale if Lady Elizabeth Brandon had returned.
The young ladies came in late; and Arthur in vain tried to win a look from his sister, who kept eyes and tongue solely for Miss Gardners service.
At night, as, after a conversation with his brother, he was crossing the gallery to his own room, he met her.
Teaching my wife to gossip? said he, well pleased.
No, I have been with Jane.
The eternal friendship! exclaimed he, in a changed tone.
Good night! and she passed on.
He stood still, then stepping after her, overtook her.
Theodora! he said, almost pleadingly.
Well!
He paused, tried to laugh, and at last said, rather awkwardly, I want to know what you think of her?
I see she is very pretty.
Good night! and his receding footsteps echoed mortification.
Theodora looked after him. Jane is right, she said to herself, he cares most for me. Poor Arthur! I must stand alone, ready to support him when his toy fails him.