You have not told me about the drawing-room.
Do you think I am going there till I am obliged!
What! You did not go with Lady Martindale and Theodora? I should like to have seen them dressed. Do tell me how they looked.
Splendid, no doubt; but you must take it on trust.
You did not see them! What a pity! How disappointed Theodora must have been!
Were there not folks enough to look at her?
As if they were of any use without you.
Little goose! I am not her husband, thank goodness, and wishing him joy that gets her.
O, Arthur, dont! I want to hear of Lady Alburys party. You did go to that!
Yes, my mother lugged me into it, and a monstrous bore it was. I wish you had been there.
Thank you, but if it was so dull
Emma Brandon and I agreed that there was not a woman who would have been looked at twice if you had been there. We wanted you for a specimen of what is worth seeing. Fancy! it was such a dearth of good looks that they were making a star of Mrs. Finch! It was enough to put one in a rage. I told Theodora at last, since she would have it, there was nothing in the woman but impudence.
John glanced over his book, and perceived that to Arthur there appeared profanation in the implied comparison of that flashy display of beauty with the pure, modest, tender loveliness, whose every blush and smile, as well as the little unwonted decorations assumed to honour his presence, showed, that its only value was the pleasure it gave to him. His last speech made her tone somewhat of reproof. Oh! that must have vexed her, I am afraid. She is very fond of Mrs. Finch.
Out of opposition, said Arthur. It is too bad, I declare! That Georgina was well enough as a girl, spirited and like Theodora, only Theodora always had sense. She was amusing then, but there is nothing so detestable as a woman who continues fast after marriage.
Except a man, observed John, in a tone of soliloquy. She has grown so thin, too! continued Arthur. She used to be tolerably handsome when she was a fine plump rosy girl. Now she is all red cheek-bone and long neck! We are come to a pretty pass when we take her for a beauty!
Oh! but there is your sister, said Violet. Do tell me how she likes going out. She thought it would be such a penance.
All I know is, that at home she is as sulky as a Greenland bear, and then goes out and flirts nineteen to the dozen.
Arthur! came the remonstrating voice again, how you talkdo you mean that she is silent at home? Is she unhappy? What can be the matter with her?
How should I know?
Has not she said anything about baby?
Not she. Not one of them has, except my father.
I thought she would have liked to have heard of baby, said Violet, in a tone of disappointment; but if there is anything on her spirits, perhaps she cannot think about him. I wonder what it can be. It cannot be anyany
Any love affair! No! no! Miss Martindale may break hearts enough, but she will take care of her own, if she has one.
Is she so much admired?
Of course she is. You do not often see her style, and she talks and goes on at no end of a rate.
I remember how she grew excited at the ball, after disliking the prospect.
Is this mere general admiration, asked John, or anything more serious?
Upon my word, I cannot say. There is no earnest on her part. She will rattle on with a poor fellow one night as if she had eyes for no one else, then leave him in the lurch the next. She cares not a rush for any of them, only wants to be run after. As to her followers, some of them are really smitten, I fancy. There was Fitzhugh, but he is an old hand, and can pay her in her own coin, and that sober-faced young Mervynit is a bad case with him. In fact, there is a fresh one whenever she goes outa Jenny Dennison in high lifebut the most bitten of all, I take it, is Lord St. Erme.
Lord St. Erme! exclaimed both auditors in a breath.
Ay. She met him at that breakfast, walked about the gardens with him all the morning, and my mother wrote to my aunt, I believe, that she was booked. Then at this Bryanstone soiree, the next night, Fitzhugh was in the ascendantpoor St. Erme could not so much as gain a look.
So he is in London! said Violet. Do tell me what he is like.
Like a German music-master, said Arthur. As queer a figure as ever I saw. Keeps his hair parted in the middle, hanging down in long lank rats tails, meant to curl, moustache ditto, open collar turned down, black ribbon tie.