CHAPTER V.
_PRINCE CHARMING._
The old glove lay upon the floor forgotten, while Rose sat musing,till a quick step sounded in the hall, and a voice drew near tunefullyhumming.
"As he was walkin' doun the street The city for to view, Oh, there he spied a bonny lass, The window lookin' through."
"Sae licht he jumped up the stair, And tirled at the pin; Oh, wha sae ready as hersel' To let the laddie in?"
sung Rose, as the voice paused and a tap came at the door.
"Good morning, Rosamunda; here are your letters, and your most devotedready to execute any commissions you may have for him," was Charlie'sgreeting, as he came in looking comely, gay, and debonair as usual.
"Thanks: I've no errands unless you mail my replies, if these needanswering; so by your leave, Prince," and Rose began to open thehandful of notes he threw into her lap.
"Ha! what sight is this to blast mine eyes?" ejaculated Charlie, as hepointed to the glove with a melodramatic start; for, like mostaccomplished amateur actors, he was fond of introducing privatetheatricals into his "daily walk and conversation."
"Uncle left it."
"'Tis well; methought perchance a rival had been here," and, pickingit up, Charlie amused himself with putting it on the head of a littlePsyche, which ornamented the mantle-piece, humming, as he did so,another verse of the old song,--
"He set his Jenny on his knee, All in his Highland dress; For brawly well he kenned the way To please a bonny lass."
Rose went on reading her letters, but all the while was thinking ofher conversation with her uncle, and something else, suggested by thenewcomer and his ditty.
During the three months since her return, she had seen more of thiscousin than any of the others; for he seemed to be the only one whohad leisure to "play with Rose," as they used to say years ago. Theother boys were all at work, even little Jamie, many of whose playhours were devoted to manful struggles with Latin grammar, the evilgenius of his boyish life. Dr. Alec had many affairs to arrange afterhis long absence; Phebe was busy with her music; and Aunt Plenty stillactively superintended her housekeeping. Thus it fell out, quitenaturally, that Charlie should form the habit of lounging in at allhours with letters, messages, bits of news, and agreeable plans forRose. He helped her with her sketching, rode with her, sung with her,and took her to parties, as a matter of course; for Aunt Clara, beingthe gayest of the sisters, played chaperon on all occasions.
For a time it was very pleasant; but, by and by, Rose began to wishCharlie would find something to do like the rest, and not makedawdling after her the business of his life. The family were used tohis self-indulgent ways: and there was an amiable delusion in theminds of the boys that he had a right to the best of every thing; forto them he was still the Prince, the flower of the flock, and in timeto be an honor to the name. No one exactly knew how: for, though fullof talent, he seemed to have no especial gift or bias; and the eldersbegan to shake their heads, because, in spite of many grand promisesand projects, the moment for decisive action never came.
Rose saw all this, and longed to inspire her brilliant cousin withsome manful purpose, which should win for him respect as well asadmiration. But she found it very hard: for, though he listened withimperturbable good humor, and owned his shortcomings with delightfulfrankness, he always had some argument, reason, or excuse to offer,and out-talked her in five minutes; leaving her silenced, butunconvinced.
Of late she had observed that he seemed to feel as if her time andthoughts belonged exclusively to him, and rather resented the approachof any other claimant. This annoyed her, and suggested the idea thather affectionate interest and efforts were misunderstood by him,misrepresented and taken advantage of by Aunt Clara, who had been mosturgent that she should "use her influence with the dear boy," thoughthe fond mother resented all other interference. This troubled Rose,and made her feel as if caught in a snare; for, while she owned toherself that Charlie was the most attractive of her cousins, she wasnot ready to be taken possession of in this masterful way, especiallysince other and sometimes better men sought her favor more humbly.
These thoughts were floating vaguely in her mind as she read herletters, and unconsciously influenced her in the chat that followed.
"Only invitations, and I can't stop to answer them now, or I shallnever get through this job," she said, returning to her work.
"Let me help. You do up, and I'll direct. Have a secretary; do now,and see what a comfort it will be," proposed Charlie, who could turnhis hand to any thing, and had made himself quite at home in thesanctum.
"I'd rather finish this myself, but you may answer the notes if youwill. Just regrets to all but two or three. Read the names as you goalong, and I'll tell you which."
"To hear is to obey. Who says I'm a 'frivolous idler' now?" andCharlie sat down at the writing table with alacrity; for these hoursin the little room were his best and happiest.
"Order is heaven's first law, and the view a lovely one, but I _don't_see any note-paper," he added, opening the desk and surveying itscontents with interest.
"Right-hand drawer: violet monogram for the notes; plain paper for thebusiness letter. I'll see to that, though," answered Rose, trying todecide whether Annabel or Emma should have the laced handkerchief.
"Confiding creature! Suppose I open the wrong drawer, and come uponthe tender secrets of your soul?" continued the new secretary,rummaging out the delicate note-paper with masculine disregard oforder.
"I haven't got any," answered Rose, demurely.
"What, not one despairing scrawl, one cherished miniature, one fadedfloweret, etc., etc.? I can't believe it, cousin," and he shook hishead incredulously.
"If I had, I certainly should not show them to you, impertinentperson! There _are_ a few little souvenirs in that desk, but nothingvery sentimental or interesting."
"How I'd like to see 'em! But I should never dare to ask," observedCharlie, peering over the top of the half-open lid with a mostpersuasive pair of eyes.
"You may if you want to, but you'll be disappointed, Paul Pry. Lowerleft-hand drawer with the key in it."
"'Angel of goodness, how shall I requite thee? Interesting moment,with what palpitating emotions art thou fraught!'" and, quoting fromthe "Mysteries of Udolpho," he unlocked and opened the drawer with atragic gesture.
"Seven locks of hair in a box, all light; for 'here's your strawcolor, your orange tawny, your French crown color, and your perfectyellow' Shakspeare. They look very familiar, and I fancy I know theheads they thatched."
"Yes, you all gave me one when I went away, you know; and I carriedthem round the world with me in that very box."
"I wish the heads had gone too. Here's a jolly little amber god, witha gold ring in his back and a most balmy breath," continued Charlie,taking a long sniff at the scent-bottle.
"Uncle brought me that long ago, and I'm very fond of it."
"This now looks suspicious,--a man's ring with a lotus cut on thestone and a note attached. I tremble as I ask, Who, when, and where?"
"A gentleman, on my birthday, in Calcutta."
"I breathe again: it was my sire?"
"Don't be absurd. Of course it was, and he did every thing to make myvisit pleasant. I wish you'd go and see him like a dutiful son,instead of idling here."
"That's what Uncle Mac is eternally telling me; but I don't intend tobe lectured into the tread-mill till I've had my fling first,"muttered Charlie, rebelliously.
"If you fling yourself in the wrong direction, you may find it hard toget back again," began Rose, gravely.
"No fear, if you look after me as you seem to have promised to do,judging by the thanks you get in this note. Poor old governor! I_should_ like to see him; for it's almost four years since he camehome last, and he must be getting on."
Charlie was the only one of the boys who ever called his father"governor:" perhaps because the others knew and loved their fathers,while he had seen so little
of his that the less respectful name camemore readily to his lips; since the elder man seemed in truth agovernor issuing requests or commands, which the younger too oftenneglected or resented.
Long ago Rose had discovered that Uncle Stephen found home made sodistasteful by his wife's devotion to society, that he preferred toexile himself, taking business as an excuse for his protractedabsences.
The girl was thinking of this, as she watched her cousin turn the ringabout with a sudden sobriety which became him well; and, believingthat the moment was propitious, she said earnestly,--
"He _is_ getting on. Dear Charlie, do think of duty more than pleasurein this case, and I'm sure you never will regret it."
"Do _you_ want me to go?" he asked quickly.
"I think you ought."
"And I think you'd be much more charming if you wouldn't always beworrying about right and wrong! Uncle Alec taught you that along withthe rest of his queer notions."
"I'm glad he did!" cried Rose, warmly; then checked herself, and saidwith a patient sort of sigh, "You know women always want the men theycare for to be good, and can't help trying to make them so."
"So they do; and we ought to be a set of angels: but I've a strongconviction that, if we were, the dear souls wouldn't like us half aswell. Would they now?" asked Charlie, with an insinuating smile.
"Perhaps not; but that is dodging the point. Will you go?" persistedRose, unwisely.
"No, I will not."
That was sufficiently decided; and an uncomfortable pause followed,during which Rose tied a knot unnecessarily tight, and Charlie went onexploring the drawer with more energy than interest.
"Why, here's an old thing I gave you ages ago!" he suddenly exclaimedin a pleased tone, holding up a little agate heart on a faded blueribbon. "Will you let me take away the heart of stone and give you aheart of flesh?" he asked, half in earnest, half in jest, touched bythe little trinket and the recollections it awakened.
"No, I will not," answered Rose, bluntly, much displeased by theirreverent and audacious question.
Charlie looked rather abashed for a moment; but his naturallight-heartedness made it easy for him to get the better of his ownbrief fits of waywardness, and put others in good humor with him andthemselves.
"Now we are even: let's drop the subject and start afresh," he saidwith irresistible affability, as he coolly put the little heart in hispocket, and prepared to shut the drawer. But something caught his eye,and exclaiming, "What's this? what's this?" he snatched up aphotograph which lay half under a pile of letters with foreignpost-marks.
"Oh! I forgot that was there," said Rose, hastily.
"Who is the man?" demanded Charlie, eying the good-looking countenancebefore him with a frown.
"That is the Honorable Gilbert Murry, who went up the Nile with us,and shot crocodiles and other small deer, being a mighty hunter, as Itold you in my letters," answered Rose gayly, though ill-pleased atthe little discovery just then; for this had been one of the narrowescapes her uncle spoke of.
"And they haven't eaten him yet, I infer from that pile of letters?"said Charlie, jealously.
"I hope not. His sister did not mention it when she wrote last."
"Ah! then she is your correspondent? Sisters are dangerous thingssometimes." And Charlie eyed the packet suspiciously.
"In this case, a very convenient thing; for she tells me all about herbrother's wedding as no one else would take the trouble to do."
"Oh! well, if he's married, I don't care a straw about him. I fanciedI'd found out why you are such a hard-hearted charmer. But, if thereis no secret idol, I'm all at sea again." And Charlie tossed thephotograph into the drawer, as if it no longer interested him.
"I'm hard-hearted because I'm particular, and, as yet, do not find anyone at all to my taste."
"No one?" with a tender glance.
"No one," with a rebellious blush, and the truthful addition, "I seemuch to admire and like in many persons, but none quite strong andgood enough to suit me. My heroes are old-fashioned, you know."
"Prigs, like Guy Carleton, Count Altenberg, and John Halifax: I knowthe pattern you goody girls like," sneered Charlie, who preferred theGuy Livingston, Beauclerc, and Rochester style.
"Then I'm not a 'goody girl,' for I don't like prigs. I want agentleman in the best sense of the word, and I can wait; for I've seenone, and know there are more in the world."
"The deuce you have! Do I know him?" asked Charlie, much alarmed.
"You think you do," answered Rose, with a mischievous sparkle in hereye.
"If it isn't Pem, I give it up. He is the best-bred fellow I know."
"Oh, dear, no! far superior to Mr. Pemberton, and many years older,"said Rose, with so much respect that Charlie looked perplexed as wellas anxious.
"Some apostolic minister, I fancy. You pious creatures always like toadore a parson. But all we know are married."
"He isn't."
"Give a name, for pity's sake: I'm suffering tortures of suspense,"begged Charlie.
"Alexander Campbell."
"Uncle? Well, upon my word, that's a relief, but mighty absurd all thesame. So, when you find a young saint of that sort, you intend tomarry him, do you?" demanded Charlie, much amused and ratherdisappointed.
"When I find any man half as honest, good, and noble as uncle, I shallbe proud to marry him, if he asks me," answered Rose, decidedly.
"What odd tastes women have!" And Charlie leaned his chin on his hand,to muse pensively for a moment over the blindness of one woman whocould admire an excellent old uncle more than a dashing young cousin.
Rose, meanwhile, tied up her parcels industriously, hoping she had notbeen too severe; for it was very hard to lecture Charlie, though heseemed to like it sometimes, and came to confession voluntarily,knowing that women love to forgive when the sinners are of his sort.
"It will be mail-time before you are done," she said presently; forsilence was less pleasant than his rattle.
Charlie took the hint, and dashed off several notes in his bestmanner. Coming to the business-letter, he glanced at it, and asked,with a puzzled expression,--
"What is all this? Cost of repairs, &c., from a man named Buffum?"
"Never mind that: I'll see to it by and by."
"But I do mind, for I'm interested in all your affairs; and, thoughyou think I've no head for business, you'll find I have, if you'll tryme."
"This is only about my two old houses in the city, which are beingrepaired and altered so that the rooms can be let singly."
"Going to make tenement-houses of them? Well, that's not a bad idea:such places pay well, I've heard."
"That is just what I'm _not_ going to do. I wouldn't have atenement-house on my conscience for a million of dollars,--not as theyare now," said Rose, decidedly.
"Why, what do _you_ know about it, except that poor people live inthem, and the owners turn a penny on the rents?"
"I know a good deal about them; for I've seen many such, both hereand abroad. It was not all pleasure with us, I assure you. Unclewas interested in hospitals and prisons, and I sometimes went withhim: but they made me sad; so he suggested other charities, thatI could help about when we came home. I visited Infant Schools,Working-women's Homes, Orphan Asylums, and places of that sort. Youdon't know how much good it did me, and how glad I am that I have themeans of lightening a little some of the misery in the world."
"But, my dear girl, you needn't make ducks and drakes of your fortunetrying to feed and cure and clothe all the poor wretches you see.Give, of course: every one should do something in that line, and noone likes it better than I. But don't, for mercy's sake, go at it assome women do, and get so desperately earnest, practical, andcharity-mad that there is no living in peace with you," protestedCharlie, looking alarmed at the prospect.
"You can do as you please. _I_ intend to do all the good I can byasking the advice and following the example of the most 'earnest,''practical,' and 'charitable' people I know: so, if you don't approve,you ca
n drop my acquaintance," answered Rose, emphasizing theobnoxious words, and assuming the resolute air she always wore whendefending her hobbies.
"You'll be laughed at."
"I'm used to that."
"And criticised and shunned."
"Not by people whose opinion I value."
"Women shouldn't go poking into such places."
"I've been taught that they should."
"Well, you'll get some dreadful disease and lose your beauty, andthen where are you?" added Charlie, thinking that might daunt theyoung philanthropist.
But it did not; for Rose answered, with a sudden kindling of the eyesas she remembered her talk with Uncle Alec,--
"I shouldn't like it: but there would be one satisfaction in it; for,when I'd lost my beauty and given away my money, I should know whoreally cared for me."
Charlie nibbled his pen in silence for a moment, then asked, meekly,--
"Could I respectfully inquire what great reform is to be carried on inthe old houses which their amiable owner is repairing?"
"I am merely going to make them comfortable homes for poor butrespectable women to live in. There is a class who cannot afford topay much, yet suffer a great deal from being obliged to stay in noisy,dirty, crowded places like tenement-houses and cheap lodgings. I canhelp a few of them, and I'm going to try."
"May I humbly ask if these decayed gentlewomen are to inhabit theirpalatial retreat rent-free?"
"That was my first plan; but uncle showed me that it was wiser not tomake genteel paupers of them, but let them pay a small rent and feelindependent. I don't want the money of course, and shall use it inkeeping the houses tidy, or helping other women in like case," saidRose, entirely ignoring her cousin's covert ridicule.
"Don't expect any gratitude, for you won't get it; nor much comfortwith a lot of forlornities on your hands; and be sure that when it istoo late you will tire of it all, and wish you had done as otherpeople do."
"Thanks for your cheerful prophecies; but I think I'll venture."
She looked so undaunted that Charlie was a little nettled, and firedhis last shot rather recklessly,--
"Well, one thing I do know: you'll never get a husband if you go on inthis absurd way; and, by Jove! you need one to take care of you andkeep the property together!"
Rose had a temper, but seldom let it get the better of her; now,however, it flashed up for a moment. Those last words were peculiarlyunfortunate, because Aunt Clara had used them more than once, whenwarning her against impecunious suitors and generous projects. She wasdisappointed in her cousin, annoyed at having her little plans laughedat, and indignant with him for his final suggestion.
"I'll never have one, if I must give up the liberty of doing what Iknow is right; and I'd rather go into the poor-house to-morrow than'keep the property together' in the selfish way you mean!"
That was all: but Charlie saw that he had gone too far, and hastenedto make his peace with the skill of a lover; for, turning to thelittle cabinet piano behind him, he sung in his best style the sweetold song,--
"Oh were thou in the cauld blast,"
dwelling with great effect, not only upon the tender assurance that
"My plaid should shelter thee,"
but also that, even if a king,
"The brightest jewel in my crown Wad be my queen, wad be my queen."
It was very evident that Prince Charming had not gone troubadouring invain; for Orpheus himself could not have restored harmony moresuccessfully. The tuneful apology was accepted with a forgiving smile,and a frank,--
"I'm sorry I was cross; but you haven't forgotten how to tease, andI'm rather out of sorts to-day. Late hours don't agree with me."
"Then you won't feel like going to Mrs. Hope's to-morrow night, I'mafraid," and Charlie took up the last note with an expression ofregret which was very flattering.
"I must go, because it is made for me; but I can come away early, andmake up lost sleep. I do hate to be so fractious," and Rose rubbed theforehead that ached with too much racketing.
"But the German does not begin till late: I'm to lead, and depend uponyou. Just stay this once to oblige me," pleaded Charlie; for he hadset his heart on distinguishing himself.
"No: I promised uncle to be temperate in my pleasures, and I must keepmy word. I'm so well now, it would be very foolish to get ill and makehim anxious: not to mention losing my beauty, as you are good enoughto call it; for that depends on health, you know."
"But the fun doesn't begin till after supper. Every thing will bedelightful, I assure you; and we'll have a gay old time as we did lastweek at Emma's."
"Then I certainly will not; for I'm ashamed of myself when I rememberwhat a romp that was, and how sober uncle looked, as he let me in atthree in the morning, all fagged out; my dress in rags, my headaching, my feet so tired I could hardly stand, and nothing to show forfive hours' hard work but a pocketful of bonbons, artificial flowers,and tissue-paper fool's-caps. Uncle said I'd better put one on and goto bed; for I looked as if I'd been to a French Bal Masque. I neverwant to hear him say so again, and I'll never let dawn catch me out insuch a plight any more."
"You were all right enough; for mother didn't object, and I got youboth home before daylight. Uncle is notional about such things, so Ishouldn't mind; for we had a jolly time, and we were none the worsefor it."
"Indeed we were, every one of us! Aunt Clara hasn't got over her coldyet; I slept all the next day; and you looked like a ghost, for you'dbeen out every night for weeks, I think."
"Oh, nonsense! every one does it during the season, and you'll getused to the pace very soon," began Charlie, bent on making her go; forhe was in his element in a ballroom, and never happier than when hehad his pretty cousin on his arm.
"Ah! but I don't want to get used to it; for it costs too much in theend. I don't wish to get used to being whisked about a hot room by menwho have taken too much wine; to turn day into night, wasting timethat might be better spent; and grow into a fashionable fast girl whocan't get on without excitement. I don't deny that much of it ispleasant, but don't try to make me too fond of gayety. Help me toresist what I know is hurtful, and please don't laugh me out of thegood habits uncle has tried so hard to give me."
Rose was quite sincere in her appeal, and Charlie knew she was right:but he always found it hard to give up any thing he had set his heartupon, no matter how trivial; for the maternal indulgence which hadharmed the boy had fostered the habit of self-indulgence which wasruining the man. So when Rose looked up at him, with a very honestdesire to save him as well as herself from being swept into the giddyvortex which keeps so many young people revolving aimlessly, till theygo down or are cast upon the shore wrecks of what they might havebeen, he gave a shrug and answered briefly,--
"As you please. I'll bring you home as early as you like, and EffieWaring can take your place in the German. What flowers shall I sendyou?"
Now, that was an artful speech of Charlie's; for Miss Waring was afast and fashionable damsel, who openly admired Prince Charming, andhad given him the name. Rose disliked her, and was sure her influencewas bad; for youth made frivolity forgivable, wit hid want ofrefinement, and beauty always covers a multitude of sins in a man'seyes. At the sound of Effie's name, Rose wavered, and would haveyielded but for the memory of the "first mate's" last words. She diddesire to "keep a straight course;" so, though the current of impulseset strongly in a southerly direction, principle, the only compassworth having, pointed due north, and she tried to obey it like a wiseyoung navigator, saying steadily, while she directed to Annabel theparcel containing a capacious pair of slippers intended for UncleMac,--
"Don't trouble yourself about me. I can go with uncle, and slip awaywithout disturbing anybody."
"I don't believe you'll have the heart to do it," said Charlie,incredulously, as he sealed the last note.
"Wait and see."
"I will, but shall hope to the last," and, kissing his hand to her, hedeparted to post her letters, qu
ite sure that Miss Waring would notlead the German.
It certainly looked for a moment as if Miss Campbell _would_, becauseshe ran to the door with the words "I'll go" upon her lips. But shedid not open it till she had stood a minute staring hard at the oldglove on Psyche's head; then, like one who had suddenly got a brightidea, she gave a decided nod and walked slowly out of the room.