CHAPTER IV.
_Showing That It Is the First Step That Is Ever the Most Difficult_.
ABOUT a week after this visit to the villa, Mr. Temple and his daughterwere absolutely induced to accompany Lord Montfort to Rome. It isimpossible to do justice to the tender solicitude with which he madeall the arrangements for the journey. Wherever they halted they foundpreparations for their reception; and so admirably had everything beenconcerted, that Miss Temple at length found herself in the Eternal Citywith almost as little fatigue as she had reached the Tuscan villa.
The palace of Lord Montfort was in the most distinguished quarter of thecity, and situate in the midst of vast gardens full of walls of laurel,arches of ilex, and fountains of lions. They arrived at twilight,and the shadowy hour lent even additional space to the huge halls andgalleries. Yet in the suite of rooms intended for Mr. Temple and hisdaughter, every source of comfort seemed to have been collected. Themarble floors were covered with Indian mats and carpets, the windowswere well secured from the air which might have proved fatal to aninvalid, while every species of chair and couch, and sofa, courted thelanguid or capricious form of Miss Temple, and she was even favouredwith an English stove, and guarded by an Indian screen. The apartmentswere supplied with every book which it could have been supposed mightamuse her; there were guitars of the city and of Florence, and even anEnglish piano; a library of the choicest music; and all the materialsof art. The air of elegance and cheerful comfort that pervaded theseapartments, so unusual in this land, the bright blaze of the fire, evertthe pleasant wax-lights, all combined to deprive the moment of thatfeeling of gloom and exhaustion which attends an arrival at a strangeplace at a late hour, and Henrietta looked around her, and almostfancied she was once more at Ducie. Lord Montfort introduced hisfellow-travellers to their apartments, presented to them the servantwho was to assume the management of their little household, and thenreminding them of their mutual promises that they were to be entirelytheir own masters, and not trouble themselves about him any more thanif they were at Pisa, he shook them both by the hand, and bade themgood-night.
It must be confessed that the acquaintance of Lord Montfort had affordedconsolation to Henrietta Temple. It was impossible to be insensible tothe sympathy and solicitude of one so highly gifted and so very amiable.Nor should it be denied that this homage, from one of his distinguishedrank, was entirely without its charm. To find ourselves, when deceivedand deserted, unexpectedly an object of regard and consideration,will bring balm to most bosoms; but to attract in such a situationthe friendship of an individual whose deferential notice under anycircumstances must be flattering, and to be admired by one whom alladmire, these are accidents of fortune which few could venture todespise. And Henrietta had now few opportunities to brood over the past;a stream of beautiful and sublime objects passed unceasingly beforeher vision. Her lively and refined taste, and her highly cultured mind,could not refrain from responding to these glorious spectacles. She sawbefore her all that she had long read of, all that she had long musedover. Her mind became each day more serene and harmonious as she gazedon these ideal creations, and dwelt on their beautiful repose. Hercompanion, too, exerted every art to prevent these amusements fromdegenerating into fatiguing expeditions. The Vatican was open to LordMontfort when it was open to none others. Short visits, but numerousones, was his system. Sometimes they entered merely to see a statue ora picture they were reading or conversing about the preceding eve; andthen they repaired to some modern studio, where their entrance alwaysmade the sculptor's eyes sparkle. At dinner there was always somedistinguished guest whom Henrietta wished to see; and as she thoroughlyunderstood the language, and spoke it with fluency and grace, she wastempted to enter into conversations, where all seemed delighted that sheplayed her part. Sometimes, indeed, Henrietta would fly to her chamberto sigh, but suddenly the palace resounded with tones of the finestharmony, or the human voice, with its most felicitous skill, stole uponher from the distant galleries. Although Lord Montfort was not himself amusician, and his voice could not pour forth those fatal sounds thathad ravished her soul from the lips of Ferdinand Armine, he was wellacquainted with the magic of music; and while he hated a formal concert,the most eminent performers were often at hand in his palace, tocontribute at the fitting moment to the delight of his guests. Who couldwithstand the soft influence of a life so elegant and serene, orrefuse to yield up the spirit to its gentle excitement and its milddistraction? The colour returned to Henrietta's cheek and the lustreto her languid eye: her form regained its airy spring of health; thesunshine of her smile burst forth once more.
It would have been impossible for an indifferent person not to perceivethat Lord Montfort witnessed these changes with feelings of no slightemotion. Perhaps he prided himself upon his skill as a physician, buthe certainly watched the apparent convalescence of his friend's daughterwith zealous interest. And yet Henrietta herself was not aware that LordMontfort's demeanour to her differed in any degree from what it was atPisa. She had never been alone with him in her life; she certainly spokemore to him than she used, but then, she spoke more to everybody; andLord Montfort certainly seemed to think of nothing but her pleasure andconvenience and comfort; but he did and said everything so quietly, thatall this kindness and solicitude appeared to be the habitual impulse ofhis generous nature. He certainly was more intimate, much more intimate,than during the first week of their acquaintance, but scarcely morekind; for she remembered he had arranged her sofa the very first daythey met, though he did not even remain to receive her thanks.
One day a discussion rose about Italian society between Mr. Temple andhis host. His lordship was a great admirer of the domestic character andprivate life of the Italians. He maintained that there was no existingpeople who more completely fulfilled the social duties than thismuch scandalised nation, respecting whom so many silly prejudicesare entertained by the English, whose travelling fellow-countrymen,by-the-bye, seldom enter into any society but that tainted circle thatmust exist in all capitals.
'You have no idea,' he said, turning to Henrietta, 'what amiable andaccomplished people are the better order of Italians. I wish you wouldlet me light up this dark house some night, and give you an Italianparty.'
'I should like it very much,' said Mr. Temple.
Whenever Henrietta did not enter her negative Lord Montfort alwaysimplied her assent, and it was resolved that the Italian party should begiven.
All the best families in Rome were present, and not a single Englishperson. There were some perhaps, whom Lord Montfort might have wishedto invite, but Miss Temple had chanced to express a wish that no Englishmight be there, and he instantly acted upon her suggestion.
The palace was magnificently illuminated. Henrietta had scarcely seenbefore its splendid treasures of art. Lord Montfort, in answer to hercuriosity, had always playfully depreciated them, and said that theymust be left for rainy days. The most splendid pictures and long rowsof graceful or solemn statues were suddenly revealed to her; rooms andgalleries were opened that had never been observed before; on all sidescabinets of vases, groups of imperial busts, rare bronzes, and vividmasses of tesselated pavement. Over all these choice and beautifulobjects a clear yet soft light was diffused, and Henrietta neverrecollected a spectacle more complete and effective.
These rooms and galleries were soon filled with guests, and Henriettacould not be insensible to the graceful and engaging dignity with whichLord Montfort received the Roman world of fashion. That constraintwhich at first she had attributed to reserve, but which of late shehad ascribed to modesty, now entirely quitted him. Frank, yet alwaysdignified, smiling, apt, and ever felicitous, it seemed that he had apleasing word for every ear, and a particular smile for every face. Shestood at some distance leaning on her father's arm, and watching him.Suddenly he turned and looked around. It was they whom he wished tocatch. He came up to Henrietta and said, 'I wish to introduce you to thePrincess------.
She is an old lady, but of the first distincti
on here. I would not askthis favour of you unless I thought you would be pleased.'
Henrietta could not refuse his request. Lord Montfort presented her andher father to the princess, the most agreeable and important person inRome; and having now provided for their immediate amusement, he had timeto attend to his guests in general. An admirable concert now, insome degree, hushed the general conversation. The voices of the mostbeautiful women in Rome echoed in those apartments. When the musicceased, the guests wandered about the galleries, and at length theprincipal saloons were filled with dancers. Lord Montfort approachedMiss Temple. 'There is one room in the palace you have never yetvisited,' he said, 'my tribune; 'tis open to-night for the first time.'
Henrietta accepted his proffered arm. 'And how do you like theprincess?' he said, as they walked along. 'It is agreeable to live in acountry where your guests amuse themselves.'
At the end of the principal gallery, Henrietta perceived an open doorwhich admitted them into a small octagon chamber, of Ionic architecture.The walls were not hung with pictures, and one work of art alonesolicited their attention. Elevated on a pedestal of porphyry,surrounded by a rail of bronze arrows of the lightest workmanship, wasthat statue of Diana which they had so much admired at Pisa. The cheek,by an ancient process, the secret of which has been recently regained atRome, was tinted with a delicate glow.
'Do you approve of it?' said Lord Montfort to the admiring Henrietta.'Ah, dearest Miss Temple,' he continued, 'it is my happiness that therose has also returned to a fairer cheek than this.'