CHAPTER IX.
_The Fete of Youth and Beauty_
ARUNDEL DACRE, though little apt to cultivate an acquaintance withanyone, called on the young Duke the morning after their meeting. Thetruth is, his imagination was touched by our hero's appearance. HisGrace possessed all that accomplished manner of which Arundel painfullyfelt the want, and to which he eagerly yielded his admiration. Heearnestly desired the Duke's friendship, but, with his usual _mauvaisehonte_, their meeting did not advance his wishes. He was as shyand constrained as usual, and being really desirous of appearing toadvantage, and leaving an impression in his favour, his manner was evendivested of that somewhat imposing coldness which was not altogetherineffective. In short, he was rather disagreeable. The Duke wascourteous, as he usually was, and ever to the Da-cres, but he was notcordial. He disliked Arundel Dacre; in a word, he looked upon him ashis favoured rival. The two young men occasionally met, but did not growmore intimate. Studiously polite the young Duke ever was both to himand to his lovely cousin, for his pride concealed his pique, and he wasalways afraid lest his manner should betray his mind.
In the meantime Sir Lucius Grafton apparently was running his usualcourse of triumph. It is fortunate that those who will watch and wonderabout everything are easily satisfied with a reason, and are ever quickin detecting a cause; so Mrs. Dallington Vere was the fact that dulyaccounted for the Baronet's intimacy with the Dacres. All was rightagain between them. It was unusual, to be sure, these _rifacimentos_;still she was a charming woman; and it was well known that Lucius hadspent twenty thousand on the county. Where was that to come from, theyshould like to know, but from old Dallington Vere's Yorkshire estates,which he had so wisely left to his pretty wife by the pink papercodicil?
And this lady of so many loves, how felt she? Most agreeably, as alldames do who dote upon a passion which they feel convinced will bereturned, but which still waits for a response. Arundel Dacre wouldyield her a smile from a face more worn by thought than joy; and ArundelDacre, who was wont to muse alone, was now ever ready to join his cousinand her friends in the ride or the promenade. Miss Dacre, too, hadnoticed to her a kindly change in her cousin's conduct to her father. Hewas more cordial to his uncle, sought to pay him deference, and seemedmore desirous of gaining his good-will. The experienced eye, too, ofthis pretty woman allowed her often to observe that her hero's presencewas not particularly occasioned, or particularly inspired, by hiscousin. In a word, it was to herself that his remarks were addressed,his attentions devoted, and often she caught his dark and liquid eyefixed upon her beaming and refulgent brow.
Sir Lucius Grafton proceeded with that strange mixture of craft andpassion which characterised him. Each day his heart yearned more for thebeing on whom his thoughts should never have pondered. Now exulting inher increased confidence, she seemed already his victim; now awed by hermajestic spirit, he despaired even of her being his bride. Now meltedby her unsophisticated innocence, he cursed even the least unhallowed ofhis purposes; and now enchanted by her consummate loveliness, he forgotall but her beauty and his own passion.
Often had he dilated to her, with the skill of an arch deceiver, on theblessings of domestic joy; often, in her presence, had his eye sparkled,when he watched the infantile graces of some playful children. Then hewould embrace them with a soft care and gushing fondness, enough to meltthe heart of any mother whom he was desirous to seduce, and then, witha half-murmured sigh, he regretted, in broken accents, that he, too, wasnot a father.
In due time he proceeded even further. Dark hints of domestic infelicitybroke unintentionally from his ungoverned lips. Miss Dacre stared.He quelled the tumult of his thoughts, struggled with his outbreakingfeelings, and triumphed; yet not without a tear, which forced its waydown a face not formed for grief, and quivered upon his fair and downycheek. Sir Lucius Grafton was well aware of the magic of his beauty, andused his charms to betray, as if he were a woman.
Miss Dacre, whose soul was sympathy, felt in silence for this excellent,this injured, this unhappy, this agreeable man. Ill could even herpractised manner check the current of her mind, or conceal from LadyAphrodite that she possessed her dislike. As for the young Duke, hefell into the lowest abyss of her opinions, and was looked upon as alikefrivolous, heartless, and irreclaimable.
But how are the friends with whom we dined yesterday? Frequent were themeetings, deep the consultations, infinite the suggestions, innumerablethe expedients. In the morning they met and breakfasted with Annesley;in the afternoon they met and lunched with Lord Squib; in the eveningthey met and dined with Lord Darrell; and at night they met and suppedat the Alhambra. Each council only the more convinced them that thescheme was feasible, and must be glorious. At last their ideas werematured, and Annesley took steps to break a great event to the world,who were on the eve of being astonished.
He repaired to Lady Bloomerly. The world sometimes talked of herLadyship and Mr. Annesley; the world were quite wrong, as they often areon this subject. Mr. Annesley knew the value of a female friend. ByLady Bloomerly's advice, the plan was entrusted in confidence to about adozen dames equally influential. Then a few of the most considered malefriends heard a strange report. Lord Darrell dropped a rumour at theTreasury; but with his finger on the mouth, and leaving himself outof the list, proceeded to give his favourable opinion of the project,merely as a disinterested and expected guest. Then the Duke promisedPeacock Piggott one night at the Alhambra, but swore him to solemnsecrecy over a vase of sherbet. Then Squib told his tailor, inconsideration that his bill should not be sent in; and finally, the Birdof Paradise betrayed the whole affair to the musical world, who were,of course, all agog. Then, when rumour began to wag its hundred tongues,the twelve peeresses found themselves bound in honour to step into thebreach, yielded the plan their decided approbation, and their avowedpatronage puzzled the grumblers, silenced the weak, and sneered down theobstinate.
The invitations began to issue, and the outcry against them burst forth.A _fronde_ was formed, but they wanted a De Retz; and many kept back,with the hope of being bribed from joining it. The four cavaliers soonfound themselves at the head of a strong party, and then, like afaction who have successfully struggled for toleration, they now openlymaintained their supremacy. It was too late to cabal. The uninvitedcould only console themselves by a passive sulk or an active sneer;but this would not do, and their bilious countenances betrayed theirchagrin.
The difficulty now was, not to keep the bores away, but to obtain afew of the beauties, who hesitated. A chaperon must be found for one;another must be added on to a party, like a star to the cluster of aconstellation. Among those whose presence was most ardently desired, butseemed most doubtful, was Miss Dacre. An invitation had been sent to herfather; but he was out of town, and she did not like to join so peculiara party without him: but it was unanimously agreed that, without her,the affair would be a failure; and Charles Annesley was sent, envoyextraordinary, to arrange. With the good aid of his friend Mrs.Dallington all was at length settled; and fervid prayers that theimportant day might be ushered in by a smiling sun were offered upduring the next fortnight, at half-past six every morning, by allcivilised society, who then hurried to their night's rest.