In a profound study Somerset turned and re-entered the ball-room, wherehe remained gloomily standing here and there for about five minutes,at the end of which he observed Captain De Stancy, who had returnedpunctually to his word, crossing the hall in his direction.
The gallant officer darted glances of lively search over every group ofdancers and sitters; and then with rather a blank look in his face, hecame on to Somerset. Replying to the latter's inquiry for his sisterthat she had nearly recovered, he said, 'I don't see my father'sneighbours anywhere.'
'They have gone home,' replied Somerset, a trifle drily. 'They askedme to make their apologies to you for leading you to expect they wouldremain. Miss Power was too anxious about Miss De Stancy to care to staylonger.'
The eyes of De Stancy and the speaker met for an instant. That curiousguarded understanding, or inimical confederacy, which arises at momentsbetween two men in love with the same woman, was present here; and intheir mutual glances each said as plainly as by words that her departurehad ruined his evening's hope.
They were now about as much in one mood as it was possible for two suchdiffering natures to be. Neither cared further for elaborating giddycurves on that town-hall floor. They stood talking languidly about thisand that local topic, till De Stancy turned aside for a short time tospeak to a dapper little lady who had beckoned to him. In a few minuteshe came back to Somerset.
'Mrs. Camperton, the wife of Major Camperton of my battery, would verymuch like me to introduce you to her. She is an old friend of yourfather's, and has wanted to know you for a long time.'
De Stancy and Somerset crossed over to the lady, and in a few minutes,thanks to her flow of spirits, she and Somerset were chatting withremarkable freedom.
'It is a happy coincidence,' continued Mrs. Camperton, 'that I shouldhave met you here, immediately after receiving a letter from yourfather: indeed it reached me only this morning. He has been so kind!We are getting up some theatricals, as you know, I suppose, to help thefunds of the County Hospital, which is in debt.'
'I have just seen the announcement--nothing more.'
'Yes, such an estimable purpose; and as we wished to do it thoroughlywell, I asked Mr. Somerset to design us the costumes, and he has nowsent me the sketches. It is quite a secret at present, but we are goingto play Shakespeare's romantic drama, 'Love's Labour's Lost,' and wehope to get Miss Power to take the leading part. You see, being such ahandsome girl, and so wealthy, and rather an undiscovered novelty in thecounty as yet, she would draw a crowded room, and greatly benefit thefunds.'
'Miss Power going to play herself?--I am rather surprised,' saidSomerset. 'Whose idea is all this?'
'O, Captain De Stancy's--he's the originator entirely. You see he is sointerested in the neighbourhood, his family having been connected withit for so many centuries, that naturally a charitable object of thislocal nature appeals to his feelings.'
'Naturally!' her listener laconically repeated. 'And have you settledwho is to play the junior gentleman's part, leading lover, hero, orwhatever he is called?'
'Not absolutely; though I think Captain De Stancy will not refuse it;and he is a very good figure. At present it lies between him and Mr.Mild, one of our young lieutenants. My husband, of course, takes theheavy line; and I am to be the second lady, though I am rather too oldfor the part really. If we can only secure Miss Power for heroine thecast will be excellent.'
'Excellent!' said Somerset, with a spectral smile.