CHAPTER IX.

‘¢ The greater part of them seemed to be charmed with his presence.” MACKENZIE: Zhe Man of the World,
IT was with the greatest difficulty that Evelyn could at last e persuaded to consent to the separation from her mother: ‘she wept bitterly at the thought. But Lady Vargrave, though ‘touched, was firm, and her firmness was of that soft, imploring character, which Evelyn never could resist. The visit was to ast some months, it is true; but she would return to the | cottage; she would escape, too—and this, perhaps, uncon- -sciously reconciled her more than aught else—the periodical it of Lord Vargrave. At the end of July, when the parlia- mentary session at that unreformed era, usually expired, he
ALICE; OR, THE MYSTERIES.
Py 4 a Aha Fee always came to Brook-Green for a month. His last visits had
been most unwelcome to Evelyn, and this next visit she dreaded more than she had any of the former ones. It is strange, the repugnance with which she regarded the suit of her affianced !—
_ she, whose heart was yet virgin—who had never seen any one who, _ in form, manner, and powers to please, could be compared to the _
gay Lord Vargrave. And yet a sense of honour—of what was due to her dead benefactor, her more than father—all combated that repugnance, and left her uncertain what course to pursue, uncalculating as to the future. In the happy elasticity of her spirits, and with a carelessness almost approaching to levity, which, to say truth, was natural to her, she did not often recall the solemn engagement that must soon be ratified or annulled ; but when that thought did occur, it saddened her for hours, and
left her listless and despondent. The visit to Mrs. Merton was,
then, finally arranged —the day of departure fixed— when, —
one morning, came the following letter from Lord Vargrave —
himself :—
“To the Lady Vargrave, &¢. &e. “My DEAR FRIEND,
“T find that we have a week’s holiday in our do-nothing
Chamber, and the weather is so delightful, that I long to share its enjoyment with those I love best. You will, therefore, see me almost as soon as you receive this; that is, I shall be with you at dinner on the same day. What can I say to Evelyn?
Will you, dearest Lady Vargrave, make her accept all the —
homage which, when uttered by me, she seems half inclined to reject? “Tn haste, most affectionately yours,
“ VARGRAVE. “HAMILTON PLACE, April 30th, 18—”
This letter was by no means welcome, either to Mrs. Leslie _
or to Evelyn. The former feared that Lord Vargrave would disapprove of a visit, the real objects of which could scarcely be owned to him. The latter was reminded of all she desired
to forget. But Lady Vargrave herself rather rejoiced at the — thought of Lumley’s arrival. Hitherto, in the spirit of her
passive and gentle character, she had taken the engageme _ between Evelyn and Lord Vargrave almost as a matter of course. The will and wish of,her late husband operated most — powerfully on her mind ; and while Evelyn was yet in childhood, E Lumley’s visits had ever been acceptable, and the playful girl — liked the gay and good-humoured lord,—who brought her all © sorts of presents, and appeared as fond of dogs as herself. But _Evelyn’s recent change of manner, her frequent fits of dejection _ and thought—once pointed out to Lady Vargrave by Mrs. Leslie _ —aroused all the affectionate and maternal anxiety of the _ former. She was resolved to watch, to examine, to scrutinize, — _—not only Evelyn’s reception of Vargrave, but, as far as she could the manner and disposition of Vargrave himself. She _ felt how solemn a trust was the happiness of a whole life; and _ she had that romance of heart, learned from Nature, not in | _ books, which made her believe that there could be no happiness _ ina marriage without love. The whole family party were on the lawn, when, an hour — earlier than he was expected, the travelling carriage of Lord Vargrave was whirled along the narrow sweep that conducted from the lodge to the house. Vargrave, as he saw the party, kissed his hand from the window; and, leaping from the 5 _ Carriage, when it stopped at the porch, hastened to meet his — hostess. , + “My dear Lady Vargrave, I am so glad to see you! You are looking charmingly ; and Evelyn ?—oh, there she is; the dear coquette—how lovely she is!—how she has improved! But who (sinking his voice), who are those ladies ?” “Guests of ours—-Mrs. Leslie, whom you have often heard us speak of, but never met——” _ “Yes—and the others ?” _ #Her daughter and grandchild.” a _» “T shall be delighted to know them.”
A more popular manner than Lord Vargrave’s it is impossible - to conceive. Frank and prepossessing, even when the poor and reckless Mr. Ferrers, without rank or reputation—his smile— the tone of his voice—his familiar courtesy—apparently so inartificial and approaching almost to a boyish bluntness of pe
“ALICE; OR, ‘THE - MYSTERIES. _
favoured courtier. Mrs. Merton was enchanted with him; Caroline itioughe him,
- good-humour — were irresistible in the rising statesman and —
at the first glance, the most fascinating person she had ever
seen; even Mrs. Leslie, more grave, cautious, and penetrating, — ee was almost equally pleased with the first impression; and it was —
not till, in his occasional silence, his features settled into their
‘natural expression that she fancied she detected, in the quick — suspicious eye, and the close compression of the lips, the tokens _
of that wily, astute, and worldly character, which, in proportion as he had risen in his career, even his own party reluctantly
and mysteriously assigned to one of their most prominent.
leaders.
When _Vargrave took Evelyn’s hand, and raised it with meaning gallantry to his lips, the girl first blushed deeply, and then turned pale as death; nor did the colour thus chased away soon return to the transparent cheek. Not noticing signs
which might bear a twofold interpretation, Lumley, who seemed in high spirits, rattled away on a thousand matters—praising —
the view, the weather, the journey—throwing out a joke here
and a compliment there, and completing his conquest over
Mrs. Merton and Caroline.
“You have left London in the very height of its gaiety, Lord Vargrave,” said Caroline, as they sat conversing after dinner.
“True, Miss Merton; but the country is in the height of its
gaiety too.”
“ Are you so fond of the country, then?”
“ By fits and starts—my passion for it comes in with the early strawberries, and goes out with the hautboys—I lead so artificial a life; but then I hope it is a useful one. I want nothing but a home to make it a happy one.”
“What is the latest news ?—dear London! I am so sorry— grandmamma, Lady Elizabeth, is not going there this year; so 1 am compelled to rusticate. Is Lady Jane D—— to be married at last ?”
“Commend me to a young lady’s idea of news — always marriage! Lady Jane D
Ry: Ptr
! yes, she is to be married, as you say—at /ast! While she was a beauty, our cold sex
er anne ier a wife.” ~ “Complimentary !” _ “Indeed it is—for you beautiful women we toes too much for our own happiness—heigho !—and a prudent marriage means friendly indifference, not rapture and despair. But give me beauty and love; I never was prudent: it is not my weakness.’ Though Caroline was his sole supporter in this dialogue, Lord Vargrave’s eyes attempted to converse with Evelyn, who was unusually silent and abstracted. Suddenly Lord Vargrave seemed aware that he was scarcely general enough in his talk for his hearers. He addressed himself to Mrs. Leslie, and glided back, as it were, into a former generation. He spoke of persons gone and things forgotten; he made the subject z interesting even to the young, by a succession of various and _ sparkling anecdotes. No one could be more agreeabie ; even Evelyn now listened to him with pleasure; for to all women. wit and intellect have their charm. But still there was a cold -and sharp levity in the tone of the man of the world that — prevented the charm sinking below the surface. To Mrs. Leslie he seemed unconsciously to betray a laxity of Se principle ; to Evelyn, a want of sentiment and heart. Lady a Vargrave, who did not understand a character of this descrip- tion, listened attentively, and said to herself, “Evelyn may admire, but I fear she cannot love him.” Still, time passed — - quickly in Lumley’s presence, and Caroline thought she had never spent so pleasant an evening. When Lord Vargrave retired to his room, he threw himself in’ his chair, and yawned with exceeding fervour. His servant arranged his dressing-robe, and placed his portfolios and letter- _ boxes on the table. “What o'clock is it?” said Lumley. “Very early, my lord; only eleven.” “The devil !—the country - is wonderfully exhausting: fr am very sleepy ; you may go.” _ “This little girl,” said Lumley, stretching himself, “is preter- naturally shy—lI must neglect her no longer—yet it is surely all 3 safe? She has grown monstrous pretty; but the other girl is C2
_ ALICE; OK, THE MYST
pe ated tn oc dy ice RIES. ele a
~ ‘more amusing, more to my taste, and a much easier conquest, 1 fancy? Her great dark eyes seem full of admiration for my “ lordship—sensible young woman !—she may be useful in piquing ~~ Evelyn.”