Fallen Fortunes Read online

  *CHAPTER VI.*

  *THE PASTIMES OF THE TOWN.*

  "The sun shines once again," quoth Lord Sandford, as he raised theextended hand of Lady Romaine to his lips, and dropped a light kiss uponher scented glove. "The sun shines in the sky; but let him beware andlook to his laurels, for there are stars abroad of such dazzling lustrethat Phoebus must have a care lest the brightness of his shafts bequenched in a more refulgent glow." And the young man gazed into thelady's eyes with a bold laughing stare that pointed the meaning of thecompliment.

  "La! but you talk the greatest nonsense!" cried Lady Romaine, highlydelighted, as she tapped him smartly with her fan. "Come, tell me whereyou have been these many days. Some said you had been a-wooing in thecountry, and others that your dolts of tradesmen were dunning you todistraction, and others that you had fought a duel and had need to fly;but, pardieu! if one believed all the gossip of the town, one would haveenough to do. I know there has been a duel, and I am aching to hear allabout it. I'll warrant you know all the story, since he was yourfriend. Come, get into the coach, and tell me all about it. Were youthere? What was it all about? And what sort of an end did he make?"

  Lady Romaine's face expressed the eager pleasure and curiosity of achild talking over some trivial pleasure; she flirted her fan, castlanguishing glances, and played off upon the young Earl all thosecountless little airs and graces which characterized the fine lady ofthe period.

  But Geraldine drew back in her corner, her face growing cold and pale.She had scarcely acknowledged Lord Sandford's presence, only justbending her head in response to his bow. He had not addressed her asyet, and he appeared engrossed by the mother; but he flashed one quickglance upon her now, and possibly read something of the pain and disgustwhich possessed her, for he answered,--

  "Nay, madam, let us not talk of what is past and done. How can thoughtof gloom and death dwell in so radiant a presence? In sooth, all darkthoughts take to themselves wings in this company, and will not becaught or caged. I forget that we are not in the bowers of Arcadia;for, in sooth, I am transported thither so soon as these poor eyes bedazzled by the light of those twin stars of love and beauty!"

  Again Lady Romaine tapped him with her fan. She loved a compliment,however fulsome; but she wanted at this moment to be entertained by theaccount of the duel, which had made a little stir in the town, from thefact of one of the combatants having been the boon companion and friendof Lord Sandford.

  "You dear, tormenting devil! But I will have the story yet! And we areall dying to know how you will get on without your Fidus Achates. By mytroth, you do not look as though you had wasted away in fruitlesslonging. Perchance you have found already another to fill his place?"

  "Perhaps I have, madam," was the negligent reply. "I had not known thetown had so much thought to spare for worthless me. I' faith, I am abigger man than I thought for. But I must not keep your coach standingin this blaze of sunshine. Whither are you bound, fair ladies? To someArcadian bowers of Paphos, I doubt not, where Orpheus will charm youwith his lyre, and nymphs will cluster round in envy, marvelling atthose charms which not even Aphrodite herself can rival."

  "Oh fie! you are a sad flatterer!" cried Lady Romaine, sinking back uponher cushions and waving her hand. "We are bound to Lady Saltire'shazard table for an hour's play. Shall we meet you there, my lord?Afterwards, we take supper at our favourite India house, and then to theplay--Wynstanly's water theatre. He has a new piece--monstrous fine,those who have seen it vow. They have nymphs, and mermaids, andtritons, and I know not what beside; and they ask a pretty price for theboxes, I can tell you. But la! one must go and see what all the worldis talking of. Mind you come to our box if you be there. We shallexpect you, and shall welcome you and any friend you like to bring."

  "Even the new Fidus Achates, of whom you spoke just now?" asked LordSandford, with a slightly ironical bow.

  "Oh gracious, yes!" cried Lady Romaine, excited by the very idea; "bringhim at once and present him to us. I hope he is a pretty fellow, andcan turn a merry quip and tell a story. You should have heard BeauSidney last night! Sakes! I thought I should have split my sides!"

  At this juncture the horses became so fidgety with standing in the glareof the sun that Lord Sandford stepped back, and the coach rolled uponits way. Lady Romaine waved her scented kerchief, and then routed herscent-bottle out of her reticule, and turning sharply upon her daughter,said,--

  "Why sit you ever like a stuffed owl, without so much as a word or asmile? I die for shame every time I take you out. What have I done tobe punished with such a daughter? One would think you to be achangeling child, if you did not so favour the Adairs. How think youyou will ever get wed, sitting gaping there like a farm-house wench, whois afraid to open her lips lest she should betray herself by her speech.You put me to shame, child; I could cry with mortification. What willthe world say, save that I have an idiot for a daughter?"

  Geraldine knew not what to answer. As she listened to the fatuous andstilted talk which was fashionable in her mother's world, with itssenseless mythological allusions and high-flown extravagances, it oftenseemed to her that these gay dandies and dames were all playing atmadmen together. Her tongue had never learned the trick of such talk.It perplexed and disgusted her, seeming trivial and childish when it wasnot improper or profane. She saw other young girls who listenedeagerly, and as eagerly reproduced the flowery nonsense amongstthemselves and their admirers; but it seemed impossible to her to do thelike, and she listened in humble silence to her mother's tirades,wondering whether there were something radically wrong about herself, orwhether the absurdity and folly were in others.

  "But, madam," she said gently at the last, "why should I get me ahusband so soon? My grandmother was against very early marriages, andas she lay dying she often warned me to make very careful choice ere Igave my hand in troth-plight. She said I must needs be certain of mineown heart, for that no more wretched life could exist for woman thanwhen she was tied to a man she could not love or respect."

  "Tush, child! Your grandmother was a good woman. I speak no hurt ofher. But she knew less of life than many a girl of eighteen doesnowadays, and her ideas were all topsy-turvy. A woman wants a fineestablishment, her powdered footmen, her negro boys, her dresses, herjewels, and all the world doing her homage. That is what makes thepleasure of life. A good husband who can give you all that is what youwant; and what can you ask better than the addresses of Lord Sandford?I tell you there are half the girls in town would give their ears forhis smiles. He has been extravagant, 'tis true; but the estate canstand a heavy drain, and he is lucky at cards. He soon finds himself onhis legs again. When he marries he will open his great house in theStrand, of which he uses but one wing now. With your fortune and hisestates and his luck in gaming, you might be the gayest couple in town.Look to it, girl, that you show him no airs. I am ashamed to have sucha mannerless wench for a daughter. If you are not more careful, youwill drive all the beaux away; and then, when it is too late, you willbe sorry."

  Geraldine had her own ideas on that point. It was her one desire justnow to keep at arm's length all those gay popinjays that fluttered abouther mother. Lord Sandford, it is true, was somewhat removed from thecrowd by a handsomer person, a more distinguished air, and by a greaterforce of character. On more than one occasion, when he had put himselfabout to gain her ear, she had found that he could drop his mask of gayaffectations, and be both shrewd and entertaining. Some of hiscriticisms had even interested and aroused her; but she was very farfrom being captivated. She did not know whether it would be possible togive to such a man either love or reverence, and without either one orother Geraldine had resolved not to marry, though she knew that it was ahard task for a daughter to set at naught the wishes of her parents inthese matters. She saw that both father and mother, though fordifferent reasons, desired her to make a speedy choice, and take up herposition in the fashionable world
as a lady of title and importance.

  However, she was spared further strictures by the arrival of thecarriage at Lady Saltire's fine house: and shortly she found herselfstanding behind her mother's chair at the hazard table, half stunned bythe clatter and clamour of voices, watching with grave, pained eyes theeager faces of the players, their excited gestures as they reached fortheir winnings, their rage and disappointment when the luck went againstthem, the greed she saw in all faces--that lust after gold which is ofall vices one of the most hateful and degrading.

  Old men and young girls, matrons and aged dames, all crowded round thetables, their hoops crushing together, their tall powdered headssometimes meeting in sharp collision. There were scented dandies, whoregarded this "ladies' play" as the merest bagatelle, and lost or wontheir gold pieces with careless grace, thinking of the more serious playwhich awaited them later at the club, or at the lodgings of some memberof their own set.

  Amongst this motley crowd, gaily apparelled servants moved to and fro,handing coffee, chocolate, and delicate confectionery, or offeringscented waters for the refreshment of the ladies. The gentlemenpreferred stronger potations, and congregated together, laughing andjesting. But not infrequently they would be joined by some giddy youngmatron, who called them all by their Christian names, passed jests withthem that would not bear repetition in these days, and even toasted some"pretty fellow," laughing gaily and giddily the while.

  There were a few graver spirits congregated together in one small room,and Geraldine could catch fleeting glimpses of them through an opendoor. She knew some of the faces, and that they were politicians andmen of letters; and she thought they were discussing some literarypoint, for one held a paper in his hand, and he seemed to be readingfrom it to the others.

  "I'll warrant they have got a new ode to my Lord of Marlborough yonder,"spoke a voice at Geraldine's elbow; and turning she saw an elderly manwhose face was known to her from his having been a guest at her father'shouse. "They had a great trouble after the victory of Blenheim to finda poet able to hymn the triumph in periods sufficiently fine; but Ithink it was Lord Halifax who discovered Mr. Addison, whose noble linesset the city wondering. Belike he has broken forth into lyric or epicpraise over the battle of Ramillies, and the marvellous effects it hashad abroad. Shall we go and listen to his periods?"

  Geraldine was thankful to get away from the heated atmosphere of thecard-room, and to find herself amongst men and women who had otherfashions of thought and speech. But she was not allowed much peace inthese different surroundings; for she was quickly summoned to hermother's side, taken from house to house, ever seeing and hearing thelike vapourings, the like fripperies and follies. It was the same thingat the dinner or supper, where her mother had a whole train of youngbloods in her wake. She gave them the best the house afforded, andspent her time quizzing the dresses of the other ladies at thesurrounding tables, learning all the gossip about any person whose faceor costume struck her, and drinking in flattery and adulation as a beesips honey from the flowers.

  In spite of her efforts to please her mother, Geraldine found itimpossible to take any share in this strange sort of gaiety. Heranswers were little more than monosyllables. Often she did not evenunderstand the allusions or the far-fetched metaphors of those whoaddressed her. More often she shrank from their glances and their opencompliments, feeling degraded by both, but powerless to repel them. Shewas thankful when at last she found herself by her mother's side in thebox at Wynstanly's; for here she hoped she might find some measure ofpeace, since the box would not hold any great number of persons, and hermother was never satisfied without the attention of four or fivegentlemen at once.

  If the play in itself were not very entertaining, the effects of fireand water were rather magnificent, and something new, so that moreattention was given to the stage than was usual at such entertainmentsin those days. The fashionable listeners did not turn their backs uponthe players and talk at the top of their voices all the while the playwas in progress, as in some houses, and Geraldine was quite wrapped incontemplation of the monsters and mermaids and denizens of the deep,with Father Neptune and his trident at their head, so that she knewnothing of what went on in the box where she sat, till a voice at herelbow spoke insistently.

  "They lack but one thing more--snow-white Aphrodite rising in peerlessbeauty from the foam of the sea; and yet the audience has but to turnits eyes hither, and behold they will see that crowning marvel forthemselves!"

  The girl started, and looked full into the eyes of Lord Sandford, bentupon her with a significance there was no misunderstanding. He wasdressed in a daring costume of scarlet and gold, with quantities of laceand sparkling jewels. Even his well-turned legs were encased in scarletstockings, and his shoes were of the same flaming hue. His height andbreadth of shoulder always made him a notable figure; and the immensewig he wore, which to-night was cunningly powdered so as to look almostlike frosted silver, added to the distinction of his appearance. Gildedpopinjay Lord Sandford with all his extravagances could never be called.There was something too virile and strong about his whole personalityfor that.

  "I do not like compliments, my lord," she answered, the words escapingher lips almost before she was aware; "I have heard something too muchof Venus and Cupid, Pallas and Hymen, since I made my appearance inLondon routs. I am but a simple country maid, and desire no high-flowncompliments. I am foolish enough to regard them rather as honeyedinsults. I pray you pardon my freedom of speech."

  "I pray you pardon mine," spoke Lord Sandford quickly. "You havespoken, Lady Geraldine, a deeper truth than perchance you know. I, forone, will not offend again. I would that all our sisters, wives, anddaughters would look as you and speak as you."

  The frank sincerity in face and voice pleased her, and a smile dawned inher eyes. It was the first he had ever seen bent on him, and he wasstruck afresh with the pure unsullied beauty of this girl's face. Truthto tell, his first attraction towards her had been the rumour of herfortune, for he was more deeply in debt than he wished the world toknow; but something in the remoteness and isolation in which she seemedto wrap herself piqued and interested him; for his jaded palate requiredfresh food when it was to be had, and the vein of manliness and strengthwhich his life had never altogether warped or destroyed responded to thesincerity he read in Lady Geraldine's fair face.

  The curtain was down now. For a few minutes he spoke of the play andthe water apparatus, worked by a windmill on the roof, which wasexciting so much interest in London. Geraldine's eyes meantimetravelled round the box. She saw her mother engrossed in gay talk witha small circle of admirers; but one of these edged himself somewhat awayfrom the rest, and finally stood apart, leaning against the wall of thebox and surveying the house from that vantage point.

  Geraldine's eyes were riveted with some interest upon this newcomer,whom she was certain she had never seen before. In some indefinable wayhe was different from the men she had been used to meet at such places.For one thing, he wore his own hair; and the floating brown curls, likeCavalier love-locks, seemed to her infinitely more becoming than themass of false hair which was so much in vogue in all ranks save thelowest. His dress, too, though far more simple than that of the beauxfluttering round her mother, seemed to her far more graceful anddistinguished. His stockings, breeches, and vest were all of white,with a little silver frosting. His coat was of pale blue, with silverbuttons; and his lace cravat, though small and unostentatious, was richin quality, and fastened by a beautiful pearl. He carried neither muffnor snuff-box, cane nor toothpick. He did not simper nor ogle, nor lookas though he desired to attract the eyes of the house upon himself. Buthe was, notwithstanding, a rather notable figure as he stood lookinggravely and thoughtfully downwards; there was something very graceful inhis attitude, and in the carriage of his head, and his features were soremarkably handsome that Lady Romaine turned her eyes upon him manytimes, and exerted all her artifices to draw him back to her immediateneighbourhood. But he w
as perfectly unconscious of this, not hearingthe chatter which went on about him, lost in some reverie of his own,which brought a peculiar dreamy softness into his eyes.

  Lord Sandford, following the direction of Geraldine's glance, looked atthis motionless figure, then back at the girl, and laughed.

  "Lady Geraldine, pray permit me to present to you my newly-made friendand comrade, Sir Grey Dumaresq, who, I doubt not, is dying to make hisbow to so fair a lady."

  She flashed him a glance half merry, half reproachful, and he suddenlylaid his hand upon his lips, a laugh rolling from them hearty and full.

  "I' faith I had forgot! How shall I teach my rebel tongue a newlanguage? But Sir Grey will atone for all my defects.--Here is a lady,if you will believe it, O friend, who loves not the sugared and honeyedphrase of adulation, but seeks in all things truth, virtue, and I knownot what else beside. It is whispered to me that she is a mistress ofall the _belles lettres_, and perchance a poetess herself."

  "Nay, my lord," answered Geraldine, with a blush and a smile--"only onewho loves the poesy of those who have lived before, and left theirtreasures for us who come after, and would fain drink in all the beautyof their thoughts and of their lives."

  Lord Sandford good-naturedly yielded his seat to Grey, whose sensitiveface had lighted at the girl's words.

  "Methought I had come to a world where naught was dreamed of savefashion and frippery, false adulation and falser scorn. I am well-nighstunned by the clamour of tongues, the strife of parties, the bustle ofthis gay life of fashion."

  "Oh, and I too--I too!" breathed the girl softly: and he flashed at hera quick, keen glance of sympathy and interest.

  "I was bred in the country; my grandam brought me up. I lived with mybooks, amid silvan solitudes, the songs of birds, the scent of flowers.This great glittering world of folly and fashion is like a fiery wheelgoing round in my head. Ofttimes I could cry aloud for mercy, the painand bewilderment are so great. I know there must be noble men and goodin this strange Pandemonium; but I know not where to find them, and myheart grows sick. Would that I could go back to my books and my dreams!But alas! a maiden may not choose for herself."

  "Still there is life here," spoke Grey quickly, "and it behoves us toknow men as well as books. I have studied both. I will study themagain. I would fain learn all that life has to teach, whether for wealor woe. No hermit-monk was ever truly a man. Yet there be times whenone shrinks in amaze from all one sees and hears."

  The chord of sympathy was struck. They passed from one thing toanother. She found one at last who knew and loved the poets of herchildhood's dreams--who could talk of Spenser and Sidney, of Watson,Greville, and Drayton, quoting their verses, and often lighting upon herfavourite passages. Here was a man who knew Milton and Clarendon,Hobbes, Herbert, Lovelace and Suckling, Lord Herbert of Cherbury andIzaak Walton. He had read eagerly, like herself, poetry and prose,drama and epic, lyric and sonnet. He could speak of Poetry as one whohad loved and courted her as a mistress. The girl longed to ask him ifhe had written himself, but maiden shyness withheld her. Yet her eyesbrightened as she talked, and the peach-like colour rose and deepened inher cheeks; and Lord Sandford, turning back once again from the motherto look at the daughter, was struck dumb with admiration and delight.

  "There is a rose worth winning and wearing, though the stem may not befree from a sharp thorn," he said to himself; and Lady Romaine, whochanced to catch sight of Geraldine during a shifting of the admirerswho surrounded her, gave something very like a start, and felt a curiousthrill run through her in which pride and envy were blended.

  "Gracious! I did not know I had so handsome a daughter! I must wed heras fast as may be, else shall I find my beaux going from me to her," washer unspoken thought; and aloud she said, tapping Lord Sandford with herfan, "Pray tell my daughter that I am about to depart. We have hadenough of the naiads and dryads, and I am tired and hungry. Who willcome home with me to supper--to take pot-luck with us?"

  There was an eager clamour in response; but when the supper-partyassembled round Lady Romaine's chocolate tables in her favourite privateparlour, she noted that Geraldine had disappeared to bed, and that SirGrey Dumaresq had not availed himself of her open invitation.