Part 11 (1/2)
”Oh, from that woman you might expect anything!”
To me this account was as a ray of light. Aunt had changed her will, after this incident, in favour of Francis, and not, it was clear, for purposes of revenge. Now I felt more bound than ever to win the love of Francis, and to marry her; and I confess my inclinations were tending in that direction. Her straightforward, upright character, her original and piquant style of beauty, were already beginning to act like a charm upon me; still it would be well not to precipitate matters, and I controlled a desire which came over me to demand her hand on the spot. There were also mysterious events in her past life which required clearing up. Besides, I had to consider how it would be possible to change her aversion from marriage, the male s.e.x, and social life in general. And I was convinced if she once p.r.o.nounced the fatal word ”No,” my suit was hopeless.
CHAPTER XV.
Fritz, who came up at a trot, after the usual military salute to Francis, interrupted our further conversation. He addressed her in the following words--
”Freule, the Captain sends to inquire if you have thought of the sauce for the pudding, and if you will let him have the key to the pantry?”
Turning to me she said--
”Excuse me, Leo--duty first and pleasure afterwards; my worthy adjutant reminds me I have duties in the kitchen.”
In a moment she had tripped away out of sight, and the General, rising, said--
”I must also go and dress, for I never dine in my dressing-gown.” Then calling to Fritz, he said, ”Show the Jonker to his room, if it is ready.”
”Certainly, General; I have taken up his bag.”
”So you have brought a travelling-bag?” asked the General, with a smile, and giving me an inquiring look.
”What shall I say, uncle; did I take too great a liberty in reckoning on an invitation for a few days?”
”Certainly not, my boy!” he replied frankly; ”a change is very welcome to me--only try to make it all right with Francis.”
Fritz led the way up a broad oaken staircase to the first floor of the left wing, the very one which had struck me as the least habitable. I was shown into a large room that had once been well furnished, but which now appeared rather sombre, as all the shutters were closed except one, and this was only left ajar. I asked Fritz to open them, telling him I was fond of plenty of light.
”Sir, Freule gave me orders to keep the shutters closed, otherwise there would be too much light, for there are no blinds.”
”Never mind, man; open them for me.”
”Yes, but there will be a draught; we never have guests, and therefore the broken window-panes have been neglected, and there is no glazier in the village.”
I dismissed the good fellow, whose fidelity to his mistress was evinced by his reticence.
When I had opened one shutter entirely so as to obtain sufficient light, I found the room contained a large old-fas.h.i.+oned bedstead, with red silk hangings; a splendid couch, the covering of which was torn in several places and the horse-hair peeping out--then, even worse, I found it had lost a leg; moreover, there was not a chair in the room I dared seat myself on without the fear of coming to grief.
In the middle of the room was a marble-topped table, standing on its three gilt bear-paws; but it was cracked in several places, and the mosaic star in the centre had almost disappeared piece by piece. A simple modern washstand, of grey painted wood with light green borders, had been placed just under an oval rococo mirror, and formed a striking contrast to these neglected antiquities.
From my window I was enjoying a view of the beautiful country of Guelderland, and forming plans for the renovation and embellishment of the fallen greatness around--always provided Francis consented--when I heard the second dinner-bell, and hastened downstairs, having been warned that the General still kept up his military habits of punctuality.
I was very curious to see whether Francis had dressed for dinner, how she looked, &c. But, alas! my hopes were disappointed. Her beautiful hair was loosely confined in a silk net, which seemed scarcely capable of sustaining its weight. She had not changed her dress, and had only thrown over her shoulders a small faded shawl, which served to hide the white and slender form of her neck. She perceived my disappointment; in fact, her beautiful eyes regarded me with an air that seemed to say--