Part 4 (1/2)

So far as his employers were concerned, Walter did his duty, but forgot that, apart from his obligation to the mere and paramount truth, it was from the books he reviewed--good, bad, or indifferent, whichever they were--that he drew the food he eat and the clothes that covered him.

His talent was increasingly recognized by the editors of the newspaper, and they began to put other, and what they counted more important work in his way, intrusting him with the discussion of certain social questions of the day, in regard to which, like many another youth of small experience, he found it the easier to give a confident opinion that his experience was so small. In general he wrote logically, and, which is rarer, was even capable of being made to see where his logic was wrong. But his premises were much too scanty. What he took for granted was very often by no means granted. It mattered, little to editors or owners, however, so long as he wrote lucidly, sparklingly, ”crisply,” leaving those who read, willing to read more from the same pen.

CHAPTER IX.

FLATTERY.

Within a year Walter began to be known--to the profession, at least--as a promising writer; and was already, to more than a few, personally known as a very agreeable, gentlemanly fellow, so that in the following season he had a good many invitations. It was by nothing beyond the ephemeral that he was known; but may not the man who has invented a good umbrella one day build a good palace? His acquaintance was considerably varied, but of the social terraces above the professional, he knew for a time nothing.

One evening, however, he happened to meet, and was presented to Lady Tremaine: she had asked to have the refined-looking young man, of whom she had just heard as one of the princ.i.p.al writers in the ”Field Battery,” introduced to her. She was a matronly, handsome woman, with cordial manners and a cold eye; frank, easy, confident, una.s.suming.

Under the s.h.i.+eld of her position, she would walk straight up to any subject, and speak her mind of it plainly. It was more than easy to become acquainted with her when she chose.

The company was not a large one, and they soon found themselves alone in a quiet corner.

”You are a celebrated literary man, Mr. Colman, they tell me!” said Lady Tremaine.

”Not in the least,” answered Walter. ”I am but a poor hack.”

”It is well to be modest; but I am not bound to take your description of yourself. Your cla.s.s at least is in a fair way to take the lead!”

”In what, pray?”

”In politics, in society, in everything.”

”You ladys.h.i.+p can not think it desirable.”

”I do not pretend to desire it. I am not false to my own people. But the fact remains that you are coming to the front, and we are falling behind. And the sooner you get to the front, the better it will be for the world, and for us too.”

”I can not say I understand you.”

”I will tell you why. There are now no fewer than three aristocracies.

There is one of rank, and one of brains. I belong to the one, you to the other. But there is a third.”

”If you recognize the rich as an aristocracy, you must allow me to differ from you--very much!”

”Naturally. I quite agree with you. But what can your opinion and mine avail against the rising popular tide! All the old families are melting away, swallowed by the _nouveaux riches_. I should not mind, or at least I should feel it in me to submit with a good grace, if we were pushed from our stools by a new aristocracy of literature and science, but I do rebel against the social _regime_ which is every day more strongly a.s.serting itself. All the gradations are fast disappearing; the palisades of good manners, dignity, and respect, are vanis.h.i.+ng with the hedges; the country is positively inundated with slang and vulgarity--all from the ill-breeding, presumption, and self-satisfaction of new people.”

Walter felt tempted to ask whether it was not the fault of the existent aristocracy in receiving and flattering them; whether it could not protect society if it would; whether in truth the aristocracy did not love, even honor money as much as they; but he was silent.

As if she read his thought, Lady Tremaine resumed:

”The plague of it is that younger sons must live! Money they must have!--and there's the gate off the hinges! The best, and indeed the only thing to help is, that the two other aristocracies make common cause to keep the rich in their proper place.”

It was not a very subtle flattery, but Walter was pleased. The lady saw she had so far gained her end, for she had an end in view, and changed the subject.

”You go out of an evening, I see!” she said at length. ”I am glad. Some authors will not.”

”I do when I can. The evening, however, to one who--who--”