Part 63 (2/2)
Mr. Egerton's cold glance followed Randal's movements; the face was hid from the glance, and the statesman's eye rested on the figure, which is often as self-betraying as the countenance itself. Randal baffled Mr.
Egerton's penetration,--the young man's emotion might be honest pride and pained and generous feeling, or it might be something else. Egerton continued slowly,
”Once for all, then, distinctly and emphatically, I say, never count upon that; count upon all else that I can do for you, and forgive me when I advise harshly or censure coldly; ascribe this to my interest in your career. Moreover, before decision becomes irrevocable, I wish you to know practically all that is disagreeable or even humiliating in the first subordinate steps of him who, without wealth or station, would rise in public life. I will not consider your choice settled till the end of a year at least,--your name will be kept on the college books till then; if on experience you should prefer to return to Oxford, and pursue the slower but surer path to independence and distinction, you can. And now give me your hand, Mr. Leslie, in sign that you forgive my bluntness: it is time to dress.”
Randal, with his face still averted, extended his hand. Mr. Egerton held it a moment, then dropping it, left the room. Randal turned as the door closed; and there was in his dark face a power of sinister pa.s.sion, that justified all Harley's warnings. His lips moved, but not audibly; then as if struck by a sudden thought, he followed Egerton into the hall.
”Sir,” said he, ”I forgot to say, that on returning from Maida Hill, I took shelter from the rain under a covered pa.s.sage, and there I met unexpectedly with your nephew, Frank Hazeldean.”
”Ah!” said Egerton, indifferently, ”a fine young man; in the Guards.
It is a pity that my brother has such antiquated political notions; he should put his son into parliament, and under my guidance; I could push him. Well, and what said Frank?”
”He invited me to call on him. I remember that you once rather cautioned me against too intimate an acquaintance with those who have not got their fortunes to make.”
”Because they are idle, and idleness is contagious. Right,--better not to be too intimate with a young Guardsman.”
”Then you would not have me call on him, sir? We were rather friends at Eton; and if I wholly reject his overtures, might he not think that you--”
”I!” interrupted Egerton. ”Ah, true; my brother might think I bore him a grudge; absurd. Call then, and ask the young man here. Yet still, I do not advise intimacy.” Egerton turned into his dressing-room. ”Sir,”
said his valet, who was in waiting, ”Mr. Levy is here,--he says by appointment; and Mr. Grinders is also just come from the country.”
”Tell Mr. Grinders to come in first,” said Egerton, seating himself.
”You need not wait; I can dress without you. Tell Mr. Levy I will see him in five minutes.”
Mr. Grinders was steward to Audley Egerton.
Mr. Levy was a handsome man, who wore a camellia in his b.u.t.ton-hole; drove, in his cabriolet, a high-stepping horse that had cost L200; was well known to young men of fas.h.i.+on, and considered by their fathers a very dangerous acquaintance.
CHAPTER XII.
As the company a.s.sembled in the drawing-rooms, Mr. Egerton introduced Randal Leslie to his eminent friends in a way that greatly contrasted the distant and admonitory manner which he had exhibited to him in private. The presentation was made with that cordiality and that gracious respect, by which those who are in station command notice for those who have their station yet to win.
”My dear lord, let me introduce to you a kinsman of my late wife's” (in a whisper),--”the heir to the elder branch of her family. Stanmore, this is Mr. Leslie, of whom I spoke to you. You, who were so distinguished at Oxford, will not like him the worse for the prizes he gained there.
Duke, let me present to you Mr. Leslie. The d.u.c.h.ess is angry with me for deserting her b.a.l.l.s; I shall hope to make my peace, by providing myself with a younger and livelier subst.i.tute. Ah, Mr. Howard, here is a young gentleman just fresh from Oxford, who will tell us all about the new sect springing up there. He has not wasted his time on billiards and horses.”
Leslie was received with all that charming courtesy which is the To Kalon of an aristocracy.
After dinner, conversation settled on politics. Randal listened with attention, and in silence, till Egerton drew him gently out; just enough, and no more,--just enough to make his intelligence evident, and without subjecting him to the charge of laying down the law. Egerton knew how to draw out young men,--a difficult art. It was one reason why he was so peculiarly popular with the more rising members of his party.
The party broke up early.
”We are in time for Almack's,” said Egerton, glancing at the clock, ”and I have a voucher for you; come.”
Randal followed his patron into the carriage. By the way Egerton thus addressed him,
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