Part 116 (1/2)

HELEN (ingenuously).--”It is hard to think I am not younger than she is.”

HARLEY.--”Why, my dear Helen?”

HELEN.--”She is so brilliant. She talks so beautifully. And I--”

HARLEY.--”And you want but the habit of talking, to do justice to your own beautiful thoughts.”

Helen looked at him gratefully, but shook her head. It was a common trick of hers, and always when she was praised.

At last the preparations were made, the farewell was said, Violante was in the carriage by Lady Lansmere's side. Slowly moved on the stately equipage with its four horses and trim postilions, heraldic badges on their shoulders, in the style rarely seen in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, and now fast vanis.h.i.+ng even amidst distant counties.

Riccabocca, Jemima, and Jackeymo continued to gaze after it from the gate.

”She is gone,” said Jackeymo, brus.h.i.+ng his eyes with his coat-sleeve.

”But it is a load off one's mind.”

”And another load on one's heart,” murmured Riccabocca. ”Don't cry, Jemima; it may be bad for you, and bad for him that is to come. It is astonis.h.i.+ng how the humours of the mother may affect the unborn. I should not like to have a son who has a more than usual propensity to tears.”

The poor philosopher tried to smile; but it was a bad attempt. He went slowly in, and shut himself with his books. But he could not read. His whole mind was unsettled. And though, like all parents, he had been anxious to rid himself of a beloved daughter for life, now that she was gone but for a while, a string seemed broken in the Music of Home.

CHAPTER VII.

The evening of the same day, as Egerton, who was to entertain a large party at dinner, was changing his dress, Harley walked into his room.

Egerton dismissed his valet by a sign, and continued his toilet.

”Excuse me, my dear Harley, I have only ten minutes to give you. I expect one of the royal dukes, and punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes.”

Harley had usually a jest for his friend's aphorisms; but he had none now. He laid his hand kindly on Egerton's shoulder. ”Before I speak of my business, tell me how you are,--better?”

”Better,--nay, I am always well. Pooh! I may look a little tired,--years of toil will tell on the countenance. But that matters little: the period of life has pa.s.sed with me when one cares how one looks in the gla.s.s.”

As he spoke, Egerton completed his dress, and came to the hearth, standing there, erect and dignified as usual, still far handsomer than many a younger man, and with a form that seemed to have ample vigour to support for many a year the sad and glorious burden of power.

”So now to your business, Harley.”

”In the first place, I want you to present me, at the earliest opportunity, to Madame di Negra. You say she wished to know me.”

”Are you serious?”

”Yes.”

”Well, then, she receives this evening. I did not mean to go; but when my party breaks up--”

”You can call for me at The Travellers. Do!”

”Next, you knew Lady Jane Horton better even than I did, at least in the last year of her life.” Harley sighed, and Egerton turned and stirred the fire.