Part 24 (2/2)
”Yes, it is,” said f.a.n.n.y, who knew that something unpleasant was coming--something as to which she might probably be called upon to differ from her ladys.h.i.+p. Mrs. Robarts' own fears, however, were running entirely in the direction of her husband;--and, indeed, Lady Lufton had a word or two to say on that subject also, only not exactly now. A hunting parson was not at all to her taste; but that matter might be allowed to remain in abeyance for a few days.
”Now, f.a.n.n.y, you know that we have all liked your sister-in-law, Lucy, very much.” And then Mrs. Robarts' mind was immediately opened, and she knew the rest as well as though it had all been spoken. ”I need hardly tell you that, for I am sure we have shown it.”
”You have, indeed, as you always do.”
”And you must not think that I am going to complain,” continued Lady Lufton.
”I hope there is nothing to complain of,” said f.a.n.n.y, speaking by no means in a defiant tone, but humbly as it were, and deprecating her ladys.h.i.+p's wrath. f.a.n.n.y had gained one signal victory over Lady Lufton, and on that account, with a prudence equal to her generosity, felt that she could afford to be submissive. It might, perhaps, not be long before she would be equally anxious to conquer again.
”Well, no; I don't think there is,” said Lady Lufton. ”Nothing to complain of; but a little chat between you and me may, perhaps, set matters right, which, otherwise, might become troublesome.”
”Is it about Lucy?”
”Yes, my dear--about Lucy. She is a very nice, good girl, and a credit to her father--”
”And a great comfort to us,” said f.a.n.n.y.
”I am sure she is: she must be a very pleasant companion to you, and so useful about the children; but--” And then Lady Lufton paused for a moment; for she, eloquent and discreet as she always was, felt herself rather at a loss for words to express her exact meaning.
”I don't know what I should do without her,” said f.a.n.n.y, speaking with the object of a.s.sisting her ladys.h.i.+p in her embarra.s.sment.
”But the truth is this: she and Lord Lufton are getting into the way of being too much together--of talking to each other too exclusively.
I am sure you must have noticed it, f.a.n.n.y. It is not that I suspect any evil. I don't think that I am suspicious by nature.”
”Oh! no,” said f.a.n.n.y.
”But they will each of them get wrong ideas about the other, and about themselves. Lucy will, perhaps, think that Ludovic means more than he does, and Ludovic will--” But it was not quite so easy to say what Ludovic might do or think; but Lady Lufton went on: ”I am sure that you understand me, f.a.n.n.y, with your excellent sense and tact.
Lucy is clever, and amusing, and all that; and Ludovic, like all young men, is perhaps ignorant that his attentions may be taken to mean more than he intends--”
”You don't think that Lucy is in love with him?”
”Oh dear, no--nothing of the kind. If I thought it had come to that, I should recommend that she should be sent away altogether. I am sure she is not so foolish as that.”
”I don't think there is anything in it at all, Lady Lufton.”
”I don't think there is, my dear, and therefore I would not for worlds make any suggestion about it to Lord Lufton. I would not let him suppose that I suspected Lucy of being so imprudent. But still, it may be well that you should just say a word to her. A little management now and then, in such matters, is so useful.”
”But what shall I say to her?”
”Just explain to her that any young lady who talks so much to the same young gentleman will certainly be observed--that people will accuse her of setting her cap at Lord Lufton. Not that I suspect her--I give her credit for too much proper feeling: I know her education has been good, and her principles are upright. But people will talk of her. You must understand that, f.a.n.n.y, as well as I do.”
f.a.n.n.y could not help meditating whether proper feeling, education, and upright principles did forbid Lucy Robarts to fall in love with Lord Lufton; but her doubts on this subject, if she held any, were not communicated to her ladys.h.i.+p. It had never entered into her mind that a match was possible between Lord Lufton and Lucy Robarts, nor had she the slightest wish to encourage it now that the idea was suggested to her. On such a matter she could sympathize with Lady Lufton, though she did not completely agree with her as to the expediency of any interference. Nevertheless, she at once offered to speak to Lucy.
”I don't think that Lucy has any idea in her head upon the subject,”
said Mrs. Robarts.
”I dare say not--I don't suppose she has. But young ladies sometimes allow themselves to fall in love, and then to think themselves very ill-used, just because they have had no idea in their head.”
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