Part 33 (1/2)

”It is an advantage, a great advantage, for me to observe the Count of Ferroll in this intimate society,” said the prince, speaking slowly, ”perhaps even to fathom him. But I am not come to that yet. He is a man neither to love nor to detest. He has himself an intelligence superior to all pa.s.sion, I might say all feeling; and if, in dealing with such a being, we ourselves have either, we give him an advantage.”

”Well, all the same, I hope you will win the golden helm to-morrow,”

said Endymion, looking a little perplexed.

”The golden casque that I am ordained to win,” said the prince, ”is not at Montfort Castle. This, after all, is but Mambrino's helmet.”

A knot of young dandies were discussing the chances of the morrow as Endymion was pa.s.sing by, and as he knew most of them he joined the group.

”I hope to heaven,” said one, ”that the Count of Ferroll will beat that foreign chap to-morrow; I hate foreigners.”

”So do I,” said a second, and there was a general murmur of a.s.sent.

”The Count of Ferroll is as much a foreigner as the prince,” said Endymion rather sharply.

”Oh! I don't call him a foreigner at all,” said the first speaker. ”He is a great favourite at White's; no one rides cross country like him, and he is a deuced fine shot in the bargain.”

”I will back Prince Florestan against him either in field or cover,”

said Endymion.

”Well, I don't know your friend,” said the young gentleman contemptuously, ”so I cannot bet.”

”I am sure your friend, Lady Montfort, my dear Dymy, will back the Count of Ferroll,” lisped a third young gentleman.

This completed the programme of mortification, and Endymion, hot and then cold, and then both at the same time, bereft of repartee, and wis.h.i.+ng the earth would open and Montfort Castle disappear in its convulsed bosom, stole silently away as soon as practicable, and wandered as far as possible from the music and the bursts of revelry.

These conversations had taken place in the chief saloon, which was contiguous to the ball-room, and which was nearly as full of guests. Endymion, moving in the opposite direction, entered another drawing-room, where the population was spa.r.s.e. It consisted of couples apparently deeply interested in each other. Some faces were radiant, and some pensive and a little agitated, but they all agreed in one expression, that they took no interest whatever in the solitary Endymion. Even their whispered words were hushed as he pa.s.sed by, and they seemed, with their stony, unsympathising glance, to look upon him as upon some inferior being who had intruded into their paradise. In short, Endymion felt all that embarra.s.sment, mingled with a certain portion of self contempt, which attends the conviction that we are what is delicately called _de trop_.

He advanced and took refuge in another room, where there was only a single, and still more engrossed pair; but this was even more intolerable to him. Shrinking from a return to the hostile chamber he had just left, he made a frantic rush forward with affected ease and alacrity, and found himself alone in the favourite morning room of Lady Montfort.

He threw himself on a sofa, and hid his face in his hand, and gave a sigh, which was almost a groan. He was sick at heart; his extremities were cold, his brain was feeble. All hope, and truly all thought of the future, deserted him. He remembered only the sorrowful, or the humiliating, chapters in his life. He wished he had never left Hurstley.

He wished he had been apprenticed to Farmer Thornberry, that he had never quitted his desk at Somerset House, and never known more of life than Joe's and the Divan. All was vanity and vexation of spirit. He contemplated finis.h.i.+ng his days in the neighbouring stream, in which, but a few days ago, he was bathing in health and joy.

Time flew on; he was unconscious of its course; no one entered the room, and he wished never to see a human face again, when a voice sounded, and he heard his name.

”Endymion!”

He looked up; it was Lady Montfort. He did not speak, but gave her, perhaps unconsciously, a glance of reproach and despair.

”What is the matter with you?” she said.

”Nothing.”

”That is nonsense. Something must have happened. I have missed you so long, but was determined to find you. Have you a headache?”

”No.”

”Come back; come back with me. It is so odd. My lord has asked for you twice.”

”I want to see no one.”