Part 40 (1/2)
”Fortune of war,” said Endymion; ”we must bear these haps. But the truth is, I think it is not unlikely that there may be a change in my life which may be incompatible with retaining my secretarys.h.i.+p under any circ.u.mstances.”
”You are not going to be married?” she said quickly.
”Not the slightest idea of such an event.”
”You are too young to marry.”
”Well, I am older than you.”
”Yes; but men and women are different in that matter. Besides, you have too many fair friends to marry, at least at present. What would Lady Roehampton say?”
”Well, I have sometimes thought my sister wished me to marry.”
”But then there are others who are not sisters, but who are equally interested in your welfare,” said Lady Beaumaris, looking up into his face with her wondrous eyes; but the lashes were so long, that it was impossible to decide whether the glance was an anxious one or one half of mockery.
”Well, I do not think I shall ever marry,” said Endymion. ”The change in my life I was alluding to is one by no means of a romantic character. I have some thoughts of trying my luck on the hustings, and getting into parliament.”
”That would be delightful,” said Lady Beaumaris. ”Do you know that it has been one of my dreams that you should be in parliament?”
”Ah! dearest Imogene, for you said I might call you Imogene, you must take care what you say. Remember we are unhappily in different camps.
You must not wish me success in my enterprise; quite the reverse; it is more than probable that you will have to exert all your influence against me; yes, canva.s.s against me, and wear hostile ribbons, and use all your irresistible charms to array electors against me, or to detach them from my ranks.”
”Even in jest, you ought not to say such things,” said Lady Beaumaris.
”But I am not in jest, I am in dreadful earnest. Only this morning I was offered a seat, which they told me was secure; but when I inquired into all the circ.u.mstances, I found the interest of Lord Beaumaris so great, that it would be folly for me to attempt it.”
”What seat?” inquired Lady Beaumaris in a low voice.
”Northborough,” said Endymion, ”now held by Lord Montfort's cousin, who is to come in for his county. The seat was offered to me, and I was told I was to be returned without opposition.”
”Lady Montfort offered it to you?” asked Imogene.
”She interested herself for me, and Lord Montfort approved the suggestion. It was described to me as a family seat, but when I looked into the matter, I found that Lord Beaumaris was more powerful than Lord Montfort.”
”I thought that Lady Montfort was irresistible,” said Imogene; ”she carries all before her in society.”
”Society and politics have much to do with each other, but they are not identical. In the present case, Lady Montfort is powerless.”
”And have you formally abandoned the seat?” inquired Lady Beaumaris.
”Not formally abandoned it; that was not necessary, but I have dismissed it from my mind, and for some time have been trying to find another seat, but hitherto without success. In short, in these days it is no longer possible to step into parliament as if you were stepping into a club.”
”If I could do anything, however little?” said Imogene. ”Perhaps Lady Montfort would not like me to interfere?”
”Why not?”
”Oh! I do not know,” and then after some hesitation she added, ”Is she jealous?”
”Jealous! why should she be jealous?”