Part 44 (1/2)
”But, dearest Lady Montfort,” said Endymion, in a somewhat deprecating tone, ”about my returning; for that is the real subject on which I wished to trouble you.”
”You have made up your mind to return,” she replied. ”What is the use of consulting me with a foregone conclusion? I suppose you think it a compliment.”
”I should be very sorry to do anything without consulting you,” said Endymion.
”The worst person in the world to consult,” said Lady Montfort impatiently. ”If you want advice, you had better go to your sister. Men who are guided by their sisters seldom make very great mistakes. They are generally so prudent; and, I must say, I think a prudent man quite detestable.”
Endymion turned pale, his lips quivered. What might have been the winged words they sent forth it is now impossible to record, for at that moment the door opened, and the servant announced that her ladys.h.i.+p's horse was at the door. Lady Montfort jumped up quickly, and saying, ”Well, I suppose I shall see you before you go,” disappeared.
CHAPTER LXXV
In the meantime, Lady Roehampton was paying her farewell visit to her former pupil. They were alone, and Adriana was hanging on her neck and weeping.
”We were so happy,” she murmured.
”And are so happy, and will be,” said Myra.
”I feel I shall never be happy again,” sighed Adriana.
”You deserve to be the happiest of human beings, and you will be.”
”Never, never!”
Lady Roehampton could say no more; she pressed her friend to her heart, and left the room in silence.
When she arrived at her hotel, her brother was leaving the house. His countenance was disquieted; he did not greet her with that mantling sunniness of aspect which was natural to him when they met.
”I have made all my farewells,” she said; ”and how have you been getting on?” And she invited him to re-enter the hotel.
”I am ready to depart at this moment,” he said somewhat fiercely, ”and was only thinking how I could extricate myself from that horrible dinner to-day at the Count of Ferroll's.”
”Well, that is not difficult,” said Myra; ”you can write a note here if you like, at once. I think you must have seen quite enough of the Count of Ferroll and his friends.”
Endymion sat down at the table, and announced his intended non-appearance at the Count's dinner, for it could not be called an excuse. When he had finished, his sister said--
”Do you know, we were nearly having a travelling companion to-morrow?”
He looked up with a blush, for he fancied she was alluding to some previous scheme of Lady Montfort. ”Indeed!” he said, ”and who?”
”Adriana.”
”Adriana!” he repeated, somewhat relieved; ”would she leave her family?”
”She had a fancy, and I am sure I do not know any companion I could prefer to her. She is the only person of whom I could truly say, that every time I see her, I love her more.”
”She seemed to like Paris very much,” said Endymion a little embarra.s.sed.
”The first part of her visit,” said Lady Roehampton, ”she liked it amazingly. But my arrival and Lady Montfort's, I fear, broke up their little parties. You were a great deal with the Neuchatels before we came?”