Part 26 (2/2)

”See,” said he, turning to the Countess with a melancholy smile, ”how even one hour of your society destroys the habits of years. Dr.

Riccabocca is talking of his ancestors!”

CHAPTER VI.

Violante and Jemima were both greatly surprised, as the reader may suppose, when they heard, on their return, the arrangements already made for the former. The Countess insisted on taking her at once, and Riccabocca briefly said, ”Certainly, the sooner the better.” Violante was stunned and bewildered. Jemima hastened to make up a little bundle of things necessary, with many a woman's sigh that the poor wardrobe contained so few things befitting. But among the clothes she slipped a purse, containing the savings of months, perhaps of years, and with it a few affectionate lines, begging Violante to ask the Countess to buy her all that was proper for her father's child. There is always something hurried and uncomfortable in the abrupt and unexpected withdrawal of any member from a quiet household. The small party broke into still smaller knots. Violante hung on her father, and listened vaguely to his not very lucid explanations. The Countess approached Leonard, and according to the usual mode of persons of quality addressing young authors, complimented him highly on the books she had not read, but which her son a.s.sured her were so remarkable. She was a little anxious to know where Harley had met with Mr. Oran, whom he called his friend; but she was too high-bred to inquire, or to express any wonder that rank should be friends with genius.

She took it for granted that they had formed their acquaintance abroad.

Harley conversed with Helen. ”You are not sorry that Violante is coming to us? She will be just such a companion for you as I could desire; of your own years too.”

_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 postillions, heraldic badges on their shoulders, in the style rarely seen in the neighborhood 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 humors 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 up 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 vigor 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 first opportunity, to Madame di Negra. You say she wished to know me.”

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