Part 6 (2/2)
CHAPTER VII.
”Oh, Isabel, mama says I may stay until the first, and then we can return together, won't that be charming,” said Emily, as she came into Isabel's room on the following day, holding an open letter in her hand.
”You can't think how glad I am to escape the escort of that tiresome Lady Ashton.”
”I certainly should not imagine that she would make a very pleasant travelling companion,” returned Isabel, laughing. ”Don't mention it pray,” exclaimed Emily, ”you have no idea what I endured coming down.
Poor Charles, he must have been almost worried to death, she is such a horrid tease, and the old gentleman too, is an awful fidget. I think Arthur Barrington knew what he was about, when he refused to be of our party, and went on by express. Talking of Lady Ashton, how abominably she behaves to you. I was saying so to Harry the other day, and he really seemed quite hurt about it. He said that he saw what she was at the other day at dinner, and was very much annoyed. Then I told him that was nothing to what took place afterwards, and related what she said to you in the drawing room.”
”Oh, Emily, how could you,” exclaimed Isabel.
”Ah now don't be cross with me, Isabel, darling. I really couldn't resist, it was so supremely absurd. Do you know, that that little goose, Ada, cried her eyes out about it that night, and then in again next morning.” ”I know that Ada was very much hurt at Lady Ashton's rudeness,” replied Isabel.
”I'm sure that I was as angry and annoyed as any of them, but for the life of me I can't help laughing whenever I think of it. But confess now, Isabel, are you not desperately in love with Arthur Barrington--come tell the truth.”
”Well, the truth is, no, most decidedly not,” Isabel answered, laughing.
”Ah, now, I'm quite disappointed, for I had made up my mind to that match, if only to aggravate Lady Ashton. She has no influence in that quarter, as anyone may see; and he is so decidedly 'smitten.”'
”What nonsense you talk, Emily.”
”It is not nonsense. I a.s.sure you that I mean what I say. Ah, my dear, you had better consider the matter. Second thoughts, you know, are sometimes best. He is a very nice fellow, and his father is immensely rich. You can have him if you choose: I am sharp enough to see that.”
”But then you see I don't choose,” returned Isabel, much amused.
”Besides, I think that you are quite mistaken.”
”Oh, you silly Isabel, how can you be so provokingly stupid? By the bye, what a little namby-pamby thing that Mabel Ainsley is. What Lucy can see in her to like, pa.s.ses my comprehension.”
”I presume it must be because Lucy is so different, and then Mabel is so pliant, which no doubt suits, as Lucy is fond of taking the lead.”
”They say that likes go by contraries; but as far as my observations go, it is seldom the case,” observed Emily.
”A similarity of tastes and ideas is usually more attractive; but then, 'novelty's charming,' you know,” responded Isabel.
”I do wish that we could get up a fancy ball--a private masquerade, you know. I was speaking to Ada and Lucy about it last night. I said that I would be night, and Lucy thought you ought to be morning.”
”I hope they will give up the idea, as I really could not take part in it,” interrupted Isabel.
”Why not--what harm could there be? What makes you so fastidious, Isabel?”
”It is not that, dear Emily;” but I have very painful a.s.sociations connected with a private masquerade, the only one that I ever went to.
That night poor papa received the sad news of his failure; and in the midst of that gay scene, I received a summons to return, as my papa was alarmingly ill, and scarcely expected to live through the night. He never recovered, though he lingered for some weeks afterwards. Can you wonder then, dear Emily, that even the idea of such a thing is painful in the extreme?”
”I'm very sorry that I proposed it,” returned Emily, much concerned.
”I will tell Ada what you say, and we will get up some other amus.e.m.e.nt: so don't think any more about it, dear;” and giving Isabel a hasty kiss, she left her.
The sixth was a bright, cloudless day--the dazzling whiteness of the frozen snow, and the deep blue of the sky, forming a beautiful contrast.
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