Part 17 (1/2)

Above the spring had been erected a Gothic arch of grey stone, round which grew a few fine birch-trees. In short, nature had intended the spot for picnics. There was fine water, and an interesting tradition; and as the parties always bring, or always should bring, a trained punster, champagne, and cold pasties, what more ought Nature to have provided?

”Come, Mrs. Lorraine, I will tie Gypsey to this ash, and then you and I will rest ourselves beneath these birch-trees, just where the fairies dance.”

”Oh, delightful!”

”Now, truly, we should have some book of beautiful poetry to while away an hour. You will blame me for not bringing one. Do not. I would sooner listen to your voice; and, indeed, there is a subject on which I wish to ask your particular advice.”

”Is there?”

”I have been thinking that this is a somewhat rash step of the Marquess; this throwing himself into the arms of his former bitterest enemy, Cleveland.”

”You really think so?”

”Why, Mrs. Lorraine, does it appear to you to be the most prudent course of action which could have been conceived?”

”Certainly not.”

”You agree with me, then, that there is, if not cause for regret at this engagement, at least for reflection on its probable consequences?”

”I quite agree with you.”

”I know you do. I have had some conversation with the Marquess upon this subject this very morning.”

”Have you?” eagerly exclaimed the lady, and she looked pale and breathed short.

”Ay; and he tells me you have made some very sensible observations on the subject. 'Tis pity they were not made before Mr. Cleveland left; the mischief might then have been prevented.”

”I certainly have made some observations.”

”And very kind of you. What a blessing for the Marquess to have such a friend!”

”I spoke to him,” said Mrs. Felix, with a more a.s.sured tone, ”in much the same spirit as you have been addressing me. It does, indeed, seem a most imprudent act, and I thought it my duty to tell him so.”

”Ay, no doubt; but how came you, lady fair, to imagine that _I_ was also a person to be dreaded by his Lords.h.i.+p; _I_, Vivian Grey!”

”Did I say _you_?” asked the lady, pale as death.

”Did you not, Mrs. Felix Lorraine? Have you not, regardless of my interests, in the most unwarrantable and unjustifiable manner; have you not, to gratify some private pique which you entertain against Mr.

Cleveland; have you not, I ask you, poisoned the Marquess' mind against one who never did aught to you but what was kind and honourable?”

”I have been imprudent; I confess it; I have spoken somewhat loosely.”

”Now, listen to me once more,” and Vivian grasped her hand. ”What has pa.s.sed between you and Mr. Cleveland it is not for me to inquire. I give you my word of honour that he never even mentioned your name to me. I can scarcely understand how any man could have incurred the deadly hatred which you appear to entertain for him. I repeat, I can contemplate no situation in which you could be placed together which would justify such behaviour. It could not be justified, even if he had spurned you while--kneeling at his feet.”

Mrs. Felix Lorraine shrieked and fainted. A sprinkling from the fairy stream soon recovered her. ”Spare me! spare me!” she faintly cried: ”say nothing of what you have seen.”

”Mrs. Lorraine, I have no wish. I have spoken thus explicitly that we may not again misunderstand each other. I have spoken thus explicitly, I say, that I may not be under the necessity of speaking again, for if I speak again it must not be to Mrs. Felix Lorraine. There is my hand; and now let the Elfin's Well be blotted out of our memories.”

Vivian drove rapidly home, and endeavoured to talk in his usual tone and with his usual spirit; but his companion could not be excited. Once, ay twice, she pressed his hand, and as he a.s.sisted her from the phaeton she murmured something like a blessing. She ran upstairs immediately. Vivian had to give some directions about the ponies; Gipsey was ill, or f.a.n.n.y had a cold, or something of the kind; and so he was detained for about a quarter of an hour before the house, speaking most learnedly to grooms, and consulting on cases with a skilled gravity worthy of Professor Coleman.