Part 38 (1/2)

”Baron von Konigstein, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. Baron von Konigstein, I have not yet forgotten the story of the fair Venetian.

Cravatischeff! an uncommonly pleasant fellow is Baron von Konigstein.

There are few men whose company I more enjoy than Baron von Konigstein's.

”Count von Altenburgh, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. You will not forget to give me your opinion of my Austrian troop. Cravatischeff! a very good billiard player is Count von Altenburgh. There are few men whose play I would sooner bet upon than Count von Altenburgh's.

”Lady Madeleine Trevor, I feel the greatest pleasure in seeing you. My greatest pleasure is to be surrounded by my friends. Miss Fane, your servant; Mr. St. George, Mr. Grey. Cravatischeff! a most splendid woman is Lady Madeleine Trevor. There is no woman whom I more admire than Lady Madeleine Trevor! and Cravatischeff! Miss Fane, too! a remarkably fine girl is Miss Fane.”

The great saloon of the New House afforded excellent accommodation for the dancers. It opened on the gardens, which, though not very large, were tastefully laid out, and were this evening brilliantly illuminated.

In the smaller saloon the Austrian troop amused those who were not fascinated by waltz or quadrille with acting proverbs: the regular dramatic performance was thought too heavy a business for the evening.

There was sufficient amus.e.m.e.nt for all; and those who did not dance, and to whom proverbs were no novelty, walked and talked, stared at others, and were themselves stared at; and this, perhaps, was the greatest amus.e.m.e.nt of all. Baron von Konigstein did certainly to-night look neither like an unsuccessful gamester nor a designing villain. Among many who were really amusing he was the most so, and, apparently without the least consciousness of it, attracted the admiration of all. To the Trevor party he had attached himself immediately, and was constantly at Lady Madeleine's side, introducing to her, in the course of the evening, his own and Mr. St. George's particular friends, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzloom.

Among many smiling faces Vivian Grey's was clouded; the presence of the Baron annoyed him. When they first met he was conscious that he was stiff and cool. One moment's reflection convinced him of the folly of his conduct, and he made a struggle to be very civil. In five minutes'

time he had involuntarily insulted the Baron, who stared at his friend, and evidently did not comprehend him.

”Grey,” said his Excellency, very quietly, ”you are not in a good humour tonight. What is the matter? This is not at all a temper to come to a fete in. What! won't Miss Fane dance with you?'” asked the Baron, with an arched smile.

”I wonder wind can induce your Excellency to talk such nonsense!”

”Your Excellency! by Jove, that's good! What the deuce is the matter with the man? It is Miss Fane, then, eh?”

”Baron von Konigstein, I wish you to understand--”

”My dear fellow, I never could understand anything. I think you have insulted me in a most disgraceful manner, and I positively must call you out, unless you promise to dine at my rooms with me to-morrow, to meet De Boeffleurs.”

”I cannot.”

”Why not? You have no engagement with Lady Madeleine I know, for St.

George has agreed to come.”

”Yes?”

”De Boeffleurs leaves Ems next week. It is sooner than he expected, and I wish to have a quiet evening together before he goes. I should be very vexed if you were not there. We have scarcely been enough together lately. What with the New House in the evening, and riding parties in the morning, and those Fitzloom girls, with whom St. George is playing a most foolish game, he will be taken in now, if he is not on his guard; we really never meet, at: least not in a quiet friendly way; and so now, will you come?”

”St. George is positively coming?”

”Oh yes' positively; do not be afraid of his gaining ground on the little Violet in your absence.”

”Well, then, my dear Von Konigstein, I will come.”

”Well, that is yourself again. It made me quite unhappy to see you look so sour and melancholy; one would have thought that I was some bore, Salvinski at least, by the way you spoke to me. Well, mind you come; it is a promise, good. I must go and say just one word to the lovely little Saxon girl; by-the-bye, Grey, one word before I am off. List to a friend; you are on the wrong scent about Miss Fane; St. George, I think, has no chance there, and now no wish to succeed. The game is your own, if you like; trust my word, she is an angel. The good powers prosper you!” So saying, the Baron glided off.

Mr. St. George had danced With Miss Fane the only quadrille in which Lady Madeleine allowed her to join. He was now waltzing with Aurelia Fitzloom, and was at the head of a band of adventurous votaries of Terpsich.o.r.e; who, wearied with the commonplace convenience of a saloon, had ventured to invoke the Muse on the lawn.

”A most interesting sight, Lady Madeleine!” said Mr. Fitzloom, as he offered her his arm, and advised their instant presence as patrons of the ”Fete du Village,” for such Baron von Konigstein had most happily termed it. ”A delightful man, that Baron von Konigstein, and says such delightful things! Fete du Village! how very good!”

”That is Miss Fitzloom, then, whom my brother is waltzing with?” asked Lady Madeleine.

”Not exactly, my Lady,” said Mr. Fitzloom, ”not exactly _Miss_ Fitzloom, rather Miss Aurelia Fitzloom, my third daughter; our third eldest, as Mrs. Fitzloom sometimes says; for really it is necessary to distinguish, with such a family as ours, you know.”