Volume II Part 46 (1/2)
Upon this memorable day, it then drawing on towards eventide, Anthony, full of solicitude and musing on the fate of his billet, was spreading himself out, like a newly-feathered peac.o.c.k, in the trim garden behind his dwelling. A richly-embroidered Genoa silk waistcoat and amber-coloured velvet coat glittered in the declining sun, like the church weatherc.o.c.k perched just above him at a short distance from the house.
The mansion of Squire Anderton lay a few miles off; yet there had been sufficient time for the return of his trusty valet, who was the bearer of this love-billet. Several times had he paced the long straight gravel walk stretching from the terrace to the Chinese temple, and as often had he mounted the terrace itself to look out for the well-known figure of Hodge, ere the hind was descried through a cloud of hot dust, urging on his steed to the extremity of a short but laborious trot. Needless were it to dwell upon the anxiety and foreboding with which he awaited the nearer approach of this leaden-heeled Mercury. To lovers the detail would be unnecessary, and to others description would fail to convey our meaning.
”I ha't, measter.”
”What hast thou brought, Hodge?”
”A letter.”
”Quick--quick, fellow. Canst not give it me?”
”Ay, i' fackens; but where is it?”
Great was the consternation depicted in the flat and vapid face of the boor as he fumbled in his pocket, turned out the lining, and groped down incontinently ”five fathom deep,” into his nether appendages; but still no letter was forthcoming.
”She gi'ed me one, though; an' where it is----I'se sure it waur here, an'----Bodikins if those de'ilments hanna twitched it out o'
my----Thoose gigglin' wenches i' th' b.u.t.tery took it when I waur but putting my nose to the mug the last time, for a lift i' the stirrup.”
Terrible was the wrath and disapprobation evinced by Master Anthony at this disaster. He had nigh despoiled the curls of his new wig, which were become twisted and awry with choler.
Patiently to endure was the business of Hodge; and his master's fury having ”sweeled” down into the socket, a few hasty flashes just glimmered out from the ignited ma.s.s, ere it was extinguished.
”But thou hadst a letter--dolt--a.s.s!”
”Ay, master, as sure as I am virtuous and well-favoured.”
”Then is the lady kindly affected towards my suit? But oh, thou gull--thou dunderpate--thou losel knave, to lose one line moved by her sweet fingers. Get in; I'll not defile my rapier with beating of thee.
Thanks to the lady thou hast just left; her condescension so affecteth my softer nature that I could not speak an angry word without weeping.
March, rascal, and come not into my presence until thou art bidden, lest I make a thrust at thee with my weapon. O Katherine! my life--my love,--'my polar star, my axle; where all desire, all thought, all pa.s.sions turn, and have their consequence!'”
Anthony had picked up this sc.r.a.p from the players, with whom he had smoked, and committed the usual delinquencies, not peculiar to that age of folly and licentiousness.
”I'll go dream of thee where there be a bank of flowers. Here let me lose myself in a delirium of sweets.”
Choosing a fair position, he squatted down upon a ripe strawberry bed, and great was the dismay with which he beheld the entire ruin of his best puce-coloured breeches. So sudden was the dissipation of his complacency, that he determined to beat Hodge forthwith; to which thrifty employment we commend him, whilst we address ourselves to the further development of our story.
Near to the lower extremity of the village dwelt a maiden whose bloom had been wasted, and whose matchless hopes were always frustrated ere their accomplishment. Many a simpering look had she cast towards the goodly raiment of Master Anthony, and some incipient notion was entertained that the indweller at the big house was not averse to a peep, now and then, more tender than usual, at the window of Mrs Bridget Allport. When a boy, Anthony had been a sort of spoiled pet of the maiden, who was then opening into bloom, and the bud of promise breaking forth in all its pride and loveliness. While Anthony's legs were getting rounder, and his face and figure more plump and capacious, the person of Mistress Bridget was, alas! proceeding, unluckily, in a manner quite the reverse. Anthony's love had not quickened into fruition with his growth: but the lady kept a quick and wary eye upon his movements, and many a pang had his flattering favours caused in her too susceptible heart.
Distantly related to the family, she sometimes visited Lostock Hall; and at the period when our narrative begins she was located therein.
Kate had long been aware of her likings and mishaps, and was no stranger to her predilection for Master Anthony Hardcastle.
The first overt act of mischief resulting from the plots of Kate and her maid was a smart tap at the door of Mistress Bridget, her bed-chamber, where she was indulging in reverie and romance; but the day being hot, she had fallen asleep, and was dreaming of ”hearts, darts, and love's fires.” She started from this mockery of bliss at the summons.
”Prithee, Marian, what is it?”
”A billet from--I don't care to tell who!”
”A billet, sayest thou?--eh!--who can it be? What! It is--go away, my good Marian; I cannot--oh! when will my poor heart----'_Waft a cargo of love to thy bosom._' '_Melt in the furnace._' Dear, delightful pa.s.sion! How pure! Just like mine own, I declare. '_Harder than adamant._' Nay, thou wrongest me. Prithee, Marian, who--where is he?”
”A trusty messenger is below.” She dropped a handsome curtsy.