Part 9 (1/2)
”I am afraid I shall be so stiff and awkward you will be ashamed of me,” he said, as she adjusted his ruffles.
”Oh no, I am sure your common sense will come to your aid.”
”I shall not know anybody, and shall feel like a cat in a strange garret.”
”But I will introduce you to some charming people.”
”I shall make a fool of myself. I have never been in such society, and shall not know what to talk about. If it was like a quilting, such as we have at Rumford, I might get on, but I know I shall be the laughing-stock of the ladies.”
”I am not afraid of it. Just be yourself, that's all.”
The clock on the Old Brick Meetinghouse was striking three when they pa.s.sed it on their way to the Newville mansion.
”You will find Mr. Newville a courtly, well-informed gentleman,” said Berinthia. ”Perhaps I ought to tell you that he is a Tory, which is quite natural, when we consider that he holds an office under the crown. He is very discreet, however, and is careful not to say or do anything offensive to the Sons of Liberty. Of course, political questions are not mentioned at these enjoyable gatherings. We say nothing about the Stamp Act: give all like topics the go-by, and just enjoy ourselves socially. You will find Mrs. Newville a delightful lady, and I know you will be charmed by Miss Ruth, a lovely girl, with gracious ways and a character all her own. I cannot describe her. Only intimate friends can know her goodness. Few young ladies in Boston are more accomplished. Master Lovell[26] is her tutor, visiting her after school hours, to direct her course of study. She has been through the arithmetic, while most of us never have been beyond proportion. Having finished the accidence she has begun Latin; she can tambour, make embroidery, draw, paint, play the harpsichord, and sing so charmingly that people pa.s.sing along the street stop to listen to the enchanting music.”
[Footnote 26: John Lovell was master of the Latin School, in School Street, from 1717 to 1776. He gave his sympathies to the crown, and became an exile upon the evacuation of Boston. His house was near the schoolhouse.]
[Ill.u.s.tration: Master Lovell.]
”You awaken my curiosity. But what will one who knows so much think of the awkward fellow keeping you company? Will she not regard me as a simpleton?”
”No, indeed; that would not be like Ruth Newville. Be a.s.sured, she will do what she can to make it a pleasant occasion to you.”
”What can I say that will interest her, what talk about?”
”She will enable you to find your tongue. The chances are that you will fall in love with her just as everybody else does,--colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants of the army and navy, besides widowers and bachelors; but Ruth is too sensible a girl to throw herself away.
Her mother would like her to marry some n.o.bleman, or lord of ancient family. Ruth does not care much for coats-of-arms or t.i.tles, but would rather be sure of what a man is, rather than who were his ancestors.
But we are almost there.”
Many guests had already arrived. Ladies and gentlemen were strolling beneath the trees in the orchard, and along the garden paths. Pompey showing his white teeth, his dusky countenance beaming with pleasure, bowed very courteously as they entered the mansion.
”Ma.s.sa and Missus Newville will welcome de ladies and genmens in de garding,” he said.
Berinthia led the way and introduced Robert as her relative from New Hamps.h.i.+re.
”And so you are from that dependency of the crown? What news do you bring from that Province?” Mr. Newville asked.
”I do not know that there is anything particularly new or interesting.
Not much is going on there. We have had a good crop of hay, the corn looks middling well; the rye is not much rusted. I think we shall not want for bread,” Robert replied.
”It is excellent news. Bread is the staff of life, and I trust the people will be grateful for the bounties of Providence, and rest in peace and quiet under the rule of our gracious sovereign, King George.”
”I hope we shall be truly thankful for all that is good,” Robert replied.
”It is very kind in you to accompany our friend Miss Brandon to our entertainment this afternoon; we gladly welcome you, Mr. Walden,” said Mrs. Newville, who ran her eyes over him, and, so far as Robert could judge, rather liking his stalwart form and figure, while saying to herself that he was no hawk or eagle to bear off her chicken.
”Ruth, daughter, this way, please,” said Mrs. Newville.
Robert saw a young lady wearing a white muslin dress turn towards them from a group of ladies and gentlemen; but it was not the snowy whiteness of the garment, neither her dark brown unpowdered hair in contrast to that of the ladies around her, that attracted his attention, but the hazel eyes and the lips that had said, ”I never shall forget your kindness, sir.”