Part 12 (1/2)
Lady R--put a small packet into my hand, kissed me on the forehead, and then hastened up to her own room.
That people love change is certain, but still there is a mournfulness connected with it; even in a change of residence, the packing up, the litter attending it, the corded trunks and packages, give a forlorn appearance to the house itself. To me it was peculiarly distressing; I had changed so often within the last year, and had such a precarious footing wherever I went, I felt myself to be the sport of fortune, and a football to the whims and caprices of others. I was sitting in my bedroom, my trunks packed but not yet closed down, thinking of Lady R--'s last conversation, and very _triste_. The packet was lying on the table before me, unopened, when I was roused by a knock at the door. I thought it was Lady R--'s maid, and I said, ”Come in.”
The door opened, and Lionel made his appearance.
”Is it you, Lionel? What do you want?”
”I knew that you were up, and I recollected as we leave before you do, to-morrow, that you would have no one to cord your luggage, so I thought I would come up and do it for you to-night, Miss Valerie, if it is ready.”
”Thank you, Lionel, it is very considerate of you. I will lock the trunks up, and you can cord them outside.”
Lionel took out the trunks and corded them in the pa.s.sage. When he had finished he said to me, ”Good bye, Miss Valerie. You will see me again very soon.”
”See you very soon, Lionel! I am afraid there is no chance of that, for Lady R--intends to stay abroad for six months.”
”I do not,” replied he.
”Why, Lionel, it would be very foolish for you to give up such a good situation. You have such unusual wages: twenty pounds a year, is it not?”
”Yes, Miss Valerie. I should not get half that in another situation, but that is one reason why I am going to leave. Why should she give me twenty pounds a year. I must find out why, and find out I will, as I said to you before. She don't give me twenty pounds for my beauty, although she might give you a great deal more, and yet not pay you half enough.”
”Well, Lionel, I think you have been here long enough. It is too late to sit up to pay compliments. Fare you well.”
I shut my door upon him gently, and then went to bed. As usual after excitement, I slept long and soundly. When I awoke the next morning, I found it was broad day, and nearly ten o'clock. I rang the bell, and it was answered by the cook, who told me that she and I were the only people in the house. I rose, and as I pa.s.sed by my table, I perceived another package lying by the side of the one which Lady R--had given me.
It was addressed to me and I opened it. It contained a miniature of Lady R--when she was about my age, and very beautiful she must have been. It was labelled ”Semp.r.o.nia at eighteen. Keep it for my sake, dear Valerie, and do not open the paper accompanying it until you have my permission, or you hear of my being no more.”
I laid the miniature down and opened the first packet given me by Lady R--. It contained bank-notes to the amount of one hundred pounds, nearly double the salary due to me. The contents of both these packets only made me feel more melancholy, and I sighed heavily as I put them in my dressing-case; but time ran on, and I had agreed to be at Lady M--'s at one o'clock, when the carriage would be sent for me. I therefore hastened my toilet, closed the remainder of my luggage, and went down to the breakfast which the cook had prepared for me. While I was at breakfast a letter was brought by the post. It had been directed to Madame Bathurst, and was redirected to Lady R--'s address. It was from Madame Paon, and as follows:--
”My dear Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf,--
”As I take it for granted that you do not see the French papers, I write to tell you that your predictions relative to Monsieur G--, have all proved correct. A month after the marriage, he neglected madame, and spent his whole time at the gaming-table, only returning home to obtain fresh supplies from her. These were at last refused, and in his rage he struck her. A suit for separation of person and property was brought into court last week, and terminated in favour of Madame d'Albret, who retains all her fortune, and is rid of a monster. She came to me yesterday morning, and showed me the letter which you had written to her, asking me whether I did not correspond with you, and whether I thought, that after her conduct you could be prevailed upon to return to her. Of course I could not give any opinion, but I am convinced that if you only say that you forgive her, that she will write to you and make the request. I really do not well see how you can do otherwise, after the letter which you wrote to her, but of course you will decide for yourself. I trust, mademoiselle, you will favour me with a speedy answer, as Madame d'Albret is here every day, and is evidently very impatient,--I am, my dear mademoiselle, yours,
”Emile Paon.
”Nee Merce.”
To this letter I sent the following reply by that day's post:--
”My dear Madame Paon,
”That I sincerely forgive Madame d'Albret is true; I do so from my heart; but although I forgive her, I cannot listen to any proposal to resume the position I once held. Recollect that she has driven all over Paris, and accused me among all her friends of ingrat.i.tude and slander.
How then, after having been discarded for such conduct, could I again make my appearance in her company. Either I have done as she has stated, and if so, am unworthy of her patronage, or I have not done so, and therefore have been cruelly used: made to feel my dependence in the bitterest way, having been dismissed and thrown upon the world with loss of character. Could I ever feel secure or comfortable with her after such injustice? or could she feel at her ease on again presenting one as her _protegee_, whom she had so ill-treated? would she not have to blush every time that she met with any of our former mutual friends and acquaintances? It would be a series of humiliations to us both. a.s.sure her of my forgiveness and good-will, and my wishes for her happiness; but to return to her is impossible. I would rather starve. If she knew what I have suffered in consequence of her hasty conduct towards me, she would pity me more than she may do now; but what is done is done. There is no remedy for it. Adieu, Madame Paon. Many thanks for your kindness to one so fallen as I am.
”Yours truly and sincerely,
”Valerie.”
I wrote the above under great depression of spirits, and it was with a heavy heart that I afterwards alighted at Lady M--'s residence in St James's Square. If smiles, however, and cordial congratulations, and shakes of the hand could have consoled me, they were not wanting on the part of Lady M--and her daughters. I was shown all the rooms below, then Lady M--'s room, the young ladies' rooms, and lastly my own, and was truly glad when I was at last left alone to unpack and arrange my things.