Part 22 (1/2)
”Yes,” replied I, ”and of large fortune, too.”
”Well, I shall not have a fair chance, then,” said Adele, ”for go back I cannot.”
”Now, Adele, you know how much more becoming the _demi-toilette_ is to you than the evening dress,” replied Caroline, ”so don't pretend to deny it.”
”I deny nothing and I admit nothing,” replied Adele, laughing, ”except that I am a woman, and now draw your own inferences and conclusions--_ce m'est egal_.”
We had a very pleasant dinner-party. Adele tried to flirt with Lionel, but it was in vain. He had no attentions to throw away, except upon me; once he whispered, ”I should not feel strange at being seated with others, but to be by _your_ side does make me awkward. Old habits are strong, and every now and then I find myself jumping up to change your plate.”
”It's a great pleasure to me, Lionel, to find you in the position you are ent.i.tled to from your birth. You will soon sit down with people of more consequence than Valerie de Chatenoeuf.”
”But never with anyone that I shall esteem or respect so much, be they who they may,” replied Lionel.
During dinner, I mentioned that Mr Selwyn had called and engaged Caroline and me to go to the Horticultural fete.
”I wish Madame Gironac was going,” continued I, ”she is so fond of flowers.”
”Never mind, my dear Valerie, I will stay at home and earn some money.”
”Madame,” cried Monsieur Gironac, pretending to be very angry, and striking with his fist on the table so as to make all the wine gla.s.ses ring, ”you shall do no such thing. You shall not always oppose my wishes. You shall not stay at home and earn some money. You shall go out and spend money. Yes, madame, I will be obeyed; you shall go to the Horticultural fete, and I invite Monsieur Lionel, and Mademoiselle Adele to come with us that they may witness that I am the master. Yes, madame, resistance is useless. You shall go in a _remise de ver_, or gla.s.s-coach, as round as a pumpkin, but you shall not go in gla.s.s slippers, like Cinderella, because they are not pleasant to walk in.
How Cinderella danced in them has always been a puzzle to me, ever since I was a child, and of what kind of gla.s.s they were made of.”
”Perhaps isingla.s.s,” said Lionel.
”No, sir, not isingla.s.s; it must have been fairy gla.s.s; but never mind.
I ask you, Madame Gironac, whether you intend to be an obedient wife, or intend to resist my commands?”
”_Barbare_,” replied Madame Gironac, ”am I then to be forced to go to a fete! ah, cruel man, you'll break my heart; but I submit to my unhappy destiny. Yes, I will go in the _remise de ver_: pity me, my good friends, but you don't know that man.”
”I am satisfied with your obedience, madame, and now I permit you to embrace me.”
Madame Gironac, who was delighted at the idea of going to the fete, ran to her husband, and kissed him over and over again. Adele and Lionel accepted Monsieur Gironac's invitation, and thus was the affair settled in Monsieur Gironac's queer way.
The day of the Horticultural fete arrived. It was a lovely morning. We were all dressed and the gla.s.s-coach was at the door, when Mr Selwyn arrived in his carriage, and Caroline and I stepped in. I introduced Caroline, who was remarkably well-dressed, and very pretty. Mr Selwyn had before told me that he was acquainted with Madame Bathurst, having met her two or three times, and sat by her at a dinner-party. He appeared much pleased with Caroline, but could not make out how she was in my company. Of course, he asked no questions before her.
On our arrival at the gardens, we found young Mr Selwyn waiting at the entrance to take us to Mrs Selwyn and his sisters, who had come from their house at Kew. About half-an-hour afterwards, we fell in with Monsieur Gironac, madame, Adele, and Lionel. Mr Selwyn greeted Lionel warmly, introducing him to his family; and, on my presenting the Gironacs and Adele, was very polite and friendly, for he knew from me how kind they had been. Adele Chabot never looked so well; her costume was most becoming; she had put on her _air mutine_, and was admired by all that pa.s.sed us. We were all grouped together close to the band, when who should appear right in front of us but Madame Bathurst. At that time, Caroline was on the one arm of Mr Selwyn, and I on the other.
”Caroline!” exclaimed Madame Bathurst, ”and you here!” turning to me.
While she remained in astonishment, Caroline ran up and kissed her.
”You recollect, Mr Selwyn, aunt, do you not?”
”Yes,” said Madame Bathurst, returning the salute of Mr Selwyn, ”but still I am surprised.”
”Come with me, aunt, and I will tell you all about it.”
Caroline then walked to a seat at a little distance, sat down, and entered into conversation with Madame Bathurst. In a few minutes, Madame Bathurst rose, and came up to our party, with Caroline on her arm.
She first thanked Mr Selwyn for his kindness in bringing her niece to the fete, and then turning to me, said with some emotion, as she offered her hand, ”Valerie, I hope we are friends. We have mistaken each other.”