On Sunday afternoon Violet stayed at home with little Johnnie, and the vacant place in the seat at church was filled by Mr. Fotheringham. Many thoughts floated through Theodora's mind; but whether the better or the worse would gain the advantage seemed rather to depend on chance than on herself. Perhaps she was not yet conscious what were her besetting sins, and thus the conflict was merely a struggle between her feelings for her friend and for her lover.
Arthur walked home with an acquaintance; but Theodora turned from Percy, and threw herself into eager conversation with Lady Elizabeth.
On entering the house, as Violet was not in the drawing-room, Theodora was going up-stairs, when Percy said, in a tone of authority, 'How long do you intend to go on in this way!'
'In what way?'
'Do you wish to keep all our disputes as a spectacle for Arthur's edification?'
Colouring with shame and displeasure, she sat down with a sort of 'I am ready' air, and took off her walking things, laying them down deliberately, and waiting in complete silence. Did she wish to embarrass him, or did she await his first word to decide what line she should take?
'Theodora,' he said at length, 'when I spoke last night, I did not know how early your acquaintance with this lady had begun, or I should have shown more regard to the feeling that arises between old companions. I am afraid I gave you some unnecessary pain.'
This was unexpected; and she could not at once harden herself in displeasure, so that though she spoke not, her countenance was relenting.
'Did Mrs. Martindale mention what I told her yesterday!'
'No; she only said you had been here while I was gone to satisfy my mind.'
'And did you?'
'I should never have defended Georgina's marriage if I had known the whole; but the rest of what you have heard is slander.'
'That is what I came to explain;' and Percy repeated the history he had before given to Violet, adding a warning of the same kind as John's against placing Arthur in Mr. Gardner's way.
'The point is,' said Theodora, 'what construction is to be placed on the present state of things? You and Lady Fotheringham, who have not seen them, take one view; I, who do see them, and who know Georgina intimately, take another, in which I agree with her husband and with the elder sister, who lives with her.'
'Intimately! When you had no idea of this first affair!'
'Such follies are not to be published.'
'You WILL defend them!' cried Percy, impatiently.
'Am I to sit quiet when I hear injustice done to my oldest friend?'
'I wish that unhappy friendship had never begun!'
A silence broken by her coolly saying, 'Well, what is to come of all this?'
Percy walked about the room and said, 'What do you mean?'
With a provoking air of meekness she said, 'I only want to know what you expect of me.'
Excessively annoyed, he sharply answered, 'To be a reasonable woman.'
'Well?' said Theodora, with the same submissive voice. He had recovered himself, and with no further show of temper, he sat down by her, saying, 'This is folly. We had better say what we mean. You feel strongly with regard to your old playfellow; I cannot think well of her; but while this is matter of opinion, it is childish to dispute. Time will show which is the correct view--I shall be glad if it is yours. The elder sister is a steady amiable person, whom my aunt likes, and that is in their favour. I do not wish you to break with an old friend while we know of no positive charge against her, though I should think there could be little to attract you. For me it is another matter, and I will not.'
'You will not adopt my friends?'
I will not be talked into it.'
'I do not understand your principle,' said Theodora, but without asperity. 'Why do you decline an acquaintance to which you do not object for me?'
'The beginning has been made in your case, and I know it is old affection, not present approval. You can't be hurt by one like her. But for my part, knowing what I do of them, I will enter on no acquaintance; it is a line of which I have resolved to keep clear. She would think herself patronizing a literary man.'
'Oh! you could not submit to that!' cried Theodora--'never. Stay away, I beg of you.'
'It is for no such nonsense,' said Percy. 'But thinking of them as I do, I cannot receive from them the favours which rich folks consider invitations to poor ones. My connection with them makes it all the more undesirable. I totally disapprove their style of conduct, and will not seem to sanction it by beginning an acquaintance, or appearing at their grand dinners and parties. If I had known them before, the case might be different.'
'I will say no more. You are quite right,' said Theodora, well able to appreciate the manliness of his independence.
She thought over several times the way of communicating to Mrs. Finch, Percy's rejection of her invitation, and made some attempts at seeing her, but without success, until the night of the party. Violet had an undefined dread of it, and was especially glad that her husband was able to go with them. It was one of the occasions when he was most solicitous about her appearance; and he was well pleased, for she was in very good looks, and prettily dressed with some Irish lace, that to Theodora's amusement she had taken off Miss Marstone's hands; and with his beautiful wife and distinguished-looking sister, he had his wish of displaying woman as she should be.
The room was full, but Violet saw few acquaintance; as Mrs. Finch, with much display of streamer, flounce, jewellery, and shoulders, came to meet them with vehement welcome, and quite oppressed Violet with her attention in finding a seat for her on the sofa.
With a nod and look of gay displeasure at Theodora, she said, 'So, you have brought me no Crusader, you naughty girl! Where's your Red Cross Knight?'
'He would not come,' said Theodora, gravely.
'You dare own it! Where's your power? Ah! you will say it was idleness.'
'I will tell you another time,' said Theodora, blushing inconveniently, and Violet, as she felt her cheeks responding, fancied Mrs. Finch must know why.
'You won't confess! No, you never tried. If you had once set your mind on it, you would have accomplished it. I always cite Theodora Martindale as the person who cannot be resisted.'
'You see your mistake,' returned Theodora. A gentleman here greeted her, then claimed Mrs. Finch's attention, and evidently by his desire, she turned to Violet, and presented him as her cousin, Mr. Gardner, an old friend of Captain Martindale.
Violet acknowledged the courtesy, but it was in confusion and distress.
'I am delighted to make your acquaintance,' was his address. 'Is Captain Martindale here? I have not seen him for years.'
'He is in the room,' said Violet, looking round for him, hoping either that he would come, or that Mr. Gardner would go in search of him, but the conversation continued, though she answered without knowing what she said, till at last he moved away to communicate to Mrs. Finch that Arthur Martindale's pretty wife had nothing but fine eyes and complexion.
Theodora was satisfied to see a very slight recognition pass between Mr. Gardner and her brother, who was intent on conducting to Violet an officer newly returned from the West Indies, where he had met John. After a pleasant conversation, the two gentlemen moved away, and presently the place next to her was taken by Miss Gardner, with civil inquiries for her little boy.
'We are so vexed at not seeing Mr. Fotheringham! Georgina is furious. We reckoned on him as the lion of the night.'
Violet had no answer to make, and Jane continued. 'I have taken Theodora to task. Fame makes men capricious, and he is very odd; but I tell her she ought to have more influence, and I seriously think so. Do you not?'
'I believe he convinced her,' said Violet, wishing the next moment to recall her words.
'Indeed! I am curious.'
'I believe he thinks it better--fashionable life--' faltered Violet.
'He might have made an exception in favour of such near connections! Why, we shall be related ourselves, M
rs. Martindale. How charmed I shall be.'
Violet turned a bracelet on her arm, and could make no response.
'It is strange enough that we have never met Percival Fotheringham,' said Miss Gardner. 'He is an eccentric being, I hear, but our dear Theodora has a spice of eccentricity herself. I hope it will be for the best.'
'He is an admirable person,' said Violet.
'I rejoice to hear it. I had some doubts. The dear girl is so generous, of such peculiar decision, so likely to be dazzled by talent, and so warmly attached to her eldest brother, that I almost feared it might not have been well weighed. But you are satisfied?'
'O, yes, entirely so.'
'I am relieved to hear it. In confidence I may tell YOU, it is said in our OWN family, that there is a rough overbearing temper about him. I could not bear to think of dear Theodora's high spirit being subjected to anything of that kind.'
'He is abrupt,' said Violet, eagerly; 'but I assure yon the better he is known, the more he is liked. My little boy is so fond of him.'
'I am glad. No doubt you have every means of judging, but I own I was surprised at such ready consent. You were behind the scenes, no doubt, and can tell how that determined spirit carried the day.'
'Lord Martindale gave his consent most readily and gladly,' said Violet; but Jane was only the more convinced that Mrs. Martindale was as ignorant as ever of family secrets.
'It was best to do so with a good grace; but I did think our dear Theodora might have looked higher! Poor Lord St. Erme! He would have been a more eligible choice. The family must have been much disappointed, for she might have had him at her feet any day last summer.'
'I do not think he would have suited her.'
'Well! perhaps not, but an easy gentle temper might. However, it cannot be helped! Only the long engagement is unfortunate--very trying to both parties. I have seen so few turn out well! Poor Pelham Fotheringham! It is a pity he should stand between them and the baronetcy.'
'Is he Sir Antony's son?'
'Yes; it is a sad affair. A fine tall youth, quite imbecile. He is his poor mother's darling, but no more fit to take care of himself than a child of five years old. A most melancholy thing! Old Sir Antony ought to set him aside, and let Percival enjoy the estate. Indeed, I should think it very probable he would do so--it would be greatly for the happiness of all parties.'
'I think it would,' said Violet.
'Percival can do anything with the old people, and they will be so delighted with the Martindale connection! Perhaps it is an understood thing. Do you know whether it is?'
'I should not think so. I never heard anything of it.'
'Has Theodora ever been introduced to the uncle and aunt?'
'Never.'
'Good old folks, exceedingly primitive. Very kind too, and a fine old-fashioned place; but, oh, so dull! All their ideas are of the seventeenth century. It will be a severe ordeal for poor Theodora, but if Lady Fotheringham, good old soul, is pleased with her, I shall expect grand consequences.'
Violet was glad that Miss Gardner was asked to dance. Presently Arthur returned to her side. 'Tired, Violet?' he asked. 'Slow work, is not it? They have a queer lot here. Scarcely a soul one ever saw before.'
'I was thinking so. Are there not a great many foreigners? I saw some immense moustaches.'
'Ay. Percy would think himself back in Blue Beard's country. There is the King of the Clothes Brushes himself polking with Mrs. Finch. Can't you see?'
'No! I wish I could.'
'An economical fellow! Every man his own clothes brush--two expenses saved at once, to say nothing of soap, an article that mayhap he does not deal in.'
'Oh! hush! you will make me laugh too much. Where 's Theodora?'
'Dancing with Gardner. He seems inclined to make up to her, unless it is a blind.'
'He said he used to know you at school.'
'Yes, scamp that he is. I had rather he had never turned up again. He is not worth Theodora's quarrelling about. I hear she is chattering away like fun. Have you had any one to speak to?'
'Miss Gardner came to me. She seemed to think Sir Antony might settle his property on Percy instead of on his son. Do you think there is any chance of it?'
'I wish he would. He could not do a wiser thing. But of course it is entailed--there's always a provision of nature for starving the younger branches. What does she say to Percy's absence!'
'I fancy she guesses the reason, but I don't know.'
'He is a lucky fellow, I know!' said Arthur, 'to be safe in his bed at home! This evening is a bore, and I wish the whole set were further off, instead of deluding Theodora! I'll get her away when this dance is over.'
'Ha!' cried Mrs. Finch, suddenly stopping in front of them, and disengaging herself from her partner, as she breathlessly threw herself down beside Violet. 'So there's Captain Martindale, after all! How exemplary! And my poor Mrs. Martindale, that I told Jane and Mark to take such care of, left deserted to her husband's mercy!'
'Suppose she wished for nothing better,' said Arthur, good- humouredly.
'I can't allow such things. Such a monopoly of our Guardsmen after two years' marriage is beyond bearing! What would they say to you in France?'
'We don't follow French fashions,' said Arthur, his gay tone making his earnest like jest. 'I am going to take my ladies home. I shall see for the carriage, Violet.'
'Mrs. Martindale will learn my maxim--Never bring a husband to an evening party. There is nothing so much in the way.'
'Or that would be so glad to be let off,' said Arthur, going.
'You don't mean to take them away? That is the climax of all your crimes. Quite unallowable.'
'Many things unallowable are done,' said Arthur; 'and I don't allow her to be over-tired.'
'"Barbare",' began Mrs. Finch, but with a bow, as if it was a compliment, he was gone in search of the carriage. She sat for a moment silent, then said, 'Well, I must forgive him. I never thought to see him so careful of anything. How happy Theodora seems in your "menage". Quite a different creature; but perhaps that is from another cause?'
Violet made a little attempt at a laugh.
'I am glad of it,' said Mrs. Finch, heartily. 'It is a horrid stiff place for her at home, is it not? And I am delighted she should escape from it. How she got consent, I can't imagine; and Theodora has notions of her own, and would do nothing without.'
'Lord Martindale has a very high opinion of Mr. Fotheringham.'
'I am not surprised. I read that book--a wonder for me, and was perfectly "eprise". But I did not think a genius with empty pockets would have gone down at Martindale; and he is a bit of a bear, too, they say, though perhaps Theodora likes him the better for that.'
'Perhaps she does.'
'I hope he is worthy of her. He is the great pride of the old folks at Worthbourne. One heard of Percy's perfections there morning, noon, and night, till I could have hated the sound of his name. Very generous of me to ask him here to-night, is it not? but I wish he would have come. I want to judge of him myself. I could not bear all not to be perfect with Theodora.'
There was little occasion for Violet to speak, Mrs. Finch always kept the whole conversation to herself; but she could not but perceive that though the exaggeration and recklessness of style were unpleasing, yet it really was frank and genuine, and Theodora's declaration that Georgina was far preferable to Jane was less incomprehensible.
The evening was over, much to her relief; but there remained Theodora's bold undertaking to tell Mrs. Finch of Percy's refusal to visit her. Any one else would have let the subject drop, but Theodora thought this would be shabby and cowardly, and was resolved not to shrink from warning her friend.
She found Georgina looking over some cards of invitation, with an air of great dissatisfaction, and almost the first words that greeted her were, 'Have you a card for Lady Albury's party?'
'Yes; I heard Violet ask Arthur if he should be at home for it.'
'Very strange! We left our cards, I
know, yet they never asked us to their party this week, and now seem to have missed us again. I wished particularly to go, for one is sure to meet all that is worth seeing, your knight among the rest. They are prim, strait-laced, exclusive people themselves; but it is a house worth going to.'
'I did not remember that you knew them.'
'Oh! yes, we did; we used to be there pretty often when we lived with my Uncle Edward; and it is not that they do not think my poor old man good enough for them, for we went to their parties last year. So, Mrs. Martindale has a card, you say!'
Theodora's colour rose as she said, 'Georgina, I am going to say what no one else will tell you. It is not your marriage, but you must take care--'
The crimson of Mrs. Finch's cheeks, and the precipitation with which she started to her feet, would have disconcerted most persons; but Theodora, though she cast down her eyes, spoke the more steadily. 'You must be more guarded and reserved in manner if you wish to avoid unkind remarks.'
'What--what--what?' cried Georgina, passionately; 'what can the most ill-natured, the most censorious, accuse me of?'
'It is not merely the ill-natured,' said Theodora. 'I know very well that you mean no harm; but you certainly have an air of trying to attract attention.'
'Well, and who does not? Some do so more demurely and hypocritically than others; but what else does any one go into company for? Do you expect us all to act the happy couple, like Captain and Mrs. Martindale the other night? You should have brought your own Percy to set us the example!' said she, ending with a most unpleasant laugh.
'Georgina, you must not expect to see Percy. He has rigid notions; he always avoids people who seek much after fashion and amusement, and (I must say it) he will not begin an acquaintance while you go on in this wild way.'
'So!' exclaimed Georgina. 'It is a new thing for the gentlemen to be particular and fastidious! I wonder what harm he thinks I should do him! But I see how it is: he means to take you away, turn you against me, the only creature in this world that ever cared for me. Are not you come to tell me he forbids you ever to come near me!'
Heartsease or Brother's Wife Page 32
