Everybody thought the trial had now been quite sufficient to establish the horse’s reputation, and both Lady Talmash and Colonel Ratcliffe congratulated the young lady on her acquisition.
But not one of the party — not Mildred herself — looked better pleased than the Squire. More than once have we said that nothing delighted him so much as to be able to gratify his daughter’s whims, and on this occasion he saw that he had succeeded.
But though the trial was over, the party did not quit the park. They found it so attractive that they could not tear themselves away, but rode about in different directions.
As to Darcy, be could not avoid the fate that had befallen many others in attendance on Mildred, but was compelled to submit to her fascinations.
As they had got rid of the others — together with the grooms — he thought he might venture on a little private talk with her.
CHAPTER XX.
A DECLARATION.
“I was very sorry to hear, Miss Warburton,” said Darcy, “that you are returning to Cheshire almost immediately. I hope it isn’t true.”
“We never intended to make any stay in town,” she replied. “And our business will be finished tomorrow.”
“So soon?” he cried.
“But we mean to call on Lady Starkey before we take our departure. We expect to meet her to-day. She is dining with her nephew, Stanley Brereton, at the Star and Garter.”
“Would I were included in the party. We might possibly improve our acquaintance.”
“I think I know you as well now as I should a month hence.”
“Very likely. I carry my heart in my hand — so that all may read it Can you perceive nothing?”
“What would you have me perceive?” she rejoined.
“The greatest admiration of yourself. Never have I beheld any one so charming. You look incredulous, but ’tis true!”
“I shall be angry if you pay me such extravagant compliments.”
“Forgive me! I wouldn’t for the world offend you. But I must tell you.”
“Now you are about to compliment me again. Take care!”
“No, I am going to tell you something you may not be aware of. I have fallen desperately in love with you. Can you give me any encouragement?”
“Not much,” she replied, laughing. “You have really taken me quite by surprise.”
“Oh, you will soon recover from that. But pray don’t laugh at me! Treat what I say seriously.”
“If I do, it will be to bid you cease this nonsense.”
“Do you call a declaration of love nonsense?”
“The greatest nonsense,” she replied. “It means nothing.”
“In this case it means that I offer you my heart and hand,” he rejoined with great earnestness. “I have never met with any person who produced such an effect upon me — that I swear! Speak! decide my fate!”
While this discourse took place they were passing through a small wood, and no one beheld them — at least, so Darcy thought — for while putting the all-important question he drew as near as he could to Mildred’s side, and taking her hand, raised it quickly to his lips.
She instantly withdrew it.
But not before the action had been witnessed by a person on horseback, who suddenly appeared at the further end of the wood, and was greatly surprised — and indeed displeased by what he beheld.
The observer was no other than Stanley Brereton.
Having learnt at dinner, on the day before, that Mildred was about to try a horse next morning in Richmond Park, he could not resist the temptation to be present at the time.
Accordingly, he deputed Sir John Lambert to order dinner at the Star and Garter, and came down alone to Richmond Park.
And this was what he beheld. If he could trust his eyes Darcy was now a favoured suitor.
Feeling sure he must be in the way, Stanley was about to retire instantly, when Mildred called to him to come on, and he obeyed.
On approaching her he bowed, and haughtily saluted Darcy.
“I fear I’m in the way,” he said. “But it was not my intention to intrude.”
“You certainly are unexpected, but I’m very glad to see you. Is Lady Starkey here?”
“Somewhere, I believe,” he replied, “in the Park, but I’ve not seen her.”
“We must try and find her,” replied Mildred.
“But for this plaguy young fellow’s appearance, my destiny might have been decided,” whispered Darcy.
“Not as you seem to desire,” she rejoined.
And they rode on.
On emerging from the wood, they perceived Lady Starkey’s brougham coming towards them with her ladyship and Rose inside.
Darcy rode on first, and as he approached, the brougham stopped.
Thus left alone with Stanley for a few moments, Mildred endeavoured to explain what had just occurred, but he would not listen to her.
“Come, and let me present you to Lady Starkey and her niece,” he said.
The introduction then took place, and both parties seemed mutually pleased. If Rose was struck by Mildred’s beauty and graceful horsemanship, Mildred Was no less surprised by Rose’s good looks, for which she had not been prepared.
“I hope you like your new horse, Miss Warburton,” said Lady Starkey. “He seems to suit you perfectly.”
“I am delighted with him,” replied Mildred. “He has gone through his trial admirably. All my wants are now supplied.”
“All?” cried Darcy, who was not far off.
“Yes, all,” she replied. “You ride, I suppose, Miss Hylton?”
“No,” replied the other. “I have no horse.”
“What say you to a walk?” remarked Lady Starkey to her niece. “We have been shut up in the brougham long enough.”
Rose delightedly assented, and the two ladies came forth.
“Where shall we bend our steps?” cried Rose.
“You can’t go wrong,” said Stanley. “But I should advise you, to shape your course towards the water yonder.”
While these arrangements were being made, the rest of the party came up, and a general introduction took place. Lady Starkey and Lady Talmash seemed mutually pleased with each other, and Rose Hylton produced a favourable impression, except on Mildred. The Squire seemed quite elated when Lady Starkey said she recollected him several years ago.
All those on horseback now dismounted, and committed their steeds to the care of their grooms, and the whole party walked towards the ponds.
The two ladies in riding habits could not get on quite so fast as the others, and Darcy once more found himself by the side of Mildred.
But Lady Talmash had received a hint, and kept near them.
“Lady Starkey’s niece, Miss Hylton, is a very pretty girl,” remarked Mildred.
“I hear people say so,” replied Darcy; “but I can’t discover her charms.”
“You have the reputation of being a general admirer, Captain Darcy,” said Lady Talmash.
“I scarcely think I merit the title,” he rejoined, laughing.
“Despite your disclaimer, I believe my information is correct,” said her ladyship. “I am told you are struck by every fresh face — always falling in love — yet most inconstant.”
“You give me a very bad character,” he replied. “Don’t heed what her ladyship says,” he added to Mildred.
“I intend it as a caution,” said. Lady Talmash.
“And I. take it as such,” replied Mildred.
“I would recommend your ladyship to give a similar caution to another young lady,” said Darcy. “Rose Hylton seems very much interested in what Stanley Brereton is saying to her.”
“What can he be saying?” cried Mildred.
“Making love, of course,” replied Darcy. “Lady Starkey has left them. It’s a regular tête-à-tête.”
The temptation to interrupt it was irresistible, and Mildred: stepped quickly forward. Lady Talmash called to her to stop, but she paid no attention to wha
t she said.
No doubt the two young people were annoyed, but they were obliged to cease their converse when Mildred came up.
“Now, you have paid me off for my interruption in the wood,” said Stanley.
“You were quite mistaken in your notions then, as I told you,” replied Mildred. “But if I’m in the way I’ll leave you instantly.”
“No, pray don’t,” cried Rose. “We have no secrets.”
“Are you quite sure of that?” asked Mildred.
“I was just remarking how much I should like Pembroke Lodge as a residence.”
“But I don’t think Lord Russell will let you have it,” replied Stanley.
“It would be so enchanting to have those lovely herds of deer always in sight,” continued Rose.
“I think the deer, at Beaucliffe are quite as fine as these,” said Mildred; “and I am sure the hall is a vast deal more picturesque than Pembroke Lodge, to say nothing of the park. Once upon a time you used greatly to admire the place,” she added, to Stanley.
“I admire it still,” he replied. “But you don’t care for Brereton, and wouldn’t like to live there.”
“Who told you so?” she asked.
“A little bird that builds near the house,” he replied.
“I shouldn’t like it in its present state — But you mean to restore it — don’t you?”
“I’m not sure. Lady Starkey and Miss Hylton are coming down to look at the old place, and then I shall decide.”
“I feel convinced I shall like the house as it is,” said Rose.
“Don’t be too sure,” rejoined Mildred. “It is really an old tumble down place, as you will find.”
“But very picturesque notwithstanding,” said Stanley.
“That is what I bargain for,” rejoined Rose. “Pembroke Lodge is too modem, too comfortable, too perfect. Give me the old mansion, and let me have the pleasure of repairing it.”
Mildred said nothing more, but left them, and joined Lady Starkey and her father.
The party remained near the pond for some time, and then proceeded on to the Terrace.
CHAPTER XXI.
A DINNER AT THE STAR AND GARTER.
OF all the charming places in the neighbourhood of town, where a good dinner can be had, none is so pleasant as the Star and Garter at Richmond.
The situation of the hotel is perfect, and the view it commands of Twickenham and the valley of the Thames from the large bow-windows unrivalled. Then the garden with its smooth-shaven lawns and slopes is most attractive. As to the cuisine we need not say much in its praise, since it is well-known that no better dinner can be obtained either at Saint Germain, or elsewhere than at this admirable house.
The visitors to the Star and Garter on the present occasion were favoured with remarkably fine weather, so that nothing more could be desired, and Sir John Lambert, who had arrived in good time, had taken care to order a first-rate dinner, with the best brand of champagne, and other light wines, and he felt quite certain his injunctions would be attended to carefully.
“Let us have whitebait — both plain and devilled” — he said, “and let the champagne be introduced early. As to the rest of the dinner I leave it to you.”
“You may depend upon a first-rate dinner, Sir John,” said the manager.
“Place the table in the bow-window of the upper room, and let covers be laid for ten,” said Sir John.
“Your orders shall be strictly attended to,” replied the manager.
Having got a notion that Stanley would not invite Darcy and Col. Ratcliffe to the dinner, Sir John resolved to ask them himself.
Accordingly, when the party arrived at the hotel, he went up at once to the two gentlemen in question and expressed a hope that they would dine with him.
Both accepted, and the little difficulty was got over very satisfactorily.
Darcy would have been much annoyed if he had been left out of the party, and he took care to acquaint Mildred with the invitation he had received from the old baronet Having mounted to the large upper room, where they proposed to dine, and gazed at the charming view spreading out before them, they returned to the garden, where some of them contrived to pass the time very agreeably.
At a suggestion from Mildred, half-a-dozen of the party walked down to the Thames, where they hired a boat, and went out for a row, the oars being taken by Darcy and Colonel Ratcliffe, and very well managed. The others who joined in this pleasant little trip were Lady Talmash, Stanley, and Rose.
The ladies were in tip-top spirits, and their light laughter enchanted all who heard them ‘One of the chief agréments of Richmond is the river, and no visit to this charming locality can be considered complete without a row.
Lady Talmash, who acted as a sort of chaperon to Mildred, noticed that Darcy had rather risen in favour with the young lady, but she did not deem it necessary to interfere. As to Stanley, he devoted himself entirely to Rose.
After spending an hour on the water in the most enjoyable manner, the party returned towards the landing place, when Mildred perceiving her father and Lady Starkey on the bank, sprang upon one of the seats, and in doing so, missed her footing, and slipped over the side of the boat.
In an instant all was consternation, nor was the accident without danger, since the river was deep in this part, but the young lady had not disappeared, Stanley seized hold of her, and held her up till she could be lifted into the boat.
Mr. Warburton and Lady Starkey, who had witnessed the accident from the bank, were greatly alarmed, and the ladies in the boat were much terrified, but Mildred did not lose her self-possession.
“I don’t think I should have been drowned,” she cried, as she made her reappearance in the boat, “for I am a tolerably good swimmer. The chief risk was my riding habit, which might have weighed me down.”
While sincere congratulations were offered on her escape, the boat was rowed quickly to the landing-place, where it was met by the Squire, who was much agitated.
Notwithstanding the dripping state of her dress, he tenderly embraced his daughter, and thanked Stanley warmly for the efficient aid he had rendered.
As soon as possible a carriage was procured, and Lady Talmash went with her friend to the hotel, where a change of dress was obtained without difficulty, and this being put on she seemed none the worse for the accident In fact, the occurrence, being unattended by any serious consequences, caused no alteration in the dinner hour, or any other arrangements; while the young lady’s spirits were not affected in the slightest degree.
Sir John had talked a good deal about the dinner, which quite answered his expectations. The table was ornamented with choice flowers, and looked very gay and attractive. The Squire thought the white-bait delicious. We must bear in mind that country gentlemen don’t get these delicacies quite as often as we Londoners do, and therefore think more of them.
“I had quite forgotten the taste of whitebait,” he said; “but it’s all come back, and I declare there’s nothing like it.”
But he found there was something new reserved for him. Exquisite as was the fried fish, the devilled whitebait was still better, and when the waiter brought round the dish he could not resist helping himself a second time.
Sir John, likewise, made a remark that might be accepted as a culinary aphorism, “Never is a glass of iced champagne so good as after whitebait”
“I am entirely of that opinion,” said the Squire, “and therefore, I shall take another.”
It is not our intention to go through the whole of the dinner, though we could easily do so, and yet not mention a single poor dish. But we may say that the stewed eels were wonderful, and again brought the two old gentlemen to the fore. Even Lady Starkey could not resist the dish. However, we shall pass on to the ices, which were such as only this house can produce, and to those exquisite little cakes, known as maids-of-honour, which attracted all the ladies, and some of the gentlemen as well.
“I have to return you my thanks for this capi
tal dinner,” said the Squire. “There hasn’t been a single mistake. If I ever give a dinner here I’ll get you to order it for me.”
“I’ll do it with pleasure,” replied the old baronet. “I dare say I’ve given a hundred dinners in this house, and never recollect a failure.”
The company now began to prepare for departure. The horses were ordered, and Lady Starkey told Sir John she would take him to town, if he could manage to ride with her and Rose. The old baronet thankfully accepted.
Once more, Mildred had to put on her riding habit, which by this time had been thoroughly dried.
Before they set out on the ride back, Mildred said to Stanley, “I haven’t thanked you half enough for helping me out of the river. Come and breakfast with us to-morrow morning at the Grosvenor, and give me an opportunity of doing so.”
“With pleasure,” replied Stanley.
Before this, Lady Starkey, with her niece and Sir John, had set off in the brougham, and all the rest of the party now started, followed by the grooms, as in the morning.
Mildred was quite delighted to find herself once more on the back of her famous hunter, and only regretted that she was compelled to proceed at such slow pace.
“As it happens to be such a fine night, there seems no reason why we shouldn’t get on,” she cried. “What say you, papa?”
“I object to it,” he replied. “I cannot allow you to scamper off. Keep near me.”
So Mildred was obliged to control her impatience.
Darcy, however, continued to get on her other side, and since Lady Talmash was constantly engaged in conversation with the Squire, he had plenty of opportunity of talking to the young lady.
Though he had been disappointed more than once in the course of the day, he thought he should now be able to make up for all previous ill success. But Mildred was better watched than he supposed. Lady Talmash had very quick ears, and whenever she thought he was putting a question that had better not be answered, she gave the Squire a hint, and there was an end of it.
Stanley rode at the back with Colonel Ratcliffe.
As far as could be judged, he had not quite recovered from the declaration he had heard in the wood. Whether he should be reinstated as one of Mildred’s suitors, he couldn’t tell. He thought not On arriving in town the Squire proceeded at once to the Grosvenor, where all the horses — except Stanley’s, which was from a different stable — were delivered to the grooms.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 797
