“By-the-bye, the last piece of news I heard respecting him was that he was about to marry Lady Starkey,” said Sir Randal. “Is it true?”
“Perfectly true, and the marriage may take place at any time, for they won’t wait for our return.”
“Surprising! I could not have believed it. But perhaps, under the circumstances, it was the best thing he could do.”
“Decidedly,” said Lady Talmash. “He was almost heart-broken. Lady Starkey will make him a capital wife, and keep up Beaucliffe properly. I consider Mr. Warburton very lucky. Few elderly gentlemen have such a chance.”
“Well, he deserves his good fortune, for he is a most excellent fellow,” said Sir Randal.
While this conversation was going on, a very lively discourse took place between Marston Malpas and Rose. Thinking what he said would be agreeable to Stanley, the young gentleman told him how much he was struck by Rose’s beauty, and how fortunate he esteemed himself in meeting her.
Stanley laughed, but was not altogether pleased — particularly when he perceived that Rose did not seem entirely indifferent to Malpas’s attentions.
“What do you think of your neighbour,” he said to her, as they left the salle á manger.
“I think him very agreeable,” she replied. “I am delighted that he and Sir Randal have come here.”
“I thought you had plenty of society?”
“But these are both very agreeable people,” she replied. “Everybody seemed struck by Sir Randal, and I really think Mr. Marston Malpas a great acquisition.”
“I see nothing in him,” said Stanley, in a disparaging tone.
“Surely, you must admit that he talks very agreeably. I have promised him a place next me at dinner to-morrow.”
“You have!”
“Don’t blame me; I couldn’t very well refuse.” Next morning Sir Randal sought an interview with Mildred, and was quite shocked by the great change in her appearance. He could scarcely believe it was the lovely girl he had formerly known, and not without difficulty repressed his feelings.
“You find me much changed, I perceive,” she said. “Nay, do not attempt to deny it; your looks confess the truth.”
“You certainly do not look so well as when I last saw you at Beaucliffe,” he replied. “But I understand you are much better since you came to Nice?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I don’t think I should be alive had I remained at home. But I have now some hopes of recovery.”
“You have every opportunity that a salubrious place and fine climate can offer you. Ah! when I think how beautiful you were, and how full of health, I can scarcely believe in the change!”
“It is all my own fault, dear Sir Randal,” she replied. “You have seen me on horseback with the hounds, you have seen me engaged at lawn-tennis, and at other games, and know that my health and spirits were good. But I took no care of myself — none whatever — and have suffered in consequence.”
“I won’t blame you, my dear lady,” he replied, “but I am sincerely sorry, for you deserve a better fate.”
“Don’t frighten her, Sir Randal,” said Stanley. “Our physician, who is a very able man, assures me she will recover. You should have seen her when she first came here.”
“I saw her a year ago. I saw her when she was Mildred Warburton, the loveliest girl in Cheshire, aye, in England, and I cannot help contrasting her present appearance with her former charming looks.”
“That is scarcely fair, Sir Randal,” said Mildred. “At all events, it shows the strong impression you produced upon me,” he replied. “And I hope to see you completely restored to your former beauty.”
“In my opinion, there is more real interest in your present delicate looks than in your former dazzling beauty,” said Stanley.
A gentle smile, that lighted up her pallid features, thanked him for the compliment.
“Well, you have a blooming beauty in your party,” said Sir Randal. “She is aptly named Rose. My young friend, Marston Malpas, has quite lost his heart to her.”
“Rose Hylton is a very amiable, as well as a very pretty girl,” said Mildred. “I suppose you are aware she is Lady Starkey’s niece, Sir Randal?”
“Yes, I have heard so.”
“She deserves a good husband,” continued Mildred. “She has no particular fortune of her own, but her aunt means to give her a handsome marriage portion.”
“Should young Malpas propose to her, as I think he will,” said Sir Randal, “a marriage portion will not be required, since he is very well off.”
“But it can do no harm, and will make Rose feel more independent,” said Mildred.
“You are speculating on what may never take place,” said Stanley. “Mr. Malpas only met the young lady at the table d’hote yesterday.”
“But he was quite smitten, as I have told you,” said Sir Randal. “He spoke of her to me in most rapturous terms, and is now in attendance upon her and Lady Talmash in the public promenades. I believe something will come of it.”
“I sincerely hope it may,” said Mildred. “She is really a very nice girl. Why, here they are, I declare, on their return from the walk!” she added, as Lady Talmash and Rose attended by Charles Kynaston and Marston Malpas entered the salon.
The whole party seemed in high spirits, especially Rose.
“Well, have you had a pleasant promenade?” inquired Mildred.
“Delightful,” replied Rose. “I never enjoyed anything so much.”
“I had no idea Nice was such an enchanting place,” said Malpas. “We have seen nothing like it on our tour.”
“Come, that’s rather strong,” said Sir Randal. “But you have had agreeable society, and that accounts for it.”
“Yes, there may be something in that,” said Malpas, with a glance at Rose.
Malpas, who had not yet been presented to Mildred, was now made known to her, and very graciously received. But Stanley treated him rather haughtily. Lady Talmash took the opportunity of introducing Charles Kynaston to Sir Randal, and the formal old baronet, who knew his brother Sir Mowbray, received him very cordially.
An animated conversation ensued, in which everybody took part except Stanley, who was at length aroused from his seeming apathy by a telegraphic message from England, brought him by one of the attendants.
“This is news in which most of us are interested,” he said, after perusing the dispatch, “so I will communicate it to you without delay.”
“I can guess the news before you read it,” said Lady Talmash. “It is to announce the approaching marriage of Lady Starkey with Mr. Warburton.”
“The nuptials took place yesterday, at Beaucliffe, and quite privately,” replied Stanley.
“The happy pair have my best wishes,” said Lady Talmash.
“And mine,” cried Sir Randal. “I repeat what I have often said, that a better fellow does not exist than the Squire, and I sincerely wish him all happiness.”
“I am delighted to hear you speak of dear papa in such terms, Sir Randal,” said Mildred. “I feel quite certain Lady Starkey will make him happy.”
“And so am I,” added Rose. “I only wish I could congratulate them both in person.”
“I ought to have told you,” said Stanley, “that the telegram I have just received is from my mother. No one, it seems, was present on the occasion but herself and Sir John Lambert.”
“I always understood that Mr. Warburton was quite resolved that the wedding should be strictly private, whether it took place at St. George’s, Hanover Square, as Lady Starkey desired, or at Beaucliffe,” said Lady Talmash. “Sir John Lambert is Lady Starkey’s oldest and best friend.”
“And a better friend she could not have,” said Sir Randal. “I am very glad he was present on the occasion. Would I had been there myself!”
“You ought to have been, dear Sir Randal,” said Mildred, regarding him affectionately. “But I suppose papa knew you were on the Continent?”
“Very likely,” said Sir Randal.
“But though the hospitable Squire gave no sumptuous wedding breakfast, I’ll be bound he provided a most liberal entertainment to his tenants and retainers.”
“You are right, Sir Randal,” said Stanley. “My telegram informs me that he did so.”
Soon after this the whole of the party went out for a walk — most of them proceeding to the Corso — while Stanley and his wife, attended by Sister Aline and Georgette, found their way to the Jardin Public.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE COMTE DE CLAIRVAUX ARRIVES AT NICE.
NEXT day, the party at the Victoria received a fresh and very welcome addition in the Comte de Clairvaux, who came from Mentone, where he had been staying with a friend at a beautiful villa near the sea.
The Comte had heard that Stanley was at Nice, and very soon found him out, and engaged rooms at the same hotel. Of course, he was presented to Mildred by her husband, and like everyone else, who beheld her for the first time, he was struck by the extreme delicacy of her appearance, and thought her in a rapid decline.
But the person who interested the Comte most, and whom he had not expected to meet, was Sister Aline. Almost immediately on his arrival he met Georgette, and learning from her that her former mistress was an inmate of the hotel, he sent word that he would pay her an early visit.
Sister Aline was very glad to see the Comte, and displayed more cheerfulness than usual.
“I did not expect to find you here, dear Sister,” he said. “I thought you rarely quitted the religious Retreat at Dieppe.”
“I came to attend poor Mrs. Stanley Brereton, for whom I have the greatest affection, and who is here for the benefit of her health,” she replied.
“I have just seen her,” replied the Comte, shaking his head, “and frankly confess I despair of her recovery.”
“She is certainly better than when she left Beaucliffe. Heaven grant her restoration may be complete.”
The Comte did not attempt to offer much encouragement, but inquired if there were any of his friends among the party.
“There is Lady Talmash, who is thought very charming,” said Sister Aline; “and Rose Hylton, who is unquestionably very pretty. Amongst the gentlemen, there is Sir Randal de Blundeville, a friend of poor Sir Thomas Starkey, whom I am certain you will like.”
“I already know him, and like him much,” replied the Comte. “He is a very distinguished person.”
“There are others, but it is not necessary to mention them,” said Sister Aline.
“Sir Randal will suffice,” replied the Comte, rising to depart. “With your permission, and if I shall not interrupt your devotions, I will pay you a short daily visit.”
“I shall be very glad to see you,” she replied.
And the Comte quitted the room.
As he descended to the large morning-room, he found Sir Randal, who had heard of his arrival, and was delighted to meet him.
“How fortunate I am in finding you here, Sir Randal,” he said.
“Not more fortunate than I am in meeting you, Comte,” replied the other. “I hope we shall be able to offer you some amusement.”
“No doubt of it,” replied the Comte. “The place seems very gay. I have already met several friends since my arrival, and am pretty certain to meet many more.”
“You cannot fail. The Comte de Clairvaux is popular everywhere.”
“You are excessively obliging, Sir Randolph,” replied the other, bowing.
While they were thus conversing, Lady Talmash and Rose, evidently prepared for a walk, entered the saloon, and the Comte was presented to them. He thought both very good-looking, but was particularly pleased with Lady Talmash, and immediately devoted himself to her.
“With your permission I will attend you in your walk,” he said.
“Nothing will afford us greater pleasure,” replied her ladyship, charmed with his manner, and delighted with the opportunity of showing him off.
Accordingly, they proceeded to the parade, the Comte placing himself in attendance upon her ladyship, who had not miscalculated the effect she was likely to produce when thus escorted. There was something in the Comte de Clairvaux’s high-bred manner that proclaimed him a person of distinction, and many eyes followed him as he moved slowly along with his brilliant companion.
Nor was Sir Randal’s stately deportment less effective in its way, though totally different, and unmistakeably English. The contrast between the two gentlemen was very striking, and could not fail to attract attention, and Rose had as much reason to be vain of the complimentary remarks she overheard as her charming friend.
They were followed at some distance by Charles Kynaston and Marston Malpas, who did not like to join them, not feeling sure they should be welcome, but who witnessed the sensation produced, and heard some of the compliments paid them.
But ere long a meeting took place between the great personages who marched first, and Stanley and his wife, who were returning from a short walk, which Mildred had greatly enjoyed.
During this halt the “belle poitrinaire,” as she was styled by the beholders, was as much admired as her blooming friends, and the greatest interest was expressed for her.
CHAPTER XXVII.
MR. WARBURTON AND LADY STARKEY ARRIVE AT NICE.
THE great attention paid by the Comte de Clairvaux to Lady Talmash, and the preference shown by her ladyship for the Comte’s society, could not fail to excite Charles Kynaston’s jealousy, and when the same thing went on next day, he thought himself justified in remonstrating with her. But he did so with great good humour.
“You are so monopolised by this gallant Frenchman that I have scarcely an opportunity of speaking to you now,” he said. “He walks about with you all day — sits next you at the table d’hote — conducts you to the salle de conversation, and never thinks of leaving you for the rest of the day. The same thing goes on in the evening, and I find he has taken a box for you and Rose at the opera to-night.”
“You cannot complain of that,” she interrupted, “since you yourself have a seat.”
“I would rather not be obliged to him,” he rejoined.
“Nonsense!” she cried. “All the other gentlemen are going. This is only the Comte’s gallantry.”
“He is too attentive by half. My friends laugh at me. Even Stanley Brereton tells me I am clearly cut out.”
“Never mind what Stanley says. You know better.
But don’t exhibit yourself in this absurd character. I’ve the greatest horror of a jealous man. Besides, you’ve no cause for jealousy. It’s pleasant, don’t you see, to be attended upon by a man of distinction like the Comte de Clairvaux.”
“Since you say so, that’s quite enough,” he rejoined. “You shan’t hear any further complaints from me.”
So the whole of the party went to the Théatre It alien that evening, as arranged. Lady Talmash and Rose sat in front, and were objects of general admiration. The Comte and Sir Randal were behind them, and the rest of the gentlemen occupied the back of the box. Both Charles Kynaston and Marston Malpas wished to come forward, but were not allowed.
On the following evening the same party attended a concert at the Cercle de la Méditerranée, for which Sir Randal provided tickets; and on the third night they all appeared at a ball at the same Cercle, which turned out a very brilliant affair.
It was scarcely to be expected that the Comte de Clairvaux would dance, but he yielded to Lady Talmash’s persuasions, and stood up with her in a quadrille — Stanley, with Rose for a partner, forming their vis-a-vis. We ought to mention that the two ladies were allowed to be the belles of the room.
Of course, Mildred would not appear on any of these occasions; but her compulsory absence was no deprivation to her, for she had quite lost her taste for amusement and gaiety, and never went out in the evening, except for a short walk.
At this juncture she was quite unable to do so, for the mistral prevailed, and she had already felt its dire effects. Dr. Travis was in constant attendance upon her, and Si
ster Aline and Georgette took it in turns to watch by her couch at night, so that she was never left alone.
Heaven seemed to listen to the heartfelt prayers of the devoted friend, who knelt beside her, for in the course of a week a decided change took place for the better, and as this baneful mistral had ceased to blow, her physician allowed her to venture forth again.
No persons were more rejoiced to behold her once more on the parade than Sir Randal and the Comte de Clairvaux.
As soon as he was satisfied that Mildred was out of danger, Stanley telegraphed the good news to her father, and received a prompt response, showing how much the warm-hearted old gentleman was pleased by the joyful intelligence.
Lady Starkey (for she chose to retain her former title) wrote at the same time to Rose and Lady Talmash to say that if Mildred had a relapse, they would start for Nice at once, as Mr. Warburton would never feel happy again, if he did not embrace his daughter once more.
Answers were immediately sent calculated to allay the old gentleman’s fears, but having seriously contemplated the journey, he resolved to carry it out, and her ladyship prepared to accompany him. However, he resolved not to mention his design beforehand, but to take them by surprise.
One fine day, about a week after Mildred’s restoration, a chaise de poste arrived at the Victoria; the two occupants of which were attended by a courier and a lady’s-maid. The former, who appeared to act as valet, made some inquiries about rooms, which were immediately and satisfactorily answered.
A robust elderly gentleman whose appearance proclaimed him an Englishman, descended from the voiture, and had scarcely set foot on the ground, when a cry of delight was heard, and a lady rushed forward, and flung her arms round his neck.
Mildred, who had been standing at the entrance of the hotel with her husband, had discovered her father. As the same moment, Stanley had been made aware of Lady Starkey’s arrival, and hastened to greet her.
When Mr. Warburton perceived the sudden change in his daughter’s looks he regretted he had taken her by surprise. But, fortunately, no harm was done, and they quickly entered the hotel, where they could converse in private.
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