The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 33: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 27 Doubtless as he found her ladyship, so has he modelled his own conduct.” “Indeed, Hugh,” observed the Duke, as he _ slowly retrospected over all the details of his wife’s and Bertram’s bearing towards each other,—“ I think you are right. And now I remember, the very firsi moment he made his appearance at Oaklands, Eliza did not receive him with a befit- ting welcome. Yes—there is much truth in your words. She neither gave him her hand, nor spoke a single syllable, till I prompted her to do both. I fear me that Eliza was to blame after all!” “You see therefore, dear uncle, that Bertram has meastred his own demeanour by that of the Duchess. Her Grace received him frigidly, as you haye just explained tome. Now, Bertram has his pride as well as his sensitiveness ? “T understand it all!” exclaimed the Duke. “Tdiot that I was, not to comprehend it before ! Of course, it was natural enough! Bertram thought himself slighted. He came with enthusi- astic feelings of kindness towards us both; and at the very first instant of his encounter with the Duchess, those feelings were chilled within him. After so cold a reception, it was clearly for her, as the mistress of the mansion, to make amends by the increasing cordiality of her demeanour. She has been cold—she has been inhospitable; and Bertram’s sensitiveness has shrunk from so much glacial reserve. Truly, Eliza has been to blame— and poor Bertram is to be pitied. I will go at once and speak my mind tothe Duchess.” “ Not so, dear uncle!” exclaimed Lord Clandon, holding the Duke back. “ You have condescended to listen to my mode of reading the mystery s “You are as clear-headed, Hugh, as you are generous-hearted,” cried the Duke, “Proceed! I will be guided by your counsel.” “Tf I were you,’ continued Clandon, “I would say nothing to the Duchess in the form of upbraid- ing: I would not even suffer her Grace to perceive that you understand the reason of Bertram’s con- duct, or that you attribute it to a prideful sen- sitiveness at her Grace’s coldness. But this is what I would do:—I would take opportunities to throw her Grace and Bertram more together,—so that while the former will be forced to unbend, the latter will be compelled to take such unbending as an atonement for past inhospitality. It were a pity that there should be any differences in a family within the circle of which all the elements of hap- piness and good-fellowship are comprised.” “Right, my dear nephew!’ exclaimed the Duke: “your counsel is admirable—and it shall be adopted. Iwill go at once and see what can be done. By the bye, the Lomaxes are about to take their departure: let us hasten to bid them farewell.” The Duke and Lord Clandon accordingly re- traced their way towards the mansion, which they reached just as Sir William Lomax’s travelling- chariot drove round to the front entrance. The Duchess and the other guests, including Bertram, came forth from the hall to see the Lomaxes off ; and the farewells being said, the chariot drove away with Sir William and his family. Those who remained behind, lingered upon the steps in conversation for a little while—when the Duke abruptly said, “I forgot to tell you all that the new fountain has commenced playing this morning | at the end of the lower terrace. Come—let us go and witness it. Clandon, give your arm to Miss Anstruther — Bertram, take you charge of the Duchess— Mrs. Bailey, permit me to be your escort.” Bertram Vivian could not possibly refuse an in- junction so positively delivered: Eliza, on the other hand, could not decline the offer of his arm. The Duke flung a quick glance of satisfied triumph at his elder nephew, as much as to bid him observe how dexterously he had taken the first step in fol- lowing his counsel; and the procession of ladies and gentlemen, consisting of pairs, moved away from the front of the mansion. The feather rests not more lghtly upon the eround from which the slightest breath of the zephyr may lift it, than did Eliza’s hand on the arm of Bertram Vivian! They led the way to- wards the fountain; and Bertram’s corgersation was confined to topics of the yeriest indifference,— Eliza enly answering in monosyllables. The foun- tain was reached: it was flinging up its jet of water high into the air—and opinions of approval were generally pronounced. “Now,” said the Duke, “let us ramble without restraint about the grounds. The weather is too charminely fine not to be taken advantage of, Bertram, I do not think you have seen the grapery ; and I recollect that the Duchess was speaking of it this morning. You go thither. Mrs. Bailey, I promised to show you my golden pheasants: they are in this direction.” The party, consisting of pairs—as already said —separated from the vicinage of the fountain, and thus broke up as it were, each couple saunter- ing into the path which struck the fancy at the moment,—all but Bertram and Eliza; and they remained riveted near the fountain, each a prey io a deep inward agitation. But they were now alone together! CHAPTER VI. BERTRAM AND ELIZA. Atone together, for the first time since they had thus met at Oaklands!—alone for the first time since they parted three years and some months back, in the little parlour at Oxford! Alone to- gether !—dangerous position—and, Oh! how em- barrassing—how full of ineffable feelings too, for those who had loved so tenderly and so well! The Duchess was marble-pale: but on Bertram’s cheeks there was the hectic flush of excitement,— not a flush gradually dying off into the surround- ing whiteness of the skin—but a deep red spot upon either cheek-bone, asif consumption’s illusive dyes were glowing there. A false, unnatural fire burnt in his eyes: it was evident that he felt like a man who had just reached some crisis which had been foreseen—which he had known must come— but yet, when it did arrive, found him utterly un- prepared to meet it. He trembled with agitation : he could no longer repress his feelings. A glance over either shoulder showed him that the last couples of the party were disappearing in the shady avenues; and there he was, alone with her CORNIELOO cS (E@)