hadobtained
from
his
vigilant
correspondent
a
current
knowledge
of
all
that
had
occurred
in
the
interval
.
All
the
hopes
,
fears
,
plans
,
prospects
,
manoeuvres
,
and
machinations
;
their
rise
and
fall
;
how
some
had
bloomed
,
others
were
blighted
;
not
a
shade
of
re-action
that
was
not
represented
to
him
;
not
the
possibility
of
an
adhesion
that
was
not
duly
reported
;
he
could
calculate
at
Naples
at
any
time
within
ten
,
the
result
of
a
dissolution
.
The
season
of
the
year
had
prevented
him
crossing
the
Alps
in
1834
,
and
after
the
general
election
he
was
too
shrewd
a
practiser
in
the
political
world
to
be
deceived
as
to
the
ultimate
result
.
Lord
Eskdale
,
in
whose
judgment
he
had
more
confidence
than
in
that
of
any
individual
,
had
told
him
from
the
first
that
the
pear
was
not
ripe
;
Rigby
,
who
always
hedged
against
his
interest
by
the
fulfilment
of
his
prophecy
of
irremediable
discomfiture
,
was
never
very
sanguine
.
Indeed
the
whole
affair
was
always
considered
premature
by
the
good
judges
;
and
a
long
time
elapsed
before
Tadpole
and
Taper
recovered
their
secret
influence
,
or
re-assumed
their
ostentatious
loquacity
or
their
silent
insolence
.
The
pear
however
now
was
ripe
.
Even
Lord
Eskdale
wrote
that
after
the
forthcoming
registration
a
bet
was
safe
,
and
Lord
Monmouth
had
the
satisfaction
of
drawing
the
Whig
Mimister
at
Naples
into
a
cool
thousand
on
the
event
.
Soon
after
this
he
returned
to
England
,
and
determined
to
pay
a
visit
to
Coningsby
Castle
,
feast
the
county
,
patronise
the
borough
,
diffuse
that
confidence
in
the
party
which
his
presence
never
failed
to
do
;
so
great
and
so
just
was
the
reliance
in
his
unerring
powers
of
calculation
,
and
his
intrepid
pluck
.
Notwithstanding
Schedule
A
,
the
prestige
of
his
power
had
not
sensibly
diminished
,
for
his
essential
resources
were
vast
,
and
his
intellect
always
made
the
most
of
his
influence
.
True
however
to
his
organization
Lord
Monmouth
,
even
to
save
his
party
and
gain
his
dukedom
,
must
not
be
bored
.
He
therefore
filled
his
castle
with
the
most
agreeable
people
from
London
,
and
even
secured
for
their
diversion
a
little
troop
of
French
comedians
.
Thus
supported
he
received
his
neighbours
with
all
the
splendour
befitting
his
immense
wealth
and
great
position
,
and
with
one
charm
which
even
immense
wealth
and
great
position
cannot
command
,
the
most
perfect
manner
in
the
world
.
Indeed
Lord
Monmouth
was
one
of
the
most
finished
gentlemen
that
ever
lived
,
and
as
he
was
extremely
good-natured
,
and
for
a
selfish
man
even
good-humoured
,
there
was
rarely
a
cloud
of
caprice
or
ill-temper
to
prevent
his
fine
manners
having
their
fair
play
.
The
country
neighbours
were
all
fascinated
;
they
were
received
with
so
much
dignity
and
dismissed
with
so
much
grace
.
Nobody
would
believe
a
word
of
the
stories
against
him
.
Had
he
lived
all
his
life
at
Coningsby
,
fulfilled
every
duty
of
a
great
English
nobleman
,
benefited
the
county
,
loaded
the
inhabitants
with
favours
,
he
would
not
have
been
half
so
popular
as
he
found
himself
within
a
fortnight
of
his
arrival
with
the
worst
county
reputation
conceivable
,
and
every
little
squire
vowing
that
he
would
not
even
leave
his
name
at
the
castle
to
show
his
respect
.
Lord
Monmouth
whose
contempt
for
mankind
was
absolute
;
not
a
fluctuating
sentiment
,
not
a
mournful
conviction
ebbing
and
flowing
with
circumstances
,
but
a
fixed
,
profound
,
unalterable
instinct
;
who
never
loved
any
one
,
and
never
hated
any
one
except
his
own
children
;
was
diverted
by
his
popularity
,
but
he
was
also
gratified
by
it
.
At
this
moment
it
was
a
great
element
of
power
;
he
was
proud
that
with
a
vicious
character
,
after
having
treated
these
people
with
unprecedented
neglect
and
contumely
,
he
should
have
won
back
their
golden
opinions
in
a
moment
by
the
magic
of
manner
and
the
splendour
of
wealth
.
His
experience
proved
the
soundness
of
his
philosophy
.
Lord
Monmouth
worshipped
gold
,
though
,
if
necessary
,
he
could
squander
it
like
a
caliph
.
He
had
even
a
respect
for
very
rich
men
;
it
was
his
only
weakness
,
the
only
exception
to
his
general
scorn
for
his
species
.
Wit
,
power
,
particular
friendships
,
general
popularity
,
public
opinion
,
beauty
,
genius
,
virtue
,
all
these
are
to
be
purchased
;
but
it
does
not
follow
that
you
can
buy
a
rich
man
:
you
may
not
be
able
or
willing
to
spare
enough
.
A
person
or
a
thing
that
you
perhaps
could
not
buy
,
became
invested
in
the
eyes
of
Lord
Monmonth
with
a
kind
of
halo
amounting
almost
to
sanctity
.
As
the
prey
rose
to
the
bait
,
Lord
Monmouth
resolved
they
should
be
gorged
.
His
banquets
were
doubled
;
a
ball
was
announced
;
a
public
day
fixed
;
not
only
the
county
but
the
principal
inhabitants
of
the
neighbouring
borough
were
encouraged
to
attend
;
Lord
Monmouth
wished
it
,
if
possible
,
to
be
without
distinction
of
party
.
He
had
come
to
reside
among
his
old
friends
,
to
live
and
die
where
he
was
born
.
The
Chairman
of
the
Conservative
Association
and
the
Vice-President
exchanged
glances
,
which
would
have
become
Tadpole
and
Taper
;
the
four
attorneys
knibbed
their
pens
with
increased
energy
,
and
vowed
that
nothing
could
withstand
the
influence
of
the
aristocracy
"
in
the
long
run
.
"
Allwent
and
dined
at
the
castle
;
all
returned
home
overpowered
by
the
condescension
of
the
host
,
the
beauty
of
the
ladies
,
several
real
Princesses
,
the
splendour
of
his
liveries
,
the
variety
of
his
viands
,
and
the
flavour
of
his
wines
.
It
was
agreed
that
at
future
meetings
of
the
Conservative
Association
,
they
should
always
give
"
Lord
Monmouth
and
the
House
of
Lords
!
"
—
superseding
the
Duke
of
Wellington
,
who
was
to
figure
in
an
after
toast
with
the
Battle
of
Waterloo
.
It
was
not
without
emotion
that
Coningsby
beheld
for
the
first
the
castle
that
bore
his
name
.
It
was
visible
for
several
miles
before
he
even
entered
the
park
,
so
proud
and
prominent
was
its
position
,
on
the
richly
wooded
steep
of
a
considerable
eminence
.
It
was
a
castellated
building
,
immense
and
magnificent
,
in
a
very
faulty
and
incongruous
style
of
architecture
indeed
,
but
compensating
in
some
degree
for
these
deficiencies
of
external
taste
and
beauty
by
the
splendour
and
accommodation
of
its
interior
,
and
which
a
Gothic
castle
raised
according
to
the
strict
rules
of
art
could
scarcely
have
afforded
.
The
declining
sun
threw
over
the
pile
a
rich
colour
as
Coningsby
approached
it
,
and
lit
up
with
fleeting
and
fanciful
tints
the
delicate
foliage
,
of
the
rare
shrubs
and
tall
thin
trees
that
clothed
the
acclivity
on
which
it
stood
.
Our
young
friend
felt
a
little
embarrassed
when
,
without
a
a
servant
and
in
a
hack
chaise
,
he
drew
up
to
the
grand
portal
,
and
a
crowd
of
retainers
came
forth
to
receive
him
.
A
superior
servant
inquired
his
name
with
a
stately
composure
,
that
disdained
to
be
supercilious
.
It
was
not
without
some
degree
of
pride
and
satisfaction
that
the
guest
replied
,
"
Mr.
Coningsby
.
"
The
instantaneous
effect
was
magical
.
It
seemed
to
Coningsby
that
he
was
borne
on
the
shoulders
of
the
people
to
his
apartment
;
each
tried
to
carry
some
part
of
his
luggage
;
and
he
only
hoped
his
welcome
from
their
superiors
might
be
as
hearty
.
CHAPTER
VI
.
It
seemed
to
Coningsby
in
his
way
to
his
room
,
that
the
castle
was
in
a
state
of
great
excitement
;
everywhere
bustle
,
preparation
,
moving
to
and
fro
,
ascending
and
descending
of
stairs
,
servants
in
every
corner
;
orders
boundlessly
given
,
rapidly
obeyed
;
many
desires
,
equal
gratification
.
All
this
made
him
rather
nervous
.
It
was
quite
unlike
Beaumanoir
.
That
also
was
a
place
,
but
it
was
a
home
.
This
,
though
it
should
be
one
to
him
,
seemed
to
have
nothing
of
that
character
.
Of
all
mysteries
the
social
mysteries
are
the
most
appalling
.
Going
to
an
assembly
for
the
first
time
is
more
alarming
than
the
first
battle
.
Coningsby
had
never
before
been
in
a
great
house
full
of
company
.
It
seemed
an
overwhelming
affair
.
The
sight
of
the
servants
bewildered
him
;
how
then
was
he
to
encounter
their
masters
?
That
however
he
must
do
in
a
moment
.
A
groom
of
the
chambers
indicates
the
way
to
him
,
as
he
proceeds
with
a
hesitating
yet
hurried
step
through
several
ante-chambers
and
drawing-rooms
;
then
doors
are
suddenly
thrown
open
,
and
he
is
ushered
into
the
largest
and
most
sumptuous
saloon
that
he
had
ever
entered
.
It
was
full
of
ladies
and
gentlemen
.
Coningsby
for
the
first
time
in
his
life
was
at
a
great
party
.
His
immediate
emotion
was
to
sink
into
the
earth
,
but
perceiving
that
no
one
even
noticed
him
,
and
that
not
an
eye
had
been
attracted
to
his
entrance
,
he
regained
his
breath
and
in
some
degree
his
composure
,
and
standing
aside
,
endeavoured
to
make
himself
as
well
as
he
could
master
of
the
land
.
Not
a
human
being
that
he
had
ever
seen
before
!
The
circumstance
of
not
being
noticed
which
a
few
minutes
since
he
had
felt
as
a
relief
,
became
now
a
cause
of
annoyance
.
It
seemed
that
he
was
the
only
person
standing
alone
whom
no
one
was
addressing
.
He
felt
renewed
and
aggravated
embarrassment
,
and
fancied
,
perhaps
was
conscious
,
that
he
was
blushing
.
At
length
his
ear
caught
the
voice
of
Mr.
Rigby
.
The
speaker
was
not
visible
;
he
was
at
a
distance
surrounded
by
a
wondering
group
whom
he
was
severally
and
collectively
contradicting
,
but
Coningsby
could
not
mistake
the
harsh
,
high
tones
of
that
arrogant
voice
.
He
was
not
sorry
indeed
that
Mr.
Rigby
did
not
observe
him
.
Coningsby
never
loved
him
particularly
,
which
was
rather
ungrateful
,
for
he
was
a
person
who
had
been
kind
,
and
on
the
whole
,
serviceable
to
him
,
but
Coningsby
writhed
,
and
especially
as
he
grew
older
,
under
Mr.
Rigby
's
patronising
air
and
paternal
tone
.
Even
in
old
days
though
attentive
,
Coningsby
had
never
found
him
affectionate
.
Mr.
Rigby
would
tell
him
what
to
do
and
see
,
but
never
asked
him
what
he
wished
to
do
and
see
.
It
seemed
to
Coningsby
that
it
was
always
contrived
that
he
should
appear
the
"
protégé
"
or
poor
relation
,
of
a
dependent
of
his
family
.
These
feelings
,
which
the
thought
of
Mr.
Rigby
had
revived
,
caused
our
young
friend
,
by
an
inevitable
association
of
ideas
,
to
remember
that
,
unknown
and
unnoticed
as
he
might
be
,
he
was
the
only
Coningsby
in
that
proud
Castle
,
except
the
Lord
of
the
castle
himself
;
and
he
began
to
be
rather
ashamed
of
permitting
a
sense
of
his
inexperience
in
the
mere
forms
and
fashions
of
society
so
to
oppress
him
,
and
deprive
him
as
it
were
of
the
spirit
and
carriage
which
became
alike
his
character
and
his
position
.
Emboldened
and
greatly
restored
to
himself
,
Coningsby
advanced
into
the
body
of
the
saloon
.
On
his
legs
,
wearing
his
blue
riband
and
bending
his
head
frequently
to
a
lady
who
was
seated
on
a
sofa
and
continually
addressed
him
,
Coningsby
recognised
his
grandfather
.
Lord
Monmouth
was
somewhat
balder
than
four
years
ago
,
when
he
had
come
down
to
Montem
,
and
a
little
more
portly
perhaps
;
but
otherwise
unchanged
.
Lord
Monmouth
never
condescended
to
the
artifices
of
the
toilet
,
and
indeed
notwithstanding
his
life
of
excess
had
little
need
of
them
.
Nature
had
done
much
for
him
,
and
the
slow
progress
of
decay
was
carried
off
by
his
consummate
bearing
.
He
looked
indeed
the
chieftain
of
a
house
of
whom
a
cadet
might
be
proud
.
For
Coningsby
,
not
only
the
chief
of
his
house
,
but
his
host
too
.
In
either
capacity
he
ought
to
address
Lord
Monmouth
.
To
sit
down
to
dinner
without
having
previously
paid
his
respects
to
his
grandfather
,
to
whom
he
was
so
much
indebted
,
and
whom
he
had
not
seen
for
so
many
years
,
struck
him
not
only
as
uncourtly
,
but
as
unkind
and
ungrateful
,
and
indeed
in
the
highest
degree
absurd
.
But
how
was
he
to
do
it
?
Lord
Monmouth
seemed
very
deeply
engaged
,
and
apparently
with
some
very
great
lady
.
And
if
Coningsby
advanced
and
bowed
,
in
all
probability
he
would
only
get
a
bow
in
return
.
He
remembered
the
bow
of
his
first
interview
.
It
had
made
a
lasting
impression
on
his
mind
.
For
it
was
more
than
likely
Lord
Monmouth
would
not
recognise
him
.
Four
years
had
not
very
sensibly
altered
Lord
Monmouth
,
but
four
years
had
changed
Harry
Coningsby
from
a
schoolboy
into
a
man
.
Then
how
was
he
to
make
himself
known
to
his
grandfather
?
To
announce
himself
as
Coningsby
,
as
his
Lordship
's
grandson
,
seemed
somewhat
ridiculous
.
To
address
his
grandfather
as
Lord
Monmouth
would
serve
no
purpose
;
to
style
Lord
Monmouth
"
grandfather
,
"
would
make
every
one
laugh
and
seemed
stiff
and
unnatural
.
What
was
he
to
do
?
To
fall
into
an
attitude
,
and
exclaim
,
"
Behold
your
grandchild
!
"
or
"
Have
you
forgot
your
Harry
?
"
Even
to
catch
Lord
Monmouth
's
glance
was
not
a
very
easy
affair
;
he
was
much
engaged
on
one
side
by
the
great
lady
;
on
the
other
were
several
gentlemen
who
occasionally
joined
in
the
conversation
.
But
something
must
be
done
.
There
ran
through
Coningsby
's
character
,
as
we
have
before
mentioned
,
a
vein
of
simplicity
which
was
not
its
least
charm
.
It
resulted
no
doubt
in
a
great
degree
from
the
earnestness
of
his
nature
.
There
never
was
a
boy
so
totally
devoid
of
affectation
,
which
was
remarkable
,
for
he
had
a
brilliant
imagination
,
a
quality
that
from
its
fantasies
and
the
vague
and
indefinite
desires
it
engenders
,
generally
makes
those
whose
characters
are
not
formed
,
very
affected
.
The
Duchess
who
was
a
fine
judge
of
character
,
and
who
greatly
regarded
Coningsby
,
often
mentioned
this
trait
as
one
which
,
combined
with
his
great
abilities
and
acquirements
so
unusual
at
his
age
,
rendered
him
so
very
interesting
.
In
the
present
instance
it
so
happened
,
that
while
Coningsby
was
watching
his
grandfather
,
he
observed
a
gentleman
advance
,
make
his
bow
,
say
and
receive
a
few
words
,
and
retire
.
This
little
incident
however
made
a
momentary
diversion
in
the
immediate
circle
of
Lord
Monmouth
,
and
before
they
could
all
resume
their
former
talk
and
fall
into
their
previous
positions
,
an
impulse
sent
forth
Coningsby
,
who
walked
up
to
Lord
Monmouth
,
and
standing
before
him
,
said
:
"
How
do
you
do
,
grandpapa
?
"
Lord
Monmouth
beheld
his
grandson
.
His
comprehensive
and
penetrating
glance
took
in
every
point
with
a
flash
.
There
stood
before
him
one
of
the
handsomest
youths
he
had
ever
seen
,
with
a
mien
as
graceful
as
his
countenance
was
captivating
;
and
his
whole
air
breathing
that
freshness
and
ingenuousness
which
none
so
much
appreciates
as
the
used
man
of
the
world
.
And
this
was
his
child
;
the
only
one
of
his
blood
to
whom
he
had
been
kind
.
It
would
be
exaggeration
to
say
that
Lord
Monmouth
's
heart
was
touched
;
but
his
good-nature
effervesced
,
and
his
fine
taste
was
deeply
gratified
.
He
perceived
in
an
instant
such
a
relation
might
be
a
valuable
adherent
;
an
irresistible
candidate
for
future
elections
;
a
brilliant
tool
to
work
out
the
Dukedom
.
All
these
impressions
and
ideas
,
and
many
more
,
passed
through
the
quick
brain
of
Lord
Monmouth
ere
the
sound
of
Coningsby
's
words
had
seemed
to
cease
,
and
long
before
the
surrounding
guests
had
recovered
from
the
surprise
which
they
had
occasioned
them
;
and
which
did
not
diminish
when
Lord
Monmouth
advancing
placed
his
arms
round
Coningsby
with
a
dignity
of
affection
that
would
have
become
Louis
XIV
,
and
then
in
the
high
manner
of
the
old
Court
kissed
him
on
each
cheek
.
"
Welcome
to
your
home
,
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
.
"
You
have
grown
a
great
deal
.
"
Then
Lord
Monmouth
led
the
agitated
Coningsby
to
the
great
Lady
who
was
a
Princess
and
an
Ambassadress
,
and
then
placing
his
arm
gracefully
in
that
of
his
grandson
he
led
him
across
the
room
,
and
presented
him
in
due
form
to
some
royal
blood
that
was
his
guest
in
the
shape
of
a
Russian
Archduke
.
His
Imperial
Highness
received
our
hero
as
graciously
as
the
grandson
of
Lord
Monmouth
might
expect
;
but
no
greeting
can
be
imagined
warmer
than
the
one
he
received
from
the
lady
with
whom
the
Archduke
was
conversing
.
She
was
a
dame
whose
beauty
was
mature
,
but
still
radiant
.
Her
figure
was
superb
;
her
dark
hair
crowned
with
a
tiara
of
curious
workmanship
.
Her
rounded
arm
was
covered
with
costly
bracelets
,
but
not
a
jewel
on
her
finelyformed
bust
,
and
the
least
possible
rouge
on
her
still
oval
cheek
.
Madame
Colonna
retained
her
charms
.
The
party
though
so
considerable
principally
consisted
of
the
guests
at
the
Castle
.
The
suite
of
the
Archduke
included
several
Counts
and
Generals
;
then
there
was
the
Russian
Ambassador
and
his
lady
;
and
a
Russian
Prince
and
Princess
,
their
relations
.
The
Prince
and
Princess
Colonna
and
the
Princess
Lucretia
were
also
paying
a
visit
to
the
Marquess
;
and
the
frequency
of
these
visits
made
some
strait-laced
magnificoes
mysteriously
declare
it
was
impossible
to
go
to
Coningsby
;
but
as
they
were
not
asked
it
did
not
much
signify
.
The
Marquess
knew
a
great
many
very
agreeable
people
of
the
highest
ton
,
who
took
a
more
liberal
view
of
human
conduct
,
and
always
made
it
a
rule
to
presume
the
best
motives
instead
of
imputing
the
worst
.
There
was
Lady
St.
Julians
for
example
,
whose
position
was
of
the
highest
;
no
one
more
sought
;
she
made
it
a
rule
to
go
everywhere
and
visit
everybody
,
provided
they
had
power
,
wealth
,
and
fashion
.
She
knew
no
crime
except
a
woman
not
living
with
her
husband
;
that
was
past
pardon
.
As
long
as
his
presence
sanctioned
her
conduct
,
however
shameless
,
it
did
not
signify
;
but
if
the
husband
were
a
brute
,
neglected
his
wife
first
,
and
then
deserted
her
;
then
,
if
a
breath
but
sullies
her
name
she
must
be
crushed
;
unless
indeed
her
own
family
were
very
powerful
,
which
makes
a
difference
,
and
sometimes
softens
immorality
into
indiscretion
.
Lord
and
Lady
Gaverstock
were
also
there
,
who
never
said
an
unkind
thing
of
anybody
;
her
ladyship
was
pure
as
snow
;
but
her
mother
having
been
divorced
,
she
ever
fancied
she
was
paying
a
kind
of
homage
to
her
parent
by
visiting
those
who
might
be
some
day
in
the
same
predicament
.
There
were
other
lords
and
ladies
of
high
degree
;
and
some
who
,
though
neither
lords
and
ladies
,
were
charming
people
,
which
Lord
Monmouth
chiefly
cared
about
;
troops
of
fine
gentlemen
who
came
and
went
;
and
some
who
were
neither
fine
,
nor
gentlemen
,
but
who
were
very
amusing
or
very
obliging
as
circumstances
required
,
and
made
life
easy
and
pleasant
to
others
and
themselves
.
A
new
scene
this
for
Coningsby
,
who
watched
with
interest
all
that
passed
before
him
.
The
dinner
was
announced
as
served
;
an
affectionate
arm
guides
him
at
a
moment
of
some
perplexity
.
"
When
did
you
arrive
,
Harry
?
We
will
sit
together
.
How
is
the
Duchess
?
"
inquired
Mr.
Rigby
,
who
spoke
as
if
he
had
seen
Coningsby
for
the
first
time
;
but
who
indeed
had
,
with
that
eye
which
nothing
could
escape
,
observed
his
reception
by
his
grandfather
,
marked
it
well
,
and
inwardly
digested
it
.
CHAPTER
VII
.
There
was
to
be
a
first
appearance
on
the
stage
of
Lord
Monmouth
's
theatre
to-night
,
the
expectation
of
which
created
considerable
interest
in
the
party
,
and
was
one
of
the
principal
subjects
of
conversation
at
dinner
.
Villebecque
,
the
manager
of
the
troop
,
had
married
the
actress
Stella
,
once
celebrated
for
her
genius
and
her
beauty
;
a
woman
who
had
none
of
the
vices
of
her
craft
,
for
,
though
she
was
a
fallen
angel
,
there
were
what
her
countrymen
style
extenuating
circumstances
in
her
declension
.
With
the
whole
world
at
her
feet
,
she
had
remained
unsullied
.
Wealth
and
its
enjoyments
could
not
tempt
her
,
although
she
was
unable
to
refuse
her
heart
to
one
whom
she
deemed
worthy
of
possessing
it
.
She
found
her
fate
in
an
Englishman
,
who
was
the
father
of
her
only
child
,
a
daughter
.
She
thought
she
had
met
in
him
a
hero
,
a
demi-god
,
a
being
of
deep
passion
and
original
and
creative
mind
;
but
he
was
only
a
voluptuary
,
full
of
violence
instead
of
feeling
,
and
eccentric
because
he
had
great
means
with
which
he
could
gratify
extravagant
whims
.
Stella
found
she
had
made
the
great
and
irretrievable
mistake
.
She
had
exchanged
devotion
for
a
passionate
and
evanescent
fancy
,
prompted
at
first
by
vanity
,
and
daily
dissipating
under
the
influence
of
custom
and
new
objects
.
Though
not
stainless
in
conduct
,
Stella
was
pure
in
spirit
.
She
required
that
devotion
which
she
had
yielded
;
and
she
separated
herself
from
the
being
to
whom
she
had
made
the
most
precious
sacrifice
.
He
offered
her
the
consoling
compensation
of
a
settlement
which
she
refused
;
and
she
returned
with
a
broken
spirit
to
that
profession
of
which
she
was
still
the
ornament
and
the
pride
.
The
animating
principle
of
her
career
was
her
daughter
,
whom
she
educated
with
a
solicitude
which
the
most
virtuous
mother
could
not
surpass
.
To
preserve
her
from
the
stage
,
and
to
secure
for
her
an
independence
,
were
the
objects
of
the
mother
's
life
;
but
nature
whispered
to
her
,
that
the
days
of
that
life
were
already
numbered
.
The
exertions
of
her
profession
had
alarmingly
developed
an
inherent
tendency
to
pulmonary
disease
.
Anxious
that
her
child
should
not
be
left
without
some
protector
,
Stella
yielded
to
the
repeated
solicitations
of
one
who
from
the
first
had
been
her
silent
admirer
,
and
she
married
Villebecque
,
a
clever
actor
,
and
an
enterprising
man
who
meant
to
be
something
more
.
Their
union
was
not
of
long
duration
,
though
it
was
happy
on
the
side
of
Villebecque
,
and
serene
on
that
of
his
wife
.
Stella
was
recalled
from
this
world
,
where
she
had
known
much
triumph
and
more
suffering
;
and
where
she
had
exercised
many
virtues
,
which
elsewhere
,
though
not
here
,
may
perhaps
be
accepted
as
some
palliation
of
one
great
error
.
Villebecque
acted
becomingly
to
the
young
charge
which
Stella
had
bequeathed
to
him
.
He
was
himself
,
as
we
have
intimated
,
a
man
of
enterprise
,
a
restless
spirit
,
not
content
to
move
for
ever
in
the
sphere
in
which
he
was
born
.
Vicissitudes
are
the
lot
of
such
aspirants
.
Villebecque
became
manager
of
a
small
theatre
,
and
made
money
.
If
Villebecque
,
without
a
"
sous
,
"
had
been
a
schemer
,
Villebecque
with
a
small
capital
was
the
very
Chevalier
Law
of
theatrical
managers
.
He
took
a
larger
theatre
and
even
that
succeeded
.
Soon
he
was
recognised
as
the
lessee
of
more
than
one
,
and
still
he
prospered
.
Villebecque
began
to
dabble
in
Opera
houses
.
He
enthroned
himself
at
Paris
;
his
envoys
were
heard
of
at
Milan
and
Naples
,
at
Berlin
and
St.
Petersburg
.
His
controversies
with
the
"
Conservatoire
"
at
Paris
,
ranked
among
state
papers
.
Villebecque
rolled
in
chariots
and
drove
cabs
;
Villebecque
gave
refined
suppers
to
great
nobles
,
who
were
honoured
by
the
invitation
;
Villebecque
wore
a
red
riband
in
the
button-hole
of
his
frock
,
and
more
than
one
cross
in
his
gala
dress
.
All
this
time
the
daughter
of
Stella
increased
in
years
and
stature
,
and
we
must
add
in
goodness
:
a
mild
soft-hearted
girl
,
as
yet
with
no
decided
character
,
but
one
who
loved
calmness
and
seemed
little
fitted
for
the
circle
in
which
she
found
herself
.
In
that
circle
however
she
ever
experienced
kindness
and
consideration
.
No
enterprise
however
hazardous
,
no
management
however
complicated
,
no
schemes
however
vast
,
ever
for
a
moment
induced
Villebecque
to
forget
"
La
Petite
.
"
If
only
for
one
breathless
instant
,
hardly
a
day
elapsed
but
he
saw
her
;
she
was
his
companion
in
all
his
rapid
movements
,
and
he
studied
every
comfort
and
convenience
that
could
relieve
her
delicate
frame
in
some
degree
from
the
inconvenience
and
exhaustion
of
travel
.
He
was
proud
to
surround
her
with
luxury
and
refinement
;
to
supply
her
with
the
most
celebrated
masters
;
to
gratify
every
wish
that
she
could
express
.
But
all
this
time
Villebecque
was
dancing
on
a
volcano
.
The
catastrophe
which
inevitably
occurs
in
the
career
of
all
great
speculators
,
and
especially
theatrical
ones
,
arrived
to
him
.
Flushed
with
his
prosperity
,
and
confident
in
his
constant
success
,
nothing
would
satisfy
him
but
universal
empire
.
He
had
established
his
despotism
at
Paris
,
his
dynasties
at
Naples
and
at
Milan
;
but
the
North
was
not
to
him
,
and
he
was
determined
to
appropriate
it
.
Berlin
fell
before
a
successful
campaign
,
though
a
costly
one
;
but
St.
Petersburg
and
London
still
remained
.
Resolute
and
reckless
nothing
deterred
Villebecque
.
One
season
all
the
Opera
houses
in
Europe
obeyed
his
nod
,
and
at
the
end
of
it
he
was
ruined
.
The
crash
was
utter
,
universal
,
overwhelming
;
and
under
ordinary
circumstances
a
French
bed
and
a
brasier
of
charcoal
alone
remained
for
Villebecque
,
who
was
equal
to
the
occasion
.
But
the
thought
of
"
La
Petite
"
and
the
remembrance
of
his
promise
to
Stella
deterred
him
from
the
deed
.
He
reviewed
his
position
in
a
spirit
becoming
a
practical
philosopher
.
Was
he
worse
off
than
before
he
commenced
his
career
?
Yes
,
because
he
was
older
;
—
though
to
be
sure
he
had
his
compensating
reminiscences
.
But
was
he
too
old
to
do
anything
?
At
forty-five
the
game
was
not
altogether
up
;
and
in
a
large
theatre
,
not
too
much
lighted
,
and
with
the
artifices
of
a
dramatic
toilet
,
he
might
still
be
able
successfully
to
re-assume
those
characters
of
coxcombs
and
"
muscadins
,
"
in
which
he
was
once
so
celebrated
.
Luxury
had
perhaps
a
little
too
much
enlarged
his
waist
,
but
diet
and
rehearsals
would
set
all
right
.
Villebecque
in
their
adversity
broke
to
"
La
Petite
"
that
the
time
had
unfortunately
arrived
when
it
would
be
wise
for
her
to
consider
the
most
effectual
means
for
turning
her
talents
and
accomplishments
to
account
.
He
himself
suggested
the
stage
,
to
which
otherwise
there
were
doubtless
objections
,
because
her
occupation
in
any
other
pursuit
would
necessarily
separate
them
;
but
he
impartially
placed
before
her
the
relative
advantages
and
disadvantages
of
every
course
which
seemed
to
lay
open
to
them
and
left
the
preferable
one
to
her
own
decision
.
"
La
Petite
,
"
who
had
wept
very
much
over
Villebecque
's
misfortunes
and
often
assured
him
that
she
cared
for
them
only
for
his
sake
,
decided
for
the
stage
,
solely
because
it
would
secure
their
not
being
parted
;
and
yet
,
as
she
often
assured
him
,
she
feared
she
had
no
predisposition
for
the
career
.
Villebecque
had
now
not
only
to
fill
his
own
parts
at
the
theatre
at
which
he
had
obtained
an
engagement
,
but
he
had
also
to
be
the
instructor
of
his
ward
.
It
was
a
life
of
toil
;
an
addition
of
labour
and
effort
that
need
scarcely
have
been
made
to
the
exciting
exertion
of
performance
,
and
the
dull
exercise
of
rehearsal
;
but
he
bore
it
all
without
a
murmur
;
with
a
self-command
and
a
gentle
perseverance
which
the
finest
temper
in
the
world
could
hardly
account
for
;
certainly
not
when
we
remember
its
possessor
who
had
to
make
all
these
exertions
and
endure
all
this
wearisome
toil
,
had
just
experienced
the
most
shattering
vicissitudes
of
fortune
,
and
been
hurled
from
the
possession
of
absolute
power
and
illimitable
self-gratification
.
Lord
Eskdale
,
who
was
always
doing
kind
things
to
actors
and
actresses
,
had
a
great
regard
for
Villebecque
with
whom
he
had
often
supped
.
He
had
often
been
kind
too
to
"
La
Petite
.
"
Lord
Eskdale
had
a
plan
for
putting
Villebecque
as
he
termed
it
,
"
on
his
legs
again
.
"
It
was
to
establish
him
with
a
French
company
in
London
at
some
pretty
theatre
;
Lord
Eskdale
to
take
a
private
box
and
to
make
all
his
friends
do
the
same
.
Villebecque
,
who
was
as
sanguine
as
he
was
good
tempered
,
was
ravished
by
this
friendly
scheme
.
He
immediately
believed
that
he
should
recover
his
great
fortunes
as
rapidly
as
he
had
lost
them
.
He
foresaw
in
"
La
Petite
"
a
genius
as
distinguished
as
that
of
her
mother
,
although
as
yet
not
developed
,
and
he
was
boundless
in
his
expressions
of
gratitude
to
his
patron
.
And
indeed
of
all
friends
,
a
friend
in
need
is
the
most
delightful
.
Lord
Eskdale
had
the
talent
of
bein
a
friend
in
need
.
Perhaps
it
was
because
he
knew
so
many
worthless
persons
.
But
it
often
happens
that
worthless
persons
are
merely
people
who
are
worth
nothing
.
Lord
Monmouth
having
written
to
Mr.
Rigby
of
his
intention
to
reside
for
some
months
at
Coningsby
,
and
having
mentioned
that
he
wished
a
troop
of
French
comedians
to
be
engaged
for
the
summer
,
Mr.
Rigby
had
immediately
consulted
Lord
Eskdale
on
the
subject
,
as
the
best
current
authority
.
Thinking
this
a
good
opportunity
of
giving
a
turn
to
poor
Villebecque
,
and
that
it
might
serve
as
a
capital
introduction
to
their
scheme
of
the
London
company
,
Lord
Eskdale
obtained
for
him
the
engagement
.
Villebecque
and
his
little
troop
had
now
been
a
month
at
Coningsby
,
and
had
hitherto
performed
three
times
a
week
.
Lord
Monmouth
was
content
;
his
guests
much
gratified
;
the
company
on
the
whole
much
approved
of
.
It
was
indeed
considering
its
limited
numbers
,
a
capital
company
.
There
was
a
young
lady
who
played
the
old
woman
's
parts
—
nothing
could
be
more
garrulous
and
venerable
;
and
a
lady
of
maturer
years
who
performed
the
heroines
,
gay
and
graceful
as
May
.
Villebecque
himself
was
a
celebrity
in
characters
of
airy
insolence
and
careless
frolic
.
Their
old
man
indeed
was
rather
hard
,
but
handy
;
could
take
anything
either
in
the
high
serious
or
the
low
droll
.
Their
sentimental
lover
was
rather
too
much
bewigged
,
and
spoke
too
much
to
the
audience
,
a
fault
rare
with
the
French
;
but
this
hero
had
a
vague
idea
that
he
was
ultimately
destined
to
run
off
with
a
Princess
.
In
this
wise
,
affairs
had
gone
on
for
a
month
;
very
well
,
but
not
too
well
.
The
enterprising
genius
of
Villebecque
,
once
more
a
manager
,
prompted
him
to
action
.
He
felt
an
itching
desire
to
announce
a
novelty
.
He
fancied
Lord
Monmouth
had
yawned
once
or
twice
when
the
heroine
came
on
.
Villebecque
wanted
to
make
a
"
coup
.
"
It
was
clear
that
"
La
Petite
"
must
sooner
or
later
begin
.
Could
she
find
a
more
favourable
audience
,
or
a
more
fitting
occasion
than
were
now
offered
?
True
it
was
she
had
a
great
repugnance
to
come
out
;
but
it
certainly
seemed
more
to
her
advantage
that
she
should
make
her
first
appearance
at
a
private
theatre
than
at
a
public
one
;
supported
by
all
the
encouraging
patronage
of
Coningsby
Castle
,
than
subjected
to
all
the
cynical
criticism
of
the
stalls
of
St.
James
's
.
These
views
and
various
considerations
were
urged
and
represented
by
Villebecque
to
"
La
Petite
,
"
with
all
the
practised
powers
of
plausibility
of
which
so
much
experience
as
a
manager
had
made
him
master
.
"
La
Petite
"
looked
infinitely
distressed
,
but
yielded
as
she
ever
did
.
And
the
night
of
Coningsby
's
arrival
at
the
castle
was
to
witness
in
its
private
theatre
the
first
appearance
of
Mademoiselle
Flora
.
CHAPTER
VIII
.
The
guests
re-assembled
in
the
great
saloon
before
they
repaired
to
the
theatre
.
A
lady
on
the
arm
of
the
Russian
Prince
bestowed
on
Coningsby
a
haughty
,
but
not
ungracious
,
bow
;
which
he
returned
,
unconscious
of
the
person
to
whom
he
bent
.
She
was
however
a
very
striking
person
:
not
beautiful
;
her
face
indeed
at
the
first
glance
was
almost
repulsive
,
yet
it
ever
attracted
a
second
gaze
.
A
remarkable
pallor
distinguished
her
;
her
features
had
neither
regularity
nor
expression
;
neither
were
her
eyes
fine
;
but
her
brow
impressed
you
with
an
idea
of
power
of
no
ordinary
character
or
capacity
.
Her
figure
was
as
fine
and
commanding
as
her
face
was
void
of
charm
.
Juno
,
in
the
full
bloom
of
her
immortality
,
could
have
presented
nothing
more
majestic
.
Coningsby
watched
her
as
she
swept
along
like
a
resistless
Fate
.
Servants
now
went
round
and
presented
to
each
of
the
guests
a
billet
of
the
performance
.
It
announced
in
striking
characters
the
"
début
"
of
Mademoiselle
Flora
.
A
principal
servant
bearing
branch
lights
,
came
forward
and
bowed
to
the
Marquess
.
Lord
Monmouth
went
immediately
to
the
Archduke
,
and
notified
to
his
Imperial
Highness
that
the
comedy
was
ready
.
The
Archduke
offered
his
arm
to
the
Ambassadress
;
the
rest
were
following
;
Coningsby
was
called
.
Madame
Colonna
wished
him
to
be
her
beau
.
It
was
a
very
pretty
theatre
;
had
been
rapidly
rubbed
up
,
and
renovated
here
and
there
;
the
painting
just
touched
;
a
little
gilding
on
a
cornice
.
There
were
no
boxes
,
but
the
ground
floor
which
gradually
ascended
was
carpeted
,
and
covered
with
arm-chairs
,
and
the
back
of
the
theatre
with
a
new
and
rich
curtain
of
green
velvet
.
They
are
all
seated
;
a
great
artist
performs
on
the
violin
,
accompanied
by
another
great
artist
on
the
piano
.
The
lights
rise
;
somebody
evidently
crosses
the
stage
behind
the
curtain
.
They
are
disposing
the
scene
.
In
a
moment
the
curtain
will
rise
also
.
"
Have
you
seen
Lucretia
?
"
said
the
Princess
to
Coningsby
.
"
She
is
so
anxious
to
resume
her
acquaintance
with
you
.
"
But
before
he
could
answer
the
bell
rang
,
and
the
curtain
rose
.
The
old
man
,
who
had
a
droll
part
to-night
,
came
forward
,
and
maintained
a
conversation
with
his
housekeeper
;
not
bad
.
The
young
woman
who
played
the
grave
matron
,
performed
with
great
finish
.
She
was
a
favourite
and
was
ever
applauded
.
The
second
scene
came
;
a
saloon
tastefully
furnished
;
a
table
with
flowers
,
arranged
with
grace
;
birds
in
cages
,
a
lap-dog
on
a
cushion
;
some
books
.
The
audience
were
pleased
;
especially
the
ladies
:
they
like
to
recognise
signs
of
"
bon-ton
"
in
the
details
of
the
scene
.
A
rather
awful
pause
;
and
Mademoiselle
Flora
enters
.
She
was
greeted
with
even
vehement
approbation
.
Her
agitation
is
extreme
;
she
curtseys
,
and
bows
her
head
,
as
if
to
hide
her
face
.
The
face
was
pleasing
,
and
pretty
enough
;
soft
and
engaging
.
Her
figure
slight
and
graceful
.
Nothing
could
be
more
perfect
than
her
costume
;
purely
white
,
but
the
fashion
consummate
;
a
single
rose
her
only
ornament
.
All
admitted
that
her
hair
was
arranged
to
admiration
.
At
length
she
spoke
;
her
voice
trembled
,
but
she
had
a
good
elocution
though
her
organ
wanted
force
.
The
gentlemen
looked
at
each
other
,
and
nodded
approbation
.
There
was
something
so
unobstrusive
in
her
mien
,
that
she
instantly
became
a
favourite
with
the
ladies
.
The
scene
was
not
long
,
but
it
was
triumphant
.
Flora
did
not
appear
in
the
next
scene
.
In
the
fourth
and
final
one
of
the
act
,
she
had
to
make
a
grand
display
.
It
was
a
love
scene
;
and
rather
of
an
impassioned
character
;
Villebecque
was
her
suitor
.
He
entered
first
on
the
stage
.
Never
had
he
looked
so
well
,
or
performed
with
more
spirit
.
You
would
not
have
given
him
five-and-twenty
years
;
he
seemed
redolent
of
youth
.
His
dress
too
was
admirable
.
He
had
studied
the
most
distinguished
of
his
audience
for
the
occasion
,
and
had
outdone
them
all
.
The
fact
is
,
he
had
been
assisted
a
little
by
a
great
connoisseur
,
a
celebrated
French
nobleman
,
Count
D
—
y
,
who
had
been
one
of
the
guests
.
The
thing
was
perfect
,
and
Lord
Monmouth
took
a
pinch
of
snuff
,
and
tapped
approbation
on
the
top
of
his
box
.
Flora
now
re-appeared
,
received
with
renewed
approbation
.
It
did
not
seem
however
that
in
the
interval
she
had
gained
courage
;
she
looked
agitated
.
She
spoke
,
she
proceeded
with
her
part
;
it
became
impassioned
.
She
had
to
speak
of
her
feelings
;
to
tell
the
secrets
of
her
heart
;
to
confess
that
she
loved
another
:
her
emotion
was
exquisitely
performed
,
the
mournful
tenderness
of
her
tones
thrilling
.
There
was
throughout
the
audience
a
dead
silence
;
all
were
absorbed
in
their
admiration
of
the
unrivalled
artist
;
all
felt
a
new
genius
had
visited
the
stage
;
—
but
while
they
were
fascinated
by
the
actress
,
the
woman
was
in
torture
.
The
emotion
was
the
disturbance
of
her
own
soul
;
the
mournful
tenderness
of
her
tones
thrilled
from
the
heart
:
suddenly
she
clasped
her
hands
with
all
the
exhaustion
of
woe
;
an
expression
of
agony
flitted
over
her
countenance
;
and
she
burst
into
tears
.
Villebecque
rushed
forward
,
and
carried
rather
than
led
her
from
the
stage
;
the
audience
looking
at
each
other
,
some
of
them
suspecting
that
this
movement
was
a
part
of
the
scene
.
"
She
has
talent
,
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
to
the
Russian
ambassadress
,
"
but
wants
practice
.
Villebecque
should
send
her
for
a
time
to
the
provinces
.
"
At
length
M
.
Villebecque
came
forward
to
express
his
deep
regret
that
the
sudden
and
severe
indisposition
of
Mlle
.
Flora
rendered
it
impossible
for
the
company
to
proceed
with
the
piece
;
but
that
the
curtain
would
descend
to
rise
again
for
the
second
and
last
piece
announced
.
All
this
accordingly
took
place
.
The
experienced
performer
who
acted
the
heroines
,
now
came
forward
and
disported
most
jocundly
.
The
failure
of
Flora
had
given
fresh
animation
to
her
perpetual
liveliness
.
She
seemed
the
very
soul
of
elegant
frolic
.
In
the
last
scene
she
figured
in
male
attire
;
and
in
air
,
fashion
,
and
youth
,
beat
Villebecque
out
of
the
field
.
She
looked
younger
than
Coningsby
when
he
went
up
to
his
grand-papa
.
The
comedy
was
over
,
the
curtain
fell
,
the
audience
much
amused
chattered
brilliant
criticism
,
and
quitted
the
theatre
to
repair
to
the
saloon
where
they
were
to
be
diverted
to-night
with
Russian
dances
.
Nobody
thought
of
the
unhappy
Flora
;
not
a
single
message
to
console
her
in
her
grief
,
to
compliment
her
on
what
she
had
done
,
to
encourage
her
future
.
And
yet
it
was
a
season
for
a
word
of
kindness
;
so
at
least
thought
one
of
the
audience
,
as
he
lingered
behind
the
hurrying
crowd
absorbed
in
their
coming
amusements
.
Coningsby
had
sat
very
near
the
stage
;
he
had
observed
with
great
advantage
and
attention
the
countenance
and
movements
of
Flora
from
the
beginning
.
He
was
fully
persuaded
that
her
woe
was
genuine
and
profound
.
He
had
felt
his
eyes
moist
when
she
had
wept
.
He
recoiled
from
the
cruelty
and
the
callousness
that
,
without
the
slightest
symptom
of
sympathy
,
could
leave
a
young
girl
who
had
been
labouring
for
their
amusement
and
who
was
suffering
for
her
trial
.
He
got
on
the
stage
,
ran
behind
the
scenes
,
and
asked
for
Mlle
.
Flora
.
They
pointed
to
a
door
;
he
requested
permission
to
enter
.
Flora
was
sitting
at
a
table
with
her
face
resting
on
her
hands
.
Villebecque
was
there
,
resting
on
the
edge
of
the
tall
fender
,
and
still
in
the
dress
in
which
he
had
performed
in
the
last
piece
.
"
I
took
the
liberty
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
of
inquiring
after
Mlle
.
Flora
;
"
and
then
advancing
to
her
,
who
had
raised
her
head
,
he
added
:
"
I
am
sure
my
grandfather
must
feel
much
indebted
to
you
,
Mademoiselle
,
for
making
such
exertions
when
you
were
suffering
under
so
much
indisposition
.
"
"
This
is
very
amiable
of
you
,
sir
,
"
said
the
young
lady
,
looking
at
him
with
earnestness
.
"
Mademoiselle
has
too
much
sensibility
,
"
said
Villebecque
,
making
an
observation
by
way
of
diversion
.
"
And
yet
that
must
be
the
soul
of
fine
acting
,
"
said
Coningsby
;
"
I
look
forward
—
all
look
forward
—
with
great
interest
to
the
next
occasion
on
which
you
will
favour
us
.
"
"
Never
!
"
said
La
Petite
in
a
plaintive
tone
;
"
oh
,
I
hope
,
never
!
"
"
Mademoiselle
is
not
aware
at
this
moment
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
how
much
her
talent
is
appreciated
.
I
assure
you
,
sir
,
"
he
added
,
turning
to
Villebecque
,
"
I
heard
but
one
opinion
,
but
one
expression
of
gratification
at
her
feeling
and
her
fine
taste
.
"
"
The
talent
is
hereditary
,
"
said
Villebecque
.
"
Indeed
you
have
reason
to
say
so
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
Pardon
;
I
was
not
thinking
of
myself
.
My
child
reminded
me
so
much
of
another
this
evening
.
But
that
is
nothing
.
I
am
glad
you
are
here
,
sir
,
to
re-assure
Mademoiselle
.
"
"
I
came
only
to
congratulate
her
,
and
to
lament
,
for
our
sakes
as
well
as
her
own
,
her
indisposition
.
"
"
It
is
not
indisposition
,
"
said
La
Petite
in
a
tone
,
with
her
eyes
fixed
on
the
table
.
"
Mademoiselle
cannot
overcome
the
nervousness
incidental
to
a
first
appearance
,
"
said
Villebecque
.
"
A
last
appearance
,
"
said
La
Petite
;
"
yes
,
it
must
be
the
last
.
"
She
rose
gently
,
she
approached
Villebecque
,
she
laid
her
head
on
his
breast
,
and
placed
her
arms
round
his
neck
,
"
My
father
,
my
best
father
,
yes
,
say
it
is
the
last
!
"
"
You
are
the
mistress
of
your
lot
,
Flora
,
"
said
Villebecque
;
"
but
with
such
a
distinguished
talent
—
"
"
No
,
no
,
no
:
no
talent
.
You
are
wrong
,
my
father
.
I
know
myself
.
I
am
not
of
those
to
whom
nature
gives
talents
.
I
am
born
only
for
still
life
.
I
have
no
taste
except
for
privacy
.
The
convent
is
more
suited
to
me
than
the
stage
.
"
"
But
you
hear
what
this
gentleman
says
,
"
said
Villebecque
returning
her
embrace
.
"
He
tells
you
that
his
grandfather
—
my
Lord
Marquess
I
believe
,
sir
,
—
that
every
one
—
that
—
"
Ah
,
no
,
no
,
no
!
"
said
Flora
,
shaking
her
head
.
"
He
comes
here
because
he
is
generous
,
because
he
is
a
gentleman
;
and
he
wished
to
soothe
the
soul
that
he
knew
was
suffering
.
Thank
him
,
my
father
,
thank
him
for
me
and
before
me
,
and
promise
in
his
presence
that
the
stage
and
your
daughter
have
parted
for
ever
.
"
"
Nay
,
Mademoiselle
,
"
said
Coningsby
advancing
and
venturing
to
take
her
hand
,
a
soft
hand
,
"
make
no
such
resolutions
to-night
.
M
.
Villebecque
can
have
no
other
thought
or
object
but
your
happiness
:
and
believe
me
'
tis
not
I
only
,
but
all
,
who
appreciate
,
and
if
they
were
here
,
must
respect
you
.
"
"
I
prefer
respect
to
admiration
,
"
said
Flora
;
"
but
I
fear
that
respect
is
not
the
appanage
of
such
as
I
am
.
"
"
All
must
respect
those
who
respect
themselves
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
Adieu
,
Mademoiselle
;
I
trust
to-morrow
to
hear
that
you
are
yourself
.
"
He
bowed
to
Villebecque
and
retired
.
In
the
mean
time
,
affairs
in
the
drawing-room
assumed
a
very
different
character
to
those
behind
the
scenes
.
Coningsby
returned
to
brilliancy
,
groups
apparently
gushing
with
lightheartedness
,
universal
content
,
and
Russian
dances
!
"
And
you
too
,
do
you
dance
the
Russian
dances
,
Mr.
Coningsby
?
"
said
Madame
Colonna
.
"
I
cannot
dance
at
all
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
beginning
a
little
to
lose
his
pride
in
the
want
of
an
accomplishment
which
at
Eton
he
had
thought
it
spirited
to
despise
.
"
Ah
!
you
cannot
dance
the
Russian
dances
!
Lucretia
shall
teach
you
,
"
said
the
Princess
;
"
nothing
will
please
her
so
much
.
"
On
the
present
occasion
the
ladies
were
not
as
experienced
in
the
entertainment
as
the
gentlemen
;
but
there
was
amusement
in
being
instructed
.
To
be
disciplined
by
an
Archduke
or
a
Russian
Princess
was
all
very
well
;
but
what
even
the
good-tempered
Lady
Gaythorpe
could
not
pardon
was
,
that
a
certain
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
,
whom
they
were
all
of
them
trying
to
put
down
,
and
keep
down
,
on
this
,
as
almost
on
every
other
occasion
,
proved
herself
a
more
finished
performer
than
even
the
Russians
themselves
.
Lord
Monmouth
had
picked
up
the
Guy
Flounceys
during
a
Roman
winter
.
They
were
people
of
some
position
in
society
.
Mr.
Guy
Flouncey
was
a
man
of
good
estate
,
a
sportsman
,
proud
of
his
pretty
wife
.
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
was
even
very
pretty
,
dressed
in
a
style
of
ultra
fashion
.
However
,
she
could
sing
,
dance
,
act
,
ride
,
and
talk
,
and
all
well
;
and
was
mistress
of
the
art
of
flirtation
.
She
had
amused
the
Marquess
abroad
,
and
had
taken
care
to
call
at
Monmouth
House
,
the
instant
the
Morning
Post
apprised
her
he
had
arrived
in
England
;
the
consequence
was
an
invitation
to
Coningsby
.
She
came
with
a
wardrobe
which
,
in
point
of
variety
,
fancy
and
fashion
,
never
was
surpassed
.
Morning
and
evening
,
every
day
a
new
dress
equally
striking
;
and
a
riding-habit
that
was
the
talk
and
wonder
of
the
whole
neighbourhood
.
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
created
far
more
sensation
in
the
borough
when
she
rode
down
the
High
Street
,
than
what
the
good
people
called
the
real
Princesses
.
At
first
the
fine
ladies
never
noticed
her
,
or
only
stared
at
her
over
their
shoulders
;
every
where
sounded
,
in
suppressed
whispers
,
the
fatal
question
,
"
Who
is
she
?
"
After
dinner
they
formed
always
into
polite
groups
,
from
which
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
was
invariably
excluded
;
and
if
ever
the
Princess
Colonna
,
impelled
partly
by
her
good
nature
,
and
partly
from
having
known
her
on
the
continent
,
did
kindly
sit
by
her
,
Lady
St.
Julians
,
or
some
dame
equally
benevolent
,
was
sure
by
an
adroit
appeal
to
her
Highness
on
some
point
which
could
not
be
decided
without
moving
,
to
withdraw
her
from
her
pretty
and
persecuted
companion
.
It
was
indeed
rather
difficult
work
the
first
few
days
for
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
,
especially
immediately
after
dinner
.
It
is
not
soothing
to
one
's
self-love
to
find
oneself
sitting
alone
pretending
to
look
at
prints
in
a
fine
drawing-room
full
of
fine
people
who
do
n't
speak
to
you
.
But
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
after
having
taken
Coningsby
Castle
by
storm
,
was
not
to
be
driven
out
of
its
drawing-room
by
the
tactics
even
of
a
Lady
St.
Julians
.
Experience
convinced
her
that
all
that
was
required
was
a
little
patience
.
Mrs.
Guy
had
confidence
in
herself
,
her
quickness
,
her
ever
ready
accomplishments
,
and
her
practised
powers
of
attraction
.
And
she
was
right
.
She
was
always
sure
of
an
ally
the
moment
the
gentlemen
appeared
.
The
cavalier
who
had
sate
next
to
her
at
dinner
was
only
too
happy
to
meet
her
again
.
More
than
once
too
she
had
caught
her
noble
host
,
though
a
whole
garrison
was
ever
on
the
watch
to
prevent
her
,
and
he
was
greatly
amused
,
and
showed
that
he
was
greatly
amused
by
her
society
.
Then
she
suggested
plans
to
him
to
divert
his
guests
.
In
a
country-house
the
suggestive
mind
is
inestimable
.
Some
how
or
other
,
before
a
week
was
past
,
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
seemed
the
soul
of
everything
,
was
always
surrounded
by
a
cluster
of
admirers
,
and
with
what
are
called
"
the
best
men
"
ever
ready
to
ride
with
her
,
dance
with
her
,
act
with
her
,
or
fall
at
her
feet
.
The
fine
ladies
found
it
absolutely
necessary
to
thaw
:
they
began
to
ask
her
questions
after
dinner
.
Mrs.
Guy
Flouncey
only
wanted
an
opening
.
She
was
an
adroit
flatterer
,
with
a
temper
imperturbable
,
and
gifted
with
a
ceaseless
energy
of
conferring
slight
obligations
.
She
lent
them
patterns
for
new
fashions
,
in
all
which
mysteries
she
was
very
versant
;
and
what
with
some
gentle
glozing
and
some
gay
gossip
,
sugar
for
their
tongues
and
salt
for
their
tails
,
she
contrived
pretty
well
to
catch
them
all
.
CHAPTER
IX
.
Nothing
could
present
a
greater
contrast
than
the
respective
interiors
of
Coningsby
and
Beaumanoir
.
That
air
of
habitual
habitation
,
which
so
pleasingly
distinguished
the
Duke
's
family
seat
,
was
entirely
wanting
at
Coningsby
.
Everything
indeed
was
vast
and
splendid
;
but
it
seemed
rather
a
gala-house
than
a
dwelling
;
as
if
the
grand
furniture
and
the
grand
servants
had
all
come
down
express
from
town
with
the
grand
company
,
and
were
to
disappear
and
to
be
dispersed
at
the
same
time
.
And
truly
there
were
very
manifold
traces
of
hasty
and
temporary
arrangement
;
new
carpets
and
old
hangings
;
old
paint
,
new
gilding
;
battalions
of
odd
French
chairs
,
squadrons
of
queer
English
tables
;
and
large
tasteless
lamps
and
tawdry
chandeliers
,
evidently
true
cockneys
,
and
only
taking
the
air
by
way
of
change
.
There
was
too
throughout
the
drawing-rooms
an
absence
of
all
those
minor
articles
of
ornamental
furniture
that
are
the
offering
of
taste
to
the
home
we
love
.
There
were
no
books
neither
;
no
flowers
;
no
pet
animals
;
no
portfolios
of
fine
drawings
by
our
English
artists
like
the
album
of
the
Duchess
,
full
of
sketches
by
Landseer
and
Standfield
,
and
their
gifted
brethren
;
not
a
print
even
,
except
portfolios
of
H
.
B
's
caricatures
.
The
modes
and
manners
of
the
house
were
not
rural
;
there
was
nothing
of
the
sweet
order
of
a
country
life
.
Nobody
came
down
to
breakfast
;
the
ladies
were
scarcely
seen
until
dinner
time
;
they
rolled
about
in
carriages
together
late
in
the
afternoon
as
if
they
were
in
London
,
or
led
a
sort
of
factitious
boudoir
life
in
their
provincial
dressing-rooms
.
The
Marquess
sent
for
Coningsby
the
morning
after
his
arrival
and
asked
him
to
breakfast
with
him
in
his
private
rooms
.
Nothing
could
be
more
kind
or
more
agreeable
than
his
grandfather
.
He
appeared
to
be
very
interested
in
his
grandson
's
progress
,
was
glad
to
find
Coningsby
had
distinguished
himself
at
Eton
,
solemnly
adjured
him
not
to
neglect
his
French
.
A
classical
education
,
he
said
,
was
a
very
admirable
thing
,
and
one
which
all
gentlemen
should
enjoy
;
but
Coningsby
would
find
some
day
that
there
were
two
educations
,
one
which
his
position
required
,
and
another
which
was
demanded
by
the
world
.
"
French
,
my
dear
Harry
,
"
he
continued
,
"
is
the
key
to
this
second
education
.
In
a
couple
of
years
or
so
you
will
enter
the
world
;
it
's
a
different
thing
to
what
you
read
about
.
It
's
a
masquerade
;
a
motley
sparkling
multitude
,
in
which
you
may
mark
all
forms
and
colours
,
and
listen
to
all
sentiments
and
opinions
;
but
where
all
you
see
and
hear
has
only
one
object
—
plunder
.
When
you
get
into
this
crowd
you
will
find
that
Greek
and
Latin
are
not
so
much
diffused
as
you
imagine
.
I
was
glad
to
hear
you
speaking
French
yesterday
.
Study
your
accent
.
There
are
a
good
many
foreigners
here
with
whom
you
may
try
your
wing
a
little
;
do
n't
talk
to
any
of
them
too
much
.
Be
very
careful
of
intimacies
.
All
the
people
here
are
good
acquaintance
;
at
least
pretty
well
.
Now
,
here
,
"
said
the
Marquess
,
taking
up
a
letter
and
then
throwing
it
on
the
table
again
,
"
now
here
is
a
man
whom
I
should
like
you
to
know
,
Sidonia
.
He
will
be
here
in
a
few
days
.
Lay
yourself
out
for
him
if
you
have
the
opportunity
.
He
is
a
man
of
rare
capacity
,
and
enormously
rich
.
No
one
knows
the
world
like
Sidonia
.
I
never
met
his
equal
;
and
'
tis
so
pleasant
to
talk
with
one
that
can
want
nothing
of
you
.
"
Lord
Monmouth
had
invited
Coningsby
to
take
a
drive
with
him
in
the
afternoon
.
The
Marquess
wished
to
show
a
part
of
his
domain
to
the
ambassadress
.
Only
Lucretia
,
he
said
,
would
be
with
them
,
and
there
was
a
place
for
him
.
This
invitation
was
readily
accepted
by
Coningsby
,
who
was
not
yet
sufficiently
established
in
the
habits
of
the
house
exactly
to
know
how
to
pass
his
morning
.
His
friend
and
patron
Mr.
Rigby
was
entirely
taken
up
with
the
Archduke
,
whom
he
was
accompanying
all
over
the
neighbourhood
,
in
visits
to
manufactures
,
many
of
which
Rigby
himself
saw
for
the
first
time
,
but
all
of
which
he
fluently
explained
to
his
Imperial
Highness
.
In
return
for
this
,
he
extracted
much
information
from
the
Archduke
on
Russian
plans
and
projects
,
materials
for
a
"
slashing
"
article
against
the
Russophobia
that
he
was
preparing
,
and
in
which
he
was
to
prove
that
Muscovite
aggression
was
an
English
interest
,
and
entirely
to
be
explained
by
the
want
of
sea-coast
,
which
drove
the
Czar
,
for
the
pure
purposes
of
commerce
,
to
the
Baltic
and
the
Euxine
.
When
the
hour
for
the
drive
arrived
,
Coningsby
found
Lucretia
,
a
young
girl
when
he
had
first
seen
her
only
four
years
back
,
and
still
his
junior
,
in
that
majestic
dame
who
had
conceded
a
superb
recognition
to
him
the
preceding
eve
.
She
really
looked
older
than
Madame
Colonna
;
who
,
very
beautiful
,
very
young
looking
,
and
mistress
of
the
real
arts
of
the
toilette
,
those
that
cannot
be
detected
,
was
not
in
the
least
altered
since
she
first
so
cordially
saluted
Coningsby
,
as
her
dear
young
friend
at
Monmouth
House
.
The
day
was
delightful
,
the
park
extensive
and
picturesque
,
the
Ambassadress
sparkling
with
anecdote
,
and
occasionally
,
in
a
low
voice
,
breathing
a
diplomatic
hint
to
Lord
Monmouth
,
who
bowed
his
graceful
consciousness
of
her
distinguished
confidence
.
Coningsby
occasionally
took
advantage
of
one
of
those
moments
,
when
the
conversation
ceased
to
be
general
,
to
address
Lucretia
,
who
replied
in
calm
,
fine
