Rigbywhat
is
called
a
great
opening
,
which
,
like
a
practised
speaker
,
he
immediately
seized
.
He
denounced
the
sentiment
as
"
un-English
,
"
and
got
very
much
cheered
.
Excited
by
this
success
Rigby
began
calling
everything
else
"
un-English
"
with
which
he
did
not
agree
,
until
menacing
murmurs
began
to
rise
,
when
he
shifted
the
subject
,
and
rose
into
a
grand
peroration
,
in
which
he
assured
them
that
the
eyes
of
the
whole
empire
were
on
this
particular
election
,
(
cries
of
"
that
's
true
,
"
from
all
sides
)
and
that
England
expected
every
man
to
do
his
duty
.
"
And
who
do
you
expect
to
do
yours
?
"
inquired
a
gentleman
below
,
"
about
that
ere
pension
?
"
"
Rigby
,
"
screeched
a
hoarse
voice
,
"
do
n't
you
mind
;
you
guv
it
them
well
.
"
"
Rigby
,
keep
up
your
spirits
old
chap
:
we
will
have
you
.
"
"
Now
,
"
said
a
stentorian
voice
,
and
a
man
as
tall
as
Saul
looked
round
him
.
This
was
the
engaged
leader
of
the
Conservative
mob
;
the
eye
of
every
one
of
his
minions
was
instantly
on
him
.
"
Now
!
Our
young
Queen
and
our
old
institutions
;
Rigby
for
ever
!
"
This
was
a
signal
for
the
instant
appearance
of
the
leader
of
the
Liberal
mob
.
Magog
Wrath
,
not
so
tall
as
Bully
Bluck
his
rival
,
had
a
voice
almost
as
powerful
,
a
back
much
broader
,
and
a
countenance
far
more
forbidding
.
"
Now
,
my
boys
;
the
Queen
and
Millbank
for
ever
.
"
These
rival
cries
were
the
signals
for
a
fight
between
the
two
bands
of
gladiators
in
the
face
of
the
hustings
;
the
body
of
the
people
little
interfering
.
Bully
Bluck
seized
Magog
Wrath
's
colours
;
they
wrestled
,
they
seized
each
other
;
their
supporters
were
engaged
in
mutual
contest
;
it
appeared
to
be
a
most
alarming
and
perilous
fray
;
several
ladies
from
the
windows
screamed
,
one
fainted
;
a
band
of
special
constables
pushed
their
way
through
the
mob
;
you
heard
their
staves
resounding
on
the
skulls
of
all
who
opposed
them
,
especially
the
little
boys
:
order
was
at
length
restored
;
and
to
tell
the
truth
,
the
only
hurts
inflicted
were
those
which
came
from
the
special
constables
.
Bully
Bluck
and
Magog
Wrath
,
with
all
their
fierce
looks
,
flaunting
colours
,
loud
cheers
,
and
desperate
assaults
,
were
after
all
only
a
couple
of
Condottieri
,
who
were
cautious
never
to
wound
each
other
.
They
were
in
fact
a
very
peaceful
police
,
who
kept
the
town
in
awe
,
and
prevented
others
from
being
mischievous
who
were
more
inclined
to
do
harm
.
Their
hired
gangs
were
the
safety
valves
for
all
the
scamps
of
the
borough
,
who
receiving
a
few
shillings
per
head
for
their
nominal
service
,
and
as
much
drink
as
they
liked
after
the
contest
,
were
bribed
and
organised
into
peace
and
sobriety
on
the
days
in
which
their
excesses
were
most
to
be
apprehended
.
Now
Mr.
Millbank
came
forward
:
he
was
very
brief
compared
with
Mr.
Rigby
;
but
clear
and
terse
.
No
one
could
misunderstand
him
.
He
did
not
favour
his
hearers
with
any
history
,
but
gave
them
his
views
about
taxes
,
free
trade
,
placemen
and
pensioners
,
whoever
and
wherever
they
might
be
.
"
Hilloa
,
Rigby
,
about
that
ere
pension
?
"
"
Millbank
for
ever
!
We
will
have
him
.
"
"
Never
mind
,
Rigby
,
you
'll
come
in
next
time
.
"
Mr.
Millbank
was
very
energetic
about
resident
representatives
,
but
did
not
understand
that
a
resident
representative
meant
the
nominee
of
a
great
lord
,
who
lived
in
a
great
castle
,
(
great
cheering
)
.
There
was
a
Lord
once
who
declared
that
if
he
liked
,
he
would
return
his
negro
valet
to
Parliament
;
but
Mr.
Millbank
thought
those
days
were
over
.
It
remained
for
the
people
of
Darlford
to
determine
whether
he
was
mistaken
.
"
Never
!
"
exclaimed
the
mob
.
"
Millbank
for
ever
!
Rigby
in
the
river
!
No
niggers
,
no
walets
!
"
"
Three
groans
for
Rigby
.
"
"
His
language
ai
n't
as
purty
as
the
Lunnun
chaps
,
"
said
a
critic
below
;
"
but
he
speaks
from
his
art
;
and
give
me
the
man
who
as
got
a
art
.
"
"
That
's
your
time
of
day
,
Mr.
Robinson
.
"
"
Now
,
"
said
Magog
Wrath
looking
around
.
"
Now
—
the
Queen
and
Millbank
for
ever
!
Hurrah
!
"
The
show
of
hands
was
entirely
in
favour
of
Mr.
Millbank
.
Scarcely
a
hand
was
held
up
for
Mr.
Rigby
below
,
except
by
Bully
Bluck
and
his
prætorians
.
The
Chairman
and
the
Deputy
Chairman
of
the
Conservative
Association
,
the
Secretary
and
the
four
agents
severally
and
respectively
went
up
to
Mr.
Rigby
and
congratulated
him
on
the
result
,
as
it
was
a
known
fact
"
that
the
show
of
hands
never
won
.
"
The
eve
of
polling
day
was
now
at
hand
.
This
is
the
most
critical
period
of
an
election
.
All
night
parties
in
disguise
were
perambulating
the
different
wards
,
watching
each
others
tactics
;
masks
,
wigs
,
false
noses
,
gentles
in
livery
coats
,
men
in
female
attire
—
a
silent
carnival
of
manoeuvre
,
vigilance
,
anxiety
,
and
trepidation
.
The
thoughtful
voters
about
this
time
make
up
their
minds
;
the
enthusiasts
who
have
told
you
twenty
times
a
day
for
the
last
fortnight
,
that
they
would
get
up
in
the
middle
of
the
night
to
serve
you
,
require
the
most
watchful
cooping
;
all
the
individuals
who
have
assured
you
that
"
their
word
is
their
bond
,
"
change
sides
.
Two
of
the
Rigbyites
met
in
the
marketplace
about
an
hour
after
midnight
.
"
Well
,
how
goes
it
?
"
said
one
.
"
I
have
been
the
rounds
.
The
blunts
going
like
the
ward-pump
.
I
saw
a
man
come
out
of
Moffatt
's
house
,
muffled
up
with
a
mask
on
.
I
dodged
him
.
It
was
Biggs
.
"
"
You
do
n't
mean
that
,
do
you
?
D
—
e
I
'll
answer
for
Moffatt
.
"
"
I
never
thought
he
was
a
true
man
.
"
"
Told
Robins
?
"
"
I
could
not
see
him
;
but
I
met
young
Gunning
and
told
him
.
"
"
Young
Gunning
!
That
wo
n't
do
.
"
"
I
thought
he
was
as
right
as
the
town
clock
.
"
"
So
did
I
once
.
Hush
!
who
comes
here
?
The
enemy
,
Franklin
and
Sampson
Potts
.
Keep
close
.
"
"
I
'll
speak
to
them
.
Good
night
,
Potts
.
Up
rather
late
to-night
?
"
"
All
fair
election
time
.
You
ai
n't
snoring
are
you
?
"
"
Well
,
I
hope
the
best
man
will
win
.
"
"
I
am
sure
he
will
.
"
"
You
must
go
for
Moffatt
early
,
to
breakfast
at
the
White
Lion
;
that
's
your
sort
.
Do
n't
leave
him
,
and
poll
him
yourself
.
I
am
going
off
to
Solomon
Lacey
's
.
He
has
got
four
Millbankites
cooped
up
very
drunk
,
and
I
want
to
get
them
quietly
into
the
country
before
daybreak
.
"
'
Tis
polling
day
!
The
candidates
are
roused
from
their
slumbers
at
an
early
hour
by
the
music
of
their
own
bands
perambulating
the
town
,
and
each
playing
the
"
conquering
hero
"
to
sustain
the
courage
of
their
jaded
employers
by
depriving
them
of
that
rest
which
can
alone
tranquillize
the
nervous
system
.
There
is
something
in
that
matin
burst
of
music
,
followed
by
a
shrill
cheer
from
the
boys
of
the
borough
,
the
only
inhabitants
yet
up
,
that
is
very
depressing
.
The
committee-rooms
of
each
candidate
are
soon
rife
with
black
reports
;
each
side
has
received
fearful
bulletins
of
the
preceding
night
campaign
;
and
its
consequences
as
exemplified
in
the
morning
,
unprecedented
tergiversations
,
mysterious
absences
;
men
who
breakfast
with
one
side
and
vote
with
the
other
;
men
who
wo
n't
come
to
breakfast
;
men
who
wo
n't
leave
breakfast
.
At
ten
o'clock
Mr.
Rigby
was
in
a
majority
of
twenty-eight
.
The
polling
was
brisk
and
very
equal
until
the
middle
of
the
day
,
when
it
became
very
slack
.
Mr.
Rigby
kept
a
majority
,
but
an
inconsiderable
one
.
Mr.
Millbank
's
friends
were
not
disheartened
,
as
it
was
known
that
the
leading
members
of
Mr.
Rigby
's
Committee
had
polled
;
whereas
his
opponent
's
were
principally
reserved
.
At
a
quarter
past
two
there
was
great
cheering
and
uproar
.
The
four
voters
in
favour
of
Millbank
whom
Solomon
Lacey
had
cooped
up
,
made
drunk
,
and
carried
into
the
country
,
had
recovered
their
senses
,
made
their
escape
,
and
voted
as
they
originally
intended
.
Soon
after
this
,
Mr.
Millbank
was
declared
by
his
Committee
to
be
in
a
majority
of
one
,
but
the
Committee
of
Mr.
Rigby
instantly
posted
a
placard
in
large
letters
to
announce
that
on
the
contrary
their
man
was
in
a
majority
of
nine
.
"
If
we
could
only
have
got
another
registration
,
"
whispered
the
principal
agent
to
Mr.
Rigby
at
a
quarter
past
four
.
"
You
think
it
's
all
over
then
?
"
"
Why
I
do
not
see
now
how
we
can
win
.
We
have
polled
all
our
dead
men
,
and
Millbank
is
seven
a
head
.
"
"
I
have
no
doubt
we
shall
be
able
to
have
a
good
petition
,
"
said
the
consoling
chairman
of
the
Conservative
Association
.
CHAPTER
V.
It
was
not
with
feelings
of
extreme
satisfaction
that
Mr.
Rigby
returned
to
London
.
The
loss
of
Hellingsley
,
followed
by
the
loss
of
the
borough
to
Hellingsley
's
successful
master
,
were
not
precisely
the
incidents
which
would
be
adduced
as
evidence
of
Mr.
Rigby
's
good
management
or
good
fortune
.
Hitherto
that
gentleman
had
persuaded
the
world
that
he
was
not
only
very
clever
,
but
that
he
was
also
always
in
luck
;
a
quality
which
many
appreciate
more
even
than
capacity
.
His
reputation
was
unquestionably
damaged
both
with
his
patron
and
his
party
.
But
what
the
Tapers
and
the
Tadpoles
thought
or
said
,
what
even
might
be
the
injurious
effect
on
his
own
career
of
the
loss
of
his
election
,
assumed
an
insignificant
character
when
compared
with
its
influence
on
the
temper
and
disposition
of
the
Marquess
of
Monmouth
.
And
yet
his
carriage
is
now
entering
the
court-yard
of
Monmouth
House
,
and
in
all
probability
a
few
minutes
would
introduce
him
to
that
presence
before
which
he
had
ere
this
trembled
.
The
Marquess
was
at
home
,
and
anxious
to
see
Mr.
Rigby
.
In
a
very
few
minutes
that
gentleman
was
ascending
the
private
staircase
,
entering
the
antechamber
,
and
waiting
to
be
received
in
the
little
saloon
,
exactly
as
our
Coningsby
did
more
than
five
years
ago
,
scarcely
less
agitated
,
but
by
feelings
of
a
very
different
character
.
"
Well
,
you
made
a
good
fight
of
it
,
"
exclaimed
the
Marquess
in
a
cheerful
and
particularly
cordial
tone
,
as
Mr.
Rigby
entered
his
dressing-room
.
"
Patience
!
We
shall
win
next
time
.
"
This
reception
instantly
re-assured
the
defeated
candidate
,
though
its
contrast
to
that
which
he
expected
,
rather
perplexed
him
.
He
entered
into
the
details
of
the
election
,
talked
rapidly
of
the
next
registration
,
the
propriety
of
petitioning
;
accustomed
himself
to
hearing
his
voice
with
its
habitual
volubility
in
a
chamber
where
he
had
feared
it
might
not
sound
for
some
time
.
"
D
—
n
politics
!
"
said
the
Marquess
.
"
These
fellows
are
in
for
this
parliament
,
and
I
am
really
weary
of
the
whole
affair
.
I
begin
to
think
the
Duke
was
right
,
and
it
would
have
been
best
to
have
left
them
to
themselves
.
I
am
glad
you
have
come
up
at
once
,
for
I
want
you
.
The
fact
is
,
I
am
going
to
be
married
.
"
This
was
not
a
startling
announcement
to
Mr.
Rigby
;
he
was
prepared
for
it
,
though
scarcely
could
have
hoped
that
he
would
have
been
favoured
with
it
on
the
present
occasion
,
instead
of
a
morose
comment
on
his
misfortunes
.
Marriage
then
was
the
predominant
idea
of
Lord
Monmouth
at
the
present
moment
,
in
whose
absorbing
interest
all
vexations
were
forgotten
.
Fortunate
Rigby
!
Disgusted
by
the
failure
of
his
political
combinations
,
his
disappointments
in
not
dictating
to
the
county
and
not
carrying
the
borough
,
and
the
slight
prospect
at
present
of
obtaining
the
great
object
of
his
ambition
,
Lord
Monmouth
had
resolved
to
precipitate
his
fate
,
was
about
to
marry
immediately
,
and
quit
England
.
"
You
will
be
wanted
,
Rigby
,
"
continued
the
Marquess
.
"
We
must
have
a
couple
of
trustees
,
and
I
have
thought
of
you
as
one
.
You
know
you
are
my
executor
;
and
it
is
better
not
to
bring
in
unnecessarily
new
names
into
the
management
of
my
affairs
.
Lord
Eskdale
will
act
with
you
.
"
Rigby
then
,
after
all
,
was
a
lucky
man
.
After
such
a
succession
of
failures
,
he
had
returned
only
to
receive
fresh
and
the
most
delicat
marks
of
his
patron
's
good
feeling
and
consideration
.
Lord
Monmouth
's
trustee
and
executor
!
"
You
know
you
are
my
executor
.
"
Sublime
truth
!
It
ought
to
be
blazoned
in
letters
of
gold
in
the
most
conspicuous
part
of
Rigby
's
library
,
to
remind
him
perpetually
of
his
great
and
impending
destiny
.
Lord
Monmouth
's
executor
,
and
very
probably
one
of
his
residuary
legatees
!
A
legatee
of
some
sort
he
knew
he
was
.
What
a
splendid
memento
mori
!
What
cared
Rigby
for
the
borough
of
Darlford
?
And
as
for
his
political
friends
,
he
wished
them
joy
of
their
barren
benches
.
Nothing
was
lost
by
not
being
in
this
Parliament
.
It
was
then
with
sincerity
that
Rigby
offered
his
congratulations
to
his
patron
.
He
praised
the
judicious
alliance
,
accompanied
by
every
circumstance
conducive
to
worldly
happiness
;
distinguished
beauty
,
perfect
temper
,
princely
rank
.
Rigby
,
who
had
hardly
got
out
of
his
hustings
'
vein
,
was
most
eloquent
in
his
praises
of
Madame
Colonna
.
"
A
very
amiable
woman
,
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
,
"
and
very
handsome
.
I
always
admired
her
;
and
a
very
agreeable
person
too
;
I
dare
say
a
very
good
temper
,
but
I
am
not
going
to
marry
her
.
"
"
Might
I
then
ask
who
is
—
"
"
Her
step-daughter
,
the
Princess
Lucretia
,
"
replied
the
Marquess
very
quietly
,
and
looking
at
his
ring
.
Here
was
a
thunderbolt
!
Rigby
had
made
another
mistake
.
He
had
been
working
all
this
time
for
the
wrong
woman
!
The
consciousness
of
being
a
trustee
alone
sustained
him
.
There
was
an
inevitable
pause
.
The
Marquess
would
not
speak
however
,
and
Rigby
must
.
He
babbled
rather
incoherently
about
the
Princess
Lucretia
being
admired
by
every
body
;
also
that
she
was
the
most
fortunate
of
women
,
as
well
as
the
most
accomplished
;
he
was
just
beginning
to
say
he
had
known
her
from
a
child
,
when
discretion
stopped
his
tongue
,
which
had
a
habit
of
running
on
somewhat
rashly
;
but
Rigby
,
though
he
often
blundered
in
his
talk
,
had
the
talent
of
extricating
himself
from
the
consequence
of
his
mistakes
.
"
And
Madame
must
be
highly
gratified
by
all
this
?
"
observed
Mr.
Rigby
with
an
inquiring
accent
.
He
was
dying
to
learn
how
she
had
first
received
the
intelligence
,
and
congratulated
himself
that
his
absence
at
his
contest
had
preserved
him
from
the
storm
.
"
Madame
Colonna
knows
nothing
of
our
intentions
,
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
.
"
And
by
the
bye
,
that
is
the
very
business
on
which
I
wished
to
see
you
,
Rigby
.
I
wish
you
to
communicate
them
to
her
.
We
are
to
be
married
,
and
immediately
.
It
would
gratify
me
that
the
wife
of
Lucretia
's
father
should
attend
our
wedding
.
You
understand
exactly
what
I
mean
,
Rigby
—
I
must
have
no
scenes
.
Always
happy
to
see
the
Princess
Colonna
under
my
roof
;
but
then
I
like
to
live
quietly
,
particularly
at
present
;
harassed
as
I
have
been
by
the
loss
of
these
elections
,
by
all
this
bad
management
,
and
by
all
these
disappointments
on
subjects
in
which
I
was
led
to
believe
success
was
certain
.
Madame
Colonna
is
at
home
,
"
and
the
Marquess
bowed
Mr.
Rigby
out
of
the
room
.
CHAPTER
VI
.
The
departure
of
Sidonia
from
Coningsby
Castle
in
the
autumn
determined
the
Princess
Lucretia
on
a
step
which
had
for
some
time
before
his
arrival
occupied
her
brooding
imagination
.
Nature
had
bestowed
on
this
lady
an
ambitious
soul
and
a
subtile
spirit
;
she
could
dare
much
,
and
could
execute
finely
.
Above
all
things
she
coveted
power
;
and
though
not
free
from
the
characteristic
susceptibility
of
her
sex
,
the
qualities
that
could
engage
her
passions
or
fascinate
her
fancy
must
partake
of
that
intellectual
eminence
which
distinguished
her
.
Though
the
Princess
Lucretia
in
a
short
space
of
time
had
seen
much
of
the
world
,
she
had
as
yet
encountered
no
hero
.
In
the
admirers
whom
her
rank
,
and
sometimes
her
intelligence
,
assembled
around
her
,
her
master
had
not
yet
appeared
.
Her
heart
had
not
trembled
before
any
of
those
brilliant
forms
whom
she
was
told
her
sex
admired
;
nor
did
she
envy
any
one
the
homage
which
she
did
not
appreciate
.
There
was
therefore
no
disturbing
element
in
the
worldly
calculations
which
she
applied
to
that
question
which
is
to
woman
what
a
career
is
to
man
,
the
question
of
marriage
.
She
would
marry
to
gain
power
,
and
therefore
she
wished
to
marry
the
powerful
.
Lord
Eskdale
hovered
around
her
,
and
she
liked
him
.
She
admired
his
incomparable
shrewdness
;
his
freedom
from
ordinary
prejudices
,
the
selfishness
which
was
always
good-natured
,
and
the
imperturbability
that
was
not
callous
.
But
Lord
Eskdale
had
hovered
round
many
;
it
was
his
easy
habit
.
He
liked
clever
women
,
young
,
but
who
had
seen
something
of
the
world
.
The
Princess
Lucretia
pleased
him
much
;
with
the
form
and
mind
of
a
woman
even
in
the
nursery
.
He
had
watched
her
development
with
interest
;
and
had
witnessed
her
launched
in
that
world
where
she
floated
at
once
with
as
much
dignity
and
consciousness
of
superior
power
,
as
if
she
had
braved
for
seasons
its
waves
and
its
tempests
.
Musing
over
Lord
Eskdale
,
the
mind
of
Lucretia
was
drawn
to
the
image
of
his
friend
;
her
friend
;
the
friend
of
her
parents
.
And
why
not
marry
Lord
Monmouth
?
The
idea
pleased
her
.
There
was
something
great
in
the
conception
;
difficult
and
strange
.
The
result
,
if
achieved
,
would
give
her
all
that
she
desired
.
She
devoted
her
mind
to
this
secret
thought
.
She
had
no
confidants
.
She
concentrated
her
intellect
on
one
point
,
and
that
was
to
fascinate
the
grandfather
of
Coningsby
,
while
her
step-mother
was
plotting
that
she
should
marry
his
grandson
.
The
volition
of
Lucretia
Colonna
was
,
if
not
supreme
,
of
a
power
most
difficult
to
resist
.
There
was
something
charm-like
and
alluring
in
the
conversation
of
one
who
was
silent
to
all
others
;
something
in
the
tones
of
her
low
rich
voice
which
acted
singularly
on
the
nervous
system
.
It
was
the
voice
of
the
serpent
;
indeed
there
was
an
undulating
movement
in
Lucretia
when
she
approached
you
,
which
irresistibly
reminded
you
of
that
mysterious
animal
.
Lord
Monmouth
was
not
insensible
to
the
spell
,
though
totally
unconscious
of
its
purpose
.
He
found
the
society
of
Lucretia
very
agreeable
to
him
;
she
was
animated
,
intelligent
,
original
;
her
inquiries
were
stimulating
;
her
comments
on
what
she
saw
,
and
heard
,
and
read
,
racy
and
often
indicating
a
fine
humour
.
But
all
this
was
reserved
for
his
ear
.
Before
her
parents
as
before
all
others
,
Lucretia
was
silent
,
a
little
scornful
,
never
communicating
,
neither
giving
nor
seeking
amusement
,
shut
up
in
herself
.
Lord
Monmouth
fell
therefore
into
the
habit
of
riding
and
driving
with
Lucretia
alone
.
It
was
an
arrangement
which
he
found
made
his
life
more
pleasant
.
Nor
was
it
displeasing
to
Madame
Colonna
.
She
looked
upon
Lord
Monmouth
's
fancy
for
Lucretia
as
a
fresh
tie
for
them
all
.
Even
the
Prince
,
when
his
wife
called
his
attention
to
the
circumstance
,
observed
it
with
satisfaction
.
It
was
a
circumstance
which
represented
in
his
mind
a
continuance
of
good
eating
and
good
drinking
,
fine
horses
,
luxurious
baths
,
unceasing
billiards
.
In
this
state
of
affairs
appeared
Sidonia
,
known
before
to
her
step-mother
,
but
seen
by
Lucretia
for
the
first
time
.
Truly
he
came
,
saw
,
and
conquered
.
Those
eyes
that
rarely
met
anothers
,
were
fixed
upon
his
searching
yet
unimpassioned
glance
.
She
listened
to
that
voice
full
of
music
,
yet
void
of
tenderness
:
and
the
spirit
of
Lucretia
Colonna
bowed
before
an
intelligence
that
commanded
sympathy
,
yet
offered
none
.
Lucretia
naturally
possessed
great
qualities
as
well
as
great
talents
.
Under
a
genial
influence
her
education
might
have
formed
a
being
capable
of
imparting
and
receiving
happiness
.
But
she
found
herself
without
a
guide
.
Her
father
offered
her
no
love
;
her
step-mother
gained
from
her
no
respect
.
Her
literary
education
was
the
result
of
her
own
strong
mind
and
inquisitive
spirit
.
She
valued
knowledge
,
and
she
therefore
acquired
it
.
But
not
a
single
moral
principle
or
a
single
religious
truth
had
ever
been
instilled
into
her
being
.
Frequent
absence
from
her
own
country
had
by
degrees
broken
off
even
an
habitual
observance
of
the
forms
of
her
creed
;
while
a
life
of
undisturbed
indulgence
,
void
of
all
anxiety
and
care
,
while
it
preserved
her
from
many
of
the
temptations
to
vice
,
deprived
her
of
that
wisdom
"
more
precious
than
rubies
"
which
adversity
and
affliction
,
the
struggles
and
the
sorrows
of
existence
,
can
alone
impart
.
Lucretia
had
passed
her
life
in
a
refined
,
but
rather
dissolute
society
.
Not
indeed
that
a
word
that
could
call
forth
a
maiden
blush
,
conduct
that
could
pain
the
purest
feelings
,
could
be
heard
or
witnessed
in
those
polished
and
luxurious
circles
.
The
most
exquisite
taste
pervaded
their
atmosphere
;
and
the
uninitiated
who
found
themselves
in
those
perfumed
chambers
and
those
golden
saloons
,
might
believe
from
all
that
passed
before
them
,
that
their
inhabitants
were
as
pure
,
as
orderly
,
and
as
irreproachable
as
their
furniture
.
But
among
the
habitual
dwellers
in
these
delicate
halls
,
there
was
a
tacit
understanding
,
a
prevalent
doctrine
that
required
no
formal
exposition
,
no
proofs
and
illustrations
,
no
comment
and
no
gloss
;
which
was
indeed
rather
a
traditional
conviction
than
an
imparted
dogma
;
that
the
exoterick
public
were
on
many
subjects
the
victims
of
very
vulgar
prejudices
,
which
these
enlightened
personages
wished
neither
to
disturb
nor
to
adopt
.
A
being
of
such
a
temper
,
bred
in
such
a
manner
;
a
woman
full
of
intellect
and
ambition
,
daring
and
lawless
,
and
satiated
with
prosperity
,
is
not
made
for
equable
fortunes
and
an
uniform
existence
.
She
would
have
sacrificed
the
world
for
Sidonia
,
for
he
had
touched
the
fervent
imagination
that
none
before
could
approach
,
but
that
inscrutable
man
would
not
read
the
secret
of
her
heart
,
and
prompted
alike
by
pique
,
the
love
of
power
,
and
a
weariness
of
her
present
life
,
Lucretia
resolved
on
that
great
result
which
Mr.
Rigby
is
now
about
to
communicate
to
the
Princess
Colonna
.
About
half
an
hour
after
Mr.
Rigby
had
entered
that
lady
's
apartments
it
seemed
that
all
the
bells
of
Monmouth
House
were
ringing
at
the
same
time
.
The
sound
even
reached
the
Marquess
in
his
luxurious
recess
,
who
immediately
took
a
pinch
of
snuff
and
ordered
his
valet
to
lock
the
door
of
the
ante-chamber
.
The
Princess
Lucretia
too
heard
the
sounds
;
she
was
lying
on
a
sofa
in
her
boudoir
reading
the
Inferno
and
immediately
mustered
her
garrison
in
the
form
of
a
French
maid
,
and
gave
directions
that
no
one
should
be
admitted
.
Both
the
Marquess
,
and
his
intended
bride
,
felt
that
a
crisis
was
at
hand
,
and
resolved
to
participate
in
no
scenes
.
The
ringing
ceased
;
there
was
again
silence
.
Then
there
was
another
ring
;
a
very
short
,
hasty
,
and
violent
pull
;
followed
by
some
slamming
of
doors
.
The
servants
,
who
were
all
on
the
alert
and
had
advantages
of
hearing
and
observation
denied
to
their
secluded
master
,
caught
a
glimpse
of
Mr.
Rigby
endeavouring
gently
to
draw
back
into
her
apartments
Madame
Colonna
,
furious
amid
his
deprecatory
exclamations
.
"
For
Heaven
's
sake
,
my
dear
Madame
;
for
your
own
sake
—
now
really
—
now
I
assure
you
—
you
are
quite
wrong
—
you
are
indeed
—
it
is
a
complete
misapprehension
—
I
will
explain
everything
.
I
entreat
—
I
implore
—
whatever
you
like
—
just
what
you
please
—
only
listen
.
"
Then
the
lady
with
a
mantling
visage
and
flashing
eye
,
violently
closing
the
door
,
was
again
lost
to
their
sight
.
A
few
minutes
after
,
there
was
a
more
moderate
ring
and
Mr.
Rigby
coming
out
of
the
apartments
,
with
his
cravat
a
little
out
of
order
as
if
he
had
had
a
violent
shaking
,
met
the
servant
who
would
have
entered
.
"
Order
Madame
Colonna
's
travelling
carriage
,
"
he
exclaimed
in
a
loud
voice
,
"
and
send
Mademoiselle
Conrad
here
directly
.
I
do
n't
think
the
fellow
hears
me
,
"
added
Mr.
Rigby
and
following
the
servant
,
he
added
in
a
low
tone
and
with
a
significant
glance
,
"
no
travelling
carriage
;
no
Mademoiselle
Conrad
;
order
the
britska
round
as
usual
.
"
Nearly
another
hour
passed
;
there
was
another
ring
;
very
moderate
indeed
.
The
servant
was
informed
that
Madame
Colonna
was
coming
down
;
and
she
appeared
as
usual
.
In
a
beautiful
morning
dress
,
and
leaning
on
the
arm
of
Mr.
Rigby
she
descended
the
stairs
,
and
was
handed
into
her
carriage
by
that
gentleman
,
who
seating
himself
by
her
side
,
ordered
them
to
drive
to
Richmond
.
Lord
Monmouth
having
been
informed
that
all
was
calm
,
and
that
Madame
Colonna
attended
by
Mr.
Rigby
,
had
gone
to
Richmond
,
ordered
his
carriage
,
and
accompanied
by
Lucretia
and
Lucian
Gay
,
departed
immediately
for
Blackwall
,
where
in
white
bait
,
a
quiet
bottle
of
claret
,
the
society
of
his
agreeable
friends
,
and
the
contemplation
of
the
passing
steamers
,
he
found
a
mild
distraction
and
an
amusing
repose
.
Mr.
Rigby
reported
that
evening
to
the
Marquess
on
his
return
,
that
all
was
arranged
and
tranquil
.
Perhaps
he
exaggerated
the
difficulties
,
to
increase
the
service
;
but
according
to
his
account
they
were
very
considerable
.
It
required
some
time
to
make
Madame
Colonna
comprehend
the
nature
of
his
communication
.
All
Rigby
's
diplomatic
skill
was
expended
in
the
gradual
development
.
When
it
was
once
fairly
put
before
her
,
the
effect
was
appalling
.
That
was
the
first
great
ringing
of
bells
.
Rigby
softened
a
little
what
he
had
personally
endured
;
but
he
confessed
she
sprang
at
him
like
a
tigress
baulked
of
her
prey
,
and
poured
forth
on
him
a
volume
of
epithets
,
many
of
which
Rigby
really
deserved
.
But
after
all
in
the
present
instance
he
was
not
treacherous
,
only
base
,
which
he
always
was
.
Then
she
fell
into
a
passion
of
tears
,
and
vowed
frequently
that
she
was
not
weeping
for
herself
,
but
only
for
that
dear
Mr.
Coningsby
,
who
had
been
treated
so
infamously
and
robbed
of
Lucretia
,
and
whose
heart
she
knew
must
break
.
It
seemed
that
Rigby
stemmed
the
first
violence
of
her
emotion
by
mysterious
intimations
of
an
important
communication
that
he
had
to
make
;
and
piquing
her
curiosity
,
he
calmed
her
passion
.
But
really
having
nothing
to
say
,
he
was
nearly
involved
in
fresh
dangers
.
He
took
refuge
in
the
affectation
of
great
agitation
which
prevented
exposition
.
The
lady
then
insisted
on
her
travelling
carriage
being
ordered
,
and
packed
,
as
she
was
determined
to
set
out
for
Rome
that
afternoon
.
This
little
occurrence
gave
Rigby
some
few
minutes
to
collect
himself
,
at
the
end
of
which
he
made
the
Princess
several
announcements
of
intended
arrangements
,
all
of
which
pleased
her
mightily
,
though
they
were
so
inconsistent
with
each
other
,
that
if
she
had
not
been
a
woman
in
a
passion
,
she
must
have
detected
that
Rigby
was
lying
.
He
assured
her
almost
in
the
same
breath
,
that
she
was
never
to
be
separated
from
them
,
and
that
she
was
to
have
any
establishment
in
any
country
she
liked
.
He
talked
wildly
of
equipages
,
diamonds
,
shawls
,
opera
boxes
;
and
while
her
mind
was
bewildered
with
these
dazzling
objects
,
he
with
intrepid
gravity
consulted
her
as
to
the
exact
amount
she
would
like
to
have
apportioned
,
independent
of
her
general
revenue
,
for
the
purposes
of
charity
.
At
the
end
of
two
hours
,
exhausted
by
her
rage
and
soothed
by
these
visions
,
Madame
Colonna
,
having
grown
calm
and
reasonable
,
sighed
and
murmured
a
complaint
,
that
Lord
Monmouth
ought
to
have
communicated
this
important
intelligence
in
person
.
Upon
this
Rigby
instantly
assured
her
,
that
Lord
Monmouth
had
been
for
some
time
waiting
to
do
so
,
but
in
consequence
of
her
lengthened
interview
with
Rigby
,
his
Lordship
had
departed
for
Richmond
with
Lucretia
,
where
he
hoped
that
Madame
Colonna
and
Mr.
Rigby
would
join
him
.
So
it
ended
,
with
a
morning
drive
and
suburban
dinner
;
Rigby
,
after
what
he
had
gone
through
,
finding
no
difficulty
in
accounting
for
the
other
guests
not
being
present
,
and
bringing
home
Madame
Colonna
in
the
evening
,
at
times
almost
as
gay
and
good-tempered
as
usual
,
and
almost
oblivious
of
her
disappointment
.
When
the
Marquess
met
Madame
Colonna
,
he
embraced
her
with
great
courtliness
,
and
from
that
time
consulted
her
on
every
arrangement
.
He
took
a
very
early
occasion
of
presenting
her
with
a
diamond
necklace
of
great
value
.
The
Marquess
was
fond
of
making
presents
to
persons
to
whom
he
thought
he
had
not
behaved
very
well
,
and
who
yet
spared
him
scenes
.
The
marriage
speedily
followed
by
special
licence
at
the
villa
of
the
Right
Hon.
Nicholas
Rigby
,
who
gave
away
the
bride
.
The
wedding
party
was
very
select
,
but
brilliant
as
the
diamond
necklace
:
a
royal
Duke
and
Duchess
,
Lady
St.
Julians
,
and
a
few
others
.
Mr.
Ormsby
presented
the
bride
with
a
bouquet
of
precious
stones
,
and
Lord
Eskdale
with
a
French
fan
in
a
diamond
frame
.
It
was
a
fine
day
;
Lord
Monmouth
,
calm
as
if
he
were
winning
the
St.
Leger
;
Lucretia
,
universally
recognized
as
a
beauty
;
all
the
guests
gay
,
the
Princess
Colonna
especially
.
The
travelling-carriage
is
at
the
door
which
is
to
bear
the
happy
pair
away
.
Madame
Colonna
embraces
Lucretia
;
the
Marquess
gives
a
grand
bow
:
they
are
gone
.
The
guests
remain
awhile
.
A
Prince
of
the
blood
will
propose
a
toast
;
there
is
another
glass
of
champagne
quaffed
,
another
ortolan
devoured
;
and
then
they
rise
and
disperse
.
Madame
Colonna
leaves
them
with
Lady
St.
Julians
,
whose
guest
for
a
while
she
is
to
become
.
And
in
a
few
minutes
their
host
is
alone
.
Mr.
Rigby
retired
into
his
library
:
the
repose
of
the
chamber
must
have
been
grateful
to
his
feelings
after
all
this
distraction
.
It
was
spacious
,
well-stored
,
classically
adorned
,
and
opened
on
a
beautiful
lawn
.
Rigby
threw
himself
into
an
ample
chair
,
crossed
his
legs
,
and
resting
his
head
on
his
arm
,
apparently
fell
into
deep
contemplation
.
He
had
some
cause
for
reflection
,
and
though
we
did
once
venture
to
affirm
that
Rigby
never
either
thought
or
felt
,
this
perhaps
may
be
the
exception
that
proves
the
rule
.
He
could
scarcely
refrain
from
pondering
over
the
strange
event
which
he
had
witnessed
,
and
had
assisted
.
It
was
an
incident
that
might
exercise
considerable
influence
over
his
fortunes
.
His
patron
married
,
and
married
to
one
who
certainly
did
not
offer
to
Mr.
Rigby
such
a
prospect
of
easy
management
as
her
step-mother
!
Here
were
new
influences
arising
;
new
characters
,
new
situations
,
new
contingencies
.
Was
he
thinking
of
all
this
?
He
suddenly
jumps
up
,
hurries
to
a
shelf
and
takes
down
a
volume
.
It
is
his
interleaved
peerage
,
of
which
for
twenty
years
he
had
been
threatening
an
edition
.
Turning
to
the
Marquisate
of
Monmouth
,
he
took
up
his
pen
and
thus
made
the
necessary
entry
.
"
Married
,
second
time
,
August
3rd
.
1837
,
The
Princess
Lucretia
Colonna
,
daughter
of
Prince
Paul
Colonna
,
born
at
Rome
,
February
16
th
.
1819.
That
was
what
Mr.
Rigby
called
"
a
great
fact
.
"
There
was
not
a
peerage
compiler
in
England
who
had
that
date
save
himself
.
Before
we
close
this
slight
narrative
of
the
domestic
incidents
that
occurred
in
the
family
of
his
grandfather
since
Coningsby
quitted
the
castle
,
we
must
not
forget
to
mention
what
happened
to
Villebecque
and
Flora
.
Lord
Monmouth
took
a
great
liking
to
the
manager
.
He
found
him
very
clever
in
many
things
independently
of
his
profession
;
he
was
useful
to
Lord
Monmouth
,
and
did
his
work
in
an
agreeable
manner
.
And
the
future
Lady
Monmouth
was
accustomed
to
Flora
,
and
found
her
useful
too
,
and
did
not
like
to
lose
her
.
And
so
the
Marquess
turning
all
the
circumstances
in
his
mind
,
and
being
convinced
that
Villebecque
could
never
succeed
,
to
any
extent
in
England
in
his
profession
,
and
probably
no
where
else
,
appointed
him
,
to
Villebecque
's
infinite
satisfaction
,
Intendant
of
his
household
with
a
considerable
salary
,
while
Flora
still
lived
with
her
kind
step-father
.
CHAPTER
VII
.
Another
year
elapsed
;
not
so
fruitful
in
incidents
to
Coningsby
as
the
preceding
ones
,
and
yet
not
unprofitably
passed
.
It
had
been
spent
in
the
almost
unremitting
cultivation
of
his
intelligence
.
He
had
read
deeply
and
extensively
,
digested
his
acquisitions
,
and
had
practised
himself
in
surveying
them
,
free
from
those
conventional
conclusions
and
those
traditionary
inferences
that
surrounded
him
.
Although
he
had
renounced
his
once
cherished
purpose
of
trying
for
University
honours
,
an
aim
which
he
found
discordant
with
the
investigations
on
which
his
mind
was
bent
,
he
had
rarely
quitted
Cambridge
.
The
society
of
his
friends
,
the
great
convenience
of
public
libraries
,
and
the
general
tone
of
studious
life
around
,
rendered
an
University
for
him
a
genial
residence
.
There
is
a
moment
in
life
,
when
the
pride
and
thirst
of
knowledge
seem
to
absorb
our
being
,
and
so
it
happened
now
to
Coningsby
,
who
felt
each
day
stronger
in
his
intellectual
resources
,
and
each
day
more
anxious
and
avid
to
increase
them
.
The
habits
of
public
discussion
fostered
by
the
Debating
Society
were
also
for
Coningsby
no
inconsiderable
tie
to
the
University
.
This
was
the
arena
in
which
he
felt
himself
at
home
.
The
promise
of
his
Eton
days
was
here
fulfilled
.
And
while
his
friends
listened
to
his
sustained
argument
or
his
impassioned
declamation
;
the
prompt
reply
or
the
apt
retort
;
they
looked
forward
with
pride
through
the
vista
of
years
to
the
time
when
the
hero
of
the
youthful
Club
should
convince
or
dazzle
in
the
senate
.
It
is
probable
then
that
he
would
have
remained
at
Cambridge
with
slight
intervals
until
he
had
taken
his
degree
,
had
not
circumstances
occurred
which
gave
altogether
a
new
turn
to
his
thoughts
.
When
Lord
Monmouth
had
fixed
his
wedding-day
he
had
written
himself
to
Coningsby
to
announce
his
intended
marriage
,
and
to
request
his
grandson
's
presence
at
the
ceremony
.
The
letter
was
more
than
kind
;
it
was
warm
and
generous
.
He
assured
his
grandson
that
this
alliance
should
make
no
difference
in
the
very
ample
provision
which
he
had
long
intended
for
him
;
that
he
should
ever
esteem
Coningsby
his
nearest
relative
;
and
that
while
his
death
would
bring
to
Coningsby
as
considerable
an
independence
as
an
English
gentleman
need
desire
,
so
in
his
lifetime
,
Coningsby
should
ever
be
supported
as
became
his
birth
,
breeding
,
and
future
prospects
.
Lord
Monmouth
had
mentioned
to
Lucretia
,
that
he
was
about
to
invite
his
grandson
to
their
wedding
,
and
the
lady
had
received
the
intimation
with
satisfaction
.
It
so
happened
that
a
few
hours
after
,
Lucretia
who
now
entered
the
private
rooms
of
Lord
Monmouth
without
previously
announcing
her
arrival
,
met
Villebecque
with
the
letter
to
Coningsby
in
his
hand
.
Lucretia
took
it
away
from
him
,
and
said
it
should
be
posted
with
her
own
letters
.
It
never
reached
its
destination
.
Our
friend
learnt
the
marriage
from
the
newspapers
,
which
somewhat
astounded
him
;
but
Coningsby
was
fond
of
his
grandfather
,
and
he
wrote
Lord
Monmouth
a
letter
of
congratulation
,
full
of
feeling
and
ingenuousness
,
and
which
,
while
it
much
pleased
the
person
to
whom
it
was
addressed
,
unintentionally
convinced
him
that
Coningsby
had
never
received
his
original
communication
.
Lord
Monmouth
spoke
to
Villebecque
,
who
could
throw
sufficient
light
upon
the
subject
,
but
it
was
never
mentioned
to
Lady
Monmouth
.
The
Marquess
was
a
man
who
always
found
out
everything
,
and
enjoyed
the
secret
.
Rather
more
than
a
year
after
the
marriage
,
when
Coningsby
had
completed
his
twenty-first
year
,
the
year
which
he
had
passed
so
quietly
at
Cambridge
,
he
received
a
letter
from
his
grandfather
,
informing
him
that
after
a
variety
of
movements
Lady
Monmouth
and
himself
were
established
in
Paris
for
the
season
,
and
desiring
that
he
would
not
fail
to
come
over
as
soon
as
was
practicable
,
and
pay
them
as
long
a
visit
as
the
regulations
of
the
University
would
permit
.
So
,
at
the
close
of
the
December
term
,
Coningsby
quitted
Cambridge
for
Paris
.
Passing
through
London
,
he
made
his
first
visit
to
his
banker
at
Charing
Cross
,
on
whom
he
had
periodically
drawn
since
he
commenced
his
college
life
.
He
was
in
the
outer
counting-house
,
making
some
inquiries
about
a
letter
of
credit
,
when
one
of
the
partners
came
out
from
an
inner
room
,
and
invited
him
to
enter
.
This
firm
had
been
for
generations
the
bankers
of
the
Coningsby
family
;
and
it
appeared
that
there
was
a
sealed
box
in
their
possession
which
had
belonged
to
the
father
of
Coningsby
,
and
they
wished
to
take
this
opportunity
of
delivering
it
to
his
son
.
This
communication
deeply
interested
him
;
and
as
he
was
alone
in
London
,
at
an
hotel
,
and
on
the
wing
for
a
foreign
country
,
he
requested
permission
at
once
to
examine
it
,
in
order
that
he
might
again
deposit
it
with
them
:
so
he
was
shown
into
a
private
room
for
that
purpose
.
The
seal
was
broken
;
the
box
was
full
of
papers
,
chiefly
correspondence
:
among
them
was
a
packet
described
as
letters
from
"
my
dear
Helen
,
"
the
mother
of
Coningsby
.
In
the
interior
of
this
packet
,
there
was
a
miniature
of
that
mother
.
He
looked
at
it
;
put
it
down
:
looked
at
it
again
and
again
.
He
could
not
be
mistaken
.
There
was
the
same
blue
fillet
in
the
bright
hair
.
It
was
an
exact
copy
of
that
portrait
which
had
so
greatly
excited
his
attention
when
at
Millbank
!
This
was
a
mysterious
and
singularly
perplexing
incident
.
It
greatly
agitated
him
.
He
was
alone
in
the
room
when
he
made
the
discovery
.
When
he
had
recovered
himself
,
he
sealed
up
the
contents
of
the
box
,
with
the
exception
of
his
mother
's
letters
and
the
miniature
,
which
he
took
away
with
him
,
and
then
re-delivered
it
to
his
banker
for
custody
until
his
return
.
Coningsby
found
Lord
and
Lady
Monmouth
in
a
splendid
hotel
in
the
Faubourg
St.
Honoré
,
near
the
English
embassy
.
His
grandfather
looked
at
him
with
marked
attention
,
and
received
him
with
evident
satisfaction
.
Indeed
Lord
Monmouth
was
greatly
pleased
that
Harry
had
come
to
Paris
;
it
was
the
University
of
the
World
,
where
everybody
should
graduate
.
Paris
and
London
ought
to
be
the
great
objects
of
all
travellers
;
the
rest
was
mere
landscape
.
It
cannot
be
denied
that
between
Lucretia
and
Coningsby
there
existed
from
the
first
a
certain
antipathy
;
and
though
circumstances
for
a
short
time
had
apparently
removed
or
modified
the
aversion
,
the
manner
of
the
lady
when
Coningsby
was
ushered
into
her
boudoir
,
resplendent
with
all
that
Parisian
taste
and
luxury
could
devise
,
was
characterized
by
that
frigid
politeness
which
had
preceded
the
days
of
their
more
genial
acquaintance
.
If
the
manner
of
Lucretia
were
the
same
as
before
her
marriage
,
a
considerable
change
might
however
be
observed
in
her
appearance
.
Her
fine
form
had
become
more
developed
;
while
her
dress
,
that
she
once
totally
neglected
,
was
elaborate
and
gorgeous
,
and
of
the
last
mode
.
Lucretia
was
the
fashion
at
Paris
;
a
great
lady
,
greatly
admired
.
A
guest
under
such
a
roof
however
,
Coningsby
was
at
once
launched
into
the
most
brilliant
circles
of
Parisian
society
,
which
he
found
fascinating
.
The
art
of
society
is
,
without
doubt
,
perfectly
comprehended
and
completely
practised
in
the
bright
metropolis
of
France
.
An
Englishman
cannot
enter
a
saloon
without
instantly
feeling
he
is
among
a
race
more
social
than
his
compatriots
.
What
,
for
example
,
is
more
consummate
than
the
manner
in
which
a
French
lady
receives
her
guests
!
She
unites
graceful
repose
and
unaffected
dignity
,
with
the
most
amiable
regard
for
others
.
She
sees
every
one
;
she
speaks
to
every
one
;
she
sees
them
at
the
right
moment
;
she
says
the
right
thing
.
It
is
utterly
impossible
to
detect
any
difference
in
the
position
of
her
guests
by
the
spirit
in
which
she
welcomes
them
.
There
is
,
indeed
,
throughout
every
circle
of
Parisian
society
,
from
the
"
château
"
to
the
"
cabaret
,
"
a
sincere
homage
to
intellect
;
and
this
without
any
maudlin
sentiment
.
None
sooner
than
the
Parisians
can
draw
the
line
between
factitious
notoriety
and
honest
fame
;
or
sooner
distinguish
between
the
counterfeit
celebrity
and
the
standard
reputation
.
In
England
we
too
often
alternate
between
a
supercilious
neglect
of
genius
and
a
rhapsodical
pursuit
of
quacks
.
In
England
,
when
a
new
character
appears
in
our
circles
,
the
first
question
always
is
,
"
Who
is
he
?
"
In
France
it
is
,
"
What
is
he
?
"
In
England
,
"
How
much
a-year
?
"
In
France
,
"
What
has
he
done
?
"
CHAPTER
VIII
.
About
a
week
after
Coningsby
's
arrival
in
Paris
,
as
he
was
sauntering
on
the
soft
and
sunny
Boulevards
,
soft
and
sunny
though
Christmas
,
he
met
Sidonia
.
"
So
you
are
here
?
"
said
Sidonia
.
"
Turn
now
with
me
,
for
I
see
you
are
only
lounging
,
and
tell
me
when
you
came
,
where
you
are
,
and
what
you
have
done
since
we
parted
.
I
have
been
here
myself
but
a
few
days
.
"
There
was
much
to
tell
.
And
when
Coningsby
had
rapidly
related
all
that
had
passed
,
they
talked
of
Paris
.
Sidonia
had
offered
him
hospitality
,
until
he
learned
that
Lord
Monmouth
was
at
Paris
,
and
that
Coningsby
was
his
guest
.
"
I
am
sorry
you
cannot
come
to
me
,
"
he
remarked
;
"
I
would
have
shown
you
every
body
and
every
thing
.
But
we
shall
meet
often
.
"
"
I
have
already
seen
many
remarkable
things
,
"
said
Coningsby
;
"
and
met
many
celebrated
persons
.
Nothing
more
strikes
me
in
this
brilliant
city
than
the
tone
of
its
society
,
so
much
higher
than
our
own
.
What
an
absence
of
petty
personalities
!
How
much
conversation
,
and
how
little
gossip
!
Yet
no
where
is
there
less
pedantry
.
All
women
here
as
agreeable
as
is
the
remarkable
privilege
in
London
of
some
half
dozen
.
Men
too
,
and
great
men
,
develope
their
minds
.
A
great
man
in
England
on
the
contrary
is
generally
the
dullest
dog
in
company
.
And
yet
how
piteous
to
think
that
so
fair
a
civilisation
should
be
in
such
imminent
peril
.
"
"
Yes
!
that
is
a
common
opinion
;
and
yet
I
am
somewhat
sceptical
of
its
truth
,
"
replied
Sidonia
.
"
I
am
inclined
to
believe
that
the
social
system
of
England
is
in
infinitely
greater
danger
than
that
of
France
.
We
must
not
be
misled
by
the
agitated
surface
of
this
country
.
The
foundations
of
its
order
are
deep
and
sure
.
Learn
to
understand
France
.
France
is
a
Kingdom
with
a
Republic
for
its
capital
.
It
has
been
always
so
,
for
centuries
.
From
the
days
of
the
League
to
the
days
of
the
Sections
,
to
the
days
of
1830.
It
is
still
France
,
little
changed
;
and
only
more
national
;
for
it
is
less
Frank
and
more
Gallic
;
as
England
has
become
less
Norman
and
more
Saxon
.
"
"
And
it
is
your
opinion
then
,
that
the
present
King
may
maintain
himself
?
"
"
Every
movement
in
this
country
,
however
apparently
discordant
,
seems
to
tend
to
that
inevitable
end
.
He
would
not
be
on
the
throne
if
the
nature
of
things
had
not
demanded
his
presence
.
The
Kingdom
of
France
required
a
Monarch
;
the
Republic
of
Paris
required
a
Dictator
.
He
comprised
in
his
person
both
qualifications
;
lineage
and
intellect
;
blood
for
the
provinces
,
brains
for
the
city
.
"
"
What
a
position
!
what
an
individual
!
"
exclaimed
Coningsby
.
"
Tell
me
,
"
he
added
eagerly
,
"
what
is
he
?
This
Prince
of
whom
one
hears
in
all
countries
at
all
hours
;
on
whose
existence
we
are
told
the
tranquillity
,
almost
the
civilisation
,
of
Europe
depends
,
yet
of
whom
we
receive
accounts
so
conflicting
,
so
contradictory
;
tell
me
,
you
who
can
tell
me
,
tell
me
what
he
is
?
"
Sidonia
smiled
at
his
earnestness
.
"
I
have
a
creed
of
mine
own
,
"
he
remarked
,
"
that
the
great
characters
of
antiquity
are
at
rare
epochs
re-produced
for
our
wonder
,
or
our
guidance
.
Nature
,
wearied
with
mediocrity
,
pours
the
warm
metal
into
an
heroic
mould
.
When
circumstances
at
length
placed
me
in
the
presence
of
the
King
of
France
,
I
recognised
—
Ulysses
!
"
"
But
is
there
no
danger
,
"
resumed
Coningsby
,
after
the
pause
of
a
few
moments
,
"
that
the
Republic
of
Paris
may
absorb
the
Kingdom
of
France
?
"
"
I
suspect
the
reverse
,
"
replied
Sidonia
.
"
The
tendency
of
advanced
civilisation
is
in
truth
to
pure
Monarchy
.
Monarchy
is
indeed
a
government
which
requires
a
high
degree
of
civilisation
for
its
full
development
.
It
needs
the
support
of
free
laws
and
manners
,
and
of
a
widely
diffused
intelligence
.
Political
compromises
are
not
to
be
tolerated
except
at
periods
of
rude
transition
.
An
educated
nation
recoils
from
the
imperfect
vicariate
of
what
is
called
a
representative
government
.
Your
House
of
Commons
,
that
has
absorbed
all
other
powers
in
the
State
,
will
in
all
probability
fall
more
rapidly
than
it
rose
.
Public
opinion
has
a
more
direct
,
a
more
comprehensive
,
a
more
efficient
organ
for
its
utterance
,
than
a
body
of
men
sectionally
chosen
.
The
Printing
Press
is
a
political
element
unknown
to
classic
or
feudal
times
.
It
absorbs
in
a
great
degree
the
duties
of
the
Sovereign
,
the
Priest
,
the
Parliament
;
it
controls
,
it
educates
,
it
discusses
.
That
public
opinion
when
it
acts
would
appear
in
the
form
of
one
who
has
no
class
interests
.
In
an
enlightened
age
the
Monarch
on
the
throne
,
free
from
the
vulgar
prejudices
and
the
corrupt
interests
of
the
subject
,
becomes
again
divine
!
"
At
this
moment
they
reached
that
part
of
the
Boulevard
which
leads
into
the
Place
of
the
Madeleine
,
whither
Sidonia
was
bound
;
and
Coningsby
was
about
to
quit
his
companion
,
when
Sidonia
said
:
"
I
am
only
going
to
step
over
to
the
Rue
Tronchet
to
say
a
few
words
to
a
friend
of
mine
,
M
.
P
—
s.
I
shall
not
detain
you
five
minutes
;
and
you
should
know
him
,
for
he
has
some
capital
pictures
,
and
a
collection
of
Limoges
ware
that
is
the
despair
of
the
dilettanti
.
"
So
saying
they
turned
down
by
the
Place
of
the
Madeleine
,
and
soon
entered
the
court
of
the
hotel
of
M
.
P
—
s.
That
gentleman
received
them
in
his
gallery
.
After
some
general
conversation
,
Coningsby
turned
towards
the
pictures
,
and
left
Sidonia
with
their
host
.
The
collection
was
rare
;
and
interested
Coningsby
,
though
unacquainted
with
art
.
He
sauntered
on
from
picture
to
picture
until
he
reached
the
end
of
the
gallery
,
where
an
open
door
invited
him
into
a
suite
of
rooms
also
full
of
pictures
,
and
objects
of
curiosity
and
art
.
As
he
was
entering
a
second
chamber
,
he
observed
a
lady
leaning
back
in
a
cushioned
chair
,
and
looking
earnestly
on
a
picture
.
His
entrance
was
unheard
and
unnoticed
,
for
the
lady
's
back
was
to
the
door
;
yet
Coningsby
advancing
in
an
angular
direction
,
obtained
nearly
a
complete
view
of
her
countenance
.
It
was
upraised
,
gazing
on
the
picture
with
an
expression
of
delight
;
the
bonnet
thrown
back
,
while
the
large
sable
cloak
of
the
gazer
had
fallen
partly
off
.
The
countenance
was
more
beautiful
than
the
beautiful
picture
.
Those
glowing
shades
of
the
gallery
to
which
love
,
and
genius
,
and
devotion
had
lent
their
inspiration
,
seemed
without
life
and
lustre
by
the
radiant
and
expressive
presence
which
Coningsby
now
beheld
.
The
finely
arched
brow
was
a
little
elevated
,
the
soft
dark
eyes
were
fully
opened
,
the
nostril
of
the
delicate
nose
slightly
dilated
,
the
small
,
yet
rich
,
full
,
lips
just
parted
;
and
over
the
clear
transparent
visage
there
played
a
vivid
glance
of
gratified
intelligence
.
The
lady
rose
,
advanced
towards
the
picture
,
looked
at
it
earnestly
for
a
few
moments
,
and
then
turning
in
a
direction
opposite
to
Coningsby
,
walked
away
.
She
was
somewhat
above
the
middle
stature
,
and
yet
could
scarcely
be
called
tall
;
a
quality
so
rare
,
that
even
skilful
dancers
do
not
often
possess
it
,
was
hers
;
that
elastic
gait
that
is
so
winning
,
and
so
often
denotes
the
gaiety
and
quickness
of
the
spirit
.
The
fair
object
of
his
observation
had
advanced
into
other
chambers
,
and
as
soon
as
it
was
becoming
,
Coningsby
followed
her
.
She
had
joined
a
lady
and
gentleman
,
who
were
examining
an
ancient
carving
in
ivory
.
The
gentleman
was
middle-aged
and
portly
;
the
elder
lady
tall
and
elegant
,
and
with
traces
of
interesting
beauty
.
Coningsby
heard
her
speak
;
the
words
were
English
,
but
the
accent
not
of
a
native
.
In
the
remotest
part
of
the
room
,
Coningsby
apparently
engaged
in
examining
some
of
that
famous
Limoges
ware
of
which
Sidonia
had
spoken
,
watched
with
interest
and
intentness
the
beautiful
being
whom
he
had
followed
,
and
whom
he
concluded
to
be
the
child
of
her
companions
.
After
some
little
time
,
they
quitted
the
apartment
on
their
return
to
the
gallery
;
Coningsby
remained
behind
,
caring
for
none
of
the
rare
and
fanciful
objects
that
surrounded
him
,
yet
compelled
,
from
the
fear
of
seeming
obtrusive
,
for
some
minutes
to
remain
.
Then
he
too
returned
to
the
gallery
,
and
just
as
he
had
gained
its
end
,
he
saw
the
portly
gentleman
in
the
distance
shaking
hands
with
Sidonia
,
the
ladies
apparently
expressing
their
thanks
and
gratification
to
M
.
P
—
s
,
and
then
all
vanishing
by
the
door
through
which
Coningsby
had
originally
entered
.
"
What
a
beautiful
countrywoman
of
yours
!
"
said
M
.
P
—
s
,
as
Coningsby
approached
him
.
"
Is
she
my
countrywoman
!
I
am
glad
to
hear
it
;
I
have
been
admiring
her
,
"
he
replied
.
"
Yes
,
"
said
M
.
P
—
s
,
"
it
is
Sir
Wallinger
;
one
of
your
deputies
;
do
n't
you
know
him
?
"
"
Sir
Wallinger
!
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
no
,
I
have
not
that
honour
.
"
He
looked
at
Sidonia
.
"
Sir
Joseph
Wallinger
,
"
said
Sidonia
,
"
one
of
the
new
Whig
baronets
,
and
member
for
—
.
I
know
him
.
He
married
a
Spaniard
.
That
is
not
his
daughter
but
his
niece
;
the
child
of
his
wife
's
sister
.
It
is
not
easy
to
find
any
one
more
beautiful
.
"
END
OF
VOL.
II
.
VOL.
III
.
BOOK
VI
.
CHAPTER
I
.
The
knowledge
that
Sidonia
was
at
Paris
greatly
agitated
Lady
Monmouth
.
She
received
the
intimation
indeed
from
Coningsby
at
dinner
with
sufficient
art
to
conceal
her
emotion
.
Lord
Monmouth
himself
was
quite
pleased
at
the
announcement
.
Sidonia
was
his
especial
favourite
;
he
knew
so
much
,
had
such
an
excellent
judgment
,
and
was
so
rich
.
He
had
always
something
to
tell
you
,
was
the
best
man
in
the
world
to
bet
on
,
and
never
wanted
anything
.
A
perfect
character
according
to
the
Monmouth
ethics
.
In
the
evening
of
the
day
that
Coningsby
met
Sidonia
,
Lady
Monmouth
made
a
little
visit
to
the
charming
Duchess
de
G
—
t
who
was
"
at
home
"
every
other
night
in
her
pretty
hotel
,
with
its
embroidered
white
satin
draperies
,
its
fine
old
cabinets
,
and
ancestral
portraits
of
famous
name
,
brave
marshals
and
bright
princesses
of
the
olden
time
,
on
its
walls
.
These
receptions
without
form
,
yet
full
of
elegance
,
are
what
English
"
at
homes
"
were
before
the
continental
war
,
though
now
,
by
a
curious
perversion
of
terms
,
the
easy
domestic
title
distinguishes
in
England
a
formally
prepared
and
elaborately
collected
assembly
,
in
which
everything
and
every
person
are
careful
to
be
as
little
"
homely
"
as
possible
.
In
France
,
on
the
contrary
,
'
tis
on
these
occasions
,
and
in
this
manner
,
that
society
carries
on
that
degree
and
kind
of
intercourse
which
in
England
we
attempt
awkwardly
to
maintain
by
the
medium
of
that
unpopular
species
of
visitation
styled
a
morning
call
;
which
all
complain
that
they
have
either
to
make
or
to
endure
.
Nowhere
was
this
species
of
reception
more
happily
conducted
than
at
the
Duchess
de
G
—
t
.
The
rooms
though
small
,
decorated
with
taste
,
brightly
illumined
;
a
handsome
and
gracious
hostess
,
the
Duke
the
very
pearl
of
gentlemen
,
and
sons
and
daughters
worthy
of
such
parents
.
Every
moment
some
one
came
in
,
and
some
one
went
away
.
In
your
way
from
a
dinner
to
a
ball
,
you
stopped
to
exchange
agreeable
"
on
dits
.
"
It
seemed
that
every
woman
was
pretty
,
every
man
a
wit
.
Sure
you
were
to
find
