yourselfsurrounded
by
celebrities
,
and
men
were
welcomed
there
if
they
were
clever
before
they
were
famous
,
which
showed
it
was
a
house
that
regarded
intellect
,
and
did
not
seek
merely
to
gratify
its
vanity
by
being
surrounded
by
the
distinguished
.
Enveloped
in
a
rich
Indian
shawl
and
leaning
back
on
a
sofa
,
Lady
Monmouth
was
engaged
in
conversation
with
the
courtly
and
classic
Count
M
—
é
,
when
on
casually
turning
her
head
,
she
observed
entering
the
saloon
,
Sidonia
.
She
just
caught
his
form
bowing
to
the
Duchess
,
and
instantly
turned
her
head
and
replunged
into
her
conversation
with
increased
interest
.
Lady
Monmouth
was
a
person
who
had
the
power
of
seeing
all
about
her
,
everything
and
everybody
,
without
appearing
to
look
.
She
was
conscious
that
Sidonia
was
approaching
her
neighbourhood
.
Her
heart
beat
in
tumult
;
she
dreaded
to
catch
the
eye
of
that
very
individual
whom
she
was
so
anxious
to
meet
.
He
was
advancing
towards
the
sofa
.
Instinctively
Lady
Monmouth
turned
from
the
Count
,
and
began
speaking
earnestly
to
her
other
neighbour
,
a
young
daughter
of
the
house
,
innocent
and
beautiful
,
not
yet
quite
fledged
,
trying
her
wings
in
society
under
the
maternal
eye
.
She
was
surprised
by
the
extreme
interest
which
her
grand
neighbour
suddenly
took
in
all
her
pursuits
,
her
studies
,
her
daily
walks
in
the
Bois
de
Boulogne
.
Sidonia
as
the
Marchioness
had
anticipated
,
had
now
reached
the
sofa
.
But
no
,
it
was
to
the
Count
and
not
to
Lady
Monmouth
that
he
was
advancing
;
and
they
were
immediately
engaged
in
conversation
.
After
some
little
time
when
she
had
become
accustomed
to
his
voice
,
and
found
her
own
heart
throbbing
with
less
violence
,
Lucretia
turned
again
,
as
if
by
accident
to
the
Count
,
and
met
the
glance
of
Sidonia
.
She
meant
to
have
received
him
with
haughtiness
,
but
her
self-command
deserted
her
;
and
slightly
rising
from
the
sofa
,
she
welcomed
him
with
a
countenance
of
extreme
pallor
and
with
some
awkwardness
.
His
manner
was
such
as
might
have
assisted
her
,
even
had
she
been
more
troubled
.
It
was
marked
by
a
degree
of
respectful
friendliness
.
He
expressed
without
reserve
his
pleasure
at
meeting
her
again
;
inquired
much
how
she
had
passed
her
time
since
they
last
parted
;
asked
more
than
once
after
the
Marquess
.
The
Count
moved
away
;
Sidonia
took
his
seat
.
His
ease
and
homage
combined
very
greatly
relieved
her
.
She
expressed
to
him
how
kind
her
Lord
would
consider
his
society
,
for
the
Marquess
had
suffered
in
health
since
Sidonia
last
saw
him
.
His
periodical
gout
had
left
him
,
which
made
him
ill
and
nervous
.
The
Marquess
received
his
friends
at
dinner
every
day
.
Sidonia
particularly
amiable
,
offered
himself
as
a
guest
for
the
following
one
.
"
And
do
you
go
to
the
great
ball
to-morrow
?
"
inquired
Lucretia
,
delighted
with
all
that
had
occurred
.
"
I
always
go
to
their
balls
,
"
said
Sidonia
,
"
I
have
promised
.
"
There
was
a
momentary
pause
;
Lucretia
,
happier
than
she
had
been
for
a
long
time
,
her
face
a
little
flushed
,
and
truly
in
a
secret
tumult
of
sweet
thoughts
,
remembered
she
had
been
long
there
,
and
offering
her
hand
to
Sidonia
,
bade
him
adieu
until
to-morrow
.
While
he
,
as
was
his
custom
,
soon
repaired
to
the
refined
circle
of
the
Countess
de
C
—
s
—
I
—
ne
a
lady
,
whose
manners
he
always
mentioned
as
his
fair
ideal
,
and
whose
house
was
his
favourite
haunt
.
Before
to-morrow
comes
,
a
word
or
two
respecting
two
other
characters
of
this
history
connected
with
the
family
of
Lord
Monmouth
.
And
first
of
Flora
.
"
La
Petite
"
was
neither
very
well
nor
very
happy
.
Her
hereditary
disease
developed
itself
;
gradually
,
but
in
a
manner
alarming
to
those
who
loved
her
.
She
was
very
delicate
,
and
suffered
so
much
from
the
weakness
of
her
chest
,
that
she
was
obliged
to
relinquish
singing
.
This
was
really
the
only
tie
between
her
and
the
Marchioness
,
who
without
being
a
petty
tyrant
,
treated
her
often
with
unfeeling
haughtiness
.
She
was
therefore
now
rarely
seen
in
the
chambers
of
the
great
.
In
her
own
apartments
she
found
indeed
some
distraction
in
music
,
for
which
she
had
a
natural
predisposition
,
but
this
was
a
pursuit
that
only
fed
the
morbid
passion
of
her
tender
soul
.
Alone
,
listening
only
to
sweet
sounds
,
or
indulging
in
soft
dreams
that
never
could
be
realized
,
her
existence
glided
away
like
a
vision
,
and
she
seemed
to
become
every
day
more
fair
and
fragile
.
Alas
!
hers
was
the
sad
and
mystic
destiny
to
love
one
whom
she
never
met
,
and
by
whom
if
she
met
him
,
she
would
scarcely
perhaps
be
recognised
.
Yet
in
that
passion
,
fanciful
,
almost
ideal
,
her
life
was
absorbed
,
nor
for
her
did
the
world
contain
an
existence
,
a
thought
,
a
sensation
,
beyond
those
that
sprang
from
the
image
of
the
noble
youth
who
had
sympathized
with
her
in
her
sorrows
,
and
had
softened
the
hard
fortunes
of
dependence
by
his
generous
sensibility
.
Happy
that
with
many
mortifications
,
it
was
still
her
lot
to
live
under
the
roof
of
one
who
bore
his
name
,
and
in
whose
veins
flowed
the
same
blood
!
She
felt
indeed
for
the
Marquess
,
whom
she
so
rarely
saw
,
and
from
whom
she
had
never
received
much
notice
,
prompted
it
would
seem
by
her
fantastic
passion
,
a
degree
of
reverence
,
almost
of
affection
,
which
seemed
occasionally
even
to
herself
as
something
inexplicable
and
without
reason
.
As
for
her
fond
stepfather
,
M
.
Villebecque
,
the
world
fared
very
differently
with
him
.
His
lively
and
enterprising
genius
,
his
ready
and
multiform
talents
,
and
his
temper
which
defied
disturbance
,
had
made
their
way
.
He
had
become
the
very
right
hand
of
Lord
Monmouth
;
his
only
counsellor
,
his
only
confidant
;
his
secret
agent
;
the
minister
of
his
will
.
And
well
did
Villebecque
deserve
this
trust
,
and
ably
did
he
maintain
himself
in
the
difficult
position
which
he
achieved
.
There
was
nothing
which
Villebecque
did
not
know
,
nothing
which
he
could
not
do
,
especially
at
Paris
.
He
was
master
of
his
subject
;
in
all
things
the
secret
of
success
,
and
without
which
however
they
may
from
accident
dazzle
the
world
,
the
statesman
,
the
orator
,
the
author
,
all
alike
feel
the
damning
consciousness
of
being
charlatans
.
Coningsby
had
made
a
visit
to
M
.
Villebecque
and
Flora
the
day
after
his
arrival
.
It
was
a
recollection
and
a
courtesy
that
evidently
greatly
gratified
them
.
Villebecque
talked
very
much
and
amusingly
;
and
Flora
,
whom
Coningsby
frequently
addressed
,
very
little
,
though
she
listened
with
great
earnestness
.
Coningsby
told
her
that
he
thought
from
all
he
heard
she
was
too
much
alone
,
and
counselled
her
to
gaiety
.
But
nature
that
had
made
her
mild
,
had
denied
her
that
constitutional
liveliness
of
being
which
is
the
graceful
property
of
French
women
.
She
was
a
lilly
of
the
valley
,
that
loved
seclusion
,
and
the
tranquillity
of
virgin
glades
.
Almost
every
day
as
he
passed
their
entresol
,
Coningsby
would
look
into
Villebecque
's
apartments
for
a
moment
to
ask
after
Flora
.
CHAPTER
II
.
Sidonia
was
to
dine
at
Lord
Monmouth
's
the
day
after
he
met
Lucretia
,
and
afterwards
they
were
all
to
meet
at
a
ball
much
talked
of
,
and
to
which
invitations
were
much
sought
;
and
which
was
to
be
given
that
evening
by
the
Baroness
S.
de
R
—
d
.
Lord
Monmouth
's
dinners
at
Paris
were
celebrated
.
It
was
generally
agreed
that
they
had
no
rivals
;
yet
there
were
others
who
had
as
skilful
cooks
,
others
who
for
such
a
purpose
were
equally
profuse
in
their
expenditure
.
What
then
was
the
secret
spell
of
his
success
?
The
simplest
in
the
world
,
though
no
one
seemed
aware
of
it
.
His
Lordship
's
plates
were
always
hot
:
whereas
at
Paris
,
in
the
best
appointed
houses
,
and
at
dinners
,
which
for
costly
materials
and
admirable
art
in
their
preparation
,
cannot
be
surpassed
,
the
effect
is
always
considerably
lessened
,
and
by
a
mode
the
most
mortifying
—
by
the
mere
circumstance
that
every
one
at
a
French
dinner
is
served
on
a
cold
plate
.
The
reason
of
a
custom
,
or
rather
a
necessity
,
which
one
would
think
a
nation
so
celebrated
for
their
gastronomical
taste
would
recoil
from
,
is
really
,
it
is
believed
,
that
the
ordinary
French
porcelain
is
so
very
inferior
,
that
it
cannot
endure
the
preparatory
heat
for
dinner
.
The
common
white
pottery
,
for
example
,
which
is
in
general
use
,
and
always
found
at
the
cafés
,
will
not
bear
vicinage
to
a
brisk
kitchen
fire
for
half
an
hour
.
Now
if
we
only
had
that
treaty
of
commerce
with
France
which
has
been
so
often
on
the
point
of
completion
,
the
fabrics
of
our
unrivalled
potteries
,
in
exchange
for
their
capital
wines
,
would
be
found
throughout
France
.
The
dinners
of
both
nations
would
be
improved
:
the
English
would
gain
a
delightful
beverage
,
and
the
French
for
the
first
time
in
their
lives
would
dine
off
hot
plates
.
An
unanswerable
instance
of
the
advantages
of
commercial
reciprocity
!
The
guests
at
Lord
Monmouth
's
to-day
were
chiefly
Carlists
,
individuals
bearing
illustrious
names
,
that
animate
the
page
of
history
,
and
are
indissolubly
bound
up
with
the
glorious
annals
of
their
great
country
.
They
are
the
phantoms
of
a
past
,
but
real
aristocracy
;
an
aristocracy
that
was
founded
on
an
intelligible
principle
;
which
claimed
great
privileges
for
great
purposes
;
whose
hereditary
duties
were
such
,
that
their
possessors
were
perpetually
in
the
eye
of
the
nation
,
and
who
maintained
and
,
in
a
certain
point
of
view
,
justified
their
pre-eminence
by
constant
illustration
.
It
pleased
Lord
Monmouth
to
show
great
courtesies
to
a
fallen
race
with
whom
he
sympathized
;
whose
fathers
had
been
his
friends
in
the
days
of
his
hot
youth
;
whose
mothers
he
had
made
love
to
;
whose
palaces
had
been
his
home
;
whose
brilliant
fêtes
he
remembered
;
whose
fanciful
splendour
excited
his
early
imagination
;
and
whose
magnificent
and
wanton
luxury
had
developed
his
own
predisposition
for
boundless
enjoyment
.
Soubise
and
his
suppers
;
his
cutlets
and
his
mistresses
;
the
profuse
and
embarrassed
De
Laraguais
,
who
sighed
for
"
entire
ruin
,
"
as
for
a
strange
luxury
,
which
perpetually
eluded
his
grasp
;
these
were
the
heroes
of
the
olden
time
that
Lord
Monmouth
worshipped
;
the
wisdom
of
our
ancestors
which
he
appreciated
;
and
he
turned
to
their
recollection
for
relief
from
the
vulgar
prudence
of
the
degenerate
days
on
which
he
had
fallen
:
days
when
nobles
must
be
richer
than
other
men
,
or
they
cease
to
have
any
distinction
.
It
was
impossible
not
to
be
struck
by
the
effective
appearance
of
Lady
Monmouth
as
she
received
her
guests
in
grand
toilet
preparatory
to
the
ball
;
white
satin
and
minever
,
a
brilliant
tiara
.
Her
fine
form
,
her
costume
of
a
fashion
as
perfect
as
its
materials
were
sumptuous
,
and
her
presence
always
commanding
and
distinguished
,
produced
a
general
effect
to
which
few
could
be
insensible
.
It
was
the
triumph
of
mien
over
mere
beauty
of
countenance
.
The
hotel
of
Madame
S.
de
R
—
d
is
not
more
distinguished
by
its
profuse
decoration
,
than
by
the
fine
taste
which
has
guided
the
vast
expenditure
.
Its
halls
of
arabesque
are
almost
without
a
rival
;
there
is
not
the
slightest
embellishment
in
which
the
hand
and
feeling
of
art
are
not
recognized
.
The
rooms
were
very
crowded
;
everybody
distinguished
in
Paris
was
there
:
the
lady
of
the
Court
,
the
duchess
of
the
Faubourg
,
the
wife
of
the
rich
financier
,
the
constitutional
Throne
,
the
old
Monarchy
,
the
modern
Bourse
were
alike
represented
.
Marshals
of
the
Empire
,
Ministers
of
the
Crown
,
Dukes
and
Marquises
,
whose
ancestors
lounged
in
the
Oeil
de
Boeuf
;
diplomatists
of
all
countries
,
eminent
foreigners
of
all
nations
,
deputies
who
led
sections
,
members
of
learned
and
scientific
academies
,
occasionally
a
stray
poet
;
a
sea
of
sparkling
tiaras
,
brilliant
bouquets
,
glittering
stars
,
and
glowing
ribbands
,
many
beautiful
faces
,
many
famous
ones
:
unquestionably
the
general
air
of
a
first-rate
Parisian
saloon
,
on
a
great
occasion
,
is
not
easily
equalled
.
In
London
there
is
not
the
variety
of
guests
;
nor
the
same
size
and
splendour
of
saloons
.
Our
houses
are
too
small
for
reception
.
Coningsby
,
who
had
stolen
away
from
his
grandfather
's
before
the
rest
of
the
guests
,
was
delighted
with
the
novelty
of
the
splendid
scene
.
He
had
been
in
Paris
long
enough
to
make
some
acquaintances
,
and
mostly
with
celebrated
personages
.
In
his
long-fruitless
endeavour
to
enter
the
saloon
in
which
they
danced
,
he
found
himself
hustled
against
the
illustrious
Baron
von
H
—
t
,
whom
he
had
sat
next
to
at
dinner
a
few
days
before
at
Count
M
—
é
's
.
"
It
is
more
difficult
than
cutting
through
the
Isthmus
of
Panama
,
Baron
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
alluding
to
a
past
conversation
.
"
Infinitely
,
"
replied
M
.
de
H
.
,
smiling
;
"
for
I
would
undertake
to
cut
through
the
Isthmus
,
and
I
cannot
engage
that
I
shall
enter
this
ball-room
.
"
Time
however
brought
Coningsby
into
that
brilliant
chamber
.
What
a
blaze
of
light
and
loveliness
!
How
coquettish
are
the
costumes
!
How
vivid
the
flowers
!
To
sounds
of
stirring
melody
,
beautiful
beings
move
with
grace
.
Grace
indeed
is
beauty
in
action
.
Here
where
all
are
fair
and
everything
is
attractive
,
his
eye
is
suddenly
arrested
by
one
object
—
a
form
of
surpassing
grace
among
the
graceful
,
among
the
beauteous
,
a
countenance
of
unrivalled
beauty
.
She
was
young
among
the
youthful
;
a
face
of
sunshine
amid
all
that
artificial
light
;
her
head
placed
upon
her
finely
moulded
shoulders
with
a
queen-like
grace
;
a
coronet
of
white
roses
on
her
dark
brown
hair
;
her
only
ornament
.
It
was
the
beauty
of
the
picture
gallery
.
The
eye
of
Coningsby
never
quitted
her
.
When
the
dance
ceased
,
he
had
an
opportunity
of
seeing
her
nearer
.
He
met
her
walking
with
her
cavalier
,
and
he
was
conscious
that
she
observed
him
.
Finally
,
he
remarked
that
she
resumed
a
seat
next
to
the
lady
,
whom
he
had
mistaken
for
her
mother
,
but
had
afterwards
understood
to
be
Lady
Wallinger
.
Coningsby
returned
to
the
other
saloons
;
he
witnessed
the
entrance
and
reception
of
Lady
Monmouth
,
who
moved
on
towards
the
ballroom
.
Soon
after
this
,
Sidonia
arrived
;
he
came
in
with
the
still
handsome
and
ever
courteous
Duke
D
—
s.
Observing
Coningsby
,
he
stopped
to
present
him
to
the
Duke
.
While
thus
conversing
,
the
Duke
,
who
is
very
fond
of
the
English
,
observed
:
"
See
,
here
is
your
beautiful
countrywoman
,
that
all
the
world
are
talking
of
.
That
is
her
uncle
.
He
brings
to
me
letters
from
one
of
your
lords
,
whose
name
I
cannot
recollect
.
"
And
Sir
Joseph
and
his
lovely
niece
veritably
approached
.
The
Duke
addressed
them
:
asked
them
in
the
name
of
his
Duchess
to
a
concert
on
the
next
Thursday
;
and
after
a
thousand
compliments
moved
on
.
Sidonia
stopped
;
Coningsby
could
not
refrain
from
lingering
,
but
stood
a
little
apart
,
and
was
about
to
move
away
,
when
there
was
a
whisper
,
of
which
,
without
hearing
a
word
,
he
could
not
resist
the
impression
that
he
was
the
subject
.
He
felt
a
little
embarrassed
,
and
was
retiring
,
when
he
heard
Sidonia
reply
to
an
inquiry
of
the
lady
,
"
The
same
,
"
and
then
turning
to
Coningsby
,
said
aloud
:
"
Coningsby
,
Miss
Millbank
says
that
you
have
forgotten
her
.
"
Coningsby
started
,
advanced
,
coloured
a
little
,
could
not
conceal
his
surprise
.
The
lady
too
though
more
prepared
,
was
not
without
confusion
,
and
for
an
instant
looked
down
.
Coningsby
recalled
at
that
moment
the
long
dark
eye-lashes
and
the
beautiful
,
bashful
,
countenance
that
had
so
charmed
him
at
Millbank
;
but
two
years
had
otherwise
effected
a
wonderful
change
in
the
sister
of
his
school-day
friend
,
and
transformed
the
silent
,
embarrassed
girl
into
a
woman
of
surpassing
beauty
and
of
the
most
graceful
and
impressive
mien
.
"
It
is
not
surprising
that
Mr.
Coningsby
should
not
recollect
my
niece
,
"
said
Sir
Joseph
addressing
Sidonia
,
and
wishing
to
cover
their
mutual
embarrassment
;
"
but
it
is
impossible
for
her
or
for
any
one
connected
with
her
,
not
to
be
anxious
at
all
times
to
express
to
him
our
sanse
of
what
we
all
owe
him
.
"
Coningsby
and
Miss
Millbank
were
now
in
full
routine
conversation
,
consisting
of
questions
;
how
long
she
had
been
at
Paris
;
when
she
had
heard
last
from
Millbank
;
how
her
father
was
;
also
,
how
was
her
brother
.
Sidonia
made
an
observation
to
Sir
Joseph
on
a
passer-by
,
and
then
himself
moved
on
;
Coningsby
accompanying
his
new
friends
in
a
contrary
direction
,
to
the
refreshment
room
to
which
they
were
proceeding
.
"
And
you
have
passed
a
winter
at
Rome
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
How
I
envy
you
!
I
feel
that
I
shall
never
be
able
to
travel
!
"
"
And
why
not
?
"
"
Life
has
become
so
stirring
,
that
there
is
ever
some
great
cause
that
keeps
one
at
home
.
"
"
Life
,
on
the
contrary
,
so
swift
,
that
all
may
see
now
that
of
which
they
once
could
only
read
.
"
"
The
gold
and
silver
sides
of
the
shield
,
"
said
Coningsby
with
a
smile
.
"
And
you
,
like
a
good
knight
will
maintain
your
own
.
"
"
No
,
I
would
follow
yours
.
"
"
You
have
not
heard
lately
from
Oswald
?
"
"
Oh
,
yes
;
I
think
there
are
no
such
faithful
correspondents
as
we
are
;
I
only
wish
we
could
meet
.
"
"
You
will
soon
;
but
he
is
such
a
devotee
of
Oxford
;
quite
a
monk
;
and
you
,
too
,
Mr.
Coningsby
are
much
occupied
.
"
"
Yes
,
and
at
the
same
time
as
Millbank
.
I
was
in
hopes
when
I
once
paid
you
a
visit
,
I
might
have
found
your
brother
.
"
"
But
that
was
such
a
rapid
visit
,
"
said
Miss
Millbank
.
"
I
always
remember
it
with
delight
,
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
You
were
willing
to
be
pleased
;
but
Millbank
notwithstanding
Rome
commands
my
affections
,
and
in
spite
of
this
surrounding
splendour
,
I
could
have
wished
to
have
passed
my
Christmas
in
Lancashire
.
"
Mr.
Millbank
has
lately
purchased
a
very
beautiful
place
in
the
county
.
I
became
acquainted
with
Hellingsley
when
staying
at
my
grandfather
's
.
"
"
Ah
!
I
have
never
seen
it
;
indeed
,
I
was
very
much
surprised
that
papa
became
its
purchaser
,
because
he
never
will
live
there
;
and
Oswald
I
am
sure
could
never
be
tempted
to
quit
Millbank
.
You
know
what
enthusiastic
ideas
he
has
of
his
order
?
"
"
Like
all
his
ideas
;
sound
,
and
high
,
and
pure
.
I
always
duly
appreciated
your
brother
's
great
abilities
,
and
what
is
far
more
important
,
his
lofty
mind
.
When
I
recollect
our
Eton
days
,
I
cannot
understand
how
more
than
two
years
have
passed
away
without
our
being
together
.
I
am
sure
the
fault
is
mine
.
I
might
now
have
been
at
Oxford
instead
of
Paris
.
And
,
yet
,
"
added
Coningsby
,
"
that
would
have
been
a
sad
mistake
,
since
I
should
not
have
had
the
happiness
of
being
here
.
"
"
Oh
,
yes
,
that
would
have
been
a
sad
mistake
,
"
said
Miss
Millbank
.
"
Edith
,
"
said
Sir
Joseph
,
rejoining
his
niece
,
from
whom
he
had
been
momentarily
separated
,
"
Edith
,
that
is
Monsieur
Thiers
.
"
In
the
meantime
Sidonia
reached
the
ballroom
,
and
sitting
near
the
entrance
was
Lady
Monmouth
,
who
immediately
addressed
him
.
He
was
as
usual
intelligent
and
unimpassioned
,
and
yet
not
without
a
delicate
deference
which
is
flattering
to
women
,
especially
if
not
altogether
unworthy
of
it
.
Sidonia
always
admired
Lucretia
,
and
preferred
her
society
to
that
of
most
persons
.
But
the
lady
was
in
error
in
supposing
that
she
had
conquered
or
could
vanquish
his
heart
.
Sidonia
was
one
of
those
men
,
not
so
rare
as
may
be
supposed
,
who
shrink
above
all
things
from
an
adventure
of
gallantry
with
a
woman
in
a
position
.
He
had
neither
time
nor
temper
for
sentimental
circumvolutions
.
He
detested
the
diplomacy
of
passion
:
protocols
,
protracted
negociations
,
conferences
,
correspondence
,
treaties
projected
,
ratified
,
violated
.
He
had
no
genius
for
the
tactics
of
intrigue
;
your
reconnoiterings
,
and
marchings
,
and
counter-marchings
,
sappings
and
minings
,
assaults
,
sometimes
surrenders
and
sometimes
repulses
.
All
the
solemn
and
studied
hypocrisies
were
to
him
infinitely
wearisome
;
and
if
the
movements
were
not
merely
formal
,
they
irritated
him
,
distracted
his
feelings
,
disturbed
the
tenor
of
his
mind
,
deranged
his
nervous
system
.
Something
of
the
old
Oriental
vein
influenced
him
in
his
carriage
towards
women
.
He
was
oftener
behind
the
scenes
of
the
Opera
House
than
in
his
box
;
he
delighted
too
in
the
society
of
εταραι
;
Aspasia
was
his
heroine
.
Obliged
to
appear
much
in
what
is
esteemed
pure
society
,
he
cultivated
the
acquaintance
of
clever
women
because
they
interested
him
;
but
in
such
saloons
his
feminine
acquaintances
were
merely
psychological
.
No
lady
could
accuse
him
of
trifling
with
her
feelings
,
however
decided
might
be
his
predilection
for
her
conversation
.
He
yielded
at
once
to
an
admirer
;
never
trespassed
by
any
chance
into
the
domain
of
sentiment
;
never
broke
by
any
accident
of
blunder
into
the
irregular
paces
of
flirtation
;
was
a
man
who
notoriously
would
never
diminish
by
marriage
the
purity
of
his
race
;
and
one
who
always
maintained
that
passion
and
polished
life
were
quite
incompatible
.
He
liked
the
drawing-room
,
and
he
liked
the
desart
,
but
he
would
not
consent
that
either
should
trench
on
their
mutual
privileges
.
The
Princess
Lucretia
had
yielded
herself
to
the
spell
of
Sidonia
's
society
at
Coningsby
Castle
,
when
she
knew
that
marriage
was
impossible
.
But
she
loved
him
;
and
with
an
Italian
spirit
.
Now
they
met
again
and
she
was
the
Marchioness
of
Monmouth
,
a
very
great
lady
,
very
much
admired
,
and
followed
,
and
courted
,
and
very
powerful
.
It
is
our
great
moralist
who
tells
us
in
the
immortal
page
that
an
affair
of
gallantry
with
a
great
lady
is
more
delightful
than
with
ladies
of
a
lower
degree
.
In
this
he
contradicts
the
good
old
ballad
;
but
certain
it
is
,
that
Dr.
Johnson
announced
to
Boswell
,
"
Sir
,
in
the
case
of
a
Countess
the
imagination
is
more
excited
.
"
But
Sidonia
was
a
man
on
whom
the
conventional
superiorities
of
life
produced
as
little
effect
as
a
flake
falling
on
the
glaciers
of
the
High
Alps
.
His
comprehension
of
the
world
and
human
nature
was
too
vast
and
complete
;
he
understood
too
well
the
relative
value
of
things
,
to
appreciate
anything
but
essential
excellence
;
and
that
not
too
much
.
A
charming
woman
was
not
more
charming
to
him
because
she
chanced
to
be
an
empress
in
a
particular
district
of
one
of
the
smallest
planets
;
a
charming
woman
under
any
circumstances
was
not
an
unique
animal
.
When
Sidonia
felt
a
disposition
to
be
spell-bound
,
he
used
to
review
in
his
memory
all
the
charming
women
of
whom
he
had
read
in
the
books
of
all
literatures
,
and
whom
he
had
known
himself
in
every
court
and
clime
,
and
the
result
of
his
reflections
ever
was
,
that
the
charming
woman
in
question
was
by
no
means
the
paragon
,
which
some
who
had
read
,
seen
,
and
thought
less
,
might
be
inclined
to
esteem
her
.
There
was
indeed
no
subject
on
which
Sidonia
discoursed
so
felicitously
as
on
woman
:
nor
none
on
which
Lord
Eskdale
more
frequently
endeavoured
to
attract
him
.
He
would
tell
you
Talmudical
stories
about
our
mother
Eve
and
the
Queen
of
Sheba
which
would
have
astonished
you
.
There
was
not
a
free
lady
of
Greece
;
Leontium
and
Phryne
,
Lais
,
Danae
,
and
Lamia
;
the
Egyptian
girl
Thonis
;
respecting
whom
he
could
not
tell
you
as
many
diverting
tales
as
if
they
were
ladies
of
Loretto
;
not
a
nook
of
Athenæus
,
not
an
obscure
scholiast
,
not
a
passage
in
a
Greek
orator
,
which
could
throw
light
on
these
personages
,
which
was
not
at
his
command
.
What
stories
he
would
tell
you
about
Marc
Anthony
and
the
actress
Cytheris
in
their
chariot
drawn
by
tigers
!
What
a
character
would
he
paint
of
that
Flora
who
gave
her
gardens
to
the
Roman
people
!
It
would
draw
tears
to
your
eyes
.
No
man
was
ever
so
learned
in
the
female
manners
of
the
last
centuries
of
polytheism
as
Sidonia
.
You
would
have
supposed
that
he
had
devoted
his
studies
peculiarly
to
that
period
,
if
you
had
not
chanced
to
draw
him
to
the
Italian
middle
ages
.
And
even
those
startling
revelations
were
almost
eclipsed
by
his
anecdotes
of
the
Court
of
Henry
III
.
of
France
,
with
every
character
of
which
he
was
as
familiar
as
with
the
brilliant
groups
that
at
this
moment
filled
the
saloons
of
Madame
de
R
—
d
.
CHAPTER
III
.
The
image
of
Edith
Millbank
was
the
last
thought
of
Coningsby
as
he
sank
into
an
agitated
slumber
.
To
him
had
hitherto
in
general
been
accorded
the
precious
boon
of
dreamless
sleep
.
Homer
tells
us
these
phantasmas
come
from
Jove
;
they
are
rather
the
children
of
a
distracted
soul
.
Coningsby
this
night
lived
much
in
past
years
,
varied
by
painful
perplexities
of
the
present
,
which
he
could
neither
subdue
,
nor
comprehend
.
The
scene
flitted
from
Eton
to
the
castle
of
his
grandfather
;
and
then
he
found
himself
among
the
pictures
of
the
Rue
de
Tronchet
,
but
their
owner
bore
the
features
of
the
senior
Millbank
.
A
beautiful
countenance
that
was
alternately
the
face
in
the
mysterious
picture
,
and
then
that
of
Edith
,
haunted
him
under
all
circumstances
.
He
woke
little
refreshed
;
restless
and
yet
sensible
of
some
secret
joy
.
He
woke
to
think
of
her
of
whom
he
had
dreamed
.
The
light
had
dawned
on
his
soul
.
Coningsby
loved
.
Ah
!
what
is
that
ambition
,
that
haunts
our
youth
—
that
thirst
for
power
or
that
lust
of
fame
,
that
forces
us
from
obscurity
into
the
sunblaze
of
the
world
—
what
are
these
sentiments
so
high
,
so
vehement
,
so
ennobling
!
They
vanish
,
and
in
an
instant
,
before
the
glance
of
a
woman
!
Coningsby
had
scarcely
quitted
her
side
the
preceding
eve
.
He
hung
upon
the
accents
of
that
clear
sweet
voice
,
and
sought
with
tremulous
fascination
,
the
gleaming
splendour
of
those
soft
dark
eyes
.
And
now
he
sat
in
his
chamber
with
his
eyes
fixed
upon
vacancy
.
All
thoughts
and
feelings
,
pursuits
,
desires
,
life
,
merge
in
one
absorbing
sentiment
.
It
is
impossible
to
exist
without
seeing
her
again
,
and
instantly
.
He
had
requested
and
gained
permission
to
call
on
Lady
Wallinger
;
he
would
not
lose
a
moment
in
availing
himself
of
it
.
As
early
as
was
tolerably
decorous
,
and
before
in
all
probability
they
could
quit
their
hotel
,
Coningsby
repaired
to
the
Rue
de
Rivoli
to
pay
his
respects
to
his
new
friends
.
As
he
walked
along
,
he
indulged
in
fanciful
speculations
which
connected
Edith
and
the
mysterious
portrait
of
his
mother
.
He
felt
himself
as
it
were
near
the
fulfilment
of
some
fate
,
and
on
the
threshold
of
some
critical
discovery
.
He
recalled
the
impatient
,
even
alarmed
,
expressions
of
Rigby
at
Montem
six
years
ago
,
when
he
proposed
to
invite
young
Millbank
to
his
grandfather
's
dinner
;
the
vindictive
feud
that
existed
between
the
two
families
;
and
for
which
political
opinion
,
or
even
party
passion
could
not
satisfactorily
account
;
and
he
reasoned
himself
into
a
conviction
,
that
the
solution
of
many
perplexities
was
at
hand
,
and
that
all
would
be
consummated
to
the
satisfaction
of
every
one
,
by
his
unexpected
but
inevitable
agency
.
Coningsby
found
Sir
Joseph
alone
.
The
worthy
Baronet
was
at
any
rate
no
participator
in
Mr.
Millbank
's
vindictive
feelings
against
Lord
Monmouth
.
On
the
contrary
,
he
had
a
very
high
respect
for
a
Marquess
,
whatever
might
be
his
opinions
,
and
no
mean
consideration
for
a
Marquess
'
grandson
.
Sir
Joseph
had
inherited
a
large
fortune
made
by
commerce
,
and
had
increased
it
by
the
same
means
.
He
was
a
middle-class
Whig
,
had
faithfully
supported
that
party
in
his
native
town
during
the
days
they
wandered
in
the
wilderness
,
and
had
well
earned
his
share
of
the
milk
and
honey
when
they
vanquished
the
promised
land
.
In
the
spring-tide
of
Liberalism
,
when
the
world
was
not
analytical
of
free
opinions
,
and
odious
distinctions
were
not
drawn
between
Finality
men
and
progressive
Reformers
,
Mr.
Wallinger
had
been
the
popular
leader
of
a
powerful
body
of
his
fellow
citizens
,
who
had
returned
him
to
the
first
Reform
Parliament
,
and
where
in
spite
of
many
a
menacing
Registration
,
he
had
contrived
to
remain
.
He
had
never
given
a
Radical
vote
without
the
permission
of
the
Secretary
of
the
Treasury
;
and
was
not
afraid
of
giving
an
unpopular
one
to
serve
his
friends
.
He
was
not
like
that
distinguished
Liberal
,
who
after
dining
with
the
late
Whig
Premier
expressed
his
gratification
and
his
gratitude
by
assuring
his
Lordship
that
he
might
count
on
his
support
on
all
popular
questions
.
"
I
want
men
who
will
support
the
government
on
all
unpopular
questions
,
"
replied
the
witty
statesman
.
Mr.
Wallinger
was
one
of
these
men
.
His
high
character
and
strong
purse
were
always
in
the
front
rank
in
the
hour
of
danger
.
His
support
in
the
house
was
limited
to
his
votes
;
but
in
other
places
equally
important
,
at
a
meeting
at
a
political
club
,
or
in
Downing
Street
,
he
could
find
his
tongue
,
take
what
is
called
a
"
practical
"
view
of
a
question
,
adopt
what
is
called
an
"
independent
tone
,
"
re-animate
confidence
in
ministers
,
check
mutiny
,
and
set
a
bright
and
bold
example
to
the
wavering
.
A
man
of
his
property
,
and
high
character
,
and
sound
views
,
so
practical
and
so
independent
—
this
was
,
evidently
,
the
block
from
which
a
Baronet
should
be
cut
,
and
in
due
time
he
figured
Sir
Joseph
.
A
Spanish
gentleman
,
of
very
ample
means
,
and
of
a
very
good
Catalan
family
,
flying
during
a
political
convulsion
to
England
,
arrived
with
his
two
daughters
at
Liverpool
,
and
bore
letters
of
introduction
to
the
house
of
Wallinger
.
Some
little
time
after
this
,
by
one
of
those
stormy
vicissitudes
of
political
fortune
,
of
late
years
not
unusual
in
the
Peninsula
,
he
returned
to
his
native
country
,
and
left
his
children
and
the
management
of
that
portion
of
his
fortune
that
he
had
succeeded
in
bringing
with
him
,
under
the
guardianship
of
the
father
of
the
present
Sir
Joseph
.
This
gentleman
was
about
again
to
become
an
exile
,
when
he
met
with
an
untimely
end
in
one
of
those
terrible
tumults
of
which
Barcelona
is
the
frequent
scene
.
The
younger
Wallinger
was
touched
by
the
charms
of
one
of
his
father
's
wards
.
Her
beauty
,
of
a
character
to
which
he
was
unaccustomed
,
her
accomplishments
of
society
,
and
the
refinement
of
her
manners
conspicuous
in
the
circle
in
which
he
lived
,
captivated
him
;
and
though
they
had
no
heir
,
the
union
had
been
one
of
great
felicity
.
Sir
Joseph
was
proud
of
his
wife
;
he
secretly
considered
himself
,
though
his
"
tone
"
was
as
liberal
and
independent
as
in
old
days
,
to
be
on
the
threshold
of
aristocracy
,
and
was
conscious
that
Lady
Wallinger
played
her
part
not
unworthily
in
the
elevated
circles
in
which
they
now
frequently
found
themselves
.
Sir
Joseph
was
fond
of
great
people
;
and
not
averse
to
travel
;
because
bearing
a
title
and
being
a
member
of
the
British
Parliament
,
and
always
moving
with
the
appendages
of
wealth
,
servants
,
and
carriages
,
and
couriers
,
and
fortified
with
no
lack
of
letters
from
the
Foreign
Office
,
he
was
everywhere
acknowledged
and
received
,
and
treated
as
a
personage
;
was
invited
to
court-balls
,
dined
with
ambassadors
,
and
found
himself
and
his
lady
at
every
festival
of
distinction
.
The
elder
Millbank
had
been
Joseph
Wallinger
's
youthful
friend
.
Different
as
were
their
dispositions
and
the
rate
of
their
abilities
,
their
political
opinions
were
the
same
;
and
commerce
habitually
connected
their
interests
.
During
a
visit
to
Liverpool
,
Millbank
had
made
the
acquaintance
of
the
sister
of
Lady
Wallinger
,
and
had
been
a
successful
suitor
for
her
hand
.
This
lady
was
the
mother
of
Edith
,
and
of
the
school-fellow
of
Coningsby
.
It
was
only
within
a
very
few
years
that
she
had
died
;
she
had
scarcely
lived
long
enough
to
complete
the
education
of
her
daughter
,
to
whom
she
was
devoted
,
and
on
whom
she
lavished
the
many
accomplishments
that
she
possessed
.
Lady
Wallinger
having
no
children
,
and
being
very
fond
of
her
niece
,
had
watched
over
Edith
with
infinite
solicitude
,
and
finally
had
persuaded
Mr.
Millbank
that
it
would
be
well
that
his
daughter
should
accompany
them
in
their
somewhat
extensive
travels
.
It
was
not
therefore
only
that
nature
had
developed
a
beautiful
woman
out
of
a
bashful
girl
since
Coningsby
's
visit
to
Millbank
;
but
really
,
every
means
and
every
opportunity
that
could
contribute
in
rendering
an
individual
capable
of
adorning
the
most
accomplished
circles
of
life
had
naturally
,
and
without
effort
,
fallen
to
the
fortunate
lot
of
the
manufacturer
's
daughter
.
Edith
possessed
an
intelligence
equal
to
those
occasions
.
Without
losing
the
native
simplicity
of
her
character
,
which
sprang
from
the
heart
,
and
which
the
strong
and
original
bent
of
her
father
's
mind
had
fostered
,
she
had
imbibed
all
the
refinement
and
facility
of
the
polished
circles
in
which
she
moved
.
She
had
a
clear
head
,
a
fine
taste
,
and
a
generous
spirit
;
had
received
so
much
admiration
,
that
,
though
by
no
means
insensible
to
homage
,
her
heart
was
free
;
was
strongly
attached
to
her
family
;
and
notwithstanding
all
the
splendour
of
Rome
and
the
brilliancy
of
Paris
,
her
thoughts
were
often
in
her
Saxon
valley
,
amid
the
green
hills
and
busy
factories
of
Millbank
.
Sir
Joseph
,
finding
himself
alone
with
the
grandson
of
Lord
Monmouth
,
was
not
very
anxious
that
the
ladies
should
immediately
appear
.
He
thought
this
a
very
good
opportunity
of
getting
at
what
he
called
"
the
real
feelings
of
the
Tory
party
;
"
and
he
began
to
pump
with
a
seductive
semblance
of
frankness
.
For
his
part
,
he
had
never
doubted
that
a
Conservative
government
was
ultimately
inevitable
;
had
told
Lord
John
so
two
years
ago
,
and
between
themselves
Lord
John
was
of
the
same
opinion
.
The
present
position
of
the
Whigs
was
the
necessary
fate
of
all
progressive
parties
;
could
not
see
exactly
how
it
would
end
;
thought
sometimes
it
must
end
in
a
fusion
of
parties
;
but
could
not
well
see
how
that
could
be
brought
about
,
at
least
at
present
.
For
his
part
,
should
be
very
happy
to
witness
an
union
of
the
best
men
of
all
parties
,
for
the
preservation
of
peace
and
order
,
without
any
reference
to
any
particular
opinions
.
And
,
in
that
sense
of
the
word
,
it
was
not
at
all
impossible
he
might
find
it
his
duty
some
day
to
support
a
Conservative
government
.
Sir
Joseph
was
very
much
astonished
when
Coningsby
,
who
being
somewhat
impatient
for
the
entrance
of
the
ladies
was
rather
more
abrupt
than
his
wont
,
told
the
worthy
Baronet
that
he
looked
upon
a
government
without
distinct
principles
of
policy
,
as
only
a
stop-gap
to
a
wide-spread
and
demoralizing
anarchy
;
that
he
for
one
could
not
comprehend
how
a
free
government
could
endure
without
national
opinions
to
uphold
it
;
and
that
governments
for
the
preservation
of
peace
and
order
,
and
nothing
else
,
had
better
be
sought
in
China
,
or
among
the
Austrians
,
the
Chinese
of
Europe
.
As
for
Conservative
government
,
the
natural
question
was
,
What
do
you
mean
to
conserve
?
Do
you
mean
to
conserve
things
or
only
names
,
realities
or
merely
appearances
?
Or
,
do
you
mean
to
continue
the
system
commenced
in
1834
,
and
,
with
a
hypocritical
reverence
for
the
principles
,
and
a
superstitious
adhesion
to
the
forms
,
of
the
old
exclusive
constitution
,
carry
on
your
policy
by
latitudinarian
practice
?
Sir
Joseph
stared
;
it
was
the
first
time
that
any
inkling
of
the
views
of
the
New
Generation
had
caught
his
ear
.
They
were
strange
and
unaccustomed
accents
.
He
was
extremely
perplexed
;
could
by
no
means
make
out
what
his
companion
was
driving
at
;
at
length
,
with
a
rather
knowing
smile
,
expressive
as
much
of
compassion
as
comprehension
,
he
remarked
:
"
Ah
!
I
see
;
you
are
a
regular
Orangeman
.
"
"
I
look
upon
an
Orangeman
,
"
said
Coningsby
,
"
as
a
pure
Whig
;
the
only
professor
and
practiser
of
unadulterated
Whiggism
.
"
This
was
too
much
for
Sir
Joseph
,
whose
political
knowledge
did
not
reach
much
further
back
than
the
ministry
of
the
Mediocrities
;
hardly
touched
the
times
of
the
Corresponding
Society
.
But
he
was
a
cautious
man
,
and
never
replied
in
haste
.
He
was
about
feeling
his
way
,
when
he
experienced
the
golden
advantage
of
gaining
time
,
for
the
ladies
entered
.
The
heart
of
Coningsby
throbbed
as
Edith
appeared
.
She
extended
to
him
her
hand
;
her
face
radiant
with
kind
expression
.
Lady
Wallinger
seemed
gratified
also
by
his
visit
.
She
had
much
elegance
in
her
manner
;
a
calm
soft
address
;
and
she
spoke
English
with
a
sweet
doric
irregularity
.
They
all
sat
down
,
talked
of
the
last
night
's
ball
,
of
a
thousand
things
.
There
was
something
animating
in
the
frank
,
cheerful
,
spirit
of
Edith
.
She
had
a
quick
eye
both
for
the
beautiful
and
the
ridiculous
,
and
threw
out
her
observations
in
terse
and
vivid
phrases
.
An
hour
,
and
more
than
an
hour
,
passed
away
,
and
Coningsby
still
found
some
excuse
not
to
depart
.
It
seemed
that
on
this
morning
they
were
about
to
make
an
expedition
into
the
antique
city
of
Paris
to
visit
some
old
hotels
which
retained
their
character
;
especially
they
had
heard
much
of
the
hotel
of
the
Archbishop
of
Sens
,
with
its
fortified
courtyard
.
Coningsby
expressed
great
interest
in
the
subject
,
and
showed
some
knowledge
.
Sir
Joseph
invited
him
to
join
the
party
,
which
of
all
things
in
the
world
was
what
he
most
desired
.
CHAPTER
IV
.
Not
a
day
elapsed
without
Coningsby
being
in
the
company
of
Edith
.
Time
was
precious
for
him
,
for
the
spires
and
pinnacles
of
Cambridge
already
began
to
loom
in
the
distance
,
and
he
resolved
to
make
the
most
determined
efforts
not
to
lose
a
day
of
his
liberty
.
And
yet
to
call
every
morning
in
the
Rue
de
Rivoli
,
was
an
exploit
which
surpassed
even
the
audacity
of
love
!
More
than
once
,
making
the
attempt
,
his
courage
failed
him
,
and
he
turned
into
the
gardens
of
the
Tuileries
,
and
only
watched
the
windows
of
the
house
.
Circumstances
however
favoured
him
:
he
received
a
letter
from
Oswald
Millbank
;
he
was
bound
to
communicate
in
person
this
evidence
of
his
friend
's
existence
;
and
when
he
had
to
reply
to
the
letter
,
he
must
necessarily
inquire
whether
his
friend
's
relatives
had
any
message
to
transmit
to
him
.
These
however
were
only
slight
advantages
.
What
assisted
Coningsby
in
his
plans
and
wishes
was
the
great
pleasure
which
Sidonia
,
with
whom
he
passed
a
great
deal
of
his
time
,
took
in
the
society
of
the
Wallingers
and
their
niece
.
Sidonia
presented
Lady
Wallinger
with
his
opera-box
during
her
stay
at
Paris
;
invited
them
very
frequently
to
his
agreeable
dinner
parties
;
and
announced
his
determination
to
give
a
ball
,
which
Lady
Wallinger
esteemed
a
delicate
attention
to
Edith
;
while
Lady
Monmouth
flattered
herself
that
the
festival
sprang
from
the
desire
she
had
expressed
of
seeing
the
celebrated
hotel
of
Sidonia
to
advantage
.
Coningsby
was
very
happy
.
His
morning
visits
to
the
Rue
de
Rivoli
seemed
always
welcome
,
and
seldom
an
evening
elapsed
in
which
he
did
not
find
himself
in
the
society
of
Edith
.
She
seemed
not
to
wish
to
conceal
that
his
presence
gave
her
pleasure
,
and
though
she
had
many
admirers
and
had
an
airy
graciousness
for
all
of
them
,
Coningsby
sometimes
indulged
the
exquisite
suspicion
that
there
was
a
flattering
distinction
in
her
carriage
to
himself
.
Under
the
influence
of
these
feelings
,
he
began
daily
to
be
more
conscious
that
separation
would
be
an
intolerable
calamity
;
he
began
to
meditate
upon
the
feasibility
of
keeping
a
half
term
,
and
of
postponing
his
departure
to
Cambridge
to
a
period
nearer
the
time
when
Edith
would
probably
return
to
England
.
In
the
meanwhile
the
Parisian
world
talked
much
of
the
grand
fête
which
was
about
to
be
given
by
Sidonia
.
Coningsby
heard
much
of
it
one
day
when
dining
at
his
grandfather
's
.
Lady
Monmouth
seemed
very
intent
on
the
occasion
.
Even
Lord
Monmouth
half
talked
of
going
,
though
for
his
part
he
wished
people
would
come
to
him
,
and
never
ask
him
to
their
houses
.
That
was
his
idea
of
society
.
He
liked
the
world
,
but
he
liked
to
find
it
under
his
own
roof
.
He
grudged
them
nothing
,
so
that
they
would
not
insist
upon
the
reciprocity
of
cold-catching
,
and
would
eat
his
good
dinners
instead
of
insisting
on
his
eating
their
bad
ones
.
"
But
Monsieur
Sidonia
's
cook
is
a
gem
,
they
say
,
"
observed
an
attaché
of
an
Embassy
.
"
I
have
no
doubt
of
it
:
Sidonia
is
a
man
of
sense
,
almost
the
only
man
of
sense
I
know
.
I
never
caught
him
tripping
.
He
never
makes
a
false
move
.
Sidonia
is
exactly
the
sort
of
man
I
like
;
you
know
you
cannot
deceive
him
,
and
that
he
does
not
want
to
deceive
you
.
I
wish
he
liked
a
rubber
more
.
Then
he
would
be
perfect
.
"
"
They
say
he
is
going
to
be
married
,
"
said
the
Attaché
.
"
Poh
!
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
.
"
Married
?
"
exclaimed
Lady
Monmouth
.
"
To
whom
?
"
"
To
your
beautiful
country
woman
;
'
la
belle
Anglaise
'
that
all
the
world
talks
of
,
"
said
the
Attaché
.
"
And
who
may
she
be
,
pray
?
"
said
the
Marquess
.
"
I
have
so
many
beautiful
country
women
.
"
"
Mademoiselle
Millbank
,
"
said
the
Attaché
.
"
Millbank
,
"
said
the
Marquess
with
a
lowering
brow
.
"
There
are
so
many
Millbanks
.
Do
you
know
what
Millbank
this
is
,
Harry
?
"
he
inquired
of
his
grandson
,
who
had
listened
to
the
conversation
with
a
rather
embarrassed
,
and
even
agitated
spirit
.
"
What
,
sir
—
yes
—
Millbank
?
"
said
Coningsby
.
"
I
say
,
do
you
know
who
this
Millbank
is
?
"
"
Oh
!
Miss
Millbank
:
yes
,
I
believe
,
that
is
I
know
a
daughter
of
the
—
the
gentleman
who
purchased
some
property
near
you
.
"
"
Oh
!
that
fellow
!
Has
he
got
a
daughter
here
!
"
"
The
most
beautiful
girl
in
Paris
,
"
said
the
Attaché
.
"
Lady
Monmouth
,
have
you
seen
this
beauty
?
—
That
Sidonia
is
going
to
marry
,
"
he
added
with
a
fiendish
laugh
.
"
I
have
seen
the
young
lady
,
"
said
Lady
Monmouth
;
"
but
I
had
not
heard
that
Monsieur
Sidonia
was
about
to
marry
her
.
"
"
Is
she
so
very
beautiful
?
"
inquired
another
gentleman
.
"
Yes
,
"
said
Lady
Monmouth
calm
,
but
very
pale
.
"
Poh
!
"
said
the
Marquess
again
.
"
I
assure
you
that
it
is
a
fact
,
"
said
the
Attaché
;
"
not
at
least
an
on-dit
.
I
have
it
from
a
quarter
that
could
not
be
well
mistaken
.
"
Behold
a
little
snatch
of
ordinary
dinner
gossip
that
left
a
very
painful
impression
on
the
minds
of
three
individuals
who
were
present
.
The
name
of
Millbank
revived
in
Lord
Monmouth
's
mind
a
sense
of
defeat
,
discomfiture
,
and
disgust
;
Hellingsley
,
lost
elections
,
and
Mr.
Rigby
;
three
subjects
which
Lord
Monmouth
had
succeeded
for
a
time
in
expelling
from
his
sensations
.
His
Lordship
thought
that
in
all
probability
this
beauty
of
whom
they
spoke
so
highly
was
not
really
the
daughter
of
his
foe
;
that
it
was
some
confusion
which
had
arisen
from
the
similarity
of
names
;
nor
did
he
believe
that
Sidonia
was
going
to
marry
her
,
whoever
she
might
be
;
but
a
variety
of
things
had
been
said
at
dinner
,
and
a
number
of
images
had
been
raised
in
his
mind
that
touched
his
spleen
.
He
took
his
wine
freely
,
and
,
the
usual
consequence
of
that
proceeding
with
Lord
Monmouth
,
became
silent
and
sullen
.
As
for
Lady
Monmouth
she
had
learnt
that
Sidonia
whatever
might
be
the
result
was
paying
very
marked
attention
to
another
woman
,
for
whom
undoubtedly
he
was
giving
that
very
ball
which
she
had
flattered
herself
was
a
homage
to
her
wishes
,
and
for
which
she
had
projected
a
new
dress
of
eclipsing
splendour
.
Coningsby
felt
quite
sure
that
the
story
of
Sidonia
's
marriage
with
Edith
was
the
most
ridiculous
idea
that
ever
entered
into
the
imagination
of
man
;
at
least
he
thought
he
felt
quite
sure
.
But
the
idlest
and
wildest
report
that
the
woman
you
love
is
about
to
marry
another
is
not
comfortable
.
Besides
he
could
not
conceal
from
himself
that
between
the
Wallingers
and
Sidonia
there
existed
a
remarkable
intimacy
,
fully
extended
to
their
niece
.
He
had
seen
her
certainly
on
more
than
one
occasion
in
lengthened
,
and
apparently
earnest
conversation
with
Sidonia
,
who
,
by
the
bye
,
spoke
with
her
often
in
Spanish
and
never
concealed
his
admiration
of
her
charms
nor
the
interest
he
found
in
her
society
.
And
Edith
—
what
,
after
all
,
had
passed
between
Edith
and
himself
,
which
should
at
all
gainsay
this
report
,
which
he
had
been
particularly
assured
was
not
a
mere
report
,
but
came
from
a
quarter
that
could
not
be
well
mistaken
?
She
had
received
him
with
kindness
.
And
how
should
she
receive
one
,
who
was
the
friend
and
preserver
of
her
only
brother
,
and
apparently
the
intimate
and
cherished
acquaintance
of
her
future
husband
?
Coningsby
felt
that
sickness
of
the
heart
that
accompanies
one
's
first
misfortune
.
The
illusions
of
life
seemed
to
dissipate
and
disappear
.
He
was
miserable
;
he
had
no
confidence
in
himself
,
in
his
future
.
After
all
,
what
was
he
?
A
dependant
on
a
man
of
very
absolute
will
and
passions
.
Could
he
forget
the
glance
with
which
Lord
Monmouth
caught
the
name
of
Millbank
and
received
the
intimation
of
Hellingsley
?
It
was
a
glance
for
a
Spagnoletto
,
or
a
Caravaggio
to
catch
and
immortalize
.
Why
if
Edith
were
not
going
to
marry
Sidonia
,
how
was
he
ever
to
marry
her
,
even
if
she
cared
for
him
?
Oh
!
what
a
future
of
unbroken
,
continuous
,
interminable
misery
awaited
him
!
Was
there
ever
yet
born
a
being
with
a
destiny
so
dark
and
dismal
!
He
was
the
most
forlorn
of
men
,
utterly
wretched
!
He
had
entirely
mistaken
his
own
character
.
He
had
no
energy
,
no
abilities
,
not
a
single
eminent
quality
.
All
was
over
!
CHAPTER
V.
It
was
fated
that
Lady
Monmouth
should
not
be
present
at
that
ball
,
the
anticipation
of
which
had
occasioned
her
so
much
pleasure
and
some
pangs
.
On
the
morning
after
that
slight
conversation
,
which
had
so
disturbed
the
souls
,
though
unconsciously
to
each
other
,
of
herself
and
Coningsby
,
the
Marquess
was
driving
Lucretia
up
the
avenue
Marigny
in
his
phaeton
.
About
the
centre
of
the
avenue
,
the
horses
took
fright
,
and
started
off
at
a
wild
pace
.
The
Marquess
was
an
experienced
whip
,
calm
and
with
exertion
still
very
powerful
.
He
would
have
soon
mastered
the
horses
,
had
not
one
of
the
reins
unhappily
broke
.
The
horses
swerved
;
the
Marquess
kept
his
seat
;
Lucretia
alarmed
sprang
up
,
the
carriage
was
dashed
against
the
trunk
of
a
tree
,
and
she
was
thrown
out
of
it
,
at
the
very
instant
that
one
of
the
outriders
had
succeeded
in
heading
the
equipage
,
and
checking
the
horses
.
The
Marchioness
was
senseless
.
Lord
Monmouth
had
descended
from
the
phaeton
;
several
passengers
had
assembled
;
the
door
of
a
contiguous
house
was
opened
;
there
were
offers
of
service
,
sympathy
,
inquiries
,
a
babble
of
tongues
,
great
confusion
.
"
Get
surgeons
;
and
send
for
her
maid
,
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
to
one
of
his
servants
.
In
the
midst
of
this
distressing
tumult
,
Sidonia
on
horseback
followed
by
a
groom
,
came
up
the
avenue
from
the
Champs
Elysées
.
The
empty
phaeton
,
reins
broken
,
horses
held
by
strangers
,
all
the
appearances
of
a
misadventure
,
attracted
him
.
He
recognized
the
livery
.
He
instantly
dismounted
.
Moving
aside
the
crowd
,
he
perceived
Lady
Monmouth
senseless
and
prostrate
,
and
her
husband
,
without
assistance
,
restraining
the
injudicious
efforts
of
the
byestanders
.
"
Let
us
carry
her
in
,
Lord
Monmouth
,
"
said
Sidonia
,
exchanging
a
recognition
as
he
took
Lucretia
in
his
arms
,
and
bore
her
into
the
dwelling
that
was
at
hand
.
Those
who
were
standing
at
the
door
assisted
him
.
The
woman
of
the
house
and
Lord
Monmouth
only
were
present
.
"
I
would
hope
there
is
no
fracture
,
"
said
Sidonia
,
placing
her
on
a
sofa
,
"
nor
does
it
appear
to
me
that
the
percussion
of
the
head
,
though
considerable
,
could
have
been
fatally
violent
.
I
have
caught
her
pulse
.
Keep
her
in
a
horizontal
position
and
she
will
soon
come
to
herself
.
"
The
Marquess
seated
himself
in
a
chair
by
the
side
of
the
sofa
which
Sidonia
had
advanced
to
the
middle
of
the
room
.
Lord
Monmouth
was
silent
and
very
serious
.
Sidonia
opened
the
window
,
and
touched
the
brow
of
Lucretia
with
water
.
At
this
moment
M
.
Villebecque
and
a
surgeon
entered
the
chamber
.
"
The
brain
cannot
be
affected
with
that
pulse
,
"
said
the
surgeon
;
"
there
is
no
fracture
.
"
"
How
pale
she
is
!
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
as
if
he
were
examining
a
picture
.
"
The
colour
seems
to
me
to
return
,
"
said
Sidonia
.
The
surgeon
applied
some
restoratives
which
he
had
brought
with
him
.
The
face
of
the
Marchioness
became
more
animated
;
she
stirred
.
"
She
revives
,
"
said
the
surgeon
.
The
Marchioness
breathed
with
some
force
;
again
;
then
half
opened
her
eyes
,
and
then
instantly
closed
them
.
"
If
I
could
but
get
her
to
take
this
draught
!
"
said
the
surgeon
.
"
Stop
—
moisten
her
lips
first
,
"
said
Sidonia
.
They
placed
the
draught
to
her
mouth
;
in
a
moment
,
she
put
forth
her
hand
as
if
to
repress
them
,
then
opened
her
eyes
again
,
and
sighed
.
"
She
is
herself
,
"
said
the
surgeon
.
"
Lucretia
,
"
said
the
Marquess
.
"
Sidonia
,
"
said
the
Marchioness
.
Lord
Monmouth
looked
round
to
invite
his
friend
to
come
forward
.
"
Lady
Monmouth
!
"
said
Sidonia
in
a
gentle
voice
.
She
started
,
rose
a
little
on
the
sofa
,
stared
around
her
.
"
Where
am
I
?
"
she
exclaimed
.
"
With
me
,
"
said
the
Marquess
,
and
he
bent
forward
to
her
,
and
took
her
hand
.
"
Sidonia
!
"
she
again
exclaimed
in
a
voice
of
inquiry
.
"
Is
here
,
"
said
Lord
Monmouth
.
"
He
carried
you
in
after
our
accident
.
"
"
Accident
!
Why
is
he
going
to
marry
?
"
The
Marquess
took
a
pinch
of
snuff
.
There
was
an
awkward
pause
in
the
chamber
.
"
I
think
now
,
"
said
Sidonia
to
the
surgeon
,
"
that
Lady
Monmouth
would
take
the
draught
.
"
She
refused
it
.
"
Try
you
,
Sidonia
,
"
said
the
Marquess
rather
dryly
.
"
You
feel
yourself
again
?
"
said
Sidonia
,
advancing
.
"
Would
I
did
not
!
"
said
the
Marchioness
,
with
an
air
of
stupor
.
"
What
has
happened
?
Why
am
I
here
?
Are
you
married
?
"
"
She
wanders
a
little
,
"
said
Sidonia
.
The
Marquess
took
another
pinch
of
snuff
.
"
I
could
have
born
even
repulsion
,
"
said
Lady
Monmouth
in
a
voice
of
desolation
,
"
but
not
for
another
!
"
"
M
.
Villebecque
,
"
said
the
Marquess
.
"
My
Lord
?
"
Lord
Monmouth
looked
at
him
with
that
irresistible
scrutiny
,
which
would
daunt
a
galley
slave
;
and
then
after
a
short
pause
,
said
,
"
The
carriage
should
have
arrived
by
this
time
.
Let
us
get
home
.
"
CHAPTER
VI
.
After
the
conversation
at
dinner
which
we
have
noticed
,
the
restless
and
disquieted
Coningsby
wandered
about
Paris
,
vainly
seeking
in
the
distraction
of
a
great
city
some
relief
from
the
excitement
of
his
mind
.
His
first
resolution
was
immediately
to
depart
for
England
;
but
when
,
on
reflection
,
he
was
mindful
that
after
all
,
the
assertion
which
had
so
agitated
him
might
really
be
without
foundation
,
in
spite
of
many
circumstances
that
to
his
regardful
fancy
seemed
to
accredit
it
,
his
firm
resolution
began
to
waver
.
These
were
the
first
pangs
of
jealousy
that
Coningsby
had
ever
experienced
;
and
they
revealed
to
him
the
immensity
of
the
stake
which
he
was
hazarding
on
a
most
uncertain
die
.
The
next
morning
he
called
in
the
Rue
Rivoli
and
was
informed
that
the
family
were
not
at
home
.
He
was
returning
under
the
arcades
towards
the
Rue
St.
Florentin
,
when
Sidonia
passed
him
in
an
opposite
direction
on
horseback
and
at
a
rapid
rate
.
Coningsby
,
who
was
not
observed
by
him
,
could
not
resist
a
strange
temptation
to
watch
for
a
moment
his
progress
.
Coningsby
saw
him
enter
the
Court
of
the
Hotel
where
the
Wallinger
family
were
staying
.
Would
he
come
forth
immediately
?
No.
Coningsby
stood
still
and
pale
.
Minute
followed
minute
.
Coningsby
flattered
himself
that
Sidonia
was
only
speaking
to
the
