Part 16 (1/2)

Felix Lorraine, ”for G.o.d's sake to take this man off his shoulders;” and so that lady, with her usual kindness, and merely to oblige his Lords.h.i.+p, was good enough to patronise Mr. Cleveland, and on the fourth day was taking a moonlit walk with him.

Mr. Cleveland had now been ten days at Chateau Desir, and was to take his departure the next morning for Wales, in order to arrange everything for his immediate settlement in the metropolis. Every point of importance was postponed until their meeting in London. Mr. Cleveland only agreed to take the lead of the party in the Commons, and received the personal pledge of Lord Courtown as to the promised office.

It was a September day, and to escape from the excessive heat of the sun, and at the same time to enjoy the freshness of the air, Vivian was writing his letters in the conservatory, which opened into one of the drawing-rooms. The numerous party which then honoured the Chateau with their presence were out, as he conceived, on a picnic excursion to the Elfin's Well, a beautiful spot about ten miles off; and among the adventurers were, as he imagined, Mrs. Felix Lorraine and Mr. Cleveland.

Vivian was rather surprised at hearing voices in the adjoining room, and he was still more so when, on looking round, he found that the sounds proceeded from the very two individuals whom he thought were far away.

Some tall American plants concealed him from their view, but he observed all that pa.s.sed distinctly, and a singular scene it was. Mrs. Felix Lorraine was on her knees at the feet of Mr. Cleveland; her countenance indicated the most contrary pa.s.sions, contending, as it were, for mastery; supplication, anger, and, shall I call it, love? Her companion's countenance was hid, but it was evident that it was not wreathed with smiles: there were a few hurried sentences uttered, and then both quitted the room at different doors, the lady in despair, and the gentleman in disgust.

CHAPTER IV

And now Chateau Desir was almost deserted. Mrs. Million continued her progress northward. The Courtowns, and the Beaconsfields, and the Scropes quitted immediately after Mr. Cleveland; and when the families that form the material of the visiting corps retire, the nameless nothings that are always lounging about the country mansions of the great, such as artists, tourists, authors, and other live stock, soon disappear. Mr. Vivian Grey agreed to stay another fortnight, at the particular request of the Marquess.

Very few days had pa.s.sed ere Vivian was exceedingly struck at the decided change which suddenly took place in his Lords.h.i.+p's general demeanour towards him.

The Marquess grew reserved and uncommunicative, scarcely mentioning ”the great business” which had previously been the sole subject of his conversation but to find fault with some arrangement, and exhibiting, whenever his name was mentioned, a marked acrimony against Mr.

Cleveland. This rapid change alarmed as much as it astonished Vivian, and he mentioned his feelings and observations to Mrs. Felix Lorraine.

That lady agreed with him that something certainly was wrong; but could not, unfortunately, afford him any clue to the mystery. She expressed the liveliest solicitude that any misunderstanding should be put an end to, and offered her services for that purpose.

In spite, however, of her well-expressed anxiety, Vivian had his own ideas on the subject; and, determined to unravel the affair, he had recourse to the Marchioness.

”I hope your Ladys.h.i.+p is well to-day. I had a letter from Count Caumont this morning. He tells me that he has got the prettiest poodle from Paris that you can possibly conceive! waltzes like an angel, and acts proverbs on its hind feet.”

Her Ladys.h.i.+p's eyes glistened with admiration.

”I have told Caumont to send it me down immediately, and I shall then have the pleasure of presenting it to your Ladys.h.i.+p.”

Her Ladys.h.i.+p's eyes sparkled with delight.

”I think,” continued Vivian, ”I shall take a ride to-day. By-the-bye, how is the Marquess? he seems in low spirits lately.”

”Oh, Mr. Grey! I do not know what you have done to him,” said her Ladys.h.i.+p, settling at least a dozen bracelets; ”but, but--”

”But what?”

”He thinks; he thinks.”

”Thinks what, dear lady?”

”That you have entered into a combination, Mr. Grey.”

”Entered into a combination!”

”Yes, Mr. Grey! a conspiracy, a conspiracy against the Marquess, with Mr. Cleveland. He thinks that you have made him serve your purpose, and now you are going to get rid of him.”

”Well, that is excellent, and what else does he think?”

”He thinks you talk too loud,” said the Marchioness, still working at her bracelets.

”Well! that is shockingly vulgar! Allow me to recommend your Ladys.h.i.+p to alter the order of those bracelets, and place the blue and silver against the maroon. You may depend upon it, that is the true Vienna order. And what else dues the Marquess say?”