Part 25 (1/2)
”My father is a man who seldom gives way to any elation of mind.”
”Ah, indeed! a philosopher, I have no doubt, like his son.”
”I have no claims to the t.i.tle of philosopher, although I have had the advantage of studying in the school of Mrs. Felix Lorraine.”
”What do you mean? If I thought you meant to be impertinent, I really would; but I excuse you; I think the boy means well.”
”The boy 'means nothing; he never means anything.'”
”Come, Vivian! we are going to part. Do not let us quarrel the last day.
There, there is a sprig of myrtle for you!
What! not accept my foolish flower?
Nay, then, I am indeed unblest!
and now you want it all! Unreasonable young man! If I were not the kindest lady in the land I should tear this sprig into a thousand pieces sooner; but come, my child! you shall have it. There! it looks quite imposing in your b.u.t.ton-hole. How handsome you look to-day!”
”How agreeable you are! I love compliments!”
”Ah, Vivian! will you never give me credit for anything but a light and callous heart? Will you never be convinced that, that; but why make this humiliating confession? Oh! no, let me be misunderstood for ever! The time may come when Vivian Grey will find that Amalia Lorraine was--”
”Was what, madam?”
”You shall choose the word, Vivian.”
”Say, then, my friend.”
”'Tis a monosyllable full of meaning, and I will not quarrel with it.
And now, adieu! Heaven prosper you! Believe me, that my first thoughts and my last are for you and of you!”
CHAPTER III
”This is very kind of you, Grey! I was afraid my note might not have caught you. You have not breakfasted? Really I wish you would take up your quarters in Carabas House, for I want you now every moment.”
”What is the urgent business of this morning?”
”Oh! I have seen Bromley.”
”Hah!”
”And everything most satisfactory, I did not go into detail; I left that for you: but I ascertained sufficient to convince me that management is now alone required.”
”Well, my Lord, I trust that will not be wanting.”
”No, Vivian; you have opened my eyes to the situation in which fortune has placed me. The experience of every day only proves the truth and soundness of your views. Fortunate, indeed, was the hour in which we met.”
”My Lord, I do trust that it was a meeting which neither of us will live to repent.”
”Impossible! my dear friend, I do not hesitate to say that I would not change my present lot for that of any Peer of this realm; no, not for that of His Majesty's most favoured counsellor. What! with my character and my influence, and my connections, I to be a tool! I, the Marquess of Carabas! I say nothing of my own powers; but, as you often most justly and truly observe, the world has had the opportunity of judging of them; and I think I may recur, without vanity, to the days in which my voice had some weight in the Royal Councils. And, as I have often remarked, I have friends, I have you, Vivian. My career is before you. I know what I should have done at your age; not to say what I did do. I to be a tool!