The White Gauntlet Part 71

"She's quite welcome to come--if it be for the purpose you suppose."

"Ay! and it's for nothing else than to get into his company, that she gives the hawking party to-day. She's a dangerous designing creature-- that's what she is."

"If her design be to catch Captain Scarthe, I hope she may succeed in it. I'm sure I shan't be the one to stand in her way."

"Well!" rejoined Lora, "I'm determined to keep my eyes on her this very day; and see how she behaves. Oh! you don't know how I detest that girl; and why, do you think?"

"Really, I cannot tell."

"Well! it is because I know that she is _your enemy_!"

"I never gave her cause!"

"I know that."

"Perhaps you know why it is so?"

"I do!"

"Tell me?"

"Because you are beautiful."

"If that be her reason, she should be your enemy as much as mine?"

"Oh, no! I have not the vanity to think so. My beauty is only prettiness; while yours--ah! cousin Marion, you are beautiful in my eyes--a woman! What must you be in the eyes of a man?"

"You're a simpleton, Little Lora. You are much prettier than I; and as for Dorothy Dayrell--don't every one call her the _belle of the county_?

I've heard it a score of times."

"And so have I. But what signifies that? Though you're my senior, Marion, I think I have as much wisdom as you in matters of this kind.

Besides I'm only a spectator, and can judge between you. I believe that the 'belle of the county,' and the 'belle of the ball-room,' are never the most beautiful of those, with whom they are compared. Very often such reputation is obtained, not from beauty, but behaviour; and from behaviour not always the best."

"Go on in that way, Lora; and we shall esteem you as the Solon of our s.e.x."

"Nay, nay; I speak only sentiments such as anyone may conceive. You and Dorothy Dayrell are just the two to ill.u.s.trate them. While everybody _calls her_ the belle of the county, everybody _thinks you_ to be so.

Indeed cousin! you are truly beautiful--so beautiful, that even the peasant children of the parish gaze upon you with wonder and delight!"

"Fulsome flatterer!"

"In troth! 'tis true; and that's why Dorothy Dayrell dislikes you. She wants to be everything; and knows that you take her laurels from her.

On the day of the _fete_, she did everything in her power to captivate the man, whom she pretended to disparage!"

"Holtspur?"

"Yes: I saw her. She used all her arts to attract his attention. Ah, Marion! he had only eyes for you. And now that he is gone, she's set herself to attract Captain Scarthe. My word! won't she try to-day?

Sweet coz! I don't want you to act the hypocrite; but can't you--yes you can--flirt a little with Scarthe--just to give her a chagrin? Oh!

I should so like to see that girl suffer what she deserves,--a chapter of humiliation!"

"Foolish child! you know I cannot do that? It is not according to my inclination--and just now less than ever in my life."

"Only for an hour--to punish her!"

"How should you like to be so punished yourself? Suppose some one, to-day, were to flirt with Walter; or he with some one?"

"Then I'd flirt with Stubbs!"

"Incorrigible coquette! I think you _like_ Walter; but only that: Ah, Lora! you know not what it is to _love_!"

"Don't I though--"

"Mistress Marion?" cried a groom, showing his face at the door of the chamber, "Sir Marm'duke be mounted. They're only waitin' for you, and Miss Lora!"

The man, after delivering his message, retired.

"Lora!" whispered Marion, as they issued forth from the room; "not a word of what you know--not to anyone! Promise me that; and I may give you the satisfaction you have asked for."

During the conversation between the cousins, the two men, who were the chief subjects of it, were engaged in a dialogue of a somewhat kindred character. Scarthe's sitting apartment was the scene; though neither of the speakers was seated. Both were on their feet; and in costume for the saddle--not military--but merely booted and spurred, with certain equipments covering their dresses, that betokened an intention of going forth upon the sport of falconry.

A splendid jer-falcon--perched upon the back of a chair, and wearing his hood--gave further evidence of this intention; while their gloves drawn on, and their beavers held in hand, told that, like the two ladies, they were only awaiting a summons to sally forth.

Scarthe, following a favourite habit, was pacing the floor; while the cornet stood watching him with attention: as if he had asked counsel from his superior, and was waiting to receive it.

"And so, my gay cornet;" said Scarthe, addressing the subaltern in his usual bantering way, "you're determined to try her again?"

"Yes, by Ged!--that is if you approve of it."

"Oh! as to my approval, it don't need that. It's not a military matter.

You may propose to every woman in the county for aught I care; twenty times to each, if you think fit."

"But I want your advice, captain. Suppose she should refuse me a second time?"

"Why that would be awkward--especially as you're sleeping under the same roof, and eating at the same table with her. The more awkward, since you say you've had a refusal already."

"It wasn't a regular offer. Besides I was too quick with it. There's been a good deal since, that gives me hope. She'll think better of it now--if I don't mistake her."

"You are not quite sure of her, then?"

"Well--not exactly."

"Don't you think you had better postpone your proposal, till you're more certain of its being favourably received?"

"But there's a way to make certain. It's about that, I want you to advise me."

"Let me hear your 'way'?"

"Well; you see, captain, though the girl's only the niece of Sir Marmaduke, she loves him quite as much as his own daughter does. I don't think she cares about that stripling--farther than as a cousin.

What's between them is just like sister and brother: since she's got no brother of her own. They've been brought up together--that's all."