I. OLD NOBBIS QUESTIONS LAURA.
|Carriages, ordered by telegraph, were waiting for the ladies at Chester, and conveyed them to their respective destinations.
Mrs. Calverley, attended by Laura, drove direct to Ouselcroft. Emmeline and Mildred, accompanied by Rose, who had now got over her grief, and was full of curiosity to behold her new abode, proceeded to Brackley Hall.
Sir Bridgnorth and Chetwynd stopped to dine at the “Queen's Hotel,” and then went back to the nearest point on the line to Charlton Hall, where they arrived about nine o'clock.
As a matter of course, the important news that their mistress was engaged to be married to Lord Courland was immediately communicated to the household by Laura, and caused a great sensation—some of the servants being pleased, while the others did not exactly know how their own particular interests might be affected.
The unexpected intelligence produced a singular effect upon Norris. For a time, he remained absorbed in thought, neither expressing approval nor disapproval. He then called Laura into the butler's pantry, and, begging her to be seated, said:
“This is a very sudden affair, Laura. I can't understand it!”
“You must be very stupid, Mr. Norris! Can't you understand that a young nobleman like Lord Courland may easily fall over head and ears in love with such a captivating lady as Mrs. Calverley? I wasn't surprised at all. I felt sure she would carry him off, and so she did. The girls hadn't a chance with her. Mr. Higgins told me his lordship never said a tender word to either of them. I dare say it has been a great disappointment to Lady Thicknesse; but Mrs. Calverley can't help that.”
“It's a great match to make,” observed Norris—“a very great match! Is the wedding-day fixed?”
“Bless you, no!” exclaimed Laura. “Why, his lordship only proposed yesterday! A deal will have to be done before the marriage takes place.”
“You're right,” remarked Norris, drily. “What does Miss Mildred think of it?”
“I can't tell,” replied Laura. “But it's perfectly immaterial what she thinks. Mrs. Calverley hasn't consulted her, and doesn't mean to consult her. But I don't fancy she likes it. Not that she cares for his lordship, for I believe she has made it up with Captain Danvers. However, I'm not in the secret, for the girls have got a lady's-maid of their own, and she doesn't talk much. But if that's the case we shall have a lot of marriages before long.”
“How so, Laura?” inquired Norris.
“Why, it's certain Miss Barfleur has accepted Mr. Chetwynd!”
“Accepted Mr. Chetwynd!” exclaimed the old butler. “That's good news, indeed—too good to be true, I'm afraid!”
“Oh, no, it's quite correct,” rejoined Laura. “Mr. Higgins told me there was a great consultation about it yesterday. Lady Thicknesse and Mr. Scrope Danvers, it seems, object to the match; but Miss Barfleur is determined to have him, and when a young lady makes up her mind opposition is useless, Mr. Norris!”
“Especially when the young lady is a great heiress!” rejoined the butler. “Now tell me something about our new master, Laura, for I suppose we shall have to call his lordship 'master' before long. Is he handsome?”
“Well, there is a difference of opinion on that point, Mr. Norris,” she replied. “But he has a very stylish look, and is extremely affable in his manner. In short, he looks like a person of rank. But he's coming here in a few days, and then you'll be able to judge for yourself.”
“Coming here, is he?” cried Norris, gruffly. “I'd rather he kept away. I suppose he wants to see whether the place will suit him?”
“Being engaged, he must take it whether it suits him or not,” observed Laura.
“Ah, you are a wit, Miss Laura!” said the butler. “Well, the description you give of Lord Courland is satisfactory. But I shall be sorry to see my old master's property pass into other hands. Have you any idea what Mr. Chetwynd thinks of the match?”
“Not the slightest,” replied Laura; “except that I feel certain it can't be satisfactory to him or his sister.”
“Impossible—quite impossible!” cried Norris.
“Such is Mr. Higgins's opinion,” observed Laura.
“Your Mr. Higgins seems a very sensible man,” remarked Norris. “I should like to have some talk with him.”
“You would find him most agreeable, as well as very shrewd,” said Laura. “You will be pleased, I'm sure, to hear that he thinks very highly of Mr. Chetwynd.”
“Another proof of his discernment,” said Norris. “By-the-bye, where is our young master? Have you left him in town?”
“He came with us as far as Chester, but he has gone to Charlton Hall with Sir Bridgnorth for a few days.”
“He would have done better to come on here. And Miss Mildred, you say, has gone to Brackley with Miss Barfleur? Well, a great change is at hand. It won't affect you, Laura; but it will affect me. Lord Cour-land will find me too old. He will require a younger and smarter butler, and I shall be dismissed.”
“Oh, I hope not, dear Mr. Norris!” cried Laura. “That would grieve me excessively!”
“It will be so, my dear,” he replied; “and I almost think Mrs. Calverley herself will be glad to get rid of me.”
“If she does, she will provide for you.”
“I am not sure of that. Old servants are not always rewarded—very rarely, indeed, I should say. Ah! if my good old master had lived, it would have been different! But I feel convinced I shall not retain my place unless something happens; and it may happen!” he added, significantly.
“What do you mean, Mr. Norris?”
“I can't explain my meaning. But perhaps, on consideration, Mrs. Calverley may deem it expedient to keep me on.”
“I'll give her a hint,” said Laura, as she quitted the room.