IV. WHICH OF THE TWO?
|Captain Danvers had never before been to Ouselcroft, and was charmed with the place.
The house was admirably kept up, and the garden in beautiful order. Mrs. Calverley had received him in the most flattering manner; and he had found Mildred there, and his cousin Emmeline. Chetwynd had promised him a pleasant visit, and he felt sure it would turn out so. What can offer greater attractions than an agreeable country house, with two or three lovely inmates?
Captain Danvers had not quite made up his mind whether he preferred the wealthy young widow or her pretty step-daughter.
There were reasons that inclined him to turn his thoughts exclusively to Mrs. Calverley, but Mildred's image would not be dismissed. He fancied he should be able to decide during his stay at Ouselcroft; but it was not an easy matter, as he found out.
Possibly in accordance with some plan he had formed, Captain Danvers devoted himself on the day of his arrival to Mrs. Calverley.
Next day, he seemed inclined to go over to Mildred, but she did not give him so much encouragement as she had done at Brackley; and piqued by her indifference, he sought by every means to regain the ground he had apparently lost, and succeeded.
But Mrs. Calverley resented the neglect, and treated him coldly in her turn. He seemed, therefore, in danger of losing the grand prize. Though he found it next to impossible to go on with both, he was unwilling to give up either.
He then put the momentous question to himself—to which of the two should he propose?
Clearly Mrs. Calverley would be by far the most advantageous match, in a pecuniary point of view; and being greatly governed by selfish considerations, he inclined towards her.
Still, he was really in love with Mildred, and the thought of losing her was more than he could bear.
On reflection, he found he had put a question to himself that he could not answer.
That very morning an opportunity offered for saying a tender word to Mildred; but his courage failed him. Loving her as he did, and feeling sure she loved him in return, he hesitated to commit himself.
They were walking in the garden, and the animated conversation with which they had commenced had gradually died away, and was succeeded by a silence that was almost embarrassing.
Clearly the moment had arrived. What could he do?—what say? He took her hand. She did not withdraw it, and he pressed it to his lips; but, oh, disgrace to manhood! no word was uttered. He heaved a deep sigh—that was all.
It was almost a relief to him when Mrs. Calverley and Emmeline were seen approaching.
“How provoking!” exclaimed the captain, who, however, was secretly pleased by the interruption.
Had he thought proper, he might have moved on; but instead of doing so, he turned round and met those who were coming towards them.
Mrs. Calverley, who had very quick sight, had seen what took place, but did not of course make the slightest remark until she found herself shortly afterwards tête-à-tête with the captain, the others having walked on.
“I think I explained to you, Captain Danvers, what my intentions are in regard to Mildred?” she said.
“Yes, I perfectly recollect,” he replied. “You said you meant to give her a marriage portion of thirty thousand pounds; and I thought it exceedingly handsome.”
“But you did not quite understand me, I fancy,” said Mrs Calverley, regarding him steadfastly. “I ought to have added that she will have this sum on her marriage, provided I approve of her choice.”
“Ah! that proviso makes all the difference!” exclaimed the captain. “The money may not be given, after all.”
“I shall never withhold it unless I see some decided objection to the match,” she rejoined. “Think over what I have told you.”
No more was said; but the caution thus given him produced the effect intended on Captain Danvers. He saw that Mildred was completely in her step-mother's power, and that the latter would do nothing if offended.
He now rejoiced that he had not made a positive proposal, as he would then have been compelled to take the fair girl without a portion, and he was not disinterested enough to do that.
However, he put the best face he could on the matter, and said:
“I am obliged to you for the information you have given me. Had I meant to propose to Miss Calverley, it would not have deterred me; but I have no such intention.”
“And you expect me to believe this after what I beheld just now?” said Mrs. Calverley, incredulously.
“I expect you to believe what I tell you,” rejoined the captain rather haughtily. “And I again assert that I have not proposed to her.”
“I am glad to hear it. It would have pained me to do a disagreeable thing.”
“But you would have done it?”
“Undoubtedly. However, since you give me this assurance, I need say no more.”
Later on in the day, Chetwynd and Captain Danvers were smoking a cigar in the dressing-room of the former, when the captain broached a subject on which he had been ruminating.
“Chetwynd, old boy,” he said, “I want to ask you a question. Don't think me impertinent; but I should like to know whether it is true that Mrs. Calverley has the entire control of your sister's fortune?”
“I'll answer the question frankly,” replied Chetwynd. “She has. My father, as you may be aware, made an extraordinary will, and it was the strange disposition of his property that caused the quarrel between myself and my step-mother. You talk of my sister's fortune. Properly speaking, she has none. She has a handsome allowance from Mrs. Calverley, who always declares she will give her a portion of thirty thousand pounds on her marriage.”
“Provided she approves of her choice—is not that a condition?” said the captain.
“Yes; but it means nothing.”
“Pardon me. I think it means a great deal. It might cause a match to be broken off.”
“It might, certainly, if acted upon. But Mrs. Calverley is very much attached to my sister, and will never oppose her choice. At least I fancy not.”
“I have reason to believe otherwise, my dear Chetwynd. She has already given me a pretty strong hint!”
“Have you said anything to her about Mildred?”
“No; but she has spoken to me, and has clearly intimated that I am not the man of her choice. Were I to be accepted, depend upon it, Mildred would have no portion.”
“You think so?”
“I'm sure of it. Can you help me?”
“I don't see how. I have no influence over Mrs. Calverley, and am determined not to meddle in any family matters. Besides, I should do no good. But I don't think there is any real ground for apprehension. As I have just said, she is extremely fond of Mildred, and if she felt my sister's happiness were at stake, she wouldn't interfere with any engagement she might form. I am certain of that. Though I cannot aid you, I will tell you who can, and most efficiently—your cousin, Emmeline Barfleur. I wonder she has not occurred to you.”
“My dear fellow, I have had no time for consideration,” rejoined the captain. “I have only just received this obliging hint from Mrs. Calverley. But I entirely agree with you. Emmeline is the person of all others who can aid me. Let us go and look for her at once. Most likely we shall find her in the garden, for they are not driving out this afternoon.”
Chetwynd assented; so they flung away their cigars, and went downstairs.