VI. LADY THICKNESSE HAS A CONFERENCE WITH SCROPE.
Nearly a week passed much in the same way.
The young ladies walked out in the morning with Chetwynd 5 drove out in the afternoon with Lady Thicknesse; and dined at eight, with nearly the same party, and on an equally good dinner.
Very little progress, however, seemed to be made with the important affair Lady Thicknesse had in hand. Her ladyship began to get tired, and had a private conference with her nephew, Scrope, but he could not help her.
“I cannot make out whether or not Lord Courland has spoken to Emmeline,” she observed. “If he has, she has said nothing to me.”
“Nor has his lordship said anything to me,” rejoined Scrope, “though I have given him several pretty strong hints. The affair must take its course. We shall spoil all by precipitation.”
“I sometimes think Emmeline has a secret attachment,” observed Lady Thicknesse, after a short pause. “If my conjecture be right, it must be for Chetwynd Calverley.”
“Impossible, my dear aunt!” exclaimed Scrope.
“No, it's not impossible,” said Lady Thicknesse. “Chetwynd is an exceedingly fine young gentleman, and calculated to inspire an attachment. I have half resolved to question her.”
“Better write to Lady Barfleur, I think.”
“I have written to my sister, and very cautiously; but, as yet, I have received no answer to my letter.”
“Well, then, wait till you do before taking any steps. Things are going on very smoothly.”
“But very slowly—too slowly for me.”
“That can't be helped. You must control your impatience, dear aunt.”
“I didn't count on this delay. I expected the matter would be concluded in a week. I think I shall consult Sir Bridgnorth Charlton. If any one is in young Calverley's secrets, he is.”
“But he won't betray them.”
“He may give me some advice.”
“His advice will be exactly the same as mine. He will recommend you to keep quiet. I really don't see any occasion for alarm. Things appear to me to be going on very well—if you could only think so. Cour-land won't be driven.”
“Mildred Calverley is decidedly in the way. Pm very sorry I invited her.”
“Perhaps it was a mistake. However, she can't be got rid of now.”
“And Pm not sure Emmeline would have come without her.”
A slight pause ensued, after which Lady Thicknesse said:—“By-the-by, your brother Charles is coming to town. I've just got a letter from him. I think I shall ask him to stay with me for a week. Is he really going to marry Mrs. Calverley? He says nothing about her.”
“I believe the match is broken off. She wants to keep all her property to herself. Had she behaved generously, as she ought to have done, and settled a handsome sum on Charley, it would have been a famous thing for him, no doubt. But it never does to be dependent upon an imperious woman like Mrs. Calverley. So he is quite right, in my opinion, to beat a retreat while there is yet time.”
Lady Thicknesse seemed to take a different view of the matter.
“Pm sorry he has thrown away such a chance,” she remarked. “Has she a large income?”
“Four or five thousand a year, Charley tells me. Old Calverley was very rich, as you must be aware, and she has got all his money.”
“Not all, surely? Chetwynd and Mildred must have some of it.”
“Both are dependent upon her. Chetwynd has had a very bitter quarrel with her, and has only just made it up. I think he acted very wisely, since he is completely in her power.”
“What a singular position she is placed in!”
“Old Calverley must have been in his dotage to give it her.”
“She is still young and handsome?”
“Not many years older than Mildred, and quite as good-looking. I saw her at Sir Leycester's funeral, and was charmed with her. No doubt, she is very fascinating.”
“You excite my curiosity. I should like to see her.”
“I dare say you will have the opportunity. But you won't see her as Mrs. Charles Danvers.”
“Why not? They may still come to an understanding.”
“Well, if you can bring them together again, and prevail upon her to make a handsome settlement on Charley, you will do a great thing,” remarked Scrope, with a laugh.
“I will consider what can be done,” replied Lady Thicknesse. “Meantime, I will write and ask Charles to come and stay with me.”
Thus ended their conference.