XXIII. SIR BRIDGNORTH PROPOSES TO LADY THICKNESSE, AND IS ACCEPTED.
On that morning, as previously intimated, Sir Bridgnorth Charlton had offered to drive Lady Thicknesse to Brackley Hall; and as Mrs. Calverley did not make her appearance, and no other arrangements were made, in consequence of Mildred's illness, she accepted the proposal with delight, secretly hoping that a proposal of another kind might follow. Her ostensible purpose was to spend the day with her sister, Lady Barfleur, and return to dinner.
Everything promised well. The weather was propitious, and as Sir Bridgnorth assisted her to her place in front of his well-appointed and well-horsed mail-phaeton, he squeezed her hand in a manner that seemed to proclaim his intentions.
But his deportment and discourse when they had started on the drive left her in no doubt. He lowered his voice, and bent down his head when he addressed her, so that what he said could not be overheard by the two grooms behind.
For an elderly gentleman, he acted the part of a suitor very creditably. If his looks were not impassioned, his manner was devoted. Lady Thick-nesse was pleased, and with good reason, for the match, if it took place, would be satisfactory in all inspects.
A better parti than Sir Bridgnorth could not be found. He had the recommendation of an excellent social position, rank, and wealth. Moreover, he was extremely good tempered.
Though somewhat of an invalid, Lady Thicknesse was a most charming companion, and a great deal more amiable than so-called charming people usually are. Besides being very rich, very well bred, and very agreeable, she had a special recommendation to Sir Bridgnorth—she had no family. He had resolved never to marry a widow with incumbrances.
Lady Thicknesse looked remarkably well that morning. Her pale and delicate complexion was a little warmer than usual, and her eyes rather brighter; but she was not in high spirits. Indeed, she never was in high spirits; her manner being always subdued. She questioned Sir Bridgnorth about Charlton, and seemed delighted with his description of the place.
“I hope you will see it ere long,” he said, with a peculiar smile, that made her heart flutter, and caused her to cast down her eyes.
Now seemed Sir Bridgnorth's opportunity.
After clearing his throat he remarked:
“It appears to me that such a residence as Charlton, with a large park attached to it, and a house in Belgrave-square, would form a remarkably nice combination of town and country. What does your ladyship think?”
“As a rule I am not very fond of the country,” she replied. “But I fancy I could be happy anywhere, under certain circumstances.”
“Under what circumstances?” he asked, bending down his head.
“Don't ask,” she replied, avoiding his ardent gaze. “But I am particularly anxious to know,” he said, “my own happiness being dependent upon the answer. Could you contrive to spend six months at such a dull place as Charlton?”
“Yes, very well,” she replied, raising her eyes, and looking him full in the face, “provided you will agree to pass the other six months in Belgrave Square.”
Sir Bridgnorth could scarcely believe what he heard.
“Is that a bargain?” he exclaimed joyously. “If so, let us conclude it at once.”
“With all my heart,” she replied. “I am quite satisfied with the arrangement.”
“And I ought to be, and am,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “I am sure I have got the best of it.”
“You say so now,” she rejoined with a smile. “But you may alter your opinion after six months' experience of Belgrave Square.”
“Never!” he exclaimed. “My only fear is that your ladyship may get tired of Charlton!”
“Then dismiss that apprehension,” she rejoined. “I cannot feel ennui if you are there.”
Just then the clatter of hoofs was heard behind them, and the baronet's spirited horses, startled by the sound, set off at a pace that gave her ladyship a momentary fright.
But the runaways were quickly checked, and Sir Bridgnorth looking round, saw that Lord Courland and Scrope Danvers were galloping after them.
“What the deuce is the matter?” he shouted.
“Nothing,” replied Scrope.
“Then take it quietly,” said the baronet. “My horses won't stand that noise.”
Thereupon, the pace was slackened on both sides, and Lady Thicknesse asked Lord Courland if he was going to Brackley.
“I hope you are,” she added. “My sister, Lady Barfleur, will be charmed to see your lordship!”
“I want to consult your ladyship,” he replied, bringing his horse as close to her as he could, and speaking in a low voice.
“I hope nothing has gone wrong?” she inquired, rendered rather uneasy by his looks.
“I'm very much afraid the match won't come off,” he replied; “unless your ladyship will kindly act for me.”
“I will do anything you desire,” she rejoined earnestly. “It would grieve me beyond measure if any contretemps occurred.”
“I cannot explain matters fully at this moment,” he said. “But it is certain I am entirely to blame.”
“Since your lordship so frankly makes that admission,” she rejoined, “there can be no difficulty in arranging the quarrel—for quarrel I suppose it is.”
“I will tell you all when we get to Brackley,” he said. “But meantime, I may mention a circumstance of which I am quite sure neither your ladyship nor Sir Bridgworth are aware.”
“Your lordship must speak in a lower tone, if you would not have me hear all you say,” remarked the baronet.
“But I do wish you to hear this,” rejoined Lord Courland. “Mrs. Calverley has only just discovered that if she marries again, the whole of her property goes to Chetwynd and Mildred.”
“You amaze me!” cried Sir Bridgnorth.
“When this piece of information was first communicated to me by Carteret,” continued his lordship, “I yielded to an impulse of anger for which I now reproach myself, and declared I would break off the match.”
“I don't wonder at it,” said the baronet.
“But when I subsequently had an interview with Mrs. Calverley herself, my purpose changed. I found my affections were so strongly fixed, I could not execute my threat.”
“I am delighted to hear it,” said Lady Thick-nesse. “Such disinterested conduct does your lordship the greatest credit. Then I presume all will go on as before?”
“I hope so,” he replied. “But I am in doubt. Mrs. Calverley seems quite firm in her determination to break off the engagement.”
“But she has nothing to complain of,” remarked Sir Bridgnorth. “On the contrary, she is the sole cause of the misunderstanding. I take a totally different view of the matter from your lordship, and I suspect I am much nearer the truth. If she is now resolved to break off the match, it is because she is unwilling to lose her property.”
“Oh, pray don't put that unfair construction on her conduct!” exclaimed Lady Thicknesse.
“It seems to me quite natural,” said Sir Bridgnorth; “quite consistent with her character,” he added, in a whisper, to Lady Thicknesse.
“She seems very greatly troubled,” observed Lord Courland; “and if anything occurs in consequence, I shall never forgive myself.”
“Your lordship alarms yourself without reason, I think,” said Lady Thicknesse.
“You have not seen her this morning, I suppose?”
“I have not,” she replied.
“Then you don't know how ill she looks.”
“I am very sorry to hear it,” replied Lady Thicknesse. “But she will soon get well again if the matter is settled, as I am persuaded it will be.”
“I ought to tell you she has bidden me farewell,” said his lordship.
“Don't despair,” rejoined Lady Thicknesse. “I'll undertake to bring you together again. I'm sorry you didn't call me in at the time; but it's not too late now.”
“Your ladyship gives me hopes,” said Lord Courland retiring.
“If she marries, as I trust she may,” observed Sir Bridgnorth, as soon as his lordship was out of hearing, “it will be an immense thing for Chetwynd and Mildred. But I doubt whether she will make such a sacrifice for Lord Courland.”
“I believe she is very much in love with him,” remarked Lady Thicknesse.
“Possibly,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “But this is too much to pay. As to her being in ignorance of the contents of her late husband's will, I never can credit that. Yet it puzzles me to conceive what she meant to do. Somehow or other, her plan has failed. Your ladyship thinks the matter will be easily settled. I am not of that opinion.”
“To tell you the truth, dear Sir Bridgnorth,” said Lady Thicknesse, “I do feel rather uneasy about Mrs. Calverley.”
“If your ladyship knew her as well as I do,” he replied, in an indifferent tone, “you wouldn't feel uneasy at all. My firm conviction is that she won't marry Lord Courland.”
“If she doesn't, I shall alter my opinion of her,” said her ladyship.
Sir Bridgnorth smiled, and giving his horses a slight touch with the whip, he quickened their pace, and the newly engaged pair soon arrived at Brackley.