But no air of pretty consciousness spoke her prepared to act "L'Idola bella," or that she expected Lord Eltondale to fall at her feet, and worship her at the first gracious signal. Her manner had that self-possession, which was due to her own dignity, and under which every woman of true delicacy would shroud her feelings in a similar situation. Frederick forebore, by word or look, to cause her the least confusion; he was too generous to inflict the pain of distressed modesty on the woman he loved; perhaps also his love was so deeply, so anxiously felt, that it shrunk from the gaze of other eyes than hers who excited it. Neither of them addressed the other directly, but he soon managed, with well-bred ease, to introduce general conversation, which banished all appearance of constraint.
When dinner was announced, Mr. O'Sullivan, who always insisted on giving Adelaide precedence of Miss Fitzcarril, notwithstanding her representation of that lady's seniority, now formally requested Lord Eltondale to conduct her to the dining parlour; as her beautiful hand lay on Frederick's arm he took it in his, and would have pressed it to his heart, had not a half-reproving glance recalled to his recollection, that they were closely observed by several servants, who stood in goodly row, almost forgetting what for, in their eager scrutiny of his face and figure. Mr. O'Sullivan followed, leading Miss Fitzcarril in all the stateliness of la vieille cour; little Caroline skipped gaily along, playing tricks with Captain Cormac and Mr. Dermoody, whilst the former, by a wise shake of the head, prevented her touching his patron's silver locks, which were tied with a black riband, in an old fashioned tail, that reached half way-down his back, and daily tempted the merry sprite's ivory fingers.
A well lighted room, with a blazing fire and an excellent dinner, made the party almost rejoice to hear the whistling wind and driving showers, that foreboded a stormy night. Lord Eltondale was so overjoyed to find himself once more seated beside Adelaide, unshackled by any engagement, and almost certain of her regard, that all his former and characteristic vivacity returned; and his lively sallies infecting every body with his own gaiety, she talked to him with that flow of spirits, which her delight at seeing him naturally excited in her mind; and whilst his admiration increased every moment, she did not fail to remark, that "he was more intelligent in conversation, more elegant in manner and figure, than any man she had ever seen, except her father," who was still her model of perfection.
When the gentlemen unwillingly suffered the ladies to retire to the drawing-room, Mr. O'Sullivan called his granddaughter to him, and as she bent her head in a listening position; her brilliant countenance confirmed the cheerful acquiescence her words conveyed to his proposal. Frederick rightly guessing it was a request to defer her journey, as he opened the door for her to pass, said, in a low tone, with a sort of happy playful assurance in his looks, "Thank you, Adelina." She coloured, and her head was fast rising to the true altitude of feminine pride; when he, standing so as to impede her escape, without seeming to do so, whispered, "Forgive me; I presumed on former recollections; I had flattered myself the spell was broken, that separated me and happiness." One of Adelaide's enchanting smiles dissipated the uneasiness, that had quickly clouded his features.
It is not to be supposed, that all this escaped Miss Fitzcarril's notice; accordingly the drawing-room door was scarcely closed, when, with a significant wink, she proposed taking Caroline to assist her in settling her closet, when any of the gentlemen should return from the parlour, where she rightly conjectured Mr. O'Sullivan's fine claret would not long detain some of the party. Adelaide, with an imploring look, took her hand, saying, "I entreat you, my dear Madam, if you have the least regard for me, not to think of such a thing; I would not lose your society an instant this evening for the world."
The ancient maiden understood her, but thought she was only going to do as she would be done by; and recollected, with a sigh, that this was not at all the solution she expected of Judy Stewart's prophecy.
Adelaide's journey was postponed but one day; and she soon had the happiness of finding in Lord Osselstone almost a second father in mind, manner, and person, hourly reminding her of the beloved parent, that, till she knew her uncle, she thought none on earth had ever resembled.
Amongst the young men of fashion, that now seek the smiles of "the beautiful and accomplished" (according to the technical term which designates every high-born heiress) niece of the Earl of Osselstone, none seems to meet his Lordship's approval so decidedly as Viscount Eltondale, who, we may safely prophesy, will soon win on the regard of his Adelina's noble uncle, as much as he gained on that of her venerable grandfather, during his short visit to Ballinamoyle.
"Tant que Phillis eut un destin prospère,
Plus d'un amant lui dit d'un ton sincère,
Que vos beaux yeux
Sont gracieux,
L'amour pour eux
Fixe mes vœux,
Chaque instant redouble mes feux,
Le temps n'y peut rien faire."