An air of solemn mystery in her ladyship’s manner, as she pronounced these words, excited general attention. There was a dead silence, which lasted several minutes: some feeble attempts were then made by each of the company to start a fresh subject of conversation; but it would not do—all relapsed into the silence of expectation. At last Clarence Hervey arrived. Belinda rejoiced that the universal curiosity which Lady Delacour had inspired prevented any one’s observing the sudden change in Mr. Hervey’s countenance when he beheld her.
“A pretty set of curious children you are!” cried Lady Delacour, laughing. “Do you know, Clarence, that they are all dying with impatience to see un gage d’amitié that I have brought for you; and the reason that they are so curious is simply because I had the address to say, in a solemn voice, ‘I cannot satisfy your curiosity till Clarence Hervey arrives.’ Now follow me, my friends; and if you be disappointed, lay the blame, not on me, but on your own imaginations.”
She led the way to Mrs. Delacour’s dressing-room, and all the company followed.
“Now, what do you expect to see?” said she, putting the key into the door.
After waiting some moments for a reply, but in vain, she threw open the door, and they saw, hung before the wall opposite to them, a green curtain.
“I thought, my dear Clarence,” resumed Lady Delacour, “that no present could be more agreeable to you than a companion for your Virginia. Does this figure,” continued she, drawing back the curtain, “does this figure give you the idea of Paul?”
“Paul!” said Clarence; “it is a naval officer in full uniform: what can your ladyship mean?”
“Virginia perhaps will know what I mean, if you will only stand out of her way, and let her see the picture.”
At these words Clarence made way for Virginia: she turned her eyes upon the picture, uttered a piercing shriek, and fell senseless upon the floor.
“Take it coolly,” said Lady Delacour, “and she will come to her senses presently. Young ladies must shriek and faint upon certain occasions; but men (looking at Clarence Hervey) need not always be dupes. This is only a scene; consider it as such, and admire the actress as I do.”