“We must find
An evident calamity, though we had
Our wish, which side should win.”
Shakspeare.
Philip Martindale was very glad that his cousin had not asked any importunate questions concerning the motive of his journey to London, but he was very sorry that the journey had been fruitless. He was desirous of returning as soon as possible to Brigland, that he might there discuss with Lord and Lady Martindale, whom he had left at the Abbey, the important matter which had occupied his thoughts, as described at the close of the last chapter. For as yet they knew nothing of the discovery of Mr. John Martindale’s daughter; and their impression concerning the young gentleman’s journey to town was, that he had been there with a view of endeavouring to ascertain the real meaning and origin of the rumours which were afloat as touching their opulent relative. Philip, on his return to Brigland, explained the whole affair.
Thereupon serious looks were assumed by Lord and Lady Martindale, and those serious looks reflected by their honorable son. They were all three greatly perplexed—they all three uttered many wise sayings—they all three talked the matter over with great deliberation—they all three resolved and concluded that something must be done; but they were all three at a loss to know what must be done. Looking at one another was not the best way to get over their perplexities, and yet it is what people often do in perplexities; nor was there any progress made by the simultaneous and harmonious expression of wishing that matters had been otherwise. The past will not return, and that which is done cannot be undone. There is no great wisdom in this discovery; the merit is in applying it to practical purposes. A great deal of time is lost, and a great deal of trouble and pains incurred, for want of the wisdom which the above truism would teach. Lady Martindale repeated what she had said before, as to the impolicy of Philip’s accepting the old gentleman’s offer of the Abbey. Philip repeated what he had said before, namely, that he might have offended and alienated the old gentleman by a refusal. Lord Martindale repeated, that there was some truth and propriety in what they both said. Still they were no nearer to a conclusion promising any satisfaction.
In the midst of this perplexity, Philip thought it would be a good time to propose his own scheme for getting rid of all the difficulty by offering his hand to Clara Rivolta. He was not, however, without his fears that the proposal would not be acceptable to Lord and Lady Martindale: he therefore approached the subject cautiously and circuitously. After a little pause, and with a change of tone and altered look, as if the question of what must be done had been adjourned and a new topic called, he began to talk of the meeting with these newly-discovered relatives in such a manner as to lead Lady Martindale to ask particularly as to their appearance and manner. To this inquiry he gave such an answer as impressed her ladyship with a higher opinion of them all three than he had actually expressed in his description of them. He uttered his compliments in the tone and with the air of concession, and his language was circuitous, so that it did not appear purposely directed to the object of exciting a high opinion of the party. When he spoke of Signora Rivolta, he did not say that her style was truly noble and commanding, but he said that her style and address reminded him of the Hon. Mrs. B——, or of Lady Charlotte D——. Then he added some little qualification of the comparison; but the qualification was rather in favor of the daughter of John Martindale, so far as the taste of Lady Martindale was concerned; for it is a notorious fact that all sensible people think differently from the rest of the world. Therefore, if there be in any character or individual a little more or a little less than what the world in general is supposed to consider the medium of excellence, sensible people rather admire such excess or defect. Sensible people, for instance, may admire that eccentricity which is not according to the popular standard. Some may admire rather more than the standard allowance of pride, or prefer a little deficiency in the article of meekness. Philip was well acquainted with his mother’s taste in all these matters, and therefore he extolled the ladies to his mother’s mind, though he did not loudly praise them to her ear; for he spoke of the daughter after the same manner as he had spoken of the mother.
Another pause following this part of the conversation, gave an opportunity to Lord Martindale to suggest that it might perhaps be advisable for Philip to marry the young foreigner, and thus to have a double hold on Mr. John Martindale’s affections. This proposal was very artfully insinuated into his lordship’s mind by the manner in which Philip had spoken of the high esteem in which Mr. John Martindale appeared to hold his new family. When his lordship had spoken, Philip did not reply, waiting for Lady Martindale’s opinion, which was generally of more weight in the family than that of his lordship. No answer being given, the question was repeated.
Philip then replied, that what his lordship had said was perfectly true; the property of Mr. John Martindale would be clearly secured by this arrangement, and so far as the young lady was concerned, there could be no objection on the ground of style and manner, or of education.
This was said hesitatingly, so that his lordship was under the necessity of asking what other objection there could be; to which Mr. Philip ventured to mention the circumstance of her mother’s birth. Now this on Philip’s part was a very affected refinement; but it was said for Lady Martindale’s ear, who then replied, that such objection was fastidious indeed, if the ladies were such as they had been described. The greatest objection to such a step was, in her opinion, that it was not quite so sure of answering the purpose in point of property as they imagined. There was no answering for caprice; and it was possible that the property might be so left, as that Philip might have no power over it.