The Margravine. A story of the turf ... With illustrations

Chapter I. How Mrs

STANLEY MEETS HER LOSS. T would interfere with my story were I to describe the various events, conversations, joys, and dismays created by Aiargrave's victory ; suffice it to say that Enbourne and Charlie were the heroes of the hour. Charlie felt a fresh pride in having carried his friend through ; and Enbourne thought very little about it, except that it Avas " very jolly winning such a lot of money, and having no trouble." Nevertheless, he thanked VOL. II. B Charlie, Avho then informed him that he meant to haA^e nothing more to do with racing, as it took up so much of his time — time Avhich he very much wanted for the improvement of his vast estates, which he considered it his duty to attend to. Enbourne was much annoyed at this ; but, seeing there was no help for it, he said, laughing — " Well, never mind, Charlie, I shall always come and see you when you are settled down as an agriculturist ; but I suppose this sudden determination means something more, eh ?

It would be a nice time for me to do a generous action, for I'm so flush of money I could give you a real good wedding present just now." This brought Meux's speech back to Char lie's memory, and turning somewhat short upon Enbourne, he said — " I did not know I was going to be married; but perhaps the world has settled it for me. But you, Enbo, have you never thought of matrimony yet \ " This he said in his usual frank way, and looking Enbourne straight in the face. " Me ! No. Why ? " said Enbo, rather colouring. " But Avhat are you driving at, Charlie ? " Enbourne had made up his mind that Charlie was putting out a feeler respecting Airs. Stanley; he little dreamed of Charlie's real meaning. " Oh, nothing," answered Charlie. " Only I thought that as the subject of matrimony had got possession of your mind there was some possible reason for it on your part Had Charlie told his real meaning to his friend, which was clearly impossible ; had he even given him the slightest hint at that time, the probabilities are that Enbourne would have at once seen his position.

He had, no doubt, at first been very much taken, as it is commonly called, with Daisy; but, like many wild spirits of his age, he was carried away from his incipient feelings by a shade of romance. The fact of having picked up a young and lovely woman, and having taken all necessary precautions for her comfort after so alarming an accident as had occurred to Airs. Stanley under his very eyes, was enough to lead away any young man of his age and temperament from a not yet well-developed affection. Such is the chapter of accidents in the world ; and Enbourne, ever easily led, was captivated at once by a woman of Avhom he knew nothing, except that she was more kind and more empressee in her manner to him than any other woman he had ever come across. At first it had naturally occurred to him, as it Avould to any man of his age probably, that, having been on the stage, and having been more or less lightly talked of in town, she probably would be a source of amusement to him for some two or three months ; but he eventually be came convinced in his own mind that not only were all offensive reports of her conduct untrue, but that she was a very superior person ; and he even went so far as to con trast her immense talents and beauty with the beauty and brains of half the young Avomen in society.

It even, at one time, occurred to him to induce her to associate Avith a higher class of persons ; but here he met Avith a positive refusal from his fair charmer. Of course Enbourne had never calculated, previously to asking her, hoAV he would set about raising her to what he imagined to be her own level, in the face of a stage career and a doubtful reputation ; but still he was sincere in the thought and pur pose, and was somewhat mortified at her ansAver — " No, Lord Enbourne. I no doubt could be in any position I chose ; but I prefer my present one. In it I am indepen dent, and need answer for nothing I say or do." " But what on earth should keep you out of society, dear Airs. Stanley ? " " Aly own wish, Lord Enbourne ; nothing else. I shall live as I am for a short time longer, and after that my fate is dependent on circumstances."

" I wish I had a right to ask you more of yourself." " You had much better not, Lord Enbourne, for you would be sadly puzzled by a Avild spirit like mine ; and even if you had that right, and I chose to answer you, you would know nothing which Avould amuse you, and probably would end by being terribly annoyed and disappointed Avith me." " Still one feels mortified, to say the least of it, to knoAv nothing of, and be able to do nothing for, one's best friend." "Am I indeed your best friend, Lord Enbourne ? " She smiled with a charming smile, " I have no better, Airs. Stanley ;" and as he said this he made a sort of movement towards her; but she put up her hands and said — " All I ask of my best friend is to treat me Avith the respect due to a married Avoman. You will probably, sooner or later, know my husband ; till then remember that he is living, and that I am not the forlorn creature the Avorld thinks me ; that a day will come, and that soon, when all those I now choose to alloAv to sneer at me AviU be glad to receive the actress that was, in their houses."

All this she said in a serious but kind tone. She had no intention of quarrelling with Enbourne. And the latter accepted the explanation and swallowed his discomfiture with the best possible grace; but, Avhen alone, even his light and easy nature did not save him from serious consideration of the words he had heard. Alarried, was she ? Why was her husband not with her, then ? Was his name really Stanley ? Or was he, perhaps, amongst the associates he daily met, and concealing his marriage for family reasons ? What did it all mean ? If Charlie didn't chaff so tremendously he'd go and ask him to help him to sift this mystery. And thus En bourne's mind wandered about, imagining eA-ery conceivable impossibility, until he ended by becoming thoroughly addle-headed. Towards the end of the Ascot week Mrs. Stanley had pleaded illness, and returned to London, leaving her friends to themselves ; nor had she even hinted to Enbourne that she had lost any considerable sum at the races.

She had waited in almost breathless excitement for news of Johnson, and it was not till seven o'clock on Friday night that he made his appearance. He recovered from his fit, and was able to attend the races during Thursday and part of Friday ; but he did not make himself conspicuous, and pleaded his illness as an excuse for not going into the ring. To attempt to recover his losses Avas next to impossible. Had he acted entirely by himself in all the business, he might have faced the ring ; but there were those whom he had duped into falling into the same mess as himself, one or two of whom even knew to a certain amount his losses. These he did not wish to face ; and, consequently, he left Ascot before the finish of the races, and thus reached town early and unnoticed. His first care was to go home, make some change in his dress, and roughly calculate his losses and his resources for meeting them.

HaA'ing satisfied himself that the latter were only just sufficient to meet one-half of the former, he got into a cab, and drove off Avest- Avard, where he arrived, as I have already said, at seven o'clock. Johnson, with the greatest composure, accepted a seat, Avhich Mrs. Stanley somewhat coolly offered him, and began — "Well, Airs. Stanley, so we were out manœuvred ; and now comes the very unpleasant task of paying, instead of receiving, upon which we had calculated." " What does the loss amount to, Mr. John son, on my part ? " Johnson had no intention of telling her AA'hat her loss was, in the hopes that she might in some Avay have forgotten to Avrite it doAvn, in which case he should, if necessary, increase it. Nor was he aAvare of hoAV far she was informed of his proceedings ; for, knowing as he did her intimacy Avith Enbourne, and that of the latter with Delval, and that the latter, again, knew a good deal more than was convenient, it might by this means have come round to Airs.

Stanley's ears. Airs. Stanley had not been quite satisfied with the sum returned to her, and had slightly in creased her outlay ; and she well knew, although she asked it, that her loss was six hundred pounds — a loss for which she entirely blamed Johnson. " You probably have your account, Airs. Stanley ; but all I knoAv is, that the sum total of our losses amounts to very little under eight thousand pounds — a sum which must be forthcoming on Alonday or Tuesday at the latest, and which I cannot possibly find." " What do you mean, Mr. Johnson ? I have nothing to do AA'ith the matter further than my investments, which, by your mis management, are lost." "Yes, Mrs. Stanley; but please to remem ber that I worked entirely for you ; that I myself did not care a farthing whether I backed or laid against the horse ; and that it was simply to please you that I endeavoured to make laying a safe transaction."

" And now you suppose that I am going to find the money, do you ? You are very much mistaken, I can tell you." " Really, Mrs. Stanley ! But don't you see there is an old saying, ' Honour among thieves,' which is strictly applicable here. I am sure you will excuse my speaking so forcibly, but it seems necessary." " Ha ! ha ! You'll perhaps also excuse my laughing, Mr. Johnson ;" and she laughed outright. " You are welcome to do so, ma'am ; but I should hardly join you with the prospect of having to pay such a sum at such notice. To be sure it is best to take things cheerfully when ineA'itable." " Cease this, sir, for it begins to annoy me. I have already given you one hundred and fifty. Aly loss amounts to six hundred ; therefore, on Alonday you will receive four hundred and fifty more. That will do.

I must now dress : I am already late for an engagement." "Very well, Mrs. Stanley; but remember Lord Enbourne and Air. Delval Avould be somewhat amused by hearing that I have acted for you. You'll remember that I sent Isaac Wood to you with a A-erbal message on Tuesday evening ; you returned an answer by the same channel. Both messages are com promising, to say the least of them ; and although I am sure Isaac dare not say much against me, yet I am convinced he has been bought by Air. Delval. I should have no difficulty, nevertheless, in inducing him to continue his tale to them a little further. But perhaps you Avill prefer sug gesting some means of transferring eight thousand pounds to our creditors at Tatter sall's ? " Mrs. Stanley did not quite take in the danger with which he threatened her, or she did not choose to do so ; for, pointing to the door, she said — " Leave the room this minute, sir." Johnson, who felt quite sure of his game, merely bowed, and Avould have said a word or two more, but she rose and pointed to the door with such an imperative gesture that he quietly retreated.

The Alargravine. 14 Airs. Stanley was very absent at the play that night, and her friends saw a great change in her. The fact was that Johnson's words had begun to weigh on her mind ; and finding that what Avith the play and her friends' occasional remarks, she could not give sufficiently calm consideration to the matter, she left before the performance was half over. She knew that by so doing she should offend the actors and actresses engaged, as her professional reputation still clung to her, and her applause was not a little thought of behind the scenes. But then what did other people's feelings signify to her? She had been too much used to act for herself, to work for her own ends, and had noAV long looked upon ' Cliacun pour soi ' as her motto. What she absolutely settled in her own mind, and hoAv she satisfied herself respecting Johnson's im potence to harm her, remains a mystery ; but we can gather from the folloAving conversation certain facts for our information.

More- OA-er, that she did not accede to Johnson's demands became clear about the following Alonday eA'ening, Avhen it was announced at most of the West-End clubs that only one man had not settled for Ascot, and that that man was Johnson, but that it was expected that his money Avould be forthcoming on the next day. Later on it was generally understood that he had not only not settled, but that he had levanted. " Well, Charlie, I must take my hat off to you," said John Meux; "you always said that there was something wrong about that felloAv, and your words are not only come true, but apparently you haA'e been the cause of his exposure." " Poor deA'il ! now I've done him, I can hardly help being sorry for him," answered Charlie. " Can't you ? Just like your ridiculous kindness, Charlie ; I Avonder that you did not have some scruples come OA'er you at Ascot," said Enbourne.

" What do you think of his Avhole conduct since ? " "Why, the less Ave talk of it the better, that's what I think, Enbo," said Charles Delval. " Why ? " answered Enbourne, rather angrily. " You don't mean to say you believe a word he has stated about Mrs. Stanley ? " " As I told you before, Enbo, the less we say on the subject the better. True or untrue, it matters very little ; for I do not suppose she Avill suffer by it. Her friends Avon't believe it, and Avill stick by her ; and the worst that can happen will be that it Avill make a nine days' wonder for gossips." Charlie kneAv his own world, at all events. " Oh ! Avhen you come to think of it, it can't be true," said John Aleux. " Besides, you can't trust that fellow, Isaac Wood ; and he'd tell a story in a different way every half-hour for a soA'ereign each time.

He Avould, by Jove ! " " Of course he AA'ould," echoed Enbourne. " Besides, I can tell you all about it ; and I don't suppose that Airs. Stanley is so very rich as to be able to pull out eight thousand at a moment's notice. Besides, — I beg this doesn't go further " — and he spoke very con fidentially,^ — " I offered the money to Airs. Stanley, and told her she might repay me Avhen she liked ; but she burst out laughing in my face, and called me a flat for ever believing for a moment that she was fool enough to bet in such sums. There now, I think that's conclusive evidence, isn't it?" "You don't say so! Do you mean, by Jove ! that you Avent and offered her the money? Why you might just as Avell have told her she Avas a thief at once. Ha, ha ! " and then John Meux laughed long and loudly. " Of course I did not put it in that way, John," said the other cautiously.

" I talked VOL. II. C about Johnson possibly having got some hold on her, or something of that sort." " Ah ! I see ; you put it softly ; I under stand : took hold of her hand, looked her straight in the face, swore she was too good for this world, and dubbed her a devil by offering her eight thousand pounds. That's good ! When I go there next I shall ask her if she's got any friend who could lend me a few thousands at a moment's notice." " For Heaven's sake do nothing of the kind," said Enbourne. Upon which John and Charlie walked away together, leaving Enbourne unchanged in his opinion ; not but what John Meux would have done a good deal for Mrs. Stanley, and was fond of her in a way. She gave very agreeable parties, and John was particularly fond of music, to say nothing of his partiality for cards, Avhich invariably succeeded the music.

He was too old to enter the lists with the young men for Airs. Stanley's favours, How Mrs. Stanley meets her Loss. 19 and besides, saw pretty well that she only made fools of those who sought them. A long-sighted man Avas John Meux. " Have you ever thought of Avhat we spoke about at Ascot, Charlie ; I mean making Mrs. Stanley's acquaintance?" said John. " Yes ; I have thought a good deal about your kind hints, and I have certainly come to the conclusion that you are right as regards Daisy. But I have never thought of making Mrs. S.'s acquaintance ; first, because I cannot see that any good could come of it ; and in the next place, I have a sort of dislike for her. I really could not give my reasons, but she has something in her which half frightens me." "What fearful nonsense, Charlie! I can't understand a fellow like you giving way to such ridiculous notions.

Come with me on Friday next. She has a small drum. You'll hear some really good music." " Not on it I hope," said Charlie. " And I haA'e a particular fancy for taking you there. Will you say ' Yes ?' ' " Very well, John, as you like it ; but I can't see the good it can do, nevertheless." John saw in his OAvn mind a very good reason for its doing good. In the first place, he had often been asked by Airs. Stanley to bring Charlie, so that it was evident she had some sort of penchant for him ; and secondly, he kneAv that Charlie was just the man Avho might, impossible as it had seemed hitherto to do so, captivate her ; and should such a thing happen, why Enbourne Avould be shelved, and would possibly return to Daisy. Any how, of one thing John Meux felt convinced, and that Avas, that there could be no harm in trying it, for it was long odds against her making a fool of Charlie, or doing him any harm.

John Aleux knew a thing or two; at least, he thought he did. He was a clever fellow, as times go ; had lived much in the world ; knew How Airs. Stanley meets her Loss. 21 men and horses, and women under certain aspects. He no more knew the wiles of women than you or I do. He was not wrong abstractedly in his judgment of Charles Delval. Airs. Stanley was not the sort of bait to catch such a fish, nor Avas Charlie the fish to be caught. But John Aleux would have said or thought the same of Charlie under any circumstances, and even now he never knew how nearly he was Avrong. There are hard, clear-sighted natures in the world never taken with its tinsel. That is because they always apply to their common sense, — they ignore their heart ; but once get a man to acknowledge that he has a heart, and hard and clear-sighted however he may be, some day he succumbs.

This is the fish that wants the right bait ; not your greedy perch or pike, but your delicate salmon, Avhich wants Avind, bait, weather, and tackle to be against him, and can then only be taken by a really scientific hand. Airs. The Alargravine. 22 Stanley was a scientific hand. She handled her tackle not delicately, but as it best answered her purpose ; and Avhen John Aleux sent Charles Delval at it to nibble, he did a stupid thing. Lord Enbourne's meat was very nearly Charles Delval's poison. Of beasts without hearts I need not speculate. Their fame is as good as the woman's.

Chapter II

A FIRST VISIT. pp|SifN the following Friday a small !Lxæ|fl billet from John Meux informed Mrs. Stanley that he had persuaded Charlie to accompany him that evening, and that they would be with her about ten o'clock ; and when the guests arrived to dinner — amongst others Lord Enbourne — they found their hostess in great spirits, and even more than usually soignee in her toilette ; her golden-auburn hair in high and very waved bandeaux in front, and fastened behind by a blue velvet bandelette, ornamented in the centre of the head by a simple rose ponpon, and whose ends were far down the skirt of her dress, burying themselves in her long train : round her neck a similar ribbon supporting an ornament which occupied the parts exposed by her square-cut dress. This, made of blue satin trimmed tastefully Avith old point d'Alencon, formed a demi-toilette which her perfect figure set off to the greatest advantage.

Enbourne thought he had never seen her look so lovely, and did not miss his oppor tunity of telling her so, very much indeed to her satisfaction, for she had no intention of being seen to disadvantage, as she informed him, by his friend Mr. Delval, Avho Avas coming that evening. Enbourne could not conceal his surprise at this announcement, as Charlie had never informed him of his intention ; and Airs. Stanley, observing this, said laughingly — " I see that, regardless of Avhat I have so often told you, my lord, you are already jealous. What will it be when you see how cordially I welcome your friend ? for I intend to make a great friend of him, I can tell you." KnoAving Charlie's partiality for music, she had engaged one of the first violoncellists in Europe, who Avas then in town, and a pianist to accompany him.

Thus she thought she Avould not be required continually at the piano during the evening, and Avould be able to occupy herself as circumstances dictated. Her drawing-room was one mass of floAvers. In this there was nothing unusual ; but per haps the specimen roses and carnations, in diminutive glass bottles, were placed here and there Avith more careful taste. The jardiniere, too, fixed in the fire-place, was positively blooming with untied roses. They stood in the vases on her mantel-piece, and on her Avriting table Avas a magnificent bouquet brought to her by one of her most faithful theatrical friends. He treated her parentally, and insisted on calling her Kitty (by which name he had knoAvn her on the stage), and upon doing the honours of the house in place of the absent and mysterious master.

This conduct on Mr. Broughton' s part was warranted by his portly person and grey hairs, Avithout the possibility of scandal. Never, in a word, did a room look brighter, and the fair Mrs. Stanley was quite in her element; not but that an occasional uneasiness came over her. She had fixed upon Charlie as the man of all others whom she would wish to have at her feet ; and when the thought that all the pains she had taken to bewitch him might be fruit less crossed her mind, she felt nervous, and I shudder while I write it, had recourse to the glass. This reassured her, for she must have been a very innocent woman not to have felt convinced of her superiority to most of her sex. Why, then, all this nervousness ? Why did she occasionally feel a want of self-con fidence ? Why did she, before any one arrived, try her voice, running scales as if she were taking a lesson ?

Was it simply because she had seen a great, good-natured looking man, with whom she had fallen in love at first sight ? This Avas not part of her character. Such a thing proclaims a romantic turn of mind, and no one Avho had ever knoAvn Kitty Bowyer, or Mrs. Stanley, would have accused her of romance. Was it, then, that Charlie Avas one of the most popular men in town — that he was seldom seen to approach a woman Avithout receiving a hearty welcome ? Had she observed this, and had she settled in her own mind that she Avould deprive society of one of its favourites ? John Meux and Mr. Broughton were fully convinced of this. Enbourne did not positively see it in that light ; still his mental remarks bore pretty well upon the same subject. "Strange, that fellow Charlie ; if there is a woman worth knowing, she's sure to Avant to know him.

What the devil is it, I should like to know?" But, as the clock was on the stroke of ten, one of the servants hired on such occasions announced Air. Meux and Air. Delval. " Good evening, Mrs. Stanley," said John ; " IVe brought a friend of mine, by your per mission. Mr. Delval, Mrs. Stanley — a tidy hand at whist and a very good judge of toilettes. I don't think he'll find fault Avith yours, eh ? That rose ! Ah ! ten years younger — that's all, on my Avord — and I'd have given a thousand to ha\-e had it Avhen it left its present resting-place. I would, by Jove ! " and he left her laughing. " I should have been here before, Airs. Stanley, had I folloAved the dictates of my feelings ; but I was afraid of intruding upon you," began Charlie, rather nervously, for the first time in his life since his arrival in England.

"Well, I'm glad you haA-e arrived at last, Mr. Delval ; for I Avas most anxious to thank you for all the kind messages you sent me by Lord Enbourne." " That dreadful fall ahvays makes me shiver Avhen I think of it, and then my hack's con duct " " Oh ! don't mention that, pray ; it was much more my fault than his. And besides, the horse I Avas riding was such a brute that I Avas glad to get rid of him, and now I have replaced him by a perfect darling." " I quite agree Avith you there, Mrs. Stanley. I saw you yesterday riding him ; he is nearly perfect ; but had you alloAved me, he should have gone from my stable to yours, not from a dealer's." " Oh ! I couldn't have thought of accepting such a present, Air. Delval. From a child, my greatest amusement has been riding new horses, and I should like to have a fresh one every month.

But now you have found your way here, I trust that I shall be able to amuse you sufficiently to induce you to return occasionally. ATou are fond of music, I knoAv, as I hear a good deal of you through Lord Eno 30 bourne, who often comes to pay me a visit ; and I have here an artist of some merit. What music do you like best?" And thus laughingly she drew him on to the piano, and affecting to consult him, started her instrumentalists with a part of the Pardon de Pro'ermel by Aleyerbeer, and then went off, by way of saying a word to some of her guests. It had often been the wonder of such men as John Aleux how a woman in her doubtful position could do the honours of her house so gracefully and with such refinement. Where had she acquired her elegance of manner, her perfect tact ? It was impossible that authors or stage managers could have given it to her.

HoAvever much a man or woman may have been forced by stage education, there is always a lurking touch of vulgarity percep tible, unless previous associations have per fected their manners. Nothing ever escaped Charlie ; and, as he stood over the piano watching her movements, he was someAvhat startled by Enbourne. "Well, Charlie, so you've got here at last, have you ? What do you think of her ?" " Why, I've hardly had time to look, much less to think ; but she is exceedingly hand some." Later on, Mrs. Stanley, at John Aleux's request, sang the last air of Faust, with such effect as even to draAV rounds of applause from the artists, one of whom was accom panying her, and the other turning over the leaves. As for Charlie, he sat beAvildered. Could this be the woman that every scape grace in London talked of so lightly ?