Basildon

Chapter I

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy ; Thou art thyself. — Romeo and Juliet. I would thou hadst told me of another father. As You Like It. ' And please to remember one thing, Isabel,' said my mother, as we went downstairs ; ' and that is, that it will be highly improper if you dance more than twice with the same person.' Full of surprise, I stopped short on my way, and said, ' But if I have a very nice partner, mother ? ' ' That makes no difference ! There is an etiquette in these things, and you must conform to it.' ' You don't mean that I am to dance with a stupid partner when I might perhaps have an agreeable one, rather than ' VOL. I. B BASILDON. 2 ' You must obey the laws of society.' ' Papa ! ' I exclaimed — for by this time we had reached the drawing-room, where he was sitting by the fire with a newspaper — ' Papa ! do you think it wrong to dance three times with the same person ? ' ' If you ask me, my dear, I should say that it was twice too often ! ' And thus I was dismissed to my first ball.

How I hated the laws of society ! I was constantly coming in collision with them ! Not from any desire to do so, but somehow or other I never could impress them on my mind — never could remember that the things which looked so innocent were so wrong, and the things which seemed such trifles were of such importance. I suffered much from these laws of society. This very evening I was a victim to them. I had a pink silk dress, in which I always felt I looked well, but I was not allowed to wear it. It had been ' seen ;' besides a girl ' must dress in white when she was introduced ; ' so I was obliged to obey, and put on a trying white dress, knowing all the while that it made me look ghastly, for I was far too pale to look well in it. However, in white I was sent out, BASILDON. 3 and I had a white rose on the outside of my head, and such masses of hints on etiquette inside, that I felt as if all spirit were bleached out of me.

In spite of the check which I had received, my heart bounded with delight when I heard the music, and I sprang out of the carriage light as air. We had on principle come late, for we were of the aristocracy of Dorminster, unmoved by common emotions, and partook of the pleasures set before us without any indecent haste or enthusiasm. It would not have been the thing for us to have entered the ball-room early in the evening — it would have looked as if such pleasures were too much of a treat to us ! No, we sipped a little of the excitement of the evening when it was at its height. My mother made her way to an elevated row of seats at the top of the room, where we found Lady Lucy Clifford, Mrs. de Tracy, a baronet's wife who lived near, and all the magnates of the county. There, and there only, could we sit with any feeling of comfort, for my father was Arch deacon of Dorminster, and my mother a baronet's daughter herself.

A low bench ran B BASILDON. round the sides of the room, and here congre gated the wives and daughters of the lesser gentry of the town and neighbourhood, trying not to mind the exclusiveness of our party, or the airs of superiority we gave ourselves. As soon as I sat down I felt woebegone, for suppose not one person should wish to dance with me during the whole evening ! Should I be able to sit placidly there and look as if I did not notice it ? Could I keep up the appearance of indifference until we went home ? I had, however, barely time to make myself miserable with the thought before a partner presented himself. I was quite grateful to him, though it was only Sir Mark Morton. It would, however, have been too horrible not to have had a single partner all night. My mother, dear, kind soul, looked pleased also, and watched us with a benignant smile as we took our places in the quadrille which was just being formed.

Did she like to see me dance with Sir Mark, or had she too been afraid that I should ' sit out ' all the evening ? Sir Mark lived near us, that is about three miles off, and he had a very fine old place, for which he did not care, because it was so far from London and its pleasures. BASILDON. 5 ' Not such bad rooms for a country place like this ! ' said he, with a lordly drawl. ' But they are beautiful rooms,' cried I warmly, for I thought so. ' Nothing after London rooms — nothing at all!' I heard disparaging sentences of this kind all through the first figure of the quadrille ; during the second he criticised the ' girls,' but found most to say about their feet and their dresses. He even knew the difference between a tarlatan and a grenadine ! After all, I thought, there is not much pleasure in going to a ball ; but then came another partner, and he danced splendidly, and we had a waltz which changed the world to me, and for the time filled me with the wildest and most intense happiness.

I never felt anything like the delight of the rapid motion ! We whirled round and round, we darted here and there, we obeyed nothing but the music, we barely touched the earth — most certainly we never felt it ! It was the very happiest evening of my whole life ! I had numbers of partners, some old acquaintances, some new ones, but I did not care who they were. They bored me when BASILDON. they talked — I only wished to dance! I made my answers as short as possible, and laughed to myself when I remembered how my father and mother had bound me not to dance more than twice with the same person. As if I cared the least whom I had for a partner so long as I had one who could dance well ! I duly re turned to my mother after each dance was over. She looked happy too, and was enjoy ing this rare opportunity of a chat with her friends.

We were to leave at one o'clock — papa had made us promise not to stay later. He could not bear to have his rest broken ; and though mamma had ordered a bed to be prepared for herself in my room, we were still to return at one, for he said the knowledge that she was coming home late would disturb him, whether he heard her or not. So, in what seemed an incredibly short space of time, she told me that we must go. I felt heart-broken at having to tear myself away, but I knew how angry papa would be if we were late, and dared not pro pose delay. We had not even stayed until sup per, and I had thoughtlessly engaged myself for two dances after that. There was no help for BASILDON. 7 it, and we began to go. On the way I saw my partners that were to have been, excused my self to them, and then passed on, feeling more and more regretful each step I took.

On the stairs, just as we were going into the cloak-room, we met Sir Mark Morton with old Mrs. Fortescue. ' You are surely not going ? ' cried he. ' Yes, we are,' said my mother. ' We are obliged to do so.' '. But supper will be ready in a moment, and you must give me one more dance, Miss Harrison.' ' Indeed, Sir Mark, we cannot stay,' inter posed my mother ; ' my husband is not well, and ' ' But,' said Mrs. Fortescue, to whom from that instant I gave a double portion of love, ' you need not take Miss Bell away with you ! Leave her with me.' ' I dare not ! She will disturb her father if she comes in late. I dare not, really ! ' ' Nonsense, dear ! It would never do to take that poor child away ! Let her go home with me, and then no one need be disturbed. She can share Evelyn's room to-night ; you can send her a dress in the morning.' BASILDON.

No one heard the mysteries of these arrangements but Sir Mark Morton, and he exclaimed, ' Capital idea ! Really capital ! Women are so wonderfully ready-witted ! Then, Miss Harrison, you will do me the honour of dancing the first dance after supper with me, and allow me the pleasure of conduct ing you to that repast ? ' Mamma looked undecided for a moment ; I too hesitated. ' I won't refuse your kind offer, Mrs. Fortescue,' said she at last, unable to resist so many entreaties ; ' I suppose you will not stay very late ? ' ' No, not very ; though, mind, 1 am rather under Evelyn's dominion.' ' Then I will go now, and leave Isabel with you, since you so kindly wish it.' Sir Mark was all delight. I went to help mamma to get her shawl, and Mrs. Fortescue stayed where she was. ' Isabel,' said my mother in a nervous whisper when we were alone, ' if Sir Mark asks you to dance again, I shall not mind your breaking your promise to me if you wish par ticularly to dance with him.' ' Oh, I have no wish at all ! ' said I. ' He BASILDON. 9 is the stupidest partner I have had the whole night ! ' • As you please, dear — most girls, though, would jump at having him for a partner.' He took mamma to her carriage, and then rejoined us ; but as an aged and dignified High Sheriff, or Deputy Lieutenant, or something equally mysterious and high-sounding, took Mrs. Fortescue into supper, I was left to follow with Sir Mark. ' You need not have stopped in that room to beautify,' said he ; ' you were quite too bad in that way already ! ' ' What do you mean?

I did not stay to beautify.' 'Well, you know that while Mrs. Harrison was putting on her things, you were at the looking-glass adding little touches.' ' No, indeed ! 1 never thought of such a thing ! ' said I. ' Oh, but 1 know quite well that no lady can pass a looking-glass without one little peep. You might just as well confess.' ' 1 confess nothing ! I had not time to think of myself.' ' Not perhaps for operations on a large scale, BASILDON. but time enough to alter your hair. You had a pretty comb in it when you went away — so now, you see, you are found out ! ' ' Oh, my comb, I gave that to mamma to put in her pocket and take home for me.' ' Because you thought you would try the effect of beauty unadorned ? ' ' Because it dropped out twice while I was dancing,' I answered impatiently.

What a bore Sir Mark was ! And I had to sit next him at supper time, and he would talk. There was nothing for it but submission. I sat and let the stream of his small talk play full on me. Mrs. Fortescue was far away from us, near the head of the table — we had some how or other been parted hopelessly. Sir Mark talked, ate, uttered mild witticisms, and twentieth rate compliments. I ate and responded as best I might. During a blissful, but momentary lull, 1 heard a very pleasant voice close by me. I looked round, but saw nothing but the back of a head covered with crisp, curly, golden-brown hair, turned from me towards a lady whom I did not know. ' Won't you let me give you some more chicken ? ' asked Sir Mark. BASILDON. 11 ' No, thank you, nothing more.' ' Can you not eat some jelly, or toy with a trifle ?

Ha ! ha ! ha ! Not bad, is it ? ' and he threw himself back and laughed again. I laughed also, benevolently sympathising with this symptom of mental weakness, just as I should have done with any bodily ailment — but I thought myself justified in turning once more to see if any help from boredom could be found near. He — the stranger, was, however, really a stranger. This time he was looking down the table. I saw a pair of piercing blue eyes, over hung by somewhat shaggy eyebrows, a fine nose, a well cut mouth — in fact, such a good face altogether, that I could not help looking at it for a moment. Sir Mark instantly recalled my attention by asking, ' Why is a watch-dog larger by night than by day ? ' ' Don't ask me, Sir Mark ; I never can guess riddles.' ' I should have thought you would have guessed them like lightning.

Well, do you give it up then ? Because he is let out at night, and taken in in the morning ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! I wish you liked riddles, though, for I know an awful lot of them ! We always have BASILDON. them at home all the time between dinner and tea.' ' Not every night ? ' ' Yes, every night, unless we all go to sleep.' As if life were long enough to give up an hour a day to riddles ! — of that kind at least ! And what an attractive picture he drew of home life ! 1 am afraid 1 looked round again. The gentleman in whom I was interested was talk ing eagerly with his neighbour, so I had time to observe him carefully. He was evidently a born aristocrat — one accustomed to rule — to be ministered unto, to be utterly careless as to how he looked, what he wore, what anyone thought of him, so certain was it that he could not be taken for other than he was.

This was a man who no doubt stood boldly by when people turned over Burke's sacred volumes, instead of feigning an interest in something else. As I got so far in my speculations, I caught sight of a hand so small, so shapely, that I put mine under the table in very shame. ' It's getting slow here,' said Sir Mark. ' Suppose we go back to the ball-room.' ' Oh, no, we must wait till Mrs. Fortescue comes. BASILDON. 13 ' But you are going to dance with me. Let us go now, she will be there by the time our galop is over.' ' I had rather wait. She will not know where 1 am if 1 go,' was the answer I made, and it was due to a vivid recollection of my mother's maxims. Mrs. Fortescue, however, rose almost im mediately, and we did our best to make our way to her. When we succeeded in doing so, she was standing in a little crowd by the doorway, talking to the very gentleman who had sat near me during supper. ' Only think, dear,' she exclaimed, taking me by the hand as she spoke, ' I have found a very old friend here !

He has just come back to Dorminster, and he has been so long absent ! Mr. Wyvil, I must introduce you to my second daughter — at least, that is what she is for to night.' 1 bowed, and made some little remark, and presently he asked me to dance with him. I turned to my card and chose waltz number 1 7. Then I was hurried away by the impatient Sir Mark. When the galop I danced with him was over, and I was with Mrs. Fortescue again, Mr. BASILDON. Wyvil came and said, ' This is our galop, Miss Fortescue.' It was a waltz, and I was not Miss For tescue, but no matter for that ; we danced it without my thinking it worth while to set him right on either point. ' Have you enjoyed yourself this evening ? he asked. ' Yes, more than all the rest of my life put together ! ' He smiled and said, ' And the riddles ?

I looked in his face half incredulously — had he heard them ? He smiled again, and said, ' I have a double set of eyes and ears somewhere at the back of my head.' ' What a very disagreeable man you must be to live with, if that is the case ! ' was my thought. ' No, don't say that ! ' cried he, answering my unspoken speech. ' By the bye, who was the gentleman who sat next you at supper ? ' ' Sir Mark Morton,' I replied. ' You don't mean that that was Sir Mark Morton ! ' cried he, and chilled visibly. ' Yes ; don't you know him ? Here he is ! ' At this very moment he was sauntering towards BASILDON. 15 us with his partner. Mr. Wyvil's whole ex pression changed in a moment, and a hard, cold look came into his eyes as he saw him. Sir Mark, happy man, was not one to feel unseen influences, he was looking at me, and said as he passed, ' It's awfully jolly here to-night, isn't it ?

One always feels ten pounds better after supper ! ' I did so wish he would either hold his tongue, or talk sense, especially as his words were addressed to me. How Mr. Wyvil was scrutinizing his appearance ! ' Don't you know Sir Mark ? ' I enquired. ' I never saw him before in my life, but I have often heard of him,' said he, turning to pursue him with a glance of anything but affection. Then why did he dislike him so ? I could not ask him, and he evidently did not mean to tell me. The minute after, we resumed our dance. ' And so this is the happiest evening of your life ? ' said he, the next time we stopped to rest a moment. ' Yes, it is my first ball, you know. Have you not enjoyed yourself ? ' BASILDON. ' Yes, in a fashion. I have met some old friends, and that is a pleasure, and some old enemies, and that is enjoyable too, you know.' 'You know Dorminster then ?' said I, with irrepressible curiosity. ' Yes — that is, I used to know it long ago, when I was a boy.

I daresay I shall soon renew my acquaintance with some of the people I used to see — at any rate to a certain extent.' ' Then you are going to stay here ?' ' Oh yes ; I think I must introduce myself properly. I am Mr. Elder's new partner. Is Mr. Elder your doctor ? ' ' No, Dr. Madden is our doctor.' ' That is a pity ! You have no idea what you lose! If making good resolutions goes for anything, I am going to be an invaluable partner to him.' ' We shall see. You will probably begin well, and then little by little fall off. The first sign will be that you will hang about in the aisles of the cathedral at anthem-time.' ' That is surely not a deadly sin ? ' ' Certainly not in itself, but it breaks into both the morning and the afternoon, and in BASILDON. 17 Dorminster betokens a man by no means wrapt up in business.' ' You Torget that I shall not be my own master, but the slave of the public' He did not look like a country doctor.

I was more and more puzzled. When the waltz was over, a quadrille began almost directly. ' Will you let me dance this with you ?' said he ; but I was engaged. ' Then the galop after ? ' ' With pleasure,' said I, not untruly, and was glad when the time for it came, as he interested me. Instead of beginning to dance he asked, ' Shall we dance this ? ' ' I beg your pardon — what do you mean ? ' said I in much surprise. ' I mean shall we dance ourselves, or sit and talk a little, and watch others making ' My evident surprise cut this unpromising beginning short. ' Fools of themselves,' was no doubt what he was about to say. I was not prepared for such a sacrifice. ' Don't you like dancing ? ' I enquired pitifully. ' I detest it ! I look on it as an utterly savage amusement.' vol. i. c BASILDON.

I did not like to say, ' Then why did you ask me ? ' but looked my question I suppose, or something like it, for he said, 'Why did I come ? Firstly, because the people with whom I am staying badgered me into coming, and then I had a wish to do so myself ; I suppose that is the real reason why I yielded.' ' Do you never do a good-natured thing ? ' ' Oh, I have no doubt that I am as weak as the rest of mankind, if properly managed.' ' How could you want to come if you dislike dancing ? ' ' Shall I tell you ? ' ' Yes,' was my reply ' Because they said a certain young lady was to be here, and I wanted to see her ! Not for any silly romantic reason — I see you think that — from quite contrary motives I assure you ! ' ' How enigmatical you are, and you know I don't like riddles ! How can anyone wish tto see a person whom he does not like ?

You must like her !' ' But I have never even seen her ! ' was his prompt reply. ' Perhaps you like some of her relations very much ? ' was my next suggestion. BASILDON. 19 ' I hate them all, root and branch ! Her father, her mother, and everyone belonging to her, and I intend to hate her too ! ' ' Then I have not the least doubt but that you will end by liking her immensely.' ' That is perhaps the only thing in the world which I am quite sure can never happen. That is simply impossible.' ' Is she a Gorgon ? ' Probably, but you know I have never seen her, Then, after all, she was not here ? ' ' Yes, she was here, but I dined in the country and did not arrive here till very late, and her mother was taken ill, or something, and went away rather early, and I only saw their retreating backs.' ' I wish I knew who she was ! ' said I, with an odd tension at my heart, for my mother had left early, and I had gone a small part of the way with her. ' You are curious ! ' said he with a very pleasant smile. ' Oh do excuse me — but curiosity is a virtue,' said I. c BASILDON. ' I should very much like to hear that proved,' was his answer. ' If I do prove it, will you give me one little hint who the young lady is ? ' ' Yes, I promise ; but you will find it very difficult to do so — however, I want to keep my secret.' ' You have heard, have you not, that this was a perfectly good and happy world until Pandora opened the box in which was locked up all that was evil ? ' ' Yes, I have heard that.' ' But mind curiosity was not in the box, for it was curiosity which tempted her to open it.

Curiosity was outside, and therefore it must have been a good thing !' ' Logically proved ! I own myself beaten,' said he laughing, ' so I will answer any 'reason able questions.' How was she dressed ? ' In white.' Is she good-looking ?' ' I only saw the back of her head as she was leaving the ball-room, but people tell me she is beautiful.— Not that I believe it— how could she be beautiful ? ' BASILDON. 21 ' Can you not describe her dress ? ' ' Not so as to satisfy a feminine intellect. It was white, and she had a large gold comb in her hair — a comb made of some kind of fila gree-work I think.' My own voice sounded strange to me as I asked the next question. ' Her name ? ' ' Oh no, that I can't tell you. You have made me tell you too much already ! Far too much ! ' ' But you are bound by your promise — you must give me a certain amount of information.

Well, don't tell her name, but tell me how her mother was dressed.' 'But I don't exactly know. It was some grey dress — or perhaps lilac — you would know what it was in a moment, and would fit it with its proper adjective, dove-colour, or fawn-colour. It was some kind of neutral tint, and stiff, and there was a great deal of black lace about it.' He had described my mother's dress and my own, so I said, ' And her name, Mr. Wyvil, began with H.' He looked surprised, but only said, ' Even if that were true, it would be but a vague BASILDON. description here. Every name that begins with a vowel has an H prefixed to it in Dorminster — but, Miss Fortescue, please do not let us talk any more about this.' ' That is not my name,' said I, boldly but sadly. He turned to me in great surprise and said, ' But you were introduced to me by that name, and I have been talking to you as if you were my old friend's daughter ! ' ' That was your mistake or Mrs. Fortescue's. I think she did say something about my being her second daughter, but she only meant daughter for the evening.

Would you kindly take me to her ? ' ' Have I been so unfortunate as to offend you in any way ? ' 'Oh no,' said I, blushing, confused and un comfortable ; ' but when you know my name, Mr. Wyvil, you will have no objection to take me to her ? ' ' I wish you would tell it to me,' said he very gently and kindly, but looking very anxious at the same time. ' If I had had my gold comb in my hair, I suppose you would have known me.' BASILDON. 23 His eagerness increased. ' Tell me your name for pity's sake.' There was no need for me to force my lips to utter my own name, for Mr. Lowther, one of the gentlemen to whom I had excused myself before supper when I thought we were leaving, came to me at this moment and said, ' Oh, Miss Harrison, then you did not go after all ! I am so disappointed I have lost the pleasure.' ' Mamma went away, but at the last moment she left me behind with Mrs. Fortescue.

I am very sorry, but I could not see you before supper, and felt sure afterwards that you would either be already engaged to some one else, or see me in time.' ' I did engage myself again,' said he, ' and now my card is full for the whole evening. I am indeed unfortunate.' All this time Mr. Wyvil was standing by looking the picture of impatience. ' You hear,' said I, when Mr. Lowther had left us. ' Now please take me to Mrs. Fortescue.' ' No, not now ! I entreat you to wait one moment. Do not deprive me of my one chance of making amends for my unpardonable stupi dity. Can you not forget what I have said BASILDON. and forgive me ? I cannot think how I can have been such an idiot as to talk such non sense. ' Will you not tell me why you wish to dis like me ?' ' Please say no more about such folly,' said he earnestly ' And why do you speak so about papa and mamma ? ' He looked so distressed that I felt inclined to fling my annoyance at his feet and beg him not to trouble himself any more about me or about what he had said. ' I will try to think no more of it,' said I, with a forced smile after a moment's pause. ' Mrs. Fortescue is at the other end of the room, please let us go to her.' ' Don't insist on that.

Give me one moment more. ' Why ask me ? ' said I. ' If all this be true, and you hate me so much, you had better do as I wish.' ' Hate you ! ' cried he vehemently, ' but I do not hate you ! Anything but that ! Let us dance this,' continued he abruptly. ' This galop will end in a moment or so, let us finish it BASILDON. 25 together. Do you read Browning's poems ? ' he added suddenly. 'No,' said I safely, for I was a stupid thing and read nothing. 'Then you don't know " The Last Ride " ? That best describes my feeling now. But let us dance.' I don't know how it was that I yielded, but I did, and we joined in the galop just as it was rushing to an end with accelerated and mad rapidity. We had a wild whirl round the room and stopped when the music stopped, close by Mrs. Fortescue. He saw where we were, and that we were no longer alone and said, in a low voice which was almost a whisper, ' If you really are Miss Harrison, remember, if you and I never speak another word to each other, that I do not hate you ! ' BASILDON.