The Master of the Ceremonies Part 56

"I am a very old friend of your father, Miss Denville."

"Oh, yes, my lord. I remember you when I was quite a little child."

"And now," he said, "I am getting to be an old man, and you have grown into a beautiful woman. Will you--do not be alarmed; no one can see-- will you accept this little offering from so old a friend, and wear it for his sake?"

He held out the l.u.s.trous necklace as he spoke, believing that they were quite unseen; but it was not so, for Colonel Mellersh said softly to Linnell:

"There, d.i.c.k, what did I tell you?"

"Lord Carboro'," said Claire, with quiet dignity, "I could only take so valuable a jewel from--from--"

"A very dear friend, my child. Let me be that friend."

She looked at him searchingly, and then dropped her eyes, saying nothing, but drawing back with a slight gesture that was unmistakable, and glided away.

"The mentor is not always right, Colonel Mellersh," said Richard Linnell quietly. "I feel as if I had been playing the spy, but I do not regret it, from the effect it must have on you."

"Egad, she's a very queen," said Lord Carboro', as he quietly took out his snuff-box, and dropped the necklet into his pocket. "By George, sir, I never thought there was such a woman in the world."

The conversation was at its height, and Claire twice over managed to intercept Sir Harry when he was approaching her sister, but only to be snubbed for her pains by May. She was conscious that Rockley was seeking an opportunity to approach her, but she gave him none, her position as hostess giving her plenty of chances for avoiding those she did not wish to meet, in attending and introducing others.

"Hang the girl! she's a regular sorceress," said Colonel Mellersh to himself. "She'll end by charming me. I want a game at cards, and if I leave d.i.c.k, he'll be hanging on to her strings directly."

"Well, mother, are you satisfied?" said Cora, as the evening went by.

"Satisfied? Oh, I don't mind, my dear, so long as you get on. And you are, you know, sitting here among the big people, I say, Cory, I am proud of you."

"That's right, mother."

"But I say, what did Colonel Mellersh say to you as he went to the card-table?"

"Asked me, as any gentleman would, whether he should take me down to have some refreshment."

"Well, that was kind and neighbourly. I rather like him, but I do wish you wouldn't encourage that young Linnell so."

"Mother!"

"There, I've done. I won't say another word. Don't fly out at me here.

Now, that is a man to admire."

"What, Mr Richard Linnell?"

"No: stuff, Cory. You know who I mean--that Major Rockley. I couldn't hear a word he said to you. I wouldn't, for I don't like to stand in your way. I say, Cory, he'll be a Colonel and a General some day. Why not him?"

"Would you like to know what he said to me, mother?"

"Yes; he did quite make love to you, didn't he?"

"Yes."

"Hah, I thought so."

Mrs Dean's rings crackled as she rubbed her hands, and metaphorically hugged herself.

"That comes of getting into good society, Cora. Ladies drop into engagements without having to look after the gentlemen. You see, they are so brought together like. That Denville puts a sort of stamp on you like, and then you're in society, and handsome Majors come and throw themselves at your feet."

"Yes," said Cora, speaking through her teeth, "and insult you, and dare to speak to you as if you were some beautiful toy brought and set up for their amus.e.m.e.nt."

"Cory!"

"I tell you that every word he spoke to me in his mocking gallant way was an insult, and made my fingers tingle and my face burn. Mother, I've found out that there are two cla.s.ses of men in the world."

"Oh, my gracious! now she's off again," sighed Mrs Dean.

"There are those who naturally honour and respect woman with all the manly chivalry of their nature, and those who look upon her as a being several degrees lower than themselves. Mother, that man made me feel to-night as if I could kill him."

"Oh dear; oh dear!" sighed Mrs Dean in a whisper to her daughter, "if this is coming into society, and you are going on talking in that savage way, we had better stop at home. I expect you snubbed the Major in that orty way of yours, and he has gone after that chit of Denville's."

"Where? Has he mother?" cried Cora, in an excited whisper.

"Yes; he is bending over her and making big eyes at her. I say, he is a handsome man, Cory, and if I know anything, he's regularly took with her."

"Are you sure, mother?"

"Sure? Just as if I couldn't tell in a moment. You might get him away from her if you liked, I dare say. Look at that."

She drew back a little that her child might see where Rockley was speaking in a markedly deferential manner to Claire; and Cora's colour went and came, and her bosom heaved in unison.

"Bless your 'art, Cory, I ain't lived to my age without picking up a little. Why, since I've been sitting here to-night I've picked up no end, and if I was a scandalous old woman I could make any amount of mischief."

Cora did not answer, for just then Lord Carboro' came up.

"Let me take you down to have a jelly, Miss Dean," he said.

Cora looked up at him and was about to refuse; but there was such a quiet, respectful look in the old man's eyes that she took his arm.

"I'll come and fetch you afterwards, Mrs Dean," he said and they crossed the room.

"There," said Mrs Dean. "Now I'm a happy woman. It might be after all. Countess--not a Shakespeare countess or d.u.c.h.ess for six nights only, as it says in the bills, but altogether. Hah, I paid for this party, and I don't grudge the money, and Denville's made himself a friend. I was going to say to my gal: there's that Sir Matthew Bray making up to old Lady Drelincourt, and that Sir Harry Payne to Mrs Burnett, and Major Rockley to Claire Denville, and young Linnell as jealous as can be. And now, to top off with and finish the scene, Lord Carboro' comes and takes off my Cora. Well, we're in society at last."

"Look here, old woman, this bracelet case is banging against my leg horribly, and if I have two things old Drelincourt will hesitate between them and take neither. If I've only one she may take it. I think I can get her alone now. Here, slip this into your pocket."

"Oh, but Jo-si-ah, I can't."

"Yes, you can, stupid; you've got lots of room. Here, I want to clear my expenses to-night."

"Why, you have, Jo-si-ah."