--The time was that I hated thee, And yet it is not that I bear thee love.
Thy company, which erst was irksome to me, I will endure --But do not look for further recompense.
As You Like It.
Miss Isabella Wardour's complexion was considerably heightened, when, after the delay necessary to arrange her ideas, she presented herself in the drawing-room.
``I am glad you are come, my fair foe,'' said the Antiquary greeting her with much kindness, ``for I have had a most refractory, or at least negligent auditor, in my young friend here, while I endeavoured to make him acquainted with the history of Knockwinnock Castle.I think the danger of last night has mazed the poor lad.But you, Miss Isabel,--why, yon look as if flying through the night air had been your natural and most congenial occupation; your colour is even better than when you honoured my _hospitium_ yesterday.And Sir Arthur--how fares my good old friend?''
``Indifferently well, Mr.Oldbuck; but I am afraid, not quite able to receive your congratulations, or to pay--to pay--Mr.
Lovel his thanks for his unparalleled exertions.''
``I dare say not--A good down pillow for his good white head were more meet than a couch so churlish as Bessy's-apron, plague on her!''
``I had no thought of intruding,'' said Lovel, looking upon the ground, and speaking with hesitation and suppressed emotion;``I did not--did not mean to intrude upon Sir Arthur or Miss Wardour the presence of one who--who must necessarily be unwelcome--as associated, I mean, with painful reflections.''
``Do not think my father so unjust and ungrateful,'' said Miss Wardour.``I dare say,'' she continued, participating in Lovel's embarrassment--``I dare say--I am certain--that my father would be happy to show his gratitude--in any way--that is, which Mr.Lovel could consider it as proper to point out.''
``Why the deuce,'' interrupted Oldbuck, ``what sort of a qualification is that?--On my word, it reminds me of our minister, who, choosing, like a formal old fop as he is, to drink to my sister's inclinations, thought it necessary to add the saving clause, Provided, madam, they be virtuous.Come, let us have no more of this nonsense--I dare say Sir Arthur will bid us welcome on some future day.And what news from the kingdom of subterranean darkness and airy hope?--What says the swart spirit of the mine? Has Sir Arthur had any good intelligence of his adventure lately in Glen-Withershins?''
Miss Wardour shook her head--``But indifferent, I fear, Mr.
Oldbuck; but there lie some specimens which have lately been sent down.''
``Ah! my poor dear hundred pounds, which Sir Arthur persuaded me to give for a share in that hopeful scheme, would have bought a porter's load of mineralogy--But let me see them.''
And so saying, he sat down at the table in the recess, on which the mineral productions were lying, and proceeded to examine them, grumbling and pshawing at each which he took up and laid aside.
In the meantime, Lovel, forced as it were by this secession of Oldbuck, into a sort of t<e^>te-<a'>-t<e^>te with Miss Wardour, took an opportunity of addressing her in a low and interrupted tone of voice.``I trust Miss Wardour will impute, to circumstances almost irresistible, this intrusion of a person who has reason to think himself--so unacceptable a visitor.''
``Mr.Lovel,'' answered Miss Wardour, observing the same tone of caution, ``I trust you will not--I am sure you are incapable of abusing the advantages given to you by the services you have rendered us, which, as they affect my father, can never be sufficiently acknowledged or repaid.Could Mr.Lovel see me without his own peace being affected--could he see me as a friend--as a sister--no man will be--and, from all Ihave ever heard of Mr.Lovel, ought to be, more welcome but''--Oldbuck's anathema against the preposition _but_ was internally echoed by Lovel.``Forgive me if I interrupt you, Miss Wardour;you need not fear my intruding upon a subject where Ihave been already severely repressed;--but do not add to the severity of repelling my sentiments the rigour of obliging me to disavow them.''
``I am much embarrassed, Mr.Lovel,'' replied the young lady, ``by your--I would not willingly use a strong word--your romantic and hopeless pertinacity.It is for yourself I plead, that you would consider the calls which your country has upon your talents--that you will not waste, in an idle and fanciful indulgence of an ill-placed predilection, time, which, well redeemed by active exertion, should lay the foundation of future distinction.Let me entreat that you would form a manly resolution''--``It is enough, Miss Wardour;--I see plainly that''--``Mr.Lovel, you are hurt--and, believe me, I sympathize in the pain which I inflict; but can I, in justice to myself, in fairness to you, do otherwise? Without my father's consent, Inever will entertain the addresses of any one, and how totally impossible it is that he should countenance the partiality with which you honour me, you are yourself fully aware; and, indeed''--``No, Miss Wardour,'' answered Lovel, in a tone of passionate entreaty; ``do not go farther--is it not enough to crush every hope in our present relative situation?--do not carry your resolutions farther--why urge what would be your conduct if Sir Arthur's objections could be removed?''
``It is indeed vain, Mr.Lovel,'' said Miss Wardour, ``because their removal is impossible; and I only wish, as your friend, and as one who is obliged to you for her own and her father's life, to entreat you to suppress this unfortunate attachment--to leave a country which affords no scope for your talents, and to resume the honourable line of the profession which you seem to have abandoned.''
