Ernest Maltravers Part 43

"We have had losses lately in _our_ elections among the larger const.i.tuencies," said Lumley.

"We have indeed--three towns lost in the last six months. Members do die so very unseasonably."

"Is Lord Staunch yet provided for?" asked Lumley. Now Lord Staunch was one of the popular show-fight great guns of the administration--not in office, but that most useful person to all governments, an out-and-out supporter upon the most independent principles--who was known to have refused place and to value himself on independence--a man who helped the government over the stile when it was seized with a temporary lameness, and who carried "great weight with him in the country." Lord Staunch had foolishly thrown up a close borough in order to contest a large city, and had failed in the attempt. His failure was everywhere cited as a proof of the growing unpopularity of ministers.

"Is Lord Staunch yet provided for?" asked Lumley.

"Why, he must have his old seat--Three-Oaks. Three-Oaks is a nice, quiet little place; most respectable const.i.tuency--all Staunch's own family."

"Just the thing for him; yet, 'tis a pity that he did not wait to stand for C------; my uncle's interest would have secured him."

"Ay, I thought so the moment C------ was vacant. However, it is too late now."

"It would be a great triumph if Lord Staunch could show that a large const.i.tuency volunteered to elect him without expense."

"Without expense!--Ah, yes, indeed! It would prove that purity of election still exists--that British inst.i.tutions are still upheld."

"It might be done, Mr. ------."

"Why, I thought that you--"

"Were to stand--that is true--and it will be difficult to manage my uncle; but he loves me much--you know I am his heir--I believe I could do it; that is, if you think it would be _a very great advantage_ to the party, and _a very great service_ to the government."

"Why, Mr. Ferrers, it would indeed be both."

"And in that case I could have Three-Oaks."

"I see--exactly so; but to give up so respectable a seat--really it is a sacrifice."

"Say no more, it shall be done. A deputation shall wait on Lord Staunch directly. I will see my uncle, and a despatch shall be sent down to C------ to-night; at least, I hope so. I must not be too confident.

My uncle is an old man, n.o.body but myself can manage him; I'll go this instant."

"You may be sure your kindness will be duly appreciated."

Lumley shook hands cordially with the secretary and retired. The secretary was not "humbugged," nor did Lumley expect he should be. But the secretary noted this of Lumley Ferrers (and that gentleman's object was gained), that Lumley Ferrers was a man who looked out for office, and if he did tolerably well in parliament, that Lumley Ferrers was a man who ought to be _pushed_.

Very shortly afterwards the _Gazette_ announced the election of Lord Staunch for C------, after a sharp but decisive contest. The ministerial journals rang with exulting paeans; the opposition ones called the electors of C------ all manner of hard names, and declared that Mr.

Stout, Lord Staunch's opponent, would pet.i.tion--which he never did. In the midst of the hubbub, Mr. Lumley Ferrers quietly and un.o.bservedly crept into the representation of Three-Oaks.

On the night of his election he went to Lord Saxingham's; but what there happened deserves another chapter.

CHAPTER IV.

"Je connois des princes du sang, des princes etrangers, des grands seigneurs, des ministres d'etat, des magistrats, et des philosophes qui fileroient pour l'amour de vous. En pouvez-vous demander davantage?"*

_Lettres de Madame de Sevigne_

* I know princes of the blood, foreign princes, great lords, ministers of state, magistrates, and philosophers who would even spin for love of you. What can you ask more?

"_Lindore._ I--I believe it will choke me. I'm in love * * * Now hold your tongue. Hold your tongue, I say.

"_Dalner._ You in love! Ha! ha!

"_Lind._ There, he laughs.

"_Dal._ No; I am really sorry for you."

_German Play (False Delicacy)_.

* * * "What is here?

Gold."--SHAKSPEARE.

IT happened that that evening Maltravers had, for the first time, accepted one of many invitations with which Lord Saxingham had honoured him. His lords.h.i.+p and Maltravers were of different political parties, nor were they in other respects adapted to each other. Lord Saxingham was a clever man in his way, but worldly even to a proverb among worldly people. That "man was born to walk erect and look upon the stars," is an eloquent fallacy that Lord Saxingham might suffice to disprove. He seemed born to walk with a stoop; and if he ever looked upon any stars, they were those which go with a garter. Though of celebrated and historical ancestry, great rank, and some personal reputation, he had all the ambition of a _parvenu_. He had a strong regard for office, not so much from the sublime affection for that sublime thing,--power over the destinies of a glorious nation,--as because it added to that vulgar thing--importance in his own set. He looked on his cabinet uniform as a beadle looks on his gold lace. He also liked patronage, secured good things to distant connections, got on his family to the remotest degree of relations.h.i.+p; in short, he was of the earth, earthy. He did not comprehend Maltravers; and Maltravers, who every day grew prouder and prouder, despised him. Still, Lord Saxingham was told that Maltravers was a rising man, and he thought it well to be civil to rising men, of whatever party; besides, his vanity was flattered by having men who are talked of in his train. He was too busy and too great a personage to think Maltravers could be other than sincere, when he declared himself, in his notes, "very sorry," or "much concerned," to forego the honour of dining with Lord Saxingham on the, &c., &c.; and therefore continued his invitations, till Maltravers, from that fatality which undoubtedly regulates and controls us, at last accepted the proffered distinction.

He arrived late--most of the guests were a.s.sembled; and, after exchanging a few words with his host, Ernest fell back into the general group, and found himself in the immediate neighbourhood of Lady Florence Lascelles. This lady had never much pleased Maltravers, for he was not fond of masculine or coquettish heroines, and Lady Florence seemed to him to merit both epithets; therefore, though he had met her often since the first day he had been introduced to her, he had usually contented himself with a distant bow or a pa.s.sing salutation. But now, as he turned round and saw her, she was, for a miracle, sitting alone; and in her most dazzling and n.o.ble countenance there was so evident an appearance of ill health, that he was struck and touched by it. In fact, beautiful as she was, both in face and form, there was something in the eye and the bloom of Lady Florence, which a skilful physician would have seen with prophetic pain. And, whenever occasional illness paled the roses of the cheek, and sobered the play of the lips, even an ordinary observer would have thought of the old commonplace proverb--"that the brightest beauty has the briefest life." It was some sentiment of this kind, perhaps, that now awakened the sympathy of Maltravers. He addressed her with more marked courtesy than usual, and took a seat by her side.

"You have been to the House, I suppose, Mr. Maltravers?" said Lady Florence.

"Yes, for a short time; it is not one of our field nights--no division was expected; and by this time, I dare say, the House has been counted out."

"Do you like the life?"

"It has excitement," said Maltravers, evasively.

"And the excitement is of a n.o.ble character?"

"Scarcely so, I fear--it is so made up of mean and malignant motives,--there is in it so much jealousy of our friends, so much unfairness to our enemies;--such readiness to attribute to others the basest objects,--such willingness to avail ourselves of the poorest stratagems! The ends may be great, but the means are very ambiguous."

"I knew _you_ would feel this," exclaimed Lady Florence, with a heightened colour.

"Did you?" said Maltravers, rather interested as well as surprised. "I scarcely imagined it possible that you would deign to divine secrets so insignificant."

"You did not do me justice, then," returned Lady Florence, with an arch yet half-painful smile; "for--but I was about to be impertinent."

"Nay, say on."

"For--then--I do not imagine you to be one apt to do injustice to yourself."

"Oh, you consider me presumptuous and arrogant; but that is common report, and you do right, perhaps, to believe it."

"Was there ever any one unconscious of his own merit?" asked Lady Florence, proudly. "They who distrust themselves have good reason for it."

"You seek to cure the wound you inflicted," returned Maltravers, smiling.

"No; what I said was an apology for myself, as well as for you. You need no words to vindicate you; you are a man, and can bear out all arrogance with the royal motto _Dieu et mon droit_. With you deeds can support pretension; but I am a woman--it was a mistake of Nature."

"But what triumphs that man can achieve bring so immediate, so palpable a reward as those won by a woman, beautiful and admired--who finds every room an empire, and every cla.s.s her subjects?"