It was generally known that Dolly Longstaff had been heavily smitten by the charms of Miss Boncassen; but the world hardly gave him credit for the earnestness of his affection. Dolly had never been known to be in earnest in anything;--but now he was in very truth in love. He had agreed to be Popplecourt's companion at Custins because he had heard that Miss Boncassen would be there.
He had thought over the matter with more consideration than he had ever before given to any subject. He had gone so far as to see his own man of business, with a view of ascertaining what settlements he could make and what income he might be able to spend. He had told himself over and over again that he was not the 'sort of fellow' that ought to marry; but it was all of no avail. He confessed to himself that he was completely 'bowled over',--'knocked off his pins'!
'Is a fellow to have no chance?' he said to Miss Boncassen at Custins/
'If I understand what a fellow means, I am afraid not.'
'No man alive was ever more earnest than I am.'
'Well, Mr Longstaff; I do not suppose that you have been trying to take me in all this time.'
'I hope you do not think ill of me.'
'I may think well of a great many gentlemen without wishing to marry them.'
'But does love go for nothing?' said Dolly, putting his hand upon his heart. 'Perhaps there are so many that love you.'
'Not above half-a-dozen or so.'
'You can make a joke of it, when I-. But I don't think, Miss Boncassen, you at all realise what I feel. As to settlements and all that, your father could do what he likes with me.'
'My father has nothing to do with it, and I don't know what settlements mean. We never think anything of settlements in our country. If two young people love each other they go and get married.'
'Let us do the same here.'
'But the two young people don't love each other. Look here, Mr Longstaff, it's my opinion that a young woman ought not to be pestered.'
'Pestered!'
'You force me to speak in that way. I've given you an answer ever so many times. I will not be made to do it over and over again.'
'It's that d- fellow, Silverbridge,' he exclaimed almost angrily.
On hearing this Miss Boncassen left the room without speaking another word, and Dolly Longstaff found himself alone. He saw what he had done as soon as she was gone. After that he could hardly venture to persevere again--here at Custins. He weighed it over in his mind for a long time, almost coming to a resolution in favour of hard drink. He had never felt anything like this before. He was so uncomfortable that he couldn't eat his luncheon, though in accordance with his usual habit he had breakfasted off soda-and-brandy and a morsel of devilled toast. He did not know himself in his changed character. 'I wonder whether she understands that I have four thousand pounds a year of my own, and shall have twelve thousand pounds more when my governor goes! She was so headstrong that it was impossible to explain anything to her.'
'I'm off to London,' he said to Popplecourt that afternoon.
'Nonsense! You said you'd stay for ten days.'
'All the same, I'm going at once. I've sent to Bridport for a trap, and I shall sleep tonight at Dorchester.'
'What's the meaning of it all?'
'I've had some words with somebody. Don't mind asking any more.'
'Not with the Duke?'
'The Duke? No; I haven't spoken to him.'
'Or Lord Cantrip?'
'I wish you wouldn't ask questions.'
'If you've quarrelled with anybody you ought to consult a friend.'
'It's nothing of that kind.'
'Then it's a lady. It's the American girl!'
'Don't I tell you. I don't want to talk about it? I'm going. I've told Lady Cantrip that my mother wasn't well and wants to see me.
You'll stop your time out, I suppose?'
'I don't know.'
'You've got it all square, no doubt. I wish I'd a handle to my name. I never cared for it before.'
'I'm sorry you're so down in the mouth. Why don't you try again?
The thing is to stick to 'em like wax. If ten times of asking won't do, go in twenty times.'
Dolly shook his head despondently. 'What can you do when a girl walks out of a room and slams the door in your face? She'll get it hot and heavy before she's done. I know what she's after. She might as well cry for the moon.' And so Dolly got into the trap and went to Bridport and slept the night at the hotel at Dorchester.
Lord Popplecourt, though he could give such excellent advice to his friend, had been able as yet to do very little in his own case. He had been a week at Custins, and had said not a word to denote his passion. Day after day he had prepared himself for the encounter, but the lady had never given him the opportunity. When he sat next to her at dinner she would be very silent. If he stayed at home on a morning she was not visible. During the short evenings he could never get her attention. And he made no progress with the Duke. The Duke had been very courteous to him at Richmond, but here he was monosyllabic and almost sullen.
Once or twice Lord Popplecourt had a little conversation with Lady Cantrip. 'Dear girl!' said her ladyship. 'She is so little given to seeing admiration.'
'I dare say.'
'Girls are so different, Lord Popplecourt. With some of them it seems that a gentleman need have no trouble in explaining what it is that he wishes.'
'I don't think Lady Mary is like that at all.'
'Not in the least. Anyone who addresses her must be prepared to explain himself fully. Nor ought he to hope to get much encouragement at first. I do not think that Lady Mary will bestow her heart till she is sure she can give it with safety.' There was an amount of falsehood in this which was proof at any rate of very strong friendship on the part of Lady Cantrip.