第54章
"I should be sorry if you required my services in that way, Mrs. Hilson."
"Ah, but it would be a real obligation; I want to get rid of all but my Percy blood. Perhaps you don't know that our family is distinguished in its descent?"
"From 'old Mother Hubbard,'" thought young Van Horne; but he merely bowed.
"Yes, our ancestors were dukes of Percy, who were beheaded in Scotland for being faithful to their king. It is very possible we might claim the title of a Scotch Peer." Mrs. Hilson had read too many English novels, not to have a supply of such phrases at command. "If you could only find the right vein, I would insist upon your taking away all but my patrician blood."
"Would not the operation leave you too perfect, Mrs. Hilson?"
"Perhaps it might make me vain. But it could scarcely unfit me more for living in a republic. How I wish we were governed by a despot!--don't you?"
"Not in the least,"--'but I wish you were,' the young man added, to himself, as he moved away towards Jane and Elinor, who were in a corner talking to his sisters. "All the fools in this country are not travelled fools, as I wish my father would remember," he continued, as he edged his way through the crowd.
"And he that aye has lived free May not well know the misery, The wrath, the strife, the hate, and all, That's compassed in the name of thrall."
{I have not identified this verse}
"You have mustered quite a pretty set of little plebeians 'ere to-night. Now, that's quite a nice-looking little creature standing by the door," continued Captain Kockney; "what do you call her?"
"Her name is Taylor--Adeline Taylor; they belong to the aristocracy too; shall I introduce you?"
"Is she married? If she is, I've no objections; but if she isn't, I had rather not. It's such a bore, you know, talking to girls--bread-and-butter misses!"
"How ungallant you are!"
"Ungallant! Why? I suppose you know it's a settled thing that none of US talk to girls in society. Most of them are so milk-and-water, and the rest are so deep, they're always fancying a man means something. Why, last spring we cut Lord Adolphus Fitz Flummery, of OURS, just because he made a fool of himself, dangling after the girls."
"But don't gentlemen ever speak to an unmarried lady in England?"
"The saps do--but not your knowing ones. We make an exception though, in favour of a regular beauty, such as that little girl on the other side of the room; that Thomson girl, didn't you call her?"
"Miss Graham--you are difficult to please if nothing else will suit you. But of course it is natural for aristocratic minds to be fastidious."
"To be sure it is, that's what makes us English aristocrats so exclusive. If that little Graham girl comes in our way though, I've no objection to making her acquaintance. And if you have got a great fortune here to-night, I'll make an exception for her--you may introduce me. Is there such a thing as an heiress in the room?"
"An heiress? No, I believe not--but Miss Taylor is quite a fortune."
"Is she? Well then, you may introduce me there too. We have to do the civil to the rich girls, you know; because after a while most of us are driven into matrimony. That's the governor, I take it, near the door."
"The governor? Oh, no, our governor does not live at Longbridge."
"Doesn't he? Well, I thought you introduced him just now as the governor, and I fancied some one called him 'Ubbard; that's the governor's name, isn't it?"
"No, indeed. That's Pa you are speaking of."
"Just so--that is what I said. You call your paternities PA, do you?--we always call the old fellows governors, in England."
"Do you call your father Gov. Kockney? I did not know that governor was an English title; it sounds very plebeian in my ears."
"Now, what DO you mean? ha! ha!--you are delightful. You put me in mind of a good scene at the drawing-room, last June. Though, perhaps, you don't know what the drawing-room is?"
"Oh, yes; I know that it means Court. My tastes are so exclusive, that I may say I have lived in English High-Life from the time I married, and became intimate with Mrs. Bagman. I feel quite at home in such scenes, for I read every novel that comes out with Lords and Ladies in it. What were you going to tell me about Court?"
The story was interrupted by Miss Hubbard, who tripped across the room to carry her sister off with her.
"Now you are not going, I hope? Why not stay 'ere; I am sure this sofa is the most comfortable thing in the room."
"I must go to receive some friends of mine, come over expressly from the city."
"Pray, keep me clear of the cits! But now, if you will go, just leave me your bouquet as a a consolation. Thank you.--Oh, yes, I'll take good care of it."
"I hope you will, for it's a ten dollar bouquet, and I'm very proud of it. You must not steal a single flower, mind."
"Mustn't I?--Do you dare me?" and the agreeable Captain began to pull out several flowers. Mrs. Hilson, however, was hurried away.
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hubbard, and Alonzo moved towards the sofa where she had been sitting.
"Do you think that Stewart will be chosen President of the Franklin Insurance?" inquired Mr. Hubbard.
"I think not, sir--he rather mismanaged the affairs of the Hoboken Bank. Lippincott will be the President, I take it. He has magnificent talents for business. You know he has purchased the thirty lots in 50th street, that were sold at auction, yesterday."
"A good purchase, I should say."
"How's the Hoboken stock now?" inquired Alonzo. A murmuring about 'five per cent.'--'six per cent.'--'par'--'premium,' followed, and was only interrupted by the approach of young Van Horne and Elinor.
"I beg your pardon, Miss Wyllys," said Mr. Hubbard, making room for her. "Oh, yes, Mr. Van Horne, here is a place for you, and another couple besides. Whom are you looking for?"
"Charles Hubbard, sir; I want him for a vis-a-vis."
"Charlie is already placed, I see; but here is a gentleman; perhaps you would like to dance, sir?"--addressing Captain Kockney, who was still in possession of the sofa and the flowers.
"I hope my daughter has introduced you to some of the young ladies."