The Manoeuvring Mother (Vol. 1-3). Lady Charlotte Campbell Bury
you were very rude," observed Mr. Wycherly.
"Was I?"
"Yes, you were; devilish rude."
"What did he come worrying me for, when I was watching Tom. Gads! father, Tom is saying something to the purpose now. Miss Wetheral has given him such a look: poor Tom, it's all over with him! Where in the world is aunty Pynsent?—somebody find me aunty—I want of all things to see her fire up!"
Sir Charles Spottiswoode begged the honour of Miss Wycherly's hand for the following country dance.
"I can't dance with any of you; I am busy looking for my aunt," replied the lady, seating herself.
"Let me assist you in your search, Miss Wycherly;" and Mr. Spottiswoode seated himself quietly beside her. Miss Wycherly was amused by the action.
"Charles Spottiswoode, you may call this constancy, but I can only consider it tiresome: do go and dance with some lady who has not the objection I have, to being worried. I hate tiresome men!"
"I shall not desire to dance with you, but I will not quit this place while you remain here," was the reply.
"Men always fancy perseverance will balance their demerits," said Miss Wycherly.
"Perseverance will do much," replied Mr. Spottiswoode, "if a lady values attention. Love is only proved by persevering constancy and untired assiduity."
"A very fine sentiment, Mr. Spottiswoode; but I can meet you in the field of disputation: I have always heard that 'love' was fearful, patient, and easily discouraged."
"That love must emanate from the heart of a poor devil, Miss Wycherly; not such a heart as you would prize."
"What do you presume to know of my taste, Mr. Spottiswoode?"
"I know that you would despise a creeping, frightened lover, as you dislike your horse for starting upon every application of the whip. You would prefer a decided admirer who bore with your flippancy, and feared not your power. You have such a lover in me, fair Penelope!"
"You are very tiresome and disagreeable, Mr. Spottiswoode."
"You like me better than you will acknowledge, Miss Wycherly."
"If that is all you can amuse me with, we might as well join the dancing," said Miss Wycherly. "But stay, I cannot; I have just declined Mr. Vyvyan."
"What is Mr. Vyvyan to you or me? the set is nearly completed, and we shall be too late." Mr. Spottiswoode offered his arm to his fair companion.
"No, I shall not dance to-night," said the capricious lady, rising and reseating herself. "My mind is changed."
"So is mine; I am going to flirt a little with Lady Anna Herbert. Chatting is far more agreeable than dancing, in a heated room. Lady Anna has smiled good-naturedly twice. I am glad you had the good taste to decline."
"I said I should not dance, but I did not say I would not talk, Mr. Spottiswoode; how very anxious you are to take up one's meaning." Mr. Spottiswoode only bowed to retire. Miss Wycherly softened the pettishness of her accent.
"Do stay, Mr. Spottiswoode, I have something particular to ask you; you flurry one with your rapidity."
Mr. Spottiswoode sat down. "I am all attention, Miss Wycherly."
"How can you look so cross at me, and speak in such dry tones, Charles Spottiswoode! I hate cross people."
"Then answer me one simple question in truth and sincerity, or I am gone for ever, Penelope Wycherly."
"Gads! how you plague one! Well, what is it?"
"I will know whether you mean to accept me after all this flippancy. If you do not intend it, say so; but I demand a reply."
"Then you wish to flirt with Lady Anna, Mr. Charles, and you think
"'It is good to be off with the old love,
Before you be on with the new.'"
"You have not answered me," returned Mr. Spottiswoode, seriously; "answer me, as you hope yourself to be fairly treated."
"I vow I don't know what I mean; it is very difficult to make one's choice among such a variety of Lords of the creation. I have not been introduced to Mr. Jones yet. I can't say I admire Tom's friend."
"I am answered, Miss Wycherly; I wish you good night." Mr. Spottiswoode turned from the coquette, and walked up the dancing-room, without attending to Miss Wycherly's recall. The lady became alarmed. Was Mr. Spottiswoode's movement really intentional, or was he showing her how indifferently he could take leave, to compel her into acceptance? There he was positively talking to Lady Anna Herbert, and looking perfectly composed. Lady Anna was a notorious flirt, but she should not entrap Charles Spottiswoode! Miss Wycherly was not accustomed to be treated with nonchalance; and that Mr. Spottiswoode, her lover of long standing, should summon courage enough to stand upon the defensive against her coquetry, piqued her to the soul. She sought Julia, who was dancing with Lord Ennismore.
"Miss Wycherly unattended!" cried Mr. Henry Tyndal, as he met her on her way to the dancers, "take my arm."
"Be quiet," said the lady, passing on with her glass raised to her eye, "do be quiet."
"Miss Wycherly, you are after mischief; you are darting arrows at some poor wretch through that missile," continued young Tyndal, following her.
"I am darting nothing, unless you are my arrow, in which case I should delight to throw you to an incredible distance."
"You are witty, Miss Wycherly," returned young Tyndal, "and whenever you are witty, you are angry."
Miss Wycherly made no reply; she saw and approached Julia.
"Julia Wetheral, I beseech you to do me a service."
"I will gladly assist you, if it is in my power," replied Julia; "what is required of me?"
"Oh, leave the dance, and listen to me. Lord Ennismore will follow us, when he perceives you have quitted the set; here let us be seated, and I will tell you my anxiety."
Julia smilingly listened to Miss Wycherly's statement of her little coquetry, and the offended departure of Mr. Spottiswoode.
"And now," she said, "I know you will help me, and just make my peace with Charles. I won't give him the triumph of knowing he has frightened me, but in your playful way you can discover what Spottiswoode means. He has positively threatened to flirt with Lady Anna; and, whether I like him or not, he must not appear unconcerned with another woman. My dear, that would kill me. I can't part with Charles Spottiswoode in that way, you know, and I just want you to sound him. Now go, there's a dear creature; leave Lord Ennismore with me."
Julia undertook the mission, and Lord Ennismore consigned himself, not to the care of Miss Wycherly, but to the side of his lady mother.
"My dear son, I have witnessed Julia's flight, and your consternation," said her ladyship; "you are fortunate in possessing a foolishly-fond mother to retire to in these emergencies."
"I am always very glad to come to you, mother," replied the poor effeminate young man, seating himself between her ladyship and Lady Wetheral.
Julia was some minutes in playful conversation with Mr. Spottiswoode, and Miss Wycherly watched her movements with eager attention; at last Julia approached.
"Well, my dear, what does he say? Tell me at once, is he going to dance with Lady Anna?"
"Mr. Spottiswoode is very much hurt, Penelope, and, if you are not cautious, you will lose him."
"Oh, my dear girl, don't say so. Lose him? No, I'll be hanged, as my aunt says, if he gets away from me, to be one of Lady Anna's swains! I must come down, I see, though it grates me dreadfully."
"Make haste, as you value Mr. Spottiswoode," replied Julia, "or he will be dancing with Lady Anna. He is looking at us at this moment; now, Penelope, smile, smile, and beckon him to you for ever—don't trifle—now, now, Penelope!"