east lynne-第3章

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vern；　and　I　make　it　for　papa。〃

〃Do；　child；〃　replied　the　old　lady。　〃You　are　worth　ten　of　her。〃

Isabel　laughed　merrily；　drew　off　her　gloves；　and　sat　down　to　the　table；　and　at　that　moment　a　young　and　elegant　man　lounged　into　the　room。　He　was　deemed　handsome；　with　his　clearly…cut　features；　his　dark　eyes；　his　raven　hair；　and　his　white　teeth；　but　to　a　keen　observer　those　features　had　not　an　attractive　expression；　and　the　dark　eyes　had　a　great　knack　of　looking　away　while　he　spoke　to　you。　It　was　Francis；　Captain　Levison。

He　was　grandson　to　the　old　lady；　and　first　cousin　to　Mrs。　Vane。　Few　men　were　so　fascinating　in　manners；　at　times　and　seasons；　in　face　and　in　form；　few　men　won　so　completely　upon　their　hearers'　ears；　and　few　were　so　heartless　in　their　hearts　of　hearts。　The　world　courted　him；　and　society　honored　him；　for；　though　he　was　a　graceless　spendthrift；　and　it　was　known　that　he　was；　he　was　the　presumptive　heir　to　the　old　and　rich　Sir　Peter　Levison。

The　ancient　lady　spoke　up；　〃Captain　Levison；　Lady　Isabel　Vane。〃　They　both　acknowledged　the　introduction；　and　Isabel；　a　child　yet　in　the　ways　of　the　world；　flushed　crimson　at　the　admiring　looks　cast　upon　her　by　the　young　guardsman。　Strangestrange　that　she　should　make　the　acquaintance　of　these　two　men　in　the　same　day；　almost　in　the　same　hour；　the　two；　of　all　the　human　race；　who　were　to　exercise　so　powerful　an　influence　over　her　future　life！

〃That's　a　pretty　cross；　child；〃　cried　Mrs。　Levison　as　Isabel　stood　by　her　when　tea　was　over；　and　she　and　Mrs。　Vane　were　about　to　depart　on　their　evening　visit。

She　alluded　to　a　golden　cross；　set　with　seven　emeralds；　which　Isabel　wore　on　her　neck。　It　was　of　light；　delicate　texture；　and　was　suspended　from　a　thin；　short；　gold　chain。

〃Is　it　not　pretty？〃　answered　Isabel。　〃It　was　given　me　by　my　dear　mamma　just　before　she　died。　Stay；　I　will　take　it　off　for　you。　I　only　wear　it　upon　great　occasions。〃

This；　her　first　appearance　at　the　grand　duke's；　seemed　a　very　great　occasion　to　the　simply…reared　and　inexperienced　girl。　She　unclasped　the　chain；　and　placed　it　with　the　cross　in　the　hands　of　Mrs。　Levison。

〃Why；　I　declare　you　have　nothing　on　but　that　cross　and　some　rubbishing　pearl　bracelets！〃　uttered　Mrs。　Vane　to　Isabel。　〃I　did　not　look　at　you　before。〃

〃Mamma　gave　me　both。　The　bracelets　are　those　she　used　frequently　to　wear。〃

〃You　old…fashioned　child！　Because　your　mamma　wore　those　bracelets；　years　ago；　is　that　a　reason　for　your　doing　so？〃　retorted　Mrs。　Vane。　〃Why　did　you　not　put　on　your　diamonds？〃

〃Ididput　on　my　diamonds；　but　Itook　them　off　again；〃　stammered　Isabel。

〃What　on　earth　for？〃

〃I　did　not　like　to　look　too　fine；〃　answered　Isabel；　with　a　laugh　and　a　blush。　〃They　glittered　so！　I　feared　it　might　be　thought　I　had　put　them　on　/to　look/　fine。〃

〃Ah！　I　see　you　mean　to　set　up　in　that　class　of　people　who　pretend　to　despise　ornaments；〃　scornfully　remarked　Mrs。　Vane。　〃It　is　the　refinement　of　affectation；　Lady　Isabel。〃

The　sneer　fell　harmlessly　on　Lady　Isabel's　ear。　She　only　believed　something　had　put　Mrs。　Vane　out　of　temper。　It　certainly　had；　and　that　something；　though　Isabel　little　suspected　it；　was　the　evident　admiration　Captain　Levison　evinced　for　her　fresh；　young　beauty；　it　quite　absorbed　him；　and　rendered　him　neglectful　even　of　Mrs。　Vane。

〃Here；　child；　take　your　cross；〃　said　the　old　lady。　〃It　is　very　pretty；　prettier　on　your　neck　than　diamonds　would　be。　You　don't　want　embellishing；　never　mind　what　Emma　says。〃

Francis　Levison　took　the　cross　and　chain　from　her　hand　to　pass　them　to　Lady　Isabel。　Whether　he　was　awkward；　or　whether　her　hands　were　full；　for　she　held　her　gloves；　her　handkerchief；　and　had　just　taken　up　her　mantle；　certain　it　is　that　it　fell；　and　the　gentleman；　in　his　too　quick　effort　to　regain　it；　managed　to　set　his　foot　upon　it；　and　the　cross　was　broken　in　two。

〃There！　Now　whose　fault　was　that？〃　cried　Mrs。　Levison。

Isabel　did　not　answer；　her　heart　was　very　full。　She　took　the　broken　cross；　and　the　tears　dropped　from　her　eyes；　she　could　not　help　it。

〃Why！　You　are　never　crying　over　a　stupid　bauble　of　a　cross！〃　uttered　Mrs。　Vane；　interrupting　Captain　Levison's　expression　of　regret　at　his　awkwardness。

〃You　can　have　it　mended；　dear；〃　interposed　Mrs。　Levison。

Lady　Isabel　chased　away　the　tears；　and　turned　to　Captain　Levison　with　a　cheerful　look。　〃Pray　do　not　blame　yourself；〃　she　good…naturedly　said；　〃the　fault　was　as　much　mine　as　yours；　and；　as　Mrs。　Levison　says；　I　can　get　it　mended。〃

She　disengaged　the　upper　part　of　the　cross　from　the　chain　as　she　spoke；　and　clasped　the　latter　round　her　throat。

〃You　will　not　go　with　that　thin　string　of　gold　on；　and　nothing　else！〃　uttered　Mrs。　Vane。

〃Why　not？〃　returned　Isabel。　〃If　people　say　anything；　I　can　tell　them　an　accident　happened　to　the　cross。〃

Mrs。　Vane　burst　into　a　laugh　of　mocking　ridicule。　〃　'If　people　say　anything！'　〃　she　repeated；　in　a　tone　according　with　the　laugh。　〃They　are　not　likely　to　'say　anything；'　but　they　will　deem　Lord　Mount　Severn's　daughter　unfortunately　short　of　jewellery。〃

Isabel　smiled　and　shook　her　head。　〃They　saw　my　diamonds　at　the　drawing…room。〃

〃If　you　had　done　such　an　awkward　thing　for　me；　Frank　Levison；〃　burst　forth　the　old　lady；　〃my　doors　should　have　been　closed　against　you　for　a　month。　There；　if　you　are　to　go；　Emma；　you　had　better　go；　dancing　off　to　begin　an　evening　at　ten　o'clock　at　night！　In　my　time　we　used　to　go　at　seven；　but　it's　the　custom　now　to　turn　night　into　day。〃

〃When　George　the　Third　dined　at　one　o'clock　upon　boiled　mutton　and　turnips；〃　put　in　the　graceless　captain；　who　certainly　held　his　grandmother　in　no　greater　reverence　than　did　Mrs。　Vane。

He　turned　to　Isabel　as　he　spoke；　to　hand　her　downstairs。　Thus　she　was　conducted　to　her　carriage　the　second　time　that　night　by　a　stranger。　Mrs。　Vane　got　down　by　herself；　as　she　best　could；　and　her　temper　was　not　improved　by　the　process。

〃Good…night；〃　said　she　to　the　captain。

〃I　shall　not　say　good…night。　You　will　find　me　there　almost　as　soon　as　you。〃

〃You　told　me　you　were　not　coming。　Some　bachelor's　party　in　the　way。〃

〃Yes；　but　I　have　changed　my　mind。　Farewell　for　the　present；　Lady　Isabel。〃

〃What　an　object　you　will　look；　with　nothing　on　your　neck　but　a　schoolgirl's　chain！〃　began　Mrs。　Vane；　returning　to　the　grievance　as　the　carriage　drove　on。

〃Oh；　Mrs。　Vane；　what　does　it　signify？　I　can　only　think　of　my　broken　cross。　I　am　sure　it　must　be　an　evil　omen。〃

〃An　evilwhat？〃

〃An　evil　omen。　Mamma　gave　me　that　cross　when　she　was　dying。　She　told　me　to　let　it　be　to　me　as　a　talisman；　always　to　keep　it　safely；　and　when　I　was　in　any　distress；　or　in　need　of　counsel；　to　look　at　it　and　strive　to　recall　what　her　advice　would　be；　and　to　act　accordingly。　And　now　it　is　brokenbroken！〃

A　glaring　gaslight　flashed　into　the　carriage；　right　into　the　face　of　Isabel。　〃I　declare；〃　uttered　Mrs。　Vane；　〃you　are　crying　again！　I　tell　you　what　it　is；　Isabel；　I　am　not　going　to　chaperone　red　eyes　to　the　Duchess　of　Dartford's；　so　if　you　can't　put　a　stop　to　this；　I　shall　order　the　carriage　home；　and　go　on　alone。〃

Isabel　meekly　dried　her　eyes；　sighing　deeply　as　she　did　so。　〃I　can　have　the　pieces　joined；　I　dare　say；　but　it　will　never　be　the　same　cross　to　me　again。〃

〃What　have　you　done　with　the　pieces？〃　irascibly　asked　Mrs。　Vane。

〃I　folded　them　in　the　thin　paper　Mrs。　Levison　gave　me；　and　put　it　inside　my　frock。　Here　it　is；〃　touching　the　body。　〃I　have　no　pocket　on。〃

Mrs。　Vane　gave　vent　to　a　groan。　She　never　had　been　a　girl　herselfshe　had　been　a　woman　at　ten；　and　she　complimented　Isabel　upon　being　little　better　than　an　imbecile。　〃Put　it　inside　my　frock！〃　she　uttered　in　a　torrent　of　scorn。　〃And　you　eighteen　years　of　age！　I　fancied　you　left　off　'frocks'　when　you　left　the　nursery。　For　shame；　Isabel！〃

〃I　meant　to　say　my　dress；〃　corrected　Isabel。

〃Meant　to　say　you　are　a　baby　idiot！〃　was　the　inward　comment　of　Mrs。　Vane。

A　few　minutes　and　Isabel　forgot　her　grievance。　The　brilliant　rooms　were　to　her　as　an　enchanting　scene　of　dreamland；　for　her　heart　was　in　its　springtide　of　early　freshness；　and　the　satiety　of　experience　had　not　come。　How　could　she　remember　trouble；　even　the　broken　cross；　as　she　bent　to　the　homage　offered　her　and　drank　in　the　honeyed　words　poured　forth　into　her　ear？

〃Halloo！〃　cried　an　Oxford　student；　with　a　long　rent…roll　in　prospective；　who　was　screwing　himself　against　the　wall；　not　to　be　in　the　way　of　the　waltzers；　〃I　thought　you　had　given　up　coming　to　these　places？〃

〃So　I　had；〃　replied　the　fast　nobleman　addressed；　the　son　of　a　marquis。　〃But　I　am　on　the　lookout；　so　am　forced　into　them　again。　I　think　a　ball…room　the　greatest　bore　in　life。〃

〃On　the　lookout　for　what？〃

〃For　a　wife。　My　governor　has　stopped　supplies；　and　has　vowed　by　his　beard　not　to　advance　another　shilling；　or　pay　a　debt；　till　I　reform。　As　a　preliminary　step　toward　it；　he　insists　upon　a　wife；　and　I　am　trying　to　choose　one　for　I　am　deeper　in　debt　than　you　imagine。〃

〃Take　the　new　beauty；　then。〃

〃Who　is　she？〃

〃Lady　Isabel　Vane。〃

〃Much　obliged　for　the　suggestion；〃　replied　the　earl。　〃But　one　likes　a　respectable　father…in…law；　and　Mount　Severn　is　going　to　smash。　He　and　I　are　too　much　in　the　same　line；　and　might　clash；　in　the　long　run。〃

〃One　can't　have　everything；　the　girl's　beauty　is　beyond　common。　I　saw　that　rake；　Levison；　make　up　to　her。　He　fancies　he　can　carry　all　before　him；　where　women　are　concerned。〃

〃So　he　does；　often；〃　was　his　quiet　reply。

〃I　hate　the　fellow！　He　thinks　so　much　of　himself；　with　his　curled　hair　and　shining　teeth；　and　his　white　skin；　and　he's　as　heartless　as　an　owl。　What　was　that　hushed…up　business　about　Miss　Charteris？〃

〃Who's　to　know？　Levison　slipped　out　of　the　escapade　like　an　eel；　and　the　woman　protested　that　he　was　more　sinned　against　than　sinning。　Three…fourths　of　the　world　believed　them。〃

〃And　she　went　abroad　and　died；　and　Levison　here　he　comes！　And　Mount　Severn's　daughter　with　him。〃

They　were　approaching　at　that　moment；　Francis　Levison　and　Lady　Isabel。　He　was　expressing　his　regret　at　the　untoward　accident　of　the　cross　for　the　tenth　time　that　night。　〃I　feel　that　it　can　never　be　atoned　for；〃　whispered　he；　〃that　the　heartfelt　homage　of　my　whole　life　would　not　be　sufficient　compensation。〃

He　spoke　in　a　tone　of　thrilling　gentleness；　gratifying　to　the　ear　but　dangerous　to　the　heart。　Lady　Isabel　glanced　up　and　caught　his　eyes　gazing　upon　her　with　the　deepest　tendernessa　language　hers　had　never　yet　encountered。　A　vivid　blush　again　arose　to　her　cheek；　her　eyelids　fell；　and　her　timid　words　died　away　in　silence。

〃Take　care；　take　care；　my　young　Lady　Isabel；〃　murmured　the　Oxonian　under　his　breath；　as　they　passed　him；　〃that　man　is　as　false　as　he　is　fair。〃

〃I　think　he　is　a　rascal；〃　remarked　the　earl。

〃I　know　he　is；　I　know　a　thing　or　two　about　him。　He　would　ruin　her　heart　for　the　renown　of　the　exploit；　because　she's　a　beauty；　and　then　fling　it　away　broken。　He　has　none　to　give　in　return　for　the　gift。〃

〃Just　as　much　as　my　new　race…horse　has；〃　concluded　the　earl。　〃She　is　very　beautiful。〃



CHAPTER　III。

BARBARA　HARE。

West　Lynne　was　a　town　of　some　importance；　particularly　in　its　own　eyes；　though　being　neither　a　manufacturing　one　nor　a　cathedral　one；　nor　even　the　chief　town　of　the　county；　it　was　somewhat　primitive　in　its　manners