"Ah, that alters the aspect of affairs; but it is hardly possible,--she is so young, and appears to be so heart-free."
"Still, I think she has a preference; and, if I am not mistaken, her choice is one that would give us the highest satisfaction."
"Really!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Maurice, unsuspiciously. "Whom, then, does she honor by her election?"
"A very unworthy person!" rejoined the count, in a tone of irritation, "since he is too dull to suspect the compliment."
"You cannot mean"--began Maurice, in confused amazement, but paused, unwilling to finish his sentence with the words that rose to his lips.
"I mean a most obtuse and insensible young man, walking by my side, who has learned to interpret Greek and Latin at college, but not a woman"s heart."
"Impossible! You are surely mistaken. Bertha has only bestowed upon me a cousinly regard," answered Maurice, evidently more surprised and embarra.s.sed than pleased by the unexpected communication.
"I presume you do not expect the young lady herself to make known the esteem in which she holds you, undeserving as you are? You must take our word for her sentiments. What this alliance would be to our falling house, I need not represent; it is not even necessary that you should enter into the merits of this side of the question. You must see that Bertha is beautiful and lovable, and would make the most delightful companion for life. Is this not so?"
"Yes, she is beautiful, lovable, and would make a delightful companion,"
answered Maurice, as though he echoed his father"s words without knowing what he said.
"Is she not all you could desire?"
"All,--all I could desire as--as--as a _sister_!" replied Maurice.
"But the question is now of a wife!" rejoined the count, angrily. "Are you dreaming, that you pore upon the ground and answer in that strange, abstracted manner?"
Maurice looked up, as if about to speak, but hesitated, dubious what reply would be advisable.
The count went on.
"Maurice, your grandmother and I have this matter deeply at heart.
Besides, Bertha loves you; you cannot treat her affection with disdain.
Promise me that you will at once have an understanding with her, and let this matter be settled. It must not be delayed any longer. Why do you not reply?"
"Yes,--you are right. I ought to have an understanding with her,--_I will have!_" replied Maurice, still in a brown study.
"That is well; and let it be as soon as possible,--to-day, or to-morrow at the latest,--before this ball takes place,--before you meet the Marchioness de Fleury again."
Maurice answered, hastily, "You need not fear that I desire any delay.
You have put an idea into my head which would make suspense intolerable.
I will speak to her without loss of time. And now will you allow me to wish you good-morning? My horse has been saddled for an hour."
Saying this, he walked toward the stable and called to Gustave, who at once appeared, leading the horse. The viscount vaulted upon its back, and, starting off at full gallop, in a few moments was out of sight.
His father was mystified, doubtful of the real feelings of Maurice, and uncertain what course he meant to pursue, but well a.s.sured that he would keep his word; and, if he did, it would be impossible for him to introduce this delicate subject without compromising himself,--nay, without positively offering himself to Bertha. The very mention of such a theme would be a proposal; and, with this consolatory reflection, he returned to the chateau.
As he pa.s.sed the drawing-room, he caught a glimpse of Bertha, sitting at his mother"s feet. The latter was holding both of the young girl"s hands, and talking to her earnestly. Bertha"s countenance wore an expression of maidenly confusion and perplexity which, even if the count had not been aware of his mother"s intentions, would have betrayed the nature of her discourse.
CHAPTER V.
HEART-BEATS.
Maurice must have found his equestrian exercise particularly agreeable upon that day, for he returned to the chateau so late that no one saw him again until the family a.s.sembled at dinner.
Bertha was unusually silent and _distrait_, not a single smile rippled her slumbering dimples, and she answered at random. She did not once address Maurice, to whom she usually prattled in a strain of merry _badinage_, and he evinced the same constraint toward her.
As soon as the ladies rose from table, Madeleine retired to her own chamber. Her preparations for the morrow demanded all her time. The count retreated to the library. Maurice and Bertha were on the point of finding themselves _tete-a-tete_, for the countess just remembered that she had a note to write, when her little plot to leave the cousins together was frustrated by the entrance of the Marquis de Lasalles.
The clouds suddenly melted from Bertha"s countenance when the dull old n.o.bleman was announced. She greeted him with an air of undisguised relief, as though she had been happily reprieved from an impending calamity. The lively warmth of her salutation attracted the marquis to her side, and he remained fascinated to the spot for the rest of the evening. The countess was too thoroughly well-bred to allow herself to look annoyed, or, even in secret, to acknowledge that she wished the marquis elsewhere; but she was disconcerted, and puzzled by the unaccountable change in Bertha"s deportment.
So pa.s.sed the evening.
The next morning, when Bertha appeared at breakfast, every one, Maurice perhaps excepted, remarked that she seemed weary and dispirited. Her brilliant complexion had lost something of its wonted l.u.s.tre; her usually clear blue eyes looked heavy and shadowed; her rosy mouth had a half-sorrowful, half-fretful expression. It was evident that some nightmare preyed upon her mind, and had broken the childlike sound sleeping that generally visited her pillow. When the ball that was to take place that evening was mentioned, she brightened a little, but quickly sank back into her musing mood.
"You must give me some a.s.sistance this morning, Bertha," said Madeleine, as she poured a few drops of almond oil into a tiny cup.
"Your task shall be to gather, during your morning walk, this little basket full of the greenest and most perfect ivy leaves you can find, and bring them to the _chalet_. Then, if you feel inclined to aid me further, I will show you how to impart an emerald brilliancy to every leaf by a touch of this oil and a few delicate manipulations."
"I suspect you are inventing something very novel and tasteful,"
remarked Bertha, with more indifference than was natural to her.
"You shall judge by and by," replied Madeleine, as she left the room, with the cup in her hand.
She carried it, with her work, to a dilapidated summer-house, embowered by venerable trees. Madeleine"s taste had given a picturesque aspect to this old _chalet_, and concealed or beautified the ravages of time. With the a.s.sistance of Baptiste, she had planted vines which flung over the outer walls a green drapery, intermingled with roses, honeysuckle, and jasmine; and, within doors, a few chairs, a well-worn sofa, a table, and footstool gave to the rustic apartment an appearance of habitableness and comfort. This was Madeleine"s favorite resort when the weather was fine, and not a few of the magic achievements of her "fairy fingers" had been created in that romantic and secluded locality. There was glamour, perhaps, in the sylvan retreat, that acted like inspiration upon hands and brain.
Bertha usually flitted about her as she worked, wandering in and out, now and then sitting down for a few moments, and reading aloud, by fits and starts, or occasionally taking up a needle and making futile efforts to busy herself with the womanly implement, but always restless, and generally abandoning her attempt after a brief trial; for Bertha frankly confessed that she admired industry in her cousin without being able to practise it in her own person.
This morning, however, Madeleine sat alone; the fleecy tarlatan, that rolled in misty whiteness around her, gradually a.s.suming the shape of female attire. Bettina had been despatched to Rennes on the day previous to procure this material for Bertha"s ball-costume, and had not returned until late in the evening; yet the dress was cut out and fitted before Madeleine closed her eyes that night. The first auroral ray of light that stole into her chamber the next day fell upon the lithe figure of the young girl folding tucks that were to be made in the skirt, measuring distances, placing pins here and there for guides; and, as the dawn broke, she sat down unwearily, and sent her needle in and out of the transparent fabric with a rapidity of motion marvellous to behold.
After a time, the rickety door of the _chalet_ was unceremoniously pushed open, and old Baptiste entered. He deposited a basket filled with ivy leaves upon the table, and said that Mademoiselle Bertha desired him to gather and deliver them to Mademoiselle Madeleine.
"Has she not taken her usual walk this morning, then?" asked Madeleine, in surprise.
"No, mademoiselle; Mademoiselle Bertha only came to me as I was weeding the flower-beds, and immediately went back to the chateau. Have I brought mademoiselle enough ivy?"
"Quite sufficient, thank you; but I did not mean to consume your time, my good Baptiste. I thought Mademoiselle Bertha would take pleasure in selecting the ivy herself."
"Mademoiselle Madeleine knows how glad I always am to serve her,"
answered Baptiste.
For another hour Madeleine sat alone, singing, in a soft murmur, as she sewed, while
"Her soul was singing at a work apart Behind the walls of sense."
The sound of a manly step upon the pathway silenced her plaintive melody. The next moment the vines, that formed a verdant curtain about the otherwise unprotected cas.e.m.e.nt, were gently drawn back, and a face appeared at the window.
"I thought I should find you here on this bright morning, Mademoiselle Madeleine. May I en--en--enter?" asked Gaston de Bois, speaking with so much ease that his only stammer came upon the last word.