Lady Herenden was especially kind to her, and singled out the young American for her special favour and attention.
CHAPTER VIII
THE EARL OF RUTHVEN
After a time the men came from the dining-room and rejoined the ladies.
Patty was chatting with a group of young women, and when she glanced around, it was to see Lord Ruthven standing at her side.
"I was miles away from you at dinner," he said, "but now there is an opportunity, let us begin our lessons in English at once."
"Do," said Patty, smiling; "where shall be our cla.s.sroom?"
"We"ll pre-empt this sofa," said Lord Ruthven, indicating, as he spoke, a gold-framed Louis XIV. tete-a-tete. "We"ll pretend that it is a real schoolroom, with four walls hung with maps and charts--just such as you used to have when you were a little girl."
Patty smiled at this reference to her far-away school-days, but fell in with his mood.
"Yes," she said, "and you must be the stern schoolmaster, and I the stupid pupil who has been kept in after school."
But their merry game was interrupted by Lady Herenden"s invitation to the ballroom.
Escorted by Lord Ruthven, Patty followed the others to the great hall where they were to dance.
It was a resplendent apartment, with balconies and boxes, from which the spectators could look down upon the dancers. A fine orchestra furnished the music, and Patty, who loved to dance, found her feet involuntarily keeping time to the harmonious strains.
"Shall we have a try?" said Lord Ruthven, and in a moment they were gliding over the smooth floor.
Patty already knew that English dancing is not like the American steps, but she was so completely mistress of the art, that she could adapt herself instantly to any variation.
"I won"t compliment your dancing," said the Earl, as the waltz was finished, "for you must have been told so often how wonderfully well you dance. But I must tell you what a pleasure it is to dance with you."
Patty thought this a very pretty speech, and graciously gave his lordship some other dances for which he asked, and then, leaving her with Lady Herenden, he excused himself and went away. Then Patty was besieged with would-be partners. Her dancing had called forth the admiration of everybody, and the young men crowded about, begging to see her dance-card.
Only Mr. Merivale stood aloof. He was still sulky, and he looked so like a cross schoolboy that Patty took pity on him.
She slightly nodded her head at him by way of invitation, and he came slowly toward her.
"Which two do you want?" she said, demurely.
Merivale"s face lighted up. "You are indeed kind," he said, in a low voice. "I will take any you will give me. My card is blank as yet."
So Patty arranged the dances, and the young man went away looking much happier. The evening was all too short. Patty whirled through dance after dance, and between them was restored to Lady Herenden or Lady Hamilton, only to be claimed the next minute by another partner.
"What a belle it is!" said Lady Herenden, patting the girl"s shoulder affectionately. "You have made a real sensation, Miss Fairfield."
"But I"m Cinderella, to-night," she said, gaily.
"Wait till to-morrow, and see all my popularity vanish."
Lady Herenden did not understand, but took it as merry chaff and paid no heed.
Then Lord Ruthven came for the last dance.
"This is an extra, Miss Fairfield," he said; "will you give it to me?"
Patty agreed, but as they walked away, his Lordship said:
"You look really tired; would you not rather sit on the terrace than dance?"
"I am tired," said Patty, honestly; "I think it"s carrying this heavy train around. I"ve never before danced in a long gown."
"Then you shall rest. Let us sit on the terrace, and I"ll send for an ice for you."
Lord Ruthven was very kind and courteous. He found a delightful corner of the terrace unoccupied, and he arranged two wicker easy-chairs, where they might be just out of the way of the promenaders. He asked a footman to bring the ices, and then seated himself beside Patty.
"Is it not beautiful," he said, "the rose garden in the moonlight? One can almost fancy the roses opening beneath the moon"s light as in daytime by the sun"s warm rays."
"Yes," said Patty, falling in with his fanciful mood, "and I think, perhaps, at night, the white roses and the pale yellow ones bloom. Then at daybreak, the pink or blush roses open, and at midday the deep red ones."
"You have the mind of a poet, Miss Fairfield. Where do you get those graceful conceits?"
"Oh, I don"t know," said Patty, carelessly; "I think they are the result of this beautiful moonlight night, and these picturesque surroundings."
"Yes, I am sure that is true. You have a soul that responds to all beauty in art or nature. Let us take a short turn in the rose garden, and get a view of this n.o.ble old house with the moonlight full upon it."
"But I want my ice cream," objected Patty, who still had her schoolgirl appet.i.te.
"We"ll stay but a moment, and we"ll return to find it awaiting us,"
gently insisted Lord Ruthven, and Patty amiably went down the terrace steps and along the garden path with him.
Near a clump of cedars, only a short distance away, they turned to look at the beautiful old house. Herenden Hall was always a splendid picture, but especially at night, backgrounded by a gray sky full of racing clouds, and touched at every gable by the silver moonlight, it was enchanting.
"Oh," said Patty, drawing a sigh, "it is the most wonderful effect I ever saw. See that great, quiet roof sloping darkly away, and beneath, the gay lights of the terrace, and the laughter of happy people."
"It is a beautiful picture," said Lord Ruthven, looking steadily at Patty, "but not so beautiful as another one I see. A lovely face framed in soft, shining curls, against a background of dark cedar trees."
His tone, even more than his words, alarmed Patty. She was not used to such speeches as this, and she said, gravely: "Take me back to the house, please, Lord Ruthven."
"Not just yet," pleaded the n.o.bleman. "Dear Miss Fairfield, listen to me a moment. Let me tell you something. Let me justify myself. I oughtn"t to talk to you like this, I know--but the fact is--oh, the fact is you"ve completely bowled me over."
"What?" said Patty, not at all comprehending his meaning.
"Yes; I"m done for--and at first sight! And by an American! But it"s a fact. I adore you, Miss Fairfield--I"m so desperately in love with you that I can"t down it. Oh, I know I oughtn"t to be talking to you like this. I ought to see your father, and all that. And I will, as soon as I can, but--oh, I say, Patty, tell me you like me a little!"
It suddenly dawned on Patty that she was having a proposal! And from an English Earl! And all on account of her grown-up gown! The absurdity of it impressed her far more than the romantic side of it, and though a little frightened, she couldn"t help smiling at the Earl"s tragic tones.