“There are maidens in Scotland
more lovely by far,
Who would gladly be bride
to the young Lochinvar.”
“But young Lochinvar got his bride,” said
Phineas.
“Take the spirit of the lines, Mr. Finn, which
is true; and not the tale as it is told, which is
probably false. I often think that Jock of Hazledean,
and young Lochinvar too, probably lived to repent their
bargains. We will hope that Lord Chiltern may
not do so.”
“I am sure he never will.”
“That is all right. And as for you, do
you for a while think of your politics, and your speeches,
and your colonies, rather than of your love.
You are at home there, and no Lord Chiltern can rob
you of your success. And if you are down in the
mouth, come to me, and I will sing you a Scotch song.
And, look you, the next time I ask you to dinner I
will promise you that Mrs. Bonteen shall not be here.
Good-bye.” She gave him her hand, which
was very soft, and left it for a moment in his, and
he was consoled.
Madame Goesler, when she was alone, threw herself
on to her chair and began to think of things.
In these days she would often ask herself what in
truth was the object of her ambition, and the aim of
her life. Now at this moment she had in her hand
a note from the Duke of Omnium. The Duke had
allowed himself to say something about a photograph,
which had justified her in writing to him,—or
which she had taken for such justification. And
the Duke had replied. “He would not,”
he said, “lose the opportunity of waiting upon
her in person which the presentation of the little
gift might afford him.” It would be a great
success to have the Duke of Omnium at her house,—but
to what would the success reach? What was her
definite object,—or had she any? In
what way could she make herself happy? She could
not say that she was happy yet. The hours with
her were too long and the days too many.
The Duke of Omnium should come,—if he would.
And she was quite resolved as to this,—that
if the Duke did come she would not be afraid of him.
Heavens and earth! What would be the feelings
of such a woman as her, were the world to greet her
some fine morning as Duchess of Omnium! Then
she made up her mind very resolutely on one subject.
Should the Duke give her any opportunity she would
take a very short time in letting him know what was
the extent of her ambition.
Lord Chiltern at Saulsby
Lord Chiltern did exactly as he said he would do.
He wrote to his father as he passed through Carlisle,
and at once went on to his hunting at Willingford.
But his letter was very stiff and ungainly, and it
may be doubted whether Miss Effingham was not wrong
in refusing the offer which he had made to her as
to the dictation of it. He began his letter,
“My Lord,” and did not much improve the
style as he went on with it. The reader may as
well see the whole letter;—
