The countess had once or twice made small efforts
to come to terms of peace with him; or rather to a
truce, under which there might still be some friendship
between them,—accompanied, however, by a
positive condition that Clara should be omitted from
any participation in it. She would have been
willing to say, “Let all this be forgotten,
only for some time to come you and Clara cannot meet
each other.” But Fitzgerald would by no
means agree to such terms; and the countess was obliged
to leave his house, having in effect only thrown down
a gauntlet of battle; having in vain attempted to
extend over it an olive-branch of peace.
He helped her, however, into her little pony carriage,
and at parting she gave him her hand. He just
touched it, and then, taking off his hat, bowed courteously
to her as she drove from his door.
THE FITZGERALDS OF CASTLE RICHMOND
What idea of carrying out his plans may have been
prevalent in Fitzgerald’s mind when he was so
defiant of the countess, it may be difficult to say.
Probably he had no idea, but felt at the spur of the
moment that it would be weak to yield. The consequence
was, that when Lady Desmond left Hap House, he was
obliged to consider himself as being at feud with
the family.
The young lord he did see once again during the holidays,
and even entertained him at Hap House; but the earl’s
pride would not give way an inch.
“Much as I like you, Owen, I cannot do anything
but oppose it. It would be a bad match for my
sister, and so you’d feel if you were in my
place.” And then Lord Desmond went back
to Eton.
After that they none of them met for many months.
During this time life went on in a very triste manner
at Desmond Court. Lady Desmond felt that she
had done her duty by her daughter; but her tenderness
to Clara was not increased by the fact that her foolish
attachment had driven Fitzgerald from the place.
As for Clara herself, she not only kept her word,
but rigidly resolved to keep it. Twice she returned
unopened, and without a word of notice, letters which
Owen had caused to be conveyed to her hand. It
was not that she had ceased to love him, but she had
high ideas of truth and honour, and would not break
her word. Perhaps she was sustained in her misery
by the remembrance that heroines are always miserable.
And then the orgies at Hap House became hotter and
faster. Hitherto there had perhaps been more
smoke than fire, more calumny than sin. And Fitzgerald,
when he had intimated that the presence of a young
wife would save him from it all, had not boasted falsely.
But now that his friends had turned their backs upon
him, that he was banished from Desmond Court, and
twitted with his iniquities at Castle Richmond, he
threw off all restraint, and endeavoured to enjoy
himself in his own way. So the orgies became fast
and furious; all which of course reached the ears
of poor Clara Desmond.
