CHAPTER IV
EDITH TALBOT
It was late when Auriol arose on the following morning. At first,finding himself in a large and most luxuriantly-furnished chamber, hewas at a loss to conceive how he came there, and it was some time beforehe could fully recall the mysterious events of the previous night. Ashad been foretold, however, by Rougemont, his position did not cause himso much anxiety as before.
After attiring himself, he descended to the lower apartments, in one ofwhich a sumptuous breakfast awaited him; and having partaken of it, hetook a complete survey of the house, and found it larger and moremagnificent even than he had supposed it. He next supplied himself fromthe pocket-book with a certain sum, for which he fancied he might haveoccasion in the course of the day, and sallied forth. His first businesswas to procure a splendid carriage and horses, and to order some new andrich habiliments to be made with the utmost expedition.
He then proceeded towards May Fair, and knocked at the door of a largehouse at the upper end of Curzon Street. His heart beat violently as hewas shown into an elegant drawing-room, and his trepidation momentarilyincreased, until the servant reappeared and expressed his regret thathe had misinformed him in stating that Miss Talbot was at home. Both sheand Mr. Talbot, he said, had gone out about half-an-hour ago. Auriollooked incredulous, but without making any remark, departed. Hurryinghome, he wrote a few lines to Mr. Talbot, announcing the sudden andextraordinary change in his fortune, and formally demanding the hand ofEdith. He was about to despatch this letter, when a note was brought himby his servant. It was from Edith. Having ascertained his new addressfrom his card, she wrote to assure him of her constant attachment.Transported by this proof of her affection, Auriol half devoured thenote with kisses, and instantly sent off his own letter to herfather--merely adding a few words to say that he would call for ananswer on the morrow. But he had not to wait thus long for a reply. Erean hour had elapsed, Mr. Talbot brought it in person.
Mr. Talbot was a man of about sixty--tall, thin, and gentlemanlike indeportment, with grey hair, and black eyebrows, which lent considerableexpression to the orbs beneath them. His complexion was a bilious brown,and he possessed none of the good looks which in his daughter had socaptivated Auriol, and which it is to be presumed, therefore, sheinherited from her mother.
A thorough man of the world, though not an unamiable person, Mr. Talbotwas entirely influenced by selfish considerations. He had hithertolooked with an unfavourable eye upon Auriol's attentions to hisdaughter, from a notion that the connection would be very undesirable ina pecuniary point of view; but the magnificence of the house in SaintJames's Square, which fully bore out Auriol's account of hisnewly-acquired wealth, wrought a complete change in his opinions, and hesoon gave the young man to understand that he should be delighted tohave him for a son-in-law. Finding him so favourably disposed, Auriolentreated him to let the marriage take place--within three days, ifpossible.
Mr. Talbot was greatly grieved that he could not comply with his youngfriend's request, but he was obliged to start the next morning forNottingham, and could not possibly return under three days.
"But we can be married before you go?" cried Auriol.
"Scarcely, I fear," replied Mr. Talbot, smiling blandly. "You mustcontrol your impatience, my dear young friend. On the sixth day fromthis--that is, on Wednesday in next week--we are now at Friday--youshall be made happy."
The coincidence between this appointment, and the time fixed byRougemont for the delivery of his victim, struck Auriol forcibly. Hisemotion, however, escaped Mr. Talbot, who soon after departed, havingengaged his future son-in-law to dine with him at seven o'clock.
Auriol, it need scarcely be said, was punctual to the hour, or, rather,he anticipated it. He found Edith alone in the drawing-room, and seatednear the window, which was filled with choicest flowers. On seeing him,she uttered an exclamation of joy, and sprang to meet him. The young manpressed his lips fervently to the little hand extended to him.
Edith Talbot was a lovely brunette. Her features were regular, and hereyes, which were perfectly splendid, were dark, almond-shaped, and ofalmost Oriental languor. Her hair, which she wore braided over her browand gathered behind in a massive roll, was black and glossy as a raven'swing. Her cheeks were dimpled, her lips of velvet softness, and herteeth like ranges of pearls. Perfect grace accompanied all hermovements, and one only wondered that feet so small as those shepossessed should have the power of sustaining a form which, thoughlightsome, was yet rounded in its proportions.
"You have heard, dear Edith, that your father has consented to ourunion?" said Auriol, after gazing at her for a few moments in silentadmiration.
Edith murmured an affirmative, and blushed deeply.
"He has fixed Wednesday next," pursued Auriol; "but I wish an earlierday could have been named. I have a presentiment that if our marriage isso long delayed, it will not take place at all."
"You are full of misgivings, Auriol," she replied.
"I confess it," he said; "and my apprehensions have risen to such apoint, that I feel disposed to urge you to a private marriage, duringyour father's absence."
"Oh no, Auriol; much as I love you, I could never consent to such astep," she cried. "You cannot urge me to it. I would not abuse my dearfather's trusting love. I have never deceived him, and that is the bestassurance I can give you that I shall never deceive you."
Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Talbot, whoheld out both his hands to Auriol, and professed the greatest delight tosee him. And no doubt he was sincere. The dinner passed off mostpleasantly, and so did the evening; for the old gentleman was in highspirits, and his hilarity was communicated to the young couple. WhenAuriol and Mr. Talbot went up-stairs to tea, they found that Edith'saunt, Mrs. Maitland, had arrived to take charge of her during herfather's absence. This lady had always exhibited a partiality forAuriol, and had encouraged his suit to her niece; consequently she waswell satisfied with the turn affairs had taken. It was near midnightbefore Auriol could tear himself away; and when he rose to depart, Mr.Talbot, who had yawned frequently, but fruitlessly, to give him a hint,told him he might depend upon seeing him back on the evening of thethird day, and in the meantime he committed him to the care of Mrs.Maitland and Edith.
Three days flew by rapidly and delightfully; and on the evening of thelast, just as the little party were assembled in the drawing-room, afterdinner, Mr. Talbot returned from this journey.
"Well, here I am!" he cried, clasping Edith to his bosom, "withouthaving encountered any misadventure. On the contrary, I have completedmy business to my entire satisfaction."
"Oh, how delighted I am to see you, dear papa!" exclaimed Edith. "Now,Auriol, you can have no more apprehensions."
"Apprehensions of what?" cried Mr. Talbot.
"Of some accident befalling you, which might have interfered with ourhappiness, sir," replied Auriol.
"Oh, lovers are full of idle fears!" cried Mr. Talbot. "They areunreasonable beings. However, here I am, as I said before, safe andsound. To-morrow we will finish all preliminary arrangements, and theday after you shall be made happy--ha! ha!"
"Do you know, papa, Auriol intends to give a grand ball on ourwedding-day, and has invited all his acquaintance to it?" remarkedEdith.
"I hope you have not invited Cyprian Rougemont?" said Mr. Talbot,regarding him fixedly.
"I have not, sir," replied Auriol, turning pale. "But why do youparticularise him?"
"Because I have heard some things of him not much to his credit,"replied Mr. Talbot.
"What--what have you heard, sir?" demanded Auriol.
"Why, one shouldn't believe all the ill one hears of a man; and, indeed,I _cannot_ believe all I have heard of Cyprian Rougemont," replied Mr.Talbot; "but I should be glad if you dropped his acquaintancealtogether. And now let us change the subject."
Mr. Talbot seated himself beside Mrs. Maitland, and began to give hersome account of his journey, which appeared to have been as pleasan
t asit had been rapid.
Unable to shake off the gloom which had stolen over him, Auriol took hisleave, promising to meet Mr. Talbot at his lawyer's in Lincoln's Inn, atnoon on the following day. He was there at the time appointed, and, toMr. Talbot's great delight, and the no small surprise of the lawyer,paid over a hundred thousand pounds, to be settled on his future wife.
"You are a perfect man of honour, Auriol," said Mr. Talbot, clapping himon the shoulder, "and I hope Edith will make you an excellent wife.Indeed, I have no doubt of it."
"Nor I,--if I ever possess her," mentally ejaculated Auriol.
The morning passed in other preparations. In the evening the lovers metas usual, and separated with the full persuasion, on Edith's part atleast, that the next day would make them happy. Since the night of thecompact, Auriol had neither seen Rougemont, nor heard from him, and heneglected no precaution to prevent his intrusion.