CHAPTER XI. THE DUKE OF YORK'S LEVEE.
When Darcy arrived in London, he found a degree of political excitementfor which he was little prepared. In Ireland the Union had absorbedall interest and anxiety, and with the fate of that measure wereextinguished the hopes of those who had speculated on nationalindependence. Not so in England; the real importance of the annexationwas never thoroughly considered till the fact was accomplished, nor,until then, were the great advantages and the possible evils well andmaturely weighed. Then, for the first time, came the anxious question,What next? Was the Union to be the compensation for large concessions tothe Irish people, or was it rather the seal of their incorporationwith a more powerful nation, who by this great stroke of policy wouldannihilate forever all dream of self-existence? Mr. Pitt inclined to theformer opinion, and believed the moment propitious to award the RomanCatholic claims, and to a general remission of those laws which pressedso heavily upon them. To this opinion the King was firmly and, as itproved, insurmountably opposed; he regarded the Act of Union asthe final settlement of all possible disagreements between the twocountries, as the means of uniting the two Churches, and, finally,of excluding at once and forever the admission of Roman Catholics toParliament. This wide difference led to the retirement of Mr. Pitt, andsubsequently to the return of the dangerous indisposition of the King,an attack brought on by the anxiety and agitation this question induced.
The hopes of the Whig party stood high; the Prince's friends, as theywere styled, again rallied around Carlton House, where, already, thepossibility of a long Regency was discussed. Besides these causes ofexcitement were others of not less powerful interest,--the growing powerof Bonaparte, the war in Egypt, and the possibility of open hostilitieswith Russia, who had now thrown herself so avowedly into the alliance ofFrance.
Such were the stirring themes Darcy found agitating the public mind, andhe could not help contrasting the mighty interests they involved withthe narrow circle of consequences a purely local legislature coulddiscuss or decide upon. He felt at once that he trod the soil of a morepowerful and more ambitious people, and he remembered with a sigh hisown anticipations, that in the English Parliament the Irish memberswould be but the camp-followers of the Crown or the Opposition.
If he was English in his pride of government and his sense of nationalpower and greatness, he was Irish in his tastes, his habits, and hisaffections. If he gloried in the name of Briton as the type of nationalhonor and truth throughout the globe, he was still more ardentlyattached to that land where, under the reflected grandeur of themonarchy, grew up the social affections of a poorer people. There isa sense of freedom and independence in the habits of semi-civilizationvery fascinating to certain minds, and all the advantages of morepolished communities are deemed shallow compensation for the readycompliance and cordial impulses of the less cultivated.
With all his own high acquirements the Knight was of this mind; and ifhe did not love England less, he loved Ireland more.
Meditating on the great changes of fortune Ireland had undergone evenwithin his own memory, he moved along through the crowded thoroughfaresof the mighty city, when he heard his name called out, and at the sameinstant a carriage drew up close by him.
"How do you do, Knight?" said a friendly voice, as a hand was stretchedforth to greet him. It was Lord Castle-reagh, who had only a few weeksprevious exchanged his office of Irish Secretary for a post at the Boardof Trade. The meeting was a cordial one on both sides, and ended inan invitation to dine on the following day, which Darcy accepted withwillingness, as a gage of mutual good feeling and esteem.
"I was talking about you to Lord Netherby only yesterday," said LordCastlereagh, "and, from some hints he dropped, I suspect the time iscome that I may offer you any little influence I possess, without ittaking the odious shape of a bargain; if so, pray remember that I haveas much pride as yourself on such a score, and will be offended if youaccept from another what might come equally well through _me_."
The Knight acknowledged this kind speech with a grateful smile and apressure of the hand, and was about to move on, when Lord Castlereaghasked if he could not drop him in his carriage at his destination, andthus enjoy, a few moments longer, his society.
"I scarcely can tell you, my Lord," said Darcy, laughing, "which way Iwas bent on following. I came up to town to present myself at the Dukeof York's levee, and it is only a few moments since I remembered that Iwas not provided with a uniform."
"Oh, step in then," cried Lord Castlereagh, hastily; "I think I canmanage that difficulty for you. There is a levee this very morning; somepressing intelligence has arrived from Egypt, and his Royal Highness hasissued a notice for a reception for eleven o'clock. You are notafraid," said Lord Castlereagh, laughing, as Darcy took his seat besidehim,--"you are not afraid of being seen in such company now."
"If I am not, my Lord, set my courage down to my principle; for I neverfelt your kindness so dangerous," said the Knight, with something ofemotion.
A few moments of rapid driving brought them in front of the Duke'sresidence, where several carriages and led horses were now standing, andofficers in full dress were seen to pass in and out, with signs of hasteand eagerness.
"I told you we should find them astir here," said Lord Castlereagh."Holloa, Fane, have you heard anything new to-day?"
The officer thus addressed touched his hat respectfully, and approachingthe window of the carriage, whispered a few words in Lord Castlereagh'sear.
"Is the news confirmed?" said his Lordship, calmly.
"I believe so, my Lord; at least, Edgecumbe says he heard it fromDundas, who got it from Pitt himself."
"Bad tidings these, Knight," said Lord Castlereagh, as the aide-de-campmoved away; "Pulteney's expedition against Ferrol has failed. Theseconjoint movements of army and navy seem to have a most unluckyfortune."
"What can you expect, my Lord, from an ill-assorted 'Union'?" saidDarcy, slyly.
"They 'll work better after a time," said Lord Castlereagh, smilinggood-humoredly at the hit; "for the present, I acknowledge the successis not flattering. The general always discovers that the land batteriescan only be attacked in the very spot where the admiral pronounces theanchorage impossible; each feels compromised by the other; hence envyand every manner of uncharitableness."
"And what has been the result here? Is it a repulse?"
"You can scarcely call it that, since they never attacked. They lookedat the place, sailed round it, and, like the King of France in thestory, they marched away again. But here we are at length at the door;let us try if we cannot accomplish a landing better than Lord Keith andGeneral Moore."
Through a crowd of anxious faces, whose troubled looks tallied with theevil tidings, Lord Castlereagh and Darcy ascended the stairs and reachedthe antechamber, now densely thronged by officers of every grade of theservice. His Lordship was immediately recognized and surrounded by manyof the company, eager to hear his opinion.
"You don't appear to credit the report, my Lord," said Darcy, whohad watched with some interest the air of quiet incredulity which heassumed.
"It is all true, notwithstanding," said he, in a whisper; "I heard itearly this morning at the Council, and came here to see how it would bereceived. They say that war will be soon as unpopular with the red-coatsas with the no-coats; and really, to look at these sombre faces, onewould say there was some truth in the rumor. But here comes Taylor." Andso saying, Lord Castlereagh moved forward, and laid his hand on the armof an officer in a staff uniform.
"I don't think so, my Lord," said he, in reply to some question fromLord Castlereagh; "I 'll endeavor to manage it, but I 'm afraid Ishall not succeed. Have you heard of Elliot's death? The news has justarrived."
"Indeed! So then the government of Chelsea is to give away. Oh, thatfact explains the presence of so many veteran generals! I really waspuzzled to conceive what martial ardor stirred them."
"You are severe, my Lord," said Darcy; "I hope you are unjust."
"One is r
arely so in attributing a selfish motive anywhere," said theyoung nobleman, sarcastically. "But, Taylor, can't you arrangethis affair? Let me present my friend meanwhile: The Knight ofGwynne--Colonel Taylor."
Before Taylor could more than return the Knight's salutation he wassummoned to attend his Royal Highness; and at the same moment thefolding-doors at the end of the apartment were thrown open, and thereception began.
Whether the sarcasm of Lord Castlereagh was correct, or that a noblermotive was in operation, the number of officers was very great; andalthough the Duke rarely addressed more than a word or two to each,a considerable time elapsed before Lord Castlereagh, with the Knightfollowing, had entered the room.
"It is against a positive order of his Royal Highness, my Lord," said anaide-de-camp, barring the passage; "none but field-officers, and in fulluniform, are received by his Royal Highness."
Lord Castlereagh whispered something, and endeavored to move on; butagain the other interposed, saying, "Indeed, my Lord, I'm deeply grievedat it, but I cannot--I dare not transgress my orders."
The Duke, who had been up to this moment engaged in conversing with agroup, suddenly turned, and perceiving that the presentations were notfollowed up, said, "Well, gentlemen, I am waiting." Then recognizingLord Castlereagh, he added, "Another time, my Lord, another time:this morning belongs to the service, and the color of your coat excludesyou."
"I ask your Royal Highness's pardon," said Lord Castlereagh, in a toneof great deference, while he made the apology an excuse for advancing astep into the room. "I have but just left the Council, and was anxiousto inform you that your Royal Highness's suggestions have been fullyadopted."
"Indeed! is that the case?" said the Duke, with an elated look, whilehe drew his Lordship into the recess of a window. The intelligence,to judge from the Duke's expression, must have been both important andsatisfactory, for he looked intensely eager and pleased by turns.
"And so," said he, aloud, "they really have determined on Egypt? Well,my Lord, you have brought me the best tidings I 've heard for many aday."
"And like all bearers of good despatches," said Lord Castlereagh,catching up the tone of the Duke, "I prefer a claim to your RoyalHighness's patronage."
"If you look for Chelsea, my Lord, you are just five minutes too late.Old Sir Harry Belmore has this instant got it."
"I could have named as old and perhaps a not less distinguished soldierto your Royal Highness, with this additional claim,--a claim I must say,your Royal Highness never disregards"--
"That he has been unfortunate with the unlucky," said the Duke,laughing, and good-naturedly alluding to his own failure in theexpedition to the Netherlands; "but who is your friend?"
"The Knight of Gwynne,--an Irish gentleman."
"One of your late supporters, eh, Castlereagh?" said the Duke, laughing."How came he to be forgotten till this hour? Or did you pass him a billof gratitude payable at nine months after date?"
"No, my Lord, he was an opponent; he was a man that I never could buy,when his influence and power were such as to make the price of his owndictating. Since that day, fortune has changed with him."
"And what do you want with him now?" said the Duke, while his eyestwinkled with a sly malice; "are you imitating the man that bowed downbefore statues of Hercules and Apollo at Rome, not knowing when the timeof those fellows might come up again? Is that your game?"
"Not exactly, your Royal Highness; but I really feel some scruples ofconscience that, having assisted so many unworthy candidates to pensionsand peerages, I should have done nothing for the most upright man I metin Ireland."
"If we could make him a Commissary-General," said the Duke, laughing,"the qualities you speak of would be of service now: there never wassuch a set of rascals as we have got in that department! But come, whatcan we do with him? What 's his rank in the army? Where did he serve?"
"If I dare present him to your Royal Highness without a uniform," saidLord Castlereagh, hesitatingly, "he could answer these queries betterthan I can."
"Oh, by Jove! it is too late for scruples now,--introduce him at once."
Lord Castlereagh waited for no more formal permission, but, hastening tothe antechamber, took Darcy's hand, and led him forward.
"If I don't mistake, sir," said the Duke, as the old man raised his headafter a deep and courteous salutation, "this is not the first time wehave met. Am I correct in calling you Colonel Darcy?"
The Knight bowed low in acquiescence.
"The same officer who raised the Twenty-eighth Light Dragoons, known asDarcy's Light Horse?"
The Knight bowed once more.
"A very proud officer in command," said the Duke, turning to LordCastlereagh with a stern expression on his features; "a colonel whothreatened a prince of the blood with arrest for breach of duty."
"He had good reason, your Royal Highness, to be proud," said the Knight,firmly; "first, to have a prince to serve under his command; and,secondly, to have held that station and character in the service to haverendered so unbecoming a threat pardonable."
"And who said it was?" replied the Duke, hastily.
"Your Royal Highness has just done so."
"How do you mean?"
"I mean, my Lord Duke," said Darcy, with a calm and unmoved look,"that your Royal Highness would never have recurred to the theme to onehumbled as I am, if you had not forgiven it."
"As freely as I trust you forgive me, Colonel Darcy," said the Duke,grasping his hand and shaking it with warmth. "Now for _my_ part: whatcan I do for you?--what do you wish?"
"I can scarcely ask your Royal Highness; I find that some kind friendhas already applied on my behalf. I could not have presumed, old anduseless as I am, to prefer a claim myself."
"There's your own regiment vacant," said the Duke, musing. "No, byJove! I remember Lord Netherby asking me for it the other day for somerelative of his own. Taylor, is the colonelcy of the Twenty-eighthpromised?"
"Your Royal Highness signed it yesterday."
"I feared as much. Who is it?--perhaps he'd exchange."
"Colonel Maurice Darcy, your Royal Highness, unattached."
"What! have I been doing good by stealth? Is this really so?"
"If it be, your Royal Highness," said Darcy, smiling, "I can only assureyou that the officer promoted will not exchange."
"The depot is at Gosport, your Royal Highness," said Taylor, in reply toa question from the Duke.
"Well, station it in Ireland, Colonel Darcy may prefer it," said theduke; "for, as the regiment forms part of the expedition to Egypt, thedepot need not be moved for some time to come."
"Your Royal Highness can increase the favor by only one concession--dareI ask it?--to permit me to take the command on service."
The Duke gazed with astonishment at the old man, and gradually hisexpression became one of deep interest, as he said,--
"Colonel Darcy could claim as a right what I feel so proud to accordhim as a favor. Make a note of that, Taylor," said the Duke, raising hisvoice so as to be heard through the room: "'Colonel Darcy to take thecommand on service at his own special request.' Yes, gentlemen," addedhe, louder, "these are times when the exigencies of the service demandalike the energy of youth and the experience of age; it is, indeed,a happy conjuncture that finds them united. My Lord Castlereagh andColonel Darcy, are you disengaged for Wednesday?"
They both bowed respectfully.
"Then on Wednesday I'll have some of your brother officers to meet you,Colonel. Now, Taylor, let us get through our list."
So saying, the Duke bowed graciously; and Lord Castlereagh and theKnight retired, each too full of pleasure to utter a word as he went.