CHAPTER V.
We must now return to our friends the Herberts, who, having quittedWeymouth, without even revisiting Cherbury, are now on their journeyto the metropolis. It was not without considerable emotion that LadyAnnabel, after an absence of nearly nineteen years, contemplated herreturn to the scene of some of the most extraordinary and painfuloccurrences of her life. As for Venetia, who knew nothing of towns andcities, save from the hasty observations she had made in travelling,the idea of London, formed only from books and her imagination, wasinvested with even awful attributes. Mistress Pauncefort alonelooked forward to their future residence simply with feelings ofself-congratulation at her return, after so long an interval, to thetheatre of former triumphs and pleasures, and where she conceivedherself so eminently qualified to shine and to enjoy.
The travellers entered town towards nightfall, by Hyde Park Corner,and proceeded to an hotel in St. James's Street, where Lady Annabel'sman of business had engaged them apartments. London, with its pallidparish lamps, scattered at long intervals, would have presented but agloomy appearance to the modern eye, habituated to all the splendourof gas; but to Venetia it seemed difficult to conceive a scene of morebrilliant bustle; and she leant back in the carriage, distracted withthe lights and the confusion of the crowded streets. When they wereonce safely lodged in their new residence, the tumult of unpacking thecarriages had subsided, and the ceaseless tongue of Pauncefort hadin some degree refrained from its wearying and worrying chatter,a feeling of loneliness, after all this agitation and excitement,simultaneously came over the feelings of both mother and daughter,though they alike repressed its expression. Lady Annabel was lostin many sad thoughts, and Venetia felt mournful, though she couldscarcely define the cause. Both were silent, and they soon soughtrefuge from fatigue and melancholy in sleep.
The next morning, it being now April, was fortunately bright andclear. It certainly was a happy fortune that the fair Venetia was notgreeted with a fog. She rose refreshed and cheerful, and joined hermother, who was, however, not a little agitated by an impending visit,of which Venetia had been long apprised. This was from Lady Annabel'sbrother, the former ambassador, who had of late returned to his nativecountry. The brother and sister had been warmly attached in youth, butthe awful interval of time that had elapsed since they parted, filledVenetia's mother with many sad and serious reflections. The Earl andhis family had been duly informed of Lady Annabel's visit to themetropolis, and had hastened to offer her the hospitality of theirhome; but the offer had been declined, with feelings, however, not alittle gratified by the earnestness with which it had been proffered.
Venetia was now, for the first time in her life, to see a relative.The anticipated meeting excited in her mind rather curiosity thansentiment. She could not share the agitation of her mother, andyet she looked forward to the arrival of her uncle with extremeinquisitiveness. She was not long kept in suspense. Their breakfastwas scarcely finished, when he was announced. Lady Annabel turnedrather pale; and Venetia, who felt herself as it were a stranger toher blood, would have retired, had not her mother requested her toremain; so she only withdrew to the back of the apartment.
Her uncle was ten years the senior of his sister, but not unlike her.Tall, graceful, with those bland and sympathising manners that easilywin hearts, he entered the room with a smile of affection, yet with acomposure of deportment that expressed at the same time how sincerelydelighted he was at the meeting, and how considerately determined, atthe same time, not to indulge in a scene. He embraced his sister withtenderness, assured her that she looked as young as ever, softlychided her for not making his house her home, and hoped that theyshould never part again; and he then turned to his niece. A fineobserver, one less interested in the scene than the only witnesses,might have detected in the Earl, notwithstanding his experiencedbreeding, no ordinary surprise and gratification at the sight of theindividual whose relationship he was now to claim for the first time.
'I must claim an uncle's privilege,' he said, in a tone of sweetnessand some emotion, as he pressed with his own the beautiful lips ofVenetia. 'I ought to be proud of my niece. Why, Annabel! if only forthe honour of our family, you should not have kept this jewel so longenshrined in the casket of Cherbury.'
The Earl remained with them some hours, and his visit was reallyprolonged by the unexpected pleasure which he found in the society ofhis relations. He would not leave them until they promised to dinewith him that day, and mentioned that he had prevented his wife fromcalling with him that morning, because he thought, after so long aseparation, it might be better to meet thus quietly. Then they partedwith affectionate cordiality on both sides; the Earl enchanted to finddelightful companions where he was half afraid he might only meettiresome relatives; Lady Annabel proud of her brother, and gratifiedby his kindness; and Venetia anxious to ascertain whether all herrelations were as charming as her uncle.