Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 05

								

really did seem, even to the least sanguine, that the Saxingham or
Vargrave party was one that might well aspire either to dictate to, or to
break up, a government.  Nothing now was left to consider but the
favourable hour for action.  In high spirits, Lord Vargrave returned
about the middle of the day to the rectory.
"So," thought he, as he reclined in his carriage,--"so, in politics, the
prospect clears as the sun breaks out.  The party I have espoused is one
that must be the most durable, for it possesses the greatest property and
the most stubborn prejudice--what elements for Party!  All that I now
require is a sufficient fortune to back my ambition.  Nothing can clog my
way but these cursed debts, this disreputable want of gold.  And yet
Evelyn alarms me!  Were I younger, or had I not made my position too
soon, I would marry her by fraud or by force,--run off with her to
Gretna, and make Vulcan minister to Plutus.  But this would never do at
my years, and with my reputation.  A pretty story for the newspapers,
d-----n them!  Well, nothing venture, nothing have; I will brave the
hazard!  Meanwhile, Doltimore is mine; Caroline will rule him, and I rule
her.  His vote and his boroughs are something,--his money will be more
immediately useful: I must do him the honour to borrow a few
thousands,--Caroline must manage that for me.  The fool is miserly,
though a spendthrift; and looked black when I delicately hinted the other
day that I wanted a friend--id est, a loan! money and friendship same
thing,--distinction without a difference!"  Thus cogitating, Vargrave
whiled away the minutes till his carriage stopped at Mr. Merton's door.
As he entered the hall he met Caroline, who had just quitted her own
room.
"How lucky I am that you have on your bonnet!  I long for a walk with you
round the lawn."
"And I, too, am glad to see you, Lord Vargrave," said Caroline, putting
her arm in his.
"Accept my best congratulations, my own sweet friend," said Vargrave,
when they were in the grounds.  "You have no idea how happy Doltimore is.
He came to Knaresdean yesterday to communicate the news, and his
neckcloth was primmer than ever.  C'est un bon enfant."
"Ah, how can you talk thus?  Do you feel no pain at the thought
that--that I am another's?"
"Your heart will be ever mine,--and that is the true fidelity.  What
else, too, could be done?  As for Lord Doltimore, we will go shares in
him.  Come, cheer thee, m'amie; I rattle on thus to keep up your
spirits.  Do not fancy I am happy!"
Caroline let fall a few tears; but beneath the influence of Vargrave's
sophistries and flatteries, she gradually recovered her usual hard and
worldly tone of mind.
"And where is Evelyn?" asked Vargrave.  "Do you know, the little witch
seemed to be half mad the night of the ball.  Her head was turned; and
when she sat next me at supper, she not only answered every question I
put to her a tort et a travers, but I fancied every moment she was