Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 05

								

obtaining the affections of Evelyn?  Surely, at your age, Mr. Aubrey, you
cannot encourage the heated romance common to all girls of Evelyn's age.
Persons of our rank do not marry like the Corydon and Phyllis of a
pastoral.  At my years, I never was fool enough to expect that I should
inspire a girl of seventeen with what is called a passionate attachment.
But happy marriages are based upon suitable circumstances, mutual
knowledge and indulgence, respect, esteem.  Come, sir, let me hope
yet,--let me hope that, on the same day, I may congratulate you on your
preferment and you may congratulate me upon my marriage."
Vargrave said this with a cheerful and easy smile; and the tone of his
voice was that of a man who wished to convey serious meaning in a jesting
accent.
Mr. Aubrey, meek as he was, felt the insult of the hinted bribe, and
coloured with a resentment no sooner excited than checked.  "Excuse me,
my lord, I have now said all; the rest had better be left to your ward
herself."
"Be it so, sir.  I will ask you, then, to convey my request to Evelyn to
honour me with a last and parting interview."
Vargrave flung himself on his chair, and Aubrey left him.

CHAPTER IX.


THUS airy Strephon tuned his lyre.--SHENSTONE.
IN his meeting with Evelyn, Vargrave certainly exerted to the utmost all
his ability and all his art.  He felt that violence, that sarcasm, that
selfish complaint would not avail in a man who was not loved,--though
they are often admirable cards in the hands of a man who is.  As his own
heart was perfectly untouched in the matter, except by rage and
disappointment,--feelings which with him never lasted very long,--he
could play coolly his losing game.  His keen and ready intellect taught
him that all he could now expect was to bequeath sentiments of generous
compassion and friendly interest; to create a favourable impression,
which he might hereafter improve; to reserve, in short, some spot of
vantage-ground in the country from which he was to affect to withdraw all
his forces.  He had known, in his experience of women, which, whether as
an actor or a spectator, was large and various--though not among very
delicate and refined natures--that a lady often takes a fancy to a suitor
after she has rejected him; that precisely because she has once
rejected she ultimately accepts him.  And even this chance was, in
circumstances so desperate, not to be neglected.  He assumed, therefore,
the countenance, the postures, and the voice of heart-broken but
submissive despair; he affected a nobleness and magnanimity in his grief,
which touched Evelyn to the quick, and took her by surprise.
"It is enough," said he, in sad and faltering accents; "quite enough for
me to know that you cannot love me,--that I should fail in rendering you
happy.  Say no more, Evelyn, say no more!  Let me spare you, at least,
the pain your generous nature must feel in my anguish.  I resign all