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 http://www.archive.org/details/powerofgoldnovel01lamb
 
 THE POWER OF GOLD, 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 NEW AND POPULAR NOVELS 
 
 AT ALL THE LIBRARIES 
 
 LIKE LUCIFER. By Denzil Vane. 3 vols. 
 
 A DAUGHTER OF THE GODS. By Jane Stanley. 
 
 2 vols. 
 
 LUCIA. By Mrs. Augustus Craven, author of 'A Sister's 
 
 Story,' &c. Translated by Lady Herbert of Lea. 2 vols. 
 
 A DIAMOND IN" THE ROUGH. By Alice O'Hanlon, 
 
 author of 'The Unforeseen.' 3 vols. 
 
 LOVE, THE PILGRIM. By May Crommelin, author 
 
 of ' Queenie,' ' Orange Lily,' &c. 3 vols. 
 
 HURST & BLACKETT, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET
 
 THE POWEK OF GOLD 
 
 A NOVEL 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE LAMBERT 
 
 For 'tis a question left us yet to prove 
 Whether Love lead Fortune, or else Fortune Love. 
 
 Hamlet. 
 
 LN TWO VOLUMES 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON : 
 HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 
 
 1886. 
 
 All rights reserved.
 
 v.0. 
 
 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 FATHER, SON, AND DAUGHTER. 
 
 It is by no means an easy matter to find 
 out what a man is by his ' outer present- 
 ment ;' of course there are certain plainly- 
 defined differences, and, though the sump- 
 tuary laws have long ago gone to limbo, 
 and the Sunday suit of the artisan is not 
 so very far removed from the Sabbath 
 attire of what the catechism calls his 
 'betters;' though the ' servant-gal ' emerges 
 on her ' Sunday-out ' from the chrysalis 
 form of every-day attire, and takes the 
 arm of her ' young man ' at the top of the 
 VOL. i. B 

 
 2 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 area-steps in raiment which is a fair copy 
 of 'missus's;' yet, at the same time, it 
 would be difficult to mistake a navvy for 
 a city clerk, or a factory-lass for a ' young 
 lady ' in a shop. Things have, however, 
 become considerably mixed in the matter 
 of clothes, and the unoccupied wayfarer, 
 as he pursues his aimless course, can, if he 
 be of a speculative turn of mind, find 
 plenty of scope for his imagination in won- 
 dering what may be the occupations and 
 social. status of the various passers-by. 
 
 More often than not he will be mistaken. 
 That elegantly-attired individual, strolling 
 gently down Piccadilly with a cigar in his 
 mouth, well-gloved and booted, and with 
 the neatest of umbrellas, looks like what 
 the cabmen call ' a swell ;' but put some 
 question to him, as to your best way to 
 such-and-such a street, for instance — and 
 the words of his mouth, decided in their 
 London twang, and wanting in the fatal 
 aspirate, will disclose him as a cockney of
 
 the purest type ; a gentleman of the great 
 order of the commercial perhaps, just off: a 
 journey, and refreshing himself, after that 
 strenuous pushing for ' orders ' which 
 competition has brought about, with a 
 look at the ' nobs ;' with a sincere feeling 
 of satisfaction in his mind that his ' get- 
 up ' is irreproachable, and not unlikely to 
 cause folk to make the very mistake you 
 have made. 
 
 There are, on the other hand, noblemen 
 of very high degree indeed, who might 
 easily be taken for pork-butchers, and who, 
 were they endued with the white apron of 
 that fraternity, would look quite in their 
 place behind a counter, with a chopper in 
 their hands, a large dish of sausages in 
 front of them, and chines, and legs, and 
 shoulders of pig hanging around in grace- 
 ful festoons. 
 
 Now Squire Armer, of Coombridge 
 Manor, near Exeter, was the very ' moral ' 
 of a country squire. Look at him as he sits 
 
 b 2
 
 4 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 at breakfast this summer morning with 
 Nellie, his daughter, and Jack, his son and 
 heir. If ever a man looked his part, surely 
 Squire Armer looks his. Of middle height, 
 sixty years old, stoutly built, ruddy- 
 cheeked, blue-eyed, clean-shaven, save for 
 about an inch of greyish whiskers, the 
 bald patch on the top of his head framed 
 round with short-clipped, curly grey hair, 
 clad in a many-pocketed shooting-coat, 
 with his shapely lower limbs encased in 
 breeches and gaiters, Mr. Armer looks 
 exactly like Punch's pictures of John Bull, 
 and savours strongly of the home-farm, 
 the covert side, tramps through stubble 
 and turnips after 'birds,' the magisterial 
 bench, and all the other occupations of 
 the county magnate. And yet Squire 
 Armer had passed the greater part of his 
 existence in the city of London : he knew 
 intimately all the ins-and-outs of that 
 noisy habitation of Mammon, and was, not 
 so very long ago, particularly well acquaint-
 
 FATHER, SOX, AXD DAUGHTER. 5 
 
 -ed with the staid frock-coat, the conven- 
 tional pepper-and-salt continuations, and 
 the abominable stove-pipe head-gear of 
 the orthodox city man. His portly figure 
 had been well-known on the Stock Ex- 
 change, and his signature was still ' good ' 
 for very respectable sums of money in the 
 many lanes and alleys of the money- 
 grubbing Babylon. 
 
 John Armer had been, in fact, a stock* 
 broker, and his name still appeared in the 
 well-known firm of Armer and Gidley. 
 Indeed, the bulk of his property was still 
 in the firm, and the squire now and again 
 sought the dingy precincts of the office, 
 though he left Mr. Gidley, his partner, to 
 do almost what he liked with his capital. 
 Now Mr. Gidley was a born worshipper at 
 the shrine of Mammon, and Armer's love 
 of the country, which prompted many long 
 absences from the city, and at length end- 
 ed in the purchase of Coombridge Manor, 
 and his virtual retirement from the cares
 
 6 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 of business, seemed a species of madness to 
 his partner, who thought the air of London 
 the finest in the world, who could find 
 virtues even in black and yellow fogs, and 
 who desired no better lot than to pass his 
 life between his office in the city, and his 
 home in Bedford Square. 
 
 There is not much of the 'city man,' 
 however, in Squire Armer now, as he 
 stows away a plentiful breakfast, chatting 
 pleasantly with his daughter the while. A 
 pretty picture is that breakfast-room with 
 its well-spread table, and the bright 
 summer sun glinting on the silver urn, 
 making the china seem almost transparent, 
 and bringing out all the beauties of the 
 flowers with which the white-covered table 
 is plentifully adorned. 
 
 ' Jack,' said the squire to his son, as he 
 finished his ' second cup.' ' Just hand me 
 over the Times, my boy.' 
 
 ' In one minute, father,' said Jack, ' I'm 
 just looking to see whether .... Well !'
 
 FATHER, SOX. AND DAUGHTER. 7 
 
 he exclaimed, at that instant catching sight 
 of something in the voluminous columns. 
 'Well! I'm . . . blest!' (with a sus- 
 picious pause before the ' blest,' as if he 
 gulped down some rather stronger exple- 
 tive). 'I'm blest if I haven't passed, after 
 all ! Behold in me a bloated Bachelor of 
 Arts !' 
 
 'No, Jack!' said his sister Nellie, run- 
 ning over to him and looking over his 
 shoulder ; ' do let me see it, where is it ? 
 So it is. I awisoglad/ she added, as Jack 
 pointed to the column where under the 
 heading of ' University Intelligence ' was 
 printed, at the tail end of the third class 
 in history, the words, ' Armer J. Trin :' 
 
 ' Jack, my son,' said the squire, rising 
 and shaking hands with Jack after the 
 manner of Britous in such cases of sudden 
 emotion, ' this is the best piece of news 
 I've heard for a long time, and I frankly 
 confess it is all the more welcome because 
 unexpected.'
 
 8 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ' Well/ said the ingenuous Jack, ' I 
 freely own it is a trifle unexpected by me, 
 too, though old Blower ' (so he designated 
 that well-known ' coach/ the Reverend H. 
 Blower) I did say he thought I might get 
 through by the skin of my teeth/ 
 
 ' How funny it looks to see you in print, 
 Jack,' said his sister, gazing at the all- 
 important syllables in the paper. * There 
 will be no bearing with you now, Mr. 
 Bachelor, though I am sure you are con- 
 ceited enough already ; it would have done 
 you good to have been "plucked," or 
 " ploughed," — which is it ? — again, though 
 you must be used to the process by this 
 time.' 
 
 ' Helen Armer,' returned Jack, with 
 much solemnity, ' I would have you 
 remember to whom you are speaking in 
 that flippant manner ; but a Bachelor of 
 Arts can afford to despise the unsophisti- 
 cated utterances of a young girl. It all 
 comes of the higher education of women ;
 
 FATHER, SON, AND DAUGHTER. d 
 
 oh ! for those blessed days when one's 
 sisters devoted their time and energies to 
 the still-room . . . .' 
 
 'Father,' exclaimed Nellie, laughing, 
 and interrupting Master Jack's elegant 
 periods, 'just listen to Jack; what magni- 
 ficent language ! you know, Jack, it is all 
 nonsense, and, if it had not been for me, 
 you never would have passed at all.' 
 
 1 You loere good, I must own, Nellie,' 
 said Jack, ' and you certainly had a 
 stiffish job to make your lazy brother 
 work ; so you shall come up to Cambridge, 
 and see the gorgeous fruits of your 
 labours ; you shall see me " take my de- 
 gree ;" an awesome process, I can tell you. 
 Eh ! father, you will bring Nellie up, won't 
 you?' 
 
 ' Young man,' said his father, ' this de- 
 gree of yours has cost me something very 
 like two thousand pounds, you extravagant 
 young dog, and I shall most certainly see 
 what I have got for my money, and Nellie
 
 10 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 shall come too. Now/ continued the squire ? 
 rising from his chair, and throwing down 
 the Times, * I am going down to the farm ; 
 come you too, Jack.' 
 
 Jack followed his father into the hall, 
 whence the squire called out to his daugh- 
 ter, ' Nellie, what are you going to do to- 
 day?' 
 
 'Oh! I've heaps of letters to write, and 
 I am going to "do" the flowers, and see the 
 cook, and all sorts of things, and . . . . 
 Jack !' she called out to her brother, ' mind 
 you don't let father be late for lunch, for 
 you and I are going to the Dentons this 
 afternoon you know.' 
 
 ' All right f said Jack, as he closed the 
 hall door and hastened after his father. 
 
 Lazy, indeed, Master Jack was, and lucky 
 was it for that young man that he was 
 ' born with a silver spoon in his mouth,' 
 for he certainly was not of the stuff suc- 
 cessful men are made of. Good-natured^ 
 somewhat selfish withal, and with quite a
 
 FATHER, SON, AND DAUGHTER. 11 
 
 sufficiency of conceit, with good looks and 
 ordinary abilities, young Jack Armer be- 
 longed to that large contingent who are 
 said sometimes to be ; nobody's enemy but 
 their own,' but who not unfrequently cause 
 a considerable amount of pain, not to say 
 anguish, to their very nearest and dearest. 
 To work, we are told, is natural to man ; 
 indeed, it is a remark occasionally heard 
 from the pulpit ; and though a proper senti- 
 ment of decency, not to speak of the prospect 
 of being taken up for ' brawling,' with a 
 penalty of not more than five pounds to 
 follow, prevents the hearer from interrup- 
 ting the preacher, yet his thoughts are 
 his own, and he wonders whether that 
 learned gentleman has ever met with a 
 labouring man who has just dropped into a 
 legacy. Does the horny-handed one work 
 in such a case ? Alas ! for the naturalness of 
 work, not one heave of pick or delve of 
 spade, too probably, does he condescend to 
 until all the money has been melted into
 
 12 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 liquid, and poured down his own and bis 
 friends' gullets, if, indeed, Death does not 
 overtake him in his cups, and seize upon him 
 as another victim to repeated ' overdoses of 
 alcohol/ Or did the first discoverer of the 
 Pacific Islands find the nature's children, 
 who inhabited thoce balmy regions, work- 
 ing ? I trow not ! So long as their kind 
 mother Earth supplied them with all the 
 necessities, and even the comforts, of life 
 gratis, they were quite willing to abide by 
 this one-sided bargain, and only varied the 
 monotony of their diet by occasionally 
 devouring ' the stranger within their gates,' 
 or some vanquished enemy. Not until the 
 blessings of civilisation made them acquain- 
 ted with rum as a decided improvement 
 upon 'kava,' (their nasty national drink) 
 and aprons, and petticoats, and poke 
 bonnets, and top hats as fashionable articles 
 of attire, did they dig and delve, and plant 
 and sow, to get obfuscated with the rum, 
 and to iind the wherewithal to purchase
 
 FATHEK, SOX, AXD DAUGHTER. 13 
 
 the often hideous clothes of the "Western 
 world, in the place of their own pretty 
 coverings of flowers and fringes. 
 
 Now young Jack Armer was another 
 instance of the ?icw-naturalness of work. 
 His father was undoubtedly a wealthy man, 
 and nobody was in the least surprised that 
 his son, with such excellent prospects, and 
 not a particle of ambition, should be 
 inclined to only one kind of work, namely, 
 the arduous occupation of amusing himself. 
 It is true he was perfectly willing to exert 
 himself even strenuously, in this direction, 
 and to devote large slices of time and a vast 
 expenditure of muscular power in the pur- 
 suit of pleasure : whether through his 
 father's preserves with a friend or two, 
 dogs, a gun and a keeper, or in following 
 the various packs of hounds within get-at- 
 able distance from Coombridge, or in 
 dancing far on into the small hours of the 
 night ; but of work, properly so called, 
 the young man knew nothing, unless the
 
 14 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 hasty cramming into his brain (by means 
 of ' cribs ' and ' memoria technica,' 
 invented by an ingenious 'coach') of a 
 sufficiency of facts to satisfy the not too- 
 exacting examiners, can be called by such 
 a name. 
 
 Jack had made his sister Nellie the 
 confidante of such of his escapades as 
 could be narrated to her willing ears, and 
 Nellie, a shrewd and sensible little woman, 
 knew enough of her volatile and easy- 
 going brother to make her feel anxious 
 about his future. Many times, as she was 
 well aware, had the squire put his hands 
 into his pockets to pay son Jack's bills, 
 though son Jack already had a more than 
 sufficient allowance ; and she also knew 
 (a fact hidden, as yet, from the squire) 
 that her incorrigible brother was again in 
 his normal condition of insolvency, and 
 that more requisitions on l the governor ' 
 were impending. 
 
 Squire Armer could, on occasion, ex-
 
 FATHER, SON, AND DAUGHTER. 15 
 
 hibit a very violent temper ; be possessed 
 also a large fund of obstinacy ; un- 
 happy ' scenes ' between father and son 
 had been not unfrequent of late, and 
 Nellie dreaded the revelations which must 
 perforce be made now that Jack was to 
 take his degree and ' go down ' for good. 
 Still he had passed, and the squire, in his 
 delight at this opportune success, might 
 be inclined to be merciful, and once more 
 to ' pay up,' and forget and forgive, and to 
 afford the sinner another of those ' fresh 
 starts with a clean slate,' which had 
 hitherto only ended in new embarrass- 
 ments and larger scores than ever on the 
 said slate. 
 
 Nellie, then, had enough to think of — to 
 say nothing of certain personal hopes and 
 fears which were beginning to exercise her 
 mind just then — as she stood for a few 
 moments leaning against the window- 
 frame, looking after her father and her 
 brother as they walked on together, until
 
 16 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 they reached the corner of the drive and 
 passed out of sight. 
 
 A tiny little maid was Helen Armer, 
 fair-haired, blue-eyed, of a perfect little 
 figure, with a delicate complexion, regular 
 features, and the prettiest smile in the 
 world. Small as she was, and fragile as 
 she looked, she was a strong and healthy 
 girl, and just as able to do a day's work 
 in the saddle, or on the tramp, as many of 
 her bigger and more robust-looking com- 
 peers. Good-natured, unselfish, and loving, 
 there was yet a dash of sharpness in her 
 character, and a certain spice of originalty, 
 which, together with her quaint little 
 china-shepherdess style of beauty, made 
 her remarkable even among the beautiful 
 women of favoured Devonia. Her mother 
 had died when Nellie was still a child, and 
 since she was twelve years old the 
 squire, who never would let his little 
 daughter be out of his sight for long, 
 had made a companion and friend of her.
 
 17 
 
 Thus she was more formed in her character 
 at her present age of eighteen than most 
 girls are at that age, in spite of the high- 
 pressure system of education to which 
 the nineteenth century young woman is 
 subjected. 
 
 Confidence in the almighty self this sys- 
 tem may produce, it may also result in a 
 certain contempt for the experience and 
 opinions of elders, not to speak of a 
 slightly vulgar (shall we say?) propensity 
 to * shine ' and astonish ; which propensity 
 is wont to develop, in some cases, into 
 fastness, and a devotion to the ' chic/ and, 
 in others, into the wearisome twaddle of 
 the ' advanced ' blue-stocking. 
 
 Neither ' blue ' nor ' fast ' was Nellie, bub 
 just an honest, healthy-toned English girl, 
 exceedingly pretty, and clever, and witty 
 withal ; no wonder, then, that Squire 
 Armer was proud and fond of his daugh- 
 ter, and that the undecided character of 
 brother Jack found in his little sister's 
 
 vol. i. c
 
 18 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 sturdy common-sense and ready wit a wel- 
 come help in his many scrapes and follies. 
 Coombridge Manor-house nestled cosily 
 in a sort of dent in the side of a high hill ; 
 behind, the house the hill rose, clad to its 
 very summit with a plantation of firs, the 
 dark Scotch contrasting with the lighter 
 green of the feathery larch. A fair vision 
 met Nellie's gaze as she paused for a few 
 moments, looking out over the valley, 
 before she turned to her various domestic 
 avocations. The house was so placed that 
 from the front a green valley opened out 
 into a vast and varied view, whose furthest 
 limit was the glint of the distant sea. 
 Hill and dale, here a white village cluster- 
 ing round its ancient church tower, there a 
 golden patch of yellow gorse, fields of the 
 green springing corn, steep pitches clothed 
 with plantations, the bright sunlight over 
 all, and the soft clouds casting now and 
 again their flitting shadows ; it was enough 
 to move even the most prosaic of men,
 
 FATHER, SON, AND DAUGHTER. 19 
 
 and to incline him to ' drop into poetry ' a 
 la Silas "Wegg. 
 
 A clump of huge trees before the house 
 gave a pleasant sound of rustling leaves, 
 and the faint murmur of a little brook in 
 the valley below, as it fretted on its course 
 over the rocks and stones which formed 
 its uneasy bed, came softly and soothingly 
 to the ear. When Mr. Armer bought the 
 place, the Manor-house was in a most ruin- 
 ous state ; built of the granite of the 
 country, it stretched a wide frontage to 
 the valley ; its mullioned windows yawned, 
 empty of glass, and the ivy covered the 
 house even to the roof. Very picturesque 
 was the old mansion in its decay, and 
 charming to the eye ; but painful was the 
 havoc old Time had played with the 
 interior, and the would-be purchaser felt 
 some qualms as to the serious question of 
 cost, as he went from room to room, and 
 floor to floor. 
 
 The place had been in the market for 
 
 c2
 
 20 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 some time, for the family to whom the 
 property belonged were too poor to live 
 there, mortgaged as it was, and the then 
 owner, the moment he came into the place, 
 determined to sell it as soon as he could, 
 and have done with what was, for a poor 
 man, a hopeless job. As soon as the legal 
 preliminaries were over which placed Mr. 
 Armer in the proud position of owner of 
 Coombridge, lord of the manor thereof, 
 and possessor of a comfortable number of 
 acres in that exceedingly hilly parish, the 
 new squire had set to work with a will, 
 and in a few months, in spite of the mad- 
 dening slowness of the Devonshire labourer 
 and artisan, the house was finished, fitted, 
 and furnished, and ready for its occupants. 
 Mr. Armer had carefully insisted that all 
 that could be preserved of the old Manor- 
 house should be kept exactly as it was, 
 and that all new work should be done on 
 the lines of the old ; so the fine ancient 
 front looked down the valley as of old,
 
 FATHER, SOX, AND DAUGHTER. 21 
 
 ■while the interior of the mansion was a 
 monument to Mr. Armer's good taste, and 
 very comfortable withal.
 
 22 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 THE DENTONs' ' AL FRESKY.' 
 
 Lunch was over at Coombridge, and Mr. 
 Armer, Nellie, and Jack were chatting in 
 the porch, waiting for the dog-cart to come 
 round. The grinding of the wheels was 
 soon heard, and Tucker, the neatest and 
 deftest of young grooms, drew up exactly 
 at the right spot, jumped down, and stood 
 at the horse's head. 
 
 ' You will have a splendid drive, Nellie,' 
 said Mr. Armer, as he helped his daughter 
 to the high seat beside her brother. 
 
 ' I wish you were coming, father,' replied 
 Nellie ; ' though,' she bent down and whis- 
 pered, * you do abominate the unfortunate 
 Dentons.'
 
 THE DENTOXS C AL FRESKY. 23 
 
 The squire shook his head, making a 
 grimace savouring slightly of disgust. 
 
 1 Take care of Nellie, Jack/ said he ; 
 and, after watching them till they were 
 out of sight, he turned into the house. 
 
 When Mr. Armer bought Coombridge, 
 there was no approach to the place from 
 the main road but up a steep and rutty 
 lane, and one of the first things the squire 
 did was to make a long drive down the 
 valley which the house fronted. It was 
 down this drive that Jack was coaching 
 his sister, on the way to Wreford, the 
 Dentons' place. Through an avenue of 
 beech-trees the road passed, till the brook 
 was reached, when the drive struck off to 
 the left, and followed the course of the 
 little stream for nearly a mile, till the 
 lodge was reached, and the gate which 
 gave access to the road. And a lovely 
 approach it was, tree-shaded, with the 
 brook and its fern-covered banks on the 
 right, and on the left the steep side of a
 
 24 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 wood-covered hill, at this season carpeted 
 with flowers. The horse was fresh, and 
 Jack's time was fully taken up in attend- 
 ing to his coaching for the first quarter 
 of a mile, when Trumpeter settled down 
 into something like steadiness, and made 
 conversation on Jack's part possible. 
 
 ' Comfortable, Nellie ?' he asked. 
 
 ' Yes, Jack,' she answered. ' This is a 
 splendid dog-cart ; it does not shake one's 
 bones at all. I think this kind of carriage 
 is quite the best for Devonshire ; you can 
 see over the high hedges sometimes.' 
 
 Jack and Nellie chatted away on general 
 topics until the groom jumped down to 
 open the gate, and walk up the long hill 
 up which their road led. 
 
 ' What a nuisance it is to have to take 
 Tucker !' said Nellie. 1 1 have to think of 
 everything I say; and, Jack, I wish you 
 would be more careful, for every word 
 you utter is repeated in the kitchen, and 
 becomes the common property of Coom-
 
 THE DENTONS' C AL FRESKY.' 25 
 
 bridge parish ; sometimes I positively 
 shudder at the free remarks you indulge 
 in about our neighbours.' 
 
 ' All right, Nellie,' said Jack. ' I'm sure 
 I've been a perfect angel to-day, anyhow, 
 for you have not told me yet about these 
 Dentons ; I forgot to ask you before, and, 
 though positively burning for information, 
 I nobly restrained myself. Why does father 
 hate them so ?' 
 
 4 Well,' replied Nellie, ' it is their gorge- 
 ousness, I believe ; you know father hates 
 all display, and the Dentons' magnificence 
 is something appalling. When we called 
 a week or two ago, a solemn gentleman 
 in black opened the door, a troop of be- 
 powdered and silk-stockinged individuals 
 stood about the hall, and, in fact, the 
 whole scene struck me as being something 
 stagey ; the furniture is all gold and glit- 
 ter, and the Dentons are gold and glitter 
 personified.' 
 
 ' What sort of a man is old Denton ?! 
 asked Jack.
 
 26 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ' Mr. Denton pere/ answered Nellie, * is 
 quite the best of them all ; he is about 
 sixty, I should think, bluff and what you 
 call "jolly" in his manners; short, stout, 
 and round-faced. He looks quite odd and 
 out of place in all the splendour of Wre- 
 ford, and, I fancy, the gentleman in black 
 and the canary-coloured footmen rather 
 patronise him.' 
 
 ' I say, Nellie,' said Jack, 'you ought to 
 write a novel ; your descriptions are lovely/ 
 
 1 Oh, everybody writes novels now-a- 
 days,' said Nellie. ' It is quite distingue 
 not to have written one/ 
 
 'Of all the conceit!' exclaimed Jack. 
 4 Now let us have the girls.' 
 
 4 There are two girls,' said Nellie, * and 
 there is nothing real about either of them. 
 The eldest, who rejoices in the name of 
 Theresa, is very handsome indeed. She 
 is large, and she gushes. "So very kind 
 of you to call! Isn't it a lovely day? 
 Don't you adore Devonshire? We hear
 
 THE DENTOXS' l AL FRESKY.' 27 
 
 Coombridge is quite too perfect,'" mimicked 
 the wicked Nellie. ' The other one,' she 
 went on, ' affects the languid, invalid 
 style of manner ; she drawls in a way that 
 irritates me even to torture. " Don't you 
 find the air of this county vewy twying, 
 Miss Armer?" she droned out to me. 
 "One always feels so tired, don't you 
 know." I have no patience with her ; she 
 looks, and I am sure is, quite as strong as 
 you or I, and I really felt as if I should 
 have liked to have given her a good 
 shaking.' 
 
 ' And Mrs. Denton ?' queried Jack, much 
 amused. 
 
 ' She was out when we called, and /was 
 out when they returned the call, and you 
 know they were engaged when we asked 
 them to lunch, so I have never seen her. 
 But oh ! Jack, my dear Jack . . . the 
 young man ! he is too awful. Long, thin, 
 stooping, with a sickly pale face and fish- 
 like eyes, his hands dangling and his knees
 
 28 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 knocking together, he is a perfect carica- 
 ture of the worst type of the exploded 
 aesthete. How on earth he came to be 
 the son of his round and tubbv little father 
 is one of those things that " no fellow can 
 understand." He lithpth, Jack ! it's too 
 lovely. He said to me, ,c Ithn't there 
 thomething tholemn in the thound of the 
 ruthtling of the leavth among the treeth." 
 That was the first thing he said to me, 
 and I had to bite my lips, or I should have 
 laughed, which would have been dreadful. 
 They say he has a room upstairs all blue 
 china, and old oak, and that kind of thing, 
 and that he is writing a poem. Imagine 
 the poem, please ! But / believe he is a 
 lazy, weakly kind of man, and sits in his 
 aesthetic den like the country-folk here in 
 church on Sundays, " thinkin' o' nothin'." 
 He will be quite a nice friend for you, 
 Jack,' concluded Nellie, with a malicious 
 little smile. 'You say there is no one 
 here for you to " chum " with ; behold
 
 THE DEXTOXS' C AL FKESKY.' 29 
 
 your opportunity in 'Enery Denton, as his 
 father calls him/ 
 
 1 After your graphic description, I don't 
 think he is the kind of man I care about/ 
 said Jack. ' There used to be some men 
 like that up at Trinity; wore their hair 
 about their ears, dressed in velvet with 
 turn-down collars, loafed about in one 
 another's rooms all day, and called boats 
 and cricket and football "coarse." They 
 looked as if they did not do much in the 
 tub line. Everybody laughed at them, 
 and I believe it is dying out now; but they 
 didn't care, bless you, they thought them- 
 selves martyrs, and called us Goths, or 
 Yandals, or Philistines, or something or 
 other. A set of asses !' added Mr. Armer, 
 junior, with supreme contempt. 
 
 Here they reached the top of the long 
 hill, and the groom jumped up behind, 
 putting an end to all conversation save 
 that of the most ordinary nature. 
 
 It was not long before they reached the
 
 30 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 resplendent blue and gold painted gates 
 which formed the magnificent entrance to 
 the Wreford domain, and gave good pro- 
 mise of the splendours to come. Two or 
 three carriages were seen winding up the 
 slight but long ascent which led to the 
 house. 
 
 6 A big meet,' said Jack ; c that explains 
 the unwonted gorgeousness of your attire, 
 eh, Nellie ?' 
 
 e What do you mean by " gorgeousness," 
 Jack ?' asked Nellie. ' I purposely dressed 
 as quietly as I could, for I think little 
 people should not be too accentuated.' 
 
 ' Oh, heavens !' exclaimed Jack. ' Ac- 
 centuated ! what a word ! do you think I 
 am accentuated enough for this kind of 
 thing ? By all that's beautiful f he added, 
 'there's a fellow with a top hat on just 
 getting out of that wagonette, shiny shoes, 
 and a frock coat ! by George !' and Jack 
 regarded his suit of ' dittos ' and his not 
 too elegant shoes with extreme disfavour.
 
 THE DEXTOXS' e AL FRESKY.' 31 
 
 Just then he had to concentrate his atten- 
 tion upon driving up to the hall door of 
 Wreford with that elegance and finish 
 which had stamped him as one of the best 
 whips at his university. 
 
 Soon they were in a large hall with a 
 broad staircase in the centre and doors on 
 either side. The place was en fete, and 
 the exuberant splendour of the ' spare no 
 expense ' and ' leave it to the upholsterer ' 
 style of furnishing was somewhat toned 
 down by the multitude of lovely ferns, 
 plants, and flowers with which the place 
 was adorned. An animated throng, which 
 filled the drawing-rooms and overflowed 
 into the hall, and the babble of many 
 tongues, proclaimed a large gathering and 
 spoke well for the hospitality of Wreford, 
 and the appreciation thereof on the part 
 of the country-side. 
 
 The Armers knew many of the guests, 
 and ' How d'ye do, Armer ?' ' So glad 
 you've come, Miss Armer/ was heard on
 
 32 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 every side, as Jack and his sister made 
 their way towards their hostess. 
 
 4 1 say, Nellie/ whispered Jack, c how 
 shall we find the missus ? we don't know 
 her?' 
 
 'Hush!' answered Nellie, * here's one of 
 the daughters; it's the handsome, gushing 
 one. I must introduce you.' 
 
 ' So very good of you to come,' gushed 
 the eldest Miss Denton, a large and exceed- 
 ingly handsome damsel. 'Your brother? 
 yes? delighted, I'm sure. Are not we too 
 fortunate. Such a heavenly day ! Flowers ? 
 yes, dearest papa dotes on flowers. But I 
 forgot, you do not know mamma yet ; she 
 is dying to know you ;' and she led the way 
 into the drawing-room. 
 
 Piloted by the lovely Theresa, Nellie 
 and her brother were soon exchanging the 
 customary civilities with the mistress of 
 Wreford, and solving at the same time the 
 mystery of young Mr. Denton's extraction, 
 for that young gentleman i favoured ' his
 
 THE DENTOXS* C AL FRESKY.' 33 
 
 mother, who was tall and thin, and of 
 what the dressmakers call * a genteel 
 figure.' 
 
 Mrs. Denton was a very ambitious and 
 a very determined woman ; it was through 
 her efforts (and not, too, without painful 
 pinching and screwing) that her children 
 had obtained an amount of education 
 which rendered them able to hold their 
 own in the society to which the sudden 
 change in the fortunes of the family gave 
 them access. It was the aim and end of 
 Mrs. Denton's life to climb up to the very 
 topmost rungs of the social ladder, and 
 with great wealth, an acute intelligence, 
 and a large fund of persistence she did not 
 despair of attaining this end. Mrs. Den- 
 ton's father had been a chemist and drug-- 
 gist ; he was well enough off to keep a ser- 
 vant-girl, and this gave his daughter an 
 amount of time she would have found 
 heavy upon her hands had it not been for 
 the circulating library. Her mother had 
 
 vol. I. D
 
 34 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 doted upon her daughter, and, an ignorant 
 woman herself, regarded with something 
 of awe Louisa's devotion to books. 
 
 Louisa spent all her time devouring 
 novels, and many were the visions of 
 aristocratic lovers, gorgeous establish- 
 ments, liveried menials, and splendid 
 equipages in which she indulged; but alas ! 
 for her dreams ; time wore on, her mother 
 was dead, her father was getting very old, 
 and Louisa's ' genteel figure' was lapsing into 
 the skinny stage, and still the aristocracy 
 held aloof, and Louisa was fain to accept 
 the respectful admiration of their neighbour 
 and her father's friend, Henry Denton. It 
 is a question, however, whether she could 
 have brought herself to consent to such a 
 total wrecking of all her castles in the air 
 if it had not been for one fact. Mr. Den- 
 ton had an only brother, some years older 
 than himself. This brother, Benjamin Den- 
 ton, had gone to Australia about the time 
 when Henry was setting up (after due
 
 THE DENTOXS' C AL FRESKY, 
 
 service and apprenticeship) as a grocer in 
 the neighbourhood of Bloomsbury. 
 
 Benjamin Denton was a pushing, per- 
 severing, hard-working man, and after 
 many years of self-denying labour he had 
 amassed a considerable fortune. He married 
 in the colony when he was already ad- 
 vanced in years, and brought his wife on a 
 bridal trip to the mother country. Finding his 
 brother comfortably settled in a flourishing 
 business, he saw there was no need for the 
 help he was perfectly willing to have 
 given ; and. making no parade of his wealth, 
 he returned to Australia, after gladdening 
 the hearts of his nephews and his nieces 
 with handsome presents. Now, Henry 
 Denton had heard from others of his 
 brother's wealth, and Mrs. Denton in 
 accepting Henry had her eagle eye on 
 this money, of which the guileless Henry 
 had often made boast in her father's par- 
 lour. Benjamin was not married nor like- 
 ly to marry when the fair Louisa became 
 
 d2
 
 36 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Mrs. Henry, and his marriage was a terri- 
 ble blow to that covetous lady; but as 
 the years went on, and no little Benjamins 
 appeared, she learnt to endure the burden. 
 Five years after Benjamin's wedding-trip 
 his wife died, and having no one, now, upon 
 whom he could bestow his affections he 
 bestowed them upon his money, and for 
 the latter years of his life he became almost a 
 miser. 
 
 When Henry Denton's children be- 
 came a great expense to their parents, 
 he wished to apply to his wealthy brother 
 to help in their education and setting out 
 in life, but his wife would by no means 
 allow him to do so. A wonderfully shrewd 
 woman was Mrs. Denton. Still keeping up 
 a friendly correspondence with her brother- 
 in-law, she never once mentioned the word 
 money, but she strained her resources to 
 the utmost, and deprived herself almost of 
 necessities, in order to fit her children for 
 what must be their good fortune unless
 
 THE DEXTONS 'AL FRESKY. 37 
 
 Uncle Benjamin left his money to some 
 charitable institution or other, a possibility 
 which sometimes caused her secret panics 
 of fear. 
 
 The result of this training on her child- 
 ren's part was that they utterly despised 
 the shop, turned np their educated 
 noses at their father's vulgarity, and made 
 things altogether so unpleasant as to 
 almost drive the good-natured little man to 
 despair. But still the venerable Benjamin 
 4 hung on,' and refused to retire from this 
 world, and it became a serious question as 
 to what was to be the outcome of this state 
 of affairs. Many family discussions, not to 
 say, quarrels, ended in the son, Henry, 
 being articled to a solicitor (a ' genteel' pro- 
 fession) and the two girls getting situations 
 as governesses, much to their discontent. 
 
 So things had gone on for some two years, 
 when the news of Benjamin Denton's death 
 came from Australia, and with the news 
 Mrs. Henry's reward for her self-denial and
 
 38 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 forethought, for Mr. Benjamin Denton left 
 a most enormous fortune to his brother, 
 with injunctions to him to buy an estate in 
 England, and 'found a family/ It was 
 not long before the grocery business was 
 disposed of, Wreford bought, the house 
 built and fitted up ' regardless of expense,' 
 and the Dentons emerged from their 
 chrysalis state into the condition of very 
 fine butterflies indeed. 
 
 Of course the country-side was all agog 
 to see what manner of folk these new 
 people were, who were building such a 
 palatial edifice for their habitation, laying 
 out such enormous sums of money, and 
 generally dispensing what young Armer 
 called 'the nickles,' with a lavishness 
 which made the mouths of the parsons and 
 squireens of those parts, together with the 
 mouths of their wives and children, to 
 water, and brought about a breaking of 
 the tenth commandment, which was, to 
 say the least of it, shocking. All sorts of
 
 THE DJGNTONS' C AL FRESKY.' 39 
 
 rumours preceded the arrival and final 
 settling in of the Denton family. Some said 
 old Denton was a magnificent money- 
 lender ; others hinted at the three golden 
 balls as the sign of his wealth ; and some, 
 with a side-glance at the Coombridge folk, 
 spoke of the Stock Exchange ; but one and 
 all agreed that a mighty man of money 
 was coming to live in their midst, and that 
 it behoved them to receive him, and all his 
 belongings, with open arms, with a view 
 to the ' cakes and ale ' which would pro- 
 bably be dispensed with no niggard hand. 
 
 The neighbouring clergy revolved dark 
 schemes in their minds as to the restora- 
 tion of their churches, and large subscrip- 
 tions therefor, and their wives had sweet 
 expectations as to annual donations to 
 clothes, blanket, and coal clubs, while 
 their daughters, together with all the 
 other daughters of Eve 'in Society,' had 
 pleasant visions of tennis-parties, dauces, 
 picnics, and other enlivenments of a dull
 
 40 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 locality. It was known that there was an 
 only son, unmarried, and some ladies, 
 mothers and daughters too, nourished still 
 deeper designs in their chaste bosoms. 
 
 But although the clergy and the lesser 
 gentry had flocked to the gleaming portals 
 of Wreford in phaetons, wagonettes, 
 Stanhopes, shandrydans, and every im- 
 aginable vehicle, some bright and new, 
 but most of them second-hand, woebegone, 
 and shabby ; though the neighbouring little 
 town of Bardon had sent, too, a noble 
 contingent in the shape of the two doctors 
 and the lawyer, and their respective wives ; 
 though these devoted worshippers at the 
 shrine of Mammon had driven eight solid 
 miles up and down precipitous hills, and 
 over roads of a most astonishing badness ; 
 though the heap of cards reached an 
 abnormal height, yet, still, to Mrs. Denton's 
 and her son's, and her two fair daughters' 
 deep disappointment and disgust, the 
 people of that division of the county had
 
 THE DEXTOXS' C AL FRESKY. 41 
 
 failed to pay their devotions to the man of 
 money, and were, indeed, conspicuous only 
 by their absence. 
 
 In his secret heart, though he dared not 
 to say so, the monied man himself was rather 
 relieved than otherwise at this neglect on the 
 part of what he called 'the nobs,' for he had 
 serious misgivings as to how he should 
 conduct himself in the presence of members 
 of our noble British aristocracy, and, 
 indeed, was what the country-folk around 
 him would have called i mazed ' with all 
 this new magnificence. Secretly he often 
 sighed for his snug parlour behind the old 
 shop in Bloomsbury, with its balmy odours 
 of cheese, bacon, coffee, &c, &c. He 
 missed, too, the club of congenial spirits 
 which assembled nightly in the public- 
 house where he was wont of yore to spend 
 his evenings, smoking the pipe of peace 
 and partaking of the enlivening glass of 
 gin-and-water ('Hot with; two lumps of 
 sugar, and a slice of lemon, if you please,
 
 42 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 miss, as usual ') ; where also he was much 
 looked up to, on account of the great 
 reputed riches of his brother (a subject on 
 which he frequently descanted), and his 
 chance of one day succeeding thereto. 
 
 It was an affecting scene when he took 
 a fond and last farewell of what his wife 
 called l his boon companions/ and stood 
 'glasses round' for the last time; and 
 often, as he wandered aimlessly about his 
 large domain, he sighed at the emptiness 
 of riches, and in his heart almost envied 
 the very servants who waited on him ; they 
 had not got to mind their ' hs ' to say 
 nothing of their ' ps ' and ' qs ' generally. 
 And it was not until he suddenly developed 
 a strange and violent mania for orchids 
 and hot-house plants that he found a 
 modicum of peace, and began to enjoy his 
 brother Ben's fortune.
 
 43 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 
 
 This grand garden-party at Wreford was 
 the first social shot of any calibre that the 
 Dentons had fired off ; such small fusilading 
 as ' afternoon teas ' they had ventured upon 
 already, but this was the first big gun, 
 and great had been the preparations and 
 the anticipations thereanent. The social 
 experience of the whole family was brought 
 to bear upon this solemn function. Mr. 
 Dentoa's experience was of the ' cress and 
 shrimp/ or a ' bit of somethink 'ot,' order, 
 so his advice was not of much use ; but Mrs. 
 Denton was learned in the noble works of 
 fiction of the fashionable sort, and the 
 Misses Denton had been in good situations,
 
 44 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 and had viewed the doings of the great 
 from the vantage ground of the bannisters, 
 to say nothing of being occasionally asked 
 to ' come down after dinner.' No wonder, 
 then, that Mrs. Denton's first 'at home,' 
 though rather an omnium gatherum, was 
 a great success. 
 
 No expense was spared, a string band 
 from Plymouth discoursed sweet music, 
 and a company of glee singers from the 
 same place asked each other, in musical 
 tones, questions as to the whereabouts of 
 Sylvia, Chloe, and Lubin, exhorted one 
 another to ' trip it like fairies,' and gave the 
 amusing history of the gentleman who 
 4 brewed good stingo,' and possessed a dog 
 whose name was (most conveniently for the 
 rhyme) Bingo. There was tennis for the 
 young and agile, and croquet for those who 
 preferred to amuse themselves less vigor- 
 ously; the refreshments were, as the 
 Bardon lawyer — an obese gentleman, 
 reported to have seen ' life ' in his youth,
 
 A SUDDEX ATTACHMENT. 45 
 
 and of bibulous propensities — described 
 them, ' First-class, champagne up to the 
 masthead ; give your orders, gents, the 
 waiter's in the room.' 
 
 And if some of the guests, with re- 
 miniscences of the aristocratic meets of 
 the county, turned up their noses at the 
 exuberant joviality of the before-quoted 
 lawyer and his friends, and wondered ' why 
 Mrs. Denton had asked those horrible 
 So-and-sos, and those too vulgar What's- 
 his-names,' Mrs. Denton was very apt to 
 take the hint which their contemptuous 
 glances gave her, and began in her mind 
 that very afternoon the process of weed- 
 ing, which was, in course of time, to make 
 it a privilege to be invited to "Wreford, and 
 a joy of the highest social flavour to be 
 seen there. 
 
 'Well! I'm glad it's over,' said Mrs. 
 Denton, with a sigh of relief, as she 
 turned from the window whence she, with 
 her interesting family, had been watching
 
 46 THE P0WEB OP GOLD. 
 
 the last vehicle as it disappeared down 
 the drive. ' I'm glad it's over, and I 
 don't think it was bad for a first attempt.' 
 
 ' For my part,' said Mr. Denton, ' I 
 don't hold with these 'arf-an'-'arf affairs, 
 as I call 'em ; give me a good dinner-party, 
 or a regular 'op. Seems so queer for the 
 company to go just as they're a-gettin' com- 
 fortable together, and the smell of the 
 dinner a-coming up the stairs. That ain't 
 my idea of 'orspitality.' 
 
 * We must, however, conform to the 
 usages of society,' said his son, who 
 dropped his lisp in the bosom of his family, 
 but who was apt to be Johnsonian in his 
 periods, and was, truth to tell, something 
 of a bore. 
 
 ' 'Ang society !' said his father, ' I'm 
 sick to death of the word. Society ! 
 society ! all day long ; why can't you be 
 content with what you've got, and not go 
 hankering after things you can't get ?' 
 
 ' My dear,' said his wife, ' I intend to
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 47 
 
 leave no stone unturned till we occupy the 
 position in the county to which our wealth 
 entitles us.' 
 
 ' All I can say then, Louisa,' rejoined 
 her spouse, ' is, that you'll 'ave to turn 
 over a good many of 'em ;' and, with 
 this parting shot, he went off to super- 
 intend the removal of some of his favourite 
 plants from the hall to their homes in the 
 hot-houses. 
 
 ' Isn't it too dreadful, mamma, the way 
 father drops his " h's " ? I declare, he gets 
 worse every day,' said Theresa. 
 
 l I believe he does it on purpose,' said 
 Emily. 
 
 'Well, my dears,' said their mother, 'I'm 
 sure I do all I can. I make him practise 
 every morning, when he is dressing. I 
 make him say sentences with quantities 
 of "h's" in them after me; but it isn't a 
 bit of good — he only laughs, and does it 
 worse than ever. He says, " He's too old 
 a dog to learn new tricks." '
 
 48 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 'If he would only cease to persist in 
 the pernicious habit of eating with his 
 knife, it would afford me infinite relief/ re- 
 marked the long and magniloquent Henry. 
 1 Yesterday, at dinner, I could see the 
 men grinning, when he was trying to get 
 peas into his mouth, and they kept run- 
 ning off the knife. It is a grievous trial.' 
 
 Here the conclave broke up, for the 
 two sisters retired to indulge in their 
 favourite pastime of bedizening their fair 
 persons, leaving Henry and his mother 
 together. 
 
 ' Henry,' said Mrs. Denton, after a 
 pause, during which she seemed to be 
 deeply pondering over some weighty prob- 
 lem, 'did you notice those Armers ? What 
 do you think of them ?' 
 
 Henry turned round from the window, 
 whence he had been looking out, in the 
 meanwhile, in an absent manner. 
 
 ' Eh, mother ? I beg your pardon. What 
 was it you said ?' he asked.
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 49 
 
 1 1 asked you what you thought of the 
 Armers ?' 
 
 1 1 think Miss Armer is quite the nicest 
 girl I ever saw/ said Master Henry, natur- 
 ally enough for once in his life, and naively 
 ignoring the other members of the family 
 in question. 
 
 Mrs. Denton gave a quick glance at 
 him, and seemed considerably surprised at 
 the unusual warmth with which her languid 
 son spoke. 
 
 * Well, I must say I don't understand it 
 at all/ she said. 'Mr. Armer's only a 
 stockbroker, after all. They are not half 
 as rich as your papa. I never heard they 
 were much of it in the way of birth, and 
 yet they seem to know everybody — Lord 
 Limborne, the Holywells, the Portons : all 
 the best people know them. I wonder 
 why it is ?' 
 
 c She is a most charming girl. The 
 sweetest smile, the loveliest little hands 
 and feet, and the most beautiful eyes I 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 50 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ever gazed upon — her figure is grace 
 personified/ remarked Henry. 
 
 ' Well ! upon my word, Harry ! If you 
 ain't bewitched !' cried his mother, lapsing, 
 in her astonishment, into the vernacular 
 of her youth. ' What's come to the boy ? 
 Why, you've only seen her twice ! What 
 a way you do go on, Henry I' 
 
 * Mother,' said her son, in solemn tones, 
 * my mind is made up. I have met my 
 Fate. Long, long have I foreboded it ; and 
 the future will be one long blank to me, if 
 it be not shared with that divine girl. I 
 know it seems strange to you, mother; but 
 it is not strange to me ! for I have long 
 known that some such a fate was in store 
 for me. I have long felt that I was marked 
 out for gloom and sorrow;* and he sighed 
 dismally. 
 
 1 What nonsense you talk, Henry !' said 
 Mrs. Denton. c Why, any girl would jump 
 for joy to get such a chance. I do hope 
 this is only a passing fancy, for it is the
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 51 
 
 dream of my life for you to marry a title — 
 the Honourable Mrs. Denton, the Lady 
 Mary Denton/ repeated Mrs. Denton ; and 
 she almost smacked her lips at the delici- 
 ous sound. 
 
 f Nay, mother,' said Henry, who seemed 
 determined that ' Melancholy should mark 
 him for her own,' and who had, to tell 
 the truth, been 'going in for ' an unwhole- 
 some course of Byronic literature. ' Nay, 
 mother, I shall wed with no one else ; 
 indeed, I shall never know the joys of 
 domestic life ; no children shall ever prat- 
 tle round these knees ; no wife shall soothe 
 this aching brow, for she loves me not. 
 I can plainly perceive that she loves me 
 not.' 
 
 ' She would be a most impudent young 
 hussy if she did' said his mother, ' seeing 
 that to-day is only the second time she 
 ever set eyes on you. Come, Henry, don't 
 be a fool !' (for the weak-minded young 
 man was actually sobbing with self-pity) 
 
 E 2 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY
 
 52 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 1 your old mother will help you, if you are 
 set upon the girl, though I must say it is a 
 bitter disappointment to me, for I should 
 have liked a titled daughter-in-law,' she 
 added, with a sigh ; ' but,' she went on, 
 brightening up, c after all, it is very sudden, 
 and, perhaps, you will see some one you 
 like better.' 
 
 ' Kever, mother, never !' said the doleful 
 Henry. ' I feel in myself that I am 
 destined to grief and sorrow.' And he 
 groaned in a dreadful and hollow way 
 which could only have come to him by as- 
 siduous practice; groans, indeed, which 
 would have ' brought down the house ' in 
 any transpontine theatre. 
 
 1 For goodness sake, Henry, don't make 
 such dreadful noises,' said his mother, 
 with a start at the dismal sound. ' I de- 
 clare you make my flesh creep, going on 
 in that way. And there's the gong ; yes, 
 it's half-past seven, and time to dress for 
 dinner. Don't you fret, Harry, it will all
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 53 
 
 come right enough, never you fear ;' and 
 kissing her son, whom she loved with a 
 doting affection which could see no faults 
 in him, Mrs. Denton hastened away to 
 attend to her toilette for dinner. 
 
 Henry was standing, leaning against the 
 mantel-piece, a picture of woe, when bis 
 father came bustling into the room. 
 
 ' Been looking after the plants,' he said. 
 1 Lazy lot of beggars them gardeners are, 
 to be sure. If you want a thing done, do 
 it yourself. Look 'ere ! Look at my 'ands ! 
 black as yer 'at !' he was rambling on, when 
 he caught a glimpse of his son's woe-begone 
 visage. ' Ullo, 'Arry — I mean Harry ! 
 Why, what's the matter with you, my 
 boy? You ain't taken nothing at the " Al 
 Fresky," as I call it, that's disagreed with 
 you, 'ave you ? . . . Bless the boy ! what 
 a temper he's in, to be sure ; he must have 
 eat somethink,' he went on, as his son 
 rushed by him, and strode haughtily across 
 the hall on the way to his own room.
 
 54 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 4 Ah, well !' sighed Mr. Denton, his 
 round and ruddy face looking quite 
 dismal, ' Bens money has turned 'em all 
 topsy-turvy, and I almost wish I'd never 
 seen the colour of it. Money ain't every- 
 thing, after all. Now I must go and put 
 on swaller-tails, I suppose. Well, perhaps 
 I shall get used to it all some day ; but 
 just now I reglar hate all this humbug 
 and show.' And, with another portentous 
 sigh, the master of Wreford went to pre- 
 pare for the greatest event of the day — to 
 him, at least — his dinner. 
 
 Very soon after the Dentons' 'Al 
 Fresky,' as the head of that family called 
 their ' at home,' the Wreford barouche was 
 seen winding its tortuous way up the 
 Coombridge drive ; a truly magnificent 
 4 turn-out ' it was, and more suited to the 
 congenial locality of Hyde Park than to 
 the steep and hilly roads of Devonshire. 
 In the stony and rutty by-ivays with which 
 that county abounds, and which are a trial to
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 55 
 
 horse-flesh, and even to the stoutest of shoe- 
 leather, this resplendent equipage was a 
 rank impossibility ; but its appearance in 
 the main roads was a constant joy to the 
 rustic mind, which regarded with some- 
 thing of awe its light yellow body, its 
 brightly emblazoned and new (in more 
 senses than one) coats-of-arms, the shining 
 silver harness, and the gorgeous attire of 
 the coachman and footman. Indeed, Mr. 
 Lamacraft, who kept the village shop at 
 Coombridge, and had been to London, and 
 was much looked up to in those parts as 
 a man who had seen the world — Mr. Lama- 
 craft said, 
 
 'Tis like the Lord Mayor's Show; not 
 even him rode in a more bewtiful coach, 
 for certain.' 
 
 The love-stricken Henry Denton would 
 allow his mother no peace until she had 
 made this pilgrimage (for he could not as 
 yet summon up enough courage to go by 
 himself), and he fronted his mother and
 
 56 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 his eldest sister Theresa in the carriage. 
 But Mrs. Denton had other reasons besides 
 her desire to please her son, which induced 
 her to make this call. The pleasant and 
 refined manners of the Coombridge folk, 
 their well-known wealth, and the fact, 
 perhaps, that they did not particularly 
 care for the honour, and took no manner 
 of means to force it upon themselves, had 
 gained for them a footing in the county 
 society, and Mrs. Denton saw in their 
 friendship a considerable help towards the 
 attainment of her ambitious designs. 
 More particularly she wished through the 
 Armers to get an introduction to Lord 
 Limborne, whose place, Limborne Castle, 
 was not very far from Wreford, and whose 
 mother (for Lord Limborne was a bache- 
 lor) had not yet called upon her wealthy 
 neighbours. 
 
 Fortune favoured Mrs. Denton ; her 
 visit was most opportune, for when the 
 Wreford carriage, in all its glistening
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 57 
 
 beauty, drove up to the Coombriclge front 
 door, Jack Armer was playing a single- 
 handed ' sett' at tennis on the lawn before 
 the house against his sister and Lord Lim- 
 borne himself. As they descended from 
 their carriage, Nellie advanced to meet 
 her callers racket in hand, and looking a 
 perfect picture in her flannel tennis cos- 
 tume and Tam-o'-Shanter cap. 
 
 i Do not let us disturb your game, Miss 
 Armer,' said Mrs. Denton, as they shook 
 hands. 4 1 shall so much like to watch 
 you ; Theresa and I will sit under the 
 trees here, and Henry can help Mr. 
 Armer.' 
 
 Now his mother could not have done 
 Henry a worse turn, for he did not shine 
 as an athlete ; he abhorred all manner of 
 exercises, and never felt more truly at 
 home than when he was seated in his 
 luxurious arm-chair in his 'study' at 
 "Wreford, surrounded with all the pet 
 fancies of the ' utterest ' asstheticism, and
 
 58 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ' studying ' the last new novel or the latest 
 development of the fleshly school of 
 poetry. 
 
 ' Jack will be delighted, I am sure/ said 
 Nellie, turning to Henry Denton, and 
 wondering how his weedy figure, correct 
 frock-coat, and stove-pipe hat would look 
 in the throes of ' vantage to us.' 
 
 ' Really, Miss Armer/ said Henry, torn 
 between a desire to be near the object of 
 his affection, and* a knowledge of his want 
 of skill and hatred of the game — * really I 
 am but a poor tennis-player, and I fear 
 your brother will not be too pleathed with 
 hith partner ; but if you wish it ... ' 
 
 Just then Jack and Lord Limborne came 
 up, and when Nellie had introduced the 
 Dentons to Lord Limborne, and while they 
 were trying to make a good impression 
 upon 'his lordship,' 
 
 ' Jack,' she said to her brother, l do, for 
 goodness' sake, make the lithping sesthete 
 play ; it will be too delightful ! Think of
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 59 
 
 his coat-tails, his hat, and his long legs !' 
 1 All right,' said Jack, ' we'll make him 
 spin round, and give him a little " gentle 
 exercise " for oace in his life. I say, 
 Denton,' he called out, ' come and take a 
 racket. These two are too much for me ; 
 come and help me, there's a good fellow.' 
 
 4 Yes, do, Mr. Denton,' Lord Limborne 
 chimed in, catching a meaning glance from 
 the mischievous Nellie, ' we are too many 
 for Arrner.' 
 
 Mr. Denton, junior, who ' loved a lord,' 
 did not like to refuse Lord Limborne, and 
 he desired above all things to ' get into 
 the good books' of the fair Nellie; so, with 
 many qualms as to what kind of an exhibi- 
 tion he was going to make of himself, he 
 buttoned his frock-coat to his fragile form, 
 fixed his tall hat firmly on his manly brow, 
 and, graspiug his racket with an air of 
 stern determination, he prepared for the 
 worst. Nor was this ' worst ' long in com- 
 ing upon him, for the three other players
 
 60 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 combined to give him no rest ; his partner, 
 making a huge pretence at action himself, 
 urged the unfortunate young man to con- 
 tinued exertions, while Nellie and Lord 
 Limborne so arranged matters for him 
 that his time was spent in frantic and 
 often fruitless runs after the ball from one 
 side of the court to the other. Unaccus- 
 tomed as young Denton was to any exer- 
 cise beyond a short walk, or a (not unfear- 
 fraught) amble upon a safe and easy cob, 
 the violence of his springs, jumps, and 
 short runs reduced him, in a very little 
 time, to a condition almost pitiable ; the 
 perspiration simply rolled down his face, 
 which was heated to a fine purple colour ; 
 the top button of his shirt had given way, 
 and allowed his collar to dangle gracefully 
 over his breast ; he had lost his hat at an 
 early stage of the proceedings, and his 
 hair, usually sleek and lank, was in ad- 
 mired disorder. Altogether, when the game 
 was over, and his adversaries were pro-
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 61 
 
 claimed the victors, he presented an odd 
 appearance as he stood gasping for 
 breath and mopping his face -with an ele- 
 gant silk handkerchief. 
 
 1 Have another sett, Denton/ said Jack. 
 ' We'll beat them next time ; you'll get 
 into your " form," you know, after a sett 
 or two.' 
 
 4 Yes, do, Mr. Denton,' said Nellie, who, 
 with her brother and Lord Limborne, 
 looked as cool as the proverbial cucumber, 
 and presented a refreshing contrast to the 
 perspiring aesthete. ' Do have another 
 game.' 
 
 ' I think we'll change courts this time/ 
 Lord Limborne joined in, following suit, 
 and taking it as a matter of course that 
 they should go on playing. 
 
 'I — ah — I don't think I will play any 
 more, thank you,' said Henry Denton, in- 
 wardly resolving that not lords, nor even 
 dukes or marquises, or love himself should 
 persuade him to perform such another
 
 62 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 dance of death. ' I — ah — I have not 
 played for some time, and the exercise ith 
 a little thevere at first, don't you know. 
 But perhaps my thithter will take my 
 racket,' he added, with a vicious desire to 
 make her a sharer in his sufferings. No 
 persuasions could induce him to change his 
 mind, or persuade the fair, elaborately- 
 attired Theresa to risk the deranging of 
 her elegant costume, so Nellie proposed 
 that they should refresh themselves with 
 afternoon tea. Mrs. Denton seized upon 
 the opportunity to ingratiate herself with 
 Lord Limborne, and she and her daugh- 
 ter kept up a running fire of the smallest 
 of small talk with him, while Henry was 
 unmercifully handled by Jack and his 
 sister, though his conceit was of so thick 
 and solid a nature that their sharp prong- 
 ings failed to pass through it, and he did 
 not even know that they were laughing at 
 his manifold affectations, but rather thought 
 he was making a good impression.
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 63 
 
 'Oh,' sighed Nellie, as, at last, the 
 Dentons drove away, * what a relief ! I 
 thought they never would go.' 
 
 * A regular visitation,' said Jack. 
 
 4 Don't you adore Theresa, Lord Lim- 
 borne ?' asked Nellie. 
 
 1 1 can scarcely go so far as that as yet, 
 this is the first time I have met the fair 
 lady,' answered Lord Limborne ; * but I 
 think you have made a conquest, Miss 
 Armer ; our long, aesthetic friend bestowed 
 looks full of devotion upon you, and went 
 into the most correct of Grosvenor Gallery 
 attitudes, expressing attachment, humility 
 in the presence of the object of devotion, 
 and so forth ; were all these contortions of 
 body and visage wasted upon you ?' 
 
 * I thought he was suffering from cramp, 
 or something, after his violent exertions. 
 That game was too lovely, wasn't it. Jack?' 
 said Nellie. 
 
 1 Well, it serves him right,' said Jack. 
 ' I hate a fellow who moons about all day,
 
 64 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 and does nothing but attire himself in 
 gorgeous raiment and reads novels. If 
 he would go in for a daily course of tennis 
 for a month, he would at least look 
 wholesome, which he certainly does not at 
 present/ 
 
 ' I wonder what Lady Limborne wilt 
 think of her neighbours ? I suppose she 
 will call,' said Nellie, looking at Lord 
 Limborne. 
 
 ' She has not said anything to me about 
 it/ replied Lord Limborne, 'but I don't 
 think my mother is likely to care much 
 about their gilded magnificences of Wre- 
 ford. I hear the father has difficulties 
 with his " h's " and that kind of thing.' 
 
 1 He is quite the nicest of them all, 
 though he does call Wreford an " 'ealthy 
 'ouse," and asks you to "come and 'ave a 
 look at his 'ot-'ouses." There is no pre- 
 tence about Mr. Denton, and I like him, 
 and mean to be great friends with him/ 
 said Nellie. 'Won't you stay and dine
 
 A SUDDEN ATTACHMENT. 65 
 
 with us ?' she went on, as Lord Limborne 
 came forward to make his adieux ; ' father 
 will be so disappointed if he does not see 
 you : he has gone to look after some new 
 buildings on one of the farms, but he is 
 sure to be in soon.' 
 
 1 Of course you must stay, Limborne/ 
 said Jack ; ' come up to my room and 
 shift.' 
 
 ' It is very kind of you — I should like 
 to stay of all things ; there is no one at 
 the Castle, and I feel like u Mariana in the 
 Moated Grange" there. You must excuse 
 " morning costume," Miss Armer,' said 
 Lord Limborne. 
 
 1 Oh, never mind that,' said Jack ; ' we 
 are not proud, and I shall be glad of the 
 excuse to get out of the claw-hammer coat 
 business, and keep you company/ 
 
 And the two friends went oh to Jack's 
 domains. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 M 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PLACE FOB HER LADYSHIP. 
 
 Lord Ltmborne was glad of any excuse 
 which gave him the chance of a few more 
 hours in the company of Squire Armer's 
 daughter ; he had a decided liking for that 
 fascinating young lady, and was beginning 
 to hope that one day she would take up her 
 abode at Limborne Castle as the lovely 
 mistress thereof. There were, however, 
 serious difficulties in the way, for his 
 mother was the very incarnation of pride, 
 and would have looked upon such a mar- 
 riage as a decided mesalliance, in spite 
 of Mr. Armer's reputed wealth, and the 
 large share of it which was sure to fall to
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 67 
 
 the lot of his only daughter. Lady Lim- 
 borne had determined that her son should 
 marry a lady possessing not only the at- 
 tractions of wealth, but of rank also, and 
 she was even now searching among her 
 exalted connections and acquaintances for 
 a suitable mate for the noble house of 
 Limborne. 
 
 It was, indeed, necessary that the future 
 Lady Limborne should have well-filled 
 money-bags, for Lord Limborne was a 
 poor peer, and Limborne Castle was a 
 most expensive place to keep up. The 
 late lord had been a quiet man, contented 
 to live at home, and occupied in the ardu- 
 ous business of trying to make both ends 
 meet ; but, in spite of the strictest econo- 
 my, these ends refused to respond to his 
 strenuous efforts, and the later years of 
 his life were darkened by the shadow of 
 debts he could not help incurring, and 
 which he saw no means of satisfying. 
 
 He had married early in life the daugh- 
 
 f2
 
 68 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ter of a Scotch peer, as economical, but 
 also, unfortunately, as poor as himself, but 
 whose pedigree stretched back into quite 
 mythic ages. An only child, the present 
 Lord Limborne, had lost his father some 
 six years ago. At the time of our story 
 he was twenty-eight ; his mother perfectly 
 idolised him, and that not without reason, 
 for her son, besides being naturally of a 
 kindly disposition, was a remarkably clever 
 man, and one not unlikely to make his 
 mark in the world. 
 
 Unlike Mr. Chamberlain's friends of 
 what Jeames de la Pluche called the 
 * hupper suckles,' who ' Toil not, neither 
 do they spin,' Lord Limborne had already 
 toiled to some purpose, and spun with 
 singular success. He had left Oxford with 
 the highest of honours, and was already 
 known as a rising man, and as the author 
 of some pamphlets and articles on the 
 ' burning questions ' of the day, which had 
 made no small stir.
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 69 
 
 In person he was tall and of good figure, 
 and, though his face could scarcely be 
 called a handsome one, yet there was an 
 expression of power in his broad forehead 
 and dark eyes which struck one at once, 
 and called the attention from the rugged- 
 ness of his too pronounced features. He 
 was dark in complexion, and his hair, 
 which was thin and fine, was black. 
 
 Cold and distant as Lady Limborne was 
 to all the world besides, she was affec- 
 tionate to her son, and her acquaintances — 
 for she was not the kind of woman to 
 make friends — would have been astonished 
 could they have known the depth of her 
 feelings towards her only child. 
 
 Lord Limborne recognised, and valued 
 at its proper high price, the affection of 
 his mother, and he repaid her with a rare 
 devotion. It was, therefore, with mingled 
 feelings that he read a letter from Lady 
 Limborne which he received on the morn- 
 ing after he had dined at Coombridge, and
 
 70 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 which announced her arrival for that after- 
 noon. On the one hand he was glad at 
 the thought of seeing his mother again 
 after what was for her a long absence, 
 and, on the other hand, his mother had 
 dropped many hints as to her object in 
 going amongst her connections in Lon- 
 don once more ; he knew well enough that 
 she had set her heart upon his making 
 what she would look upon as a splendid 
 marriage, and he was dismally certain of 
 the disappointment she would feel, and no 
 doubt express, when she learnt that her 
 son had chosen for himself, and had fixed 
 his affections in a rank of life peculiarly 
 obnoxious to the proud Lady Limborne. 
 
 The contrast between the narrow means 
 at the Castle and the wealth and ease at 
 Coombridge had often formed a topic of 
 conversation with her, and she seemed to 
 find a kind of relief in inveighing against 
 the very modest display of (as she chose 
 to term them) ' those roturiers ' and those
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 71 
 
 * nouveaux riches ' at Coombridge Manor. 
 From bis very childhood Lord Limborne 
 had been duly, and even to tedium, in- 
 structed as to the advantages of ' blood/ 
 and the pitiful and contemptible condition 
 of those unfortunate persons in whose 
 veins ran a vital fluid wanting in the 
 1 blueness ' which distinguished the blood 
 of the Limbornes and the Hautfords, to 
 which latter noble house Lady Limborne 
 had the priceless privilege of belonging. 
 
 From time to time the society papers re- 
 corded marriages which were ' arranged ' 
 between some titled, long-descended, and, 
 possibly, poverty-stricken individual of one 
 sex, and some individual of the other who 
 was without much descent, save the com- 
 mon one from father Adam, but who re- 
 joiced in much money in many satisfactory 
 investments, and which (horribile dictu!) 
 had been gained in trade. 
 
 Lady Limborne never missed the oppor- 
 tunity to ' point her moral, and adorn her
 
 72 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 tale,' which such announcements afforded 
 her. If, as not unfrequently happened, 
 such alliances ended in an absence of 
 domestic bliss, and sometimes in disgraceful 
 exposes not unconnected with the Divorce 
 Court, she was able to deliver a strong 
 and eloquent lecture upon her favourite 
 subject, with the additional advantage of 
 ■ living examples.' From long years of 
 brooding upon this subject, it had gradually 
 assumed the proportions of a sort of mono- 
 mania with her, while, perhaps not un- 
 naturally, the constant in sis tan ce on his 
 mother's part had ended by utterly weary- 
 ing Lord Limborne, and giving him the 
 suspicion of a bias towards the other side 
 of the question. 
 
 A strong Conservative as he was, and 
 seeing, indeed, nothing but ruin for his 
 class in particular, and revolution and 
 anarchy for his country at large, in the 
 rabid dreams of a communistic radicalism, 
 he was, at the same time, too wise not to
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 73 
 
 mark, and advance with the signs of the 
 times: and he did not fail of seeing how 
 the middle-class of Great Britain, with its 
 enormous wealth and consequent power, 
 must, as the barriers of aristocratic pride 
 were weakened by the needs of families of 
 rank, gain an entrance into the higher 
 circles of ' society.' 
 
 Indeed, so accustomed was he among 
 his own intimate friends to seeing such 
 alliances as those his mother so fervently 
 hated, that he gradually came to regard 
 the matter in an entirely different light, 
 and so it came to pass that he had no such 
 prejudices as agitated his mother to fight 
 against, when the mignonne beauty of Nellie 
 Armer, and the many charms of her cha- 
 racter, began to attract him ; and as their 
 friendship ripened into a certain degree of 
 intimacy, and he found her able to under- 
 stand and sympathise with his views and 
 ambitions upon subjects in which even his 
 mother herself could find no interest ;
 
 74 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 when be saw how proud and delighted 
 Nellie was at his various successes as a 
 politician and a man of letters, he very 
 soon came to the determination that here 
 was a woman who would (could he gain 
 her affections) make him a tender and a 
 loving wife, and at the same time be a true 
 companion to him, and a help to him as he 
 worked his way to the goal of his high 
 ambitions. 
 
 Young as he was, Lord Limborne was 
 already a man of mark, and there was no- 
 thing absurd in these ambitious dreamings 
 of his ; the lack of means was, of course, a 
 great bar to his advancement, and, though 
 he did not look to his possible alliance 
 with the house of Armer as to a solution 
 of this difficulty, at any rate it was evident 
 enough that Nellie's father would be able 
 to make her future secure, and to relieve 
 her husband of fears in this direction. 
 
 Revolving these important matters in 
 his mind, Lord Limborne was standing
 
 PLACE FOR Her ladyship. 75 
 
 on the platform of the little wayside 
 station some four miles from Limborne 
 Castle. The train glided up, with the 
 accustomed shrieking and scraping, and 
 Lady Limborne was soon exchanging 
 greetings with her son. Lord Limborne 
 could see by her manner that his mother 
 had important news to tell him ; and he 
 had an uneasy feeling as to what this 
 news might be. Once seated together 
 in the somewhat antediluvian Limborne 
 carriage, which even the most careful of 
 tendance could not redeem from a certain 
 shabbiness, Lady Limborne opened her 
 budget at once. 
 
 ' You must be tired, mother,' said Lord 
 Limborne. ' The carriage must have been 
 like an oven/ 
 
 1 Of course it was hot ; but you know 
 I do not feel the heat, James,' she replied ; 
 and, indeed, Lady Limborne looked, if one 
 might apply such a homely comparison 
 to so exalted a person, c as fresh as a
 
 ?6 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 daisy.' Tall and slight, with white hair 
 and blue eyes of the ' steely ' order, with 
 high and somewhat pronounced features 
 of the clean-cut sort, supposed to belong 
 exclusively to 'persons of rank,' and called 
 'aristocratic,' Lady Limborne was the ideal 
 'haughty dame.' Her face was always 
 pale, and in moments (very rare) of ex- 
 citement assumed a dead-white hue. She 
 was immensely proud of her hands, which 
 were, indeed, models of shapeliness, and 
 were, according to her views, the plain 
 evidences of her high descent and ' blue 
 blood.' 
 
 ' I do not feel the heat, James, as you 
 know,' she said. ' There was, however, 
 a person in the carriage who looked so 
 offensively hot that I was obliged to call 
 Cerise, and have my things taken into 
 another carriage. Such people ought to 
 travel second-class.' 
 
 ' My dear mother,' said her son, ' I 
 verily believe you would like to have the
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 77 
 
 sumptuary laws re-iuforced : have different 
 costumes for every class, and generally go 
 back into the old days of feudalism, vil- 
 leinage, and so forth;' and he smiled at 
 what he called prejudice in his mother, 
 but what would have looked to him re- 
 markably like snobbism in any other 
 person. 
 
 4 1 do think it would be an excellent 
 thing if people could be made by law 
 to keep in their proper positions/ rejoined 
 Lady Limborne. ' But I have too much 
 to tell you to talk about such matters 
 now ;' and here she began a long account 
 of her month's experiences, the people she 
 had seen, the news of her coterie, and 
 the various items of intelligence which she 
 thought would interest her son. 
 
 During the delivery of this long mono- 
 logue, Lord Limborne heard, with some- 
 thing of amusement and a certain amount 
 of perturbation, frequent mention of a 
 Lady Beldon (a high and mighty friend
 
 78 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 of the family) and her daughter Emily ; 
 and, as his mother went on with her 
 narration, he began to plainly perceive 
 that this Lady Emily Beldon was the 
 happy individual Lady Limborne had 
 selected for the high position of mistress 
 of Limborne Castle. He was, therefore, 
 relieved when the carriage drew up under 
 the portico of the castle, and when, after 
 a few words, his mother left him, to relieve 
 herself of her travelling attire and of the 
 dust which had had the unconscionable 
 insolence to cleave to, and annoy, her 
 magnificence of Limborne. 
 
 Limborne Castle was a splendid home 
 for a gentleman of large means, but an 
 intolerable incubus to a poor man, such 
 as was the present owner. It was a 'real, 
 bona-Jide castle/ and no stucco imitation, 
 and the ancient towers still lorded it over 
 the huge edifice, part of which was, alas ! 
 only too evidently going fast to decay. 
 As yet, however, the neglect, which Lord
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 79 
 
 Limborne's small means and his father's 
 before him had rendered a sad necessity, 
 had not gone far enough to be irremediable, 
 and the enchanter's wand of wealth would 
 soon make Limborne Castle what it was in 
 olden days, one of the finest and most im- 
 portant seats in the beautiful county of 
 Devon. However pressed he had been, 
 the late lord had religiously avoided felling 
 any of the timber, and the lordly groups of 
 trees in Limborne Park were still a sight 
 which people came from far and near to 
 look upon. Within, many of the rooms 
 were left to the dust and the spiders, for 
 the establishment was necessarily a small 
 one, and quite unable to cope with so large 
 a number of rooms ; while the apartments 
 occupied by Lord Limborne and his 
 mother were furnished with chairs, settees, 
 and sofas dingy as to their coverings, and 
 some of them not too firm upon their 
 venerable and worm-eaten legs ; the win- 
 dow-hangings and carpets also bore plain
 
 80 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 marks of the hand of time, and the whole 
 effect was dismal and depressing to the 
 last degree. This fact seemed to be 
 strongly borne in upon Lady Limborne a& 
 she sat in the drawing-room on the evening 
 of her return home. Lord Limborne was 
 leaning against the mantelpiece, thinking, 
 to tell the truth, about Nellie Armer, and 
 wondering (should she accept him) how his 
 mother would ' take it.' 
 
 ' Coming home fresh from some of the 
 prettiest rooms in London, the general 
 shabbiness of things here is most depress- 
 ing, James,' she said. l This old furniture 
 is so much nicer than the gaudy modern 
 stuff one sees, an.d is, indeed, quite price- 
 less now this rage for Chippendale, 
 Sheraton, and that sort of thing has risen ; 
 a very little money would make these 
 rooms perfect. Is there no possibility of 
 spending a little here?' 
 
 'I am sadly afraid not, mother,' answered 
 Lord Limborne ; e you know that two of the
 
 PLACE FOE HER LADYSHIP. SI 
 
 farms will be vacant soon, and I fear we 
 shall have to do a great deal to them before 
 we can get tenants.' 
 
 f But, James,' persisted Lady Limborne, 
 ' 1 thought you were getting money for 
 those articles you have been publishing ; 
 a hundred pounds even would make a great 
 difference.' 
 
 ' Ah ! but, my dear mother,' said Lord 
 Limborne, with a weariful sigh, ' a great 
 many more hundreds than I am afraid I 
 can earn by my pen are, as you know, 
 absolutely needed here on the estate, and 
 things are not so well with farmers as 
 they were of old. I fear the rents must go 
 down.' 
 
 ' Then you must borrow again, James 
 dear, I suppose,' she said, with an anxious 
 look at her son. ' Can't anything be done 
 to avoid new debts r' 
 
 'No, mother, I am afraid we must 
 borrow, though heaven knows ! there is 
 enough on the land already. "We cannot let 
 
 VOL. i. G
 
 82 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 the farms without spending money on 
 them, they are in shocking repair ; one of 
 the out-going tenants is a widow, and I 
 can't be hard on her, and the other is that 
 good-for-nothing fellow at Beer, and he is 
 absolutely penniless. I have neither the 
 capital nor the inclination to farm the land 
 myself, and, of course, we can't do without 
 the rents, and let the farms lie fallow. 
 But,' he added, after a pause of anxious 
 thought on the subject, ' I did not mean 
 to worry you, mother, particularly on 
 this the very first night of your coming 
 home.' 
 
 1 James,' said his mother, solemnly, ' I 
 am glad the subject has been broached, for 
 it makes it more easy for me to say to 
 you what I am going to say. There is 
 only one way out of all these miserable 
 difficulties, which, sad as they are, are not 
 so unbearable to me as the thought of my 
 son with his talents wasted and his future 
 ruined. There is only one way; I have
 
 PLACE FOR HEE LADYSHIP. 83 
 
 felt this all along. James, you must do 
 what I have so frequently urged upon you, 
 you must seek an alliance where you can 
 have the two so necessary advantages of 
 rank and money. I have no doubt you 
 could easily enough get the latter, for 
 there must be numbers of rich people of 
 low birth who would be glad to gain for 
 their daughters such a position as your 
 wife would hold ; but I am sure my lessons 
 have given you a just horror of such 
 mesalliances. One of my objects in leaving 
 home was that I might seek among our 
 own people one who should combine the 
 advantages 1 spoke of ; and, James, I feel 
 sure you will be glad to hear I have found 
 a girl who is in every way suited to the 
 position, and who has the means to relieve 
 you from these sordid embarrassments, and 
 help you in your career.' 
 
 1 But, my dear mother,' said Lord Lim- 
 borne, laughing, ' in what a cold-blooded 
 way do you dispose of me ! One cannot 
 
 g2
 
 84 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 marry to order, — we are not living in 
 France ; and, moreover, the young lady in 
 question, whoever she may be, might not 
 see the advantages of this position of mine 
 in quite the same light as it presents itself 
 to you. And, besides, I am not so fatuous 
 as to believe that a girl has only to regard 
 my attractive person and physiognomy to, 
 at once, fall violently in love with me, and 
 to offer to pour her millions into my 
 meagre account with the Exeter bank. 
 Neither am /in the state of mind in which 
 Punch's housemaid found herself, "of that 
 'appy disposition as she could marry any 
 man." It is possible the girl you speak of 
 may not appear to me in the golden light 
 in which you seem to regard her.' 
 
 • My dear James,' said his mother, with 
 a reproachful look, 'I am sorry to hear 
 you talk in this light manner of a mat- 
 ter of such importance. People in our 
 position and rank of life do not choose 
 their husbands and wives in the happy-
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 85 
 
 go-lucky fashion of the lower orders.' 
 'Nay, mother,' interrupted Lord Lim- 
 borne, still refusing to discuss the match 
 seriously, ' I am given to understand that 
 these same folk of whom you speak do 
 use an amount of circumspection in this 
 matter which custom denies us. The 
 beneficient institution of " keeping com- 
 pany" gives them an opportunity of know- 
 ing each other's little peculiarities before 
 such a serious undertaking as a regular 
 engagement, and the housemaid in ques- 
 tion will probably have gone through a 
 long and exciting course of " young men " 
 before she settles her affections for good 
 and all. I am seriously thinking of com- 
 mending to the Lords a proposal for lease- 
 hold engagements of one, two, or three 
 months, renewable at the expiration of the 
 first and second months at will. It would 
 go far to do away with breach of promise 
 cases.' * 
 
 ' If you will insist on talking in this
 
 86 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ridiculous manner, I think I had better 
 leave you,' said Lady Limborne, offended 
 at her son's light tone. 
 
 ' 1 did not mean to offend you, mother/ 
 he said, ' but, seriously, I am not thinking 
 of making a dowager of you just at pre- 
 sent, and ■' 
 
 ' But, James,' she interrupted, ' what 
 time could be better than the present ? I 
 heard, and was proud to hear, frequently 
 of you in high quarters, your name is 
 very much spoken of, and, if you only 
 had means, you would be certain of ad- 
 vancement. Lord Beldon spoke most 
 highly of your services to the party, and 
 Lady Beldon is very well disposed to- 
 wards you. It is no use disguising the 
 matter. I have hinted very plainly to Lady 
 Beldon my hopes as regards you and her 
 daughter, and I think I may assure you 
 that you will be received there as you 
 ought to be received. There is, I took 
 the pains to discover, no one in your way,
 
 PLACE FOE HER LADYSHIP. 87 
 
 and I believe a very little trouble on your 
 part would secure Emily.' 
 
 Lord Limborne had been restlessly strid- 
 ing across and across the room whilst his 
 mother made this very plain exposition of 
 her views matrimonial as concerning her 
 son and the fair Lady Emily, and, as she 
 paused in her narration, he stopped, and 
 said, slowly, 
 
 ' I am, indeed, sorry you have taken so 
 much trouble, and I regret extremely that 
 you should have ever hinted at such a 
 thing to any of the Beldons. I am sorry 
 to have to disappoint you, mother; you 
 should, at least, have consulted with me 
 first. I have not the slightest suspicion 
 that Emily Beldon has ever given the 
 faintest thought to me, and I declare to 
 you, solemnly, that if she loved me to dis- 
 traction, — a highly improbable state of 
 affairs, — I should most certainly never 
 think of marrying her.' 
 
 1 James, I trust you will think better of
 
 88 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 this,' said Lady Limborne, in the coldest tones 
 she had ever used to her son ; ' otherwise, 
 you will place your mother in a most painful 
 position, and that, too, with some of her 
 oldest and best friends. You surely for- 
 get when you say, "I should have spoken 
 to you before." I did speak of this to you, 
 and you certainly did not answer me then 
 as you answered me just now/ 
 
 * Well, mother, I remember now you did 
 say something about it before you went 
 away, but I had no idea you seriously 
 meant it; I treated the matter as a jest, if 
 you remember.' 
 
 ' 1 do not think I will talk on this sub- 
 ject any more, at least at present. I 
 think I will say good-night, I am tired, and 
 this is a great trouble to me ;' and Lady 
 Limborne rose. 
 
 ' Nay ; but, my dear mother, do not be 
 angry with me, I will do anything you 
 wish in any matter but this ; it is surely 
 reasonable that I should choose my own
 
 PLACE FOR HER LADYSHIP. 89 
 
 wife ?' and with this Lord Limborne went 
 up to his mother, and kissed her. Lady 
 Limborne received the salute with un- 
 mistakeable coldness, and retired with 
 much stateliness, thus leaving her son, who 
 had opened the door for her, and who gazed 
 after her with a puzzled and withal a 
 sorrowful look. 
 
 As he smoked a solitary cigar in his 
 own rooms before ' turning in,' he review- 
 ed his position, and recognised with pain 
 the struggle he should have to sustain 
 with his proud and determined mother 
 before she would give up her plans for 
 him, and the still more bitter contest he 
 should have to pass through before she 
 would accept his plans for the future ; he 
 saw, too, that even if Nellie were willing 
 to take him ■ for better, for worse,' she 
 was not the kind of girl to enter a family 
 against the will and wish of the chief 
 members of that family, and that she would 
 most certainly refuse to listen to him, at
 
 90 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 whatever cost to her own and to his feel- 
 ings, if he asked her to marry him against 
 Lady Limborne's wish. How to keep the 
 knowledge of Lady Limborne's opposition 
 from Nellie, how to overcome these rooted 
 prejudices of his mothers, how to reconcile 
 her to her disappointment anent the 
 Beldons — these were questions which kept 
 him up far into the balmy summer night, 
 and gave him but little rest even when at 
 last he * denuded himself of his outer 
 integuments,' or, to put it more plainly r 
 undressed himself, and got into bed.
 
 91 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 
 
 Miss Helen Aemer had a very shrewd 
 suspicion that she was not un pleasing to 
 his lordship of Limborne, and, even if she 
 had had no such suspicions, her brother 
 Jack's gibes at her would very soon have 
 aroused them. "When they were alone 
 together, he would call her ' my Lady,' 
 and ' your Ladyship,' and would treat her 
 with an absurd and burlesque affection of 
 respect. 
 
 Lord Limborne was fond of Jack 
 Armer, he liked his easy-going good 
 nature, and his constant flow of good 
 spirits was a refreshment to Lord
 
 92 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Limborne, who had many troubles to make 
 him grave enough, and who was, indeed, 
 naturally of a somewhat grave disposition. 
 He had never confided his feelings for 
 Nellie to her brother, for his self-contained 
 character did not tempt him with the 
 desire for confidantes usually so common 
 under such circumstances. 
 
 It is, indeed, refreshing, though occasion- 
 ally wearisome, to listen to the fond 
 declamations of the enamoured, and the 
 man who has 'passed through the fire,' 
 and has been fortunate enough to have 
 escaped with but little of hurt, must be 
 amused considerably at the redundancy of 
 superlative, the piled-up ' derangement of 
 epitaphs,' with which fond youth is wont 
 to extol ' the only woman he ever loved.' 
 Such glowing descriptions, clad in such 
 fanciful language did the evil-minded Jack 
 pour into his devoted sister's ears as the 
 utterances of the lovelorn Limborne, for 
 Master Jack was charmed with this chance
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 93 
 
 of turning the tables upon Nellie, and he 
 took a huge delight in the novel exercise, 
 and repeated his doses 'ad nauseam.' The 
 attentions, too, of the ridiculous Henry 
 Denton did not escape the astute young 
 man, as he failed not, too frequently, to 
 impress upon his sister. 
 
 Not a week passed without the appear- 
 ance of one or other or both these two so 
 opposite admirers, and it needed all the 
 young lady's powers of repartee, which 
 were considerable, to enable her to parry 
 Jack's constant attacks, and she must have 
 possessed a most angelic patience, or she 
 would long ago have been really angry 
 with her brother. Nellie was, however, too 
 fond of Jack ever to be angry with him, 
 and she hurled the lovely Theresa Denton 
 at his head with immense effect, little 
 knowing the fell designs which were stir- 
 ring in the brains of that beauteous young 
 lady and her ambitious mother. 
 
 Nellie was pleased, therefore, when the
 
 94 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 important event in Jack's academical career 
 took the small family to Cambridge, in 
 order that the squire should see ' what he 
 had got for his money/ for this created 
 a diversion from a taquinage which was 
 rapidly becoming monotonous. The mod- 
 est position which young Armer's name 
 filled at the tail-end of a third class among 
 the ordinary degrees had been exalted by 
 him to an undue eminence, and his father 
 was expecting something of awe and 
 majesty to surround this important end of 
 nearly four years' study (?) His astonish- 
 ment was therefore great at the disgusting 
 exhibition of rowdyism which certain of 
 the undergraduates seem to consider to 
 be cle rigueur on these occasions, and he 
 very speedily conducted his daughter from 
 the senate-house, and, at the same time, 
 from the too conspicuous gallantry, or — to 
 call it by its right name — the painful 
 vulgarity of admiring swains in the gallery,
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 95 
 
 who had ' spotted' her primrose-coloured 
 costume, and had made complimentary, 
 but decidedly embarrassing, remarks upon 
 its beauty, and the still greater beauty of 
 its fair wearer. 
 
 4 Abominable set of young cubs !' ex- 
 claimed the squire, in a white heat of rage, 
 as Jack in his cap and gown, and with the 
 additional advantages of a ' white choker,' 
 and the distinguishing B.A. 'strings/ 
 followed them out, rejoicing in the dignity 
 of his new academical status. ' Abomin- 
 able set of young cubs ! They ought to be 
 flogged ! Never heard such impertinence ! 
 H Him with the red face !" " Father of 
 she !" (for the squire had not himself 
 escaped without a few compliments). 
 4 Upon my word, Jack, if I had known 
 what an intolerable set of young cads you 
 were living amongst, you should never 
 have gone there. Never heard such a row 
 in my life ; it's disgraceful !'
 
 96 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 c My dear father/ said Jack, indignantly, 
 standing up for his order, ' you are a little 
 too hot upon them . . . .' 
 
 ' Not at all ! not at all !' interrupted the 
 squire, still bubbling over with rage. 
 
 1 They don't mean anything offensive, I 
 assure you/ Jack went on; ' they mean it as 
 a compliment, don't you know.' 
 
 * Pretty compliment !' exclaimed his 
 father. * Red face, indeed P 
 
 ' Oh ! father, I verily, believe you are 
 getting vain in your old age ; your face is 
 red/ laughed Nellie, ' you know it is; it is the 
 dearest old face in the world, and, if we 
 were not in the street with such a crowd, 
 I should like to kiss it. Come, now, father, 
 they are but boys after all . . . .' 
 
 * Oh ! thank you, Miss Methusalem !' said 
 Jack, scornfully. 
 
 ' You, Jack/ said Nellie, with much solem- 
 nity, ' are a Bachelor of Arts, and, I am 
 sure, you are far removed from the follies 
 of impetuous youth.'
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 97 
 
 4 And you, my lady,' whispered Jack, ' are 
 of far too exalted a rank for a poor com- 
 moner to argue with, and I humbly beg 
 your ladyship's pardon ;' and Jack took off 
 his cap with a mighty sweep, and performed 
 a stagy reverence, greatly to his father's 
 astonishment, who thought he must be 
 saluting some high university potentate, 
 and who removed his own ' bell-topper/ 
 with a sincere though less exaggerated 
 politeness, hugely to Jack's delight. 
 
 1 Oh ! this is, alas ! too much !' exclaimed 
 that ingenuous youth, as they strolled 
 along the King's Parade after the cere- 
 mony^) ; This is quite too much !' 
 
 1 What do you mean, Jack ?' asked the 
 astonished Nellie, while her father looked 
 questiouingly at Jack. 
 
 1 Why, (Ms, 1 answered Jack, in a whisper, 
 as Henry Denton presented himself before 
 them, and came forward to greet them. 
 
 1 Mr. Denton ?' said the squire, with a 
 note of interrogation in his voice. ' Why, 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 98 THE POWER OF GOLD . 
 
 I didn't know you were a Cambridge 
 " man," as Jack calls it, though " boy " 
 is a more just description after this morn- 
 ing's din.' 
 
 ' You are quite right, Mr. Armer, I am 
 not a Cambridge man,' said Mr. Denton, as 
 he shook hands, placing a sort of accent 
 •on ' Cambridge,' as if he might be an Ox- 
 ford, or a Heidelberg, or a Dublin man. 
 4 1 . . . ah . . . thought I would just 
 run down for a day or two, and ... ah 
 . . . see the architecture, and ... ah 
 . . . . that thort of thing, don't you 
 know. So glad I have happened to meet 
 you.' 
 
 Mr. Denton's sudden appearance was so 
 evidently intended, that Nellie, knowing 
 only too well the reason thereof, felt 
 somewhat embarrassed, while Jack, who 
 was also in the secret, was amused, and 
 not a little indignant at the same time, 
 for he decidedly did not approve of Henry's 
 1 addresses.'
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 99 
 
 Mr. Armer, who frankly detested the 
 Denton faction, and most particularly 
 abominated the limp aesthete, frowned por- 
 tentously at first at the happy (?) rencontre; 
 if he had known as much as his son and 
 his daughter knew, he would, not im- 
 probably, have ' said something,' some- 
 thing pretty strong, too, for the squire 
 would have regarded young Denton's per- 
 sistent persecution of his daughter as an 
 unwarrantable impertinence, and, being a 
 gentleman of a choleric habit, he would 
 most likely have expressed this opinion in 
 quite the plainest English. As it was, he 
 looked upon the enamoured Henry simply 
 as upon a neighbour ; a most unpleasant 
 one, certainly, but one whom it behoved 
 him to be civil to as a neighbour. 
 
 ' Come to do the lions, eh ?' said the 
 squire. ' Well, we are putting up at the 
 " Bull," and are just going in to lunch ; 
 you had better come in with us, and have 
 something to eat.' 
 
 h 2
 
 100 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 1 Alack ! and well-a-day !' sighed Jack, in 
 a whisper to Nellie. 
 
 c I shall be charmed,' said the infatuated 
 youth, with a most sheepish glance at 
 Nellie, which glance Jack did not fail to 
 mark and mimic. 
 
 For two whole days did Mr. Henry 
 Denton bestow his valuable and entertain- 
 ing company upon the unwilling Armers, 
 to their huge disgust. 
 
 'I cant stand this any longer,' said Mr. 
 Armer, on the afternoon of the second day. 
 1 If I am compelled to be with that young 
 man much longer, I shall be reduced to a 
 wafer ; I feel as if I had lost pounds since 
 we met him. Why can't he speak like 
 other people ; that lisp of his drives me to 
 distraction. And what on earth do I care 
 about all this twaddle of art, china, poetry, 
 and rot? Jack and [Nellie, I shan't stand 
 it any longer ; I shall go to town on my 
 way home to-night.' 
 
 ' I shall be only too glad to come with
 
 
 '; 
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 101 
 
 you, father,' said Nellie, with a sigh of 
 infinite relief. ' Of course, you can't, 
 Jack, because you have " wines," and 
 things to go to. I hope you are not 
 11 taking to drink."' 
 
 ' You are talking about what you don't 
 understand, young woman,' said Jack, 
 • and I shall treat your ignorant remarks 
 with the silence they deserve.' 
 
 Nellie made a mouth at him, and ran 
 upstairs gleefully, to get ready to depart. 
 She had good reason to be relieved at the 
 thought of leaving Cambridge, for her 
 stay there had been rendered almost dis- 
 gusting to her by the twaddlesome and 
 sickly attentions of the devoted Henry. 
 
 Delighted at the chance of ' having the 
 field to himself,' that infatuated young 
 man would take no hint, no snubbing 
 seemed to be of any use, though Nellie was 
 well able to give, and did give him some 
 very pronounced specimens of her ability 
 in that way. He still tottered on the verge
 
 102 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 of proposing without actually committing 
 himself, and giving Nellie an opportunity 
 to refuse him, and be rid of him definitely. 
 
 * It wath to thee you, Mith Armer, and 
 not the lionth that I came,' he had ob- 
 served the day before, when he had caught 
 her alone for a minute or two. 
 
 This was a little too much for Nellie, 
 who lost her temper, and was most un- 
 equivocably rude to her adorer. 
 
 1 Then, Mr. Denton/ she had answered, 
 with much asperity, ' I consider it most 
 impertinent of you to follow me about in 
 this ridiculous way, and I must beg of you 
 to let this be the last time you behave in 
 so absurd a manner.' 
 
 This plain language rather startled the 
 heir of Wreford, but not for long, for he 
 quickly regained his accustomed fatuity, 
 and made some original remarks about 
 * poles ' and ' loadthstones,' and other elec- 
 trical arrangements ; to which remarks, it 
 is needless to say, Nellie made him no
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 103 
 
 manner of reply. It seemed impossible to 
 convince this young man that the whole 
 available feminine world was not pining 
 for the chance of one day sharing the 
 magnificence and the wealth of Wreford, 
 and at last, in despair, Nellie asked her 
 brother to help her. 
 
 1 Jack,' she said the afternoon before, 
 when she had just given her would-be 
 lover the before-mentioned ' taste of her 
 quality/ and as, leaving Henry Denton to 
 the tender mercies of her father, she was 
 strolling about in one of the college gar- 
 dens, listening to the band and looking at 
 the folk who ' assisted at ' a promenade 
 concert — ' Jack, Mr. Denton, junior, is the 
 most jelly-fishy young man 1 have ever 
 had the misfortune to meet.' 
 
 1 What is the matter with the aesthete 
 now? and why jelly-fishy?' asked Jack. 
 
 1 He's so . . . so . . . it's not a very 
 nice word, but it just expresses him, he is 
 so flabby, Jack. If you prong him, he
 
 104 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 closes up again, and there is no sign where 
 the prong went in.' 
 
 1 An apt simile, madam, and an elegant 
 one for a young lady,' said Jack. 
 
 ' But seriously, Jack, I wish you would 
 help me. You know you often chaff (no, 
 that is slang, and will not please your 
 eminence), laugh about . . . well, about 
 . . . pah ! it's horrid even to say it . . . 
 about me and Mr. Denton — there ! Well, 
 Jack, he is too dreadful, and I c&rrnot bear 
 it any longer ; he sickens me. He had the 
 impertinence to say just now that he 
 came down here to see me. Impudence !' 
 said Nellie, stamping her little foot ; ' and 
 it's not a bit of use, he won't take even 
 the plainest hint.' 
 
 'Well, but why don't you tell him to 
 go ? Say you won't have the article at 
 any price.' 
 
 ' How can I, Jack, when he hasn't asked 
 me?' and Nellie sighed as deep a sigh as 
 was ever breathed by love-sick damsel.
 
 TAKING HIS DEGEEE. 105 
 
 'Why, Nellie,' said Jack, with some 
 amusement, though he was angry enough 
 with the faithful Henry, 'you sigh as if 
 you longed for him to propose.' 
 
 ' Of course I do ; that is the very thing 
 I do long for, then 1 could refuse him 
 point-blank. But,' she added, after a 
 pause, ' on second thoughts I don't be- 
 lieve he would give it up even then ; he 
 is so densely conceited.' 
 
 ' I'd gladly help you if I could,' said 
 Jack ; ' but what on earth can I do ?' 
 
 ' Can't you just tell him how I hate him ? 
 Now do'ee, Jack dear,' she said, in a 
 wheedling tone. 
 
 'You bloodthirsty young woman, you 
 most un-Christian female, how can you, 
 brought up in the strictest principles of 
 religion, hate your neighbour in this fero- 
 cious way ?' said Jack. ' However, the 
 fellow is a fearful bore ; he doesn't deserve 
 any pity, and I'll do what I can for you. 
 Here's father with old Blower,' he went
 
 106 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 on, as the squire hove in sight with the 
 Reverend Blower in tow. 'I know that 
 dear coach of mine not wisely, but too 
 well, so I'm off/ and Jack suited his actions 
 to his words, and incontinently disap- 
 peared. 
 
 Jack Armer had no chance of giving 
 the amorous Denton what would doubtless 
 have been a very broad hint at Cambridge ; 
 for as soon as Denton heard, at their 
 hotel, of the departure of Mr. and Miss 
 Armer, he incontinently ceased his studies 
 of architecture, and returned home. Now, 
 though Jack had laughed at his sister's 
 perturbation, he had remarked the pro- 
 nounced and slightly snobbish nature of 
 the aesthetic young man's attentions, and 
 he was quite prepared to pour out the 
 vials of his wrath upon the offender's 
 head, and was proportionately disappoint- 
 ed to find, on inquiry at the 'Hoop,' (where 
 Denton was putting-up,) that he was gone. 
 
 i Never mind, young man,' said Jack to
 
 TAKING HIS DEGEEE. 107 
 
 himself, apostrophizing the absent Den- 
 ton. 'Never mind! A time will come! 
 I suppose young Blue China has followed 
 them to Devonshire. Upon my word, it 
 is too sickening ; and, if it were not for 
 my Degree Dinner to-morrow night, I 
 would go home now, and indulge myself 
 in the luxury of giving him a bit of my 
 mind. However, he can't do much harm 
 in a couple of days, and I'll make up 
 for lost time, when I do see him ;' and 
 Master Jack departed on his pleasant busi- 
 ness of looking up his old friends, and 
 rejoicing with them over his extraordinary 
 luck in ' rooking the examiners.' 
 
 Old Mr. Denton was standing at the 
 hall-door at Wreford as his son got off 
 the dog-cart, for which he had telegraphed, 
 and which had accordingly met him at 
 the nearest station to Wreford. 
 
 'Well, Henry,' said his father, 'you 
 ain't had a very long outing. I didn't 
 expect to see you home again so soon.
 
 108 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Your mother said you was going to 'ave 
 a reglar turn at the antiquities of Cam- 
 bridge, and 'ere you are, 'ome again before 
 you can wink your eye, as the sayin' is. 
 "Well, I'm glad to see you back again, 
 anyhow;' and he shook hands with his 
 son and heir. 'I never could see/ he 
 went on, 'the joke of starin' at mouldy 
 
 old buildings myself Why ! what's 
 
 the matter now ? You're always a-rushin' 
 about, and a-interruptin' of your father. 
 'Enry, it ain't respectful, and I won't 'ave 
 it ;' and his round, good-natured face 
 looked quite wrathful. 
 
 ' I beg your pardon, I'm sure, father, 
 said Henry. ' I was hurrying in to see 
 mother.' 
 
 'All right, my boy,' said his father, 
 rapidly regaining his normal good-nature, 
 and smiling. 'You'll find 'em in your 
 mother's boodoor, though why she should 
 call her parlour by such a outlandish 
 name is beyond me ; it's the fashion, I
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 109 
 
 suppose. Yes, they're in the boodoor — 
 leastways, your mar and Tresa — Laving* a 
 out and-out-palaver. Somethin' secret, you 
 know ; for they wouldn't let me come in 
 just now. I wonder what they're up to 
 now. Not another al fresky, I hope. 
 When you've done with your mother, I 
 want you to come over the 'ouses. I've 
 got some real beauties out now ;' and the 
 old gentleman trotted off to his favourite 
 plants and flowers. 
 
 Mrs. Denton and her daughter were 
 indeed holding a most important conversa- 
 tion, and one which embraced a no less 
 serious question than the settlement in 
 life of the young lady. 
 
 ' I sent your father away, Theresa,' Mrs. 
 Denton began, as soon as the door closed 
 upon her obedient spouse, c because he, 
 unfortunately, is lacking in the delicacy 
 which the subject I asked you to come 
 here and speak about demands.' 
 
 'Good gracious, ma !' exclaimed Theresa,
 
 110 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 betrayed into vulgarity by her astonish- 
 ment. 'Whatever do you mean?' 
 
 'My dear Theresa, you should not say 
 " good gracious !" I am astonished at you, 
 after all the expeuse of your education, 
 when we had to pinch for it too.' 
 
 ' Oh ! never mind. You startled me. 
 What is it, mamma?' 
 
 4 Now, I want you to listen to me seri- 
 ously, my dear. You know my only wish 
 now is to see my children suitably settled 
 in life. I mean, of course, married to 
 people in the rank of life and the position 
 which our wealth leads us to look for.' 
 
 ' My dear mamma,' said Theresa, c you 
 need not say anything about that. I don't 
 think that either I or Emily are at all 
 likely to make a mesalliance.'' 
 
 i Can't you guess, Theresa, at what I 
 am thinking of ?' said Mrs. Denton, with a 
 searching look at her daughter. 
 
 ' No, I don't in the least know. Do,
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. Ill 
 
 for goodness sake, stop this mystery, and 
 tell me what you mean.' 
 
 ' Goodness sake ! Theresa,' murmured 
 her mother, reproachfully. 
 
 ' Oh ! bother, mother. I'm sure you're 
 enough to provoke a saint this evening. 
 Whatever is the matter?' 
 
 1 Nothing is the matter, my dear, but a 
 great deal may be,' was the oracular reply. 
 
 ' Well, I wish you would make haste, 
 and not go on in this Guy Fawkes kind 
 of way,' said the daughter, impatiently, 
 and with a touch of her father's fertile 
 imagery. 
 
 ' Theresa,' said Mrs. Denton, solemnly, 
 * did you notice anything at Coombridge 
 the other day?' 
 
 ' Coombridge ? — no, nothing particular, 
 except the masculine costume of that Miss 
 Armer ; I must say I think the way girls 
 dress like men, and play at all their games 
 now-a-days, is horrid.'
 
 112 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Miss Denton was of a large order of 
 architecture, and not likely to shine in a 
 short tennis costume. 
 
 1 Never mind about her just now,' Mrs. 
 Denton went on. e Did you notice any- 
 thing about Lord Limborne ? there !' 
 
 1 Anything about Lord Limborne ? Why, 
 we've regularly talked him over since we 
 met him, and I've said all I have to say 
 on that subject already.' 
 
 'Well, I have not, Theresa,' said Mrs. 
 Denton. ' I watched him, and I feel sure 
 you have made a good impression in that 
 quarter, my dear. The more I think of 
 it, the more convinced I am that you have 
 every chance of one day being Lady Lim- 
 borne.' 
 
 Now, truth to tell, Theresa had been 
 thinking the very same thing herself, and, 
 though she had failed to remark the 
 1 attentions ' her mother's eagle eye had 
 discovered, she had come to the same con- 
 clusion as that lady, and did not see why
 
 TAKING HIS PEGEEE. 113 
 
 she should not be Lady Limborne ; never- 
 theless, she kept these cogitations to her- 
 self, and affected a great surprise. 
 
 * Me . . . Lady Limborne !' she cried. 
 ' My dear mamma, whatever could have 
 made you think of such a thing as that ? 
 I'm sure I never . . . . ' 
 
 I Well ; but, Theresa/ interrupted her 
 mother, ' I do not see anything at all as- 
 tonishing or unlikely in the matter. 
 Though I say it as shouldn't, anyone can 
 see you are handsome enough, and every 
 day people of title marry into money; and 
 I confess I don't see why, with your looks 
 and your Uncle Benjamin's fortune, you, 
 and Emily too, should not marry a person 
 of rank. I've set my heart on it, Theresa,' 
 she went on, earnestly, ' and I can't tell 
 you how disappointed I am at Henry's 
 ridiculous fancy for that little Miss Armer.' 
 
 I I can't make out what he sees to like 
 in her/ said Theresa; and, as a matter 
 of fact, sisters very seldom can make out 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 114 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 what their brothers can see in that Miss 
 So-and-so ; moreover, Theresa had a dawn* 
 ing feeling of dislike born of jealousy to- 
 wards Nellie Armer — a dislike, indeed, 
 which after events nursed into downright 
 hatred. 
 
 ' I can't see much in her myself,' re- 
 joined Mrs. Denton ; ' but you know what 
 Henry is — he will have his way, with all 
 his soft manners, and I suppose we must 
 make the best of it. But, as I was say- 
 ing, if Henry disappoints me — I say me, 
 because your poor father would not care 
 if you all married carpenters and cook- 
 maids ; nothing ever will bring that man 
 to a proper sense of his position. I declare 
 it is sometimes more than I can bear the 
 way he goes on ; the familiar way in which 
 he talks with the servants is really too 
 shocking. But, what was I saying ? for 
 when I get on the subject of your father 
 I quite lose myself — oh, about Henry. If 
 Henry does disappoint me, there is no
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 115 
 
 reason why one of you, or even both of 
 you, should not be Lady Something or 
 other.' 
 
 ' But I don't see, mamma, how we are 
 to, unless we are asked, and there aren't 
 many lords about here.' 
 
 ' Oh, you'll be asked quick enough, my 
 dear; and when we are launched into so- 
 ciety, and occupy our proper sphere, there 
 will be plenty of lords glad enough of the 
 chance to get one of the rich Mr. Denton's 
 daughters, never fear. I don't mean to 
 stay mewed up at Wreford all my life. 
 But . . . who's there ?' she called, as the 
 handle of the door turned. f Why, it's 
 Henry!' she said, as she heard his voice, 
 and hastened to unlock the door. ' We did 
 not expect you home so soon, Henry,' she 
 said, as she received his filial greeting ; 
 ' we were astonished to get your telegram.' 
 
 ' You don't look like a conquering hero, 
 Henry,' said Theresa, who knew her 
 brother's reason for going to Cambridge, 
 
 i2
 
 116 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 and spoke with a slight sneer. l "Weren't 
 the Armers there, after all?' 
 
 'TheArmersiw?r£at Cambridge, Theresa/ 
 answered Henry. ' I do not know what I 
 may resemble, but I think I have gained 
 considerably by my journey. They all 
 seemed glad to see me/ continued this 
 obtuse individual. ' I may say their re- 
 ception of me was most cordial, and I do 
 not mind telliDg you, mother, that I was 
 able to speak rather plainly to Nellie, 
 and, though she seemed surprised at first, I 
 have no doubt I shall succeed with per- 
 severance.' 
 
 * I should think so,' said his fond 
 parent. ' Why shouldn't you ? It is not 
 every girl who has such a chance offered 
 her.' 
 
 'But, Henry/ said Theresa, 'you don't 
 mean to say you have proposed V 
 
 1 No/ answered the infatuated one, ' T 
 have not exactly proposed ; but I have 
 plaiDly let her see what I mean, and I
 
 TAKING HIS DEGREE. 117 
 
 have every hope of one day winning 
 that charming and beautiful girl.' 
 
 Here Miss Denton positively sniffed, and, 
 laughing contemptuously, she flounced out 
 of the room. 
 
 'What is the matter with Theresa, 
 mother ?' asked Henry, astonished ; * her 
 conduct is absolutely vulgar.' 
 
 4 She has been put out with something 
 or other,' said Mrs. Denton, who was not 
 without a certain sympathy with her 
 daughter in her sentiments as to the question 
 of Nellie Armer. ' And now, Henry, you 
 have only just time to dress, the first gong 
 sounded a long while ago, and I must 
 be quick too ;' and, with a smile at her son, 
 Mrs. Denton effected her escape, for she did 
 not particularly care for the flood of love- 
 sick rhapsody which her tete-a-tetes with 
 Henry usually brought down upon her 
 devoted head.
 
 118 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 
 
 ' Nelly,' said Mr. Armer, senior, one 
 morning about a week after their hasty 
 retreat from Cambridge, 'just listen here 
 a moment ; here's a letter from Gidley, he 
 says, "As I wish to consult you about 
 those "... h'm . . . h'm . . . h'm . . . 
 (business, my dear), " and more particu- 
 larly wish to see my god-daughter Nellie, 
 I shall, if you can put me up, run down 
 to Devonshire for two nights the day after 
 to-morrow." Why, that will be to-morrow, 
 Nellie !' cried the squire, with just a sus- 
 picion of disgust in his voice. 
 
 1 Yes, father, to-morrow. You don't
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 119 
 
 seem overpleased at the prospect ; I'm 
 afraid you don't appreciate poor, dear Mr, 
 Gidley.' 
 
 1 Poor, dear Mr. Gidley !' mimicked Mr. 
 Armer. ' Why "poor dear"? you talk of 
 him as if he were defunct.' 
 
 * Well, you know, father/ said Nellie, 
 * I always pity him, it must be so dread- 
 fully lonely all by himself in that dismal 
 great house in Bedford Square. I wonder 
 he never married.' 
 
 ' I don't think there is much material 
 for the tender passion in Gidley's com- 
 position/ said Mr. Armer, J he is much too 
 devoted to certain representations of Her 
 Majesty's head stamped on gold and 
 silver, and the pleasing crispness of bank- 
 notes, to say nothing of deeds, mortgages, 
 and other forms of property, which, as 
 Mr. Bolland says on Sundays, " Time 
 would fail me were I to endeavour to 
 enumerate them." ' 
 
 1 Oh, father,' cried Nellie, 'how can you
 
 120 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 be so bard on him ? I shall always stand 
 up for my god-father, and, indeed, father, 
 it is not like you to be so bitter against 
 anyone.' 
 
 ' Well, my little mentor, I am afraid it 
 is wrong of me; but, you know, Messrs. 
 Armer and Gidley never did agree too well 
 together. I think we both go better now 
 we are in single harness. However, he is 
 coming down, and I suppose I must make 
 the best of it.' 
 
 ' I do hope you won't quarrel as you did 
 the last time he came to Coombridge. 
 What a blessing it is that Jack has 
 gone off again, for he hates Mr. Gidley 
 too; he says, " Gidley is always sneering 
 at him." I wonder why everybody hates 
 the poor man so ; I am sure I don't.' 
 
 'No, my dear,' said her father, ' I don't 
 believe my little Nellie has it in her to hate 
 anybody.' 
 
 * I am not so sure of that,' said Nellie, 
 thinking of her sesthetic and irrepressible
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 121 
 
 admirer ; ' but why does everyone dislike 
 him so? Of course I know his manners 
 are a little — well — sarcastic . . .' 
 
 1 A little !' exclaimed the squire, inter- 
 rupting ; ' he is the most obstinate, pig- 
 headed . . . but, there ! if I begin to 
 discuss my valued partner's virtues, I shall 
 lose my temper. The fact is, my dear, 
 Mr. Gidley is one of those individuals who 
 are never happy unless they are u in opposi- 
 tion," and he, consequently, is not the 
 pleasantest of companions, and is not 
 generally so popular as — as he might be/ 
 concluded the squire, lamely. 
 
 'Perhaps I had better ask the rector 
 and Mrs. Bolland to come in to dinner to- 
 morrow ?' suggested Nellie. 
 
 ' 1 don't know,' said Mr. Armer. ■ Gid- 
 ley detests parsons, wants to disestablish 
 and disendow them ; it is one of his 
 favourite topics, but he would scarcely be 
 so rude as to "let out," as Jack says, to a 
 clergyman's face. There is no one else
 
 122 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 you could ask on so sbort a notice, is 
 there?' 
 
 1 No, not a soul,' said Nellie, ' and I 
 think, too, that if my god-father should 
 pour out the vials of his wrath against the 
 church, Mr. Bolland is quite able to hold 
 his own, and stand up for his cloth. Shall 
 I send a note, then ?' 
 
 'No, you needn't trouble. I shall pass 
 the rectory this morning, and I will look in. 
 It will certainly be a satisfaction to me to 
 avoid an evening's tete-a-tete with Gidley, 
 and I know Bolland will come if he can.' 
 And here the squire took up his news- 
 paper, and the conversation dropped. 
 
 True to his word, Mr. Gidley drove up 
 to Coombridge late in the afternoon of the 
 next day ; he came in the Coombridge 
 dog-cart which the squire had sent to meet 
 him. Mr. Armer was waiting in for him y 
 and, as Mr. Gidley refused any refresh- 
 ment, the two partners were soon closeted 
 together in the library, and deep in their
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL 123 
 
 business. They paid no attention to the 
 dressing-bell, and, even when that most 
 important call, the dinner-bell, was heard, 
 they did not seem disposed to listen to its 
 seductive voice. 
 
 The butler waited till he could stand it 
 no longer, he had too strong an affection 
 for his own dinner for him to see ' the 
 victuals a-spilin' ' with equanimity, and 
 opening the drawing-room door, where 
 the rest of the company were assembled, 
 
 'Master give orders as he should not 
 be disturbed, Miss Nellie/ he said, ' but 
 hadn't I better tell him as dinner is 
 served?' 
 
 4 No, thank you, Hudson/ said Nellie. 
 1 1 think, perhaps, I had better go myself, 
 they cannot have heard the bell / and, with 
 an apology to her guests, Nellie crossed 
 the hall to the library. As she hesitated, 
 with her hand on the door handle, she 
 heard the sound of voices raised consider- 
 ably above their normal pitch, an unmis-
 
 124 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 takable sound, indeed, of a 'very pretty 
 quarrel.' 
 
 ' You may say what you like, Gidley, 
 but I won't be . . .' the squire was saying 
 as his daughter opened the door ; but ivhat 
 he would not be Nellie did not hear, for, 
 hearing the door opening, he stopped short. 
 
 The squire was lookiug very red and 
 ferocious ; he was standing with his back 
 against the empty fire-grate, glaring down 
 upon Mr. Gidley, who was seated at the 
 table, looking perfectly cool and collected, 
 and only showing any agitation by inces- 
 santly drumming upon the leather cover 
 with his fingers. 
 
 '"What is it, Nellie?' said the squire, 
 impatiently. 
 
 ' Why, father, dinner has been waiting 
 for ever so long,- didn't you hear the bell? 
 . . . How do you do, Mr. Gidley ?' she said 
 to that gentleman, who had arrived whilst 
 she was out. Mr. Gidley rose and heartily 
 greeted his god-daughter.
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 125 
 
 1 Bless my soul/ said the squire, look- 
 ing at his watch, ■ it is a quarter to eight ! 
 Well, it is too late for ceremony now, and 
 the Bollands must excuse my morning 
 coat. It is Mr. Gidley's fault, my dear ; 
 he is so entertaining,' added Mr. Armer, 
 with a furious look at his partner, and 
 speaking in a sort of snarl, which sounded 
 very strangely to Nellie, coming, as it 
 came, from her usually kind and good- 
 humoured father. 
 
 1 You are looking as fresh as a rose, 
 Nellie,' said Mr. Gidley, quite ignoring his 
 partner's ire. 
 
 I You have no time to pass compliments, 
 Gidley,' said the squire, who did not seem 
 able to regain his lost temper. 
 
 I I will just wash my hands, if you will 
 allow me,' answered Mr. Gidley, ' and re- 
 move the dust from my clothes.' 
 
 1 All right, only be as quick as you can. 
 Here, James, snow Mr. Gidley his room.' 
 And the two separated, to meet in a
 
 126 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 few minutes in the drawing-room, whence 
 they proceeded to dinner, greatly to the 
 Reverend Walter Bolland's content, for 
 that gentleman despised the frailties of 
 lunch and afternoon tea, and was almost 
 starving. 
 
 The squire was so snappish at dinner 
 that even the satisfaction of appeasing the 
 cravings of appetite could not prevent the 
 rector from remarking upon such an ab- 
 normal state of affairs at Coombridge. 
 
 4 The squire seems out of sorts, Nellie,' 
 he whispered, for he had taken in the lady 
 of the house, and sat next to her at table. 
 ' What's the matter with him ? I hope he 
 is not ill.' 
 
 ' Oh ! Mr. Bolland,' whispered Nellie in 
 return, ' I am positively trembling with 
 fright ; it is dreadful to see father so 
 irritable. You know, he and Mr. Gidley 
 always do quarrel ; but I never saw father 
 so angry with him as he is to-day. Do, 
 please, try to keep the peace between
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 127 
 
 them when Mrs. Bolland and I go into the 
 drawing-room.' 
 
 4 Now, don't you worry yourself, Nellie ; 
 111 pour oil upon the troubled waters,' 
 said the rector. 
 
 Mr. Bolland was a gentleman of an 
 irascible temperament himself, and as 
 Nellie looked in his face, where his notori- 
 ously bad temper was very plainly shown 
 in an habitual frown and a dangerous 
 glitter which occasionally appeared in his 
 eyes, and was evident enough just then, 
 she slightly shuddered at the very fragile 
 reed which was all she had to lean upon. 
 She delayed making a move as long as 
 she could, but at last Mrs. Bolland's ques- 
 tioning looks (for she was longing for a 
 chat with her favourite Nellie) and an 
 impatient sign from her father compelled 
 her to rise and follow the rector's wife out 
 of the dining-room. 
 
 ' My dear Nellie,', said that lady, who 
 was fat and lymphatic, and a striking
 
 128 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 contrast to her lean and angry spouse y 
 i my dear Nellie, what a time you were \ 
 I thought you would never leave the table. 
 Didn't you see me nodding and looking at 
 you ?' and she ensconced herself in a com- 
 fortable arm-chair and gave a large sigh 
 of content. ' What is the matter with 
 them all?' she went on. 'I couldn't get 
 a word out of that Mr. Gidley ; your father 
 and he seemed to be contradicting each 
 other all dinner-time. It was quite awk- 
 ward, my dear/ 
 
 Now Mrs. Bolland, as she frequently 
 remarked with much self-pity, had ' neither 
 chick nor chile!,' and she had taken the 
 motherless Nellie to her capacious bosom 
 from the very first days of the Armers r 
 arrival at Coombridge; Nellie responded 
 warmly to her affection, and there were 
 few thoughts or deeds of hers which were 
 not known to the sympathetic wife of the 
 rector of Coombridge. 
 
 c Father and Mr. Gidley have been shut
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 129 
 
 up together in the library for hours before 
 dinner, and I am afraid that they have 
 been quarrelling dreadfully. I do wish 
 Mr. Gidley would not come down here, 
 though I am always so glad to see him, 
 for father and he are sure to fight every 
 time he comes. I am so sorry I kept you 
 there for so -long, dear Mrs. Bolland, but 
 1 wanted them to be alone together for 
 as short a time as possible.' 
 
 1 Oh ! I don't mind, dear ; but I do hope 
 that dreadful Mr. Gidley won't say any- 
 thing about Radicals, or doing away with 
 the Church, or things like that, don't you 
 know, for I can see "Walter is getting 
 warm already at Mr. Gidley's contrariness, 
 and, if he begins about those things, he 
 will lose his temper with him, which would 
 be dreadful. I'm sure I don't know some- 
 times what he gets so angry about,' said 
 the rector's wife, with a portentous sigh. 
 
 Mrs. Bolland, after the manner of not 
 a few stout, comfortable dames, had an 
 
 VOL. I. k
 
 130 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 extraordinary facility in muddling her 
 pronouns, and produced ungrammatical 
 puzzles which were intricate and confus- 
 ing to the last degree, and which, some- 
 times, drove her impatient spouse almost 
 frantic. 
 
 1 1 suppose you know, Nellie,' Mrs. Bol- 
 land went on, rambling on to another 
 topic, 4 that Lady Limborne is at the 
 Castle ?' 
 
 1 Oh ! yes,' answered Nellie. f Lord Lim- 
 borne was here the day before yesterday, 
 and told us about her coming. I don't 
 think, though, he expected his mother 
 quite so soon.' 
 
 Mrs. Bolland took a very deep interest in 
 the pretty little love-drama which was being 
 played by his lordship and her favourite 
 Nellie ; for, though Nellie was too modest 
 to make the sayings and doings and c in- 
 tentions ' of possible admirers the staple 
 of her conversation, after the custom of 
 too many fair damsels, yet she had not
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 131 
 
 succeeded in biding from the generally 
 obtuse Mrs. Bolland something of the 
 1 state of affairs,' and that lady, whose 
 husband was wont to declare that * Grace 
 can't see an inch beyond her nose,' and 
 who, indeed, was constantly proclaiming 
 as wonderful discoveries, and triumphant 
 instances of acute penetration on her part, 
 events which had been long known to 
 everyone but herself, was rendered keener- 
 eyed than usual by her interest in Nellie, 
 and had not failed to notice several little 
 signs on Nellie's part in regard to Lord 
 Limborne — little rosy flushes at the ap- 
 proach of that favoured individual, a certain 
 distraction in her converse when he was 
 in sight, a turning of the face, and a slight 
 movement of the figure towards him at the 
 sound of his voice — such signs as these 
 she had marked. 
 
 She had seen, moreover, that, on his 
 part, Lord Limborne was far from averse 
 to the society of the fair Nellie ; nay, more 
 
 T- °
 
 132 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 than once this discreet Mrs. Bolland had 
 earned Lord Limborne's lasting gratitude 
 by playing into his hands in the calmest 
 manner; effacing herself and most com- 
 placently leaving him to a tete-a-tete with 
 his adored one, engaging other folk in 
 conversation to the same intent, and in a 
 thousand ways furthering what she con- 
 sidered to be a most excellent match. 
 
 ' For,' as she remarked to herself, in her 
 involved way, l not only is he a lord, which 
 though Nellie may not care for it, yet he ' 
 (she meant Mr. Armer) ' might, and he 
 hasn't too much money, with that enor- 
 mous house, while he has heaps, and will 
 most certainly give a great deal to her.' 
 
 'I wonder,' she said, artfully trying to 
 find out 'how far things had gone,' and 
 settling herself comfortably in her easy- 
 chair — ' I wonder who Lord Limborne will 
 marry. Do you know, my dear, I some- 
 times fancy he is thinking of some one of 
 whom I am very fond?'
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 133 
 
 As she looked Nellie straight in the 
 face, and gave her the same smile with 
 which she was wont to herald her won- 
 derful ' discoveries/ it was very evident to 
 that young lady that Mrs. Bolland had 
 found out her secret, and the colour rose 
 to her face and neck as the thought flashed 
 through her mind that, if the notoriously 
 obtuse lady at the rectory had penetrated 
 her disguises, they must be but flimsy 
 ones, and — horrible thought ! — everyone 
 must be talking about her and Lord Lim- 
 borne. Now, though some vulgar souls 
 may delight in the silly chaff and the 
 1 being talked about' which not unfre- 
 quently attends the first approaches of 
 fond lovers, yet, to a delicate mind, the 
 very suspicion of such a thing quite de- 
 stroys the sweet sense of secrecy and 
 isolation which forms the greatest charm, 
 to them, of these delicate tendrils and 
 feelers in the earlier stages of this curious 
 and composite love of ours. But Nellie
 
 134 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 did not know how affection can sharpen 
 the very bluntest perceptions. 
 
 * I . . . I . . . am sure, I cannot tell 
 what should make you think any such 
 thing, dear Mrs. Bolland,' said Nellie, very 
 red, and hesitating as she spoke. 
 
 ' Well,' exclaimed her friend, cleverly 
 changing her tack, ' I did think that Nellie 
 Armer would not keep anything from her 
 old friend; I did think that you would tell me, 
 my dear, for I have always looked upon you 
 almost as a daughter, and I am sure there 
 is not a thing about me, or Walter either, 
 for that matter, I've kept from you. I feel 
 it very deeply, I assure you, my dear.' 
 And the good lady was so l worked up ' by 
 her own eloquence that she actually took 
 out her handkerchief, and wiped two very 
 large tears from off her ample cheeks. 
 
 Now this — of which, by the way, Mrs. 
 Bolland may have had some suspicion — this 
 was the very easiest avenue to the affec- 
 tionate Nellie's heart, and she was soon
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 135 
 
 down upon her knees beside her friend, 
 assuring her of her great confidence in her, 
 and as a proof thereof, and unable also to 
 resist such a temptation to unburden her 
 mind, pouring all her hopes and fears into 
 Mrs. Bolland's ready ears, and with her 
 face hidden in that lady's lap confessing 
 that ' she thought Lord Limborne did . . 
 like her, she was sure, she did not know 
 why,' (' Nonsense ! my love,' here interpo- 
 lated her staunch admirer), ' and she . . . 
 she thought he was the most this, that, and 
 the other,' and so on, in the usual slightly 
 incoherent style, and greatly to Mrs. 
 Bolland's content ; for the rector's wife, 
 though prosaic in person, was of a most 
 romantic disposition, and she positively re- 
 velled in this real, live love-story, so much 
 more interesting than the adventures, con- 
 tretemps, and final bliss (in the third 
 volume) of the fictitious heroes and hero- 
 ines of the circulating library. Although 
 Nellie, in her new-found delight — a confi-
 
 136 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 dante — had forgotten her fears about the un- 
 ruly folk in the dining-room, yet, if she had 
 foreseen the consequences of the angry dis- 
 cussion which was going on at a very high 
 pressure indeed in that apartment, she 
 would doubtless have stopped in the full 
 stream of her eloquence, and hastened to 
 pour that oil upon the troubled waters 
 which, in spite of his promise, the irate 
 rector of Coombridge certainly was not 
 pouring ; on the contrary, the vials of his 
 wrath were unsealed, and the contents 
 thereof most freely discharged at the 
 devoted head of Mr. Gidley. 
 
 That gentleman certainly had a most 
 provoking manner, candid friends called it 
 ' devilish/ and there was something satanic 
 in the calm, cold, and incisive way in which 
 he not only contradicted his opponent, but, 
 taking advantage of his hasty temper, led 
 him on to take up positions he could not 
 defend, and, with the utmost politeness, 
 accompanied by a pitying sneer, proved
 
 A VERY PEETTY QUARREL. 137 
 
 him to be in the wrong. All was grist that 
 came to Mr. Gidley's mill : he contradicted 
 everything; he was angry with Mr. Armer; 
 they had had a more than usually warm busi- 
 ness encounter that afternoon, and Armer s 
 obstinacy had been too firm for his part- 
 ner for once. Mr. Gidley saw he must re- 
 turn to town without having gained the 
 object of his visit. Always more or less 
 i contrairy,' (as nurses say of some children), 
 he was wrought up to a white heat of rage, 
 and was, consequently, more insultingly 
 urbane than ever. The roads, gastronomy, 
 wines, the last new book, each and every- 
 thing furnished him with an opportunity of 
 relieving his rage at the expense of the 
 devoted rector (for the squire maintained 
 a sulky silence), who, as the aggressive one 
 usually himself, could hardly contain him- 
 self in the position in which, it must be 
 owned, he had very often placed other 
 people. At last Mr. Gidley remarked that 
 '" he could not imagine how people employed
 
 138 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 their time in such retired villages as Coom- 
 bridge, how they avoided the almost in- 
 evitable stagnation which must attend upon 
 an idle, desultory life/ 
 
 ' What do you mean by idle ; for I sup- 
 pose you refer to me?' said the rector, 
 with some warmth ; for Mr. Gidley's re- 
 marks were addressed to him. 
 
 'Why, my dear sir,' returned Mr. Gid- 
 ley, ' pardon me, I did not mean anything 
 personal. I was merely speaking gener- 
 ally. But, since you invite the question, 
 I should like to know how you employ 
 your time. I have often wondered what 
 on earth the country clergy do with them- 
 selves ; for, of course, it is absurd to sup- 
 pose that the limited population of their 
 parishes can employ them constantly in 
 visiting the sick and performing the 
 offices of the church. I suppose, now, 
 you do a good deal in your garden ?' he 
 went on, with a sort of patronising tone, 
 eminently irritating. ' Grow — ah — cab-
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 139 
 
 bages, or go in for rose-growing, and 
 that sort of thing, eh? Gossip with the 
 farmers ; and — upon my word, I should 
 like to know what you do with your time.' 
 
 * Sir,' said Mr. Bolland, who had been 
 listening to this exordium with great im- 
 patience and wrath. l Sir,' he said, rising 
 from his seat, 'your insulting remarks cast 
 a slur upon a class of men who have 
 higher thoughts and aspirations than I 
 could explain to a man of your, unfortun- 
 ately, low tone of mind, and who have ' 
 
 1 My dear sir,' interrupted his antagonist, 
 4 1 assure you I had not the least intention 
 of insulting you, or "casting a slur" upon 
 any class of men ; and you must allow me 
 to remark, in my turn, that it ill beseems 
 a man of your sacred calling to insult an 
 inoffensive individual by supposing the 
 tone of his mind to be "low." "My dear 
 sir — low, I beg of you — low f 
 
 It was not so much the words — which 
 were, indeed, in themselves nothing so
 
 140 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 very provoking — it was the nasty, sneer- 
 ing tone of the man's voice, and his evident 
 amusement at the rector's expense, which 
 roused that individual to a pitch of ire 
 he found to be insupportable : an almost 
 irrepressible desire to hurl the nearest de- 
 canter at the placid Gidley's head possessed 
 his soul, and, to avoid such an unseemly 
 display on his part, he begged his host's 
 permission to retire, and, with a withering 
 look at his adversary, he withdrew from 
 the contest, and joined his wife and Nellie 
 in the drawing-room. 
 
 Now, the squire had refused to be drawn 
 into the wordy fight, which had raged 
 with more or less of rancour between his 
 partner and Mr. Bolland ever since the 
 ladies had withdrawn their restraining 
 presence. He seemed depressed, or, to 
 put it plainly, Mr. Armer was sulking, 
 and, whilst indulging in this unromantic 
 attitude of mind, he (a most abstemious 
 man as a rule) filled up his glass almost
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 141 
 
 unconsciously ; and, in short, drank a great 
 deal more wine than was his wont, or was 
 good for him. 
 
 As soon, then, as the door banged upon 
 the exit of the irate rector, and he realised 
 that his friend and guest had been galled 
 beyond endurance by his partner's abomin- 
 able, sneering rudeness, he suddenly roused 
 himself from his morose fit, and, losing all 
 control over himself, he poured out such 
 a volume of vituperation upon Mr. Gidley 
 as effectually silenced that gentleman. 
 This is a kind of eloquence which grows 
 with its exercise, particularly, as in the 
 squire's case, when stimulated by copious 
 draughts of wine ; and as the accumulated 
 anger of years at length had its vent, and 
 old grievances were dragged to light, and 
 the injuries of the present were urged in 
 language which, if not choice, was cer- 
 tainly forcible enough, as the squire gather- 
 ed from every source, and overwhelmed 
 his partner with a very deluge of wrath r
 
 142 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Mr. Gidley for once lost Ms composure, 
 and, turniDg absolutely white and trem- 
 bling with rage, he cried out, 
 
 * Enough ! enough, sir ! you — you poor 
 fool ! I have borne with your besotted 
 obstinacy long enough, I can do without 
 your money now, and you shall go to the 
 devil your own way, for I will never speak 
 to you again !' And, with that, his trem- 
 bling hands opened the door, and he 
 passed out, and, going straight to his 
 bed-room, he packed again the hand-bag 
 which contained all that he had brought 
 with him, and, leaving the house without 
 any farewells whatever, he marched to the 
 village inn (greatly to the astonishment 
 of the bibulous cronies there assembled), 
 and, rising early after a most uncomfort- 
 able night spent in that homely hostelry, 
 he drove in to catch the first train to town 
 from Exeter, determined never to set foot 
 in Coombridge again. 
 
 His burst of anger come thus to a sud-
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 143 
 
 den end by the retreat of its object, and 
 the squire thus left alone, the conse- 
 quences — those exceedingly unpleasant 
 intruders — began slowly to dawn upon 
 his faculties with a most sobering effect. 
 One of the advantages of his partnership 
 with Gidley was his absolute and entire 
 confidence in his partners honesty, clear- 
 headedness, and caution ; Gidley's had 
 always been the guiding hand from the 
 very first, and it was this guiding at which 
 the senior partner (in name, if in nothing 
 else) of the firm displayed opposition, al- 
 though he knew well enough the value of 
 Gidley's restraining influence, and had 
 seen in many instances what disasters 
 would have followed had he been suffered 
 to have his own way. 
 
 Mr. Armer had by far the larger amount 
 of capital, and it galled him beyond mea- 
 sure to see how, notwithstanding this fact, 
 he had to c play second fiddle, 7 and how 
 very well it was for him that he did so
 
 144 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 often have to perform upon that obnoxious 
 instrument. It was this confidence in his 
 partner which, together with the irksome- 
 ness of so often having to give way, led 
 him to give up at last, and almost entirely, 
 any active share in the business, to con- 
 fide his capital to Mr. Gidley's care with 
 but little overlooking, and to follow out a 
 long-cherished idea, and settle down as a 
 country magnate. 
 
 Now, if Mr. Gidley meant what he had 
 just said — and the squire owned to him- 
 self that Mr. Gidley usually did mean 
 what he said, and had, moreover, a very 
 thorough way of carrying out that mean- 
 ing — if Gidley stuck to his threat, and re- 
 fused to have anything more to do with 
 his partner, this would mean very many 
 unpleasant consequences to that partner. 
 It would mean that he must manipulate 
 his own capital, and either reduce his ex- 
 penses considerably (for the cautious and 
 knowing Gidley secured by his transactions
 
 A VERY PRETTY QUARREL. 145 
 
 a high interest for the firm's money), or 
 he must go back himself to his old haunts, 
 and seek by clever financial operations — 
 and speculation had always been a tempta- 
 tion to him — to realise such a sum of 
 money as should establish him firmly in 
 his present way of living, and at the same 
 time give him the laugh over the slow and 
 careful Gidley. 
 
 ' " Go to the devil your own way"? 
 Ah,' said the squire to himself, ' I have 
 not so long left the City as to have lost 
 touch ; I think I know something of 
 financing still, and I will show Master 
 Gidley that I can get along well enough — 
 ay, and a great deal better, too — without 
 his help than with it.' 
 
 Now, although Mr. Armer had virtually 
 given up the reins into Mr. Gidley's hands, 
 yet he was, of course, kept informed as 
 to the larger transactions of the firm of 
 Armer and Gidley, and he had at all times 
 gained a great deal of pleasure from watch- 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 146 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ing the fluctuations of the money-market, 
 dotting down different enterprises, or rather 
 speculations, he would have indulged in 
 himself, had it not been for the restraining 
 hand of his partner ; and, as he sat there 
 alone, the squire almost forgot his rage, 
 and his apprehensions as to the conse- 
 quences thereof, in the happy thought that 
 now he could, without any gainsaying, 
 display that acuteness and prophetic fore- 
 sight of his which, he felt, were lights 
 too long hidden. Visions of successful 
 ' coups,' which might have been made if 
 his advice had been taken, rose to his 
 memory ; for, of course, he quite lost 
 sight of the dozens of times when Mr. 
 Gidley's veto had put a stopper on ven- 
 tures which must have brought about 
 disastrous fiascoes. No, he forgot all the 
 failures, and remembered only the wonder- 
 ful successes which would certainly have 
 .rewarded some of these ventures of his. 
 'With my experience,' he thought to
 
 A VERY PEETTY QUARREL. 147 
 
 himself, ' and with my foresight I ought to 
 made a perfectly colossal fortune ; with 
 my capital to operate with, I ought to 
 have thousands where I now have hun- 
 dreds/ 
 
 He had long ceased to care about 
 accumulating money, for years he had 
 been contented with his already ample 
 fortune : but the desire to show to the 
 provokingly cautious Gidley that he was 
 not such a fool as he took him for, the 
 itch for the old excitement, and the op- 
 portunity Gidley's threat opened up of 
 getting his capital to himself, and of in- 
 dulging himself in his long-suppressed 
 desire for the perilous game of specula- 
 tion, woke up slumbering acquisitiveness, 
 and Mr. Armer then and there made up 
 his mind to take his partner at his word, 
 and to begin to pile up a huge fortune 
 upon the substantial foundation which he 
 already possessed. Smiling at these golden 
 visions, the squire rose from his chair, and 
 
 l2
 
 148 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 went to the drawing-room, where he found 
 the worthy rector alone, still looking very 
 angry, and waiting for his wife's appear- 
 ance ; for she was going through the long 
 and tedious (to her husband, at least) 
 operation of ' putting on her things, 7 and 
 was assisted in that ceremony by the 
 affectionate Nellie. 
 
 'How you can put up with that man 
 Gidley is more than I can understand, 
 Armer,' said Mr. Bolland. 'I never met 
 with such impertinence in my life — it's — 
 it's abominable, sir !' and the angry little 
 man actually spluttered with rage. 
 
 4 1 am sorry, Bolland, he should have 
 annoyed you in that way, but I don't think 
 he will do so again. I've spoken plainly 
 to him ' (he had indeed), t and I don't 
 think we shall . . . hush-sh-sh/ said the 
 squire, as the voices of Mrs. Bolland and 
 Nellie made them to be heard, 'hush! don't 
 say anything to my daughter ; you haven t 
 said anything, eh ?'
 
 A VERT PRETTY QUARREL. 149 
 
 1 No, no/ whispered the rector, 'they were 
 not here when I came out of the dining-' 
 
 room. "Well, my dear/ he said to his 
 
 wife, when she appeared, ' I hope you are 
 satisfied with the beauty of your toilette, 
 you have been long enough about it, any- 
 how ; I have been waitiDg here for more 
 than half-an-hour.' 
 
 1 Oh, it was my fault/ said Nellie, ' I 
 kept Mrs. Bolland talking/ 
 
 ' Well, I know she loves a " tell," as 
 Devonshire folks say, with you; and 
 so do I, for that matter. Now, Mrs. Bol- 
 land ! Good-night, squire; good- night, 
 Nellie.' 
 
 And, tucking his stout spouse's arm 
 under his own, the active little rector 
 trotted off with his large, and, in a very 
 short time, breathless better half.
 
 150 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE TEIGNBRIDGE c LADIES' DAY.' 
 
 James, Lord Limborne, of Limborne Castle, 
 in the county of Devon, was not having a 
 particularly good time of it in his baronial 
 halls, for, although his mother imagined 
 she was far too well-bred to descend to 
 wranglings and bickerings, she had a very 
 good idea of the various other ways of 
 making herself disagreeable notwithstand- 
 ing, and she took every opportunity of 
 showing her son how deeply disappointed 
 she felt at what she called his want of 
 common sense, and his foolishness in not 
 taking immediate advantage of the result 
 of her matrimonial manoeuvres.
 
 THE TEIGXBEIDGE ' LADIES* DAY.' 151 
 
 She had, indeed, taken infinite pains to 
 gain her end in regard to the Lady Emily, 
 and her position in the delicate negotiation 
 had greatly jarred against her haughty and 
 reticent nature : to hint and sound, to 
 make cautious advances with the chance 
 of a more or less decided rebuff, to go 
 through all the pretty little diplomacies of 
 a kind of suitor — all this was gall and 
 wormwood to Lady Limborne ; but her 
 success repaid her for all ; and as, her 
 embassy over, she was travelling down to 
 Devonshire, she acknowledged that the 
 result infinitely overbalanced the dis- 
 comfort of the struggle, and, exulting at 
 the pleasant picture of which all this most 
 repugnant work was the end, she passed 
 some very pleasant hours in the railway 
 carriage in imagining all these happy 
 consequences. 
 
 Her dear James married to one of the 
 greatest prizes in the matrimonial market 
 (although this was far from her way of
 
 152 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 expressing it), James married to Emily 
 Beldon, lie with the great political House 
 of Beldon, a rich peer, young, clever, ener- 
 getic, and ambitious — there was no limit to 
 the horizon which stretched out before the 
 happy couple. James in the Cabinet, his wife 
 a leader of * ton/ and the Dowager Lady 
 Limborne basking in the refulgent light of 
 all this magnificence! The old Castle 
 once more restored to its ancient lordly 
 splendour, the dilapidated furniture, the 
 dismal unkemptness of the grounds, the 
 venerable and racketty carriage, the poor 
 and inefficient service — all these sharp 
 stings to her pride and consequence things 
 of the past, and the Limborne family once 
 again lifting up its head boldly among the 
 best of all the land. 
 
 Such thoughts as these had occupied her 
 pleasantly, effaced the tedium of the hot 
 and dusty journey, and given an added 
 delight to her pleasure in seeing her son — 
 the centre figure of her mind-picture —
 
 THE TEIGNBRIDGE 'LADIES' DAY.' 153 
 
 again. The fall from sucli a height was 
 far from pleasant; the shabbiness of her 
 surroundings never before seemed so 
 hateful and hopeless, and, although she 
 did not by any means intend to ' throw 
 up the cards,' yet, for the moment, the 
 shock had been almost more than Lady 
 Limborne could bear, and she was, there- 
 fore, cold and distant, and, if one might 
 use such an expression of so exalted a 
 personage, downright disagreeable to her 
 son. 
 
 Of course, Lord Limborne knew well 
 enough the depth of his mother's disap- 
 pointment. He was profoundly sorry for 
 her, for he loved her dearly ; this so evident 
 change in her manner was a constant source 
 of pain to him, and he trembled to think of 
 her bitter anger when he should have to 
 tell her — as tell her he must, if he should 
 be successful with Nellie — of his attachment 
 to that young lady. Gladly then did he 
 hail any distraction which should take his
 
 154 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 mother and himself ' out of themselves ' 
 even for a single day, and he looked forward 
 to the approaching ' Ladies' Day ' at the 
 Teignbridge Club with quite a school-boy 
 eagerness, for not only would it bring a 
 relief from the i strained relations ' of his 
 every-day life, but also the certain delight 
 of again seeing the girl who was occupying 
 more and more of his thoughts, throwing 
 his money troubles even into the back- 
 ground, and playing havoc with his literary 
 work. 
 
 Now, not to know all about Teignbridge 
 shows men and women to be altogether 
 outside the pale of society in South Devon ; 
 and many heads a great deal fairer, if, per- 
 haps, not so well furnished as Lord Lim- 
 borne's were occupied with thoughts of 
 the momentous Thursday. Dear to the 
 feminine heart is the prospect of display- 
 ing to an envious and cavilling, or possibly 
 an admiring, world, a gorgeous, startling, 
 or piquante costume ; and dear, too, it must
 
 THE TEIGXBRIDGE 'LADIES' DAY.' 155 
 
 be confessed, to the male heart is a mild 
 indulgence in personal vanity (in this 
 matter, indeed, there is but little to choose 
 between the sexes, and the tailor has as 
 much to answer for as the milliner). Now 
 the ' Ladies' Day ' at Teignbridge affords 
 an excellent opportunity for indulgence 
 in these amiable vices of personal pride 
 and vanity ; here morning costume is de 
 rigueur, and fancy is allowed to run the 
 utmost riot in the shape and colour of 
 gowns, hats, or bonnets, and all the other 
 etceteras of the beloved and cherished 
 toilette. 
 
 A long, low, thatched house, a green- 
 bowered verandah, smooth and well-kept 
 lawns, a soft and balmy summer evening, 
 groups of well-clad gentlefolks, the 
 babbling of much talk, now and again a 
 silvery laugh, much gossiping of dowagers 
 under the verandah, more flirting between 
 fair demoiselles and preux-chevaliers in 
 quiet nooks — all this, and much more with*
 
 156 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 out ; and within, a large expanse of smooth 
 floor, * giving ' slightly (as all floors meant 
 to be danced upon should ' give '), sufficient 
 light, an excellent band, and alas ! too many 
 gyrating couples — such is Teignbridge on 
 the c Ladies' Days.' 
 
 As Lady Limborne and her son arrived, 
 after a long and somewhat awkward 
 tete-a-tete drive through the lovely and 
 execrably-kept roads and lanes of this 
 part of Devonshire, the early dinner, which 
 precedes the dance on these occasions, was 
 some time over ; the room was cleared of 
 its impedimenta ; the balmy odours of the 
 4 cold collection ' had vanished, and the 
 dancing was already in full swing; the 
 band were scraping and blowing to 
 melodious purpose at one of Waldteufel's 
 entrancing waltzes, and the various degrees 
 of dancers were enjoying the bliss of the 
 past-masters in the art, or enduring the 
 agonies of the tyro. It was, as a hunting 
 parson remarked (for this genus is not
 
 THE TEIGXBKIDGE ' LADIES* DAY.' 157 
 
 yet extinct in fair Devonia), ' a full meet/ 
 and Lord Limborne and his mother 
 were soon exchanging greetings with many 
 friends. 
 
 Leaving Lady Limborne seated com- 
 fortably, and descanting to a congenial 
 companion on the glories of past ' Teign- 
 bridges,' and the pale reflection of those 
 glories which the present festivity afforded, 
 our lover, Lord Limborne, was soon gently 
 strolling around, eagerly searching for the 
 idol of his heart — the fair and piquante 
 Nellie. 
 
 4 There seems to be a strange set of 
 people here,' said Lady Limborne to her 
 companion, lifting the while a pair of 
 pince-nez to her eyes and surveying the 
 moving throng. ' What a number of 
 vulgar-looking men and women ; that 
 small and stout man with the tall wife 
 — I suppose — and loudly-dressed daugh- 
 ters : how can such people as they are 
 possibly gain an entrance here V
 
 158 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 ' Don t you know them ?' said her friend, 
 an old, long-retired admiral of high de- 
 scent, redolent of club-land rather than of 
 the briny ocean. ' They are neighbours of 
 yours. That stout little man is the new 
 millionaire, the man who has bought 
 Wreford — don't you know? They are 
 immensely rich, and, T hear, frightfully 
 vulgar — the man drops his "h's," and that 
 kind of thing; the girls are not bad- 
 looking, if some one would only teach 
 them how to dress. One of them is 
 positively handsome.' 
 
 1 Of course I have heard that some City 
 people had bought "Wreford, and were 
 spending large sums of money there. So 
 those are the people !' said Lady Limborne, 
 looking at our friends the Dentons rather 
 intently. c I suppose they are impossible? 
 One could not know them ?' 
 
 ' In these days, my dear Lady Lim- 
 borne/ said the old gentleman, shrugging 
 his shoulders, 'nothing is impossible. A
 
 THE TEIGXBRIDGE 'LADIES' DAY.' 159 
 
 fellow got into our club the other day, 
 proposed by a peer of the realm, and 
 seconded by a baronet — a fellow who made 
 his money in skins ! Fact, I assure you 
 — skins !' and he ruminated sadly on the 
 unsavoury origin of his club-fellow's for- 
 tune. 'After thatj he went on, 'you can 
 expect almost anything. Shouldn't won- 
 der if we had soap or tallow next. I 
 don't know where these Dentons got their 
 money ; butchers make enormous fortunes 
 now-a-days, and lie looks like a butcher, 
 don't you think ? There is a kind of 
 shining look about him that I have noticed 
 in butchers . . . positively !' he exclaimed, 
 in a tone of great alarm, ' the} r are coming 
 here ! I . . . I . . . think . . .' 
 
 But ivhat he thought must be lost to 
 posterity, as it was to Lady Limborne, for 
 Mr. and Mrs. Denton, convoyed by a vo- 
 luminous and jovial-looking dame, were 
 rapidly bearing down upon that particular 
 point of vantage where Lady Limborne 
 and her friend were seated.
 
 160 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 * How d'ye do, Lady Limborne ?' said 
 the voluminous one, in a loud and genial 
 tone. ' Let me introduce you to your 
 neighbours — for Wreford is the next place 
 to Limborne, you know — Mr. and Mrs. 
 Denton.' 
 
 Nobody (as Lady Limborne afterwards 
 remarked), nobody but Charlotte Ingle 
 would have had the effrontery and bad 
 taste to introduce people so widely separ- 
 ated, so utterly unlikely to \ mix,' as the 
 proud chatelaine of Limborne and the in- 
 habitants of Wreford. But, indeed, that 
 rotund and jovial spinster was capable of 
 even worse social sins than this one. En- 
 tirely devoid of that useful quality — tact, 
 thoroughly satisfied with herself, and per- 
 fectly persuaded that everyone was cap- 
 tivated by her gay insouciance and 
 debonnaire joviality, she absolutely forced 
 herself into intimacies which her really 
 good birth and multitudinous connections 
 in the county made it extremely difficult,
 
 THE TEIGNBRIDGE ' LADIES* DAY.' 161 
 
 though eminently desirable, to avoid ; un- 
 able to see that she was in any way 
 objected to, she loould be confidential, 
 bantering, loudly applauding, or as loudly 
 condemning. Folks watched her approach 
 with something of the trembling of the 
 bird at the coming of the cat (though 
 there was nothing of the silence and the 
 slyness of feline attack in Miss Ingle's 
 onslaughts), it was impossible to escape ; 
 she had a voice, a loud and piercing voice, 
 and could use it, on occasion, in a manner 
 which would, in the most painful way, call 
 the attention of all bystanders to the 
 individual thus arrested in a futile attempt 
 to slip away unaccosted. 
 
 All sorts and conditions of men and 
 women were alike the objects of her atten- 
 tion and regard ; she was perfectly un- 
 trammeled by any social niceties, and mere 
 curiosity (of which vice she possessed no 
 inconsiderable stock) was quite enough to 
 make her seek, and very soon, and against 
 
 VOL. i. M
 
 162 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 all obstacles, find some excuse for acquaint- 
 anceship. Some rumours of the magnifi- 
 cence of Wreford, and of the fabulous 
 wealth of the owner thereof, had reached 
 her, and it was not long before she had 
 found a friend who moved in the Wreford 
 orbit, had obtained an introduction, and 
 had formed one of her sudden, violent 
 intimacies with the family : Mr. Denton's 
 vulgarity amused her, she liked Mrs. Den- 
 ton and the girls, and found a consummate 
 joy in treading upon the corns of the 
 sesthetic Henry. So friendly was she that 
 an invitation to stay at "Wreford quickly 
 followed upon her introduction to the 
 family, and the customary interchange of 
 visits. 
 
 Miss Ingle, who loved the good things 
 of this life, was charmed with the comfort- 
 able magnificence which the great uphol- 
 sterer to whom the internal furnishing of 
 the mansion was committed had displayed, 
 and she rejoiced in the daily-recurring
 
 THE TEIGNBRIDGE 'LADIES' DAY.' 163 
 
 allurements of the French chef who pre- 
 sided over the culinary department ; in 
 fact, she ' took up ' (as she called it) the 
 Dentons, and determined, still in her 
 choice language, to ' run them in society.' 
 Hence her appearing with them at Teign- 
 bridge, for which somewhat exclusive en- 
 tertainment she had procured them, by 
 importunate begging, the necessary tickets, 
 and hence her introduction of the round 
 and rubicund Mr. Denton, and his tall and 
 not inelegant spouse, to Lady Limborne, 
 and to many other willing and unwilling 
 acquaintances. 
 
 Schooled by his wife, the amiable master 
 of "Wreford restricted his conversation, on 
 this his first introduction to what he called 
 ' the tip-toppers,' to the ordinary ameni- 
 ties of such early stages of acquaintance- 
 ship, somewhat accentuated, on his part, 
 by determined and hearty hand-shakings ; 
 though his wife had that very morning 
 begged him to abstain from such undue 
 
 m2
 
 164 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 familiarities with the ladies to whom he 
 should be presented. 
 
 1 1 can't help it/ he had said, when his 
 better-half rebuked him on their return ; 
 1 my 'and seems to come out like one of 
 them automatums as I used to see at the 
 old Colisseum, and, for the life of me, 
 when it's out I don't know what to do 
 with it but shake 'ands ;' and shake hands 
 he did, and with extraordinary vigour. 
 
 This, and certain other small wander- 
 ings from the ordinary customs of 'the 
 world,' together with a malaise which not 
 one of the family could quite shake off on 
 this their first appearance, disposed people 
 to look with a cold eye upon these new 
 claimants to social intercourse in South 
 Devon. But great is Gold now-a-days, 
 and mightily does it prevail. The old ad- 
 miral was wise in his generation, and, 
 though Lady Limborne was as cold as 
 her fear of the fair Charlotte Ingle would 
 permit her to be to these debutants, yet
 
 THE TEIGNBRIDGE ' LADIES' DAY.' 165 
 
 a whisper of the immense wealth which 
 Australia had poured into Uncle Ben's 
 lap, and thence into the TVreford coffers, 
 quickly altered the complexion of affairs, 
 turned Mr. Denton's vulgarity into ' sq. 
 eccentric, don't you know !' Miss Denton's 
 ' gush ' into ' such an unaffected girl ; no 
 nonsense about her f and changed the 
 young man's absurd, hang-dog ways into 
 quite a Byronic melancholy ; so that the 
 day ended most auspiciously for Mrs. Den- 
 ton's proud hopes of ' society'- and, though 
 Mr. Denton wondered why that Lady Lim- 
 borne of whom they were always talking 
 was ' so 'igh and 'aughty,' and ' what she 
 gave herself sich airs for,' his wife, his 
 son, and his two fair daughters rejoiced 
 in their triumph, and dreamed all the way 
 home of coronets, weddings in high life, 
 columns in the fashionable newspapers, 
 and all the other ' agremens ' in which the 
 vulgar rich live and move and have their 
 loftiest being.
 
 166 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 The cup, however, of the devoted Henry's 
 joy was not without an exceeding bitter 
 flavour, for, search as he would, or could 
 rather (for his father clung to him with 
 a desperate persistence in this embarrass- 
 ing f first appearance '), gaze about as he 
 did, he failed to discover the lovely Nellie, 
 and deep was his disgust at having to 
 leave without seeing his beloved. Some 
 conversation with the 'beloved object's' 
 brother he did have, however, but this 
 by no means consoled him ; for Master 
 Jack Armer seized upon this opportunity 
 with greediness, and getting Henry Den- 
 ton into a quiet corner, whilst Denton jpere 
 was solacing himself at the refreshment 
 bar, he satisfied a long-felt craving, and 
 gave Henry ' a bit of his mind ' about 
 Henry's conduct at Cambridge and else- 
 where, which annoyed that obtuse indi- 
 vidual very much, but did not in the least 
 deter him from going on in his hopeless 
 quest ; for .Nellie's estimate of the general
 
 THE TEIGNBRIDGE 'LADIES' DAY.' 167 
 
 flabbiness of his character was a right one 
 — and, punch him as hardly as you would, 
 he quickly returned to his old condition, 
 and the punishment left no mark.
 
 168 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 LORD LIMBORNE PROPOSES. 
 
 Where was Nellie, then, that, carefully as 
 he sought her, Henry Denton failed to 
 find her ? There is — or it may be was, 
 for things small as well as great change 
 in this fickle world of ours — a certain little 
 tent which, during the cricket-match that 
 preceded the Teignbridge dinner and dance 
 held the person who scored the various 
 runs, byes, and wides which but feebly 
 kept the attention of the few early arrivals 
 of the gentler sex, who, in sooth, were 
 longing for the evening, and gave pleasant 
 excitement, and at the same time appetite 
 for the cold collation and the sherry to 
 the habitues of the male persuasion.
 
 LORD LLUBORXE PROPOSES. 169 
 
 Now, this tent served a double purpose : 
 the scorer's tent by day, by night it not 
 infrequently exchanged the varying for- 
 tunes of the cricket- match for the monoto- 
 nous but ever entrancing (to the persons 
 concerned) story of the loves of the mortals. 
 Many kinds of lovers have sought its 
 friendly shelter, from those who were, with 
 hesitating speech, making the first timid 
 advauces, on through the various degrees, 
 the first slight hand-pressure, the rosy 
 blush at a very well-intentioned but most 
 probably somewhat broad compliment (for 
 this art of delicate compliment is rare in- 
 deed) the offer and acceptance, or the 
 hesitating request, for that universal coin 
 of love, a flower, and so on to the fully 
 assured bliss of those whose mutual affec- 
 tions are approved by parents and an ap- 
 plauding world, and who (the male birds, we 
 should premise) already find that sweets 
 have a habit of cloying, and who do most 
 sincerely incline to a cigar which ' a fellow 
 
 i
 
 170 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 can smoke in peace and quiet, don't yon 
 know/ and not in the spasmodic manner 
 rendered necessary by the exigencies of 
 pre-connubial bliss. 
 
 Now, if there was one place in the world 
 which Lord Limborne would have avoided as 
 the scene of the avowal of his passion, that 
 place was Teignbridge ; and of all the cor- 
 ners, verandahs, tents, lawns, rooms, and so 
 forth which together make up this gathering 
 place of the South Devon clans, the particu- 
 lar tent in question was the one spot which 
 his soul would have loathed to look upon 
 as the witness of his fervid outpourings 
 of love. But, alas for the irony of Fate f 
 here was his good-humouredly cynical, 
 superior, and learned lordship in this very 
 identical tent, seated in extremely close 
 proximity to his goddess, in a most lack- 
 adaisical, not to say loving attitude, to wit 
 with his arm (forgive me, ye prudish ones !} 
 his arm, I say, around the fair Nellie's 
 waist, and himself talking as arrant non-
 
 LORD LIMBOEXE PROPOSES. 171 
 
 sense as ever enamoured swain poured 
 into the ready ears of ' Amaryllis in the 
 shade ;' and I would not give the prover- 
 bial ' tuppence ' for any man ' as calls him- 
 self a man ' (as the Seven Dials' ladies re- 
 mark) who has not been in precisely the 
 same attitude, and with the very same 
 feelings, with his Dulcinea, whether she be 
 yet young, and sweet as a dewy rose, or 
 now fat, fair, and forty, and the mother of 
 many, or the venerable partner of his 
 declining years as he and she toddle on 
 together adown the vale of life. 
 
 Yerily, it was with Lord Limborne as with 
 most other love-sick swains, the climax of 
 his love-story was sudden and unexpected ; 
 and very different in its^ scene, and its re- 
 lation, was this crowning chapter of the 
 volume, in which the two fond souls for 
 the first time confessed their mutual flame 
 and solaced themselves after the universal 
 manner of all lovers, whether they be the 
 Chloes and Lubins of the rustic lanes, the
 
 172 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 toilworn lads and lasses of the factory 
 towns, or of those high-born and wealthy 
 ones whose love-affairs are trumpeted 
 forth in noble style in the columns of the 
 society papers. 
 
 Something of romance, it is felt by us all, 
 should mark this first outburst of long- 
 pent-up feelings, something of poesy there 
 should be in the surroundings ; the silence 
 of a sun-flecked, shady avenue in some 
 summer wood, the stillness of night, and 
 the mystery of moonlight on some such 
 balcony as heard the loves of Eomeo and 
 Juliet; some murmuring of the sea, perhaps, 
 as we wander together, with many a halt, 
 by the soft-sounding marge : ay ! and as 
 the fragrant smoke of our sacrifice to 
 St. Nicotiana (for, heaven forbid that I, a 
 poor male unit, should dare to peer into 
 the hidden penetralia of feminine love- 
 reverie !) as the smoke of our cigar vanishes 
 and comes again in graceful wreaths, the 
 very ivords of our avowal come readily to
 
 LORD LIMBORXE PROPOSES. 173 
 
 the mind, and we silently apostrophise the 
 'divine She,' in a fervid flow of rhapsody, 
 such as must, we fondly imagine.* bear her 
 away in its resistless tide, and give us a vic- 
 tory over any signs of hesitancy we may 
 have marked in our more despondent 
 moods. 
 
 But the reality ! how widely different 
 from these fond dreams ! "Where is that 
 eloquence which seemed natural to us, and 
 the occasion in our solitary musings ? 
 Where is the ' fervid flow ' afore-mentioned 
 in the presence of the beloved one ? 
 "What? Tbis stuttering, halting individual, 
 this person of the purple face, the ungrace- 
 ful action, the silly speech — this the hero 
 of the fateful hour ? the persuasive softener 
 of difficulties ? the eloquent inspirer of 
 love ? the utterer of impassioned, burning 
 periods ? Ah ! many a poor fellow has 
 cut a ridiculous figure enough at such a 
 supreme moment, and good, honest heart 
 has spoken, if haltingly, yet most sincerely,
 
 174 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 if without much eloquence, yet with 
 earnestness enough, God wot! And 
 heaven's blessings on that inborn wit of 
 woman, which allows her to see, in that 
 often pitiful figure at her feet, a romance 
 enough for her, and the very lover she 
 desires above all the other flutterers around 
 the shining light. 
 
 Not the least idea of putting his fortune 
 to the touch, and declaring his passion to 
 Nellie, had Lord Limborne on that sunny 
 Thursday as he looked here and there for 
 her sweet face in the throng of dark and 
 fair, young and old, plain and lovely (for, 
 in sooth, the Devonshire maidens have a 
 pleasing habit of loveliness). No con- 
 juncture of events could have been more in- 
 auspicious for such an avowal; a very 
 gradual process must be the letting down 
 of Lady Limborne from the heights of the 
 Beldon alliance to the lower (albeit 
 pleasanter) valley of this Coombridge pro- 
 ject, and all bold plunges, all sudden sur-
 
 LORD LIMBORNE PROPOSES. 175 
 
 prises must be avoided in the present state 
 of * strained relations.' 
 
 Thinking, however, of the more im- 
 mediate future, and letting the remoter 
 possibilities take care of themselves, won- 
 dering how Nellie would look when he 
 should happen upon her, whether he should 
 be able, with love's cunniug, (how often a 
 mistaken cunning, a too sharp seeing where 
 naught was to be seen, let those who have 
 made the mistake, and met with the con- 
 sequent rebuff, tell!) whether he should be 
 able to catch some fleeting sign of expec- 
 tation, interest, or dawning love, a slight 
 wild-rose flush perhaps, some little tremu- 
 lous motion of the hand. Thinking such 
 thoughts as these, Lord Limbome very 
 soon perceived the fairy-like form of Helen 
 Armer, attended by Jack, her vivacious 
 brother. Lord Limborne was soon by 
 Nellie's side, and by ■ a fortuitous com- 
 bination of circumstances,' (as the young 
 curate expressed it, after he was rebuked
 
 176 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 by his rector for using the words c a lucky 
 chance' in the pulpit), by Fortune's favour, 
 and not, to say the truth, without the 
 connivance of the obstructing party — who 
 had, indeed, his own amusement to pro- 
 vide for — rid of the gallant Jack, Lord 
 Limborne found himself in the position he 
 most desired, to wit, alone with the lovely 
 Nellie. 
 
 It is true report said there were several 
 hundreds of one sex or the other at Teign- 
 bridge that day, but they were of no 
 account with the enamoured ones, who 
 quickly, by mutual consent, and almost un- 
 consciously, soughtthe more perfect solitude 
 which the far end of the smooth-shaven lawn 
 afforded. Here, in pleasant converse, to 
 and fro they wandered ; until some imp of 
 night, fluttering hither and thither on busy 
 mischief intent, whispered to Lord Lim- 
 borne that Nellie must be tired, conducted 
 them, unconscious of harm, to that seduc- 
 tive tent, left them in the close contiguity
 
 LORD LIMBORXE PROPOSES. 177 
 
 which the narrowness of that temple of 
 Cupid rendered necessary, and flew off to 
 do some other Puckish trick upon some 
 other unsuspecting persons. 
 
 Now the seat (which replaced the scorer's 
 chair) was not very much too large for one 
 fairly bulky person, and was certainly 
 scarcely large enough for two, even though 
 one of the two should be the slim and 
 light-built Nellie ; hence, when the adoring 
 James seated himself beside the fair ob- 
 ject of his adoration — which he very pres- 
 ently did — personal contact became un- 
 avoidable without an expenditure of 
 'scrooging,' which the occasion and the 
 persons present scarcely demanded; hence, 
 too, a certain nervousness which the fair 
 Helen felt at this unaccustomed proximity 
 communicated itself, as nervousness is 
 wont, to the other individual, and a silence 
 followed which was felt on both sides to 
 be particularly awkward. It was, perhaps, 
 to break this awkwardness that Lord Lim- 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 178 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 borne gently possessed himself of Nellie's 
 hand, and it was because she was so nerv- 
 ous, probably, that she failed to withdraw 
 it, as she most certainly ought to have 
 done. 
 
 But why our ' potent, grave/ if not 
 1 reverent ' signor should have suddenly 
 blurted out a stammering confession of 
 love, I cannot tell, unless it was the 
 touch of that soft, warm, white hand ; 
 the love that was in him, that uncon- 
 scionable little imp again, or, perhaps, 
 Cupid himself, the deity of the bower. 
 So it was, however, and so it was, too, 
 that this beauteous Helen confessed, with 
 downcast eyes and the sweetest blush in 
 the world, that she did — well, I will spare 
 the reader both the lover's rhapsodies and 
 the maid's shy responses thereto, per- 
 suaded of the gratitude of the mass of 
 my readers, though, here and there, some 
 sentimental miss may wish it had been 
 otherwise.
 
 LORD LIMBORXE PROPOSES. 179 
 
 There is, as painful experience teaches 
 us all sooner or later, a seamy side to 
 most of the various garments which go 
 to make up this life-attire of ours, and it 
 is a truism to say that love's young dream 
 has too often a harsh enough awakening. 
 Poor, happy souls ! let them rejoice to- 
 gether for a few brief moments over this 
 glorious secret they have just brought to 
 light, forgetting that there are such things 
 in the world as stern parents (of either 
 sex), the grinding poverty of the ' shabby- 
 genteel,' a somewhat absurd family pride, 
 and other little barriers which must be 
 surmounted before Hymen's altar shall 
 be crowned with flowers, the sacred rite 
 performed, and the happy couple departed 
 to the 'residence of Lord Some-one or 
 other,' in a shower of rice, and slippers, 
 and blessings. 
 
 A simple and very natural remark, on 
 Nellie's part, quickly put to rout her 
 lover's ecstatic thoughts, and introduced 
 
 n2
 
 180 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 elements of disturbance even in this very 
 early stage of their joint love-affair. 
 
 ' How pleased father will be/ she mur- 
 mured. ' He always liked you so much, 
 and he often speaks of you. Do you 
 know, I sometimes think he must have 
 some suspicion of all this, though why I 
 cannot imagine.' 
 
 Mr. Armer must, indeed, have been a very 
 blind individual not to have seen, and 
 possessed of a great deal more dulness 
 than he would have cared to own, not to have 
 speculated upon the evident attentions be- 
 stowed by his noble neighbour upon his 
 only daughter ; and this probability made 
 the whole affair still more involved and 
 hopeless. 
 
 If there was one vice Lord Limborne 
 detested more than the others, that vice 
 was insincerity. Steadfast as a rock in 
 his opinions, and sufficiently courageous 
 in proclaiming them, he despised anything 
 that savoured of deceit or double-dealing ;
 
 LORD LIMBORXE PROPOSES. 181 
 
 and yefc here, in the most important crisis 
 of his life, he found himself doing (as how- 
 many of us find cwselves doing) the very 
 thing he had often loudly condemned in 
 others, and initiating his fiancee into ways 
 of concealment and consequent deceit. 
 
 'Nellie dear,' he said, after w T ondering 
 how he should put so delicate a matter 
 to her, f you know r my mother is the dear- 
 est mother in the world ' (here Nellie, who 
 was a shrewd little lassie, began to look 
 for the inevitable ' but ' which follows 
 upon such superlatives), 'and she loves me 
 very dearly. I verily believe she would cut 
 off her right hand for me ; you see, I am 
 her only child, and she has no one else in 
 the world to think of; so you must not 
 mind her exalted ideas of me.' 
 
 All this time Nellie was waiting and won- 
 dering what could be the upshot of this 
 lengthy exordium. 
 
 ' Well,' Lord Limborne went on, floun- 
 dering about in a wordy bog, and not see-
 
 182 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ing his way out of it, ' well, you know, 
 she thinks me a kind of Admirable Crich- 
 ton, a — a genius, and that I only want 
 time and opportunity to develop into 
 something quite of the most remarkable 
 . . . I don't know why I am talking in 
 this idiotic way, and no wonder you look 
 so surprised, darling ; but don't be angry 
 with me, I could not bear that.' 
 
 * I am not likely to be angry with you,' 
 said Nellie, not liking to call her lover 
 1 James ' as yet, and deeming Lord Lim- 
 borne too formal, and therefore leaving 
 out names altogether; 'but what is it? 
 Why should you talk of Lady Limborne 
 as if you were making excuses ?' 
 
 ' Well, the truth is/ said Lord Limborne, 
 determined to rid himself of the unplea- 
 sant facts at one fell swoop, ' the truth is, 
 my mother has been trying to " arrange " 
 (I believe that is the correct term) to 
 arrange a marriage between your humble 
 servant and a very exalted damsel indeed.
 
 LORD LIMBORXE PROPOSES. 188 
 
 Now wait a minute, Nellie !' he hurriedly 
 exclaimed, as some premonitory wrigglings 
 warned him of a disposition on Nellie's 
 part to ' sever the connection ;' ' let me tell 
 you all, and then I will abide by all you 
 say ; only remember that my mother knows 
 nothing of this ' (she would have been ex- 
 tremely shocked if she had come suddenly 
 upon what Lord Limborne was pleased to 
 call * this ') ; ' she knows, of course, that I 
 am often at Coombridge, but she thinks it 
 is more to see your father and Jack ; and, 
 — in fact, it is no use beating about, I 
 must tell you — she is very obstinate, and 
 deeply set in any plans of hers. She has, 
 in a kind of way, and without consulting 
 me, committed herself to these Beldons, 
 and I intended to wait, and not to have 
 spoken to you, until all these matters had 
 settled themselves : but you know, Nellie, 
 
 you looked so lovely and I felt so ' 
 
 and here followed another rhapsody, and 
 accompaniments thereto.
 
 184 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 * Well, but what does it all mean ? What 
 do you want me to do ?' were Nellie's not 
 unnatural questions, on emerging from 
 the afore-mentioned accompaniment. ' Do 
 you want me to release you from the en- 
 gagement ?' she added, with a wicked little 
 smile. 
 
 'No; but, Nellie, I am afraid we had 
 better not speak to anyone about it for a 
 little while,' said Lord Limborne, too anxi- 
 ous to be jesting. ' I hate asking you to 
 do such a thing for me — indeed, I hate all 
 mysteries and concealments — but if you 
 care for me, as I know now you do care, 
 you will bear this. My mother and I are 
 on very uncomfortable terms at this very 
 time, most unfortunately, and about this 
 abominable marriage plan of hers too. I 
 never remember a single cloud between us 
 before. 7 
 
 Now Nellie knew very well indeed that, 
 if Lady Limborne was proud, Squire Armer 
 was proud too, and that if Lady Limborne
 
 LORD LIMBORNE PROPOSES. 185 
 
 shewed any sign of dislike to her (Nellie's) 
 engagement to James, the very fact of the 
 Limbornes' rank would be a spur (if, in- 
 deed, any spur save opposition on any 
 score were wanted) to goad her father to 
 the most determined resistance, and she 
 knew his obstinacy well enough to be 
 able to predict that not even his beloved 
 Nellie's grief would suffice to gain his 
 consent to his daughter's entering a family 
 where her marriage was likely to be looked 
 upon as a mesalliance. 
 
 Nor was Nellie sure herself whether her 
 affection for Lord Limborne would be 
 strong enough to conquer her pride. Still, 
 she had learnt to love Lady Limborne's 
 son, and she had just heard that Lord 
 Limborne loved her, Nellie Armer, and if 
 a little time could smooth over these un- 
 expected difficulties, which, after all, did 
 not appear to her to be so very insur- 
 mountable (she did not know her ladyship) 
 — and she was very much in love, and the
 
 186 THE POWER OF GOLD 
 
 adoring James was looking at her very 
 beseechingly, and altogether it was too 
 much for the fair Helen, so that before 
 they glided into the throng, with such 
 nonchalant air as they were able to assume, 
 matters were arranged between them, and 
 no one was to be told the great news — at 
 any rate, for that indefinite period, ' a 
 little while/
 
 18' 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 
 
 'Master were terrible put about, sure 
 enough,' said Charles, the youthful foot- 
 man, who, with the portly Hudson, re- 
 presented the male element in the Coom- 
 bridge indoors menage. Now Charles was 
 of Devonshire ' extraction/ ' Terrible put 
 about he were,' he went on ; ' I never see 
 un so took aback, her went off this morning 
 like thunder.' 
 
 1 Such a pleasant-spoken gentleman as 
 squire is, too,' said Mary Housemaid, ■ so 
 haffable.' 
 
 ' Well,' said Charles, ' I seem there's 
 sommut wrong, for he wouldn't hardly 
 say nothun to Miss Nellie, and as for
 
 188 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 young Mas'r Jack, why, her never so much 
 as gave un the "good-bye."' 
 
 * Put about ' our good squire was, truly, 
 for he had had two very unpleasant epis- 
 tles by that mornings post, one from 
 partner Gidley, in which the said Gidley 
 desired the squire to take his capital to 
 himself, and at the same time gently hinted 
 at the need of caution in manipulating that 
 capital, in his own peculiar sneering way, 
 and greatly to Mr. Armer's rage and in- 
 dignation. Mr. Gidley also declined to 
 see his partner, and desired that any 
 communications he might deem it neces- 
 sary to make should be made through his 
 solicitors. Now this was of itself quite 
 enough to inflame Mr. Armer's ire, and 
 he was already at ' blood heat ' when he 
 opened the second letter. This informed 
 him of liabilities the extravagant Jack had 
 formed at Cambridge, and sent him at once 
 to l boiling point,' and produced an explosion 
 at the breakfast-table which quickly drove
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 189 
 
 Nellie from the room, and left the defence- 
 less Jack exposed to the full force of the 
 volcanic eruption. 
 
 Well might the squire rage and fume, 
 for the considerable sum of money Jack 
 had named as the total of his debts on 
 1 going down ' was very far short indeed 
 of that unconscionable total itself, and his 
 father freely accused his son of a deceit 
 which, as he observed, 'he had not ex- 
 pected from him.' 
 
 It is hard to put it all down in the 
 schedule, and Jack had hoped to gradually 
 pay off his less pressing debts without 
 going through the unpleasant process of 
 4 telling father ; 1 he had in plain English 
 been guilty of absolute falsehood, for, 
 trusting to the forbearance of his trades- 
 men, he had positively denied that he 
 owed a farthing more than the sum he had 
 confessed to. But the tradesmen were 
 a faithless and unconfiding generation ; 
 they had sent in the bills to his college
 
 190 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 tutor, and that gentleman had forwarded 
 them to Squire Armer 'without note or 
 comment.' Hence was the squire very 
 wroth indeed, and still more grieved to find 
 in his son a deceit which he despised, and 
 a lie which he hated. 
 
 It is very bad for gentlemen of a 
 plethoric habit to give the reins to their 
 tempers, and, as Mr. Armer journeyed 
 swiftly to London, he felt the effects of the 
 stormy scene with his son, in a certain 
 dizziness and singing in the ears, which 
 signs were not without their warnings, 
 insomuch that the squire then and there 
 made up his mind to control himself more 
 strictly for the future. It is, however, 
 one thing to make up one's mind, and 
 quite another thing to abide by such 
 ' makings-up,' and many trials of mind and 
 temper were in store for our poor squire. 
 
 To withdraw a large amount of capital 
 from a ' concern ' is not, as the showman 
 observed of his show, ' one of those per-
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 191 
 
 formances at which you go in at one end, 
 and out at the other, it is a long and 
 tedious performance ;' and so, indeed, did 
 Mr. Armer find it, for though his soul 
 loathed the baking and dusty streets of 
 London, and wended its way in spirit to the 
 breezy, tree-shaded lawns of his high-placed 
 Devonshire home, yet here was he com- 
 pelled to endure daily swelterings over hot 
 pavements and in pent-up offices with the 
 thermometer ' anywhere,' to be followed 
 by sleepless nights in the stuffy chamber 
 of his hotel. Moreover, this process of 
 eliminating his capital resulted in an un- 
 pleasant kind of ' sweating,' and it began 
 to dawn upon him that the large income 
 he had been in the habit of receiving from 
 the partnership, without too much enquiry 
 as to the 'how' or the 'whence,' did not 
 after all represent so very bulky a sum 
 of money, the astute Gidley having net- 
 ted and handed over a rate of interest 
 which in less cunning and careful hands
 
 192 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 would have seemed risky in the extreme. 
 Admiration at his partner's talent for 
 money-spending mingled with his regret at 
 this sudden severance of their relations, a 
 severance, too, for which he felt he only 
 had his own obstinate folly to blame. It 
 was not unnatural, truly, that he should 
 kick against the ' sleeping ' character 
 which his share of the partnership had 
 been gradually assuming ; but as the truth 
 was now very plainly put before him, and 
 he saw how careful, and, at the same time, 
 how bold when occasion warranted, Gidley 
 had been, he could not but own to himself 
 that it had been better for him had he been 
 a little more patient and more submissive 
 under the irksome control. Gidley, he had 
 to confess to himself, had borne a great 
 deal from him, and he now wished with all 
 his heart he had let matters alone, and 
 that the well-known firm of Armer and 
 Gidley were still to the fore on the Stock 
 Exchange.
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 193 
 
 Nevertheless, when all the partitions and 
 Tendings were at an end, there was a 
 goodly sum at Mr. Armer's disposal, and 
 he buckled to his work once more, not 
 without a certain satisfaction, after all, as 
 he felt the old fire of speculation burning 1 
 up again, and a new life rising in him at 
 the old war-cries of 'rise' and 'fall,' and 
 all the other mysterious rousing-calls of 
 the grand game of finance. 
 
 The name of Armer was one tolerably 
 well-known, and where a man has the 
 wherewithal, and the will, and, moreover, 
 a certain amount of skill and experience, 
 there will not want opportunities for the 
 turning-over of his capital, nor folks ex- 
 tremely willing to assist in the operation, 
 with a view to catching such coins as they 
 may the while the money is a-turning; so 
 found the squire, and a very short time 
 after he was rid of Gidley, or rather Gid- 
 ley was rid of him, Mr. Armer was up to 
 his neck in various enterprises, and the 
 
 vol. I. o
 
 194 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 old life at Coombridge was rapidly becom- 
 ing a pleasant dream of the past. 
 
 After the balmy air of Devon, the 
 smoke-laden atmosphere of London was 
 abominable to the quondam country gen- 
 tleman. Some relief from the stifling 
 streets Mr. Armer felt he must have, and 
 hence it came to pass that he cast about 
 to find what he wanted, and eventually 
 found it in a comfortable house in the 
 breezy suburb of Hampstead ; and hither 
 did his daughter Nellie hasten very shortly, 
 to go through the unpleasant process of 
 ' settling-in,' leaving the doleful Jack to 
 his own sweet devices at Coombridge. 
 
 An empty house, and a long purse from 
 which to draw the supplies to furnish it 
 withal, are, however, tempting baits to a 
 young and energetic woman, and the busy 
 occupation, the running to and fro, the inter- 
 views with servants, and with upholsterers, 
 iron-mongers, and the whole tribe of the 
 furnishers was a welcome relief from the
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 195 
 
 anxious thought her concealed engagement 
 brought upon Nellie Armer. Brother 
 Jack was away, and in too dismal a frame 
 of mind to indulge in joking, and she was 
 spared his customary gibes and flouts, 
 which would have been unendurable under 
 the circumstances ; but it was pain and 
 grief to her to be so much with her un- 
 suspecting parent, and to feel this em- 
 barrassment of concealment between them. 
 All things come to an end, however ; even 
 the dilatoriness of the British tradesman 
 has its limits, and it was, at length, with a 
 sigh of relief that Nellie saw the last van 
 pass out of sight down the leafy lane lead- 
 ing from the heath, in which Heathfield, 
 as the Armers' house was called, was placed. 
 1 Well, Nellie,' said Mr. Armer, as they 
 moved into the drawing-room together 
 after the first dinner at Heathfield with 
 any elements of comfort about it, ' who 
 would have believed three months ago that 
 we should be back again in smoky London ?' 
 
 o2
 
 196 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 1 Of course it is not Coombridge, father/ 
 said Nellie, ' but it is quiet, and even 
 pretty, and not so smoky after all, though 
 the flowers are a little grimy, and the 
 grass not calculated to improve a white 
 gown if one reclines upon it unsuspicious 
 of evil : I found that out this morning 
 under our tree — imagine having only one 
 tree to boast of !' 
 
 1 Never mind, Nellie, I don't intend to 
 live here for ever, and when I have made 
 a little more for you and Jack (though he 
 doesn't deserve it, the young rascal !) we 
 will go back to Coombridge and " live 
 happily ever after." ' 
 
 * Wh} r should you ever have left Coom- 
 bridge, father ?' asked Nellie ; ' it will be a 
 frightful expense the keeping up both 
 places.' 
 
 ' Because, my dear, your father is not 
 so rich as he was ; in fact, I fear I shall 
 have to let Coombridge ; but, any rate, I 
 shall keep it on till the summer is over.
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 197 
 
 There is plenty of bunting of a sort 
 there, the shooting is good, and the Teign 
 is close by, so I shall easily let the place, 
 I hope.' But the sigh, with which the 
 squire's sentence ended, gave a portentous 
 denial to his ' hope,' and Nellie knew that 
 her father was even now turning a fond 
 and longing backward glance to his old 
 haunts and occupations. 
 
 A long pause in the conversation en- 
 sued, during which both Nellie and her 
 father were busily employed with the 
 thoughts of their old home : he, with the 
 coverts, and the " birds ' that dwell therein, 
 with side thoughts as to the wily coney, 
 and much exercisings as to what Master 
 Bailey, the keeper, was after, and as to 
 when he could snatch a few days to run 
 down and ' have a slap at 'em ;' and she, 
 with a certain nobleman residing at a 
 'reasonable distance' from her home, and 
 of whose approaching advent in London — 
 and at Heathfield also, rest well assured —
 
 198 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 she was advised during their last meeting 
 just before she left for London. 
 
 Twice had they met since the fateful 
 day at Coombridge : once under the Argus 
 eyes of Lady Limborne, who was making 
 one of her rare calls upon 'those roturiers' 
 at Coombridge, and once again when Lord 
 Limborne rode over to dine with Jack, and 
 condole with that erring person upon what 
 he was pleased to call his ' cussed luck/ 
 In a party of three (for the squire was in 
 London) it is difficult sometimes to get 
 rid of the one who is ' not company/ but a 
 few minutes the lovers managed to snatch 
 whilst Master Jack was superintending 
 the lighting up of the billiard-table, and in 
 that brief space Lord Limborne hurriedly 
 informed Nellie that he had had, as yet, no 
 favourable opportunity to broach the sub- 
 ject — of their engagement, to wit — with his 
 mother, while Nellie informed him of her 
 whereabouts in Hampstead, whereupon he 
 remarked that business of a most urgent
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 199 
 
 nature, namely, the desire to see bis be- 
 loved, would call him up to the great 
 metropolis at no distant date . . . here 
 Jack's voice was heard calling to them, 
 and the meeting was reluctantly dissolved. 
 f Nellie/ said Mr. Armer, waking up at 
 last from the reverie which has given us 
 the opportunity of this unpardonably long 
 digression, and showing by his first remark 
 that his thoughts, towards the end of the 
 aforesaid reverie, had taken a less pleasant 
 turn — ' Nellie, I have been thinking about 
 your brother Jack ; his deceit has been a 
 very painful blow to me.' 
 
 I Oh, father,' cried Nellie, standing up 
 for her dearly-loved brother, ; don't call it 
 by such a hard name as that ! Lord Lim- 
 borne says that almost all young men run 
 into debt at college, and are afraid to tell, 
 or perhaps don't even know, all the truth 
 about it.' 
 
 I I don't know,' said the squire, c what 
 Lord Limborne has to do with it, and I
 
 200 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 am sorry the nasty business has gone out 
 of the family. I suppose the young idiot 
 was confiding his troubles and whining 
 about them to his friend ?' 
 
 Nellie did not inform her parent that she 
 also was a delinquent, and had discussed 
 the ' nasty business ' in solemn conference 
 with the two friends. 
 
 ' One thing,' Mr. Armer went on, ' I am 
 resolved upon, and that is he shall not go 
 to the Bar as I intended : I should only 
 have the same disgraceful worries over 
 again. No, I shall keep him under my own 
 eye, and he shall come into ray office. I 
 don't suppose Jack will ever be a business 
 man, but this will keep him occupied and 
 out of mischief, at any rate. I wish now I 
 had never sent him to that abominable 
 " Varsity," as he calls it; he is just the last 
 person to be trusted to the tender mercies 
 of confiding tradesmen. What do you 
 think about it, Nellie ?' 
 
 Now Nellie knew that the very thought
 
 A MOVE TO HAMPSTEAD. 201 
 
 of offices, high stools, musty ledgers, and 
 the rest of it was abhorrent to her 
 brother, who had always looked forward 
 to spending his days as a country squire, 
 and who, next to his sister and his father, 
 loved his horse, his dogs, and guns more 
 than all other things upon this earth ; and, 
 knowing this, her father's question put 
 her into a quandary from which she escap- 
 ed by mildly remarking that ' she did not 
 think Jack would like London; she thought 
 he was more suited to a country life.' 
 
 ■ Perhaps,' said Mr. Armer, 'some day he 
 may come to that ; for, of course, he will 
 have the place when I am gone ; but, in 
 the meantime, he must do something, for I 
 don't intend him to idle away his time, 
 and get into debt again.' Here Mr. Armer 
 rose, and kissing his daughter bade her 
 good-night, and wended his way to his own 
 den to smoke the pipe of peace and ]ook 
 over the evening papers before retiring to 
 rest.
 
 202 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 
 
 It is a great mistake to suppose that the 
 1 putting on of side ' (to use a somewhat 
 slangy expression) is confined to the higher 
 walks of society. To the student of human 
 nature, it quickly becomes revealed that 
 while all ranks of life delight in this vulgar 
 exercise, while Her Grace the Duchess 
 bestows two fingers in greeting her humble 
 parasite and admirer, and while at the 
 other end of the rope the costermooger's 
 lady whose husband is the proud possessor 
 of his own * moke ' looks down with some- 
 thing like contempt upon the lady whose 
 lord and master is forced by unkind 
 Fortune to trundle his barrow himself —
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 203 
 
 while these two extremes meet upon this 
 common platform of Pride, it is to the 
 middle classes of our community that we 
 must look to find this evil weed flourishing 
 in its proudest luxuriance. Here the very 
 remotest ' connection with the aristocracy ' 
 becomes a valuable and marketable so- 
 cial commodity, and the he or she who 
 can claim cousinship with a dilapidated 
 baronet, or still better with an out-at- 
 elbows or even disreputable peer, is not 
 slow in proclaiming this important fact, 
 and in exacting the full social value there- 
 for : while, if a cruel Fate should attach 
 even the faintest aroma of 'trade ' to the 
 social aspirant, heavens ! with what pains 
 is the shocking taint concealed ; not even 
 the ' touch of the tar-brush ' is more care- 
 fully painted over and hidden out of sight 
 in democratic America. Absolute truthful- 
 ness is not very possible in the 'face of 
 hints, and more or less delicate enquiries 
 on this subject, and denials must be given,
 
 204 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 even where such denials are, in plain Eng- 
 lish, lies ; for a man may keep a store in 
 Australia, or New Zealand, or Timbuctoo ; 
 he may sell (strictly at the other end of 
 the world) even disgusting articles of com- 
 merce; he may positively revel in trade, and 
 purvey all manner of things from the mild 
 and useful pill of Cockle to an up-and-down 
 suit of go-to-meeting clothes ; he may keep 
 a butcher's shop ; he may deal in raw skins 
 — and return to his native Britain reful- 
 gent with the golden profits, and be ' receiv- 
 ed' into society with open arms, particu- 
 larly if he be of a sociable disposition, and 
 show a desire to disburse his gains in laud- 
 able efforts to amuse and entertain his 
 fellow-creatures. But let a butcher of even 
 gigantic wealth — as butchers there be in 
 these halcyon (strictly for butchers) days 
 of unheard-of, not to say painful, prices — 
 let a purveyor of meat, as he loved to be 
 called, whose name was proudly displayed 
 in letters of gold over his emporium (how
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 205 
 
 vulgar is the word ' shop !') in say the 
 Buckingham Palace Road — let such an one 
 retire with his 'plum,' his hundred thousand 
 pounds, and take a ' place in the country,' 
 and not a soul (of the ■ quality ') will enter 
 his gates, be they opened never so widely ; 
 and not till two or three generations have 
 sufficed to wash out the smell of the shop 
 will his descendants be admitted to the 
 second-rate society of the ' county/ and 
 that not without flouts and secret gibings. 
 Is the beef of Brisbane, or is the mutton of 
 Manitoba, less vulgarising than the flesh of 
 the beeves and sheep of Old England? 
 These things are a mystery ! 
 
 Problems of society hingeing upon such 
 matters as 'Who to know?' and 'Who to 
 drop ?' were mightily exercising the mind 
 of that determined stormer of social heights^ 
 Mrs. Denton. It was getting on towards 
 the period in summer when that sluggish 
 stream, society in Devon, is wont to be 
 quickened by certain freshets and flushes
 
 206 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 in the shape of balls, dinner-parties, and 
 melancholy entertainments yclept ' at 
 homes/ and Mrs. Denton was alive to the 
 opportunities this festive time might afford 
 her. 
 
 Now, the results of that bold free-lance, 
 Miss Charlotte Ingle's, determined attacks 
 at Teignbridge were pleasantly evident at 
 Wreford in a quite respectable array of 
 trophies in the shape of visiting cards ; 
 cards inscribed, too, with the names of 
 persons of some distinction in the county, 
 and these were the avqnt-couriers of invita- 
 tions to sundry social gatherings, of which 
 the Dentons were not slow to avail them- 
 selves. 
 
 Verily the blissful visions of the wife, 
 son, and daughters of the homely master 
 of Wreford seemed in a fair way to become 
 realities ; the outworks were already taken, 
 and, although the sacred precincts of the 
 set had not as yet been invaded, crafty 
 approaches thereto were being constructed,
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 207 
 
 and diplomatic relations were being opened. 
 
 It was in the mind of the bold Mrs. 
 Denton to give a ball, a grand and sump- 
 tuous entertainment, the like whereof had 
 never yet been seen in the county of Devou, 
 and at which should be assembled all (as 
 the county papers called them) the elite of 
 the county; and to procure the presence and 
 countenance of those who still held aloof 
 from Wreford and the inhabitants thereof, 
 and at the same time to weed out the now 
 useless friends (?) from an already too large 
 visiting-list — these were tasks whicb called 
 for larger powers than Mrs. Denton or her 
 children possessed. 
 
 Gratitude for past favours, and a lively 
 sense of favours to come, coupled with a 
 knowledge, from experience, of her bold- 
 ness in attack, and her high intelligence in 
 the science of * Who is who V pointed at 
 once to the energetic Miss Ingle as the 
 confidante and agent ; and it was for these 
 so high and lofty purposes that a solemn
 
 208 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 conclave was being held in Mrs. Denton's 
 boudoir one morning late in July, at which 
 the whole family ' assisted,' with the fair 
 Charlotte as ' guide, philosopher, and friend/ 
 
 ' Seems like a court of law, with Tresa 
 there with her paper and pens, and mother 
 with her visiting-book, and us all sitting 
 round so solemn-like,' said Mr. Denton, 
 who had refused to be shut out, though 
 told ' he need not trouble,' and was much 
 impressed with the occasion. ' Anyone 'd 
 think it was a trial for murder, instead of 
 a ball.' 
 
 ' I wish you would not say such dreadful 
 things, father ; you quite shock Miss Ingle,' 
 said Theresa, who, as her father remarked, 
 ' was always a-badgeriog and a-bullying 
 him.' 
 
 ' It would take a great deal more than 
 that to shock me, 1 said Miss Ingle, with 
 perfect truthfulness, ' and we certainly do 
 look like a solemn assembly.' 
 
 1 Oh ! it is quite too exciting ! only to
 
 IX SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 209 
 
 think of the piles of people we know ; and 
 what fun to leave out all the odious ones. 
 Let us begin at once. Now then, ELenry, 
 for heaven's sake look a little more lively/ 
 Thus the beautiful Theresa roused to en- 
 thusiasm, and exasperated at her brother, 
 who was reclining in an elegant attitude 
 in a cushioned embrasure of a window, 
 and sniffing in a most aggravatingly nou- 
 chalant air at a pale-yellow rose. 
 
 ' It is a matter of but small moment to 
 me,' replied the flaccid Henry. ■ I care 
 but little for these trivialities — nay, I dis- 
 like them; they disturb the even flow of 
 thought, so necessary for the creation of 
 poesy.' 
 
 ' For goodness sake, then, go back to 
 that aesthetic den of yours, and " live up " 
 to something, or do another verse or two 
 of those wonderful poems of yours of 
 which we hear so much, and see so little ; 
 this kind of thing, as you say, is quite too 
 gross for poets and blighted ones/ retorted 
 
 VOL. I. p
 
 210 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Theresa, who had but scant sympathy with 
 her brother s ' fiddle-faddles,' as she ele- 
 gantly called his aesthetic pursuits, and 
 the adjuncts thereto. 
 
 Now was wrath seen upon the usually 
 impassive face of the heir of Wreford, 
 and one of the not infrequent wrangles 
 between brother and sister would certainly 
 have raged had not Mrs. Denton called her 
 quarrelsome offspring to order. 
 
 1 1 do think, Theresa,' she said, ' you 
 might cease teasing Henry, and interrupt- 
 ing everything in this way ; you ought 
 really to control yourself, and be less 
 temperish.' 
 
 1 Temperish !' exclaimed Theresa, not to 
 be put down. c Henry is enough to pro- 
 voke a saint, with his airs, and graces, and 
 pack of rubbish ; I've no patience with him !' 
 
 ' It is my fate to be misunderstood, dear 
 mother,' said Henry, with a faint sigh. 'I 
 will not wrangle; it is exhausting and 
 vulgar;' and, with this passing shot at his
 
 EH SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 211 
 
 sister, he sank into the comfortable era- 
 brace of a well-cushioned settee, unheeding 
 the snort of contempt with which his sister 
 greeted his remark as she tossed her head 
 and glared at her submissive adversary. 
 
 1 'Oighty-toighty ! 'ere's a fine way of 
 setting about the ball,' cried Mr. Denton ; 
 1 whatever are you two always fighting 
 and snarling about ? Haven't you got 
 everything to make you 'appy ? Tresa 
 with her dresses and a fine maid to wait 
 upon her, and me a-giving of her any 
 mortial thing as she likes to arsk for, and 
 'Enery with his chaney, and his books, 
 and all them expensive things as he's 
 always buying ? You ought to be 
 ashamed of yourselves, I tell you. All 
 right, mother ! I'm done ; but I must 
 say, all the same, it's disgustin', ain't it, 
 now, Miss Ingle?' 
 
 1 You certainly are a most indulgent 
 father to your children, Mr. Denton,' said 
 Miss Ingle, ' and I am sure they are grate- 
 
 p2
 
 212 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ful ; but we really must begin, if we are to 
 do anything, or we never shall get through 
 this affair. Do you know, Mrs. Denton, 1 
 turning to her hostess, ' I have been think- 
 ing it would be a great thing for you in the 
 county if you could get Lady Limborne to 
 come on the 27th. So many of the best 
 people think so much of her, don't you 
 know, and some of those we are not quite 
 sure of would be certain to come if it were 
 given out that she is to be here.' 
 
 ' I am sure I wish we could get her,' 
 said Mrs. Denton, ' but she is so stand- 
 offish ; we have met her once or twice since 
 you introduced us at Teignbridge, and she 
 will hardly take any notice of us at all. I 
 don't see what we can do ; perhaps you can 
 think of something ?' 
 
 ' Stand-offish !' exclaimed Mr. Denton, 
 1 1 should think so ; why, she reg'lar turn- 
 ed her back on us at that tennis turna- 
 mong, as you call it, at Burford. I was 
 just saying, " How d'ye do, my lady?" when
 
 IX SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 213 
 
 she turned right round, and began to talk 
 to some party or other, as if she never 
 saw me ; course she saw me, — a dead cut, 
 that's what it was. If you ask me, I say, 
 leave the proud old cat alone ; I 'ate such 
 airs/ 
 
 f Mr. Denton,' said his wife, solemnly, 
 1 it is dreadful to hear you talk in such a 
 way of a lady of title. I am astonished 
 at you.' 
 
 ' Well, w^ell ! do as you like, my dear, 
 do as you like ; if you prefer to be snubbed 
 and trodden on, /shan't interfere : anyway, 
 you can't make her civil, which civil she 
 certainly ain't.' 
 
 1 1 think,' said Miss Ingle, who had been 
 impatiently drumming on the table with 
 her pencil, whilst this little interlude went 
 on, ' I think that something might be 
 done, only it's a little delicate, and would 
 require careful handling.' 
 
 1 If anyone can do it, it is you, Char- 
 lotte,' said her admirer Theresa; and Mr.
 
 214 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Denton, his spouse, and Emily leant for- 
 ward to listen, while even the abstracted 
 Henry looked up from the book he was 
 pretending to read, to hear the plan by 
 which the haughty Lady Limborne was to 
 be subdued, and brought a captive to the 
 Wreford ball. 
 
 1 Well, I will tell you my plan/ said Miss 
 Ingle, ' I have been thinking a great deal 
 about it, for it is very important for you 
 to get Lady Limborne here on the 27th, 
 and this is the plan I have hit upon. 
 Have you ever seen Limborne Church ?' 
 
 4 Limborne Church ?' cried Emily, and all 
 the rest of the audience looked astonished ; 
 ' why, whatever can that have to do with 
 us and Lady Limborne ?' 
 
 ' Listen,' said the oracle, quite in her 
 element, * and you shall soon hear. Lim- 
 borne Church is one of the most ancient 
 churches in the diocese, and has quite the 
 most lovely carved screen in the county. 
 The living belongs to the Limborne family,
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE 215 
 
 and the chancel is quite full of their 
 monuments and things ; but the church is 
 in a most dreadful state of dilapidation — it 
 looks as if it were tumbling to pieces, and 
 is quite a disgrace. Of course Lord Lim- 
 borne and Lady Limborne are most anxious 
 to have the church put in order, and Lord 
 Limborne has stirred up the old rector to 
 set a subscription-list going ; well 1 they 
 have got the money all but about two hun- 
 dred and fifty pounds, and only the other 
 day Lady Limborne was speaking to me 
 about it, and I thought of you at once. 
 She asked me however people got so many 
 churches restored, and said how much she 
 wished to see Limborne Church in decent 
 order.' 
 
 ' Oh ! I think I could tell her ladyship 
 something about that,' interpolated Mr. 
 Denton, ' talk about beggars ! I never saw 
 anything like these parsons; why, there's 
 'ardly a day passes but one or other of 'em 
 writes to me, a-buttering me up first, and
 
 216 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 begging after. Whenever I see something 
 or other rectory or vicarage a-top of a 
 letter, /know what's coming — " well-known 
 benevolence/' "justly earned title for 
 generosity," " duties of wealth," and "kind- 
 ly assist with a cheque." Lor' anyone 'd 
 think I was made of money, like that 
 Croesis, or whatever you call it.' 
 
 * I am sure, Mr. Denton,' said Miss Ingle, 
 *it is because everybody knows how 
 generous you are.' 
 
 4 Well, I'm blest if you ain't going on 
 the same way, Miss Ingle. I didn't think it 
 of you. Let 'em restore their church them- 
 selves, and not go bothering other folks. I 
 suppose her ladyship has put you up to get 
 some money out of me ; a likely story, after 
 the way she's treated us ;' and Mr. Denton 
 shook his head in a most determined manner. 
 
 * Hush !' said his more astute spouse, 
 'you need not speak so fiercely to Miss 
 Ingle. I think I begin to see something of 
 what she means.'
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 217 
 
 1 Well, I can't say I do,' said Mr. Denton, 
 1 unless those Limbornes want me to do 
 their restoring-job for them; and whatever 
 that's got to do with getting the old lady 
 here is more than 1 can tell. I'm sure 1 
 don't want her, anyhow.' 
 
 i It has all to do with it,' said Charlotte 
 Ingle ; ' and, if you are willing to give them 
 a handsome cheque towards this work, I 
 think I can promise that Lady Limborne 
 shall be here on the 27th.' 
 
 ' Well ! of all the cool .... you don't 
 mean to tell me, Miss Ingle, that I am 
 to pay my lady for coming here ? I tell 
 you I don't want her, I'll see her . . . .' 
 
 'Wait a minute, father,' hastily inter- 
 rupted Theresa, who knew that her mother 
 had other views, besides the social weight 
 Lady Limborne's presence carried with it, 
 in wishing to get upon terms with that 
 lady, and who was not unmindful of the im- 
 portance to her own ambitious schemes that 
 this plan of Miss Ingle's might betoken.
 
 218 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 ' Do wait a minute like a dear, good, old 
 father.' 
 
 ' Ah ! Miss, you're after something or 
 other, or you wouldn't be so softy. I ain't 
 a-going to be caught with chaff like that, 
 don't you fear,' rejoined Theresa's parent. 
 
 ' Now, Henry, how can you talk like 
 that, my dear?' said Mrs. Denton, in quite 
 dulcet tones. * I am sure Theresa is quite 
 right if she does want you to help Lady 
 Limborne : it is very important to us to 
 be friendly with her, and whatever does a 
 cheque matter to you. You put matters 
 so .... so ... . plainly, my dear ; what 
 can be the harm of helping Lady Limborne 
 to restore her church? You are always 
 giving away money when it isn't the least 
 use to us. I don't often ask you to do any- 
 thing of the sort, and I think you might 
 give way this once ; after all, it is for a good 
 object.' 
 
 1 Good object ! yes, they're all " good 
 objects,"" growled Mr. Denton, with a
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 219 
 
 sardonic grin ; ' but I don't want to be 
 nasty about it, and, if you're all so particu- 
 lar about it, I won't stand at a hunderd or 
 two, so there ! I'll just write a cheque 
 to-day, and send it with my compliments.' 
 
 1 If you do, said Charlotte Ingle, ' you 
 will spoil everything, and the cheque will 
 probably be sent back by return of post.' 
 
 ' Whatever do you want me to do, then ? 
 was Mr. Denton's question. ' I can't make 
 you out, all of you ; first, you say my lady 
 wants a cheque for two hundred and fifty 
 pounds, and then you say she'll send it 
 back if I send one, it's ridicklus !' 
 
 'Allow me, Mr. Denton, to explain,' 
 said Miss Ingle. ' I am sorry I did not 
 make myself clear ; of course the cheque, 
 if you are good enough to give one, must 
 be sent to the Rector of Limborne for the 
 Restoration Fund ; of course, too, he will 
 at once run up to the Castle with the news, 
 for he knows how anxious Lady Limborne 
 is on the subject, and she, I am sure, can-
 
 220 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 not feel anything but grateful to you for 
 your generosity.' 
 
 1 Very well, then, settle it your own way, 
 though I think it is one of the most bare- 
 faced .... well, I don't know what to 
 call it, and that's a fact ! Live and learn I 
 Live and learn ! that's my motter since I 
 came into brother Ben's money ; go on, go 
 on, what's the next article?' said Mr. 
 Denton, who was to have other lessons as 
 to the market value of social prestige. 
 
 ' My dear Henry, what a way you have 
 of speaking,' exclaimed Mrs. Denton, with 
 a shuddering remembrance of the l shop ' 
 which her husband's last words called up. 
 ' And now, girls,' she went on, addressing 
 her daughters, who had been silent but at- 
 tentive assistants at the ' pumping ' of their 
 father, i the next matter for us to arrange 
 is — who are we to ask ? and — who are we 
 to leave out ? I have a list here ; Theresa, 
 my dear, just hand me that list. You see, 
 Charlotte, when we first came here we did
 
 IN SOLEMN CONCLAVE. 221 
 
 not know anything about the people, and 
 of course we have made some rather 
 unfortunate acquaintances.' 
 
 1 We was glad enough to know anyone, 
 and that's the truth, as you know, my 
 dear ; and there ivere some rum 'uns at our 
 first Al Fresky. I never shall forget how 
 some of those Bardon folks did walk into 
 the victuals, and drink ; anyone 'd a-thought 
 they'd been starving theirselves a purpose ;' 
 and Mr. Denton laughed loudly at the 
 remembrance. 
 
 c Oh ! of course you cannot know the 
 Bardon people, it is a dreadful place,' said 
 Miss Ingle, ' there is not a single person 
 there that anyone knows ; it is a kind of 
 city of refuge for all sorts of queer 
 people — people who have been in Queer 
 Street, don't you know, and that kind of 
 thing. I am told the drinking that goes 
 on there is quite too dreadful, and I can 
 easily believe what Mr. Denton says about 
 them.'
 
 222 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 'I am so glad you told us,' said Mrs. 
 Denton, ' we will strike them all out ;' aud 
 struck out they were. 
 
 Here Mr. Denton, junior, who was tired 
 of the conversation, rose, and sauntered 
 out of the room, quickly followed by his 
 father, and the ladies were left to the con- 
 genial occupation of sifting the visiting- 
 list, and discussing the social positions 
 and the shortcomings of their friends.
 
 223 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORNE. 
 
 Lord Limborne was finding out the truth 
 of the ancient proverb that tells us 
 * Honesty is the best policy.' Limborne 
 Castle was in a most unwonted state of 
 turmoil. The old butler confided to the 
 venerable abigail who was at the head of 
 the feminine departments the fact that c he 
 was most worritted to death ; he never 
 minded sich goings-on since the time when 
 he was footboy, and the old lord brought 
 home her ladyship, and a fine figure of a 
 woman she were.' 
 
 Truly the long sleep of many years was 
 broken at last ; such furbishings-up of 
 time-worn furniture, such scrubbing, airing,
 
 224 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 and setting in order of long unoccupied 
 rooms — the whole place seemed alive once 
 more, and the noise and bustling were all 
 the more strange from the quiet that had 
 reigned there so long. ' Such goings-on/ 
 indeed ! A cook from London, ' on the 
 job,' caused a perfect revolution in the 
 kitchen, and reduced the old Devonshire 
 crone who usually presided there to a state 
 of semi-idiotcy ; 4 her ladyship was witch- 
 ed, sure enough,' she said, 'a-puttin' 
 out her money in such ways ; well, it 
 wasn't for the likes of her to spake ill of 
 her betters, but she know'd her was mazed, 
 for certain.' Her ladyship was anything 
 but ' mazed,' however ; she was in very 
 complete possession of her noble wits, and 
 was only acting upon the homely proverb 
 which speaks of the wisdom of ' risking a 
 sprat to catch a whale.' 
 
 All this unwonted disbursing of exceed- 
 ingly scanty cash was, it may well be 
 imagined, not without some object, and
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORNE. 225 
 
 that object was only too well revealed to 
 her son. The Beldons were expected for 
 a short stay at the Castle. In vain had 
 Lord Limborne exhausted himself in ar^u- 
 ments, trying to show to his mother the 
 absurdity of asking people to stay at Lim- 
 borne Castle whose ordinary life was so 
 very differently mounted from the quiet 
 and even tenor of the Limborne way ; in 
 vain did he descant upon the folly of 
 spending money, so much wanted in so 
 many ways, in the useless display involved 
 in this attempt to entertain such very 
 exalted personages. Lady Limborne was 
 determined, and there was an end of the 
 matter. 
 
 Now Lord Limborne had had neither the 
 time, inclination, nor money to mingle 
 much in the society to which his rank 
 would have given him the easy entree, and 
 he had therefore scarcely seen Emily 
 Beldon since the time when, as a gawky 
 maiden of sixteen, she had paid his mother 
 
 VOL. J. Q
 
 226 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 a visit at the Castle. During the interval 
 she had developed into a very fine young 1 
 lady indeed : tall and shapely, stately in 
 her carriage, with a beautiful face, some- 
 what marred by its expression of extreme 
 haughtiness, the proud Lady Emily was 
 not unlike Lord Limborne's mother in 
 person, while in character, aims, and views 
 the two aristocratic dames were complete- 
 ly at one. It was not strange, therefore, 
 that Lady Limborne should see in such a 
 congenial character the person best fitted 
 to mate with her son ; and when the high 
 political influence of the lady's father, and 
 the great wealth that must accrue to his 
 only child were taken into consideration, 
 the proposed alliance seemed in every way 
 so desirable that it is no wonder the pros- 
 pect dazzled Lady Limborne, and the 
 furtherance of the arrangement became a 
 sort of monomania with her. 
 
 Although no direct intimation of the true 
 object of this visit to Devonshire had been
 
 NEWS FOE LADY LIMBOEXE. 227 
 
 given to the person most concerned, yet 
 certain hints had fallen from her mother. 
 Lord Limborne's praise had been judicious- 
 ly sounded, and the brilliant future to 
 which his undoubted talents, and his 
 powerful connections clearly pointed, had 
 not failed of due discussion ; while, on her 
 part, the mother of the supposed pretend- 
 ani had paid the daughter-in-law of her 
 choice little attentions and courtesies 
 which, together with much talk about the 
 many excellencies of her own son, served 
 plainly enough to point out her wishes in 
 the matter. 
 
 Various causes conspired to incline the 
 high and mighty damsel to listen to the 
 voice of the charmer : her people seemed 
 disposed towards the alliance; she ad- 
 mired Lord Limborne's reputation, she 
 liked him also personally, she could 'get 
 on ' excellently with his mother, and she 
 felt that her position as the daughter of a 
 powerful and very rich nobleman could not 
 
 q2
 
 228 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 be better used than in furthering the am- 
 bitions of a clever and talented man, and 
 in bringing new life into an ancient and 
 impoverished line. 
 
 Besides these weighty reasons, there 
 was another spur, if one were wanted, to 
 urge her to a favourable entertaining of 
 Lord Limborne's pretensions. An uneasy 
 sense of failure would sometimes make 
 itself to be felt in her ' inner conscious- 
 ness.' Already two seasons had she been 
 1 out,' and she had not received that atten- 
 tion to which, as she very strongly felt, 
 her person and position entitled her ; in 
 truth, there was something repellent in 
 her proud manners, something hard, too, 
 in her cold, haughty face, beautiful as it 
 undoubtedly was, and one would almost 
 as soon have thought of making love to a 
 magnificent example of the sculptor's art 
 as to the proud daughter of the Earl of 
 Beldon. 
 
 These extremely proud folk are human
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORXE. 229 
 
 enough, after all, and it was sufficiently 
 mortifying to the Lady Emily to see mai- 
 dens fair of very much less degree, beauty, 
 and riches the centres of attraction, while 
 the possessor of so many and evident ad- 
 vantages was left, comparatively speaking, 
 out in the cold. Neither did Lady Emily 
 care for ' the modern young man ;' she 
 despised the c chic,' the slangy tone, and 
 general fastness of tone and manner which 
 alone seemed able to please the ' Johnnies 
 and Chappies/ and she was ready to find 
 in the somewhat grave demeanour of Lord 
 Limborne a relief from the frivolous chat- 
 ter of the society young man ; and, after a 
 proper interval, she felt not indisposed to 
 accept him as a companion in those cold 
 and lofty regions of life in which she in- 
 tended to dwell. 
 
 It is, however, a, question whether — our 
 little heroine, Nellie, to the contrary, not- 
 withstanding — Lord Limborne would ever 
 have brought himself to this arrangement
 
 230 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 with all its manifold advantages. There 
 are many exceptions to that venerable rule 
 that ' Like mates most easily with like/ 
 so many, in fact, that these exceptions 
 may almost be said to have become the 
 rule. While the man small of stature 
 seeks the tall and stately damsel as his 
 mate, and walks contentedly beside her 
 with the crown of his abnormally tall hat 
 on a level with the strings of her bonnet, 
 and while, on the other hand, the giant 
 among men proceeds upon his way with a 
 little elf of a woman just tall enough to 
 be able to hook her tiny hand into his 
 elbow-joint ; while dark mates with light, 
 the blonde seeking the brunette, and 
 brown eyes looking for love into blue 
 eyes, — so it falls out also with character 
 and disposition ; the irritable genius seeks, 
 naturally enough, for repose and rest of 
 mind in the comely house-wife, proud of 
 her husband, but not in the least under- 
 standing his flights of fancy, or, more
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORXE. 231 
 
 melancholy still, his brilliant wit and 
 humour. The lymphatic disposition seeks 
 what is wanting in his or her character in 
 the nervous. And so it comes to pass that 
 we see so many strangely-assorted couples, 
 and are so constantly asking one another, 
 1 What on earth So-and-so could see to like 
 in Mrs. So-and-so V and ' However that 
 clever fellow What's-his-name could have 
 thrown himself away upon that most unin- 
 tersting of women Mrs. What-her-name?' 
 
 Whatever may be the rights of these 
 rules and exceptions above descanted upon, 
 certain it is that Lord Limborne found 
 himself involved in a very painful pre- 
 dicament indeed, and regretted very earn- 
 estly his folly in not insisting more strong- 
 ly against his mother's matrimonial designs 
 for him at the first hints of those designs. 
 He had not come under the glamour of the 
 fair Helen Armer then, and had treated 
 Lady Limborne's plans in anything but a 
 serious humour. However, the tables were
 
 232 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 turned upon him now with a vengeance, 
 and the joke was becoming very unpleas- 
 antly in earnest. 
 
 This ' forced march ' of Lady Limborne's, 
 this bringing down the noble army of 
 Beldon to the attack, compelled him to 
 make suddenly an announcement he had 
 hoped to soften by a gradual disclosure. 
 If he could have persuaded his mother 
 of the hopelessness of any attempt thus 
 arbitrarily to arrange his future for him ; 
 if, when she had well digested this im- 
 possibility, he could make her understand 
 that, in the matter of Nellie, his happiness 
 was really at stake ; he had felt it would 
 have been possible for him to overcome 
 Lady Limborne's opposition to such a 
 match — at any rate, in such a way as to 
 gain for his inamoriia if not au effusive, 
 yet a sufficiently graceful, reception. Now, 
 however, with the unpleasantness of the 
 last few weeks between them, with the 
 Beldon element thus plainly displayed, the
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORNE. 233 
 
 awkwardness of the affair accentuated by 
 the presence of the 'parties affected,' he 
 felt dismally certain that Lady Limborne 
 would flatly refuse to receive his Nellie as 
 a prospective daughter-in-law ; that, even 
 if he could prevail over Nellie, her father 
 would most assuredly resent any slight to 
 his dearly-loved daughter — and, in short, 
 the whole business was a painful and in- 
 tricate one ; and he wished with all his 
 heart he had ' bided a wee/ and not ' dis- 
 closed his pains ' until these Beldon com- 
 plications should be cleared away, and his 
 mother more ready to resign herself to the 
 inevitable. Still he could not let the Bel- 
 dons come to the Castle without letting 
 Lady Limborne know that his affections 
 were otherwise engaged ; and not until the 
 evening before the arrival of these import- 
 ant persons did he screw up his courage 
 for what he knew must be a painful inter- 
 view with his mother. 
 
 After a tete-a-tete dinner, accompanied
 
 234 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 with conversation of a spasmodic and con- 
 strained sort, instead of going off: to his 
 den to smoke the post-prandial cigarette, 
 according to his wont, he followed his 
 mother into her drawing-room. 
 
 Lady Limborne looked up from her work 
 with a questioning air, slightly astonished 
 to see her son before the tea was announced 
 to him in his study. 
 
 'I . . . . I wanted to speak to you, 
 mother,' said he, hesitatingly, and wonder- 
 ing how he could best make the announce- 
 ment he had to make. ' I want to speak 
 to you about these Beldons.' 
 
 ' I do not see what more you can have to 
 say to me, James, about this most unfor- 
 tunate affair, unless you are willing to do as 
 I wish, and as is certainly best for you. I 
 cannot help resenting the predicament I 
 am placed in,' said Lady Limborne, going 
 off at full speed into the region of her 
 grievances; 'it is most awkward. If you 
 had given me the least hint of your un-
 
 NEWS FOE LADY LIMBORXE. 235 
 
 accountable dislike to Emily, you would 
 have spared me much humiliation.' 
 
 4 1 do not in the least dislike Emily Bel- 
 don, mother. How should I ? Why, I 
 have scarcely seen anything of her since 
 she was little more than a child ; I know 
 hardly anything of her.' 
 
 1 Then why do you so obstinately set 
 yourself against her ? Why, when I have 
 taken so much trouble, and when there 
 are so many advantages, do you determine 
 to oppose my strong wishes ?' 
 
 ' But, mother, how can you know what 
 Emily Beldon's feelings — to say nothing of 
 mine for the moment — may be in the 
 matter? Why should you suppose that 
 she is ready to rush into my arms in this 
 impetuous manner? I feel sure you are 
 mistaken altogether. Why on earth should 
 she want to marry ??ze, of all people in the 
 world, who never yet paid her the slightest 
 attention ? The very idea is ridiculous.' 
 
 1 It is not at all ridiculous, James ; I
 
 236 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 have told you before, and I tell you again, 
 that I do not believe you would have any 
 difficulty in the matter ; she has no other 
 entanglement — I took care to ascertain 
 this ; she is quite aware that her people 
 and that I would be pleased with such an 
 arrangement; she has spoken of you in 
 such a way that I am sure she admires 
 your reputation, and so forth ; and where 
 can you find a wife more suited to you in 
 every way ? Unless you have some other 
 attachment, — which I cannot believe, for 
 you would surely have spoken to me about 
 it, — unless there is some one else, I cannot 
 conceive why you hesitate. You allowed 
 me to take some steps in the matter, you 
 cannot say I acted without your know- 
 ledge, and I must say again I feel acutely 
 the position your unaccountable change has 
 placed me in; it is so unlike you, too, 
 James.' 
 
 ' But, mother, you must surely acknow- 
 ledge that a man, even if Lady Emily were 
 oh ! it is too absurd ! A man cannot
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORXE. 237 
 
 force his feelings and affections, and com- 
 pel himself to marry to order !' 
 
 ' That is a very vulgar way of speaking, 
 James; of' course people in our position 
 cannot marry like shop-people and clerks ; 
 noblesse oblige, and I think it is your duty 
 to, at any rate, try to like Emily Beldon. I 
 do not wish to speak again upon the sub- 
 ject, it is an extremely distasteful one to 
 me ; you have only yourself to blame ; and 
 when I consider the painfulness of the ex- 
 planation I must have with Lady Beldon, 
 unless you prove to be the sensible man 
 and the kind son you have always been 
 until now; it is more than I can bear; 
 if you are obstinate, and force me to 
 go through this ordeal, I think, at least, 
 you might spare me your reproaches/ 
 A truly feminine speech on her ladyship's 
 part, for the much-worried James had 
 never reproached his mother at all ; and it 
 is a familiar manoeuvre of ' the sex/ more- 
 over, this of assuming injuries never 
 intended or even dreamed of.
 
 238 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Lord Limborne was leaning against the 
 mantelpiece, looking down upon his mo- 
 ther, nervously gnawing his moustaches 
 the while ; for the time had come, and the 
 fell announcement must be made at once. 
 
 ■ Mother/ he said, after a short pause, 
 in which he was trying to marshal his 
 ideas, and to soften the blow, ' mother, 
 you said just now something about an- 
 other attachment.' 
 
 Lady Limborne looked up at her son 
 with a face of keen inquiry. 
 
 'Yes,' she said, 'I did. I cannot be- 
 lieve ... it cannot be that you . . . .' 
 
 1 Mother,' he said, going over to her and 
 standing by her chair, uncertain how to 
 act — ' mother, I was wrong not to tell you 
 of this before. I thought all this foolish- 
 ness about the Beldons was anything but 
 the serious affair you have made it, and I 
 did not begin to think so much about 
 Nellie until after you had gone ; I did not 
 mean to say anything to her until I had
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORNE. 239 
 
 spoken to you ' and he was going on 
 
 thus, in a confused search after excuses, 
 when Lady Limborne interrupted him. 
 
 * Nellie !' she cried — ' you cannot mean 
 Helen Armer? It cannot be the daughter 
 of those people at Coombridge ?' 
 
 1 1 ought to have told you before,' said 
 her son, quietly and coldly, for he was 
 stung by the accent of contempt with 
 which his mother mentioned € those people ' 
 — ' I ought to have told you before that 
 I have asked Nellie Armer to marry me, 
 and that she has accepted me.' 
 
 * So I should have imagined,' returned 
 Lady Limborne, with a sneer ; ' it was 
 tolerably certain that Mr. Armer's daugh- 
 ter would be persuaded to accept Lord 
 Limborne. I am obliged to my son for 
 the honour he proposes to do me in bring- 
 ing the Armers into the pedigree of the 
 Hautfords and the Limbornes. And may 
 I ask how long this interesting romance 
 has been going on ?'
 
 240 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Intense pride of birth, and position has 
 in it something of vulgarity, and we are 
 not unfrequently surprised to discover a 
 vein of the vulgar even in the polished 
 marble of the very loftiest ; nay, these 
 lofty personages themselves, far removed, 
 as they are taught to conceive themselves 
 to be, from the faults of that common 
 herd who are ' not in society/ and infi- 
 nitely above what they regard as ' the 
 lower orders/ or ' the masses,' do occa- 
 sionally display a power of invective, for 
 instance, which would have done credit to 
 Billingsgate in the very palmiest days of 
 that malodorous market. If not in the 
 words of the brawny fish-fags, yet in the 
 same spirit does the ' give and take' pro- 
 ceed ; the weapons are polished to quite a 
 dazzling brightness, and the manoeuvrings 
 of the combat are conducted with more of 
 finesse, but the weapons, rusty or bright, 
 are the same old weapons, and the battle, 
 whether it be fought in my lady's drawing-
 
 NEWS FOE LADY LIMBORNE. 241 
 
 room or in my lady's kitchen, is very 
 much the same sort of battle too. This 
 is again one of those touches of nature 
 which make the whole world kin, and 
 show us how very much alike we all 
 are when once the trappings are taken 
 off. 
 
 Now Lady Limborne could see nothing 
 vulgar in her attempts to get some grip 
 upon the Beldon money and influence, but 
 she was extremely well alive to the vul- 
 garity of a common quarrel ; the raised 
 tone of voice, the coarse sneer, the retort 
 uncourteous — all these things were foreign 
 and offensive to her ; but this downfall of 
 her most cherished hopes, this sudden end 
 to all her ambitions, was too much for her 
 haughtiness ; her cold reserve was a shield 
 not solid enough to keep off such hurtling 
 darts as these, and even in the heat of her 
 disappointment and consequent anger, she 
 was astonished at the odd sound of her 
 own voice raised above its natural pitch, 
 
 vol. i. R
 
 242 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 and employed in harsh and unaccustomed 
 sneering. 
 
 Lord Limborne was, on his part, so 
 startled at the change in his cold, proud 
 mother, such a shock did her unwontedly 
 loud tones give him, that he failed to an- 
 swer her, and it was not until her question 
 was repeated that he replied : 
 
 *I spoke to Miss Armer at the last 
 Teignbridge,' he said, ' but I have thought 
 of Nellie for some time . . .' 
 
 Something in the tone with which he 
 said ' Nellie,' some slight, unconscious 
 lingering over the syllables as if he liked 
 to form them, stung Lady Limborne be- 
 yond endurance. 
 
 ' It is more than I can bear/ she cried, 
 passionately, rising hastily and interrupt- 
 ing him. ' I will not bear it !' and her lady- 
 ship positively stamped with her foot. * I 
 refuse absolutely to acknowledge this — 
 this person as my daughter ! I will never 
 receive her I It is monstrous ! The very 
 idea is repulsive to me!'
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORNE. 243 
 
 1 Stop, mother !' exclaimed Lord Lim- 
 borne. ' Do not say in this heat things 
 that neither of us can forget ; you must 
 remember that I love her, and that one 
 day she will be my wife.' 
 
 ' Never my daughter ! Never my daugh- 
 ter!' cried his mother. 'It is the most 
 palpable vulgar scheme, a plot to get your 
 title, James; how can you be so blind? 
 All these visits to that detestable place, all 
 the friendship of the odious father and bro- 
 ther, all parts of one wretched plot against 
 you, my poor boy; can you not see it?' 
 
 ' Mother,' cried Lord Limborne, losing 
 all control over himself at these open 
 charges of scheming against Nellie and 
 her people, ' mother, you dared not to say 
 such things if you knew the Arrners as I 
 know them ; they are utterly incapable of 
 such vulgar schemes ;' and, as his mother 
 smiled as if in pity for his blind folly, he 
 went on, ' and I must say that you are 
 the last person to speak of scheming ; 
 
 B 2
 
 244 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 have I not suffered enough already from 
 your scheming ; yes ! I will say it, the 
 Armers are incapable of such schemes as 
 we have had here. Is it not scheming this 
 persuading the Beldons into the match 
 you so kindly propose for me ? Even if 
 the Armers had planned ; and manoeuvred 
 to secure me for their daughter and sister, 
 it could not have been worse than . . .. 
 but I will spare you. I tell you Mr. 
 Armer is so proud that if he had the least 
 hint of this absurd suspicion of yours, if 
 he knew you looked down upon his daugh- 
 ter in this way, he would rather see her in 
 her grave than married to me. But I am 
 wrong to speak to you in this way, mother; 
 forgive me, I lost command over myself, 
 and you are angry and disappointed at 
 first. I feared it would be so ; but as time 
 goes on and you see how much in earnest 
 I am, you will be kind to Nellie, for my 
 sake ?' and he went over and tried to take 
 his mother's hand.
 
 NEWS FOR LADY LIMBORNE. 245 
 
 1 1 am indeed shocked and grieved at the 
 way in which you have permitted yourself 
 to speak to me,' said Lady Limborne, avail- 
 ing herself of that common stratagem in 
 feminine warfare, which consists in pro- 
 voking a man beyond endurance, and 
 then coming down heavily upon him 
 for the uoguarded words he utters in his 
 wrath. ' I tell you frankly,' she went on, 
 * I shall oppose this most unfortunate 
 infatuation of yours with all my power, for 
 I regard such an alliance as meaning little 
 less than social ruin for you. I should 
 consider it an unpardonable fault in myself 
 were I to do otherwise than oppose ycu.' 
 And with these words Lady Limborne 
 retired from the field of battle with all the 
 honours of war, and before her son had 
 time to reply, leaving that son in no en- 
 viable frame of mind. 
 
 When Lady Limborne found herself in 
 her own room, she quickly dismissed the 
 aged abigail who waited upon her, and,
 
 246 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 too much moved to sit still, she paced up 
 and down the room, trying to calm herself 
 and to face this new turn in her affairs 
 quietly. A strong feeling of disappoint- 
 ment embittered her against the unfor- 
 tunate Nellie, more sorely than the wounds 
 to her pride and affection of which the said 
 Nellie was the innocent cause; for Lady 
 Limborne had had, in spite of all her son 
 could say, a feeling of certainty that he 
 would give way at last ; that at last, too, 
 he would not fail to see Emily Beldon as she 
 saw her, that the manifest advantages of 
 such an alliance would prevail with him in 
 the end, and that the marriage would be 
 arranged if not at this imminent visit, yet 
 at no very distant period. Even now she 
 would not despair. 
 
 ' Surely James,' she thought, ' would not 
 give out this entanglement of his at once ? 
 if she could only gain time !' And as she 
 went on thinking deeply over this knotty 
 point, her son's angry words about the
 
 HEWS FOR LADY LHIBOENE. 247 
 
 pride of Mr. Armer came into her mind 
 with a sudden illumination. ' Certainly 
 she would not receive the daughter ;' and 
 though she could not conceive of a pride 
 in ' such people ' stubborn enough to hold 
 out against the high honours of an alliance 
 with the noble house of Limborne, yet time 
 was the main object now, and time she 
 could gain by a determined course of 
 obstruction. Some show of resistance, no 
 doubt, these common people would think 
 it needful to make before they snatched at 
 their prize, and in the meanwhile .... 
 well ! in the meanwhile many things 
 4 might happen;' and so it came to pass 
 that Lady Limborne retired to rest in a 
 more amiable frame of mind, if not towards 
 the offending Nellie, yet towards that other 
 offending person, her son, and the world in 
 general.
 
 248 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 MB. ARMER FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 
 
 Mil. Armer had no difficulty in letting 
 Coombridge. A retired Indian official of 
 high degree in the Civil Service saw and 
 was charmed with the place, and quickly 
 agreed to the squire's terms. Rumours of 
 the squire's intention to let Coombridge 
 had filtered from the dining-room, through 
 the kitchen, to the village, and thence far 
 and wide over the surrounding district 
 and great was the sorrow expressed at the 
 prospect of losing such i charming ' neigh- 
 bours. The village folk, however, were able 
 to see some seeds of consolation, in the 
 thoughts of the Indian potentate who was 
 to take the Armers' place, and who would
 
 MR. ARMER FIXDS OUT SOMETHING. 249 
 
 be certain, as they imagined, to disburse 
 his cash in orthodox Oriental profusion. 
 
 Mr. Lamacraft was able to give some 
 information to his customers at the shop, 
 and there was in consequence quite a 
 
 * revival of trade.' Most of the farmers' 
 and labourers' wives discovered they were 
 in immediate pressing want of a yard or 
 two of calico, some trifle in the way of 
 needles or cotton, tea or sugar; for Mr. 
 Lamacraft's trade was of an all-embracing 
 nature, and though his high prices, and the 
 inferiority of his goods, drove most of the 
 farming folk to Exeter — not to speak of 
 the temptations of a jaunt into that ancient 
 city under the specious pretence of 
 
 * shopping ' — yet the noble system of ' tick ' 
 procured him a large, and alas ! lasting 
 clientele among the labourers, for they 
 owed ' at the shop,' and they had to go on 
 owing to keep Mr. Lamacraft in good 
 temper. On this occasion, however, he 
 'pardonably chuckled' at the rapid way
 
 250 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 in which his goods disappeared as he 
 narrated to each person his experience of 
 the nabob. 
 
 1 Not a bit like squire,' said he, ' a yaller- 
 favoured kind of a man, a praper, tall 
 gentleman, so thin's a needle; very 'igh 
 manners he've a-got to un ; spoke up so 
 sharp, her did, anyone could see as he 
 were a furriner in a manner of spaking, 
 he come in 'ere, into this very 'denticle 
 shop, stood just where yew be standing, 
 Mrs. Tacker, if I may make so bold, he 
 come in all of a hurry-like, and, says he, in 
 a kind of commanding sort of voice, " Hi !" 
 says he (for I was in the parlour, as you 
 must know), " hi !" says he, " anyone here? 
 I want a box of matches." And, as he 
 was a-lighting of his cigar, I made so bold 
 as to ask him if he was the new squire. 
 Re stared at me sort o' mazed-like. 
 " Squire ?" says he. "Oh! I suppose I 
 am squire as well ; I've taken the manor- 
 house, if that's what you mean." And
 
 MR. ARMER FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 251 
 
 with that he puffs out the smoke, and 
 away he goes. I watches him as he jumps 
 into his trap (a hired one from Exeter, I 
 reckon), and a very active gentleman he is, 
 though his hair and moustarchers is as 
 white as a smock. I do hear as he's 
 a mazing rich gentleman with a young 
 missus and a lot of little 'uns. Well, 
 us'll be loathe to part wi' squire, and Mas' 
 Jack, and pretty Miss Nellie — the poor 
 folks'll miss her, for certain — but one down, 
 t'other come on, that's my ph'losophy.' 
 
 Thus did the flourish of the trumpets 
 and the herald's proclamation, * Le roi est 
 mort, vive le roi !' find its echo in Coom- 
 bridge, though, as old Lamacraft said, some 
 hearts were sad at the loss of the kindly, 
 if sometimes ' peppery ' squire and his son 
 and daughter. 
 
 The new folk were to come into pos- 
 session at Michaelmas, and the squire 
 snatched a few days from his work to take 
 Nellie for her farewell visits, and to take-
 
 252 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 himself to have a last ' go in' at c the 
 birds.' Poor Nellie was quite miserable 
 at the thought of saying good-bye to the 
 beloved home and her friends and proteges ; 
 but her father held out hopes that the 
 exile would not be a very long one, for in 
 a year or two he hoped to have gathered 
 in enough harvest to allow him to give up 
 his work ' for good,' and to go back again 
 to the life he loved so well ; and in a year 
 or two what might not happen ? Why, 
 before that time Miss Nellie might be 
 changed into my Lady Limborne, and all 
 sorts of joys and blisses might be in store ! 
 Two or three successful ' coups' had 
 tinged Mr. Armer's prospects of a speedy 
 fortune with the rosiest of colours, and 
 had brought him to look upon this return 
 to a somewhat distasteful life in London 
 as upon a mere episode, unpleasant enough 
 while it lasted, but soon to be over. Still 
 both he and Nellie felt very melancholy at 
 this leave-taking, and, as for Master Jack,
 
 MR. ARMER FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 253 
 
 he was plunged into the very depths of 
 woe ; not only was be to lose all the de- 
 lights of Coombridge — delights his soul 
 loved, the horses, the fishing, the shooting, 
 hunting, and the thousand and one pleas- 
 ant fillings-upof time which these pursuits 
 brought in their train — but the fiat had 
 gone forth, and he was to give up the Bar, 
 which honourable profession he had looked 
 upon as an easy and, sooth to say, idle 
 introduction to the life of a country squire 
 and magistrate ; he was, moreover, not 
 only to give up this cherished plan of his, 
 but was to ' do something to earn his 
 bread,' which ' something ' resolved itself 
 into nothing less than the taking up of a 
 daily position perched upon an office-stool 
 in the dingy precincts of the City ; than 
 which the sport-loving Jack could imagine 
 no more hopeless purgatory. 
 
 So the squire had willed, and his son's 
 foolish extravagance and consequent pre- 
 varication left him powerless to do any-
 
 254 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 thing more than to mumble out a few- 
 feeble remonstrances, to which his father 
 paid no manner of attention. Nellie, how- 
 ever, came in for a full share of his woes, 
 and greatly did he bemoan himself in her 
 sympathising ears. 
 
 It w r as to a not particularly cheerful 
 party, then, that Lord Limborne wended 
 his way one sunny September afternoon 
 about a fortnight after the unpleasant in- 
 terview with his mother. Time had not 
 softened that lady's heart towards her 
 son's ' unhappy attachment,' as she called 
 it ; neither had the extreme difficulty with 
 which she had avoided an open explana- 
 tion with Lady Beldon tended to increase 
 her affection (?) for her son's lady-love. 
 Some skirmishings there had been, some 
 rather plain hints thrown out, some deli- 
 cate fencing between the two mothers, but 
 no direct questions were asked, and there- 
 fore no direct answers were given. 
 
 Several near allies of both families had
 
 MR. ARMER FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 255 
 
 been asked, before Lady Limborne bad 
 been aware of the spoke in this matri- 
 monial wheel, to assist at what she had 
 fondly hoped would have been a family 
 event ; and, in the crowd, a tete-a-tete of any 
 length was easily to be avoided. More- 
 over, the Lady Emily was not one of those 
 damsels who are to be approached with 
 any very warm love-making, and she was 
 'fairly satisfied with that amount of atten- 
 tion her hostess' son deemed it necessary 
 to bestow upon his mother's guest ; and 
 so it happened that the Beldon incursion 
 passed off without any open manifestation 
 of any sort. The Beldons, not particularly 
 anxious for the match, were satisfied with 
 the fact that the young people had seen 
 each other, and had had opportunities 
 for the beginnings of intimacy. Lady 
 Limborne was thankful for small mercies, 
 and rejoiced to think that the visit had 
 passed off without any horrible contretemps, 
 while time was gained, and the game matri-
 
 256 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 monial was still alive ; and as for bis Lord- 
 ship of Limborne, be breatbed freely once 
 more as be lifted bis bat to bis departing 
 guests at tbe railway-station, and saw them 
 go away without any ' encursions and 
 alarums.' 
 
 Perhaps a man never feels so small as 
 at the time just before he declares his pas- 
 sion to the fair object of his adoration. 
 It is a great advantage, which the sex has* 
 over us poor male humans. How very 
 plainly do we then see our various defects ! 
 Covered over ordinarily with a more or 
 less strained forgetf ulness, they force them- 
 selves into notice before this fatal plunge, 
 nay, they magnify themselves in a manner 
 most unpleasant. That which we are wont 
 to regard as a slight obliquity of vision, 
 rather piquant, in fact, becomes now very 
 real to us, under this strong light, as a 
 decided, and possibly offensive squint. A 
 large nose, we have been wont to observe 
 to ourselves, is a mark of a decided char-
 
 MR. ARMER FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 257 
 
 acter. Napoleon had a largish nose, and 
 there was no mistake about the size of the 
 Duke of Wellington's proboscis. Many 
 other famous persons were endowed with 
 this feature to a large, not to say obtru- 
 sive, extent ; but now, alas ! as we regard 
 our visage in the tell-tale glass, how ob- 
 noxious does this abominable nose of ours 
 appear ! Is there not, indeed, something 
 of the -ridiculous in its abnormal (for so 
 it seems now) development? Heavens! 
 Could any woman love a fellow with such 
 a squint? with a nose like that? with such 
 tusks, for example ? so short ! 01 ^o ab- 
 surdly lanky ! so pursily fat ! or so wafer- 
 ishly thin ! Few men, short of the Adonis, 
 who airily throws the handkerchief where 
 he will (sometimes, thank a merciful Provi- 
 dence ! to have it l returned with thanks'), 
 few of us, ordinarily plain, average-looking 
 men but have gone through some such 
 humiliating self-questionings. Character, 
 too, comes under the microscope at such a 
 vol. i. s
 
 258 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 time : the hasty temper, the selfishness, the 
 slight, occasional perversions of the truth, 
 the * oriental tintings,' so to speak, which 
 adorn the conversation at truth's expense, 
 a slight tendency to greediness common 
 enough, a too great fondness for the ' cup 
 which cheers and does inebriate/ a certain 
 stupidity and want of humour of which we 
 dimly suspect ourselves ; all these, and 
 many other unamiable traits loom up be- 
 fore us large and threatening. Can the 
 all-important * she ' have remarked this, 
 that, or the other? Is it possible for us 
 to have concealed the flaw ? Or has she 
 seen it ? And will refusal and the attend- 
 ant bathos be our portion ? 
 
 Such questionings as these make a man 
 not a little nervous as he carefully shaves 
 himself, parts and re-parts his hair, and 
 endues himself in what he considers to be 
 his most becoming garments before he 
 sallies out to the pic-nic, ball, garden- 
 party, or what not, where he is to meet
 
 MB. ARMER FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 259 
 
 Araminta, and put an end to the tortures 
 of suspense, which are turning his being 
 topsy-turvy, and making a tantalus-woe of 
 his life. Yet there are alleviations and 
 encouragements, or he never could ' come 
 up to the scratch.' 
 
 Why did Araminta permit him to hold 
 her fair hand one moment longer than 
 courtesy demanded, as he said, ' good-bye,' 
 the night before last ? Why did she thank 
 hiin so sweetly for that song he ventured 
 to send her? for the bouquet which arrived 
 anonymously at the paternal mansion ? 
 "Why did she look at him in that peculiar 
 way in the conservatory at the De Robin- 
 sons' dance ? And so he goes on through 
 an interminable quantity of ' why's ' until 
 enough courage is infused into him to bring 
 him to the last rush, or forlorn hope. 
 
 But there are no counterbalancing 'why's' 
 to comfort the poor soul as he ' unwilling 
 wends his way ' to the dreaded interview 
 with ' papa, 5 which must needs follow the 
 
 s2
 
 260 ■ THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 rapturous hour in which he found he was 
 beloved. How infinitesimally small do his 
 4 means ' appear, perhaps, to the rash aspi- 
 rant ! He knows very well into what a 
 tiny drop of water the whole lump will melt 
 under the scrutiny of the l father of she, 
 and he would, though not a sporting man 
 or a glory-hunting soldier, rather face an 
 enraged specimen of ' big game,' or mount 
 the fiery breach, than hold that half-hour's 
 committee of ways and means with the 
 quiet and common-place-looking individual 
 who happens to be the author of Araminta's 
 being. 
 
 True it is that Lord Limborne had a 
 position to offer which few girls, or girls' 
 fathers, could afford to despise ; and it is 
 also true that, though poor for that posi- 
 tion, his widow would not go unprovided 
 for: there are, however, other things besides 
 money which occasionally interfere with 
 the course of true love; there is family 
 pride, for example ; and with this on his
 
 ME. AKMEB FINDS OUT SOMETHING. 261 
 
 mother's side, and with the obstinacy and 
 ready pride of another sort on the squire's 
 part, had Lord Limborne to reckon as he 
 rode up the Coombridge drive to his inter- 
 view with his Nellie's father. 
 
 Nellie greatly disliked, nay, positively 
 hated, all this concealment, and she had 
 many times regretted that she had allowed 
 herself to be persuaded into it on that memo- 
 rable Teignbridge day ; it should be made 
 as harmless as possible, there should be no 
 stolen interviews, no clandestine corre- 
 spondence, and hence it was that she was 
 ignorant of much that had happened lately 
 at Limborne Castle ; she did not even know 
 that Lady Limborne had been told of the 
 engagement, nor did she know of the rage 
 of that noble dame thereat. She had heard, 
 however, from the gossip of the country- 
 side, and almost as soon as she arrived at 
 Coombridge, that the great family of Bel- 
 don had been staying at the Castle, and 
 she was not a little curious and excited as
 
 262 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 to how that visitation had speeded. Every 
 other feeling but those of keen joy and 
 pride in her lover left her as she looked up 
 from her book, and saw from the windows 
 the gallant figure of Lord Limborne as he 
 rode up to the house ; nor did he fail to 
 perceive his pretty fiancee, and to mark the 
 ready blush and the more than pleased look 
 which greeted him. Hudson showed him 
 into the drawing-room and departed, as 
 quickly as his dignity would permit him, 
 to send after the squire, who was ' some- 
 where about the place,' and Nellie and Lord 
 Limborne were alone together, after what 
 had seemed to both of them an intermin- 
 able space of time. 
 
 Such a meeting as this was may well 
 deserve a chapter to itself.
 
 263 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ' FATHER OF SHE.' 
 
 It is easy to imagine that a few minutes 
 were, shall we say ' wasted '? in the slightly 
 inarticulate, and certainly short, sentences 
 which accompanied an amount of c konoo- 
 dlement ' surely justifiable under the cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 ' James,' cried the sensible Nellie, com- 
 ing to herself at the thought of all she had 
 to hear, and probably to decide — ' James, 
 father will be here almost directly, I know 
 he is not very far off, so do be sensible and 
 tell me what has happened. Does Lady 
 Limborne know ? I want to know about 
 the Beldons. "What does your mother say 
 to it all ?'
 
 264 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 Each one of these hurried questions came 
 down like a douche of ice-cold water on the 
 fervour of Lord Limborne, and it required 
 all his art to conceal the difficulty he found 
 in answering in such a. manner as not to 
 wound Nellie's sensibility, or arouse her 
 fears for the future. 
 
 ' I will answer your questions in their 
 order, Nellie,' returned Lord Limborne : 
 1 first, as to my mother ; she does know. I 
 almost wish now I had told her at first, 
 but, as you know, I thought it better 
 to break it gradually to her, since she 
 seemed so determined about this abomin- 
 able Beldon imbroglio. Faugh !' ejaculat- 
 ed Lord Limborne, with an expression of 
 intense disgust upon his face. 'It is too 
 bad of my mother to put me, to say 
 nothing of Emily Beldon, in such an 
 absurd position ; it is more than absurd, it 
 is painful, almost indecent. At any rate 
 they are gone, and that, I am thankful to 
 say, without any ridiculous fiasco ; I shall
 
 THE ' FATHER OF SHE. 265 
 
 take good care to prevent such humiliating 
 possibilities for the future. As to my 
 mother, as I told you, Nellie, she had set 
 her heart upon the absurd Beldon farce, 
 and of course she is disappointed. Now, 
 Nellie darling, you must bear with her ; 
 she is the dearest mother in the world, she 
 has starved and stinted for me, and it 
 is to this affection of hers for me that we 
 must trust to bring all things to a happy 
 end.' 
 
 'But, James,' said Nellie, turning very 
 red, and looking away from her lover, ' if 
 Lady Limborne is proud, I am proud, too, 
 and I will not, I cannot, however much I 
 love you — and I think you know now that I 
 do love you, James — I could not marry 
 you against your mother's wish. Oh ! I do 
 hope and pray she will not be so hard ! 
 And, James, father must be told now, and 
 he will be so pleased, I know, he always 
 speaks so kindly of you ; and he will write 
 to Lady Limborne, and there will be
 
 266 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 troubles upon troubles. I have thought of 
 
 nothing else since you . . . you spoke to 
 
 me, James ; oh ! why did you love me, and 
 
 make me to love you ?' And the tears 
 
 welled up in the pretty eyes as all the dark 
 
 pictures of misery in the future, which had 
 
 been her sad companions almost from the 
 
 very hour of her betrothal, surged up before 
 
 her, and overwhelmed her. Lord Lim- 
 
 borne soothed her as best he might ; he 
 
 kissed the tears from her cheeks, and in a 
 
 * 
 moment or two the brief storm had passed 
 
 over, and Nellie was herself again. 
 
 1 There is a bright side, Nellie dear,' said 
 the lover ; f why need you paint the picture 
 in such dark colours ? I feel myself to be a 
 selfish brute when I think of you so wor- 
 ried and so unhappy, my poor darling. All 
 will be quite different from what your 
 fears would point to. Of course I shall 
 speak to your father at once ; indeed, I 
 came here to-day intending to speak to 
 him ; and when it is put formally to my
 
 THE 'FATHER OF SHE.' 267 
 
 mother, and she sees I am in earnest, and 
 that my happiness is at stake, I know she 
 will give in ; and when once she knows 
 you, Nellie, how can she help loving you ? 
 "We shall be the happier for these clouds, 
 when once they have all passed away. I 
 know it is hard for you, it makes my 
 heart bleed to think that I should cause 
 you any sorrow ; but, Nellie, I will make up 
 for it in the future ; when once you are 
 mine, no trouble or care shall ever come 
 near you.' Thus did the young man, after 
 the manner of.his kind in such predicaments, 
 take upon himself the office of Providence, 
 and propose to shield his beloved from all 
 the rough attacks of outrageous fortune. 
 
 * You must not think me weakand fool- 
 ish, James, because I have given way like 
 this,' said Nellie as she dried her eyes. 'I have 
 been so unhappy ; it seems so wrong going 
 on just as if nothing had happened. I have 
 hated it so, and it has made me so miser- 
 able ; but it will be all over now, won't ib r
 
 268 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 James ? And almost anything is better 
 than all this suspense. Do not look so 
 unhappy, dear, you could not help it, you 
 know, and I would bear a great deal more 
 than this for you.' 
 
 Such a remark as this last one of Nellie's 
 could only be answered in one way, and 
 whilst that c one way ' was proceeding, the 
 door opened, and admitted the burly 
 form of Squire Armer, who was not a little 
 astonished to come suddenly upon a very 
 pretty picture indeed ; in which picture the 
 sedate Lord Limborne and his daughter 
 Nellie were the chief, or, in truth, the only 
 figures. 
 
 1 Why, Nellie 1' he exclaimed, ' what on 
 earth — Lord Limborne ! I am surprised — ' 
 but a smile on the squire's honest face 
 showed that, if he was surprised, he was 
 pleased too, as the guilty couple retired 
 from close quarters with some precipita- 
 tion, and Lord Limborne — for once in his 
 life with a very red countenance, and con-
 
 THE 'FATHER OF >HE ' 269 
 
 siderably embarrassed — seized hold of Mr. 
 Armer's band, and made some incoherent 
 remarks about ' dear Nellie,' and 'he hoped 
 
 the squire would pardon -' 
 
 'Pardon what, my dear fellow ?' hastily 
 interrupted Mr. Armer, pitying his friend's 
 confusion, and feeling not a little confused 
 himself. ' Here, Nellie, don't run away, 
 my dear !' and, as that young lady was 
 quickly beating a retreat, the squire caught 
 his daughter in his arms, and kissed her 
 fondly. ' So, so,' he cried, ' that is the 
 way the wind blows, is it ? You've stolen 
 a march upon me, you little monkey, have 
 you ?' But Nellie would not stay to hear 
 any more, and as her father held her at 
 arm's length, and looked at her quizzi- 
 cally, she struggled away from him, and 
 fairly bolted out of the room, if a young 
 and lovely female can be said to do any- 
 thing so unromantic as to 'bolt.' 'Well, 
 my lord,' said the squire, ' a pretty plot 
 has been going on under my very nose,
 
 270 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 but I was not so blind as perhaps you 
 imagined, and to tell you the truth, Lim- 
 borne, there is no one to whom I would 
 give my little Nell with a better heart. 
 It is the fashion now-a-days for young 
 folk to arrange these little affairs between 
 themselves, so I suppose I must not " jaw " 
 you, as Jack elegantly expresses it.' 
 
 1 Indeed, Mr. Armer,' said Lord Lim- 
 borne, c I came here this afternoon to tell 
 you about it all, and to ask your per- 
 mission . . .' 
 
 * Permission !' interrupted the squire. 
 'Unless my eyes deceived me, you seem to 
 have taken that for granted, young man ;' 
 and Mr. Armer chuckled in a way which 
 very plainly showed that there would not 
 be much opposition on his part. 'But I 
 can't talk to you here/ he went on ; ' come 
 into my study, we shan't be interrupted 
 there, and we can talk matters over com- 
 fortably.' And the squire led the way out 
 of the drawing-room, across the hall, into
 
 THE 'FATHER OF SHE. 271 
 
 the small apartment sacred to the gods of 
 fishing, shooting, and the stable, and dig- 
 nified by the name of study, though there 
 was nothing savouring of the studious in 
 the aspect of the room, adorned as it was 
 with rods, guns, whip-racks, a favourite 
 pair or two of ; tops,' and many other 
 evidences of its owner's devotion to river, 
 road, and field. 
 
 Seating himself comfortably in an easy- 
 chair, and motioning to Lord Limborne to 
 ensconce himself in another, he began : 
 
 1 1 confess, Limborne, I am not alto- 
 gether astonished ; I had some idea that 
 there were other attractions for you at 
 Coombridge besides Jack and myself.' 
 
 ' It is good of you to take it so kindly,' 
 said Lord Limborne ; ' perhaps I ought to 
 have said something to you before, but I 
 did nob intend to speak so soon . . .' 
 
 ' My dear fellow,' interrupted the squire, 
 1 do not make any excuses; I was joking 
 when I spoke just now. I am more than
 
 272 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 pleased ; I respect and like you, Limborne,. 
 and nothing has ' delighted me so much 
 for years. Nellie is my only daughter, 
 she is doubly dear to me, she is the very 
 image of her dear mother, but I cannot 
 hope to keep her with me always, and, if 
 she makes half as kind and true a wife as 
 her poor mother was, you will indeed be a 
 happy man, Limborne. , 
 
 There are in most of us sacred mem- 
 ories, our own peculiar possessions — not 
 often do they show themselves to others ; 
 and the squire got up, and walked to the 
 window for a moment or two, as this 
 crisis in his daughter's life brought back 
 painful, yet happy memories of the wife he 
 had loved and lost long ago ; happy, for if 
 his wife had been a loving and forbearing 
 companion to him, he, on his part, had 
 been a tender husband, and he had no evil 
 conscience-pricks to make the memory of 
 the past hideous to him. 
 
 'Well, well,' he said, coming back to his
 
 THE c FATHER OF SHE.' 273 
 
 chair with a suspicious look of moisture iu 
 bis eyes, 'I am sure my poor Marion 
 would have been proud and happy to think 
 that her little daughter had won the 
 affection of so true a gentleman as I know 
 you to be, Lord Limborne. I must not 
 let sad memories darken such a day as 
 
 this ' After a pause, he went on, ' I 
 
 don't know what the etiquette in these 
 matters may be, but I suppose I must 
 announce the auspicious event to Lady 
 Limborne? Of course she knows?' 
 
 1 Oh ! yes, I have spoken to my mother 
 about it, replied Lord Limborne ; and he 
 felt anything but cheerful as he recalled 
 the unpleasant interview. 
 
 Now Mr. Armer was certainly proud to 
 think of the position his daughter would 
 take as Lady Limborne, but he was far 
 from regarding that position in the high 
 and exalted light in which it was regarded 
 by the dowager-to-be. The Armers came 
 of a good old Yorkshire family, and had 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 274 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 once owned large properties in that county, 
 though the only relic of their once large 
 possessions there was the advowson of the 
 living of the parish where they had flour- 
 ished, and gradually decayed. This living 
 had been held by the squire's father, and 
 when, greatly to the old rector's grief, his 
 only child utterly refused to ' take orders,' 
 for which career he felt himself to be 
 entirely unsuited, he had, though much 
 against the grain, allowed his son to take 
 his own sensible course, and, instead of 
 ekeing out small means in miserable 
 attempts to follow some ' genteel ' but 
 choked profession, to take what money his 
 father could scrape together, by the sale 
 of the advowson among other things, and 
 to go and woo fickle fortune as best he 
 might, and with such success as we know 
 of, in famous London town. Mr. Armer 
 knew, too, as, indeed, all the world knew, 
 that money was a not too plentiful com- 
 modity at Limborne Castle, and he did not
 
 275 
 
 see any very great disparity between 
 Nellie Armer with good birth, particularly 
 good looks, and the prospect of a fair 
 fortune, and Lord Limborne with an 
 ancient title, and very little to keep it up 
 withal. Lady Limborne's remarks about 
 the Coombridge roturiers would have not 
 a little astonished the squire, who was 
 prepared for an effusive reception from 
 her ladyship, rather than for the haughty 
 rejection which her son more than half 
 feared on her part. 
 
 ' Of course I know I must tell Lady 
 Limborne myself,' said the squire, ' the 
 question is — had I better call, or write ? 
 It would be more courteous to call, I 
 think, but, though I have met her occasion- 
 ally, oddly enough I hardly know your 
 mother to speak to ; and, therefore, I 
 think, perhaps, I had better write. How- 
 ever, I will do exactly what you think best 
 in the matter. What do you think about 
 it? 
 
 t2
 
 276 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Lord Limborne knew it was not so 'odcP 
 as the squire imagined, this ' meeting 
 occasionally and hardly knowing to speak 
 to;' for his mother, he was well aware, would 
 have studiously avoided any appearance of 
 intimacy on the part of the Coombridge 
 folk, even had they been disposed to make 
 advances; and on the whole, and fearing 
 Lady Limborne's already hot anger might 
 boil over in scalding words should Mr. 
 Armer seek an interview, he thought, of 
 the two evils, an announcement by post 
 would prove the lesser, for he could prepare 
 his mother for the bombshell, and the ex- 
 plosion might thus be rendered less dis- 
 astrous in its consequences. 
 
 ' Perhaps,' he said, ' it would be better to 
 write at first, and then you could see my 
 mother afterwards.' 
 
 1 Oh, very well !' said the squire, with a 
 slight sigh of relief, for he did not relish an 
 interview with Lady Limborne, whose cold 
 manners and reputation for hauteur did
 
 THE 'FATHER OF SHE.' 277 
 
 not promise him a particularly pleasant 
 quarter-of-an-hour. 
 
 And then followed a long discussion 
 about ways and means, not very interest- 
 ing to anyone but the parties concerned. 
 The squire was disposed to be liberal, 
 Lord Limborne was the very reverse of 
 exacting, and he would have been perfectly 
 contented and more than satisfied with 
 things in general, and his prospects of 
 his dear Nellie in particular, if it had not 
 been for the grim spectre of his irate 
 maternal relative, and the dire conse- 
 quences which would certainly ensue, 
 unless he should be able to curb her 
 resentment, and make her receive Nellie 
 with a decent acceptance of the inevitable. 
 
 The squire had not failed to make him 
 acquainted with his family circumstances, 
 his descent, and so forth ; and Lord Lim- 
 borne was pleased to find that his future 
 spouse was a 'lass with a long pedigree/ 
 not only because it was grateful to him to
 
 278 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 think and know this of her, but also 
 because he hoped this would have some 
 weight with his mother, and considerably 
 alter her views of the ' roturiers.' 
 
 Altogether things had turned out to be 
 much better than he had dared to hope ; 
 and as he mounted his horse, and turned 
 homeward, after a most delightful inter- 
 view with the adored one, his feelings were 
 much more buoyant than they were when 
 he approached the hospitable mansion of 
 Squire Armer on that eventful afternoon.
 
 279 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 
 
 People are often heard to wonder how 
 such-and-such a piece of strictly private 
 news becomes, in a way totally inexplicable 
 to them, the property of a gossip-devouring 
 public, and are astonished beyond measure, 
 and sincerely grieved to boot, to find 
 matters, which should be confined strictly 
 to the bosoms of those intimately con- 
 cerned, bruited about in a way which 
 sometimes brings to pass disastrous con- 
 sequences. 
 
 The 'little affair' which has been discussed 
 with closed doors in ' my lady's chamber,' or 
 in a solemn family conclave in the library, 
 and which is, perhaps, of such a delicate
 
 280 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 nature as to make it an impossibility for the 
 people interested to divulge it, is met with 
 out of doors in a most astounding and con- 
 fusing way ; the skeleton, which one pain- 
 fully expects to start out occasionally from 
 the closet at home, breaks out of bounds, 
 and stalks abroad with an appalling 
 effrontery. ' How on earth could Emily's 
 unfortunate entanglement with that odious 
 and impertinent young Perkins — how 
 could that unpleasant story of Charles' 
 misfortune — have " got about " ? Whence 
 did that " family secret," so uncomfortably 
 hugged closely, escape, and fly about pro- 
 miscuously on the wings of rumour ?' 
 
 The reason is not far to seek. What is 
 the use of closed doors ? What is the 
 use of the most careful of precautions ; 
 when there sits in judgment over every 
 family, a solemn court, a Vehmgericht, 
 presided over by the butler or the cook, 
 with coachman and groom, housemaid, 
 nurse, and scullion for its members ; which
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 281 
 
 holds nightly sittings in the kitchen or the 
 servants' hall, where the affairs of 'the 
 family ' are discussed freely and openly ; 
 where each one contributes the results of 
 his or her careful observations ; where 
 keyholes, door-chinks, the letter lying on 
 the mantelpiece, or even in the closed 
 drawer, are pressed into the detective 
 service, and the whole ' arcana ' and 
 ' mysteria ' of the household are subjected 
 to a minute analysis, and commented upon 
 with a dreadful freedom ? 
 
 Very extensive are the ramifications of 
 this ' secret society,' and, ' the awful way 
 in which master goes on at missis,' the very 
 ' langwidge ' he used, the extravagance or 
 flightiness which caused the ' langwidge ' 
 in questiou, the ' things which would have 
 made master turn blue if he only knew,' 
 all the ins-and-outs of domestic history are 
 carried about from kitchen to kitchen, 
 from servants' hall to servants' hall, by 
 1 faithful ' servitors whose only mental
 
 282 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 food is this gossip, and often slander, in 
 which they take such a huge delight. 
 From these lower regions the vulgar tittle- 
 tattle floats upward ; and not unfrequently 
 in that peaceful moment when Parker is 
 arraying her mistress for the evening, or 
 is brushing her ambrosial locks before 
 she retires to rest, some spicy story is lis- 
 tened to, which story is repeated with equal 
 nnction, if in choicer syllables, in the 
 drawing-room, during that otherwise un- 
 interesting period whilst the ladies are 
 ' waiting for the men.' Mrs. de Ponsonby 
 Brown would do well to remember, when 
 she is detailing and amplifying with such 
 gusto (strictly without disclosing the 
 source of her information) some evil story 
 of a friend (!) or neighbour, that that 
 maid who supplies her with these interest- 
 ing and exciting histories repays her in- 
 formant with all the sweet fruits of her 
 own peeping and prying. Good dames, 
 who wile away many a weary hour in
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 283 
 
 hearing and retailing such unholy stories, 
 we would have you to remember the facts 
 above spoken of, and to consider whether 
 the game is really worth that unpleasant 
 candle which you most assuredly have to 
 pay for it. 
 
 Poor Nellie was the last woman in the 
 world to tattle with her maid, and it was 
 far from Lord Limborne's habits to gossip 
 with his men ; hard it was, therefore, that 
 these two innocent persons should have to 
 pay the penalty of others' folly, and find, 
 as find they did, that ' Lord Limborne's 
 engagement with that Miss Armer ' was very 
 rapidly becoming the talk of the country- 
 side. 
 
 The events which rapidly followed Lord 
 Limborne's interview with Mr. Armer 
 soon placed our unoffending heroine in a 
 very humiliating position, and added a 
 bitter drop indeed to the cup of woe, 
 which it was soon to be her lover's lot to 
 drain.
 
 284 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 1 It's my belief as there's sometbink hup,' 
 remarked Hudson, the butler at Coom- 
 briclge, who was of cockney origin, and 
 had accompanied the Armers in their first 
 great move from London to Devon. 
 1 There's a somethink in the hair/ he re- 
 marked oracularly, as he sat down to 
 recruit himself with an ample supper after 
 the labours of the day. 
 
 ' Lor! Mr. 'Udson,' said the cook, also 
 of metropolitan importation. * Wotever 
 can it be ? Master Jack ain't a-been and 
 gone any more muckers, hev he ? Though 
 I'm sure it's no wonder, such a free-and- 
 easy young gent as he is.' 
 
 ' There, boys will be boys/ said the 
 coachman, who had just 'looked in' from 
 his abode in the stables to refresh himself 
 with a bit of gossip and a cheerful glass ; 
 4 boys will be boys. Give him his head, I 
 say ; let him go free a bit, and he'll be all 
 the better of it, after ; he's a affable-speak- 
 ing young chap, and he knows the p'ints
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 285 
 
 of a 'orse as well as I do, pretty near. 
 Lor' bless yer heart, squire's got plenty, 
 for certain, he's too 'ard on the young 'un, 
 never see 'im so down before.' 
 
 1 Goon, Jim; go on, 'Liza,' said Hudson, 
 with an oracular wag of his head, ' you 
 was always a one for talking, Jim, and you 
 think you can see into a milestone as far 
 as anyone ; but you're out of it this time, I 
 tell yer. It wasn't to Master Jack as I was 
 alludin' when I said, as I say again, as it's 
 my opinion as there's somethink hup.' 
 
 * 'Ow you do tease anyone, 'Udson,' said 
 the cook ; ' anyone'd think you was a spink, 
 or wotever you call it. Don't keep us in 
 such a suspense, for 'Evin's sake.' 
 
 '/know what Mr. 'Udson is a-thinking 
 of,' said a young housemaid, who, together 
 with all the rest of the company round the 
 supper-table, had been listening with all 
 her ears to the utterances of her seniors. 
 1 1 know what it is ; it's my belief there's 
 something going on . . . .'
 
 286 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 • Now, just you hold your tongue, Mary/ 
 interrupted Mrs. Eliza, ' there's no keeping 
 you young gals in your places : if Mr. 
 'Udson's got anythink to say, he'll say it 
 right enough without your help.' 
 
 ' You always was a sensible woman, for 
 a woman, Eliza,' said Mr. Hudson, who had 
 his own opinion about ' the sect,' as he 
 called it, ' and you're right this time, as 
 usual ; we'll 'ear wot Mary's got on her 
 mind when I've done, as is right and 
 proper. It's my opinion,' he went on, 
 with much solemnity, ' it's my opinion as 
 there's other changes, besides the move, 
 a-goin' on 'ere in this 'ouse, and I'll tell 
 vou wot it is, that there Lord Limborne 
 has been and done it !' 
 
 'Didn't I say so all along?' asked the 
 cook, ' didn't I say wotever did he come 
 'ere to lunch and dinner, and dinner and 
 lunch, if it wasn't for Miss Nellie, bless her 
 'eart. Well, it's the best bit o' news I've heard 
 since my Aunt'Ammond left me a 'underd
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 287 
 
 pound. 'Owever did you find it out, Mr. 
 'Udson?' 
 
 'Why, by the way I finds most things 
 out,' replied that astute individual ; ' by 
 putting this and that together.' 
 
 ' Oh ! then you ain't sure,' said Eliza, 
 with much disappointment. 
 
 1 Sure ! I'm as sure as I've got this glass 
 o' beer in my 'ands, and am just a-going to 
 drink it,' said the butler, suiting the action 
 to the word, and pouring the ale down his 
 capacious gullet. ' Look 'ere, 'is lordship 
 rides up, looking kinder thoughtful-like; 
 I shows him inter the drawing-room ; there's 
 Miss Nellie as large as life (which ain't 
 very large/ he acids, in a parenthesis) ; ' and 
 as I shuts the door, M James !" says she ; 
 she wouldn't 'a called him James, if there 
 'adn't been somethink hup, eh? Proof No. 1. 
 Next, master and his lordship 'as a long 
 intervoo in the study, for I see them go in 
 and I see them come h'out. Proof No. 2. 
 Thirdly and to conclude, as the Reverend
 
 288 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Bolland says, squire, and Miss Nellie, 
 and Master Jack is all on the "ky veeve," as 
 the Frenchman says, at dinner; and lor' 
 bless yer, I know, whenever I come into 
 the dinin'-room they stops talking, and then 
 goes on again sudden-like, like a 'ouse-a-fire. 
 Putting all these yere argooments together, 
 I ask you, Eliza, if I ain't right when I say 
 there's somethink hup, and our Miss Nellie 
 and his lordship's at the bottom of it, I arsk 
 you?' 
 
 Mr. Hudson's ' argooments ' were found 
 to be conclusive, and all the ins-and-outs 
 of the approaching alliance were exhaus- 
 tively discussed in the council of the 
 kitchen. 
 
 Now young Tucker, Mr. Armer's groom, 
 who lived in the house, and had assisted 
 with open ears at the conference reported 
 above, had a chere amie in the "Wreford 
 menage, and was, indeed, c keeping com- 
 pany' with one of the lady's-maids in that 
 house. The 4 Mary ' in question was of a
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 289 
 
 curious, not to say inquisitive, nature, and 
 Mr. Tucker felt that such a delicious bib 
 of gossip as this could not wait until 
 chance should give him the opportunity of 
 communicating it in person ; so, that very 
 evening, he took pen and paper, and with 
 squaring of elbows, and after duly lickiog 
 the pen to make the ink run, he indited 
 an epistle to his beloved, in which, after 
 beginning in the orthodox manner by 
 stating that ' this comes hoping to find 
 you well, my dear, as it leav.es me at 
 present, thank God for it/ he imparted, in 
 somewhat involved phraseology, and with 
 some curious examples of phonetic spell- 
 ing, the fact that ' our Miss Nellie is 
 a-keepin' company along of his lordship, 
 Lord Limborne;' and, feeling exhausted 
 after his unwonted exertions, he ended 
 rather abruptly with ' Yours affeck- 
 shnate, George,' with a double line of stars 
 underneath the signature, meant to 
 represent the kisses which he would 
 vol. i. u
 
 290 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 very willingly have delivered in person. 
 Theresa Denton happened to be one of 
 those ladies who occasionally seek some 
 escape from the dulness of things in 
 general in listening to her maid's recital of 
 the gossip of the lower regions ; such a 
 piece of news as this conveyed in Tucker's 
 letter to his love could not but be received 
 with eagerness, and, perhaps, rewarded 
 with some articles of toilette of which the 
 fair wearer at first hand might be tired. 
 An excuse for an interview with her 
 mistress was easily found in the serious 
 questions involved in some costume al- 
 terations, and Theresa was soon made ac- 
 quainted with the important news connect- 
 ed with the inhabitants of Coombridge. 
 Some slight suspicions, roused in her 
 maiden bosom at Teignbridge, had, in a 
 measure, prepared her for this downfall of 
 her own hopes, but none the less was she 
 bitterly disappointed. Since the conversa- 
 tion with her mother, faithfully reported
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 291 
 
 in a former chapter, she had thought a 
 great deal about the subject of that con- 
 versation, and had come to the conclusion 
 that, as Mrs. Denton had said, there was 
 no reason why she, Theresa Denton, should 
 not manoeuvre herself into a position 
 which should give her the right to sign 
 herself Theresa Limborne. That book, 
 which has been called the British Bible, 
 was well studied at Wreford, and, indeed, 
 so well studied in one particular by the 
 fair Theresa, that the volume, casually 
 taken up, would open of itself at that page 
 in Debrett which was devoted to the an- 
 cient glories of the barony of Limborne ; 
 and though the story of this family was a 
 long one, and entered largely into the 
 history of the land, yet Theresa was not 
 to be abashed by any back thoughts as to 
 her lack of ' lang pedigree,' for she was not 
 by any means a c penniless lass,' and if 
 she did not possess the ' acres of charms ' 
 and ' weel-stocket farms ' of Eobbie Burns 7 
 
 u2
 
 292 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 song, she at any rate answered to his 
 description in one particular, and was 'a 
 lass with a tocher ;' and this tocher she 
 conceived might well cover a multitude of 
 sins of omission in regard to birth, and 
 entirely overpower the odour of the 
 grocer's shop, in a small chamber over 
 which the fair damsel first saw light. 
 The poverty of the Limborne family was 
 very well known, and the wealth of Wre- 
 ford was sufficiently well displayed in the 
 gorgeous appointments of house, equipage, 
 and retinue. A coronet, if only of a 
 humble baron, was a bright and shining 
 prize in Theresa's eyes, and she would 
 gladly have gone to the hymeneal altar 
 with a decrepit viscount, or a semi-idiotic 
 earl, or one deformed even, if by so doing 
 she could get the vulgar joy she had set 
 her heart upon ; but Lord Limborne was 
 neither decrepit, idiotic, nor deformed, and 
 was, indeed, an exceedingly clever man, well 
 before the world, and if not absolutely hand-
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 293 
 
 some, yet certainly distinguished-looking. 
 Moreover, the consummation she so 
 devoutly wished had not now seemed to be 
 so utterly hopeless as it would have seemed 
 even a month ago ; for Miss Ingle's diplo- 
 macy had been crowned with signal success, 
 and the Dentons already occupied that 
 position in society ' to which/ as Mrs. Den- 
 ton so frequently remarked, ' their wealth 
 entitled them.' All the ' best people ' had 
 called after the Teignbriclge debut, the 
 great Denton ball had been trumpeted 
 forth to so large an extent that the dream 
 of Mrs. Denton's life had been realized, 
 and carriage after carriage had driven up 
 to the gleaming portals, and there deposit- 
 ed persons of the very highest distinction, 
 whilst an added lustre had been bestowed 
 by the presence of the Limborne Castle 
 party, including the great and potent 
 family of Beldon ; for, apart from the 
 delicate manoeuvres as to church restora- 
 tion, this ball was a perfect god-send to
 
 294 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Lady Limborne, who found some difficulty 
 in providing for the entertainment of the 
 important personages then under her roof, 
 and had seized upon Miss Ingle's hints at 
 the gratification her presence at Wreford 
 would afford, and graciously accepted an 
 invitation which, at any rate, provided 
 for one evening out of the dreadful six of 
 the Beldon visitation. 
 
 ' Two unmarried daughters, with for- 
 tunes of their own,' as Miss Ingle remark- 
 ed in many places, ' and one unmarried son 
 with such absolutely gigantic prospects of 
 wealth,' were baits which had power enough 
 to draw all the county folk, who were in 
 the blessed position of that man ' whose 
 quiver is full of them,' to the gates of 
 Wreford ; and, because these * some ' went, 
 others followed suit, and at last every- 
 body, who was anybody, called, and, after 
 the due formalities, received Mrs. Denton's 
 card of invitation to the ball, and ' had 
 much pleasure in accepting the same ;' and
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 295 
 
 so the seal was set upon the Dentons' 
 patent of gentility, and Uncle Ben's fortune 
 began to bud, and blossom, and to bear 
 very choice fruit indeed. 
 
 Many invitations in return did the post- 
 man briug to Wreford, and often in the 
 dances, dinner-parties, afternoons, and 
 lunches (which latter dismal festivities do 
 greatly prevail in these parts, to the waste 
 of a day and the ruin of many digestions), 
 to which these invitations formed, as it 
 were, the keys, did Theresa meet with the 
 innocent object, if not of her affections, 
 at least, of her intentions; and there on these 
 happy hunting-grounds, with all the art 
 of which she was capable, assisted by a 
 considerable stock of self-confidence, did 
 she pursue the noble game in the chase 
 matrimonial, and not without some measure 
 of success ; for she had so arranged 
 matters, by a persistent placing of herself 
 in his way, as to make it appear that 
 Lord Limborne was not indifferent to her
 
 296 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 company, and hints, and nods, and becks 
 were already beginning to convey an im- 
 pression that the Limborne coffers would, 
 at no very distant date, be replenished by 
 some of the overflow from the Wreford 
 Pactolus. Now Lord Limborne was en- 
 tirely ignorant of the above-mentioned 
 rumours. Miss Denton was very fair to 
 look upon, though too voluminous in her 
 charms to suit his fastidious taste ; she 
 was an excellent dancer, she could talk 
 pleasantly enough, and with a certain 
 flavour of sarcasm, not refined, perhaps, 
 but enough to single her out from the 
 monotonous crowd of society damsels ; and, 
 if he sometimes vaguely wondered why he 
 so often found himself beside Miss Denton, 
 she amused him, and he thought no more 
 about the matter. 
 
 Theresa, however, thought a great deal 
 about the matter, and was bitterly dis- 
 appointed at the sudden downfall of her 
 house of cards, which the news conveyed
 
 DOMESTIC DETECTIVES. 297 
 
 to her by her maid had brought about. 
 Nellie had been away for so long that the 
 slight suspicion she had felt in that direc- 
 tion had almost died away, and, in the 
 eagerness of the chase, she had forgotten 
 this pitfall in which now, alas for her ! all 
 her hopes were to be engulfed. Some 
 very unpleasant quarters-of-an-hour, then, 
 did our fair Theresa pass, until the lunch 
 gong sounded, and she descended to the 
 dining-room, there to meet her family and 
 to tell the dreadful news.
 
 298 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOE NELLIE. 
 
 A grief which is shared is felt to be much 
 lighter ; even as school-boys we liked to 
 find others ' in the same row/ and as we 
 have a melancholy feeling that our troubles 
 are looked upon if not with satisfaction, as 
 the French cynic said, yet with an unpleas- 
 ing indifference by our friends, so it is as 
 pleasing unction to the wounded soul to 
 find others ' in the same box/ Some 
 slight relief was afforded to the sore- 
 stricken Theresa by the sight of her long 
 and attenuated brother ; and the desire 
 which, at this sight, arose instantly in her 
 mind, the desire to * make some one else 
 feel it/ was irresistible.
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR NELLIE. 299 
 
 As soon then as the servants were gone 
 from the room, she began to open her 
 batteries upon this defenceless citadel. 
 
 1 Good gracious, Henry/ she began, for 
 in the absence of the servants at this meal 
 of lunch she, together with the rest of the 
 family, relapsed slightly into the former 
 way of speaking, and felt a blissful relief 
 in so doing. ' Good gracious, Henry, 
 what makes you look so depressingly 
 dismal ?' 
 
 As is the habit of this class of aesthetic 
 individuals, so fortunately now dying out 
 under the killing influence of a well- 
 deserved ridicule, the pensive Henry had 
 cultivated a sorrowing and gloomy look, 
 which was, as Theresa said, depressing, 
 and, as she felt, irritating to the last 
 degree. 
 
 ' Well,' said Mr. Denton, before Henry 
 had time to reply, 'as Tresa says, what- 
 ever is the matter with you, Henry ? you 
 look as if you'd lost sixpence and found
 
 300 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 fourpence, as the saying is, and for the life 
 of me I can't make it out. You ain't 
 bilious, are you ?' 
 
 'Father/ said the doleful young man, 'if 
 the troubles of my soul display themselves 
 upon my face, am I to blame ?' 
 
 ' Lor',' said his father, f you talk like a 
 play-actor. I remember a chap at the 
 " Surrey " who went on in that way, and 
 cut his throat to slow music and limelight 
 in the last act, though I never could make 
 out why.' 
 
 c Why can't you let your brother alone, 
 Theresa,' said his mother, who always 
 stood up for her son, ' you are for everlast- 
 ingly teasing and worrying him. I am sure 
 he does you no harm.' 
 
 ' Oh, but, mother,' said Emily, ' it is really 
 too bad the way Henry goes on. I declare, 
 I quite agree with Theresa, I am sick of it ; 
 always sighing and groaning, and going 
 about like a great wet-blanket.' 
 
 ' Theresa and Emily,' said the irrepressi-
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOE XELLIE. 301 
 
 ble one, ' Heaven forbid that my grief 
 should cast a shadow upon the brightness 
 of your lives ! I will leave you, therefore 
 aud go where I shall cease to trouble.' 
 
 1 Yes, into that hermit's cell of yours, I 
 suppose,' said Theresa, ' fitted up a trifle 
 luxuriously for a pining anchorite — where 
 you will mourn over your fate in a com- 
 fortable arm-chair, with Miss Braddon's 
 last for consolation • but wait a minute, 
 Henry, my dear, something is going to 
 happen to the heroine ; attune your afflict- 
 ed soul to agonies of despair ; prepare to 
 tear your hair, and beat your breast, and 
 all the rest of it ; for Araminta is another's, 
 or, to put it in plain English, Nellie Armer 
 is engaged to Lord Limborne.' 
 
 All the time occupied by Theresa in this 
 declamation, the unfortunate Henry was 
 standing with the door-handle in his hand, 
 ready to go off to what his sister called his 
 'cell/ while the rest of the family were 
 listening with all their ears, and with open-
 
 302 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 eyed astonishment at Theresa's unwonted 
 eloquence. 
 
 ' It can't be true, Theresa ! you do not 
 really mean it?' asked Henry, anxiously, 
 for once startled out oi his affectation. 
 
 - It is true, and I "do mean it,' replied 
 his sister, with a spiteful delight in her 
 brother's discomfiture. 
 
 1 Well, I never !' exclaimed Mrs. Denton. 
 * Who'd a-thought it ? only fancy ! Miss 
 Armer and Lord Limborne ; well, I am 
 surprised !' 
 
 ' Of all the artful . . .' said Emily, and 
 words failed her to express her feelings. 
 
 ' Why, I thought as 'Enery was going on 
 with her; whatever have you been a-teasing 
 him about her for, then ?' said Mr. Denton, 
 ' and as to the young woman, why ever 
 shouldn't his lordship marry her, if he 
 wants to? — as nice a looking little gell as 
 ever I set eyes on, and as good as she 
 looks, I'll be bound.' 
 
 'Mr. Denton,' said his spouse, ' I'm as-
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR NELLIE. 303 
 
 tonisbed at you ;' and darting a look of 
 disgust at her husband, who was totally 
 ignorant of the other plans this engage- 
 ment had upset, and was quite at a loss to 
 understand all this fuss and indignation, 
 Mrs. Denton hastened out of the room to 
 bestow what consolation she could, upon 
 her afflicted son, who had disappeared in 
 the general consternation at Theresa's 
 news. 
 
 It was unfortunate that Nellie and her 
 brother should have chosen that very after- 
 noon to call at Wreford and pay a farewell 
 visit to the Dentons, in view of the ap- 
 proaching migration of the Coombridge 
 family to London. 
 
 1 1 hear a carriage/ said the languid 
 Emily, who was lounging in a comfortable 
 chair and beguiling the afternoon hours 
 with a novel. ' Do look out, Theresa, and 
 see who it is. I expect it is Charlotte 
 Ingle ; she said she might come over this 
 afternoon.'
 
 304 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 Theresa was sitting by the window, 
 manufacturing some elegant trifle in crew- 
 els, feeling exceedingly dull, and quite 
 ready for anything which should vary the 
 monotony of the proceedings. 
 
 4 Well, I declare !' she exclaimed, peering 
 out so as to see and not be seen by 
 the approaching visitors, 'if it isn't the 
 Armers. Now we shall hear all about this 
 engagement ; it is abominable the way that 
 girl has fished for him.' 
 
 i And caught him, too, my dear Theresa/ 
 said Emily, spitefully, not unaware of her 
 sisters designs in that quarter. ' What a 
 rage Henry was in at lunch ; it was too 
 bad of you to chaff him like that, 
 Theresa.' 
 
 'Oh, I've no patience with his nonsense, 
 making such an open idiot of himself 
 about that little chit of a thing; moping 
 and going about with such sentimental 
 airs and graces. What on earth the men 
 can see in her to make such fools of them-
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR XELLIE 305 
 
 selves I cannot see. A little mincing crea- 
 ture like that !' 
 
 Theresa was of a large order of archi- 
 tecture, and had a natural abhorrence, not 
 unattended with envy, for the 'petite' in 
 feminine loveliness. 
 
 Just then Mrs. Denton sailed into the 
 room in all the magnificence of her after- 
 noon attire. 
 
 ' I heard a carriage coming, girls,' she 
 said, with a questioning look. 
 
 1 Yes, it's those horrid Armers,' said 
 Theresa, instantly changing her tone, how- 
 ever, and assuming her society gush as 
 the door opened and Nellie and Jack were 
 announced. ' So glad to see you, Nellie/ 
 she exclaimed, running up to her and kiss- 
 ing her with effusion ; i we are all quite 
 woe-begone to think that you are going 
 away for good ; it is too horrid of your 
 father ; and what will a certain person 
 say ?' she went on, archly, with a very keen 
 look at Nellie to see how the shot sped. 
 
 vol. i. x
 
 306 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 1 You must allow me to congratulate you, 
 Miss Armer,' said Mrs. Denton, advancing 
 to the charge, with mingled feelings ; for, 
 if she was delighted that all chance of her 
 son's alliance with the Armers was put an 
 end to by this engagement, she was, on 
 the other hand, grievously disappointed in 
 her hopes with regard to Theresa. 'I 
 am sure we shall all be charmed/ she went 
 on, ' to keep you amongst us after all.' 
 
 ' He is so very delightful,' slowly ejacu- 
 lated the languid one. 
 
 ' So clever,' put in Theresa, with effusion. 
 
 1 So distinguished !' added Mrs. Denton. 
 
 And three pairs of inquisitive eyes 
 peered curiously at the unfortunate Nellie, 
 who was confounded beyond measure to 
 iind her most sacred affairs the common 
 property of the Dentons, and consequently 
 of the world at large. Only one day had 
 passed since her lover's interview with Mr. 
 Armer, and it was only yesterday that Mr. 
 Armer had despatched the important
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR NELLIE. 307 
 
 missive announcing the event to Lady 
 Limborne. 
 
 1 How could it have got about like this ?' 
 Nellie asked herself, unconscious of the 
 detective powers of Hudson and Company. 
 Perfectly unprepared for such salvoes of 
 congratulation, confused beyond expression 
 at the suddenness and the unexpected 
 nature of these attacks, she blushed a deep 
 red, and turned helplessly to Jack for 
 assistance. 
 
 1 Oh, ah,' stammered that young man, 
 himself considerably dumbfounded. 'Ah, 
 so kind of you, don't you know. I, ah, it 
 is — er — very good of you. I am sure my 
 sister is much obliged ;' and be gazed fixed- 
 ly into his hat, and stopped his wanderiug 
 utterances abruptly. 
 
 The few seconds her brother's stumbling 
 ejaculations afforded were enough to bring 
 Nellie some small measure of composure, 
 and to give her time to come rapidly to the 
 conclusion that it was best to accept the 
 
 x2
 
 308 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 inevitable, and take the congratulations as 
 matters of course, since the whole affair 
 must be disclosed shortly, and it was 
 evident these people were well-informed, 
 though how or where they gained their in- 
 formation she knew not. 
 
 ' It is very kind of you, as Jack says,' she 
 said, taking the seat which the gushing 
 Theresa pushed vehemently towards her. 
 'But how could you have heard, for even 
 my father did not know until the day 
 before yesterday ?' 
 
 Now this was felt to be an awkward 
 question, for it was impossible to speak of 
 the origin of the information, and a 
 general accession of tell-tale colour to the 
 cheeks of the Dentons astonished Nellie, 
 and would probably have provoked her to a 
 polite insistance in her question, had not 
 the door opened at that moment to admit 
 the rotund figure of the master of the 
 house. Now Nellie was a great favourite 
 with old Mr. Denton; she liked him a
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR NELLIE. 309 
 
 great deal better than the other members 
 of his family, and had shown this liking in 
 the interest she took in his favourite hobb}-, 
 and the patience with which she listened to 
 his disquisitions on his orchids, and on the 
 obstinacy of the Scotch gardener who pre- 
 sided over what Mr. Denton called his 
 'eating-'ouses. 
 
 1 1 saw your trap, outside,' he said, going 
 up to Nellie, and shaking hands with her 
 ' So you've been and stole a march on us 
 all, 'ave you ? Well, well ! boys will be boys, 
 and gells will be gells, and I wish you joy 
 with all my heart, though I did 'ope as it 
 might a-been other ways ;' and he gave a 
 sly look at Nellie, but seeing she looked 
 flushed and uncomfortable, and knowing 
 from experience that she had probably 
 suffered something from the tongues of 
 Theresa and Emily, he earned her ever- 
 lasting gratitude by adding, ' Now, do 
 you come along of me, I've got some real 
 beauties out in the 'ouses, and it's a real
 
 310 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 pleasure to me to get some one who 
 appreciates 'em ;' and with that he bustled 
 out of the room, opening the door for 
 Nellie, and leaving her brother to the 
 tender mercies of his interesting family. 
 Poor Jack was no match for the Court of 
 Inquisition which now sat upon him, and the 
 severe cross-examination to which he was 
 subjected drew from him all that he knew* 
 of the * when/ ' where,' and ' how,' of his 
 sister's love-affairs, and reduced him to a 
 state of mental chaos from which he did 
 not emerge until he and his sister were 
 well on their way home. 
 
 It was felt by the Dentons that it would 
 be the very height of pure selfishness to 
 keep such a spicy piece of news to them- 
 selves, and, as soon as they had exhausted 
 their vocabulary of astonishment and spite, 
 they ordered round the barouche and 
 departed on a tour of visits ; and were, in- 
 deed, able to make some social capital out 
 of Theresa's disappointment, for the im-
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR NELLIE. 311 
 
 portance of their news broke down the 
 barriers of reserve in one or two ' county 
 families' who were intending 'only just to 
 hiow them, don't you know.' 
 
 Delighted, also, was the fair Theresa to 
 pose as a 'blighted being,' and her airs 
 and graces, half-sighs, and general conscious 
 appearance, gave colour to the slight re- 
 ports which had already got abroad, and 
 caused the observant to remark that f there 
 had been something after all between Lord 
 Limborne and that Denton girl.' To be 
 ' talked of ' in connection with a peer was 
 pure joy to Theresa's vulgar soul, and she 
 was, besides, quite shrewd enough to see 
 that, if anything should occur to break off 
 the alliance in question, the more her name 
 was mixed up with his lordship's the better 
 for her plans. 
 
 Largely did Nellie exercise her brains in 
 puzzling over the problem as to how the 
 Dentons could possibly have heard of 
 events which she had fondly imagined were
 
 312 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 known only to the parties intimately con- 
 cerned, and severe was the ' wigging ' 
 which descended upon the ingenuous Jack 
 when his sister compelled him to confess 
 the extent of his revelations. 
 
 ' Why on earth did you leave me, then ?' 
 said he. ' What could a fellow do ? They 
 were all down on me at once, and took the 
 words out of my mouth. There was the 
 fat one gushing, and the lean one wiring 
 at me, and the mother egging them both 
 on ; it was awful ! It was mean of you 
 to bolt, and leave me in the lurch.' 
 
 Thus did the young man turn the tables 
 on his sister, who, indeed, soon ceased to 
 talk, and occupied herself during the rest 
 of the drive in anxious thought as to how 
 this premature leaking out of her engage- 
 ment would affect the two persons most con- 
 cerned. If it could only have been kept 
 secret until some formal communication 
 had been made to Lady Limborne, and an 
 answer returned, even if that answer
 
 UNCOMFORTABLE FOR NELLIE. 313 
 
 should be, as Nellie feared it might be, an 
 unfavourable one, nobody but her own 
 people and Lord Limborne need know 
 anything about it, and she and her lover 
 could wait for better days ; but to appear 
 before the world as one whom Lord Lim- 
 borne would marry, but whom Lady Lim- 
 borne refused to receive as her son's wife ! 
 The very thought made Nellie crimson. 
 How could she ever hold up her head 
 again in such a case? How could these 
 people have found it all out? What a 
 ivretched position she would be placed in 
 if Lady Limborne were obdurate ! And 
 how dire would her father's rage be if his 
 daughter were slighted in this way ! Al- 
 together poor Nellie had a very unpleasant 
 experience of the old proverb anent the 
 course of true love, and the occasional 
 want of smoothness in that course, as she 
 painfully considered all these matters.
 
 314 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 LADI LIMBORNE WILL NOT HEAR REASON. 
 
 The polite letter-writer, all-embracing 
 though its scope may be, contains no form 
 suited to Mr. Armer's requirements as 
 he sits down in his study to indite the im- 
 portant epistle to Lady Limborne anent 
 her son's intentions towards his Nellie ; and 
 the squire found considerable difficulty in 
 producing such a letter as entirely satis- 
 fied him; for, first of all, he knew but 
 little of the person he was addressing, 
 and was thus, at the very outset, la- 
 bouring under a plain disadvantage. 
 'Tis true he had been introduced to her, 
 and had even met her some two or three 
 times, and this warranted him beginning
 
 LADY LIMBOEXE WILL NOT HEAR REASON. 315 
 
 with a 'Dear Lady Liniborne ' instead of 
 the more formal l My lady ;' but, having 
 travelled thus far, with date and address 
 above, he was forced to pause and con- 
 sider how to place things in a light which 
 should be agreeable to the party written 
 to ; and, as he sat back in his chair and 
 pondered over the matter, it dawned upon 
 him that her ladyship had not shown any 
 particular cordiality to him or his. True, 
 she had called, and the call, with its cere- 
 monious return, had been repeated at 
 lengthened intervals, but there had been no 
 approach to anything like cordiality on her 
 part, and, in truth, her attitude had been 
 rather repellent than otherwise. As, then, 
 the squire began to inquire of his mind 
 and memory, he lost, in a measure, the 
 easy-going confidence in Lady Limborne's 
 delighted acquiescence in these matri- 
 monial arrangements. 
 
 His ready pride rose up and impelled 
 him to write a somewhat curt statement of
 
 316 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 facts, and he produced under these feelings 
 a letter which, on reading, appeared more 
 like the statements on the charge-sheets at 
 petty sessions than the announcement of 
 anything so soft and pleasing as the first 
 approaches to connubial bliss. 
 
 1 Pshaw !' said he to himself, ' this won't 
 do at all, this "stand and deliver" style will 
 break off negotiations at once; and yet, 
 I can't Kootoo to my lady; they are as poor 
 as Job, and she ought to be delighted. I 
 must steer clear between the two extremes ;' 
 and he viciously tore up his performance. 
 
 It was, however, by no means an easy 
 matter to get past the Scylla of his pride, 
 without falling into the Charybdis of her 
 pride, and quite a number of torn-up 
 epistles bore witness to the severity of his 
 exercisings before he succeeded in produc- 
 ing ' the very thing.' He spoke of his 
 astonishment at the whole affair; he artfully 
 enlarged upon his esteem, and he might 
 say his affection, for Lord Limborne; he
 
 LADY LIMBORNE WILL NOT HEAR REASON. 317 
 
 praised him in no measured terms; be even 
 alluded slightly and delicately to his 
 appreciation of the honour to be derived 
 by him and his daughter from such a con- 
 nection, and mentioned the great pleasure 
 it would onye him to see his dear daughter 
 united to one combining so many good 
 qualities, &c, &c. ; he remarked that he was 
 glad to be in a position which enabled him 
 to provide something towards the material 
 comfort of the young couple; and he ended 
 by trusting that Lady Limborne would be 
 as pleased as he was, and by proposing to 
 wait upon her, as soon as he received her 
 reply, with a view to discussing those busi- 
 ness matters which alas ! enter even into 
 the sacred rites of Cupid and Hymen. 
 
 Now Lady Limborne had obstinatelv 
 refused to believe that her son would 
 persevere against her expressed wish and 
 will; she thought that, at any rate, it would 
 be some time before Lord Limborne took 
 any decided step in a matter about which
 
 318 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 she had declared her views so very strong- 
 ly; she expected he would return to the 
 subject again and again, and, in spite of her 
 expressed desire that the affair should not 
 be alluded to between them, she had 
 prepared very cogent arguments, and had 
 conceived of many excellent plans and 
 'ways of putting things,' and had at length 
 persuaded herself that James would after 
 all see things in a proper light and give 
 way to her now, as, indeed, he always had 
 given way, hitherto. She did not reckon, 
 however, with the power of the little god 
 with the bow and arrows, with the many 
 fascinating qualities of the fair Helen, or 
 with that very considerable proportion of 
 obstinacy and pride which her sen had 
 received as a birth-gift from herself. 
 
 Having persuaded herself that James 
 was giving way, chiefly because he had 
 obeyed her and had not spoken to her on 
 the tabooed subject, and secondly from 
 some hints which had dropped from the
 
 LADY LIMBORXE WELL NOT HEAR REASON. 319 
 
 voluminous Miss Ingle as to the supposed 
 attentions of Lord Limborne to the vulgar 
 but golden Denton girl — attentions which 
 she determined to nip in the bud as soon 
 as this Armer entanglement (as she called 
 it) should be definitely finished with — hav- 
 ing come to these conclusions, she had 
 altered her tone, and had almost gone 
 back to the old affectionate intercourse 
 with her son, greatly to Lord Limborne's 
 delight, who, on Ids part, saw in these re- 
 newed amenities, and this pleasant return 
 to pleasant relations, a giving way on his 
 mother's side, and a sign that, after a show 
 of resistance, to avoid the appearance of 
 inconsistency, she would bow to the in- 
 evitable, and receive his beautiful Nellie 
 as her daughter-in-law to be ; once received, 
 even on the coldest of footings, his partial 
 thoughts could conceive of no one able to 
 resist such a battery of charms as was at 
 the disposal of his inamorita, and he was 
 indulging himself in pleasing visions of
 
 320 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 domestic bliss with a lovely and amiable 
 wife, and a complacent mother, when he 
 found it necessary to prepare his mother 
 for the advent of that letter which caused 
 the squire such mental exercisings in the 
 writing. 
 
 It is always difficult to open again a 
 subject which has been tacitly tabooed, 
 and this difficulty is the greater when the 
 subject has been the cause of wars and 
 tumults j and though there are some people 
 who delight in the ' give and take ' of 
 wordy warfare, and live most easily and 
 comfortably (to themselves strictly) in an 
 atmosphere of domestic 'row/ most of 
 us, including, in this case, Lord Lim- 
 borne, have a nervous horror of breaking 
 the peace, and will, indeed, go through a 
 certain amount of discomfort and restraint 
 rather than assist at the opening of old 
 wounds. It was, then, with considerable 
 hesitation that he approached Lady Lim- 
 borne on the evening of his ' explanation •
 
 LADY LIMBORNE WILL NOT HEAR REASON. 321 
 
 with Mr. Armer, with the necessity of 
 informing her of what he had been doing 
 and what was yet to be done. 
 
 ' I have been over to Coombridge this 
 afternoon, mother,' he said, after dinner, 
 when the servants had left them to their 
 dessert; making a bold plunge into the 
 midst of things at once. 
 
 This announcement was sufficiently an- 
 noying and even alarming to Lady Lini- 
 borne, and roused her somewhat from her 
 fancied security in her son's obedience to 
 her wishes. 
 
 1 1 thought,' she said, ' those people were 
 in London ; some one — who was it ? — told 
 me he had gone back to his business, 
 whatever that is. Of course you can go 
 where you please ; but I thought we had 
 agreed not to speak of that affair again ;' 
 and Lady Limborne looked at her son in 
 mingled anger and alarm. 
 
 1 1 only knew they had come back yes- 
 terday, and I went over at once.' 
 
 vol. i. *
 
 322 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 1 James/ interrupted his mother, ' do not, 
 I beg of you, force on me this distasteful 
 subject ; it can lead to no good ; these dis- 
 cussions weary me ;' and she rose to leave 
 the room. 
 
 ' Stay, mother/ exclaimed Lord Lim- 
 borne, ' you must hear me. I have spoken 
 to Mr. Armer, I have his permission to our 
 engagement, and he will write to you about 
 it ; you will get his letter to-morrow, and I 
 do earnestly entreat you to be the kind and 
 loving mother to me that you always have 
 been ; do not answer hastily, think what it 
 must mean to me.' 
 
 Lady Limborne was perfectly dumb- 
 founded at this announcement, the house 
 of cards she had been building these last 
 few weeks was blown down in a moment ; 
 and while her son was appealing to her 
 she had time to see how she was driven 
 into a corner, and must decide now, once 
 for all, whether she would incur her son's 
 anger and possible desertion, by refusing
 
 LADY LLMBORNE WILL NOT HEAR BEASOX. 323 
 
 to acknowledge his engagement, or swallow 
 her pride and agree to take what was to her 
 the most distasteful action she had ever 
 been called upon to take. As all these 
 possibilities crowded into her mind, she 
 saw she was entrapped, checkmated, and 
 rage filled her as she saw (most erroneous- 
 ly) the craft and wiliness which had thus 
 forced her hand. 
 
 4 Nothing/ she exclaimed, in the heat of 
 the moment, ' nothing shall induce me 
 to go back from what I have said ; you 
 have behaved most deceitfully; it cannot 
 be you, it must be those designing people j 
 they have entrapped you, and they want to 
 force me to agree to this most painful 
 mesalliance. It is a vile plot — how can 
 you be so blind ?' 
 
 1 It is perfectly absurd for you to harp 
 upon that, mother,' he returned ; ' such a 
 word as " plot " is ridiculous in regard to 
 Nellie. I told you I had her consent, and 
 what more natural than that I should seek 
 
 t2
 
 324 THE POWEK OF GOLD. 
 
 her father's? I am quite determined in 
 the matter, I have not swerved for one 
 moment, and I must beg you to consider 
 what it will mean if you still persist in 
 your opposition. What is it you object to ? 
 They are of good birth, if that is your 
 objection. I cannot see why you detest 
 them so.' 
 
 1 1 do not believe in their birth, anyone 
 can buy a pedigree and arms and so forth, 
 now-a-days. Of course they pretend to 
 birth ; it is absurd ; they are roturiers, City 
 people, trades-folk, all that is most abomin- 
 able to me. Had you spoken to me before 
 you went to the father, I should have told 
 you what answer I shall give, and you 
 would have spared me a most distasteful 
 task. Of course, you are of age, you can 
 marry whom you will, a barmaid, or a 
 dancer, if you choose ; but I am certainly 
 not bound to receive your wife, and I will 
 have nothing to do with this most painful 
 entanglement.' All the time this uncom-
 
 LADY LIMBORNE WILL NOT HEAE REASON. 325 
 
 fortable discussion was going on, Lady 
 Limborne was standing by the door, 
 where she was when her son's first words 
 arrested her, and as she ceased speaking 
 she turned the handle and went quickly to 
 her own room. 
 
 Lord Limborne's sleep that night was 
 not of the calmest or sweetest ; in a matter 
 of such importance as the settlement in 
 life of his daughter, Mr. Armer would not 
 be likely to delay, and courtesy to Lady 
 Limborne would probably urge him to in- 
 form her of the facts at once ; the very 
 next day Mr. Armer' s letter might be ex- 
 pected, and the effects thereof upon his 
 mother, and her answer, filled him with 
 the most gloomy of forebodings. Of Nel- 
 lie's stedfast affection he was well assured, 
 he had no manner of doubt about that ; but 
 whether she would endure his mother's 
 refusal to receive her, or whether, even if 
 she did still abide by her engagement, Mr. 
 Armer would not insist upon an end to the
 
 326 THE POWER OF GOLD. 
 
 whole affair, were matters which afforded 
 him some very distasteful mental food. Of 
 Lady Limborne's firmness of character, as 
 she would have called it, or obstinacy, as 
 this trait of hers was called by others, he 
 had had ample experience ; that she would 
 abide by her word was alas ! only too 
 certain, and the equally certain results of 
 her action were almost too painful to be 
 thought about. 
 
 Of course, England is a free country, 
 and a man can marry whom he likes, pro- 
 vided the young lady is willing, and both 
 parties to the bargain are of ' full age ' ; 
 but, on the other hand, great is Mrs. Grun- 
 dy, and she will (too often) prevail, and 
 come in, in a very obnoxious manner indeed, 
 between young couples and the satisfaction 
 of their loving hopes. The time for post- 
 ing off to Gretna Green and its accommo- 
 dating blacksmith, or for the scandalous 
 marriages of the Fleet, is past ; and even if 
 he could persuade Nellie to set the angry
 
 LADY LIMBORXE WILL NOT HEAR REASON. 327 
 
 parents at defiance, and marry him despite 
 all this absurd opposition, the unpleas- 
 antnesses of such a marriage were too 
 evident, and the disagreeable consequences 
 would still have to be faced. 
 
 The whole affair was simply maddening ; 
 here were two people attached to one 
 another, position, means, everything satis- 
 factory, the girl's parent most willing and 
 even eager for the match, and foolish family 
 pride, in the person of Lady Limborne, was 
 to step in and very effectually to * forbid 
 the banns.' There did not appear to be 
 any way out of the tangle, and Lord Lim- 
 borne could only hope that the chapter of 
 accidents might have some unexpected turn 
 of the wheel in store for him and for Nellie. 
 He was, however, not very hopeful, and 
 events amply justified his despondency. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 LONDON : PRINTED BY DUNCAN MAGDONALD, BLENHEIM HOUSE.

 
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 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOI8-URBANA 
 
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