CHAPTER XXIII

LADY LAVINIA GOES TO THE PLAY

Richard was away from home all next day, and his wife had plenty of time

in which to meditate upon her situation. She had quite come to the

conclusion that she must elope with Lovelace, and was only waiting for

to-night to tell him so. She would never, never ask Richard to let her

stay with him now that she knew he loved another. Truly a most trying

predicament. The Carstares were going to-night to Drury Lane to see

Garrick play one of his most successful comedies: the _Beaux'

Stratagem_. The _monde_ that would flock to see the inimitable Archer

was likely to be a very distinguished one, especially as the cast held

the added attraction of Mrs. Clive, and ordinarily Lady Lavinia would

have looked forward with much excitement to seeing the piece. To-day,

however, she felt that she would far rather go to bed and cry. But

Lovelace had to be answered, and besides that, she had invited two

cousins, new come from Scotland, to accompany her, and she could not

fail them.

So that evening saw her seated in her box, wonderfully gowned as usual,

scanning the house. Behind her stood her husband--when she thought that

this was the last time she would ever go with him to the theatre she had

much ado to keep from bursting into tears before them all--and in the

chair at her side was the cousin, Mrs. Fleming. Mr. Fleming stood with

his hands behind his back, exclaiming every now and then as his kinsman,

young Charles Holt, pointed out each newcomer of note. He was a short,

tubby little man, dressed in sober brown, very neat as regards his

wrists and neckband, but attired, so thought Lavinia, for the country,

and not for town. His dark suit contrasted strangely with Mr. Holt's

rather garish mixture of apple-green and pink, with waistcoat of yellow,

and Richard's quieter, but far more handsome apricot and silver. His

wig, too, was not at all modish, being of the scratch type that country

gentlemen affected. His wife was the reverse of smart, but she was loud

in her admiration of her more affluent cousin's stiff silks and laces.

She had married beneath her, had Mrs. Fleming, and the Belmanoirs had

never quite forgiven the shocking _mesalliance_. William Fleming was

nought but a simple Scotsman, whose father--even now the family

shuddered at the thought--had been a farmer!

Lavinia was not over-pleased that they should have elected to visit

London, and still less pleased that they should evince such an affection

for the Hon. Richard and his wife.

"Well, to be sure, Lavvy, 'tis pleasant to sit here and admire all the

people!" exclaimed Mrs. Fleming, for perhaps the twentieth time. "I

declare I am grown positively old-fashioned from having lived for so

long in the country!--yes, my dear, positively old-fashioned! ... I

cannot but marvel at the great hoops everyone is wearing! I am sure mine

is not half the size of yours, and the lady down there in the stage-box

has one even larger!"

Lavinia directed her gaze towards the box in question. At any other time

she would have been annoyed to see that the occupant was Lady Carlyle,

her pet rival in all matters of fashion. Now she felt that nothing

signified, and merely remarked that she considered those absurd garlands

of roses on the dress quite grotesque.

Behind, Holt was directing Mr. Fleming's attention to a box at the back

of the house.

"'Pon my soul, William! 'Tis the Duchess of Queensberry and her

son--March, you know. I assure you there is no one more amiable in town.

When I last visited her--"

"Charles knows well-nigh everyone here," remarked Mrs. Fleming

ingenuously, and wondered why her cousin laughed.

When the curtain rose on the first act, Lovelace was nowhere to be seen,

and Lavinia tried to interest herself in the play. But it is difficult

to be interested in anything when one's whole mind is occupied with

something else far more overwhelming. She was not the only one of the

party that Garrick failed to amuse. Richard sat wretchedly in the shadow

of the box, thinking how, in a short while, he would never again conduct

his wife to the theatre and never again sit at her side watching her

every change of expression.

In the first interval Lovelace had still not arrived, but many other

acquaintances had arrived and called to see the Carstares. Markham,

Wilding, Devereux, Sir John Fortescue--all came into the box at

different times, paid homage to Lavinia, were introduced to Mrs.

Fleming, laughed and cracked jokes with the men, and drifted away again.

How was it she had never before realised how much she enjoyed her life?

wondered Lavinia. She settled down to listen to the second act, and

Garrick's skill caught her interest and held it. For a moment she forgot

her woes and clapped as heartily as anyone, laughing as gaily.

The next instant she remembered again, and sank back into unutterable

gloom.

But Richard had heard her merry laugh, and his heart was even gloomier

than hers. There was no help for it: Lavinia was delighted at the

thought of leaving him.

As the curtain fell, Mrs. Fleming suddenly demanded if it was not Tracy

seated in the box over on the other side. Lavinia turned to look. In the

box, alone, sat his Grace, seemingly unaware of her presence.

"Is it not Tracy?" persisted Mrs. Fleming. "I remember his face so

well."

"Yes," nodded Lavinia, and waved to him.

Andover rose, bowed, and left his box. In a few moments he was in their

own, kissing his cousin's hand.

Lavinia now caught sight of Lovelace standing on the floor of the

theatre looking up at her. He, too, disappeared from view, and she

guessed that he was coming to speak with her. He had evidently failed to

perceive the Duke, who was just a little behind her in the shadow.

Richard and Mr. Fleming had left the box, and only Charles Holt

remained, engaging Mrs. Fleming's whole attention. If only Tracy would

go! How was she ever to give Lovelace her answer with him sitting there

so provokingly.

Captain Lovelace knocked at the door. Carelessly she bade him enter, and

affected surprise on seeing him. His Grace looked at her through

narrowed lids, and shot a swift glance at Lovelace, whose discomfiture

at finding him there was palpable. Not a trace of emotion was visible on

that impassive countenance, but Lavinia felt her brother's attitude to

be sinister, as if he divined her wishes and was determined to frustrate

them. She watched him smile on Lovelace and beg him to be seated.

Whether by accident or design, she was not sure which, he had so placed

the chairs that he himself was between her and the captain. Skilfully

he drew Mrs. Fleming into the conversation, and rearranged his stage.

Lavinia found herself listening to the amiable Mr. Holt, and out of the

tail of her eye observed that Lovelace had fallen a victim to her

cousin. She could find no way of speaking to him, and dared not even

signal, so adroitly was his Grace stage-managing the scene. Lavinia was

now quite certain that he was managing it. Somehow he had guessed that

she had arranged to speak to Lovelace to-night, and was determined to

prevent her. How he had found out, she could not imagine, but she was

too well acquainted with him to be surprised. He would never let her

disgrace herself if he could help it--she knew that. In whatever manner

he himself might behave, his sister's conduct must be above reproach; he

would find some means of separating them until he could cause Lovelace

to be removed. She did not in the least know how he would contrive to do

this, but she never doubted that he could and would. And then she would

have to stay with Richard--Richard, who did not want her. If only Tracy

would go! Ah! he was rising!

His Grace of Andover begged Captain Lovelace to bear him company in his

box. He would brook no refusal. He bore his captive off in triumph.

A minute later Mr. Fleming re-entered the box. The third act had just

begun when Richard re-appeared, and softly took his seat. On went the

play. Neither Tracy nor Lovelace came to the box during the next

interval, and from her point of vantage Lavinia could see that Andrew

had been introduced to the latter. She could guess how cleverly his

Grace was keeping the Captain by him....

Lord Avon, who had only a week ago returned from Bath, came to pay his

respects. He had much to tell dear Lady Lavinia. How Cholmondely and

Falmouth had dared to fight a duel in Crescent Fields, and had been

arrested. How furious the Beau was, but how his age was beginning to

tell on him, and how it was whispered that his power was waning. All of

which at any ordinary time would have interested my lady quite

prodigiously, but now bored and even annoyed her.

On went the play. Scrub and Boniface kept the house in a roar; all but

Richard and his wife were enthralled. The incomparable Kitty failed to

hold Lavinia's attention. Would Lovelace manage to speak to her in the

last interval? A solicitous enquiry from Mrs. Fleming roused her, and

she had perforce to smile--to own to a slight headache, and to evince

some interest in the play. One more interval: would he come? She became

aware of a hand laid on her shoulder. Richard's voice, gravely

courteous, sounded in her ears.

"You are heated, my dear. Will you walk outside a little?"

She felt a mad desire to cling to his hand, and suppressed it forcibly.

She rose, hesitating. Mrs. Fleming decided the point.

"The very thing. How considerate of you, Mr. Carstares! I shall like to

walk amongst all the people, to be sure! Here is Charles offering to

escort us, too! What say you, Lavvy?"

"I--oh, I shall be pleased to do what suits you best, cousin," she

answered.

"Then let us go, my love. Charles has an arm for each, so we may leave

our husbands to chat."

They went out into the broad passage and walked towards the foyer. There

Lord March espied Lavinia, who was always a favourite with him, and came

forward, offering his arm. Lavinia took it, thankful to escape from Mr.

Holt's vapid conversation. She let March conduct her to where his mother

was sitting, with Mr. Selwyn at her elbow. Someone fetched her a glass

of ratafie, and Montagu came to talk to her.

Stepping out of his box, Richard fell into the arms of his Grace of

Andover.

"Ah! Dick!"

Richard eyed him coldly.

"You wanted me?"

Tracy saw Mr. Fleming approaching

"Only to ask if I may return with you to Grosvenor Square. I have

something important to say."

"Certainly," bowed Richard, and turned aside.

Lovelace, who had succeeded in escaping from the Belmanoir claws,

hurried in search of Lavinia. Not finding her in her box, he gathered

she must be in the foyer and made his way towards it. As soon as she saw

him coming she set down her glass and rose to her feet.

"Oh, Captain Lovelace! Have you come to fetch me back to my seat? I have

scarce set eyes on you this evening. No, Markham, you may _not_ come!

No, nor you, my lord! Madam--" She curtsied low to the old Duchess and

walked away on Harold's arm.

When they were once in the deserted passage behind the boxes, he turned

eagerly towards her.

"Well, my dearest? Well?"

Lady Lavinia's mouth drooped miserably.

"Yes," she said, "I shall have to come with you."

The tone was damping, to say the least of it, but he did not seem to

notice it.

"Lavinia! You mean it?"

"Yes," she assented, still more dejectedly.

"My beautiful love! You will really come? When? At once?"

"At--Oh, no, no!"

"Darling, the sooner the better. I understand 'tis a great step to

expect you to take in a hurry, but I assure you 'tis wisest. Can you

come to-morrow?"

Her big eyes dilated.

"No! No! I--oh, I cannot leave Dicky so soon!" She ended with a sob.

"But, Lavinia, my dearest! You surely do not want to _stay_ with him?"

he cried.

"Yes I do!" she answered. "I--I don't want ever to leave him!"

This blighting speech left him gasping.

"You--but--heavens! what are you saying? You love _me_!"

"No, I don't!" she contradicted. "I always s-said I d-didn't. I love my

husband!"

"You are distraught!" he exclaimed. "If you love him, why do you consent

to elope with me?"

She looked at him reproachfully.

"There is no one else," she said mournfully.

"Good Lord! What--"

"I have to elope with someone--because--Dick--d-doesn't love me any

more--you see. I will come with you, and I will try to be good."

He kissed her hand quickly

"Sweetheart! ... I still think you are not yourself. You will think

differently to-morrow--you do not really love Carstares."

She shut her mouth obstinately, tilting her regal little head.

He watched her anxiously.

"If you really do love him, 'tis ridiculous to elope with me," he said.

Her fingers tightened on his wrist.

"But I must! You don't understand, Harry! You _must_ take me! Don't you

want me?"

"Of course I do, but not if you are longing to be somewhere else all the

time. The whole thing seems preposterous!"

"'Tis all dreadful!--dreadful! I have never been so unhappy in my life!

I--oh, I wish I had not been so heedless and selfish!"

Lovelace pondered for a moment, as they stood outside her box; then,

seeing that people were returning to their seats, he opened the door and

took her in.

"Listen, dear! This is the maddest scheme ever I heard; but if you are

determined, you shall carry it through. Come to my lodgings to-morrow

evening! Bring as little baggage as possible; I will have all ready, and

we will post at once to Dover. Then in time I hope you will forget

Richard and come to care for me a little."

"You are very, very good, Harry! Yes, I will do just as you say and, oh,

I am sorry to put you out like this! I am nought but a plague to

everyone, and I wish I were dead! You don't really love me, and I shall

be a burden!"

"I do indeed love you!" he assured her, but within himself he could not

help wishing that he had not fallen quite so passionately in love with

her. "I'll leave you now, sweet, for your husband will be returning at

any moment." He kissed her hands lightly "_A demain_, fairest!"

How she sat through the last act Lavinia could never afterwards imagine.

She was longing to be at home--so soon to be home no longer--and quiet.

Her head ached now as Richard's had ached for weeks. More than anything

did she want to rest it against her husband's shoulder, so temptingly

near, and to feel his sheltering arms about her. But Dick was in love

with Isabella Fanshawe, and she must sit straight and stiff in her chair

and smile at the proper places.

At last the play was ended! The curtain descended on the bowing Archer,

and the house stamped and clapped its appreciation. The curtain rose

again--what! not finished yet? Ah, no! it was but Garrick leading Mrs.

Clive forward. Would they never have done?

Mrs. Fleming was standing; she supposed they were going, and got up.

Someone put her cloak about her shoulders; Richard--for the last time.

Mr. Holt escorted her to her coach, and put her and her cousin into it.

He and Mr. Fleming had their chairs; so only Richard and Tracy went with

the ladies. The Flemings were staying with friends in Brook Street, just

off Grosvenor Square, so that when they had put Harriet down, only a few

more yards remained to be covered.

Lavinia wondered dully why Tracy had elected to come with them. What did

he want? Was he going to warn Dick of her intended flight? He little

knew the true state of affairs!

At the foot of the staircase at Wyncham House she turned to say

good-night.

She merely nodded to Tracy, but to Dick she extended her hand. He took

it in his, kissing it, and she noticed how cold were his fingers, how

burning hot his lips. Then he released her, and she went slowly up the

stairs to her room.

His Grace watched her through his eyeglass. When she was out of sight he

turned and surveyed Richard critically.

"If that is the way you kiss a woman, Lavinia has my sympathies," he

remarked.

Richard's lips tightened. He picked up a stand of lighted candles and

ushered his Grace into the drawing-room.

"I presume you did not come to tell me that?" he asked.

"Your presumption is correct, Richard. I have come to open your eyes."

"You are too kind."

His Grace laid his hat on the table, and sat down on the arm of a chair.

"I think perhaps I am. It may interest you to hear that Lavinia intends

to elope with our gallant friend the Captain." Richard bowed.

"You knew it?"

"Certainly."

Andover looked him over.

"May I ask what steps you are taking to prevent her?"

"None."

His Grace's expression was quite indescribable. For a moment he was

speechless, and then he reverted to heavy sarcasm.

"Pray remember to be at hand--to conduct her to her chair!" he drawled.

"Upon my soul, you sicken me!

"I am grieved. There is a remedy," replied Carstares significantly.

Tracy ignored the suggestion.

"I suppose it is nothing to you that you lose her? No; It is nothing to

you that she disgraces her name? Oh, no!"

"_My_ name, I think."

"Our name! Is it possible for her to disgrace yours?"

Richard went white and his hand flew instinctively to his sword hilt.

Tracy looked at him.

"Do you think I would soil my blade with you?" he asked, very softly.

Richard's hand fell from the hilt: his eyes searched the other's face.

"You know?" he asked at last, quite calmly.

"You fool," answered his Grace gently. "You fool, do you think I have

not always known?"

Richard leaned against the mantel-shelf.

"You never thought I was innocent? You knew that night? You guessed?"

The Duke sneered.

"Knowing both, could I suspect other than you?" he asked insultingly.

"Oh, my God!" cried Carstares suddenly. "Why could you not have said so

before?"

The Duke's eyes opened wide.

"It has chafed you--eh? I knew it would. I've watched you." He chuckled

beneath his breath. "And those fools never looked beneath the surface.

One and all, they believed that John would cheat. John! They swallowed

it tamely and never even guessed at the truth."

"You, at least, did not believe?"

"I? Hardly. Knowing you for a weak fool and him for a quixotic fool, I

rather jumped to conclusions."

"Instead, you tried to throw the blame on him. I would to God you had

exposed me!"

"So you have remarked. I confess I do not understand this heroic

attitude. Why should I interfere in what was none of my business? What

proof had I?"

"Why did you raise no demur? What motive had you?"

"I should have thought it fairly obvious."

Richard stared at him, puzzled.

"Gad, Richard! but you are singularly obtuse. Have I not pointed out

that John was a quixotic fool? When did I say he was a weak one?"

"You mean--you mean you wanted Lavinia to marry me--because you thought

to squeeze me as you willed?" asked Carstares slowly.

His Grace's thin nostrils wrinkled up.

"You are so crude," he complained.

"It suited you that Jack should be disgraced? You thought I should seize

his money. You--you--"

"Rogue? But you will admit that I at least am an honest rogue. You

are--er--a dishonest saint. I would sooner be what I am."

"I know there is nothing on God's earth more vile than I am!" replied

Carstares, violently.

His Grace sneered openly.

"Very pretty, Richard, but a little tardy, methinks." He paused, and

something seemed to occur to him. "'Tis why you purpose to let Lavinia

go, I suppose? You confess the truth on Friday--eh?"

Richard bowed his head.

"I have not the right to stop her. She--chooses her own road."

"She knows?" sharply.

"She has always known."

"The jade! And I never guessed it!" He paused. "Yes, I understand your

heroic attitude. I am sorry I cannot pander to it. In spite of all this,

I cannot permit my sister to ruin herself."

"She were as effectually ruined an she stayed with me."

"Pshaw! After seven years, who is like to care one way or the other

which of you cheated? Play the man for once and stop her!"

"She _loves_ Lovelace, I tell you!"

"What of it? She will recover from that."

"No--I cannot ask her to stay with me--'twould be damnably selfish."

His Grace appeared exasperated.

"'Fore Gad, you are a fool! Ask her! _Ask_ her! Force her! Kick Lovelace

from your house and abandon the heroic pose, I beg of you!"

"Do you suppose I want to lose her?" cried Carstares. "'Tis because I

love her so much that I will not stand in the way of her happiness!"

The Duke flung round and picked up his hat.

"I am sorry I cannot join with you in your heroics. I must take the

matter into my own hands, as usual, it seems. Lord, but you should have

learnt to make her obey you, my good Dick! She has led you by the nose

ever since she married you, and she was a woman who wanted mastering!"

He went over to the door and opened it. "I will call upon you to-morrow,

when I shall hope to find you more sane. They do not purpose to leave

until late, I know, for Lovelace is promised to Mallaby at three

o'clock. There is time in which to act."

"I shall not interfere," repeated Richard.

His Grace sneered.

"So you have remarked. It remains for me to do. Good-night."