CHAPTER XL - THE MANOEUVRING MOTHER
“We come in sight of Seville,
the high tower of the Giralda, cutting against
the blue of the sky, first won my attention; then a
portion of the old city came in view, backed by one
of the finest cathedrals in the world.
“It was just before holy week;
the steamboat brought many passengers from Cadiz,
who had come to witness the ceremonies in this the
second city of Spain.
“Many persons, mostly ladies,
were on the shore when our boat came up to its landing
place. Dressed in their light flowing muslins
and lace mantillas, they had a picturesque appearance
quite in harmony with the place. The moment we
came in sight, a hundred pretty hands gave out signals
of welcome from the twinkle of their delicate fingers.
There was no bustle, no confusion, but a world of
welcoming smiles, and soft murmuring words, which
would have filled me with a sense of loneliness, had
not all that I loved been close by. How could
I miss those wreathing welcomes, when the wealth of
my whole existence went with me?
“‘You are pleased.
You like Seville. I can read it in your face.’
“He had not spoken to me during
the last ten minutes, and I started from the dreaming
observation into which I had fallen, to answer him.
“’I was wondering if all
the world could produce another spot more lovely.’
“’And I was thinking pretty
much the same thing. In a scene like this the
hard cares of life seem impossible. It is a place
to live, love, and die in.’
“I could not answer him.
Indeed, his words were spoken so dreamily that they
required no response.
“We were on shore then, waiting
for General and Mrs. Harrington. The Eatons joined
us, full of some important intelligence, which I saw
the elder lady was dying to communicate.
“‘I told you so never
was mistaken in my life,’ she whispered.
’The captain speaks French almost as well as
I do.’
“To have saved my life I could
not have helped smiling. The woman had given
me a specimen of her French that day, and I could imagine
how perfect any information must be conveyed to her
in that language.
“’I asked him who the
gentleman was, and he told me he was the greatest
man in Seville, just then. No wonder I admired
him all the ladies did, not excepting the
Infanta herself, who would present him with a golden
key next week, in token of her high appreciation!
She must be some member of the royal family master
of the wardrobe, I suppose, by the key. They
never give such offices to anything less than a duke,
you know.’
“The little woman was all in
a flutter of excitement. Again she made a motion
that I should bend my head to listen.
“’Would I oblige her and
ride or walk with Mr. James. She would rather
that the duke should not see Lucy with him just now.
He might understand an engagement, and the Spaniards
were so proud and particular. That was a good
soul! She could trust me with all her little secrets.’
“The silly thing did not dream
how willing I was to oblige her, but General Harrington
broke up our plans. He had engaged a carriage,
and called on me to get in with Mrs. Harrington.
My maid was already seated there, so James walked
to the shore alone. The Eatons had their way,
for he did not offer to go with them. They lingered
at the landing till the duke drove off. Mrs.
Eaton told me that he had absolutely waved a kiss
to Lucy from his carriage window. Of course it
was not returned, ’but straws show where the
wind lies,’ she said. ’So many people
told us before we came away, that we ought to look
higher for a girl like our Lucy. I wonder if
a duke would meet the ideas of our friends.’
“The woman’s fussy vanity
wearied me so puerile, so ridiculous, yet
there was a sting in it. Look higher for their
daughter! Higher than whom? But why should
I let the talk of this silly woman annoy me? The
daughter is wonderfully beautiful, but what of that?
Still I have heard it said that the most brilliant
men often choose such women for their wives.
There is repose in this companionship it is said, and
so it may be for a time, but men do not live for repose.
When a man wants rest for his intellect, let him sleep,
not marry a pretty idiot.
“Dear, dear! how bitter I am
becoming! How unhappy I am! What possesses
me to think of this poor girl as an enemy? Is
it because he took her to the cathedral yesterday
and left me to General Harrington.
“We went to the cathedral again
this morning. I saw General Harrington talking
earnestly with James just before we started. He
seemed a little angry. I could not hear a word,
but they both looked towards me, and I saw the blood
rush into James’ face when he saw that I was
regarding them. He hesitated a moment after the
General left him, and advanced a step towards me,
then wheeled suddenly and went away. A few minutes
after I saw him walking towards the cathedral with
Lucy Eaton. We followed them after a little,
General Harrington observing, with a laugh, that we
must give the young people their chances.”