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General Ople was very anxious to see her. He had the sentiment of humble respectfulness toward aristocracy, and there was that in riches which aroused his admiration. London, for instance, he was not afraid to say he thought the wonder of the world.
Then she said, 'Your arm, General Ople, and she made one circuit of the lawn with him, barely speaking. At her request, he conducted her to her carriage. He took a seat beside her, obediently. He felt that he was being sketched, and comported himself like a child's flat man, that jumps at the pulling of a string. 'Where have you left your girl, General?
So it was with General Ople, and nothing is left for me to say except, that there is broader ground than the chessboard. He had done his pretty bit of mischief, all in the way of honour, of course, but hearts had knocked.
Lady Camper was in her carriage; General Ople was holding her prayer-book, hat in hand, at the carriage step, and he looked as if he were toasting before the bars of a furnace; for while he stood there, Lady Camper was rapidly pencilling outlines in a small pocket sketchbook.
Reginald Roller had a theme in common, and a passion. Elizabeth told her father that nothing afforded her so much pleasure as to hear him talk with Mr. Roller on military matters. General Ople assured her that it pleased him likewise. He began to spy about for Mr. Roller, and it sometimes occurred that they conversed across the wall; it could hardly be avoided.
This, in an engagement with a clever woman, is what you should do, or else you are likely to find yourself planted unawares in a high wind, your hat blown off, and your coat-tails anywhere; in other words, you will stand ridiculous in your bewilderment; and General Ople ever footed with the utmost caution to avoid that quagmire of the ridiculous.
Lady Camper surprised him by answering his thoughts. 'No; it's for my own pleasure. Presently she said, 'Here they are. General Ople beheld his daughter by the river-side at the end of the lane, under escort of Mr. Reginald Rolles. It was another picture, and a pleasing one.
He told Elizabeth that her ladyship's eyes were exceedingly searching: 'Only, said he, 'as I have nothing to hide, I am able to submit to inspection'; and he laughed slightly up to an arresting cough, and made the mantelpiece ornaments pass muster. General Ople was the hero to champion a lady whose airs of haughtiness caused her to be somewhat backbitten.
'How, my good General Ople! how is it marked in any degree? cried Lady Camper. 'I am not generous. I don't pretend to be; and certainly I don't want the young people to think me so. I want to be just. I have assumed that you intend to be the same. Then will you do me the favour to reply to me?
'General Ople, I forbid you, as you value my esteem, ever and I repeat, I forbid you ever to afflict my ears with that phrase, "lady-friend!" The General blinked in a state of insurgent humility. These incessant whippings could not but sting the humblest of men; and 'lady-friend, he was sure, was a very common term, used, he was sure, in the very best society.
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