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Lord Doningdale, who at first lingered with his other visitors, now joined them, and Maltravers was struck with his high-bred manner, and a singular and somewhat elaborate polish in his emphasis and expression. They soon entered a noble park, which attested far more care and attention than are usually bestowed upon those demesnes, so peculiarly English.
"It is very odd that /I/ should have such a son," said Lord Doningdale, musingly, "a son who cannot amuse himself indoors for two minutes together. I took great pains with his education, too.
Maltravers, will you give Madame de Ventadour your arm?" said Lord Doningdale, as he stalked on to the dining-room with a duchess on his own. "And you have left Naples," said Maltravers: "left it for good?" "We do not think of returning." "It was a charming place how I loved it! how well I remember it!" Ernest spoke calmly it was but a general remark. Valerie sighed gently.
"I speak as I feel." Valerie said no more. Shortly afterwards Lord Doningdale approached them, and proposed that they should make an excursion the next day to see the ruins of an old abbey, some few miles distant. "If I should meet thee After long years, How shall I greet thee?"
Thus muttering, Lord Doningdale walked, or rather marched, to and fro the room, with his hands in his coat pockets, and his whip sticking perpendicularly out of the right one. Just at this moment the waiter came to announce that his lordship's groom was without, and desired much to see him.
Lord Doningdale had then the pleasure of learning that his favourite grey hackney, which he had ridden, winter and summer, for fifteen years, was taken with shivers, and, as the groom expressed it, seemed to have "the colic in its bowels!" Lord Doningdale turned pale, and hurried to the stables without saying a word.
His lordship looked at him sharply, and then turned his eye to Madame de Ventadour. "Nay," said Valerie; laughing, "I did not dictate the question." "Yes," said Lord Doningdale, "I have been at Paris." "His Majesty must have been delighted to return your lordship's hospitality." Lord Doningdale looked a little embarrassed, and made no reply, but put his horse into a canter.
"Has /madame/ met with an acquaintance?" said he; "and, if so, will she permit me to partake her pleasure?" The interruption seemed a relief to Valerie; she smiled and coloured. "Let me introduce you to Mr. Maltravers. Mr. Maltravers, this is my host, Lord Doningdale."
She looked at him with an admiring and grateful gaze, and then said, in a calm but low voice, "Ernest, I understand you; yes, your friendship is dearer to me than love." At this time they heard the voice of Lord Doningdale on the stairs. Valerie turned away. Maltravers, as he rose, extended his hand; she pressed it warmly, and the spell was broken, the temptation conquered, the ordeal passed.
Meanwhile, the good old lord had summoned the chambermaid, and, with the kindly imperiousness of a father, made Valerie quit the room. The three gentlemen, left together, talked of the storm, wondered how long it would last, and debated the propriety of sending to Doningdale for the carriage.
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