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Richard Avenel, however, though by no means a credulous man, was an implicit believer in Mrs. M'Catchley. He had learned that she was a widow, and honourable by birth, and honourable by marriage, living on her handsome jointure, and refusing offers every day that she so lived. Somehow or other, whenever Richard Avenel thought of a wife, he thought of the Honourable Mrs. M'Catchley.
"Ah, Mr. Avenel!" said the widow, languidly, and leaving her hand in his, "who can resist you?" Up came Colonel Pompley; Richard took the shawl: "No hurry for that now, Colonel, Mrs. M'Catchley feels already at home here." Ten minutes afterwards, Richard Avenel so contrived that it was known by the whole company that their host was accepted by the Honourable Mrs. M'Catchley.
Richard still stood gazing into her face, with his arm extended. She hesitated a minute, and then took the arm. "Monstrous impudent!" cried the colonel. "Let Mrs. M'Catchley alone, my dear," responded Mrs. Pompley; "she will know how to give him a lesson." "Madam," said Richard, as soon as he and his companion were out of hearing, "I rely on you to do me a favour." "On me?"
And if any man gives an entertainment, and hears afar a general, ill-suppressed, derisive titter, and sees all his guests hurrying towards one spot, I defy him to remain unmoved and uninquisitive. M'Catchley in the universe, and pop the question!
"Such a sweet poet-Burns!" said she, dropping her glass. "And it is so refreshing to find so much youthful enthusiasm," she added, pointing her fan towards Leonard, who was receding fast among the crowd. "Well, he is youthful, my nephew, rather green!" "Don't say green!" said Mrs. M'Catchley. Richard blushed scarlet. He was afraid he had committed himself to some expression low and shocking.
"How shall I thank you for the favour you have done me?" "Oh!" said Mrs. M'Catchley, warmly, "It was no favour, and I am so glad " She stopped. "You're not ashamed of me, then, in spite of what has happened?" "Ashamed of you! Why, I should be so proud of you, if I were " "Finish the sentence and say 'your wife! there, it is out. My dear madam, I am rich, as you know; I love you very heartily.
King George the Fourth had presumed to admire Mrs. M'Catehley; but Mrs. M'Catchley, though no prude, let him see that she was proof against the corruptions of a throne. So long had the ears of Mrs. Pompley's friends been filled with the renown of Mrs. M'Catchley, that at last Mrs. M'Catchley was secretly supposed to be a myth, a creature of the elements, a poetic fiction of Mrs. Pompley's.
"How shall I thank you for the favour you have done me?" "Oh!" said Mrs. M'Catchley, warmly, "It was no favour, and I am so glad " She stopped. "You're not ashamed of me, then, in spite of what has happened?" "Ashamed of you! Why, I should be so proud of you, if I were " "Finish the sentence and say 'your wife! there, it is out. My dear madam, I am rich, as you know; I love you very heartily.
M'Catchley was amused and pleased with his freshness and naivete, so unlike anything she had ever heard or seen, and she drew him on and on till Leonard fell to quoting. And Richard heard, with less respect for the sentiment than might be supposed, that "Rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man's the gowd for a' that." "Well!" exclaimed Mr. Avenel.
Pompley had her own favourite affinity, which she specially selected from all others when she most desired to produce effect; nay, even upon ordinary occasions the name rose spontaneously to her lips, the name of the Honourable Mrs. M'Catchley. Was the fashion of a gown or cap admired, her cousin, Mrs. M'Catchley, had just sent to her the pattern from Paris.
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