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Updated: August 6, 2024
"Dear!" she said, half laughing and half crying, "I did speak so badly; you would have been ashamed of me. I couldn't hold the meeting. I didn't persuade a soul. Lord Fontenoy's ladies had it all their own way. And first I was dreadfully sorry I couldn't do such a thing decently sorry because of one's vanity, and sorry because I couldn't help you. And now I think I'm rather glad."
Fontenoy's position, of course, in the matter was clear. It was that of the leader and the irreconcilable. But for the private member, who had seen cause to modify some of his opinions during the course of debate, who had voted loyally with his party up till now might not the division on the hours clause be said to mark a new stage in the Bill a stage which restored him his freedom?
Tressady, who was observing him, noticed that his dress was precisely the "Sunday best" of the respectable workman, and was, moreover, reminded by the expression of the eyes and brow that Bennett was said to have been a well-known "local preacher" in his north-country youth. Lady Maxwell smiled, and pointed to Tressady. "Here," she said, "is Lord Fontenoy's first-lieutenant."
He greeted Tressady with friendliness, and then, as though a thought had struck him, suddenly drew the young man aside. "Ancoats, of course," said George to himself; and Ancoats it was. Maxwell, without preliminaries, and taking his companion's knowledge of the story for granted no doubt on Fontenoy's information said a few words about the renewal of the difficulty.
George's mouth twitched. He slipped, smiling, into a place beside Letty. "Did you hear that?" he inquired. "Fontenoy's speech, of course," said the under-secretary, looking round. "She's pitching into Leven, I suppose. He's as cranky and unsound as he can be. Shouldn't wonder if you got him before long."
"Do you gather that Lord Fontenoy's speech on Friday has been much taken up in the country?" said Bennett, bending forward and addressing Lady Maxwell.
Post me up, please." "One of Fontenoy's gang," said her husband, before Lady Maxwell could answer. "A new member, and as sharp as needles. He's been exactly to all the places where I want to go, Betty, and you won't let me." He glanced at his wife with a certain sharpness.
Fontenoy's rage of defeat, however modified in her presence, had nevertheless expressed itself to her in phrases and allusions that had both perplexed and troubled her. Had Marcella indeed made use of her beauty to decoy a weak youth from his allegiance? And now she spoke his name so simply. But the momentary wonder died from the poor mother's mind.
I think you and I understood each other this morning." The two men parted abruptly. Tressady walked on, stung and excited afresh by the memory of the hateful half hour he had spent that morning in Fontenoy's library. For after all, when once he had come to his decision, he had tried to behave with frankness, with consideration.
For in his courtship of this woman of fifty, with her curious distinction and her ethereal charm, which years seemed only to increase, Fontenoy had not one rival, but two her son and her religion. Fontenoy's fingers barely touched those of Maxwell and his wife. As he closed the door behind Mrs. Allison, leaving the two together, he said to himself contemptuously that he pitied the husband.
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