CHAPTER IX

THE COUNTESS IN LOW SOCIETY

By dint of stratagems worthy of a Court intrigue, the Countess de Saldar contrived to traverse the streets of Lymport, and enter the house where she was born, unsuspected and unseen, under cover of a profusion of lace and veil and mantilla, which only her heroic resolve to keep her beauties hidden from the profane townspeople could have rendered endurable beneath the fervid summer sun.  Dress in a foreign style she must, as without it she lost that sense of superiority, which was the only comfort to her in her tribulations.  The period of her arrival was ten days subsequent to the burial of her father.  She had come in the coach, like any common mortal, and the coachman, upon her request, had put her down at the Governor’s house, and the guard had knocked at the door, and the servant had informed her that General Hucklebridge was not the governor of Lymport, nor did Admiral Combleman then reside in the town; which tidings, the coach then being out of sight, it did not disconcert the Countess to hear; and she reached her mother, having, at least, cut off communication with the object of conveyance.

The Countess kissed her mother, kissed Mrs. Fiske, and asked sharply for Evan.  Mrs. Fiske let her know that Evan was in the house.

‘Where?’ inquired the Countess.  ’I have news of the utmost importance for him.  I must see him.’

‘Where is he, aunt?’ said Mrs. Fiske.  ’In the shop, I think; I wonder he did not see you passing, Louisa.’

The Countess went bolt down into a chair.

‘Go to him, Jane,’ said Mrs. Mel.  ’Tell him Louisa is here, and don’t return.’

Mrs. Fiske departed, and the Countess smiled.

’Thank you, Mama! you know I never could bear that odious, vulgar little woman.  Oh, the heat!  You talk of Portugal!  And, oh! poor dear Papa! what I have suffered!’

Flapping her laces for air, and wiping her eyes for sorrow, the Countess poured a flood of sympathy into her mother’s ears and then said: 

’But you have made a great mistake, Mama, in allowing Evan to put his foot into that place.  He—­beloved of an heiress!  Why, if an enemy should hear of it, it would ruin him—­positively blast him—­for ever.  And that she loves him I have proof positive.  Yes; with all her frankness, the little thing cannot conceal that from me now.  She loves him!  And I desire you to guess, Mama, whether rivals will not abound?  And what enemy so much to be dreaded as a rival?  And what revelation so awful as that he has stood in a—­in a—­boutique?’

Mrs. Mel maintained her usual attitude for listening.  It had occurred to her that it might do no good to tell the grand lady, her daughter; of Evan’s resolution, so she simply said, ‘It is discipline for him,’ and left her to speak a private word with the youth.