A Terrible Temptation | Page 6

said old Woodgate, severely;
"it comes too late for me. In my day there existed no sure method of
pleasing the fair. But now that is invented, along with everything else.
Richmond and--absence, equivalent to 'Richmond and victory!' Now,
Bassett, we have heard the truth from the fountain-head, and it is rather
serious. She swears, she kicks, she preaches. Do you still desire an
introduction? As for me, my manly spirit is beginning to quake at
Vandeleur's revelations, and some lines of Scott recur to my Gothic
memory--
"'From the chafed tiger rend his prey, Bar the fell dragon's blighting
way, But shun that lovely snare."'
Bassett replied, gravely, that he had no such motive as Mr. Woodgate
gave him credit for, but still desired the introduction.
"With pleasure," said Vandeleur; "but it will be no use to you. She
hates me like poison; says I have no heart. That is what all ill-tempered
women say."
Notwithstanding his misgivings the obliging youth called for writing
materials, and produced the following epistle--

"DEAR MISS SOMERSET--Mr. Richard Bassett, a cousin of Sir
Charles, wishes very much to be introduced to you, and has begged me
to assist in an object so laudable. I should hardly venture to present
myself, and, therefore, shall feel surprised as well as flattered if you
will receive Mr. Bassett on my introduction, and my assurance that he
is a respectable country gentleman, and bears no resemblance in
character to
"Yours faithfully,
"ARTHUR VANDELEUR."

Next day Bassett called at Miss Somerset's house in May Fair, and
delivered his introduction.

He was admitted after a short delay and entered the lady's boudoir. It
was Luxury's nest. The walls were rose colored satin, padded and
puckered; the voluminous curtains were pale satin, with floods and
billows of real lace; the chairs embroidered, the tables all buhl and
ormolu, and the sofas felt like little seas. The lady herself, in a
delightful peignoir, sat nestled cozily in a sort of ottoman with arms.
Her finely formed hand, clogged with brilliants, was just conveying
brandy and soda-water to a very handsome mouth when Richard
Bassett entered.
She raised herself superbly, but without leaving her seat, and just
looked at a chair in a way that seemed to say, "I permit you to sit
down;" and that done, she carried the glass to her lips with the same
admirable firmness of hand she showed in driving. Her lofty manner,
coupled with her beautiful but rather haughty features, smacked of
imperial origin. Yet she was the writer to "jorge," and four years ago a
shrimp-girl, running into the sea with legs as brown as a berry.
So swiftly does merit rise in this world which, nevertheless, some
morose folk pretend is a wicked one.
I ought to explain, however, that this haughty reception was partly
caused by a breach of propriety. Vandeleur ought first to have written
to her and asked permission to present Richard Bassett. He had no
business to send the man and the introduction together. This law a
Parliament of Sirens had passed, and the slightest breach of it was a
bitter offense Equilibrium governs the world. These ladies were bound
to be overstrict in something or other, being just a little lax in certain
things where other ladies are strict.
Now Bassett had pondered well what he should say, but he was
disconcerted by her superb presence and demeanor and her large gray
eyes, that rested steadily upon his face.
However, he began to murmur mellifluously. Said he had often seen
her in public, and admired her, and desired to make her acquaintance,
etc., etc.
"Then why did you not ask Sir Charles to bring you here?" said Miss
Somerset, abruptly, and searching him with her eyes, that were not to
say bold, but singularly brave, and examiners pointblank.
"I am not on good terms with Sir Charles. He holds the estates that
ought to be mine; and now he has robbed me of my love. He is the last

man in the world I would ask a favor of."
"You came here to abuse him behind his back, eh?" asked the lady with
undisguised contempt.
Bassett winced, but kept his temper. "No, Miss Somerset; but you seem
to think I ought to have come to you through Sir Charles. I would not
enter your house if I did not feel sure I shall not meet him here."
Miss Somerset looked rather puzzled. "Sir Charles does not come here
every day, but he comes now and then, and he is always welcome."
"You surprise me."
"Thank you. Now some of my gentlemen friends think it is a wonder he
does not come every minute."
"You mistake me. What surprises me is that you are such good friends
under the circumstances."