Sketches | Page 8

him led Mr. Ferrers to a very
fine plane-tree, under whose spreading branches was arranged a
banquet of fruit and flowers, coffee in cups of oriental filigree, and
wines of the Levant, cooled in snow. The worthy Consul was smoking
his chibouque, and his daughter, as she rose to greet their guest, let her
guitar fall upon the turf. The original of the portrait proved that the
painter had no need to flatter; and the dignified, yet cordial manner, the
radiant smile, and the sweet and thrilling voice with which she
welcomed her countryman would have completed the spell, had, indeed,
the wanderer been one prepared, or capable of being enchanted. As it
was, Mr. Ferrers, while he returned his welcome, with becoming
complaisance, exhibited the breeding of a man accustomed to sights of

strangeness and of beauty; and, while he expressed his sense of the
courtesy of his companions, admired their garden, and extolled the
loveliness of the prospect, he did not depart for a moment from that
subdued, and even sedate manner, which indicates, the individual
whom the world has little left to astonish, and less to enrapture,
although, perhaps, much to please. Yet he was fluent in conversation,
sensible and polished, and very agreeable. It appeared that he had
travelled much, though he was far from boasting of his exploits. He had
been long absent from England, had visited Egypt and Arabia, and had
sojourned at Damascus. While he refused the pipe, he proved, by his
observations on its use, that he was learned in its practice; and he
declined his host's offer of a file of English journals, as he was not
interested in their contents. His host was too polished to originate any
inquiry which might throw light upon the connections or quality of his
guest, and his guest imitated his example. Nothing could be more
perfectly well-bred than his whole demeanour--he listened to the major
with deference, and he never paid Miss Ponsonby a single compliment:
he never even asked her to sing; but the fond father did not omit this
attention. Henrietta, in the most unaffected manner, complied with his
request, because, as she was in the habit of singing every evening to her
father, she saw no reason why he should, on this occasion, be deprived
of an amusement to which he was accustomed. As the welcome
sea-breeze rose and stirred the flowers and branches, her voice blended
with its fresh and fragrant breath. It was a beautiful voice; and the wild
and plaintive air in which she indulged, indigenous to their isle,
harmonised alike with the picturesque scene and the serene hour. Mr.
Ferrers listened with attention, and thanked her for her courtesy. Before
they withdrew to the casino he even requested the favour of her
repeating the gratification, but in so quiet a manner that most young
ladies would have neglected to comply with a wish expressed with so
little fervour.
The principal chamber of the casino was adorned with drawings by the
Consul's daughter: they depicted the surrounding scenery, and were
executed by the hand of a master. Mr. Ferrers examined them with
interest--his observations proved his knowledge, and made them more
than suspect his skill. He admitted that he had some slight practice in

the fine arts, and offered to lend his portfolio to Miss Ponsonby, if she
thought it would amuse her. Upon the subject of scenery he spoke with
more animation than on any other topic: his conversation, indeed,
teemed with the observations of a fine eye and cultivated taste.
At length he departed, leaving behind him a very favourable impression.
Henrietta and her father agreed that he was a most gentlemanlike
personage-that he was very clever and very agreeable; and they were
glad to know him. The major detailed all the families and all the
persons of the name of Ferrers Of whom he had ever heard, and with
whom he had been acquainted; and, before he slept, wondered, for the
fiftieth time, what Ferrers he was.
CHAPTER IV.
Mr. Ferrers Dines with the Consul
THE next morning, Mr. Ferrers sent his portfolio to Miss Ponsonby, to
the Consuls house, in the city; and her father called upon him
immediately afterwards, to return his original visit, and to request him
to dine with them. Mr. Ferrers declined the invitation; but begged to be
permitted to pay his respects again at the casino, in the evening. The
major, under the circumstances, ventured to press his new acquaintance
to comply with their desire; but Mr. Ferrers became immediately very
reserved, and the Consul desisted.
Towards sunset, however, mounted on his Barbary ass, Mr. Ferrers
again appeared at the gate of the casino, as mild and agreeable as
before. They drank their coffee and ate their fruit, chatted and sang,