The Maid of Maiden Lane | Page 8

veiled
antagonism compelled from the Doctor, and even from Cornelia and
Arenta, attentions he might not otherwise have received. The Doctor
was indeed much annoyed that Rem did not better respect the position
of guest; while Mrs. Moran was keenly sensitive to the false note in the
evening's harmony, and anxious to atone for it by many little extra
courtesies. So Hyde easily became the hero of the hour; he was
permitted to teach the girls the charming old-world step of the Pas de

Quatre, and afterwards to sing with them merry airs from Figaro, and
sentimental airs from Lodoiska, and to make Rem's heart burn with
anger at the expression he threw into the famous ballad "My Heart and
Lute" which the trio sang twice over with great feeling.
Fortunately, some of Doctor Moran's neighbours called early in the
evening. Then whist parties were formed; and while the tables were
being arranged Cornelia found an opportunity to reason with Rem. "I
never could have believed you would behave so unlike yourself," she
said; and Rem answered bluntly--"That Englishman has insulted me
ever since he came into the room."
"He is not an Englishman," said Cornelia.
"His father is an Englishman, and the man himself was born in England.
The way he looks at me, the way he speaks to me, is insulting."
"I have seen nothing but courtesy to you, Rem."
"You have not the key to his impertinences. To-morrow, I will tell you
something about Lieutenant Hyde."
"I shall not permit you to talk evil of him. I have no wish to hear ill
reports about my acquaintances, Their behaviour is their own affair; at
any rate, it is not mine. Be good-tempered, Rem; you are to be my
partner, and we must win in every game."
But though Cornelia was all sweetness and graciousness; though Rem
played well, and Lieutenant Hyde played badly; though Rem had the
satisfaction of watching Hyde depart in his chair, while he stood with a
confident friendship by Cornelia's side, he was not satisfied. There was
an air of weariness and constraint in the room, and the little stir of
departing visitors did not hide it. Doctor Moran had been at an unusual
social tension; he was tired, and not pleased at Rem for keeping him on
the watch. Cornelia was silent. Rem then approached his sister and said,
"it is time to go home." Arenta looked at her friend; she expected to be
asked to remain, and she was offended when Cornelia did not give her
the invitation.

On the contrary, Cornelia went with her for her cloak and bonnet, and
said not a word as they trod the long stairway but "Oh dear! How warm
the evening is!"
"I expected you would ask me to stay with you, Cornelia." Arenta was
tying her bonnet strings as she made this remark, and her fingers
trembled, and her voice was full of hurt feeling.
"Rem behaved so badly, Arenta."
"I think that is not so. Did I also behave badly?"
"You were charming every moment of the evening; but Rem was on the
point of quarrelling with Lieutenant Hyde. You must have seen it. In
my father's house, this was not proper."
"I never saw Rem behave badly in my life. Suppose he does quarrel
with that dandy Englishman, Rem would not get the worst of it. I have
no fear for my brother Rem! No, indeed!"
"Bulk does not stand for much in a sword game."
"Do you mean they might fight a duel?"
"I think it is best for you to go home with Rem. Otherwise, he might, in
his present temper, find himself near Becker's; and if a man is
quarrelsome he may always get principals and seconds there. You have
told me this yourself. In the morning Rem will, I hope, be reasonable."
"I thought you and I would talk things over to-night. I like to talk over a
new pleasure."
"Dear Arenta, we shall have so much more time, to-morrow. Come to-
morrow."
But Arenta was not pleased. She left her friend with an air of repressed
injury, and afterwards made little remarks about Cornelia to her brother,
which exactly fitted his sense of wounded pride. Indeed, they stood a
few minutes in the Van Ariens' parlour to exchange their opinions still

further--
"I think Cornelia was jealous of me, Rem. That, in plain Dutch, is what
it all means. Does she imagine that I desire the attentions of a man who
is neither an American nor a Dutchman? I do not. I speak the truth
always, for I love the truth."
"Cornelia does desire them; I think that--and it makes me wretched."
"Oh, indeed, it is plain to see that she has fallen in love with that
black-eyed man