The Young Duke | Page 8

broad and lofty double staircase
painted in fresco, were not unpromising, in spite of the dingy gilding;
but with what a mixed feeling of wonder and disgust did the Duke
roam through clusters of those queer chambers which in England are
called drawing-rooms!
'Where are the galleries, where the symmetrical saloons, where the
lengthened suite, where the collateral cabinets, sacred to the statue of a
nymph or the mistress of a painter, in which I have been customed to
reside? What page would condescend to lounge in this ante-chamber?
And is this gloomy vault, that you call a dining-room, to be my hall of
Apollo? Order my carriage.'
The Duke sent immediately for Sir Carte Blanche, the successor, in
England, of Sir Christopher Wren. His Grace communicated at the
same time his misery and his grand views. Sir Carte was astonished
with his Grace's knowledge, and sympathised with his Grace's feelings.
He offered consolation and promised estimates. They came in due time.
Hauteville House, in the drawing of the worthy Knight, might have
been mistaken for the Louvre. Some adjoining mansions were, by some
magical process for which Sir Carte was famous, to be cleared of their
present occupiers, and the whole side of the square was in future to be
the site of Hauteville House. The difficulty was great, but the object
was greater. The expense, though the estimate made a bold assault on
the half million, was a mere trifle, 'considering.' The Duke was
delighted. He condescended to make a slight alteration in Sir Carte's
drawing, which Sir Carte affirmed to be a great improvement. Now it
was Sir Carte's turn to be delighted. The Duke was excited by his
architect's admiration, and gave him a dissertation on Schönbrunn.
Although Mr. Dacre had been disappointed in his hope of exercising a
personal influence over the education of his ward, he had been more
fortunate in his plans for the management of his ward's property.
Perhaps there never was an instance of the opportunities afforded by a

long minority having been used to greater advantage. The estates had
been increased and greatly improved, all and very heavy mortgages had
been paid off, and the rents been fairly apportioned. Mr. Dacre, by his
constant exertions and able dispositions since his return to England,
also made up for the neglect with which an important point had been a
little treated; and at no period had the parliamentary influence of the
house of Hauteville been so extensive, so decided, and so well
bottomed as when our hero became its chief.
In spite of his proverbial pride, it seemed that Mr. Dacre was
determined not to be offended by the conduct of his ward. The Duke
had not yet announced his arrival in England to his guardian; but about
a month after that event he received a letter of congratulation from Mr.
Dacre, who at the same time expressed a desire to resign a trust into his
Grace's hand which, he believed, had not been abused. The Duke, who
rather dreaded an interview, wrote in return that he intended very
shortly to visit Yorkshire, when he should have the pleasure of availing
himself of the kind invitation to Castle Dacre; and having thus, as he
thought, dexterously got rid of the old gentleman for the present, he
took a ride with Lady Caroline St. Maurice.
CHAPTER VI.
The Duke Visits Hauteville
PARLIAMENT assembled, the town filled, and every moment in the
day of the Duke of St. James was occupied. Sir Carte and his tribe
filled up the morning. Then there were endless visits to endless visitors;
dressing; riding, chiefly with Lady Caroline; luncheons, and the bow
window at White's. Then came the evening with all its crash and glare;
the banquet, the opera, and the ball.
The Duke of St. James took the oaths and his seat. He was introduced
by Lord Fitz-pompey. He heard a debate. We laugh at such a thing,
especially in the Upper House; but, on the whole, the affair is imposing,
particularly if we take part in it. Lord Ex-Chamberlain thought the
nation going on wrong, and he made a speech full of currency and

constitution. Baron Deprivyseal seconded him with great effect, brief
but bitter, satirical and sore. The Earl of Quarterday answered these,
full of confidence in the nation and in himself. When the debate was
getting heavy, Lord Snap jumped up to give them something light. The
Lords do not encourage wit, and so are obliged to put up with pertness.
But Viscount Memoir was very statesmanlike, and spouted a sort of
universal history. Then there was Lord Ego, who vindicated his
character, when nobody knew he had one, and explained his motives,
because his auditors could not understand his acts. Then there was a
maiden