The Youth of Jefferson | Page 6

for who can wonder at such a fairy face as yours attracting crowds of lovers?"
"My fairy face? Yes, and my unhappy wealth, sir. I wish I was poor! I can never know when I am loved truly. Oh, to know that!"
And a shadow passes over the face, obliterating the satire, and veiling the brilliant eyes. Then with an effort Philippa drives away her preoccupation, and says:
"I wish Heaven had made me a man!"
"A man?" says Jacques.
"Yes, sir."
"Pray why? Is there any young lady you would like to marry? Ah," he murmurs, "you need not go far if that is the case."
And he glances tenderly at Belle-bouche, who smiles and blushes.
"I wish to be a man, that my movements may not be restricted. There is my guardian, who murmurs at my travelling about from county to county with only Jugurtha to drive me--as if Jugurtha couldn't protect me if there were any highwaymen or robbers."
Jacques laughs.
"But there are disadvantages connected with manhood," he says. "You are ignorant of them, and so think them slight."
"The prominent ones, if you please."
"You would have to make love--the active instead of passive, as at present."
"I would enjoy it."
"How would you commence, pray?"
"Oh, easily--see now. I would say,'My dear Bel! I am at your service! If you love me, I'll love you!' And then with a low bow I would kiss her hand, and her lips too, if she would permit me."
Jacques sighs.
"Do you think that would succeed, however?" he says.
"I don't know, and I don't care--I'd try."
Jacques sighs again, and looks wistfully at Belle-bouche, who smiles.
"I'm afraid such a cavalier address--at the pistol's mouth as it were--at forty paces--like those highwaymen you spoke of but now--would only insure failure."
"You are mistaken."
"I doubt the propriety of such a 'making love.'"
"If I were a man, you would see my success. I'd have any woman for the asking."
"Well, fancy yourself a man."
"And who will be my lady-love?"
"Fancy my sex changed also--make love to me, my charming Madam Philippa."
"Forsooth! But I could win your heart easily."
"How, pray," says Jacques, sighing, "granting first that 'tis in my possession?"
"By two simple things."
"To wit?"
"I would talk to you of flowers and shepherdesses, and crooks and garlands----"
"Oh!"
"And I would adopt, if I had not naturally, that frank, languid, graceful, fatal air which--which--shall I finish?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Which Bel has! What a beautiful blush!"
And Philippa claps her hands.
Jacques tries very hard not to color, thus forfeiting all his pretensions to the character of a self-possessed man of the world and elegant coxcomb; but this is equally forlorn with his attempt not to observe the mischievous glance and satirical lip of the fair Philippa.
He seeks in vain for a word--a jest--a reply.
Fortune favors him. A maid from the house approaches Philippa, and says:
"Mr. Mowbray, ma'am."
A blush, deeper than that upon the face of Jacques, mantles Philippa's cheeks as she replies:
"Say I am coming."
"Before you go," says Jacques with odious triumph, "permit me to say, Madam Philippa, that I begin to see some of the advantages you might enjoy were you a man."
"What are they, pray--more than I have mentioned?" she says coolly.
"You might have more liberty."
"I said as much."
"You might go and see your friends."
"You repeat my words, sir."
"Yes--you might even go and see us at college; listen to my philosophical discussions after lecture; and take part in Mowbray's merry jests--an excellent friend of yours, I think."
Philippa looks at him for a moment, hesitating whether she shall stay and take her revenge. She decides to go in, however; and Jacques and Belle-bouche follow. We are bound to say that the proposition did not come from Jacques.
CHAPTER IV.
A POOR YOUNG MAN, AND A RICH YOUNG GIRL.
In the drawing-room sat a gentleman turning over the leaves of a book.
The apartment was decorated after the usual fashion of the olden time. On the floor was a rich carpet from Antwerp, in the corner a japanned cabinet; everywhere crooked-legged tables and carved chairs obstructed the floor, and on the threshold a lap-dog snapped at the flies in his dreams. Besides, there were portraits of powdered dames, and hideous china ornaments on the tall narrow mantlepiece; and an embroidered screen in the recess next the fireplace described with silent eloquence the life of Arcady.
Mowbray was a young man of twenty-five or six, with a high pale forehead, dark eyes full of thoughtful intelligence; and his dress was rather that of a student than a man of the world. It was plain and simple, and all the colors were subdued. He was a man for a woman to listen to, rather than laugh with. His manner was calm, perfectly self-possessed, and his mind seemed to be dwelling upon one dominant idea.
"Good morning, sir," said Philippa, inclining her head indifferently; "we have a very pleasant day."
Mowbray rose and bowed calmly.
"Yes, madam," he said; "my