Maidens wavering and untrue Many a heart have broken; Sweetest lips the world e'er knew Falsest words have spoken. Fare thee well, faithless girl, I'll not sorrow for thee: Once I held thee dear as pearl, Now I do abhor thee."
When he had finished the song, he said coldly, but very distinctly, as he rose--
"I like that song, there is a melancholy psychology in it. It is a song worthy of Shakespeare himself."
Lady Hummington urged him with an encore, but he was proof against her entreaties. And so, after a little, she took Mr. Longcluse's arm; and Alice felt relieved when the room was rid of them.
Lady Hummington, well pleased at having found in Mr. Longcluse what she termed a kindred mind, was warned by the hour that she must depart. She took her leave of Mr. Longcluse with regret, and made him promise to come to luncheon with her on the Thursday following. Mr. Longcluse called her carriage for her, and put in, besides herself, her maiden sister and two daughters, who all exhibited the family leanness, with noses more or less red and aquiline, and small black eyes, set rather close together.
As he ascended the steps he was accosted by a damsel in distress.
"Mr. Longcluse, I'm so glad to see you! You must do a very good-natured thing," said handsome Miss Maubray, smiling on him. "I came here with old Sir Arthur and Lady Tramway, and I've lost them; and I've been bored to death by a Mr. Bagshot, and I've sent him to look for my pocket-handkerchief in the tea-room; and I want you, as you hope for mercy, to show it now, and rescue me from my troubles."
"I'm too much honoured. I'm only too happy, Miss Maubray. I shall put Mr. Bagshot to death, if you wish it, and Sir Arthur and Lady Tramway shall appear the moment you command."
Mr. Longcluse was talking his nonsense with the high spirits which sometimes attend a painful excitement.
"I told them I should get to that tree if I were lost in the crowd, and that they would be sure to find me under it after six o'clock. Do take me there; I am so afraid of Mr. Bagshot's returning!"
So over the short grass that handsome girl walked, with Mr. Longcluse at her side.
"I'll sit at this side, thank you; I don't want to be seen by Mr. Bagshot."