Francesca Carrara/Chapter 85
CHAPTER XXVI.
"Old friendships, which renew the days of youth."
The old friendship between Marie and Francesca had returned with something of the warmth and confidence of its earlier time. As usual, the motives which led to its renewal were of a very mixed nature. At once affectionate and reserved, Francesca’s temper needed an object to love, but she was too shy to make the first advances; hence an old attachment, made easy by the freedom of childhood, and unrestrained through long habit, had upon her a more than ordinary hold. She had also been so long debarred from any interchange of feelings and sentiments—so surrounded by strangers, that it was a true enjoyment to meet with one, who, if she did not enter into many of the emotions connected with it, was yet able and ready to talk of the past. Moreover, to a generous nature like her own, the very fact of having much to forgive rather endeared Marie than not: and in immediate circumstances there was nothing to call forth the worst parts of her character.
Madame de Soissons' return to her girlish friendship was modified by many more worldly reasons. She was unconsciously influenced by the changed circumstances in which she found Francesca. Accustomed to regard rank and wealth as the gods of this lower world, it was impossible not to pay them homage wherever she found them. She also really loved our heroine as much as it was in her nature to love any one. The gloss of novelty was still fresh upon their intimacy; both had much to tell and hear; their past was in common, and they did not interfere in the slightest degree at present. There was also one mutual feeling which they had, like their whole sex—confidence is a feminine necessity. There are very few women but who like each other's society, and of this liking sympathy is the grand secret: none but themselves can fully enter into their hopes, fears, and plans; all of which are nothing without being discussed. A woman only can understand a woman; and it is pleasant to be understood sometimes.
Within the last day or two, Madame de Soissons' interest in Francesca had received a new impetus. A brain so fertile as her own in projects could not long be without one. The Duke of Buckingham had been the means of overthrowing a scheme of her's,—she would try if it would not be possible to overthrow one of his. "Diamonds and hearts," exclaimed she,—"the same game over again. I have lost the first game, but I shall have my revenge." That very day Madame de Soissons had learned from Henriette, that all hope of an alliance between her son and Hortense was hopeless. "Her predilection," said the Queen, "for the Comte de Mielleraye is so marked."
The Comtesse, in her heart, execrated the blind folly of her sister, but still more the subtle policy of the adversary which had thrown the early lover in the way of ambition. Perhaps it would have given her little pleasure to have seen Hortense so far elevated above herself; but envy was now hors de combat, and, except vengeance, nothing remained to console a disappointment rendered more bitter by defeat. She knew, however, from whose hand the arrow came, and she resolved on returning it. The truth was, that the Duke of Buckingham had a better memory for the sleights of the French court than his indolent master; and when he heard of the proposed visit, resolved to do all he could to frustrate its design. He forthwith sent the Comte de Mielleraye due warning of the project, asked him to England, and offered to introduce him to Avonleigh Castle. It may readily be supposed that the Comte accepted the proposal, left Paris, and his appearance at so critical a moment turned in his favour whatever might have wavered of Hortense's heart.
Charles was too good-natured to interfere with an inclination which did not interfere with his own; and left the weight of explanation to his mother or Buckingham, who was eloquent about the expectations of the people of England, and the necessity for a royal alliance; while his master was perfectly content, as long as the visit lasted, to permit himself to be amused by Madame de Soissons.
Buckingham, in the meantime, was not without a scheme for his own advantage. He was attracted by Francesca's beauty, but still more by her being the rich Lord Avonleigh's only child. He had already received a grant of the Evelyn estate, and the two united would form the finest property in England. Already he meditated obtaining possession of the whole county of Hampshire; for he was as avaricious in acquisition as he was lavish in expenditure. The gallantry which then prevailed, and made the language of love so universal as almost to divest it of meaning, allowed him to try his acknowledged powers of fascination on Francesca without committing himself; who, her heart wholly occupied with the image of another,
"Smiled, and then forgot
The gentle things to which she listened not."
Not so Madame de Soissons, who at once divined his intentions and watched his progress, internally resolving to render him every ill office pique could suggest, or ridicule execute. Still, she feared him, for everything was in his favour—rank, fortune, personal advantages; but, most of all, she dreaded himself. She noted that he had read Francesca's character truly, and sought to propitiate her favour by the refined sentiment, and an undercurrent of exalted and poetic feeling, which showed to great advantage, veiled, not hidden, by his lively and graceful manner. But Francesca's sudden paleness and deep blush at the name of Evelyn threw a new light upon the subject. Marie at once recollected the young and handsome Englishman who had occupied so large a portion of their attention in Italy. She remembered vaguely some history of a quarrel, she could scarcely recollect what, between him and Francesca; and she also recalled having seen him lately in Paris so altered as to attract her attention, though only for the moment. Would it be possible to effect a reconciliation? At all events, she resolved to introduce the subject.
Little did she know how ever present it was to Francesca’s thoughts, still less the many difficulties which it involved; the difficulties, however, would have been an attraction:—the genius for intrigue needs a few obstacles to stimulate its powers.