“And so I should, under other circumstances,” said the earl.
“Heed me not,” cried the prince. “I am pleased at this opportunity of meeting Mr. Forster and Sir John Webb, both of whom I know are my warm partisans.”
“Since your majesty does not object, I feel quite easy,” said the earl. “Where are the visitors?” he added, to his brother.
“I left them on the lawn,” replied Charles. “I told them you had a friend with you-nothing more. Shall I prepare them, my liege?”
“No,” replied the prince. “I will choose my own time for the disclosure.”
“Haste back, then, and say I will be with them anon,” cried the earl.
“And be careful to give them no hint.”
“Your majesty may rely on me,” replied Charles, as he bowed and departed.
“This is our North Country custom,” said the earl. “We visit each other without the slightest ceremony-take friends with us-and stay as long as we please. In coming to me thus, uninvited, and bringing Sir John Webb and his family with him, Tom Forster is only doing what I should not hesitate to do, were I inclined to pay him a visit at Bamborough Castle.”
“I am very glad he has come, for it will give me an opportunity of beholding the fair Dorothy,” said the prince.
“Your majesty will also behold Anna Webb, who, in my opinion, is far more beautiful than the other.”
“Then you have seen her?” cried the prince.
“I saw her only a few days ago at Bamborough, and admired her greatly. She is really very handsome. I think Tom Forster is épris. No doubt Sir John Webb is returning to Dorsetshire with his family, and Tom is escorting them on their journey. I dare say we shall hear of an engagement by-and-bye.”
“If she is as handsome as you describe her, Anna Webb ought not to be a rude fox-hunter’s wife,” said the prince. “But come! let us go and have a look at the two beauties. You have roused my curiosity.”
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V
Anna Webb and Dorothy Forster
How well the two beauties looked in their gay riding-dresses of scarlet and blue, trimmed with gold and silver lace, and plumed hats! Slight and graceful in figure, and nearly of an age, Anna Webb was a few months older than Dorothy, but she could not be more than nineteen.
Dorothy had cheeks like a blush-rose, tender blue eyes, and flaxen tresses, with features that could not be called regular, but were, nevertheless, excessively pretty; while Anna’s locks were of a raven hue, her eyes large, black, and lustrous, and fringed with silken lashes, her tint pale, yet clear, and her face classically faultless in outline.
If the palm of beauty could not be assigned to Dorothy, it must be owned that she had a more agreeable expression than Anna, whose short curling upper lip gave her a somewhat disdainful look.
But they were both lovely creatures, and quite enchanted the Chevalier de Saint George, as he first beheld them standing near a marble fountain at the edge of the large, smooth-shaven lawn near the terrace.
Close beside them was Lady Webb-a fine, stately, middle-aged dame, richly dressed in damask, and having a hoop-petticoat, long stiff bodice, and a lofty head-dress. She had a few patches on her face, and a large fan in her hand. Lady Webb had a haughty manner, and did not forget that she came of a noble family.
Sir John Webb, who paid great deference to his lady, was about sixty, and had a marked countenance, dark eyes, and a large aquiline nose. His bearing was soldierlike, which is not to be wondered at, since he had served under James the Second. But there was nothing military in his attire, which consisted of a square-cut, claret-coloured coat, richly embroidered with lace, and laced waistcoat with long flaps, cream-coloured silk stockings, shoes with high red heels, a long neckcloth bordered with Brussels lace, lace ruffles at his wrist, a sword by his side, and a well-powdered periwig on his head, surmounted by a small three-cornered hat. He carried a gold-headed clouded cane in his hand, and occasionally produced a very handsome gold snuff-box.