lady monmouth was reclining on a sofa in that beautiful boudoir which had been fitted up under the superintendence of mr. rigby, but as he then believed for the princess colonna. the walls were hung with amber satin, painted by delaroche with such subjects as might be expected from his brilliant and picturesque pencil. fair forms, heroes and heroines in dazzling costume, the offspring of chivalry merging into what is commonly styled civilisation, moved in graceful or fantastic groups amid palaces and gardens. the ceiling, carved in the deep honeycomb fashion of the saracens, was richly gilt and picked out in violet. upon a violet carpet of velvet was represented the marriage of cupid and psyche.
it was about two hours after coningsby had quitted monmouth house, and flora came in, sent for by lady monmouth as was her custom, to read to her as she was employed with some light work.
‘’tis a new book of sue,’ said lucretia. ‘they say it is good.’
flora, seated by her side, began to read. reading was an accomplishment which distinguished flora; but to-day her voice faltered, her expression was uncertain; she seemed but imperfectly to comprehend her page. more than once lady monmouth looked round at her with an inquisitive glance. suddenly flora stopped and burst into tears.
‘o! madam,’ she at last exclaimed, ‘if you would but speak to mr. coningsby, all might be right!’
‘what is this?’ said lady monmouth, turning quickly on the sofa; then, collecting herself in an instant, she continued with less abruptness, and more suavity than usual, ‘tell me, flora, what is it; what is the matter?’
‘my lord,’ sobbed flora, ‘has quarrelled with mr. coningsby.’
an expression of eager interest came over the countenance of lucretia.
‘why have they quarrelled?’
‘i do not know they have quarrelled; it is not, perhaps, a right term; but my lord is very angry with mr. coningsby.’
‘not very angry, i should think, flora; and about what?’
‘oh! very angry, madam,’ said flora, shaking her head mournfully. ‘my lord told m. villebecque that perhaps mr. coningsby would never enter the house again.’
‘was it to-day?’ asked lucretia.
‘this morning. mr. coningsby has only left this hour or two. he will not do what my lord wishes, about some seat in the chamber. i do not know exactly what it is; but my lord is in one of his moods of terror: my father is frightened even to go into his room when he is so.’
‘has mr. rigby been here to-day?’ asked lucretia.
‘mr. rigby is not in town. my father went for mr. rigby this morning before mr. coningsby came, and he found that mr. rigby was not in town. that is why i know it.’
lady monmouth rose from her sofa, and walked once or twice up and down the room. then turning to flora, she said, ‘go away now: the book is stupid; it does not amuse me. stop: find out all you can for me about the quarrel before i speak to mr. coningsby.’
flora quitted the room. lucretia remained for some time in meditation; then she wrote a few lines, which she despatched at once to mr. rigby.
