Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-12-20
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
When one has taken up diplomacy as pro-
fession, one should surely strive to acquire
at all events so much diplomatic skill as is
implied In an elementary acquaintance with
the foibles Of humanity; but good many
yonng men, 1t may be surmised, enter that
branch Of the public service rather by reason
OF its social advantages than because they feel
in themselves any special aptitude for its
duties; and if Gerald Severne should ever be-
come an ambassador, his name is not very
likely to be added to the short list of English
men who have achieved renown in that ca
pacity He ought not to have been in the least
Rstonished at his mothers good nature in
planning match between Mr.. EIlacombe and
Chris Compton, and he ought to have known
that the very best way of defeating such a
design was to lend 1t every oStensible support
for really Ellacombe was an impossible sort
OF person when he was not upon his good be-
haviour, and each fresh opportunity that was
given him OF ahsociating with his neighbors
must diminish the probability of his being
able to sustain an unnatural character.
But Gerald was not wise enough or philo-
sophical enough to reason in this way; so he
said to his mother: you've done it this time
and no mistakel Do you mean to say that
you really didn't know that everybody about
here gave up asking Ellacombe to dinnerlong
ago2 He is just as certain to get drunk and
kick up row as you are to say your prayers
tonight More cert' if anything"
"You are very rude boy" returned Lady
Barnstaple, laughing good humoredly; 81
wish could feel sure that you neglected your
devotions as little as do mine. As for Mr..
Ellacombe, you mustn't allow him to get
drunk, as you call it. You can easily prevent
him from taking moro than is good for him."
II don't quite see how. If he wants to fill
his glass he'll fill it, I suppose; and then the
chances are that he'll insult one of your
guests. 1t would have been so simple to
leave the man alone"
But Lady Barnstaple was not alarmed. She
did not think MIR. Ellacombe would disgrace
himself at her table, whatever his ordinary
habits might be. She was pretty sure that he
was smitten with Chris, and she saw no rea-
son why Chris should not be smitten with
him. He was young, rich, athletic, and the
general effect OF him was by no means SO bad.
little horid, perhaps; but one must not
expect to find apollo Belvederes in every par
ish. And SO when, on the appointed evening,
Mr.. Eacombe entered her drawing room, he
produced favorable impression upon one
who was ready to be favorably impressed.
"Quite tidy" she muttered under her breath,
after taking rapid survey Of him; and in
truth there was not much fault to be found
with his person or costume.
There was not much fault to be found with
his manners either. Gerald Severne was
pleased to speak of him as if he had been
half-civilized being, and Chris had more
charitably called him a rough diamond; but
In reality he had had some experience Of the
ways Of modern society, and only Stunned that
OF his equals in the country because, in his
opinion, they were dull, censorious and quar-
relsome lot. He was not awkward, nor was
he in any way abashed by the presence of the
smart people whom Lady Barnstaple was en-
Pertaining. His hostess introduced him to
some Of them, and he seemed to have no diff
Aculty In finding subjects to talk to them
about If he was not a particularly attentive
listener, that was because of reasons which
everybody at once understood and pardoned.
The red-bearded man, they thought, Was evil
IDENTIFY going to marry Lady Barnstaple's
pretty little friend no wonder he could not
take his eyes OF her, and sometimes answered
at random when addressed.
I From the moment that dinner was an
nounced this small short-coming on his part
ceased to be noticeable; for 1t need
hardly be said that he was told to give his
arm to Miss Compton. Gerald, whom the
cruel laws Of precedence forced to escort an
ancient dowager, watched Chris and her
neighbor from the far end Of the table, and
was painfully surprised by the sobriety of
the one and the animation Of the other. OF
course he did not want Ellacombe to get
drunk and make a scene; but he certainly
did not want Chris to find the fellow enter
tanning. and he was at loss to conceive
what they could be talking about that should
cause her to find him so. If he had over
heard their conversation he would have been
! in some measure treasured, for it was not OF
| q sentimental nature.
Gerald had been guilty of no exaggeration
| in asserting that the county in general had
| given up asking Mr.. Elacombe to dinner
Wine Affects some men in one way and~some
in another, and to every mans character
| there is, Of course, a good and q bad side.
Poor Ellacombe's neighbors no longer invited
| him to dine with them because the bad side
| OF his character was very bad, indeed, and
because it displayed itself with offensive
| prominence when he was half tipsy. More
over it did not take a great many glasses OF
| champagne to make him half tipsy. Thus
| Chris became conscious Of q gradual change
| In his manner, the cause Of which she did not
understand, but which was el.I.44ently dis
| tasteful to her.
"Come out for ride with me some day
won't your" said he, with something unpleas-
antly like a wink. "I'll take you for a jolly
| good gallop across the moor, and show you
| more Of the country than you'd ever see with
that beggar Severne. His notion OF riding is
| peacocking along the high-road, expect"
"Mr. Severne rides very well I; we don't gen.
| orally keep to the road" answered Chris.
Presently she added: 81 dare say he would
have no objection to your joining us some
day. II you choose; but Lady Barnstaple
SAANa1 Tho EIANso%