Hervey was reduced to uncomprehending silence. A few moments ago he had thought his sister the most wonderful of women, about to become wife to the most wonderful of men. But now . . . And what, indeed, of Peto? He had still no news of his situation: he might be in a chaise from Portsmouth this very minute, returning from battle – that second Trafalgar – in the expectation of the loyal greeting which was rightfully his.
‘What is Father’s opinion in this? Has he forbidden it?’
Mrs Hervey’s look was of even more abject despair. ‘I have not had occasion to tell him. He has not been at all well this past month.’
‘And Elizabeth has not told him?’
‘I begged she would not.’
They sat for some time in a state of incapability, Mrs Hervey’s sobs subdued but continuing, until her son found himself able to ask, ‘Has anything . . .
Mrs Hervey let out such a sigh, as if she might wholly expire. When she spoke it was almost in a whisper. ‘I wish I could say there was not. It is all on account of . . . a certain person.’
Hervey’s frustration with this most disconnected way of proceeding almost got the better of him. ‘Mama, you really must compose yourself and tell me all there is to know, for how otherwise am I to prevail on Elizabeth to change her mind?’
Mrs Hervey began searching about her pockets for smelling salts, but to no avail. She sighed deeply once more, and waved her hands as if in submission. ‘It is all on account of . . . a Mr Heinrici. She met him not two months ago . . . and now she believes she is in love with him and intends marrying him.’
‘
His mother nodded. ‘Or
‘He is German then? Or Dutch?’
‘Yes. He took the lease on the Heytesbury estate last year. Elizabeth went to the house to buy hangings or some such, which he did not wish for.’
His mother’s concern for precise domestic detail, while she remained indifferent to that of real significance, almost deflected Hervey from a right judgement: not only was his sister’s inclination to break off the engagement deeply dismaying, he now saw that she acted in it quite recklessly. It was not in the least like her, and he concluded that there must be some strange imbalance in her humours – not in the old sense, of course (that was so much quackery), but something must very definitely have disturbed her equilibrium. To throw over his old friend, the very finest of men, for . . . who? A new-come German? (Hervey was sure, now, the name was not Dutch.) Who, indeed, was this Baron Heinrici, with his new lease on the agreeable Heytesbury estate? Why, indeed, was he come to Wiltshire at all? What could possibly have turned Elizabeth’s head so, for in everything he had known her undertake she had shown matchless judgement (better, even, than his own)? He must observe her closely at dinner for some sign of what disturbed her.
In consequence of the shocking family news, Hervey was able to afford Georgiana only a brief interview, promising to spend the morning with her instead. She told him of her pony – the one he had bought her when he had come back from India – and the Broadwood piano (which he had sent her for her . . . he did not remember quite
Georgiana was disappointed, but not excessively so, for she understood that her father had travelled a very great distance and would wish to rest. And there was his friend Captain Fairbrother to be looked after, and Aunt Elizabeth too . . .
Hervey professed himself grateful to Georgiana for her patience, and accompanied her to her bedroom, where he saw that the housemaid had already brought a bowl of hot water. ‘I retire myself without assistance, Papa,’ she said, matter of fact rather than proud.
‘Very well,’ he replied, kissing her forehead. ‘Until the morning.’
Elizabeth was in their father’s book room when Hervey sought her out. She had put on an evening dress, quite formal, and she looked perfectly composed when he entered.
Хаос в Ваантане нарастает, охватывая все новые и новые миры...
Александр Бирюк , Александр Сакибов , Белла Мэттьюз , Ларри Нивен , Михаил Сергеевич Ахманов , Родион Кораблев
Фантастика / Исторические приключения / Боевая фантастика / ЛитРПГ / Попаданцы / Социально-психологическая фантастика / Детективы / РПГ