I cannot say that the dinner was good.It may be a doubt whether such tradesmen as Messrs Stewam and Sugarscraps do ever produce good food;--or whether, with all the will in the world to do so, such a result is within their power.It is certain, I think, that the humblest mutton chop is better eating than any 'Supreme of chicken after martial manner',--as I have seen the dish named in a French bill of fare, translated by a French pastrycook for the benefit of his English customers,--when sent in from Messrs Stewam and Sugarscraps even with their best exertions.Nor can it be said that the wine was good, though Mr Sugarscraps, when he contracted for the whole entertainment, was eager in his assurance that he procured the very best that London could produce.But the outside look of the things was handsome, and there were many dishes, and enough servants to hand them, and the wines, if not good, were various.Probably Pountney and Gunner did not know good wines.Roby did, but was contented on this occasion to drink them bad.And everything went pleasantly, with perhaps a little too much noise;--everything except the hostess, who was allowed by general consent to be sad and silent,--till there came a loud double-rap at the door.
'There's papa,' said Emily, jumping up from her seat.
Mrs Dick looked at Lopez, and saw at a glance for a moment his courage had failed him.But he recovered himself quickly.
'Hadn't you better keep your seat, my dear?' he said to his wife.
'The servants will attend to Mr Wharton, and I will go to him presently.'
'Oh, no,' said Emily, who by this time was almost at the door.
'You didn't expect him,--did you?' asked Dick Roby.
'Nobody knew when he was coming.I think he told Emily that he might be here any day.'
'He's the most uncertain man alive,' said Mrs Dick, who was a good deal scared by the arrival, though determined to hold up her head and exhibit no fear.
'I suppose the old gentleman will come and have some dinner,'
whispered Captain Gunner to his neighbour Mrs Leslie.
'Not if he knows I'm here,' replied Mrs Leslie, tittering.'He thinks that I am,--oh, something a great deal worse than I can tell you.'
'Is he given to be cross?' asked Lady Eustace, also affecting to whisper.
'Never saw him in my life,' answered the major, 'but I shouldn't wonder if he was.Old gentlemen generally are cross.Gout, and that kind of thing, you know.'
For a minute or two the servants stopped in their ministrations, and things were very uncomfortable; but Lopez, as soon as he had recovered himself, directed Mr Sugarscraps' men to proceed with the banquet.'We can eat our dinner, I suppose, though my father-in-law has come back,' he said.'I wish my wife was not so fussy, though that is the kind of thing, Lady Eustace, that one must expect from young wives.' The banquet did go on, but the feeling was general that a misfortune had come upon them, and that something dreadful might possibly happen.
Emily, when she rushed out, met her father in the hall, and ran into his arms.'Oh, papa!' she exclaimed.
'What's all this about?' he asked, and as he spoke he passed on through the hall to his own room at the back of the house.There were of course many evidences on all sides of the party,--the strange servants, the dishes going in and out, the clatter of glasses, and the smell of viands.'You've got a dinner party,'
he said.'Had you not better go back to your friends?'
'No, papa.'
'What is the matter, Emily? You are unhappy.'
'Oh, so unhappy?'
'What is it all about? Who are they? Whose doing is it,--yours or his? What makes you unhappy?'
He was now seated in his arm-chair, and she threw herself on her knees at his feet.'He would have them.You mustn't be angry with me.You won't be angry with me;--will you?'
He put his hand upon her head, and stroked her hair.'Why should I be angry with you because your husband has asked friends to dinner?' She was so unlike her usual self that he knew not what to make of it.It had not been her nature to kneel and ask for pardon, or to be timid and submissive.'What is it, Emily, that makes you like this?'
'He shouldn't have had the people.'
'Well;--granted.But it does not signify much.Is your Aunt Harriet here?'
'Yes.'
'It can't be very bad, then.'
'Mrs Leslie is here, and Lady Eustace,--and two men I don't like.'
'Is Everett here?'
'No;--he wouldn't have Everett.'
'Oughtn't you go to them?'
