Extravagant Living CHAPTER 17.
Back to Extravagant Living
The evening of the party at Mr. Arden's came, and Mr. and Mrs. Lofton prepared themselves for the occasion — to them, one of more than common interest. Lofton, naturally shy, felt exceedingly nervous. He had been little in company. A fashionable party, he had never attended; and he felt, painfully, his ignorance of the many little observances of polished life, without a knowledge of which, everyone must suffer restraint and embarrassment. Mrs. Lofton was more at her ease. She had a woman's quick perception of social usages, and had been enough with ladies who moved in fashionable circles, to be able to compare them with herself. She did not doubt her ability to act, in her own quiet and unobtrusive way, with all needful propriety.
Both were a little surprised, on arriving at the house of Mr. Arden, at the hour named in the note of invitation, to find themselves among the first of the guests. But thisunfashionable punctuality was something in their favor. They had time to get a sort of at-home feeling before the larger portion of the company arrived.
It proved to be a large and brilliant party, at which many of the first merchants and professional men of the city, with their families, were present. Amid the mirthful attire and flash of jewelry, our unobtrusive Mrs. Lofton was completely obscured. She might have ventured the bracelet and string of pearls, without much danger to her husband's future prospects. So, at least, Lucy Arden thought, as she more than once contrasted the modest exterior of her friend and protégé, with the glitter and display around her.
Among the guests were Pinkerton and his wife — the latter dressed in the most showy and extravagant style. Mr. Ackland, his late partner, was present. Also Mr. and Mrs. Allen, both rather formal in manner toward their dashing son-in-law.
Though several times thrown into immediate contact with Mrs. Pinkerton, Mrs. Lofton did not receive the slightest sign of recognition from that lady. Mrs. Pinkerton bowed to her coldly, once or twice, but offered not the courtesy of a single word.
Time passed on, and in conversation, now with one, and now with another of the rather stayed and sober part of the company — Lofton became more and more at ease, and in consequence, more and more observant of what was going on around him. Contrasts were naturally made. The ease and self-possession of some — and the awkwardness and embarrassment of others, were noted. He gathered, too, from the free spoken or unguarded, social and business estimates of individuals. Pinkerton and his lady were several times objects of comment in his presence; and, by the way, not over-favorable comment. And, once or twice, he heard his own dear wife briefly inquired about, as a stranger, in terms that sent the blood dancing with a pleasant warmth through his veins.
Not less surprised than pleased, was he at length, to see her in animated conversation with Mr. Ackland. Who had introduced them, he did not know. But he saw that Ackland was particularly interested in something that she was saying, and that when she ceased speaking, his countenance expressed a warm approval of her sentiments. He would have been more pleased, if the following conversation, which some time afterwards passed between Mr. Arden and Mr. Ackland had reached his ears.
"Who is that lady with whom I have been talking?" the latter inquired. "She's a very sensible woman."
"She appears to be a stranger to almost everyone here."
"So I think," replied Mr. Arden; "about as sensible as any here tonight."
"She is; and some to whom she is not altogether a stranger, seem rather wary of acknowledging the acquaintance."
"Indeed! Why so?"
"She's only the wife of a clerk."
"Who is her husband?" was the prompt inquiry of Mr. Ackland.
"A young man in every way worthy to call her his wife."
"May good fortune attend them. What is his name?"
"First, let me tell you a little incident about his wife. All my family think very highly of her. They knew her before her marriage, and have taken great interest in her since. My daughter Lucy told me a day or two ago, that she wanted her to wear some of her jewelry tonight, as she had none of her own fit for the occasion. But this was declined, and on the ground that her husband's income was too small to admit of the purchase of costly ornaments, and she would never, she said, mar his prospects — by wearing articles of dress which might lead to the inference that he had an extravagant wife."
"Good! I like that," said Ackland, warmly; "she's made of the right stuff. I thought her a sensible woman. And her husband — is he worthy of her?"
"He is," said Mr. Arden.
"And now for his name?"
"Her husband is one of our clerks — an old friend, I believe, of Mr. Pinkerton's."
"A friend of Pinkerton's!" The brow of Ackland slightly contracted.
"Not like him by any means," was answered; "his name is Lofton."
"Ah! Now I remember him. He used to come to our store occasionally. What kind of a young man is he?"
"In what respect?"
"Has he business capacity?"
"Yes; and of the best kind. He belongs to the genus slow and sure."
"But, is he at the same time shrewd and intelligent?"
"I think so."
"What are his principles?"
"Manly and honorable. I do not believe he would swerve a hair's breadth from the straight line of rectitude, under any temptation."
"What are his personal habits? Is he at all inclined to extravagance?"
"He saved from his salary, sufficient to buy plain furniture for the small house in which he lives; and now strictly limits his expenses to a range below his income."
"Excellent! Excellent! I'd like to have another talk with you about him one of these days," said Mr. Ackland, as the near approach of some of the company warned them to change the theme of conversation, which was rather foreign to the occasion.
Nothing, beyond what has been briefly recorded, occurred during this evening, which could in any way interest the reader. So much only has been noted, as forms a link in thechain of circumstances which it is our business to separate from common events. Perhaps, of all who made up the company, Lofton and his wife gained most of wisdom and mental strength from the social contact. They were introduced into a new circle, and looked down into the heart of society from a new elevation. Poor and humble though they were, and scarcely noticed by the proud or thoughtless ones with whom they had mingled a few brief hours — the experience did not crush, dispirit, or mortify them. A virtuous self-respect lay at the foundation of their characters. Thoughtful, observant, and discriminating — they comprehended clearly their own social relations.
Not the less pleasant, or home-like, seemed their small and poorly furnished dwelling, on returning from the elegant drawing-rooms of Mr. Arden. The contrast brought no uncomfortable feelings; but, so far as each was influenced by worldly ambition, a hopeful spirit was based on that self-dependent purpose which is expressed in the words, "work and wait."
Back to Extravagant Living