The Temptation! CHAPTER 3
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"Ah! good morning, Sid!" said a friend of young Markland's to him familiarly, as they met in Chestnut Street, one morning, about ten days after the party at Mr. Algeron's. "You are stirring early!"
"Yes. There is game abroad!"
"Indeed! Then you're on another scent? But take care you do not bark up the wrong tree."
"Never fear. I don't often make mistakes."
"And your game?"
"Is worth catching, I can assure you."
"No doubt. But who is she?"
"One of the sweetest girls in town. A prize, let me tell you, if there is any virtue in beauty and booty."
"You're enigmatical."
"And you are dull. Haven't I told you about the conquest I made at the last party?"
"Oh, yes! Miss Algeron. But what do you mean?" The friend looked grave as he asked this question.
At this, Markland laughed gayly for a moment or two, and then said, with a more serious tone and manner,
"I mean all fair, of course. Margaretta Algeron is of age and so am I, and I have therefore as perfect a right to win her heart and gain her hand as any one. And what is more, I intend doing it."
"Why, then, meet her in Chestnut Street? Why not go, like a man, to her father's house?"
"Because, as you know, circumstances alter cases. There has been an attempt made by that meddlesome old rascal, Turner, to get up a cry against me, on account of my little indiscretion with Sarah Spencer. Do you know that he actually left Mr. Algeron's house, with his wife and daughter, the moment the understood that I was there!"
"He did?"
"Yes — he did. And, I have been told, avows his determination not to attend, nor permit his family to attend, any social company where I am an invited guest!"
"Preposterous! He must be insane!"
"Not he. He's a cool-headed, determined old fellow, and will do just what he has said, to the letter."
"What does he mean?"
"Simply, that young-bloods like you and I, who have the independence to go our own road, in spite of old-fashioned morality, are to be prohibited from good society."
"Oh, dear!"
"It's true. And what is more, I'm cursedly afraid he'll get too many to sympathize with him. He'll prove a kind of leader to some, no doubt. But I think I can neutralize the effect of all this. I have already induced my old folks to send out invitations for the next party. This will take place before Turner's leaven can spread very far, and then, all who attend will feel it too delicate a matter to make an exception in my case when the family is invited out. Do you understand? Let the Turners draw their heads into their own turtle-shells, if they like to. Who cares?"
"You've outwitted them fairly," returned the friend, laughing.
"So I think. But we shall see. On the second evening following Mr. Algeron's party, I called and spent an hour with Margaretta, much to her delight. That I could readily see. But I have been there three times since, and she has been 'engaged'! I can understand that? Of course I can. Day before yesterday, I met her in Chestnut Street. We walked together for a couple of hours, during which time I readily got from her an admission that, if her wishes had been consulted, the excuse about being engaged would never have been made. I needed no more. It was, I saw, all easy work, so far as she was concerned. Yesterday we met again, and this morning she promised to come out early."
"Well, she is a lovely girl," remarked his companion.
"She is, without doubt. But there is one who takes my fancy even more than pretty Margaretta."
"Who?"
"Grace Turner. She is truly an angel! I had her in quite a fair way at the party, when her mother came up, looking as cross as an old bear, and asked me to be kind enough to excuseher daughter. I suppose she had just discovered my presence. I have not set eyes on Grace since that moment. If I thought there was any chance for her, I would let her brother have Margaretta, and think it a good bargain. You ought to have seen how cleverly I snatched Margaretta from Harry Turner at the party. Ha! ha! He had been sticking as close to her as aleech all the evening. I saw this — but didn't care, so long as I had the willing ear of his sister Grace. But when that chance was gone, I was taking care to make a due impression on the second best; and so I went up boldly, and cut him out with a cool impudence that you would have called quite refreshing. He tried to look daggers at me — but, do you think I cared? No! Curse him! If he attempts to cross my path, I'll call him out and shoot him! But see! There's my little charmer, looking as bright as a May morning, and as sweet as a bunch of roses! Good-bye, and take care of yourself."
And so saying, young Markland turned away abruptly, and crossing the street, met Margaretta Algeron, with an ease, self-possession, and graceful politeness, that charmed anew her young heart.
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