Chapter 13

Summary

Lady Townley embraced the first opportunity of giving a ball in honour, as she said, of Alixe's arrival, though the latter was rather surprised that she should think of gaieties when her favourites the Aimwells were in such distress. She had to learn that in the world, friendship is little more than a name; and that the same people who flatter and caress you one night, would if you were dead, reconsider the accident at the next ball, in the same breath, with a description of the week's amusements, and chassée [sic] forward with the utmost composure after they had finished. Alixe was reflecting painfully on this circumstance and wondering why all Pamela's professed friends danced so gaily, and seemed so merry, when she saw Everard standing in the middle of the room. He did not see her for a minute or two. He was talking eagerly and laughingly to someone she could not see. Charles St Clair, who was standing close by Alixe and had just begged her to dance the first dance with him, as he knew no one, saw her raised colour and open eye and an instinctive feeling told him that Everard, the dreaded Everard, was in the room with him, probably within a few yards of the place where he was standing.

In a moment after, that interesting individual came forward and greeted Alixe with great eagerness. He asked her to dance and offered his arm as if he knew there could be no refusal.

“Alixe, you are engaged to dance with me,” said Charles in a tone he intended should be playful. Everard started and fixed his eyes on the speaker and then turned to Alixe.

“I beg your pardon Charles. Mr Price, my brother, Charles.” Everard extended his hand with some slight compliment. Charles St Clair took it, and if his pulse was quick and his hand feverishly hot, Mr Price could not tell that a few moments before, those symptoms were not visible.

“Well,” said Everard, smiling, “I aim to resign you to Mr St Clair.” Charles, who was “himself again,” begged he could not consider it an engagement, adding that he believed it was not the fashion for brothers to make partners and that perhaps Alixe would give him some other dance in the course of the evening.