But the younger man, who also had had
his experiences, reflected that the utter isolation of Lady Joan,
through the ill odour of her family, the disgraceful character of
her father, the unamiability of her brother, and the poverty into
which they had sunk, gave him incalculable advantages.
The father had been for many years the medical adviser of the
house; and although Lord Mergwain accorded the medical practice of
his day about the same relation to a science of therapeutics that
old alchemy had to modern chemistry, yet the moment he felt ill, he
was sure to send for young Jermyn. Charles had also attended Lady
Joan in several illnesses, for she had not continued in such health
as when she used to climb hills in snow with Cosmo. It is true she
had on these occasions sent for the father, but for one reason and
another, more likely to be false than true, he had always, with
many apologies, sent his son in his stead. She was at first
annoyed, and all but refused to receive him; but from dislike of
seeming to care, she got used to his attendance, and to him as
well. He gained thus the opportunity of tolerably free admission to
her, of which he made use with what additional confidence came of
believing that at least he had no rival.
Nor indeed was there anything absurd in his aspiring in those her
circumstances to win her. He was a man of good breeding, and more
than agreeable manners--with a large topographical experience, and
a social experience far from restricted, for, as I have already
mentioned, he had travelled much, and in the company of persons of
high position; and had Joan been less ignorant of things belonging
to her proper station, she would have found yet more to interest
her in him.
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