There is only one book I've read that I can pick up and read over and over again. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen has just swept my heart away. There isn't anything particularly exciting about it. It's slow and has no action. What draws me to this book is the dialogue and the language of the time. I had come up with this great idea-fantastic idea, that "Pride and Predjudice" could easily be modified Yu Gi Oh style. I then realized last night before I fell asleep maybe someone else had this great idea as well? There is another story-very similar, yet different. It seems to have been discontinued. I hope you can draw as much love from how the English was spoken at the time. I worried that although the language is pretty, it's still hard to understand.
The story is slow moving and rambles on and on, but I will follow it to a great likeness of the original book.
If there are Jane Austen lovers and you aren't following the characters as well or something seems to be off, let me know! If there are any spelling mistakes or if I over looked in replacing someone's original name from the book let me know, please!
There is nothing in this story that belongs to me. The plot and words (except for a bit of modification) belongs to Jane Austen. Furthermore, the characters do not belong to me. I would also like to point out the idea behind having Yami and Hikaris are not even my own. I acquired the idea reading "Yugioh Mulan" by Wordsorcereress. It's not quite the same as she's done but I refuse to take credit for it.
Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune and Dark must be in want of a Hikari.
It had been passed down from legends that the one in possession of his perfect Hikari would bring good fortune, luck and ever-long happiness. In the perfect balance of Dark and Hikari, a great force would ascend and bring forth the best in both.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their Hikaris.
"My dear Mr. Wheeler," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"
Mr. Wheeler replied that he had not.
"But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it."
Mr. Wheeler made no answer.
"Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.
"You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."
This was invitation enough.
"Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune and great Dark from the north of Osaka; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week."
"What is his name?"
"Mr Yami Mutou."
"Is he married or single?"
"Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. With a Dark Magician as Dark! What a fine thing for our Hikaris and daughters!"
The Wheeler family had born five children. The two eldest, Yugi and Jou were born Hikaris. As all Hikari children they were born with the kanji of light on their body. They were both the most sensible of the five. Anzu had been the third born with nothing to recommend her. Mai, the fourth born possessed a kanji and Serenity, the last-born held no symbol upon her body.
"How so? How can it affect them?"
"My dear Mr. Wheeler," replied his wife, "how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."
"Is that his design in settling here?"
"Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes."
"I see no occasion for that. You and the children may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Mutou may like you the best of the party."
"My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up children, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty."
"In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of."
"But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Mutou when he comes into the neighborhood."
"It is more than I engage for, I assure you."
"But consider your children. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir Honda and Lady Honda are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not."
"You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Mutou will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the children; though I must throw in a good word for my Jou."
"I desire you will do no such thing. Jou is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure he is not half so handsome as Yugi, nor half so good-humoured as Mai. But you are always giving him the preference."
"They have none of them much to recommend them," replied he; "they are all silly and ignorant like other Hikaris; but Jou has something more of quickness than the others. He is like no other common Hikari"
Hikaris possessed an inner beauty and glowing charm that children without the symbol did not possess. Hikaris were often sought because of their charisma and inner light. In a room full of natural born, one could easily identify Hikaris by the glow of their skin and alluring auras.
"Mr. Wheeler, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves."
"You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least."
"Ah, you do not know what I suffer."
"But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighborhood."
"It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them."
"Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all."
Mr. Wheeler was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her children-all natural blood and Hikari- married; its solace was visiting and news.
Mr. Wheeler was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Mutou. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner.
Observing his second son employed in sharpening a blade, he suddenly addressed him with:
"I hope Mr. Mutou will like it, Jou."
"We are not in a way to know what Mr. Mutou likes," said her mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit."
"But you forget, ma," said Jonouchi, "that we shall meet him at the assemblies, an' that Mrs. Long promised to introduce him."
"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her."
"No more have I," said Mr. Wheeler; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you."
Mrs. Wheeler deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
"Don't keep coughing so, Serenity, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."
"Serenity has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she times them ill."
"I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Serenity fretfully. "When is your next ball to be, Jou?"
"To-morrow fortnight."
"Aye, so it is," cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself."
"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Mutou to her."
"Impossible, Mr. Wheeler, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?"
"I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself."
The children stared at their father. Mrs. Wheeler said only, "Nonsense, nonsense!"
"What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Anzu? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts."
Anzu wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.
"While Anzu is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us return to Mr. Mutou."
"I am sick of Mr. Mutou," cried his wife.
"I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now."
The astonishment of the listeners was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Wheeler perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.
"How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Wheeler! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your children too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now."
"Now, Serenity, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Wheeler; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
"What an excellent father you have!" said she, when the door was shut. "I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would do anything. Mai, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Mutou will dance with you at the next ball."
"Oh!" said Mai stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest."
The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr. Wheeler's visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.
Not all that Mrs. Wheeler, however, with the assistance of her five children, could ask on the subject, was sufficient to draw from her husband any satisfactory description of Mr. Mutou. They attacked him in various ways—with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all, and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Honda. Her report was highly favourable. Sir Honda had been delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, and, to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next assembly with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively hopes of Mr. Mutou's heart were entertained.
"If I can but see one of my children happily settled at Netherfield," said Mrs. Wheeler to her husband, "and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for."
In a few days Mr. Mutou returned Mr. Wheeler's visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of his children, of whose beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The children were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window that he wore a blue coat, and rode a black horse.
An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and already had Mrs. Wheeler planned the courses that were to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all. Mr. Mutou was obliged to be in town the following day, and, consequently, unable to accept the honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs. Wheeler was quite disconcerted. She could not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might be always flying about from one place to another, and never settled at Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Honda quieted her fears a little by starting the idea of his being gone to London only to get a large party for the ball; and a report soon followed that Mr. Mutou was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly. The children grieved over such a party, but were comforted the day before the ball by hearing, that instead of twelve he brought only three with him from London—his two brothers and a cousin. And when the party entered the assembly room it consisted of only five altogether—Mr. Mutou, his two brothers; Bakura (the eldest) and Marik, joining their party the husband of the eldest, Ryou and another young man.
Mr. Mutou was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His brothers were fine men with Darks, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Ryou, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Kaiba soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man with an incredible Dark, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Mutou, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Kyoto could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.
Families who born Darks were considered privileged and immediately recognized in society. Children with a Dark were distinguishable by a special kanji upon their body that named a Great Spirit creature that had long existed among their ancestors. Spirit creatures had once walked the earth generations ago. Darks had a natural compelling aura that attracted you to them. Like the Hikaris, their physic held certain darkness to them unlike the light that drew you to their opposite.
Mr. Mutou had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Kaiba danced only once with Bakura and once with Marik, declined being introduced to any other person, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Wheeler, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her children.
Jonouchi Wheeler had been obliged, by the scarcity of appealing partners, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Kaiba had been standing near enough for him to hear a conversation between him and Mr. Mutou, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it.
"Come, Kaiba," said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."
"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your brothers are engaged, and there is not another Hikari in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."
"I would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Mr. Mutou, "for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant people in my life as I have this evening; and there are several Hikaris of them you see uncommonly pretty."
"You are dancing with the only handsome Hikari in the room," said Mr. Kaiba, looking at the eldest of the Wheelers.
"Oh! He is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of his Hikaris sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."
"Which do you mean?" and turning round he looked for a moment at Jonouchi, till catching his eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said: "He is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to Hikaris who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy his smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."
Mr. Mutou followed his advice. Mr. Kaiba walked off; and Jonouchi remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. He told the story, however, with great spirit among his friends; for he had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs. Wheeler had seen her eldest Hikari much admired by the Netherfield party. Mr. Mutou had danced with him twice, and he had been distinguished by his Hikaris. Yugi was as much gratified by this as her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Jonouchi felt Yugi's pleasure. Anzu had heard herself mentioned to Marik as the most accomplished Hikari in the neighbourhood; and Tristan and Mai had been fortunate enough never to be without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Wheeler still up. With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife's views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found out that he had a different story to hear.
"Oh! my dear Mr. Wheeler," as she entered the room, "we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there. Yugi was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well he looked; and Mr. Mutou thought him quite beautiful, and danced with him twice! Only think of that, my dear; he actually danced with him twice! and he was the only creature in the room that he asked a second time. First of all, he asked Tristan. I was so vexed to see him stand up with him! But, however, he did not admire him at all; indeed, nobody can, you know; and he seemed quite struck with Yugi as he was going down the dance. So he inquired who he was, and got introduced, and asked him for the two next. Then the two third he danced with Miss King, and the two fourth with Maria Honda, and the two fifth with Yugi again, and the two sixth with Jou, and the Boulanger—"
"If he had had any compassion for me," cried her husband impatiently, "he would not have danced half so much! For God's sake, say no more of his partners. Oh that he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!"
"Oh! my dear, I am quite delighted with him. He is so excessively handsome! And his siblings are charming creatures. To imagine-they are all in possession of a Dark! I never in my life saw anything more elegant than their attires, either. I dare say the lace upon Bakura's chemise—"
Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Wheeler protested against any description of finery. She was therefore obliged to seek another branch of the subject, and related, with much bitterness of spirit and some exaggeration, the shocking rudeness of Mr. Kaiba.
"But I can assure you," she added, "that Jou does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man."
When Yugi and Jonouchi were alone, the former, who had been cautious in his praise of Mr. Mutou before, expressed to his brother just how very much he admired him.
"He is just what a Dark ought to be," said he, "sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!—so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!"
"He is also handsome," replied Jonouchi, "which a young man with Dark ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete."
"I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment."
"Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never. What could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other Hikari in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person."
"Dear Jou!"
"Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your life."
"I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak what I think."
"I know you do; and it is that which makes the wonder. With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough—one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design—to take the good of everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone. And so you like this man's siblings, too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his."
"Certainly not—at first. But they are very pleasing when you converse with them. Bakura is to live with his brothers, and keep his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming neighbour in him."
Jonouchi listened in silence, but was not convinced; their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than his brother, and with a judgement too unassailed by any attention to himself, he was very little disposed to approve them. They were in fact very fine men; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of making themselves agreeable when they chose it, but proud and conceited. They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank, and were therefore in every respect entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of a respectable family in the north of Kyoto; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their brother's fortune and their own had been acquired by trade.
Mr. Mutou inherited property to the amount of nearly a hundred thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an estate, but did not live to do it. Mr. Mutou intended it likewise, and sometimes made choice of his county; but as he was now provided with a good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of those who best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend the remainder of his days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation to purchase.
His siblings were anxious for his having an estate of his own; but, though he was now only established as a tenant, Marik was by no means unwilling to preside at his table—nor was Bakura, who had married a man of more fashion than fortune, less disposed to consider his house as her home when it suited him. Mr. Mutou had not been of age two years, when he was tempted by an accidental recommendation to look at Netherfield House. He did look at it, and into it for half-an-hour—was pleased with the situation and the principal rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it immediately.
Between him and Kaiba there was a very steady friendship, in spite of great opposition of character. Mutou was endeared to Kaiba by the easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Kaiba's regard, Mutou had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion. In understanding, Kaiba was the superior. Mutou was by no means deficient, but Kaiba was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Mutou was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Kaiba was continually giving offense.
The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Mutou had never met with more pleasant people or prettier Hikaris in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him; there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and, as to Yugi, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. Kaiba, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure. Yugi he acknowledged to be pretty, but he smiled too much.
Bakura and his brother allowed it to be so—but still they admired him and liked him, and pronounced him to be a sweet Hikari, and one whom they would not object to know more of Yugi, was therefore established as a sweet boy, and their brother felt authorized by such commendation to think of him as he chose.
Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Wheelers were particularly intimate. Sir William Honda had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune, and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the king during his mayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business, and to his residence in a small market town; and, in quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Honda Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and, unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all the world. For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St. James's had made him courteous.
Lady Honda was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs. Wheeler. They had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young man about twenty-seven, was Jonouchi's intimate friend.
That Tristan and Jonouchi should meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate.
"You began the evening well, Tristan," said Mrs. Wheeler with civil self-command to Tristan. "You were Mr. Mutou's first choice."
"Yes; but he seemed to like his second better."
"Oh! you mean Yugi, I suppose, because he danced with him twice. To be sure that did seem as if he admired him—indeed I rather believe he did—I heard something about it—but I hardly know what—something about Mr. Robinson."
"Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty Hikaris in the room, and which he thought the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last question: 'Oh! the eldest Wheeler, beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.'"
"Upon my word! Well, that is very decided indeed—that does seem as if—but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know."
"My overhearings were more to the purpose than yours, Jono," said Tristan. "Mr. Kaiba is not so well worth listening to as his friend, is he?—poor Jono!—to be only just tolerable."
"I beg you would not put it into Jou's head to be vexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man, that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half-an-hour without once opening his lips."
"Are you quite sure, ma'am?—is not there a little mistake?" said Yugi. "I certainly saw Mr. Kaiba speaking to her."
"Aye—because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and he could not help answering her; but she said he seemed quite angry at being spoke to."
"Miss Mutou told me," said Yugi, "that he never speaks much, unless among his intimate acquaintances. With them he is remarkably agreeable."
"I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride, and I dare say he had heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to the ball in a hack chaise."
"I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long," said Honda, "but I wish he had danced with Jono."
"Another time, Jou," said her mother, "I would not dance with him, if I were you."
"I believe, ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him."
"His pride," said Honda, "does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud."
"That is very true," replied Jonouchi, "and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."
"Pride," observed Anzu, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, "is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us."
"If I were as rich as Mr. Kaiba," cried the young Honda, who came with his brother, "I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine a day."
"Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought," said Mrs. Wheeler; "and if I were to see you at it, I should take away your bottle directly."
The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare that she would, and the argument ended only with the visit.
The people of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit was soon returned in due form. Yugi's pleasing manners grew on the goodwill of Bakura and Marik; and though the mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with them were expressed towards the two eldest. By Yugi, this attention was received with the greatest pleasure, but Jonouchi still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even his brother, and could not like them; though their kindness to Yugi, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration. It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire him and to he it was equally evident that Yugi was yielding to the preference which he had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but he considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Yugi united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard him from the suspicions of the impertinent. He mentioned this to his friend Tristan.
"It may perhaps be pleasant," replied Tristan, "to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a Hikari conceals their affection with the same skill from the object of it, he may lose the opportunity of fixing a Dark; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the shad. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a Hikari had better show more affection than he feels. Mutou likes your brother undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like him, if he does not help him on."
"But he does help him on, as much as his nature will allow. If I can perceive his regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too."
"Remember, Jono, that he does not know Yugi's disposition as you do."
"But if a Hikari is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out."
"Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of him. But, though Yami and Yugi meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Yugi should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which he can command his attention. When he is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as he chooses."
"Your plan is a good one," replied Jonouchi, "where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married, and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are not Yugi's feelings; he is not acting by design. As yet, he cannot even be certain of the degree of his own regard nor of its reasonableness. He has known him only a fortnight. He danced four dances with him at Meryton; he saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite enough to make him understand his character."
"Not as you represent it. Had he merely dined with him, he might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have also been spent together—and four evenings may do a great deal."
"Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded."
"Well," said Tristan, "I wish Yugi success with all my heart; and if he were married to him to-morrow, I should think he had as good a chance of happiness as if he were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."
"You make me laugh, Tristan; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself."
Occupied in observing Mr. Mutou's attentions to his brother, Jonouchi was far from suspecting that he was himself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Kaiba had at first scarcely allowed him to be pretty; he had looked at him without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at him only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that he hardly had a good feature in his face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of golden eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying. Though he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in his form, he was forced to acknowledge his figure to be strong and pleasing; and in spite of his asserting that his manners were not those of the fashionable world, he was caught by their easy playfulness. Of this Jonouchi was perfectly unaware; to him he was only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought him handsome enough to dance with.
He began to wish to know more of him, and as a step towards conversing with him himself, attended to his conversation with others. His doing so drew his notice. It was at Sir William Honda's, where a large party were assembled.
"What does Mr. Kaiba mean," said he to Tristan, "by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?"
"That is a question which Mr. Kaiba only can answer."
"But if he does it any more I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him."
On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Tristan defied his friend to mention such a subject to him; which immediately provoking Jonouchi to do it, he turned to him and said:
"Did you not think, Mr. Kaiba, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"
"With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a Hikari energetic."
"You are severe on us."
"It will be his turn soon to be teased," said Tristan. "I am going to open the instrument, Jono, and you know what follows."
"You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!—always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers." On Tristan's persevering, however, he added, "Very well, if it must be so, it must." And gravely glancing at Kaiba, "There is a fine old saying, which everybody here is of course familiar with: 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge'; and I shall keep mine to swell my song."
His performance was pleasing, though by no means capital. After a song or two, and before he could reply to the entreaties of several that he would sing again, he was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by his sister Anzu, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display.
Anzu had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. Jonouchi, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Anzu, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Hondas, and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.
Mr. Kaiba stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Honda was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began:
"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Kaiba! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society."
"Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance."
Sir William only smiled. "Your friend performs delightfully," he continued after a pause, on seeing Yami join the group; "and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Kaiba."
"You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir."
"Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?"
"Never, sir."
"Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?"
"It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it."
"You have a house in town, I conclude?"
Mr. Kaiba bowed.
"I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself—for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of Kyoto would agree with Lady Honda."
He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed to make any; and Jonouchi at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to him:
"My dear Jono, why are you not dancing? Mr. Kaiba, you must allow me to present this young Hikari to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty and charm is before you." And, taking his hand, he would have given it to Mr. Kaiba who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when he instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William:
"Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."
Mr. Kaiba, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of his hand, but in vain. Jonouchi was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake his purpose by his attempt at persuasion.
"You excel so much in the dance, Jono, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-hour."
"Mr. Kaiba is all politeness," said Jonouchi, smiling.
"He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my dear Jono, we cannot wonder at his complaisance—for who would object to such a partner?"
Jonouchi looked archly, and turned away. His resistance had not injured him with the gentleman, and he was thinking of him with some complacency, when thus accosted by Marik:
"I can guess the subject of your reverie."
"I should imagine not."
"You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise—the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"
"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty Hikari can bestow."
Marik immediately fixed his eyes on Kaiba, and desired he would tell him what Hikari had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Kaiba replied with great intrepidity:
"Jonouchi Wheeler."
"Jonouchi Wheeler!" repeated Marik. "I am all astonishment. How long has he been such a favourite?—and pray, when am I to wish you joy?"
"That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A Dark's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy."
"Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you."
He listened to his with perfect indifference while he chose to entertain himself in this manner; and as his composure convinced him that all was safe, his wit flowed long.
Mr. Wheeler's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his children, was entailed, in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother's fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiency of his. Her father had been an attorney in Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds.
She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who had been a clerk to their father and succeeded him in the business, and a brother settled in Kyoto in a respectable line of trade.
The village of Longbourn was only one mile from Meryton; a most convenient distance for the children, who were usually tempted thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt and to a milliner's shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family, Serenity and Mai, were particularly frequent in these attentions; their minds were more vacant than their siblings', and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of news the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the headquarters.
Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge of the officers' names and connections. Their lodgings were not long a secret, and at length they began to know the officers themselves. Mr. Phillips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a store of felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Mutou's large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign.
After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr. Wheeler coolly observed:
"From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced."
Serenity was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Mai, with perfect indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter, and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the next morning to London.
"I am astonished, my dear," said Mrs. Wheeler, "that you should be so ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly of anybody's children, it should not be of my own, however."
"If my children are silly, I must hope to be always sensible of it."
"Yes—but as it happens, they are all of them very clever."
"This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must so far differ from you as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly foolish."
"My dear Mr. Wheeler, you must not expect such girls to have the sense of their father and mother. When they get to our age, I dare say they will not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when I liked a red coat myself very well—and, indeed, so I do still at my heart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls I shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster looked very becoming the other night at Sir William's in his regimentals."
"Mamma," cried Mai, "my aunt says that Colonel Forster and Captain Carter do not go so often to Miss Watson's as they did when they first came; she sees them now very often standing in Clarke's library."
Mrs. Wheeler was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with a note for Mr Yugi Wheeler; it came from Netherfield, and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Wheeler's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while her son read,
"Well, Yugi, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say? Well, Yugi, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love."
"It is from Marik," said Yugi, and then read it aloud.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,—
"If you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Bakura and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tete-a-tete between two men can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.—Yours ever,
"MARIK MUTOU"
"With the officers!" cried Mai. "I wonder my aunt did not tell us of that."
"Dining out," said Mrs. Wheeler, "that is very unlucky."
"Can I have the carriage?" said Yugi.
"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night."
"That would be a good scheme," said Jonouchi, "if you were sure that they would not offer to send him home."
"Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr. Mutou's chaise to go to Meryton, and they have no horses to theirs."
"I had much rather go in the coach."
"But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are wanted in the farm, Mr. Wheeler, are they not?"
"They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them."
"But if you have got them to-day," said Jonouchi, "my mother's purpose will be answered."
She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged. Yugi was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended him to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Yugi had not been gone long before it rained hard. His siblings were uneasy for him, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Yugi certainly could not come back.
"This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!" said Mrs. Wheeler more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield brought the following note for Jonouchi:
"MY DEAREST JOU,—
"I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones—therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me—and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me.—Yours, etc."
"Well, my dear," said Mr. Wheeler, when Jonouchi had read the note aloud, "if your son should have a dangerous fit of illness—if he should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Mutou, and under your orders."
"Oh! I am not afraid of him dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. He will be taken good care of. As long as he stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see him if I could have the carriage."
Jonouchi, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to him, though the carriage was not to be had; and as he was no horseman, walking was his only alternative. He declared his resolution.
"How can you be so silly," cried her mother, "as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there."
"I shall be very fit to see Yugi—which is all I want."
"Is this a hint to me, Jou," said his father, "to send for the horses?"
"No, indeed, I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner."
"I admire the activity of your benevolence," observed Anzu, "but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required."
"We will go as far as Meryton with you," said Serenity and Mai. Jonouchi accepted their company, and the three set off together.
"If we make haste," said Mai, as they walked along, "perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes."
In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one of the officers' wives, and Jonouchi continued his walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding himself at last within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.
He was shown into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Yugi were assembled, and where his appearance created a great deal of surprise. That he should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by himself, was almost incredible to Bakura and Marik; and Jonouchi was convinced that they held him in contempt for it. He was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. Mr. Kaiba said very little, and Ryou nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to his complexion, and doubt as to the occasion's justifying his coming so far alone, being only a Hikari. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast.
His inquiries after his broter were not very favourably answered. Yugi had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish, and not well enough to leave his room. Jonouchi was glad to be taken to him immediately; and Yugi, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience from expressing in him note how much he longed for such a visit, was delighted at his entrance. He was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Marik left them together, could attempt little besides expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness he was treated with. Jonouchi silently attended him.
When breakfast was over they were joined by the brothers; and Jonouchi began to like them himself, when he saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Yugi. The apothecary came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that he had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised him to return to bed, and promised him some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and his head ached acutely. Jonouchi did not quit his room for a moment.
When the clock struck three, Jonouchi felt that he must go, and very unwillingly said so. Marik offered him the carriage, and he only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Yugi testified such concern in parting with him, that Marik was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Jonouchi most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with his stay and bring back a supply of clothes.
At five o'clock the two Hikaris retired to dress, and at half-past six Jonouchi was summoned to dinner. To the civil inquiries which then poured in, and amongst which he had the pleasure of distinguishing the much superior solicitude of Mr. Mutou's, he could not make a very favourable answer. Yugi was by no means better. Bakura and Marik, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their indifference towards Yugi when not immediately before them restored Jonouchi to the enjoyment of all his former dislike.
Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom he could regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Yugi was evident, and his attentions to himself most pleasing, and they prevented his feeling himself so much an intruder as he believed he was considered by the others. He had very little notice from any but him. Marik was engrossed by Mr. Kaiba, his brother scarcely less so; and as for Ryou, by whom Jonouchi sat, he was an indolent man, who lived only to eat, drink, and play at cards; who, when he found him to prefer a plain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to him.
When dinner was over, he returned directly to Yugi, and Bakura began abusing him as soon as he was out of the room. His manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; he had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Marik thought the same, and added:
"He has nothing, in short, to recommend him, but being an excellent walker and Hikari. I shall never forget his appearance this morning. He really looked almost like a wild dog."
"He did, indeed, Marik. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must he be scampering about the country, because his brother had a cold? His hair, so untidy, so blowsy!"
"Yes, and his shoes; I hope you saw-his pants, six inches deep in mud."
"Your picture may be very exact, Bakura," said Mutou; "but this was all lost upon me. I thought Jonouchi Wheeler looked remarkably well when he came into the room this morning. His dirty attire quite escaped my notice."
"You observed it, Mr. Kaiba, I am sure," said Marik; "and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your brother make such an exhibition."
"Certainly not."
"To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above his ankles in dirt-possibly even manure, and alone, quite alone and only a Hikari! What could he mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum."
"It shows an affection for his brother that is very pleasing," said Yami.
"I am afraid, Mr. Kaiba," observed Marik in a half whisper, "that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of his fine eyes."
"Not at all," he replied; "they were brightened by the exercise." A short pause followed this speech, and Bakura began again:
"I have an excessive regard for Yugi Wheeler, he is really a very sweet Hikari, and I wish with all my heart he were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it."
"I think I have heard you say that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton."
"Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside."
"That is capital," added Marik, and they both laughed heartily.
"If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside," cried Yami, "it would not make them one jot less agreeable."
"But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world," replied Kaiba.
To this speech Mutou made no answer; but his brothers gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of their dear friend's vulgar relations.
With a renewal of tenderness, however, they returned to his room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with him till summoned to coffee. He was still very poorly, and Jonouchi would not quit him at all, till late in the evening, when he had the comfort of seeing him sleep, and when it seemed to he rather right than pleasant that he should go downstairs himself. On entering the drawing-room he found the whole party at loo, and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be playing high he declined it, and making his brother the excuse, said he would amuse himself for the short time he could stay below, with a book. Bakura looked at him with astonishment.
"Do you prefer reading to cards?" said he; "that is rather singular."
"Jono Wheeler," said Marik, "despises cards. He is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else."
"I deserve neither such praise nor such censure," cried Jonouchi; "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."
"In nursing your brother I am sure you have pleasure," said Yami; "and I hope it will be soon increased by seeing him quite well."
Jonouchi thanked him from his heart, and then walked towards the table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch him others—all that his library afforded.
"And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever looked into."
Jonouchi assured him that he could suit himself perfectly with those in the room.
"I am astonished," said Marik, "that my father should have left so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Kaiba!"
"It ought to be good," he replied, "it has been the work of many generations."
"And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books."
"I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these."
"Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Yami, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley."
"I wish it may."
"But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in Kyoto than Derbyshire."
"With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Kaiba will sell it."
"I am talking of possibilities, Yami."
"Upon my word, Marik, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation."
Jonouchi was so much caught with what passed, as to leave his very little attention for his book; and soon laying it wholly aside, he drew near the card-table, and stationed himself between Mr. Mutou and his eldest brother, to observe the game.
"Is young Kaiba much grown since the spring?" said Marik; "will he be as tall as I am?"
"I think he will. He is now about Jonouchi Wheeler's height, or rather taller."
"How I long to see him again! I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners! And so extremely accomplished for his age! HIS performance on the pianoforte is exquisite."
"It is amazing to me," said Mutou, "how Hikaris can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are."
"All young ladies accomplished! My dear Yami, what do you mean?"
"Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a Hikari spoken of for the first time, without being informed that he was very accomplished."
"Your list of the common extent of accomplishments," said Kaiba, "has too much truth. The word is applied to many a Hikaris who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse or covering a screen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of Hikaris in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished."
"Nor I, I am sure," said Marik.
"Then," observed Jonouchi, "you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished Hikari."
"Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it."
"Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A Hikari must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, martial arts, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, a Hikari must possess a certain something in their air and manner of walking, the tone of their voice, their address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved."
"All this they must possess," added Kaiba, "and to all this they must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of their mind by extensive reading."
"I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished Hikaris. I rather wonder now at your knowing any."
"Are you so severe upon your own Hikaris as to doubt the possibility of all this?"
"I never saw such a Hikari. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe united."
Bakura and Marik both cried out against the injustice of his implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many Hikaris who answered this description, when Bakura called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward. As all conversation was thereby at an end, Jonouchi soon afterwards left the room.
"Jonouchi Wheeler," said Marik, when the door was closed on him, "is one of those Hikaris who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."
"Undoubtedly," replied Kaiba, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, "there is a meanness in all the arts which Hikari sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable."
Marik was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to continue the subject.
Jonouchi joined them again only to say that his brother was worse, and that he could not leave him. Yami urged Mr. Jones being sent for immediately; while his siblings, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This he would not hear of; but he was not so unwilling to comply with their brother's proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if the eldest Wheeler were not decidedly better. Yami was quite uncomfortable; his siblings declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duels after supper, while he could find no better relief to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every attention might be paid to the sick Hikari and his beloved brother.