English
PoorJoe’spaniclastedfortwoorthreedays;duringwhichhedidnotvisitthehouse,norduringthatperioddidMissRebeccaevermentionhisname.
ShewasallrespectfulgratitudetoMrs.Sedley;delightedbeyondmeasureattheBazaars;andinawhirlofwonderatthetheatre,whitherthegood-naturedladytookher.
Oneday,Ameliahadaheadache,andcouldnotgouponsomepartyofpleasuretowhichthetwoyoungpeoplewereinvited:nothingcouldinduceherfriendtogowithouther.“What!
youwhohaveshownthepoororphanwhathappinessandloveareforthefirsttimeinherlife—quitYOU?Never!”
andthegreeneyeslookeduptoHeavenandfilledwithtears;andMrs.Sedleycouldnotbutownthatherdaughter’sfriendhadacharmingkindheartofherown.
AsforMr.Sedley’sjokes,Rebeccalaughedatthemwithacordialityandperseverancewhichnotalittlepleasedandsoftenedthatgood-naturedgentleman.
NorwasitwiththechiefsofthefamilyalonethatMissSharpfoundfavour.
SheinterestedMrs.Blenkinsopbyevincingthedeepestsympathyintheraspberry-jampreserving,whichoperationwasthengoingonintheHousekeeper’sroom;shepersistedincallingSambo“Sir,”and“Mr.Sambo,”tothedelightofthatattendant;andsheapologisedtothelady’smaidforgivinghertroubleinventuringtoringthebell,withsuchsweetnessandhumility,thattheServants’HallwasalmostascharmedwithherastheDrawingRoom.
Once,inlookingoversomedrawingswhichAmeliahadsentfromschool,Rebeccasuddenlycameupononewhichcausedhertoburstintotearsandleavetheroom.
ItwasonthedaywhenJoeSedleymadehissecondappearance.
Ameliahastenedafterherfriendtoknowthecauseofthisdisplayoffeeling,andthegood-naturedgirlcamebackwithouthercompanion,ratheraffectedtoo.
“Youknow,herfatherwasourdrawing-master,Mamma,atChiswick,andusedtodoallthebestpartsofourdrawings.”
“Mylove!I’msureIalwaysheardMissPinkertonsaythathedidnottouchthem—heonlymountedthem.”“Itwascalledmounting,Mamma.
Rebeccaremembersthedrawing,andherfatherworkingatit,andthethoughtofitcameuponherrathersuddenly—andso,youknow,she—”
“Thepoorchildisallheart,”saidMrs.Sedley.
“Iwishshecouldstaywithusanotherweek,”saidAmelia.
“She’sdevilishlikeMissCutlerthatIusedtomeetatDumdum,onlyfairer.She’smarriednowtoLance,theArtillerySurgeon.Doyouknow,Ma’am,thatonceQuintin,ofthe14th,betme—”
“OJoseph,weknowthatstory,”saidAmelia,laughing.
Nevermindabouttellingthat;butpersuadeMammatowritetoSirSomethingCrawleyforleaveofabsenceforpoordearRebecca:hereshecomes,hereyesredwithweeping.”
“I’mbetter,now,”saidthegirl,withthesweetestsmilepossible,takinggood-naturedMrs.Sedley’sextendedhandandkissingitrespectfully.“Howkindyouallaretome!
All,”sheadded,withalaugh,“exceptyou,Mr.Joseph.”
“Me!”saidJoseph,meditatinganinstantdeparture“GraciousHeavens!GoodGad!MissSharp!’
“Yes;howcouldyoubesocruelastomakemeeatthathorridpepper-dishatdinner,thefirstdayIeversawyou?YouarenotsogoodtomeasdearAmelia.”
“Hedoesn’tknowyousowell,”criedAmelia.
“Idefyanybodynottobegoodtoyou,mydear,”saidhermother.
“Thecurrywascapital;indeeditwas,”saidJoe,quitegravely.“PerhapstherewasNOTenoughcitronjuiceinit—no,therewasNOT.”
“Andthechilis?”
“ByJove,howtheymadeyoucryout!”saidJoe,caughtbytheridiculeofthecircumstance,andexplodinginafitoflaughterwhichendedquitesuddenly,asusual.
“IshalltakecarehowIletYOUchooseformeanothertime,”saidRebecca,astheywentdownagaintodinner.“Ididn’tthinkmenwerefondofputtingpoorharmlessgirlstopain.”
“ByGad,MissRebecca,Iwouldn’thurtyoufortheworld.”
“No,”saidshe,“IKNOWyouwouldn’t”;andthenshegavehimeversogentleapressurewithherlittlehand,anddrewitbackquitefrightened,andlookedfirstforoneinstantinhisface,andthendownatthecarpet-rods;andIamnotpreparedtosaythatJoe’sheartdidnotthumpatthislittleinvoluntary,timid,gentlemotionofregardonthepartofthesimplegirl.
Itwasanadvance,andassuch,perhaps,someladiesofindisputablecorrectnessandgentilitywillcondemntheactionasimmodest;but,yousee,poordearRebeccahadallthisworktodoforherself.
Ifapersonistoopoortokeepaservant,thougheversoelegant,hemustsweephisownrooms:ifadeargirlhasnodearMammatosettlematterswiththeyoungman,shemustdoitforherself.
Andoh,whatamercyitisthatthesewomendonotexercisetheirpowersoftener!Wecan’tresistthem,iftheydo.
Letthemshoweversolittleinclination,andmengodownontheirkneesatonce:oldorugly,itisallthesame.
AndthisIsetdownasapositivetruth.
Awomanwithfairopportunities,andwithoutanabsolutehump,maymarryWHOMSHELIKES.
Onlyletusbethankfulthatthedarlingsarelikethebeastsofthefield,anddon’tknowtheirownpower.
Theywouldovercomeusentirelyiftheydid.
“Egad!”thoughtJoseph,enteringthedining-room,“IexactlybegintofeelasIdidatDumdumwithMissCutler.”
Manysweetlittleappeals,halftender,halfjocular,didMissSharpmaketohimaboutthedishesatdinner;forbythistimeshewasonafootingofconsiderablefamiliaritywiththefamily,andasforthegirls,theylovedeachotherlikesisters.
Youngunmarriedgirlsalwaysdo,iftheyareinahousetogetherfortendays.
AsifbentuponadvancingRebecca’splansineveryway—whatmustAmeliado,butremindherbrotherofapromisemadelastEasterholidays—”WhenIwasagirlatschool,”saidshe,laughing—apromisethathe,Joseph,wouldtakehertoVauxhall.
“Now,”shesaid,“thatRebeccaiswithus,willbetheverytime.”
“O,delightful!”saidRebecca,goingtoclapherhands;butsherecollectedherself,andpaused,likeamodestcreature,asshewas.
“To-nightisnotthenight,”saidJoe.
“Well,to-morrow.”
“To-morrowyourPapaandIdineout,”saidMrs.Sedley.
“Youdon’tsupposethatI’mgoing,Mrs.Sed?”saidherhusband,“andthatawomanofyouryearsandsizeistocatchcold,insuchanabominabledampplace?”
‘Thechildrenmusthavesomeonewiththem,”criedMrs.Sedley.
“LetJoego,”said-hisfather,laughing.“He’sbigenough.”AtwhichspeechevenMr.Samboatthesideboardburstoutlaughing,andpoorfatJoefeltinclinedtobecomeaparricidealmost.
“Undohisstays!”continuedthepitilessoldgentleman.
“Flingsomewaterinhisface,MissSharp,orcarryhimupstairs:thedearcreature’sfainting.Poorvictim!
carryhimup;he’saslightasafeather!”
“IfIstandthis,sir,I’md———!”roaredJoseph.
“OrderMr.Jos’selephant,Sambo!”criedthefather.
“SendtoExeter‘Change,Sambo”;butseeingJosreadyalmosttocrywithvexation,theoldjokerstoppedhislaughter,andsaid,holdingouthishandtohisson,“It’sallfairontheStockExchange,Jos—and,Sambo,nevermindtheelephant,butgivemeandMr.JosaglassofChampagne.
Boneyhimselfhasn’tgotsuchinhiscellar,myboy!”
AgobletofChampagnerestoredJoseph’sequanimity,andbeforethebottlewasemptied,ofwhichasaninvalidhetooktwo-thirds,hehadagreedtotaketheyoungladiestoVauxhall.
“Thegirlsmusthaveagentlemanapiece,”saidtheoldgentleman.
“JoswillbesuretoleaveEmmyinthecrowd,hewillbesotakenupwithMissSharphere.
Sendto96,andaskGeorgeOsborneifhe’llcome.”
Atthis,Idon’tknowintheleastforwhatreason,Mrs.Sedleylookedatherhusbandandlaughed.
Mr.Sedley’seyestwinkledinamannerindescribablyroguish,andhelookedatAmelia;andAmelia,hangingdownherhead,blushedasonlyyoungladiesofseventeenknowhowtoblush,andasMissRebeccaSharpneverblushedinherlife—atleastnotsinceshewaseightyearsold,andwhenshewascaughtstealingjamoutofacupboardbyhergodmother.
“Ameliahadbetterwriteanote,”saidherfather;“andletGeorgeOsborneseewhatabeautifulhandwritingwehavebroughtbackfromMissPinkerton’s.
DoyourememberwhenyouwrotetohimtocomeonTwelfth-night,Emmy,andspelttwelfthwithoutthef?”
“Thatwasyearsago,”saidAmelia.
“Itseemslikeyesterday,don’tit,John?”
saidMrs.Sedleytoherhusband;andthatnightinaconversationwhichtookplaceinafrontroominthesecondfloor,inasortoftent,hungroundwithchintzofarichandfantasticIndiapattern,anddoublewithcalicoofatenderrose-colour;intheinteriorofwhichspeciesofmarqueewasafeatherbed,onwhichweretwopillows,onwhichweretworoundredfaces,oneinalacednightcap,andoneinasimplecottonone,endinginatassel—inaCURTAINLECTURE,Isay,Mrs.SedleytookherhusbandtotaskforhiscruelconducttopoorJoe.
“Itwasquitewickedofyou,Mr.Sedley,”saidshe,“totormentthepoorboyso.”
“Mydear,”saidthecotton-tasselindefenceofhisconduct,“Josisagreatdealvainerthanyoueverwereinyourlife,andthat’ssayingagooddeal.
Though,somethirtyyearsago,intheyearseventeenhundredandeighty—whatwasit?
—perhapsyouhadarighttobevain—Idon’tsayno.
ButI’venopatiencewithJosandhisdandifiedmodesty.
Itisout-JosephingJoseph,mydear,andallthewhiletheboyisonlythinkingofhimself,andwhatafinefellowheis.
Idoubt,Ma’am,weshallhavesometroublewithhimyet.
HereisEmmy’slittlefriendmakinglovetohimashardasshecan;that’squiteclear;andifshedoesnotcatchhimsomeotherwill.
Thatmanisdestinedtobeapreytowoman,asIamtogoon‘Changeeveryday.
It’samercyhedidnotbringusoverablackdaughter-in-law,mydear.
But,markmywords,thefirstwomanwhofishesforhim,hookshim.”
“Sheshallgooffto-morrow,thelittleartfulcreature,”saidMrs.Sedley,withgreatenergy.
“Whynotsheaswellasanother,Mrs.Sedley?Thegirl’sawhitefaceatanyrate.Idon’tcarewhomarrieshim.LetJoepleasehimself.”
Andpresentlythevoicesofthetwospeakerswerehushed,orwerereplacedbythegentlebutunromanticmusicofthenose;andsavewhenthechurchbellstolledthehourandthewatchmancalledit,allwassilentatthehouseofJohnSedley,Esquire,ofRussellSquare,andtheStockExchange.
Whenmorningcame,thegood-naturedMrs.SedleynolongerthoughtofexecutingherthreatswithregardtoMissSharp;forthoughnothingismorekeen,normorecommon,normorejustifiable,thanmaternaljealousy,yetshecouldnotbringherselftosupposethatthelittle,humble,grateful,gentlegovernesswoulddaretolookuptosuchamagnificentpersonageastheCollectorofBoggleyWollah.
Thepetition,too,foranextensionoftheyounglady’sleaveofabsencehadalreadybeendespatched,anditwouldbedifficulttofindapretextforabruptlydismissingher.
AndasifallthingsconspiredinfavourofthegentleRebecca,theveryelements(althoughshewasnotinclinedatfirsttoacknowledgetheiractioninherbehalf)interposedtoaidher.
ForontheeveningappointedfortheVauxhallparty,GeorgeOsbornehavingcometodinner,andtheeldersofthehousehavingdeparted,accordingtoinvitation,todinewithAldermanBallsatHighburyBarn,therecameonsuchathunder-stormasonlyhappensonVauxhallnights,andasobligedtheyoungpeople,perforce,toremainathome.
Mr.Osbornedidnotseemintheleastdisappointedatthisoccurrence.
HeandJosephSedleydrankafittingquantityofport-wine,tete-a-tete,inthedining-room,duringthedrinkingofwhichSedleytoldanumberofhisbestIndianstories;forhewasextremelytalkativeinman’ssociety;andafterwardsMissAmeliaSedleydidthehonoursofthedrawing-room;andthesefouryoungpersonspassedsuchacomfortableeveningtogether,thattheydeclaredtheywererathergladofthethunder-stormthanotherwise,whichhadcausedthemtoputofftheirvisittoVauxhall.
OsbornewasSedley’sgodson,andhadbeenoneofthefamilyanytimethesethree-and-twentyyears.
Atsixweeksold,hehadreceivedfromJohnSedleyapresentofasilvercup;atsixmonthsold,acoralwithgoldwhistleandbells;fromhisyouthupwardshewas“tipped”regularlybytheoldgentlemanatChristmas:andongoingbacktoschool,herememberedperfectlywellbeingthrashedbyJosephSedley,whenthelatterwasabig,swaggeringhobbadyhoy,andGeorgeanimpudenturchinoftenyearsold.
Inaword,Georgewasasfamiliarwiththefamilyassuchdailyactsofkindnessandintercoursecouldmakehim.
“Doyouremember,Sedley,whatafuryyouwerein,whenIcutoffthetasselsofyourHessianboots,andhowMiss—hem!
—howAmeliarescuedmefromabeating,byfallingdownonherkneesandcryingouttoherbrotherJos,nottobeatlittleGeorge?”
Josrememberedthisremarkablecircumstanceperfectlywell,butvowedthathehadtotallyforgottenit.
“Well,doyouremembercomingdowninagigtoDr.Swishtail’stoseeme,beforeyouwenttoIndia,andgivingmehalfaguineaandapatonthehead?
Ialwayshadanideathatyouwereatleastsevenfeethigh,andwasquiteastonishedatyourreturnfromIndiatofindyounotallerthanmyself.”
“HowgoodofMr.Sedleytogotoyourschoolandgiveyouthemoney!”exclaimedRebecca,inaccentsofextremedelight.
“Yes,andafterIhadcutthetasselsofhisbootstoo.Boysneverforgetthosetipsatschool,northegivers.”
“IdelightinHessianboots,”saidRebecca.
JosSedley,whoadmiredhisownlegsprodigiously,andalwaysworethisornamentalchaussure,wasextremelypleasedatthisremark,thoughhedrewhislegsunderhischairasitwasmade.
“MissSharp!”saidGeorgeOsborne,“youwhoaresocleveranartist,youmustmakeagrandhistoricalpictureofthesceneoftheboots.
Sedleyshallberepresentedinbuckskins,andholdingoneoftheinjuredbootsinonehand;bytheotherheshallhaveholdofmyshirt-frill.
Ameliashallbekneelingnearhim,withherlittlehandsup;andthepictureshallhaveagrandallegoricaltitle,asthefrontispieceshaveintheMedullaandthespelling-book.”
“Ishan’thavetimetodoithere,”saidRebecca.‘I’lldoitwhen—whenI’mgone.”
Andshedroppedhervoice,andlookedsosadandpiteous,thateverybodyfelthowcruelherlotwas,andhowsorrytheywouldbetopartwithher.
“Othatyoucouldstaylonger,dearRebecca,”saidAmelia.
“Why?”answeredtheother,stillmoresadly.
“ThatImaybeonlythemoreunhap—unwillingtoloseyou?”Andsheturnedawayherhead.
Ameliabegantogivewaytothatnaturalinfirmityoftearswhich,wehavesaid,wasoneofthedefectsofthissillylittlething.
GeorgeOsbornelookedatthetwoyoungwomenwithatouchedcuriosity;andJosephSedleyheavedsomethingverylikeasighoutofhisbigchest,ashecasthiseyesdowntowardshisfavouriteHessianboots.
“Letushavesomemusic,MissSedley—Amelia,”saidGeorge,whofeltatthatmomentanextraordinary,almostirresistibleimpulsetoseizetheabove-mentionedyoungwomaninhisarms,andtokissherinthefaceofthecompany;andshelookedathimforamoment,andifIshouldsaythattheyfellinlovewitheachotheratthatsingleinstantoftime,Ishouldperhapsbetellinganuntruth,forthefactisthatthesetwoyoungpeoplehadbeenbredupbytheirparentsforthisverypurpose,andtheirbannshad,asitwere,beenreadintheirrespectivefamiliesanytimethesetenyears.
Theywentofftothepiano,whichwassituated,aspianosusuallyare,inthebackdrawing-room;andasitwasratherdark,MissAmelia,inthemostunaffectedwayintheworld,putherhandintoMr.Osborne’s,who,ofcourse,couldseethewayamongthechairsandottomansagreatdealbetterthanshecould.
ButthisarrangementleftMr.JosephSedleytete-a-tetewithRebecca,atthedrawing-roomtable,wherethelatterwasoccupiedinknittingagreensilkpurse.
“Thereisnoneedtoaskfamilysecrets,”saidMissSharp.“Thosetwohavetoldtheirs.”
“Assoonashegetshiscompany,”saidJoseph,“Ibelievetheaffairissettled.GeorgeOsborneisacapitalfellow.”
“Andyoursisterthedearestcreatureintheworld,”saidRebecca.“Happythemanwhowinsher!”Withthis,MissSharpgaveagreatsigh.
Whentwounmarriedpersonsgettogether,andtalkuponsuchdelicatesubjectsasthepresent,agreatdealofconfidenceandintimacyispresentlyestablishedbetweenthem.
ThereisnoneedofgivingaspecialreportoftheconversationwhichnowtookplacebetweenMr.Sedleyandtheyounglady;fortheconversation,asmaybejudgedfromtheforegoingspecimen,wasnotespeciallywittyoreloquent;itseldomisinprivatesocieties,oranywhereexceptinveryhigh-flownandingeniousnovels.
Astherewasmusicinthenextroom,thetalkwascarriedon,ofcourse,inalowandbecomingtone,though,forthematterofthat,thecoupleinthenextapartmentwouldnothavebeendisturbedhadthetalkingbeeneversoloud,sooccupiedweretheywiththeirownpursuits.
Almostforthefirsttimeinhislife,Mr.Sedleyfoundhimselftalking,withouttheleasttimidityorhesitation,toapersonoftheothersex.
MissRebeccaaskedhimagreatnumberofquestionsaboutIndia,whichgavehimanopportunityofnarratingmanyinterestinganecdotesaboutthatcountryandhimself.
HedescribedtheballsatGovernmentHouse,andthemannerinwhichtheykeptthemselvescoolinthehotweather,withpunkahs,tatties,andothercontrivances;andhewasverywittyregardingthenumberofScotchmenwhomLordMinto,theGovernor-General,patronised;andthenhedescribedatiger-hunt;andthemannerinwhichthemahoutofhiselephanthadbeenpulledoffhisseatbyoneoftheinfuriatedanimals.
HowdelightedMissRebeccawasattheGovernmentballs,andhowshelaughedatthestoriesoftheScotchaides-de-camp,andcalledMr.Sedleyasadwickedsatiricalcreature;andhowfrightenedshewasatthestoryoftheelephant!
“Foryourmother’ssake,dearMr.Sedley,”shesaid,“forthesakeofallyourfriends,promiseNEVERtogoononeofthosehorridexpeditions.”
“Pooh,pooh,MissSharp,”saidhe,pullinguphisshirt-collars;“thedangermakesthesportonlythepleasanter.”
Hehadneverbeenbutonceatatiger-hunt,whentheaccidentinquestionoccurred,andwhenhewashalfkilled—notbythetiger,butbythefright.
Andashetalkedon,hegrewquitebold,andactuallyhadtheaudacitytoaskMissRebeccaforwhomshewasknittingthegreensilkpurse?
Hewasquitesurprisedanddelightedathisowngracefulfamiliarmanner.
“Foranyonewhowantsapurse,”repliedMissRebecca,lookingathiminthemostgentlewinningway.
Sedleywasgoingtomakeoneofthemosteloquentspeechespossible,andhadbegun—”OMissSharp,how—”whensomesongwhichwasperformedintheotherroomcametoanend,andcausedhimtohearhisownvoicesodistinctlythathestopped,blushed,andblewhisnoseingreatagitation.
“Didyoueverhearanythinglikeyourbrother’seloquence?”whisperedMr.OsbornetoAmelia.“Why,yourfriendhasworkedmiracles.”
“Themorethebetter,”saidMissAmelia;who,likealmostallwomenwhoareworthapin,wasamatch-makerinherheart,andwouldhavebeendelightedthatJosephshouldcarrybackawifetoIndia.
Shehad,too,inthecourseofthisfewdays’constantintercourse,warmedintoamosttenderfriendshipforRebecca,anddiscoveredamillionofvirtuesandamiablequalitiesinherwhichshehadnotperceivedwhentheywereatChiswicktogether.
FortheaffectionofyoungladiesisofasrapidgrowthasJack’sbean-stalk,andreachesuptotheskyinanight.
ItisnoblametothemthataftermarriagethisSehnsuchtnachderLiebesubsides.
Itiswhatsentimentalists,whodealinverybigwords,callayearningaftertheIdeal,andsimplymeansthatwomenarecommonlynotsatisfieduntiltheyhavehusbandsandchildrenonwhomtheymaycentreaffections,whicharespentelsewhere,asitwere,insmallchange.
Havingexpendedherlittlestoreofsongs,orhavingstayedlongenoughinthebackdrawing-room,itnowappearedpropertoMissAmeliatoaskherfriendtosing.
“Youwouldnothavelistenedtome,”shesaidtoMr.Osborne(thoughsheknewshewastellingafib),“hadyouheardRebeccafirst.”
“IgiveMissSharpwarning,though,”saidOsborne,“that,rightorwrong,IconsiderMissAmeliaSedleythefirstsingerintheworld.”
“Youshallhear,”saidAmelia;andJosephSedleywasactuallypoliteenoughtocarrythecandlestothepiano.
Osbornehintedthatheshouldlikequiteaswelltositinthedark;butMissSedley,laughing,declinedtobearhimcompanyanyfarther,andthetwoaccordinglyfollowedMr.Joseph.
Rebeccasangfarbetterthanherfriend(thoughofcourseOsbornewasfreetokeephisopinion),andexertedherselftotheutmost,and,indeed,tothewonderofAmelia,whohadneverknownherperformsowell.
ShesangaFrenchsong,whichJosephdidnotunderstandintheleast,andwhichGeorgeconfessedhedidnotunderstand,andthenanumberofthosesimpleballadswhichwerethefashionfortyyearsago,andinwhichBritishtars,ourKing,poorSusan,blue-eyedMary,andthelike,weretheprincipalthemes.
Theyarenot,itissaid,verybrilliant,inamusicalpointofview,butcontainnumberlessgood-natured,simpleappealstotheaffections,whichpeopleunderstoodbetterthanthemilk-and-waterlagrime,sospiri,andfelicitaoftheeternalDonizettianmusicwithwhichwearefavourednow-a-days.
Conversationofasentimentalsort,befittingthesubject,wascarriedonbetweenthesongs,towhichSambo,afterhehadbroughtthetea,thedelightedcook,andevenMrs.Blenkinsop,thehousekeeper,condescendedtolistenonthelanding-place.
Amongthesedittieswasone,thelastoftheconcert,andtothefollowingeffect:
Ah!bleakandbarrenwasthemoor,Ah!
loudandpiercingwasthestorm,Thecottageroofwasshelter’dsure,Thecottagehearthwasbrightandwarm—Anorphanboythelatticepass’d,And,ashemark’ditscheerfulglow,Feltdoublykeenthemidnightblast,Anddoublycoldthefallensnow.
Theymark’dhimasheonwardprest,Withfaintingheartandwearylimb;Kindvoicesbadehimturnandrest,Andgentlefaceswelcomedhim.
Thedawnisup—theguestisgone,Thecottagehearthisblazingstill;Heavenpityallpoorwandererslone!Harktothewinduponthehill!
Itwasthesentimentofthebefore-mentionedwords,“WhenI’mgone,”overagain.
Asshecametothelastwords,MissSharp’s“deep-tonedvoicefaltered.”
Everybodyfelttheallusiontoherdeparture,andtoherhaplessorphanstate.
JosephSedley,whowasfondofmusic,andsoft-hearted,wasinastateofravishmentduringtheperformanceofthesong,andprofoundlytouchedatitsconclusion.
Ifhehadhadthecourage;ifGeorgeandMissSedleyhadremained,accordingtotheformer’sproposal,inthefartherroom,JosephSedley’sbachelorhoodwouldhavebeenatanend,andthisworkwouldneverhavebeenwritten.
Butatthecloseoftheditty,Rebeccaquittedthepiano,andgivingherhandtoAmelia,walkedawayintothefrontdrawing-roomtwilight;and,atthismoment,Mr.Sambomadehisappearancewithatray,containingsandwiches,jellies,andsomeglitteringglassesanddecanters,onwhichJosephSedley’sattentionwasimmediatelyfixed.
WhentheparentsofthehouseofSedleyreturnedfromtheirdinner-party,theyfoundtheyoungpeoplesobusyintalking,thattheyhadnotheardthearrivalofthecarriage,andMr.Josephwasintheactofsaying,“MydearMissSharp,onelittleteaspoonfulofjellytorecruityouafteryourimmense—your—yourdelightfulexertions.”
“Bravo,Jos!”saidMr.Sedley;onhearingthebanteringofwhichwell-knownvoice,Josinstantlyrelapsedintoanalarmedsilence,andquicklytookhisdeparture.
HedidnotlieawakeallnightthinkingwhetherornothewasinlovewithMissSharp;thepassionofloveneverinterferedwiththeappetiteortheslumberofMr.JosephSedley;buthethoughttohimselfhowdelightfulitwouldbetohearsuchsongsasthoseafterCutcherry—whatadistingueegirlshewas—howshecouldspeakFrenchbetterthantheGovernor-General’sladyherself—andwhatasensationshewouldmakeattheCalcuttaballs.
“It’sevidentthepoordevil’sinlovewithme,”thoughthe.
“SheisjustasrichasmostofthegirlswhocomeouttoIndia.
Imightgofarther,andfareworse,egad!”
Andinthesemeditationshefellasleep.
HowMissSharplayawake,thinking,willhecomeornotto-morrow?neednotbetoldhere.
To-morrowcame,and,assureasfate,Mr.JosephSedleymadehisappearancebeforeluncheon.
HehadneverbeenknownbeforetoconfersuchanhonouronRussellSquare.
GeorgeOsbornewassomehowtherealready(sadly“puttingout”Amelia,whowaswritingtohertwelvedearestfriendsatChiswickMall),andRebeccawasemployeduponheryesterday’swork.
AsJoe’sbuggydroveup,andwhile,afterhisusualthunderingknockandpompousbustleatthedoor,theex-CollectorofBoggleyWollahlabouredupstairstothedrawing-room,knowingglancesweretelegraphedbetweenOsborneandMissSedley,andthepair,smilingarchly,lookedatRebecca,whoactuallyblushedasshebentherfairringletsoverherknitting.
HowherheartbeatasJosephappeared—Joseph,puffingfromthestaircaseinshiningcreakingboots—Joseph,inanewwaistcoat,redwithheatandnervousness,andblushingbehindhiswaddedneckcloth.
Itwasanervousmomentforall;andasforAmelia,Ithinkshewasmorefrightenedthaneventhepeoplemostconcerned.
Sambo,whoflungopenthedoorandannouncedMr.Joseph,followedgrinning,intheCollector’srear,andbearingtwohandsomenosegaysofflowers,whichthemonsterhadactuallyhadthegallantrytopurchaseinCoventGardenMarketthatmorning—theywerenotasbigasthehaystackswhichladiescarryaboutwiththemnow-a-days,inconesoffiligreepaper;buttheyoungwomenweredelightedwiththegift,asJosephpresentedonetoeach,withanexceedinglysolemnbow.
“Bravo,Jos!”criedOsborne.
“Thankyou,dearJoseph,”saidAmelia,quitereadytokissherbrother,ifheweresominded.
(AndIthinkforakissfromsuchadearcreatureasAmelia,IwouldpurchaseallMr.Lee’sconservatoriesoutofhand.)
“Oheavenly,heavenlyflowers!”exclaimedMissSharp,andsmeltthemdelicately,andheldthemtoherbosom,andcastuphereyestotheceiling,inanecstasyofadmiration.
Perhapsshejustlookedfirstintothebouquet,toseewhethertherewasabillet-douxhiddenamongtheflowers;buttherewasnoletter.
“DotheytalkthelanguageofflowersatBoggleyWollah,Sedley?”askedOsborne,laughing.
“Pooh,nonsense!”repliedthesentimentalyouth.
“Bought‘ematNathan’s;verygladyoulike‘em;andeh,Amelia,mydear,Iboughtapine-appleatthesametime,whichIgavetoSambo.
Let’shaveitfortiffin;verycoolandnicethishotweather.”
Rebeccasaidshehadnevertastedapine,andlongedbeyondeverythingtotasteone.
Sotheconversationwenton.Idon’tknowonwhatpretextOsbornelefttheroom,orwhy,presently,Ameliawentaway,perhapstosuperintendtheslicingofthepine-apple;butJoswasleftalonewithRebecca,whohadresumedherwork,andthegreensilkandtheshiningneedleswerequiveringrapidlyunderherwhiteslenderfingers.
“Whatabeautiful,BYOO-OOTIFULsongthatwasyousanglastnight,dearMissSharp,”saidtheCollector.“Itmademecryalmost;‘ponmyhonouritdid.”
“Becauseyouhaveakindheart,Mr.Joseph;alltheSedleyshave,Ithink.”
“Itkeptmeawakelastnight,andIwastryingtohumitthismorning,inbed;Iwas,uponmyhonour.
Gollop,mydoctor,cameinateleven(forI’masadinvalid,youknow,andseeGollopeveryday),and,‘gad!
thereIwas,singingawaylike—arobin.”
“Oyoudrollcreature!Doletmehearyousingit.”
“Me?No,you,MissSharp;mydearMissSharp,dosingit.”
“Notnow,Mr.Sedley,”saidRebecca,withasigh.
“Myspiritsarenotequaltoit;besides,Imustfinishthepurse.Willyouhelpme,Mr.Sedley?”
Andbeforehehadtimetoaskhow,Mr.JosephSedley,oftheEastIndiaCompany’sservice,wasactuallyseatedtete-a-tetewithayounglady,lookingatherwithamostkillingexpression;hisarmsstretchedoutbeforeherinanimploringattitude,andhishandsboundinawebofgreensilk,whichshewasunwinding.
InthisromanticpositionOsborneandAmeliafoundtheinterestingpair,whentheyenteredtoannouncethattiffinwasready.
Theskeinofsilkwasjustwoundroundthecard;butMr.Joshadneverspoken.
“Iamsurehewillto-night,dear,”Ameliasaid,asshepressedRebecca’shand;andSedley,too,hadcommunedwithhissoul,andsaidtohimself,”’Gad,I’llpopthequestionatVauxhall.”
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