English
IfearthegentlemantowhomMissAmelia’sletterswereaddressedwasratheranobduratecritic.
SuchanumberofnotesfollowedLieutenantOsborneaboutthecountry,thathebecamealmostashamedofthejokesofhismess-roomcompanionsregardingthem,andorderedhisservantnevertodeliverthemexceptathisprivateapartment.
Hewasseenlightinghiscigarwithone,tothehorrorofCaptainDobbin,who,itismybelief,wouldhavegivenabank-noteforthedocument.
ForsometimeGeorgestrovetokeeptheliaisonasecret.
Therewasawomaninthecase,thatheadmitted.
“Andnotthefirsteither,”saidEnsignSpooneytoEnsignStubble.“ThatOsborne’sadevilofafellow.
Therewasajudge’sdaughteratDemerarawentalmostmadabouthim;thentherewasthatbeautifulquadroongirl,MissPye,atSt.Vincent’s,youknow;andsincehe’sbeenhome,theysayhe’saregularDonGiovanni,byJove.”
StubbleandSpooneythoughtthattobea“regularDonGiovanni,byJove”wasoneofthefinestqualitiesamancouldpossess,andOsborne’sreputationwasprodigiousamongsttheyoungmenoftheregiment.
Hewasfamousinfield-sports,famousatasong,famousonparade;freewithhismoney,whichwasbountifullysuppliedbyhisfather.
Hiscoatswerebettermadethananyman’sintheregiment,andhehadmoreofthem.Hewasadoredbythemen.
Hecoulddrinkmorethananyofficerofthewholemess,includingoldHeavytop,thecolonel.
HecouldsparbetterthanKnuckles,theprivate(whowouldhavebeenacorporalbutforhisdrunkenness,andwhohadbeenintheprize-ring);andwasthebestbatterandbowler,outandout,oftheregimentalclub.
Herodehisownhorse,GreasedLightning,andwontheGarrisoncupatQuebecraces.
TherewereotherpeoplebesidesAmeliawhoworshippedhim.
StubbleandSpooneythoughthimasortofApollo;DobbintookhimtobeanAdmirableCrichton;andMrs.MajorO’Dowdacknowledgedhewasanelegantyoungfellow,andputherinmindofFitzjurldFogarty,LordCastlefogarty’ssecondson.
Well,StubbleandSpooneyandtherestindulgedinmostromanticconjecturesregardingthisfemalecorrespondentofOsborne’s—opiningthatitwasaDuchessinLondonwhowasinlovewithhim—orthatitwasaGeneral’sdaughter,whowasengagedtosomebodyelse,andmadlyattachedtohim—orthatitwasaMemberofParliament’slady,whoproposedfourhorsesandanelopement—orthatitwassomeothervictimofapassiondelightfullyexciting,romantic,anddisgracefultoallparties,onnoneofwhichconjectureswouldOsbornethrowtheleastlight,leavinghisyoungadmirersandfriendstoinventandarrangetheirwholehistory.
AndtherealstateofthecasewouldneverhavebeenknownatallintheregimentbutforCaptainDobbin’sindiscretion.
TheCaptainwaseatinghisbreakfastonedayinthemess-room,whileCackle,theassistant-surgeon,andthetwoabove-namedworthieswerespeculatinguponOsborne’sintrigue—StubbleholdingoutthattheladywasaDuchessaboutQueenCharlotte’scourt,andCacklevowingshewasanopera-singeroftheworstreputation.
AtthisideaDobbinbecamesomoved,thatthoughhismouthwasfullofeggsandbread-and-butteratthetime,andthoughheoughtnottohavespokenatall,yethecouldn’thelpblurtingout,“Cackle,you’reastupidfool.
You’realwaystalkingnonsenseandscandal.
OsborneisnotgoingtorunoffwithaDuchessorruinamilliner.
MissSedleyisoneofthemostcharmingyoungwomenthateverlived.
He’sbeenengagedtohereversolong;andthemanwhocallshernameshadbetternotdosoinmyhearing.”
Withwhich,turningexceedinglyred,Dobbinceasedspeaking,andalmostchokedhimselfwithacupoftea.
Thestorywasovertheregimentinhalf-an-hour;andthatveryeveningMrs.MajorO’DowdwroteofftohersisterGlorvinaatO’DowdstownnottohurryfromDublin—youngOsbornebeingprematurelyengagedalready.
ShecomplimentedtheLieutenantinanappropriatespeechoveraglassofwhisky-toddythatevening,andhewenthomeperfectlyfurioustoquarrelwithDobbin(whohaddeclinedMrs.MajorO’Dowd’sparty,andsatinhisownroomplayingtheflute,and,Ibelieve,writingpoetryinaverymelancholymanner)—toquarrelwithDobbinforbetrayinghissecret.
“Whothedeuceaskedyoutotalkaboutmyaffairs?”Osborneshoutedindignantly.
“WhythedevilisalltheregimenttoknowthatIamgoingtobemarried?
Whyisthattattlingoldharridan,PeggyO’Dowd,tomakefreewithmynameatherd—dsupper-table,andadvertisemyengagementoverthethreekingdoms?
Afterall,whatrighthaveyoutosayIamengaged,ortomeddleinmybusinessatall,Dobbin?”
“Itseemstome,”CaptainDobbinbegan.
“Seemsbehanged,Dobbin,”hisjuniorinterruptedhim.
“Iamunderobligationstoyou,Iknowit,ad—ddealtoowelltoo;butIwon’tbealwayssermonisedbyyoubecauseyou’refiveyearsmysenior.
I’mhangedifI’llstandyourairsofsuperiorityandinfernalpityandpatronage.Pityandpatronage!
IshouldliketoknowinwhatI’myourinferior?”
“Areyouengaged?”CaptainDobbininterposed.
“Whatthedevil’sthattoyouoranyonehereifIam?”
“Areyouashamedofit?”Dobbinresumed.
“Whatrighthaveyoutoaskmethatquestion,sir?Ishouldliketoknow,”Georgesaid.
“GoodGod,youdon’tmeantosayyouwanttobreakoff?”askedDobbin,startingup.
“Inotherwords,youaskmeifI’mamanofhonour,”saidOsborne,fiercely;“isthatwhatyoumean?You’veadoptedsuchatoneregardingmelatelythatI’m———ifI’llbearitanymore.”
“WhathaveIdone?I’vetoldyouyouwereneglectingasweetgirl,George.I’vetoldyouthatwhenyougototownyououghttogotoher,andnottothegambling-housesaboutSt.James’s.”
“Youwantyourmoneyback,Isuppose,”saidGeorge,withasneer.
“OfcourseIdo—Ialwaysdid,didn’tI?”saysDobbin.“Youspeaklikeagenerousfellow.”
“No,hangit,William,Ibegyourpardon”—hereGeorgeinterposedinafitofremorse;“youhavebeenmyfriendinahundredways,Heavenknows.
You’vegotmeoutofascoreofscrapes.
WhenCrawleyoftheGuardswonthatsumofmoneyofmeIshouldhavebeendonebutforyou:IknowIshould.
Butyoushouldn’tdealsohardlywithme;youshouldn’tbealwayscatechisingme.
IamveryfondofAmelia;Iadoreher,andthatsortofthing.Don’tlookangry.She’sfaultless;Iknowsheis.
Butyouseethere’snofuninwinningathingunlessyouplayforit.
Hangit:theregiment’sjustbackfromtheWestIndies,Imusthavealittlefling,andthenwhenI’mmarriedI’llreform;Iwilluponmyhonour,now.
And—Isay—Dob—don’tbeangrywithme,andI’llgiveyouahundrednextmonth,whenIknowmyfatherwillstandsomethinghandsome;andI’llaskHeavytopforleave,andI’llgototown,andseeAmeliato-morrow—therenow,willthatsatisfyyou?”
“Itisimpossibletobelongangrywithyou,George,”saidthegood-naturedCaptain;“andasforthemoney,oldboy,youknowifIwantedityou’dshareyourlastshillingwithme.”
“ThatIwould,byJove,Dobbin,”Georgesaid,withthegreatestgenerosity,thoughbythewayheneverhadanymoneytospare.
“OnlyIwishyouhadsownthosewildoatsofyours,George.
IfyoucouldhaveseenpoorlittleMissEmmy’sfacewhensheaskedmeaboutyoutheotherday,youwouldhavepitchedthosebilliard-ballstothedeuce.Goandcomforther,yourascal.Goandwriteheralongletter.
Dosomethingtomakeherhappy;averylittlewill.”
“Ibelieveshe’sd—dfondofme,”theLieutenantsaid,withaself-satisfiedair;andwentofftofinishtheeveningwithsomejollyfellowsinthemess-room.
Ameliameanwhile,inRussellSquare,waslookingatthemoon,whichwasshininguponthatpeacefulspot,aswellasuponthesquareoftheChathambarracks,whereLieutenantOsbornewasquartered,andthinkingtoherselfhowherherowasemployed.
Perhapsheisvisitingthesentries,thoughtshe;perhapsheisbivouacking;perhapsheisattendingthecouchofawoundedcomrade,orstudyingtheartofwarupinhisowndesolatechamber.
Andherkindthoughtsspedawayasiftheywereangelsandhadwings,andflyingdowntherivertoChathamandRochester,strovetopeepintothebarrackswhereGeorgewas....Allthingsconsidered,Ithinkitwasaswellthegateswereshut,andthesentryallowednoonetopass;sothatthepoorlittlewhite-robedangelcouldnothearthesongsthoseyoungfellowswereroaringoverthewhisky-punch.
ThedayafterthelittleconversationatChathambarracks,youngOsborne,toshowthathewouldbeasgoodashisword,preparedtogototown,therebyincurringCaptainDobbin’sapplause.
“Ishouldhavelikedtomakeheralittlepresent,”Osbornesaidtohisfriendinconfidence,“onlyIamquiteoutofcashuntilmyfathertipsup.”
ButDobbinwouldnotallowthisgoodnatureandgenerositytobebalked,andsoaccommodatedMr.Osbornewithafewpoundnotes,whichthelattertookafteralittlefaintscruple.
AndIdaresayhewouldhaveboughtsomethingveryhandsomeforAmelia;only,gettingoffthecoachinFleetStreet,hewasattractedbyahandsomeshirt-pininajeweller’swindow,whichhecouldnotresist;andhavingpaidforthat,hadverylittlemoneytospareforindulginginanyfurtherexerciseofkindness.
Nevermind:youmaybesureitwasnothispresentsAmeliawanted.
WhenhecametoRussellSquare,herfacelightedupasifhehadbeensunshine.
Thelittlecares,fears,tears,timidmisgivings,sleeplessfanciesofIdon’tknowhowmanydaysandnights,wereforgotten,underonemoment’sinfluenceofthatfamiliar,irresistiblesmile.
Hebeamedonherfromthedrawing-roomdoor—magnificent,withambrosialwhiskers,likeagod.
Sambo,whosefaceasheannouncedCaptainOsbin(havingconferredabrevetrankonthatyoungofficer)blazedwithasympatheticgrin,sawthelittlegirlstart,andflush,andjumpupfromherwatching-placeinthewindow;andSamboretreated:andassoonasthedoorwasshut,shewentflutteringtoLieutenantGeorgeOsborne’sheartasifitwastheonlynaturalhomeforhertonestlein.Oh,thoupoorpantinglittlesoul!
Theveryfinesttreeinthewholeforest,withthestraighteststem,andthestrongestarms,andthethickestfoliage,whereinyouchoosetobuildandcoo,maybemarked,forwhatyouknow,andmaybedownwithacrasherelong.
Whatanold,oldsimilethatis,betweenmanandtimber!
Inthemeanwhile,Georgekissedherverykindlyonherforeheadandglisteningeyes,andwasverygraciousandgood;andshethoughthisdiamondshirt-pin(whichshehadnotknownhimtowearbefore)theprettiestornamenteverseen.
Theobservantreader,whohasmarkedouryoungLieutenant’spreviousbehaviour,andhaspreservedourreportofthebriefconversationwhichhehasjusthadwithCaptainDobbin,haspossiblycometocertainconclusionsregardingthecharacterofMr.Osborne.
SomecynicalFrenchmanhassaidthattherearetwopartiestoalove-transaction:theonewholovesandtheotherwhocondescendstobesotreated.
Perhapstheloveisoccasionallyontheman’sside;perhapsonthelady’s.
Perhapssomeinfatuatedswainhaserethismistakeninsensibilityformodesty,dulnessformaidenreserve,merevacuityforsweetbashfulness,andagoose,inaword,foraswan.
Perhapssomebelovedfemalesubscriberhasarrayedanassinthesplendourandgloryofherimagination;admiredhisdulnessasmanlysimplicity;worshippedhisselfishnessasmanlysuperiority;treatedhisstupidityasmajesticgravity,andusedhimasthebrilliantfairyTitaniadidacertainweaveratAthens.
IthinkIhaveseensuchcomediesoferrorsgoingonintheworld.
Butthisiscertain,thatAmeliabelievedherlovertobeoneofthemostgallantandbrilliantmenintheempire:anditispossibleLieutenantOsbornethoughtsotoo.
Hewasalittlewild:howmanyyoungmenare;anddon’tgirlslikearakebetterthanamilksop?
Hehadn’tsownhiswildoatsasyet,buthewouldsoon:andquitthearmynowthatpeacewasproclaimed;theCorsicanmonsterlockedupatElba;promotionbyconsequenceover;andnochanceleftforthedisplayofhisundoubtedmilitarytalentsandvalour:andhisallowance,withAmelia’ssettlement,wouldenablethemtotakeasnugplaceinthecountrysomewhere,inagoodsportingneighbourhood;andhewouldhuntalittle,andfarmalittle;andtheywouldbeveryhappy.
Asforremaininginthearmyasamarriedman,thatwasimpossible.
FancyMrs.GeorgeOsborneinlodgingsinacountytown;or,worsestill,intheEastorWestIndies,withasocietyofofficers,andpatronizedbyMrs.MajorO’Dowd!
AmeliadiedwithlaughingatOsborne’sstoriesaboutMrs.MajorO’Dowd.
Helovedhermuchtoofondlytosubjecthertothathorridwomanandhervulgarities,andtheroughtreatmentofasoldier’swife.
Hedidn’tcareforhimself—nothe;buthisdearlittlegirlshouldtaketheplaceinsocietytowhich,ashiswife,shewasentitled:andtotheseproposalsyoumaybesuresheacceded,asshewouldtoanyotherfromthesameauthor.
Holdingthiskindofconversation,andbuildingnumberlesscastlesintheair(whichAmeliaadornedwithallsortsofflower-gardens,rusticwalks,countrychurches,Sundayschools,andthelike;whileGeorgehadhismind’seyedirectedtothestables,thekennel,andthecellar),thisyoungpairpassedawayacoupleofhoursverypleasantly;andastheLieutenanthadonlythatsingledayintown,andagreatdealofmostimportantbusinesstotransact,itwasproposedthatMissEmmyshoulddinewithherfuturesisters-in-law.
Thisinvitationwasacceptedjoyfully.
Heconductedhertohissisters;wherehelefthertalkingandprattlinginawaythatastonishedthoseladies,whothoughtthatGeorgemightmakesomethingofher;andhethenwentofftotransacthisbusiness.
Inaword,hewentoutandateicesatapastry-cook’sshopinCharingCross;triedanewcoatinPallMall;droppedinattheOldSlaughters’,andcalledforCaptainCannon;playedelevengamesatbilliardswiththeCaptain,ofwhichhewoneight,andreturnedtoRussellSquarehalfanhourlatefordinner,butinverygoodhumour.
ItwasnotsowitholdMr.Osborne.WhenthatgentlemancamefromtheCity,andwaswelcomedinthedrawing-roombyhisdaughtersandtheelegantMissWirt,theysawatoncebyhisface—whichwaspuffy,solemn,andyellowatthebestoftimes—andbythescowlandtwitchingofhisblackeyebrows,thattheheartwithinhislargewhitewaistcoatwasdisturbedanduneasy.
WhenAmeliasteppedforwardtosalutehim,whichshealwaysdidwithgreattremblingandtimidity,hegaveasurlygruntofrecognition,anddroppedthelittlehandoutofhisgreathirsutepawwithoutanyattempttoholditthere.
Helookedroundgloomilyathiseldestdaughter;who,comprehendingthemeaningofhislook,whichaskedunmistakably,“Whythedevilisshehere?”saidatonce:
“Georgeisintown,Papa;andhasgonetotheHorseGuards,andwillbebacktodinner.”
“Oheis,ishe?Iwon’thavethedinnerkeptwaitingforhim,Jane”;withwhichthisworthymanlapsedintohisparticularchair,andthentheuttersilenceinhisgenteel,well-furnisheddrawing-roomwasonlyinterruptedbythealarmedtickingofthegreatFrenchclock.
Whenthatchronometer,whichwassurmountedbyacheerfulbrassgroupofthesacrificeofIphigenia,tolledfiveinaheavycathedraltone,Mr.Osbornepulledthebellathisrighthand-violently,andthebutlerrushedup.
“Dinner!”roaredMr.Osborne.
“Mr.Georgeisn’tcomein,sir,”interposedtheman.
“DamnMr.George,sir.AmImasterofthehouse?DINNER!”Mr.Osbornescowled.Ameliatrembled.
Atelegraphiccommunicationofeyespassedbetweentheotherthreeladies.
Theobedientbellinthelowerregionsbeganringingtheannouncementofthemeal.
Thetollingover,theheadofthefamilythrusthishandsintothegreattail-pocketsofhisgreatbluecoatwithbrassbuttons,andwithoutwaitingforafurtherannouncementstrodedownstairsalone,scowlingoverhisshoulderatthefourfemales.
“What’sthematternow,mydear?”askedoneoftheother,astheyroseandtrippedgingerlybehindthesire.
“Isupposethefundsarefalling,”whisperedMissWirt;andso,tremblingandinsilence,thishushedfemalecompanyfollowedtheirdarkleader.Theytooktheirplacesinsilence.
Hegrowledoutablessing,whichsoundedasgrufflyasacurse.
Thegreatsilverdish-coverswereremoved.
Ameliatrembledinherplace,forshewasnexttotheawfulOsborne,andaloneonhersideofthetable—thegapbeingoccasionedbytheabsenceofGeorge.
“Soup?”saysMr.Osborne,clutchingtheladle,fixinghiseyesonher,inasepulchraltone;andhavinghelpedherandtherest,didnotspeakforawhile.
“TakeMissSedley’splateaway,”atlasthesaid.“Shecan’teatthesoup—nomorecanI.It’sbeastly.Takeawaythesoup,Hicks,andto-morrowturnthecookoutofthehouse,Jane.”
Havingconcludedhisobservationsuponthesoup,Mr.Osbornemadeafewcurtremarksrespectingthefish,alsoofasavageandsatiricaltendency,andcursedBillingsgatewithanemphasisquiteworthyoftheplace.
Thenhelapsedintosilence,andswallowedsundryglassesofwine,lookingmoreandmoreterrible,tillabriskknockatthedoortoldofGeorge’sarrivalwheneverybodybegantorally.
“Hecouldnotcomebefore.GeneralDaguilethadkepthimwaitingattheHorseGuards.Nevermindsouporfish.Givehimanything—hedidn’tcarewhat.Capitalmutton—capitaleverything.”
Hisgoodhumourcontrastedwithhisfather’sseverity;andherattledonunceasinglyduringdinner,tothedelightofall—ofoneespecially,whoneednotbementioned.
AssoonastheyoungladieshaddiscussedtheorangeandtheglassofwinewhichformedtheordinaryconclusionofthedismalbanquetsatMr.Osborne’shouse,thesignaltomakesailforthedrawing-roomwasgiven,andtheyallaroseanddeparted.
AmeliahopedGeorgewouldsoonjointhemthere.
Shebeganplayingsomeofhisfavouritewaltzes(thennewlyimported)atthegreatcarved-legged,leather-casedgrandpianointhedrawing-roomoverhead.Thislittleartificedidnotbringhim.
Hewasdeaftothewaltzes;theygrewfainterandfainter;thediscomfitedperformerleftthehugeinstrumentpresently;andthoughherthreefriendsperformedsomeoftheloudestandmostbrilliantnewpiecesoftheirrepertoire,shedidnothearasinglenote,butsatethinking,andbodingevil.
OldOsborne’sscowl,terrificalways,hadneverbeforelookedsodeadlytoher.
Hiseyesfollowedheroutoftheroom,asifshehadbeenguiltyofsomething.
Whentheybroughthercoffee,shestartedasthoughitwereacupofpoisonwhichMr.Hicks,thebutler,wishedtoproposetoher.Whatmysterywastherelurking?Oh,thosewomen!
Theynurseandcuddletheirpresentiments,andmakedarlingsoftheirugliestthoughts,astheydooftheirdeformedchildren.
ThegloomonthepaternalcountenancehadalsoimpressedGeorgeOsbornewithanxiety.
Withsucheyebrows,andalooksodecidedlybilious,howwashetoextractthatmoneyfromthegovernor,ofwhichGeorgewasconsumedlyinwant?Hebeganpraisinghisfather’swine.
Thatwasgenerallyasuccessfulmeansofcajolingtheoldgentleman.
“WenevergotsuchMadeiraintheWestIndies,sir,asyours.ColonelHeavytoptookoffthreebottlesofthatyousentmedown,underhisbelttheotherday.”
“Didhe?”saidtheoldgentleman.“Itstandsmeineightshillingsabottle.”
“Willyoutakesixguineasadozenforit,sir?”saidGeorge,withalaugh.“There’soneofthegreatestmeninthekingdomwantssome.”
“Doeshe?”growledthesenior.“Wishhemaygetit.”
“WhenGeneralDaguiletwasatChatham,sir,Heavytopgavehimabreakfast,andaskedmeforsomeofthewine.
TheGenerallikeditjustaswell—wantedapipefortheCommander-in-Chief.
He’shisRoyalHighness’sright-handman.”
“Itisdevilishfinewine,”saidtheEyebrows,andtheylookedmoregood-humoured;andGeorgewasgoingtotakeadvantageofthiscomplacency,andbringthesupplyquestiononthemahogany,whenthefather,relapsingintosolemnity,thoughrathercordialinmanner,badehimringthebellforclaret.
“Andwe’llseeifthat’sasgoodastheMadeira,George,towhichhisRoyalHighnessiswelcome,I’msure.
Andaswearedrinkingit,I’lltalktoyouaboutamatterofimportance.”
Ameliaheardtheclaretbellringingasshesatnervouslyupstairs.
Shethought,somehow,itwasamysteriousandpresentimentalbell.
Ofthepresentimentswhichsomepeoplearealwayshaving,somesurelymustcomeright.
“WhatIwanttoknow,George,”theoldgentlemansaid,afterslowlysmackinghisfirstbumper—”whatIwanttoknowis,howyouand—ah--thatlittlethingupstairs,arecarryingon?”
“Ithink,sir,itisnothardtosee,”Georgesaid,withaself-satisfiedgrin.“Prettyclear,sir.—Whatcapitalwine!”
“Whatd’youmean,prettyclear,sir?”
“Why,hangit,sir,don’tpushmetoohard.I’mamodestman.
I—ah—Idon’tsetuptobealady-killer;butIdoownthatshe’sasdevilishfondofmeasshecanbe.Anybodycanseethatwithhalfaneye.”
“Andyouyourself?”
“Why,sir,didn’tyouordermetomarryher,andain’tIagoodboy?Haven’tourPapassettlediteversolong?”
“Aprettyboy,indeed.Haven’tIheardofyourdoings,sir,withLordTarquin,CaptainCrawleyoftheGuards,theHonourableMr.Deuceaceandthatset.Haveacaresir,haveacare.”
Theoldgentlemanpronouncedthesearistocraticnameswiththegreatestgusto.
Wheneverhemetagreatmanhegrovelledbeforehim,andmy-lordedhimasonlyafree-bornBritoncando.
HecamehomeandlookedouthishistoryinthePeerage:heintroducedhisnameintohisdailyconversation;hebraggedabouthisLordshiptohisdaughters.
HefelldownprostrateandbaskedinhimasaNeapolitanbeggardoesinthesun.
Georgewasalarmedwhenheheardthenames.
Hefearedhisfathermighthavebeeninformedofcertaintransactionsatplay.
Buttheoldmoralisteasedhimbysayingserenely:
“Well,well,youngmenwillbeyoungmen.Andthecomforttomeis,George,thatlivinginthebestsocietyinEngland,asIhopeyoudo;asIthinkyoudo;asmymeanswillallowyoutodo—”
“Thankyou,sir,”saysGeorge,makinghispointatonce.
“Onecan’tlivewiththesegreatfolksfornothing;andmypurse,sir,lookatit”;andheheldupalittletokenwhichhadbeennettedbyAmelia,andcontainedtheverylastofDobbin’spoundnotes.
“Youshan’twant,sir.TheBritishmerchant’ssonshan’twant,sir.
Myguineasareasgoodastheirs,George,myboy;andIdon’tgrudge‘em.
CallonMr.ChopperasyougothroughtheCityto-morrow;he’llhavesomethingforyou.
Idon’tgrudgemoneywhenIknowyou’reingoodsociety,becauseIknowthatgoodsocietycannevergowrong.There’snoprideinme.
Iwasahumblybornman—butyouhavehadadvantages.Makeagooduseof‘em.Mixwiththeyoungnobility.
There’smanyof‘emwhocan’tspendadollartoyourguinea,myboy.
Andasforthepinkbonnets(herefromundertheheavyeyebrowstherecameaknowingandnotverypleasingleer)—whyboyswillbeboys.
Onlythere’sonethingIorderyoutoavoid,which,ifyoudonot,I’llcutyouoffwithashilling,byJove;andthat’sgambling.”
“Oh,ofcourse,sir,”saidGeorge.
“ButtoreturntotheotherbusinessaboutAmelia:whyshouldn’tyoumarryhigherthanastockbroker’sdaughter,George—that’swhatIwanttoknow?”
“It’safamilybusiness,sir,”.saysGeorge,crackingfilberts.“YouandMr.Sedleymadethematchahundredyearsago.”
“Idon’tdenyit;butpeople’spositionsalter,sir.
Idon’tdenythatSedleymademyfortune,orratherputmeinthewayofacquiring,bymyowntalentsandgenius,thatproudposition,which,Imaysay,IoccupyinthetallowtradeandtheCityofLondon.
I’veshownmygratitudetoSedley;andhe’strieditoflate,sir,asmycheque-bookcanshow.George!
ItellyouinconfidenceIdon’tlikethelooksofMr.Sedley’saffairs.
Mychiefclerk,Mr.Chopper,doesnotlikethelooksof‘em,andhe’sanoldfile,andknows‘ChangeaswellasanymaninLondon.
Hulker&Bullockarelookingshyathim.
He’sbeendabblingonhisownaccountIfear.
TheysaytheJeuneAmeliewashis,whichwastakenbytheYankeeprivateerMolasses.
Andthat’sflat—unlessIseeAmelia’stenthousanddownyoudon’tmarryher.
I’llhavenolameduck’sdaughterinmyfamily.Passthewine,sir—orringforcoffee.”
WithwhichMr.Osbornespreadouttheeveningpaper,andGeorgeknewfromthissignalthatthecolloquywasended,andthathispapawasabouttotakeanap.
HehurriedupstairstoAmeliainthehighestspirits.
Whatwasitthatmadehimmoreattentivetoheronthatnightthanhehadbeenforalongtime—moreeagertoamuseher,moretender,morebrilliantintalk?
Wasitthathisgenerousheartwarmedtoherattheprospectofmisfortune;orthattheideaoflosingthedearlittleprizemadehimvalueitmore?
Shelivedupontherecollectionsofthathappyeveningformanydaysafterwards,rememberinghiswords;hislooks;thesonghesang;hisattitude,asheleantoverherorlookedatherfromadistance.
Asitseemedtoher,nonighteverpassedsoquicklyatMr.Osborne’shousebefore;andforoncethisyoungpersonwasalmostprovokedtobeangrybytheprematurearrivalofMr.Sambowithhershawl.
Georgecameandtookatenderleaveofherthenextmorning;andthenhurriedofftotheCity,wherehevisitedMr.Chopper,hisfather’sheadman,andreceivedfromthatgentlemanadocumentwhichheexchangedatHulker&Bullock’sforawholepocketfulofmoney.
AsGeorgeenteredthehouse,oldJohnSedleywaspassingoutofthebanker’sparlour,lookingverydismal.
Buthisgodsonwasmuchtooelatedtomarktheworthystockbroker’sdepression,orthedrearyeyeswhichthekindoldgentlemancastuponhim.
YoungBullockdidnotcomegrinningoutoftheparlourwithhimashadbeenhiswontinformeryears.
AndastheswingingdoorsofHulker,Bullock&Co.closeduponMr.Sedley,Mr.Quill,thecashier(whosebenevolentoccupationitistohandoutcrispbank-notesfromadraweranddispensesovereignsoutofacoppershovel),winkedatMr.Driver,theclerkatthedeskonhisright.Mr.Driverwinkedagain.
“Nogo,”Mr.D.whispered.
“Notatnoprice,”Mr.Q.said.“Mr.GeorgeOsborne,sir,howwillyoutakeit?”Georgecrammedeagerlyaquantityofnotesintohispockets,andpaidDobbinfiftypoundsthatveryeveningatmess.
ThatveryeveningAmeliawrotehimthetenderestoflongletters.
Herheartwasoverflowingwithtenderness,butitstillforebodedevil.
WhatwasthecauseofMr.Osborne’sdarklooks?sheasked.
Hadanydifferencearisenbetweenhimandherpapa?
HerpoorpapareturnedsomelancholyfromtheCity,thatallwerealarmedabouthimathome—infine,therewerefourpagesoflovesandfearsandhopesandforebodings.
“PoorlittleEmmy—dearlittleEmmy.Howfondsheisofme,”Georgesaid,asheperusedthemissive—”andGad,whataheadachethatmixedpunchhasgivenme!”PoorlittleEmmy,indeed.
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