English
Aboutthistimetheredroveuptoanexceedinglysnugandwell-appointedhouseinParkLane,atravellingchariotwithalozengeonthepanels,adiscontentedfemaleinagreenveilandcrimpedcurlsontherumble,andalargeandconfidentialmanonthebox.
ItwastheequipageofourfriendMissCrawley,returningfromHants.
Thecarriagewindowswereshut;thefatspaniel,whoseheadandtongueordinarilylolledoutofoneofthem,reposedonthelapofthediscontentedfemale.
Whenthevehiclestopped,alargeroundbundleofshawlswastakenoutofthecarriagebytheaidofvariousdomesticsandayoungladywhoaccompaniedtheheapofcloaks.
ThatbundlecontainedMissCrawley,whowasconveyedupstairsforthwith,andputintoabedandchamberwarmedproperlyasforthereceptionofaninvalid.
Messengerswentoffforherphysicianandmedicalman.
Theycame,consulted,prescribed,vanished.
TheyoungcompanionofMissCrawley,attheconclusionoftheirinterview,cameintoreceivetheirinstructions,andadministeredthoseantiphlogisticmedicineswhichtheeminentmenordered.
CaptainCrawleyoftheLifeGuardsrodeupfromKnightsbridgeBarracksthenextday;hisblackchargerpawedthestrawbeforehisinvalidaunt’sdoor.
Hewasmostaffectionateinhisinquiriesregardingthatamiablerelative.
Thereseemedtobemuchsourceofapprehension.
HefoundMissCrawley’smaid(thediscontentedfemale)unusuallysulkyanddespondent;hefoundMissBriggs,herdamedecompagnie,intearsaloneinthedrawing-room.
Shehadhastenedhome,hearingofherbelovedfriend’sillness.
Shewishedtoflytohercouch,thatcouchwhichshe,Briggs,hadsooftensmoothedinthehourofsickness.
ShewasdeniedadmissiontoMissCrawley’sapartment.
Astrangerwasadministeringhermedicines—astrangerfromthecountry—anodiousMiss...—tearschokedtheutteranceofthedamedecompagnie,andsheburiedhercrushedaffectionsandherpooroldrednoseinherpockethandkerchief.
RawdonCrawleysentuphisnamebythesulkyfemmedechambre,andMissCrawley’snewcompanion,comingtrippingdownfromthesick-room,putalittlehandintohisashesteppedforwardeagerlytomeether,gaveaglanceofgreatscornatthebewilderedBriggs,andbeckoningtheyoungGuardsmanoutofthebackdrawing-room,ledhimdownstairsintothatnowdesolatedining-parlour,wheresomanyagooddinnerhadbeencelebrated.
Herethesetwotalkedfortenminutes,discussing,nodoubt,thesymptomsoftheoldinvalidabovestairs;attheendofwhichperiodtheparlourbellwasrungbriskly,andansweredonthatinstantbyMr.Bowls,MissCrawley’slargeconfidentialbutler(who,indeed,happenedtobeatthekeyholeduringthemostpartoftheinterview);andtheCaptaincomingout,curlinghismustachios,mountedtheblackchargerpawingamongthestraw,totheadmirationofthelittleblackguardboyscollectedinthestreet.
Helookedinatthedining-roomwindow,managinghishorse,whichcurvettedandcaperedbeautifully—foroneinstanttheyoungpersonmightbeseenatthewindow,whenherfigurevanished,and,doubtless,shewentupstairsagaintoresumetheaffectingdutiesofbenevolence.
Whocouldthisyoungwomanbe,Iwonder?
Thateveningalittledinnerfortwopersonswaslaidinthedining-room—whenMrs.Firkin,thelady’smaid,pushedintohermistress’sapartment,andbustledaboutthereduringthevacancyoccasionedbythedepartureofthenewnurse—andthelatterandMissBriggssatdowntotheneatlittlemeal.
Briggswassomuchchokedbyemotionthatshecouldhardlytakeamorselofmeat.
Theyoungpersoncarvedafowlwiththeutmostdelicacy,andaskedsodistinctlyforegg-sauce,thatpoorBriggs,beforewhomthatdeliciouscondimentwasplaced,started,madeagreatclatteringwiththeladle,andoncemorefellbackinthemostgushinghystericalstate.
“HadyounotbettergiveMissBriggsaglassofwine?”
saidthepersontoMr.Bowls,thelargeconfidentialman.Hedidso.
Briggsseizeditmechanically,gaspeditdownconvulsively,moanedalittle,andbegantoplaywiththechickenonherplate.
“Ithinkweshallbeabletohelpeachother,”saidthepersonwithgreatsuavity:“andshallhavenoneedofMr.Bowls’skindservices.
Mr.Bowls,ifyouplease,wewillringwhenwewantyou.”
Hewentdownstairs,where,bytheway,heventedthemosthorridcursesupontheunoffendingfootman,hissubordinate.
“Itisapityyoutakeonso,MissBriggs,”theyoungladysaid,withacool,slightlysarcastic,air.
“Mydearestfriendissoill,andwo-o-on’tseeme,”gurgledoutBriggsinanagonyofrenewedgrief.
“She’snotveryillanymore.Consoleyourself,dearMissBriggs.
Shehasonlyovereatenherself—thatisall.Sheisgreatlybetter.Shewillsoonbequiterestoredagain.
Sheisweakfrombeingcuppedandfrommedicaltreatment,butshewillrallyimmediately.
Prayconsoleyourself,andtakealittlemorewine.”
“Butwhy,whywon’tsheseemeagain?”MissBriggsbleatedout.“Oh,Matilda,Matilda,afterthree-and-twentyyears’tenderness!isthisthereturntoyourpoor,poorArabella?”
“Don’tcrytoomuch,poorArabella,”theothersaid(witheversolittleofagrin);“sheonlywon’tseeyou,becauseshesaysyoudon’tnurseheraswellasIdo.
It’snopleasuretometositupallnight.Iwishyoumightdoitinstead.”
“HaveInottendedthatdearcouchforyears?”Arabellasaid,“andnow—”
“Nowshepreferssomebodyelse.Well,sickpeoplehavethesefancies,andmustbehumoured.Whenshe’swellIshallgo.”
“Never,never,”Arabellaexclaimed,madlyinhalinghersalts-bottle.
“Neverbewellornevergo,MissBriggs?”
theothersaid,withthesameprovokinggood-nature.
“Pooh—shewillbewellinafortnight,whenIshallgobacktomylittlepupilsatQueen’sCrawley,andtotheirmother,whoisagreatdealmoresickthanourfriend.
Youneednotbejealousaboutme,mydearMissBriggs.
Iamapoorlittlegirlwithoutanyfriends,oranyharminme.
Idon’twanttosupplantyouinMissCrawley’sgoodgraces.
ShewillforgetmeaweekafterIamgone:andheraffectionforyouhasbeentheworkofyears.
Givemealittlewineifyouplease,mydearMissBriggs,andletusbefriends.I’msureIwantfriends.”
Theplacableandsoft-heartedBriggsspeechlesslypushedoutherhandatthisappeal;butshefeltthedesertionmostkeenlyforallthat,andbitterly,bitterlymoanedtheficklenessofherMatilda.
Attheendofhalfanhour,themealover,MissRebeccaSharp(forsuch,astonishingtostate,isthenameofherwhohasbeendescribedingeniouslyas“theperson”hitherto),wentupstairsagaintoherpatient’srooms,fromwhich,withthemostengagingpoliteness,sheeliminatedpoorFirkin.
“Thankyou,Mrs.Firkin,thatwillquitedo;hownicelyyoumakeit!Iwillringwhenanythingiswanted.”
“Thankyou”;andFirkincamedownstairsinatempestofjealousy,onlythemoredangerousbecauseshewasforcedtoconfineitinherownbosom.
Coulditbethetempestwhich,asshepassedthelandingofthefirstfloor,blewopenthedrawing-roomdoor?
No;itwasstealthilyopenedbythehandofBriggs.Briggshadbeenonthewatch.
BriggstoowellheardthecreakingFirkindescendthestairs,andtheclinkofthespoonandgruel-basintheneglectedfemalecarried.
“Well,Firkin?”saysshe,astheotherenteredtheapartment.“Well,Jane?”
“Wussandwuss,MissB.,”Firkinsaid,waggingherhead.
“Isshenotbetterthen?”
“Sheneverspokebutonce,andIaskedherifshefeltalittlemoreeasy,andshetoldmetoholdmystupidtongue.
Oh,MissB.,Ineverthoughttohaveseenthisday!”
Andthewater-worksagainbegantoplay.
“WhatsortofapersonisthisMissSharp,Firkin?
Ilittlethought,whileenjoyingmyChristmasrevelsintheeleganthomeofmyfirmfriends,theReverendLionelDelamereandhisamiablelady,tofindastrangerhadtakenmyplaceintheaffectionsofmydearest,mystilldearestMatilda!”
MissBriggs,itwillbeseenbyherlanguage,wasofaliteraryandsentimentalturn,andhadoncepublishedavolumeofpoems—”TrillsoftheNightingale”—bysubscription.
“MissB.,theyareallinfatyatedaboutthatyoungwoman,”Firkinreplied.
“SirPittwouldn’thavelethergo,buthedaredn’trefuseMissCrawleyanything.
Mrs.ButeattheRectoryjistasbad—neverhappyoutofhersight.TheCaptingquitewildabouther.Mr.Crawleymortialjealous.
SinceMissC.wastookill,shewon’thavenobodynearherbutMissSharp,Ican’ttellforwherenorforwhy;andIthinksomethinkhasbewidgedeverybody.”
RebeccapassedthatnightinconstantwatchinguponMissCrawley;thenextnighttheoldladysleptsocomfortably,thatRebeccahadtimeforseveralhours’comfortablereposeherselfonthesofa,atthefootofherpatroness’sbed;verysoon,MissCrawleywassowellthatshesatupandlaughedheartilyataperfectimitationofMissBriggsandhergrief,whichRebeccadescribedtoher.
Briggs’weepingsnuffle,andhermannerofusingthehandkerchief,weresocompletelyrenderedthatMissCrawleybecamequitecheerful,totheadmirationofthedoctorswhentheyvisitedher,whousuallyfoundthisworthywomanoftheworld,whentheleastsicknessattackedher,underthemostabjectdepressionandterrorofdeath.
CaptainCrawleycameeveryday,andreceivedbulletinsfromMissRebeccarespectinghisaunt’shealth.
Thisimprovedsorapidly,thatpoorBriggswasallowedtoseeherpatroness;andpersonswithtenderheartsmayimaginethesmotheredemotionsofthatsentimentalfemale,andtheaffectingnatureoftheinterview.
MissCrawleylikedtohaveBriggsinagooddealsoon.Rebeccausedtomimichertoherfacewiththemostadmirablegravity,therebyrenderingtheimitationdoublypiquanttoherworthypatroness.
ThecauseswhichhadledtothedeplorableillnessofMissCrawley,andherdeparturefromherbrother’shouseinthecountry,wereofsuchanunromanticnaturethattheyarehardlyfittobeexplainedinthisgenteelandsentimentalnovel.
Forhowisitpossibletohintofadelicatefemale,livingingoodsociety,thatsheateanddranktoomuch,andthatahotsupperoflobstersprofuselyenjoyedattheRectorywasthereasonofanindispositionwhichMissCrawleyherselfpersistedwassolelyattributabletothedampnessoftheweather?
TheattackwassosharpthatMatilda—ashisReverenceexpressedit—wasverynearly“offthehooks”;allthefamilywereinafeverofexpectationregardingthewill,andRawdonCrawleywasmakingsureofatleastfortythousandpoundsbeforethecommencementoftheLondonseason.
Mr.Crawleysentoverachoiceparceloftracts,toprepareherforthechangefromVanityFairandParkLaneforanotherworld;butagooddoctorfromSouthamptonbeingcalledinintime,vanquishedthelobsterwhichwassonearlyfataltoher,andgavehersufficientstrengthtoenablehertoreturntoLondon.
TheBaronetdidnotdisguisehisexceedingmortificationattheturnwhichaffairstook.
WhileeverybodywasattendingonMissCrawley,andmessengerseveryhourfromtheRectorywerecarryingnewsofherhealthtotheaffectionatefolksthere,therewasaladyinanotherpartofthehouse,beingexceedinglyill,ofwhomnoonetookanynoticeatall;andthiswastheladyofCrawleyherself.
Thegooddoctorshookhisheadafterseeingher;towhichvisitSirPittconsented,asitcouldbepaidwithoutafee;andshewasleftfadingawayinherlonelychamber,withnomoreheedpaidtoherthantoaweedinthepark.
Theyoungladies,too,lostmuchoftheinestimablebenefitoftheirgoverness’sinstruction,SoaffectionateanursewasMissSharp,thatMissCrawleywouldtakehermedicinesfromnootherhand.
Firkinhadbeendeposedlongbeforehermistress’sdeparturefromthecountry.
ThatfaithfulattendantfoundagloomyconsolationonreturningtoLondon,inseeingMissBriggssufferthesamepangsofjealousyandundergothesamefaithlesstreatmenttowhichsheherselfhadbeensubject.
CaptainRawdongotanextensionofleaveonhisaunt’sillness,andremaineddutifullyathome.Hewasalwaysinherantechamber.
(Shelaysickinthestatebedroom,intowhichyouenteredbythelittlebluesaloon.)
Hisfatherwasalwaysmeetinghimthere;orifhecamedownthecorridoreversoquietly,hisfather’sdoorwassuretoopen,andthehyenafaceoftheoldgentlemantoglareout.
Whatwasitsetonetowatchtheotherso?
Agenerousrivalry,nodoubt,astowhichshouldbemostattentivetothedearsuffererinthestatebedroom.
Rebeccausedtocomeoutandcomfortbothofthem;oroneortheotherofthemrather.
Bothoftheseworthygentlemenweremostanxioustohavenewsoftheinvalidfromherlittleconfidentialmessenger.
Atdinner—towhichmealshedescendedforhalfanhour—shekeptthepeacebetweenthem:afterwhichshedisappearedforthenight;whenRawdonwouldrideovertothedepotofthe150thatMudbury,leavinghispapatothesocietyofMr.Horrocksandhisrumandwater.
ShepassedaswearyafortnightasevermortalspentinMissCrawley’ssick-room;butherlittlenervesseemedtobeofiron,asshewasquiteunshakenbythedutyandthetediumofthesick-chamber.
Shenevertolduntillongafterwardshowpainfulthatdutywas;howpeevishapatientwasthejovialoldlady;howangry;howsleepless;inwhathorrorsofdeath;duringwhatlongnightsshelaymoaning,andinalmostdeliriousagoniesrespectingthatfutureworldwhichshequiteignoredwhenshewasingoodhealth.
—Picturetoyourself,ohfairyoungreader,aworldly,selfish,graceless,thankless,religionlessoldwoman,writhinginpainandfear,andwithoutherwig.
Picturehertoyourself,andereyoubeold,learntoloveandpray!
Sharpwatchedthisgracelessbedsidewithindomitablepatience.
Nothingescapedher;and,likeaprudentsteward,shefoundauseforeverything.
ShetoldmanyagoodstoryaboutMissCrawley’sillnessinafterdays—storieswhichmadetheladyblushthroughherartificialcarnations.
Duringtheillnessshewasneveroutoftemper;alwaysalert;shesleptlight,havingaperfectlyclearconscience;andcouldtakethatrefreshmentatalmostanyminute’swarning.
Andsoyousawveryfewtracesoffatigueinherappearance.
Herfacemightbeatriflepaler,andthecirclesroundhereyesalittleblackerthanusual;butwhenevershecameoutfromthesick-roomshewasalwayssmiling,fresh,andneat,andlookedastriminherlittledressing-gownandcap,asinhersmartesteveningsuit.
TheCaptainthoughtso,andravedaboutherinuncouthconvulsions.
Thebarbedshaftoflovehadpenetratedhisdullhide.
Sixweeks—appropinquity—opportunity—hadvictimisedhimcompletely.
HemadeaconfidanteofhisauntattheRectory,ofallpersonsintheworld.
Sheralliedhimaboutit;shehadperceivedhisfolly;shewarnedhim;shefinishedbyowningthatlittleSharpwasthemostclever,droll,odd,good-natured,simple,kindlycreatureinEngland.
Rawdonmustnottriflewithheraffections,though—dearMissCrawleywouldneverpardonhimforthat;forshe,too,wasquiteovercomebythelittlegoverness,andlovedSharplikeadaughter.
Rawdonmustgoaway—gobacktohisregimentandnaughtyLondon,andnotplaywithapoorartlessgirl’sfeelings.
Manyandmanyatimethisgood-naturedlady,compassionatingtheforlornlife-guardsman’scondition,gavehimanopportunityofseeingMissSharpattheRectory,andofwalkinghomewithher,aswehaveseen.
Whenmenofacertainsort,ladies,areinlove,thoughtheyseethehookandthestring,andthewholeapparatuswithwhichtheyaretobetaken,theygorgethebaitnevertheless—theymustcometoit—theymustswallowit—andarepresentlystruckandlandedgasping.
RawdonsawtherewasamanifestintentiononMrs.Bute’sparttocaptivatehimwithRebecca.
Hewasnotverywise;buthewasamanabouttown,andhadseenseveralseasons.
Alightdawneduponhisduskysoul,ashethought,throughaspeechofMrs.Bute’s.
“Markmywords,Rawdon,”shesaid.“YouwillhaveMissSharponedayforyourrelation.”
“Whatrelation—mycousin,hey,Mrs.Bute?Jamessweetonher,hey?”inquiredthewaggishofficer.
“Morethanthat,”Mrs.Butesaid,withaflashfromherblackeyes.
“NotPitt?Hesha’n’thaveher.Thesneaka’n’tworthyofher.He’sbookedtoLadyJaneSheepshanks.”
“Youmenperceivenothing.Yousilly,blindcreature—ifanythinghappenstoLadyCrawley,MissSharpwillbeyourmother-in-law;andthat’swhatwillhappen.”
RawdonCrawley,Esquire,gaveventtoaprodigiouswhistle,intokenofastonishmentatthisannouncement.Hecouldn’tdenyit.
Hisfather’sevidentlikingforMissSharphadnotescapedhim.
Heknewtheoldgentleman’scharacterwell;andamoreunscrupulousold—whyou—hedidnotconcludethesentence,butwalkedhome,curlinghismustachios,andconvincedhehadfoundacluetoMrs.Bute’smystery.
“ByJove,it’stoobad,”thoughtRawdon,“toobad,byJove!Idobelievethewomanwantsthepoorgirltoberuined,inorderthatsheshouldn’tcomeintothefamilyasLadyCrawley.”
WhenhesawRebeccaalone,heralliedherabouthisfather’sattachmentinhisgracefulway.Sheflungupherheadscornfully,lookedhimfullintheface,andsaid,
“Well,supposeheisfondofme.Iknowheis,andotherstoo.
Youdon’tthinkIamafraidofhim,CaptainCrawley?
Youdon’tsupposeIcan’tdefendmyownhonour,”saidthelittlewoman,lookingasstatelyasaqueen.
“Oh,ah,why—giveyoufairwarning—lookout,youknow—that’sall,”saidthemustachio-twiddler.
“Youhintatsomethingnothonourable,then?”saidshe,flashingout.
“OGad—really—MissRebecca,”theheavydragooninterposed.
“DoyousupposeIhavenofeelingofself-respect,becauseIampoorandfriendless,andbecauserichpeoplehavenone?
Doyouthink,becauseIamagoverness,Ihavenotasmuchsense,andfeeling,andgoodbreedingasyougentlefolksinHampshire?I’maMontmorency.
DoyousupposeaMontmorencyisnotasgoodasaCrawley?”
WhenMissSharpwasagitated,andalludedtohermaternalrelatives,shespokewitheversoslightaforeignaccent,whichgaveagreatcharmtoherclearringingvoice.
“No,”shecontinued,kindlingasshespoketotheCaptain;“Icanendurepoverty,butnotshame—neglect,butnotinsult;andinsultfrom—fromyou.”
Herfeelingsgaveway,andsheburstintotears.
“Hangit,MissSharp—Rebecca—byJove—uponmysoul,Iwouldn’tforathousandpounds.Stop,Rebecca!”
Shewasgone.ShedroveoutwithMissCrawleythatday.Itwasbeforethelatter’sillness.
Atdinnershewasunusuallybrilliantandlively;butshewouldtakenonoticeofthehints,orthenods,ortheclumsyexpostulationsofthehumiliated,infatuatedguardsman.
Skirmishesofthissortpassedperpetuallyduringthelittlecampaign—tedioustorelate,andsimilarinresult.
TheCrawleyheavycavalrywasmaddenedbydefeat,androutedeveryday.
IftheBaronetofQueen’sCrawleyhadnothadthefearoflosinghissister’slegacybeforehiseyes,heneverwouldhavepermittedhisdeargirlstolosetheeducationalblessingswhichtheirinvaluablegovernesswasconferringuponthem.
Theoldhouseathomeseemedadesertwithouther,sousefulandpleasanthadRebeccamadeherselfthere.
SirPitt’sletterswerenotcopiedandcorrected;hisbooksnotmadeup;hishouseholdbusinessandmanifoldschemesneglected,nowthathislittlesecretarywasaway.
Anditwaseasytoseehownecessarysuchanamanuensiswastohim,bythetenorandspellingofthenumerousletterswhichhesenttoher,entreatingherandcommandinghertoreturn.
AlmosteverydaybroughtafrankfromtheBaronet,enclosingthemosturgentprayerstoBeckyforherreturn,orconveyingpatheticstatementstoMissCrawley,regardingtheneglectedstateofhisdaughters’education;ofwhichdocumentsMissCrawleytookverylittleheed.
MissBriggswasnotformallydismissed,butherplaceascompanionwasasinecureandaderision;andhercompanywasthefatspanielinthedrawing-room,oroccasionallythediscontentedFirkininthehousekeeper’scloset.
NorthoughtheoldladywouldbynomeanshearofRebecca’sdeparture,wasthelatterregularlyinstalledinofficeinParkLane.
Likemanywealthypeople,itwasMissCrawley’shabittoacceptasmuchserviceasshecouldgetfromherinferiors;andgood-naturedlytotakeleaveofthemwhenshenolongerfoundthemuseful.
Gratitudeamongcertainrichfolksisscarcelynaturalortobethoughtof.
Theytakeneedypeople’sservicesastheirdue.
Norhaveyou,Opoorparasiteandhumblehanger-on,muchreasontocomplain!
YourfriendshipforDivesisaboutassincereasthereturnwhichitusuallygets.
Itismoneyyoulove,andnottheman;andwereCroesusandhisfootmantochangeplacesyouknow,youpoorrogue,whowouldhavethebenefitofyourallegiance.
AndIamnotsurethat,inspiteofRebecca’ssimplicityandactivity,andgentlenessanduntiringgoodhumour,theshrewdoldLondonlady,uponwhomthesetreasuresoffriendshipwerelavished,hadnotalurkingsuspicionallthewhileofheraffectionatenurseandfriend.
ItmusthaveoftencrossedMissCrawley’smindthatnobodydoesanythingfornothing.
Ifshemeasuredherownfeelingtowardstheworld,shemusthavebeenprettywellabletogaugethoseoftheworldtowardsherself;andperhapsshereflectedthatitistheordinarylotofpeopletohavenofriendsiftheythemselvescarefornobody.
Well,meanwhileBeckywasthegreatestcomfortandconveniencetoher,andshegaveheracoupleofnewgowns,andanoldnecklaceandshawl,andshowedherfriendshipbyabusingallherintimateacquaintancestohernewconfidante(thanwhichtherecan’tbeamoretouchingproofofregard),andmeditatedvaguelysomegreatfuturebenefit—tomarryherperhapstoClump,theapothecary,ortosettleherinsomeadvantageouswayoflife;oratanyrate,tosendherbacktoQueen’sCrawleywhenshehaddonewithher,andthefullLondonseasonhadbegun.
WhenMissCrawleywasconvalescentanddescendedtothedrawing-room,Beckysangtoher,andotherwiseamusedher;whenshewaswellenoughtodriveout,Beckyaccompaniedher.
Andamongstthedriveswhichtheytook,whither,ofallplacesintheworld,didMissCrawley’sadmirablegood-natureandfriendshipactuallyinducehertopenetrate,buttoRussellSquare,Bloomsbury,andthehouseofJohnSedley,Esquire.
Erethatevent,manynoteshadpassed,asmaybeimagined,betweenthetwodearfriends.
DuringthemonthsofRebecca’sstayinHampshire,theeternalfriendshiphad(mustitbeowned?)
sufferedconsiderablediminution,andgrownsodecrepitandfeeblewitholdageastothreatendemisealtogether.
Thefactis,bothgirlshadtheirownrealaffairstothinkof:Rebeccaheradvancewithheremployers—Ameliaherownabsorbingtopic.
Whenthetwogirlsmet,andflewintoeachother’sarmswiththatimpetuositywhichdistinguishesthebehaviourofyoungladiestowardseachother,Rebeccaperformedherpartoftheembracewiththemostperfectbrisknessandenergy.
PoorlittleAmeliablushedasshekissedherfriend,andthoughtshehadbeenguiltyofsomethingverylikecoldnesstowardsher.
Theirfirstinterviewwasbutaveryshortone.
Ameliawasjustreadytogooutforawalk.
MissCrawleywaswaitinginhercarriagebelow,herpeoplewonderingatthelocalityinwhichtheyfoundthemselves,andgazinguponhonestSambo,theblackfootmanofBloomsbury,asoneofthequeernativesoftheplace.
ButwhenAmeliacamedownwithherkindsmilinglooks(Rebeccamustintroducehertoherfriend,MissCrawleywaslongingtoseeher,andwastooilltoleavehercarriage)—when,Isay,Ameliacamedown,theParkLaneshoulder-knotaristocracywonderedmoreandmorethatsuchathingcouldcomeoutofBloomsbury;andMissCrawleywasfairlycaptivatedbythesweetblushingfaceoftheyoungladywhocameforwardsotimidlyandsogracefullytopayherrespectstotheprotectorofherfriend.
“Whatacomplexion,mydear!Whatasweetvoice!”
MissCrawleysaid,astheydroveawaywestwardafterthelittleinterview.
“MydearSharp,youryoungfriendischarming.
SendforhertoParkLane,doyouhear?”MissCrawleyhadagoodtaste.
Shelikednaturalmanners—alittletimidityonlysetthemoff.
Shelikedprettyfacesnearher;asshelikedprettypicturesandnicechina.
ShetalkedofAmeliawithrapturehalfadozentimesthatday.
ShementionedhertoRawdonCrawley,whocamedutifullytopartakeofhisaunt’schicken.
Ofcourse,onthisRebeccainstantlystatedthatAmeliawasengagedtobemarried—toaLieutenantOsborne—averyoldflame.
“Isheamaninaline-regiment?”CaptainCrawleyasked,rememberingafteraneffort,asbecameaguardsman,thenumberoftheregiment,the—th.
Rebeccathoughtthatwastheregiment.“TheCaptain’sname,”shesaid,“wasCaptainDobbin.”
“Alankygawkyfellow,”saidCrawley,“tumblesovereverybody.Iknowhim;andOsborne’sagoodish-lookingfellow,withlargeblackwhiskers?”
“Enormous,”MissRebeccaSharpsaid,“andenormouslyproudofthem,Iassureyou.”
CaptainRawdonCrawleyburstintoahorse-laughbywayofreply;andbeingpressedbytheladiestoexplain,didsowhentheexplosionofhilaritywasover.
“Hefancieshecanplayatbilliards,”saidhe.
“IwontwohundredofhimattheCocoa-Tree.HEplay,theyoungflat!
He’dhaveplayedforanythingthatday,buthisfriendCaptainDobbincarriedhimoff,hanghim!”
“Rawdon,Rawdon,don’tbesowicked,”MissCrawleyremarked,highlypleased.
“Why,ma’am,ofalltheyoungfellowsI’veseenoutoftheline,Ithinkthisfellow’sthegreenest.
TarquinandDeuceacegetwhatmoneytheylikeoutofhim.
He’dgotothedeucetobeseenwithalord.
HepaystheirdinnersatGreenwich,andtheyinvitethecompany.”
“Andveryprettycompanytoo,Idaresay.”
“Quiteright,MissSharp.Right,asusual,MissSharp.Uncommonprettycompany—haw,haw!”andtheCaptainlaughedmoreandmore,thinkinghehadmadeagoodjoke.
“Rawdon,don’tbenaughty!”hisauntexclaimed.
“Well,hisfather’saCityman—immenselyrich,theysay.HangthoseCityfellows,theymustbleed;andI’venotdonewithhimyet,Icantellyou.Haw,haw!”
“Fie,CaptainCrawley;IshallwarnAmelia.Agamblinghusband!”
“Horrid,ain’the,hey?”theCaptainsaidwithgreatsolemnity;andthenadded,asuddenthoughthavingstruckhim:“Gad,Isay,ma’am,we’llhavehimhere.”
“Isheapresentablesortofaperson?”theauntinquired.
“Presentable?—oh,verywell.
Youwouldn’tseeanydifference,”CaptainCrawleyanswered.
“Dolet’shavehim,whenyoubegintoseeafewpeople;andhiswhatdyecallem—hisinamorato—eh,MissSharp;that’swhatyoucallit—comes.
Gad,I’llwritehimanote,andhavehim;andI’lltryifhecanplaypiquetaswellasbilliards.Wheredoeshelive,MissSharp?”
MissSharptoldCrawleytheLieutenant’stownaddress;andafewdaysafterthisconversation,LieutenantOsbornereceivedaletter,inCaptainRawdon’sschoolboyhand,andenclosinganoteofinvitationfromMissCrawley.
RebeccadespatchedalsoaninvitationtoherdarlingAmelia,who,youmaybesure,wasreadyenoughtoacceptitwhensheheardthatGeorgewastobeoftheparty.
ItwasarrangedthatAmeliawastospendthemorningwiththeladiesofParkLane,whereallwereverykindtoher.
Rebeccapatronisedherwithcalmsuperiority:shewassomuchtheclevererofthetwo,andherfriendsogentleandunassuming,thatshealwaysyieldedwhenanybodychosetocommand,andsotookRebecca’sorderswithperfectmeeknessandgoodhumour.
MissCrawley’sgraciousnesswasalsoremarkable.
ShecontinuedherrapturesaboutlittleAmelia,talkedaboutherbeforeherfaceasifshewereadoll,oraservant,orapicture,andadmiredherwiththemostbenevolentwonderpossible.
Iadmirethatadmirationwhichthegenteelworldsometimesextendstothecommonalty.
ThereisnomoreagreeableobjectinlifethantoseeMayfairfolkscondescending.
MissCrawley’sprodigiousbenevolenceratherfatiguedpoorlittleAmelia,andIamnotsurethatofthethreeladiesinParkLaneshedidnotfindhonestMissBriggsthemostagreeable.
ShesympathisedwithBriggsaswithallneglectedorgentlepeople:shewasn’twhatyoucallawomanofspirit.
Georgecametodinner—arepastengarconwithCaptainCrawley.
ThegreatfamilycoachoftheOsbornestransportedhimtoParkLanefromRussellSquare;wheretheyoungladies,whowerenotthemselvesinvited,andprofessedthegreatestindifferenceatthatslight,neverthelesslookedatSirPittCrawley’snameinthebaronetage;andlearnedeverythingwhichthatworkhadtoteachabouttheCrawleyfamilyandtheirpedigree,andtheBinkies,theirrelatives,&c.,&c.RawdonCrawleyreceivedGeorgeOsbornewithgreatfranknessandgraciousness:praisedhisplayatbilliards:askedhimwhenhewouldhavehisrevenge:wasinterestedaboutOsborne’sregiment:andwouldhaveproposedpiquettohimthatveryevening,butMissCrawleyabsolutelyforbadeanygamblinginherhouse;sothattheyoungLieutenant’spursewasnotlightenedbyhisgallantpatron,forthatdayatleast.
However,theymadeanengagementforthenext,somewhere:tolookatahorsethatCrawleyhadtosell,andtotryhiminthePark;andtodinetogether,andtopasstheeveningwithsomejollyfellows.
“Thatis,ifyou’renotondutytothatprettyMissSedley,”Crawleysaid,withaknowingwink.
“Monstrousnicegirl,‘ponmyhonour,though,Osborne,”hewasgoodenoughtoadd.“Lotsoftin,Isuppose,eh?”
Osbornewasn’tonduty;hewouldjoinCrawleywithpleasure:andthelatter,whentheymetthenextday,praisedhisnewfriend’shorsemanship—ashemightwithperfecthonesty—andintroducedhimtothreeorfouryoungmenofthefirstfashion,whoseacquaintanceimmenselyelatedthesimpleyoungofficer.
“How’slittleMissSharp,by-the-bye?”Osborneinquiredofhisfriendovertheirwine,withadandifiedair.“Good-naturedlittlegirlthat.
DoesshesuityouwellatQueen’sCrawley?
MissSedleylikedheragooddeallastyear.”
CaptainCrawleylookedsavagelyattheLieutenantoutofhislittleblueeyes,andwatchedhimwhenhewentuptoresumehisacquaintancewiththefairgoverness.
HerconductmusthaverelievedCrawleyiftherewasanyjealousyinthebosomofthatlife-guardsman.
Whentheyoungmenwentupstairs,andafterOsborne’sintroductiontoMissCrawley,hewalkeduptoRebeccawithapatronising,easyswagger.
Hewasgoingtobekindtoherandprotecther.
Hewouldevenshakehandswithher,asafriendofAmelia’s;andsaying,“Ah,MissSharp!how-dy-doo?”
heldouthislefthandtowardsher,expectingthatshewouldbequiteconfoundedatthehonour.
MissSharpputoutherrightforefinger,andgavehimalittlenod,socoolandkilling,thatRawdonCrawley,watchingtheoperationsfromtheotherroom,couldhardlyrestrainhislaughterashesawtheLieutenant’sentirediscomfiture;thestarthegave,thepause,andtheperfectclumsinesswithwhichheatlengthcondescendedtotakethefingerwhichwasofferedforhisembrace.
“She’dbeatthedevil,byJove!”theCaptainsaid,inarapture;andtheLieutenant,bywayofbeginningtheconversation,agreeablyaskedRebeccahowshelikedhernewplace.
“Myplace?”saidMissSharp,coolly,“howkindofyoutoremindmeofit!
It’satolerablygoodplace:thewagesareprettygood—notsogoodasMissWirt’s,Ibelieve,withyoursistersinRussellSquare.Howarethoseyoungladies?—notthatIoughttoask.”
“Whynot?”Mr.Osbornesaid,amazed.
“Why,theynevercondescendedtospeaktome,ortoaskmeintotheirhouse,whilstIwasstayingwithAmelia;butwepoorgovernesses,youknow,areusedtoslightsofthissort.”
“MydearMissSharp!”Osborneejaculated.
“Atleastinsomefamilies,”Rebeccacontinued.
“Youcan’tthinkwhatadifferencethereisthough.
WearenotsowealthyinHampshireasyouluckyfolksoftheCity.
ButthenIaminagentleman’sfamily—goodoldEnglishstock.
IsupposeyouknowSirPitt’sfatherrefusedapeerage.AndyouseehowIamtreated.Iamprettycomfortable.Indeeditisratheragoodplace.Buthowverygoodofyoutoinquire!”
Osbornewasquitesavage.ThelittlegovernesspatronisedhimandpersiffledhimuntilthisyoungBritishLionfeltquiteuneasy;norcouldhemustersufficientpresenceofmindtofindapretextforbackingoutofthismostdelectableconversation.
“IthoughtyoulikedtheCityfamiliesprettywell,”hesaid,haughtily.
“Lastyearyoumean,whenIwasfreshfromthathorridvulgarschool?OfcourseIdid.
Doesn’teverygirlliketocomehomefortheholidays?AndhowwasItoknowanybetter?
Butoh,Mr.Osborne,whatadifferenceeighteenmonths’experiencemakes!
eighteenmonthsspent,pardonmeforsayingso,withgentlemen.
AsfordearAmelia,she,Igrantyou,isapearl,andwouldbecharminganywhere.
Therenow,Iseeyouarebeginningtobeinagoodhumour;butohthesequeeroddCitypeople!
AndMr.Jos—howisthatwonderfulMr.Joseph?”
“Itseemstomeyoudidn’tdislikethatwonderfulMr.Josephlastyear,”Osbornesaidkindly.
“Howsevereofyou!Well,entrenous,Ididn’tbreakmyheartabouthim;yetifhehadaskedmetodowhatyoumeanbyyourlooks(andveryexpressiveandkindtheyare,too),Iwouldn’thavesaidno.”
Mr.Osbornegavealookasmuchastosay,“Indeed,howveryobliging!”
“Whatanhonourtohavehadyouforabrother-in-law,youarethinking?
Tobesister-in-lawtoGeorgeOsborne,Esquire,sonofJohnOsborne,Esquire,sonof—whatwasyourgrandpapa,Mr.Osborne?Well,don’tbeangry.
Youcan’thelpyourpedigree,andIquiteagreewithyouthatIwouldhavemarriedMr.JoeSedley;forcouldapoorpennilessgirldobetter?Nowyouknowthewholesecret.
I’mfrankandopen;consideringallthings,itwasverykindofyoutoalludetothecircumstance—verykindandpolite.
Ameliadear,Mr.OsborneandIweretalkingaboutyourpoorbrotherJoseph.Howishe?”
ThuswasGeorgeutterlyrouted.NotthatRebeccawasintheright;butshehadmanagedmostsuccessfullytoputhiminthewrong.
Andhenowshamefullyfled,feeling,ifhestayedanotherminute,thathewouldhavebeenmadetolookfoolishinthepresenceofAmelia.
ThoughRebeccahadhadthebetterofhim,Georgewasabovethemeannessoftalebearingorrevengeuponalady—onlyhecouldnothelpcleverlyconfidingtoCaptainCrawley,nextday,somenotionsofhisregardingMissRebecca—thatshewasasharpone,adangerousone,adesperateflirt,&c.;inallofwhichopinionsCrawleyagreedlaughingly,andwitheveryoneofwhichMissRebeccawasmadeacquaintedbeforetwenty-fourhourswereover.
TheyaddedtoheroriginalregardforMr.Osborne.
Herwoman’sinstincthadtoldherthatitwasGeorgewhohadinterruptedthesuccessofherfirstlove-passage,andsheesteemedhimaccordingly.
“Ionlyjustwarnyou,”hesaidtoRawdonCrawley,withaknowinglook—hehadboughtthehorse,andlostsomescoreofguineasafterdinner,“Ijustwarnyou—Iknowwomen,andcounselyoutobeonthelook-out.”
“Thankyou,myboy,”saidCrawley,withalookofpeculiargratitude.“You’rewideawake,Isee.”AndGeorgewentoff,thinkingCrawleywasquiteright.
HetoldAmeliaofwhathehaddone,andhowhehadcounselledRawdonCrawley—adevilishgood,straightforwardfellow—tobeonhisguardagainstthatlittlesly,schemingRebecca.
“Againstwhom?”Ameliacried.
“Yourfriendthegoverness.—Don’tlooksoastonished.”
“OGeorge,whathaveyoudone?”Ameliasaid.
Forherwoman’seyes,whichLovehadmadesharp-sighted,hadinoneinstantdiscoveredasecretwhichwasinvisibletoMissCrawley,topoorvirginBriggs,andaboveall,tothestupidpeepersofthatyoungwhiskeredprig,LieutenantOsborne.
ForasRebeccawasshawlingherinanupperapartment,wherethesetwofriendshadanopportunityforalittleofthatsecrettalkingandconspiringwhichformthedelightoffemalelife,Amelia,cominguptoRebecca,andtakinghertwolittlehandsinhers,said,“Rebecca,Iseeitall.”
Rebeccakissedher.
Andregardingthisdelightfulsecret,notonesyllablemorewassaidbyeitheroftheyoungwomen.Butitwasdestinedtocomeoutbeforelong.
Someshortperiodaftertheaboveevents,andMissRebeccaSharpstillremainingatherpatroness’shouseinParkLane,onemorehatchmentmighthavebeenseeninGreatGauntStreet,figuringamongstthemanywhichusuallyornamentthatdismalquarter.
ItwasoverSirPittCrawley’shouse;butitdidnotindicatetheworthybaronet’sdemise.
Itwasafemininehatchment,andindeedafewyearsbackhadservedasafuneralcomplimenttoSirPitt’soldmother,thelatedowagerLadyCrawley.
Itsperiodofserviceover,thehatchmenthadcomedownfromthefrontofthehouse,andlivedinretirementsomewhereinthebackpremisesofSirPitt’smansion.ItreappearednowforpoorRoseDawson.SirPittwasawidoweragain.
Thearmsquarteredontheshieldalongwithhisownwerenot,tobesure,poorRose’s.Shehadnoarms.
ButthecherubspaintedonthescutcheonansweredaswellforherasforSirPitt’smother,andResurgamwaswrittenunderthecoat,flankedbytheCrawleyDoveandSerpent.ArmsandHatchments,Resurgam.—Hereisanopportunityformoralising!
Mr.Crawleyhadtendedthatotherwisefriendlessbedside.
Shewentoutoftheworldstrengthenedbysuchwordsandcomfortashecouldgiveher.
Formanyyearshiswastheonlykindnesssheeverknew;theonlyfriendshipthatsolacedinanywaythatfeeble,lonelysoul.
Herheartwasdeadlongbeforeherbody.
ShehadsoldittobecomeSirPittCrawley’swife.
MothersanddaughtersaremakingthesamebargaineverydayinVanityFair.
Whenthedemisetookplace,herhusbandwasinLondonattendingtosomeofhisinnumerableschemes,andbusywithhisendlesslawyers.
Hehadfoundtime,nevertheless,tocallofteninParkLane,andtodespatchmanynotestoRebecca,entreatingher,enjoiningher,commandinghertoreturntoheryoungpupilsinthecountry,whowerenowutterlywithoutcompanionshipduringtheirmother’sillness.
ButMissCrawleywouldnothearofherdeparture;forthoughtherewasnoladyoffashioninLondonwhowoulddesertherfriendsmorecomplacentlyassoonasshewastiredoftheirsociety,andthoughfewtiredofthemsooner,yetaslongasherengoumentlastedherattachmentwasprodigious,andsheclungstillwiththegreatestenergytoRebecca.
ThenewsofLadyCrawley’sdeathprovokednomoregrieforcommentthanmighthavebeenexpectedinMissCrawley’sfamilycircle.
“IsupposeImustputoffmypartyforthe3rd,”MissCrawleysaid;andadded,afterapause,“Ihopemybrotherwillhavethedecencynottomarryagain.”
“WhataconfoundedragePittwillbeinifhedoes,”Rawdonremarked,withhisusualregardforhiselderbrother.Rebeccasaidnothing.
Sheseemedbyfarthegravestandmostimpressedofthefamily.
ShelefttheroombeforeRawdonwentawaythatday;buttheymetbychancebelow,ashewasgoingawayaftertakingleave,andhadaparleytogether.
Onthemorrow,asRebeccawasgazingfromthewindow,shestartledMissCrawley,whowasplacidlyoccupiedwithaFrenchnovel,bycryingoutinanalarmedtone,“Here’sSirPitt,Ma’am!”
andtheBaronet’sknockfollowedthisannouncement.
“Mydear,Ican’tseehim.Iwon’tseehim.
TellBowlsnotathome,orgodownstairsandsayI’mtooilltoreceiveanyone.
Mynervesreallywon’tbearmybrotheratthismoment,”criedoutMissCrawley,andresumedthenovel.
“She’stooilltoseeyou,sir,”Rebeccasaid,trippingdowntoSirPitt,whowaspreparingtoascend.
“Somuchthebetter,”SirPittanswered.“IwanttoseeYOU,MissBecky.Comealongameintotheparlour,”andtheyenteredthatapartmenttogether.
“IwawntyoubackatQueen’sCrawley,Miss,”thebaronetsaid,fixinghiseyesuponher,andtakingoffhisblackglovesandhishatwithitsgreatcrapehat-band.
Hiseyeshadsuchastrangelook,andfixeduponhersosteadfastly,thatRebeccaSharpbeganalmosttotremble.
“Ihopetocomesoon,”shesaidinalowvoice,“assoonasMissCrawleyisbetter—andreturnto—tothedearchildren.”
“You’vesaidsothesethreemonths,Becky,”repliedSirPitt,“andstillyougohangingontomysister,who’llflingyouofflikeanoldshoe,whenshe’sworeyouout.ItellyouIwantyou.I’mgoingbacktotheVuneral.Willyoucomeback?Yesorno?”
“Idaren’t—Idon’tthink—itwouldberight—tobealone—withyou,sir,”Beckysaid,seeminglyingreatagitation.
“Isayagin,Iwantyou,”SirPittsaid,thumpingthetable.“Ican’tgitonwithoutyou.
Ididn’tseewhatitwastillyouwentaway.Thehouseallgoeswrong.It’snotthesameplace.Allmyaccountshasgotmuddledagin.YouMUSTcomeback.Docomeback.DearBecky,docome.”
“Come—aswhat,sir?”Rebeccagaspedout.
“ComeasLadyCrawley,ifyoulike,”theBaronetsaid,graspinghiscrapehat.“There!willthatzatusfyyou?Comebackandbemywife.Yourvitvor’t.Birthbehanged.You’reasgoodaladyaseverIsee.
You’vegotmorebrainsinyourlittlevingerthananybaronet’swifeinthecounty.Willyoucome?Yesorno?”
“Oh,SirPitt!”Rebeccasaid,verymuchmoved.
“Sayyes,Becky,”SirPittcontinued.“I’manoldman,butagood’n.I’mgoodfortwentyyears.I’llmakeyouhappy,zeeifIdon’t.
Youshalldowhatyoulike;spendwhatyoulike;and‘aveitallyourownway.I’llmakeyouazettlement.I’lldoeverythingreglar.Lookyear!”
andtheoldmanfelldownonhiskneesandleeredatherlikeasatyr.
Rebeccastartedbackapictureofconsternation.
Inthecourseofthishistorywehaveneverseenherloseherpresenceofmind;butshedidnow,andweptsomeofthemostgenuinetearsthateverfellfromhereyes.
“Oh,SirPitt!”shesaid.“Oh,sir—I—I’mmarriedALREADY.”
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