English
Oursurprisedstorynowfindsitselfforamomentamongveryfamouseventsandpersonages,andhangingontotheskirtsofhistory.
WhentheeaglesofNapoleonBonaparte,theCorsicanupstart,wereflyingfromProvence,wheretheyhadperchedafterabriefsojourninElba,andfromsteepletosteepleuntiltheyreachedthetowersofNotreDame,IwonderwhethertheImperialbirdshadanyeyeforalittlecorneroftheparishofBloomsbury,London,whichyoumighthavethoughtsoquiet,thateventhewhirringandflappingofthosemightywingswouldpassunobservedthere?
“NapoleonhaslandedatCannes.”SuchnewsmightcreateapanicatVienna,andcauseRussiatodrophiscards,andtakePrussiaintoacorner,andTalleyrandandMetternichtowagtheirheadstogether,whilePrinceHardenberg,andeventhepresentMarquisofLondonderry,werepuzzled;buthowwasthisintelligencetoaffectayoungladyinRussellSquare,beforewhosedoorthewatchmansangthehourswhenshewasasleep:who,ifshestrolledinthesquare,wasguardedtherebytherailingsandthebeadle:who,ifshewalkedeversoshortadistancetobuyaribboninSouthamptonRow,wasfollowedbyBlackSambowithanenormouscane:whowasalwayscaredfor,dressed,puttobed,andwatchedoverbyeversomanyguardianangels,withandwithoutwages?
BonDieu,Isay,isitnothardthatthefatefulrushofthegreatImperialstrugglecan’ttakeplacewithoutaffectingapoorlittleharmlessgirlofeighteen,whoisoccupiedinbillingandcooing,orworkingmuslincollarsinRussellSquare?Youtoo,kindly,homelyflower!
—isthegreatroaringwartempestcomingtosweepyoudown,here,althoughcoweringundertheshelterofHolborn?
Yes;Napoleonisflinginghislaststake,andpoorlittleEmmySedley’shappinessforms,somehow,partofit.
Inthefirstplace,herfather’sfortunewassweptdownwiththatfatalnews.
Allhisspeculationshadoflategonewrongwiththelucklessoldgentleman.
Ventureshadfailed;merchantshadbroken;fundshadrisenwhenhecalculatedtheywouldfall.Whatneedtoparticularize?
Ifsuccessisrareandslow,everybodyknowshowquickandeasyruinis.
OldSedleyhadkepthisownsadcounsel.
Everythingseemedtogoonasusualinthequiet,opulenthouse;thegood-naturedmistresspursuing,quiteunsuspiciously,herbustlingidleness,anddailyeasyavocations;thedaughterabsorbedstillinoneselfish,tenderthought,andquiteregardlessofalltheworldbesides,whenthatfinalcrashcame,underwhichtheworthyfamilyfell.
OnenightMrs.Sedleywaswritingcardsforaparty;theOsborneshadgivenone,andshemustnotbebehindhand;JohnSedley,whohadcomehomeverylatefromtheCity,satesilentatthechimneyside,whilehiswifewasprattlingtohim;Emmyhadgoneuptoherroomailingandlow-spirited.“She’snothappy,”themotherwenton.“GeorgeOsborneneglectsher.
I’venopatiencewiththeairsofthosepeople.
Thegirlshavenotbeeninthehousethesethreeweeks;andGeorgehasbeentwiceintownwithoutcoming.EdwardDalesawhimattheOpera.
EdwardwouldmarryherI’msure:andthere’sCaptainDobbinwho,Ithink,would—onlyIhateallarmymen.SuchadandyasGeorgehasbecome.Withhismilitaryairs,indeed!
Wemustshowsomefolksthatwe’reasgoodasthey.
OnlygiveEdwardDaleanyencouragement,andyou’llsee.
Wemusthaveaparty,Mr.S.Whydon’tyouspeak,John?ShallIsayTuesdayfortnight?Whydon’tyouanswer?GoodGod,John,whathashappened?”
JohnSedleysprangupoutofhischairtomeethiswife,whorantohim.
Heseizedherinhisarms,andsaidwithahastyvoice,“We’reruined,Mary.
We’vegottheworldtobeginoveragain,dear.
It’sbestthatyoushouldknowall,andatonce.”
Ashespoke,hetrembledineverylimb,andalmostfell.
Hethoughtthenewswouldhaveoverpoweredhiswife—hiswife,towhomhehadneversaidahardword.
Butitwashethatwasthemostmoved,suddenastheshockwastoher.
Whenhesankbackintohisseat,itwasthewifethattooktheofficeofconsoler.
Shetookhistremblinghand,andkissedit,andputitroundherneck:shecalledhimherJohn—herdearJohn—heroldman—herkindoldman;shepouredoutahundredwordsofincoherentloveandtenderness;herfaithfulvoiceandsimplecaresseswroughtthissadheartuptoaninexpressibledelightandanguish,andcheeredandsolacedhisover-burdenedsoul.
Onlyonceinthecourseofthelongnightastheysatetogether,andpoorSedleyopenedhispent-upsoul,andtoldthestoryofhislossesandembarrassments—thetreasonofsomeofhisoldestfriends,themanlykindnessofsome,fromwhomhenevercouldhaveexpectedit—inageneralconfession—onlyoncedidthefaithfulwifegivewaytoemotion.
“MyGod,myGod,itwillbreakEmmy’sheart,”shesaid.
Thefatherhadforgottenthepoorgirl.Shewaslying,awakeandunhappy,overhead.
Inthemidstoffriends,home,andkindparents,shewasalone.
Tohowmanypeoplecananyonetellall?
Whowillbeopenwherethereisnosympathy,orhascalltospeaktothosewhonevercanunderstand?OurgentleAmeliawasthussolitary.
Shehadnoconfidante,sotospeak,eversinceshehadanythingtoconfide.
Shecouldnottelltheoldmotherherdoubtsandcares;thewould-besistersseemedeverydaymorestrangetoher.
Andshehadmisgivingsandfearswhichshedarednotacknowledgetoherself,thoughshewasalwayssecretlybroodingoverthem.
HerhearttriedtopersistinassertingthatGeorgeOsbornewasworthyandfaithfultoher,thoughsheknewotherwise.
Howmanyathinghadshesaid,andgotnoechofromhim.
Howmanysuspicionsofselfishnessandindifferencehadshetoencounterandobstinatelyovercome.
Towhomcouldthepoorlittlemartyrtellthesedailystrugglesandtortures?
Herherohimselfonlyhalfunderstoodher.
Shedidnotdaretoownthatthemanshelovedwasherinferior;ortofeelthatshehadgivenherheartawaytoosoon.
Givenonce,thepurebashfulmaidenwastoomodest,tootender,tootrustful,tooweak,toomuchwomantorecallit.
WeareTurkswiththeaffectionsofourwomen;andhavemadethemsubscribetoourdoctrinetoo.
Welettheirbodiesgoabroadliberallyenough,withsmilesandringletsandpinkbonnetstodisguisetheminsteadofveilsandyakmaks.
Buttheirsoulsmustbeseenbyonlyoneman,andtheyobeynotunwillingly,andconsenttoremainathomeasourslaves—ministeringtousanddoingdrudgeryforus.
Soimprisonedandtorturedwasthisgentlelittleheart,wheninthemonthofMarch,AnnoDomini1815,NapoleonlandedatCannes,andLouisXVIIIfled,andallEuropewasinalarm,andthefundsfell,andoldJohnSedleywasruined.
Wearenotgoingtofollowtheworthyoldstockbrokerthroughthoselastpangsandagoniesofruinthroughwhichhepassedbeforehiscommercialdemisebefell.
TheydeclaredhimattheStockExchange;hewasabsentfromhishouseofbusiness:hisbillswereprotested:hisactofbankruptcyformal.
ThehouseandfurnitureofRussellSquarewereseizedandsoldup,andheandhisfamilywerethrustaway,aswehaveseen,tohidetheirheadswheretheymight.
JohnSedleyhadnotthehearttoreviewthedomesticestablishmentwhohaveappearednowandanoninourpagesandofwhomhewasnowforcedbypovertytotakeleave.
Thewagesofthoseworthypeopleweredischargedwiththatpunctualitywhichmenfrequentlyshowwhoonlyoweingreatsums—theyweresorrytoleavegoodplaces—buttheydidnotbreaktheirheartsatpartingfromtheiradoredmasterandmistress.
Amelia’smaidwasprofuseincondolences,butwentoffquiteresignedtobetterherselfinagenteelerquarterofthetown.
BlackSambo,withtheinfatuationofhisprofession,determinedonsettingupapublic-house.
HonestoldMrs.Blenkinsopindeed,whohadseenthebirthofJosandAmelia,andthewooingofJohnSedleyandhiswife,wasforstayingbythemwithoutwages,havingamassedaconsiderablesumintheirservice:andsheaccompaniedthefallenpeopleintotheirnewandhumbleplaceofrefuge,whereshetendedthemandgrumbledagainstthemforawhile.
OfallSedley’sopponentsinhisdebateswithhiscreditorswhichnowensued,andharassedthefeelingsofthehumiliatedoldgentlemansoseverely,thatinsixweeksheoldenedmorethanhehaddoneforfifteenyearsbefore—themostdeterminedandobstinateseemedtobeJohnOsborne,hisoldfriendandneighbour—JohnOsborne,whomhehadsetupinlife—whowasunderahundredobligationstohim—andwhosesonwastomarrySedley’sdaughter.
AnyoneofthesecircumstanceswouldaccountforthebitternessofOsborne’sopposition.
Whenonemanhasbeenunderveryremarkableobligationstoanother,withwhomhesubsequentlyquarrels,acommonsenseofdecency,asitwere,makesoftheformeramuchsevererenemythanamerestrangerwouldbe.
Toaccountforyourownhard-heartednessandingratitudeinsuchacase,youareboundtoprovetheotherparty’scrime.
Itisnotthatyouareselfish,brutal,andangryatthefailureofaspeculation—no,no—itisthatyourpartnerhasledyouintoitbythebasesttreacheryandwiththemostsinistermotives.
Fromameresenseofconsistency,apersecutorisboundtoshowthatthefallenmanisavillain—otherwisehe,thepersecutor,isawretchhimself.
Andasageneralrule,whichmaymakeallcreditorswhoareinclinedtobesevereprettycomfortableintheirminds,nomenembarrassedarealtogetherhonest,verylikely.
Theyconcealsomething;theyexaggeratechancesofgoodluck;hideawaytherealstateofaffairs;saythatthingsareflourishingwhentheyarehopeless,keepasmilingface(adrearysmileitis)uponthevergeofbankruptcy—arereadytolayholdofanypretextfordelayorofanymoney,soastostaveofftheinevitableruinafewdayslonger.
“Downwithsuchdishonesty,”saysthecreditorintriumph,andrevileshissinkingenemy.
“Youfool,whydoyoucatchatastraw?”
calmgoodsensesaystothemanthatisdrowning.
“Youvillain,whydoyoushrinkfromplungingintotheirretrievableGazette?”
saysprosperitytothepoordevilbattlinginthatblackgulf.
Whohasnotremarkedthereadinesswithwhichtheclosestoffriendsandhonestestofmensuspectandaccuseeachotherofcheatingwhentheyfalloutonmoneymatters?Everybodydoesit.
Everybodyisright,Isuppose,andtheworldisarogue.
ThenOsbornehadtheintolerablesenseofformerbenefitstogoadandirritatehim:thesearealwaysacauseofhostilityaggravated.
Finally,hehadtobreakoffthematchbetweenSedley’sdaughterandhisson;andasithadgoneveryfarindeed,andasthepoorgirl’shappinessandperhapscharacterwerecompromised,itwasnecessarytoshowthestrongestreasonsfortherupture,andforJohnOsbornetoproveJohnSedleytobeaverybadcharacterindeed.
Atthemeetingsofcreditors,then,hecomportedhimselfwithasavagenessandscorntowardsSedley,whichalmostsucceededinbreakingtheheartofthatruinedbankruptman.
OnGeorge’sintercoursewithAmeliaheputaninstantveto—menacingtheyouthwithmaledictionsifhebrokehiscommands,andvilipendingthepoorinnocentgirlasthebasestandmostartfulofvixens.
Oneofthegreatconditionsofangerandhatredis,thatyoumusttellandbelieveliesagainstthehatedobject,inorder,aswesaid,tobeconsistent.
Whenthegreatcrashcame—theannouncementofruin,andthedeparturefromRussellSquare,andthedeclarationthatallwasoverbetweenherandGeorge—alloverbetweenherandlove,herandhappiness,herandfaithintheworld—abrutalletterfromJohnOsbornetoldherinafewcurtlinesthatherfather’sconducthadbeenofsuchanaturethatallengagementsbetweenthefamilieswereatanend—whenthefinalawardcame,itdidnotshockhersomuchasherparents,ashermotherratherexpected(forJohnSedleyhimselfwasentirelyprostrateintheruinsofhisownaffairsandshatteredhonour).
Ameliatookthenewsverypalelyandcalmly.
Itwasonlytheconfirmationofthedarkpresageswhichhadlonggonebefore.
Itwasthemerereadingofthesentence—ofthecrimeshehadlongagobeenguilty—thecrimeoflovingwrongly,tooviolently,againstreason.
Shetoldnomoreofherthoughtsnowthanshehadbefore.
Sheseemedscarcelymoreunhappynowwhenconvincedallhopewasover,thanbeforewhenshefeltbutdarednotconfessthatitwasgone.
Soshechangedfromthelargehousetothesmallonewithoutanymarkordifference;remainedinherlittleroomforthemostpart;pinedsilently;anddiedawaydaybyday.
Idonotmeantosaythatallfemalesareso.
MydearMissBullock,Idonotthinkyourheartwouldbreakinthisway.
Youareastrong-mindedyoungwomanwithproperprinciples.
Idonotventuretosaythatminewould;ithassuffered,and,itmustbeconfessed,survived.
Buttherearesomesoulsthusgentlyconstituted,thusfrail,anddelicate,andtender.
WheneveroldJohnSedleythoughtoftheaffairbetweenGeorgeandAmelia,oralludedtoit,itwaswithbitternessalmostasgreatasMr.Osbornehimselfhadshown.
HecursedOsborneandhisfamilyasheartless,wicked,andungrateful.
Nopoweronearth,heswore,wouldinducehimtomarryhisdaughtertothesonofsuchavillain,andheorderedEmmytobanishGeorgefromhermind,andtoreturnallthepresentsandletterswhichshehadeverhadfromhim.
Shepromisedacquiescence,andtriedtoobey.
Sheputupthetwoorthreetrinkets:and,asfortheletters,shedrewthemoutoftheplacewhereshekeptthem;andreadthemover—asifshedidnotknowthembyheartalready:butshecouldnotpartwiththem.
Thateffortwastoomuchforher;sheplacedthembackinherbosomagain—asyouhaveseenawomannurseachildthatisdead.
YoungAmeliafeltthatshewoulddieorlosehersensesoutright,iftornawayfromthislastconsolation.
Howsheusedtoblushandlightenupwhenthoseletterscame!
Howsheusedtotripawaywithabeatingheart,sothatshemightreadunseen!
Iftheywerecold,yethowperverselythisfondlittlesoulinterpretedthemintowarmth.
Iftheywereshortorselfish,whatexcusesshefoundforthewriter!
Itwasoverthesefewworthlesspapersthatshebroodedandbrooded.
Shelivedinherpastlife—everyletterseemedtorecallsomecircumstanceofit.Howwellsherememberedthemall!
Hislooksandtones,hisdress,whathesaidandhow—theserelicsandremembrancesofdeadaffectionwereallthatwereleftherintheworld.
Andthebusinessofherlife,was—towatchthecorpseofLove.
Todeathshelookedwithinexpressiblelonging.
Then,shethought,Ishallalwaysbeabletofollowhim.
IamnotpraisingherconductorsettingherupasamodelforMissBullocktoimitate.
MissB.knowshowtoregulateherfeelingsbetterthanthispoorlittlecreature.
MissB.wouldneverhavecommittedherselfasthatimprudentAmeliahaddone;pledgedherloveirretrievably;confessedherheartaway,andgotbacknothing—onlyabrittlepromisewhichwassnaptandworthlessinamoment.
Alongengagementisapartnershipwhichonepartyisfreetokeeportobreak,butwhichinvolvesallthecapitaloftheother.
Becautiousthen,youngladies;bewaryhowyouengage.
Beshyoflovingfrankly;nevertellallyoufeel,or(abetterwaystill),feelverylittle.
Seetheconsequencesofbeingprematurelyhonestandconfiding,andmistrustyourselvesandeverybody.
GetyourselvesmarriedastheydoinFrance,wherethelawyersarethebridesmaidsandconfidantes.
Atanyrate,neverhaveanyfeelingswhichmaymakeyouuncomfortable,ormakeanypromiseswhichyoucannotatanyrequiredmomentcommandandwithdraw.
Thatisthewaytogeton,andberespected,andhaveavirtuouscharacterinVanityFair.
IfAmeliacouldhaveheardthecommentsregardingherwhichweremadeinthecirclefromwhichherfather’sruinhadjustdrivenher,shewouldhaveseenwhatherowncrimeswere,andhowentirelyhercharacterwasjeopardised.
SuchcriminalimprudenceMrs.Smithneverknewof;suchhorridfamiliaritiesMrs.Brownhadalwayscondemned,andtheendmightbeawarningtoHERdaughters.
“CaptainOsborne,ofcourse,couldnotmarryabankrupt’sdaughter,”theMissesDobbinsaid.
“Itwasquiteenoughtohavebeenswindledbythefather.
AsforthatlittleAmelia,herfollyhadreallypassedall—”
“Allwhat?”CaptainDobbinroaredout.
“Haven’ttheybeenengagedeversincetheywerechildren?Wasn’titasgoodasamarriage?
Dareanysoulonearthbreatheawordagainstthesweetest,thepurest,thetenderest,themostangelicalofyoungwomen?”
“La,William,don’tbesohighty-tightywithUS.We’renotmen.Wecan’tfightyou,”MissJanesaid.
“We’vesaidnothingagainstMissSedley:butthatherconductthroughoutwasMOSTIMPRUDENT,nottocallitbyanyworsename;andthatherparentsarepeoplewhocertainlymerittheirmisfortunes.”
“Hadn’tyoubetter,nowthatMissSedleyisfree,proposeforheryourself,William?”MissAnnaskedsarcastically.“Itwouldbeamosteligiblefamilyconnection.He!he!”
“Imarryher!”Dobbinsaid,blushingverymuch,andtalkingquick.
“Ifyouaresoready,youngladies,tochopandchange,doyousupposethatsheis?Laughandsneeratthatangel.
Shecan’thearit;andshe’smiserableandunfortunate,anddeservestobelaughedat.Goonjoking,Ann.
You’rethewitofthefamily,andtheothersliketohearit.”
“Imusttellyouagainwe’renotinabarrack,William,”MissAnnremarked.
“Inabarrack,byJove—Iwishanybodyinabarrackwouldsaywhatyoudo,”criedoutthisuprousedBritishlion.
“Ishouldliketohearamanbreatheawordagainsther,byJupiter.
Butmendon’ttalkinthisway,Ann:it’sonlywomen,whogettogetherandhiss,andshriek,andcackle.There,getaway—don’tbegintocry.
Ionlysaidyouwereacoupleofgeese,”WillDobbinsaid,perceivingMissAnn’spinkeyeswerebeginningtomoistenasusual.
“Well,you’renotgeese,you’reswans—anythingyoulike,onlydo,doleaveMissSedleyalone.”
AnythinglikeWilliam’sinfatuationaboutthatsillylittleflirting,oglingthingwasneverknown,themammaandsistersagreedtogetherinthinking:andtheytrembledlest,herengagementbeingoffwithOsborne,sheshouldtakeupimmediatelyherotheradmirerandCaptain.
Inwhichforebodingstheseworthyyoungwomennodoubtjudgedaccordingtothebestoftheirexperience;orrather(forasyettheyhadhadnoopportunitiesofmarryingorofjilting)accordingtotheirownnotionsofrightandwrong.
“Itisamercy,Mamma,thattheregimentisorderedabroad,”thegirlssaid.“THISdanger,atanyrate,issparedourbrother.”
Such,indeed,wasthefact;andsoitisthattheFrenchEmperorcomesintoperformapartinthisdomesticcomedyofVanityFairwhichwearenowplaying,andwhichwouldneverhavebeenenactedwithouttheinterventionofthisaugustmutepersonage.
ItwashethatruinedtheBourbonsandMr.JohnSedley.
ItwashewhosearrivalinhiscapitalcalledupallFranceinarmstodefendhimthere;andallEuropetoousthim.
WhiletheFrenchnationandarmywereswearingfidelityroundtheeaglesintheChampdeMars,fourmightyEuropeanhostsweregettinginmotionforthegreatchasseal’aigle;andoneofthesewasaBritisharmy,ofwhichtwoheroesofours,CaptainDobbinandCaptainOsborne,formedaportion.
ThenewsofNapoleon’sescapeandlandingwasreceivedbythegallant—thwithafierydelightandenthusiasm,whicheverybodycanunderstandwhoknowsthatfamouscorps.
Fromthecoloneltothesmallestdrummerintheregiment,allwerefilledwithhopeandambitionandpatrioticfury;andthankedtheFrenchEmperorasforapersonalkindnessincomingtodisturbthepeaceofEurope.
Nowwasthetimethe—thhadsolongpantedfor,toshowtheircomradesinarmsthattheycouldfightaswellasthePeninsularveterans,andthatallthepluckandvalourofthe—thhadnotbeenkilledbytheWestIndiesandtheyellowfever.
StubbleandSpooneylookedtogettheircompanieswithoutpurchase.
Beforetheendofthecampaign(whichsheresolvedtoshare),Mrs.MajorO’DowdhopedtowriteherselfMrs.ColonelO’Dowd,C.B.
Ourtwofriends(DobbinandOsborne)werequiteasmuchexcitedastherest:andeachinhisway—Mr.Dobbinveryquietly,Mr.Osborneveryloudlyandenergetically—wasbentupondoinghisduty,andgaininghisshareofhonouranddistinction.
Theagitationthrillingthroughthecountryandarmyinconsequenceofthisnewswassogreat,thatprivatematterswerelittleheeded:andhenceprobablyGeorgeOsborne,justgazettedtohiscompany,busywithpreparationsforthemarch,whichmustcomeinevitably,andpantingforfurtherpromotion—wasnotsomuchaffectedbyotherincidentswhichwouldhaveinterestedhimatamorequietperiod.
Hewasnot,itmustbeconfessed,verymuchcastdownbygoodoldMr.Sedley’scatastrophe.
Hetriedhisnewuniform,whichbecamehimveryhandsomely,onthedaywhenthefirstmeetingofthecreditorsoftheunfortunategentlemantookplace.
Hisfathertoldhimofthewicked,rascally,shamefulconductofthebankrupt,remindedhimofwhathehadsaidaboutAmelia,andthattheirconnectionwasbrokenoffforever;andgavehimthateveningagoodsumofmoneytopayforthenewclothesandepauletsinwhichhelookedsowell.
Moneywasalwaysusefultothisfree-handedyoungfellow,andhetookitwithoutmanywords.
ThebillswereupintheSedleyhouse,wherehehadpassedsomany,manyhappyhours.
Hecouldseethemashewalkedfromhomethatnight(totheOldSlaughters’,whereheputupwhenintown)shiningwhiteinthemoon.
Thatcomfortablehomewasshut,then,uponAmeliaandherparents:wherehadtheytakenrefuge?
Thethoughtoftheirruinaffectedhimnotalittle.
Hewasverymelancholythatnightinthecoffee-roomattheSlaughters’;anddrankagooddeal,ashiscomradesremarkedthere.
Dobbincameinpresently,cautionedhimaboutthedrink,whichheonlytook,hesaid,becausehewasdeucedlow;butwhenhisfriendbegantoputtohimclumsyinquiries,andaskedhimfornewsinasignificantmanner,Osbornedeclinedenteringintoconversationwithhim,avowing,however,thathewasdevilishdisturbedandunhappy.
Threedaysafterwards,DobbinfoundOsborneinhisroomatthebarracks—hisheadonthetable,anumberofpapersabout,theyoungCaptainevidentlyinastateofgreatdespondency.
“She—she’ssentmebacksomethingsIgaveher—somedamnedtrinkets.Lookhere!”
Therewasalittlepacketdirectedinthewell-knownhandtoCaptainGeorgeOsborne,andsomethingslyingabout—aring,asilverknifehehadbought,asaboy,forheratafair;agoldchain,andalocketwithhairinit.
“It’sallover,”saidhe,withagroanofsickeningremorse.
“Look,Will,youmayreaditifyoulike.”
Therewasalittleletterofafewlines,towhichhepointed,whichsaid:
Mypapahasorderedmetoreturntoyouthesepresents,whichyoumadeinhappierdaystome;andIamtowritetoyouforthelasttime.
Ithink,IknowyoufeelasmuchasIdotheblowwhichhascomeuponus.
ItisIthatabsolveyoufromanengagementwhichisimpossibleinourpresentmisery.
Iamsureyouhadnoshareinit,orinthecruelsuspicionsofMr.Osborne,whicharethehardestofallourgriefstobear.Farewell.Farewell.
IprayGodtostrengthenmetobearthisandothercalamities,andtoblessyoualways.A.
Ishalloftenplayuponthepiano—yourpiano.Itwaslikeyoutosendit.
Dobbinwasverysoft-hearted.Thesightofwomenandchildreninpainalwaysusedtomelthim.
TheideaofAmeliabroken-heartedandlonelytorethatgood-naturedsoulwithanguish.
Andhebrokeoutintoanemotion,whichanybodywholikesmayconsiderunmanly.
HesworethatAmeliawasanangel,towhichOsbornesaidayewithallhisheart.
He,too,hadbeenreviewingthehistoryoftheirlives—andhadseenherfromherchildhoodtoherpresentage,sosweet,soinnocent,socharminglysimple,andartlesslyfondandtender.
Whatapangitwastoloseallthat:tohavehaditandnotprizedit!
Athousandhomelyscenesandrecollectionscrowdedonhim—inwhichhealwayssawhergoodandbeautiful.
Andforhimself,heblushedwithremorseandshame,astheremembranceofhisownselfishnessandindifferencecontrastedwiththatperfectpurity.
Forawhile,glory,war,everythingwasforgotten,andthepairoffriendstalkedaboutheronly.
“Wherearethey?”Osborneasked,afteralongtalk,andalongpause—and,intruth,withnolittleshameatthinkingthathehadtakennostepstofollowher.“Wherearethey?There’snoaddresstothenote.”
Dobbinknew.Hehadnotmerelysentthepiano;buthadwrittenanotetoMrs.Sedley,andaskedpermissiontocomeandseeher—andhehadseenher,andAmeliatoo,yesterday,beforehecamedowntoChatham;and,whatismore,hehadbroughtthatfarewellletterandpacketwhichhadsomovedthem.
Thegood-naturedfellowhadfoundMrs.Sedleyonlytoowillingtoreceivehim,andgreatlyagitatedbythearrivalofthepiano,which,assheconjectured,MUSThavecomefromGeorge,andwasasignalofamityonhispart.
CaptainDobbindidnotcorrectthiserroroftheworthylady,butlistenedtoallherstoryofcomplaintsandmisfortuneswithgreatsympathy—condoledwithherlossesandprivations,andagreedinreprehendingthecruelconductofMr.Osbornetowardshisfirstbenefactor.
Whenshehadeasedheroverflowingbosomsomewhat,andpouredforthmanyofhersorrows,hehadthecouragetoaskactuallytoseeAmelia,whowasaboveinherroomasusual,andwhomhermotherledtremblingdownstairs.
Herappearancewassoghastly,andherlookofdespairsopathetic,thathonestWilliamDobbinwasfrightenedashebeheldit;andreadthemostfatalforebodingsinthatpalefixedface.
Aftersittinginhiscompanyaminuteortwo,sheputthepacketintohishand,andsaid,“TakethistoCaptainOsborne,ifyouplease,and—andIhopehe’squitewell—anditwasverykindofyoutocomeandseeus—andwelikeournewhouseverymuch.
AndI—IthinkI’llgoupstairs,Mamma,forI’mnotverystrong.”
Andwiththis,andacurtseyandasmile,thepoorchildwentherway.
Themother,assheledherup,castbacklooksofanguishtowardsDobbin.Thegoodfellowwantednosuchappeal.
Helovedherhimselftoofondlyforthat.
Inexpressiblegrief,andpity,andterrorpursuedhim,andhecameawayasifhewasacriminalafterseeingher.
WhenOsborneheardthathisfriendhadfoundher,hemadehotandanxiousinquiriesregardingthepoorchild.Howwasshe?Howdidshelook?Whatdidshesay?
Hiscomradetookhishand,andlookedhimintheface.
“George,she’sdying,”WilliamDobbinsaid—andcouldspeaknomore.
TherewasabuxomIrishservant-girl,whoperformedallthedutiesofthelittlehousewheretheSedleyfamilyhadfoundrefuge:andthisgirlhadinvain,onmanypreviousdays,striventogiveAmeliaaidorconsolation.
Emmywasmuchtoosadtoanswer,oreventobeawareoftheattemptstheotherwasmakinginherfavour.
FourhoursafterthetalkbetweenDobbinandOsborne,thisservant-maidcameintoAmelia’sroom,whereshesateasusual,broodingsilentlyoverherletters—herlittletreasures.
Thegirl,smiling,andlookingarchandhappy,mademanytrialstoattractpoorEmmy’sattention,who,however,tooknoheedofher.
“MissEmmy,”saidthegirl.
“I’mcoming,”Emmysaid,notlookinground.
“There’samessage,”themaidwenton.“There’ssomething—somebody—sure,here’sanewletterforyou—don’tbereadingthemoldonesanymore.”Andshegaveheraletter,whichEmmytook,andread.
“Imustseeyou,”thelettersaid.“DearestEmmy—dearestlove—dearestwife,cometome.”
Georgeandhermotherwereoutside,waitinguntilshehadreadtheletter.
Share this article to
FINISH