English
WehaveseenhowMrs.Firkin,thelady’smaid,assoonasanyeventofimportancetotheCrawleyfamilycametoherknowledge,feltboundtocommunicateittoMrs.ButeCrawley,attheRectory;andhavebeforementionedhowparticularlykindandattentivethatgood-naturedladywastoMissCrawley’sconfidentialservant.
ShehadbeenagraciousfriendtoMissBriggs,thecompanion,also;andhadsecuredthelatter’sgood-willbyanumberofthoseattentionsandpromises,whichcostsolittleinthemaking,andareyetsovaluableandagreeabletotherecipient.
Indeedeverygoodeconomistandmanagerofahouseholdmustknowhowcheapandyethowamiabletheseprofessionsare,andwhataflavourtheygivetothemosthomelydishinlife.
Whowastheblunderingidiotwhosaidthat“finewordsbutternoparsnips”?
Halftheparsnipsofsocietyareservedandrenderedpalatablewithnoothersauce.
AstheimmortalAlexisSoyercanmakemoredelicioussoupforahalf-pennythananignorantcookcanconcoctwithpoundsofvegetablesandmeat,soaskilfulartistwillmakeafewsimpleandpleasingphrasesgofartherthaneversomuchsubstantialbenefit-stockinthehandsofamerebungler.
Nay,weknowthatsubstantialbenefitsoftensickensomestomachs;whereas,mostwilldigestanyamountoffinewords,andbealwayseagerformoreofthesamefood.
Mrs.ButehadtoldBriggsandFirkinsooftenofthedepthofheraffectionforthem;andwhatshewoulddo,ifshehadMissCrawley’sfortune,forfriendssoexcellentandattached,thattheladiesinquestionhadthedeepestregardforher;andfeltasmuchgratitudeandconfidenceasifMrs.Butehadloadedthemwiththemostexpensivefavours.
RawdonCrawley,ontheotherhand,likeaselfishheavydragoonashewas,nevertooktheleasttroubletoconciliatehisaunt’saides-de-camp,showedhiscontemptforthepairwithentirefrankness—madeFirkinpulloffhisbootsononeoccasion—sentheroutintherainonignominiousmessages—andifhegaveheraguinea,flungittoherasifitwereaboxontheear.
Ashisaunt,too,madeabuttofBriggs,theCaptainfollowedtheexample,andlevelledhisjokesather—jokesaboutasdelicateasakickfromhischarger.
Whereas,Mrs.Buteconsultedherinmattersoftasteordifficulty,admiredherpoetry,andbyathousandactsofkindnessandpoliteness,showedherappreciationofBriggs;andifshemadeFirkinatwopenny-halfpennypresent,accompanieditwithsomanycompliments,thatthetwopence-half-pennywastransmutedintogoldintheheartofthegratefulwaiting-maid,who,besides,waslookingforwardsquitecontentedlytosomeprodigiousbenefitwhichmusthappentoheronthedaywhenMrs.Butecameintoherfortune.
Thedifferentconductofthesetwopeopleispointedoutrespectfullytotheattentionofpersonscommencingtheworld.
Praiseeverybody,Isaytosuch:neverbesqueamish,butspeakoutyourcomplimentbothpoint-blankinaman’sface,andbehindhisback,whenyouknowthereisareasonablechanceofhishearingitagain.
Neverloseachanceofsayingakindword.
AsCollingwoodneversawavacantplaceinhisestatebuthetookanacornoutofhispocketandpoppeditin;sodealwithyourcomplimentsthroughlife.
Anacorncostsnothing;butitmaysproutintoaprodigiousbitoftimber.
Inaword,duringRawdonCrawley’sprosperity,hewasonlyobeyedwithsulkyacquiescence;whenhisdisgracecame,therewasnobodytohelporpityhim.
Whereas,whenMrs.ButetookthecommandatMissCrawley’shouse,thegarrisontherewerecharmedtoactundersuchaleader,expectingallsortsofpromotionfromherpromises,hergenerosity,andherkindwords.
Thathewouldconsiderhimselfbeaten,afteronedefeat,andmakenoattempttoregainthepositionhehadlost,Mrs.ButeCrawleyneverallowedherselftosuppose.
SheknewRebeccatobetoocleverandspiritedanddesperateawomantosubmitwithoutastruggle;andfeltthatshemustprepareforthatcombat,andbeincessantlywatchfulagainstassault;ormine,orsurprise.
Inthefirstplace,thoughsheheldthetown,wasshesureoftheprincipalinhabitant?
WouldMissCrawleyherselfholdout;andhadshenotasecretlongingtowelcomebacktheoustedadversary?
TheoldladylikedRawdon,andRebecca,whoamusedher.
Mrs.Butecouldnotdisguisefromherselfthefactthatnoneofherpartycouldsocontributetothepleasuresofthetown-bredlady.
“Mygirls’singing,afterthatlittleodiousgoverness’s,Iknowisunbearable,”thecandidRector’swifeownedtoherself.
“ShealwaysusedtogotosleepwhenMarthaandLouisaplayedtheirduets.
Jim’sstiffcollegemannersandpoordearBute’stalkabouthisdogsandhorsesalwaysannoyedher.
IfItookhertotheRectory,shewouldgrowangrywithusall,andfly,Iknowshewould;andmightfallintothathorridRawdon’sclutchesagain,andbethevictimofthatlittleviperofaSharp.
Meanwhile,itiscleartomethatsheisexceedinglyunwell,andcannotmoveforsomeweeks,atanyrate;duringwhichwemustthinkofsomeplantoprotectherfromtheartsofthoseunprincipledpeople.”
Intheverybest-ofmoments,ifanybodytoldMissCrawleythatshewas,orlookedill,thetremblingoldladysentoffforherdoctor;andIdaresayshewasveryunwellafterthesuddenfamilyevent,whichmightservetoshakestrongernervesthanhers.
Atleast,Mrs.Butethoughtitwasherdutytoinformthephysician,andtheapothecary,andthedame-de-compagnie,andthedomestics,thatMissCrawleywasinamostcriticalstate,andthattheyweretoactaccordingly.
Shehadthestreetlaidknee-deepwithstraw;andtheknockerputbywithMr.Bowls’splate.
SheinsistedthattheDoctorshouldcalltwiceaday;anddelugedherpatientwithdraughtseverytwohours.
Whenanybodyenteredtheroom,sheutteredashshshshsosibilantandominous,thatitfrightenedthepooroldladyinherbed,fromwhichshecouldnotlookwithoutseeingMrs.Bute’sbeadyeyeseagerlyfixedonher,asthelattersatesteadfastinthearm-chairbythebedside.
Theyseemedtolighteninthedark(forshekeptthecurtainsclosed)asshemovedabouttheroomonvelvetpawslikeacat.
ThereMissCrawleylayfordays—eversomanydays—Mr.Butereadingbooksofdevotiontoher:fornights,longnights,duringwhichshehadtohearthewatchmansing,thenight-lightsputter;visitedatmidnight,thelastthing,bythestealthyapothecary;andthenlefttolookatMrs.Bute’stwinklingeyes,ortheflicksofyellowthattherushlightthrewonthedrearydarkenedceiling.
Hygeiaherselfwouldhavefallensickundersucharegimen;andhowmuchmorethispooroldnervousvictim?
Ithasbeensaidthatwhenshewasinhealthandgoodspirits,thisvenerableinhabitantofVanityFairhadasfreenotionsaboutreligionandmoralsasMonsieurdeVoltairehimselfcoulddesire,butwhenillnessovertookher,itwasaggravatedbythemostdreadfulterrorsofdeath,andanuttercowardicetookpossessionoftheprostrateoldsinner.
Sick-bedhomiliesandpiousreflectionsare,tobesure,outofplaceinmerestory-books,andwearenotgoing(afterthefashionofsomenovelistsofthepresentday)tocajolethepublicintoasermon,whenitisonlyacomedythatthereaderpayshismoneytowitness.
But,withoutpreaching,thetruthmaysurelybeborneinmind,thatthebustle,andtriumph,andlaughter,andgaietywhichVanityFairexhibitsinpublic,donotalwayspursuetheperformerintoprivatelife,andthatthemostdrearydepressionofspiritsanddismalrepentancessometimesovercomehim.
Recollectionofthebestordainedbanquetswillscarcelycheersickepicures.
Reminiscencesofthemostbecomingdressesandbrilliantballtriumphswillgoverylittlewaytoconsolefadedbeauties.
Perhapsstatesmen,ataparticularperiodofexistence,arenotmuchgratifiedatthinkingoverthemosttriumphantdivisions;andthesuccessorthepleasureofyesterdaybecomesofverysmallaccountwhenacertain(albeituncertain)morrowisinview,aboutwhichallofusmustsomedayorotherbespeculating.Obrotherwearersofmotley!
Aretherenotmomentswhenonegrowssickofgrinningandtumbling,andthejinglingofcapandbells?
This,dearfriendsandcompanions,ismyamiableobject—towalkwithyouthroughtheFair,toexaminetheshopsandtheshowsthere;andthatweshouldallcomehomeaftertheflare,andthenoise,andthegaiety,andbeperfectlymiserableinprivate.
“Ifthatpoormanofminehadaheadonhisshoulders,”Mrs.ButeCrawleythoughttoherself,“howusefulhemightbe,underpresentcircumstances,tothisunhappyoldlady!
Hemightmakeherrepentofhershockingfree-thinkingways;hemighturgehertodoherduty,andcastoffthatodiousreprobatewhohasdisgracedhimselfandhisfamily;andhemightinducehertodojusticetomydeargirlsandthetwoboys,whorequireanddeserve,Iamsure,everyassistancewhichtheirrelativescangivethem.”
And,asthehatredofviceisalwaysaprogresstowardsvirtue,Mrs.ButeCrawleyendeavouredtoinstilhersister-in-lawaproperabhorrenceforallRawdonCrawley’smanifoldsins:ofwhichhisuncle’swifebroughtforwardsuchacatalogueasindeedwouldhaveservedtocondemnawholeregimentofyoungofficers.
Ifamanhascommittedwronginlife,Idon’tknowanymoralistmoreanxioustopointhiserrorsouttotheworldthanhisownrelations;soMrs.ButeshowedaperfectfamilyinterestandknowledgeofRawdon’shistory.
ShehadalltheparticularsofthatuglyquarrelwithCaptainMarker,inwhichRawdon,wrongfromthebeginning,endedinshootingtheCaptain.
SheknewhowtheunhappyLordDovedale,whosemammahadtakenahouseatOxford,sothathemightbeeducatedthere,andwhohadnevertouchedacardinhislifetillhecametoLondon,waspervertedbyRawdonattheCocoa-Tree,madehelplesslytipsybythisabominableseducerandperverterofyouth,andfleecedoffourthousandpounds.
Shedescribedwiththemostvividminutenesstheagoniesofthecountryfamilieswhomhehadruined—thesonswhomhehadplungedintodishonourandpoverty—thedaughterswhomhehadinveigledintoperdition.
Sheknewthepoortradesmenwhowerebankruptbyhisextravagance—themeanshiftsandroguerieswithwhichhehadministeredtoit—theastoundingfalsehoodsbywhichhehadimposeduponthemostgenerousofaunts,andtheingratitudeandridiculebywhichhehadrepaidhersacrifices.
SheimpartedthesestoriesgraduallytoMissCrawley;gaveherthewholebenefitofthem;feltittobeherboundendutyasaChristianwomanandmotherofafamilytodoso;hadnotthesmallestremorseorcompunctionforthevictimwhomhertonguewasimmolating;nay,verylikelythoughtheractwasquitemeritorious,andplumedherselfuponherresolutemannerofperformingit.
Yes,ifaman’scharacteristobeabused,saywhatyouwill,there’snobodylikearelationtodothebusiness.
Andoneisboundtoown,regardingthisunfortunatewretchofaRawdonCrawley,thatthemeretruthwasenoughtocondemnhim,andthatallinventionsofscandalwerequitesuperfluouspainsonhisfriends’parts.
Rebecca,too,beingnowarelative,cameinforthefullestshareofMrs.Bute’skindinquiries.
Thisindefatigablepursueroftruth(havinggivenstrictordersthatthedoorwastobedeniedtoallemissariesorlettersfromRawdon),tookMissCrawley’scarriage,anddrovetoheroldfriendMissPinkerton,atMinervaHouse,ChiswickMall,towhomsheannouncedthedreadfulintelligenceofCaptainRawdon’sseductionbyMissSharp,andfromwhomshegotsundrystrangeparticularsregardingtheex-governess’sbirthandearlyhistory.
ThefriendoftheLexicographerhadplentyofinformationtogive.
MissJemimawasmadetofetchthedrawing-master’sreceiptsandletters.
Thisonewasfromaspunging-house:thatentreatedanadvance:anotherwasfullofgratitudeforRebecca’sreceptionbytheladiesofChiswick:andthelastdocumentfromtheunluckyartist’spenwasthatinwhich,fromhisdyingbed,herecommendedhisorphanchildtoMissPinkerton’sprotection.
TherewerejuvenilelettersandpetitionsfromRebecca,too,inthecollection,imploringaidforherfatherordeclaringherowngratitude.
PerhapsinVanityFairtherearenobettersatiresthanletters.
Takeabundleofyourdearfriend’softenyearsback—yourdearfriendwhomyouhatenow.Lookatafileofyoursister’s!
howyouclungtoeachothertillyouquarrelledaboutthetwenty-poundlegacy!
Getdowntheround-handscrawlsofyoursonwhohashalfbrokenyourheartwithselfishundutifulnesssince;oraparcelofyourown,breathingendlessardourandloveeternal,whichweresentbackbyyourmistresswhenshemarriedtheNabob—yourmistressforwhomyounowcarenomorethanforQueenElizabeth.
Vows,love,promises,confidences,gratitude,howqueerlytheyreadafterawhile!
ThereoughttobealawinVanityFairorderingthedestructionofeverywrittendocument(exceptreceiptedtradesmen’sbills)afteracertainbriefandproperinterval.
ThosequacksandmisanthropeswhoadvertiseindelibleJapaninkshouldbemadetoperishalongwiththeirwickeddiscoveries.
ThebestinkforVanityFairusewouldbeonethatfadedutterlyinacoupleofdays,andleftthepapercleanandblank,sothatyoumightwriteonittosomebodyelse.
FromMissPinkerton’stheindefatigableMrs.ButefollowedthetrackofSharpandhisdaughterbacktothelodgingsinGreekStreet,whichthedefunctpainterhadoccupied;andwhereportraitsofthelandladyinwhitesatin,andofthehusbandinbrassbuttons,donebySharpinlieuofaquarter’srent,stilldecoratedtheparlourwalls.
Mrs.Stokeswasacommunicativeperson,andquicklytoldallsheknewaboutMr.Sharp;howdissoluteandpoorhewas;howgood-naturedandamusing;howhewasalwayshuntedbybailiffsandduns;how,tothelandlady’shorror,thoughshenevercouldabidethewoman,hedidnotmarryhiswifetillashorttimebeforeherdeath;andwhataqueerlittlewildvixenhisdaughterwas;howshekeptthemalllaughingwithherfunandmimicry;howsheusedtofetchtheginfromthepublic-house,andwasknowninallthestudiosinthequarter—inbrief,Mrs.Butegotsuchafullaccountofhernewniece’sparentage,education,andbehaviouraswouldscarcelyhavepleasedRebecca,hadthelatterknownthatsuchinquirieswerebeingmadeconcerningher.
OfalltheseindustriousresearchesMissCrawleyhadthefullbenefit.
Mrs.RawdonCrawleywasthedaughterofanopera-girl.Shehaddancedherself.Shehadbeenamodeltothepainters.
Shewasbroughtupasbecamehermother’sdaughter.Shedrankginwithherfather,&c.&c.
Itwasalostwomanwhowasmarriedtoalostman;andthemoraltobeinferredfromMrs.Bute’stalewas,thattheknaveryofthepairwasirremediable,andthatnoproperlyconductedpersonshouldevernoticethemagain.
ThesewerethematerialswhichprudentMrs.ButegatheredtogetherinParkLane,theprovisionsandammunitionasitwerewithwhichshefortifiedthehouseagainstthesiegewhichsheknewthatRawdonandhiswifewouldlaytoMissCrawley.
Butifafaultmaybefoundwithherarrangements,itisthis,thatshewastooeager:shemanagedrathertoowell;undoubtedlyshemadeMissCrawleymoreillthanwasnecessary;andthoughtheoldinvalidsuccumbedtoherauthority,itwassoharassingandsevere,thatthevictimwouldbeinclinedtoescapeattheveryfirstchancewhichfellinherway.
Managingwomen,theornamentsoftheirsex—womenwhoordereverythingforeverybody,andknowsomuchbetterthananypersonconcernedwhatisgoodfortheirneighbours,don’tsometimesspeculateuponthepossibilityofadomesticrevolt,oruponotherextremeconsequencesresultingfromtheiroverstrainedauthority.
Thus,forinstance,Mrs.Bute,withthebestintentionsnodoubtintheworld,andwearingherselftodeathasshedidbyforegoingsleep,dinner,freshair,forthesakeofherinvalidsister-in-law,carriedherconvictionoftheoldlady’sillnesssofarthatshealmostmanagedherintohercoffin.
Shepointedouthersacrificesandtheirresultsonedaytotheconstantapothecary,Mr.Clump.
“Iamsure,mydearMr.Clump,”shesaid,“noeffortsofminehavebeenwantingtorestoreourdearinvalid,whomtheingratitudeofhernephewhaslaidonthebedofsickness.
Inevershrinkfrompersonaldiscomfort:Ineverrefusetosacrificemyself.”
“Yourdevotion,itmustbeconfessed,isadmirable,”Mr.Clumpsays,withalowbow;“but—”
“Ihavescarcelyclosedmyeyessincemyarrival:Igiveupsleep,health,everycomfort,tomysenseofduty.WhenmypoorJameswasinthesmallpox,didIallowanyhirelingtonursehim?No.”
“Youdidwhatbecameanexcellentmother,mydearMadam—thebestofmothers;but—”
“AsthemotherofafamilyandthewifeofanEnglishclergyman,Ihumblytrustthatmyprinciplesaregood,”Mrs.Butesaid,withahappysolemnityofconviction;“and,aslongasNaturesupportsme,never,never,Mr.Clump,willIdesertthepostofduty.
Othersmaybringthatgreyheadwithsorrowtothebedofsickness(hereMrs.Bute,wavingherhand,pointedtooneofoldMissCrawley’scoffee-colouredfronts,whichwasperchedonastandinthedressing-room),butIwillneverquitit.Ah,Mr.Clump!
Ifear,Iknow,thatthecouchneedsspiritualaswellasmedicalconsolation.”
“WhatIwasgoingtoobserve,mydearMadam,”—heretheresoluteClumponcemoreinterposedwithablandair—”whatIwasgoingtoobservewhenyougaveutterancetosentimentswhichdoyousomuchhonour,wasthatIthinkyoualarmyourselfneedlesslyaboutourkindfriend,andsacrificeyourownhealthtooprodigallyinherfavour.”
“Iwouldlaydownmylifeformyduty,orforanymemberofmyhusband’sfamily,”Mrs.Buteinterposed.
“Yes,Madam,ifneedwere;butwedon’twantMrsButeCrawleytobeamartyr,”Clumpsaidgallantly.
“DrSquillsandmyselfhavebothconsideredMissCrawley’scasewitheveryanxietyandcare,asyoumaysuppose.
Weseeherlow-spiritedandnervous;familyeventshaveagitatedher.”
“Hernephewwillcometoperdition,”Mrs.Crawleycried.
“Haveagitatedher:andyouarrivedlikeaguardianangel,mydearMadam,apositiveguardianangel,Iassureyou,tosootheherunderthepressureofcalamity.
ButDr.SquillsandIwerethinkingthatouramiablefriendisnotinsuchastateasrendersconfinementtoherbednecessary.
Sheisdepressed,butthisconfinementperhapsaddstoherdepression.
Sheshouldhavechange,freshair,gaiety;themostdelightfulremediesinthepharmacopoeia,”Mr.Clumpsaid,grinningandshowinghishandsometeeth.
“Persuadehertorise,dearMadam;dragherfromhercouchandherlowspirits;insistuponhertakinglittledrives.
Theywillrestoretherosestootoyourcheeks,ifImaysospeaktoMrs.ButeCrawley.”
“ThesightofherhorridnephewcasuallyinthePark,whereIamtoldthewretchdriveswiththebrazenpartnerofhiscrimes,”Mrs.Butesaid(lettingthecatofselfishnessoutofthebagofsecrecy),“wouldcausehersuchashock,thatweshouldhavetobringherbacktobedagain.Shemustnotgoout,Mr.Clump.
SheshallnotgooutaslongasIremaintowatchoverher;Andasformyhealth,whatmattersit?Igiveitcheerfully,sir.
Isacrificeitatthealtarofmyduty.”
“Uponmyword,Madam,”Mr.Clumpnowsaidbluntly,“Iwon’tanswerforherlifeifsheremainslockedupinthatdarkroom.
Sheissonervousthatwemayloseheranyday;andifyouwishCaptainCrawleytobeherheir,Iwarnyoufrankly,Madam,thatyouaredoingyourverybesttoservehim.”
“Graciousmercy!isherlifeindanger?”Mrs.Butecried.“Why,why,Mr.Clump,didyounotinformmesooner?”
Thenightbefore,Mr.ClumpandDr.Squillshadhadaconsultation(overabottleofwineatthehouseofSirLapinWarren,whoseladywasabouttopresenthimwithathirteenthblessing),regardingMissCrawleyandhercase.
“WhatalittleharpythatwomanfromHampshireis,Clump,”Squillsremarked,“thathasseizeduponoldTillyCrawley.DevilishgoodMadeira.”
“WhatafoolRawdonCrawleyhasbeen,”Clumpreplied,“togoandmarryagoverness!Therewassomethingaboutthegirl,too.”
“Greeneyes,fairskin,prettyfigure,famousfrontaldevelopment,”Squillsremarked.“Thereissomethingabouther;andCrawleywasafool,Squills.”
“Ad—-fool—alwayswas,”theapothecaryreplied.
“Ofcoursetheoldgirlwillflinghimover,”saidthephysician,andafterapauseadded,“She’llcutupwell,Isuppose.”
“Cutup,”saysClumpwithagrin;“Iwouldn’thavehercutupfortwohundredayear.”
“ThatHampshirewomanwillkillherintwomonths,Clump,myboy,ifshestopsabouther,”Dr.Squillssaid.
“Oldwoman;fullfeeder;nervoussubject;palpitationoftheheart;pressureonthebrain;apoplexy;offshegoes.
Getherup,Clump;getherout:orIwouldn’tgivemanyweeks’purchaseforyourtwohundredayear.”
AnditwasactinguponthishintthattheworthyapothecaryspokewithsomuchcandourtoMrs.ButeCrawley.
Havingtheoldladyunderherhand:inbed:withnobodynear,Mrs.Butehadmademorethanoneassaultuponher,toinducehertoalterherwill.
ButMissCrawley’susualterrorsregardingdeathincreasedgreatlywhensuchdismalpropositionsweremadetoher,andMrs.Butesawthatshemustgetherpatientintocheerfulspiritsandhealthbeforeshecouldhopetoattainthepiousobjectwhichshehadinview.
Whithertotakeherwasthenextpuzzle.
TheonlyplacewheresheisnotlikelytomeetthoseodiousRawdonsisatchurch,andthatwon’tamuseher,Mrs.Butejustlyfelt.
“WemustgoandvisitourbeautifulsuburbsofLondon,”shethenthought.
“Iheartheyarethemostpicturesqueintheworld”;andsoshehadasuddeninterestforHampstead,andHornsey,andfoundthatDulwichhadgreatcharmsforher,andgettinghervictimintohercarriage,drovehertothoserusticspots,beguilingthelittlejourneyswithconversationsaboutRawdonandhiswife,andtellingeverystorytotheoldladywhichcouldaddtoherindignationagainstthispairofreprobates.
PerhapsMrs.Butepulledthestringunnecessarilytight.
ForthoughsheworkedupMissCrawleytoaproperdislikeofherdisobedientnephew,theinvalidhadagreathatredandsecretterrorofhervictimizer,andpantedtoescapefromher.
Afterabriefspace,sherebelledagainstHighgateandHornseyutterly.ShewouldgointothePark.
Mrs.ButeknewtheywouldmeettheabominableRawdonthere,andshewasright.
Onedayinthering,Rawdon’sstanhopecameinsight;Rebeccawasseatedbyhim.
Intheenemy’sequipageMissCrawleyoccupiedherusualplace,withMrs.Buteonherleft,thepoodleandMissBriggsonthebackseat.
Itwasanervousmoment,andRebecca’sheartbeatquickassherecognizedthecarriage;andasthetwovehiclescrossedeachotherinaline,sheclaspedherhands,andlookedtowardsthespinsterwithafaceofagonizedattachmentanddevotion.
Rawdonhimselftrembled,andhisfacegrewpurplebehindhisdyedmustachios.
OnlyoldBriggswasmovedintheothercarriage,andcasthergreateyesnervouslytowardsheroldfriends.
MissCrawley’sbonnetwasresolutelyturnedtowardstheSerpentine.
Mrs.Butehappenedtobeinecstasieswiththepoodle,andwascallinghimalittledarling,andasweetlittlezoggy,andaprettypet.
Thecarriagesmovedon,eachinhisline.
“Done,byJove,”Rawdonsaidtohiswife.
“Tryoncemore,Rawdon,”Rebeccaanswered.“Couldnotyoulockyourwheelsintotheirs,dearest?”
Rawdonhadnottheheartforthatmanoeuvre.
Whenthecarriagesmetagain,hestoodupinhisstanhope;heraisedhishandreadytodoffhishat;helookedwithallhiseyes.
ButthistimeMissCrawley’sfacewasnotturnedaway;sheandMrs.Butelookedhimfullintheface,andcuttheirnephewpitilessly.
Hesankbackinhisseatwithanoath,andstrikingoutofthering,dashedawaydesperatelyhomewards.
ItwasagallantanddecidedtriumphforMrs.Bute.
Butshefeltthedangerofmanysuchmeetings,asshesawtheevidentnervousnessofMissCrawley;andshedeterminedthatitwasmostnecessaryforherdearfriend’shealth,thattheyshouldleavetownforawhile,andrecommendedBrightonverystrongly.
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