English
Sohavingpreparedthesisters,DobbinhastenedawaytotheCitytoperformtherestandmoredifficultpartofthetaskwhichhehadundertaken.
TheideaoffacingoldOsbornerenderedhimnotalittlenervous,andmorethanoncehethoughtofleavingtheyoungladiestocommunicatethesecret,which,ashewasaware,theycouldnotlongretain.
ButhehadpromisedtoreporttoGeorgeuponthemannerinwhichtheelderOsborneboretheintelligence;sogoingintotheCitytothepaternalcounting-houseinThamesStreet,hedespatchedthenceanotetoMr.Osbornebeggingforahalf-hour’sconversationrelativetotheaffairsofhissonGeorge.
Dobbin’smessengerreturnedfromMr.Osborne’shouseofbusiness,withthecomplimentsofthelatter,whowouldbeveryhappytoseetheCaptainimmediately,andawayaccordinglyDobbinwenttoconfronthim.
TheCaptain,withahalf-guiltysecrettoconfess,andwiththeprospectofapainfulandstormyinterviewbeforehim,enteredMr.Osborne’sofficeswithamostdismalcountenanceandabashedgait,and,passingthroughtheouterroomwhereMr.Chopperpresided,wasgreetedbythatfunctionaryfromhisdeskwithawaggishairwhichfartherdiscomfitedhim.
Mr.Chopperwinkedandnoddedandpointedhispentowardshispatron’sdoor,andsaid,“You’llfindthegovernorallright,”withthemostprovokinggoodhumour.
Osbornerosetoo,andshookhimheartilybythehand,andsaid,“Howdo,mydearboy?”
withacordialitythatmadepoorGeorge’sambassadorfeeldoublyguilty.
Hishandlayasifdeadintheoldgentleman’sgrasp.
Hefeltthathe,Dobbin,wasmoreorlessthecauseofallthathadhappened.
ItwashehadbroughtbackGeorgetoAmelia:itwashehadapplauded,encouraged,transactedalmostthemarriagewhichhewascometorevealtoGeorge’sfather:andthelatterwasreceivinghimwithsmilesofwelcome;pattinghimontheshoulder,andcallinghim“Dobbin,mydearboy.”
Theenvoyhadindeedgoodreasontohanghishead.
OsbornefullybelievedthatDobbinhadcometoannouncehisson’ssurrender.
Mr.ChopperandhisprincipalweretalkingoverthematterbetweenGeorgeandhisfather,attheverymomentwhenDobbin’smessengerarrived.
BothagreedthatGeorgewassendinginhissubmission.
Bothhadbeenexpectingitforsomedays—and“Lord!Chopper,whatamarriagewe’llhave!”
Mr.Osbornesaidtohisclerk,snappinghisbigfingers,andjinglingalltheguineasandshillingsinhisgreatpocketsasheeyedhissubordinatewithalookoftriumph.
Withsimilaroperationsconductedinbothpockets,andaknowingjollyair,OsbornefromhischairregardedDobbinseatedblankandsilentoppositetohim.
“WhatabumpkinheisforaCaptaininthearmy,”oldOsbornethought.
“IwonderGeorgehasn’ttaughthimbettermanners.”
AtlastDobbinsummonedcouragetobegin.
“Sir,”saidhe,“I’vebroughtyousomeverygravenews.
IhavebeenattheHorseGuardsthismorning,andthere’snodoubtthatourregimentwillbeorderedabroad,andonitswaytoBelgiumbeforetheweekisover.
Andyouknow,sir,thatweshan’tbehomeagainbeforeatusslewhichmaybefataltomanyofus.”Osbornelookedgrave.
“Mys—,theregimentwilldoitsduty,sir,Idaresay,”hesaid.
“TheFrenchareverystrong,sir,”Dobbinwenton.
“TheRussiansandAustrianswillbealongtimebeforetheycanbringtheirtroopsdown.
Weshallhavethefirstofthefight,sir;anddependonitBoneywilltakecarethatitshallbeahardone.”
“Whatareyoudrivingat,Dobbin?”hisinterlocutorsaid,uneasyandwithascowl.“IsupposenoBriton’safraidofanyd—-Frenchman,hey?”
“Ionlymean,thatbeforewego,andconsideringthegreatandcertainriskthathangsovereveryoneofus—ifthereareanydifferencesbetweenyouandGeorge—itwouldbeaswell,sir,that—thatyoushouldshakehands:wouldn’tit?
Shouldanythinghappentohim,Ithinkyouwouldneverforgiveyourselfifyouhadn’tpartedincharity.”
Ashesaidthis,poorWilliamDobbinblushedcrimson,andfeltandownedthathehimselfwasatraitor.
Butforhim,perhaps,thisseveranceneedneverhavetakenplace.
WhyhadnotGeorge’smarriagebeendelayed?
Whatcallwastheretopressitonsoeagerly?
HefeltthatGeorgewouldhavepartedfromAmeliaatanyratewithoutamortalpang.
Amelia,too,MIGHThaverecoveredtheshockoflosinghim.
Itwashiscounselhadbroughtaboutthismarriage,andallthatwastoensuefromit.Andwhywasit?
Becausehelovedhersomuchthathecouldnotbeartoseeherunhappy:orbecausehisownsufferingsofsuspenseweresounendurablethathewasgladtocrushthematonce—aswehastenafuneralafteradeath,or,whenaseparationfromthoseweloveisimminent,cannotrestuntilthepartingbeover.
“Youareagoodfellow,William,”saidMr.Osborneinasoftenedvoice;“andmeandGeorgeshouldn’tpartinanger,thatistrue.Lookhere.
I’vedoneforhimasmuchasanyfathereverdid.
He’shadthreetimesasmuchmoneyfromme,asIwarrantyourfatherevergaveyou.ButIdon’tbragaboutthat.
HowI’vetoiledforhim,andworkedandemployedmytalentsandenergy,Iwon’tsay.AskChopper.Askhimself.AsktheCityofLondon.
Well,Iproposetohimsuchamarriageasanynoblemaninthelandmightbeproudof—theonlythinginlifeIeveraskedhim—andherefusesme.AmIwrong?IsthequarrelofMYmaking?
WhatdoIseekbuthisgood,forwhichI’vebeentoilinglikeaconvicteversincehewasborn?
Nobodycansaythere’sanythingselfishinme.Lethimcomeback.Isay,here’smyhand.Isay,forgetandforgive.
Asformarryingnow,it’soutofthequestion.
LethimandMissS.makeitup,andmakeoutthemarriageafterwards,whenhecomesbackaColonel;forheshallbeaColonel,byG—heshall,ifmoneycandoit.I’mgladyou’vebroughthimround.Iknowit’syou,Dobbin.
You’vetookhimoutofmanyascrapebefore.Lethimcome.Ishan’tbehard.
Comealong,anddineinRussellSquareto-day:bothofyou.Theoldshop,theoldhour.
You’llfindaneckofvenison,andnoquestionsasked.”
ThispraiseandconfidencesmoteDobbin’sheartverykeenly.
Everymomentthecolloquycontinuedinthistone,hefeltmoreandmoreguilty.
“Sir,”saidhe,“Ifearyoudeceiveyourself.Iamsureyoudo.
Georgeismuchtoohigh-mindedamanevertomarryformoney.
Athreatonyourpartthatyouwoulddisinherithimincaseofdisobediencewouldonlybefollowedbyresistanceonhis.”
“Why,hangit,man,youdon’tcallofferinghimeightortenthousandayearthreateninghim?”
Mr.Osbornesaid,withstillprovokinggoodhumour.
”’Gad,ifMissS.willhaveme,I’mherman.
Iain’tparticularaboutashadeorsooftawny.”
Andtheoldgentlemangavehisknowinggrinandcoarselaugh.
“Youforget,sir,previousengagementsintowhichCaptainOsbornehadentered,”theambassadorsaid,gravely.
“Whatengagements?Whatthedevildoyoumean?
Youdon’tmean,”Mr.Osbornecontinued,gatheringwrathandastonishmentasthethoughtnowfirstcameuponhim;“youdon’tmeanthathe’ssuchad—-foolastobestillhankeringafterthatswindlingoldbankrupt’sdaughter?
You’venotcomeherefortomakemesupposethathewantstomarryHER?MarryHER,thatISagoodone.
Mysonandheirmarryabeggar’sgirloutofagutter.
D—-him,ifhedoes,lethimbuyabroomandsweepacrossing.
Shewasalwaysdanglingandoglingafterhim,Irecollectnow;andI’venodoubtshewasputonbyheroldsharperofafather.”
“Mr.Sedleywasyourverygoodfriend,sir,”Dobbininterposed,almostpleasedatfindinghimselfgrowingangry.
“Timewasyoucalledhimbetternamesthanrogueandswindler.Thematchwasofyourmaking.
Georgehadnorighttoplayfastandloose—”
“Fastandloose!”howledoutoldOsborne.“Fastandloose!
Why,hangme,thosearetheverywordsmygentlemanusedhimselfwhenhegavehimselfairs,lastThursdaywasafortnight,andtalkedabouttheBritisharmytohisfatherwhomadehim.
What,it’syouwhohavebeenasettingofhimup—isit?andmyservicetoyou,CAPTAIN.
It’syouwhowanttointroducebeggarsintomyfamily.Thankyoufornothing,Captain.MarryHERindeed—he,he!whyshouldhe?
Iwarrantyoushe’dgotohimfastenoughwithout.”
“Sir,”saidDobbin,startingupinundisguisedanger;“nomanshallabusethatladyinmyhearing,andyouleastofall.”
“O,you’rea-goingtocallmeout,areyou?Stop,letmeringthebellforpistolsfortwo.Mr.Georgesentyouheretoinsulthisfather,didhe?”Osbornesaid,pullingatthebell-cord.
“Mr.Osborne,”saidDobbin,withafalteringvoice,“it’syouwhoareinsultingthebestcreatureintheworld.Youhadbestspareher,sir,forshe’syourson’swife.”
Andwiththis,feelingthathecouldsaynomore,Dobbinwentaway,Osbornesinkingbackinhischair,andlookingwildlyafterhim.
Aclerkcamein,obedienttothebell;andtheCaptainwasscarcelyoutofthecourtwhereMr.Osborne’sofficeswere,whenMr.Chopperthechiefclerkcamerushinghatlessafterhim.
“ForGod’ssake,whatisit?”Mr.Choppersaid,catchingtheCaptainbytheskirt.“Thegovernor’sinafit.WhathasMr.Georgebeendoing?”
“HemarriedMissSedleyfivedaysago,”Dobbinreplied.“Iwashisgroomsman,Mr.Chopper,andyoumuststandhisfriend.”
Theoldclerkshookhishead.“Ifthat’syournews,Captain,it’sbad.Thegovernorwillneverforgivehim.”
DobbinbeggedChoppertoreportprogresstohimatthehotelwherehewasstopping,andwalkedoffmoodilywestwards,greatlyperturbedastothepastandthefuture.
WhentheRussellSquarefamilycametodinnerthatevening,theyfoundthefatherofthehouseseatedinhisusualplace,butwiththatairofgloomonhisface,which,wheneveritappearedthere,keptthewholecirclesilent.
Theladies,andMr.Bullockwhodinedwiththem,feltthatthenewshadbeencommunicatedtoMr.Osborne.
HisdarklooksaffectedMr.Bullocksofarastorenderhimstillandquiet:buthewasunusuallyblandandattentivetoMissMaria,bywhomhesat,andtohersisterpresidingattheheadofthetable.
MissWirt,byconsequence,wasaloneonhersideoftheboard,agapbeingleftbetweenherandMissJaneOsborne.
NowthiswasGeorge’splacewhenhedinedathome;andhiscover,aswesaid,waslaidforhiminexpectationofthattruant’sreturn.
Nothingoccurredduringdinner-timeexceptsmilingMr.Frederick’sflaggingconfidentialwhispers,andtheclinkingofplateandchina,tointerruptthesilenceoftherepast.
Theservantswentaboutstealthilydoingtheirduty.
MutesatfuneralscouldnotlookmoreglumthanthedomesticsofMr.OsborneTheneckofvenisonofwhichhehadinvitedDobbintopartake,wascarvedbyhiminperfectsilence;buthisownsharewentawayalmostuntasted,thoughhedrankmuch,andthebutlerassiduouslyfilledhisglass.
Atlast,justattheendofthedinner,hiseyes,whichhadbeenstaringateverybodyinturn,fixedthemselvesforawhileupontheplatelaidforGeorge.
Hepointedtoitpresentlywithhislefthand.
Hisdaughterslookedathimanddidnotcomprehend,orchoosetocomprehend,thesignal;nordidtheservantsatfirstunderstandit.
“Takethatplateaway,”atlasthesaid,gettingupwithanoath—andwiththispushinghischairback,hewalkedintohisownroom.
BehindMr.Osborne’sdining-roomwastheusualapartmentwhichwentinhishousebythenameofthestudy;andwassacredtothemasterofthehouse.
HitherMr.OsbornewouldretireofaSundayforenoonwhennotmindedtogotochurch;andherepassthemorninginhiscrimsonleatherchair,readingthepaper.
Acoupleofglazedbook-caseswerehere,containingstandardworksinstoutgiltbindings.
The“AnnualRegister,”the“Gentleman’sMagazine,”“Blair’sSermons,”and“HumeandSmollett.”
Fromyear’sendtoyear’sendhenevertookoneofthesevolumesfromtheshelf;buttherewasnomemberofthefamilythatwoulddareforhislifetotouchoneofthebooks,exceptuponthoserareSundayeveningswhentherewasnodinner-party,andwhenthegreatscarletBibleandPrayer-bookweretakenoutfromthecornerwheretheystoodbesidehiscopyofthePeerage,andtheservantsbeingrunguptothediningparlour,Osbornereadtheeveningservicetohisfamilyinaloudgratingpompousvoice.
Nomemberofthehousehold,child,ordomestic,everenteredthatroomwithoutacertainterror.
Herehecheckedthehousekeeper’saccounts,andoverhauledthebutler’scellar-book.
Hencehecouldcommand,acrossthecleangravelcourt-yard,thebackentranceofthestableswithwhichoneofhisbellscommunicated,andintothisyardthecoachmanissuedfromhispremisesasintoadock,andOsbornesworeathimfromthestudywindow.
FourtimesayearMissWirtenteredthisapartmenttogethersalary;andhisdaughterstoreceivetheirquarterlyallowance.
Georgeasaboyhadbeenhorsewhippedinthisroommanytimes;hismothersittingsickonthestairlisteningtothecutsofthewhip.
Theboywasscarcelyeverknowntocryunderthepunishment;thepoorwomanusedtofondleandkisshimsecretly,andgivehimmoneytosoothehimwhenhecameout.
Therewasapictureofthefamilyoverthemantelpiece,removedthitherfromthefrontroomafterMrs.Osborne’sdeath—Georgewasonapony,theeldersisterholdinghimupabunchofflowers;theyoungerledbyhermother’shand;allwithredcheeksandlargeredmouths,simperingoneachotherintheapprovedfamily-portraitmanner.
Themotherlayundergroundnow,longsinceforgotten—thesistersandbrotherhadahundreddifferentinterestsoftheirown,and,familiarstill,wereutterlyestrangedfromeachother.
Somefewscoreofyearsafterwards,whenallthepartiesrepresentedaregrownold,whatbittersatirethereisinthoseflauntingchildishfamily-portraits,withtheirfarceofsentimentandsmilinglies,andinnocencesoself-consciousandself-satisfied.
Osborne’sownstateportrait,withthatofhisgreatsilverinkstandandarm-chair,hadtakentheplaceofhonourinthedining-room,vacatedbythefamily-piece.
TothisstudyoldOsborneretiredthen,greatlytothereliefofthesmallpartywhomheleft.
Whentheservantshadwithdrawn,theybegantotalkforawhilevolublybutverylow;thentheywentupstairsquietly,Mr.Bullockaccompanyingthemstealthilyonhiscreakingshoes.
Hehadnohearttositalonedrinkingwine,andsoclosetotheterribleoldgentlemaninthestudyhardathand.
Anhouratleastafterdark,thebutler,nothavingreceivedanysummons,venturedtotapathisdoorandtakehiminwaxcandlesandtea.
Themasterofthehousesateinhischair,pretendingtoreadthepaper,andwhentheservant,placingthelightsandrefreshmentonthetablebyhim,retired,Mr.Osbornegotupandlockedthedoorafterhim.
Thistimetherewasnomistakingthematter;allthehouseholdknewthatsomegreatcatastrophewasgoingtohappenwhichwaslikelydirelytoaffectMasterGeorge.
InthelargeshiningmahoganyescritoireMr.Osbornehadadrawerespeciallydevotedtohisson’saffairsandpapers.
Herehekeptallthedocumentsrelatingtohimeversincehehadbeenaboy:herewerehisprizecopy-booksanddrawing-books,allbearingGeorge’shand,andthatofthemaster:herewerehisfirstlettersinlargeround-handsendinghislovetopapaandmamma,andconveyinghispetitionsforacake.
HisdeargodpapaSedleywasmorethanoncementionedinthem.
CursesquiveredonoldOsborne’slividlips,andhorridhatredanddisappointmentwrithedinhisheart,aslookingthroughsomeofthesepapershecameonthatname.
Theywereallmarkedanddocketed,andtiedwithredtape.
Itwas—”FromGeorgy,requesting5s.,April23,18—;answered,April25”—or“Georgyaboutapony,October13”—andsoforth.
Inanotherpacketwere“Dr.S.’saccounts”—”G.’stailor’sbillsandoutfits,draftsonmebyG.Osborne,jun.,”&c.—hislettersfromtheWestIndies—hisagent’sletters,andthenewspaperscontaininghiscommissions:herewasawhiphehadwhenaboy,andinapaperalocketcontaininghishair,whichhismotherusedtowear.
Turningoneoverafteranother,andmusingoverthesememorials,theunhappymanpassedmanyhours.
Hisdearestvanities,ambitioushopes,hadallbeenhere.Whatpridehehadinhisboy!Hewasthehandsomestchildeverseen.
Everybodysaidhewaslikeanobleman’sson.
Aroyalprincesshadremarkedhim,andkissedhim,andaskedhisnameinKewGardens.WhatCitymancouldshowsuchanother?
Couldaprincehavebeenbettercaredfor?
Anythingthatmoneycouldbuyhadbeenhisson’s.
Heusedtogodownonspeech-dayswithfourhorsesandnewliveries,andscatternewshillingsamongtheboysattheschoolwhereGeorgewas:whenhewentwithGeorgetothedepotofhisregiment,beforetheboyembarkedforCanada,hegavetheofficerssuchadinnerastheDukeofYorkmighthavesatdownto.
HadheeverrefusedabillwhenGeorgedrewone?Theretheywere—paidwithoutaword.
Manyageneralinthearmycouldn’tridethehorseshehad!
Hehadthechildbeforehiseyes,onahundreddifferentdayswhenherememberedGeorgeafterdinner,whenheusedtocomeinasboldasalordanddrinkoffhisglassbyhisfather’sside,attheheadofthetable—ontheponyatBrighton,whenheclearedthehedgeandkeptupwiththehuntsman—onthedaywhenhewaspresentedtothePrinceRegentatthelevee,whenallSaintJames’scouldn’tproduceafineryoungfellow.
Andthis,thiswastheendofall!
—tomarryabankruptandflyinthefaceofdutyandfortune!
Whathumiliationandfury:whatpangsofsickeningrage,balkedambitionandlove;whatwoundsofoutragedvanity,tendernesseven,hadthisoldworldlingnowtosufferunder!
Havingexaminedthesepapers,andponderedoverthisoneandtheother,inthatbitterestofallhelplesswoe,withwhichmiserablementhinkofhappypasttimes—George’sfathertookthewholeofthedocumentsoutofthedrawerinwhichhehadkeptthemsolong,andlockedthemintoawriting-box,whichhetied,andsealedwithhisseal.
Thenheopenedthebook-case,andtookdownthegreatredBiblewehavespokenofapompousbook,seldomlookedat,andshiningalloverwithgold.
Therewasafrontispiecetothevolume,representingAbrahamsacrificingIsaac.
Here,accordingtocustom,Osbornehadrecordedonthefly-leaf,andinhislargeclerk-likehand,thedatesofhismarriageandhiswife’sdeath,andthebirthsandChristiannamesofhischildren.
Janecamefirst,thenGeorgeSedleyOsborne,thenMariaFrances,andthedaysofthechristeningofeach.
Takingapen,hecarefullyobliteratedGeorge’snamesfromthepage;andwhentheleafwasquitedry,restoredthevolumetotheplacefromwhichhehadmovedit.
Thenhetookadocumentoutofanotherdrawer,wherehisownprivatepaperswerekept;andhavingreadit,crumpleditupandlighteditatoneofthecandles,andsawitburnentirelyawayinthegrate.
Itwashiswill;whichbeingburned,hesatedownandwroteoffaletter,andrangforhisservant,whomhechargedtodeliveritinthemorning.
Itwasmorningalready:ashewentuptobed,thewholehousewasalightwiththesunshine;andthebirdsweresingingamongthefreshgreenleavesinRussellSquare.
AnxioustokeepallMr.Osborne’sfamilyanddependantsingoodhumour,andtomakeasmanyfriendsaspossibleforGeorgeinhishourofadversity,WilliamDobbin,whoknewtheeffectwhichgooddinnersandgoodwineshaveuponthesoulofman,wroteoffimmediatelyonhisreturntohisinnthemosthospitableofinvitationstoThomasChopper,Esquire,beggingthatgentlemantodinewithhimattheSlaughters’nextday.
ThenotereachedMr.ChopperbeforehelefttheCity,andtheinstantreplywas,that“Mr.Chopperpresentshisrespectfulcompliments,andwillhavethehonourandpleasureofwaitingonCaptainD.”TheinvitationandtheroughdraftoftheanswerwereshowntoMrs.ChopperandherdaughtersonhisreturntoSomers’Townthatevening,andtheytalkedaboutmilitarygentsandWestEndmenwithgreatexultationasthefamilysateandpartookoftea.
Whenthegirlshadgonetorest,Mr.andMrs.C.discourseduponthestrangeeventswhichwereoccurringinthegovernor’sfamily.
Neverhadtheclerkseenhisprincipalsomoved.
WhenhewentintoMr.Osborne,afterCaptainDobbin’sdeparture,Mr.Chopperfoundhischiefblackintheface,andallbutinafit:somedreadfulquarrel,hewascertain,hadoccurredbetweenMr.O.andtheyoungCaptain.
ChopperhadbeeninstructedtomakeoutanaccountofallsumspaidtoCaptainOsbornewithinthelastthreeyears.
“Andapreciouslotofmoneyhehashadtoo,”thechiefclerksaid,andrespectedhisoldandyoungmasterthemore,fortheliberalwayinwhichtheguineashadbeenflungabout.
ThedisputewassomethingaboutMissSedley.
Mrs.ChoppervowedanddeclaredshepitiedthatpooryoungladytolosesuchahandsomeyoungfellowastheCapting.
Asthedaughterofanunluckyspeculator,whohadpaidaveryshabbydividend,Mr.ChopperhadnogreatregardforMissSedley.
HerespectedthehouseofOsbornebeforeallothersintheCityofLondon:andhishopeandwishwasthatCaptainGeorgeshouldmarryanobleman’sdaughter.
Theclerksleptagreatdealsounderthanhisprincipalthatnight;and,cuddlinghischildrenafterbreakfast(ofwhichhepartookwithaveryheartyappetite,thoughhismodestcupoflifewasonlysweetenedwithbrownsugar),hesetoffinhisbestSundaysuitandfrilledshirtforbusiness,promisinghisadmiringwifenottopunishCaptainD.’sporttooseverelythatevening.
Mr.Osborne’scountenance,whenhearrivedintheCityathisusualtime,struckthosedependantswhowereaccustomed,forgoodreasons,towatchitsexpression,aspeculiarlyghastlyandworn.
Attwelveo’clockMr.Higgs(ofthefirmofHiggs&Blatherwick,solicitors,BedfordRow)calledbyappointment,andwasusheredintothegovernor’sprivateroom,andclosetedthereformorethananhour.
AtaboutoneMr.ChopperreceivedanotebroughtbyCaptainDobbin’sman,andcontaininganinclosureforMr.Osborne,whichtheclerkwentinanddelivered.
AshorttimeafterwardsMr.ChopperandMr.Birch,thenextclerk,weresummoned,andrequestedtowitnessapaper.
“I’vebeenmakinganewwill,”Mr.Osbornesaid,towhichthesegentlemenappendedtheirnamesaccordingly.Noconversationpassed.
Mr.Higgslookedexceedinglygraveashecameintotheouterrooms,andveryhardinMr.Chopper’sface;buttherewerenotanyexplanations.
ItwasremarkedthatMr.Osbornewasparticularlyquietandgentleallday,tothesurpriseofthosewhohadauguredillfromhisdarklingdemeanour.
Hecallednomannamesthatday,andwasnotheardtoswearonce.
Heleftbusinessearly;andbeforegoingaway,summonedhischiefclerkoncemore,andhavinggivenhimgeneralinstructions,askedhim,aftersomeseeminghesitationandreluctancetospeak,ifheknewwhetherCaptainDobbinwasintown?
Choppersaidhebelievedhewas.Indeedbothofthemknewthefactperfectly.
Osbornetookaletterdirectedtothatofficer,andgivingittotheclerk,requestedthelattertodeliveritintoDobbin’sownhandsimmediately.
“Andnow,Chopper,”sayshe,takinghishat,andwithastrangelook,“mymindwillbeeasy.”
Exactlyastheclockstrucktwo(therewasnodoubtanappointmentbetweenthepair)Mr.FrederickBullockcalled,andheandMr.Osbornewalkedawaytogether.
TheColonelofthe—thregiment,inwhichMessieursDobbinandOsbornehadcompanies,wasanoldGeneralwhohadmadehisfirstcampaignunderWolfeatQuebec,andwaslongsincequitetoooldandfeebleforcommand;buthetooksomeinterestintheregimentofwhichhewasthenominalhead,andmadecertainofhisyoungofficerswelcomeathistable,akindofhospitalitywhichIbelieveisnotnowcommonamongsthisbrethren.
CaptainDobbinwasanespecialfavouriteofthisoldGeneral.
Dobbinwasversedintheliteratureofhisprofession,andcouldtalkaboutthegreatFrederick,andtheEmpressQueen,andtheirwars,almostaswellastheGeneralhimself,whowasindifferenttothetriumphsofthepresentday,andwhoseheartwaswiththetacticiansoffiftyyearsback.
ThisofficersentasummonstoDobbintocomeandbreakfastwithhim,onthemorningwhenMr.OsbornealteredhiswillandMr.Chopperputonhisbestshirtfrill,andtheninformedhisyoungfavourite,acoupleofdaysinadvance,ofthatwhichtheywereallexpecting—amarchingordertogotoBelgium.
TheorderfortheregimenttoholditselfinreadinesswouldleavetheHorseGuardsinadayortwo;andastransportswereinplenty,theywouldgettheirroutebeforetheweekwasover.
RecruitshadcomeinduringthestayoftheregimentatChatham;andtheoldGeneralhopedthattheregimentwhichhadhelpedtobeatMontcalminCanada,andtoroutMr.WashingtononLongIsland,wouldproveitselfworthyofitshistoricalreputationontheoft-troddenbattle-groundsoftheLowCountries.
“Andso,mygoodfriend,ifyouhaveanyaffairela,saidtheoldGeneral,takingapinchofsnuffwithhistremblingwhiteoldhand,andthenpointingtothespotofhisrobedechambreunderwhichhisheartwasstillfeeblybeating,“ifyouhaveanyPhillistoconsole,ortobidfarewelltopapaandmamma,oranywilltomake,Irecommendyoutosetaboutyourbusinesswithoutdelay.”
WithwhichtheGeneralgavehisyoungfriendafingertoshake,andagood-naturednodofhispowderedandpigtailedhead;andthedoorbeingcloseduponDobbin,satedowntopenapoulet(hewasexceedinglyvainofhisFrench)toMademoiselleAmenaideofHisMajesty’sTheatre.
ThisnewsmadeDobbingrave,andhethoughtofourfriendsatBrighton,andthenhewasashamedofhimselfthatAmeliawasalwaysthefirstthinginhisthoughts(alwaysbeforeanybody—beforefatherandmother,sistersandduty—alwaysatwakingandsleepingindeed,andalldaylong);andreturningtohishotel,hesentoffabriefnotetoMr.Osborneacquaintinghimwiththeinformationwhichhehadreceived,andwhichmighttendfarther,hehoped,tobringaboutareconciliationwithGeorge.
Thisnote,despatchedbythesamemessengerwhohadcarriedtheinvitationtoChopperonthepreviousday,alarmedtheworthyclerknotalittle.
Itwasinclosedtohim,andasheopenedtheletterhetrembledlestthedinnershouldbeputoffonwhichhewascalculating.
Hismindwasinexpressiblyrelievedwhenhefoundthattheenvelopewasonlyareminderforhimself.
(“Ishallexpectyouathalf-pastfive,”CaptainDobbinwrote.)
Hewasverymuchinterestedabouthisemployer’sfamily;but,quevoulez-vous?
agranddinnerwasofmoreconcerntohimthantheaffairsofanyothermortal.
DobbinwasquitejustifiedinrepeatingtheGeneral’sinformationtoanyofficersoftheregimentwhomheshouldseeinthecourseofhisperegrinations;accordinglyheimpartedittoEnsignStubble,whomhemetattheagent’s,andwho—suchwashismilitaryardour—wentoffinstantlytopurchaseanewswordattheaccoutrement-maker’s.
Herethisyoungfellow,who,thoughonlyseventeenyearsofage,andaboutsixty-fiveincheshigh,withaconstitutionnaturallyricketyandmuchimpairedbyprematurebrandyandwater,hadanundoubtedcourageandalion’sheart,poised,tried,bent,andbalancedaweaponsuchashethoughtwoulddoexecutionamongstFrenchmen.Shouting“Ha,ha!”
andstampinghislittlefeetwithtremendousenergy,hedeliveredthepointtwiceorthriceatCaptainDobbin,whoparriedthethrustlaughinglywithhisbamboowalking-stick.
Mr.Stubble,asmaybesupposedfromhissizeandslenderness,wasoftheLightBobs.
EnsignSpooney,onthecontrary,wasatallyouth,andbelongedto(CaptainDobbin’s)theGrenadierCompany,andhetriedonanewbearskincap,underwhichhelookedsavagebeyondhisyears.
ThenthesetwoladswentofftotheSlaughters’,andhavingorderedafamousdinner,satedownandwroteoffletterstothekindanxiousparentsathome—lettersfullofloveandheartiness,andpluckandbadspelling.Ah!
thereweremanyanxiousheartsbeatingthroughEnglandatthattime;andmothers’prayersandtearsflowinginmanyhomesteads.
SeeingyoungStubbleengagedincompositionatoneofthecoffee-roomtablesattheSlaughters’,andthetearstricklingdownhisnoseontothepaper(fortheyoungsterwasthinkingofhismamma,andthathemightneverseeheragain),Dobbin,whowasgoingtowriteoffalettertoGeorgeOsborne,relented,andlockeduphisdesk.“WhyshouldI?”saidhe.“Letherhavethisnighthappy.
I’llgoandseemyparentsearlyinthemorning,andgodowntoBrightonmyselfto-morrow.”
SohewentupandlaidhisbighandonyoungStubble’sshoulder,andbackedupthatyoungchampion,andtoldhimifhewouldleaveoffbrandyandwaterhewouldbeagoodsoldier,ashealwayswasagentlemanlygood-heartedfellow.
YoungStubble’seyesbrightenedupatthis,forDobbinwasgreatlyrespectedintheregiment,asthebestofficerandthecleverestmaninit.
“Thankyou,Dobbin,”hesaid,rubbinghiseyeswithhisknuckles,“Iwasjust—justtellingherIwould.And,OSir,she’ssodamkindtome.”
Thewaterpumpswereatworkagain,andIamnotsurethatthesoft-heartedCaptain’seyesdidnotalsotwinkle.
Thetwoensigns,theCaptain,andMr.Chopper,dinedtogetherinthesamebox.
ChopperbroughttheletterfromMr.Osborne,inwhichthelatterbrieflypresentedhiscomplimentstoCaptainDobbin,andrequestedhimtoforwardtheinclosedtoCaptainGeorgeOsborne.
Chopperknewnothingfurther;hedescribedMr.Osborne’sappearance,itistrue,andhisinterviewwithhislawyer,wonderedhowthegovernorhadswornatnobody,and—especiallyasthewinecircledround—aboundedinspeculationsandconjectures.
Butthesegrewmorevaguewitheveryglass,andatlengthbecameperfectlyunintelligible.
AtalatehourCaptainDobbinputhisguestintoahackneycoach,inahiccuppingstate,andswearingthathewouldbethekick—thekick—Captain’sfriendforeverandever.
WhenCaptainDobbintookleaveofMissOsbornewehavesaidthatheaskedleavetocomeandpayheranothervisit,andthespinsterexpectedhimforsomehoursthenextday,when,perhaps,hadhecome,andhadheaskedherthatquestionwhichshewaspreparedtoanswer,shewouldhavedeclaredherselfasherbrother’sfriend,andareconciliationmighthavebeeneffectedbetweenGeorgeandhisangryfather.
ButthoughshewaitedathometheCaptainnevercame.
Hehadhisownaffairstopursue;hisownparentstovisitandconsole;andatanearlyhourofthedaytotakehisplaceontheLightningcoach,andgodowntohisfriendsatBrighton.
InthecourseofthedayMissOsborneheardherfathergiveordersthatthatmeddlingscoundrel,CaptainDobbin,shouldneverbeadmittedwithinhisdoorsagain,andanyhopesinwhichshemayhaveindulgedprivatelywerethusabruptlybroughttoanend.
Mr.FrederickBullockcame,andwasparticularlyaffectionatetoMaria,andattentivetothebroken-spiritedoldgentleman.
Forthoughhesaidhismindwouldbeeasy,themeanswhichhehadtakentosecurequietdidnotseemtohavesucceededasyet,andtheeventsofthepasttwodayshadvisiblyshatteredhim.
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