English
Mr.Joshadhiredapairofhorsesforhisopencarriage,withwhichcattle,andthesmartLondonvehicle,hemadeaverytolerablefigureinthedrivesaboutBrussels.
Georgepurchasedahorseforhisprivateriding,andheandCaptainDobbinwouldoftenaccompanythecarriageinwhichJosandhissistertookdailyexcursionsofpleasure.
Theywentoutthatdayintheparkfortheiraccustomeddiversion,andthere,sureenough,George’sremarkwithregardtothearrivalofRawdonCrawleyandhiswifeprovedtobecorrect.
Inthemidstofalittletroopofhorsemen,consistingofsomeoftheverygreatestpersonsinBrussels,Rebeccawasseenintheprettiestandtightestofriding-habits,mountedonabeautifullittleArab,whichsherodetoperfection(havingacquiredtheartatQueen’sCrawley,wheretheBaronet,Mr.Pitt,andRawdonhimselfhadgivenhermanylessons),andbythesideofthegallantGeneralTufto.
“Sureit’stheJukehimself,”criedMrs.MajorO’DowdtoJos,whobegantoblushviolently;“andthat’sLordUxbridgeonthebay.Howeleganthelooks!
Mebrother,MolloyMalony,isaslikehimastwopays.”
Rebeccadidnotmakeforthecarriage;butassoonassheperceivedheroldacquaintanceAmeliaseatedinit,acknowledgedherpresencebyagraciousnodandsmile,andbykissingandshakingherfingersplayfullyinthedirectionofthevehicle.
ThensheresumedherconversationwithGeneralTufto,whoasked“whothefatofficerwasinthegold-lacedcap?”
onwhichBeckyreplied,“thathewasanofficerintheEastIndianservice.”
ButRawdonCrawleyrodeoutoftheranksofhiscompany,andcameupandshookhandsheartilywithAmelia,andsaidtoJos,“Well,oldboy,howareyou?”
andstaredinMrs.O’Dowd’sfaceandattheblackcock’sfeathersuntilshebegantothinkshehadmadeaconquestofhim.
George,whohadbeendelayedbehind,rodeupalmostimmediatelywithDobbin,andtheytouchedtheircapstotheaugustpersonages,amongwhomOsborneatonceperceivedMrs.Crawley.
HewasdelightedtoseeRawdonleaningoverhiscarriagefamiliarlyandtalkingtoAmelia,andmettheaide-de-camp’scordialgreetingwithmorethancorrespondingwarmth.
ThenodsbetweenRawdonandDobbinwereoftheveryfaintestspecimensofpoliteness.
CrawleytoldGeorgewheretheywerestoppingwithGeneralTuftoattheHotelduParc,andGeorgemadehisfriendpromisetocomespeedilytoOsborne’sownresidence.
“SorryIhadn’tseenyouthreedaysago,”Georgesaid.
“HadadinnerattheRestaurateur’s—ratheranicething.
LordBareacres,andtheCountess,andLadyBlanche,weregoodenoughtodinewithus—wishwe’dhadyou.”
Havingthuslethisfriendknowhisclaimstobeamanoffashion,OsbornepartedfromRawdon,whofollowedtheaugustsquadrondownanalleyintowhichtheycantered,whileGeorgeandDobbinresumedtheirplaces,oneoneachsideofAmelia’scarriage.
“HowwelltheJukelooked,”Mrs.O’Dowdremarked.
“TheWellesleysandMalonysarerelated;but,ofcourse,poorIwouldneverdreamofintrojuicingmyselfunlesshisGracethoughtpropertorememberourfamily-tie.”
“He’sagreatsoldier,”Jossaid,muchmoreateasenowthegreatmanwasgone.
“WasthereeverabattlewonlikeSalamanca?Hey,Dobbin?Butwherewasithelearnthisart?InIndia,myboy!
Thejungle’stheschoolforageneral,markmethat.
Iknewhimmyself,too,Mrs.O’Dowd:webothofusdancedthesameeveningwithMissCutler,daughterofCutleroftheArtillery,andadevilishfinegirl,atDumdum.”
Theapparitionofthegreatpersonagesheldthemallintalkduringthedrive;andatdinner;anduntilthehourcamewhentheywerealltogototheOpera.
ItwasalmostlikeOldEngland.ThehousewasfilledwithfamiliarBritishfaces,andthosetoilettesforwhichtheBritishfemalehaslongbeencelebrated.
Mrs.O’Dowd’swasnottheleastsplendidamongstthese,andshehadacurlonherforehead,andasetofIrishdiamondsandCairngorms,whichoutshoneallthedecorationsinthehouse,inhernotion.
HerpresenceusedtoexcruciateOsborne;butgoshewoulduponallpartiesofpleasureonwhichsheheardheryoungfriendswerebent.
Itneverenteredintoherthoughtbutthattheymustbecharmedwithhercompany.
“She’sbeenusefultoyou,mydear,”Georgesaidtohiswife,whomhecouldleavealonewithlessscruplewhenshehadthissociety.
“ButwhatacomfortitisthatRebecca’scome:youwillhaveherforafriend,andwemaygetridnowofthisdamn’dIrishwoman.”
TothisAmeliadidnotanswer,yesorno:andhowdoweknowwhatherthoughtswere?
Thecoupd’oeiloftheBrusselsopera-housedidnotstrikeMrs.O’DowdasbeingsofineasthetheatreinFishambleStreet,Dublin,norwasFrenchmusicatallequal,inheropinion,tothemelodiesofhernativecountry.
Shefavouredherfriendswiththeseandotheropinionsinaveryloudtoneofvoice,andtossedaboutagreatclatteringfanshesported,withthemostsplendidcomplacency.
“WhoisthatwonderfulwomanwithAmelia,Rawdon,love?”saidaladyinanoppositebox(who,almostalwaysciviltoherhusbandinprivate,wasmorefondthaneverofhimincompany).
“Don’tyouseethatcreaturewithayellowthinginherturban,andaredsatingown,andagreatwatch?”
“Neartheprettylittlewomaninwhite?”askedamiddle-agedgentlemanseatedbythequerist’sside,withordersinhisbutton,andseveralunder-waistcoats,andagreat,choky,whitestock.
“ThatprettywomaninwhiteisAmelia,General:youareremarkingalltheprettywomen,younaughtyman.”
“Onlyone,begad,intheworld!”saidtheGeneral,delighted,andtheladygavehimatapwithalargebouquetwhichshehad.
“Bedadit’shim,”saidMrs.O’Dowd;“andthat’stheverybokayheboughtintheMarshyauxFlures!”
andwhenRebecca,havingcaughtherfriend’seye,performedthelittlehand-kissingoperationoncemore,Mrs.MajorO’D.
,takingthecomplimenttoherself,returnedthesalutewithagracioussmile,whichsentthatunfortunateDobbinshriekingoutoftheboxagain.
Attheendoftheact,Georgewasoutoftheboxinamoment,andhewasevengoingtopayhisrespectstoRebeccainherloge.
HemetCrawleyinthelobby,however,wheretheyexchangedafewsentencesupontheoccurrencesofthelastfortnight.
“Youfoundmychequeallrightattheagent’s?Georgesaid,withaknowingair.
“Allright,myboy,”Rawdonanswered.“Happytogiveyouyourrevenge.Governorcomeround?”
“Notyet,”saidGeorge,“buthewill;andyouknowI’vesomeprivatefortunethroughmymother.HasAuntyrelented?”
“Sentmetwentypound,damnedoldscrew.Whenshallwehaveameet?TheGeneraldinesoutonTuesday.Can’tyoucomeTuesday?
Isay,makeSedleycutoffhismoustache.
Whatthedevildoesacivilianmeanwithamoustacheandthoseinfernalfrogstohiscoat!By-bye.
TryandcomeonTuesday”;andRawdonwasgoing-offwithtwobrilliantyounggentlemenoffashion,whowere,likehimself,onthestaffofageneralofficer.
GeorgewasonlyhalfpleasedtobeaskedtodinneronthatparticulardaywhentheGeneralwasnottodine.
“Iwillgoinandpaymyrespectstoyourwife,”saidhe;atwhichRawdonsaid,“Hm,asyouplease,”lookingveryglum,andatwhichthetwoyoungofficersexchangedknowingglances.
GeorgepartedfromthemandstrutteddownthelobbytotheGeneral’sbox,thenumberofwhichhehadcarefullycounted.
“Entrez,”saidaclearlittlevoice,andourfriendfoundhimselfinRebecca’spresence;whojumpedup,clappedherhandstogether,andheldoutbothofthemtoGeorge,socharmedwasshetoseehim.
TheGeneral,withtheordersinhisbutton,staredatthenewcomerwithasulkyscowl,asmuchastosay,whothedevilareyou?
“MydearCaptainGeorge!”criedlittleRebeccainanecstasy.“Howgoodofyoutocome.
TheGeneralandIweremopingtogethertete-a-tete.
General,thisismyCaptainGeorgeofwhomyouheardmetalk.”
“Indeed,”saidtheGeneral,withaverysmallbow;“ofwhatregimentisCaptainGeorge?”
Georgementionedthe—th:howhewishedhecouldhavesaiditwasacrackcavalrycorps.
“ComehomelatelyfromtheWestIndies,Ibelieve.Notseenmuchserviceinthelatewar.Quarteredhere,CaptainGeorge?”—theGeneralwentonwithkillinghaughtiness.
“NotCaptainGeorge,youstupidman;CaptainOsborne,”Rebeccasaid.TheGeneralallthewhilewaslookingsavagelyfromonetotheother.
“CaptainOsborne,indeed!AnyrelationtotheL———Osbornes?”
“Webearthesamearms,”Georgesaid,asindeedwasthefact;Mr.OsbornehavingconsultedwithaheraldinLongAcre,andpickedtheL———armsoutofthepeerage,whenhesetuphiscarriagefifteenyearsbefore.
TheGeneralmadenoreplytothisannouncement;buttookuphisopera-glass—thedouble-barrelledlorgnonwasnotinventedinthosedays—andpretendedtoexaminethehouse;butRebeccasawthathisdisengagedeyewasworkingroundinherdirection,andshootingoutbloodshotglancesatherandGeorge.
Sheredoubledincordiality.“HowisdearestAmelia?
ButIneedn’task:howprettyshelooks!
Andwhoisthatnicegood-naturedlookingcreaturewithher—aflameofyours?O,youwickedmen!
AndthereisMr.Sedleyeatingice,Ideclare:howheseemstoenjoyit!General,whyhavewenothadanyices?”
“ShallIgoandfetchyousome?”saidtheGeneral,burstingwithwrath.
“LetMEgo,Ientreatyou,”Georgesaid.
“No,IwillgotoAmelia’sbox.Dear,sweetgirl!
Givemeyourarm,CaptainGeorge”;andsosaying,andwithanodtotheGeneral,shetrippedintothelobby.
ShegaveGeorgethequeerest,knowingestlook,whentheyweretogether,alookwhichmighthavebeeninterpreted,“Don’tyouseethestateofaffairs,andwhatafoolI’mmakingofhim?”Buthedidnotperceiveit.
Hewasthinkingofhisownplans,andlostinpompousadmirationofhisownirresistiblepowersofpleasing.
ThecursestowhichtheGeneralgavealowutterance,assoonasRebeccaandherconquerorhadquittedhim,weresodeep,thatIamsurenocompositorwouldventuretoprintthemweretheywrittendown.
TheycamefromtheGeneral’sheart;andawonderfulthingitistothinkthatthehumanheartiscapableofgeneratingsuchproduce,andcanthrowout,asoccasiondemands,suchasupplyoflustandfury,rageandhatred.
Amelia’sgentleeyes,too,hadbeenfixedanxiouslyonthepair,whoseconducthadsochafedthejealousGeneral;butwhenRebeccaenteredherbox,sheflewtoherfriendwithanaffectionaterapturewhichshoweditself,inspiteofthepublicityoftheplace;forsheembracedherdearestfriendinthepresenceofthewholehouse,atleastinfullviewoftheGeneral’sglass,nowbroughttobearupontheOsborneparty.
Mrs.RawdonsalutedJos,too,withthekindliestgreeting:sheadmiredMrs.O’Dowd’slargeCairngormbroochandsuperbIrishdiamonds,andwouldn’tbelievethattheywerenotfromGolcondadirect.
Shebustled,shechattered,sheturnedandtwisted,andsmileduponone,andsmirkedonanother,allinfullviewofthejealousopera-glassopposite.
Andwhenthetimefortheballetcame(inwhichtherewasnodancerthatwentthroughhergrimacesorperformedhercomedyofactionbetter),sheskippedbacktoherownbox,leaningonCaptainDobbin’sarmthistime.
No,shewouldnothaveGeorge’s:hemuststayandtalktohisdearest,best,littleAmelia.
“Whatahumbugthatwomanis!”honestoldDobbinmumbledtoGeorge,whenhecamebackfromRebecca’sbox,whitherhehadconductedherinperfectsilence,andwithacountenanceasglumasanundertaker’s.
“Shewrithesandtwistsaboutlikeasnake.
Allthetimeshewashere,didn’tyousee,George,howshewasactingattheGeneralovertheway?”
“Humbug—acting!Hangit,she’sthenicestlittlewomaninEngland,”Georgereplied,showinghiswhiteteeth,andgivinghisambrosialwhiskersatwirl.“Youain’tamanoftheworld,Dobbin.
Dammy,lookathernow,she’stalkedoverTuftoinnotime.Lookhowhe’slaughing!Gad,whatashouldershehas!Emmy,whydidn’tyouhaveabouquet?Everybodyhasabouquet.”
“Faith,then,whydidn’tyouBOYone?”Mrs.O’Dowdsaid;andbothAmeliaandWilliamDobbinthankedherforthistimelyobservation.
Butbeyondthisneitheroftheladiesrallied.
Ameliawasoverpoweredbytheflashandthedazzleandthefashionabletalkofherworldlyrival.
EventheO’DowdwassilentandsubduedafterBecky’sbrilliantapparition,andscarcelysaidawordmoreaboutGlenmalonyalltheevening.
“Whendoyouintendtogiveupplay,George,asyouhavepromisedme,anytimethesehundredyears?”
DobbinsaidtohisfriendafewdaysafterthenightattheOpera.
“Whendoyouintendtogiveupsermonising?”wastheother’sreply.
“Whatthedeuce,man,areyoualarmedabout?Weplaylow;Iwonlastnight.Youdon’tsupposeCrawleycheats?
Withfairplayitcomestoprettymuchthesamethingattheyear’send.”
“ButIdon’tthinkhecouldpayifhelost,”Dobbinsaid;andhisadvicemetwiththesuccesswhichadviceusuallycommands.
OsborneandCrawleywererepeatedlytogethernow.
GeneralTuftodinedabroadalmostconstantly.
Georgewasalwayswelcomeintheapartments(verycloseindeedtothoseoftheGeneral)whichtheaide-de-campandhiswifeoccupiedinthehotel.
Amelia’smannersweresuchwhensheandGeorgevisitedCrawleyandhiswifeatthesequarters,thattheyhadverynearlycometotheirfirstquarrel;thatis,Georgescoldedhiswifeviolentlyforherevidentunwillingnesstogo,andthehighandmightymannerinwhichshecomportedherselftowardsMrs.Crawley,heroldfriend;andAmeliadidnotsayonesinglewordinreply;butwithherhusband’seyeuponher,andRebeccascanningherasshefelt,was,ifpossible,morebashfulandawkwardonthesecondvisitwhichshepaidtoMrs.Rawdon,thanonherfirstcall.
Rebeccawasdoublyaffectionate,ofcourse,andwouldnottakenotice,intheleast,ofherfriend’scoolness.
“IthinkEmmyhasbecomeproudersinceherfather’snamewasinthe—sinceMr.Sedley’sMISFORTUNES,”Rebeccasaid,softeningthephrasecharitablyforGeorge’sear.
“Uponmyword,IthoughtwhenwewereatBrightonshewasdoingmethehonourtobejealousofme;andnowIsupposesheisscandalisedbecauseRawdon,andI,andtheGenerallivetogether.
Why,mydearcreature,howcouldwe,withourmeans,liveatall,butforafriendtoshareexpenses?
AnddoyousupposethatRawdonisnotbigenoughtotakecareofmyhonour?
ButI’mverymuchobligedtoEmmy,very,”Mrs.Rawdonsaid.
“Pooh,jealousy!”answeredGeorge,“allwomenarejealous.”
“Andallmentoo.Weren’tyoujealousofGeneralTufto,andtheGeneralofyou,onthenightoftheOpera?
Why,hewasreadytoeatmeforgoingwithyoutovisitthatfoolishlittlewifeofyours;asifIcareapinforeitherofyou,”Crawley’swifesaid,withaperttossofherhead.“Willyoudinehere?
ThedragondineswiththeCommander-in-Chief.Greatnewsisstirring.
TheysaytheFrenchhavecrossedthefrontier.Weshallhaveaquietdinner.”
Georgeacceptedtheinvitation,althoughhiswifewasalittleailing.
Theywerenownotquitesixweeksmarried.
Anotherwomanwaslaughingorsneeringatherexpense,andhenotangry.
Hewasnotevenangrywithhimself,thisgood-naturedfellow.
Itisashame,heownedtohimself;buthangit,ifaprettywomanWILLthrowherselfinyourway,why,whatcanafellowdo,youknow?
IAMratherfreeaboutwomen,hehadoftensaid,smilingandnoddingknowinglytoStubbleandSpooney,andothercomradesofthemess-table;andtheyratherrespectedhimthanotherwiseforthisprowess.
Nexttoconqueringinwar,conqueringinlovehasbeenasourceofpride,timeoutofmind,amongstmeninVanityFair,orhowshouldschoolboysbragoftheiramours,orDonJuanbepopular?
SoMr.Osborne,havingafirmconvictioninhisownmindthathewasawoman-killeranddestinedtoconquer,didnotruncountertohisfate,butyieldedhimselfuptoitquitecomplacently.
AndasEmmydidnotsaymuchorplaguehimwithherjealousy,butmerelybecameunhappyandpinedoveritmiserablyinsecret,hechosetofancythatshewasnotsuspiciousofwhatallhisacquaintancewereperfectlyaware—namely,thathewascarryingonadesperateflirtationwithMrs.Crawley.Herodewithherwhenevershewasfree.
HepretendedregimentalbusinesstoAmelia(bywhichfalsehoodshewasnotintheleastdeceived),andconsigninghiswifetosolitudeorherbrother’ssociety,passedhiseveningsintheCrawleys’company;losingmoneytothehusbandandflatteringhimselfthatthewifewasdyingofloveforhim.
Itisverylikelythatthisworthycoupleneverabsolutelyconspiredandagreedtogetherinsomanywords:theonetocajoletheyounggentleman,whilsttheotherwonhismoneyatcards:buttheyunderstoodeachotherperfectlywell,andRawdonletOsbornecomeandgowithentiregoodhumour.
GeorgewassooccupiedwithhisnewacquaintancesthatheandWilliamDobbinwerebynomeanssomuchtogetherasformerly.
Georgeavoidedhiminpublicandintheregiment,and,aswesee,didnotlikethosesermonswhichhisseniorwasdisposedtoinflictuponhim.
IfsomepartsofhisconductmadeCaptainDobbinexceedinglygraveandcool;ofwhatusewasittotellGeorgethat,thoughhiswhiskerswerelarge,andhisownopinionofhisknowingnessgreat,hewasasgreenasaschoolboy?
thatRawdonwasmakingavictimofhimashehaddoneofmanybefore,andassoonashehadusedhimwouldflinghimoffwithscorn?
Hewouldnotlisten:andso,asDobbin,uponthosedayswhenhevisitedtheOsbornehouse,seldomhadtheadvantageofmeetinghisoldfriend,muchpainfulandunavailingtalkbetweenthemwasspared.
OurfriendGeorgewasinthefullcareerofthepleasuresofVanityFair.
Thereneverwas,sincethedaysofDarius,suchabrillianttrainofcamp-followersashungroundtheDukeofWellington’sarmyintheLowCountries,in1815;andleditdancingandfeasting,asitwere,uptotheverybrinkofbattle.
AcertainballwhichanobleDuchessgaveatBrusselsonthe15thofJuneintheabove-namedyearishistorical.
AllBrusselshadbeeninastateofexcitementaboutit,andIhaveheardfromladieswhowereinthattownattheperiod,thatthetalkandinterestofpersonsoftheirownsexregardingtheballwasmuchgreatereventhaninrespectoftheenemyintheirfront.
Thestruggles,intrigues,andprayerstogetticketsweresuchasonlyEnglishladieswillemploy,inordertogainadmissiontothesocietyofthegreatoftheirownnation.
JosandMrs.O’Dowd,whowerepantingtobeasked,stroveinvaintoprocuretickets;butothersofourfriendsweremorelucky.
Forinstance,throughtheinterestofmyLordBareacres,andasaset-offforthedinnerattherestaurateur’s,GeorgegotacardforCaptainandMrs.Osborne;whichcircumstancegreatlyelatedhim.
Dobbin,whowasafriendoftheGeneralcommandingthedivisioninwhichtheirregimentwas,camelaughingonedaytoMrs.Osborne,anddisplayedasimilarinvitation,whichmadeJosenvious,andGeorgewonderhowthedeuceheshouldbegettingintosociety.
Mr.andMrs.Rawdon,finally,wereofcourseinvited;asbecamethefriendsofaGeneralcommandingacavalrybrigade.
Ontheappointednight,George,havingcommandednewdressesandornamentsofallsortsforAmelia,drovetothefamousball,wherehiswifedidnotknowasinglesoul.
AfterlookingaboutforLadyBareacres,whocuthim,thinkingthecardwasquiteenough—andafterplacingAmeliaonabench,helefthertoherowncogitationsthere,thinking,onhisownpart,thathehadbehavedveryhandsomelyingettinghernewclothes,andbringinghertotheball,whereshewasfreetoamuseherselfassheliked.
Herthoughtswerenotofthepleasantest,andnobodyexcepthonestDobbincametodisturbthem.
Whilstherappearancewasanutterfailure(asherhusbandfeltwithasortofrage),Mrs.RawdonCrawley’sdebutwas,onthecontrary,verybrilliant.Shearrivedverylate.
Herfacewasradiant;herdressperfection.
Inthemidstofthegreatpersonsassembled,andtheeye-glassesdirectedtoher,RebeccaseemedtobeascoolandcollectedaswhensheusedtomarshalMissPinkerton’slittlegirlstochurch.
Numbersofthemensheknewalready,andthedandiesthrongedroundher.
Asfortheladies,itwaswhisperedamongthemthatRawdonhadrunawaywithherfromoutofaconvent,andthatshewasarelationoftheMontmorencyfamily.
ShespokeFrenchsoperfectlythattheremightbesometruthinthisreport,anditwasagreedthathermannerswerefine,andherairdistingue.
Fiftywould-bepartnersthrongedroundheratonce,andpressedtohavethehonourtodancewithher.
Butshesaidshewasengaged,andonlygoingtodanceverylittle;andmadeherwayatoncetotheplacewhereEmmysatequiteunnoticed,anddismallyunhappy.
Andso,tofinishthepoorchildatonce,Mrs.RawdonranandgreetedaffectionatelyherdearestAmelia,andbeganforthwithtopatroniseher.
Shefoundfaultwithherfriend’sdress,andherhairdresser,andwonderedhowshecouldbesochaussee,andvowedthatshemustsendhercorsetierethenextmorning.
Shevowedthatitwasadelightfulball;thattherewaseverybodythateveryoneknew,andonlyaVERYfewnobodiesinthewholeroom.
Itisafact,thatinafortnight,andafterthreedinnersingeneralsociety,thisyoungwomanhadgotupthegenteeljargonsowell,thatanativecouldnotspeakitbetter;anditwasonlyfromherFrenchbeingsogood,thatyoucouldknowshewasnotabornwomanoffashion.
George,whohadleftEmmyonherbenchonenteringtheball-room,verysoonfoundhiswaybackwhenRebeccawasbyherdearfriend’sside.
BeckywasjustlecturingMrs.Osborneuponthefollieswhichherhusbandwascommitting.
“ForGod’ssake,stophimfromgambling,mydear,”shesaid,“orhewillruinhimself.
HeandRawdonareplayingatcardseverynight,andyouknowheisverypoor,andRawdonwillwineveryshillingfromhimifhedoesnottakecare.
Whydon’tyoupreventhim,youlittlecarelesscreature?
Whydon’tyoucometousofanevening,insteadofmopingathomewiththatCaptainDobbin?
Idaresayheistresaimable;buthowcouldoneloveamanwithfeetofsuchsize?
Yourhusband’sfeetaredarlings—Herehecomes.Wherehaveyoubeen,wretch?
HereisEmmycryinghereyesoutforyou.
Areyoucomingtofetchmeforthequadrille?”
AndsheleftherbouquetandshawlbyAmelia’sside,andtrippedoffwithGeorgetodance.Womenonlyknowhowtowoundso.
Thereisapoisononthetipsoftheirlittleshafts,whichstingsathousandtimesmorethanaman’sblunterweapon.
OurpoorEmmy,whohadneverhated,neversneeredallherlife,waspowerlessinthehandsofherremorselesslittleenemy.
GeorgedancedwithRebeccatwiceorthrice—howmanytimesAmeliascarcelyknew.
Shesatquiteunnoticedinhercorner,exceptwhenRawdoncameupwithsomewordsofclumsyconversation:andlaterintheevening,whenCaptainDobbinmadesoboldastobringherrefreshmentsandsitbesideher.
Hedidnotliketoaskherwhyshewassosad;butasapretextforthetearswhichwerefillinginhereyes,shetoldhimthatMrs.CrawleyhadalarmedherbytellingherthatGeorgewouldgoonplaying.
“Itiscurious,whenamanisbentuponplay,bywhatclumsyrogueshewillallowhimselftobecheated,”Dobbinsaid;andEmmysaid,“Indeed.”Shewasthinkingofsomethingelse.
Itwasnotthelossofthemoneythatgrievedher.
AtlastGeorgecamebackforRebecca’sshawlandflowers.Shewasgoingaway.
Shedidnotevencondescendtocomebackandsaygood-byetoAmelia.
Thepoorgirlletherhusbandcomeandgowithoutsayingaword,andherheadfellonherbreast.
Dobbinhadbeencalledaway,andwaswhisperingdeepinconversationwiththeGeneralofthedivision,hisfriend,andhadnotseenthislastparting.
Georgewentawaythenwiththebouquet;butwhenhegaveittotheowner,therelayanote,coiledlikeasnakeamongtheflowers.Rebecca’seyecaughtitatonce.
Shehadbeenusedtodealwithnotesinearlylife.
Sheputoutherhandandtookthenosegay.
Hesawbyhereyesastheymet,thatshewasawarewhatsheshouldfindthere.
Herhusbandhurriedheraway,stilltoointentuponhisownthoughts,seemingly,totakenoteofanymarksofrecognitionwhichmightpassbetweenhisfriendandhiswife.Thesewere,however,buttrifling.
RebeccagaveGeorgeherhandwithoneofherusualquickknowingglances,andmadeacurtseyandwalkedaway.
Georgebowedoverthehand,saidnothinginreplytoaremarkofCrawley’s,didnotheariteven,hisbrainwassothrobbingwithtriumphandexcitement,andallowedthemtogoawaywithoutaword.
Hiswifesawtheonepartatleastofthebouquet-scene.
ItwasquitenaturalthatGeorgeshouldcomeatRebecca’srequesttogetherherscarfandflowers:itwasnomorethanhehaddonetwentytimesbeforeinthecourseofthelastfewdays;butnowitwastoomuchforher.
“William,”shesaid,suddenlyclingingtoDobbin,whowasnearher,“you’vealwaysbeenverykindtome—I’m—I’mnotwell.Takemehome.”
ShedidnotknowshecalledhimbyhisChristianname,asGeorgewasaccustomedtodo.Hewentawaywithherquickly.
Herlodgingswerehardby;andtheythreadedthroughthecrowdwithout,whereeverythingseemedtobemoreastirthanevenintheball-roomwithin.
Georgehadbeenangrytwiceorthriceatfindinghiswifeuponhisreturnfromthepartieswhichhefrequented:soshewentstraighttobednow;butalthoughshedidnotsleep,andalthoughthedinandclatter,andthegallopingofhorsemenwereincessant,sheneverheardanyofthesenoises,havingquiteotherdisturbancestokeepherawake.
Osbornemeanwhile,wildwithelation,wentofftoaplay-table,andbegantobetfrantically.Hewonrepeatedly.
“Everythingsucceedswithmeto-night,”hesaid.
Buthisluckatplayevendidnotcurehimofhisrestlessness,andhestartedupafterawhile,pocketinghiswinnings,andwenttoabuffet,wherehedrankoffmanybumpersofwine.
Here,ashewasrattlingawaytothepeoplearound,laughingloudlyandwildwithspirits,Dobbinfoundhim.
Hehadbeentothecard-tablestolookthereforhisfriend.
Dobbinlookedaspaleandgraveashiscomradewasflushedandjovial.
“Hullo,Dob!Comeanddrink,oldDob!TheDuke’swineisfamous.Givemesomemore,yousir”;andheheldoutatremblingglassfortheliquor.
“Comeout,George,”saidDobbin,stillgravely;“don’tdrink.”
“Drink!there’snothinglikeit.Drinkyourself,andlightupyourlanternjaws,oldboy.Here’stoyou.”
Dobbinwentupandwhisperedsomethingtohim,atwhichGeorge,givingastartandawildhurray,tossedoffhisglass,clappeditonthetable,andwalkedawayspeedilyonhisfriend’sarm.
“TheenemyhaspassedtheSambre,”Williamsaid,“andourleftisalreadyengaged.Comeaway.Wearetomarchinthreehours.”
AwaywentGeorge,hisnervesquiveringwithexcitementatthenewssolonglookedfor,sosuddenwhenitcame.Whatwereloveandintriguenow?
Hethoughtaboutathousandthingsbuttheseinhisrapidwalktohisquarters—hispastlifeandfuturechances—thefatewhichmightbebeforehim—thewife,thechildperhaps,fromwhomunseenhemightbeabouttopart.
Oh,howhewishedthatnight’sworkundone!
andthatwithaclearconscienceatleasthemightsayfarewelltothetenderandguilelessbeingbywhoselovehehadsetsuchlittlestore!
Hethoughtoverhisbriefmarriedlife.Inthosefewweekshehadfrightfullydissipatedhislittlecapital.Howwildandrecklesshehadbeen!
Shouldanymischancebefallhim:whatwasthenleftforher?Howunworthyhewasofher.Whyhadhemarriedher?Hewasnotfitformarriage.
Whyhadhedisobeyedhisfather,whohadbeenalwayssogeneroustohim?
Hope,remorse,ambition,tenderness,andselfishregretfilledhisheart.
Hesatedownandwrotetohisfather,rememberingwhathehadsaidoncebefore,whenhewasengagedtofightaduel.
Dawnfaintlystreakedtheskyasheclosedthisfarewellletter.
Hesealedit,andkissedthesuperscription.
Hethoughthowhehaddesertedthatgenerousfather,andofthethousandkindnesseswhichthesternoldmanhaddonehim.
HehadlookedintoAmelia’sbedroomwhenheentered;shelayquiet,andhereyesseemedclosed,andhewasgladthatshewasasleep.
Onarrivingathisquartersfromtheball,hehadfoundhisregimentalservantalreadymakingpreparationsforhisdeparture:themanhadunderstoodhissignaltobestill,andthesearrangementswereveryquicklyandsilentlymade.
ShouldhegoinandwakeAmelia,hethought,orleaveanoteforherbrothertobreakthenewsofdeparturetoher?Hewentintolookatheronceagain.
Shehadbeenawakewhenhefirstenteredherroom,buthadkepthereyesclosed,sothatevenherwakefulnessshouldnotseemtoreproachhim.
Butwhenhehadreturned,sosoonafterherself,too,thistimidlittlehearthadfeltmoreatease,andturningtowardshimashesteptsoftlyoutoftheroom,shehadfallenintoalightsleep.
Georgecameinandlookedatheragain,enteringstillmoresoftly.
Bythepalenight-lamphecouldseehersweet,paleface—thepurpleeyelidswerefringedandclosed,andoneroundarm,smoothandwhite,layoutsideofthecoverlet.GoodGod!
howpureshewas;howgentle,howtender,andhowfriendless!
andhe,howselfish,brutal,andblackwithcrime!
Heart-stained,andshame-stricken,hestoodatthebed’sfoot,andlookedatthesleepinggirl.
Howdaredhe—whowashe,toprayforonesospotless!Godblessher!Godblessher!
Hecametothebedside,andlookedatthehand,thelittlesofthand,lyingasleep;andhebentoverthepillownoiselesslytowardsthegentlepaleface.
Twofairarmsclosedtenderlyroundhisneckashestoopeddown.
“Iamawake,George,”thepoorchildsaid,withasobfittobreakthelittleheartthatnestledsocloselybyhisown.Shewasawake,poorsoul,andtowhat?
AtthatmomentabuglefromthePlaceofArmsbegansoundingclearly,andwastakenupthroughthetown;andamidstthedrumsoftheinfantry,andtheshrillpipesoftheScotch,thewholecityawoke.
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