English
Thusallthesuperiorofficersbeingsummonedondutyelsewhere,JosSedleywasleftincommandofthelittlecolonyatBrussels,withAmeliainvalided,Isidor,hisBelgianservant,andthebonne,whowasmaid-of-all-workfortheestablishment,asagarrisonunderhim.
Thoughhewasdisturbedinspirit,andhisrestdestroyedbyDobbin’sinterruptionandtheoccurrencesofthemorning,Josneverthelessremainedformanyhoursinbed,wakefulandrollingaboutthereuntilhisusualhourofrisinghadarrived.
Thesunwashighintheheavens,andourgallantfriendsofthe—thmilesontheirmarch,beforethecivilianappearedinhisflowereddressing-gownatbreakfast.
AboutGeorge’sabsence,hisbrother-in-lawwasveryeasyinmind.
PerhapsJoswasratherpleasedinhisheartthatOsbornewasgone,forduringGeorge’spresence,theotherhadplayedbutaverysecondarypartinthehousehold,andOsbornedidnotscrupletoshowhiscontemptforthestoutcivilian.
ButEmmyhadalwaysbeengoodandattentivetohim.
Itwasshewhoministeredtohiscomforts,whosuperintendedthedishesthatheliked,whowalkedorrodewithhim(asshehadmany,toomany,opportunitiesofdoing,forwherewasGeorge?)
andwhointerposedhersweetfacebetweenhisangerandherhusband’sscorn.
ManytimidremonstranceshadsheutteredtoGeorgeinbehalfofherbrother,buttheformerinhistrenchantwaycuttheseentreatiesshort.
“I’manhonestman,”hesaid,“andifIhaveafeelingIshowit,asanhonestmanwill.
Howthedeuce,mydear,wouldyouhavemebehaverespectfullytosuchafoolasyourbrother?”
SoJoswaspleasedwithGeorge’sabsence.
Hisplainhat,andglovesonasideboard,andtheideathattheownerwasaway,causedJosIdon’tknowwhatsecretthrillofpleasure.
“HEwon’tbetroublingmethismorning,”Josthought,“withhisdandifiedairsandhisimpudence.”
“PuttheCaptain’shatintotheante-room,”hesaidtoIsidor,theservant.
“Perhapshewon’twantitagain,”repliedthelackey,lookingknowinglyathismaster.HehatedGeorgetoo,whoseinsolencetowardshimwasquiteoftheEnglishsort.
“AndaskifMadameiscomingtobreakfast,”Mr.Sedleysaidwithgreatmajesty,ashamedtoenterwithaservantuponthesubjectofhisdislikeforGeorge.
Thetruthis,hehadabusedhisbrothertothevaletascoreoftimesbefore.
Alas!Madamecouldnotcometobreakfast,andcutthetartinesthatMr.Josliked.
Madamewasagreatdealtooill,andhadbeeninafrightfulstateeversinceherhusband’sdeparture,soherbonnesaid.
JosshowedhissympathybypouringheroutalargecupofteaItwashiswayofexhibitingkindness:andheimprovedonthis;henotonlysentherbreakfast,buthebethoughthimwhatdelicaciesshewouldmostlikefordinner.
Isidor,thevalet,hadlookedonverysulkily,whileOsborne’sservantwasdisposingofhismaster’sbaggageprevioustotheCaptain’sdeparture:forinthefirstplacehehatedMr.Osborne,whoseconducttohim,andtoallinferiors,wasgenerallyoverbearing(nordoesthecontinentaldomesticliketobetreatedwithinsolenceasourownbetter-temperedservantsdo),andsecondly,hewasangrythatsomanyvaluablesshouldberemovedfromunderhishands,tofallintootherpeople’spossessionwhentheEnglishdiscomfitureshouldarrive.
OfthisdefeatheandavastnumberofotherpersonsinBrusselsandBelgiumdidnotmaketheslightestdoubt.
Thealmostuniversalbeliefwas,thattheEmperorwoulddividethePrussianandEnglisharmies,annihilateoneaftertheother,andmarchintoBrusselsbeforethreedayswereover:whenallthemovablesofhispresentmasters,whowouldbekilled,orfugitives,orprisoners,wouldlawfullybecomethepropertyofMonsieurIsidor.
AshehelpedJosthroughhistoilsomeandcomplicateddailytoilette,thisfaithfulservantwouldcalculatewhatheshoulddowiththeveryarticleswithwhichhewasdecoratinghismaster’sperson.
Hewouldmakeapresentofthesilveressence-bottlesandtoiletknicknackstoayoungladyofwhomhewasfond;andkeeptheEnglishcutleryandthelargerubypinforhimself.
Itwouldlookverysmartupononeofthefinefrilledshirts,which,withthegold-lacedcapandthefroggedfrockcoat,thatmighteasilybecutdowntosuithisshape,andtheCaptain’sgold-headedcane,andthegreatdoubleringwiththerubies,whichhewouldhavemadeintoapairofbeautifulearrings,hecalculatedwouldmakeaperfectAdonisofhimself,andrenderMademoiselleReineaneasyprey.
“Howthosesleeve-buttonswillsuitme!”
thoughthe,ashefixedapaironthefatpudgywristsofMr.Sedley.
“Ilongforsleeve-buttons;andtheCaptain’sbootswithbrassspurs,inthenextroom,corbleu!
whataneffecttheywillmakeintheAlleeVerte!”
SowhileMonsieurIsidorwithbodilyfingerswasholdingontohismaster’snose,andshavingthelowerpartofJos’sface,hisimaginationwasramblingalongtheGreenAvenue,dressedoutinafroggedcoatandlace,andincompanywithMademoiselleReine;hewasloiteringinspiritonthebanks,andexaminingthebargessailingslowlyunderthecoolshadowsofthetreesbythecanal,orrefreshinghimselfwithamugofFaroatthebenchofabeer-houseontheroadtoLaeken.
ButMr.JosephSedley,luckilyforhisownpeace,nomoreknewwhatwaspassinginhisdomestic’smindthantherespectedreader,andIsuspectwhatJohnorMary,whosewageswepay,thinkofourselves.Whatourservantsthinkofus!
—Didweknowwhatourintimatesanddearrelationsthoughtofus,weshouldliveinaworldthatweshouldbegladtoquit,andinaframeofmindandaconstantterror,thatwouldbeperfectlyunbearable.
SoJos’smanwasmarkinghisvictimdown,asyouseeoneofMr.Paynter’sassistantsinLeadenhallStreetornamentanunconsciousturtlewithaplacardonwhichiswritten,“Soupto-morrow.”
Amelia’sattendantwasmuchlessselfishlydisposed.
Fewdependentscouldcomenearthatkindandgentlecreaturewithoutpayingtheirusualtributeofloyaltyandaffectiontohersweetandaffectionatenature.
AnditisafactthatPauline,thecook,consoledhermistressmorethananybodywhomshesawonthiswretchedmorning;forwhenshefoundhowAmeliaremainedforhours,silent,motionless,andhaggard,bythewindowsinwhichshehadplacedherselftowatchthelastbayonetsofthecolumnasitmarchedaway,thehonestgirltookthelady’shand,andsaid,Tenez,Madame,est-cequ’iln’estpasaussial’armee,monhommeamoi?
withwhichsheburstintotears,andAmeliafallingintoherarms,didlikewise,andsoeachpitiedandsoothedtheother.
SeveraltimesduringtheforenoonMr.Jos’sIsidorwentfromhislodgingsintothetown,andtothegatesofthehotelsandlodging-housesroundabouttheParc,wheretheEnglishwerecongregated,andtheremingledwithothervalets,couriers,andlackeys,gatheredsuchnewsaswasabroad,andbroughtbackbulletinsforhismaster’sinformation.
AlmostallthesegentlemenwereinheartpartisansoftheEmperor,andhadtheiropinionsaboutthespeedyendofthecampaign.
TheEmperor’sproclamationfromAvesneshadbeendistributedeverywhereplentifullyinBrussels.“Soldiers!”
itsaid,“thisistheanniversaryofMarengoandFriedland,bywhichthedestiniesofEuropeweretwicedecided.
Then,asafterAusterlitz,asafterWagram,weweretoogenerous.
Webelievedintheoathsandpromisesofprinceswhomwesufferedtoremainupontheirthrones.Letusmarchoncemoretomeetthem.
Weandthey,arewenotstillthesamemen?Soldiers!
thesesamePrussianswhoaresoarrogantto-day,werethreetooneagainstyouatJena,andsixtooneatMontmirail.
ThoseamongyouwhowereprisonersinEnglandcantelltheircomradeswhatfrightfultormentstheysufferedonboardtheEnglishhulks.Madmen!
amomentofprosperityhasblindedthem,andiftheyenterintoFranceitwillbetofindagravethere!”
ButthepartisansoftheFrenchprophesiedamorespeedyexterminationoftheEmperor’senemiesthanthis;anditwasagreedonallhandsthatPrussiansandBritishwouldneverreturnexceptasprisonersintherearoftheconqueringarmy.
TheseopinionsinthecourseofthedaywerebroughttooperateuponMr.Sedley.
HewastoldthattheDukeofWellingtonhadgonetotryandrallyhisarmy,theadvanceofwhichhadbeenutterlycrushedthenightbefore.
“Crushed,psha!”saidJos,whoseheartwasprettystoutatbreakfast-time.“TheDukehasgonetobeattheEmperorashehasbeatenallhisgeneralsbefore.”
“Hispapersareburned,hiseffectsareremoved,andhisquartersarebeinggotreadyfortheDukeofDalmatia,”Jos’sinformantreplied.“Ihaditfromhisownmaitred’hotel.
MilorDucdeRichemont’speoplearepackingupeverything.
HisGracehasfledalready,andtheDuchessisonlywaitingtoseetheplatepackedtojointheKingofFranceatOstend.”
“TheKingofFranceisatGhent,fellow,”repliedJos,affectingincredulity.
“HefledlastnighttoBruges,andembarkstodayfromOstend.TheDucdeBerriistakenprisoner.
Thosewhowishtobesafehadbettergosoon,forthedykeswillbeopenedto-morrow,andwhocanflywhenthewholecountryisunderwater?”
“Nonsense,sir,wearethreetoone,sir,againstanyforceBoneycanbringintothefield,”Mr.Sedleyobjected;“theAustriansandtheRussiansareontheirmarch.
Hemust,heshallbecrushed,”Jossaid,slappinghishandonthetable.
“ThePrussianswerethreetooneatJena,andhetooktheirarmyandkingdominaweek.
TheyweresixtooneatMontmirail,andhescatteredthemlikesheep.
TheAustrianarmyiscoming,butwiththeEmpressandtheKingofRomeatitshead;andtheRussians,bah!theRussianswillwithdraw.
NoquarteristobegiventotheEnglish,onaccountoftheircrueltytoourbravesonboardtheinfamouspontoons.
Lookhere,hereitisinblackandwhite.
Here’stheproclamationofhisMajestytheEmperorandKing,”saidthenowdeclaredpartisanofNapoleon,andtakingthedocumentfromhispocket,Isidorsternlythrustitintohismaster’sface,andalreadylookeduponthefroggedcoatandvaluablesashisownspoil.
Joswas,ifnotseriouslyalarmedasyet,atleastconsiderablydisturbedinmind.
“Givememycoatandcap,sir,saidhe,“andfollowme.
Iwillgomyselfandlearnthetruthofthesereports.”
IsidorwasfuriousasJosputonthebraidedfrock.
“Milorhadbetternotwearthatmilitarycoat,”saidhe;“theFrenchmenhaveswornnottogivequartertoasingleBritishsoldier.”
“Silence,sirrah!”saidJos,witharesolutecountenancestill,andthrusthisarmintothesleevewithindomitableresolution,intheperformanceofwhichheroicacthewasfoundbyMrs.RawdonCrawley,whoatthisjuncturecameuptovisitAmelia,andenteredwithoutringingattheantechamberdoor.
Rebeccawasdressedveryneatlyandsmartly,asusual:herquietsleepafterRawdon’sdeparturehadrefreshedher,andherpinksmilingcheekswerequitepleasanttolookat,inatownandonadaywheneverybodyelse’scountenanceworetheappearanceofthedeepestanxietyandgloom.
ShelaughedattheattitudeinwhichJoswasdiscovered,andthestrugglesandconvulsionswithwhichthestoutgentlemanthrusthimselfintothebraidedcoat.
“Areyoupreparingtojointhearmy,Mr.Joseph?”shesaid.
“IstheretobenobodyleftinBrusselstoprotectuspoorwomen?”
Jossucceededinplungingintothecoat,andcameforwardblushingandstutteringoutexcusestohisfairvisitor.
“Howwassheaftertheeventsofthemorning—afterthefatiguesoftheballthenightbefore?”
MonsieurIsidordisappearedintohismaster’sadjacentbedroom,bearingofftheflowereddressing-gown.
“Howgoodofyoutoask,”saidshe,pressingoneofhishandsinbothherown.
“Howcoolandcollectedyoulookwheneverybodyelseisfrightened!HowisourdearlittleEmmy?
Itmusthavebeenanawful,awfulparting.”
“Tremendous,”Jossaid.
“Youmencanbearanything,”repliedthelady.“Partingordangerarenothingtoyou.
Ownnowthatyouweregoingtojointhearmyandleaveustoourfate.
Iknowyouwere—somethingtellsmeyouwere.
Iwassofrightened,whenthethoughtcameintomyhead(forIdosometimesthinkofyouwhenIamalone,Mr.Joseph),thatIranoffimmediatelytobegandentreatyounottoflyfromus.”
Thisspeechmightbeinterpreted,“Mydearsir,shouldanaccidentbefallthearmy,andaretreatbenecessary,youhaveaverycomfortablecarriage,inwhichIproposetotakeaseat.”
Idon’tknowwhetherJosunderstoodthewordsinthissense.
Buthewasprofoundlymortifiedbythelady’sinattentiontohimduringtheirstayatBrussels.
HehadneverbeenpresentedtoanyofRawdonCrawley’sgreatacquaintances:hehadscarcelybeeninvitedtoRebecca’sparties;forhewastootimidtoplaymuch,andhispresenceboredGeorgeandRawdonequally,whoneitherofthem,perhaps,likedtohaveawitnessoftheamusementsinwhichthepairchosetoindulge.“Ah!”
thoughtJos,“nowshewantsmeshecomestome.
WhenthereisnobodyelseinthewayshecanthinkaboutoldJosephSedley!”
ButbesidesthesedoubtshefeltflatteredattheideaRebeccaexpressedofhiscourage.
Heblushedagooddeal,andputonanairofimportance.
“Ishouldliketoseetheaction,”hesaid.
“Everymanofanyspiritwould,youknow.
I’veseenalittleserviceinIndia,butnothingonthisgrandscale.”
“Youmenwouldsacrificeanythingforapleasure,”Rebeccaanswered.
“CaptainCrawleyleftmethismorningasgayasifheweregoingtoahuntingparty.Whatdoeshecare?
Whatdoanyofyoucarefortheagoniesandtorturesofapoorforsakenwoman?
(Iwonderwhetherhecouldreallyhavebeengoingtothetroops,thisgreatlazygourmand?)Oh!
dearMr.Sedley,Ihavecometoyouforcomfort—forconsolation.
Ihavebeenonmykneesallthemorning.
Itrembleatthefrightfuldangerintowhichourhusbands,ourfriends,ourbravetroopsandallies,arerushing.
AndIcomehereforshelter,andfindanotherofmyfriends—thelastremainingtome—bentuponplungingintothedreadfulscene!”
“Mydearmadam,”Josreplied,nowbeginningtobequitesoothed,“don’tbealarmed.
IonlysaidIshouldliketogo—whatBritonwouldnot?
Butmydutykeepsmehere:Ican’tleavethatpoorcreatureinthenextroom.”
AndhepointedwithhisfingertothedoorofthechamberinwhichAmeliawas.
“Goodnoblebrother!”Rebeccasaid,puttingherhandkerchieftohereyes,andsmellingtheeau-de-colognewithwhichitwasscented.
“Ihavedoneyouinjustice:youhavegotaheart.Ithoughtyouhadnot.”
“O,uponmyhonour!”Jossaid,makingamotionasifhewouldlayhishanduponthespotinquestion.“Youdomeinjustice,indeedyoudo—mydearMrs.Crawley.”
“Ido,nowyourheartistruetoyoursister.ButIremembertwoyearsago—whenitwasfalsetome!”Rebeccasaid,fixinghereyesuponhimforaninstant,andthenturningawayintothewindow.
Josblushedviolently.ThatorganwhichhewasaccusedbyRebeccaofnotpossessingbegantothumptumultuously.
Herecalledthedayswhenhehadfledfromher,andthepassionwhichhadonceinflamedhim—thedayswhenhehaddrivenherinhiscurricle:whenshehadknitthegreenpurseforhim:whenhehadsateenrapturedgazingatherwhitearmsandbrighteyes.
“Iknowyouthinkmeungrateful,”Rebeccacontinued,comingoutofthewindow,andoncemorelookingathimandaddressinghiminalowtremulousvoice.
“Yourcoldness,youravertedlooks,yourmannerwhenwehavemetoflate—whenIcameinjustnow,allprovedittome.
ButweretherenoreasonswhyIshouldavoidyou?
Letyourownheartanswerthatquestion.
Doyouthinkmyhusbandwastoomuchinclinedtowelcomeyou?
TheonlyunkindwordsIhaveeverhadfromhim(IwilldoCaptainCrawleythatjustice)havebeenaboutyou—andmostcruel,cruelwordstheywere.”
“Goodgracious!whathaveIdone?”askedJosinaflurryofpleasureandperplexity;“whathaveIdone—to—to—?”
“Isjealousynothing?”saidRebecca.“Hemakesmemiserableaboutyou.Andwhateveritmighthavebeenonce—myheartisallhis.Iaminnocentnow.AmInot,Mr.Sedley?”
AllJos’sbloodtingledwithdelight,ashesurveyedthisvictimtohisattractions.
Afewadroitwords,oneortwoknowingtenderglancesoftheeyes,andhisheartwasinflamedagainandhisdoubtsandsuspicionsforgotten.
FromSolomondownwards,havenotwisermenthanhebeencajoledandbefooledbywomen?
“Iftheworstcomestotheworst,”Beckythought,“myretreatissecure;andIhavearight-handseatinthebarouche.”
ThereisnoknowingintowhatdeclarationsofloveandardourthetumultuouspassionsofMr.Josephmighthaveledhim,ifIsidorthevalethadnotmadehisreappearanceatthisminute,andbeguntobusyhimselfaboutthedomesticaffairs.
Jos,whowasjustgoingtogaspoutanavowal,chokedalmostwiththeemotionthathewasobligedtorestrain.
RebeccatoobethoughtherthatitwastimesheshouldgoinandcomfortherdearestAmelia.
“Aurevoir,”shesaid,kissingherhandtoMr.Joseph,andtappedgentlyatthedoorofhissister’sapartment.
Assheenteredandclosedthedooronherself,hesankdowninachair,andgazedandsighedandpuffedportentously.
“ThatcoatisverytightforMilor,”Isidorsaid,stillhavinghiseyeonthefrogs;buthismasterheardhimnot:histhoughtswereelsewhere:nowglowing,maddening,uponthecontemplationoftheenchantingRebecca:anonshrinkingguiltilybeforethevisionofthejealousRawdonCrawley,withhiscurling,fiercemustachios,andhisterribleduellingpistolsloadedandcocked.
Rebecca’sappearancestruckAmeliawithterror,andmadehershrinkback.
Itrecalledhertotheworldandtheremembranceofyesterday.
Intheoverpoweringfearsaboutto-morrowshehadforgottenRebecca—jealousy—everythingexceptthatherhusbandwasgoneandwasindanger.
Untilthisdauntlessworldlingcameinandbrokethespell,andliftedthelatch,wetoohaveforbornetoenterintothatsadchamber.
Howlonghadthatpoorgirlbeenonherknees!
whathoursofspeechlessprayerandbitterprostrationhadshepassedthere!
Thewar-chroniclerswhowritebrilliantstoriesoffightandtriumphscarcelytellusofthese.
Thesearetoomeanpartsofthepageant:andyoudon’thearwidows’criesormothers’sobsinthemidstoftheshoutsandjubilationinthegreatChorusofVictory.
Andyetwhenwasthetimethatsuchhavenotcriedout:heart-broken,humbleprotestants,unheardintheuproarofthetriumph!
AfterthefirstmovementofterrorinAmelia’smind—whenRebecca’sgreeneyeslighteduponher,andrustlinginherfreshsilksandbrilliantornaments,thelattertrippedupwithextendedarmstoembraceher—afeelingofangersucceeded,andfrombeingdeadlypalebefore,herfaceflushedupred,andshereturnedRebecca’slookafteramomentwithasteadinesswhichsurprisedandsomewhatabashedherrival.
“DearestAmelia,youareveryunwell,”thevisitorsaid,puttingforthherhandtotakeAmelia’s.“Whatisit?IcouldnotrestuntilIknewhowyouwere.”
Ameliadrewbackherhand—neversinceherlifebeganhadthatgentlesoulrefusedtobelieveortoansweranydemonstrationofgood-willoraffection.
Butshedrewbackherhand,andtrembledallover.“Whyareyouhere,Rebecca?”
shesaid,stilllookingathersolemnlywithherlargeeyes.Theseglancestroubledhervisitor.
“Shemusthaveseenhimgivemetheletterattheball,”Rebeccathought.“Don’tbeagitated,dearAmelia,”shesaid,lookingdown.“IcamebuttoseeifIcould—ifyouwerewell.”
“Areyouwell?”saidAmelia.“Idaresayyouare.Youdon’tloveyourhusband.Youwouldnotbehereifyoudid.Tellme,Rebecca,didIeverdoyouanythingbutkindness?”
“Indeed,Amelia,no,”theothersaid,stillhangingdownherhead.
“Whenyouwerequitepoor,whowasitthatbefriendedyou?WasInotasistertoyou?
Yousawusallinhappierdaysbeforehemarriedme.
Iwasallinallthentohim;orwouldhehavegivenuphisfortune,hisfamily,ashenoblydidtomakemehappy?
Whydidyoucomebetweenmyloveandme?
WhosentyoutoseparatethosewhomGodjoined,andtakemydarling’sheartfromme—myownhusband?
DoyouthinkyoucouldIlovehimasIdid?Hislovewaseverythingtome.
Youknewit,andwantedtorobmeofit.
Forshame,Rebecca;badandwickedwoman—falsefriendandfalsewife.”
“Amelia,IprotestbeforeGod,Ihavedonemyhusbandnowrong,”Rebeccasaid,turningfromher.
“Haveyoudonemenowrong,Rebecca?Youdidnotsucceed,butyoutried.Askyourheartifyoudidnot.”
Sheknowsnothing,Rebeccathought.
“Hecamebacktome.Iknewhewould.Iknewthatnofalsehood,noflattery,couldkeephimfrommelong.Iknewhewouldcome.Iprayedsothatheshould.”
ThepoorgirlspokethesewordswithaspiritandvolubilitywhichRebeccahadneverbeforeseeninher,andbeforewhichthelatterwasquitedumb.
“ButwhathaveIdonetoyou,”shecontinuedinamorepitifultone,“thatyoushouldtryandtakehimfromme?Ihadhimbutforsixweeks.
Youmighthavesparedmethose,Rebecca.
Andyet,fromtheveryfirstdayofourwedding,youcameandblightedit.
Nowheisgone,areyoucometoseehowunhappyIam?”shecontinued.
“Youmademewretchedenoughforthepastfortnight:youmighthavesparedmeto-day.”
“I—Inevercamehere,”interposedRebecca,withunluckytruth.
“No.Youdidn’tcome.Youtookhimaway.Areyoucometofetchhimfromme?”shecontinuedinawildertone.“Hewashere,butheisgonenow.Thereonthatverysofahesate.Don’ttouchit.Wesateandtalkedthere.
Iwasonhisknee,andmyarmswereroundhisneck,andwesaid‘OurFather.’
Yes,hewashere:andtheycameandtookhimaway,buthepromisedmetocomeback.”
“Hewillcomeback,mydear,”saidRebecca,touchedinspiteofherself.
“Look,”saidAmelia,“thisishissash—isn’titaprettycolour?”
andshetookupthefringeandkissedit.
Shehadtieditroundherwaistatsomepartoftheday.
Shehadforgottenheranger,herjealousy,theverypresenceofherrivalseemingly.
Forshewalkedsilentlyandalmostwithasmileonherface,towardsthebed,andbegantosmoothdownGeorge’spillow.
Rebeccawalked,too,silentlyaway.“HowisAmelia?”askedJos,whostillheldhispositioninthechair.
“Thereshouldbesomebodywithher,”saidRebecca.
“Ithinksheisveryunwell”:andshewentawaywithaverygraveface,refusingMr.Sedley’sentreatiesthatshewouldstayandpartakeoftheearlydinnerwhichhehadordered.
Rebeccawasofagood-naturedandobligingdisposition;andshelikedAmeliaratherthanotherwise.
Evenherhardwords,reproachfulastheywere,werecomplimentary—thegroansofapersonstingingunderdefeat.
MeetingMrs.O’Dowd,whomtheDean’ssermonshadbynomeanscomforted,andwhowaswalkingverydisconsolatelyintheParc,Rebeccaaccostedthelatter,rathertothesurpriseoftheMajor’swife,whowasnotaccustomedtosuchmarksofpolitenessfromMrs.RawdonCrawley,andinformingherthatpoorlittleMrs.Osbornewasinadesperatecondition,andalmostmadwithgrief,sentoffthegood-naturedIrishwomanstraighttoseeifshecouldconsoleheryoungfavourite.
“I’vecaresofmyownenough,”Mrs.O’Dowdsaid,gravely,“andIthoughtpoorAmeliawouldbelittlewantingforcompanythisday.
Butifshe’ssobadasyousay,andyoucan’tattendtoher,whousedtobesofondofher,faithI’llseeifIcanbeofservice.
Andsogoodmarningtoye,Madam”;withwhichspeechandatossofherhead,theladyoftherepaythertookafarewellofMrs.Crawley,whosecompanyshebynomeanscourted.
Beckywatchedhermarchingoff,withasmileonherlip.
Shehadthekeenestsenseofhumour,andtheParthianlookwhichtheretreatingMrs.O’DowdflungoverhershoulderalmostupsetMrs.Crawley’sgravity.
“Myservicetoye,mefineMadam,andI’mgladtoseeyesocheerful,”thoughtPeggy.
“It’snotYOUthatwillcryyoureyesoutwithgrief,anyway.”
Andwiththisshepassedon,andspeedilyfoundherwaytoMrs.Osborne’slodgings.
Thepoorsoulwasstillatthebedside,whereRebeccahadlefther,andstoodalmostcrazywithgrief.
TheMajor’swife,astronger-mindedwoman,endeavouredherbesttocomfortheryoungfriend.
“Youmustbearup,Amelia,dear,”shesaidkindly,“forhemustn’tfindyouillwhenhesendsforyouafterthevictory.
It’snotyouaretheonlywomanthatareinthehandsofGodthisday.”
“Iknowthat.Iamverywicked,veryweak,”Ameliasaid.Sheknewherownweaknesswellenough.
Thepresenceofthemoreresolutefriendcheckedit,however;andshewasthebetterofthiscontrolandcompany.
Theywentontilltwoo’clock;theirheartswerewiththecolumnasitmarchedfartherandfartheraway.
Dreadfuldoubtandanguish—prayersandfearsandgriefsunspeakable—followedtheregiment.Itwasthewomen’stributetothewar.
Ittaxesbothalike,andtakesthebloodofthemen,andthetearsofthewomen.
Athalf-pasttwo,aneventoccurredofdailyimportancetoMr.Joseph:thedinner-hourarrived.
Warriorsmayfightandperish,buthemustdine.
HecameintoAmelia’sroomtoseeifhecouldcoaxhertosharethatmeal.“Try,”saidhe;“thesoupisverygood.Dotry,Emmy,”andhekissedherhand.
Exceptwhenshewasmarried,hehadnotdonesomuchforyearsbefore.
“Youareverygoodandkind,Joseph,”shesaid.
“Everybodyis,but,ifyouplease,Iwillstayinmyroomto-day.”
Thesavourofthesoup,however,wasagreeabletoMrs.O’Dowd’snostrils:andshethoughtshewouldbearMr.Joscompany.Sothetwosatedowntotheirmeal.
“Godblessthemeat,”saidtheMajor’swife,solemnly:shewasthinkingofherhonestMick,ridingattheheadofhisregiment:”’Tisbutabaddinnerthosepoorboyswillgetto-day,”shesaid,withasigh,andthen,likeaphilosopher,fellto.
Jos’sspiritsrosewithhismeal.Hewoulddrinktheregiment’shealth;or,indeed,takeanyotherexcusetoindulgeinaglassofchampagne.
“We’lldrinktoO’Dowdandthebrave—th,”saidhe,bowinggallantlytohisguest.“Hey,Mrs.O’Dowd?FillMrs.O’Dowd’sglass,Isidor.”
Butallofasudden,Isidorstarted,andtheMajor’swifelaiddownherknifeandfork.
Thewindowsoftheroomwereopen,andlookedsouthward,andadulldistantsoundcameoverthesun-lightedroofsfromthatdirection.“Whatisit?”
saidJos.“Whydon’tyoupour,yourascal?”
“Cestlefeu!”saidIsidor,runningtothebalcony.
“Goddefendus;it’scannon!”Mrs.O’Dowdcried,startingup,andfollowedtootothewindow.
Athousandpaleandanxiousfacesmighthavebeenseenlookingfromothercasements.
Andpresentlyitseemedasifthewholepopulationofthecityrushedintothestreets.
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