English
WeofpeacefulLondonCityhaveneverbeheld—andpleaseGodnevershallwitness—suchasceneofhurryandalarm,asthatwhichBrusselspresented.
CrowdsrushedtotheNamurgate,fromwhichdirectionthenoiseproceeded,andmanyrodealongthelevelchaussee,tobeinadvanceofanyintelligencefromthearmy.
Eachmanaskedhisneighbourfornews;andevengreatEnglishlordsandladiescondescendedtospeaktopersonswhomtheydidnotknow.
ThefriendsoftheFrenchwentabroad,wildwithexcitement,andprophesyingthetriumphoftheirEmperor.
Themerchantsclosedtheirshops,andcameouttoswellthegeneralchorusofalarmandclamour.
Womenrushedtothechurches,andcrowdedthechapels,andkneltandprayedontheflagsandsteps.
Thedullsoundofthecannonwentonrolling,rolling.
Presentlycarriageswithtravellersbegantoleavethetown,gallopingawaybytheGhentbarrier.
ThepropheciesoftheFrenchpartisansbegantopassforfacts.
“Hehascutthearmiesintwo,”itwassaid.“HeismarchingstraightonBrussels.
HewilloverpowertheEnglish,andbehereto-night.”
“HewilloverpowertheEnglish,”shriekedIsidortohismaster,“andwillbehereto-night.”
Themanboundedinandoutfromthelodgingstothestreet,alwaysreturningwithsomefreshparticularsofdisaster.Jos’sfacegrewpalerandpaler.
Alarmbegantotakeentirepossessionofthestoutcivilian.
Allthechampagnehedrankbroughtnocouragetohim.
BeforesunsethewasworkeduptosuchapitchofnervousnessasgratifiedhisfriendIsidortobehold,whonowcountedsurelyuponthespoilsoftheownerofthelacedcoat.
Thewomenwereawayallthistime.Afterhearingthefiringforamoment,thestoutMajor’swifebethoughtherofherfriendinthenextchamber,andranintowatch,andifpossibletoconsole,Amelia.
Theideathatshehadthathelplessandgentlecreaturetoprotect,gaveadditionalstrengthtothenaturalcourageofthehonestIrishwoman.
Shepassedfivehoursbyherfriend’sside,sometimesinremonstrance,sometimestalkingcheerfully,oftenerinsilenceandterrifiedmentalsupplication.
“Ineverletgoherhandonce,”saidthestoutladyafterwards,“untilaftersunset,whenthefiringwasover.”
Pauline,thebonne,wasonherkneesatchurchhardby,prayingforsonhommeaelle.
Whenthenoiseofthecannonadingwasover,Mrs.O’DowdissuedoutofAmelia’sroomintotheparlouradjoining,whereJossatewithtwoemptiedflasks,andcourageentirelygone.
Onceortwicehehadventuredintohissister’sbedroom,lookingverymuchalarmed,andasifhewouldsaysomething.
ButtheMajor’swifekeptherplace,andhewentawaywithoutdisburtheninghimselfofhisspeech.
Hewasashamedtotellherthathewantedtofly.
Butwhenshemadeherappearanceinthedining-room,wherehesateinthetwilightinthecheerlesscompanyofhisemptychampagnebottles,hebegantoopenhismindtoher.
“Mrs.O’Dowd,”hesaid,“hadn’tyoubettergetAmeliaready?”
“Areyougoingtotakeheroutforawalk?”saidtheMajor’slady;“sureshe’stooweaktostir.”
“I—I’veorderedthecarriage,”hesaid,“and—andpost-horses;Isidorisgoneforthem,”Joscontinued.
“Whatdoyouwantwithdrivingto-night?”answeredthelady.“Isn’tshebetteronherbed?I’vejustgothertoliedown.”
“Getherup,”saidJos;“shemustgetup,Isay”:andhestampedhisfootenergetically.“Isaythehorsesareordered—yes,thehorsesareordered.It’sallover,and—”
“Andwhat?”askedMrs.O’Dowd.
“I’moffforGhent,”Josanswered.“Everybodyisgoing;there’saplaceforyou!Weshallstartinhalf-an-hour.”
TheMajor’swifelookedathimwithinfinitescorn.“Idon’tmovetillO’Dowdgivesmetheroute,”saidshe.“Youmaygoifyoulike,Mr.Sedley;but,faith,AmeliaandIstophere.”
“SheSHALLgo,”saidJos,withanotherstampofhisfoot.Mrs.O’Dowdputherselfwitharmsakimbobeforethebedroomdoor.
“Isithermotheryou’regoingtotakeherto?”
shesaid;“ordoyouwanttogotoMammayourself,Mr.Sedley?
Goodmarning—apleasantjourneytoye,sir.
Bonvoyage,astheysay,andtakemycounsel,andshaveoffthemmustachios,orthey’llbringyouintomischief.”
“D—n!”yelledoutJos,wildwithfear,rage,andmortification;andIsidorcameinatthisjuncture,swearinginhisturn.“Pasdechevaux,sacrebleu!”hissedoutthefuriousdomestic.Allthehorsesweregone.
JoswasnottheonlymaninBrusselsseizedwithpanicthatday.
ButJos’sfears,greatandcruelastheywerealready,weredestinedtoincreasetoanalmostfranticpitchbeforethenightwasover.
IthasbeenmentionedhowPauline,thebonne,hadsonhommeaellealsointheranksofthearmythathadgoneouttomeettheEmperorNapoleon.
ThisloverwasanativeofBrussels,andaBelgianhussar.
Thetroopsofhisnationsignalisedthemselvesinthiswarforanythingbutcourage,andyoungVanCutsum,Pauline’sadmirer,wastoogoodasoldiertodisobeyhisColonel’sorderstorunaway.
WhilstingarrisonatBrusselsyoungRegulus(hehadbeenbornintherevolutionarytimes)foundhisgreatcomfort,andpassedalmostallhisleisuremoments,inPauline’skitchen;anditwaswithpocketsandholsterscrammedfullofgoodthingsfromherlarder,thathehadtakeleaveofhisweepingsweetheart,toproceeduponthecampaignafewdaysbefore.
Asfarashisregimentwasconcerned,thiscampaignwasovernow.
TheyhadformedapartofthedivisionunderthecommandofhisSovereignapparent,thePrinceofOrange,andasrespectedlengthofswordsandmustachios,andtherichnessofuniformandequipments,Regulusandhiscomradeslookedtobeasgallantabodyofmenasevertrumpetsoundedfor.
WhenNeydashedupontheadvanceofthealliedtroops,carryingonepositionaftertheother,untilthearrivalofthegreatbodyoftheBritisharmyfromBrusselschangedtheaspectofthecombatofQuatreBras,thesquadronsamongwhichRegulusrodeshowedthegreatestactivityinretreatingbeforetheFrench,andweredislodgedfromonepostandanotherwhichtheyoccupiedwithperfectalacrityontheirpart.
TheirmovementswereonlycheckedbytheadvanceoftheBritishintheirrear.
Thusforcedtohalt,theenemy’scavalry(whosebloodthirstyobstinacycannotbetooseverelyreprehended)hadatlengthanopportunityofcomingtoclosequarterswiththebraveBelgiansbeforethem;whopreferredtoencountertheBritishratherthantheFrench,andatonceturningtailrodethroughtheEnglishregimentsthatwerebehindthem,andscatteredinalldirections.
Theregimentinfactdidnotexistanymore.Itwasnowhere.Ithadnohead-quarters.
Regulusfoundhimselfgallopingmanymilesfromthefieldofaction,entirelyalone;andwhithershouldheflyforrefugesonaturallyastothatkitchenandthosefaithfularmsinwhichPaulinehadsooftenwelcomedhim?
Atsometeno’clocktheclinkingofasabremighthavebeenheardupthestairofthehousewheretheOsbornesoccupiedastoryinthecontinentalfashion.
Aknockmighthavebeenheardatthekitchendoor;andpoorPauline,comebackfromchurch,faintedalmostwithterrorassheopeneditandsawbeforeherherhaggardhussar.
HelookedaspaleasthemidnightdragoonwhocametodisturbLeonora.
Paulinewouldhavescreamed,butthathercrywouldhavecalledhermasters,anddiscoveredherfriend.
Shestifledherscream,then,andleadingherherointothekitchen,gavehimbeer,andthechoicebitsfromthedinner,whichJoshadnothadthehearttotaste.
Thehussarshowedhewasnoghostbytheprodigiousquantityoffleshandbeerwhichhedevoured—andduringthemouthfulshetoldhistaleofdisaster.
Hisregimenthadperformedprodigiesofcourage,andhadwithstoodforawhiletheonsetofthewholeFrencharmy.
Buttheywereoverwhelmedatlast,aswasthewholeBritisharmybythistime.
Neydestroyedeachregimentasitcameup.
TheBelgiansinvaininterposedtopreventthebutcheryoftheEnglish.
TheBrunswickerswereroutedandhadfled—theirDukewaskilled.Itwasageneraldebacle.
Hesoughttodrownhissorrowforthedefeatinfloodsofbeer.
Isidor,whohadcomeintothekitchen,heardtheconversationandrushedouttoinformhismaster.
“Itisallover,”heshriekedtoJos.“MilorDukeisaprisoner;theDukeofBrunswickiskilled;theBritisharmyisinfullflight;thereisonlyonemanescaped,andheisinthekitchennow—comeandhearhim.”
SoJostotteredintothatapartmentwhereRegulusstillsateonthekitchentable,andclungfasttohisflagonofbeer.
InthebestFrenchwhichhecouldmuster,andwhichwasinsoothofaveryungrammaticalsort,Josbesoughtthehussartotellhistale.
ThedisastersdeepenedasRegulusspoke.
Hewastheonlymanofhisregimentnotslainonthefield.
HehadseentheDukeofBrunswickfall,theblackhussarsfly,theEcossaispoundeddownbythecannon.“Andthe—th?”gaspedJos.
“Cutinpieces,”saidthehussar—uponwhichPaulinecriedout,“Omymistress,mabonnepetitedame,”wentofffairlyintohysterics,andfilledthehousewithherscreams.
Wildwithterror,Mr.Sedleyknewnothoworwheretoseekforsafety.
Herushedfromthekitchenbacktothesitting-room,andcastanappealinglookatAmelia’sdoor,whichMrs.O’Dowdhadclosedandlockedinhisface;butherememberedhowscornfullythelatterhadreceivedhim,andafterpausingandlisteningforabriefspaceatthedoor,heleftit,andresolvedtogointothestreet,forthefirsttimethatday.
So,seizingacandle,helookedaboutforhisgold-lacedcap,andfounditlyinginitsusualplace,onaconsole-table,intheanteroom,placedbeforeamirroratwhichJosusedtocoquet,alwaysgivinghisside-locksatwirl,andhiscapthepropercockoverhiseye,beforehewentforthtomakeappearanceinpublic.
Suchistheforceofhabit,thateveninthemidstofhisterrorhebeganmechanicallytotwiddlewithhishair,andarrangethecockofhishat.
Thenhelookedamazedatthepalefaceintheglassbeforehim,andespeciallyathismustachios,whichhadattainedarichgrowthinthecourseofnearsevenweeks,sincetheyhadcomeintotheworld.
TheyWILLmistakemeforamilitaryman,thoughthe,rememberingIsidor’swarningastothemassacrewithwhichallthedefeatedBritisharmywasthreatened;andstaggeringbacktohisbedchamber,hebeganwildlypullingthebellwhichsummonedhisvalet.
Isidoransweredthatsummons.Joshadsunkinachair—hehadtornoffhisneckcloths,andturneddownhiscollars,andwassittingwithbothhishandsliftedtohisthroat.
“Coupez-moi,Isidor,”shoutedhe;“vite!Coupez-moi!”
Isidorthoughtforamomenthehadgonemad,andthathewishedhisvalettocuthisthroat.
“Lesmoustaches,”gaspedJoe;“lesmoustaches—coupy,rasy,vite!”—hisFrenchwasofthissort—voluble,aswehavesaid,butnotremarkableforgrammar.
Isidorsweptoffthemustachiosinnotimewiththerazor,andheardwithinexpressibledelighthismaster’sordersthatheshouldfetchahatandaplaincoat.
“Neportyploo—habitmilitair—bonn—bonnyavoo,prennydehors”—wereJos’swords—thecoatandcapwereatlasthisproperty.
Thisgiftbeingmade,Josselectedaplainblackcoatandwaistcoatfromhisstock,andputonalargewhiteneckcloth,andaplainbeaver.
Ifhecouldhavegotashovelhathewouldhavewornit.
Asitwas,youwouldhavefanciedhewasaflourishing,largeparsonoftheChurchofEngland.
“Vennymaintenong,”hecontinued,“sweevy—ally—party—donglaroo.”Andsohavingsaid,heplungedswiftlydownthestairsofthehouse,andpassedintothestreet.
AlthoughRegulushadvowedthathewastheonlymanofhisregimentorofthealliedarmy,almost,whohadescapedbeingcuttopiecesbyNey,itappearedthathisstatementwasincorrect,andthatagoodnumbermoreofthesupposedvictimshadsurvivedthemassacre.
ManyscoresofRegulus’scomradeshadfoundtheirwaybacktoBrussels,andallagreeingthattheyhadrunaway—filledthewholetownwithanideaofthedefeatoftheallies.
ThearrivaloftheFrenchwasexpectedhourly;thepaniccontinued,andpreparationsforflightwentoneverywhere.Nohorses!thoughtJos,interror.
HemadeIsidorinquireofscoresofpersons,whethertheyhadanytolendorsell,andhisheartsankwithinhim,atthenegativeanswersreturnedeverywhere.Shouldhetakethejourneyonfoot?
Evenfearcouldnotrenderthatponderousbodysoactive.
AlmostallthehotelsoccupiedbytheEnglishinBrusselsfacetheParc,andJoswanderedirresolutelyaboutinthisquarter,withcrowdsofotherpeople,oppressedashewasbyfearandcuriosity.
Somefamilieshesawmorehappythanhimself,havingdiscoveredateamofhorses,andrattlingthroughthestreetsinretreat;othersagaintherewerewhosecasewaslikehisown,andwhocouldnotforanybribesorentreatiesprocurethenecessarymeansofflight.
Amongstthesewould-befugitives,JosremarkedtheLadyBareacresandherdaughter,whosateintheircarriageintheporte-cochereoftheirhotel,alltheirimperialspacked,andtheonlydrawbacktowhoseflightwasthesamewantofmotivepowerwhichkeptJosstationary.
RebeccaCrawleyoccupiedapartmentsinthishotel;andhadbeforethisperiodhadsundryhostilemeetingswiththeladiesoftheBareacresfamily.
MyLadyBareacrescutMrs.Crawleyonthestairswhentheymetbychance;andinallplaceswherethelatter’snamewasmentioned,spokeperseveringlyillofherneighbour.
TheCountesswasshockedatthefamiliarityofGeneralTuftowiththeaide-de-camp’swife.
TheLadyBlancheavoidedherasifshehadbeenaninfectiousdisease.
OnlytheEarlhimselfkeptupaslyoccasionalacquaintancewithher,whenoutofthejurisdictionofhisladies.
Rebeccahadherrevengenowupontheseinsolentenemies.
IfbecameknowninthehotelthatCaptainCrawley’shorseshadbeenleftbehind,andwhenthepanicbegan,LadyBareacrescondescendedtosendhermaidtotheCaptain’swifewithherLadyship’scompliments,andadesiretoknowthepriceofMrs.Crawley’shorses.
Mrs.Crawleyreturnedanotewithhercompliments,andanintimationthatitwasnothercustomtotransactbargainswithladies’maids.
ThiscurtreplybroughttheEarlinpersontoBecky’sapartment;buthecouldgetnomoresuccessthanthefirstambassador.“Sendalady’smaidtoME!”
Mrs.Crawleycriedingreatanger;“whydidn’tmyLadyBareacrestellmetogoandsaddlethehorses!
IsitherLadyshipthatwantstoescape,orherLadyship’sfemmedechambre?”
AndthiswasalltheanswerthattheEarlborebacktohisCountess.
Whatwillnotnecessitydo?TheCountessherselfactuallycametowaituponMrs.Crawleyonthefailureofhersecondenvoy.
Sheentreatedhertonameherownprice;sheevenofferedtoinviteBeckytoBareacresHouse,ifthelatterwouldbutgiveherthemeansofreturningtothatresidence.Mrs.Crawleysneeredather.
“Idon’twanttobewaitedonbybailiffsinlivery,”shesaid;“youwillnevergetbackthoughmostprobably—atleastnotyouandyourdiamondstogether.
TheFrenchwillhavethoseTheywillbehereintwohours,andIshallbehalfwaytoGhentbythattime.
Iwouldnotsellyoumyhorses,no,notforthetwolargestdiamondsthatyourLadyshipworeattheball.”
LadyBareacrestrembledwithrageandterror.
Thediamondsweresewedintoherhabit,andsecretedinmyLord’spaddingandboots.
“Woman,thediamondsareatthebanker’s,andIWILLhavethehorses,”shesaid.Rebeccalaughedinherface.
TheinfuriateCountesswentbelow,andsateinhercarriage;hermaid,hercourier,andherhusbandweresentoncemorethroughthetown,eachtolookforcattle;andwoebetidethosewhocamelast!
HerLadyshipwasresolvedondepartingtheveryinstantthehorsesarrivedfromanyquarter—withherhusbandorwithouthim.
RebeccahadthepleasureofseeingherLadyshipinthehorselesscarriage,andkeepinghereyesfixeduponher,andbewailing,intheloudesttoneofvoice,theCountess’sperplexities.“Nottobeabletogethorses!”
shesaid,“andtohaveallthosediamondssewedintothecarriagecushions!
WhataprizeitwillbefortheFrenchwhentheycome!
—thecarriageandthediamonds,Imean;notthelady!”
Shegavethisinformationtothelandlord,totheservants,totheguests,andtheinnumerablestragglersaboutthecourtyard.
LadyBareacrescouldhaveshotherfromthecarriagewindow.
ItwaswhileenjoyingthehumiliationofherenemythatRebeccacaughtsightofJos,whomadetowardsherdirectlyheperceivedher.
Thataltered,frightened,fatface,toldhissecretwellenough.
Hetoowantedtofly,andwasonthelook-outforthemeansofescape.
“HEshallbuymyhorses,”thoughtRebecca,“andI’llridethemare.”
Joswalkeduptohisfriend,andputthequestionforthehundredthtimeduringthepasthour,“Didsheknowwherehorsesweretobehad?”
“What,YOUfly?”saidRebecca,withalaugh.“Ithoughtyouwerethechampionofalltheladies,Mr.Sedley.”
“I—I’mnotamilitaryman,”gaspedhe.
“AndAmelia?—Whoistoprotectthatpoorlittlesisterofyours?”askedRebecca.“Yousurelywouldnotdeserther?”
“WhatgoodcanIdoher,suppose—supposetheenemyarrive?”Josanswered.
“They’llsparethewomen;butmymantellsmethattheyhavetakenanoathtogivenoquartertothemen—thedastardlycowards.”
“Horrid!”criedRebecca,enjoyinghisperplexity.
“Besides,Idon’twanttodeserther,”criedthebrother.“SheSHAN’Tbedeserted.
Thereisaseatforherinmycarriage,andoneforyou,dearMrs.Crawley,ifyouwillcome;andifwecangethorses—”sighedhe—
“Ihavetwotosell,”theladysaid.Joscouldhaveflunghimselfintoherarmsatthenews.“Getthecarriage,Isidor,”hecried;“we’vefoundthem—wehavefoundthem.”
Myhorsesneverwereinharness,”addedthelady.“Bullfinchwouldkickthecarriagetopieces,ifyouputhiminthetraces.”
“Butheisquiettoride?”askedthecivilian.
“Asquietasalamb,andasfastasahare,”answeredRebecca.
“Doyouthinkheisuptomyweight?”Jossaid.
Hewasalreadyonhisback,inimagination,withouteversomuchasathoughtforpoorAmelia.
Whatpersonwholovedahorse-speculationcouldresistsuchatemptation?
Inreply,Rebeccaaskedhimtocomeintoherroom,whitherhefollowedherquitebreathlesstoconcludethebargain.
Josseldomspentahalf-hourinhislifewhichcosthimsomuchmoney.
Rebecca,measuringthevalueofthegoodswhichshehadforsalebyJos’seagernesstopurchase,aswellasbythescarcityofthearticle,putuponherhorsesapricesoprodigiousastomakeeventheciviliandrawback.
“Shewouldsellbothorneither,”shesaid,resolutely.
Rawdonhadorderedhernottopartwiththemforapricelessthanthatwhichshespecified.
LordBareacresbelowwouldgiveherthesamemoney—andwithallherloveandregardfortheSedleyfamily,herdearMr.Josephmustconceivethatpoorpeoplemustlive—nobody,inaword,couldbemoreaffectionate,butmorefirmaboutthematterofbusiness.
Josendedbyagreeing,asmightbesupposedofhim.
Thesumhehadtogiveherwassolargethathewasobligedtoaskfortime;solargeastobealittlefortunetoRebecca,whorapidlycalculatedthatwiththissum,andthesaleoftheresidueofRawdon’seffects,andherpensionasawidowshouldhefall,shewouldnowbeabsolutelyindependentoftheworld,andmightlookherweedssteadilyintheface.
Onceortwiceinthedayshecertainlyhadherselfthoughtaboutflying.Butherreasongaveherbettercounsel.
“SupposetheFrenchdocome,”thoughtBecky,“whatcantheydotoapoorofficer’swidow?Bah!thetimesofsacksandsiegesareover.
Weshallbelettogohomequietly,orImaylivepleasantlyabroadwithasnuglittleincome.”
MeanwhileJosandIsidorwentofftothestablestoinspectthenewlypurchasedcattle.
Josbadehismansaddlethehorsesatonce.
Hewouldrideawaythatverynight,thatveryhour.
Andheleftthevaletbusyingettingthehorsesready,andwenthomewardshimselftoprepareforhisdeparture.Itmustbesecret.
Hewouldgotohischamberbythebackentrance.
HedidnotcaretofaceMrs.O’DowdandAmelia,andowntothemthathewasabouttorun.
BythetimeJos’sbargainwithRebeccawascompleted,andhishorseshadbeenvisitedandexamined,itwasalmostmorningoncemore.
Butthoughmidnightwaslongpassed,therewasnorestforthecity;thepeoplewereup,thelightsinthehousesflamed,crowdswerestillaboutthedoors,andthestreetswerebusy.
Rumoursofvariousnatureswentstillfrommouthtomouth:onereportaverredthatthePrussianshadbeenutterlydefeated;anotherthatitwastheEnglishwhohadbeenattackedandconquered:athirdthatthelatterhadheldtheirground.
Thislastrumourgraduallygotstrength.NoFrenchmenhadmadetheirappearance.
Stragglershadcomeinfromthearmybringingreportsmoreandmorefavourable:atlastanaide-de-campactuallyreachedBrusselswithdespatchesfortheCommandantoftheplace,whoplacardedpresentlythroughthetownanofficialannouncementofthesuccessofthealliesatQuatreBras,andtheentirerepulseoftheFrenchunderNeyafterasixhours’battle.
Theaide-de-campmusthavearrivedsometimewhileJosandRebeccaweremakingtheirbargaintogether,orthelatterwasinspectinghispurchase.
Whenhereachedhisownhotel,hefoundascoreofitsnumerousinhabitantsonthethresholddiscoursingofthenews;therewasnodoubtastoitstruth.
Andhewentuptocommunicateittotheladiesunderhischarge.
Hedidnotthinkitwasnecessarytotellthemhowhehadintendedtotakeleaveofthem,howhehadboughthorses,andwhatapricehehadpaidforthem.
Butsuccessordefeatwasaminormattertothem,whohadonlythoughtforthesafetyofthosetheyloved.
Amelia,atthenewsofthevictory,becamestillmoreagitatedeventhanbefore.
Shewasforgoingthatmomenttothearmy.
Shebesoughtherbrotherwithtearstoconductherthither.
Herdoubtsandterrorsreachedtheirparoxysm;andthepoorgirl,whoformanyhourshadbeenplungedintostupor,ravedandranhitherandthitherinhystericinsanity—apiteoussight.
Nomanwrithinginpainonthehard-foughtfieldfifteenmilesoff,wherelay,aftertheirstruggles,somanyofthebrave—nomansufferedmorekeenlythanthispoorharmlessvictimofthewar.
Joscouldnotbearthesightofherpain.
Helefthissisterinthechargeofherstouterfemalecompanion,anddescendedoncemoretothethresholdofthehotel,whereeverybodystilllingered,andtalked,andwaitedformorenews.
Itgrewtobebroaddaylightastheystoodhere,andfreshnewsbegantoarrivefromthewar,broughtbymenwhohadbeenactorsinthescene.
Wagonsandlongcountrycartsladenwithwoundedcamerollingintothetown;ghastlygroanscamefromwithinthem,andhaggardfaceslookedupsadlyfromoutofthestraw.
JosSedleywaslookingatoneofthesecarriageswithapainfulcuriosity—themoansofthepeoplewithinwerefrightful—theweariedhorsescouldhardlypullthecart.“Stop!stop!”
afeeblevoicecriedfromthestraw,andthecarriagestoppedoppositeMr.Sedley’shotel.
“ItisGeorge,Iknowitis!”criedAmelia,rushinginamomenttothebalcony,withapallidfaceandlooseflowinghair.
ItwasnotGeorge,however,butitwasthenextbestthing:itwasnewsofhim.
ItwaspoorTomStubble,whohadmarchedoutofBrusselssogallantlytwenty-fourhoursbefore,bearingthecoloursoftheregiment,whichhehaddefendedverygallantlyuponthefield.
AFrenchlancerhadspearedtheyoungensignintheleg,whofell,stillbravelyholdingtohisflag.
Attheconclusionoftheengagement,aplacehadbeenfoundforthepoorboyinacart,andhehadbeenbroughtbacktoBrussels.
“Mr.Sedley,Mr.Sedley!”criedtheboy,faintly,andJoscameupalmostfrightenedattheappeal.Hehadnotatfirstdistinguishedwhoitwasthatcalledhim.
LittleTomStubbleheldouthishotandfeeblehand.“I’mtobetakeninhere,”hesaid.
“Osborne—and—andDobbinsaidIwas;andyouaretogivethemantwonapoleons:mymotherwillpayyou.”
Thisyoungfellow’sthoughts,duringthelongfeverishhourspassedinthecart,hadbeenwanderingtohisfather’sparsonagewhichhehadquittedonlyafewmonthsbefore,andhehadsometimesforgottenhispaininthatdelirium.
Thehotelwaslarge,andthepeoplekind,andalltheinmatesofthecartweretakeninandplacedonvariouscouches.
TheyoungensignwasconveyedupstairstoOsborne’squarters.
AmeliaandtheMajor’swifehadrusheddowntohim,whenthelatterhadrecognisedhimfromthebalcony.
Youmayfancythefeelingsofthesewomenwhentheyweretoldthatthedaywasover,andboththeirhusbandsweresafe;inwhatmuteraptureAmeliafellonhergoodfriend’sneck,andembracedher;inwhatagratefulpassionofprayershefellonherknees,andthankedthePowerwhichhadsavedherhusband.
Ouryounglady,inherfeveredandnervouscondition,couldhavehadnomoresalutarymedicineprescribedforherbyanyphysicianthanthatwhichchanceputinherway.
SheandMrs.O’Dowdwatchedincessantlybythewoundedlad,whosepainswereverysevere,andinthedutythusforceduponher,Ameliahadnottimetobroodoverherpersonalanxieties,ortogiveherselfuptoherownfearsandforebodingsafterherwont.
Theyoungpatienttoldinhissimplefashiontheeventsoftheday,andtheactionsofourfriendsofthegallant—th.Theyhadsufferedseverely.
Theyhadlostverymanyofficersandmen.
TheMajor’shorsehadbeenshotunderhimastheregimentcharged,andtheyallthoughtthatO’Dowdwasgone,andthatDobbinhadgothismajority,untilontheirreturnfromthechargetotheiroldground,theMajorwasdiscoveredseatedonPyramus’scarcase,refreshinghim-selffromacase-bottle.
ItwasCaptainOsbornethatcutdowntheFrenchlancerwhohadspearedtheensign.
Ameliaturnedsopaleatthenotion,thatMrs.O’Dowdstoppedtheyoungensigninthisstory.
AnditwasCaptainDobbinwhoattheendoftheday,thoughwoundedhimself,tookuptheladinhisarmsandcarriedhimtothesurgeon,andthencetothecartwhichwastobringhimbacktoBrussels.
AnditwashewhopromisedthedrivertwolouisifhewouldmakehiswaytoMr.Sedley’shotelinthecity;andtellMrs.CaptainOsbornethattheactionwasover,andthatherhusbandwasunhurtandwell.
“Indeed,buthehasagoodheartthatWilliamDobbin,”Mrs.O’Dowdsaid,“thoughheisalwayslaughingatme.”
YoungStubblevowedtherewasnotsuchanotherofficerinthearmy,andneverceasedhispraisesoftheseniorcaptain,hismodesty,hiskindness,andhisadmirablecoolnessinthefield.
Tothesepartsoftheconversation,Amelialentaverydistractedattention:itwasonlywhenGeorgewasspokenofthatshelistened,andwhenhewasnotmentioned,shethoughtabouthim.
Intendingherpatient,andinthinkingofthewonderfulescapesofthedaybefore,herseconddaypassedawaynottooslowlywithAmelia.
Therewasonlyonemaninthearmyforher:andaslongashewaswell,itmustbeownedthatitsmovementsinterestedherlittle.
AllthereportswhichJosbroughtfromthestreetsfellveryvaguelyonherears;thoughtheyweresufficienttogivethattimorousgentleman,andmanyotherpeopletheninBrussels,everydisquiet.
TheFrenchhadbeenrepulsedcertainly,butitwasafterasevereanddoubtfulstruggle,andwithonlyadivisionoftheFrencharmy.
TheEmperor,withthemainbody,wasawayatLigny,wherehehadutterlyannihilatedthePrussians,andwasnowfreetobringhiswholeforcetobearupontheallies.
TheDukeofWellingtonwasretreatinguponthecapital,andagreatbattlemustbefoughtunderitswallsprobably,ofwhichthechancesweremorethandoubtful.
TheDukeofWellingtonhadbuttwentythousandBritishtroopsonwhomhecouldrely,fortheGermanswererawmilitia,theBelgiansdisaffected,andwiththishandfulhisGracehadtoresistahundredandfiftythousandmenthathadbrokenintoBelgiumunderNapoleon.UnderNapoleon!
Whatwarriorwasthere,howeverfamousandskilful,thatcouldfightatoddswithhim?
Josthoughtofallthesethings,andtrembled.
SodidalltherestofBrussels—wherepeoplefeltthatthefightofthedaybeforewasbutthepreludetothegreatercombatwhichwasimminent.
OneofthearmiesopposedtotheEmperorwasscatteredtothewindsalready.
ThefewEnglishthatcouldbebroughttoresisthimwouldperishattheirposts,andtheconquerorwouldpassovertheirbodiesintothecity.Woebetothosewhomhefoundthere!
Addresseswereprepared,publicfunctionariesassembledanddebatedsecretly,apartmentsweregotready,andtricolouredbannersandtriumphalemblemsmanufactured,towelcomethearrivalofHisMajestytheEmperorandKing.
Theemigrationstillcontinued,andwhereverfamiliescouldfindmeansofdeparture,theyfled.
WhenJos,ontheafternoonofthe17thofJune,wenttoRebecca’shotel,hefoundthatthegreatBareacres’carriagehadatlengthrolledawayfromtheporte-cochere.
TheEarlhadprocuredapairofhorsessomehow,inspiteofMrs.Crawley,andwasrollingontheroadtoGhent.
LouistheDesiredwasgettingreadyhisportmanteauinthatcity,too.
ItseemedasifMisfortunewasnevertiredofworryingintomotionthatunwieldyexile.
Josfeltthatthedelayofyesterdayhadbeenonlyarespite,andthathisdearlyboughthorsesmustofasuretybeputintorequisition.
Hisagonieswereverysevereallthisday.
AslongastherewasanEnglisharmybetweenBrusselsandNapoleon,therewasnoneedofimmediateflight;buthehadhishorsesbroughtfromtheirdistantstables,tothestablesinthecourt-yardofthehotelwherehelived;sothattheymightbeunderhisowneyes,andbeyondtheriskofviolentabduction.
Isidorwatchedthestable-doorconstantly,andhadthehorsessaddled,tobereadyforthestart.Helongedintenselyforthatevent.
Afterthereceptionofthepreviousday,RebeccadidnotcaretocomenearherdearAmelia.
SheclippedthebouquetwhichGeorgehadbroughther,andgavefreshwatertotheflowers,andreadovertheletterwhichhehadsenther.
“Poorwretch,”shesaid,twirlingroundthelittlebitofpaperinherfingers,“howIcouldcrushherwiththis!
—anditisforathinglikethisthatshemustbreakherheart,forsooth—foramanwhoisstupid—acoxcomb—andwhodoesnotcareforher.
MypoorgoodRawdonisworthtenofthiscreature.”
Andthenshefelltothinkingwhatsheshoulddoif—ifanythinghappenedtopoorgoodRawdon,andwhatagreatpieceofluckitwasthathehadlefthishorsesbehind.
Inthecourseofthisdaytoo,Mrs.Crawley,whosawnotwithoutangertheBareacrespartydriveoff,bethoughtheroftheprecautionwhichtheCountesshadtaken,anddidalittleneedleworkforherownadvantage;shestitchedawaythemajorpartofhertrinkets,bills,andbank-notesaboutherperson,andsoprepared,wasreadyforanyevent—toflyifshethoughtfit,ortostayandwelcometheconqueror,wereheEnglishmanorFrenchman.
AndIamnotsurethatshedidnotdreamthatnightofbecomingaduchessandMadamelaMarechale,whileRawdonwrappedinhiscloak,andmakinghisbivouacundertherainatMountSaintJohn,wasthinking,withalltheforceofhisheart,aboutthelittlewifewhomhehadleftbehindhim.
ThenextdaywasaSunday.AndMrs.MajorO’Dowdhadthesatisfactionofseeingbothherpatientsrefreshedinhealthandspiritsbysomerestwhichtheyhadtakenduringthenight.
SheherselfhadsleptonagreatchairinAmelia’sroom,readytowaituponherpoorfriendortheensign,shouldeitherneedhernursing.
Whenmorningcame,thisrobustwomanwentbacktothehousewheresheandherMajorhadtheirbillet;andhereperformedanelaborateandsplendidtoilette,befittingtheday.
Anditisverypossiblethatwhilstaloneinthatchamber,whichherhusbandhadinhabited,andwherehiscapstilllayonthepillow,andhiscanestoodinthecorner,oneprayeratleastwassentuptoHeavenforthewelfareofthebravesoldier,MichaelO’Dowd.
Whenshereturnedshebroughtherprayer-bookwithher,andheruncletheDean’sfamousbookofsermons,outofwhichsheneverfailedtoreadeverySabbath;notunderstandingall,haply,notpronouncingmanyofthewordsaright,whichwerelongandabstruse—fortheDeanwasalearnedman,andlovedlongLatinwords—butwithgreatgravity,vastemphasis,andwithtolerablecorrectnessinthemain.
HowoftenhasmyMicklistenedtothesesermons,shethought,andmereadinginthecabinofacalm!
Sheproposedtoresumethisexerciseonthepresentday,withAmeliaandthewoundedensignforacongregation.
Thesameservicewasreadonthatdayintwentythousandchurchesatthesamehour;andmillionsofBritishmenandwomen,ontheirknees,imploredprotectionoftheFatherofall.
TheydidnothearthenoisewhichdisturbedourlittlecongregationatBrussels.
Muchlouderthanthatwhichhadinterruptedthemtwodayspreviously,asMrs.O’Dowdwasreadingtheserviceinherbestvoice,thecannonofWaterloobegantoroar.
WhenJosheardthatdreadfulsound,hemadeuphismindthathewouldbearthisperpetualrecurrenceofterrorsnolonger,andwouldflyatonce.
Herushedintothesickman’sroom,whereourthreefriendshadpausedintheirprayers,andfurtherinterruptedthembyapassionateappealtoAmelia.
“Ican’tstanditanymore,Emmy,”hesaid;‘Iwon’tstandit;andyoumustcomewithme.
Ihaveboughtahorseforyou—nevermindatwhatprice—andyoumustdressandcomewithme,andridebehindIsidor.”
“Godforgiveme,Mr.Sedley,butyouarenobetterthanacoward,”Mrs.O’Dowdsaid,layingdownthebook.
“Isaycome,Amelia,”thecivilianwenton;“nevermindwhatshesays;whyarewetostophereandbebutcheredbytheFrenchmen?”
“Youforgetthe—th,myboy,”saidthelittleStubble,thewoundedhero,fromhisbed—”andandyouwon’tleaveme,willyou,Mrs.O’Dowd?”
“No,mydearfellow,”saidshe,goingupandkissingtheboy.
“NoharmshallcometoyouwhileIstandby.
Idon’tbudgetillIgetthewordfromMick.
AprettyfigureI’dbe,wouldn’tI,stuckbehindthatchaponapillion?”
Thisimagecausedtheyoungpatienttoburstoutlaughinginhisbed,andevenmadeAmeliasmile.
“Idon’taskher,”Josshoutedout—”Idon’taskthat—thatIrishwoman,butyouAmelia;onceforall,willyoucome?”
“Withoutmyhusband,Joseph?”Ameliasaid,withalookofwonder,andgaveherhandtotheMajor’swife.Jos’spatiencewasexhausted.
“Good-bye,then,”hesaid,shakinghisfistinarage,andslammingthedoorbywhichheretreated.
Andthistimehereallygavehisorderformarch:andmountedinthecourt-yard.
Mrs.O’Dowdheardtheclatteringhoofsofthehorsesastheyissuedfromthegate;andlookingon,mademanyscornfulremarksonpoorJosephasherodedownthestreetwithIsidorafterhiminthelacedcap.
Thehorses,whichhadnotbeenexercisedforsomedays,werelively,andsprangaboutthestreet.
Jos,aclumsyandtimidhorseman,didnotlooktoadvantageinthesaddle.
“Lookathim,Ameliadear,drivingintotheparlourwindow.
Suchabullinachina-shopIneversaw.”
AndpresentlythepairofridersdisappearedatacanterdownthestreetleadinginthedirectionoftheGhentroad,Mrs.O’Dowdpursuingthemwithafireofsarcasmsolongastheywereinsight.
Allthatdayfrommorninguntilpastsunset,thecannonneverceasedtoroar.Itwasdarkwhenthecannonadingstoppedallofasudden.
Allofushavereadofwhatoccurredduringthatinterval.
ThetaleisineveryEnglishman’smouth;andyouandI,whowerechildrenwhenthegreatbattlewaswonandlost,arenevertiredofhearingandrecountingthehistoryofthatfamousaction.
Itsremembranceranklesstillinthebosomsofmillionsofthecountrymenofthosebravemenwholosttheday.
Theypantforanopportunityofrevengingthathumiliation;andifacontest,endinginavictoryontheirpart,shouldensue,elatingthemintheirturn,andleavingitscursedlegacyofhatredandragebehindtous,thereisnoendtotheso-calledgloryandshame,andtothealternationsofsuccessfulandunsuccessfulmurder,inwhichtwohigh-spiritednationsmightengage.
Centurieshence,weFrenchmenandEnglishmenmightbeboastingandkillingeachotherstill,carryingoutbravelytheDevil’scodeofhonour.
Allourfriendstooktheirshareandfoughtlikemeninthegreatfield.
Alldaylong,whilstthewomenwereprayingtenmilesaway,thelinesofthedauntlessEnglishinfantrywerereceivingandrepellingthefuriouschargesoftheFrenchhorsemen.
GunswhichwereheardatBrusselswereploughinguptheirranks,andcomradesfalling,andtheresolutesurvivorsclosingin.
Towardsevening,theattackoftheFrench,repeatedandresistedsobravely,slackenedinitsfury.
TheyhadotherfoesbesidestheBritishtoengage,orwerepreparingforafinalonset.
Itcameatlast:thecolumnsoftheImperialGuardmarchedupthehillofSaintJean,atlengthandatoncetosweeptheEnglishfromtheheightwhichtheyhadmaintainedallday,andspiteofall:unscaredbythethunderoftheartillery,whichhurleddeathfromtheEnglishline—thedarkrollingcolumnpressedonandupthehill.
Itseemedalmosttocresttheeminence,whenitbegantowaveandfalter.Thenitstopped,stillfacingtheshot.
ThenatlasttheEnglishtroopsrushedfromthepostfromwhichnoenemyhadbeenabletodislodgethem,andtheGuardturnedandfled.
NomorefiringwasheardatBrussels—thepursuitrolledmilesaway.
Darknesscamedownonthefieldandcity:andAmeliawasprayingforGeorge,whowaslyingonhisface,dead,withabulletthroughhisheart.
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