English
Inthefirstplace,andasamatterofthegreatestnecessity,weareboundtodescribehowahousemaybegotfornothingayear.
Thesemansionsaretobehadeitherunfurnished,where,ifyouhavecreditwithMessrs.GillowsorBantings,youcangetthemsplendidlymonteesanddecoratedentirelyaccordingtoyourownfancy;ortheyaretobeletfurnished,alesstroublesomeandcomplicatedarrangementtomostparties.
ItwassothatCrawleyandhiswifepreferredtohiretheirhouse.
BeforeMr.BowlscametopresideoverMissCrawley’shouseandcellarinParkLane,thatladyhadhadforabutleraMr.Raggles,whowasbornonthefamilyestateofQueen’sCrawley,andindeedwasayoungersonofagardenerthere.
Bygoodconduct,ahandsomepersonandcalves,andagravedemeanour,Ragglesrosefromtheknife-boardtothefootboardofthecarriage;fromthefootboardtothebutler’spantry.
WhenhehadbeenacertainnumberofyearsattheheadofMissCrawley’sestablishment,wherehehadhadgoodwages,fatperquisites,andplentyofopportunitiesofsaving,heannouncedthathewasabouttocontractamatrimonialalliancewithalatecookofMissCrawley’s,whohadsubsistedinanhonourablemannerbytheexerciseofamangle,andthekeepingofasmallgreengrocer’sshopintheneighbourhood.
Thetruthis,thattheceremonyhadbeenclandestinelyperformedsomeyearsback;althoughthenewsofMr.Raggles’marriagewasfirstbroughttoMissCrawleybyalittleboyandgirlofsevenandeightyearsofage,whosecontinualpresenceinthekitchenhadattractedtheattentionofMissBriggs.
Mr.Ragglesthenretiredandpersonallyundertookthesuperintendenceofthesmallshopandthegreens.
Headdedmilkandcream,eggsandcountry-fedporktohisstores,contentinghimselfwhilstotherretiredbutlerswerevendingspiritsinpublichouses,bydealinginthesimplestcountryproduce.
Andhavingagoodconnectionamongstthebutlersintheneighbourhood,andasnugbackparlourwhereheandMrs.Ragglesreceivedthem,hismilk,cream,andeggsgottobeadoptedbymanyofthefraternity,andhisprofitsincreasedeveryyear.
Yearafteryearhequietlyandmodestlyamassedmoney,andwhenatlengththatsnugandcompletebachelor’sresidenceatNo.201,CurzonStreet,MayFair,latelytheresidenceoftheHonourableFrederickDeuceace,goneabroad,withitsrichandappropriatefurniturebythefirstmakers,wasbroughttothehammer,whoshouldgoinandpurchasetheleaseandfurnitureofthehousebutCharlesRaggles?
Apartofthemoneyheborrowed,itistrue,andatratherahighinterest,fromabrotherbutler,butthechiefparthepaiddown,anditwaswithnosmallpridethatMrs.Ragglesfoundherselfsleepinginabedofcarvedmahogany,withsilkcurtains,withaprodigiouschevalglassoppositetoher,andawardrobewhichwouldcontainher,andRaggles,andallthefamily.
Ofcourse,theydidnotintendtooccupypermanentlyanapartmentsosplendid.
ItwasinordertoletthehouseagainthatRagglespurchasedit.
Assoonasatenantwasfound,hesubsidedintothegreengrocer’sshoponcemore;butahappythingitwasforhimtowalkoutofthattenementandintoCurzonStreet,andtheresurveyhishouse—hisownhouse—withgeraniumsinthewindowandacarvedbronzeknocker.
Thefootmanoccasionallyloungingatthearearailing,treatedhimwithrespect;thecooktookhergreenstuffathishouseandcalledhimMr.Landlord,andtherewasnotonethingthetenantsdid,oronedishwhichtheyhadfordinner,thatRagglesmightnotknowof,ifheliked.
Hewasagoodman;goodandhappy.Thehousebroughthiminsohandsomeayearlyincomethathewasdeterminedtosendhischildrentogoodschools,andaccordingly,regardlessofexpense,CharleswassenttoboardingatDr.Swishtail’s,Sugar-caneLodge,andlittleMatildatoMissPeckover’s,LaurentinumHouse,Clapham.
RaggleslovedandadoredtheCrawleyfamilyastheauthorofallhisprosperityinlife.
Hehadasilhouetteofhismistressinhisbackshop,andadrawingofthePorter’sLodgeatQueen’sCrawley,donebythatspinsterherselfinIndiaink—andtheonlyadditionhemadetothedecorationsoftheCurzonStreetHousewasaprintofQueen’sCrawleyinHampshire,theseatofSirWalpoleCrawley,Baronet,whowasrepresentedinagildedcardrawnbysixwhitehorses,andpassingbyalakecoveredwithswans,andbargescontainingladiesinhoops,andmusicianswithflagsandpenwigs.
IndeedRagglesthoughttherewasnosuchpalaceinalltheworld,andnosuchaugustfamily.
Asluckwouldhaveit,Raggles’houseinCurzonStreetwastoletwhenRawdonandhiswifereturnedtoLondon.
TheColonelknewitanditsownerquitewell;thelatter’sconnectionwiththeCrawleyfamilyhadbeenkeptupconstantly,forRaggleshelpedMr.BowlswheneverMissCrawleyreceivedfriends.
AndtheoldmannotonlylethishousetotheColonelbutofficiatedashisbutlerwheneverhehadcompany;Mrs.RagglesoperatinginthekitchenbelowandsendingupdinnersofwhicholdMissCrawleyherselfmighthaveapproved.
Thiswastheway,then,Crawleygothishousefornothing;forthoughRaggleshadtopaytaxesandrates,andtheinterestofthemortgagetothebrotherbutler;andtheinsuranceofhislife;andthechargesforhischildrenatschool;andthevalueofthemeatanddrinkwhichhisownfamily—andforatimethatofColonelCrawleytoo—consumed;andthoughthepoorwretchwasutterlyruinedbythetransaction,hischildrenbeingflungonthestreets,andhimselfdrivenintotheFleetPrison:yetsomebodymustpayevenforgentlemenwholivefornothingayear—andsoitwasthisunluckyRaggleswasmadetherepresentativeofColonelCrawley’sdefectivecapital.
IwonderhowmanyfamiliesaredriventorogueryandtoruinbygreatpractitionersinCrawlersway?
—howmanygreatnoblemenrobtheirpettytradesmen,condescendtoswindletheirpoorretainersoutofwretchedlittlesumsandcheatforafewshillings?
WhenwereadthatanoblenoblemanhasleftfortheContinent,orthatanothernoblenoblemanhasanexecutioninhishouse—andthatoneorotherowessixorsevenmillions,thedefeatseemsgloriouseven,andwerespectthevictiminthevastnessofhisruin.
Butwhopitiesapoorbarberwhocan’tgethismoneyforpowderingthefootmen’sheads;orapoorcarpenterwhohasruinedhimselfbyfixingupornamentsandpavilionsformylady’sdejeuner;orthepoordevilofatailorwhomthestewardpatronizes,andwhohaspledgedallheisworth,andmore,togettheliveriesready,whichmylordhasdonehimthehonourtobespeak?
Whenthegreathousetumblesdown,thesemiserablewretchesfallunderitunnoticed:astheysayintheoldlegends,beforeamangoestothedevilhimself,hesendsplentyofothersoulsthither.
RawdonandhiswifegenerouslygavetheirpatronagetoallsuchofMissCrawley’stradesmenandpurveyorsaschosetoservethem.
Somewerewillingenough,especiallythepoorones.
ItwaswonderfultoseethepertinacitywithwhichthewasherwomanfromTootingbroughtthecarteverySaturday,andherbillsweekafterweek.
Mr.Raggleshimselfhadtosupplythegreengroceries.
Thebillforservants’porterattheFortuneofWarpublichouseisacuriosityinthechroniclesofbeer.
Everyservantalsowasowedthegreaterpartofhiswages,andthuskeptupperforceaninterestinthehouse.Nobodyinfactwaspaid.
Nottheblacksmithwhoopenedthelock;northeglazierwhomendedthepane;northejobberwholetthecarriage;northegroomwhodroveit;northebutcherwhoprovidedthelegofmutton;northecoalswhichroastedit;northecookwhobastedit;northeservantswhoateit:andthisIamgiventounderstandisnotunfrequentlythewayinwhichpeopleliveelegantlyonnothingayear.
Inalittletownsuchthingscannotbedonewithoutremark.
Weknowtherethequantityofmilkourneighbourtakesandespythejointorthefowlswhicharegoinginforhisdinner.
So,probably,200and202inCurzonStreetmightknowwhatwasgoingoninthehousebetweenthem,theservantscommunicatingthroughthearea-railings;butCrawleyandhiswifeandhisfriendsdidnotknow200and202.
Whenyoucameto201therewasaheartywelcome,akindsmile,agooddinner,andajollyshakeofthehandfromthehostandhostessthere,justforalltheworldasiftheyhadbeenundisputedmastersofthreeorfourthousandayear—andsotheywere,notinmoney,butinproduceandlabour—iftheydidnotpayforthemutton,theyhadit:iftheydidnotgivebullioninexchangefortheirwine,howshouldweknow?
Neverwasbetterclaretatanyman’stablethanathonestRawdon’s;dinnersmoregayandneatlyserved.
Hisdrawing-roomsweretheprettiest,little,modestsalonsconceivable:theyweredecoratedwiththegreatesttaste,andathousandknick-knacksfromParis,byRebecca:andwhenshesatatherpianotrillingsongswithalightsomeheart,thestrangervotedhimselfinalittleparadiseofdomesticcomfortandagreedthat,ifthehusbandwasratherstupid,thewifewascharming,andthedinnersthepleasantestintheworld.
Rebecca’swit,cleverness,andflippancymadeherspeedilythevogueinLondonamongacertainclass.
Yousawdemurechariotsatherdoor,outofwhichsteppedverygreatpeople.
Youbeheldhercarriageinthepark,surroundedbydandiesofnote.
Thelittleboxinthethirdtieroftheoperawascrowdedwithheadsconstantlychanging;butitmustbeconfessedthattheladiesheldalooffromher,andthattheirdoorswereshuttoourlittleadventurer.
Withregardtotheworldoffemalefashionanditscustoms,thepresentwriterofcoursecanonlyspeakatsecondhand.
Amancannomorepenetrateorunder-standthosemysteriesthanhecanknowwhattheladiestalkaboutwhentheygoupstairsafterdinner.
Itisonlybyinquiryandperseverancethatonesometimesgetshintsofthosesecrets;andbyasimilardiligenceeverypersonwhotreadsthePallMallpavementandfrequentstheclubsofthismetropolisknows,eitherthroughhisownexperienceorthroughsomeacquaintancewithwhomheplaysatbilliardsorsharesthejoint,somethingaboutthegenteelworldofLondon,andhow,astherearemen(suchasRawdonCrawley,whosepositionwementionedbefore)whocutagoodfiguretotheeyesoftheignorantworldandtotheapprenticesinthepark,whobeholdthemconsortingwiththemostnotoriousdandiesthere,sothereareladies,whomaybecalledmen’swomen,beingwelcomedentirelybyallthegentlemenandcutorslightedbyalltheirwives.
Mrs.Firebraceisofthissort;theladywiththebeautifulfairringletswhomyouseeeverydayinHydePark,surroundedbythegreatestandmostfamousdandiesofthisempire.
Mrs.Rockwoodisanother,whosepartiesareannouncedlaboriouslyinthefashionablenewspapersandwithwhomyouseethatallsortsofambassadorsandgreatnoblemendine;andmanymoremightbementionedhadtheytodowiththehistoryatpresentinhand.
Butwhilesimplefolkswhoareoutoftheworld,orcountrypeoplewithatasteforthegenteel,beholdtheseladiesintheirseeminggloryinpublicplaces,orenvythemfromafaroff,personswhoarebetterinstructedcouldinformthemthattheseenviedladieshavenomorechanceofestablishingthemselvesin“society,”thanthebenightedsquire’swifeinSomersetshirewhoreadsoftheirdoingsintheMorningPost.
MenlivingaboutLondonareawareoftheseawfultruths.
Youhearhowpitilesslymanyladiesofseemingrankandwealthareexcludedfromthis“society.”
Thefranticeffortswhichtheymaketoenterthiscircle,themeannessestowhichtheysubmit,theinsultswhichtheyundergo,aremattersofwondertothosewhotakehumanorwomankindforastudy;andthepursuitoffashionunderdifficultieswouldbeafinethemeforanyverygreatpersonwhohadthewit,theleisure,andtheknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguagenecessaryforthecompilingofsuchahistory.
NowthefewfemaleacquaintanceswhomMrs.CrawleyhadknownabroadnotonlydeclinedtovisitherwhenshecametothissideoftheChannel,butcutherseverelywhentheymetinpublicplaces.
Itwascurioustoseehowthegreatladiesforgother,andnodoubtnotaltogetherapleasantstudytoRebecca.
WhenLadyBareacresmetherinthewaiting-roomattheopera,shegatheredherdaughtersaboutherasiftheywouldbecontaminatedbyatouchofBecky,andretreatingasteportwo,placedherselfinfrontofthem,andstaredatherlittleenemy.
TostareBeckyoutofcountenancerequiredasevererglancethaneventhefrigidoldBareacrescouldshootoutofherdismaleyes.
WhenLadydelaMole,whohadriddenascoreoftimesbyBecky’ssideatBrussels,metMrs.Crawley’sopencarriageinHydePark,herLadyshipwasquiteblind,andcouldnotintheleastrecognizeherformerfriend.
EvenMrs.Blenkinsop,thebanker’swife,cutheratchurch.
Beckywentregularlytochurchnow;itwasedifyingtoseeherentertherewithRawdonbyherside,carryingacoupleoflargegiltprayer-books,andafterwardsgoingthroughtheceremonywiththegravestresignation.
Rawdonatfirstfeltveryacutelytheslightswhichwerepasseduponhiswife,andwasinclinedtobegloomyandsavage.
Hetalkedofcallingoutthehusbandsorbrothersofeveryoneoftheinsolentwomenwhodidnotpayaproperrespecttohiswife;anditwasonlybythestrongestcommandsandentreatiesonherpartthathewasbroughtintokeepingadecentbehaviour.
“Youcan’tshootmeintosociety,”shesaidgood-naturedly.
“Remember,mydear,thatIwasbutagoverness,andyou,youpoorsillyoldman,havetheworstreputationfordebt,anddice,andallsortsofwickedness.
Weshallgetquiteasmanyfriendsaswewantbyandby,andinthemeanwhileyoumustbeagoodboyandobeyyourschoolmistressineverythingshetellsyoutodo.
WhenweheardthatyouraunthadleftalmosteverythingtoPittandhiswife,doyourememberwhatarageyouwerein?
YouwouldhavetoldallParis,ifIhadnotmadeyoukeepyourtemper,andwherewouldyouhavebeennow?
—inprisonatSte.Pelagiefordebt,andnotestablishedinLondoninahandsomehouse,witheverycomfortaboutyou—youwereinsuchafuryyouwerereadytomurderyourbrother,youwickedCainyou,andwhatgoodwouldhavecomeofremainingangry?
Alltherageintheworldwon’tgetusyouraunt’smoney;anditismuchbetterthatweshouldbefriendswithyourbrother’sfamilythanenemies,asthosefoolishButesare.
Whenyourfatherdies,Queen’sCrawleywillbeapleasanthouseforyouandmetopassthewinterin.
Ifweareruined,youcancarveandtakechargeofthestable,andIcanbeagovernesstoLadyJane’schildren.Ruined!fiddlede-dee!
Iwillgetyouagoodplacebeforethat;orPittandhislittleboywilldie,andwewillbeSirRawdonandmylady.
Whilethereislife,thereishope,mydear,andIintendtomakeamanofyouyet.Whosoldyourhorsesforyou?Whopaidyourdebtsforyou?”
Rawdonwasobligedtoconfessthatheowedallthesebenefitstohiswife,andtotrusthimselftoherguidanceforthefuture.
Indeed,whenMissCrawleyquittedtheworld,andthatmoneyforwhichallherrelativeshadbeenfightingsoeagerlywasfinallylefttoPitt,ButeCrawley,whofoundthatonlyfivethousandpoundshadbeenlefttohiminsteadofthetwentyuponwhichhecalculated,wasinsuchafuryathisdisappointmentthatheventeditinsavageabuseuponhisnephew;andthequarrelalwaysranklingbetweenthemendedinanutterbreachofintercourse.
RawdonCrawley’sconduct,ontheotherhand,whogotbutahundredpounds,wassuchastoastonishhisbrotheranddelighthissister-in-law,whowasdisposedtolookkindlyuponallthemembersofherhusband’sfamily.
Hewrotetohisbrotheraveryfrank,manly,good-humouredletterfromParis.
Hewasaware,hesaid,thatbyhisownmarriagehehadforfeitedhisaunt’sfavour;andthoughhedidnotdisguisehisdisappointmentthatsheshouldhavebeensoentirelyrelentlesstowardshim,hewasgladthatthemoneywasstillkeptintheirbranchofthefamily,andheartilycongratulatedhisbrotheronhisgoodfortune.
Hesenthisaffectionateremembrancestohissister,andhopedtohavehergood-willforMrs.Rawdon;andtheletterconcludedwithapostscripttoPittinthelatterlady’sownhandwriting.
She,too,beggedtojoininherhusband’scongratulations.
SheshouldeverrememberMr.Crawley’skindnesstoherinearlydayswhenshewasafriendlessorphan,theinstructressofhislittlesisters,inwhosewelfareshestilltookthetenderestinterest.
Shewishedhimeveryhappinessinhismarriedlife,and,askinghispermissiontoofferherremembrancestoLadyJane(ofwhosegoodnessalltheworldinformedher),shehopedthatonedayshemightbeallowedtopresentherlittleboytohisuncleandaunt,andbeggedtobespeakforhimtheirgood-willandprotection.
PittCrawleyreceivedthiscommunicationverygraciously—moregraciouslythanMissCrawleyhadreceivedsomeofRebecca’spreviouscompositionsinRawdon’shandwriting;andasforLadyJane,shewassocharmedwiththeletterthatsheexpectedherhusbandwouldinstantlydividehisaunt’slegacyintotwoequalportionsandsendoffone-halftohisbrotheratParis.
ToherLadyship’ssurprise,however,Pittdeclinedtoaccommodatehisbrotherwithachequeforthirtythousandpounds.
ButhemadeRawdonahandsomeofferofhishandwheneverthelattershouldcometoEnglandandchoosetotakeit;and,thankingMrs.CrawleyforhergoodopinionofhimselfandLadyJane,hegraciouslypronouncedhiswillingnesstotakeanyopportunitytoserveherlittleboy.
Thusanalmostreconciliationwasbroughtaboutbetweenthebrothers.
WhenRebeccacametotownPittandhiswifewerenotinLondon.
ManyatimeshedrovebytheolddoorinParkLanetoseewhethertheyhadtakenpossessionofMissCrawley’shousethere.
Butthenewfamilydidnotmakeitsappearance;itwasonlythroughRagglesthatsheheardoftheirmovements—howMissCrawley’sdomesticshadbeendismissedwithdecentgratuities,andhowMr.PitthadonlyoncemadehisappearanceinLondon,whenhestoppedforafewdaysatthehouse,didbusinesswithhislawyersthere,andsoldoffallMissCrawley’sFrenchnovelstoabookselleroutofBondStreet.
Beckyhadreasonsofherownwhichcausedhertolongforthearrivalofhernewrelation.
“WhenLadyJanecomes,”thoughtshe,“sheshallbemysponsorinLondonsociety;andasforthewomen!bah!
thewomenwillaskmewhentheyfindthemenwanttoseeme.”
Anarticleasnecessarytoaladyinthispositionasherbroughamorherbouquetishercompanion.
Ihavealwaysadmiredthewayinwhichthetendercreatures,whocannotexistwithoutsympathy,hireanexceedinglyplainfriendoftheirownsexfromwhomtheyarealmostinseparable.
Thesightofthatinevitablewomaninherfadedgownseatedbehindherdearfriendintheopera-box,oroccupyingthebackseatofthebarouche,isalwaysawholesomeandmoralonetome,asjollyareminderasthatoftheDeath’s-headwhichfiguredintherepastsofEgyptianbon-vivants,astrangesardonicmemorialofVanityFair.What?
evenbattered,brazen,beautiful,conscienceless,heartless,Mrs.Firebrace,whosefatherdiedofhershame:evenlovely,daringMrs.Mantrap,whowillrideatanyfencewhichanymaninEnglandwilltake,andwhodriveshergreysinthepark,whilehermotherkeepsahuckster’sstallinBathstill—eventhosewhoaresobold,onemightfancytheycouldfaceanythingdarenotfacetheworldwithoutafemalefriend.
Theymusthavesomebodytoclingto,theaffectionatecreatures!
Andyouwillhardlyseetheminanypublicplacewithoutashabbycompanioninadyedsilk,sittingsomewhereintheshadeclosebehindthem.
“Rawdon,”saidBecky,verylateonenight,asapartyofgentlemenwereseatedroundhercracklingdrawing-roomfire(forthemencametoherhousetofinishthenight;andshehadiceandcoffeeforthem,thebestinLondon):“Imusthaveasheep-dog.”
“Awhat?”saidRawdon,lookingupfromanecartetable.
“Asheep-dog!”saidyoungLordSouthdown.“MydearMrs.Crawley,whatafancy!WhynothaveaDanishdog?
Iknowofoneasbigasacamel-leopard,byJove.Itwouldalmostpullyourbrougham.OraPersiangreyhound,eh?
(Ipropose,ifyouplease);oralittlepugthatwouldgointooneofLordSteyne’ssnuff-boxes?
There’samanatBayswatergotonewithsuchanosethatyoumight—Imarkthekingandplay—thatyoumighthangyourhatonit.”
“Imarkthetrick,”Rawdongravelysaid.Heattendedtohisgamecommonlyanddidn’tmuchmeddlewiththeconversation,exceptwhenitwasabouthorsesandbetting.
“WhatCANyouwantwithashepherd’sdog?”thelivelylittleSouthdowncontinued.
“ImeanaMORALshepherd’sdog,”saidBecky,laughingandlookingupatLordSteyne.
“Whatthedevil’sthat?”saidhisLordship.
“Adogtokeepthewolvesoffme,”Rebeccacontinued.“Acompanion.”
“Dearlittleinnocentlamb,youwantone,”saidthemarquis;andhisjawthrustout,andhebegantogrinhideously,hislittleeyesleeringtowardsRebecca.
ThegreatLordofSteynewasstandingbythefiresippingcoffee.
ThefirecrackledandblazedpleasantlyTherewasascoreofcandlessparklingroundthemantelpiece,inallsortsofquaintsconces,ofgiltandbronzeandporcelain.
TheylightedupRebecca’sfiguretoadmiration,asshesatonasofacoveredwithapatternofgaudyflowers.
Shewasinapinkdressthatlookedasfreshasarose;herdazzlingwhitearmsandshoulderswerehalf-coveredwithathinhazyscarfthroughwhichtheysparkled;herhairhungincurlsroundherneck;oneofherlittlefeetpeepedoutfromthefreshcrispfoldsofthesilk:theprettiestlittlefootintheprettiestlittlesandalinthefinestsilkstockingintheworld.
ThecandleslightedupLordSteyne’sshiningbaldhead,whichwasfringedwithredhair.
Hehadthickbushyeyebrows,withlittletwinklingbloodshoteyes,surroundedbyathousandwrinkles.
Hisjawwasunderhung,andwhenhelaughed,twowhitebuck-teethprotrudedthemselvesandglistenedsavagelyinthemidstofthegrin.
Hehadbeendiningwithroyalpersonages,andworehisgarterandribbon.
AshortmanwashisLordship,broad-chestedandbow-legged,butproudofthefinenessofhisfootandankle,andalwayscaressinghisgarter-knee.
“Andsotheshepherdisnotenough,”saidhe,“todefendhislambkin?”
“Theshepherdistoofondofplayingatcardsandgoingtohisclubs,”answeredBecky,laughing.
”’Gad,whatadebauchedCorydon!”saidmylord—”whatamouthforapipe!”
“Itakeyourthreetotwo,”heresaidRawdon,atthecard-table.
“HarkatMeliboeus,”snarledthenoblemarquis;“he’spastorallyoccupiedtoo:he’sshearingaSouthdown.Whataninnocentmutton,hey?Damme,whatasnowyfleece!”
Rebecca’seyesshotoutgleamsofscornfulhumour.“Mylord,”shesaid,“youareaknightoftheOrder.”Hehadthecollarroundhisneck,indeed—agiftoftherestoredprincesofSpain.
LordSteyneinearlylifehadbeennotoriousforhisdaringandhissuccessatplay.
HehadsatuptwodaysandtwonightswithMr.Foxathazard.
Hehadwonmoneyofthemostaugustpersonagesoftherealm:hehadwonhismarquisate,itwassaid,atthegaming-table;buthedidnotlikeanallusiontothosebygonefredaines.
Rebeccasawthescowlgatheringoverhisheavybrow.
Sheroseupfromhersofaandwentandtookhiscoffeecupoutofhishandwithalittlecurtsey.
“Yes,”shesaid,“Imustgetawatchdog.Buthewon’tbarkatYOU.”
And,goingintotheotherdrawing-room,shesatdowntothepianoandbegantosinglittleFrenchsongsinsuchacharming,thrillingvoicethatthemollifiednoblemanspeedilyfollowedherintothatchamber,andmightbeseennoddinghisheadandbowingtimeoverher.
Rawdonandhisfriendmeanwhileplayedecarteuntiltheyhadenough.
TheColonelwon;but,saythathewoneversomuchandoften,nightslikethese,whichoccurredmanytimesintheweek—hiswifehavingallthetalkandalltheadmiration,andhesittingsilentwithoutthecircle,notcomprehendingawordofthejokes,theallusions,themysticallanguagewithin—musthavebeenratherwearisometotheex-dragoon.
“HowisMrs.Crawley’shusband?”LordSteyneusedtosaytohimbywayofagooddaywhentheymet;andindeedthatwasnowhisavocationinlife.HewasColonelCrawleynomore.HewasMrs.Crawley’shusband.
AboutthelittleRawdon,ifnothinghasbeensaidallthiswhile,itisbecauseheishiddenupstairsinagarretsomewhere,orhascrawledbelowintothekitchenforcompanionship.
Hismotherscarcelyevertooknoticeofhim.
HepassedthedayswithhisFrenchbonneaslongasthatdomesticremainedinMr.Crawley’sfamily,andwhentheFrenchwomanwentaway,thelittlefellow,howlinginthelonelinessofthenight,hadcompassiontakenonhimbyahousemaid,whotookhimoutofhissolitarynurseryintoherbedinthegarrethardbyandcomfortedhim.
Rebecca,myLordSteyne,andoneortwomorewereinthedrawing-roomtakingteaaftertheopera,whenthisshoutingwasheardoverhead.
“It’smycherubcryingforhisnurse,”shesaid.
Shedidnotoffertomovetogoandseethechild.
“Don’tagitateyourfeelingsbygoingtolookforhim,”saidLordSteynesardonically.“Bah!”
repliedtheother,withasortofblush,“he’llcryhimselftosleep”;andtheyfelltotalkingabouttheopera.
Rawdonhadstolenoffthough,tolookafterhissonandheir;andcamebacktothecompanywhenhefoundthathonestDollywasconsolingthechild.
TheColonel’sdressing-roomwasinthoseupperregions.
Heusedtoseetheboythereinprivate.
Theyhadinterviewstogethereverymorningwhenheshaved;Rawdonminorsittingonaboxbyhisfather’ssideandwatchingtheoperationwithnever-ceasingpleasure.Heandthesireweregreatfriends.
Thefatherwouldbringhimsweetmeatsfromthedessertandhidetheminacertainoldepauletbox,wherethechildwenttoseekthem,andlaughedwithjoyondiscoveringthetreasure;laughed,butnottooloud:formammawasbelowasleepandmustnotbedisturbed.
Shedidnotgotoresttillverylateandseldomrosetillafternoon.
Rawdonboughttheboyplentyofpicture-booksandcrammedhisnurserywithtoys.
Itswallswerecoveredwithpicturespastedupbythefather’sownhandandpurchasedbyhimforreadymoney.
WhenhewasoffdutywithMrs.Rawdoninthepark,hewouldsituphere,passinghourswiththeboy;whorodeonhischest,whopulledhisgreatmustachiosasiftheyweredriving-reins,andspentdayswithhiminindefatigablegambols.
Theroomwasalowroom,andonce,whenthechildwasnotfiveyearsold,hisfather,whowastossinghimwildlyupinhisarms,hitthepoorlittlechap’sskullsoviolentlyagainsttheceilingthathealmostdroppedthechild,soterrifiedwasheatthedisaster.
Rawdonminorhadmadeuphisfaceforatremendoushowl—theseverityoftheblowindeedauthorizedthatindulgence;butjustashewasgoingtobegin,thefatherinterposed.
“ForGod’ssake,Rawdy,don’twakeMamma,”hecried.
Andthechild,lookinginaveryhardandpiteouswayathisfather,bithislips,clenchedhishands,anddidn’tcryabit.
Rawdontoldthatstoryattheclubs,atthemess,toeverybodyintown.
“ByGad,sir,”heexplainedtothepublicingeneral,“whatagoodpluckedonethatboyofmineis—whatatrumpheis!
Ihalf-senthisheadthroughtheceiling,byGad,andhewouldn’tcryforfearofdisturbinghismother.”
Sometimes—onceortwiceinaweek—thatladyvisitedtheupperregionsinwhichthechildlived.
ShecamelikeavivifiedfigureoutoftheMagasindesModes—blandlysmilinginthemostbeautifulnewclothesandlittleglovesandboots.
Wonderfulscarfs,laces,andjewelsglitteredabouther.
Shehadalwaysanewbonneton,andflowersbloomedperpetuallyinit,orelsemagnificentcurlingostrichfeathers,softandsnowyascamellias.
Shenoddedtwiceorthricepatronizinglytothelittleboy,wholookedupfromhisdinnerorfromthepicturesofsoldiershewaspainting.
Whenshelefttheroom,anodourofrose,orsomeothermagicalfragrance,lingeredaboutthenursery.
Shewasanunearthlybeinginhiseyes,superiortohisfather—toalltheworld:tobeworshippedandadmiredatadistance.
Todrivewiththatladyinthecarriagewasanawfulrite:hesatupinthebackseatanddidnotdaretospeak:hegazedwithallhiseyesatthebeautifullydressedPrincessoppositetohim.
Gentlemenonsplendidprancinghorsescameupandsmiledandtalkedwithher.Howhereyesbeameduponallofthem!
Herhandusedtoquiverandwavegracefullyastheypassed.
Whenhewentoutwithherhehadhisnewreddresson.
Hisoldbrownhollandwasgoodenoughwhenhestayedathome.
Sometimes,whenshewasaway,andDollyhismaidwasmakinghisbed,hecameintohismother’sroom.
Itwasastheabodeofafairytohim—amysticchamberofsplendouranddelights.
Thereinthewardrobehungthosewonderfulrobes—pinkandblueandmany-tinted.
Therewasthejewel-case,silver-clasped,andthewondrousbronzehandonthedressing-table,glisteningalloverwithahundredrings.
Therewasthecheval-glass,thatmiracleofart,inwhichhecouldjustseehisownwonderingheadandthereflectionofDolly(queerlydistorted,andasifupintheceiling),plumpingandpattingthepillowsofthebed.
Oh,thoupoorlonelylittlebenightedboy!
MotheristhenameforGodinthelipsandheartsoflittlechildren;andherewasonewhowasworshippingastone!
NowRawdonCrawley,rascalastheColonelwas,hadcertainmanlytendenciesofaffectioninhisheartandcouldloveachildandawomanstill.
ForRawdonminorhehadagreatsecrettendernessthen,whichdidnotescapeRebecca,thoughshedidnottalkaboutittoherhusband.
Itdidnotannoyher:shewastoogood-natured.Itonlyincreasedherscornforhim.
Hefeltsomehowashamedofthispaternalsoftnessandhiditfromhiswife—onlyindulginginitwhenalonewiththeboy.
Heusedtotakehimoutofmorningswhentheywouldgotothestablestogetherandtothepark.
LittleLordSouthdown,thebest-naturedofmen,whowouldmakeyouapresentofthehatfromhishead,andwhosemainoccupationinlifewastobuyknick-knacksthathemightgivethemawayafterwards,boughtthelittlechapaponynotmuchbiggerthanalargerat,thedonorsaid,andonthislittleblackShetlandpygmyyoungRawdon’sgreatfatherwaspleasedtomounttheboy,andtowalkbyhissideinthepark.
Itpleasedhimtoseehisoldquarters,andhisoldfellow-guardsmenatKnightsbridge:hehadbeguntothinkofhisbachelorhoodwithsomethinglikeregret.
Theoldtroopersweregladtorecognizetheirancientofficeranddandlethelittlecolonel.
ColonelCrawleyfounddiningatmessandwithhisbrother-officersverypleasant.
“Hangit,Iain’tcleverenoughforher—Iknowit.
Shewon’tmissme,”heusedtosay:andhewasright,hiswifedidnotmisshim.
Rebeccawasfondofherhusband.Shewasalwaysperfectlygood-humouredandkindtohim.
Shedidnotevenshowherscornmuchforhim;perhapsshelikedhimthebetterforbeingafool.
Hewasherupperservantandmaitred’hotel.
Hewentonhererrands;obeyedherorderswithoutquestion;droveinthecarriageintheringwithherwithoutrepining;tookhertotheopera-box,solacedhimselfathisclubduringtheperformance,andcamepunctuallybacktofetchherwhendue.
Hewouldhavelikedhertobealittlefonderoftheboy,buteventothathereconciledhimself.
“Hangit,youknowshe’ssoclever,”hesaid,“andI’mnotliteraryandthat,youknow.”
For,aswehavesaidbefore,itrequiresnogreatwisdomtobeabletowinatcardsandbilliards,andRawdonmadenopretensionstoanyothersortofskill.
Whenthecompanioncame,hisdomesticdutiesbecameverylight.
Hiswifeencouragedhimtodineabroad:shewouldlethimoffdutyattheopera.
“Don’tstayandstupefyyourselfathometo-night,mydear,”shewouldsay.
“Somemenarecomingwhowillonlyboreyou.
Iwouldnotaskthem,butyouknowit’sforyourgood,andnowIhaveasheep-dog,Ineednotbeafraidtobealone.”
“Asheep-dog—acompanion!BeckySharpwithacompanion!Isn’titgoodfun?”thoughtMrs.Crawleytoherself.Thenotiontickledhugelyhersenseofhumour.
OneSundaymorning,asRawdonCrawley,hislittleson,andtheponyweretakingtheiraccustomedwalkinthepark,theypassedbyanoldacquaintanceoftheColonel’s,CorporalClink,oftheregiment,whowasinconversationwithafriend,anoldgentleman,whoheldaboyinhisarmsabouttheageoflittleRawdon.
ThisotheryoungsterhadseizedholdoftheWaterloomedalwhichtheCorporalwore,andwasexaminingitwithdelight.
“Goodmorning,yourHonour,”saidClink,inreplytothe“Howdo,Clink?”oftheColonel.“ThisereyounggentlemanisaboutthelittleColonel’sage,sir,”continuedthecorporal.
“HisfatherwasaWaterlooman,too,”saidtheoldgentleman,whocarriedtheboy.“Wasn’the,Georgy?”
“Yes,”saidGeorgy.Heandthelittlechapontheponywerelookingateachotherwithalltheirmight—solemnlyscanningeachotheraschildrendo.
“Inalineregiment,”Clinksaidwithapatronizingair.
“HewasaCaptaininthe—thregiment,”saidtheoldgentlemanratherpompously.
“CaptainGeorgeOsborne,sir—perhapsyouknewhim.
Hediedthedeathofahero,sir,fightingagainsttheCorsicantyrant.”ColonelCrawleyblushedquitered.
“Iknewhimverywell,sir,”hesaid,“andhiswife,hisdearlittlewife,sir—howisshe?”
“Sheismydaughter,sir,”saidtheoldgentleman,puttingdowntheboyandtakingoutacardwithgreatsolemnity,whichhehandedtotheColonel.Onitwritten—
“Mr.Sedley,SoleAgentfortheBlackDiamondandAnti-CinderCoalAssociation,Bunker’sWharf,ThamesStreet,andAnna-MariaCottages,FulhamRoadWest.”
LittleGeorgywentupandlookedattheShetlandpony.
“Shouldyouliketohavearide?”saidRawdonminorfromthesaddle.
“Yes,”saidGeorgy.TheColonel,whohadbeenlookingathimwithsomeinterest,tookupthechildandputhimontheponybehindRawdonminor.
“Takeholdofhim,Georgy,”hesaid—”takemylittleboyroundthewaist—hisnameisRawdon.”Andboththechildrenbegantolaugh.
“Youwon’tseeaprettierpairIthink,THISsummer’sday,sir,”saidthegood-naturedCorporal;andtheColonel,theCorporal,andoldMr.Sedleywithhisumbrella,walkedbythesideofthechildren.
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