English
WemustsupposelittleGeorgeOsbornehasriddenfromKnightsbridgetowardsFulham,andwillstopandmakeinquiriesatthatvillageregardingsomefriendswhomwehaveleftthere.
HowisMrs.AmeliaafterthestormofWaterloo?Isshelivingandthriving?
WhathascomeofMajorDobbin,whosecabwasalwayshankeringaboutherpremises?
AndisthereanynewsoftheCollectorofBoggleyWollah?
Thefactsconcerningthelatterarebrieflythese:
OurworthyfatfriendJosephSedleyreturnedtoIndianotlongafterhisescapefromBrussels.
Eitherhisfurloughwasup,orhedreadedtomeetanywitnessesofhisWaterlooflight.
Howeveritmightbe,hewentbacktohisdutiesinBengalverysoonafterNapoleonhadtakenuphisresidenceatSt.Helena,whereJossawtheex-Emperor.
TohearMr.SedleytalkonboardshipyouwouldhavesupposedthatitwasnotthefirsttimeheandtheCorsicanhadmet,andthatthecivilianhadbeardedtheFrenchGeneralatMountSt.John.
Hehadathousandanecdotesaboutthefamousbattles;heknewthepositionofeveryregimentandthelosswhicheachhadincurred.
Hedidnotdenythathehadbeenconcernedinthosevictories—thathehadbeenwiththearmyandcarrieddespatchesfortheDukeofWellington.
AndhedescribedwhattheDukedidandsaidoneveryconceivablemomentofthedayofWaterloo,withsuchanaccurateknowledgeofhisGrace’ssentimentsandproceedingsthatitwasclearhemusthavebeenbytheconqueror’ssidethroughouttheday;though,asanon-combatant,hisnamewasnotmentionedinthepublicdocumentsrelativetothebattle.
Perhapsheactuallyworkedhimselfuptobelievethathehadbeenengagedwiththearmy;certainitisthathemadeaprodigioussensationforsometimeatCalcutta,andwascalledWaterlooSedleyduringthewholeofhissubsequentstayinBengal.
ThebillswhichJoshadgivenforthepurchaseofthoseunluckyhorseswerepaidwithoutquestionbyhimandhisagents.
Heneverwasheardtoalludetothebargain,andnobodyknowsforacertaintywhatbecameofthehorses,orhowhegotridofthem,orofIsidor,hisBelgianservant,whosoldagreyhorse,veryliketheonewhichJosrode,atValenciennessometimeduringtheautumnof1815.
Jos’sLondonagentshadorderstopayonehundredandtwentypoundsyearlytohisparentsatFulham.
Itwasthechiefsupportoftheoldcouple;forMr.Sedley’sspeculationsinlifesubsequenttohisbankruptcydidnotbyanymeansretrievethebrokenoldgentleman’sfortune.
Hetriedtobeawine-merchant,acoal-merchant,acommissionlotteryagent,&c.,&c.
Hesentroundprospectusestohisfriendswheneverhetookanewtrade,andorderedanewbrassplateforthedoor,andtalkedpompouslyaboutmakinghisfortunestill.
ButFortunenevercamebacktothefeebleandstrickenoldman.
Onebyonehisfriendsdroppedoff,andwerewearyofbuyingdearcoalsandbadwinefromhim;andtherewasonlyhiswifeinalltheworldwhofancied,whenhetotteredofftotheCityofamorning,thathewasstilldoinganybusinessthere.
Ateveninghecrawledslowlyback;andheusedtogoofnightstoalittleclubatatavern,wherehedisposedofthefinancesofthenation.
Itwaswonderfultohearhimtalkaboutmillions,andagios,anddiscounts,andwhatRothschildwasdoing,andBaringBrothers.
Hetalkedofsuchvastsumsthatthegentlemenoftheclub(theapothecary,theundertaker,thegreatcarpenterandbuilder,theparishclerk,whowasallowedtocomestealthily,andMr.Clapp,ouroldacquaintance,)respectedtheoldgentleman.
“Iwasbetteroffonce,sir,”hedidnotfailtotelleverybodywho“usedtheroom.”
“Myson,sir,isatthisminutechiefmagistrateofRamgungeinthePresidencyofBengal,andtouchinghisfourthousandrupeespermensem.
MydaughtermightbeaColonel’sladyifsheliked.
Imightdrawuponmyson,thefirstmagistrate,sir,fortwothousandpoundsto-morrow,andAlexanderwouldcashmybill,downsir,downonthecounter,sir.
ButtheSedleyswerealwaysaproudfamily.”
YouandI,mydearreader,maydropintothisconditiononeday:forhavenotmanyofourfriendsattainedit?
Ourluckmayfail:ourpowersforsakeus:ourplaceontheboardsbetakenbybetterandyoungermimes—thechanceofliferollawayandleaveusshatteredandstranded.
Thenmenwillwalkacrosstheroadwhentheymeetyou—or,worsestill,holdyououtacoupleoffingersandpatronizeyouinapityingway—thenyouwillknow,assoonasyourbackisturned,thatyourfriendbeginswitha“Poordevil,whatimprudenceshehascommitted,whatchancesthatchaphasthrownaway!”
Well,well—acarriageandthreethousandayearisnotthesummitoftherewardnortheendofGod’sjudgmentofmen.
Ifquacksprosperasoftenastheygotothewall—ifzaniessucceedandknavesarriveatfortune,and,viceversa,sharingillluckandprosperityforalltheworldliketheablestandmosthonestamongstus—Isay,brother,thegiftsandpleasuresofVanityFaircannotbeheldofanygreataccount,andthatitisprobable...butwearewanderingoutofthedomainofthestory.
HadMrs.Sedleybeenawomanofenergy,shewouldhaveexerteditafterherhusband’sruinand,occupyingalargehouse,wouldhavetakeninboarders.
ThebrokenSedleywouldhaveactedwellastheboarding-houselandlady’shusband;theMunozofprivatelife;thetitularlordandmaster:thecarver,house-steward,andhumblehusbandoftheoccupierofthedingythrone.
Ihaveseenmenofgoodbrainsandbreeding,andofgoodhopesandvigouronce,whofeastedsquiresandkepthuntersintheiryouth,meeklycuttinguplegsofmuttonforrancorousoldharridansandpretendingtopresideovertheirdrearytables—butMrs.Sedley,wesay,hadnotspiritenoughtobustleaboutfor“afewselectinmatestojoinacheerfulmusicalfamily,”suchasonereadsofintheTimes.
Shewascontenttolieontheshorewherefortunehadstrandedher—andyoucouldseethatthecareerofthisoldcouplewasover.
Idon’tthinktheywereunhappy.Perhapstheywerealittleprouderintheirdownfallthanintheirprosperity.
Mrs.Sedleywasalwaysagreatpersonforherlandlady,Mrs.Clapp,whenshedescendedandpassedmanyhourswithherinthebasementorornamentedkitchen.
TheIrishmaidBettyFlanagan’sbonnetsandribbons,hersauciness,heridleness,herrecklessprodigalityofkitchencandles,herconsumptionofteaandsugar,andsoforthoccupiedandamusedtheoldladyalmostasmuchasthedoingsofherformerhousehold,whenshehadSamboandthecoachman,andagroom,andafootboy,andahousekeeperwitharegimentoffemaledomestics—herformerhousehold,aboutwhichthegoodladytalkedahundredtimesaday.
AndbesidesBettyFlanagan,Mrs.Sedleyhadallthemaids-of-all-workinthestreettosuperintend.
Sheknewhoweachtenantofthecottagespaidorowedhislittlerent.
ShesteppedasidewhenMrs.Rougemonttheactresspassedwithherdubiousfamily.
SheflungupherheadwhenMrs.Pestler,theapothecary’slady,drovebyinherhusband’sprofessionalone-horsechaise.
ShehadcolloquieswiththegreengroceraboutthepennorthofturnipswhichMr.Sedleyloved;shekeptaneyeuponthemilkmanandthebaker’sboy;andmadevisitationstothebutcher,whosoldhundredsofoxenverylikelywithlessadothanwasmadeaboutMrs.Sedley’sloinofmutton:andshecountedthepotatoesunderthejointonSundays,onwhichdays,dressedinherbest,shewenttochurchtwiceandreadBlair’sSermonsintheevening.
Onthatday,for“business”preventedhimonweekdaysfromtakingsuchapleasure,itwasoldSedley’sdelighttotakeouthislittlegrandsonGeorgytotheneighbouringparksorKensingtonGardens,toseethesoldiersortofeedtheducks.
Georgylovedtheredcoats,andhisgrandpapatoldhimhowhisfatherhadbeenafamoussoldier,andintroducedhimtomanysergeantsandotherswithWaterloomedalsontheirbreasts,towhomtheoldgrandfatherpompouslypresentedthechildasthesonofCaptainOsborneofthe—th,whodiedgloriouslyonthegloriouseighteenth.
Hehasbeenknowntotreatsomeofthesenon-commissionedgentlementoaglassofporter,and,indeed,intheirfirstSundaywalkswasdisposedtospoillittleGeorgy,sadlygorgingtheboywithapplesandparliament,tothedetrimentofhishealth—untilAmeliadeclaredthatGeorgeshouldnevergooutwithhisgrandpapaunlessthelatterpromisedsolemnly,andonhishonour,nottogivethechildanycakes,lollipops,orstallproducewhatever.
BetweenMrs.Sedleyandherdaughtertherewasasortofcoolnessaboutthisboy,andasecretjealousy—foroneeveninginGeorge’sveryearlydays,Amelia,whohadbeenseatedatworkintheirlittleparlourscarcelyremarkingthattheoldladyhadquittedtheroom,ranupstairsinstinctivelytothenurseryatthecriesofthechild,whohadbeenasleepuntilthatmoment—andtherefoundMrs.SedleyintheactofsurreptitiouslyadministeringDaffy’sElixirtotheinfant.
Amelia,thegentlestandsweetestofeverydaymortals,whenshefoundthismeddlingwithhermaternalauthority,thrilledandtrembledalloverwithanger.
Hercheeks,ordinarilypale,nowflushedup,untiltheywereasredastheyusedtobewhenshewasachildoftwelveyearsold.
Sheseizedthebabyoutofhermother’sarmsandthengraspedatthebottle,leavingtheoldladygapingather,furious,andholdingtheguiltytea-spoon.
Ameliaflungthebottlecrashingintothefire-place.
“IwillNOThavebabypoisoned,Mamma,”criedEmmy,rockingtheinfantaboutviolentlywithbothherarmsroundhimandturningwithflashingeyesathermother.
“Poisoned,Amelia!”saidtheoldlady;“thislanguagetome?”
“HeshallnothaveanymedicinebutthatwhichMr.Pestlersendsforhin.HetoldmethatDaffy’sElixirwaspoison.”
“Verygood:youthinkI’mamurderessthen,”repliedMrs.Sedley.
“Thisisthelanguageyouusetoyourmother.
Ihavemetwithmisfortunes:Ihavesunklowinlife:Ihavekeptmycarriage,andnowwalkonfoot:butIdidnotknowIwasamurderessbefore,andthankyoufortheNEWS.”
“Mamma,”saidthepoorgirl,whowasalwaysreadyfortears—”youshouldn’tbeharduponme.I—Ididn’tmean—Imean,Ididnotwishtosayyouwouldtoanywrongtothisdearchild,only—”
“Oh,no,mylove,—onlythatIwasamurderess;inwhichcaseIhadbettergototheOldBailey.
ThoughIdidn’tpoisonYOU,whenyouwereachild,butgaveyouthebestofeducationandthemostexpensivemastersmoneycouldprocure.
Yes;I’venursedfivechildrenandburiedthree;andtheoneIlovedthebestofall,andtendedthroughcroup,andteething,andmeasles,andhooping-cough,andbroughtupwithforeignmasters,regardlessofexpense,andwithaccomplishmentsatMinervaHouse—whichIneverhadwhenIwasagirl—whenIwastoogladtohonourmyfatherandmother,thatImightlivelongintheland,andtobeuseful,andnottomopealldayinmyroomandactthefinelady—saysI’mamurderess.
Ah,Mrs.Osborne!
mayYOUnevernourishaviperinyourbosom,that’sMYprayer.”
“Mamma,Mamma!”criedthebewilderedgirl;andthechildinherarmssetupafranticchorusofshouts.“Amurderess,indeed!
GodownonyourkneesandpraytoGodtocleanseyourwickedungratefulheart,Amelia,andmayHeforgiveyouasIdo.”
AndMrs.Sedleytossedoutoftheroom,hissingoutthewordpoisononcemore,andsoendinghercharitablebenediction.
Tilltheterminationofhernaturallife,thisbreachbetweenMrs.Sedleyandherdaughterwasneverthoroughlymended.
Thequarrelgavetheelderladynumberlessadvantageswhichshedidnotfailtoturntoaccountwithfemaleingenuityandperseverance.
Forinstance,shescarcelyspoketoAmeliaformanyweeksafterwards.
Shewarnedthedomesticsnottotouchthechild,asMrs.Osbornemightbeoffended.
SheaskedherdaughtertoseeandsatisfyherselfthattherewasnopoisonpreparedinthelittledailymessesthatwereconcoctedforGeorgy.
Whenneighboursaskedaftertheboy’shealth,shereferredthempointedlytoMrs.Osborne.
SHEneverventuredtoaskwhetherthebabywaswellornot.
SHEwouldnottouchthechildalthoughhewashergrandson,andownpreciousdarling,forshewasnotUSEDtochildren,andmightkillit.
AndwheneverMr.Pestlercameuponhishealinginquisition,shereceivedthedoctorwithsuchasarcasticandscornfuldemeanour,asmadethesurgeondeclarethatnotLadyThistlewoodherself,whomhehadthehonourofattendingprofessionally,couldgiveherselfgreaterairsthanoldMrs.Sedley,fromwhomhenevertookafee.
AndverylikelyEmmywasjealoustoo,uponherownpart,aswhatmotherisnot,ofthosewhowouldmanageherchildrenforher,orbecomecandidatesforthefirstplaceintheiraffections.
Itiscertainthatwhenanybodynursedthechild,shewasuneasy,andthatshewouldnomoreallowMrs.Clapporthedomestictodressortendhimthanshewouldhaveletthemwashherhusband’sminiaturewhichhungupoverherlittlebed—thesamelittlebedfromwhichthepoorgirlhadgonetohis;andtowhichsheretirednowformanylong,silent,tearful,buthappyyears.
InthisroomwasallAmelia’sheartandtreasure.
Hereitwasthatshetendedherboyandwatchedhimthroughthemanyillsofchildhood,withaconstantpassionoflove.
TheelderGeorgereturnedinhimsomehow,onlyimproved,andasifcomebackfromheaven.
Inahundredlittletones,looks,andmovements,thechildwassolikehisfatherthatthewidow’sheartthrilledassheheldhimtoit;andhewouldoftenaskthecauseofhertears.
Itwasbecauseofhislikenesstohisfather,shedidnotscrupletotellhim.
Shetalkedconstantlytohimaboutthisdeadfather,andspokeofherloveforGeorgetotheinnocentandwonderingchild;muchmorethansheeverhaddonetoGeorgehimself,ortoanyconfidanteofheryouth.
Toherparentsshenevertalkedaboutthismatter,shrinkingfrombaringherhearttothem.
LittleGeorgeverylikelycouldunderstandnobetterthanthey,butintohisearsshepouredhersentimentalsecretsunreservedly,andintohisonly.
Theveryjoyofthiswomanwasasortofgrief,orsotender,atleast,thatitsexpressionwastears.
Hersensibilitiesweresoweakandtremulousthatperhapstheyoughtnottobetalkedaboutinabook.
IwastoldbyDr.Pestler(nowamostflourishinglady’sphysician,withasumptuousdarkgreencarriage,aprospectofspeedyknighthood,andahouseinManchesterSquare)thathergriefatweaningthechildwasasightthatwouldhaveunmannedaHerod.
Hewasverysoft-heartedmanyyearsago,andhiswifewasmortallyjealousofMrs.Amelia,thenandlongafterwards.
Perhapsthedoctor’sladyhadgoodreasonforherjealousy:mostwomensharedit,ofthosewhoformedthesmallcircleofAmelia’sacquaintance,andwerequiteangryattheenthusiasmwithwhichtheothersexregardedher.
Foralmostallmenwhocamenearherlovedher;thoughnodoubttheywouldbeatalosstotellyouwhy.
Shewasnotbrilliant,norwitty,norwiseovermuch,norextraordinarilyhandsome.
Butwherevershewentshetouchedandcharmedeveryoneofthemalesex,asinvariablyassheawakenedthescornandincredulityofherownsisterhood.
Ithinkitwasherweaknesswhichwasherprincipalcharm—akindofsweetsubmissionandsoftness,whichseemedtoappealtoeachmanshemetforhissympathyandprotection.
Wehaveseenhowintheregiment,thoughshespokebuttofewofGeorge’scomradesthere,alltheswordsoftheyoungfellowsatthemess-tablewouldhaveleaptfromtheirscabbardstofightroundher;andsoitwasinthelittlenarrowlodging-houseandcircleatFulham,sheinterestedandpleasedeverybody.
IfshehadbeenMrs.Mangoherself,ofthegreathouseofMango,Plantain,andCo.,CrutchedFriars,andthemagnificentproprietressofthePineries,Fulham,whogavesummerdejeunersfrequentedbyDukesandEarls,anddroveabouttheparishwithmagnificentyellowliveriesandbayhorses,suchastheroyalstablesatKensingtonthemselvescouldnotturnout—IsayhadshebeenMrs.Mangoherself,orherson’swife,LadyMaryMango(daughteroftheEarlofCastlemouldy,whocondescendedtomarrytheheadofthefirm),thetradesmenoftheneighbourhoodcouldnotpayhermorehonourthantheyinvariablyshowedtothegentleyoungwidow,whenshepassedbytheirdoors,ormadeherhumblepurchasesattheirshops.
ThusitwasnotonlyMr.Pestler,themedicalman,butMr.Lintontheyoungassistant,whodoctoredtheservantmaidsandsmalltradesmen,andmightbeseenanydayreadingtheTimesinthesurgery,whoopenlydeclaredhimselftheslaveofMrs.Osborne.
Hewasapersonableyounggentleman,morewelcomeatMrs.Sedley’slodgingsthanhisprincipal;andifanythingwentwrongwithGeorgy,hewoulddropintwiceorthriceinthedaytoseethelittlechap,andwithoutsomuchasthethoughtofafee.
Hewouldabstractlozenges,tamarinds,andotherproducefromthesurgery-drawersforlittleGeorgy’sbenefit,andcompoundeddraughtsandmixturesforhimofmiraculoussweetness,sothatitwasquiteapleasuretothechildtobeailing.
HeandPestler,hischief,satuptwowholenightsbytheboyinthatmomentousandawfulweekwhenGeorgyhadthemeasles;andwhenyouwouldhavethought,fromthemother’sterror,thattherehadneverbeenmeaslesintheworldbefore.
Wouldtheyhavedoneasmuchforotherpeople?
DidtheysitupforthefolksatthePineries,whenRalphPlantagenet,andGwendoline,andGuineverMangohadthesamejuvenilecomplaint?
DidtheysitupforlittleMaryClapp,thelandlord’sdaughter,whoactuallycaughtthediseaseoflittleGeorgy?Truthcompelsonetosay,no.
Theysleptquiteundisturbed,atleastasfarasshewasconcerned—pronouncedherstobeaslightcase,whichwouldalmostcureitself,sentherinadraughtortwo,andthrewinbarkwhenthechildrallied,withperfectindifference,andjustforform’ssake.
Again,therewasthelittleFrenchchevalieropposite,whogavelessonsinhisnativetongueatvariousschoolsintheneighbourhood,andwhomightbeheardinhisapartmentofnightsplayingtremulousoldgavottesandminuetsonawheezyoldfiddle.
Wheneverthispowderedandcourteousoldman,whonevermissedaSundayattheconventchapelatHammersmith,andwhowasinallrespects,thoughts,conduct,andbearingutterlyunlikethebeardedsavagesofhisnation,whocurseperfidiousAlbion,andscowlatyoufromovertheircigars,intheQuadrantarcadesatthepresentday—whenevertheoldChevalierdeTalonrougespokeofMistressOsborne,hewouldfirstfinishhispinchofsnuff,flickawaytheremainingparticlesofdustwithagracefulwaveofhishand,gatheruphisfingersagainintoabunch,and,bringingthemuptohismouth,blowthemopenwithakiss,exclaiming,Ah!
ladivinecreature!
HevowedandprotestedthatwhenAmeliawalkedintheBromptonLanesflowersgrewinprofusionunderherfeet.
HecalledlittleGeorgyCupid,andaskedhimnewsofVenus,hismamma;andtoldtheastonishedBettyFlanaganthatshewasoneoftheGraces,andthefavouriteattendantoftheReinedesAmours.
Instancesmightbemultipliedofthiseasilygainedandunconsciouspopularity.
DidnotMr.Binny,themildandgenteelcurateofthedistrictchapel,whichthefamilyattended,callassiduouslyuponthewidow,dandlethelittleboyonhisknee,andoffertoteachhimLatin,totheangeroftheelderlyvirgin,hissister,whokepthouseforhim?
“Thereisnothinginher,Beilby,”thelatterladywouldsay.
“Whenshecomestoteahereshedoesnotspeakawordduringthewholeevening.
Sheisbutapoorlackadaisicalcreature,anditismybeliefhasnoheartatall.
Itisonlyherprettyfacewhichallyougentlemenadmireso.
MissGrits,whohasfivethousandpounds,andexpectationsbesides,hastwiceasmuchcharacter,andisathousandtimesmoreagreeabletomytaste;andifsheweregood-lookingIknowthatyouwouldthinkherperfection.”
VerylikelyMissBinnywasrighttoagreatextent.
ItIStheprettyfacewhichcreatessympathyintheheartsofmen,thosewickedrogues.
AwomanmaypossessthewisdomandchastityofMinerva,andwegivenoheedtoher,ifshehasaplainface.
Whatfollywillnotapairofbrighteyesmakepardonable?
Whatdulnessmaynotredlipsandsweetaccentsrenderpleasant?
Andso,withtheirusualsenseofjustice,ladiesarguethatbecauseawomanishandsome,thereforesheisafool.Oladies,ladies!
therearesomeofyouwhoareneitherhandsomenorwise.
Thesearebuttrivialincidentstorecountinthelifeofourheroine.
Hertaledoesnotdealinwonders,asthegentlereaderhasalreadynodoubtperceived;andifajournalhadbeenkeptofherproceedingsduringthesevenyearsafterthebirthofherson,therewouldbefoundfewincidentsmoreremarkableinitthanthatofthemeasles,recordedintheforegoingpage.
Yes,oneday,andgreatlytoherwonder,theReverendMr.Binny,justmentioned,askedhertochangehernameofOsborneforhisown;when,withdeepblushesandtearsinhereyesandvoice,shethankedhimforhisregardforher,expressedgratitudeforhisattentionstoherandtoherpoorlittleboy,butsaidthatshenever,nevercouldthinkofanybut—butthehusbandwhomshehadlost.
Onthetwenty-fifthofApril,andtheeighteenthofJune,thedaysofmarriageandwidowhood,shekeptherroomentirely,consecratingthem(andwedonotknowhowmanyhoursofsolitarynight-thought,herlittleboysleepinginhiscribbyherbedside)tothememoryofthatdepartedfriend.Duringthedayshewasmoreactive.
ShehadtoteachGeorgetoreadandtowriteandalittletodraw.
Shereadbooks,inorderthatshemighttellhimstoriesfromthem.
Ashiseyesopenedandhismindexpandedundertheinfluenceoftheoutwardnatureroundabouthim,shetaughtthechild,tothebestofherhumblepower,toacknowledgetheMakerofall,andeverynightandeverymorningheandshe—(inthatawfulandtouchingcommunionwhichIthinkmustbringathrilltotheheartofeverymanwhowitnessesorwhoremembersit)—themotherandthelittleboy—prayedtoOurFathertogether,themotherpleadingwithallhergentleheart,thechildlispingafterherasshespoke.
AndeachtimetheyprayedtoGodtoblessdearPapa,asifhewerealiveandintheroomwiththem.
Towashanddressthisyounggentleman—totakehimforarunofthemornings,beforebreakfast,andtheretreatofgrandpapafor“business”—tomakeforhimthemostwonderfulandingeniousdresses,forwhichendthethriftywidowcutupandalteredeveryavailablelittlebitoffinerywhichshepossessedoutofherwardrobeduringhermarriage—forMrs.Osborneherself(greatlytohermother’svexation,whopreferredfineclothes,especiallysincehermisfortunes)alwaysworeablackgownandastrawbonnetwithablackribbon—occupiedhermanyhoursoftheday.
Othersshehadtospare,attheserviceofhermotherandheroldfather.
Shehadtakenthepainstolearn,andusedtoplaycribbagewiththisgentlemanonthenightswhenhedidnotgotohisclub.
Shesangforhimwhenhewassominded,anditwasagoodsign,forheinvariablyfellintoacomfortablesleepduringthemusic.
Shewroteouthisnumerousmemorials,letters,prospectuses,andprojects.
Itwasinherhandwritingthatmostoftheoldgentleman’sformeracquaintanceswereinformedthathehadbecomeanagentfortheBlackDiamondandAnti-CinderCoalCompanyandcouldsupplyhisfriendsandthepublicwiththebestcoalsat—s.perchaldron.
Allhedidwastosignthecircularswithhisflourishandsignature,anddirecttheminashaky,clerklikehand.
OneofthesepaperswassenttoMajorDobbin,—Regt.,careofMessrs.CoxandGreenwood;buttheMajorbeinginMadrasatthetime,hadnoparticularcallforcoals.
Heknew,though,thehandwhichhadwrittentheprospectus.GoodGod!
whatwouldhenothavegiventoholditinhisown!
Asecondprospectuscameout,informingtheMajorthatJ.SedleyandCompany,havingestablishedagenciesatOporto,Bordeaux,andSt.Mary’s,wereenabledtooffertotheirfriendsandthepublicgenerallythefinestandmostcelebratedgrowthsofports,sherries,andclaretwinesatreasonablepricesandunderextraordinaryadvantages.
Actinguponthishint,Dobbinfuriouslycanvassedthegovernor,thecommander-in-chief,thejudges,theregiments,andeverybodywhomheknewinthePresidency,andsenthometoSedleyandCo.ordersforwinewhichperfectlyastonishedMr.SedleyandMr.Clapp,whowastheCo.inthebusiness.
Butnomoreorderscameafterthatfirstburstofgoodfortune,onwhichpooroldSedleywasabouttobuildahouseintheCity,aregimentofclerks,adocktohimself,andcorrespondentsallovertheworld.
Theoldgentleman’sformertasteinwinehadgone:thecursesofthemess-roomassailedMajorDobbinfortheviledrinkshehadbeenthemeansofintroducingthere;andheboughtbackagreatquantityofthewineandsolditatpublicoutcry,atanenormouslosstohimself.
AsforJos,whowasbythistimepromotedtoaseatattheRevenueBoardatCalcutta,hewaswildwithragewhenthepostbroughthimoutabundleoftheseBacchanalianprospectuses,withaprivatenotefromhisfather,tellingJosthathisseniorcounteduponhiminthisenterprise,andhadconsignedaquantityofselectwinestohim,asperinvoice,drawingbillsuponhimfortheamountofthesame.
Jos,whowouldnomorehaveitsupposedthathisfather,JosSedley’sfather,oftheBoardofRevenue,wasawinemerchantaskingfororders,thanthathewasJackKetch,refusedthebillswithscorn,wrotebackcontumeliouslytotheoldgentleman,biddinghimtomindhisownaffairs;andtheprotestedpapercomingback,SedleyandCo.hadtotakeitup,withtheprofitswhichtheyhadmadeoutoftheMadrasventure,andwithalittleportionofEmmy’ssavings.
Besidesherpensionoffiftypoundsayear,therehadbeenfivehundredpounds,asherhusband’sexecutorstated,leftintheagent’shandsatthetimeofOsborne’sdemise,whichsum,asGeorge’sguardian,Dobbinproposedtoputoutat8percentinanIndianhouseofagency.
Mr.Sedley,whothoughttheMajorhadsomeroguishintentionsofhisownaboutthemoney,wasstronglyagainstthisplan;andhewenttotheagentstoprotestpersonallyagainsttheemploymentofthemoneyinquestion,whenhelearned,tohissurprise,thattherehadbeennosuchsumintheirhands,thatallthelateCaptain’sassetsdidnotamounttoahundredpounds,andthatthefivehundredpoundsinquestionmustbeaseparatesum,ofwhichMajorDobbinknewtheparticulars.
Morethaneverconvincedthattherewassomeroguery,oldSedleypursuedtheMajor.
Ashisdaughter’snearestfriend,hedemandedwithahighhandastatementofthelateCaptain’saccounts.
Dobbin’sstammering,blushing,andawkwardnessaddedtotheother’sconvictionsthathehadaroguetodealwith,andinamajestictonehetoldthatofficerapieceofhismind,ashecalledit,simplystatinghisbeliefthattheMajorwasunlawfullydetaininghislateson-in-law’smoney.
Dobbinatthislostallpatience,andifhisaccuserhadnotbeensooldandsobroken,aquarrelmighthaveensuedbetweenthemattheSlaughters’Coffee-house,inaboxofwhichplaceofentertainmentthegentlemenhadtheircolloquy.
“Comeupstairs,sir,”lispedouttheMajor.
“Iinsistonyourcomingupthestairs,andIwillshowwhichistheinjuredparty,poorGeorgeorI”;and,draggingtheoldgentlemanuptohisbedroom,heproducedfromhisdeskOsborne’saccounts,andabundleofIOU’swhichthelatterhadgiven,who,todohimjustice,wasalwaysreadytogiveanIOU.
“HepaidhisbillsinEngland,”Dobbinadded,“buthehadnotahundredpoundsintheworldwhenhefell.
Iandoneortwoofhisbrotherofficersmadeupthelittlesum,whichwasallthatwecouldspare,andyoudaretellusthatwearetryingtocheatthewidowandtheorphan.”
Sedleywasverycontriteandhumbled,thoughthefactisthatWilliamDobbinhadtoldagreatfalsehoodtotheoldgentleman;havinghimselfgiveneveryshillingofthemoney,havingburiedhisfriend,andpaidallthefeesandchargesincidentuponthecalamityandremovalofpoorAmelia.
AbouttheseexpensesoldOsbornehadnevergivenhimselfanytroubletothink,noranyotherrelativeofAmelia,norAmeliaherself,indeed.
ShetrustedtoMajorDobbinasanaccountant,tookhissomewhatconfusedcalculationsforgranted,andneveroncesuspectedhowmuchshewasinhisdebt.
Twiceorthriceintheyear,accordingtoherpromise,shewrotehimletterstoMadras,lettersallaboutlittleGeorgy.Howhetreasuredthesepapers!
WheneverAmeliawroteheanswered,andnotuntilthen.
Buthesentoverendlessremembrancesofhimselftohisgodsonandtoher.
Heorderedandsentaboxofscarfsandagrandivorysetofchess-menfromChina.
Thepawnswerelittlegreenandwhitemen,withrealswordsandshields;theknightswereonhorseback,thecastleswereonthebacksofelephants.
“Mrs.Mango’sownsetatthePinerieswasnotsofine,”Mr.Pestlerremarked.
Thesechess-menwerethedelightofGeorgy’slife,whoprintedhisfirstletterinacknowledgementofthisgiftofhisgodpapa.
Hesentoverpreservesandpickles,whichlattertheyounggentlemantriedsurreptitiouslyinthesideboardandhalf-killedhimselfwitheating.
Hethoughtitwasajudgementuponhimforstealing,theyweresohot.
EmmywroteacomicallittleaccountofthismishaptotheMajor:itpleasedhimtothinkthatherspiritswererallyingandthatshecouldbemerrysometimesnow.
Hesentoverapairofshawls,awhiteoneforherandablackonewithpalm-leavesforhermother,andapairofredscarfs,aswinterwrappers,foroldMr.SedleyandGeorge.
Theshawlswereworthfiftyguineasapieceattheveryleast,asMrs.Sedleyknew.
SheworehersinstateatchurchatBrompton,andwascongratulatedbyherfemalefriendsuponthesplendidacquisition.
Emmy’s,too,becameprettilyhermodestblackgown.
“Whatapityitisshewon’tthinkofhim!”
Mrs.SedleyremarkedtoMrs.ClappandtoallherfriendsofBrompton.
“Josneversentussuchpresents,Iamsure,andgrudgesuseverything.
ItisevidentthattheMajorisoverheadandearsinlovewithher;andyet,wheneverIsomuchashintit,sheturnsredandbeginstocryandgoesandsitsupstairswithherminiature.I’msickofthatminiature.
Iwishwehadneverseenthoseodiouspurse-proudOsbornes.”
AmidstsuchhumblescenesandassociatesGeorge’searlyyouthwaspassed,andtheboygrewupdelicate,sensitive,imperious,woman-bred—domineeringthegentlemotherwhomhelovedwithpassionateaffection.
Heruledalltherestofthelittleworldroundabouthim.
Ashegrew,theelderswereamazedathishaughtymannerandhisconstantlikenesstohisfather.
Heaskedquestionsabouteverything,asinquiringyouthwilldo.
Theprofundityofhisremarksandinterrogatoriesastonishedhisoldgrandfather,whoperfectlyboredtheclubatthetavernwithstoriesaboutthelittlelad’slearningandgenius.
Hesufferedhisgrandmotherwithagood-humouredindifference.
Thesmallcircleroundabouthimbelievedthattheequaloftheboydidnotexistupontheearth.
Georgyinheritedhisfather’spride,andperhapsthoughttheywerenotwrong.
Whenhegrewtobeaboutsixyearsold,Dobbinbegantowritetohimverymuch.
TheMajorwantedtohearthatGeorgywasgoingtoaschoolandhopedhewouldacquithimselfwithcreditthere:orwouldhehaveagoodtutorathome?
Itwastimethatheshouldbegintolearn;andhisgodfatherandguardianhintedthathehopedtobeallowedtodefraythechargesoftheboy’seducation,whichwouldfallheavilyuponhismother’sstraitenedincome.
TheMajor,inaword,wasalwaysthinkingaboutAmeliaandherlittleboy,andbyorderstohisagentskeptthelatterprovidedwithpicture-books,paint-boxes,desks,andallconceivableimplementsofamusementandinstruction.
ThreedaysbeforeGeorge’ssixthbirthdayagentlemaninagig,accompaniedbyaservant,droveuptoMr.Sedley’shouseandaskedtoseeMasterGeorgeOsborne:itwasMr.Woolsey,militarytailor,ofConduitStreet,whocameattheMajor’sordertomeasuretheyounggentlemanforasuitofclothes.
HehadhadthehonourofmakingfortheCaptain,theyounggentleman’sfather.
Sometimes,too,andbytheMajor’sdesirenodoubt,hissisters,theMissesDobbin,wouldcallinthefamilycarriagetotakeAmeliaandthelittleboytodriveiftheyweresoinclined.
ThepatronageandkindnessoftheseladieswasveryuncomfortabletoAmelia,butsheboreitmeeklyenough,forhernaturewastoyield;and,besides,thecarriageanditssplendoursgavelittleGeorgyimmensepleasure.
Theladiesbeggedoccasionallythatthechildmightpassadaywiththem,andhewasalwaysgladtogotothatfinegarden-houseatDenmarkHill,wheretheylived,andwherethereweresuchfinegrapesinthehot-housesandpeachesonthewalls.
OnedaytheykindlycameovertoAmeliawithnewswhichtheywereSUREwoulddelighther—somethingVERYinterestingabouttheirdearWilliam.
“Whatwasit:washecominghome?”sheaskedwithpleasurebeaminginhereyes.
“Oh,no—nottheleast—buttheyhadverygoodreasontobelievethatdearWilliamwasabouttobemarried—andtoarelationofaverydearfriendofAmelia’s—toMissGlorvinaO’Dowd,SirMichaelO’Dowd’ssister,whohadgoneouttojoinLadyO’DowdatMadras—averybeautifulandaccomplishedgirl,everybodysaid.”
Ameliasaid“Oh!”AmeliawasveryVERYhappyindeed.
ButshesupposedGlorvinacouldnotbelikeheroldacquaintance,whowasmostkind—but—butshewasveryhappyindeed.
AndbysomeimpulseofwhichIcannotexplainthemeaning,shetookGeorgeinherarmsandkissedhimwithanextraordinarytenderness.
Hereyeswerequitemoistwhensheputthechilddown;andshescarcelyspokeawordduringthewholeofthedrive—thoughshewassoveryhappyindeed.
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