English
Sothemourningbeingready,andSirPittCrawleywarnedoftheirarrival,ColonelCrawleyandhiswifetookacoupleofplacesinthesameoldHigh-flyercoachbywhichRebeccahadtravelledinthedefunctBaronet’scompany,onherfirstjourneyintotheworldsomenineyearsbefore.
HowwellsherememberedtheInnYard,andtheostlertowhomsherefusedmoney,andtheinsinuatingCambridgeladwhowrappedherinhiscoatonthejourney!
Rawdontookhisplaceoutside,andwouldhavelikedtodrive,buthisgriefforbadehim.
Hesatbythecoachmanandtalkedabouthorsesandtheroadthewholeway;andwhokepttheinns,andwhohorsedthecoachbywhichhehadtravelledsomanyatime,whenheandPittwereboysgoingtoEton.
AtMudburyacarriageandapairofhorsesreceivedthem,withacoachmaninblack.
“It’stheolddrag,Rawdon,”Rebeccasaidastheygotin.
“Thewormshaveeatentheclothagooddeal—there’sthestainwhichSirPitt—ha!
IseeDawsontheIronmongerhashisshuttersup—whichSirPittmadesuchanoiseabout.
ItwasabottleofcherrybrandyhebrokewhichwewenttofetchforyourauntfromSouthampton.Howtimeflies,tobesure!
Thatcan’tbePollyTalboys,thatbouncinggirlstandingbyhermotheratthecottagethere.
Irememberheramangylittleurchinpickingweedsinthegarden.”
“Finegal,”saidRawdon,returningthesalutewhichthecottagegavehim,bytwofingersappliedtohiscrapehatband.
Beckybowedandsaluted,andrecognizedpeoplehereandtheregraciously.
Theserecognitionswereinexpressiblypleasanttoher.
Itseemedasifshewasnotanimposteranymore,andwascomingtothehomeofherancestors.
Rawdonwasratherabashedandcastdown,ontheotherhand.
Whatrecollectionsofboyhoodandinnocencemighthavebeenflittingacrosshisbrain?
Whatpangsofdimremorseanddoubtandshame?
“Yoursistersmustbeyoungwomennow,”Rebeccasaid,thinkingofthosegirlsforthefirsttimeperhapssinceshehadleftthem.
“Don’tknow,I’mshaw,”repliedtheColonel.“Hullo!here’soldMotherLock.How-dy-do,Mrs.Lock?Rememberme,don’tyou?MasterRawdon,hey?
Dammyhowthoseoldwomenlast;shewasahundredwhenIwasaboy.”
Theyweregoingthroughthelodge-gateskeptbyoldMrs.Lock,whosehandRebeccainsisteduponshaking,assheflungopenthecreakingoldirongate,andthecarriagepassedbetweenthetwomoss-grownpillarssurmountedbythedoveandserpent.
“Thegovernorhascutintothetimber,”Rawdonsaid,lookingabout,andthenwassilent—sowasBecky.
Bothofthemwereratheragitated,andthinkingofoldtimes.
HeaboutEton,andhismother,whomheremembered,afrigiddemurewoman,andasisterwhodied,ofwhomhehadbeenpassionatelyfond;andhowheusedtothrashPitt;andaboutlittleRawdyathome.
AndRebeccathoughtaboutherownyouthandthedarksecretsofthoseearlytainteddays;andofherentranceintolifebyyondergates;andofMissPinkerton,andJoe,andAmelia.
Thegravelwalkandterracehadbeenscrapedquiteclean.
Agrandpaintedhatchmentwasalreadyoverthegreatentrance,andtwoverysolemnandtallpersonagesinblackflungopeneachaleafofthedoorasthecarriagepulledupatthefamiliarsteps.
Rawdonturnedred,andBeckysomewhatpale,astheypassedthroughtheoldhall,arminarm.
Shepinchedherhusband’sarmastheyenteredtheoakparlour,whereSirPittandhiswifewerereadytoreceivethem.
SirPittinblack,LadyJaneinblack,andmyLadySouthdownwithalargeblackhead-pieceofbuglesandfeathers,whichwavedonherLadyship’sheadlikeanundertaker’stray.
SirPitthadjudgedcorrectly,thatshewouldnotquitthepremises.
Shecontentedherselfbypreservingasolemnandstonysilence,whenincompanyofPittandhisrebelliouswife,andbyfrighteningthechildreninthenurserybytheghastlygloomofherdemeanour.
Onlyaveryfaintbendingofthehead-dressandplumeswelcomedRawdonandhiswife,asthoseprodigalsreturnedtotheirfamily.
Tosaythetruth,theywerenotaffectedverymuchonewayorotherbythiscoolness.
HerLadyshipwasapersononlyofsecondaryconsiderationintheirmindsjustthen—theywereintentuponthereceptionwhichthereigningbrotherandsisterwouldaffordthem.
Pitt,withratheraheightenedcolour,wentupandshookhisbrotherbythehand,andsalutedRebeccawithahand-shakeandaverylowbow.
ButLadyJanetookboththehandsofhersister-in-lawandkissedheraffectionately.
Theembracesomehowbroughttearsintotheeyesofthelittleadventuress—whichornaments,asweknow,sheworeveryseldom.
Theartlessmarkofkindnessandconfidencetouchedandpleasedher;andRawdon,encouragedbythisdemonstrationonhissister’spart,twirleduphismustachiosandtookleavetosaluteLadyJanewithakiss,whichcausedherLadyshiptoblushexceedingly.
“Dev’lishnicelittlewoman,LadyJane,”washisverdict,whenheandhiswifeweretogetheragain.
“Pitt’sgotfat,too,andisdoingthethinghandsomely.”
“Hecanaffordit,”saidRebeccaandagreedinherhusband’sfartheropinion“thatthemother-in-lawwasatremendousoldGuy—andthatthesisterswereratherwell-lookingyoungwomen.”
They,too,hadbeensummonedfromschooltoattendthefuneralceremonies.
ItseemedSirPittCrawley,forthedignityofthehouseandfamily,hadthoughtrighttohaveabouttheplaceasmanypersonsinblackascouldpossiblybeassembled.
Allthemenandmaidsofthehouse,theoldwomenoftheAlmsHouse,whomtheelderSirPitthadcheatedoutofagreatportionoftheirdue,theparishclerk’sfamily,andthespecialretainersofbothHallandRectorywerehabitedinsable;addedtothese,theundertaker’smen,atleastascore,withcrapesandhatbands,andwhomadegoodlyshowwhenthegreatburyingshowtookplace—butthesearemutepersonagesinourdrama;andhavingnothingtodoorsay,needoccupyaverylittlespacehere.
Withregardtohersisters-in-lawRebeccadidnotattempttoforgetherformerpositionofGovernesstowardsthem,butrecalleditfranklyandkindly,andaskedthemabouttheirstudieswithgreatgravity,andtoldthemthatshehadthoughtofthemmanyandmanyaday,andlongedtoknowoftheirwelfare.
Infactyouwouldhavesupposedthateversinceshehadleftthemshehadnotceasedtokeepthemuppermostinherthoughtsandtotakethetenderestinterestintheirwelfare.
SosupposedLadyCrawleyherselfandheryoungsisters.
“She’shardlychangedsinceeightyears,”saidMissRosalindtoMissViolet,astheywerepreparingfordinner.
“Thosered-hairedwomenlookwonderfullywell,”repliedtheother.
“Hersismuchdarkerthanitwas;Ithinkshemustdyeit,”MissRosalindadded.“Sheisstouter,too,andaltogetherimproved,”continuedMissRosalind,whowasdisposedtobeveryfat.
“AtleastshegivesherselfnoairsandremembersthatshewasourGovernessonce,”MissVioletsaid,intimatingthatitbefittedallgovernessestokeeptheirproperplace,andforgettingaltogetherthatshewasgranddaughternotonlyofSirWalpoleCrawley,butofMr.DawsonofMudbury,andsohadacoal-scuttleinherscutcheon.
Thereareotherverywell-meaningpeoplewhomonemeetseverydayinVanityFairwhoaresurelyequallyoblivious.
“Itcan’tbetruewhatthegirlsattheRectorysaid,thathermotherwasanopera-dancer—”
“Apersoncan’thelptheirbirth,”Rosalindrepliedwithgreatliberality.
“AndIagreewithourbrother,thatassheisinthefamily,ofcourseweareboundtonoticeher.
IamsureAuntButeneednottalk;shewantstomarryKatetoyoungHooper,thewine-merchant,andabsolutelyaskedhimtocometotheRectoryfororders.”
“IwonderwhetherLadySouthdownwillgoaway,shelookedveryglumuponMrs.Rawdon,”theothersaid.
“Iwishshewould.Iwon’treadtheWasherwomanofFinchleyCommon,”vowedViolet;andsosaying,andavoidingapassageattheendofwhichacertaincoffinwasplacedwithacoupleofwatchers,andlightsperpetuallyburningintheclosedroom,theseyoungwomencamedowntothefamilydinner,forwhichthebellrangasusual.
Butbeforethis,LadyJaneconductedRebeccatotheapartmentspreparedforher,which,withtherestofthehouse,hadassumedaverymuchimprovedappearanceoforderandcomfortduringPitt’sregency,andherebeholdingthatMrs.Rawdon’smodestlittletrunkshadarrived,andwereplacedinthebedroomanddressing-roomadjoining,helpedhertotakeoffherneatblackbonnetandcloak,andaskedhersister-in-lawinwhatmoreshecouldbeuseful.
“WhatIshouldlikebest,”saidRebecca,“wouldbetogotothenurseryandseeyourdearlittlechildren.”
Onwhichthetwoladieslookedverykindlyateachotherandwenttothatapartmenthandinhand.
BeckyadmiredlittleMatilda,whowasnotquitefouryearsold,asthemostcharminglittleloveintheworld;andtheboy,alittlefellowoftwoyears—pale,heavy-eyed,andlarge-headed—shepronouncedtobeaperfectprodigyinpointofsize,intelligence,andbeauty.
“IwishMammawouldnotinsistongivinghimsomuchmedicine,”LadyJanesaidwithasigh.
“Ioftenthinkweshouldallbebetterwithoutit.”
AndthenLadyJaneandhernew-foundfriendhadoneofthoseconfidentialmedicalconversationsaboutthechildren,whichallmothers,andmostwomen,asIamgiventounderstand,delightin.
Fiftyyearsago,andwhenthepresentwriter,beinganinterestinglittleboy,wasorderedoutoftheroomwiththeladiesafterdinner,Irememberquitewellthattheirtalkwaschieflyabouttheirailments;andputtingthisquestiondirectlytotwoorthreesince,Ihavealwaysgotfromthemtheacknowledgementthattimesarenotchanged.
Letmyfairreadersremarkforthemselvesthisveryeveningwhentheyquitthedessert-tableandassembletocelebratethedrawing-roommysteries.
Well—inhalfanhourBeckyandLadyJanewerecloseandintimatefriends—andinthecourseoftheeveningherLadyshipinformedSirPittthatshethoughthernewsister-in-lawwasakind,frank,unaffected,andaffectionateyoungwoman.
Andsohavingeasilywonthedaughter’sgood-will,theindefatigablelittlewomanbentherselftoconciliatetheaugustLadySouthdown.
AssoonasshefoundherLadyshipalone,Rebeccaattackedheronthenurseryquestionatonceandsaidthatherownlittleboywassaved,actuallysaved,bycalomel,freelyadministered,whenallthephysiciansinParishadgiventhedearchildup.
AndthenshementionedhowoftenshehadheardofLadySouthdownfromthatexcellentmantheReverendLawrenceGrills,MinisterofthechapelinMayFair,whichshefrequented;andhowherviewswereverymuchchangedbycircumstancesandmisfortunes;andhowshehopedthatapastlifespentinworldlinessanderrormightnotincapacitateherfrommoreseriousthoughtforthefuture.
ShedescribedhowinformerdaysshehadbeenindebtedtoMr.Crawleyforreligiousinstruction,touchedupontheWasherwomanofFinchleyCommon,whichshehadreadwiththegreatestprofit,andaskedaboutLadyEmily,itsgiftedauthor,nowLadyEmilyHornblower,atCapeTown,whereherhusbandhadstronghopesofbecomingBishopofCaffraria.
Butshecrownedall,andconfirmedherselfinLadySouthdown’sfavour,byfeelingverymuchagitatedandunwellafterthefuneralandrequestingherLadyship’smedicaladvice,whichtheDowagernotonlygave,but,wrappedupinabed-gownandlookingmorelikeLadyMacbeththanever,cameprivatelyinthenighttoBecky’sroomwithaparceloffavouritetracts,andamedicineofherowncomposition,whichsheinsistedthatMrs.Rawdonshouldtake.
Beckyfirstacceptedthetractsandbegantoexaminethemwithgreatinterest,engagingtheDowagerinaconversationconcerningthemandthewelfareofhersoul,bywhichmeansshehopedthatherbodymightescapemedication.
Butafterthereligioustopicswereexhausted,LadyMacbethwouldnotquitBecky’schamberuntilhercupofnight-drinkwasemptiedtoo;andpoorMrs.Rawdonwascompelledactuallytoassumealookofgratitude,andtoswallowthemedicineundertheunyieldingoldDowager’snose,wholefthervictimfinallywithabenediction.
ItdidnotmuchcomfortMrs.Rawdon;hercountenancewasveryqueerwhenRawdoncameinandheardwhathadhappened;and.
hisexplosionsoflaughterwereasloudasusual,whenBecky,withafunwhichshecouldnotdisguise,eventhoughitwasatherownexpense,describedtheoccurrenceandhowshehadbeenvictimizedbyLadySouthdown.
LordSteyne,andhersoninLondon,hadmanyalaughoverthestorywhenRawdonandhiswifereturnedtotheirquartersinMayFair.Beckyactedthewholesceneforthem.Sheputonanight-capandgown.
Shepreachedagreatsermoninthetrueseriousmanner;shelecturedonthevirtueofthemedicinewhichshepretendedtoadminister,withagravityofimitationsoperfectthatyouwouldhavethoughtitwastheCountess’sownRomannosethroughwhichshesnuffled.
“GiveusLadySouthdownandtheblackdose,”wasaconstantcryamongstthefolksinBecky’slittledrawing-roominMayFair.
AndforthefirsttimeinherlifetheDowagerCountessofSouthdownwasmadeamusing.
SirPittrememberedthetestimoniesofrespectandvenerationwhichRebeccahadpaidpersonallytohimselfinearlydays,andwastolerablywelldisposedtowardsher.
Themarriage,ill-advisedasitwas,hadimprovedRawdonverymuch—thatwasclearfromtheColonel’salteredhabitsanddemeanour—andhaditnotbeenaluckyunionasregardedPitthimself?
Thecunningdiplomatistsmiledinwardlyasheownedthatheowedhisfortunetoit,andacknowledgedthatheatleastoughtnottocryoutagainstit.
HissatisfactionwasnotremovedbyRebecca’sownstatements,behaviour,andconversation.
Shedoubledthedeferencewhichbeforehadcharmedhim,callingouthisconversationalpowersinsuchamannerasquitetosurprisePitthimself,who,alwaysinclinedtorespecthisowntalents,admiredthemthemorewhenRebeccapointedthemouttohim.
Withhersister-in-law,RebeccawassatisfactorilyabletoprovethatitwasMrs.ButeCrawleywhobroughtaboutthemarriagewhichsheafterwardssocalumniated;thatitwasMrs.Bute’savarice—whohopedtogainallMissCrawley’sfortuneanddepriveRawdonofhisaunt’sfavour—whichcausedandinventedallthewickedreportsagainstRebecca.
“Shesucceededinmakinguspoor,”Rebeccasaidwithanairofangelicalpatience;“buthowcanIbeangrywithawomanwhohasgivenmeoneofthebesthusbandsintheworld?
Andhasnotherownavaricebeensufficientlypunishedbytheruinofherownhopesandthelossofthepropertybywhichshesetsomuchstore?Poor!”shecried.
“DearLadyJane,whatcareweforpoverty?
Iamusedtoitfromchildhood,andIamoftenthankfulthatMissCrawley’smoneyhasgonetorestorethesplendourofthenobleoldfamilyofwhichIamsoproudtobeamember.
IamsureSirPittwillmakeamuchbetteruseofitthanRawdonwould.”
AllthesespeecheswerereportedtoSirPittbythemostfaithfulofwives,andincreasedthefavourableimpressionwhichRebeccamade;somuchsothatwhen,onthethirddayafterthefuneral,thefamilypartywereatdinner,SirPittCrawley,carvingfowlsattheheadofthetable,actuallysaidtoMrs.Rawdon,“Ahem!Rebecca,mayIgiveyouawing?”
—aspeechwhichmadethelittlewoman’seyessparklewithpleasure.
WhileRebeccawasprosecutingtheaboveschemesandhopes,andPittCrawleyarrangingthefuneralceremonialandothermattersconnectedwithhisfutureprogressanddignity,andLadyJanebusywithhernursery,asfarashermotherwouldlether,andthesunrisingandsetting,andtheclock-towerbelloftheHallringingtodinnerandtoprayersasusual,thebodyofthelateownerofQueen’sCrawleylayintheapartmentwhichhehadoccupied,watchedunceasinglybytheprofessionalattendantswhowereengagedforthatrite.
Awomanortwo,andthreeorfourundertaker’smen,thebestwhomSouthamptoncouldfurnish,dressedinblack,andofaproperstealthyandtragicaldemeanour,hadchargeoftheremainswhichtheywatchedturnabout,havingthehousekeeper’sroomfortheirplaceofrendezvouswhenoffduty,wheretheyplayedatcardsinprivacyanddranktheirbeer.
Themembersofthefamilyandservantsofthehousekeptawayfromthegloomyspot,wherethebonesofthedescendantofanancientlineofknightsandgentlemenlay,awaitingtheirfinalconsignmenttothefamilycrypt.
Noregretsattendedthem,savethoseofthepoorwomanwhohadhopedtobeSirPitt’swifeandwidowandwhohadfledindisgracefromtheHalloverwhichshehadsonearlybeenaruler.
Beyondherandafavouriteoldpointerhehad,andbetweenwhomandhimselfanattachmentsubsistedduringtheperiodofhisimbecility,theoldmanhadnotasinglefriendtomournhim,havingindeed,duringthewholecourseofhislife,nevertakentheleastpainstosecureone.
Couldthebestandkindestofuswhodepartfromtheearthhaveanopportunityofrevisitingit,Isupposeheorshe(assumingthatanyVanityFairfeelingssubsistinthespherewhitherwearebound)wouldhaveapangofmortificationatfindinghowsoonoursurvivorswereconsoled.
AndsoSirPittwasforgotten—likethekindestandbestofus—onlyafewweekssooner.
Thosewhowillmayfollowhisremainstothegrave,whithertheywereborneontheappointedday,inthemostbecomingmanner,thefamilyinblackcoaches,withtheirhandkerchiefsuptotheirnoses,readyforthetearswhichdidnotcome;theundertakerandhisgentlemenindeeptribulation;theselecttenantrymourningoutofcomplimenttothenewlandlord;theneighbouringgentry’scarriagesatthreemilesanhour,empty,andinprofoundaffliction;theparsonspeakingouttheformulaabout“ourdearbrotherdeparted.”
Aslongaswehaveaman’sbody,weplayourVanitiesuponit,surroundingitwithhumbugandceremonies,layingitinstate,andpackingitupingiltnailsandvelvet;andwefinishourdutybyplacingoveritastone,writtenalloverwithlies.
Bute’scurate,asmartyoungfellowfromOxford,andSirPittCrawleycomposedbetweenthemanappropriateLatinepitaphforthelatelamentedBaronet,andtheformerpreachedaclassicalsermon,exhortingthesurvivorsnottogivewaytogriefandinformingtheminthemostrespectfultermsthattheyalsowouldbeonedaycalledupontopassthatgloomyandmysteriousportalwhichhadjustclosedupontheremainsoftheirlamentedbrother.
Thenthetenantrymountedonhorsebackagain,orstayedandrefreshedthemselvesattheCrawleyArms.
Then,afteralunchintheservants’hallatQueen’sCrawley,thegentry’scarriageswheeledofftotheirdifferentdestinations:thentheundertaker’smen,takingtheropes,palls,velvets,ostrichfeathers,andothermortuaryproperties,clamberedupontheroofofthehearseandrodeofftoSouthampton.
Theirfacesrelapsedintoanaturalexpressionasthehorses,clearingthelodge-gates,gotintoabriskertrotontheopenroad;andsquadsofthemmighthavebeenseen,specklingwithblackthepublic-houseentrances,withpewter-potsflashinginthesunshine.
SirPitt’sinvalidchairwaswheeledawayintoatool-houseinthegarden;theoldpointerusedtohowlsometimesatfirst,buttheseweretheonlyaccentsofgriefwhichwereheardintheHallofwhichSirPittCrawley,Baronet,hadbeenmasterforsomethreescoreyears.
Asthebirdswereprettyplentiful,andpartridgeshootingisasitwerethedutyofanEnglishgentlemanofstatesmanlikepropensities,SirPittCrawley,thefirstshockofgriefover,wentoutalittleandpartookofthatdiversioninawhitehatwithcraperoundit.
Thesightofthosefieldsofstubbleandturnips,nowhisown,gavehimmanysecretjoys.
Sometimes,andwithanexquisitehumility,hetooknogun,butwentoutwithapeacefulbamboocane;Rawdon,hisbigbrother,andthekeepersblazingawayathisside.
Pitt’smoneyandacreshadagreateffectuponhisbrother.
ThepennilessColonelbecamequiteobsequiousandrespectfultotheheadofhishouse,anddespisedthemilksopPittnolonger.
Rawdonlistenedwithsympathytohissenior’sprospectsofplantinganddraining,gavehisadviceaboutthestablesandcattle,rodeovertoMudburytolookatamare,whichhethoughtwouldcarryLadyJane,andofferedtobreakher,&c.:therebelliousdragoonwasquitehumbledandsubdued,andbecameamostcreditableyoungerbrother.
HehadconstantbulletinsfromMissBriggsinLondonrespectinglittleRawdon,whowasleftbehindthere,whosentmessagesofhisown.“Iamverywell,”hewrote.“Ihopeyouareverywell.IhopeMammaisverywell.Theponyisverywell.Greytakesmetorideinthepark.Icancanter.Imetthelittleboywhorodebefore.Hecriedwhenhecantered.Idonotcry.”
RawdonreadtheseletterstohisbrotherandLadyJane,whowasdelightedwiththem.
TheBaronetpromisedtotakechargeoftheladatschool,andhiskind-heartedwifegaveRebeccaabank-note,begginghertobuyapresentwithitforherlittlenephew.
Onedayfollowedanother,andtheladiesofthehousepassedtheirlifeinthosecalmpursuitsandamusementswhichsatisfycountryladies.Bellsrangtomealsandtoprayers.
Theyoungladiestookexerciseonthepianoforteeverymorningafterbreakfast,Rebeccagivingthemthebenefitofherinstruction.
Thentheyputonthickshoesandwalkedintheparkorshrubberies,orbeyondthepalingsintothevillage,descendinguponthecottages,withLadySouthdown’smedicineandtractsforthesickpeoplethere.
LadySouthdowndroveoutinapony-chaise,whenRebeccawouldtakeherplacebytheDowager’ssideandlistentohersolemntalkwiththeutmostinterest.
ShesangHandelandHaydntothefamilyofevenings,andengagedinalargepieceofworstedwork,asifshehadbeenborntothebusinessandasifthiskindoflifewastocontinuewithheruntilsheshouldsinktothegraveinapoliteoldage,leavingregretsandagreatquantityofconsolsbehindher—asiftherewerenotcaresandduns,schemes,shifts,andpovertywaitingoutsidetheparkgates,topounceuponherwhensheissuedintotheworldagain.
“Itisn’tdifficulttobeacountrygentleman’swife,”Rebeccathought.
“IthinkIcouldbeagoodwomanifIhadfivethousandayear.
Icoulddawdleaboutinthenurseryandcounttheapricotsonthewall.
Icouldwaterplantsinagreen-houseandpickoffdeadleavesfromthegeraniums.
Icouldaskoldwomenabouttheirrheumatismsandorderhalf-a-crown’sworthofsoupforthepoor.
Ishouldn’tmissitmuch,outoffivethousandayear.
Icouldevendriveouttenmilestodineataneighbour’s,anddressinthefashionsoftheyearbeforelast.
Icouldgotochurchandkeepawakeinthegreatfamilypew,orgotosleepbehindthecurtains,withmyveildown,ifIonlyhadpractice.
Icouldpayeverybody,ifIhadbutthemoney.
Thisiswhattheconjurorsherepridethemselvesupondoing.
Theylookdownwithpityuponusmiserablesinnerswhohavenone.
Theythinkthemselvesgenerousiftheygiveourchildrenafive-poundnote,anduscontemptibleifwearewithoutone.”
AndwhoknowsbutRebeccawasrightinherspeculations—andthatitwasonlyaquestionofmoneyandfortunewhichmadethedifferencebetweenherandanhonestwoman?
Ifyoutaketemptationsintoaccount,whoistosaythatheisbetterthanhisneighbour?
Acomfortablecareerofprosperity,ifitdoesnotmakepeoplehonest,atleastkeepsthemso.
Analdermancomingfromaturtlefeastwillnotstepoutofhiscarnagetostealalegofmutton;butputhimtostarve,andseeifhewillnotpurloinaloaf.
Beckyconsoledherselfbysobalancingthechancesandequalizingthedistributionofgoodandevilintheworld.
Theoldhaunts,theoldfieldsandwoods,thecopses,ponds,andgardens,theroomsoftheoldhousewhereshehadspentacoupleofyearssevenyearsago,wereallcarefullyrevisitedbyher.
Shehadbeenyoungthere,orcomparativelyso,forsheforgotthetimewhensheeverWASyoung—butsherememberedherthoughtsandfeelingssevenyearsbackandcontrastedthemwiththosewhichshehadatpresent,nowthatshehadseentheworld,andlivedwithgreatpeople,andraisedherselffarbeyondheroriginalhumblestation.
“Ihavepassedbeyondit,becauseIhavebrains,”Beckythought,“andalmostalltherestoftheworldarefools.
Icouldnotgobackandconsortwiththosepeoplenow,whomIusedtomeetinmyfather’sstudio.
Lordscomeuptomydoorwithstarsandgarters,insteadofpoorartistswithscrewsoftobaccointheirpockets.
Ihaveagentlemanformyhusband,andanEarl’sdaughterformysister,intheveryhousewhereIwaslittlebetterthanaservantafewyearsago.
ButamImuchbettertodonowintheworldthanIwaswhenIwasthepoorpainter’sdaughterandwheedledthegrocerroundthecornerforsugarandtea?
SupposeIhadmarriedFranciswhowassofondofme—Icouldn’thavebeenmuchpoorerthanIamnow.Heigho!
IwishIcouldexchangemypositioninsociety,andallmyrelationsforasnugsumintheThreePerCent.
Consols”;forsoitwasthatBeckyfelttheVanityofhumanaffairs,anditwasinthosesecuritiesthatshewouldhavelikedtocastanchor.
Itmay,perhaps,havestruckherthattohavebeenhonestandhumble,tohavedoneherduty,andtohavemarchedstraightforwardonherway,wouldhavebroughtherasnearhappinessasthatpathbywhichshewasstrivingtoattainit.
But—justasthechildrenatQueen’sCrawleywentroundtheroomwherethebodyoftheirfatherlay—ifeverBeckyhadthesethoughts,shewasaccustomedtowalkroundthemandnotlookin.
Sheeludedthemanddespisedthem—oratleastshewascommittedtotheotherpathfromwhichretreatwasnowimpossible.
AndformypartIbelievethatremorseistheleastactiveofallaman’smoralsenses—theveryeasiesttobedeadenedwhenwakened,andinsomeneverwakenedatall.
Wegrieveatbeingfoundoutandattheideaofshameorpunishment,butthemeresenseofwrongmakesveryfewpeopleunhappyinVanityFair.
SoRebecca,duringherstayatQueen’sCrawley,madeasmanyfriendsoftheMammonofUnrighteousnessasshecouldpossiblybringundercontrol.
LadyJaneandherhusbandbadeherfarewellwiththewarmestdemonstrationsofgood-will.
Theylookedforwardwithpleasuretothetimewhen,thefamilyhouseinGauntStreetbeingrepairedandbeautified,theyweretomeetagaininLondon.
LadySouthdownmadeherupapacketofmedicineandsentaletterbyhertotheRev.LawrenceGrills,exhortingthatgentlemantosavethebrandwho“honoured”theletterfromtheburning.
PittaccompaniedthemwithfourhorsesinthecarriagetoMudbury,havingsentontheirbaggageinacartpreviously,accompaniedwithloadsofgame.
“Howhappyyouwillbetoseeyourdarlinglittleboyagain!”LadyCrawleysaid,takingleaveofherkinswoman.
“Ohsohappy!”saidRebecca,throwingupthegreeneyes.
Shewasimmenselyhappytobefreeoftheplace,andyetloathtogo.
Queen’sCrawleywasabominablystupid,andyettheairtherewassomehowpurerthanthatwhichshehadbeenaccustomedtobreathe.
Everybodyhadbeendull,buthadbeenkindintheirway.
“ItisalltheinfluenceofalongcourseofThreePerCents,”Beckysaidtoherself,andwasrightverylikely.
However,theLondonlampsflashedjoyfullyasthestagerolledintoPiccadilly,andBriggshadmadeabeautifulfireinCurzonStreet,andlittleRawdonwasuptowelcomebackhispapaandmamma.
Share this article to
FINISH