English
AtlastBecky’skindnessandattentiontothechiefofherhusband’sfamilyweredestinedtomeetwithanexceedinggreatreward,arewardwhich,thoughcertainlysomewhatunsubstantial,thelittlewomancovetedwithgreatereagernessthanmorepositivebenefits.
Ifshedidnotwishtoleadavirtuouslife,atleastshedesiredtoenjoyacharacterforvirtue,andweknowthatnoladyinthegenteelworldcanpossessthisdesideratum,untilshehasputonatrainandfeathersandhasbeenpresentedtoherSovereignatCourt.
Fromthataugustinterviewtheycomeoutstampedashonestwomen.
TheLordChamberlaingivesthemacertificateofvirtue.
Andasdubiousgoodsorlettersarepassedthroughanovenatquarantine,sprinkledwitharomaticvinegar,andthenpronouncedclean,manyalady,whosereputationwouldbedoubtfulotherwiseandliabletogiveinfection,passesthroughthewholesomeordealoftheRoyalpresenceandissuesfromitfreefromalltaint.
ItmightbeverywellformyLadyBareacres,myLadyTufto,Mrs.ButeCrawleyinthecountry,andotherladieswhohadcomeintocontactwithMrs.RawdonCrawleytocryfieattheideaoftheodiouslittleadventuressmakinghercurtseybeforetheSovereign,andtodeclarethat,ifdeargoodQueenCharlottehadbeenalive,sheneverwouldhaveadmittedsuchanextremelyill-regulatedpersonageintoherchastedrawing-room.
ButwhenweconsiderthatitwastheFirstGentlemaninEuropeinwhosehighpresenceMrs.Rawdonpassedherexamination,andasitwere,tookherdegreeinreputation,itsurelymustbeflatdisloyaltytodoubtanymoreabouthervirtue.
I,formypart,lookbackwithloveandawetothatGreatCharacterinhistory.
Ah,whatahighandnobleappreciationofGentlewomanhoodtheremusthavebeeninVanityFair,whenthatreveredandaugustbeingwasinvested,bytheuniversalacclaimoftherefinedandeducatedportionofthisempire,withthetitleofPremierGentilhommeofhisKingdom.
Doyouremember,dearM—,ohfriendofmyyouth,howoneblissfulnightfive-and-twentyyearssince,the“Hypocrite”beingacted,Ellistonbeingmanager,DowtonandListonperformers,twoboyshadleavefromtheirloyalmasterstogooutfromSlaughter-HouseSchoolwheretheywereeducatedandtoappearonDruryLanestage,amongstacrowdwhichassembledtheretogreettheking.THEKING?Therehewas.
Beefeaterswerebeforetheaugustbox;theMarquisofSteyne(LordofthePowderCloset)andothergreatofficersofstatewerebehindthechaironwhichhesat,HEsat—floridofface,portlyofperson,coveredwithorders,andinarichcurlingheadofhair—howwesangGodsavehim!
Howthehouserockedandshoutedwiththatmagnificentmusic.
Howtheycheered,andcried,andwavedhandkerchiefs.
Ladieswept;mothersclaspedtheirchildren;somefaintedwithemotion.
Peopleweresuffocatedinthepit,shrieksandgroansrisingupamidstthewrithingandshoutingmassthereofhispeoplewhowere,andindeedshowedthemselvesalmosttobe,readytodieforhim.Yes,wesawhim.FatecannotdepriveusofTHAT.OthershaveseenNapoleon.
SomefewstillexistwhohavebeheldFredericktheGreat,DoctorJohnson,MarieAntoinette,&c.—beitourreasonableboasttoourchildren,thatwesawGeorgetheGood,theMagnificent,theGreat.
Well,therecameahappydayinMrs.RawdonCrawley’sexistencewhenthisangelwasadmittedintotheparadiseofaCourtwhichshecoveted,hersister-in-lawactingashergodmother.
Ontheappointedday,SirPittandhislady,intheirgreatfamilycarriage(justnewlybuilt,andreadyfortheBaronet’sassumptionoftheofficeofHighSheriffofhiscounty),droveuptothelittlehouseinCurzonStreet,totheedificationofRaggles,whowaswatchingfromhisgreengrocer’sshop,andsawfineplumeswithin,andenormousbunchesofflowersinthebreastsofthenewlivery-coatsofthefootmen.
SirPitt,inaglitteringuniform,descendedandwentintoCurzonStreet,hisswordbetweenhislegs.
LittleRawdonstoodwithhisfaceagainsttheparlourwindow-panes,smilingandnoddingwithallhismighttohisauntinthecarriagewithin;andpresentlySirPittissuedforthfromthehouseagain,leadingforthaladywithgrandfeathers,coveredinawhiteshawl,andholdingupdaintilyatrainofmagnificentbrocade.
ShesteppedintothevehicleasifshewereaprincessandaccustomedallherlifetogotoCourt,smilinggraciouslyonthefootmanatthedoorandonSirPitt,whofollowedherintothecarriage.
ThenRawdonfollowedinhisoldGuards’uniform,whichhadgrownwoefullyshabby,andwasmuchtootight.
Hewastohavefollowedtheprocessionandwaiteduponhissovereigninacab,butthathisgood-naturedsister-in-lawinsistedthattheyshouldbeafamilyparty.
Thecoachwaslarge,theladiesnotverybig,theywouldholdtheirtrainsintheirlaps—finally,thefourwentfraternallytogether,andtheircarriagepresentlyjoinedthelineofroyalequipageswhichwasmakingitswaydownPiccadillyandSt.James’sStreet,towardstheoldbrickpalacewheretheStarofBrunswickwasinwaitingtoreceivehisnoblesandgentlefolks.
Beckyfeltasifshecouldblessthepeopleoutofthecarriagewindows,soelatedwassheinspirit,andsostrongasensehadsheofthedignifiedpositionwhichshehadatlastattainedinlife.
EvenourBeckyhadherweaknesses,andasoneoftenseeshowmenpridethemselvesuponexcellenceswhichothersareslowtoperceive:how,forinstance,ComusfirmlybelievesthatheisthegreatesttragicactorinEngland;howBrown,thefamousnovelist,longstobeconsidered,notamanofgenius,butamanoffashion;whileRobinson,thegreatlawyer,doesnotintheleastcareabouthisreputationinWestminsterHall,butbelieveshimselfincomparableacrosscountryandatafive-barredgate—sotobe,andtobethought,arespectablewomanwasBecky’saiminlife,andshegotupthegenteelwithamazingassiduity,readiness,andsuccess.
Wehavesaid,thereweretimeswhenshebelievedherselftobeafineladyandforgotthattherewasnomoneyinthechestathome—dunsroundthegate,tradesmentocoaxandwheedle—nogroundtowalkupon,inaword.
AndasshewenttoCourtinthecarriage,thefamilycarriage,sheadoptedademeanoursogrand,self-satisfied,deliberate,andimposingthatitmadeevenLadyJanelaugh.
Shewalkedintotheroyalapartmentswithatossoftheheadwhichwouldhavebefittedanempress,andIhavenodoubthadshebeenone,shewouldhavebecomethecharacterperfectly.
WeareauthorizedtostatethatMrs.RawdonCrawley’scostumedecourontheoccasionofherpresentationtotheSovereignwasofthemostelegantandbrilliantdescription.
Someladieswemayhaveseen—wewhowearstarsandcordonsandattendtheSt.James’sassemblies,orwe,who,inmuddyboots,dawdleupanddownPallMallandpeepintothecoachesastheydriveupwiththegreatfolksintheirfeathers—someladiesoffashion,Isay,wemayhaveseen,abouttwoo’clockoftheforenoonofaleveeday,asthelaced-jacketedbandoftheLifeGuardsareblowingtriumphalmarchesseatedonthoseprancingmusic-stools,theircream-colouredchargers—whoarebynomeanslovelyandenticingobjectsatthatearlyperiodofnoon.
Astoutcountessofsixty,decolletee,painted,wrinkledwithrougeuptoherdroopingeyelids,anddiamondstwinklinginherwig,isawholesomeandedifying,butnotapleasantsight.
ShehasthefadedlookofaSt.James’sStreetillumination,asitmaybeseenofanearlymorning,whenhalfthelampsareout,andtheothersareblinkingwanly,asiftheywereabouttovanishlikeghostsbeforethedawn.
Suchcharmsasthoseofwhichwecatchglimpseswhileherladyship’scarriagepassesshouldappearabroadatnightalone.
IfevenCynthialookshaggardofanafternoon,aswemayseehersometimesinthepresentwinterseason,withPhoebusstaringheroutofcountenancefromtheoppositesideoftheheavens,howmuchmorecanoldLadyCastlemouldykeepherheadupwhenthesunisshiningfulluponitthroughthechariotwindows,andshowingallthechinksandcrannieswithwhichtimehasmarkedherface!No.
Drawing-roomsshouldbeannouncedforNovember,orthefirstfoggyday,ortheelderlysultanasofourVanityFairshoulddriveupinclosedlitters,descendinacoveredway,andmaketheircurtseytotheSovereignundertheprotectionoflamplight.
OurbelovedRebeccahadnoneed,however,ofanysuchafriendlyhalotosetoffherbeauty.
Hercomplexioncouldbearanysunshineasyet,andherdress,thoughifyouweretoseeitnow,anypresentladyofVanityFairwouldpronounceittobethemostfoolishandpreposterousattireeverworn,wasashandsomeinhereyesandthoseofthepublic,somefive-and-twentyyearssince,asthemostbrilliantcostumeofthemostfamousbeautyofthepresentseason.
Ascoreofyearshencethattoo,thatmilliner’swonder,willhavepassedintothedomainoftheabsurd,alongwithallpreviousvanities.Butwearewanderingtoomuch.
Mrs.Rawdon’sdresswaspronouncedtobecharmanteontheeventfuldayofherpresentation.
EvengoodlittleLadyJanewasforcedtoacknowledgethiseffect,asshelookedatherkinswoman,andownedsorrowfullytoherselfthatshewasquiteinferiorintastetoMrs.Becky.
Shedidnotknowhowmuchcare,thought,andgeniusMrs.Rawdonhadbestoweduponthatgarment.
RebeccahadasgoodtasteasanymillinerinEurope,andsuchacleverwayofdoingthingsasLadyJanelittleunderstood.
ThelatterquicklyspiedoutthemagnificenceofthebrocadeofBecky’strain,andthesplendourofthelaceonherdress.
Thebrocadewasanoldremnant,Beckysaid;andasforthelace,itwasagreatbargain.Shehadhaditthesehundredyears.
“MydearMrs.Crawley,itmusthavecostalittlefortune,”LadyJanesaid,lookingdownatherownlace,whichwasnotnearlysogood;andthenexaminingthequalityoftheancientbrocadewhichformedthematerialofMrs.Rawdon’sCourtdress,shefeltinclinedtosaythatshecouldnotaffordsuchfineclothing,butcheckedthatspeech,withaneffort,asoneuncharitabletoherkinswoman.
Andyet,ifLadyJanehadknownall,Ithinkevenherkindlytemperwouldhavefailedher.
Thefactis,whenshewasputtingSirPitt’shouseinorder,Mrs.Rawdonhadfoundthelaceandthebrocadeinoldwardrobes,thepropertyoftheformerladiesofthehouse,andhadquietlycarriedthegoodshome,andhadsuitedthemtoherownlittleperson.
Briggssawhertakethem,askednoquestions,toldnostories;butIbelievequitesympathisedwithheronthismatter,andsowouldmanyanotherhonestwoman.
Andthediamonds—”Wherethedoosedidyougetthediamonds,Becky?”
saidherhusband,admiringsomejewelswhichhehadneverseenbeforeandwhichsparkledinherearsandonherneckwithbrillianceandprofusion.
Beckyblushedalittleandlookedathimhardforamoment.
PittCrawleyblushedalittletoo,andlookedoutofwindow.
Thefactis,hehadgivenheraverysmallportionofthebrilliants;aprettydiamondclasp,whichconfinedapearlnecklacewhichshewore—andtheBaronethadomittedtomentionthecircumstancetohislady.
Beckylookedatherhusband,andthenatSirPitt,withanairofsaucytriumph—asmuchastosay,“ShallIbetrayyou?”
“Guess!”shesaidtoherhusband.
“Why,yousillyman,”shecontinued,“wheredoyousupposeIgotthem?
—allexceptthelittleclasp,whichadearfriendofminegavemelongago.Ihiredthem,tobesure.
IhiredthematMr.Polonius’s,inCoventryStreet.
Youdon’tsupposethatallthediamondswhichgotoCourtbelongtothewearers;likethosebeautifulstoneswhichLadyJanehas,andwhicharemuchhandsomerthananywhichIhave,Iamcertain.”
“Theyarefamilyjewels,”saidSirPitt,againlookinguneasy.
Andinthisfamilyconversationthecarriagerolleddownthestreet,untilitscargowasfinallydischargedatthegatesofthepalacewheretheSovereignwassittinginstate.
Thediamonds,whichhadcreatedRawdon’sadmiration,neverwentbacktoMr.Polonius,ofCoventryStreet,andthatgentlemanneverappliedfortheirrestoration,buttheyretiredintoalittleprivaterepository,inanolddesk,whichAmeliaSedleyhadgivenheryearsandyearsago,andinwhichBeckykeptanumberofusefuland,perhaps,valuablethings,aboutwhichherhusbandknewnothing.
Toknownothing,orlittle,isinthenatureofsomehusbands.
Tohide,inthenatureofhowmanywomen?Oh,ladies!
howmanyofyouhavesurreptitiousmilliners’bills?
Howmanyofyouhavegownsandbraceletswhichyoudaren’tshow,orwhichyouweartrembling?
—trembling,andcoaxingwithsmilesthehusbandbyyourside,whodoesnotknowthenewvelvetgownfromtheoldone,orthenewbraceletfromlastyear’s,orhasanynotionthattheragged-lookingyellowlacescarfcostfortyguineasandthatMadameBobinotiswritingdunningletterseveryweekforthemoney!
ThusRawdonknewnothingaboutthebrilliantdiamondear-rings,orthesuperbbrilliantornamentwhichdecoratedthefairbosomofhislady;butLordSteyne,whowasinhisplaceatCourt,asLordofthePowderCloset,andoneofthegreatdignitariesandillustriousdefencesofthethroneofEngland,andcameupwithallhisstars,garters,collars,andcordons,andpaidparticularattentiontothelittlewoman,knewwhencethejewelscameandwhopaidforthem.
Ashebowedoverherhesmiled,andquotedthehackneyedandbeautifullinesfromTheRapeoftheLockaboutBelinda’sdiamonds,“whichJewsmightkissandinfidelsadore.”
“ButIhopeyourlordshipisorthodox,”saidthelittleladywithatossofherhead.
Andmanyladiesroundaboutwhisperedandtalked,andmanygentlemennoddedandwhispered,astheysawwhatmarkedattentionthegreatnoblemanwaspayingtothelittleadventuress.
WhatwerethecircumstancesoftheinterviewbetweenRebeccaCrawley,neeSharp,andherImperialMaster,itdoesnotbecomesuchafeebleandinexperiencedpenasminetoattempttorelate.
ThedazzledeyesclosebeforethatMagnificentIdea.
Loyalrespectanddecencytelleventheimaginationnottolooktookeenlyandaudaciouslyaboutthesacredaudience-chamber,buttobackawayrapidly,silently,andrespectfully,makingprofoundbowsoutoftheAugustPresence.
Thismaybesaid,thatinallLondontherewasnomoreloyalheartthanBecky’safterthisinterview.
Thenameofherkingwasalwaysonherlips,andhewasproclaimedbyhertobethemostcharmingofmen.
ShewenttoColnaghi’sandorderedthefinestportraitofhimthatarthadproduced,andcreditcouldsupply.
Shechosethatfamousoneinwhichthebestofmonarchsisrepresentedinafrock-coatwithafurcollar,andbreechesandsilkstockings,simperingonasofafromunderhiscurlybrownwig.
Shehadhimpaintedinabroochandworeit—indeedsheamusedandsomewhatpesteredheracquaintancewithherperpetualtalkabouthisurbanityandbeauty.Whoknows!
PerhapsthelittlewomanthoughtshemightplaythepartofaMaintenonoraPompadour.
Butthefinestsportofallafterherpresentationwastohearhertalkvirtuously.
Shehadafewfemaleacquaintances,not,itmustbeowned,oftheveryhighestreputationinVanityFair.
Butbeingmadeanhonestwomanof,sotospeak,Beckywouldnotconsortanylongerwiththesedubiousones,andcutLadyCrackenburywhenthelatternoddedtoherfromheropera-box,andgaveMrs.WashingtonWhitethego-byintheRing.
“Onemust,mydear,showoneissomebody,”shesaid.
“Onemustn’tbeseenwithdoubtfulpeople.
IpityLadyCrackenburyfrommyheart,andMrs.WashingtonWhitemaybeaverygood-naturedperson.
YOUmaygoanddinewiththem,asyoulikeyourrubber.
ButImustn’t,andwon’t;andyouwillhavethegoodnesstotellSmithtosayIamnotathomewheneitherofthemcalls.”
TheparticularsofBecky’scostumewereinthenewspapers—feathers,lappets,superbdiamonds,andalltherest.
LadyCrackenburyreadtheparagraphinbitternessofspiritanddiscoursedtoherfollowersabouttheairswhichthatwomanwasgivingherself.
Mrs.ButeCrawleyandheryoungladiesinthecountryhadacopyoftheMorningPostfromtown,andgaveaventtotheirhonestindignation.
“Ifyouhadbeensandy-haired,green-eyed,andaFrenchrope-dancer’sdaughter,”Mrs.Butesaidtohereldestgirl(who,onthecontrary,wasaveryswarthy,short,andsnub-nosedyounglady),“Youmighthavehadsuperbdiamondsforsooth,andhavebeenpresentedatCourtbyyourcousin,theLadyJane.
Butyou’reonlyagentlewoman,mypoordearchild.
YouhaveonlysomeofthebestbloodinEnglandinyourveins,andgoodprinciplesandpietyforyourportion.
I,myself,thewifeofaBaronet’syoungerbrother,too,neverthoughtofsuchathingasgoingtoCourt—norwouldotherpeople,ifgoodQueenCharlottehadbeenalive.”
InthiswaytheworthyRectoressconsoledherself,andherdaughterssighedandsatoverthePeerageallnight.
Afewdaysafterthefamouspresentation,anothergreatandexceedinghonourwasvouchsafedtothevirtuousBecky.
LadySteyne’scarriagedroveuptoMr.RawdonCrawley’sdoor,andthefootman,insteadofdrivingdownthefrontofthehouse,asbyhistremendousknockingheappearedtobeinclinedtodo,relentedandonlydeliveredinacoupleofcards,onwhichwereengraventhenamesoftheMarchionessofSteyneandtheCountessofGaunt.
Ifthesebitsofpasteboardhadbeenbeautifulpictures,orhadhadahundredyardsofMalineslacerolledroundthem,worthtwicethenumberofguineas,Beckycouldnothaveregardedthemwithmorepleasure.
Youmaybesuretheyoccupiedaconspicuousplaceinthechinabowlonthedrawing-roomtable,whereBeckykeptthecardsofhervisitors.Lord!lord!
howpoorMrs.WashingtonWhite’scardandLadyCrackenbury’scard—whichourlittlefriendhadbeengladenoughtogetafewmonthsback,andofwhichthesillylittlecreaturewasratherproudonce—Lord!lord!
Isay,howsoonattheappearanceofthesegrandcourtcards,didthosepoorlittleneglecteddeucessinkdowntothebottomofthepack.Steyne!Bareacres,JohnesofHelvellyn!andCaerylonofCamelot!
wemaybesurethatBeckyandBriggslookedoutthoseaugustnamesinthePeerage,andfollowedthenobleracesupthroughalltheramificationsofthefamilytree.
MyLordSteynecomingtocallacoupleofhoursafterwards,andlookingabouthim,andobservingeverythingaswashiswont,foundhisladies’cardsalreadyrangedasthetrumpsofBecky’shand,andgrinned,asthisoldcynicalwaysdidatanynaivedisplayofhumanweakness.
Beckycamedowntohimpresently;wheneverthedeargirlexpectedhislordship,hertoilettewasprepared,herhairinperfectorder,hermouchoirs,aprons,scarfs,littlemoroccoslippers,andotherfemalegimcracksarranged,andsheseatedinsomeartlessandagreeableposturereadytoreceivehim—whenevershewassurprised,ofcourse,shehadtoflytoherapartmenttotakearapidsurveyofmattersintheglass,andtotripdownagaintowaituponthegreatpeer.
Shefoundhimgrinningoverthebowl.Shewasdiscovered,andsheblushedalittle.“Thankyou,Monseigneur,”shesaid.“Youseeyourladieshavebeenhere.Howgoodofyou!
Icouldn’tcomebefore—Iwasinthekitchenmakingapudding.”
“Iknowyouwere,Isawyouthroughthearea-railingsasIdroveup,”repliedtheoldgentleman.
“Youseeeverything,”shereplied.
“Afewthings,butnotthat,myprettylady,”hesaidgood-naturedly.“Yousillylittlefibster!
Iheardyouintheroomoverhead,whereIhavenodoubtyouwereputtingalittlerougeon—youmustgivesomeofyourstomyLadyGaunt,whosecomplexionisquitepreposterous—andIheardthebedroomdooropen,andthenyoucamedownstairs.”
“IsitacrimetotryandlookmybestwhenYOUcomehere?”
answeredMrs.Rawdonplaintively,andsherubbedhercheekwithherhandkerchiefasiftoshowtherewasnorougeatall,onlygenuineblushesandmodestyinhercase.Aboutthiswhocantell?
Iknowthereissomerougethatwon’tcomeoffonapocket-handkerchief,andsomesogoodthateventearswillnotdisturbit.
“Well,”saidtheoldgentleman,twiddlingroundhiswife’scard,“youarebentonbecomingafinelady.
Youpestermypooroldlifeouttogetyouintotheworld.
Youwon’tbeabletoholdyourownthere,yousillylittlefool.You’vegotnomoney.”
“Youwillgetusaplace,”interposedBecky,“asquickaspossible.”
“You’vegotnomoney,andyouwanttocompetewiththosewhohave.
Youpoorlittleearthenwarepipkin,youwanttoswimdownthestreamalongwiththegreatcopperkettles.Allwomenarealike.
Everybodyisstrivingforwhatisnotworththehaving!Gad!
IdinedwiththeKingyesterday,andwehadneckofmuttonandturnips.
Adinnerofherbsisbetterthanastalledoxveryoften.YouwillgotoGauntHouse.
Yougiveanoldfellownorestuntilyougetthere.It’snothalfsoniceashere.You’llbeboredthere.Iam.
MywifeisasgayasLadyMacbeth,andmydaughtersascheerfulasReganandGoneril.
Idaren’tsleepinwhattheycallmybedroom.
ThebedislikethebaldaquinofSt.Peter’s,andthepicturesfrightenme.
Ihavealittlebrassbedinadressing-room,andalittlehairmattresslikeananchorite.Iamananchorite.Ho!ho!You’llbeaskedtodinnernextweek.
Andgareauxfemmes,lookoutandholdyourown!Howthewomenwillbullyyou!”
ThiswasaverylongspeechforamanoffewwordslikemyLordSteyne;norwasitthefirstwhichheutteredforBecky’sbenefitonthatday.
Briggslookedupfromthework-tableatwhichshewasseatedinthefartherroomandgaveadeepsighassheheardthegreatMarquisspeaksolightlyofhersex.
“Ifyoudon’tturnoffthatabominablesheep-dog,”saidLordSteyne,withasavagelookoverhisshoulderather,“Iwillhaveherpoisoned.”
“Ialwaysgivemydogdinnerfrommyownplate,”saidRebecca,laughingmischievously;andhavingenjoyedforsometimethediscomfitureofmylord,whohatedpoorBriggsforinterruptinghistete-a-tetewiththefairColonel’swife,Mrs.Rawdonatlengthhadpityuponheradmirer,andcallingtoBriggs,praisedthefinenessoftheweathertoherandbadehertotakeoutthechildforawalk.
“Ican’tsendheraway,”Beckysaidpresently,afterapause,andinaverysadvoice.Hereyesfilledwithtearsasshespoke,andsheturnedawayherhead.
“Youoweherherwages,Isuppose?”saidthePeer.
“Worsethanthat,”saidBecky,stillcastingdownhereyes;“Ihaveruinedher.”
“Ruinedher?Thenwhydon’tyouturnherout?”thegentlemanasked.
“Mendothat,”Beckyansweredbitterly.“Womenarenotsobadasyou.
Lastyear,whenwewerereducedtoourlastguinea,shegaveuseverything.
Sheshallneverleaveme,untilweareruinedutterlyourselves,whichdoesnotseemfaroff,oruntilIcanpayhertheutmostfarthing.”
”———it,howmuchisit?”saidthePeerwithanoath.
AndBecky,reflectingonthelargenessofhismeans,mentionednotonlythesumwhichshehadborrowedfromMissBriggs,butoneofnearlydoubletheamount.
ThiscausedtheLordSteynetobreakoutinanotherbriefandenergeticexpressionofanger,atwhichRebeccahelddownherheadthemoreandcriedbitterly.“Icouldnothelpit.Itwasmyonlychance.Idarenottellmyhusband.
HewouldkillmeifItoldhimwhatIhavedone.
Ihavekeptitasecretfromeverybodybutyou—andyouforceditfromme.Ah,whatshallIdo,LordSteyne?forIamvery,veryunhappy!”
LordSteynemadenoreplyexceptbybeatingthedevil’stattooandbitinghisnails.
Atlastheclappedhishatonhisheadandflungoutoftheroom.
Rebeccadidnotrisefromherattitudeofmiseryuntilthedoorslammeduponhimandhiscarriagewhirledaway.
Thensheroseupwiththequeerestexpressionofvictoriousmischiefglitteringinhergreeneyes.
Sheburstoutlaughingonceortwicetoherself,asshesatatwork,andsittingdowntothepiano,sherattledawayatriumphantvoluntaryonthekeys,whichmadethepeoplepauseunderherwindowtolistentoherbrilliantmusic.
Thatnight,therecametwonotesfromGauntHouseforthelittlewoman,theonecontainingacardofinvitationfromLordandLadySteynetoadinneratGauntHousenextFriday,whiletheotherenclosedaslipofgraypaperbearingLordSteyne’ssignatureandtheaddressofMessrs.Jones,Brown,andRobinson,LombardStreet.
RawdonheardBeckylaughinginthenightonceortwice.
ItwasonlyherdelightatgoingtoGauntHouseandfacingtheladiesthere,shesaid,whichamusedherso.
Butthetruthwasthatshewasoccupiedwithagreatnumberofotherthoughts.
ShouldshepayoffoldBriggsandgiveherherconge?
ShouldsheastonishRagglesbysettlinghisaccount?
Sheturnedoverallthesethoughtsonherpillow,andonthenextday,whenRawdonwentouttopayhismorningvisittotheClub,Mrs.Crawley(inamodestdresswithaveilon)whippedoffinahackney-coachtotheCity:andbeinglandedatMessrs.JonesandRobinson’sbank,presentedadocumenttheretotheauthorityatthedesk,who,inreply,askedher“Howshewouldtakeit?”
Shegentlysaid“shewouldtakeahundredandfiftypoundsinsmallnotesandtheremainderinonenote”:andpassingthroughSt.Paul’sChurchyardstoppedthereandboughtthehandsomestblacksilkgownforBriggswhichmoneycouldbuy;andwhich,withakissandthekindestspeeches,shepresentedtothesimpleoldspinster.
ThenshewalkedtoMr.Raggles,inquiredabouthischildrenaffectionately,andgavehimfiftypoundsonaccount.
Thenshewenttothelivery-manfromwhomshejobbedhercarriagesandgratifiedhimwithasimilarsum.
“AndIhopethiswillbealessontoyou,Spavin,”shesaid,“andthatonthenextdrawing-roomdaymybrother,SirPitt,willnotbeinconveniencedbybeingobligedtotakefourofusinhiscarriagetowaituponHisMajesty,becausemyowncarriageisnotforthcoming.”
Itappearstherehadbeenadifferenceonthelastdrawing-roomday.
HencethedegradationwhichtheColonelhadalmostsuffered,ofbeingobligedtoenterthepresenceofhisSovereigninahackcab.
Thesearrangementsconcluded,Beckypaidavisitupstairstothebefore-mentioneddesk,whichAmeliaSedleyhadgivenheryearsandyearsago,andwhichcontainedanumberofusefulandvaluablelittlethings—inwhichprivatemuseumsheplacedtheonenotewhichMessrs.JonesandRobinson’scashierhadgivenher.
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