English
BeckydidnotrallyfromthestateofstuporandconfusioninwhichtheeventsofthepreviousnighthadplungedherintrepidspirituntilthebellsoftheCurzonStreetChapelswereringingforafternoonservice,andrisingfromherbedshebegantoplyherownbell,inordertosummontheFrenchmaidwhohadlefthersomehoursbefore.
Mrs.RawdonCrawleyrangmanytimesinvain;andthough,onthelastoccasion,sherangwithsuchvehemenceastopulldownthebell-rope,MademoiselleFifinedidnotmakeherappearance—no,notthoughhermistress,inagreatpet,andwiththebell-ropeinherhand,cameouttothelanding-placewithherhairoverhershouldersandscreamedoutrepeatedlyforherattendant.
Thetruthis,shehadquittedthepremisesformanyhours,anduponthatpermissionwhichiscalledFrenchleaveamongusAfterpickingupthetrinketsinthedrawing-room,Mademoisellehadascendedtoherownapartments,packedandcordedherownboxesthere,trippedoutandcalledacabforherself,broughtdownhertrunkswithherownhand,andwithouteversomuchasaskingtheaidofanyoftheotherservants,whowouldprobablyhaverefusedit,astheyhatedhercordially,andwithoutwishinganyoneofthemgood-bye,hadmadeherexitfromCurzonStreet.
Thegame,inheropinion,wasoverinthatlittledomesticestablishment.
Fifinewentoffinacab,aswehaveknownmoreexaltedpersonsofhernationtodoundersimilarcircumstances:but,moreprovidentorluckythanthese,shesecurednotonlyherownproperty,butsomeofhermistress’s(ifindeedthatladycouldbesaidtohaveanypropertyatall)—andnotonlycarriedoffthetrinketsbeforealludedto,andsomefavouritedressesonwhichshehadlongkepthereye,butfourrichlygiltLouisQuatorzecandlesticks,sixgiltalbums,keepsakes,andBooksofBeauty,agoldenamelledsnuff-boxwhichhadoncebelongedtoMadameduBarri,andthesweetestlittleinkstandandmother-of-pearlblottingbook,whichBeckyusedwhenshecomposedhercharminglittlepinknotes,hadvanishedfromthepremisesinCurzonStreettogetherwithMademoiselleFifine,andallthesilverlaidonthetableforthelittlefestinwhichRawdoninterrupted.
TheplatedwareMademoiselleleftbehindherwastoocumbrous,probablyforwhichreason,nodoubt,shealsoleftthefireirons,thechimney-glasses,andtherosewoodcottagepiano.
Aladyverylikehersubsequentlykeptamilliner’sshopintheRueduHelderatParis,whereshelivedwithgreatcreditandenjoyedthepatronageofmyLordSteyne.
ThispersonalwaysspokeofEnglandasofthemosttreacherouscountryintheworld,andstatedtoheryoungpupilsthatshehadbeenaffreusementvolebynativesofthatisland.
ItwasnodoubtcompassionforhermisfortuneswhichinducedtheMarquisofSteynetobesoverykindtoMadamedeSaint-Amaranthe.
Maysheflourishasshedeserves—sheappearsnomoreinourquarterofVanityFair.
Hearingabuzzandastirbelow,andindignantattheimpudenceofthoseservantswhowouldnotanswerhersummons,Mrs.Crawleyflunghermorningroberoundheranddescendedmajesticallytothedrawing-room,whencethenoiseproceeded.
Thecookwastherewithblackenedface,seatedonthebeautifulchintzsofabythesideofMrs.Raggles,towhomshewasadministeringMaraschino.
Thepagewiththesugar-loafbuttons,whocarriedaboutBecky’spinknotes,andjumpedaboutherlittlecarriagewithsuchalacrity,wasnowengagedputtinghisfingersintoacreamdish;thefootmanwastalkingtoRaggles,whohadafacefullofperplexityandwoe—andyet,thoughthedoorwasopen,andBeckyhadbeenscreamingahalf-dozenoftimesafewfeetoff,notoneofherattendantshadobeyedhercall.
“Havealittledrop,do’eenow,Mrs.Raggles,”thecookwassayingasBeckyentered,thewhitecashmeredressing-gownflouncingaroundher.
“Simpson!Trotter!”
themistressofthehousecriedingreatwrath.
“Howdareyoustayherewhenyouheardmecall?Howdareyousitdowninmypresence?Where’smymaid?”
Thepagewithdrewhisfingersfromhismouthwithamomentaryterror,butthecooktookoffaglassofMaraschino,ofwhichMrs.Raggleshadhadenough,staringatBeckyoverthelittlegiltglassasshedraineditscontents.
Theliquorappearedtogivetheodiousrebelcourage.
“YOURsofy,indeed!”Mrs.Cooksaid.“I’masettin’onMrs.Raggles’ssofy.Don’tyoustir,Mrs.Raggles,Mum.
I’masettin’onMr.andMrs.Raggles’ssofy,whichtheyboughtwithhonestmoney,andverydearitcost‘em,too.
AndI’mthinkin’ifIsethereuntilI’mpaidmywages,Ishallsetapreciouslongtime,Mrs.Raggles;andsetIwill,too—ha!ha!”
andwiththisshefilledherselfanotherglassoftheliquoranddrankitwithamorehideouslysatiricalair.
“Trotter!Simpson!turnthatdrunkenwretchout,”screamedMrs.Crawley.
“Ishawn’t,”saidTrotterthefootman;“turnoutyourself.Payourselleries,andturnmeouttoo.WE’LLgofastenough.”
“Areyouallheretoinsultme?”criedBeckyinafury;“whenColonelCrawleycomeshomeI’ll—”
Atthistheservantsburstintoahorsehaw-haw,inwhich,however,Raggles,whostillkeptamostmelancholycountenance,didnotjoin.
“Heain’tacomingback,”Mr.Trotterresumed.
“Hesentforhisthings,andIwouldn’tlet‘emgo,althoughMr.Raggleswould;andIdon’tb’lievehe’snomoreaColonelthanIam.
He’shoff,andIsupposeyou’reagoin’afterhim.
You’renobetterthanswindlers,bothonyou.Don’tbeabullyin’ME.Iwon’tstandit.Payusourselleries,Isay.Payusourselleries.”
Itwasevident,fromMr.Trotter’sflushedcountenanceanddefectiveintonation,thathe,too,hadhadrecoursetovinousstimulus.
“Mr.Raggles,”saidBeckyinapassionofvexation,“youwillnotsurelyletmebeinsultedbythatdrunkenman?”
“Holdyournoise,Trotter;donow,”saidSimpsonthepage.
Hewasaffectedbyhismistress’sdeplorablesituation,andsucceededinpreventinganoutrageousdenialoftheepithet“drunken”onthefootman’spart.
“Oh,M’am,”saidRaggles,“Ineverthoughttolivetoseethisyearday:I’veknowntheCrawleyfamilyeversinceIwasborn.
IlivedbutlerwithMissCrawleyforthirtyyears;andIlittlethoughtoneofthatfamilywasagoin’toruingme—yes,ruingme”—saidthepoorfellowwithtearsinhiseyes.“Haryouagoin’topayme?You’velivedinthis‘ousefouryear.
You’ve‘admysubstance:myplateandlinning.
Youhomeamilkandbutterbilloftwo‘undredpound,youmust‘avenoolaidheggsforyourhomlets,andcreamforyourspanildog.”
“Shedidn’tcarewhatherownfleshandbloodhad,”interposedthecook.“Many’sthetime,he’dhavestarvedbutforme.”
“He’sacharaty-boynow,Cooky,”saidMr.Trotter,withadrunken“ha!ha!”
—andhonestRagglescontinued,inalamentabletone,anenumerationofhisgriefs.Allhesaidwastrue.Beckyandherhusbandhadruinedhim.
Hehadbillscomingduenextweekandnomeanstomeetthem.
Hewouldbesoldupandturnedoutofhisshopandhishouse,becausehehadtrustedtotheCrawleyfamily.
HistearsandlamentationsmadeBeckymorepeevishthanever.
“Youallseemtobeagainstme,”shesaidbitterly.“Whatdoyouwant?Ican’tpayyouonSunday.
Comebackto-morrowandI’llpayyoueverything.
IthoughtColonelCrawleyhadsettledwithyou.Hewillto-morrow.
Ideclaretoyouuponmyhonourthathelefthomethismorningwithfifteenhundredpoundsinhispocket-book.Hehasleftmenothing.Applytohim.
Givemeabonnetandshawlandletmegooutandfindhim.
Therewasadifferencebetweenusthismorning.Youallseemtoknowit.
Ipromiseyouuponmywordthatyoushallallbepaid.Hehasgotagoodappointment.Letmegooutandfindhim.”
ThisaudaciousstatementcausedRagglesandtheotherpersonagespresenttolookatoneanotherwithawildsurprise,andwithitRebeccaleftthem.
ShewentupstairsanddressedherselfthistimewithouttheaidofherFrenchmaid.
ShewentintoRawdon’sroom,andtheresawthatatrunkandbagwerepackedreadyforremoval,withapencildirectionthattheyshouldbegivenwhencalledfor;thenshewentintotheFrenchwoman’sgarret;everythingwasclean,andallthedrawersemptiedthere.
Shebethoughtherselfofthetrinketswhichhadbeenleftonthegroundandfeltcertainthatthewomanhadfled.“GoodHeavens!waseversuchillluckasmine?”
shesaid;“tobesonear,andtoloseall.Isitalltoolate?”No;therewasonechancemore.
Shedressedherselfandwentawayunmolestedthistime,butalone.Itwasfouro’clock.
Shewentswiftlydownthestreets(shehadnomoneytopayforacarriage),andneverstoppeduntilshecametoSirPittCrawley’sdoor,inGreatGauntStreet.WherewasLadyJaneCrawley?Shewasatchurch.Beckywasnotsorry.
SirPittwasinhisstudy,andhadgivenordersnottobedisturbed—shemustseehim—sheslippedbythesentinelinliveryatonce,andwasinSirPitt’sroombeforetheastonishedBaronethadevenlaiddownthepaper.
Heturnedredandstartedbackfromherwithalookofgreatalarmandhorror.
“Donotlookso,”shesaid.“Iamnotguilty,Pitt,dearPitt;youweremyfriendonce.BeforeGod,Iamnotguilty.Iseemso.Everythingisagainstme.Andoh!atsuchamoment!
justwhenallmyhopeswereabouttoberealized:justwhenhappinesswasinstoreforus.”
“Isthistrue,whatIseeinthepaperthen?”SirPittsaid—aparagraphinwhichhadgreatlysurprisedhim.
“Itistrue.LordSteynetoldmeonFridaynight,thenightofthatfatalball.
Hehasbeenpromisedanappointmentanytimethesesixmonths.
Mr.Martyr,theColonialSecretary,toldhimyesterdaythatitwasmadeout.
Thatunluckyarrestensued;thathorriblemeeting.
IwasonlyguiltyoftoomuchdevotednesstoRawdon’sservice.
IhavereceivedLordSteynealoneahundredtimesbefore.
IconfessIhadmoneyofwhichRawdonknewnothing.
Don’tyouknowhowcarelessheisofit,andcouldIdaretoconfideittohim?”
Andsoshewentonwithaperfectlyconnectedstory,whichshepouredintotheearsofherperplexedkinsman.
Itwastothefollowingeffect.Beckyowned,andwithprefectfrankness,butdeepcontrition,thathavingremarkedLordSteyne’spartialityforher(atthementionofwhichPittblushed),andbeingsecureofherownvirtue,shehaddeterminedtoturnthegreatpeer’sattachmenttotheadvantageofherselfandherfamily.
“Ilookedforapeerageforyou,Pitt,”shesaid(thebrother-in-lawagainturnedred).“Wehavetalkedaboutit.
YourgeniusandLordSteyne’sinterestmadeitmorethanprobable,hadnotthisdreadfulcalamitycometoputanendtoallourhopes.
But,first,Iownthatitwasmyobjecttorescuemydearhusband—himwhomIloveinspiteofallhisillusageandsuspicionsofme—toremovehimfromthepovertyandruinwhichwasimpendingoverus.
IsawLordSteyne’spartialityforme,”shesaid,castingdownhereyes.
“IownthatIdideverythinginmypowertomakemyselfpleasingtohim,andasfarasanhonestwomanmay,tosecurehis—hisesteem.
ItwasonlyonFridaymorningthatthenewsarrivedofthedeathoftheGovernorofCoventryIsland,andmyLordinstantlysecuredtheappointmentformydearhusband.
Itwasintendedasasurpriseforhim—hewastoseeitinthepapersto-day.
Evenafterthathorridarresttookplace(theexpensesofwhichLordSteynegenerouslysaidhewouldsettle,sothatIwasinamannerpreventedfromcomingtomyhusband’sassistance),myLordwaslaughingwithme,andsayingthatmydearestRawdonwouldbeconsoledwhenhereadofhisappointmentinthepaper,inthatshockingspun—bailiff’shouse.Andthen—thenhecamehome.
Hissuspicionswereexcited,—thedreadfulscenetookplacebetweenmyLordandmycruel,cruelRawdon—and,OmyGod,whatwillhappennext?Pitt,dearPitt!pityme,andreconcileus!”
Andasshespokesheflungherselfdownonherknees,andburstingintotears,seizedholdofPitt’shand,whichshekissedpassionately.
ItwasinthisveryattitudethatLadyJane,who,returningfromchurch,rantoherhusband’sroomdirectlysheheardMrs.RawdonCrawleywasclosetedthere,foundtheBaronetandhissister-in-law.
“Iamsurprisedthatwomanhastheaudacitytoenterthishouse,”LadyJanesaid,tremblingineverylimbandturningquitepale.
(HerLadyshiphadsentouthermaiddirectlyafterbreakfast,whohadcommunicatedwithRagglesandRawdonCrawley’shousehold,whohadtoldherall,andagreatdealmorethantheyknew,ofthatstory,andmanyothersbesides).
“HowdareMrs.Crawleytoenterthehouseof—ofanhonestfamily?”
SirPittstartedback,amazedathiswife’sdisplayofvigour.BeckystillkeptherkneelingpostureandclungtoSirPitt’shand.
“Tellherthatshedoesnotknowall:TellherthatIaminnocent,dearPitt,”shewhimperedout.
“Upon-myword,mylove,IthinkyoudoMrs.Crawleyinjustice,”SirPittsaid;atwhichspeechRebeccawasvastlyrelieved.“IndeedIbelievehertobe—”
“Tobewhat?”criedoutLadyJane,herclearvoicethrillingand,herheartbeatingviolentlyasshespoke.
“Tobeawickedwoman—aheartlessmother,afalsewife?
Sheneverlovedherdearlittleboy,whousedtoflyhereandtellmeofhercrueltytohim.
Shenevercameintoafamilybutshestrovetobringmiserywithherandtoweakenthemostsacredaffectionswithherwickedflatteryandfalsehoods.
Shehasdeceivedherhusband,asshehasdeceivedeverybody;hersoulisblackwithvanity,worldliness,andallsortsofcrime.ItremblewhenItouchher.Ikeepmychildrenoutofhersight.”
“LadyJane!”criedSirPitt,startingup,“thisisreallylanguage—”“Ihavebeenatrueandfaithfulwifetoyou,SirPitt,”LadyJanecontinued,intrepidly;“IhavekeptmymarriagevowasImadeittoGodandhavebeenobedientandgentleasawifeshould.
Butrighteousobediencehasitslimits,andIdeclarethatIwillnotbearthat—thatwomanagainundermyroof;ifsheentersit,Iandmychildrenwillleaveit.
SheisnotworthytositdownwithChristianpeople.
You—youmustchoose,sir,betweenherandme”;andwiththismyLadysweptoutoftheroom,flutteringwithherownaudacity,andleavingRebeccaandSirPittnotalittleastonishedatit.
AsforBecky,shewasnothurt;nay,shewaspleased.
“Itwasthediamond-claspyougaveme,”shesaidtoSirPitt,reachinghimoutherhand;andbeforeshelefthim(forwhicheventyoumaybesuremyLadyJanewaslookingoutfromherdressing-roomwindowintheupperstory)theBaronethadpromisedtogoandseekouthisbrother,andendeavourtobringaboutareconciliation.
Rawdonfoundsomeoftheyoungfellowsoftheregimentseatedinthemess-roomatbreakfast,andwasinducedwithoutmuchdifficultytopartakeofthatmeal,andofthedevilledlegsoffowlsandsoda-waterwithwhichtheseyounggentlemenfortifiedthemselves.
Thentheyhadaconversationbefittingthedayandtheirtimeoflife:aboutthenextpigeon-matchatBattersea,withrelativebetsuponRossandOsbaldiston;aboutMademoiselleArianeoftheFrenchOpera,andwhohadlefther,andhowshewasconsoledbyPantherCarr;andaboutthefightbetweentheButcherandthePet,andtheprobabilitiesthatitwasacross.
YoungTandyman,aheroofseventeen,laboriouslyendeavouringtogetupapairofmustachios,hadseenthefight,andspokeinthemostscientificmanneraboutthebattleandtheconditionofthemen.
ItwashewhohaddriventheButcherontothegroundinhisdragandpassedthewholeofthepreviousnightwithhim.
Hadtherenotbeenfoulplayhemusthavewonit.
AlltheoldfilesoftheRingwereinit;andTandymanwouldn’tpay;no,dammy,hewouldn’tpay.
ItwasbutayearsincetheyoungCornet,nowsoknowingahandinCribb’sparlour,hadastilllingeringlikingfortoffy,andusedtobebirchedatEton.
Sotheywentontalkingaboutdancers,fights,drinking,demireps,untilMacmurdocamedownandjoinedtheboysandtheconversation.
Hedidnotappeartothinkthatanyespecialreverencewasduetotheirboyhood;theoldfellowcutinwithstories,tothefullaschoiceasanytheyoungestrakepresenthadtotell—nordidhisowngreyhairsnortheirsmoothfacesdetainhim.
OldMacwasfamousforhisgoodstories.
Hewasnotexactlyalady’sman;thatis,menaskedhimtodineratheratthehousesoftheirmistressesthanoftheirmothers.
Therecanscarcelybealifelower,perhaps,thanhis,buthewasquitecontentedwithit,suchasitwas,andleditinperfectgoodnature,simplicity,andmodestyofdemeanour.
BythetimeMachadfinishedacopiousbreakfast,mostoftheothershadconcludedtheirmeal.
YoungLordVarinaswassmokinganimmenseMeerschaumpipe,whileCaptainHugueswasemployedwithacigar:thatviolentlittledevilTandyman,withhislittlebull-terrierbetweenhislegs,wastossingforshillingswithallhismight(thatfellowwasalwaysatsomegameorother)againstCaptainDeuceace;andMacandRawdonwalkedofftotheClub,neither,ofcourse,havinggivenanyhintofthebusinesswhichwasoccupyingtheirminds.
Both,ontheotherhand,hadjoinedprettygailyintheconversation,forwhyshouldtheyinterruptit?
Feasting,drinking,ribaldry,laughter,goonalongsideofallsortsofotheroccupationsinVanityFair—thecrowdswerepouringoutofchurchasRawdonandhisfriendpasseddownSt.James’sStreetandenteredintotheirClub.
Theoldbucksandhabitues,whoordinarilystandgapingandgrinningoutofthegreatfrontwindowoftheClub,hadnotarrivedattheirpostsasyet—thenewspaper-roomwasalmostempty.
OnemanwaspresentwhomRawdondidnotknow;anothertowhomheowedalittlescoreforwhist,andwhom,inconsequence,hedidnotcaretomeet;athirdwasreadingtheRoyalist(aperiodicalfamousforitsscandalanditsattachmenttoChurchandKing)Sundaypaperatthetable,andlookingupatCrawleywithsomeinterest,said,“Crawley,Icongratulateyou.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”saidtheColonel.
“It’sintheObserverandtheRoyalisttoo,”saidMr.Smith.
“What?”Rawdoncried,turningveryred.
HethoughtthattheaffairwithLordSteynewasalreadyinthepublicprints.
SmithlookedupwonderingandsmilingattheagitationwhichtheColonelexhibitedashetookupthepaperand,trembling,begantoread.
Mr.SmithandMr.Brown(thegentlemanwith.whomRawdonhadtheoutstandingwhistaccount)hadbeentalkingabouttheColoneljustbeforehecamein.
“Itiscomejustinthenickoftime,”saidSmith.“IsupposeCrawleyhadnotashillingintheworld.”
“It’sawindthatblowseverybodygood,”Mr.Brownsaid.“Hecan’tgoawaywithoutpayingmeaponyheowesme.”
“What’sthesalary?”askedSmith.
“Twoorthreethousand,”answeredtheother.“Buttheclimate’ssoinfernal,theydon’tenjoyitlong.Liverseegediedaftereighteenmonthsofit,andthemanbeforewentoffinsixweeks,Ihear.”
“Somepeoplesayhisbrotherisaverycleverman.Ialwaysfoundhimad——-bore,”Smithejaculated.“Hemusthavegoodinterest,though.HemusthavegottheColoneltheplace.”
“He!”saidBrown.withasneer.“Pooh.ItwasLordSteynegotit.
“Howdoyoumean?”
“Avirtuouswomanisacrowntoherhusband,”answeredtheotherenigmatically,andwenttoreadhispapers.
Rawdon,forhispart,readintheRoyalistthefollowingastonishingparagraph:
GOVERNORSHIPOFCOVENTRYISLAND.—H.M.S.Yellowjack,CommanderJaunders,hasbroughtlettersandpapersfromCoventryIsland.
H.E.SirThomasLiverseegehadfallenavictimtotheprevailingfeveratSwampton.
Hislossisdeeplyfeltintheflourishingcolony.
WehearthattheGovernorshiphasbeenofferedtoColonelRawdonCrawley,C.B.,adistinguishedWaterlooofficer.
Weneednotonlymenofacknowledgedbravery,butmenofadministrativetalentstosuperintendtheaffairsofourcolonies,andwehavenodoubtthatthegentlemanselectedbytheColonialOfficetofillthelamentedvacancywhichhasoccurredatCoventryIslandisadmirablycalculatedforthepostwhichheisabouttooccupy.”
“CoventryIsland!Wherewasit?
Whohadappointedhimtothegovernment?
Youmusttakemeoutasyoursecretary,oldboy,”CaptainMacmurdosaidlaughing;andasCrawleyandhisfriendsatwonderingandperplexedovertheannouncement,theClubwaiterbroughtintotheColonelacardonwhichthenameofMr.Wenhamwasengraved,whobeggedtoseeColonelCrawley.
TheColonelandhisaide-de-campwentouttomeetthegentleman,rightlyconjecturingthathewasanemissaryofLordSteyne.“Howd’yedo,Crawley?
Iamgladtoseeyou,”saidMr.Wenhamwithablandsmile,andgraspingCrawley’shandwithgreatcordiality.
“Youcome,Isuppose,from—”
“Exactly,”saidMr.Wenham.
“ThenthisismyfriendCaptainMacmurdo,oftheLifeGuardsGreen.”
“DelightedtoknowCaptainMacmurdo,I’msure,”Mr.Wenhamsaidandtenderedanothersmileandshakeofthehandtothesecond,ashehaddonetotheprincipal.
Macputoutonefinger,armedwithabuckskinglove,andmadeaveryfrigidbowtoMr.Wenhamoverhistightcravat.
Hewas,perhaps,discontentedatbeingputincommunicationwithapekin,andthoughtthatLordSteyneshouldhavesenthimaColonelattheveryleast.
“AsMacmurdoactsforme,andknowswhatImean,”Crawleysaid,“Ihadbetterretireandleaveyoutogether.”
“Ofcourse,”saidMacmurdo.
“Bynomeans,mydearColonel,”Mr.Wenhamsaid;“theinterviewwhichIhadthehonourofrequestingwaswithyoupersonally,thoughthecompanyofCaptainMacmurdocannotfailtobealsomostpleasing.
Infact,Captain,Ihopethatourconversationwillleadtononebutthemostagreeableresults,verydifferentfromthosewhichmyfriendColonelCrawleyappearstoanticipate.”
“Humph!”saidCaptainMacmurdo.
Behangedtothesecivilians,hethoughttohimself,theyarealwaysforarrangingandspeechifying.
Mr.Wenhamtookachairwhichwasnotofferedtohim—tookapaperfromhispocket,andresumed—
“Youhaveseenthisgratifyingannouncementinthepapersthismorning,Colonel?
Governmenthassecuredamostvaluableservant,andyou,ifyouacceptoffice,asIpresumeyouwill,anexcellentappointment.
Threethousandayear,delightfulclimate,excellentgovernment-house,allyourownwayintheColony,andacertainpromotion.Icongratulateyouwithallmyheart.
Ipresumeyouknow,gentlemen,towhommyfriendisindebtedforthispieceofpatronage?”
“HangedifIknow,”theCaptainsaid;hisprincipalturnedveryred.
“Tooneofthemostgenerousandkindestmenintheworld,asheisoneofthegreatest—tomyexcellentfriend,theMarquisofSteyne.”
“I’llseehimd—-beforeItakehisplace,”growledoutRawdon.
“Youareirritatedagainstmynoblefriend,”Mr.Wenhamcalmlyresumed;“andnow,inthenameofcommonsenseandjustice,tellmewhy?”
“WHY?”criedRawdoninsurprise.
“Why?Dammy!”saidtheCaptain,ringinghisstickontheground.
“Dammy,indeed,”saidMr.Wenhamwiththemostagreeablesmile;“still,lookatthematterasamanoftheworld—asanhonestman—andseeifyouhavenotbeeninthewrong.
Youcomehomefromajourney,andfind—what?
—myLordSteynesuppingatyourhouseinCurzonStreetwithMrs.Crawley.Isthecircumstancestrangeornovel?
Hashenotbeenahundredtimesbeforeinthesameposition?
Uponmyhonourandwordasagentleman”—Mr.Wenhamhereputhishandonhiswaistcoatwithaparliamentaryair—”IdeclareIthinkthatyoursuspicionsaremonstrousandutterlyunfounded,andthattheyinjureanhonourablegentlemanwhohasprovedhisgood-willtowardsyoubyathousandbenefactions—andamostspotlessandinnocentlady.”
“Youdon’tmeantosaythat—thatCrawley’smistaken?”saidMr.Macmurdo.
“IbelievethatMrs.Crawleyisasinnocentasmywife,Mrs.Wenham,”Mr.Wenhamsaidwithgreatenergy.
“Ibelievethat,misledbyaninfernaljealousy,myfriendherestrikesablowagainstnotonlyaninfirmandoldmanofhighstation,hisconstantfriendandbenefactor,butagainsthiswife,hisowndearesthonour,hisson’sfuturereputation,andhisownprospectsinlife.”
“Iwilltellyouwhathappened,”Mr.Wenhamcontinuedwithgreatsolemnity;“IwassentforthismorningbymyLordSteyne,andfoundhiminapitiablestate,as,IneedhardlyinformColonelCrawley,anymanofageandinfirmitywouldbeafterapersonalconflictwithamanofyourstrength.
Isaytoyourface;itwasacrueladvantageyoutookofthatstrength,ColonelCrawley.
Itwasnotonlythebodyofmynobleandexcellentfriendwhichwaswounded—hisheart,sir,wasbleeding.
Amanwhomhehadloadedwithbenefitsandregardedwithaffectionhadsubjectedhimtothefoulestindignity.
Whatwasthisveryappointment,whichappearsinthejournalsofto-day,butaproofofhiskindnesstoyou?
WhenIsawhisLordshipthismorningIfoundhiminastatepitiableindeedtosee,andasanxiousasyouaretorevengetheoutragecommitteduponhim,byblood.
Youknowhehasgivenhisproofs,Ipresume,ColonelCrawley?”
“Hehasplentyofpluck,”saidtheColonel.“Nobodyeversaidhehadn’t.”
“Hisfirstordertomewastowritealetterofchallenge,andtocarryittoColonelCrawley.Oneorotherofus,”hesaid,“mustnotsurvivetheoutrageoflastnight.”
Crawleynodded.“You’recomingtothepoint,Wenham,”hesaid.
“ItriedmyutmosttocalmLordSteyne.GoodGod!sir,”Isaid,“howIregretthatMrs.WenhamandmyselfhadnotacceptedMrs.Crawley’sinvitationtosupwithher!”
“Sheaskedyoutosupwithher?”CaptainMacmurdosaid.
“Aftertheopera.Here’sthenoteofinvitation—stop—no,thisisanotherpaper—IthoughtIhadh,butit’sofnoconsequence,andIpledgeyoumywordtothefact.
Ifwehadcome—anditwasonlyoneofMrs.Wenham’sheadacheswhichpreventedus—shesuffersunderthemagooddeal,especiallyinthespring—ifwehadcome,andyouhadreturnedhome,therewouldhavebeennoquarrel,noinsult,nosuspicion—andsoitispositivelybecausemypoorwifehasaheadachethatyouaretobringdeathdownupontwomenofhonourandplungetwoofthemostexcellentandancientfamiliesinthekingdomintodisgraceandsorrow.”
Mr.Macmurdolookedathisprincipalwiththeairofamanprofoundlypuzzled,andRawdonfeltwithakindofragethathispreywasescapinghim.
Hedidnotbelieveawordofthestory,andyet,howdiscreditordisproveit?
Mr.Wenhamcontinuedwiththesamefluentoratory,whichinhisplaceinParliamenthehadsooftenpractised—”IsatforanhourormorebyLordSteyne’sbedside,beseeching,imploringLordSteynetoforegohisintentionofdemandingameeting.
Ipointedouttohimthatthecircumstanceswereafterallsuspicious—theyweresuspicious.
Iacknowledgeit—anymaninyourpositionmighthavebeentakenin—Isaidthatamanfuriouswithjealousyistoallintentsandpurposesamadman,andshouldbeassuchregarded—thataduelbetweenyoumustleadtothedisgraceofallpartiesconcerned—thatamanofhisLordship’sexaltedstationhadnorightinthesedays,whenthemostatrociousrevolutionaryprinciples,andthemostdangerouslevellingdoctrinesarepreachedamongthevulgar,tocreateapublicscandal;andthat,howeverinnocent,thecommonpeoplewouldinsistthathewasguilty.
Infine,Iimploredhimnottosendthechallenge.”
“Idon’tbelieveonewordofthewholestory,”saidRawdon,grindinghisteeth.
“Ibelieveitad——-lie,andthatyou’reinit,Mr.Wenham.
Ifthechallengedon’tcomefromhim,byJoveitshallcomefromme.”
Mr.WenhamturneddeadlypaleatthissavageinterruptionoftheColonelandlookedtowardsthedoor.
ButhefoundachampioninCaptainMacmurdo.
ThatgentlemanroseupwithanoathandrebukedRawdonforhislanguage.
“Youputtheaffairintomyhands,andyoushallactasIthinkfit,byJove,andnotasyoudo.
YouhavenorighttoinsultMr.Wenhamwiththissortoflanguage;anddammy,Mr.Wenham,youdeserveanapology.
AndasforachallengetoLordSteyne,youmaygetsomebodyelsetocarryit,Iwon’t.
Ifmylord,afterbeingthrashed,choosestositstill,dammylethim.
Andasfortheaffairwith—withMrs.Crawley,mybeliefis,there’snothingprovedatall:thatyourwife’sinnocent,asinnocentasMr.Wenhamsayssheis;andatanyratethatyouwouldbead—foolnottotaketheplaceandholdyourtongue.”
“CaptainMacmurdo,youspeaklikeamanofsense,”Mr.Wenhamcriedout,immenselyrelieved—”IforgetanywordsthatColonelCrawleyhasusedintheirritationofthemoment.”
“Ithoughtyouwould,”Rawdonsaidwithasneer.
“Shutyourmouth,youoldstoopid,”theCaptainsaidgood-naturedly.“Mr.Wenhamain’tafightingman;andquiteright,too.”
“Thismatter,inmybelief,”theSteyneemissarycried,“oughttobeburiedinthemostprofoundoblivion.
Awordconcerningitshouldneverpassthesedoors.
Ispeakintheinterestofmyfriend,aswellasofColonelCrawley,whopersistsinconsideringmehisenemy.”
“IsupposeLordSteynewon’ttalkaboutitverymuch,”saidCaptainMacmurdo;“andIdon’tseewhyoursideshould.
Theaffairain’taveryprettyone,anywayyoutakeit,andthelesssaidaboutitthebetter.
It’syouarethrashed,andnotus;andifyouaresatisfied,why,Ithink,weshouldbe.”
Mr.Wenhamtookhishat,uponthis,andCaptainMacmurdofollowinghimtothedoor,shutituponhimselfandLordSteyne’sagent,leavingRawdonchafingwithin.
Whenthetwowereontheotherside,Macmurdolookedhardattheotherambassadorandwithanexpressionofanythingbutrespectonhisroundjollyface.
“Youdon’tstickatatrifle,Mr.Wenham,”hesaid.
“Youflatterme,CaptainMacmurdo,”answeredtheotherwithasmile.“Uponmyhonourandconsciencenow,Mrs.Crawleydidaskustosupaftertheopera.”
“Ofcourse;andMrs.Wenhamhadoneofherhead-aches.
Isay,I’vegotathousand-poundnotehere,whichIwillgiveyouifyouwillgivemeareceipt,please;andIwillputthenoteupinanenvelopeforLordSteyne.Mymanshan’tfighthim.Butwehadrathernottakehismoney.”
“Itwasallamistake—allamistake,mydearsir,”theothersaidwiththeutmostinnocenceofmanner;andwasboweddowntheClubstepsbyCaptainMacmurdo,justasSirPittCrawleyascendedthem.
Therewasaslightacquaintancebetweenthesetwogentlemen,andtheCaptain,goingbackwiththeBaronettotheroomwherethelatter’sbrotherwas,toldSirPitt,inconfidence,thathehadmadetheaffairallrightbetweenLordSteyneandtheColonel.
SirPittwaswellpleased,ofcourse,atthisintelligence,andcongratulatedhisbrotherwarmlyuponthepeacefulissueoftheaffair,makingappropriatemoralremarksupontheevilsofduellingandtheunsatisfactorynatureofthatsortofsettlementofdisputes.
Andafterthispreface,hetriedwithallhiseloquencetoeffectareconciliationbetweenRawdonandhiswife.
HerecapitulatedthestatementswhichBeckyhadmade,pointedouttheprobabilitiesoftheirtruth,andassertedhisownfirmbeliefinherinnocence.
ButRawdonwouldnothearofit.“Shehaskepmoneyconcealedfrommethesetenyears,”hesaid“Sheswore,lastnightonly,shehadnonefromSteyne.
Sheknewitwasallup,directlyIfoundit.
Ifshe’snotguilty,Pitt,she’sasbadasguilty,andI’llneverseeheragain—never.”
Hisheadsankdownonhischestashespokethewords,andhelookedquitebrokenandsad.
“Pooroldboy,”Macmurdosaid,shakinghishead.
RawdonCrawleyresistedforsometimetheideaoftakingtheplacewhichhadbeenprocuredforhimbysoodiousapatron,andwasalsoforremovingtheboyfromtheschoolwhereLordSteyne’sinteresthadplacedhim.
Hewasinduced,however,toacquiesceinthesebenefitsbytheentreatiesofhisbrotherandMacmurdo,butmainlybythelatter,pointingouttohimwhatafurySteynewouldbeintothinkthathisenemy’sfortunewasmadethroughhismeans.
WhentheMarquisofSteynecameabroadafterhisaccident,theColonialSecretaryboweduptohimandcongratulatedhimselfandtheServiceuponhavingmadesoexcellentanappointment.
ThesecongratulationswerereceivedwithadegreeofgratitudewhichmaybeimaginedonthepartofLordSteyne.
ThesecretoftherencontrebetweenhimandColonelCrawleywasburiedintheprofoundestoblivion,asWenhamsaid;thatis,bythesecondsandtheprincipals.
Butbeforethateveningwasoveritwastalkedofatfiftydinner-tablesinVanityFair.
LittleCacklebyhimselfwenttoseveneveningpartiesandtoldthestorywithcommentsandemendationsateachplace.
HowMrs.WashingtonWhiterevelledinit!
TheBishopessofEalingwasshockedbeyondexpression;theBishopwentandwrotehisnamedowninthevisiting-bookatGauntHousethatveryday.
LittleSouthdownwassorry;soyoumaybesurewashissisterLadyJane,verysorry.
LadySouthdownwroteitofftoherotherdaughterattheCapeofGoodHope.
Itwastown-talkforatleastthreedays,andwasonlykeptoutofthenewspapersbytheexertionsofMr.Wagg,actinguponahintfromMr.Wenham.
ThebailiffsandbrokersseizeduponpoorRagglesinCurzonStreet,andthelatefairtenantofthatpoorlittlemansionwasinthemeanwhile—where?Whocared!Whoaskedafteradayortwo?Wassheguiltyornot?
Weallknowhowcharitabletheworldis,andhowtheverdictofVanityFairgoeswhenthereisadoubt.
SomepeoplesaidshehadgonetoNaplesinpursuitofLordSteyne,whilstothersaverredthathisLordshipquittedthatcityandfledtoPalermoonhearingofBecky’sarrival;somesaidshewaslivinginBierstadt,andhadbecomeadamed’honneurtotheQueenofBulgaria;somethatshewasatBoulogne;andothers,ataboarding-houseatCheltenham.
Rawdonmadeheratolerableannuity,andwemaybesurethatshewasawomanwhocouldmakealittlemoneygoagreatway,asthesayingis.
HewouldhavepaidhisdebtsonleavingEngland,couldhehavegotanyInsuranceOfficetotakehislife,buttheclimateofCoventryIslandwassobadthathecouldborrownomoneyonthestrengthofhissalary.
Heremitted,however,tohisbrotherpunctually,andwrotetohislittleboyregularlyeverymail.
HekeptMacmurdoincigarsandsentoverquantitiesofshells,cayennepepper,hotpickles,guavajelly,andcolonialproducetoLadyJane.
HesenthisbrotherhometheSwampTownGazette,inwhichthenewGovernorwaspraisedwithimmenseenthusiasm;whereastheSwampTownSentinel,whosewifewasnotaskedtoGovernmentHouse,declaredthathisExcellencywasatyrant,comparedtowhomNerowasanenlightenedphilanthropist.
LittleRawdonusedtoliketogetthepapersandreadabouthisExcellency.
Hismothernevermadeanymovementtoseethechild.
HewenthometohisauntforSundaysandholidays;hesoonkneweverybird’snestaboutQueen’sCrawley,androdeoutwithSirHuddlestone’shounds,whichheadmiredsoonhisfirstwell-rememberedvisittoHampshire.
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