English
OurMajorhadrenderedhimselfsopopularonboardtheRamchunderthatwhenheandMr.Sedleydescendedintothewelcomeshore-boatwhichwastotakethemfromtheship,thewholecrew,menandofficers,thegreatCaptainBragghimselfleadingoff,gavethreecheersforMajorDobbin,whoblushedverymuchandduckedhisheadintokenofthanks.
Jos,whoverylikelythoughtthecheerswereforhimself,tookoffhisgold-lacedcapandwaveditmajesticallytohisfriends,andtheywerepulledtoshoreandlandedwithgreatdignityatthepier,whencetheyproceededtotheRoyalGeorgeHotel.
Althoughthesightofthatmagnificentroundofbeef,andthesilvertankardsuggestiveofrealBritishhome-brewedaleandporter,whichperenniallygreettheeyesofthetravellerreturningfromforeignpartswhoentersthecoffee-roomoftheGeorge,aresoinvigoratinganddelightfulthatamanenteringsuchacomfortablesnughomelyEnglishinnmightwellliketostopsomedaysthere,yetDobbinbegantotalkaboutapost-chaiseinstantly,andwasnosooneratSouthamptonthanhewishedtobeontheroadtoLondon.
Jos,however,wouldnothearofmovingthatevening.
Whywashetopassanightinapost-chaiseinsteadofagreatlargeundulatingdownyfeather-bedwhichwastherereadytoreplacethehorridlittlenarrowcribinwhichtheportlyBengalgentlemanhadbeenconfinedduringthevoyage?
Hecouldnotthinkofmovingtillhisbaggagewascleared,oroftravellinguntilhecoulddosowithhischillum.
SotheMajorwasforcedtowaitoverthatnight,anddispatchedalettertohisfamilyannouncinghisarrival,entreatingfromJosapromisetowritetohisownfriends.
Jospromised,butdidn’tkeephispromise.
TheCaptain,thesurgeon,andoneortwopassengerscameanddinedwithourtwogentlemenattheinn,JosexertinghimselfinasumptuouswayinorderingthedinnerandpromisingtogototownthenextdaywiththeMajor.
ThelandlordsaiditdidhiseyesgoodtoseeMr.Sedleytakeoffhisfirstpintofporter.
IfIhadtimeanddaredtoenterintodigressions,IwouldwriteachapteraboutthatfirstpintofporterdrunkuponEnglishground.Ah,howgooditis!
Itisworth-whiletoleavehomeforayear,justtoenjoythatonedraught.
MajorDobbinmadehisappearancethenextmorningveryneatlyshavedanddressed,accordingtohiswont.
Indeed,itwassoearlyinthemorningthatnobodywasupinthehouseexceptthatwonderfulBootsofaninnwhoneverseemstowantsleep;andtheMajorcouldhearthesnoresofthevariousinmatesofthehouseroaringthroughthecorridorsashecreakedaboutinthosedimpassages.
ThenthesleeplessBootswentshirkingroundfromdoortodoor,gatheringupateachtheBluchers,Wellingtons,Oxonians,whichstoodoutside.
ThenJos’snativeservantaroseandbegantogetreadyhismaster’sponderousdressingapparatusandpreparehishookah;thenthemaidservantsgotup,andmeetingthedarkmaninthepassages,shrieked,andmistookhimforthedevil.
HeandDobbinstumbledovertheirpailsinthepassagesastheywerescouringthedecksoftheRoyalGeorge.
Whenthefirstunshornwaiterappearedandunbarredthedooroftheinn,theMajorthoughtthatthetimefordeparturewasarrived,andorderedapost-chaisetobefetchedinstantly,thattheymightsetoff.
HethendirectedhisstepstoMr.Sedley’sroomandopenedthecurtainsofthegreatlargefamilybedwhereinMr.Joswassnoring.“Come,up!
Sedley,”theMajorsaid,“it’stimetobeoff;thechaisewillbeatthedoorinhalfanhour.”
Josgrowledfromunderthecounterpanetoknowwhatthetimewas;butwhenheatlastextortedfromtheblushingMajor(whonevertoldfibs,howevertheymightbetohisadvantage)whatwastherealhourofthemorning,hebrokeoutintoavolleyofbadlanguage,whichwewillnotrepeathere,butbywhichhegaveDobbintounderstandthathewouldjeopardyhissoulifhegotupatthatmoment,thattheMajormightgoandbehanged,thathewouldnottravelwithDobbin,andthatitwasmostunkindandungentlemanliketodisturbamanoutofhissleepinthatway;onwhichthediscomfitedMajorwasobligedtoretreat,leavingJostoresumehisinterruptedslumbers.
Thechaisecameuppresently,andtheMajorwouldwaitnolonger.
IfhehadbeenanEnglishnoblemantravellingonapleasuretour,oranewspapercourierbearingdispatches(governmentmessagesaregenerallycarriedmuchmorequietly),hecouldnothavetravelledmorequickly.
Thepost-boyswonderedatthefeesheflungamongstthem.
Howhappyandgreenthecountrylookedasthechaisewhirledrapidlyfrommile-stonetomile-stone,throughneatcountrytownswherelandlordscameouttowelcomehimwithsmilesandbows;byprettyroadsideinns,wherethesignshungontheelms,andhorsesandwaggonersweredrinkingunderthechequeredshadowofthetrees;byoldhallsandparks;rustichamletsclusteredroundancientgreychurches—andthroughthecharmingfriendlyEnglishlandscape.
Isthereanyintheworldlikeit?
Toatravellerreturninghomeitlookssokind—itseemstoshakehandswithyouasyoupassthroughit.
Well,MajorDobbinpassedthroughallthisfromSouthamptontoLondon,andwithoutnotingmuchbeyondthemilestonesalongtheroad.
YouseehewassoeagertoseehisparentsatCamberwell.
HegrudgedthetimelostbetweenPiccadillyandhisoldhauntattheSlaughters’,whitherhedrovefaithfully.
Longyearshadpassedsincehesawitlast,sinceheandGeorge,asyoungmen,hadenjoyedmanyafeast,andheldmanyarevelthere.
Hehadnowpassedintothestageofold-fellow-hood.
Hishairwasgrizzled,andmanyapassionandfeelingofhisyouthhadgrowngreyinthatinterval.
There,however,stoodtheoldwaiteratthedoor,inthesamegreasyblacksuit,withthesamedoublechinandflaccidface,withthesamehugebunchofsealsathisfob,rattlinghismoneyinhispocketsasbefore,andreceivingtheMajorasifhehadgoneawayonlyaweekago.
“PuttheMajor’sthingsintwenty-three,that’shisroom,”Johnsaid,exhibitingnottheleastsurprise.“Roastfowlforyourdinner,Isuppose.Youain’tgotmarried?
Theysaidyouwasmarried—theScotchsurgeonofyourswashere.
No,itwasCaptainHumbyofthethirty-third,aswasquarteredwiththe—thinInjee.Likeanywarmwater?
Whatdoyoucomeinachayfor—ain’tthecoachgoodenough?”
Andwiththis,thefaithfulwaiter,whoknewandrememberedeveryofficerwhousedthehouse,andwithwhomtenyearswerebutasyesterday,ledthewayuptoDobbin’soldroom,wherestoodthegreatmoreenbed,andtheshabbycarpet,athoughtmoredingy,andalltheoldblackfurniturecoveredwithfadedchintz,justastheMajorrecollectedtheminhisyouth.
HerememberedGeorgepacingupanddowntheroom,andbitinghisnails,andswearingthattheGovernormustcomeround,andthatifhedidn’t,hedidn’tcareastraw,onthedaybeforehewasmarried.
Hecouldfancyhimwalkingin,bangingthedoorofDobbin’sroom,andhisownhardby—
“Youain’tgotyoung,”Johnsaid,calmlysurveyinghisfriendofformerdays.
Dobbinlaughed.“Tenyearsandafeverdon’tmakeamanyoung,John,”hesaid.“Itisyouthatarealwaysyoung—no,youarealwaysold.”
“WhatbecameofCaptainOsborne’swidow?”Johnsaid.“Fineyoungfellowthat.Lord,howheusedtospendhismoney.
Henevercamebackafterthatdayhewasmarchedfromhere.Heowesmethreepoundatthisminute.Lookhere,Ihaveitinmybook.
‘April10,1815,CaptainOsborne:‘3pounds.’
Iwonderwhetherhisfatherwouldpayme,”andsosaying,JohnoftheSlaughters’pulledouttheverymoroccopocket-bookinwhichhehadnotedhisloantotheCaptain,uponagreasyfadedpagestillextant,withmanyotherscrawledmemorandaregardingthebygonefrequentersofthehouse.
Havinginductedhiscustomerintotheroom,Johnretiredwithperfectcalmness;andMajorDobbin,notwithoutablushandagrinathisownabsurdity,choseoutofhiskittheverysmartestandmostbecomingcivilcostumehepossessed,andlaughedathisowntannedfaceandgreyhair,ashesurveyedtheminthedrearylittletoilet-glassonthedressing-table.
“I’mgladoldJohndidn’tforgetme,”hethought.“She’llknowme,too,Ihope.”Andhesalliedoutoftheinn,bendinghisstepsoncemoreinthedirectionofBrompton.
EveryminuteincidentofhislastmeetingwithAmeliawaspresenttotheconstantman’smindashewalkedtowardsherhouse.
ThearchandtheAchillesstatuewereupsincehehadlastbeeninPiccadilly;ahundredchangeshadoccurredwhichhiseyeandmindvaguelynoted.
HebegantotrembleashewalkedupthelanefromBrompton,thatwell-rememberedlaneleadingtothestreetwhereshelived.Wasshegoingtobemarriedornot?
Ifheweretomeetherwiththelittleboy—GoodGod,whatshouldhedo?
Hesawawomancomingtohimwithachildoffiveyearsold—wasthatshe?
Hebegantoshakeatthemerepossibility.
Whenhecameuptotherowofhouses,atlast,whereshelived,andtothegate,hecaughtholdofitandpaused.
Hemighthaveheardthethumpingofhisownheart.
“MayGodAlmightyblessher,whateverhashappened,”hethoughttohimself.“Psha!
shemaybegonefromhere,”hesaidandwentinthroughthegate.
Thewindowoftheparlourwhichsheusedtooccupywasopen,andtherewerenoinmatesintheroom.
TheMajorthoughtherecognizedthepiano,though,withthepictureoverit,asitusedtobeinformerdays,andhisperturbationswererenewed.
Mr.Clapp’sbrassplatewasstillonthedoor,attheknockerofwhichDobbinperformedasummons.
Abuxom-lookinglassofsixteen,withbrighteyesandpurplecheeks,cametoanswertheknockandlookedhardattheMajorasheleantbackagainstthelittleporch.
Hewasaspaleasaghostandcouldhardlyfalteroutthewords—“DoesMrs.Osbornelivehere?”
Shelookedhimhardinthefaceforamoment—andthenturningwhitetoo—said,“Lordblessme—it’sMajorDobbin.”
Sheheldoutbothherhandsshaking—”Don’tyourememberme?”shesaid.“IusedtocallyouMajorSugarplums.”
Onwhich,andIbelieveitwasforthefirsttimethatheeversoconductedhimselfinhislife,theMajortookthegirlinhisarmsandkissedher.
Shebegantolaughandcryhysterically,andcallingout“Ma,Pa!”
withallhervoice,broughtupthoseworthypeople,whohadalreadybeensurveyingtheMajorfromthecasementoftheornamentalkitchen,andwereastonishedtofindtheirdaughterinthelittlepassageintheembraceofagreattallmaninabluefrock-coatandwhiteducktrousers.
“I’manoldfriend,”hesaid—notwithoutblushingthough.
“Don’tyourememberme,Mrs.Clapp,andthosegoodcakesyouusedtomakefortea?Don’tyourecollectme,Clapp?
I’mGeorge’sgodfather,andjustcomebackfromIndia.”
Agreatshakingofhandsensued—Mrs.Clappwasgreatlyaffectedanddelighted;shecalleduponheaventointerposeavastmanytimesinthatpassage.
ThelandlordandlandladyofthehouseledtheworthyMajorintotheSedleys’room(whereofherememberedeverysinglearticleoffurniture,fromtheoldbrassornamentedpiano,onceanattylittleinstrument,Stothardmaker,tothescreensandthealabasterminiaturetombstone,inthemidstofwhichtickedMr.Sedley’sgoldwatch),andthere,ashesatdowninthelodger’svacantarm-chair,thefather,themother,andthedaughter,withathousandejaculatorybreaksinthenarrative,informedMajorDobbinofwhatweknowalready,butofparticularsinAmelia’shistoryofwhichhewasnotaware—namelyofMrs.Sedley’sdeath,ofGeorge’sreconcilementwithhisgrandfatherOsborne,ofthewayinwhichthewidowtookonatleavinghim,andofotherparticularsofherlife.
Twiceorthricehewasgoingtoaskaboutthemarriagequestion,buthisheartfailedhim.
Hedidnotcaretolayitbaretothesepeople.
Finally,hewasinformedthatMrs.O.wasgonetowalkwithherpainKensingtonGardens,whithershealwayswentwiththeoldgentleman(whowasveryweakandpeevishnow,andledherasadlife,thoughshebehavedtohimlikeanangel,tobesure),ofafineafternoon,afterdinner.
“I’mverymuchpressedfortime,”theMajorsaid,“andhavebusinessto-nightofimportance.IshouldliketoseeMrs.Osbornetho’.SupposeMissPollywouldcomewithmeandshowmetheway?”
MissPollywascharmedandastonishedatthisproposal.Sheknewtheway.ShewouldshowMajorDobbin.
ShehadoftenbeenwithMr.SedleywhenMrs.O.wasgone—wasgoneRussellSquareway—andknewthebenchwherehelikedtosit.
Shebouncedawaytoherapartmentandappearedpresentlyinherbestbonnetandhermamma’syellowshawlandlargepebblebrooch,ofwhichsheassumedtheloaninordertomakeherselfaworthycompanionfortheMajor.
Thatofficer,then,inhisbluefrock-coatandbuckskingloves,gavetheyoungladyhisarm,andtheywalkedawayverygaily.
Hewasgladtohaveafriendathandforthescenewhichhedreadedsomehow.
HeaskedathousandmorequestionsfromhiscompanionaboutAmelia:hiskindheartgrievedtothinkthatsheshouldhavehadtopartwithherson.Howdidshebearit?Didsheseehimoften?
WasMr.Sedleyprettycomfortablenowinaworldlypointofview?
PollyansweredallthesequestionsofMajorSugarplumstotheverybestofherpower.
Andinthemidstoftheirwalkanincidentoccurredwhich,thoughverysimpleinitsnature,wasproductiveofthegreatestdelighttoMajorDobbin.
Apaleyoungmanwithfeeblewhiskersandastiffwhiteneckclothcamewalkingdownthelane,ensandwich—havingalady,thatis,oneacharm.
Onewasatallandcommandingmiddle-agedfemale,withfeaturesandacomplexionsimilartothoseoftheclergymanoftheChurchofEnglandbywhosesideshemarched,andtheotherastuntedlittlewomanwithadarkface,ornamentedbyafinenewbonnetandwhiteribbons,andinasmartpelisse,witharichgoldwatchinthemidstofherperson.
Thegentleman,pinionedashewasbythesetwoladies,carriedfurtheraparasol,shawl,andbasket,sothathisarmswereentirelyengaged,andofcoursehewasunabletotouchhishatinacknowledgementofthecurtseywithwhichMissMaryClappgreetedhim.
Hemerelybowedhisheadinreplytohersalutation,whichthetwoladiesreturnedwithapatronizingair,andatthesametimelookingseverelyattheindividualinthebluecoatandbamboocanewhoaccompaniedMissPolly.
“Who’sthat?”askedtheMajor,amusedbythegroup,andafterhehadmadewayforthethreetopassupthelane.Marylookedathimratherroguishly.
“Thatisourcurate,theReverendMr.Binny(atwitchfromMajorDobbin),andhissisterMissB.Lordblessus,howshedidusetoworretusatSunday-school;andtheotherlady,thelittleonewithacastinhereyeandthehandsomewatch,isMrs.Binny—MissGritsthatwas;herpawasagrocer,andkepttheLittleOriginalGoldTeaPotinKensingtonGravelPits.
Theyweremarriedlastmonth,andarejustcomebackfromMargate.
She’sfivethousandpoundtoherfortune;butherandMissB.,whomadethematch,havequarrelledalready.”
IftheMajorhadtwitchedbefore,hestartednow,andslappedthebambooonthegroundwithanemphasiswhichmadeMissClappcry,“Law,”andlaughtoo.
Hestoodforamoment,silent,withopenmouth,lookingaftertheretreatingyoungcouple,whileMissMarytoldtheirhistory;buthedidnothearbeyondtheannouncementofthereverendgentleman’smarriage;hisheadwasswimmingwithfelicity.
Afterthisrencontrehebegantowalkdoublequicktowardstheplaceofhisdestination—andyettheyweretoosoon(forhewasinagreattremorattheideaofameetingforwhichhehadbeenlonginganytimethesetenyears)—throughtheBromptonlanes,andenteringatthelittleoldportalinKensingtonGardenwall.
“Theretheyare,”saidMissPolly,andshefelthimagainstartbackonherarm.
Shewasaconfidanteatonceofthewholebusiness.
Sheknewthestoryaswellasifshehadreaditinoneofherfavouritenovel-books—FatherlessFanny,ortheScottishChiefs.
“Supposeyouweretorunonandtellher,”theMajorsaid.Pollyranforward,heryellowshawlstreaminginthebreeze.
OldSedleywasseatedonabench,hishandkerchiefplacedoverhisknees,prattlingaway,accordingtohiswont,withsomeoldstoryaboutoldtimestowhichAmeliahadlistenedandawardedapatientsmilemanyatimebefore.
Shecouldoflatethinkofherownaffairs,andsmileormakeothermarksofrecognitionofherfather’sstories,scarcelyhearingawordoftheoldman’stales.
AsMarycamebouncingalong,andAmeliacaughtsightofher,shestartedupfromherbench.
HerfirstthoughtwasthatsomethinghadhappenedtoGeorgy,butthesightofthemessenger’seagerandhappyfacedissipatedthatfearinthetimorousmother’sbosom.
“News!News!”criedtheemissaryofMajorDobbin.“He’scome!He’scome!”
“Whoiscome?”saidEmmy,stillthinkingofherson.
“Lookthere,”answeredMissClapp,turningroundandpointing;inwhichdirectionAmelialooking,sawDobbin’sleanfigureandlongshadowstalkingacrossthegrass.
Ameliastartedinherturn,blushedup,and,ofcourse,begantocry.
Atallthissimplelittlecreature’sfetes,thegrandeseauxwereaccustomedtoplay.
Helookedather—oh,howfondly—asshecamerunningtowardshim,herhandsbeforeher,readytogivethemtohim.Shewasn’tchanged.
Shewasalittlepale,alittlestouterinfigure.
Hereyeswerethesame,thekindtrustfuleyes.
Therewerescarcethreelinesofsilverinhersoftbrownhair.
Shegavehimbothherhandsasshelookedupflushingandsmilingthroughhertearsintohishonesthomelyface.
Hetookthetwolittlehandsbetweenhistwoandheldthemthere.Hewasspeechlessforamoment.
Whydidhenottakeherinhisarmsandswearthathewouldneverleaveher?
Shemusthaveyielded:shecouldnotbuthaveobeyedhim.
“I—I’veanotherarrivaltoannounce,”hesaidafterapause.
“Mrs.Dobbin?”Ameliasaid,makingamovementback—whydidn’thespeak?
“No,”hesaid,lettingherhandsgo:“Whohastoldyouthoselies?Imean,yourbrotherJoscameinthesameshipwithme,andiscomehometomakeyouallhappy.”
“Papa,Papa!”Emmycriedout,“herearenews!MybrotherisinEngland.Heiscometotakecareofyou.HereisMajorDobbin.”
Mr.Sedleystartedup,shakingagreatdealandgatheringuphisthoughts.
Thenhesteppedforwardandmadeanold-fashionedbowtotheMajor,whomhecalledMr.Dobbin,andhopedhisworthyfather,SirWilliam,wasquitewell.
HeproposedtocalluponSirWilliam,whohaddonehimthehonourofavisitashorttimeago.
SirWilliamhadnotcalledupontheoldgentlemanforeightyears—itwasthatvisithewasthinkingofreturning.
“Heisverymuchshaken,”EmmywhisperedasDobbinwentupandcordiallyshookhandswiththeoldman.
AlthoughhehadsuchparticularbusinessinLondonthatevening,theMajorconsentedtoforegoituponMr.Sedley’sinvitationtohimtocomehomeandpartakeoftea.
Ameliaputherarmunderthatofheryoungfriendwiththeyellowshawlandheadedthepartyontheirreturnhomewards,sothatMr.SedleyfelltoDobbin’sshare.
TheoldmanwalkedveryslowlyandtoldanumberofancienthistoriesabouthimselfandhispoorBessy,hisformerprosperity,andhisbankruptcy.
Histhoughts,asisusualwithfailingoldmen,werequiteinformertimes.
Thepresent,withtheexceptionoftheonecatastrophewhichhefelt,heknewlittleabout.TheMajorwasgladtolethimtalkon.
Hiseyeswerefixeduponthefigureinfrontofhim—thedearlittlefigurealwayspresenttohisimaginationandinhisprayers,andvisitinghisdreamswakefulorslumbering.
Ameliawasveryhappy,smiling,andactiveallthatevening,performingherdutiesashostessofthelittleentertainmentwiththeutmostgraceandpropriety,asDobbinthought.
Hiseyesfollowedheraboutastheysatinthetwilight.
Howmanyatimehadhelongedforthatmomentandthoughtofherfarawayunderhotwindsandinwearymarches,gentleandhappy,kindlyministeringtothewantsofoldage,anddecoratingpovertywithsweetsubmission—ashesawhernow.
Idonotsaythathistastewasthehighest,orthatitisthedutyofgreatintellectstobecontentwithabread-and-butterparadise,suchassufficedoursimpleoldfriend;buthisdesireswereofthissort,whetherforgoodorbad,and,withAmeliatohelphim,hewasasreadytodrinkasmanycupsofteaasDoctorJohnson.
Ameliaseeingthispropensity,laughinglyencourageditandlookedexceedinglyroguishassheadministeredtohimcupaftercup.
ItistrueshedidnotknowthattheMajorhadhadnodinnerandthattheclothwaslaidforhimattheSlaughters’,andaplatelaidthereontomarkthatthetablewasretained,inthatveryboxinwhichtheMajorandGeorgehadsatmanyatimecarousing,whenshewasachildjustcomehomefromMissPinkerton’sschool.
ThefirstthingMrs.OsborneshowedtheMajorwasGeorgy’sminiature,forwhichsheranupstairsonherarrivalathome.
Itwasnothalfhandsomeenoughofcoursefortheboy,butwasn’titnobleofhimtothinkofbringingittohismother?
WhilstherpapawasawakeshedidnottalkmuchaboutGeorgy.
TohearaboutMr.OsborneandRussellSquarewasnotagreeabletotheoldman,whoverylikelywasunconsciousthathehadbeenlivingforsomemonthspastmainlyonthebountyofhisricherrival,andlosthistemperifallusionwasmadetotheother.
Dobbintoldhimall,andalittlemoreperhapsthanall,thathadhappenedonboardtheRamchunder,andexaggeratedJos’sbenevolentdispositionstowardshisfatherandresolutiontomakehimcomfortableinhisolddays.
ThetruthisthatduringthevoyagetheMajorhadimpressedthisdutymoststronglyuponhisfellow-passengerandextortedpromisesfromhimthathewouldtakechargeofhissisterandherchild.
HesoothedJos’sirritationwithregardtothebillswhichtheoldgentlemanhaddrawnuponhim,gavealaughingaccountofhisownsufferingsonthesamescoreandofthefamousconsignmentofwinewithwhichtheoldmanhadfavouredhim,andbroughtMr.Jos,whowasbynomeansanill-naturedpersonwhenwell-pleasedandmoderatelyflattered,toaverygoodstateoffeelingregardinghisrelativesinEurope.
AndinfineIamashamedtosaythattheMajorstretchedthetruthsofarastotelloldMr.SedleythatitwasmainlyadesiretoseehisparentwhichbroughtJosoncemoretoEurope.
AthisaccustomedhourMr.Sedleybegantodozeinhischair,andthenitwasAmelia’sopportunitytocommenceherconversation,whichshedidwithgreateagerness—itrelatedexclusivelytoGeorgy.
Shedidnottalkatallaboutherownsufferingsatbreakingfromhim,forindeed,thisworthywoman,thoughshewashalf-killedbytheseparationfromthechild,yetthoughtitwasverywickedinhertorepineatlosinghim;buteverythingconcerninghim,hisvirtues,talents,andprospects,shepouredout.
Shedescribedhisangelicbeauty;narratedahundredinstancesofhisgenerosityandgreatnessofmindwhilstlivingwithher;howaRoyalDuchesshadstoppedandadmiredhiminKensingtonGardens;howsplendidlyhewascaredfornow,andhowhehadagroomandapony;whatquicknessandclevernesshehad,andwhataprodigiouslywell-readanddelightfulpersontheReverendLawrenceVealwas,George’smaster.
“HeknowsEVERYTHING,”Ameliasaid.“Hehasthemostdelightfulparties.
Youwhoaresolearnedyourself,andhavereadsomuch,andaresocleverandaccomplished—don’tshakeyourheadandsayno—HEalwaysusedtosayyouwere—youwillbecharmedwithMr.Veal’sparties.ThelastTuesdayineverymonth.
HesaysthereisnoplaceinthebarorthesenatethatGeorgymaynotaspireto.
Lookhere,”andshewenttothepiano-draweranddrewoutathemeofGeorgy’scomposition.
Thisgreateffortofgenius,whichisstillinthepossessionofGeorge’smother,isasfollows:
OnSelfishness—Ofalltheviceswhichdegradethehumancharacter,Selfishnessisthemostodiousandcontemptible.
AnundueloveofSelfleadstothemostmonstrouscrimesandoccasionsthegreatestmisfortunesbothinStatesandFamilies.
Asaselfishmanwillimpoverishhisfamilyandoftenbringthemtoruin,soaselfishkingbringsruinonhispeopleandoftenplungesthemintowar.
Example:TheselfishnessofAchilles,asremarkedbythepoetHomer,occasionedathousandwoestotheGreeks—muriAchaioisalgeetheke—(Hom.Il.A.2).
TheselfishnessofthelateNapoleonBonaparteoccasionedinnumerablewarsinEuropeandcausedhimtoperish,himself,inamiserableisland—thatofSaintHelenaintheAtlanticOcean.
Weseebytheseexamplesthatwearenottoconsultourowninterestandambition,butthatwearetoconsidertheinterestsofothersaswellasourown.
GeorgeS.OsborneAtheneHouse,24April,1827
“Thinkofhimwritingsuchahand,andquotingGreektoo,athisage,”thedelightedmothersaid.
“Oh,William,”sheadded,holdingoutherhandtotheMajor,“whatatreasureHeavenhasgivenmeinthatboy!
Heisthecomfortofmylife—andheistheimageof—ofhimthat’sgone!”
“OughtItobeangrywithherforbeingfaithfultohim?”Williamthought.
“OughtItobejealousofmyfriendinthegrave,orhurtthatsuchaheartasAmelia’scanloveonlyonceandforever?
Oh,George,George,howlittleyouknewtheprizeyouhad,though.”
ThissentimentpassedrapidlythroughWilliam’smindashewasholdingAmelia’shand,whilstthehandkerchiefwasveilinghereyes.
“Dearfriend,”shesaid,pressingthehandwhichheldhers,“howgood,howkindyoualwayshavebeentome!See!Papaisstirring.YouwillgoandseeGeorgytomorrow,won’tyou?”
“Notto-morrow,”saidpooroldDobbin.“Ihavebusiness.”
Hedidnotliketoownthathehadnotasyetbeentohisparents’andhisdearsisterAnne—aremissnessforwhichIamsureeverywell-regulatedpersonwillblametheMajor.
Andpresentlyhetookhisleave,leavinghisaddressbehindhimforJos,againstthelatter’sarrival.
Andsothefirstdaywasover,andhehadseenher.
WhenhegotbacktotheSlaughters’,theroastfowlwasofcoursecold,inwhichconditionheateitforsupper.
Andknowingwhatearlyhourshisfamilykept,andthatitwouldbeneedlesstodisturbtheirslumbersatsolateanhour,itisonrecord,thatMajorDobbintreatedhimselftohalf-priceattheHaymarketTheatrethatevening,whereletushopeheenjoyedhimself.
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