English
SuchpolitebehaviourasthatofLordTapewormdidnotfailtohavethemostfavourableeffectuponMr.Sedley’smind,andtheverynextmorning,atbreakfast,hepronouncedhisopinionthatPumpernickelwasthepleasantestlittleplaceofanywhichhehadvisitedontheirtour.
Jos’smotivesandartificeswerenotverydifficultofcomprehension,andDobbinlaughedinhissleeve,likeahypocriteashewas,whenhefound,bytheknowingairofthecivilianandtheoffhandmannerinwhichthelattertalkedaboutTapewormCastleandtheothermembersofthefamily,thatJoshadbeenupalreadyinthemorning,consultinghistravellingPeerage.
Yes,hehadseentheRightHonourabletheEarlofBagwig,hislordship’sfather;hewassurehehad,hehadmethimat—attheLevee—didn’tDobremember?
andwhentheDiplomatistcalledontheparty,faithfultohispromise,JosreceivedhimwithsuchasaluteandhonoursaswereseldomaccordedtothelittleEnvoy.
HewinkedatKirschonhisExcellency’sarrival,andthatemissary,instructedbefore-hand,wentoutandsuperintendedanentertainmentofcoldmeats,jellies,andotherdelicacies,broughtinupontrays,andofwhichMr.Josabsolutelyinsistedthathisnobleguestshouldpartake.
Tapeworm,solongashecouldhaveanopportunityofadmiringthebrighteyesofMrs.Osborne(whosefreshnessofcomplexionboredaylightremarkablywell)wasnotillpleasedtoacceptanyinvitationtostayinMr.Sedley’slodgings;heputoneortwodexterousquestionstohimaboutIndiaandthedancing-girlsthere;askedAmeliaaboutthatbeautifulboywhohadbeenwithher;andcomplimentedtheastonishedlittlewomanupontheprodigioussensationwhichshehadmadeinthehouse;andtriedtofascinateDobbinbytalkingofthelatewarandtheexploitsofthePumpernickelcontingentunderthecommandoftheHereditaryPrince,nowDukeofPumpernickel.
LordTapeworminheritednolittleportionofthefamilygallantry,anditwashishappybeliefthatalmosteverywomanuponwhomhehimselfcastfriendlyeyeswasinlovewithhim.
HeleftEmmyunderthepersuasionthatshewasslainbyhiswitandattractionsandwenthometohislodgingstowriteaprettylittlenotetoher.
Shewasnotfascinated,onlypuzzled,byhisgrinning,hissimpering,hisscentedcambrichandkerchief,andhishigh-heeledlacqueredboots.
Shedidnotunderstandone-halfthecomplimentswhichhepaid;shehadnever,inhersmallexperienceofmankind,metaprofessionalladies’manasyet,andlookeduponmylordassomethingcuriousratherthanpleasant;andifshedidnotadmire,certainlywonderedathim.Jos,onthecontrary,wasdelighted.
“HowveryaffablehisLordshipis,”hesaid;“HowverykindofhisLordshiptosayhewouldsendhismedicalman!
Kirsch,youwillcarryourcardstotheCountdeSchlusselbackdirectly;theMajorandIwillhavethegreatestpleasureinpayingourrespectsatCourtassoonaspossible.
Putoutmyuniform,Kirsch—bothouruniforms.
ItisamarkofpolitenesswhicheveryEnglishgentlemanoughttoshowtothecountrieswhichhevisitstopayhisrespectstothesovereignsofthosecountriesastotherepresentativesofhisown.”
WhenTapeworm’sdoctorcame,DoctorvonGlauber,BodyPhysiciantoH.S.H.theDuke,hespeedilyconvincedJosthatthePumpernickelmineralspringsandtheDoctor’sparticulartreatmentwouldinfalliblyrestoretheBengaleetoyouthandslimness.
“Derecameherelastyear,”hesaid,“SheneralBulkeley,anEnglishSheneral,tvicesopicasyou,sir.
Isenthimbackqvitetinaftertreemonths,andhedancedvidBaronessGlauberattheendoftwo.”
Jos’smindwasmadeup;thesprings,theDoctor,theCourt,andtheCharged’Affairesconvincedhim,andheproposedtospendtheautumninthesedelightfulquarters.
Andpunctualtohisword,onthenextdaytheCharged’AffairespresentedJosandtheMajortoVictorAureliusXVII,beingconductedtotheiraudiencewiththatsovereignbytheCountdeSchlusselback,MarshaloftheCourt.
TheywerestraightwayinvitedtodinneratCourt,andtheirintentionofstayinginthetownbeingannounced,thepolitestladiesofthewholetowninstantlycalleduponMrs.Osborne;andasnotoneofthese,howeverpoortheymightbe,wasundertherankofaBaroness,Jos’sdelightwasbeyondexpression.
HewroteofftoChutneyattheClubtosaythattheServicewashighlyappreciatedinGermany,thathewasgoingtoshowhisfriend,theCountdeSchlusselback,howtostickapigintheIndianfashion,andthathisaugustfriends,theDukeandDuchess,wereeverythingthatwaskindandcivil.
Emmy,too,waspresentedtotheaugustfamily,andasmourningisnotadmittedinCourtoncertaindays,sheappearedinapinkcrapedresswithadiamondornamentinthecorsage,presentedtoherbyherbrother,andshelookedsoprettyinthiscostumethattheDukeandCourt(puttingoutofthequestiontheMajor,whohadscarcelyeverseenherbeforeinaneveningdress,andvowedthatshedidnotlookfive-and-twenty)alladmiredherexcessively.
InthisdressshewalkedaPolonaisewithMajorDobbinataCourtball,inwhicheasydanceMr.JoshadthehonourofleadingouttheCountessofSchlusselback,anoldladywithahumpback,butwithsixteengoodquartersofnobilityandrelatedtohalftheroyalhousesofGermany.
Pumpernickelstandsinthemidstofahappyvalleythroughwhichsparkles—tominglewiththeRhinesomewhere,butIhavenotthemapathandtosayexactlyatwhatpoint—thefertilizingstreamofthePump.
Insomeplacestheriverisbigenoughtosupportaferry-boat,inotherstoturnamill;inPumpernickelitself,thelastTransparencybutthree,thegreatandrenownedVictorAureliusXIVbuiltamagnificentbridge,onwhichhisownstatuerises,surroundedbywater-nymphsandemblemsofvictory,peace,andplenty;hehashisfootontheneckofaprostrateTurk—historysaysheengagedandranaJanissarythroughthebodyatthereliefofViennabySobieski—but,quiteundisturbedbytheagoniesofthatprostrateMahometan,whowrithesathisfeetinthemostghastlymanner,thePrincesmilesblandlyandpointswithhistruncheoninthedirectionoftheAureliusPlatz,wherehebegantoerectanewpalacethatwouldhavebeenthewonderofhisagehadthegreat-souledPrincebuthadfundstocompleteit.
ButthecompletionofMonplaisir(MonblaisirthehonestGermanfolkscallit)wasstoppedforlackofreadymoney,anditanditsparkandgardenarenowinratherafadedcondition,andnotmorethantentimesbigenoughtoaccommodatetheCourtofthereigningSovereign.
ThegardenswerearrangedtoemulatethoseofVersailles,andamidsttheterracesandgrovestherearesomehugeallegoricalwaterworksstill,whichspoutandfrothstupendouslyuponfete-days,andfrightenonewiththeirenormousaquaticinsurrections.
ThereistheTrophonius’caveinwhich,bysomeartifice,theleadenTritonsaremadenotonlytospoutwater,buttoplaythemostdreadfulgroansoutoftheirleadconchs—thereisthenymphbathandtheNiagaracataract,whichthepeopleoftheneighbourhoodadmirebeyondexpression,whentheycometotheyearlyfairattheopeningoftheChamber,ortothefeteswithwhichthehappylittlenationstillcelebratesthebirthdaysandmarriage-daysofitsprincelygovernors.
ThenfromallthetownsoftheDuchy,whichstretchesfornearlytenmile—fromBolkum,whichliesonitswesternfrontierbiddingdefiancetoPrussia,fromGrogwitz,wherethePrincehasahunting-lodge,andwherehisdominionsareseparatedbythePumpRiverfromthoseoftheneighbouringPrinceofPotzenthal;fromallthelittlevillages,whichbesidesthesethreegreatcities,dotoverthehappyprincipality—fromthefarmsandthemillsalongthePumpcometroopsofpeopleinredpetticoatsandvelvethead-dresses,orwiththree-corneredhatsandpipesintheirmouths,whoflocktotheResidenzandshareinthepleasuresofthefairandthefestivitiesthere.
Thenthetheatreisopenfornothing,thenthewatersofMonblaisirbegintoplay(itisluckythatthereiscompanytobeholdthem,foronewouldbeafraidtoseethemalone)—thentherecomemountebanksandridingtroops(thewayinwhichhisTransparencywasfascinatedbyoneofthehorse-ridersiswellknown,anditisbelievedthatLaPetiteVivandiere,asshewascalled,wasaspyintheFrenchinterest),andthedelightedpeoplearepermittedtomarchthroughroomafterroomoftheGrandDucalpalaceandadmiretheslipperyfloor,therichhangings,andthespittoonsatthedoorsofalltheinnumerablechambers.
ThereisonePavilionatMonblaisirwhichAureliusVictorXVhadarranged—agreatPrincebuttoofondofpleasure—andwhichIamtoldisaperfectwonderoflicentiouselegance.
ItispaintedwiththestoryofBacchusandAriadne,andthetableworksinandoutoftheroombymeansofawindlass,sothatthecompanywasservedwithoutanyinterventionofdomestics.
ButtheplacewasshutupbyBarbara,AureliusXV’swidow,asevereanddevoutPrincessoftheHouseofBolkumandRegentoftheDuchyduringherson’sgloriousminority,andafterthedeathofherhusband,cutoffintheprideofhispleasures.
ThetheatreofPumpernickelisknownandfamousinthatquarterofGermany.
ItlanguishedalittlewhenthepresentDukeinhisyouthinsisteduponhavinghisownoperasplayedthere,anditissaidoneday,inafury,fromhisplaceintheorchestra,whenheattendedarehearsal,brokeabassoonontheheadoftheChapelMaster,whowasconducting,andledtooslow;andduringwhichtimetheDuchessSophiawrotedomesticcomedies,whichmusthavebeenverydrearytowitness.
ButthePrinceexecuteshismusicinprivatenow,andtheDuchessonlygivesawayherplaystotheforeignersofdistinctionwhovisitherkindlittleCourt.
Itisconductedwithnosmallcomfortandsplendour.
Whenthereareballs,thoughtheremaybefourhundredpeopleatsupper,thereisaservantinscarletandlacetoattenduponeveryfour,andeveryoneisservedonsilver.
Therearefestivalsandentertainmentsgoingcontinuallyon,andtheDukehashischamberlainsandequerries,andtheDuchesshermistressofthewardrobeandladiesofhonour,justlikeanyotherandmorepotentpotentates.
TheConstitutionisorwasamoderatedespotism,temperedbyaChamberthatmightormightnotbeelected.
InevercertainlycouldhearofitssittinginmytimeatPumpernickel.
ThePrimeMinisterhadlodgingsinasecondfloor,andtheForeignSecretaryoccupiedthecomfortablelodgingsoverZwieback’sConditorey.
Thearmyconsistedofamagnificentbandthatalsodiddutyonthestage,whereitwasquitepleasanttoseetheworthyfellowsmarchinginTurkishdresseswithrougeonandwoodenscimitars,orasRomanwarriorswithophicleidesandtrombones—toseethemagain,Isay,atnight,afteronehadlistenedtothemallthemorningintheAureliusPlatz,wheretheyperformedoppositethecafewherewebreakfasted.
Besidestheband,therewasarichandnumerousstaffofofficers,and,Ibelieve,afewmen.
Besidestheregularsentries,threeorfourmen,habitedashussars,usedtododutyatthePalace,butIneversawthemonhorseback,andaufait,whatwastheuseofcavalryinatimeofprofoundpeace?
—andwhitherthedeuceshouldthehussarsride?
Everybody—everybodythatwasnobleofcourse,forasforthebourgeoiswecouldnotquitebeexpectedtotakenoticeofTHEM—visitedhisneighbour.
H.E.MadamedeBurstreceivedonceaweek,H.E.MadamedeSchnurrbarthadhernight—thetheatrewasopentwiceaweek,theCourtgraciouslyreceivedonce,sothataman’slifemightinfactbeaperfectroundofpleasureintheunpretendingPumpernickelway.
Thattherewerefeudsintheplace,noonecandeny.
PoliticsranveryhighatPumpernickel,andpartieswereverybitter.
TherewastheStrumpfffactionandtheLederlungparty,theonesupportedbyourenvoyandtheotherbytheFrenchCharged’Affaires,M.deMacabau.
IndeeditsufficedforourMinistertostandupforMadameStrumpff,whowasclearlythegreatersingerofthetwo,andhadthreemorenotesinhervoicethanMadameLederlungherrival—itsufficed,Isay,forourMinistertoadvanceanyopiniontohaveitinstantlycontradictedbytheFrenchdiplomatist.
Everybodyinthetownwasrangedinoneorotherofthesefactions.
TheLederlungwasaprettyishlittlecreaturecertainly,andhervoice(whattherewasofit)wasverysweet,andthereisnodoubtthattheStrumpffwasnotinherfirstyouthandbeauty,andcertainlytoostout;whenshecameoninthelastsceneoftheSonnambula,forinstance,inhernight-chemisewithalampinherhand,andhadtogooutofthewindow,andpassovertheplankofthemill,itwasallshecoulddotosqueezeoutofthewindow,andtheplankusedtobendandcreakagainunderherweight—buthowshepouredoutthefinaleoftheopera!
andwithwhataburstoffeelingsherushedintoElvino’sarms—almostfittosmotherhim!
WhereasthelittleLederlung—butatrucetothisgossip—thefactisthatthesetwowomenwerethetwoflagsoftheFrenchandtheEnglishpartyatPumpernickel,andthesocietywasdividedinitsallegiancetothosetwogreatnations.
WehadonoursidetheHomeMinister,theMasteroftheHorse,theDuke’sPrivateSecretary,andthePrince’sTutor;whereasoftheFrenchpartyweretheForeignMinister,theCommander-in-Chief’sLady,whohadservedunderNapoleon,andtheHof-Marschallandhiswife,whowasgladenoughtogetthefashionsfromPans,andalwayshadthemandhercapsbyM.deMacabau’scourier.
TheSecretaryofhisChancerywaslittleGrignac,ayoungfellow,asmaliciousasSatan,andwhomadecaricaturesofTapeworminallthe-albumsoftheplace.
Theirheadquartersandtabled’hotewereestablishedatthePariserHof,theotherinnofthetown;andthough,ofcourse,thesegentlemenwereobligedtobecivilinpublic,yettheycutateachotherwithepigramsthatwereassharpasrazors,asIhaveseenacoupleofwrestlersinDevonshire,lashingateachother’sshinsandnevershowingtheiragonyuponamuscleoftheirfaces.
NeitherTapewormnorMacabaueversenthomeadispatchtohisgovernmentwithoutamostsavageseriesofattacksuponhisrival.
Forinstance,onoursidewewouldwrite,“TheinterestsofGreatBritaininthisplace,andthroughoutthewholeofGermany,areperilledbythecontinuanceinofficeofthepresentFrenchenvoy;thismanisofacharactersoinfamousthathewillstickatnofalsehood,orhesitateatnocrime,toattainhisends.
HepoisonsthemindoftheCourtagainsttheEnglishminister,representstheconductofGreatBritaininthemostodiousandatrociouslight,andisunhappilybackedbyaministerwhoseignoranceandnecessitiesareasnotoriousashisinfluenceisfatal.”
Ontheirsidetheywouldsay,“M.deTapewormcontinueshissystemofstupidinsulararroganceandvulgarfalsehoodagainstthegreatestnationintheworld.
YesterdayhewasheardtospeaklightlyofHerRoyalHighnessMadametheDuchessofBerri;onaformeroccasionheinsultedtheheroicDukeofAngoulemeanddaredtoinsinuatethatH.R.H.theDukeofOrleanswasconspiringagainsttheaugustthroneofthelilies.
Hisgoldisprodigatedineverydirectionwhichhisstupidmenacesfailtofrighten.
Byoneandtheother,hehaswonovercreaturesoftheCourthere—and,infine,Pumpernickelwillnotbequiet,Germanytranquil,Francerespected,orEuropecontentuntilthispoisonousviperbecrushedunderheel”:andsoon.
Whenonesideortheotherhadwrittenanyparticularlyspicydispatch,newsofitwassuretoslipout.
Beforethewinterwasfaradvanced,itisactuallyonrecordthatEmmytookanightandreceivedcompanywithgreatproprietyandmodesty.
ShehadaFrenchmaster,whocomplimentedheruponthepurityofheraccentandherfacilityoflearning;thefactisshehadlearnedlongagoandgroundedherselfsubsequentlyinthegrammarsoastobeabletoteachittoGeorge;andMadamStrumpffcametogiveherlessonsinsinging,whichsheperformedsowellandwithsuchatruevoicethattheMajor’swindows,whohadlodgingsoppositeunderthePrimeMinister,werealwaysopentohearthelesson.
SomeoftheGermanladies,whoareverysentimentalandsimpleintheirtastes,fellinlovewithherandbegantocallherduatonce.
Thesearetrivialdetails,buttheyrelatetohappytimes.
TheMajormadehimselfGeorge’stutorandreadCaesarandmathematicswithhim,andtheyhadaGermanmasterandrodeoutofeveningsbythesideofEmmy’scarriage—shewasalwaystootimid,andmadeadreadfuloutcryattheslightestdisturbanceonhorse-back.
SoshedroveaboutwithoneofherdearGermanfriends,andJosasleepontheback-seatofthebarouche.
HewasbecomingverysweetupontheGrafinnFannydeButterbrod,averygentletender-heartedandunassumingyoungcreature,aCanonessandCountessinherownright,butwithscarcelytenpoundsperyeartoherfortune,andFannyforherpartdeclaredthattobeAmelia’ssisterwasthegreatestdelightthatHeavencouldbestowonher,andJosmighthaveputaCountess’sshieldandcoronetbythesideofhisownarmsonhiscarriageandforks;when—wheneventsoccurred,andthosegrandfetesgivenuponthemarriageoftheHereditaryPrinceofPumpernickelwiththelovelyPrincessAmeliaofHumbourg-Schlippenschloppentookplace.
AtthisfestivalthemagnificencedisplayedwassuchashadnotbeenknowninthelittleGermanplacesincethedaysoftheprodigalVictorXIV.
AlltheneighbouringPrinces,Princesses,andGrandeeswereinvitedtothefeast.
BedsrosetohalfacrownpernightinPumpernickel,andtheArmywasexhaustedinprovidingguardsofhonourfortheHighnesses,Serenities,andExcellencieswhoarrivedfromallquarters.
ThePrincesswasmarriedbyproxy,atherfather’sresidence,bytheCountdeSchlusselback.
Snuff-boxesweregivenawayinprofusion(aswelearnedfromtheCourtjeweller,whosoldandafterwardsboughtthemagain),andbushelsoftheOrderofSaintMichaelofPumpernickelweresenttothenoblesoftheCourt,whilehampersofthecordonsanddecorationsoftheWheelofSt.CatherineofSchlippenschloppenwerebroughttoours.TheFrenchenvoygotboth.
“Heiscoveredwithribbonslikeaprizecart-horse,”Tapewormsaid,whowasnotallowedbytherulesofhisservicetotakeanydecorations:“Lethimhavethecordons;butwithwhomisthevictory?”
Thefactis,itwasatriumphofBritishdiplomacy,theFrenchpartyhavingproposedandtriedtheirutmosttocarryamarriagewithaPrincessoftheHouseofPotztausend-Donnerwetter,whom,asamatterofcourse,weopposed.
Everybodywasaskedtothefetesofthemarriage.
Garlandsandtriumphalarcheswerehungacrosstheroadtowelcometheyoungbride.
ThegreatSaintMichael’sFountainranwithuncommonlysourwine,whilethatintheArtilleryPlacefrothedwithbeer.
Thegreatwatersplayed;andpoleswereputupintheparkandgardensforthehappypeasantry,whichtheymightclimbattheirleisure,carryingoffwatches,silverforks,prizesausageshungwithpinkribbon,&c.,atthetop.
Georgygotone,wrenchingitoff,havingswarmedupthepoletothedelightofthespectators,andslidingdownwiththerapidityofafallofwater.Butitwasfortheglory’ssakemerely.
Theboygavethesausagetoapeasant,whohadverynearlyseizedit,andstoodatthefootofthemast,blubbering,becausehewasunsuccessful.
AttheFrenchChancellerietheyhadsixmorelampionsintheirilluminationthanourshad;butourtransparency,whichrepresentedtheyoungCoupleadvancingandDiscordflyingaway,withthemostludicrouslikenesstotheFrenchAmbassador,beattheFrenchpicturehollow;andIhavenodoubtgotTapewormtheadvancementandtheCrossoftheBathwhichhesubsequentlyattained.
Crowdsofforeignersarrivedforthefetes,andofEnglish,ofcourse.
BesidestheCourtballs,publicballsweregivenattheTownHallandtheRedoute,andintheformerplacetherewasaroomfortrente-et-quaranteandrouletteestablished,fortheweekofthefestivitiesonly,andbyoneofthegreatGermancompaniesfromEmsorAix-la-Chapelle.
Theofficersorinhabitantsofthetownwerenotallowedtoplayatthesegames,butstrangers,peasants,ladieswereadmitted,andanyonewhochosetoloseorwinmoney.
ThatlittlescapegraceGeorgyOsborneamongstothers,whosepocketswerealwaysfullofdollarsandwhoserelationswereawayatthegrandfestivaloftheCourt,cametotheStadthausBallincompanyofhisuncle’scourier,Mr.Kirsch,andhavingonlypeepedintoaplay-roomatBaden-BadenwhenhehungonDobbin’sarm,andwhere,ofcourse,hewasnotpermittedtogamble,cameeagerlytothispartoftheentertainmentandhankeredroundthetableswherethecroupiersandthepunterswereatwork.
Womenwereplaying;theyweremasked,someofthem;thislicensewasallowedinthesewildtimesofcarnival.
Awomanwithlighthair,inalowdressbynomeanssofreshasithadbeen,andwithablackmaskon,throughtheeyeletsofwhichhereyestwinkledstrangely,wasseatedatoneoftheroulette-tableswithacardandapinandacoupleofflorinsbeforeher.
Asthecroupiercalledoutthecolourandnumber,sheprickedonthecardwithgreatcareandregularity,andonlyventuredhermoneyonthecoloursaftertheredorblackhadcomeupacertainnumberoftimes.Itwasstrangetolookather.
Butinspiteofhercareandassiduitysheguessedwrongandthelasttwoflorinsfollowedeachotherunderthecroupier’srake,ashecriedoutwithhisinexorablevoicethewinningcolourandnumber.
Shegaveasigh,ashrugwithhershoulders,whichwerealreadytoomuchoutofhergown,anddashingthepinthroughthecardontothetable,satthrummingitforawhile.
ThenshelookedroundherandsawGeorgy’shonestfacestaringatthescene.Thelittlescamp!Whatbusinesshadhetobethere?
Whenshesawtheboy,atwhosefaceshelookedhardthroughhershiningeyesandmask,shesaid,“Monsieurn’estpasjoueur?”
“Non,Madame,”saidtheboy;butshemusthaveknown,fromhisaccent,ofwhatcountryhewas,forsheansweredhimwithaslightforeigntone.“Youhavenevareplayed—willyoudomealittl’favor?”
“Whatisit?”saidGeorgy,blushingagain.Mr.Kirschwasatworkforhispartattherougeetnoiranddidnotseehisyoungmaster.
“Playthisforme,ifyouplease;putitonanynumber,anynumber.”
Andshetookfromherbosomapurse,andoutofitagoldpiece,theonlycointhere,andsheputitintoGeorge’shand.Theboylaughedanddidashewasbid.
Thenumbercameupsureenough.Thereisapowerthatarrangesthat,theysay,forbeginners.
“Thankyou,”saidshe,pullingthemoneytowardsher,“thankyou.Whatisyourname?”
“Myname’sOsborne,”saidGeorgy,andwasfingeringinhisownpocketsfordollars,andjustabouttomakeatrial,whentheMajor,inhisuniform,andJos,enMarquis,fromtheCourtball,madetheirappearance.
Otherpeople,findingtheentertainmentstupidandpreferringthefunattheStadthaus,hadquittedthePalaceballearlier;butitisprobabletheMajorandJoshadgonehomeandfoundtheboy’sabsence,fortheformerinstantlywentuptohimand,takinghimbytheshoulder,pulledhimbrisklybackfromtheplaceoftemptation.
Then,lookingroundtheroom,hesawKirschemployedaswehavesaid,andgoinguptohim,askedhowhedaredtobringMr.Georgetosuchaplace.
“Laissez-moitranquille,”saidMr.Kirsch,verymuchexcitedbyplayandwine.“llfauts’amuser,parbleu.JenesuispasauservicedeMonsieur.”
SeeinghisconditiontheMajordidnotchoosetoarguewiththeman,butcontentedhimselfwithdrawingawayGeorgeandaskingJosifhewouldcomeaway.
Hewasstandingclosebytheladyinthemask,whowasplayingwithprettygoodlucknow,andlookingonmuchinterestedatthegame.
“Hadn’tyoubettercome,Jos,”theMajorsaid,“withGeorgeandme?”
“I’llstopandgohomewiththatrascal,Kirsch,”Jossaid;andforthesamereasonofmodesty,whichhethoughtoughttobepreservedbeforetheboy,DobbindidnotcaretoremonstratewithJos,butlefthimandwalkedhomewithGeorgy.
“Didyouplay?”askedtheMajorwhentheywereoutandontheirwayhome.
Theboysaid“No.”
“Givemeyourwordofhonourasagentlemanthatyouneverwill.”
“Why?”saidtheboy;“itseemsverygoodfun.”
And,inaveryeloquentandimpressivemanner,theMajorshowedhimwhyheshouldn’t,andwouldhaveenforcedhispreceptsbytheexampleofGeorgy’sownfather,hadhelikedtosayanythingthatshouldreflectontheother’smemory.
Whenhehadhousedhim,hewenttobedandsawhislight,inthelittleroomoutsideofAmelia’s,presentlydisappear.
Amelia’sfollowedhalfanhourafterwards.
Idon’tknowwhatmadetheMajornoteitsoaccurately.
Jos,however,remainedbehindovertheplay-table;hewasnogambler,butnotaversetothelittleexcitementofthesportnowandthen,andhehadsomeNapoleonschinkingintheembroideredpocketsofhiscourtwaistcoat.
Heputdownoneoverthefairshoulderofthelittlegamblerbeforehim,andtheywon.
Shemadealittlemovementtomakeroomforhimbyherside,andjusttooktheskirtofhergownfromavacantchairthere.
“Comeandgivemegoodluck,”shesaid,stillinaforeignaccent,quitedifferentfromthatfrankandperfectlyEnglish“Thankyou,”withwhichshehadsalutedGeorgy’scoupinherfavour.
Theportlygentleman,lookingroundtoseethatnobodyofrankobservedhim,satdown;hemuttered—”Ah,really,wellnow,Godblessmysoul.
I’mveryfortunate;I’msuretogiveyougoodfortune,”andotherwordsofcomplimentandconfusion.“Doyouplaymuch?”theforeignmasksaid.
“IputaNaportwodown,”saidJoswithasuperbair,flingingdownagoldpiece.
“Yes;aynapafterdinner,”saidthemaskarchly.
ButJoslookingfrightened,shecontinued,inherprettyFrenchaccent,“Youdonotplaytowin.
NomoredoI.Iplaytoforget,butIcannot.Icannotforgetoldtimes,monsieur.
Yourlittlenephewistheimageofhisfather;andyou—youarenotchanged—butyes,youare.
Everybodychanges,everybodyforgets;nobodyhasanyheart.”
“GoodGod,whoisit?”askedJosinaflutter.
“Can’tyouguess,JosephSedley?”saidthelittlewomaninasadvoice,andundoinghermask,shelookedathim.“Youhaveforgottenme.”
“Goodheavens!Mrs.Crawley!”gaspedoutJos.
“Rebecca,”saidtheother,puttingherhandonhis;butshefollowedthegamestill,allthetimeshewaslookingathim.
“IamstoppingattheElephant,”shecontinued.“AskforMadamedeRaudon.
IsawmydearAmeliato-day;howprettyshelooked,andhowhappy!Sodoyou!
Everybodybutme,whoamwretched,JosephSedley.”
Andsheputhermoneyoverfromtheredtotheblack,asifbyachancemovementofherhand,andwhileshewaswipinghereyeswithapocket-handkerchieffringedwithtornlace.
Theredcameupagain,andshelostthewholeofthatstake.“Comeaway,”shesaid.“Comewithmealittle—weareoldfriends,arewenot,dearMr.Sedley?”
AndMr.Kirschhavinglostallhismoneybythistime,followedhismasteroutintothemoonlight,wheretheilluminationswerewinkingoutandthetransparencyoverourmissionwasscarcelyvisible.
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