TherearethingswedoandknowperfectlywellinVanityFair,thoughweneverspeakofthem:astheAhrimaniansworshipthedevil,butdon’tmentionhim:andapolitepublicwillnomorebeartoreadanauthenticdescriptionofvicethanatrulyrefinedEnglishorAmericanfemalewillpermitthewordbreechestobepronouncedinherchastehearing.
Itisonlywhentheirnaughtynamesarecalledoutthatyourmodestyhasanyoccasiontoshowalarmorsenseofoutrage,andithasbeenthewishofthepresentwriter,allthroughthisstory,deferentiallytosubmittothefashionatpresentprevailing,andonlytohintattheexistenceofwickednessinalight,easy,andagreeablemanner,sothatnobody’sfinefeelingsmaybeoffended.
IdefyanyonetosaythatourBecky,whohascertainlysomevices,hasnotbeenpresentedtothepublicinaperfectlygenteelandinoffensivemanner.
IndescribingthisSiren,singingandsmiling,coaxingandcajoling,theauthor,withmodestpride,askshisreadersallround,hasheonceforgottenthelawsofpoliteness,andshowedthemonster’shideoustailabovewater?No!
Thosewholikemaypeepdownunderwavesthatareprettytransparentandseeitwrithingandtwirling,diabolicallyhideousandslimy,flappingamongstbones,orcurlingroundcorpses;butabovethewaterline,Iask,hasnoteverythingbeenproper,agreeable,anddecorous,andhasanythemostsqueamishimmoralistinVanityFairarighttocryfie?
When,however,theSirendisappearsanddivesbelow,downamongthedeadmen,thewaterofcoursegrowsturbidoverher,anditislabourlosttolookintoiteversocuriously.
Theylookprettyenoughwhentheysituponarock,twangingtheirharpsandcombingtheirhair,andsing,andbeckontoyoutocomeandholdthelooking-glass;butwhentheysinkintotheirnativeelement,dependonit,thosemermaidsareaboutnogood,andwehadbestnotexaminethefiendishmarinecannibals,revellingandfeastingontheirwretchedpickledvictims.
Andso,whenBeckyisoutoftheway,besurethatsheisnotparticularlywellemployed,andthatthelessthatissaidaboutherdoingsisinfactthebetter.
IfweweretogiveafullaccountofherproceedingsduringacoupleofyearsthatfollowedaftertheCurzonStreetcatastrophe,theremightbesomereasonforpeopletosaythisbookwasimproper.
Theactionsofveryvain,heartless,pleasure-seekingpeopleareveryoftenimproper(asaremanyofyours,myfriendwiththegravefaceandspotlessreputation—butthatismerelybytheway);andwhatarethoseofawomanwithoutfaith—orlove—orcharacter?
AndIaminclinedtothinkthattherewasaperiodinMrsBecky’slifewhenshewasseized,notbyremorse,butbyakindofdespair,andabsolutelyneglectedherpersonanddidnotevencareforherreputation.
Thisabattementanddegradationdidnottakeplaceallatonce;itwasbroughtaboutbydegrees,afterhercalamity,andaftermanystrugglestokeepup—asamanwhogoesoverboardhangsontoasparwhilstanyhopeisleft,andthenflingsitawayandgoesdown,whenhefindsthatstrugglingisinvain.
ShelingeredaboutLondonwhilstherhusbandwasmakingpreparationsforhisdeparturetohisseatofgovernment,anditisbelievedmademorethanoneattempttoseeherbrother-in-law,SirPittCrawley,andtoworkuponhisfeelings,whichshehadalmostenlistedinherfavour.
AsSirPittandMr.WenhamwerewalkingdowntotheHouseofCommons,thelatterspiedMrs.Rawdoninablackveil,andlurkingnearthepalaceofthelegislature.
ProbablyLadyJaneinterposed.Ihaveheardthatshequiteastonishedherhusbandbythespiritwhichsheexhibitedinthisquarrel,andherdeterminationtodisownMrs.Becky.
Ofherownmovement,sheinvitedRawdontocomeandstopinGauntStreetuntilhisdepartureforCoventryIsland,knowingthatwithhimforaguardMrs.Beckywouldnottrytoforceherdoor;andshelookedcuriouslyatthesuperscriptionsofalltheletterswhicharrivedforSirPitt,lestheandhissister-in-lawshouldbecorresponding.
NotbutthatRebeccacouldhavewrittenhadsheamind,butshedidnottrytoseeortowritetoPittathisownhouse,andafteroneortwoattemptsconsentedtohisdemandthatthecorrespondenceregardingherconjugaldifferencesshouldbecarriedonbylawyersonly.
AshorttimeafterLordSteyne’saccidentWenhamhadbeenwiththeBaronetandgivenhimsuchabiographyofMrs.BeckyashadastonishedthememberforQueen’sCrawley.
Hekneweverythingregardingher:whoherfatherwas;inwhatyearhermotherdancedattheopera;whathadbeenherprevioushistory;andwhatherconductduringhermarriedlife—asIhavenodoubtthatthegreaterpartofthestorywasfalseanddictatedbyinterestedmalevolence,itshallnotberepeatedhere.
ButBeckywasleftwithasadsadreputationintheesteemofacountrygentlemanandrelativewhohadbeenonceratherpartialtoher.
ApartofthemweresetasidebyhisExcellencyforthepaymentofcertainoutstandingdebtsandliabilities,thechargesincidentonhishighsituationrequiredconsiderableexpense;finally,itwasfoundthathecouldnotsparetohiswifemorethanthreehundredpoundsayear,whichheproposedtopaytoheronanundertakingthatshewouldnevertroublehim.
ButitwasMr.Wenham’sbusiness,LordSteyne’sbusiness,Rawdon’s,everybody’s—togetheroutofthecountry,andhushupamostdisagreeableaffair.
Shewasprobablysomuchoccupiedinarrangingtheseaffairsofbusinesswithherhusband’slawyersthatsheforgottotakeanystepwhateveraboutherson,thelittleRawdon,anddidnotevenonceproposetogoandseehim.
Thatyounggentlemanwasconsignedtotheentireguardianshipofhisauntanduncle,theformerofwhomhadalwayspossessedagreatshareofthechild’saffection.
HismammawrotehimaneatletterfromBoulogne,whenshequittedEngland,inwhichsherequestedhimtomindhisbook,andsaidshewasgoingtotakeaContinentaltour,duringwhichshewouldhavethepleasureofwritingtohimagain.
Butsheneverdidforayearafterwards,andnot,indeed,untilSirPitt’sonlyboy,alwayssickly,diedofhooping-coughandmeasles—thenRawdon’smammawrotethemostaffectionatecompositiontoherdarlingson,whowasmadeheirofQueen’sCrawleybythisaccident,anddrawnmorecloselythanevertothekindlady,whosetenderhearthadalreadyadoptedhim.
RawdonCrawley,thengrownatall,finelad,blushedwhenhegottheletter.“Oh,AuntJane,youaremymother!”hesaid;“andnot—andnotthatone.”
ButhewrotebackakindandrespectfullettertoMrs.Rebecca,thenlivingataboarding-houseatFlorence.Butweareadvancingmatters.
SheperchedupontheFrenchcoastatBoulogne,thatrefugeofsomuchexiledEnglishinnocence,andtherelivedinratheragenteel,widowedmanner,withafemmedechambreandacoupleofrooms,atanhotel.
Shedinedatthetabled’hote,wherepeoplethoughtherverypleasant,andwheresheentertainedherneighboursbystoriesofherbrother,SirPitt,andhergreatLondonacquaintance,talkingthateasy,fashionableslip-slopwhichhassomucheffectuponcertainfolksofsmallbreeding.
Shepassedwithmanyofthemforapersonofimportance;shegavelittletea-partiesinherprivateroomandsharedintheinnocentamusementsoftheplaceinsea-bathing,andinjauntsinopencarriages,instrollsonthesands,andinvisitstotheplay.
Mrs.Burjoice,theprinter’slady,whowasboardingwithherfamilyatthehotelforthesummer,andtowhomherBurjoicecameofaSaturdayandSunday,votedhercharming,untilthatlittlerogueofaBurjoicebegantopayhertoomuchattention.
Buttherewasnothinginthestory,onlythatBeckywasalwaysaffable,easy,andgood-natured—andwithmenespecially.
Numbersofpeopleweregoingabroadasusualattheendoftheseason,andBeckyhadplentyofopportunitiesoffindingoutbythebehaviourofheracquaintancesofthegreatLondonworldtheopinionof“society”asregardedherconduct.
OnedayitwasLadyPartletandherdaughterswhomBeckyconfrontedasshewaswalkingmodestlyonBoulognepier,thecliffsofAlbionshininginthedistanceacrossthedeepbluesea.
LadyPartletmarshalledallherdaughtersroundherwithasweepofherparasolandretreatedfromthepier,dartingsavageglancesatpoorlittleBeckywhostoodalonethere.
Onanotherdaythepacketcamein.Ithadbeenblowingfresh,anditalwayssuitedBecky’shumourtoseethedrollwoe-begonefacesofthepeopleastheyemergedfromtheboat.
Herladyshiphadbeenexceedinglyillinhercarriage,andwasgreatlyexhaustedandscarcelyfittowalkuptheplankfromtheshiptothepier.
ButallherenergiesralliedtheinstantshesawBeckysmilingroguishlyunderapinkbonnet,andgivingheraglanceofscornsuchaswouldhaveshrivelledupmostwomen,shewalkedintotheCustomHousequiteunsupported.
LittleBobSuckling,whowascapinhandtoherthreemonthsbefore,andwouldwalkamileintheraintoseeforhercarriageinthelineatGauntHouse,wastalkingtoFitzoofoftheGuards(LordHeehaw’sson)onedayuponthejetty,asBeckytookherwalkthere.
LittleBobbynoddedtoheroverhisshoulder,withoutmovinghishat,andcontinuedhisconversationwiththeheirofHeehaw.
TomRaikestriedtowalkintohersitting-roomattheinnwithacigarinhismouth,butsheclosedthedooruponhim,andwouldhavelockedit,onlythathisfingerswereinside.
Shethoughtabout“him”withgreatsadnessandperhapslonging—abouthishonest,stupid,constantkindnessandfidelity;hisnever-ceasingobedience;hisgoodhumour;hisbraveryandcourage.
Verylikelyshecried,forshewasparticularlylively,andhadputonalittleextrarouge,whenshecamedowntodinner.
ThepartywereprotectedbyColonelHorner,youngBeaumoris,andofcourseoldCrackenbury,andMrs.White’slittlegirl.THEYdidnotavoidher.
Theygiggled,cackled,tattled,condoled,consoled,andpatronizedheruntiltheydroveheralmostwildwithrage.TobepatronizedbyTHEM!
ItwasafterthisvisitthatBecky,whohadpaidherweeklybills,Beckywhohadmadeherselfagreeabletoeverybodyinthehouse,whosmiledatthelandlady,calledthewaiters“monsieur,”andpaidthechambermaidsinpolitenessandapologies,whatfarmorethancompensatedforalittleniggardlinessinpointofmoney(ofwhichBeckyneverwasfree),thatBecky,wesay,receivedanoticetoquitfromthelandlord,whohadbeentoldbysomeonethatshewasquiteanunfitpersontohaveathishotel,whereEnglishladieswouldnotsitdownwithher.
Shetookupthecauseofthewidowsoftheshipwreckedfishermen,andgaveworkanddrawingsfortheQuashybooMission;shesubscribedtotheAssemblyandWOULDN’Twaltz.
Inaword,shedideverythingthatwasrespectable,andthatiswhywedwelluponthispartofhercareerwithmorefondnessthanuponsubsequentpartsofherhistory,whicharenotsopleasant.
Shesawpeopleavoidingher,andstilllaboriouslysmileduponthem;younevercouldsupposefromhercountenancewhatpangsofhumiliationshemightbeenduringinwardly.
Somepeoplewhotookthetroubletobusythemselvesinthemattersaidthatshewasthecriminal,whilstothersvowedthatshewasasinnocentasalambandthatherodioushusbandwasinfault.
Shewonoveragoodmanybyburstingintotearsaboutherboyandexhibitingthemostfranticgriefwhenhisnamewasmentioned,orshesawanybodylikehim.
ShegainedgoodMrs.Alderney’sheartinthatway,whowasrathertheQueenofBritishBoulogneandgavethemostdinnersandballsofalltheresidentsthere,byweepingwhenMasterAlderneycamefromDr.Swishtail’sacademytopasshisholidayswithhismother.
“HeandherRawdonwereofthesameage,andsolike,”Beckysaidinavoicechokingwithagony;whereastherewasfiveyears’differencebetweentheboys’ages,andnomorelikenessbetweenthemthanbetweenmyrespectedreaderandhishumbleservant.
Wenham,whenhewasgoingabroad,onhiswaytoKissingentojoinLordSteyne,enlightenedMrs.AlderneyonthispointandtoldherhowhewasmuchmoreabletodescribelittleRawdonthanhismamma,whonotoriouslyhatedhimandneversawhim;howhewasthirteenyearsold,whilelittleAlderneywasbutnine,fair,whiletheotherdarlingwasdark—inaword,causedtheladyinquestiontorepentofhergoodhumour.
WheneverBeckymadealittlecircleforherselfwithincredibletoilsandlabour,somebodycameandsweptitdownrudely,andshehadallherworktobeginoveragain.
TherewasMrs.Newbright,whotookherupforsometime,attractedbythesweetnessofhersingingatchurchandbyherproperviewsuponserioussubjects,concerningwhichinformerdays,atQueen’sCrawley,Mrs.Beckyhadhadagooddealofinstruction.
SheworkedflannelpetticoatsfortheQuashyboos—cottonnight-capsfortheCocoanutIndians—paintedhandscreensfortheconversionofthePopeandtheJews—satunderMr.RowlsonWednesdays,Mr.HuggletononThursdays,attendedtwoSundayservicesatchurch,besidesMr.Bawler,theDarbyite,intheevening,andallinvain.
Mrs.NewbrighthadoccasiontocorrespondwiththeCountessofSouthdownabouttheWarmingpanFundfortheFijiIslanders(forthemanagementofwhichadmirablecharityboththeseladiesformedpartofafemalecommittee),andhavingmentionedher“sweetfriend,”Mrs.RawdonCrawley,theDowagerCountesswrotebacksuchaletterregardingBecky,withsuchparticulars,hints,facts,falsehoods,andgeneralcomminations,thatintimacybetweenMrs.NewbrightandMrs.Crawleyceasedforthwith,andalltheseriousworldofTours,wherethismisfortunetookplace,immediatelypartedcompanywiththereprobate.
ThosewhoknowtheEnglishColoniesabroadknowthatwecarrywithususourpride,pills,prejudices,Harvey-sauces,cayenne-peppers,andotherLares,makingalittleBritainwhereverwesettledown.
Mrs.HookEaglestookherupatoneoftheseplaces—awomanwithoutablemishinhercharacterandahouseinPortmanSquare.
ShewasstayingatthehotelatDieppe,whitherBeckyfled,andtheymadeeachother’sacquaintancefirstatsea,wheretheywereswimmingtogether,andsubsequentlyatthetabled’hoteofthehotel.
—someofthescandaloftheSteyneaffair;butafteraconversationwithBecky,shepronouncedthatMrs.Crawleywasanangel,herhusbandaruffian,LordSteyneanunprincipledwretch,aseverybodyknew,andthewholecaseagainstMrs.CrawleyaninfamousandwickedconspiracyofthatrascalWenham.
“Ifyouwereamanofanyspirit,Mr.Eagles,youwouldboxthewretch’searsthenexttimeyouseehimattheClub,”shesaidtoherhusband.
ButEagleswasonlyaquietoldgentleman,husbandtoMrs.Eagles,withatasteforgeology,andnottallenoughtoreachanybody’sears.
TheEaglesthenpatronizedMrs.Rawdon,tookhertolivewithheratherownhouseatParis,quarrelledwiththeambassador’swifebecauseshewouldnotreceiveherprotegee,anddidallthatlayinwoman’spowertokeepBeckystraightinthepathsofvirtueandgoodrepute.
Beckywasveryrespectableandorderlyatfirst,butthelifeofhumdrumvirtuegrewutterlytedioustoherbeforelong.
Itwasthesameroutineeveryday,thesamedulnessandcomfort,thesamedriveoverthesamestupidBoisdeBoulogne,thesamecompanyofanevening,thesameBlair’sSermonofaSundaynight—thesameoperaalwaysbeingactedoverandoveragain;Beckywasdyingofweariness,when,luckilyforher,youngMr.EaglescamefromCambridge,andhismother,seeingtheimpressionwhichherlittlefriendmadeuponhim,straightwaygaveBeckywarning.
Thenshedetermineduponaboarding-houseexistenceandlivedforsometimeatthatfamousmansionkeptbyMadamedeSaintAmour,intheRueRoyale,atParis,whereshebeganexercisinghergracesandfascinationsupontheshabbydandiesandfly-blownbeautieswhofrequentedherlandlady’ssalons.
Beckylovedsocietyand,indeed,couldnomoreexistwithoutitthananopium-eaterwithouthisdram,andshewashappyenoughattheperiodofherboarding-houselife.
“ThewomenhereareasamusingasthoseinMayFair,”shetoldanoldLondonfriendwhomether,“only,theirdressesarenotquitesofresh.
Themistressofthehouseisalittlevulgar,butIdon’tthinksheissovulgarasLady———”andhereshenamedthenameofagreatleaderoffashionthatIwoulddieratherthanreveal.
Infact,whenyousawMadamedeSaintAmour’sroomslightedupofanight,menwithplaquesandcordonsattheecartetables,andthewomenatalittledistance,youmightfancyyourselfforawhileingoodsociety,andthatMadamewasarealCountess.
Butitisprobablethatheroldcreditorsof1815foundheroutandcausedhertoleaveParis,forthepoorlittlewomanwasforcedtoflyfromthecityrathersuddenly,andwentthencetoBrussels.
Howwellsherememberedtheplace!Shegrinnedasshelookedupatthelittleentresolwhichshehadoccupied,andthoughtoftheBareacresfamily,bawlingforhorsesandflight,astheircarriagestoodintheporte-cochereofthehotel.
ShewenttoWaterlooandtoLaeken,whereGeorgeOsborne’smonumentmuchstruckher.Shemadealittlesketchofit.“ThatpoorCupid!”
AtBrusselsBeckyarrived,recommendedbyMadamedeSaintAmourtoherfriend,MadamelaComtessedeBorodino,widowofNapoleon’sGeneral,thefamousCountdeBorodino,whowasleftwithnoresourcebythedeceasedherobutthatofatabled’hoteandanecartetable.
Second-ratedandiesandroues,widow-ladieswhoalwayshavealawsuit,andverysimpleEnglishfolks,whofancytheysee“Continentalsociety”atthesehouses,putdowntheirmoney,oratetheirmeals,atMadamedeBorodino’stables.
Thegallantyoungfellowstreatedthecompanyroundtochampagneatthetabled’hote,rodeoutwiththewomen,orhiredhorsesoncountryexcursions,clubbedmoneytotakeboxesattheplayortheopera,bettedoverthefairshouldersoftheladiesattheecartetables,andwrotehometotheirparentsinDevonshireabouttheirfelicitousintroductiontoforeignsociety.
Sheneverrefusedthechampagne,orthebouquets,orthedrivesintothecountry,ortheprivateboxes;butwhatshepreferredwastheecarteatnight,—andsheplayedaudaciously.
Firstsheplayedonlyforalittle,thenforfive-francpieces,thenforNapoleons,thenfornotes:thenshewouldnotbeabletopayhermonth’spension:thensheborrowedfromtheyounggentlemen:thenshegotintocashagainandbulliedMadamedeBorodino,whomshehadcoaxedandwheedledbefore:thenshewasplayingfortensousatatime,andinadirestateofpoverty:thenherquarter’sallowancewouldcomein,andshewouldpayoffMadamedeBorodino’sscoreandwouldoncemoretakethecardsagainstMonsieurdeRossignol,ortheChevalierdeRaff.
WhenBeckyleftBrussels,thesadtruthisthatsheowedthreemonths’pensiontoMadamedeBorodino,ofwhichfact,andofthegambling,andofthedrinking,andofthegoingdownonherkneestotheReverendMr.Muff,MinistreAnglican,andborrowingmoneyofhim,andofhercoaxingandflirtingwithMilorNoodle,sonofSirNoodle,pupiloftheRev.Mr.Muff,whomsheusedtotakeintoherprivateroom,andofwhomshewonlargesumsatecarte—ofwhichfact,Isay,andofahundredofherotherknaveries,theCountessdeBorodinoinformseveryEnglishpersonwhostopsatherestablishment,andannouncesthatMadameRawdonwasnobetterthanavipere.
SoourlittlewandererwentaboutsettinguphertentinvariouscitiesofEurope,asrestlessasUlyssesorBampfyldeMooreCarew.
ThereisnotownofanymarkinEuropebutithasitslittlecolonyofEnglishraffs—menwhosenamesMr.HemptheofficerreadsoutperiodicallyattheSheriffs’Court—younggentlemenofverygoodfamilyoften,onlythatthelatterdisownsthem;frequentersofbilliard-roomsandestaminets,patronsofforeignracesandgaming-tables.
Theypeoplethedebtors’prisons—theydrinkandswagger—theyfightandbrawl—theyrunawaywithoutpaying—theyhaveduelswithFrenchandGermanofficers—theycheatMr.Spooneyatecarte—theygetthemoneyanddriveofftoBadeninmagnificentbritzkas—theytrytheirinfalliblemartingaleandlurkaboutthetableswithemptypockets,shabbybullies,pennilessbucks,untiltheycanswindleaJewbankerwithashambillofexchange,orfindanotherMr.Spooneytorob.
ItissaidshewasorderedoutofMunich,andmyfriendMr.FrederickPigeonaversthatitwasatherhouseatLausannethathewashocussedatsupperandlosteighthundredpoundstoMajorLoderandtheHonourableMr.Deuceace.
Wearebound,yousee,togivesomeaccountofBecky’sbiography,butofthispart,theless,perhaps,thatissaidthebetter.
Theysaythat,whenMrs.Crawleywasparticularlydownonherluck,shegaveconcertsandlessonsinmusichereandthere.
TherewasaMadamedeRaudon,whocertainlyhadamatineemusicaleatWildbad,accompaniedbyHerrSpoff,premierpianisttotheHospodarofWallachia,andmylittlefriendMr.Eaves,whokneweverybodyandhadtravelledeverywhere,alwaysusedtodeclarethathewasatStrasburgintheyear1830,whenacertainMadameRebecquemadeherappearanceintheoperaoftheDameBlanche,givingoccasiontoafuriousrowinthetheatrethere.
Shewashissedoffthestagebytheaudience,partlyfromherownincompetency,butchieflyfromtheill-advisedsympathyofsomepersonsintheparquet,(wheretheofficersofthegarrisonhadtheiradmissions);andEaveswascertainthattheunfortunatedebutanteinquestionwasnootherthanMrs.RawdonCrawley.
Whenshegothermoneyshegambled;whenshehadgambleditshewasputtoshiftstolive;whoknowshoworbywhatmeansshesucceeded?
ItissaidthatshewasonceseenatSt.Petersburg,butwassummarilydismissedfromthatcapitalbythepolice,sothattherecannotbeanypossibilityoftruthinthereportthatshewasaRussianspyatToplitzandViennaafterwards.
IhaveevenbeeninformedthatatParisshediscoveredarelationofherown,nolessapersonthanhermaternalgrandmother,whowasnotbyanymeansaMontmorenci,butahideousoldbox-openeratatheatreontheBoulevards.
Themeetingbetweenthem,ofwhichotherpersons,asitishintedelsewhere,seemtohavebeenacquainted,musthavebeenaveryaffectinginterview.
IthappenedatRomeoncethatMrs.deRawdon’shalf-year’ssalaryhadjustbeenpaidintotheprincipalbanker’sthere,and,aseverybodywhohadabalanceofabovefivehundredscudiwasinvitedtotheballswhichthisprinceofmerchantsgaveduringthewinter,Beckyhadthehonourofacard,andappearedatoneofthePrinceandPrincessPolonia’ssplendideveningentertainments.
ThePrincesswasofthefamilyofPompili,lineallydescendedfromthesecondkingofRome,andEgeriaofthehouseofOlympus,whilethePrince’sgrandfather,AlessandroPolonia,soldwash-balls,essences,tobacco,andpocket-handkerchiefs,ranerrandsforgentlemen,andlentmoneyinasmallway.
AllthegreatcompanyinRomethrongedtohissaloons—Princes,Dukes,Ambassadors,artists,fiddlers,monsignori,youngbearswiththeirleaders—everyrankandconditionofman.
Hishallsblazedwithlightandmagnificence;wereresplendentwithgiltframes(containingpictures),anddubiousantiques;andtheenormousgiltcrownandarmsoftheprincelyowner,agoldmushroomonacrimsonfield(thecolourofthepocket-handkerchiefswhichhesold),andthesilverfountainofthePompilifamilyshoneallovertheroof,doors,andpanelsofthehouse,andoverthegrandvelvetbaldaquinspreparedtoreceivePopesandEmperors.
SoBecky,whohadarrivedinthediligencefromFlorence,andwaslodgedataninninaverymodestway,gotacardforPrincePolonia’sentertainment,andhermaiddressedherwithunusualcare,andshewenttothisfineballleaningonthearmofMajorLoder,withwhomshehappenedtobetravellingatthetime—(thesamemanwhoshotPrinceRavoliatNaplesthenextyear,andwascanedbySirJohnBuckskinforcarryingfourkingsinhishatbesidesthosewhichheusedinplayingatecarte)—andthispairwentintotheroomstogether,andBeckysawanumberofoldfaceswhichsherememberedinhappierdays,whenshewasnotinnocent,butnotfoundout.
MajorLoderknewagreatnumberofforeigners,keen-lookingwhiskeredmenwithdirtystripedribbonsintheirbuttonholes,andaverysmalldisplayoflinen;buthisowncountrymen,itmightberemarked,eschewedtheMajor.
Becky,too,knewsomeladieshereandthere—Frenchwidows,dubiousItaliancountesses,whosehusbandshadtreatedthemill—faugh—whatshallwesay,wewhohavemovedamongsomeofthefinestcompanyofVanityFair,ofthisrefuseandsedimentofrascals?
Buteverymanwhohasformedoneoftheinnumerablearmyoftravellershasseenthesemaraudingirregularshangingon,likeNymandPistol,tothemainforce,wearingtheking’scoloursandboastingofhiscommission,butpillagingforthemselves,andoccasionallygibbetedbytheroadside.
Well,shewashangingonthearmofMajorLoder,andtheywentthroughtheroomstogether,anddrankagreatquantityofchampagneatthebuffet,wherethepeople,andespeciallytheMajor’sirregularcorps,struggledfuriouslyforrefreshments,ofwhichwhenthepairhadhadenough,theypushedonuntiltheyreachedtheDuchess’sownpinkvelvetsaloon,attheendofthesuiteofapartments(wherethestatueoftheVenusis,andthegreatVenicelooking-glasses,framedinsilver),andwheretheprincelyfamilywereentertainingtheirmostdistinguishedguestsataroundtableatsupper.
ItwasjustsuchalittleselectbanquetasthatofwhichBeckyrecollectedthatshehadpartakenatLordSteyne’s—andtherehesatatPolonia’stable,andshesawhim.
Thescarcutbythediamondonhiswhite,bald,shiningforeheadmadeaburningredmark;hisredwhiskersweredyedofapurplehue,whichmadehispalefacelookstillpaler.
HewasagreaterPrincethananythere,thoughtherewasareigningDukeandaRoyalHighness,withtheirprincesses,andnearhisLordshipwasseatedthebeautifulCountessofBelladonna,needeGlandier,whosehusband(theCountPaolodellaBelladonna),sowellknownforhisbrilliantentomologicalcollections,hadbeenlongabsentonamissiontotheEmperorofMorocco.
WhenBeckybeheldthatfamiliarandillustriousface,howvulgarallofasuddendidMajorLoderappeartoher,andhowthatodiousCaptainRookdidsmelloftobacco!
Ahundredsuchtouchinghopes,fears,andmemoriespalpitatedinherlittleheart,asshelookedwithherbrightesteyes(therougewhichsheworeuptohereyelidsmadethemtwinkle)towardsthegreatnobleman.
OfaStarandGarternightLordSteyneusedalsotoputonhisgrandestmannerandtolookandspeaklikeagreatprince,ashewas.
—andshehadexchangedthisforMajorLoder,reekingofcigarsandbrandy-and-water,andCaptainRookwithhishorsejockeyjokesandprize-ringslang,andtheirlike.
Shewasalloverinaflutterastheireyesmet,andsheputontheverybestsmileshecouldmuster,anddroppedhimalittle,timid,imploringcurtsey.
Hestaredaghastatherforaminute,asMacbethmightonbeholdingBanquo’ssuddenappearanceathisball-supper,andremainedlookingatherwithopenmouth,whenthathorridMajorLoderpulledheraway.
“Comeawayintothesupper-room,Mrs.R.,”wasthatgentleman’sremark:“seeingthesenobsgrubbingawayhasmademepeckishtoo.
ThedayaftershewenttowalkonthePincianHill—theHydeParkoftheRomanidlers—possiblyinhopestohaveanothersightofLordSteyne.
Butshemetanotheracquaintancethere:itwasMr.Fiche,hislordship’sconfidentialman,whocameupnoddingtoherratherfamiliarlyandputtingafingertohishat.
“FromtheMarquisofSteyne?”Beckyasked,resumingasmuchofherdignityasshecouldmuster,andnotalittleagitatedbyhopeandexpectation.
WeknowthingsaboutMajorLoder(heisnomoreaMajorthanIammyLordtheMarquis)whichwouldsendhimtothegalleysorworse.
“Oh,itwasMadamedeBelladonna,wasit?”Beckysaid,relievedalittle,fortheinformationshehadjustgothadscaredher.
Hereismylord’scarriage”—andseizingBecky’sarm,herusheddownanalleyofthegardenasLordSteyne’sbarouche,blazingwithheraldicdevices,camewhirlingalongtheavenue,bornebythealmostpricelesshorses,andbearingMadamedeBelladonnalollingonthecushions,dark,sulky,andblooming,aKingCharlesinherlap,awhiteparasolswayingoverherhead,andoldSteynestretchedathersidewithalividfaceandghastlyeyes.
Hate,oranger,ordesirecausedthemtobrightennowandthenstill,butordinarily,theygavenolight,andseemedtiredoflookingoutonaworldofwhichalmostallthepleasureandallthebestbeautyhadpalledupontheworn-outwickedoldman.
“Monseigneurhasneverrecoveredtheshockofthatnight,never,”MonsieurFichewhisperedtoMrs.Crawleyasthecarriageflashedby,andshepeepedoutatitfrombehindtheshrubsthathidher.
WhethermylordreallyhadmurderousintentionstowardsMrs.BeckyasMonsieurFichesaid(sinceMonseigneur’sdeathhehasreturnedtohisnativecountry,wherehelivesmuchrespected,andhaspurchasedfromhisPrincethetitleofBaronFicci),andthefactotumobjectedtohavetodowithassassination;orwhetherhesimplyhadacommissiontofrightenMrs.CrawleyoutofacitywherehisLordshipproposedtopassthewinter,andthesightofherwouldbeeminentlydisagreeabletothegreatnobleman,isapointwhichhasneverbeenascertained:butthethreathaditseffectuponthelittlewoman,andshesoughtnomoretointrudeherselfuponthepresenceofheroldpatron.
Everybodyknowsthemelancholyendofthatnobleman,whichbefellatNaplestwomonthsaftertheFrenchRevolutionof1830;whentheMostHonourableGeorgeGustavus,MarquisofSteyne,EarlofGauntandofGauntCastle,inthePeerageofIreland,ViscountHellborough,BaronPitchleyandGrillsby,aKnightoftheMostNobleOrderoftheGarter,oftheGoldenFleeceofSpain,oftheRussianOrderofSaintNicholasoftheFirstClass,oftheTurkishOrderoftheCrescent,FirstLordofthePowderClosetandGroomoftheBackStairs,ColoneloftheGauntorRegent’sOwnRegimentofMilitia,aTrusteeoftheBritishMuseum,anElderBrotheroftheTrinityHouse,aGovernoroftheWhiteFriars,andD.C.L.—diedafteraseriesoffitsbroughton,asthepaperssaid,bytheshockoccasionedtohislordship’ssensibilitiesbythedownfalloftheancientFrenchmonarchy.
Aneloquentcatalogueappearedinaweeklyprint,describinghisvirtues,hismagnificence,histalents,andhisgoodactions.
Hissensibility,hisattachmenttotheillustriousHouseofBourbon,withwhichheclaimedanalliance,weresuchthathecouldnotsurvivethemisfortunesofhisaugustkinsmen.
HisbodywasburiedatNaples,andhisheart—thatheartwhichalwaysbeatwitheverygenerousandnobleemotionwasbroughtbacktoCastleGauntinasilverurn.
“Inhim,”Mr.Waggsaid,“thepoorandtheFineArtshavelostabeneficentpatron,societyoneofitsmostbrilliantornaments,andEnglandoneofherloftiestpatriotsandstatesmen,”&c.,&c.
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