English
FranknessandkindnesslikeAmelia’swerelikelytotouchevensuchahardenedlittlereprobateasBecky.
ShereturnedEmmy’scaressesandkindspeecheswithsomethingverylikegratitude,andanemotionwhich,ifitwasnotlasting,foramomentwasalmostgenuine.
Thatwasaluckystrokeofhersaboutthechild“tornfromherarmsshrieking.”
ItwasbythatharrowingmisfortunethatBeckyhadwonherfriendback,anditwasoneoftheveryfirstpoints,wemaybecertain,uponwhichourpoorsimplelittleEmmybegantotalktohernew-foundacquaintance.
“Andsotheytookyourdarlingchildfromyou?”oursimpletoncriedout.
“Oh,Rebecca,mypoordearsufferingfriend,Iknowwhatitistoloseaboy,andtofeelforthosewhohavelostone.
ButpleaseHeavenyourswillberestoredtoyou,asamercifulmercifulProvidencehasbroughtmebackmine.”
“Thechild,mychild?Oh,yes,myagonieswerefrightful,”Beckyowned,notperhapswithoutatwingeofconscience.
Itjarreduponhertobeobligedtocommenceinstantlytotellliesinreplytosomuchconfidenceandsimplicity.
Butthatisthemisfortuneofbeginningwiththiskindofforgery.
Whenonefibbecomesdueasitwere,youmustforgeanothertotakeuptheoldacceptance;andsothestockofyourliesincirculationinevitablymultiplies,andthedangerofdetectionincreaseseveryday.
“Myagonies,”Beckycontinued,“wereterrible(Ihopeshewon’tsitdownonthebottle)whentheytookhimawayfromme;IthoughtIshoulddie;butIfortunatelyhadabrainfever,duringwhichmydoctorgavemeup,and—andIrecovered,and—andhereIam,poorandfriendless.”
“Howoldishe?”Emmyasked.
“Eleven,”saidBecky.
“Eleven!”criedtheother.“Why,hewasbornthesameyearwithGeorgy,whois—”
“Iknow,Iknow,”Beckycriedout,whohadinfactquiteforgottenallaboutlittleRawdon’sage.
“Griefhasmademeforgetsomanythings,dearestAmelia.
Iamverymuchchanged:half-wildsometimes.
Hewaselevenwhentheytookhimawayfromme.
Blesshissweetface;Ihaveneverseenitagain.”
“Washefairordark?”wentonthatabsurdlittleEmmy.“Showmehishair.”
Beckyalmostlaughedathersimplicity.“Notto-day,love—someothertime,whenmytrunksarrivefromLeipzig,whenceIcametothisplace—andalittledrawingofhim,whichImadeinhappydays.”
“PoorBecky,poorBecky!”saidEmmy.
“Howthankful,howthankfulIoughttobe”;(thoughIdoubtwhetherthatpracticeofpietyinculcateduponusbyourwomankindinearlyyouth,namely,tobethankfulbecausewearebetteroffthansomebodyelse,beaveryrationalreligiousexercise)andthenshebegantothink,asusual,howhersonwasthehandsomest,thebest,andthecleverestboyinthewholeworld.
“YouwillseemyGeorgy,”wasthebestthingEmmycouldthinkoftoconsoleBecky.Ifanythingcouldmakehercomfortablethatwould.
Andsothetwowomencontinuedtalkingforanhourormore,duringwhichBeckyhadtheopportunityofgivinghernewfriendafullandcompleteversionofherprivatehistory.
SheshowedhowhermarriagewithRawdonCrawleyhadalwaysbeenviewedbythefamilywithfeelingsoftheutmosthostility;howhersister-in-law(anartfulwoman)hadpoisonedherhusband’smindagainsther;howhehadformedodiousconnections,whichhadestrangedhisaffectionsfromher:howshehadborneeverything—poverty,neglect,coldnessfromthebeingwhomshemostloved—andallforthesakeofherchild;how,finally,andbythemostflagrantoutrage,shehadbeendrivenintodemandingaseparationfromherhusband,whenthewretchdidnotscrupletoaskthatsheshouldsacrificeherownfairfamesothathemightprocureadvancementthroughthemeansofaverygreatandpowerfulbutunprincipledman—theMarquisofSteyne,indeed.
Theatrociousmonster!
ThispartofhereventfulhistoryBeckygavewiththeutmostfemininedelicacyandthemostindignantvirtue.
Forcedtoflyherhusband’sroofbythisinsult,thecowardhadpursuedhisrevengebytakingherchildfromher.
AndthusBeckysaidshewasawanderer,poor,unprotected,friendless,andwretched.
Emmyreceivedthisstory,whichwastoldatsomelength,asthosepersonswhoareacquaintedwithhercharactermayimaginethatshewould.
ShequiveredwithindignationattheaccountoftheconductofthemiserableRawdonandtheunprincipledSteyne.
HereyesmadenotesofadmirationforeveryoneofthesentencesinwhichBeckydescribedthepersecutionsofheraristocraticrelativesandthefallingawayofherhusband.(Beckydidnotabusehim.
Shespokeratherinsorrowthaninanger.
Shehadlovedhimonlytoofondly:andwashenotthefatherofherboy?)
Andasfortheseparationscenefromthechild,whileBeckywasrecitingit,Emmyretiredaltogetherbehindherpocket-handkerchief,sothattheconsummatelittletragedianmusthavebeencharmedtoseetheeffectwhichherperformanceproducedonheraudience.
Whilsttheladieswerecarryingontheirconversation,Amelia’sconstantescort,theMajor(who,ofcourse,didnotwishtointerrupttheirconference,andfoundhimselfrathertiredofcreakingaboutthenarrowstairpassageofwhichtheroofbrushedthenapfromhishat)descendedtotheground-floorofthehouseandintothegreatroomcommontoallthefrequentersoftheElephant,outofwhichthestairled.
Thisapartmentisalwaysinafumeofsmokeandliberallysprinkledwithbeer.
Onadirtytablestandscoresofcorrespondingbrasscandlestickswithtallowcandlesforthelodgers,whosekeyshangupinrowsoverthecandles.
Emmyhadpassedblushingthroughtheroomanon,whereallsortsofpeoplewerecollected;Tyroleseglove-sellersandDanubianlinen-merchants,withtheirpacks;studentsrecruitingthemselveswithbutterbrodsandmeat;idlers,playingcardsordominoesonthesloppy,beerytables;tumblersrefreshingduringthecessationoftheirperformances—inaword,allthefumumandstrepitusofaGermaninninfairtime.
ThewaiterbroughttheMajoramugofbeer,asamatterofcourse,andhetookoutacigarandamusedhimselfwiththatperniciousvegetableandanewspaperuntilhischargeshouldcomedowntoclaimhim.
MaxandFritzcamepresentlydownstairs,theircapsononeside,theirspursjingling,theirpipessplendidwithcoatsofarmsandfull-blowntassels,andtheyhungupthekeyofNo.90ontheboardandcalledfortherationofbutterbrodandbeer.
ThepairsatdownbytheMajorandfellintoaconversationofwhichhecouldnothelphearingsomewhat.
Itwasmainlyabout“Fuchs”and“Philister,”andduelsanddrinking-boutsattheneighbouringUniversityofSchoppenhausen,fromwhichrenownedseatoflearningtheyhadjustcomeintheEilwagen,withBecky,asitappeared,bytheirside,andinordertobepresentatthebridalfetesatPumpernickel.
“ThetitleEnglanderinnseemstobeenbaysdegonnoisance,”saidMax,whoknewtheFrenchlanguage,toFritz,hiscomrade.
“Afterthefatgrandfatherwentaway,therecameaprettylittlecompatriot.
Iheardthemchatteringandwhimperingtogetherinthelittlewoman’schamber.”
“Wemusttaketheticketsforherconcert,”Fritzsaid.“Hastthouanymoney,Max?”
“Bah,”saidtheother,“theconcertisaconcertinnubibus.
HanssaidthatsheadvertisedoneatLeipzig,andtheBurschentookmanytickets.Butshewentoffwithoutsinging.
ShesaidinthecoachyesterdaythatherpianisthadfallenillatDresden.
Shecannotsing,itismybelief:hervoiceisascrackedasthine,Othoubeer-soakingRenowner!”
“Itiscracked;Ihearhertryingoutofherwindowaschrecklich.Englishballad,called‘DeRoseupondeBalgony.’”
“Saufenandsingengonottogether,”observedFritzwiththerednose,whoevidentlypreferredtheformeramusement.
“No,thoushalttakenoneofhertickets.
Shewonmoneyatthetrenteandquarantelastnight.
Isawher:shemadealittleEnglishboyplayforher.
Wewillspendthymoneythereoratthetheatre,orwewilltreathertoFrenchwineorCognacintheAureliusGarden,buttheticketswewillnotbuy.Whatsayestthou?Yet,anothermugofbeer?”
andoneandanothersuccessivelyhavingburiedtheirblondwhiskersinthemawkishdraught,curledthemandswaggeredoffintothefair.
TheMajor,whohadseenthekeyofNo.90putuponitshookandhadheardtheconversationofthetwoyoungUniversitybloods,wasnotatalosstounderstandthattheirtalkrelatedtoBecky.
“Thelittledevilisatheroldtricks,”hethought,andhesmiledasherecalledolddays,whenhehadwitnessedthedesperateflirtationwithJosandtheludicrousendofthatadventure.
HeandGeorgehadoftenlaughedoveritsubsequently,anduntilafewweeksafterGeorge’smarriage,whenhealsowascaughtinthelittleCirce’stoils,andhadanunderstandingwithherwhichhiscomradecertainlysuspected,butpreferredtoignore.
Williamwastoomuchhurtorashamedtoasktofathomthatdisgracefulmystery,althoughonce,andevidentlywithremorseonhismind,Georgehadalludedtoit.
ItwasonthemorningofWaterloo,astheyoungmenstoodtogetherinfrontoftheirline,surveyingtheblackmassesofFrenchmenwhocrownedtheoppositeheights,andastherainwascomingdown,“Ihavebeenmixinginafoolishintriguewithawoman,”Georgesaid.“Iamgladweweremarchedaway.
IfIdrop,IhopeEmmywillneverknowofthatbusiness.IwishtoGodithadneverbeenbegun!”
AndWilliamwaspleasedtothink,andhadmorethanoncesoothedpoorGeorge’swidowwiththenarrative,thatOsborne,afterquittinghiswife,andaftertheactionofQuatreBras,onthefirstday,spokegravelyandaffectionatelytohiscomradeofhisfatherandhiswife.
Onthesefacts,too,WilliamhadinsistedverystronglyinhisconversationswiththeelderOsborne,andhadthusbeenthemeansofreconcilingtheoldgentlemantohisson’smemory,justatthecloseoftheelderman’slife.
“Andsothisdevilisstillgoingonwithherintrigues,”thoughtWilliam.
“Iwishshewereahundredmilesfromhere.Shebringsmischiefwherevershegoes.”
Andhewaspursuingtheseforebodingsandthisuncomfortabletrainofthought,withhisheadbetweenhishands,andthePumpernickelGazetteoflastweekunreadunderhisnose,whensomebodytappedhisshoulderwithaparasol,andhelookedupandsawMrs.Amelia.
ThiswomanhadawayoftyrannizingoverMajorDobbin(fortheweakestofallpeoplewilldomineeroversomebody),andsheorderedhimabout,andpattedhim,andmadehimfetchandcarryjustasifhewasagreatNewfoundlanddog.
Heliked,sotospeak,tojumpintothewaterifshesaid“High,Dobbin!”
andtotrotbehindherwithherreticuleinhismouth.
ThishistoryhasbeenwrittentoverylittlepurposeifthereaderhasnotperceivedthattheMajorwasaspooney.
“Whydidyounotwaitforme,sir,toescortmedownstairs?”shesaid,givingalittletossofherheadandamostsarcasticcurtsey.
“Icouldn’tstandupinthepassage,”heansweredwithacomicaldeprecatorylook;and,delightedtogiveherhisarmandtotakeheroutofthehorridsmokyplace,hewouldhavewalkedoffwithoutevensomuchasrememberingthewaiter,hadnottheyoungfellowrunafterhimandstoppedhimonthethresholdoftheElephanttomakehimpayforthebeerwhichhehadnotconsumed.
Emmylaughed:shecalledhimanaughtyman,whowantedtorunawayindebt,and,infact,madesomejokessuitabletotheoccasionandthesmall-beer.
Shewasinhighspiritsandgoodhumour,andtrippedacrossthemarket-placeverybriskly.ShewantedtoseeJosthatinstant.
TheMajorlaughedattheimpetuousaffectionMrs.Ameliaexhibited;for,intruth,itwasnotveryoftenthatshewantedherbrother“thatinstant.”
Theyfoundthecivilianinhissaloononthefirst-floor;hehadbeenpacingtheroom,andbitinghisnails,andlookingoverthemarket-placetowardstheElephantahundredtimesatleastduringthepasthourwhilstEmmywasclosetedwithherfriendinthegarretandtheMajorwasbeatingthetattooonthesloppytablesofthepublicroombelow,andhewas,onhissidetoo,veryanxioustoseeMrs.Osborne.
“Well?”saidhe.
“Thepoordearcreature,howshehassuffered!”Emmysaid.
“Godblessmysoul,yes,”Jossaid,wagginghishead,sothathischeeksquiveredlikejellies.
“ShemayhavePayne’sroom,whocangoupstairs,”Emmycontinued.
PaynewasastaidEnglishmaidandpersonalattendantuponMrs.Osborne,towhomthecourier,asindutybound,paidcourt,andwhomGeorgyusedto“lark”dreadfullywithaccountsofGermanrobbersandghosts.
Shepassedhertimechieflyingrumbling,inorderingabouthermistress,andinstatingherintentiontoreturnthenextmorningtohernativevillageofClapham.“ShemayhavePayne’sroom,”Emmysaid.
“Why,youdon’tmeantosayyouaregoingtohavethatwomanintothehouse?”bouncedouttheMajor,jumpingup.
“Ofcourseweare,”saidAmeliainthemostinnocentwayintheworld.“Don’tbeangryandbreakthefurniture,MajorDobbin.Ofcoursewearegoingtohaveherhere.”
“Ofcourse,mydear,”Jossaid.
“Thepoorcreature,afterallhersufferings,”Emmycontinued;“herhorridbankerbrokenandrunaway;herhusband—wickedwretch—havingdesertedherandtakenherchildawayfromher”(hereshedoubledhertwolittlefistsandheldtheminamostmenacingattitudebeforeher,sothattheMajorwascharmedtoseesuchadauntlessvirago)“thepoordearthing!
quitealoneandabsolutelyforcedtogivelessonsinsingingtogetherbread—andnothaveherhere!”
“Takelessons,mydearMrs.George,”criedtheMajor,“butdon’thaveherinthehouse.Iimploreyoudon’t.”
“Pooh,”saidJos.
“Youwhoarealwaysgoodandkind—alwaysusedtobeatanyrate—I’mastonishedatyou,MajorWilliam,”Ameliacried.
“Why,whatisthemomenttohelpherbutwhensheissomiserable?
Nowisthetimetobeofservicetoher.TheoldestfriendIeverhad,andnot—”
“Shewasnotalwaysyourfriend,Amelia,”theMajorsaid,forhewasquiteangry.
ThisallusionwastoomuchforEmmy,who,lookingtheMajoralmostfiercelyintheface,said,“Forshame,MajorDobbin!”
andafterhavingfiredthisshot,shewalkedoutoftheroomwithamostmajesticairandshutherowndoorbrisklyonherselfandheroutrageddignity.
“ToalludetoTHAT!”shesaid,whenthedoorwasclosed.
“Oh,itwascruelofhimtoremindmeofit,”andshelookedupatGeorge’spicture,whichhungthereasusual,withtheportraitoftheboyunderneath.“Itwascruelofhim.
IfIhadforgivenit,oughthetohavespoken?No.
AnditisfromhisownlipsthatIknowhowwickedandgroundlessmyjealousywas;andthatyouwerepure—oh,yes,youwerepure,mysaintinheaven!”
Shepacedtheroom,tremblingandindignant.
Shewentandleanedonthechestofdrawersoverwhichthepicturehung,andgazedandgazedatit.
Itseyesseemedtolookdownonherwithareproachthatdeepenedasshelooked.
Theearlydear,dearmemoriesofthatbriefprimeofloverushedbackuponher.
Thewoundwhichyearshadscarcelycicatrizedbledafresh,andoh,howbitterly!
Shecouldnotbearthereproachesofthehusbandtherebeforeher.Itcouldn’tbe.Never,never.
PoorDobbin;pooroldWilliam!Thatunluckywordhadundonetheworkofmanyayear—thelonglaboriousedificeofalifeofloveandconstancy—raisedtoouponwhatsecretandhiddenfoundations,whereinlayburiedpassions,uncountedstruggles,unknownsacrifices—alittlewordwasspoken,anddownfellthefairpalaceofhope—oneword,andawayflewthebirdwhichhehadbeentryingallhislifetolure!
William,thoughhesawbyAmelia’slooksthatagreatcrisishadcome,neverthelesscontinuedtoimploreSedley,inthemostenergeticterms,tobewareofRebecca;andheeagerly,almostfrantically,adjuredJosnottoreceiveher.
HebesoughtMr.Sedleytoinquireatleastregardingher;toldhimhowhehadheardthatshewasinthecompanyofgamblersandpeopleofillrepute;pointedoutwhatevilshehaddoneinformerdays,howsheandCrawleyhadmisledpoorGeorgeintoruin,howshewasnowpartedfromherhusband,byherownconfession,and,perhaps,forgoodreason.
Whatadangerouscompanionshewouldbeforhissister,whoknewnothingoftheaffairsoftheworld!
WilliamimploredJos,withalltheeloquencewhichhecouldbringtobear,andagreatdealmoreenergythanthisquietgentlemanwasordinarilyinthehabitofshowing,tokeepRebeccaoutofhishousehold.
Hadhebeenlessviolent,ormoredexterous,hemighthavesucceededinhissupplicationstoJos;butthecivilianwasnotalittlejealousoftheairsofsuperioritywhichtheMajorconstantlyexhibitedtowardshim,ashefancied(indeed,hehadimpartedhisopinionstoMr.Kirsch,thecourier,whosebillsMajorDobbincheckedonthisjourney,andwhosidedwithhismaster),andhebeganablusteringspeechabouthiscompetencytodefendhisownhonour,hisdesirenottohavehisaffairsmeddledwith,hisintention,infine,torebelagainsttheMajor,whenthecolloquy—ratheralongandstormyone—wasputanendtointhesimplestwaypossible,namely,bythearrivalofMrs.Becky,withaporterfromtheElephantHotelinchargeofherverymeagrebaggage.
Shegreetedherhostwithaffectionaterespectandmadeashrinking,butamicablesalutationtoMajorDobbin,who,asherinstinctassuredheratonce,washerenemy,andhadbeenspeakingagainsther;andthebustleandclatterconsequentuponherarrivalbroughtAmeliaoutofherroom.
Emmywentupandembracedherguestwiththegreatestwarmth,andtooknonoticeoftheMajor,excepttoflinghimanangrylook—themostunjustandscornfulglancethathadperhapseverappearedinthatpoorlittlewoman’sfacesinceshewasborn.
Butshehadprivatereasonsofherown,andwasbentuponbeingangrywithhim.
AndDobbin,indignantattheinjustice,notatthedefeat,wentoff,makingherabowquiteashaughtyasthekillingcurtseywithwhichthelittlewomanchosetobidhimfarewell.
Hebeinggone,EmmywasparticularlylivelyandaffectionatetoRebecca,andbustledabouttheapartmentsandinstalledherguestinherroomwithaneagernessandactivityseldomexhibitedbyourplacidlittlefriend.
Butwhenanactofinjusticeistobedone,especiallybyweakpeople,itisbestthatitshouldbedonequickly,andEmmythoughtshewasdisplayingagreatdealoffirmnessandproperfeelingandvenerationforthelateCaptainOsborneinherpresentbehaviour.
Georgycameinfromthefetesfordinner-timeandfoundfourcoverslaidasusual;butoneoftheplaceswasoccupiedbyalady,insteadofbyMajorDobbin.“Hullo!where’sDob?”
theyounggentlemanaskedwithhisusualsimplicityoflanguage.
“MajorDobbinisdiningout,Isuppose,”hismothersaid,and,drawingtheboytoher,kissedhimagreatdeal,andputhishairoffhisforehead,andintroducedhimtoMrs.Crawley.
“Thisismyboy,Rebecca,”Mrs.Osbornesaid—asmuchastosay—cantheworldproduceanythinglikethat?
Beckylookedathimwithraptureandpressedhishandfondly.“Dearboy!”
shesaid—”heisjustlikemy—”Emotionchokedherfurtherutterance,butAmeliaunderstood,aswellasifshehadspoken,thatBeckywasthinkingofherownblessedchild.
However,thecompanyofherfriendconsoledMrs.Crawley,andsheateaverygooddinner.
Duringtherepast,shehadoccasiontospeakseveraltimes,whenGeorgyeyedherandlistenedtoher.
AtthedesertEmmywasgoneouttosuperintendfurtherdomesticarrangements;JoswasinhisgreatchairdozingoverGalignani;Georgyandthenewarrivalsatclosetoeachother—hehadcontinuedtolookatherknowinglymorethanonce,andatlasthelaiddownthenutcrackers.
“Isay,”saidGeorgy.
“Whatdoyousay?”Beckysaid,laughing.
“You’retheladyIsawinthemaskattheRougeetNoir.”
“Hush!youlittleslycreature,”Beckysaid,takinguphishandandkissingit.“Yourunclewastheretoo,andMammamustn’tknow.”
“Oh,no—notbynomeans,”answeredthelittlefellow.
“Youseewearequitegoodfriendsalready,”BeckysaidtoEmmy,whonowre-entered;anditmustbeownedthatMrs.Osbornehadintroducedamostjudiciousandamiablecompanionintoherhouse.
William,inastateofgreatindignation,thoughstillunawareofallthetreasonthatwasinstoreforhim,walkedaboutthetownwildlyuntilhefellupontheSecretaryofLegation,Tapeworm,whoinvitedhimtodinner.
Astheywerediscussingthatmeal,hetookoccasiontoasktheSecretarywhetherheknewanythingaboutacertainMrs.RawdonCrawley,whohad,hebelieved,madesomenoiseinLondon;andthenTapeworm,whoofcourseknewalltheLondongossip,andwasbesidesarelativeofLadyGaunt,pouredoutintotheastonishedMajor’searssuchahistoryaboutBeckyandherhusbandasastonishedthequerist,andsuppliedallthepointsofthisnarrative,foritwasatthatverytableyearsagothatthepresentwriterhadthepleasureofhearingthetale.
Tufto,Steyne,theCrawleys,andtheirhistory—everythingconnectedwithBeckyandherpreviouslifepassedundertherecordofthebitterdiplomatist.
Hekneweverythingandagreatdealbesides,aboutalltheworld—inaword,hemadethemostastoundingrevelationstothesimple-heartedMajor.
WhenDobbinsaidthatMrs.OsborneandMr.Sedleyhadtakenherintotheirhouse,TapewormburstintoapealoflaughterwhichshockedtheMajor,andaskediftheyhadnotbettersendintotheprisonandtakeinoneortwoofthegentlemeninshavedheadsandyellowjacketswhosweptthestreetsofPumpernickel,chainedinpairs,toboardandlodge,andactastutortothatlittlescapegraceGeorgy.
ThisinformationastonishedandhorrifiedtheMajornotalittle.
Ithadbeenagreedinthemorning(beforemeetingwithRebecca)thatAmeliashouldgototheCourtballthatnight.
Therewouldbetheplacewhereheshouldtellher.
TheMajorwenthome,anddressedhimselfinhisuniform,andrepairedtoCourt,inhopestoseeMrs.Osborne.Shenevercame.
WhenhereturnedtohislodgingsallthelightsintheSedleytenementwereputout.Hecouldnotseehertillthemorning.
Idon’tknowwhatsortofanight’sresthehadwiththisfrightfulsecretinbedwithhim.
Attheearliestconvenienthourinthemorninghesenthisservantacrossthewaywithanote,sayingthathewishedveryparticularlytospeakwithher.
AmessagecamebacktosaythatMrs.Osbornewasexceedinglyunwellandwaskeepingherroom.
She,too,hadbeenawakeallthatnight.
Shehadbeenthinkingofathingwhichhadagitatedhermindahundredtimesbefore.
Ahundredtimesonthepointofyielding,shehadshrunkbackfromasacrificewhichshefeltwastoomuchforher.
Shecouldn’t,inspiteofhisloveandconstancyandherownacknowledgedregard,respect,andgratitude.
Whatarebenefits,whatisconstancy,ormerit?
Onecurlofagirl’sringlet,onehairofawhisker,willturnthescaleagainstthemallinaminute.
TheydidnotweighwithEmmymorethanwithotherwomen.
Shehadtriedthem;wantedtomakethempass;couldnot;andthepitilesslittlewomanhadfoundapretext,anddeterminedtobefree.
Whenatlength,intheafternoon,theMajorgainedadmissiontoAmelia,insteadofthecordialandaffectionategreeting,towhichhehadbeenaccustomednowformanyalongday,hereceivedthesalutationofacurtsey,andofalittleglovedhand,retractedthemomentafteritwasaccordedtohim.
Rebecca,too,wasintheroom,andadvancedtomeethimwithasmileandanextendedhand.
Dobbindrewbackratherconfusedly,“I—Ibegyourpardon,m’am,”hesaid;“butIamboundtotellyouthatitisnotasyourfriendthatIamcomeherenow.”
“Pooh!damn;don’tletushavethissortofthing!”Joscriedout,alarmed,andanxioustogetridofascene.
“IwonderwhatMajorDobbinhastosayagainstRebecca?”Ameliasaidinalow,clearvoicewithaslightquiverinit,andaverydeterminedlookabouttheeyes.
“Iwillnothavethissortofthinginmyhouse,”Josagaininterposed.
“IsayIwillnothaveit;andDobbin,Ibeg,sir,you’llstopit.”
Andhelookedround,tremblingandturningveryred,andgaveagreatpuff,andmadeforhisdoor.
“Dearfriend!”Rebeccasaidwithangelicsweetness,“dohearwhatMajorDobbinhastosayagainstme.”
“Iwillnothearit,Isay,”squeakedoutJosatthetopofhisvoice,and,gatheringuphisdressing-gown,hewasgone.
“Weareonlytwowomen,”Ameliasaid.“Youcanspeaknow,sir.”
“Thismannertowardsmeisonewhichscarcelybecomesyou,Amelia,”theMajoransweredhaughtily;“norIbelieveamIguiltyofhabitualharshnesstowomen.
ItisnotapleasuretometodothedutywhichIamcometodo.”
“Prayproceedwithitquickly,ifyouplease,MajorDobbin,”saidAmelia,whowasmoreandmoreinapet.TheexpressionofDobbin’sface,asshespokeinthisimperiousmanner,wasnotpleasant.
“Icametosay—andasyoustay,Mrs.Crawley,Imustsayitinyourpresence—thatIthinkyou—yououghtnottoformamemberofthefamilyofmyfriends.
Aladywhoisseparatedfromherhusband,whotravelsnotunderherownname,whofrequentspublicgaming-tables—”
“ItwastotheballIwent,”criedoutBecky.
”—isnotafitcompanionforMrs.Osborneandherson,”Dobbinwenton:“andImayaddthattherearepeopleherewhoknowyou,andwhoprofesstoknowthatregardingyourconductaboutwhichIdon’tevenwishtospeakbefore—beforeMrs.Osborne.”
“Yoursisaverymodestandconvenientsortofcalumny,MajorDobbin,”Rebeccasaid.
“Youleavemeundertheweightofanaccusationwhich,afterall,isunsaid.Whatisit?Isitunfaithfulnesstomyhusband?
Iscornitanddefyanybodytoproveit—Idefyyou,Isay.
Myhonourisasuntouchedasthatofthebitterestenemywhoevermalignedme.
Isitofbeingpoor,forsaken,wretched,thatyouaccuseme?
Yes,Iamguiltyofthosefaults,andpunishedforthemeveryday.Letmego,Emmy.
ItisonlytosupposethatIhavenotmetyou,andIamnoworseto-daythanIwasyesterday.
Itisonlytosupposethatthenightisoverandthepoorwandererisonherway.
Don’tyourememberthesongweusedtosinginold,dearolddays?
Ihavebeenwanderingeversincethen—apoorcastaway,scornedforbeingmiserable,andinsultedbecauseIamalone.
Letmego:mystayhereinterfereswiththeplansofthisgentleman.”
“Indeeditdoes,madam,”saidtheMajor.“IfIhaveanyauthorityinthishouse—”
“Authority,none!”brokeoutAmelia“Rebecca,youstaywithme.
Iwon’tdesertyoubecauseyouhavebeenpersecuted,orinsultyoubecause—becauseMajorDobbinchoosestodoso.Comeaway,dear.”
Andthetwowomenmadetowardsthedoor.
Williamopenedit.Astheyweregoingout,however,hetookAmelia’shandandsaid—”Willyoustayamomentandspeaktome?”
“Hewishestospeaktoyouawayfromme,”saidBecky,lookinglikeamartyr.Ameliagrippedherhandinreply.
“UponmyhonouritisnotaboutyouthatIamgoingtospeak,”Dobbinsaid.“Comeback,Amelia,”andshecame.
DobbinbowedtoMrs.Crawley,asheshutthedooruponher.
Amelialookedathim,leaningagainsttheglass:herfaceandherlipswerequitewhite.
“IwasconfusedwhenIspokejustnow,”theMajorsaidafterapause,“andImisusedthewordauthority.”
“Youdid,”saidAmeliawithherteethchattering.
“AtleastIhaveclaimstobeheard,”Dobbincontinued.
“Itisgeneroustoremindmeofourobligationstoyou,”thewomananswered.
“TheclaimsImeanarethoseleftmebyGeorge’sfather,”Williamsaid.
“Yes,andyouinsultedhismemory.Youdidyesterday.Youknowyoudid.AndIwillneverforgiveyou.Never!”saidAmelia.Sheshotouteachlittlesentenceinatremorofangerandemotion.
“Youdon’tmeanthat,Amelia?”Williamsaidsadly.
“Youdon’tmeanthatthesewords,utteredinahurriedmoment,aretoweighagainstawholelife’sdevotion?
IthinkthatGeorge’smemoryhasnotbeeninjuredbythewayinwhichIhavedealtwithit,andifwearecometobandyingreproaches,Iatleastmeritnonefromhiswidowandthemotherofhisson.
Reflect,afterwardswhen—whenyouareatleisure,andyourconsciencewillwithdrawthisaccusation.Itdoesevennow.”Ameliahelddownherhead.
“Itisnotthatspeechofyesterday,”hecontinued,“whichmovesyou.
Thatisbutthepretext,Amelia,orIhavelovedyouandwatchedyouforfifteenyearsinvain.
HaveInotlearnedinthattimetoreadallyourfeelingsandlookintoyourthoughts?
Iknowwhatyourheartiscapableof:itcanclingfaithfullytoarecollectionandcherishafancy,butitcan’tfeelsuchanattachmentasminedeservestomatewith,andsuchasIwouldhavewonfromawomanmoregenerousthanyou.
No,youarenotworthyofthelovewhichIhavedevotedtoyou.
IknewallalongthattheprizeIhadsetmylifeonwasnotworththewinning;thatIwasafool,withfondfancies,too,barteringawaymyalloftruthandardouragainstyourlittlefeebleremnantoflove.Iwillbargainnomore:Iwithdraw.Ifindnofaultwithyou.
Youareverygood-natured,andhavedoneyourbest,butyoucouldn’t—youcouldn’treachuptotheheightoftheattachmentwhichIboreyou,andwhichaloftiersoulthanyoursmighthavebeenproudtoshare.Good-bye,Amelia!Ihavewatchedyourstruggle.Letitend.Wearebothwearyofit.”
AmeliastoodscaredandsilentasWilliamthussuddenlybrokethechainbywhichsheheldhimanddeclaredhisindependenceandsuperiority.
Hehadplacedhimselfatherfeetsolongthatthepoorlittlewomanhadbeenaccustomedtotrampleuponhim.
Shedidn’twishtomarryhim,butshewishedtokeephim.
Shewishedtogivehimnothing,butthatheshouldgiveherall.
Itisabargainnotunfrequentlyleviedinlove.
William’ssallyhadquitebrokenandcastherdown.HERassaultwaslongsinceoverandbeatenback.
“AmItounderstandthen,thatyouaregoing—away,William?”shesaid.
Hegaveasadlaugh.“Iwentoncebefore,”hesaid,“andcamebackaftertwelveyears.Wewereyoungthen,Amelia.Good-bye.Ihavespentenoughofmylifeatthisplay.”
Whilsttheyhadbeentalking,thedoorintoMrs.Osborne’sroomhadopenedeversolittle;indeed,BeckyhadkeptaholdofthehandleandhadturneditontheinstantwhenDobbinquittedit,andsheheardeverywordoftheconversationthathadpassedbetweenthesetwo.
“Whatanobleheartthatmanhas,”shethought,“andhowshamefullythatwomanplayswithit!”
SheadmiredDobbin;sheborehimnorancourfortheparthehadtakenagainsther.
Itwasanopenmoveinthegame,andplayedfairly.“Ah!”
shethought,“ifIcouldhavehadsuchahusbandasthat—amanwithaheartandbrainstoo!
Iwouldnothavemindedhislargefeet”;andrunningintoherroom,sheabsolutelybethoughtherselfofsomething,andwrotehimanote,beseechinghimtostopforafewdays—nottothinkofgoing—andthatshecouldservehimwithA.
Thepartingwasover.OncemorepoorWilliamwalkedtothedoorandwasgone;andthelittlewidow,theauthorofallthiswork,hadherwill,andhadwonhervictory,andwaslefttoenjoyitasshebestmight.Lettheladiesenvyhertriumph.
Attheromantichourofdinner,Mr.Georgymadehisappearanceandagainremarkedtheabsenceof“OldDob.”
Themealwaseateninsilencebytheparty.
Jos’sappetitenotbeingdiminished,butEmmytakingnothingatall.
Afterthemeal,Georgywaslollinginthecushionsoftheoldwindow,alargewindow,withthreesidesofglassabuttingfromthegable,andcommandingononesidethemarket-place,wheretheElephantis,hismotherbeingbusyhardby,whenheremarkedsymptomsofmovementattheMajor’shouseontheothersideofthestreet.
“Hullo!”saidhe,“there’sDob’strap—theyarebringingitoutofthecourt-yard.”
The“trap”inquestionwasacarriagewhichtheMajorhadboughtforsixpoundssterling,andaboutwhichtheyusedtorallyhimagooddeal.
Emmygavealittlestart,butsaidnothing.
“Hullo!”Georgycontinued,“there’sFranciscomingoutwiththeportmanteaus,andKunz,theone-eyedpostilion,comingdownthemarketwiththreeschimmels.
Lookathisbootsandyellowjacket—ain’thearumone?
Why—they’reputtingthehorsestoDob’scarriage.Ishegoinganywhere?”
“Yes,”saidEmmy,“heisgoingonajourney.”
“Goingonajourney;andwhenishecomingback?”
“Heis—notcomingback,”answeredEmmy.
“Notcomingback!”criedoutGeorgy,jumpingup.
“Stayhere,sir,”roaredoutJos.“Stay,Georgy,”saidhismotherwithaverysadface.
Theboystopped,kickedabouttheroom,jumpedupanddownfromthewindow-seatwithhisknees,andshowedeverysymptomofuneasinessandcuriosity.
Thehorseswereputto.Thebaggagewasstrappedon.
Franciscameoutwithhismaster’ssword,cane,andumbrellatieduptogether,andlaidtheminthewell,andhisdeskandoldtincocked-hatcase,whichheplacedundertheseat.
Francisbroughtoutthestainedoldbluecloaklinedwithredcamlet,whichhadwrappedtheownerupanytimethesefifteenyears,andhadmanchenSturmerlebt,asafavouritesongofthosedayssaid.
IthadbeennewforthecampaignofWaterlooandhadcoveredGeorgeandWilliamafterthenightofQuatreBras.
OldBurcke,thelandlordofthelodgings,cameout,thenFrancis,withmorepackages—finalpackages—thenMajorWilliam—Burckewantedtokisshim.
TheMajorwasadoredbyallpeoplewithwhomhehadtodo.
Itwaswithdifficultyhecouldescapefromthisdemonstrationofattachment.
“ByJove,Iwillgo!”screamedoutGeorge.
“Givehimthis,”saidBecky,quiteinterested,andputapaperintotheboy’shand.
Hehadrusheddownthestairsandflungacrossthestreetinaminute—theyellowpostilionwascrackinghiswhipgently.
Williamhadgotintothecarriage,releasedfromtheembracesofhislandlord.
Georgeboundedinafterwards,andflunghisarmsroundtheMajor’sneck(astheysawfromthewindow),andbeganaskinghimmultipliedquestions.
Thenhefeltinhiswaistcoatpocketandgavehimanote.
Williamseizedatitrathereagerly,heopenedittrembling,butinstantlyhiscountenancechanged,andhetorethepaperintwoanddroppeditoutofthecarriage.
HekissedGeorgyonthehead,andtheboygotout,doublinghisfistsintohiseyes,andwiththeaidofFrancis.Helingeredwithhishandonthepanel.Fort,Schwager!
Theyellowpostilioncrackedhiswhipprodigiously,upsprangFrancistothebox,awaywenttheschimmels,andDobbinwithhisheadonhisbreast.
HeneverlookedupastheypassedunderAmelia’swindow,andGeorgy,leftaloneinthestreet,burstoutcryinginthefaceofallthecrowd.
Emmy’smaidheardhimhowlingagainduringthenightandbroughthimsomepreservedapricotstoconsolehim.Shemingledherlamentationswithhis.
Allthepoor,allthehumble,allhonestfolks,allgoodmenwhoknewhim,lovedthatkind-heartedandsimplegentleman.
AsforEmmy,hadshenotdoneherduty?ShehadherpictureofGeorgeforaconsolation.
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